Hello my wonderful, most nice readers! Yes, it's me again. I'm so sorry for the long wait! *hides behind her chair* You know the things called 'Real Life' and 'School'? Yes, exactly that happened. That and video games. God, I love Darksiders II! *looks at angry audience* Right, where was I... Ah, yes, fanfiction. I shall not keep you from reading any longer. Enjoy!

Oh, and thank you for all the adorable reviews, follows and favourites! I love all of you so much! Here, have virtual cookies! And thank you~! Yes, you know who you are. The picture you drew really inspired me! x3

*cough* On with the story!

"I never knew that we have secret passages throughout the whole mansion! This will make things so much easier." Our favourite servants were way to motivated, but this whole situation was just too good to pass up. Besides, life at the Phantomhive estate can be a tad boring sometimes - believe it or not. Thus, Bard, Finny and Meyrin entered this mysterious tunnel. For a secret passageway it looked rather friendly, unlike the typical, dungeon-esque style such passages usually have. No skeletons lying around, no rats scouring along, there wasn't even moss on the walls. "It's really nice in here." Finny was in a really good mood. After all, there aren't many times when the servants could go adventuring on their own. He loved adventures. "Finny, just make sure you don't touch anything. We are on a secret mission. God knows what Sebastian would do to us if he found out we were following him all the time..." They all shuddered at the thought.

They arrived at a slightly larger room which was equipped with basic furniture: a table and two chairs. "Seems like nobody's been here for ages." Finny stared at something that seemed to be a hole in the wall. "Hey, I can see Sebastian from here! The Lady in red too. They seem to be cha-" Meyrin showed the boy away, so she could have a look at this whole peculiar scene. "Wha... Wha... What is this?" After stuttering a few more incomprehensible words she sank to her knees. Bardroy and Finny didn't know what to do. They just stared at her. "What did she see?" "She was probably just surprised because Mr. Sebastian really went all out with the decorations and roses and so." Bard only blinked. "Okay, let's take a look at this." "Mr. Sebastian really likes this girl, doesn't he? He's even eating dinner with her!" At the sight before his eyes Bard almost dropped dead. "Sebastian... Smiling... Eating..." "Bard? Bard...?" He tilted his head at the babbling cook. "Is that foam coming out of your mouth? Bard...?"

"May I inquire if you have enjoyed your meal?" Sebastian's smile was a smug one and getting broader by the minute. He seemed to be quite content with Grell being here. The devilish butler looked like he was having one Hell of a time. "I haven't eaten such a wonderful meal for ages, Sebastian!" The redhead was literary radiating happiness. His eyes sparkling, his teeth bared in a broad smile. But then suddenly his face fell, taking the happy aura with it into oblivion. "I don't think I deserve such nice things... Or a treatment like this." Tears are forming in his eyes. "I know I've caused you more trouble than I'm worth. I just used you, haven't I?" Tears started spilling from his eyes. "Even now I'm troubling you! I'm sorry for being this egocentric, so sorry..." A loud sob broke the silence, shattering the friendly atmosphere into pieces. More sobbing followed, Grell's body shuddering almost violently with all the compressed feelings finally finding an outlet. He felt horrible. He didn't want to cry. Not in front of Sebastian. He was never supposed to see him in this state. Grell's head was spinning, he tried to suppress his outburst, but he just couldn't.

At the same time Sebastian was at a loss. He didn't know how to react to such a sudden change. Hell, he didn't even know what to think of this. Grell seemed to be doing more or less fine all evening, he seemed to be enjoying himself. This helplessness angered the butler.
'I could just throw him out. Then my problem would be solved.'
'You can't do that! Look at him, such an action would probably utterly break him!'
'Why should I care?'
'You brought him here to help him.'
'Well-'
'You redecorated the dining room.'
'It-'
'You cooked him dinner.'
'I-'
'You baked him a cake out of your own will, even though you hate chocolate!'
'Uhm...'
'And now you're trying to convince me that you feel nothing positive for him?! That's low, even for a demon.'
'There might be something.'
'Good. Now go and comfort the poor soul.'
'One question: Who are you and why am I arguing with you?'
'I'm you. Well, got to get going. Good luck!'

Sebastian would have laughed at this whole scenario if there weren't for a certain shinigami crying like it's the end of time. It was a heartbreaking scene. The eyes which used to be so bright, with a special gleam to them, were now dull, their liveliness taken and replaced with pain and sorrow. His face, which he treasured so dearly, all tear-stained, a red rim encircling his eyes. The make-up - on which he probably spent hours - smeared, as the tears passed it by. Whilst he was taking in this broken figure, Sebastian felt uneasy. He felt... Pained.

For the second time today, a familiar set of arms was embracing Grell gently. He wasn't really aware of it, the sadness swallowing his entire being, breaking his mask as if it were nothing. He felt someone picking him up and carrying him away. Somehow he couldn't even bring himself to care. After a short while his captor, who was most certainly Sebastian, put the redhead down and sat himself next to him. More tears erupted from his eyes, his figure shaking under the pressure. "Shhh... I'm here for you, Grell. Everything is going to be fine." Sebastian was whispering, tenderly stroking Grell's beautiful red hair. "Cry until you feel better... You can lean upon my shoulder as long as you need to." Grell silently accepted this, laying down in the demon's lap, weeping. He didn't really think, he only left his emotions flow freely.

'He is a mere shadow of himself.', was the first thought that invaded Sebastian's mind, when he laid his eyes upon the broken shinigami's image. 'No, this is probably the most accurate portrayal of him I've seen yet. It's not a mask, it's not a facade.' He kept stroking Grell's silky hair, evolving his thoughts further. 'I don't know why, but I want to get to know his real side. I should be damning this curiosity of mine by now, right?' He smiled tenderly. 'Somehow I don't really mind this.' The figure in his lap shuffled, sitting up. "Have you calmed down a bit, Grell?" He nodded, sniffing, but not crying anymore. "Here." Sebastian handed a napkin to Grell and continued petting his hair. "I- I'm sorry Sebby. I ruined your evening, didn't I?" A bitter smile appeared on his face, as he looked away from Sebastian. "Quite on the contrary.. Though you really shouldn't be disrespecting yourself like this." A gentle hand touched the redhead's cheek, giving him a reason to stare into the demon's red eyes. "Would it be alright if... If..." "If you want to tell me what's wrong? Of course it is." Grell took a deep breath and started telling Sebastian about the past events.

A.N.:

I should explain something, right? Well, I've always imagined Grell's behaviour a facade, hiding a different, his real side from the outside, trying to protect himself. And I kind of like torturing our little redhead. Hihi. Yes, Sebastian is quite OOC at the moment, I have to admit that he is rather hard to capture. But alas, It's fanfiction. ;)

See you next chapter!