Underneath This Skin (a Kuroshitsuji Fanfiction) by Seth's Kiss:
A/N: Heyo, everyone, tis me, KiSS-san, more commonly known on FFnet as Seth's Kiss, ayup! So, I wanted to do something different, and decided I wanted to write fics for my closest friends, and thus was born, the Gift Series! Woo! The fandoms will be super different from one another, but this will be fic seven out of uh, eleven, I think? Might be more? Anyways, hope ya'll enjoy! Bella Ciao!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler or any of its characters, I am not Toboso Yana-sensei after all. I do own everything else however (plot and ideas); it all stemmed from an idea, suggestions, and an eccentric imagination. I'd also like to apologize beforehand if any of the characters are O.O.C, so let me know when you believe they are. I mean, I try as hard as I can to keep them in character, but I tend to sometimes go and allow my writing take over my imagination at times (true story T_T).
Warnings: Like the majority of my works, this will be Rated M, out of pure simplicity of not wanting anyone underaged or uncomfortable to stumble on my other darker fics/stories, because my writing repertoire centres majorly in the dark, twisted and bleak (dead doves, if you will), and it ain't everyone that's a fan of that, of course and quite understandably. So, for safety, yes? All my fics are rated M – tis my default rating at this point, LOL (I mean it, most of my fics are NOT for the faint of heart, please don't venture there or say that I didn't warn ya'll or anything). That being said, this oneshot should be fine - last I checked. Oh, and this isn't really a warning, but I'd like to mention that, as it is something that Toboso-sensei officially stated, Grell Sutcliff will be referred to as female. Any advice within your reviews is, as always, warmly welcomed. However, if this story isn't in any way to your liking or if you sense something off, or if these themes or literally anything else doesn't appeal to you, either because it offends you or you are still underage, please, please, DON'T read. Kindly go back and browse for any other fics. There are plenty of them, I assure you. Bella Ciao :3
Note: This... I legit have no idea what this is. I was chatting to Asgardian-san one day, and she had said that, unlike me, she saw Sebastian more as a sort of father to the young Earl rather than a danger. And while I don't and still can't see it, cause hey, to each their own cup of tea, innit, and I can be VERY stubborn when so dead-set on what I believe (especially if it scares me XP), I'd like to think I'm pretty open? Sooooo, this fic is a what if, semi-character study/experiment, if we can call it that, I guess? Yeah, I still have no clue what this fic, LOL, I'll let ya'll judge?
Summary: Canon-Divergent/Slight hints of Alternate Reality(-ish), if you squint, super hard. Someone casually makes an offhanded remark about how Sebastian Michaelis looks, acts and feels like some sort of father-figure to the young Earl. The first time could only be coincidence. But with more and more people bringing it up, Sebastian just...wonders. Gift Series. Gift Fic. For Asgardian-san.
The Young Earl blew out a puff of warmth in the midst of the icy, cold winter air around him. His one eye of brilliant, cerulean blue glanced upward as pure, white snow tumbled down softly, slowly from the sky.
At least this snow was still white. But he really couldn't say the same for the one near his feet.
Crimson. So much red. Blood red. The boy's nose crinkled with profound disgust... Repulsive.
Readjusting his top hat and looking away, the Young Earl glared into the distance, squinting as he attempted to spot what he was seeking. And then he did, a tall, lean figure, clad all in black.
"Are you quite done?" called out the boy as loud as he could, annoyance seeping into his tone.
"Indeed, I am, my Lord."
He spun around, eyes narrowed up towards the Demon Butler under his command, who had magically materialised behind him out of thin air. He was all spick and span, like he hadn't just violently committed some mass genocide on their targets, and he was currently smiling down at him with amusement. Amusement the Young Earl could easily state he did not share one bit.
"Take me home now, Sebastian," ordered the boy, closing his one visible eye of brilliant blue "I begin to tire."
"Of course, Young Master," worded Sebastian with a slight nod of his head, before he paused, his gaze sliding off to the side "In a moment however, if you do not mind. We have company."
This surprised, if not startled, the young boy, having not heard anyone approach them at all, leading him to reopen his eye wide, and glance at his surroundings: "We have? Where? Who?"
