"Why do I have to go to school?" Ciel whines as he sits on top of his bed, almost kicking me as he fidgets constantly, and nervously shakes his legs.

I kneel down in front of him, wrapping a black and white stripped tie around his neck and tying it into a neat Windsor knot.

"It's the law, young master." I work the knot up to the base of his throat.

"That's never stopped my mother before. Especially as I was always sick."

"Well, I am not your mother and both of your Aunts want you to go to school. Besides, you don't seem sick now and you don't have much of a choice here."

"No, I suppose not." He sighs.

I finally get the knot up his throat and straighten it out. Taking care to smooth out the edges of his collar, I feel two eyes studying me. Glancing up, my gaze meets a vibrant blue and a murky grey. I smile at him and his face does the oddest thing, his cheeks go from pale porcelain white to a flushed rogue.

"Is anything the matter young master?" I ask coyly, as I wonder why he's blushing.

"No, nothing." He mumbles, and then averts his eyes, looking towards the clock on his nightstand. "Hurry up, Elizabeth and Aunt Francis will be here shortly. God knows what Aunt Francis will do if I'm late on my first day." He exhales loudly.

I nod as I stand to my feet and walk over to his dresser. Opening it, I pull out a charcoal grey, v-neck cardigan and shake out its folds. Ciel holds his arms out so I may slip the sleeves over his thin arms, and I button it around his slender torso, tucking the tail end of his tie into the dip of the sweater.

Once I finish dressing him, Ciel slides off of the bed and stands in front of me, I take his black suit blazer from the hanger and put it on him, finishing off his ensemble.

"You look very sharp young master." I compliment.

"Do you think so?" He wonders as he inspects himself in the mirror. I can see he is nervous, I notice his hands shaking slightly and the heavy sighs he exhales when he thinks I'm not looking. I want to touch him, hold him and tell him everything will be fine but instead I look for his black silk eye patch and attempt to shake off my overwhelming desire to comfort him.

Finding the eye patch on the desktop near by, I pick it up and move towards Ciel, standing just behind him as he still faces the mirror, pulling down his blazer. My long arms reach around him and I have to stop myself from embracing him and drawing him into me. Instead, I step into him, his small frame just resting into my chest as I delicately place the patch over his right eye. He holds it steady as I take the strings and loop them together behind his head, putting them in a knotted bow.

When I finish, I don't move but then again, neither does he; we just stand here in the silence for a moment, until the doorbell rings out – breaking my perfect peace. Ciels' eye lights up and he quickly darts around the room looking for his book bag, which is on the bed. Grabbing it, he bolts out of the room and I follow behind him.

Making our way into the hallway, I can hear the childish squeals of his cousin and the stern voice of his Aunt Francis scolding her as his other Aunt, Anne – as Dr. Durless now prefers to be called – chuckles at the apparent display. Just before turning the corner towards the sitting room, Ciel stops and steadies himself against the wall, taking in a deep breath to calm himself. Finally, he holds his head up high and marches straight into the room.

"Ciiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeellllll!" His cousin calls out to him just before she pounces him, sending him back slightly. "How cute do you look in your uniform?" She coos as he holds him out at arms length to get a good look at him. They are dressed almost the same, although, instead of the black slacks, she is wearing a black pleated skirt that falls just below her knees.

"T-thank you Elizabeth."

Her face scrunches up, "Ciel, how many times? Please, call me Lizzie." She insists.

"Oh, you both look so adorable." Anne enthuses as she picks up her digital camera from the side table. Sweeping her ruby red fringe from her forehead and waving her hand at them to move them closer together, Lizzie and Ciel pose for a picture. Lizzie grabs onto Ciels' right arm tightly and beams brightly as Ciel has his typical sullen look on his face.

I stand aside and watch them as Anne sighs and tries to get Ciel to smile, much to no avail. Francis walks over and stands next to me, facing the trio with her characteristically stern look on her face.

"You look more appropriate today butler," She speaks softly but firmly.

"Thank you Mrs. Midford, I took your advice and made myself appear less… indecent." In truth, all I did was slick my hair back with water and it is only for her benefit as well. Once it dries, it'll all fall back into its normal place.

"I must say, Ciel seems to have flourished – I have noticed a marked change in his behavior. No doubt thanks to you."

"I haven't done anything accept to tend to the young master." I smile.

"Well, no matter, he's different."

I can't say I've noticed, in fact his behavior seems to have gotten progressively worse – especially towards me. It's been a month since he vowed to make my life hell and he's held up to his end of the bargain. He's curt with me, picking up on every little thing, which means I must work harder to keep him satisfied.

