As Aurora Magne-Michaelis stood on the train platform in her husband's arms waiting to board the train, she could close her eyes and remember the past few months as she stood beside Sebastian and Ciel waiting for their train. Her first few days at the Phantomhive Manor. Her hand clasped tightly around her mate's as they stood at that train stop in Reading. The others had long gone on their own assignments. It was only her, Sebastian and Ciel left now. She rested her head on her husband's shoulder with a sigh, closing her eyes and letting the memory overcome her.
Aurora was frightened. Alone. She had no wings, she could not fly. She was an angel destined to be running for the rest of her life. She sat alone in her bed room at the Phantomhive Manor. Starting tomorrow, she was going to be a housekeeper. Or was it a maid? Or both? She had no idea. She'd never been a servant before. Aurora found it difficult to sleep. Aurora sighed and got up. "This is ridiculous..." She murmured pulling on her robe and carefully opening the bedroom door. She looked both ways down the darkened hall, the light of the moon cast through the windows, being her only source of light. Slowly, the blonde angel shut the door to her room. She made her way down the hall, her night gown hitting against her ankles as she walked. She wrapped her arms around her body and walked briskly to the kitchen, perhaps a midnight snack would make her feel better? She arrived in the kitchen, and took an apple from the food store, and then cut it into small slices.
"What are you doing awake at this time of night, Miss Magne?"
Aurora gasped and her hand slipped, she flinched as she looked down at the blood running down her hand and dripping onto one of the slices of apple. "Ow!" She yelped. She glared up at the butler who was by her side in an instant, his hand catching her wrist so he could see her wounded hand. He smiled slyly at the wound and lowered his head. Aurora stiffened as his tongue snaked out from behind his lips, and trailed up her wounded finger. She watched his eyes flutter in- was that pleasure? She wasn't sure herself. She'd never left the Silver City before. Sebastian Michaelis stood before her, his tongue on her finger. He pulled away with a smile, acting as if it had never happened. "I will ask again, what are you doing up this later, Miss Magne?" Aurora stammered, "I- I- I was- I'm sorry I-" Sebastian chuckled, "there is no need to be afraid, I am not angry with you." Aurora nodded slowly, still hesitant. She could see a hint of... was it remorse? Or was it something else entirely? in his crimson eyes. The angel averted her gaze from him. "I'm sorry... I just... I'm a bit nervous I suppose." She spoke slowly, and more than half the sentence was spoken in French. Sebastian nodded, "Ah. I understand." He spoke in the same language, in hopes of making it easier for her to adjust. "You've never done any of this before, have you?" Aurora shook her head. "Non." Sebastian smiled in a way that made the angel feel calm, at home, safe. "You will be alright." He murmured, "I promise." Something about the way he said it made her gasp. She looked up at him, just in time to see him turn on his heel, one of her apple slices at hand. "Do be sure to rest tonight, my lady." He said, popping the slice into his mouth. "Tomorrow you have a lot of work to do." Aurora nodded slowly, quiet as he left. When she turned back to her apple slices, she noticed the one he had taken. It was the blood covered one.
"Magne... Miss Magne... Wake up... It's time to wake up..." Aurora heard the voice through her dreams and hummed, it sounded familiar. She mumbled something incoherent, and then mumbled again. "as.... Papa?" She felt the person flinch and speak again. "No. No, it is Sebastian." Aurora blinked away the sleep, "Sebastian?" She opened her eyes to see the Phantomhive butler towering over her. He smiled down at her and his image flickered for a moment... A sunny day... the sun was bright behind him as he smiled down at her with a loving look... He looked so much younger.... Aurora looked a little confused, "Sebastian..." She slowly sat up and looked at him. "Have we... Have we met before?" Sebastian frowned, "What gives you reason to believe that, my lady?" Aurora frowned, "Something... You look familiar. I feel like I know you... But I don't...." Sebastian chuckled, "I suppose I just have one of those faces, my lady. Now please, come with me. It is time we begin your lessons."
