Baby Steps

Chapter 3

Thank you Carrie2Sky for beta-ing this story. I am honestly glad that you're doing this.
And thank you everyone for reviewing. I know there is not many people who like this sort of thing but eh, it be aight. Dang, slang came out. Trust me, I have worst slang than that. Now read and go and thank Carrie2sky~

When the carriage came to a stop in front of the mansion, the sky was pitch black with dark storm clouds coming in.

Some had already covered the many stars and half of the full moon, masking the grounds in shades of gray and black.

It looked like a bad storm was brewing as the winds were picking up and Sebastian could hear the small mammals scrambling towards their homes for protection. The scent of rain washed over his sense of smell, proving Sebastian's thoughts right.

He looked to the mansion's front door to see the household's servants waiting for Sebastian and their Young Master with a lantern in each of their hands, illuminating the mansion's grounds.

"Sebastian! We kept the house in order!" Finny exclaimed while running forward only to stop in front of Sebastian who was opening the carriage door.

"Yes we did!" Mey-rin echoed in her usual cheery voice while coming to stop beside Finny.

Sebastian smiled falsely. "I suppose the kitchen is in adequate order as well?" He questioned before turning around to attend to Ciel.

Finny, Bard and Mey-rin exchanged silent glances before Mey-rin ran/stumbled back inside the mansion.

Sebastian ignored the maid and saw that Ciel was surprisingly still sleeping, occasionally mumbling something incoherent under his breath.

He sighed as he thought about the trip back. It had been uneventful with nothing to do other than stare out the window and watch the shadows move due to little light they had from the lanterns on the carriage and listen to the insistent pounding of the horse's hooves and rocking sounds that accompanied it.

Sebastian picked Ciel up as one does a child and held him against his chest with one arm while the other closed the carriage door. He turned to look at Finny and Bard, who adored the sleeping Ciel.

He looked even more like a child when sleeping- all curled up against his butler's chest with his face in the crook of his neck, trying to retain warmth from the nearest body heat.

No frowns were present nor did he have his sardonic smirk in place. His expression was peaceful one that Ciel could only achieve in sleep.

Sebastian turned to Bard, with Ciel still in his arms. "Bard, I'll leave the carriage to you." He turned his head down towards Finny who was creeping up to get a better look at the sleeping Ciel. "Finny." Finny froze and turned to look at Sebastian. "After Bard is done, you both may go to bed."

He didn't think his young master would appreciate being looked at while in such a defenseless state as if he were an animal on display nor would he want to be subjected to such treatment.

The butler stopped at the door and bid Tanaka goodnight to which he responded in his usual hearty reply. "Ho, ho, ho."

Sebastian bowed his head as Tanaka went in and followed behind, only stopping to close the door. He watched the elderly man disappear around a corner, no doubt going to the servants quarters before heading up the stairs, only to be stopped by a loud crashing sound. He sighed before continuing, taking his usual graceful strides.

It wasn't long before he came to a stop in front of Ciel's bedroom, after passing many portraits- none of which held anything of interest. He stepped into the dark room, the only light were the stars and the half of the moon that was not covered by the storm clouds that basked the room in an eerie glow.

Sebastian laid Ciel down on his bed after taking his socks and shoes off, along with his garters. When he was done, he put them in their rightful place. One place, where it would get washed and the other for a later day, and left the room to prepare a bath for his young lord.

What kind of butler would he be if he left his young master unattended?

After a short process of filling up the bathtub with the right water temperature he knew would be to Ciel's liking, he returned to the room to wake him up.

He entered the room quietly and turned towards the bed intending to wake him up, but he saw there was no need to.

His young master was already awake, sitting up in bed with his clothes that were looking a bit more loose than usual. Ciel had his petite hands balled up into fists rubbing his eyes. His small pink lips parted into a small oval shape, eliciting a small yawn with his eyes closing briefly.

