Ciel continued to struggle to accept Sebastian as anything more than the butler he had known, though at times the effort was noticeable. Sebastian was the one to initiate the father and son moments once the servants were attempting to complete their chores. If the atmosphere inside the Phantomhive manor was somewhat dark and dreary, it was more so now.
Sebastian, the butler who could fix everything, do anything felt lost when at last he believed that his son was finally within his reach yet the boy would pull back.
"What can I do?" The demon asked one afternoon after setting down the tea cup in front of the boy.
"About what?" Ciel asked ignoring the cup in front of him. It pained Sebastian to hear the sadness in the boy's words.
"You Ciel, just when I had believed I had gotten somewhere with you, Help me to understand, I know so little of human emotions. You've refused visitors, meals, tea, I've run short on excuses as to why Lady Elizabeth can not visit with you, she misses you so. I've gone so far as to offer you chocolate for dinner just so you'd est something." Ciel remain silent.
"You've built a wall to shield yourself from the outside world, and under the circumstances I can not blame you, but you are also keeping away those that love you very much. Not everyone wants to harm you Ciel." The demon reached out his gloved hand to stroke the boy's hair. Ciel pulled away.
"You will never be my father, you are free to leave the manor now that you've desolved the contract between us." The young Earl said coldly. Sebastian stared at him surprised.
"Is that what you truly want, to send away the one who would do anything for you, with or without contract, does family mean so little to you that you could cast it aside?"
"You are a butler, I cannot accept you as anything other than that, that and what you truly are." Sebastian sighed.
"Are you afraid of me Ciel, is that what this is about, have I done something?"
"When have I ever been afraid of you, just go"
"You say I can never be your father, then allow me to remain your butler. I cannot lose you again, there are so many challenges ahead of you, so many dangers you will face, not just from humans, I will not stand idly by and watch you get hurt.. or worse. I lost your mother because I left, you were taken because I was not here for you. Allow me to atone for it."
"What do you mean dangers that are not just from humans?"
"You are what is referred to by our kind as a Halfling, that is the term for someone born of a human and demon. It is very rare that such a thing happens but they are looked upon by others are easy prey. Most do not survive childhood, this is why I must inform you that I shall remain in this house, either as your butler or your father."
"I will never call you father."
"Is it so terrible to be the son of a creature like me, talk to me, help me understand what you are going through."
"Stop it." The boy said angrily.
"Stop trying to get my son back, stop caring?"
"Shut up!"
"Do not speak to me in such a tone. I-" his eyes widened as he watched the enraged boy stand up from the chair.
"What are you staring at?" He growled.
"My dear Ciel, you are more like me than you know." He said calmly.
"What are you talking about?" Sebastian smiled, picking up the shining tray that he had used to bring in the Earl's tea and handed it to Ciel who gasped suddenly at his reflection.
"Your eyes have changed my young one."
"This can't be happening."
"No need to fret Ciel, this is who you are. They will change back after you have calmed yourself. you will find certain things may be different for you now. You may begin to notice changes. Allow me to guide you through this." Ciel turn to Sebastian wrapping his arms around him and buriedhis face into the demon's chest. Sebastian held him close.
"It's going to be all right little one, I am here."