Child Butler,Learning Demon 3

Child Butler, Learning Demon.

Part III: Trying to keep a master on schedule.

Ciel's head nestled deep into his soft feather pillow, and the dark curtains were illuminated by the bright glow of a beautiful morning.

The door crept open, and light foot-steps tapped across the carpeted floor. The footsteps stopped by the curtain and shortly after the morning light pierced through the darkness.

Ciel grunted as his eyes slowly opened, but closed soon after since they couldn't adjust. He pulled the blanket up further.

Sebastian walked over and shook him lightly. "It's time to wake up master." He started pouring a cup of tea, "today's breakfast is poached salmon, with mint salad. What would you prefer on the side? Toast or scones?"

Ciel rolled over onto his back and raised his arm over his face. "...Scones." Apart from the sun glaring in his face and momentarily blinding him, Ciel didn't mind this wake-up call. He looked from under his hand at Sebastian. The sun was creating a warm glow around him; his hair was shining a silky, lustrous black, and his elegant movements as he merely poured the tea caused an unavoidable air of sophistication to flow from him. Ciel lay there in silence and watched.

"A good choice, sir." The butler replied and held out the still steaming hot tea to his master.

Ciel looked for a few more seconds, then propped himself up against the head-board of the bed. He took the tea in hand, and inhaled the warm and pleasant scent. His love for tea knew no bounds. He pressed his lips to the edge of the cup, then withdrew, and glanced up to the young man at the beds side. "What is my schedule for today?" Ciel said quietly. His head was still feeling fuzzy from sleep.

"You have a meeting with Miss Nina at eleven; at two you have a history class with Miss Annis, then at four you have a business meeting with Mr Hugh.

He groaned in forced approval. He took a sip of his tea, placed it to his side, and shifted to the edge of the bed. Tilting his head back, he looked out of the window.

Sebastian walked over to a wardrobe and took out his master's clothes for the day. He came back over to the bed and laid them out neatly.

Ciel slumped back onto his elbows, his chest out. He gestured his hands towards his shirt as if to say "Well?"  It's not that Ciel couldn't do it himself (although even he struggled with some of the intricate clothes he had to wear sometimes); it's just that he really wanted to test his oh-so-confident Butler and see what he could do.

"Ah, does my child like master wish me to dress him? Perhaps I should call you bocchan instead of master."

"Bastard..." Ciel said, trying very hard to not lose it and pour the tea on Sebastian's head. "...Do not mock your master." His face was emotionless and he tugged at the first button on his shirt. "Oh my...Is such a perfect Butler so inept that he has to make his master do his job for him?" He tilted his head and looked up at Sebastian.

Sebastian chuckled and started undressing his master. "I was just making sure that bocchan was aware of his mental age."

He clenched his fist. "What was that?" His eyes burned with rage as he stared at the younger boy. 'I dare you to say that again' He thought. By now he was quite prepared to bash the whole tea set across his head.

"Hm?" was Sebastian's reply as he continued undressing Ciel. Then grabbed his clothes for the day.

Ciel turned his head away. As much as he loved teasing Sebastian, it seemed as though he always had the upper hand. Sebastian's remarks seemed to leave him feeling irate and frustrated. It was as though he simply loved provoking Ciel and then feigning his innocence. Ciel sat up straight and let out a light. 'Hmph.'

Sebastian dressed Ciel and tied his ribbon easily into a bow. He smirked and stepped back.

Ciel stood up and smoothed out his clothes with his hands, glared at Sebastian, and made his way out of the door.

The butler picked up the tray and headed to the kitchen to wash up.

Much time passed Ciel by while he was cooped up in his study (as he was every day). He didn't often ask for anything while he was busy with work, therefore he got a lot done, and didn't get any intrusions from his servants. The whole period was quiet (minus the worrying-but-easily-ignorable commotion from the first floor), and Ciel could clear his mind and relax...

Until he heard Sebastian's knock on the door.

After knocking Sebastian came in, "I would just like to inform you master that Miss Nina shall arrive in five minutes."

Ciel let his pen drop to the desk and pried himself from his seat. He attempted to get his legs working again as he walked passed Sebastian, down the staircase, and to the front door. "I'm hoping that Nina does not wish to stick around for too long. My day has been almost completely headache free so far." He leaned towards Sebastian, whilst shooting him a killer look. "...Almost."

Really, the bad start to the morning was enough to drain the life from him.

Sebastian followed silently behind him and wondering how else is could annoy his master.

Ciel perked up as he heard two loud knocks, and Sebastian immediately opened the door.