The blue haired boy opened his eyes and glanced at Sebastian, just noticing his butler's presence for the first time. "Sebastian? What are you doing?"

Sebastian chuckled at his young master's expense. It seems the elixir has yet to stop progressing nor does it look like it will stop any time soon. He thought back briefly to this afternoon's situation and all amusement stopped. Oh my, what a bother. It seems he will not cease causing problems.

"Young Master, it will best if you looked at your reflection." Sebastian stated wearing a calm facade causing Ciel to give him a questioning glance before he slid out of bed, having to be careful seeing as his bed seemed taller than usual. He made tentative steps towards the mirror, remembering the other morning's outcome.

Ciel eyes slid shut when he came to a stop in front of the mirror, his childish fears coming to the surface.

"Young Master, closing your eyes won't help. I assure you that," came Sebastian's deadpan voice from the left of Ciel.

Mismatched eyes snapped open and he turned his head towards his butler and snapped, "Of course I know that! I may have been subjected to this form but that makes no difference in our positions. I am still the holder of the contract!"

Sebastian sighed inwardly. He really is childish. "I did not mean to insult you, I-"

"Enough. I do not wish to hear anymore from you tonight."

Sebastian eyes narrowed briefly at being cut off but then he slid a false smile in place and opened his mouth to speak but Ciel spoke once more.

"That's an order."

Sebastian felt a flash of irritation at his master's order and let the smile slip from its place and bowed. "Yes, my lord." With that, no more words fell from his lips.

Ciel huffed and turned around without directly looking at his reflection. This is foolish to be avoiding this. The outcome will be the same no matter how long it takes for me to face this fear.

He sighed and cracked opened one eye before both eyes slid opened in shock. He was now smaller than before and his eyes were a bit more round along with his facial features being more cherub. He put a hand to his back of his head where a piece of hair stood up as he tried to push it down but it stayed up in its position. He tried again but once more it sprang back up.

Ciel's lips quivered briefly with frustration at his hair's disobedience and the whole day's events coming back at full force.

He twirled and shot his butler a pleading look to which Sebastian leveled with an indifferent look as if reminding Ciel of his order.

Sebastian was right and Ciel visibly inflated- his pride not allowing him to take back the order. Ciel inhaled sharply only to let it out in a small whoosh and turned to Sebastian. "I suppose you have a bath waiting for me?" He inquired.

Sebastian nodded and made a hand movement for Ciel to follow him and walked towards the door to hold it open for him.

After Ciel left the room, Sebastian grabbed a nightshirt and went to turn with candelabra in his hand to see Ciel poke his head back in the room. Seeing Sebastian stop and look at him with a raised brow, Ciel scowled. "It's dark and I can't see."

Sebastian smirked and walked towards the door, the shadows that were cast from the candelabra danced as he moved. He walked out and looked down at Ciel and tilted his hand in a gesture for Ciel to go ahead so he can remain his respectful distance behind.

Ciel did not and instead stood by his side. Seeing this, the butler sighed and started walking with Ciel by his side.

The walk to the bathroom was quiet, if not a bit eerie from lack of conversation and everything looked bigger to Ciel due to his new height. He clung to Sebastian's side, not even meeting his questioning gaze and continued walking- his tiny feet padding softly on the carpet, only audible to a demon's ear.

When they finally approached the bathroom, Ciel waited for Sebastian to open the door and only when he did, did he finally enter the steamy room.

Ciel inhaled the oil emitting from the bathwater and went towards the tub and looked back at his butler expectantly. "Well?"

Sebastian knew what he was to do and approached him and got to the task of undressing him. First, his brown shorts, to which Ciel sneered at.

Next, was his plain white shirt. Sebastian's fingers automatically went to the tie that was now out of place around his master's neck. Seeing Sebastian's look, Ciel scoffed and looked away, mumbling. "It fell off when I was running towards you earlier."

The butler smiled slyly. Was it possible the Young Master was jealous?