Little does he realize just being next to me is hell enough. I thought that over time my infatuation with him would fade but it's only gotten worse. Even though he behaves like a spoiled brat from time to time, our bond has also grown stronger. Our relationship is complex, I'll say that.

Curiously, my need to protect him and my desire to have him go hand in hand. I may be young myself but there are many things in this world I do understand – especially when it comes to lust. Just because I recognize he intoxicates me and draws out the monster within me, doesn't guarantee that I won't hurt him. However, it also brings out my desire to protect him, and I know, I have to protect him from me. Especially as all I want to do is tear him apart, see him from the inside and devour him but I don't. I just wait for him to want me as much as I want him. I wonder, will he? Sometimes, I get glimpses of something more but it could all be apart of my wishful imagination. He blushed when our eyes met this morning, perhaps it's something or really nothing, I wish I knew.

"Sebastian, why don't you come and stand next to them?" Anne beckons me to come over to them.

"Oh, no Dr. Durless that's quite all right, it's a family photo." I smile.

She stands with her hands on her hips, "Come now, you've been with Ciel for the last year, you're just like family to him and to me, which is all the more reason to be in this picture." She insists.

Family? What an interesting concept. Especially as I am the furthest thing from it in Ciels' eyes – I am his dog, his protector and not his family. However, with the way he looks over at me with that haughty little look in his eye, I know that my being in this picture will annoy him immensely.

"Fine, as long as Mrs. Midford joins me as well." I concede. Well, if I can, why not annoy two birds with one stone?

"Marvelous! Francis, you stand behind Lizzie and Sebastian behind Ciel."

Both Ciel and Francis shoot me a look that if it could kill, I'd be a corpse cold in the ground. However, despite the cold glares, we walk over to the pair and take our places behind them. Anne holds her camera to her face and bends down slightly.

"Okay everyone, bright smiles!"

I look over to Francis who has a weary smile on her lips; Lizzie is beaming as she was before and Ciel, well, Ciel is Ciel. I smile; I suppose this is what you do in pictures – although, I will admit, this is my first one.

Anne furrows her brow as she waits for Ciel to smile – finally giving up, she counts us down to the click but just before she lands on one, I reach around and hook my index finger into Ciels' mouth, pulling the side into a slanted smile. He tries to jerk away from me but Lizzie clutches onto his arm tightly, completely amused by my action and Anne takes the picture.

"Perfect!" She declares as I unhook Ciel. "Excellent work Sebastian, I'm going to frame this." She titters as Lizzie rushes over to her to see it.

"Oh Ciel, you look so cute!"

"I doubt that." He scowls as he tilts his head upwards to look at me. I know I'm going to pay for that but it was worth it.

"Come on, enough dilly dallying, it's time to go." Francis, still un-amused, starts to shuffle the kids out of the door.

"Don't forget that I'm going to be home tonight for our special dinner." Anne calls after them and Ciel nods as he grabs his book bag and walks out of the door, shutting it behind him. "Right, I better head off to the hospital." She winks at me as she heads towards the hallway.

Anne is an interesting woman.

She is someone I probably would have fallen for, in a previous life. Anne is tall, slender and stunning. Although she is much older than I am, she maintains her youthful looks without looking tucked or pulled. An avid socialite, she's rarely home, and when she's not at work she's always at one party or another – except now.

Over the last few months she's been spending more and more time at home and with Ciel. This is not a bad thing but ever since the night of Ciels' birthday several months ago, when she was adamant that he should not follow in his fathers' footsteps, she's been keeping a closer eye on him. It wasn't that she doesn't trust me, I think she does, she just believes her constant presence will give him the life he deserves and not the one he's destined for. In an effort to pacify her, he conducts his business through me, using me as a point of contact and having me fetch and carry like a good dog. She doesn't notice that this is how he operates, keeping her completely in the dark.

With that all being said, she's revealed a recent development in her life, a boyfriend. Between work, parties and hovering over Ciel like a helicopter, she manages to have a social life. Which is why tonight is important for her, it's the first time Ciel is going to meet him.

I know what she's thinking, if he is mister right, then Ciel can have a complete family again – she's the closest thing to a mother he has now and perhaps this new man would be willing to be a father? Who knows, this is just speculation on my part but I'm hardly ever wrong – especially when it comes to looking after Ciel.

…

It is the middle of the afternoon and I'm bored.

There isn't anything for me to do, Ciel should be leaving school soon, escorted by the Midfords' driver and I have already taken care of the afternoon tea preparations. Homemade Lavender scones with fresh clotted cream and a variety of preserves, all served with a light Earl Grey tea. The house is already thoroughly cleaned and dusted and Tanaka is out getting the last of the shopping for tonight.