Nina stood grinning in the doorway, gripping the package tightly between her chest and her arms. "Good morning!" She said cheerfully, "I really can't stay long, but if you would be kind enough, do you think I could stay and make sure it fits?" Ciel turned his gaze to Sebastian. "...I suppose." He led her inside.

Sebastian led them to his master's study, without an order he took his clothes off, apart from his underwear.

Ciel leaned against the desk, and looked towards Nina and Sebastian, as she unwrapped the packaging and handed the boy his uniform.

Sebastian looked over to his master for approval.

"Please." Ciel said, waving his hand. What he meant by this is 'Make this quick, Sebastian'.

Sebastian nodded and got dressed, effortlessly doing up everything.

Ciel smirked and waited. "Well, Sebastian?" He said, hoping that no further hassle from Nina would come from this.

Sebastian looked at Nina and bowed, "this attire is perfect in every way Miss Nina. Thank you for spending your time making it."

Nina smiled complacently at the boy. "Don't worry; I very much enjoyed making it!" She pinched Sebastian's cheeks and her eyes sparkled with delight "...Especially for such a cute boy like you!"

Ciel sighed and shook his head. He looked over Sebastian, in his flawless new uniform, and admired how perfect he looked in it.  The woman may have been crazy, but she was the best tailor Ciel had ever come across.

Nina trailed her eyes to the door and sighed, not wanting to let Sebastian go. "Oow, it's such a shame I couldn't see you in action Sebastian, but I must be off!" She said.

Ciel stepped forwards and gestured towards the doorway.  "Then I suppose we should see you off." He announced.

Nina strode proudly towards the door, followed by Ciel, followed by Sebastian.

As Ciel said his final thank you and goodbye, he pushed the door closed with his back, and then stayed in place.

Sebastian pushed some of his hair behind his ears. He looked slightly up at Ciel, hiding a concerned expression. "Is something wrong, master?" he asked.

Ciel tilted his head upwards. 'Although Sebastian's only been here a few days now...' He thought, '...I wonder if he feels like he fits in? I don't want him to worry about that sort of thing. If I could help him...No, that would be bad. I don't know how to deal with kids.' Ciel barely heard Sebastian's question, when his eyes snapped open and he pushed himself away from the door.
"I'm fine." He said sharply, "Sebastian, repeat my schedule."

The butler nodded, "your next appointment is with Miss Annis at two, and then you have a business meeting with Mr Hugh at four."

Ciel shivered at the thought of returning to work. It was only around 11:20am now and he couldn't stand spending his day as nothing more than work and business.

He wanted to have some fun, at least.

"Sebastian, I'd like tea in the garden today. Bring it to me in one minute flat." He demanded. He walked away promptly, rushing to his seat in the garden, counting the seconds in his head.

Sebastian smirked and as soon as his master was out of sight; he was in the kitchen in a flash. Thankfully the servants were elsewhere and he could speed round the room making the tea, to make the kettle boil quicker he made the flames hotter. Within thirty seconds the tea was made and ran to the garden; however he slowed down silently and stood behind his master. With tray in hand, he leaned down and then set the cup down, not one drop wasted.

Ciel stared at the cup in disbelief. "Ah..." Ciel fell silent. He decided not to say anything, and make out that this was not impressive. He would not praise anyone so easily, of course. He held the warm cup in his hands and savoured the heat in the cool breeze. He contemplated seeing how far Sebastian would go to carry out his orders, but decided otherwise.

Sebastian put the tray to his side and stood behind his master.

"Alright Sebastian..." But then again, it did seem like fun. "You see those deformed trees and bushes down there?" He gestured to the garden. It was true. The garden did not look as pristine as the rest of the house. This was obviously due to the gardener's lack of delicacy...Or brains. "I want you to cut all of them in ten minutes. Surely that task is simple enough...Don't you agree?" He held in a laugh. Not only could he enjoy watching someone else work their ass off while he relaxed, he could avoid getting back to his previous task. For Ciel, it was Win/Win.

Sebastian nodded and set the tray down. "As you wish." He headed over to get the right tools and then quickly analysed what he needed to edit.

Ciel sat there, taking in the view.

Which was suddenly blocked by a familiar silhouette.

"Master! Bad news! Really really bad news!!" Finny cried, clenching his fists. Ciel looked up at his forlorn face and got to his feet.

"What is it??" He asked urgently.

"The-...The CELLAR master!!"

"What about it??"

"Me and Maylene went to clean, and...and..." Ciel pressed further.

"What is it, Finny?!"

"Ghosts, Master!!"

Ciel was silent. He exhaled the breath that he held in preparation for shock, and sat back down.