Sebastian moved on from the tie and starting unbuttoning the buttons swiftly before sliding the shirt off of Ciel's bare shoulders and folding the clothing before setting them aside.

He had to help Ciel get in the tub since it was a bit (lot) taller than him at which he scowled at and allowed the action before finally stepping in the warm water.

Ciel let out a hum of enjoyment before sliding back and allowing for his back to hit the inside of the tub and submersed himself, not taking into account of being too small to properly lean back without drowning himself.

He came back up to the surface coughing and sputtering, allowing his butler's hands to help him back up.

After the last few coughs left him, Ciel's mismatched orbs met amused red one that were silently mocking him.

He growled lowly which sounded more of a kitten's growl than the more ferocious growl Ciel was aiming for and shook off Sebastian's hands to lean back.

Only this time he put his arms outside of the bath along the curve of it to hold onto before submersing himself in the bath water.(Again)

Sebastian stayed by his side the whole time in case he should slip into the water's embrace and swallow another mouthful. After a few moments, Sebastian motioned to Ciel to lean up which he responded with a weary gaze but did as he was asked, letting Sebastian wash him.

Sebastian washed diligently and albeit a bit slowly until Ciel got tired of the slow pace and snapped, "Sebastian, what on earth is taking so long? I'm tired and wish to retire to my room."

Sebastian chuckled lowly and washed him a bit quicker, ignoring Ciel's cry of 'You're too rough!'

When he was finally done, he picked Ciel up- noticing that he was quiet and was sporting a small pout and placed him on the ground before getting on a knee to be more level to Ciel's short stature.

Sebastian wished to call attention to his master's pout but held his tongue due to the order still being in place.

My, it seems the master has not even realized his mental changes either. He briefly reveled in the enjoyment of a helpless Ciel before he was poked in the cheek.

His eyes widened subtlety and he looked at Ciel with a questioning look, wondering why he touched him to get his attention. Usually, Ciel avoided all physical touches but as of late, he had been clinging onto his butler more than usual.

Sebastian sighed. How bothersome. It seems I have more work on my hands. He knew it was the elixir's doing, but it seemed he just made more work for himself instead of it only affecting Ciel. (Poor Sebastian)

Ciel just merely looked at a towel and then at the now wet floor, which he was set on.

Sebastian grabbed a towel and started to dry off his Young Master off, ignoring his hisses. He was doing it all by mindless routine, but was brought out it by a sharp tugging on his hair.

"That hurts!"

He glanced down at Ciel to see him with a hand still in his hair and a pained expression on his face with little tears collected in the corner of his eyes. (Even from his crouched position, he was still taller than Ciel)

He looked down at Ciel's skin to see red marks where he must of scrubbed too hard. Strange. He always put the same amount of pressure as to not to harm his lord's delicate skin.

Sebastian pondered for a brief moment before realizing it was the after affects of the elixir. Ciel's skin must have gotten more delicate. Well, he is a young child now so that must be the reason behind the red markings.

Sebastian opened his mouth to apologize, but stopped when he felt a tingling in his hand, reminding him of his order. He grabbed Ciel's hand from his hair, the one that wasn't currently wiping his eyes and wrote the words, "I apologize, Young Master," onto his palm.

Ciel snatched his hand back and finished wiping his tears with the back of his hands. Sebastian understood and finished toweling Ciel softly. Once he was dry, he grabbed his nightshirt and slid his arm through the sleeves of it and buttoned it up swiftly so Ciel could retire to his room for bed, seeing as he was already yawing again.

Ciel waited for Sebastian to grab the candelabra and once again stuck to his side for the small trip back to his room.

Ciel rarely enjoyed the small things in life but as of now, he was enjoying the soft cool sheets of his bed as he sank down on them, immersing his small body in the humongous plush mattress.

In the distance the grandfather clock chimed. 12 o'clock. The night is done. It is now a new day.