Walking into the sitting room, I spy the piano. I haven't played it since Ciels' birthday, which is so long ago now. Going over to it, I lift the lid and sit down on the bench. I have few pleasures in this life and music is one of them. I don't remember how I learned or why, I just remember knowing how to play.

My past is a mystery to me; I don't remember my parents or my life before them. All I remember is I learned how to kill at fourteen and I went from there. I know that may sound young but it's how I learned to survive. I became a professional at sixteen and managed to make a name for myself. Ask me how I started and I would tell you I answered an ad and that's all I can remember – now I'm here.

Long fingers dangle delicately over the ivory keys as I take in a deep breath to center myself. Placing them down, I begin to play, Gnossienne No. 1 by Erik Satie, the first song I ever learned how to play in full. Its haunting melody starts off lightly but fills the empty house as I play affettuoso.

I close my eyes as I enjoy the feel of the keys under my fingertips, this part of the song must be played pianissimo. How I enjoy the sound as it fills my ears and clears my thoughts as I play.

"I like to listen to you play, you should play more often." Ciel whispers to me as he sits beside me on the bench, his back to the keys. I continue to play, repeating the song from the beginning.

"How was your first day of school?"

"Wretched," He replies through gritted teeth. I just nod and hum in acknowledgement, trying not to chuckle at his little pout. "Why can't I continue to be home schooled?"

"You should give it a few more days before you throw in the towel." I smile; I open my eyes into little slits as I observe him. He nods in agreement and slides closer to me, just barely touching me.

"If it doesn't work out, would you tutor me?" He inquires.

"I can but I'm strict." I warn, albeit half-heartedly.

"I don't mind."

"Trust me, you will." I warn again, this time, firmer. "What is it about going to school that you don't like?"

"The people, they're horrible."

"Yeah, I think I can understand that, I'm not much of a people person myself."

There is a long silence between us as I continue to play. The beauty of this song is it can be played over and over and it will sound seamless. Ciel just sits and listens, yawning everyone once in a while but remaining awake. It's calm and peaceful as he gently sways to the music, tapping me ever so slightly as he does. The contact sends shivers up my spine and down into my fingers as my skin is electrified; it's such a wonderful feeling.

"Sebastian?" He interrupts our peace. "Why don't you ever tell me about your past?"

"Why don't you ever tell me about yours?" I retort.

"Sorry?"

"I know you have those nightmare every night and it must have something to do about you being kidnapped but you don't tell me anything about them or what happened to you before I found you."

"I don't – I can't really remember." He confesses as his head drops.

"Well, do you at least remember your parents?"

"Yes."

"Do you miss them?"

"Yes." He exhales as though a weight was lifted from his shoulders. It's as though he has kept that inside him all this time and finally, he's able to admit his feelings.

"It's OK to miss them young master. It doesn't make you weak or childish to miss your mum and dad." I speak softly, trying to comfort him.

"Do you – do you miss your parents?"

I haven't thought about them in years, I can't say I do, I don't even know what happened to them but that's not what he wants me to say right now.

"Yes, I suppose I do miss them." I guess that's true. I miss the idea of them, the idea of what parents are to a child. In a way, I respect what his Aunt Anne is trying to do. It's almost as though a child isn't complete without their family – it gives them a sense of belonging. I never belonged, not anywhere but I made my home in the shadows and that is where I stayed.

Ciel yawns again, snapping me out of my thoughts. I stop playing and turn to him.

"Why did you stop?" He asks me tiredly, his eyelid batting slowly as he struggles to keep it open.

"Because you look tired, come on, lets get you to bed for a quick kip."

"Kip?" Ah, yes, I forgot colloquialisms were lost on him.

"A nap young master, you have a busy evening tonight. Your Aunt has invited her boyfriend over for dinner, remember?"

"Oh God that," He groans. "Well, I suppose you're right. I should, er, kip as you call it." He slides off the bench and makes his way out of the room.

I get up from the bench and pull down the lid of the piano. I lean against the mahogany wood and smile to myself. Ciel, I wish you would tell me more about what has happened to you. Every time I get close, you pull away. I can't help but wonder what demons haunt you, which ones possess and take hold of you, especially at night. I want to know so much but you give me so little. I want to be the demon controlling you, the one who possess you.

I do like a challenge and you are certainly that.

Chuckling quietly, I move away from the piano and head out of the sitting room and towards the kitchen, I take out my silver pocket watch to check the time. It's getting late and I have dinner preparations to attend to.

Piano terminology:

Affettuoso – An indication to perform the music affectionately or "tenderly".

Pianissimo – This instructs the performer to play very softly.