Chapter 38: Danny POV

I stepped down from the ladder and walked back to the desk. The young Master was in the reading chair and I paused as I grabbed another book. His breathing was soft and slow. I rounded the bookcase and found him asleep.

"He was awake the whole trip back," the Earl said. He smiled as I started. He was sitting in the opposite chair, legs casually crossed and his head resting in his right hand. He studied this son and looked up. "Sebastian told me about your final stage of becoming a Demon. I'd offer my congratulations but I'd rather hold off until I'm certain my family is safe."

I looked down at the sleeping young Master and sighed. "I can only respect that decision. I'd do the same."

The Earl looked at me for a moment and chuckled. "I have been with Sebastian practically all my life. I have never known him to say or do, things you have done."

I leaned against the bookcase and smiled a bit. "Perhaps because of my rather unique background," I said at last. "It hasn't been easy always. I've presented myself to the world as a man for so long, and these… changes have made me realize I don't think I want to continue. I have hidden so long I'm not sure what not hiding looks or feels like."

"I asked one time what you wanted from me, from my son, and Sebastian said you wanted nothing. Nothing but to remain Vincent's tutor. Remain with Sebastian." He shifted and sat straighter, his fingers gliding over the fabric of the arm rest. "I became strong because of my parents death - their murder. I don't want Vincent to become strong because he has to. He should want to." He looked up and then at his son. "Because the burden of merely being a Demon's possession, object to mold and tease, to desire, is a great one. And," he sighed and got up, walking toward me slowly, "should there be a time, a choice to be made, I don't want him to have that burden."

I bowed my head a bit. "And the burden of being the next Watchdog?"

"I admit having a Demon with me to walk through it all has helped in this respect. But the knowledge that one step toward completing my original intention, one glance toward solving the wretched situation that made me so desperate, comes back to weigh on me even now." He turned and walked to the desk and ran his fingers over it. "This was my father's desk in the study." He paused and closed his eyes, remembering something and scoffed. "Nothing in this house even was here when I came back to reclaim my name," he muttered. "Not even the house."

He spun around and walked boldly up to me, stopping mere inches from me. His eyes were filled with desperation and dread, as if he was sealing some fate he did not wish to seal, yet, knew it had to be done.

"Should I fall before I have guided my son… do not let him take him. I beg of you, find it within your compassion and mercy to protect my son."

The air stilled and I nodded, and then felt the intense need to physically acknowledge the task he was wrestling with, the one he was placing in my hands - the one Sebastian himself would gladly assist to place before me even. I slid down, on one knee, and placed my newly gloved hands over my chest, and bowed my head.

"It would be my honor, my Lord."

The Earl stood above me and I could feel his gaze cool, satisfied. His own breathing became easier and I watched under my downcast eyes as he retreated to his study. I heard Sebastian coming down the hall, carrying a tray. I listened to Mey-Rin and Baldroy discuss weapons, and the steady shifting of dirt as Finnian made way for more plants. Lady Phantomhive was resting in her room, placing a book beside her and sighing. And I was next to her son, the young Master whose Soul was so bright. I had captured his heart already, and now his own Father was giving his Soul to me, if needed. This was the house I would protect and help guide, just as Sebastian protected and guided the Earl, the King's Watchdog, his own delicious Soul.

The young Master shifted and yawned, the book he had been reading, dropping to the plush carpet. I reached for it and smoothed the pages and turned as he opened his eyes and wiped his hands over his eyes. He looked so beautiful and innocent - because he was. I brushed a piece of his dark hair from his eyes and handed him the book.

"Perhaps a stroll in the garden and some tea will wake you up?"

He smiled and nodded, leaning forward. "Can we have some cake, too?"

"Oh you are your father's son!" I laughed. "A nice stroll and then tea and cake."

He walked down the hallway and stood by the door to the garden, his hand on the handle, but he was looking out the window instead. "Mister Hyde? Do I have to go back to boarding school next term?"

I took a breath and looked him over. "Your parents and I have yet to discuss next term."

"Oh," he said and looked up. "I'm going to be nine soon. I was hoping we could continue with our French and Latin courses."

I paused as I crossed the room, not sure what they all meant together, but in his mind, all the knowledge and time we had spent, meant something. Of course it meant something, I scolded myself. It had meant he was able to grow and become wiser. He was able to grow and watch his Father conduct his business. He learned to dance, to converse, to be a proper gentleman when the King's secretaries called and he was able to sit in the study and listen. The young Master Vincent Phantomhive was growing closer and closer to being able to stand on his own soon.

I cleared my throat and smiled again. "Shall we see what Mister Finnian has planted since last we were out?"

The young Master nodded and I opened the door, watching him walk into the garden and turn his face up to the sky as the sun shone bright. As long as I could, I would not offer my Mark to the young Master. The child-like look on his face warmed me and had me aching to hold my own sisters, so young and small, back in my arms. I couldn't protect them - I couldn't even protect my own brother - but this second chance I got, once more sacrificing so much, had afforded me to be able to have a family once more.