Sebastian lay on the ground staring up at Ciel, the boy's eyes showed his surprise.
"I never would have thought-" Sebastian began but stopped to remove a knife from the fabric of his butler uniform. No one had ever beaten the demon. Ciel sat down next to him.
"Did I hurt you?" He asked softy.
"No." He sat up and handed the knife back to the boy. Ciel sighed heavily.
"I'm not sure It's a good idea to play these games Sebastian. Can't we be like other... families?"
"We are very different than most. It is rather unfortunate that I wasn't able to make this easier for you. You should be grateful that-"
"That I can change into a monster and nearly take your head off, I like games, but not this one. I would rather play chess or-"
"This is the way demons teach their young ones to protect themselves. This is your chance to do whatever it is that you would like to do. You are not understanding the lessons I am attempting to teach. You have shown me that you are not a mere weakling, as Halflings go, you are one of the strongest I have seen."
"I don't like the way you looked at me when it happened, as though you couldn't react, caught off 've never given anyone that look. I'm not going through this again."
"The reason for that look was that I was amazed Ciel. You have shown me that you are capable of so much and if you would only be receptive to the-"
"No more. I'm sorry that I'm such a damn disappointment to you. I can't be the fearless son you want, I will never be more than a selfish, arrogant little bastard. Don't you get that?"
"You are not-"
"Just stop, I don't want to hear anymore. No more of these activities, ever." Ciel said angrily.
"There are things in this world Ciel that have the ability to fatally harm a demon, and even more that can take the life of a Halfling very easily. You need to be prepared to face them if you should cross paths. They will do whatever it takes to get what-"
"Then let them take it. My life isn't worth protecting, I see that now.
"Ciel Vincent Phantomhive, that is more than enough!" The older demon had not raised his voice in that manor but managed to get the boy's full attention.
"You listen to me very carefully, You may not put much value into your life, but to me, it is worth so much more than my own. If you want to kill me Ciel, I will get you one of the few weapons with the power to do so and you can plunge it into my heart, it will be a hell of a lot less painful than what you are doing." Sebastian turned from him, his eyes beginning to change to the glowing crimson.
"What are you talking about. I never said I wanted to do anything of the sort."
"Every time you say something along those lines, it feels as if you are thrusting a million knives into my heart. I thought I lost you once and it nearly destroyed me. Have you ever stopped to consider that possible?"
"I guess I hadn't thought of that, no."
"Of course not. I am but a mere butler after all why should it matter?" The was a long silence before the Earl stood up and walked wordlessly to the carriage and climbed in, shutting the door behind him. It would be another several moments before Sebastian would take him home.
"Don't get too wrapped up in anything young Master, supper will be ready shortly." Sebastian advised when at last they had entered the manor.
"You can make dinner for the servants, I won't be eating tonight. I think I'll just go have a lie down, I'm a little tired from the long day we had." Ciel began to climb the stairs. The butler sighed.
"As you wish, my Lord." He walked to the kitchen to begin preparations.
Ciel reached his room and pulled the door closed behind him. He climbed into bed not bothering to undress and pulled the blanket over his head, he had a lot to think about.
After only a few minutes, a gentle knock on the bedroom door brought him out of his thoughts.
"Who's there?" He called doing his best to use his usual tone.
"It's just me young Master, Finny, and Mey-Rin is with me. We just want to make sure you're alright, and let you know that, if you would ever need anything, anything at all, well, you aren't as alone as you may seem. You'll always have us. If you wanted to talk about what's bothering you, all you need to do is call."
"That's right, we don't want to over step our boundaries but we do care, goodness yes, we do." Mey -Rin said softly. Ciel sighed.
"You can open the door, just close it after you're in. I could used someone to talk to right now."