Looking around and about, the Young Earl's eye widened, before an air of slighted boredom crossed his young features, whilst his lips tightened: "Oh. You. Grim Reaper."
"Little human lord," greeted back just as icily the Shinigami in question, as he fixed his glasses, before he glared darkly in the demon's direction with disgust "And his rabid demon on a leash."
"It is so lovely to see you too, William T. Spears," grinned Sebastian broadly, eyebrows raised "And what brings you here?"
"Seriously? Must you ask?" intoned William thinly, gesturing to all the bloodshed and carnage.
"Ah, yes. So diligent and efficient, aren't you. How admirable," uttered the Demon smoothly, his scathing and condescending voice not all matching the neat praise weaved within his words.
And it was so palpable that William just rolled his eyes: "Yes, yes, well, I could do well without forged compliments from a vile creature such as you. Where is the muzzle when you need it?"
That earned a hearty and loud laugh from the demon, sharp teeth and all. It wasn't a nice one - if the Young Earl grimacing openly, and William shivering discreetly, was of any indication. And of all a sudden, quicker than a blink of an eye, Sebastian was a breadth away from William, towering over him with a sinisterly brazen smirk: "Oh, you are much more fun than I last recall. What else, could you say about me, I wonder? Do tell me more."
Hand twitching for his Deathscythe, William's entire demeanour screamed cold bloody murder: "Vulgar, despicable, little–"
"Sebastian."
Both the aforementioned Demon as well as the Death Reaper snapped their attention towards the Young Earl, regarding the two of them utterly unimpressed and with his arms crossed tight: "I am growing impatien-TCHA!"
Sebastian blinked at the loud sneeze that ripped itself from his Young Master, before smiling: "Oh no, now that simply won't do. Are you cold, Young Master?"
Walking up to the boy's side, the Demon Butler removed his waistcoat and draped it across the Young Earl's little shoulders, before rapidly some rubbing warmth into his arms with friction: "I'd rather you not get sick now, hm?"
Batting Sebastian's hands away and stepping out of his reach, the Young Earl hissed like a cat: "Do not CODDLE me, Demon, I am not child."
"Yes, well, I would beg to differ, and we both know this is an argument, I will absolutely win."
"Tch. Rot in hell."
Sebastian grinned at the jab, about to retort on how rhetorical that was of the Young Earl to say, when he came to realise that the Shinigami had gone entirely silent. And was staring their way, a contemplative air to his otherwise typically blank features. The Demon Butler tilted his head: "Can we help you perhaps, Mr Spears?"
Looking away, a tad flustered, William cleared his throat and readjusted his glasses: "Ah. No, I merely... If I didn't know any better, I would not be saying this at all, but, for some reason..."
The Shinigami fully paused then, relatively unsure how to proceed with vocalising his thoughts. The Demon Butler, on the other hand, had no such issue, a sarcastic smirk touching his lips: "It's so unusual to witness you fumble along with your words, Mr Spears, are you quite alright?"
He had barely even finished his sentence, when William's Deathscythe came swinging straight for him. Obviously, being the amazing and incredible all-can-do demon that he was, Sebastian effortlessly dodged it, scooping his Young Master in his arms - who simply could not appear more bored and done with all of this - and skipping a few steps out of reach, grinning manically.
Retracting his weapon back to his side, William glared darkly, his tone seething with vitriolic venom: "Your concern is both reprehensible and revolting. Cease it, this very instant. Or else."
Sebastian merely snickered, leading William to click his tongue disapprovingly. Rather than walk away however, the Shinigami didn't, looking as though he was thinking against saying whatever it was that was upon his mind, before he eventually sighed, relenting and voicing it, tentatively: "From an outer, unknowing perspective, one might assume you two would be parent and child to each other. Or something of the sort."
Both Sebastian and the Young Earl blinked owlishly at that, glanced at each other wide-eyed, before slowly redirecting their attention towards William, gawking at him as they deadpanned, at the same time: "What."
"No, I meant-" stuttered Sebastian in flustered frustration, before eventually giving up entirely and shaking his head, beyond done "Nevermind. If you are quite done here, you are both more than welcome to leave the premises. I have work to do. And you are, quite frankly, a nuisance."