Sebastian turned and left Ciel sleeping in his bed, soft snores emitting from him. Since Ciel had gotten smaller, it made Sebastian dread the upcoming weeks. If this continued, how young would Ciel get? It would certainly propose some interesting challenges.

He picked up the candelabra and quietly left the room, the small click and the finishing chimes of the clock breaking the silence of the mansion.

Thunder boomed in the sky, shaking the windows while harsh rainwater pelted the window, sounding a steady pattern that cut through the occasional silence in the room like a hot knife does to butter. The gardens were in no better shape; the rains had made the grounds marshy and the plants waterlogged making them bend down from the weight of the water.

Lighting danced across the skies, making shadows flicker through the open gap in the curtains.

In the master's bedroom, a figure was huddled up in the sheets, jumping every so often when a thunder boomed.

Scared mismatch eyes peaked out from under the covers every so often looking at the door, but then they would disappear back under when thunder rumbled before finishing with a deafening boom.

The moon was long gone by now and in it's is place was the sun that was hidden by dark storm clouds that didn't seem to be moving anytime soon.

Sebastian was running more than a few minutes behind due to the fact that Bard had decided to try to 'impress' Ciel by attempting to cook breakfast which resulted in burning the food which basked the kitchen in a putrid smell of burnt food. After he threw Bard out of the kitchen, he got to work to up clean the mess.

When he was done, he glanced at his pocket watch to see that he was now two minutes behind. While opening the window a smidgen to air out the kitchen, he pulled off his coat-setting it on the coat hook and rolled up his sleeves and got to work on preparing breakfast in a speed only a demon could acquire.

When he finished preparing his young master's breakfast, Sebastian clapped his hands together and poured the boiling water in the teapot and carefully set it upon a tray where the tea cups and the tea itself was already set out.

After he checked to see if everything was in order, he checked his silver pocket watch to see that he was twenty minutes behind and snapped the watch shut. The butler unrolled his sleeves and grabbed his coat to slip it on and picked up the tray and walked out of the kitchen towards the master's silent bedroom.

He left out a puff of breath and came to a stop at his young master's door before opening it to enter the room with his master's breakfast and set the tray down on a end table by the bed. He noticed Ciel in the middle of his bed, but paid no mind and went straight to the curtains to open them at full mass. He clicked his teeth softly as he looked at the horrid weather.

The butler turned with the usual fake smile in place and walked towards Ciel. "Good morning, Young Master."

He took in the slight movement in the sheets and waited for Ciel to get up.

He did not.

Sebastian furrowed his brows momentarily and approached the bed- reaching out a hand to uncover Ciel.

A hand shot out...

Of all the things Sebastian expected this was not it.

One of the things he had been expecting was a hand slapping his own offending limb away, but he did not expect for Ciel to grab a hold of his whole arm and start clinging on to it. "Young Master, is something wrong?"

Ciel slowly peeked his head out and shook his head hastily and climbed of his cocoon of bed sheets, still not releasing Sebastian's arm. "No, why do you feel a need to ask?"

Sebastian raised a brow and made a show to look down at Ciel's tight grip.

Ciel swallowed and unclenched his hold on his butler's arm before sliding his legs over the edge of the bed. He jumped momentarily when thunder boomed, but nonetheless watched Sebastian as he went to the wardrobe to get his master's clothes for the day.

After Sebastian trifled with a few things, he found Ciel's favorite blue garb. He looked back at Ciel who was staring at him only to flinch slightly when thunder boomed.

It would seem he would have to fix this pair of clothes and after today when the rain stopped, he would have to phone Nina Hopkins to get Ciel a new set of clothes.

And maybe some smaller clothes for later, seeing as the elixir does not look like it will wear off soon. The raven-haired man quickly made the adjustments, ignoring his master's cry of anger since that was, after all, his favorite.

"I could have worn that later when I return to normal size!" he protested loudly.