Aurora followed Sebastian to a small library where he put on glasses that made the blonde freeze in her steps. Mon Dieu... she thought, he's gorgeous. Sebastian nodded for her sit down at a desk, which she did. He smiled kindly and sat across from her with a pile of books. "Your mornings for now will be focused on your study of the English language," Sebastian began, "Then after nine thirty you will work alongside Mey-Rin cleaning the manor, and until further notice you will also be helping me manage the household. However managing the household will entirely become your job when I am away with the young master." He paused, "Understood so far?" Aurora nodded. Sebastian continued, "You will also be in charge of all the servants, usually you would only be managing the women but as there is a rare few of us, you'll be doing it altogether. You'll be keeping the weekly accounts of the daily expenditure in the ledger in the servants office, paying the bills, filing receipts, also you'll be mending and keeping track of the linens, you'll report any wear and or tear to me and I will inform the young master. You and I will share some private provisions deemed as spares in addition to the ones applied to the servants. Can you handle all that?" Aurora stared at him in disbelief, "You'll help me at first right?" She asked, "I've never done any of this before." Sebastian chuckled, "Yes, certainly. You and I share many of the same duties. We'll be working together quite closely you and I." He pushed the books towards her. "Now, let's get you started on learning English, hmm?"
Barely an hour passed and Aurora was still struggling. Most her words were still French, she was surprised she'd managed to speak any English. Thankfully, Sebastian had been her translator. And now, he stayed nearby her throughout the day, walking her through the schedule for the day. The butler was patient, kind, he didn't rush her. He didn't do anything to make her uncomfortable. If anything, he made her too comfortable.
When he formally introduced her to the staff after her trial period of training, she stood beside him, nervous as he announced her and introduced her. Mey-Rin, she found to be sweet and kind. Bardroy, she found to be funny and slightly destructive personality. Finnian, was just a sweet child, one that reminded of her what Ciel would be like had he not had his trauma.
"This is Aurora," Sebastian said to the other servants, "She will be working here as our housekeeper from now on to assist me with the management tasks." He nodded to Aurora, "Go on. Introduce yourself." Aurora nodded, "Hello. I'm Aurora. Aurora Magne." The others took note of her French accent and were a little confused. Aurora looked at Sebastian, curious. Sebastian cleared his throat and explained, "You will have to forgive her, Aurora is from France, she is still learning English." The servants all gave murmurs of understanding. Sebastian narrowed his eyes, "Now that that matter is settled..." He snapped at the others in a stern voice, "Now all of you get back to work!" They scrambled away and Aurora made to follow, but Sebastian turned to her with a smile, "Please my lady, come with me. You and I have work to do." Aurora blushed and followed after him, "Oui- I mean, yes. Yes of course." Sebastian smirked while he walked ahead of her, fully aware of her blushing behind him. He chuckled quietly to himself, and opened the door to the office, allowing her to enter before him, "My lady." He smirked. Aurora giggled, blush ever present on her face, "Monsieur! There is no need for such formalities!" Sebastian laughed, "I insist, a gentleman should treat a beautiful lady with the upmost respect." Aurora paused, blushing even more. "Beautiful?" She repeated under her breath.
Sebastian stiffened, he hadn't meant to let that flirt slip out. he cleared his throat, "Miss Magne, pardon me I-" Aurora laughed cutting him off, "No... No need to apologize, monsieur..." She smiled sweetly, and her silver blue eyes seemed to light up a bit at the compliment. "I do not mind the compliment... I have not ever been told I am beautiful by anyone but my family." She looked a little hurt at the mention of family, but brightened a moment later as the butler took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, a charming smile on his face. "Well, I think you are simply enticing, Miss Magne." Aurora's breath hitched a bit and she looked up at him, eyes conflicted by emotion. Sebastian leaned down, his breath hot on her face, "I think anyone would have to be completely and utterly crazy to not think you beautiful." Aurora hummed, a small smile on her face, she glanced up at him, "Well you are quite handsome yourself, Monsieur Michaelis." Sebastian smirked, she was a bit of a spitfire, like she used to be. He remembered fondly their talks, how he would flirt and she became rather confident and would barrel right back at him. Sebastian slowly pulled away and nodded for her to enter the room, "After you."
Aurora was sitting in front of him as they sat at separate desks filling out paperwork. She frowned when she came to some forms, all in English of course. She could read some of it, but not all. She looked up at him and her jaw slacked. He moved quickly, efficiently. His hand moved gracefully across every sheet of parchment, his fingers wrapped around the quill, moving to slowly dip the feather in ink every so often. Aurora blushed and turned back to her own papers. She had just as many as he, if not more. After trying to decipher the words for another few moments, she sighed in defeat and looked up. "Monsieur Michaelis?" The butler looked up, his glasses sitting on the bridge of his nose, "Hmm?" Aurora sighed, "I hate to be a bother, monsieur... But I cannot read some of the words. Would you be ever so kind and help me?" Sebastian smiled and stood, slowly walking over to her. He hummed, "I see." He looked back at her, a kind smile on his face, "How about you take my pile and I'll do yours? I have much less to do and much of the subjects is more accounting. You can do basic math's, am I correct?" Aurora nodded, "Yes. I should be able to manage." He smiled and watched her get up before taking her seat. Aurora could feel his eyes burning into her as she walked over to sit down at the other desk. But when she glanced up to see if he was watching, he was focused on his work. The blonde angel blushed again and began quickly filling out the papers. She would occasionally steal glances at him, watching his hand move quickly across the page, he was like an angel.