"Finny, please return to wh-"

"Master we can't!! Not with ghosts there!!"

Ciel raised a hand to his forehead.

"What exactly happened to lead you to believe that there are such things as ghosts in the cellar, Finnian?"

Finny waved his arms around frantically. "Things fell, Master! And we heard some strange noises, and saw scary shadows!"
Ciel really couldn't be bothered to deal with this. It was spoiling his fun. "Finny, both you and Maylene are very much old enough now to realise that such stupid things do not exist."

Sebastian smirked, just the distraction he needed. While Ciel was busy dealing with the idiots Sebastian used his demonic speed again to get around the garden quicker than any human could. After another minute the garden was complete and he had even cleaned up the leafs and such.

"Finny, return to your work. If anything does happen again, please call for Bard." He sipped more of his tea and glanced briefly behind Finny. His eyes widened and the tea he was oh-so looking forward to sprayed from his mouth in shock. Just a little. "What the bloody hell?!" He jumped up from the seat once again, wiped his mouth and sprinted past Finny. He stared at Sebastian, who looked rather pleased with the reaction he had gotten. "How..?!"

Sebastian gave just the blunt reply of, "because you ordered it, my lord."

"Even so!" Ciel raised his voice "I ordered you to do it around one minute ago! This garden is huge; there are at least forty trees here!" He rushed towards him. "How did you do it?!"

"Hard work."

Ciel resisted the urge to swear. "Hard work? I don't think that this is even possible, no matter how much work you put into it, it can't be done in one minute." He eyed him suspiciously. He walked further into the garden.

Sebastian followed behind him, "yet...it is done."

Ciel growled like an angry dog, then turned and marched back to his seat. He was becoming even more annoyed than he was before. "Sebastian!" He yelled.

In contrast the calm butler simply replied, "Yes my lord?"

"I have a task for you." Ciel landed back onto his chair with a light 'thump'.

"And that is, master?"

"First, go make more tea, and second of all-" He rested his chin gracefully on his palm, one arm leaning gently upon the table. "I want you to go with Maylene and Finny and get rid of the ghosts in my basement." His facial expression did not change.

"As you wish, but may I be bold to ask, surely someone of your age is not interested in the supernatural? Are you not curious?"

Ciel scoffed. "No." Their eyes met, "Are you?"

Sebastian smirked, "but of course."

"Oh?" Ciel changed his position and leaned back into his chair. "Do you really believe in such man-made myths and fantasies, Sebastian? Why would that be?"

"As you know my lord, I didn't get much 'fun' at my previous home. Perhaps this will provide me with some fun."

Ciel sighed. Poor boy. "...Yes. Now, Sebastian, are you going to comply with my orders?"

"Yes. Please excuse me." He bowed and took the tray, heading towards the kitchen.

Ciel made himself comfortable. He admired the clear blue sky that flowed endlessly above him, catching sight of the odd cloud every now-and-then. He lifted a hand up to the gleaming sun to shove it from his vision, and paused there.  'Sebastian must have had a tough life.' He let the sun twinkle between his fingers, 'He's still just a child...But he has such a mature air...And he is very competent and seems utterly flawless. How can his adoptive father not want such a perfect boy?' Ciel thought over that last part, and shook his head, as if to clear his mind. 'What the hell is wrong with me?? He's just my butler, and that is all." He stopped his chain of thought from taking him any further, and looked forward to find Sebastian had returned.

Sebastian set down another cup of tea, "your tea sir. I shall go attend to your other order now." He bowed and turned around leaving.

Ciel took the tea in hand and raised it to his parted lips. He watched Sebastian's hair sway gently from side to side, shining like silk in the daylight. He looked at the neat and pristine uniform that clothed his back, not a stitch out of place (which is exactly how it should be, since he had just paid quite a sum for it). Ciel's eyes trailed down Sebastian's back, and then realised exactly where it was that he was watching. He let the teacup rattle as it hit the table, raised both hands to his forehead and squeezed his eyes tightly shut. "What the hell..." He breathed an indignant groan.

Sebastian headed back into the mansion and started to look for the useless people called 'servants.' He came behind Finnian silently, "so where is this ghost?"

Finny jumped slightly and then turned to face Sebastian, mallet in hand. "Ah!! We're not sure anymore! It ran away, but it's still in the cellar!" As the words left Finny's mouth, there was a loud crash from the opposite side of the room, causing Maylene to squawk and hide behind Finny.

Sebastian adjusted his gloves and headed into the cellar. He saw something rush past and followed it into a corner. He looked down and stared. It wasn't scary it was... beautiful. The child butler crouched down and reached his hand out, stroking behind the creatures ears. What was this perfect creature?

