The Hand of God
"Hey, Finny. Do you need any help out in the garden?" Blaire kept her voice low and her hands clasped behind her back. Her finders subtly fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve which was becoming increasingly frayed as she shifted her weight between each foot.
The gardener in question turned to her in surprise, nearly dropping the box of tools cradled in his thin arms. He appraised her warily. "Do you not have your own duties to attend to?"
"Um, I've already finished." Blaire winced.
"Already?" He asked incredulously, noticing the dark circles underneath the woman's eyes and the sheen of sweat coating her forehead. He recalled she had not attended breakfast that morning either. Instantly he understood, sending her a kind smile. "Well, alright, you can come outside with me."
Sighing, she found it in herself to relax a little, smiling back. "Thanks, Finny."
She followed him in silence, eager to get out of the house. A terrible heaviness had settled itself in her stomach and had not left since the previous night. The walls felt too tight, the air too thick, even her clothes only served to constrict and ensnare. She swallowed thickly, eyes darting from side to side, searching among the shadows. The burn of the glaring sunlight and the bite of the crisp morning air was a welcome respite from the oppressing atmosphere festering inside.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Those roses need their thorns snipping to be used as decoration tonight."
Blaire simply nodded, plodding along to sit beneath an oak tree furthest away from the house. She sat, relishing in the silence as she cut away at the thorns, occasionally wincing as the spiked edges penetrated her flesh. The cold began to eat away at her, numbing her hands to the pain. Still, she refused to go back inside. Her only regret was that she didn't bring a book with her. She began to hum 'singing in the rain' under her breath, pausing only when she heard someone singing the lyrics along with her.
With a start, she looked up into familiar green eyes. She stood; eyes wide. The roses scattered unceremoniously across the icy ground, instantly forgotten. "Grell." She squeaked. He wasn't supposed to be here, was he? His arms were crossed and he was peering down at her with distasteful, yet curious eyes, as though he were examining a new breed of insect.
"That song won't be released for another sixty years." He sneered.
Blaire swallowed, clasping her hands behind her back. "Oh, really? That's interesting."
"I passed your name along at my office and after some investigating, it seems as though your presence is required. Please come with me. My superior would like a word with you." The reaper stepped forward; a hand encased in a black leather glove moving to grip her arm.
"Finny!" She staggered backwards, fearing what else may happen to her. In hindsight, she would wonder why she had reacted so strongly to the idea of leaving Ciel's mansion. If she thought about it, she may have come to the conclusion that hearing the reaper's out may have been more advantageous than serving under a literal demon. As it stood however, logic could not compete with the human instinct for self-preservation.
"You would do well not to struggle." He said gravely, successfully capturing her arm in a firm grip.
"Finny!" She tried again, trembling at the sight of the reaper's vivid irises. Although they were red's very opposite colour, Grell's eyes reminded Blaire of a demons in their inhumanness. Eyes which Grell promptly rolled, reaching into his pocket and producing a pair of red scissors, brandishing the blades in her direction.
"You should know, if you choose not to come willingly, I am fully within my right to terminate you right here. The records don't lie."
"I don't know what you're talking about!" She wrenched her arm out of his grip, relieved that he did not appear to have superior strength as she had come to expect. She turned and began to run back towards the house. The tree she had sat beneath however, was quite aways from the townhouse. Dread filled her being as once again, she felt an unbearable pressure building in her chest. She heard the reaper running behind her, his trousers giving him the advantage over her constraining clothing, however she would not be taken again. She was tired of being treated like some sort of puppet, tossed around and forced to bend to the will of everyone around her. Sebastian and Ciel were one thing. She would not succumb to the reaper as well.
She gasped for air, refusing to slow down. She heard Grell's shouts, he was gaining on her. It felt as though she were pushing against a tidal wave. She vowed that in the future, she would lace her corset as loosely as possible, in fact, she was prepared to forgo the item entirely and starve herself to give the impression of a small waist. Any further pondering on the issue at hand was forgotten as once again, familiar black phantoms started swimming around in her peripheral.
Not again!
Just as she reached the door to enter the house, gasping and sputtering for air, feeling Grell's fingers grazing her arm, the door opened of its own accord. Red eyes gazed at the scene and the butler sighed. Time appeared to slow as one arm came to wrap around Blaire's middle, hoisting her from the ground as though she were a piece of luggage. He easily held her in the air, moving her away from the approaching reaper while he turned to the side, his other hand coming up to stop Grell's charge towards - who he had decided - was his human.