Sebastian met his small glare (pout) with a calm look. "I'm sure you have more than enough money to afford another one like this, if you wish it."

Ciel huffed and crossed his delicate arms under his chest and turned his head away from Sebastian.

Sebastian scoffed under his breath and cut the string he was using to adjust the size of the shorts and shirt.

Standing up, he went to Ciel's side and stood him up to dress him quickly. He was a bit more careful today, seeing that from last night Ciel had become more delicate than usual.

Finally, after Sebastian was done, Ciel was able to sit and enjoy his tea while Sebastian slid his socks only for it to slide down the skinny calf. He would have put the garters to hold it place, but that would look foolish on his young master.

"It would seem you no longer fit in your socks nor shoes." Sebastian looked at Ciel, waiting for a reaction and to his surprise; Ciel merely scoffed and threw him a haughty look.

"The floors are cold and you wouldn't want your meal to get cold, now would you?"

Sebastian eyes widened, quickly catching on before he smirked. "No, it would be unwise for that to happen. After all, what kind of butler would I be if I would allow my Master to catch a cold?"

Ciel smirked and reached his arms up to which Sebastian leaned down, allowing Ciel to wrap his arms around his neck- seeing as his arms were not long enough to properly hold onto to both shoulders.

Sebastian wrapped a long arm under Ciel's legs, the crook of his arm supporting his bottom and walked out the room to go. He set Ciel down when they got to the dining room.

When Ciel was placed in his chair at the head of the table, all his servants gaped at his smaller size. His head was barely visible above the table.

"Young Master, you're so small!" Finny exclaimed only to hit on the head by Bard.

"Be quiet, you idiot! He does not like to be reminded of that." Finny automatically apologized.

Which made Bard smirk.

"Bard, Finny, Mey-rin, don't you have things to do?" Sebastian asked, knowing that they did.

All the servants tittered, but stopped and rushed out when Sebastian gave them a look.

He sighed and put a hand to his forehead. Honestly, what are they good for?

Due to Ciel's new height, Sebastian had to compensate by putting some books under his master so he could better reach the breakfast items. Ciel was angry about it, but there nothing he could do.

After he was done with his breakfast, ignoring the look Sebastian gave him since he didn't finish all of it, he made the hand gestures to be picked up.

It really was a comic sight; a small Ciel asking to be picked up as any normal child would but in reality, he was not a normal child. He didn't have parents; he was the Queen's guard dog and had a demon for a butler.

Sebastian first cleared his plates and set them aside and then picked up his needy master before he made a fuss (tantrum).

Sebastian shifted Ciel before leaving the room.

The walk to the study was uneventful and unnerving for Ciel. Every time they passed a window, Ciel would clutch his butler's jacket a bit tighter.

He finally breathed a sigh of relief when they came to his study. Sebastian set him down to open the door and allowed him to go in first.

Ciel feet had been getting cold so he reveled in the carpet's softness and the little warmth they brought. He turned to look at Sebastian and nodded. "That will be all. Bring me my tea at noon." With that he padded towards his desk, ignoring Sebastian's polite bow.

"As you wish, Young Master." Sebastian couldn't help but wonder how much work Ciel would actually get done, since yesterday he really couldn't read the Queen's letter.

Ciel looked back at the closed door to see no sign of Sebastian and looked back at the dark room. He lighted a candle to see better and made his way to sit in his chair to get started on his paper work.

The clock that was present in the study ticked ominously alerting Ciel of how quiet the mansion was. Where are those idiots for servants? Shouldn't they rampaging through the halls since it is raining much too hard be outside?

He would not admit it, but he felt uneasy by the quietness. As he looked at his work, he found that he had a lot of trouble reading the words on the papers, despite his best efforts to do so. The strain of trying to read got to him and he finally gave up. Darn elixir! Darn Sebastian!