"Ah!!" Finny giggled. "Master was right!" His voice sounded both relieved and disheartened, "It's just a cute little cat!" He grinned.

Sebastian didn't even blink, "that is a cat?"

Finny refrained from petting the creature for fear of hurting it. "Of course! Have you never seen a cat before?" Finny laughed. "Well, I'm just glad that it's not a ghost!" The little cat just stared straight back at Sebastian.

Sebastian slowly picked up the cat and cradled it in his arms. "Ah...perfection..."

Finny smiled. "Could you take it outside for us? That would be a big help, we're behind on our work down here."

Sebastian nodded and headed outside, the cat meowed and Sebastian's eyes widened, happily surprised.

The cat purred into Sebastian's chest and Ciel heard Sebastian's approach, but didn't turn. "How were the ghosts?" He snickered

"Lovely," he muttered staring down at cat.

"Eh..?" Ciel peered over his shoulder at Sebastian, then flung himself flat out onto the floor.

Sebastian looked down at his master, "something wrong, sir?"

"Get that THING away from me!" He yelled, covering his mouth.

"It is not a thing it is a cat."

"Keep it away!" Ciel scooted further back.

"Why are you afraid of this cute creature?"

"I am NOT AFRAID OF IT!" Ciel roared, getting onto his feet. "I'm ALLERGIC to it! So just take it anywhere except near me!"

"So, may I keep it?"

Ciel choked. "Hell no! It's fur will get everywhere and I'll be suffering because of that wretched animal!" He felt bad for Sebastian, since he looked as though he liked it so much, but even so, he was very much allergic to cats.

Sebastian sighed for once and walked away, "as you wish..."

Ciel felt his heart-strings pull, and he scratched the back of his head. "S-Sebastian...If you wish to look after it, then by all means do so, just...At least not in the house...Not around me." Ciel felt his cheeks redden and he turned to the side. "And don't get your clothes covered in fur. Are we clear?"

Sebastian whipped round and gave a cat like grin. "Yes my lord!"

Ciel laughed to himself and sat back down slowly, picking up his cup. "Sneaky bastard..."

Sebastian walked round the side of the mansion and set the cat. "One moment..." Suddenly the demon child got supplies from the mansion and the surrounding area, and then swiftly created a mini mansion for the cat, complete with food and fine bedding.

The cat wandered around Sebastian's leg, nuzzling it's head on his trousers, purring as it did so.
Sebastian sighed contently and paused. "You need a name..."

The cat sat itself down next to Sebastian's foot and meowed in agreement.

Sebastian kneeled down and looked at the cat's glistening green eyes. "Do you like, Phantom?"

The newly named 'Phantom' pawed at Sebastian's leg and meowed.

"That's good." He looked up at the sky, "I should return to my master."

Ciel yawned. He sprawled his arms out in the chair, and closed his eyes.

Sebastian stroked the cat for a finally time before heading back into the mansion, first getting rid of any cat hairs; from his clothes and the cellar. Then returned, to check up on his master.

Ciel was breathing softly, one leg curled up in his chair. His chest was rising and falling slowly.
Sebastian tilted his head to the side; he couldn't help comparing his master to cat. He came a little closer and went to touch the elder's hair.

Ciel twitched in his sleep, and his eyes fluttered open.

The butler bounded back, and then stood still.

"Nn..." Ciel sat up from his awkward position. "Sebastian..." He yawned again. "Is the cat gone?"

"Yes my lord."

"Good. Not only am I allergic to the damn things, have I found just being in their presence annoying."

"Although my lord, you sometimes remind me of a cat."

Ciel's eyes widened. "Don't compare me to a beast like that!"  Ciel got out of the chair and stretched his arms behind his back, squeezing his eyes shut as he did so, and groaning quietly.

"It's a compliment in my opinion." He countered.

Ciel gave him a look and then turned around. "I'm more of a dog person."

Sebastian nodded in acknowledgement. "No wonder you're always barking orders."

Ciel halted in his path. He resisted the urge to backhand him for a) Being so rude to his master and b) Using such a predictable pun. "Oh? So I'm always giving orders, am I?" He walked to Sebastian and put his hand on Sebastian's head. "Well then I suppose you won't mind one more..."

Sebastian looked up, trying to resist another smirk. In his head he saw a mental image of Ciel having fur and that fur being on end while hissing.

"Sebastian, this is an order." He grinned maliciously. "Get down on your hands and knees."

Sebastian didn't hesitate and went onto his hands and knees, as ordered.