"Right back at you," snapped the Young Earl unpleasantly, exasperation heavy within his tone "We were leaving anyway, you're the one who slowed us down. Sebastian."
"Yes, Young Master," voiced Sebastian with a reverent and low bow, before following the Earl.
And home the child and demon went, thinking it was the end of that. That odd, out of place, outlandish remark.
How very wrong they were.
A month or so later.
"SEBAS-CHWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"
Sighing, Sebastian smoothly sidestepped out of the way as Grell Sutcliff came crashing down from the sky, who, as usual, had been hoping - in vain - to steal a sweet kiss from the Demon. Instead, sadly, all she got was a mouthful of dirt as fell face-first into the ground, groaning. Sebastian merely stared at her unsympathetically, before rolling his eyes and walking away. Like, really.
The Young Earl - who was nearby waiting as they had just finished their investigation and were about to head home - had observed the entire thing, but chose not to comment nor remark on it. To be honest, there was nothing to be said, really. Grell was just...Grell.
Speaking of the devil, she sprung back up to her feet swiftly and with dramatic flair, like she had never even fallen flat on her face, before directing her attention towards Sebastian, pouting:
"Awww, why'dya avoid meeee? I was going in for a lovely, luscious peck on those pr'tty lips - pucker up for me, Sebas-CHWAN!"
Sebastian was a shy away from hissing at her, like some feline offended by another's insistent proximity to it and its personal space. Like really. It was up to him when, where and how he would seduce others, not the other way round, thank you VERY much. Could she not get a hint?
As though she had read his mind, Grell refrained from pouncing on the Demon Butler this time, instead folding her arms across her chest and clicking her tongue, somewhat aggravated, before she looked down at the Young Earl pleadingly: "Say, little boy, could you please tell your Papa to just stop playing hard to get and be the gentleman to the lady that I am? Tell him that for me, would you, pweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase?"
The Young Earl just stared at the flamboyant Grim Reaper in all of her blood scarlet, red glory.
"...What?"
"Tsk, I said-"
"No, no, I heard that," interrupted the Young Earl, irritated "What did you just call Sebastian?"
Grell batted her eyelashes at the child, before pursing her lips as she attempted to decipher what the issue was, before eventually deciding there was none, so she shrugged and repeated herself: "Your Papa."
The Demon Butler made an odd, strangled noise of presumably surprise at the back of his throat, whereas the Young Earl was beginning to wonder if all of the Shinigami had gone made lately.
"...Sebastian is my butler. Not my father."
To say that Grell didn't look absolutely shocked would have been a blatant lie, as she gasped: "Oh?! But he's so fatherly towards you and everythin'. The purrrrrrrrfeeeect DADDY material. Sebas-chwan, give me BABIES!"
Swiftly scooping the Young Earl into his arms, the Demon Butler ran off faster than the wind, not once looking back and leaving Grell far, far behind them.
Three to four months later.
"First the Reapers. Then the Phantomhive Servants. And now you, Lau-san," sighed Sebastian, slowly shaking his head, wondering what in Heaven, Hell and Earth was wrong with everyone.
"Are we all wrong?" drawled out Lau slowly, sounding confused as raised his eyebrows high.
"Very. I am not related to the Young Master," stressed out Sebastian with a tight smile, just as pissed now as the Young Earl was with everyone's erroneous and utterly ludicrous assumptions.
"Really? Such a shame. And here I thought I was a good judge of character. My mistake, sorry."
Shaking his head, Sebastian let out a sigh, and looked off to the side, accidently catching his reflection in the mirror on the other side of the room. He stared longer than he would've usually, before titled his head slightly at a different angle, and then frowned. What where they on about? How exactly had they come to this conclusion? What about him made him what they suggested? Or were they merely delusional and led by some idle, preposterous sentiment that he did not fathom, nor harboured, as a demon?
"Diē Die."
Dark maroon red eyes darted off and over to Lau's ever-so faithful shadow and bodyguard as she pointed at him, and Sebastian found that he had to force himself not to grimace at her words. Not her too.
