The sleeping ash. Black Butler various x reader

In the afternoon: The Butler, Nurturing

*3rd pov*

"Tom, he was a piper's son, he learnt to play when he was young, and all the tune that he could play was "over the hills and far away..." Over the hills and a great way off, the wind shall blow my top-knot off." Joker sings as he gets ready. He looks at a picture next to him. "Over the hills and far away... Eh?" Joker mutters.

*Flashback*

Joker opens the door and enters. "Father. I've just now returned." Joker calls out and goes upstairs. "Father, may I come in?" Joker opens the door and walks in. "I apologize for my late arrival. The thing is, I've had word that..."

"Ooh! Ooh... Welcome back, Joker. What a good lad you are, returning so early. Well? What about him? He is with you too, isn't he?" Father asked with a little girl sitting on his lap. "Nay, we've yet to..." Joker tells him. "Oh. That makes you a bad boy." Father tells him. "Forgive me, but about that matter... We fear the yard might have its eye on us." Joker kneels down. "Let's hear the whole story." Father said. "It seems the newcomers who joined the troupe a few days ago snuck into our tents. It is possible they saw your letter, father. If they are with the yard, we cannot do away with them heedlessly. Doing so would amount to admitting our guilt outright. That trio did strike me as odd from the start... That page..." Joker explains to him.

"A page, you say?" Father dropped his tea cup. "Father?" Joker calls out. "Was it a child?" Father asked as he stood up. "Y–Yes. The other one was all in black and one was a black cat." Joker tells him. "A child, his butler, and black cat!!" Father shouts. "Now that you mentioned it... The other one was a former butler..." Joker said. "I'm sure of it! Yes! It's them! We've done it–!! It is HE! Earl Ciel Phantomhive!!" Father exclaimed as it shows that Father is covered in bandages.

"Smile, did you say!? HE did not strike me as such, but..." Joker said. "I have been dreaming of him ever since that day. He'll be along soon. We must show him the greatest hospitality! Joker! Hurry and prepare a most sumptuous feast!" Father orders. "Please wait!! If that is true, Noah's Ark–the others are in danger. I must send word right away... And–"

"Joker. You dare to talk back to me?" Father glares at Joker. "From the moment you were born, you were forsaken by everything, yet I took you in and raised you... And gave you working arms and legs. Despite that, you still dare talk back to your father?" Father guilt trips him. "That was not–" Joker gets cut off. "No, of course not. You grew up to be a very good lad. You want the siblings you left behind at the workhouse to grow into fine adults as well, don't you? My good little Joker... Will listen to his father, won't he?" Father manipulates him. "–Yes. I will, father..." Joker gives in. "Having such a devoted son makes me happy indeed! Come here. It has been a while, so let's you and I take a photograph together. A photograph of the devoted son and his happy father." Father takes Joker's skeleton hand as the kids ready the camera to take the picture. "Give us a smile now!"

 *Flashback ends*

Joker stares at the picture while sitting on his bed. "I want you to join me." (Y/n)'s voice repeats inside Joker's head. "Join me and you can be free from "father's" clutches." Joker clenches the photo. "–I..."

*At the circus*

"Ye still haven't finished packin' up yet?" Wendy asks Beast. "Ah... Sorry." Beast apologizes. "....Sister Wendy. Shouldn't we wait for Joker after all? There's something I've got to tell him..." Beast tells her. "All'd be lost if we tarried 'ere only to be snatched by the coppers. You can palaver viv Joker all you want after this 'ere job's through. Been actin' a touch strange since yesterday, you 'ave. What's got into you? Don'tcha fret. You'll get to see 'im tomorrow." Wendy reassured Beast.