Chapter 41: Danny POV
The clouds looked decidedly threatening all day, so when the clap of thunder and the big lightning stroke forked across the sky, I wasn't surprised. I heard Mey-Rin give a small scream even as the deep rumble vibrated through the air. The young Master rolled over and sighed in his sleep. He was worn out after a rather eventful birthday party. Ponies and cake, frolicking in the fountain, and chasing a new pet rabbit across the lawn had worn pretty much all the Human's out. The Lady Phantomhive had sat on the steps, watching her son, beaming even as she stroked her almost ready stomach. The rumbling vibrated off the window and I could see the beginnings of the rain slowly form and drop to the ground, softly and then violently erupting, splattering on the window. I placed a hand on the window and looked out toward the back garden, leaning my head against it. Sebastian and the Earl had taken off to Dover, the newly crowned King, George V, sending an urgent letter to ask them investigate the disappearance of a visiting Spanish dignitary. Why the King's Watchdog was involved, even Sebastian didn't know, but they left as requested.
I looked toward the bed, the young Master turning again in his sleep and whimpering. I crossed the room and sat on the bed, his forehead was sweaty and I went to the bathroom to wet a small towel. He was most likely having a nightmare, and a cool cloth could help. Wringing it out I heard him gasp and sit up.
Walking out hurried to his side. "Young Master, what's the matter?"
"I feel sick."
"Oh dear, come, let's get you to the bathroom." I lifted the sheets and he slide over and placed his feet on the ground, wobbling as he stood. "Too much cake, yes?" I joked. He groaned. "Let's get you cooled off at the very least."
Once in the bathroom I pulled his night shirt off and realized it was soaked as well. Oh dear, how long had he been boiling hot? I hung the shirt up and found him hanging his head over the tub, the unmistakable pungent smell rising. I smoothed his hair back and rubbed his back. I ran the water and cupped my hands, helping the young master sip the cool water, hoping it would help.
"I'm sorry," the young Master said in a small voice. He slid down and cried. I ran the water more and sank down beside him.
"Oh young Master," I sighed, pulling him towards me. "It is quite alright. Nothing to be sorry about."
He gave a small nod and then put his hands on my left hand, as I rubbed his arm a bit. "Why do you and Mister Sebastian wear gloves all the time now?"
I looked down at my wet gloves, almost now a second skin to me. "Sometimes… sometimes we have to pick up things we rather not, so we wear gloves."
The young Master picked at my glove for a moment and turned my hand and placed his in mine. "I liked it better when you didn't. I don't know why."
"I can't really take them off," I said, sadness in my voice. I couldn't add why, and I longed to have him simply understand the complex world he had been born into, a world where his Father was powerful and feared, where he had been a scared boy at one time and had summoned a Demon as protection. That Demons existed. Angels existed. Bad men and women did things to each other that made both necessary. And that Death had its own Agency. I wasn't what I appeared to be. I simply held him tighter. Because that was all I could do.
"Do you feel better?" I asked after a few minutes. He turned his green eyes up to me and nodded. "Can you stand?"
"I can," he said and pushed off with my help, standing for a moment.
"Your nightgown," I said, handing the now dry garment to him. "Shall we?" I asked, motioning to the door. He gave a giggle and we walked back to the bed, the candle I held slowly dying as it burned to the end. A flash of lightening lite the room and he climbed in and pulled the sheets up.
"Mister Hyde? Can you lay in the bed beside me?"
I smiled and tucked the covers up around him and pulled the light blanket to rest around his waist. I nodded, bringing me back to when my sisters had asked the same question. When my brother and I had asked Mama to stay during storms.
The air sung with the late summer storm and I laid my head on the pillow and looked at the young Master. His eyes slid closed and he fought sleep as he turned and looked at me for a moment longer.
"Thank you, Mister Hyde," he said in a sleepy voice. "You are the kindest Tutor I have ever had."
My heart bursted for the child and I laid my head above his and curled my hand around his face, tracing his already defined features. He had the same face as the Earl, the nose that seemed to be passed down from generations of Phantomhives that hung in the Gallery, and a quick smile. He would be devastatingly handsome when he was older, right now he was adorably cute as he peacefully drifted off to sleep.
"To think I get to start my new life watching over you," I muttered as I lifted my finger off his chin and rested them on my side. I curved around him, protecting him from the storm outside and from the one that raged in my being for him.