"My, my. I'm glad to know at least my lovely Ran Mao agrees with me," declared Lau happily, as he proudly patted at her head, before he cheerfully waved at the Demon Butler and smiled "Well then, as always, huge a pleasure working with the Young Earl. I'll be in touch again soon. A good day to you and your household, Phantomhive Butler."
"...Thank. You," gritted Sebastian through tightly clenched teeth, exasperated beyond measure.
Less than two weeks after.
Honestly, by now, Sebastian truly had to wonder what on Earth he was doing that was granting him such an adhesive and obdurate label. Because it didn't matter who he met, where he went, no matter if it was him, the Young Earl or both of them...
"Heavens, not you too, Lord Diedrich," near pleaded Sebastian quietly, resisting the urge to run his hands over his face in his frustration "Listen here, with all due respect, I am nowhere near worthy of being the Young Master's parent, in any shape or form. Please do banish the thought, if you could ever so kindly."
The man merely smirked and laughed, unbothered, before eyeing the Demon Butler knowingly: "Whether you like it or not, Butler, you are the one by his side, day and night, in the highs and lows, through both the good times as well as the hardship and woes. You are a parental figure in some sorts. You look after him, take care of him, protect him. Is that not what a parent does?"
Sebastian didn't reply to that, remaining quiet, his gaze lowered to the floor, his brow furrowed.
On the very next night.
It was somewhat late, and the Young Earl, exhausted, was getting ready to retire for the night. However, though Sebastian was dutifully taking care of him as he always did and always had, the boy could tell something was...off. The Demon appeared to be distracted, lost in his mind.
The Young Earl did not comment on it, nor did he bother to point it out. It wasn't that he didn't care, nor was it because he did. He had merely noticed it. But though he was relatively curious, it wasn't quite his place to inquire upon it.
Then again, by the time he had been put in his sleepwear, the demon finally opted to speak up, hence he never needed to ask in the first place.
"...Young Master?"
"Yes, Sebastian, what is it?"
"My deepest apologies in advance, but might I inconvenience you with a question, my Lord?"
The Young Earl instantly frowned, put off by the way the Demon Butler had worded his query: "This is new. And somewhat unnerving, I must add. You can speak however, do go on."
The Demon Butler went quiet however, which prompted the boy to sigh, and look up his way. The Young Earl was taken aback to witness that Sebastian appeared to be horribly conflicted. That was, an odd and unusual look for him. He looked as though he was unsure where to start.
Unwilling to play therapist to a demon, the Young Earl crossed his arms and cleared his throat: "Well, you brought it up, Sebastian, it would be silly to go silent now. Speak."
"Yes, Young Master," acquiesced the demon then, immediately reacting upon the child's order, before pausing again "It's just... Due to many recent remarks as of late, I cannot help but wonder and ask myself, my Lord, but, how is it, that you view me exactly?"
Dark burgundy red met wide blue then, and stagnant silence fell over the room for a moment.
"What the hell is this question?" eventually blurted out the Young Earl, looking awfully startled.
"I did apologize beforehand, I would have you know," pointed out the Demon Butler helpfully, leading the boy to roll his eye at the other and let out a noise that was between a huff of irritation and a baffled laugh.
"Yes, yes, you did. I merely fail to comprehend the...reason, behind the question," waved off the Young Earl, before he ran a hand over his face, perplexed "And what exactly do you seek, by getting this question answered, Sebastian, hm?"
"Clarity," answered the Demon Butler, instantly and effortlessly, as if it was plain and simple.
But it really wasn't because it took a good moment or so for the Young Earl to figure out where all of this was even coming from: "Oh? Oh, I see what this is about. Because you are...confused, is that it?"
"On some level, perhaps. I would say so, yes," nodded Sebastian, features blank as he watched his master throw his hands up in mild aggravation after the Demon Butler uttered those words.
"Why would you, of all people - we'll allow it, I know you're not people - be confused?"
"Because this is too human for me to understand, my Lord."
"I see," relented the boy, realising that all this actually made a lot more sense than he initially imagined "Hm. Well, Sebastian, to answer your question - on how I view you - it is quite simple, really. You, are my butler. Nothing less, nothing more. Will that be all?"