In lieu of reading, Ciel decided to see if he could do some writing. Unfortunately that activity faired no better than the reading. He found he could only write very simple letters, all capitals. At least he could still write his own name, but how could he sign these documents? Feeling very frustrated at this point, Ciel gave up entirely on the paperwork and decided he'd find a way to have Sebastian do it, as much as he would hate to resort to asking for his help.

The clock chimed loudly, signally that it was nine o'clock, and bringing Ciel out his thoughts.

He jumped up in fright and looked at the clock, trying to calm his nerves. Ciel looked towards the window to see the clouds had not moved from its spot. It seems it will be raining all day.

He sighed, feeling frustrated at not being able to get anything done and stood up from the chair. He was about to call Sebastian, but stopped himself. I don't need to be carried. I had only wondered if he would actually do it.

He went towards the door only to scowl at his height; his head barely reached the knob!

Which a growl, he turned the knob and swung open the door to step out only to shiver slightly from the cold floor.

He feet made light slapping noises as he went through the mansion barefooted. After roaming his mansion's halls for a few more minutes, he decided to make his way back towards the study.

After a few turns, he was starting to get annoyed. He got lost in his own mansion.

Stupid demon. It's his fault for pouring that elixir in my bath water.

He was fully intent on calling Sebastian when he heard a creak somewhere around a corner. He walked cautiously towards the corner and looked down the hall.

There was no one there.

Hmm.

He shrugged and pushed his uneasiness away and continued down the hall, but stopped when he heard footsteps. "Sebastian?"

He'd know if it was him, he would come. Soon after he thought that, the footsteps hurried and started getting closer.

Usually, Ciel would face the problem head on, but the earlier fears came to the surface and did nothing to calm his rapid beating heart.

He turned on his heel and ran in the opposite direction and after a while he stopped and leaned against a wall, panting. Ciel would never admit it, but his pride took a blow when he ran.

He caught his breath, and turned a corner when he heard pounding footsteps. Ciel held his breath and waited for the footsteps to pass him by and when they did, he finally poked his head around the corner only to see a face.

Poor Ciel face whitened considerably more and he ran blindly.

Sebastian! Sebastian! He chanted his butler's name in his head.

Somewhere behind Ciel, after he ran, a confused Bard wondered why he saw his Young Master running. He was thinking of following after him, but a voice interrupted his thoughts. "Bard, Mr. Sebastian going to be mad if we don't get rid of this picture you burned."

Bard turned his head at Finny who interrupted his thoughts. "I know that, now come on." With that they disappeared down the hall.

Ciel's heart was beating wildly in his chest like a caged hummingbird. The thunder booming and the lighting flashing every time he passed a window did nothing to calm his fear. Nor did the shadows. He was starting to break a chill sweat along with his body trembling.

He turned a dark corner in the direction he thought was the way to his office only to smack into a warm body. He glanced up, scared of the implications.

And was relieved to see it was none other than Sebastian, he stood up and in his relief he ran at Sebastian and clung onto him. His little heart was still beating hard and Sebastian could feel it as he bent down to pick Ciel up.

"Young Master, what are you doing running around the hallways? You should be working," Sebastian chastised, but at the same time wondering what would cause his master to be so afraid. Then he had a thought. "Unless of course, you haven't been able to work," he teased.

Ciel mumbled in embarrassment, "It's that stupid elixir. It's making me act this way," he answered, not directly addressing Sebastian's teasing question.

Sebastian chuckled. "I see. Now let's go back to the study." Ciel didn't really want to go back knowing that he wouldn't be able to get any work done, but he didn't really want to tell Sebastian that just yet. The demon would only tease him further. After a few turns, they were there.

Ciel mouth parted slightly. All this time I was that close! He scowled and clung to Sebastian without him noticing and waited for his butler to open the door. When he did, he looked at window to see that it was broken.

He immediately felt Sebastian tense his muscles and looked at the wet footprints on his carpet and followed them. They led to a figure that was lying on his desk that he knew all too well.

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