Grell bristled. Only that demon stood between him and a mountain of paper work and reprimands. But it was enough. Eyebrows furrowed, Grell took a step back, bringing his scissors to point at the two. He made no move towards them, seemingly entranced by the scene before him. Satisfied, Sebastian plopped Blaire back on the ground, who instantly tried to grab onto anything she could to remain standing upright. This happened to be the demon himself, but Blaire paid this no heed as she tried to catch her breath, her panting staggered and uneven. Once again, she felt her head spinning.
Sebastian gazed down at her as she clutched at his lapels, head bowed forward as she focused on remaining conscious. His eyes flickered between Blaire and Grell. He frowned, finally addressing Blaire. "What on earth is going on to warrant you screeching like a banshee?" She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out and she grew even paler. The world was beginning to darken. Realisation struck across his features. She was suffocating - again! He appeared to be struck somewhere between amused and exasperated as he spun her around, took hold of the top of her dress in both hands and tore the garment as though it were made of tissue paper, sending tiny buttons in all directions.
Grell's cheeks instantly reddened. "Now that's no way to treat a lady!" His voice raised an octave as he averted his gaze, scissors dropping to the ground noiselessly as his hands moved to cover his eyes, though he would peak through the gaps in his fingers.
Sebastian ignored him, reaching up again, this time for her corset. With inhuman strength, he tore the laces and released her lungs from their bindings. "Breathe, you stupid girl." Sebastian ordered her.
And she did. For several moments, all Blaire could do was lean against him and gasp for air. Any fear she may have felt regarding the demon was temporarily forgotten as she cherished every deep breath she was afforded. It was only when she felt the cold hitting the exposed skin of her back that she seemed to process what had happened.
"Dear me Sebastian…" Grell began, raising an eyebrow and placing has hand on his waist. "What a scene! I reckon you would be glad to be rid of this one, hmm? If you wouldn't mind surrendering Miss -singing-in-the-rain-Coleman to me, then that I can be on my way-"
Blaire choked when she felt the demons arm come to wrap around her waist, pulling her firmly towards him and unwittingly making Blaire's stomach churn. She subtly tried to move away, however his grip would not give. He had her entrapped, as though his hold alone would form a barrier between her and the reaper. Over the top of her head, Sebastian narrowed his eyes in warning towards the reaper. "I do not appreciate having to abandon my duties due to the attempted abduction of one of our house maids."
For the first time since the previous night, Blaire looked at Sebastian properly. Memories of what had transpired slammed into her and she once again tried to break free from the butler, this time emphasized by a hearty shove against his chest. Reluctantly, he allowed her to step back, her hands instinctively coming to rest over her neck and chest, as though the gesture would protect her from the demon's livid stare. To her mild relief however, his anger was directed at Grell, this time.
Grell once again made to grab the woman, however quickly found a blade of silver pierced through his wrist, causing a howl to sound from him as projectile blood sprayed across the ground. Sebastian's gaze fell upon Blaire. He slipped his tailcoat off and handed it to her. "Go inside and get changed."
She complied with Sebastian's order after muttering a small "yes sir", bowing her head as she passed his looming form.
"Mind your own business, demon, she doesn't belong here." Grell hissed.
"That is for my young master to decide, as she is under his employment." The butler sounded calm, however the last thing she heard as she entered the manor was Grell's screeching. She shuddered, dashing off to her room as quickly as she could manage, feeling bile simmering at the base of her throat.
"Alright, tonight I'm goin' to make somthein' real special." The house chef beamed, frying pan brandished in the air.
Blaire raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't Sebastian cook Ciel- I mean, the Master's meals?"
Bard flashed a toothy grin. "Since we're at the townhouse that normally means Sebastian is too busy, which means the Master gets a taste o' my fine cookery."
"…lucky boy." Blaire said under her breath.
It was then that Sebastian sauntered on by, snatching the frying pan from Bard's grip. "I'll take care of the cooking tonight. Just you stay out of the way."
Bard was affronted. "I beg your pardon? I was goin' to make somethin' tasty for our guest."
Sebastian promptly ignored him, stopping beside Blaire, who immediately made for the door. "I have some dusting to do." She muttered, going rigid when Sebastian pulled her back by the scruff.
"Not so fast, you can peel these potatoes for me."
She suppressed a sigh, exchanging a pleading look with Bard, who stood frowning. "Yes sir."