Ciel looked down at the boy. Ciel liked the control he had over him, and thought. His mind began to trail and go through all kinds of orders, and he bit his lip to hold back those ideas. "Bark, Sebastian."

Sebastian decided to push his annoyance further. "Meow."

Ciel growled and leaned down, tilting Sebastian's chin up. "Bark."

"Meow."

Ciel ran his fingers up from his chin to Sebastian's hairline and tugged a little at his hair. "I order you to bark, Sebastian!"

Sebastian's eyes glowed slightly. "Woof."

Ciel scoffed and rubbed his hand on Sebastian's head. "Good dog." Since Ciel loved getting his way so much, he went ahead with another order. "I order you to roll over." Forget the clothes. They'll be washed later.

Sebastian moved his head from master's hand and rolled over, then glared up at the brat he then tried to bite his master's hand.

"Oooh bad dog." Ciel poked Sebastian's forehead and held in his laughter. "Be a good boy." He caressed down Sebastian's hair without realising what he was doing. He smiled with a teasing look in his eyes.

Sebastian backed away slightly and just glared at his master, his eyes now a glowing dangerous red.
Ciel flicked him in the forehead. "I'm only kidding." He walked passed him. Sebastian was like an angry little Chihuahua to Ciel right now, and he was not threatened in the slightest. Ciel smiled a little, "Sebastian, what's next on the schedule?"

Sebastian stood up straightening his posture, "a history lesson with Miss Annis at two."

Ciel sighed. "Then I suppose I'll return to working in my study." Ciel began walking back into the mansion.

Sebastian nodded, "I shall return to my work my lord." He watched the elder walk away and cleared up the tray with tea. The butler cleaned his clothes and finished just as the telephone rang. In a second Sebastian answered it receiving the information that Miss Annis was ill and could not tutor his master today. He put the phone down and headed to the study.

Ciel turned circles on his chair while reading the paperwork in his hand, and upon hearing Sebastian's arrival, he jolted to a stop.

Sebastian knocked on the door then entered. "Sorry to disturb you master, but Miss Annis called and she cannot come in today for your lesson."

Ciel resisted his urge to raise his arms in the air triumphantly, and then resumed his spinning. "Alright then." He caught sight of Sebastian every few seconds in between spins, and then yawned. "What do you suppose we do until my guest arrives tonight?"

"That is up to you master, but I shall listen to any of my master's orders."

Ciel looked over Sebastian. "Okay. Sebastian," His expression was calm, "You're still my dog." He crossed one leg over the other. He leaned his elbow onto his knee, and tilted his head. "I order you to sit on my desk."

Sebastian walked over and sat himself on the desk, looking down at his master.

"Lie down." Ciel stood up and leaned a little onto him. His elbow was leaning on the desk, and his stomach was pressed lightly on Sebastian's knees. "That's an order."

Sebastian closed his eyes and laid down on his back.

Ciel inhaled and held his breath, looking the boys face over, again and again. He raised his hand and paused.

His hand reached up to Sebastian's face, and he gently rested it on his cheek. Ciel's eyes stared at him with adoration, and exhaled, feeling a blush form on his face.  "You look a lot like a doll, Sebastian." He trailed his fingers in a circular motion and then caressed him with the back of his hand. Ciel could feel his heart beating hard, and he hoped that the younger wouldn't realise.

Sebastian's usual stoic face, including still lips, turned into a slight smile.

Ciel bit his lip, and breathed as still as he could through his nose.

He pushed the loose strands from Sebastian's forehead.

"You're my butler..." Ciel breathed, "You shall be loyal only to me, do you understand?" He traced Sebastian's cute lips with his finger, then waited for a reply.

"Yes my lord..." he muttered, quieter than normal.

Ciel blushed, hearing the confirmation he needed.

"I'm going to go bathe before Mr Hugh arrives, so I must leave you on your own for now." He pushed his hand under Sebastian's head, and slowly raised it up.

He faltered.

He pushed his lips onto Sebastian's forehead, leaving them there for around four seconds, then removed his hand, and quickly hurried out of the room, almost slamming the door behind him.

Sebastian sat on the desk, staring at the door curiously. "What was that?" he said out loud and headed back to Phantom for some peace of mind.

Ciel sat up against the wall of the bathroom, watching the steam rise from the boiling water that slowly filled the tub. He cringed and crossed his arms over his head, and contemplated drowning himself to get rid of the embarrassment he felt. He stood up and began removing his clothes, then twisted the tap until the water ceased to flow. He laid himself in the bath, closed his eyes, and relaxed.