And then He Bled

His Butler, Displeasing the Master

It was finally the next morning and, as usual, Sebastian awoke Ciel with his typical greeting, however, Ciel simply looked broken and upset, it was as though his heart was shattered by something or someone. Sebastian chose to brush it off as a bad dream, but what if it was something more than a nightmare? He immediately pushed that thought aside as he dressed his young master, hurrying so he could rush to prepare the Earl's breakfast, however, when he aimed to make breakfast for his love, he was stopped as Ciel's little hand tugged on one of the tail's on his butler suit, he was shaking his head no.

"I only want tea." Ciel whispered so that it was barely audible.

"Of course, bocchan." Sebastian answered with a smile.

Sebastian was worried about Ciel. Why was his beloved acting this way? Was he afflicted with some ailment? What could possibly be wrong with him? Then realization struck Sebastian and he remembered what had occurred yesterday - Ciel had been witness to him having an affair with Mey-rin. To think Mey-rin of all people, but he felt so bad for the poor woman because she wanted him so bad, he was something she could never have, and Sebastian knew it too well, that is why he offered himself to her. How could he possibly tell that to Ciel? It's not like he loved the woman or anything, it was just a one time thing for them both.

"I have arrived with your tea young master. Today we have -" Sebastian began.

"Shut up! God, I-I can't even bear to see you after what you have done! Please, just leave me alone!" Ciel yelled, tears forming in his eyes.

"C-"

"Don't even call me that name anymore! I want you OUT!" Ciel yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Y-Yes, my lord." Sebastian replied with a bow before walking out of the room and heading to his room.

Sebastian gently closed the door behind himself and heard Ciel break down into sobs behind the door, it broke Sebastian's heart. Why had he formed a contract with Mey-rin in the first place?! Because he felt sorry for her, he felt sympathy for her, and that was why their relationship was in shambles. Ciel, Sebastian thought with a sadness, why can't I just tell you? I-I couldn't because, no matter what I say, it doesn't change the fact that I cheated on you. Ciel, dearest love, I am so sorry for what must take place next in this final chapter of my life, but I hope you are pleased with - this sacrifice.

Sebastian then ran himself a shower, turning the water to the highest temperature he could, before stripping and stepping into the scolding hot shower. Blisters immediately formed on his body and his body became sore, he even wondered what would happen if he were to swallow some of the sweltering water. Would I die? He thought. Am I dying? He felt as though he wanted to, he was a disgrace to his master, he was a disgrace to the Phantomhive estate. Ciel,... Ciel would be proud.

Ciel sat on the bed in his room, lost in deep thought, weeping over the loss of his Sebastian. He wondered what Sebastian was doing right now, he wondered if he was okay; no, he wasn't okay, he had yelled at him and forced him to go away. What was I thinking when I forced him to go away? I am such an idiot! I have to find him and hear his side of the story. Ciel took off towards Sebastian's room only to find that it was locked, he could hear the sound of rushing water and steam made its way through the crack under the door.

"Sebastian!!!" Ciel yelled in tears. "Sebastian!!!"

There was no response, but, inside the bathroom, Sebastian was going through his own personal hell. He was huddled in a corner of the tub as the boiling water fell on his pale skin, causing it to turn a shade of dark red. But, truth be told, Sebastian couldn't hear Ciel over the sound of the running water, either that, or he chose to ignore him. It's true that the water couldn't kill him, but at least it could ravage his body for what he put poor little Ciel through. Ciel, just the thought of his lover's name was enough to cause a tear to fall from his left eye as he sat there in misery. Ciel...

"Sebastian!!!" Ciel exclaimed. "Please, let me in!!!"

Ciel's sobs had now got the best of him as he sank to the floor while continuing to beat on the door to his love's room. Sebastian, please - don't do anything to hurt yourself... Ciel got up and ran straight into the door, knocking it down, as he ran straight for the bathroom, the steam nearly choking him with every step he took. Finally, he reached the shower and pulled back the curtain to reveal a bare Sebastian covered in large blisters that were slowly peeling away and being replaced by new ones as the water continued to fall upon his body. Ciel immediately stopped the water before looking at Sebastian with tears in his eyes, was he - dead?

"Se-Sebastian?" Ciel said his name in more of a question than a statement.

There was no response, but he managed to tilt his head up and Ciel burst into tears at the sight of his beloved's eyes: they were no longer bright and full of happiness like they once were, they were now full of broken hope and shattered pride. What have I done? Ciel thought. I upset him so much that - he no longer wishes to live.

"Sebastian, tell me your side to what happened, please." Ciel said in a whisper, tears falling viciously from his eyes.

"Ciel, honey," Sebastian began, his voice was hoarse, "I did that because I felt sorry for Mey-rin, she desperately wanted to be with me, so I gave her a chance, and I understand if you want to get a divorce or break-up with me, that's fine because I deserve it."

"Se-Sebastian, I could never -" Ciel's voice cracked. "Do that to you. I love you too much to let you go."

Sebastian faintly smiled and collapsed on his face in the tub. Ciel looked surprised and immediately dressed him before placing him softly on his bed and tending to his wounds.

"Everything's going to be just fine, Sebastian." Ciel sobbed.

Ciel stayed by Sebastian's side all through the night, watching his chest slowly rise and fall, it was as though he was merely in a deep slumber and none of this had happened. Ciel wished he had never walked in on Sebastian doing Mey-rin a favor and he felt wrong to judge him so early for it, he just wished he could have Sebastian by his side right now.

"Sebastian, if you can hear me, I really want you to know that I love you because I never say it enough or show it enough, I'm always making you - do these terrible things to yourself, and I hate that I'm the cause of it because I love you so much. Sebastian, I guess, what I'm trying to say is, if you love me, you need to forget me, forever. Hell, you can even undo the contract if you want." Ciel said, tears pouring down his sweet face.

I can hear him, but that doesn't mean that I can do anything about it. My body is too weak and exhausted to move, I can just barely hear him now as I drift in and out of consciousness, but he just poured his heart out to me and I could do absolutely nothing about it. Is this what dying feels like? No, I shouldn't be dying from something as simple as that, but, if I do, he'll never know that I love him too. I don't want to end the contract with him, I want it to last forever...

"Sebastian, please be okay. I'll admit that I love to see your annoying smirk, I love to see your handsome face, hell, I love everything about you, the truth is: I am madly in love with you, Sebastian Michaelis." Ciel said, his hand lightly stroking the other male's cheek so he wouldn't feel too much of a burn sensation.

And that was all that was needed, like a spring, Sebastian jolted to life, taking in a deep breath before looking to Ciel with a soft expression that was to die for.

"And I am hopelessly in love with you, Earl Phantomhive." Sebastian whispered as the blisters upon his skin quickly healed and left not a single scar, his pale skin was flawless.