Unsurprised by the child's reply and the fact that it wouldn't ever entirely answer his question, Sebastian smiled, chuckling as he bowed low: "Yes, my Lord. I shall therefore take my leave, and I bid you a pleasant night now. Sleep well, Young Master."
Turning around, the Demon Butler made his way towards the door, but before he could leave, his master called out to him.
"Sebastian."
The Demon Butler immediately paused in his tracks, before slowly spinning around on his heel: "Yes, my Lord?"
Eyes closed, long dark lashes brushing upon the pale smoothness of his cheeks, the child was already in bed, cocooned underneath the warmth and protection of his covers, making him seem so young and vulnerable, fragile and so, very, human. Sebastian's red gaze glittered in the dark.
"Stay by my side, until I fall asleep."
"Very well, Young Master."
000000000000000000000000000000000000
While his master was quick to fall sound asleep, Sebastian, however, ended much too distraught over it all to simply just leave the matter be. Realistically, normally, he should not be allowing any mere hearsay to bother him in the least. Preposterous gossip. Idle human prattle. And yet...
Here he stood, for the past hour or so, in a place he rarely stood longer than what was necessary. The mirror. Again. For the second time now.
But not out of any reason to be otiosely enamoured with a sense of excess vanity or necessary pampering to be oh-so presentable in the eyes of society for the sake of the Phantomhive name. No, if only. Perhaps that would have been simpler to deal with.
Maybe gazing a tad longer would give him answers he could not reach. What was it about him, that caused so many to point out what was clearly and evidently not there? Was it hidden across his immaculately counterfeit features? Under his skin? He lightly poked at his pale, ashen face, his cheeks, his lips. Or was it his actions? Were people confusing him protecting his next meal, as parental intentions? Sebastian tilted his head. He didn't understand humans, he decided then. And probably never will.
He looked away. But completely missed his eyes flickering from blood red to burgundy maroon, for the fraction of a second or two. It was almost as if they weren't his. Or had these eyes ever been something he could call his own to begin with? Because in the end, did he even know, who he was, underneath?
The End.
A/N: And third one! Once again, Asgardian-san, sweetie, wishing you a wonderful and lovely Birthday! May all your dreams, resolutions and more come true, be it during this year or any of the upcoming ones! I hope you'll enjoy this fic just as well as the other two – this one especially, I wrote it with you in me mind X3 You had mentioned during one of our many, lovely convos (I truly miss them, so much T_T) how you'd view the Demon Butler more as a mentor/father figure as opposed to my consistent and rather insistent interpretation of the guy (yes, Sebastian still very much FREAKS me out O.O). So, while this was very new territory for me to venture into, it was a nice and welcome change X3 I had fun! Will I do it again? ...I won't make a habit of it, that's for sure, buuuuuuut, it's not a definite 'no', so who knows? XP
The only way I was able to convince myself to write this (because if ya'll read my other fics, Sebastian is...portrayed as creepy, well creepier, albeit a creep even), was by telling myself that Sebastian is Vincent. Or rather, a demonic version of Vincent. Long story short, his last contract was Vincent (yes, Vincent died like he did in the manga, but Sebastian still consumed his soul), and upon collecting his payment, Sebastian absorbed and kept Vincent's fatherly love towards the young Earl. However, once he consumes the last soul he had been contracted to, Sebastian then has no previous recollection of his previous contracts (it's a demon thing? – it makes sense in my head, I swear), so he always has the impression his latest one, is the first one in so long. Which is why, when he is summoned by the young Earl that night, Sebastian not only doesn't recognise the kid, but also does not recognise Vincent as ever being someone he had previously been contracted to. Yeah, again, this makes perfect sense...in my mind though, so...I am sorry?
Also, I have no idea why I thought it would be a good idea to have Sebastian flirt with William? But, I lowkey kinda, sorta, ship? So, do forgive my lil' hint-hint-nudge-nudge-wink moment, yeah? Cheers XP
Anyways, thank ya'll SO much for giving this fic a moment of your time, hope you enjoyed it! Until next time, take care and be safe, everyone! Bella Ciao!