Warning: not really anything.
Disclaimer: Aggh! I forgot to put them on the last two chapters. Again! Oh, woe is me. Anyway, picture Black Butler, now picture Black Butler in a pair of hands. The reason I don't own Black Butler is because those hands belong to Yana Toboso.
Chapter 10: Lonley Star Gazer
"So, what happened?"Michael asked curiously. Felix gave an exhausted sigh and looked at the boy beside him. Kurt seemed fixated on the window, so the guardian tried not to disturb his peace.
"Enough for ten front-page articles."
" That bad?"Michael questioned. He knew that the mansion was said to be cursed and all, but to the extent of exhausting Felix of all people...
"Not necessarily bad,"The red head stated quickly,"Just tiring."
"He actually slept there for a whole seven hours."Kurt added in awe at the sight. Felix was so vulnerable when asleep that it was no wonder he hated the practice,"I think that's a record."
"As a child I used to sleep for days on end. My dreams were always vivid and sometimes I could even affect changes in the world around me."Felix smiled at the memories,"I would finish my studies when I'd forgotten and the next day they would be complete. Mostly wrong, but complete all the same."
"Why did you get so many wrong?"Michael intervened,"You're a smart fellow, despite your age."
"Despite my age? Are you suggesting that I'm a child?"Felix smirked and Michael chuckled slightly at the reply, though he would deny the amusement later.
Felix looked to his window, only to see the tower of papers precariously wobbling over him. Like a cliff above a river just before it breaks away. He sweated and tried to make smaller piles around his feet. Soon the publisher was buried to his kneecaps in parchment.
The sight of paper made Felix remember how the carriage had gotten there in the first place. He pulled the letter from his pocket.
"I'm supposed to figure out why the queen wants to know the writers identities."Felix sighed,"And the only way to get that information, is through Ciel Phantomhive."
"Oh, that's right, he mentioned that you were going to be his servant. Is that true?"
Felix growled in frustration,"I don't really know, it's the best option, but that damn butler..."
"Despite who, or what, may be standing in your way, an order is an order."Michael reminded him,"You should do everything in your power to complete the mission given to you. That's a butler's second rule right?"
Felix could feel his eyes widen in shock before giving a chuckle.
"Ah, but I'm a publisher, not a butler."he pointed out. Michael rolled his eyes and smirked. A rare occurrence, but welcomed.
"We're THEIR butlers. We're the butlers to writers."
"Exactly. But you've forgotten the first rule. The most important one. As a butler of any household one must put their masters above anything else. Integrity, civility, family, your life, all come second to your masters safety."
"Your point?"
"If I stay in the Phantomhive manor, there is a greatly increased chance of them being found. Greatly increased. A child's curiosity can be both a virtue and a curse. Although he is mature, Earl Phantomhive's curiosity could very well become our downfall."
"You're wrong."Kurt's voice protested. Felix blinked and watched as Kurt turned to him with angry eyes.
"He may be curious, but Ciel isn't someone to break a promise."the boy glared,"You know it too. So tell us, whats really holding you back? The man I know isn't scared of anything not even a demon."
Felix gave a proud smile before giving a chuckle and ruffling Kurt's brown hair. The boy took the gesture as a comforting one and relaxed into the touch. Michael cleared his throat and the two looked up at the familiar rusty metal factory, about to fall at any given moment.
"I guess I'm out of excuses then aren't I?"
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"No way in hell."Was Felix's blunt response. Kurt froze before widening his eyes and beginning a tantrum.
"Why not! It's not as if anyone'll miss me or anything!"
"That's not true, your sister-"
"She hasn't come home in three months, do you think she would come back for me now?"Kurt growled,"As soon as Mom passed away she became a selfish beast who threw away what little money we had left on herself! Hell Felix, you know that's true!"
"Marie kept your best interests in mind, whenever she left she would trust in me to take care of you."
"She took advantage of your good nature."Kurt huffed beneath his breath. Felix threw the duffle bag on his mattress (rarely used), and pulled out a travel pack. Both weren't very full.
"Despite that, Sebastian is a demon. If I ever put you into that kind of danger, I couldn't forgive myself."Felix sighed and pushed past Kurt to go talk to Michael,"I'm going to go talk to the stick in the mud over there."
"Bite me!"a voice echoed from beyond the door frame. The two smiled at the man's words and Felix chuckled before moving back into the factory room.
"Only if you really want me to Mr. Gibbs!"
"I should sue for sexual harassment!"
"I thought Americans were more tolerant!"
The bickering went on as Kurt looked over Felix's luggage. His eyes became sad as he looked about the familiar room in which he'd slept so often. If Felix left, would he ever see him again? Who would be his big brother who protected him? Who would be the father-figure to teach him new things? The adventures that were supposed to come, who would follow him into the battles?