An angel smothered in darkness. The thought briefly crossed her mind, but she shook it away. Sebastian Michaelis an immortal, now that was truly funny. He was charming, he was sweet, he was drop dead gorgeous, but he was human. She could sense no immortal aura around him, and she was hiding her own as well, weakening her a bit but at the same time keeping her very well protected. She finally finished with the papers twenty minutes later. Her hand was beginning to ache now and she flinched as she tried to flex the limb. "Does your hand hurt?" Sebastian asked, looking up from where he had finished and was massaging his own hand. Aurora nodded, "Just a bit." She admitted. Sebastian smiled and stood walking over to her, "Here, allow me." He took her aching hand in his and slowly began to knead the flesh and muscle. It hurt a little at first, but the feeling quickly faded and was replaced with relaxation and a touch of pleasure. Aurora sighed, "That feels nice..." She murmured in French. Sebastian smiled, "I'm glad it helped." Aurora smiled at him from where she sat. Silver blue met crimson for a few short moments of silence. She was in love. She knew that just looking into his beautiful eyes. Such a rare shade for a human. She almost found herself drawn to him before she realized what she was doing and immediately jumped to her feet, startling the butler. "I- I should go help Mey-Rin with the laundry!" She squeaked in embarrassment, leaving the office. Sebastian chuckled behind her, "Miss Magne!" She paused and turned, still blushing and trying to keep the butler from seeing her bright red face. Sebastian walked over, a smile on his face, "Why don't you accompany me to the servants lounge? You and I can split the spare provisions between the two of us before retiring for the evening." Aurora blushed and shook her head, "On no- it is fine monsieur! I should- I should get to know the other servants as it is." Sebastian watched her rush off with a sigh and shook his head. Don't pursue her, he told himself. She'll come to you when she's ready. He frowned then, but will she ever be ready?
A/N: So, I had intended on the next main story chapter being when our happy little trio got onto the train. But I was tired of waiting to write for the main story. (This was initially going to be a one shot before I realized the manga is doing flashbacks! Duh! I should have thought of this before!) So, very obviously the next few chapters will be flashbacks with some present tense action, but not very much. And considering I don't think we'll see where Sebastian and Ciel are in the manga as of present until November (At the very least) though I am leaning more towards November/December. It's painful- I know. I want to see where they are. But I can't wait to see what Finny and Snake are up to! And the flashbacks are just so cute! (Sebastian in Bard's flashbacks is just adorable!!!) So my basic ramble is this judgement;
July- Bardroy Flashback
August- Bardroy/Lau (Flashback?)
September- Finny/Snake
November-Finny/Snake
December- Finny/Snake or ?Sebastian/Ciel?
January-Sebastian/Ciel
I am HOPING we see Sebastian and Ciel by December. But I don't think we will unfortunately. Since only one chapter is released a month for the manga (Its very upsetting I wish they released once a week that would make this so much more bearable) I'm curious. For when we get to Sebastian and Ciel, will we be seeing Sebastian's first days as a servant, or Ciel's first days as an Earl? Or will we just see them in present tense? Either way- I'm going to write the main story in flashbacks for as long as I can. I'm going to have to release the main story chapters once or twice a month in order to keep it from being too long a wait. One shots will obviously be posted as regular schedule- one every Wednesday. I have the next several mostly finished, so it is a matter of keeping to schedule. The Alois Inclusion/Alois Survived AU was posted the other day, I hope that it suffices everyone's boredom. I know I'm a little upset of not being able to do the main story much at the moment. (I've even been debating starting another Black Butler fic while writing this one but that's still off to the side). But my plan for seeing Sebastian and Ciel again will be November earliest. For clarification, here is the update schedule-
One Shots/AU's/etc- One Every Wednesday unless stated otherwise
Main Story- (At least until Sebastian and Ciel are back in the spotlight) once or twice monthly. One at the start of the month, one at the end of the month, or one around the manga release (18/19 of the month)