As they worked, Sebastian leaned down and spoke lowly into her ear. "Have you any idea why the Reaper's Society has taken a sudden interest in you?"
"Wish I knew."
Sebastian seemed as though he was about to continue when another voice joined them. It was Agni. Truthfully, Blaire had completely forgot that he was there.
"Sebastian? I was wondering if I could be of any service to you."
What did the reapers want with her? Did they want to kill her to read her records and prove that she was a fraud? Give her a smack on the wrist and send her on her way?
"We have it all under control, thank you." Was the butler's short reply.
Blaire's head remained down; her empty gaze focused on peeling the potatoes. The peeler occasionally grazed against her skin, however she found that she didn't mind. Perhaps the reapers could get her home…?
"Six hands work much more quickly than four. Please feel free to ask me for anything."
She moved like a brass automaton, her mind abuzz, but not with hope. She knew it was futile, anything good she felt in this world was promptly stomped out by a black oxford shoe. Always.
"In that case, perhaps I wouldn't mind a bit of help. A cottage pie and some gooseberry sauce is needed for tonight's meal."
Blaire just wanted to crawl into bed and never return. It was as though a lead weight was placed inside her stomach.
"Indeed." Came from the white-haired butler.
Even the smell permeating from the raw potatoes made her want to wretch. She wondered if she would ever feel safe again.
She was brought back to Earth by Bard's yelling. "Oi, why you letting those two do it?! I am the cook here, you know!"
Sebastian sighed and walked away, muttering; "So much to do so little time."
Blaire felt slightly more at ease with his retreating presence. She glanced over at Bard, who had sunk down into a chair, head rested in his palm, appearing quite dejected. She watched Agni approach him, the scene was familiar and strange to behold in person.
"Excuse me, chef?" He turned and smiled kindly to Blaire. "And miss Coleman?"
Bard's demeanour promptly shifted and his blue eyes seemed to shimmer. "Chef? Really? Are you talking to me?"
"Yes, I'm afraid I'm not accustomed to English cooking. Would you both be able to help me?"
Bard stood upright, grinning like a fool. "You betcha! Leave it to the chef!"
Despite her gloomy pondering, Bard's excitability was contagious and she couldn't help the small smile that spread across her face. "Sure, I'll help." She brandished a potato in the air proudly. "Chief potato peeler at your service."
It didn't take long for Mey-Rin and Finny to join them. Agni delegated their tasks and before long, Finny was pummelling the boiled potatoes, his strength seemed to be an asset, at least, for making perfect mashed potatoes. Bard appeared deep in concentration as he chopped carrots into perfect circles, the protective goggles made the scene quite comical. Agni worked on the mince while Mey-Rin and Blaire had teamed up to keep the rest of the kitchen tidy. When Sebastian stepped back into the kitchen, awe-struck and, for once, at a loss for words, Blaire found her spirits considerably lightened.
When it came time to serve dinner and Blaire was placing dishes on the serving cart, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. Turning, she came face-to-face with Agni. "Forgive my rudeness miss Coleman, but if I may ask…" He trailed off, grimacing.
"Yeah…?" She quirked an eyebrow.
"Are you from here?" He asked, in almost a whisper. Her eyes widened and for some inexplicable reason, panic stole over her. She was beginning to feel as though she were constantly on trial. Sensing her trepidation, Agni hurriedly added; "I-It's just, your eyes. I have seen such an expression on my own master's face many times since arriving in this country."
She held Agni's gaze, searching his eyes for any kind of malice or ill will. Finding none, she allowed herself to relax and open herself up – if only a little. "I…don't feel like I belong here, no…"
"If you ever need to speak about-"
"Miss Coleman, if you are done loitering, it is pertinent that the food is served before it gets cold. If such a task does not inconvenience you, of course…"
Blaire sighed. There was that black oxford shoe.
I know I have a bad habit of having Sebastian show up when convenient. In my mind, given his enhanced hearing, sense of smell, speed, etc it seems realistic he would show up to smooth out such dire situations he deems "his humans" incapable of dealing with.
Do you want more Sebastian/OC? What about another Black Butler story which depicts a historically accurate Victorian London? If so then go read Reflection by Taurus Pixie! If you are enjoying this story, it will be up your street!
There's also a playlist I made for this story on Spotify. It's called Never Meet Your Heroes (surprise) – and the cover image features Sebastian and Blaire. Happy to send to anyone that is interested but having trouble finding it.