"I'm so selfish..."Kurt murmured. He didn't want Felix to leave him behind, he didn't want to send his guardian to a demon's den. If he became a servant of the Phantomhives, there would no doubt be danger. Some could be fatal. Felix's power wasn't something that could protect him like Finny's super-strength or Bardroy's explosive talents. He was as vulnerable to physical harm as any other human. And considering who his new master would be, mental harm was possible as well. Kurt's mind conjured up Felix's sleeping face beside the guardian's determined and fearsome face. Both were what his heart knew as family. Felix was the only family he had left. And now he too was gone. No. No way that was happening. Felix and him came in one package, and Ciel would have to take it or leave it. But how to get Felix to let him...
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"You're sure?"Michael brought the cigarette to his lips,"Im no good with kids, you know that."
"Please, you're the only one I can trust right now to take care of him."Felix asked desperately. Michael smiled with the wisdom of someone much older than himself.
"Why not take him with you? You can't trust anyone better than yourself."
"That's out of the question. I refuse to even consider something as dangerous as that."Felix frowned,"It wouldn't be safe."
"You think that the streets of London are safe? If you believe that then you're more of a child then I thought."Michael huffed but gave a sigh in defeat,"Fine. I'll take care of the brat...that is if he stays."
"He will." Felix smiled and pulled the cigarette from Michael's lips and stole the smoke,"Thanks Michael. It means a lot."
The red-haired man stalked off to complete his packing as his partner chuckled to the full moon above. The stars twinkled above him, as if giving him the answers. Perhaps they were. He had always felt a deep connection to God, and without a doubt in his mind, Michael knew that Felix would be a very hard soul to protect. But the stars told him to pray for their safe return, to keep watch from a far. He remembered his trips to India, the warm sand and the star filled sky kept him warmer than the sun above ever could. The wise man told him that his location lain in the east. In a simple town congested with danger and people. He would be alone for the majority of his life, but content with the loneliness because he served a purpose.
"I get it now. So, I can almost promise that he will follow you. Since your paths are intertwined so tightly that gods couldn't block them. I shall be alone, but I shall still be here, so you brats always have a home, should you return."
Micheal smiled as he pondered the skyline as midnight approached. The stars seemed a bit brighter that night.
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[Morning-Dawn to be specific]
"Where is he?"Felix asked as he rushed about the factory looking for a last goodbye from his charge. Michael looked away with feign innocence.
"He didnt want to see you leave because he knew he would cry."the man grumbled,"You can write him at any rate, but the carriage doesn't wait for slackers. It's time to go."
Felix caught his breath for a moment before holding his hand out to Michael.
"Until we meet again?"
Michael grabbed the hand and held it for a moment before pulling the redhead into a comforting embrace. It was warm and father-like, Felix felt like crying for some reason as the man squeezed him tighter.
"Come home soon Felix, the press only works for slackers."
Felix was frozen and wide eyed before gently pushing the man back with a sad smile.
"I guess you'll have to slack off then."
Michael simply smiled and gave a brief wave before lighting a thick cigar. Coming from a rather rich family, it was surprising the man didnt use his wealth more often. Felix didn't worry for the factory, nor did he really worry about his charge. Kurt was safer with Michael that anyone else. It was for the best. He looked back at the smoking man and the rusted building. Felix wondered how long it would be until he saw his home again.
He smiled. A home, and a family. He had more to his name afterall.
The carriage ride was frightfully long, and with little event. There were no windows in the car that he could tell, creating a suffocating atmosphere. It had been long enough that Felix knew that the factory, the city, and perhaps even Kurt, we're all far away. He could already see the familiar scenery of the approaching 'away' manor.
A rustling caught his attention and he blinked in surprise as the duffle bag beside him jolted and landed on his lap.
"What the hell?"
The top burst open to reveal a very familiar and comforting brown tuft of hair and emerald green eyes. A blue and white bandana graced his crown and a mischievous smile lain on his childish lips.
"What's up my guardian?"
Felix was frozen with shock before a small whisper left his lips. If Kurt stood before him, and Michael had looked almost amused as they said goodbye,... It wasn't hard to put two and two together.
"Michael Jane Gibbs I swear I shall kill you!"
A/N: As promised, they shall arrive at the manor and plot shall begin! I surprised myself that Michael turned out to be Felix's father-figure, but I think it fits well. To those who don't like the SebastianxFelix idea, I am warning you as of now, that this will almost 99% surely be that pairing, but I don't intend to make anything graphic for a LONG time. R&R please!