That Butler: Caring?

Chapter 18.

"Sebastian, I'd like another drink."

"Right away, My Lord."

The butler left immediately to fetch another glass of wine for his master, weaving his way expertly through the crowd to the drinks table. Once there he poured a small glass of dry white wine and returned across the hall.
However, Ciel's seat was empty. In the space of just a minute the Earl had vanished from sight... The demon couldn't even smell him nearby.

Trevisani.

Placing the glass of wine down Sebastian slipped behind the billowing curtain and leapt out of the open window, determined to find Ciel no matter where he was. He felt the contract seal on the back of his hand begin to itch and burn, which only made him run faster.

Ciel... I'm coming.

*****

"Mmm... You really do have a delectable soul, my boy... You are truly one of a kind. I can see why Michaelis is so desperate to have you."

The yellow eyed demon stared intently at the small boy in front of him, his lips slightly parted as he savoured the Earl's scent. His voice was low and purring, though he spoke with a faint trace of an Italian accent which gave a light lilt to his words.

"You bastard. Sebastian will be here soon and you'll pay dearly for this."

Snapped Ciel, his jacket already torn at the sleeve and his blue-grey hair out of place. Trevisani had removed his eye patch and it now lay in the dirt, exposing the violet eye which bore the mark of the Faustian Contract.

"Oh, is that so? Your faithful puppy on his way, how lovely... It would be nice to remind Michaelis of what happens when he crosses me. That filthy mutt."

His words took on a sharper tone as his pupils narrowed, and Ciel watched with a blank expression as the demon's fangs became more prominent, bared in a sly grin.

"He is no dog. If anyone here is a mutt it would be you."

At that the older male's brows knit into a disapproving frown, and he reached forwards to yank the Earl towards him. The boy betrayed almost no reaction to his rough treatment.

"It seems I'll have to teach you some respect... But why not play with you first? It would be a shame to taint that precious soul of yours."

With a lick of his lips the demon leaned forwards, letting his tongue graze over porcelain skin and along the boy's jaw. Ciel shuddered in loathing and disgust, though his hateful expression quickly became a smirk as he saw a shape in the darkness. Within seconds Trevisani was sent flying by a solid kick to the head, Sebastian landing on one knee in his place.

"Ciel..."

He sliced the bonds that held his master's wrists and pulled him into a warm embrace, clinging onto him as if for dear life.

"Are you hurt? Did he harm you at all?"

His worried tone comforted the boy and he buried his face into Sebastian's neck.

"I'm fine, Sebastian..."

With a nod the butler released him, looking him over once just to make sure.

"Now let's send this bastard back to hell, shall we?"

The young Earl spoke with solid determination fueled by hatred, but the sharpness in his eyes disappeared as Sebastian took Ciel's right hand between both of his own.

"My Lord, please, let me handle this... Entrust this situation to my care. I don't want to see you get hurt."

He said quietly, looking up at the boy with a sincere and soft crimson gaze. Ciel paused, mouth half open before he nodded slightly.

He's right. I need to leave. I can't resolve this.

"Okay, I'll go... Just... Be careful."

With a nod Sebastian stood, turning his back as Ciel began to run. His eyes were already pink with rage and his fangs were bared in a vicious snarl. He had already lost his usually calm demeanor and was just waiting for the chance to kill.

"Get up, Trevisani. Either face me and fight or run like the coward you are."

Shadows as black as pitch had begun to gather around the butler's body, writhing and swirling like coils of angered smoke. Spitting onto the ground his foe pushed himself upright and wiped a drop of blood from his lip.

"Michaelis. You're as arrogant as ever, I see."

Without warning the demons shot towards one another like bullets out of a gun. Sebastian managed to land a good punch on the shoulder of his opponent, but Trevisani made a worse blow. He swept his fist at the very last moment to strike Sebastian in the ribs, causing him to cough up blood.

"It seems you've gotten stronger, mutt... But not strong enough."

Sebastian whipped around and kicked him in the head thrice over, before driving him into the dirt with a punch.
The attack may have slowed Trevisani down but it certainly didn't stop him. He whipped a dagger from inside his jacket, brandishing it at Sebastian.

"Give me the brat Michaelis, and I might consider leaving you alive."

He spat.

"Never. Ciel is mine. I would never allow you to sully his purity with your filthy hands."

Sebastian growled, leaping back into the fray before the last word had left his lips. Trevisani swiped and stabbed at his opponent but was unable to land a blow for now, while almost every one of Sebastian's kicks and punches were right on target.

*****

Ciel ran faster than he'd ever run before. His feet carried him through the forest and over dirt trails, trying to put as much distance between him and the fight as possible. The darkness was almost absolute, save for the patches of moonlight where the silvery glow filtered down to the earth through gaps in the clouds.

Eventually the Earl skidded to a stop in a clearing, having no choice but to take a rest due to his asthma. He began to cough violently as he sunk to the ground, leaning against a tree for support as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Sebastian...

*****

Trevisani lay on the ground, blood pooling from where Sebastian had torn his head from his shoulders. Clutching his left shoulder the butler stood and stared at the truncated corpse of his rival, before turning and heading off in the same direction as his master. As he ran a trail of blood was left on the ground from where Trevisani had hacked deep into the muscles of his shoulder and abdomen, and several other injuries were obvious on his body. Nonetheless he kept running, following the footprints of the boy he held so dear.

As Sebastian saw his master he halted, and was about to kneel down when Ciel coughed weakly. His eyes flickered open as he half lifted his head.

"Se-Sebastian?"

He said hoarsely, and as he came to the Earl's eyes widened at the sight of his butler's blood. To see him in such a state was a rare sight, and when his gaze came to rest on the demon's shoulder and bloodstained clothing he tried to stand.

"Y-You're injured..."

Sebastian kneeled down to catch his master as he fell sideways, his strong arms cradling the boy before he could hit the ground.

"Ciel... I'm alright... We need to return to the manor. I'll run you a hot bath and prepare some tea when we get back."

Ciel shook his head wearily and looked up to meet his butler's gaze.

"No... The others can take care of that... You need... To rest..."

His whispers trailed of into silence as Ciel once again blacked out, his breathing shallow and ragged. Sebastian looked down at him for a moment more before beginning the long journey home.