Unwinding Time (Black Butler Dreamfic)

Part 3: Unwinding

That one game of chess ended up lasting us a good two hours. I knew from the beginning that a game being played between a person like me and a demon was a terrible idea.

"So, what if I ordered you to lose?" I asked as I made my next move, nearly hesitating before I set the piece in its spot.

"Now, that wouldn't be very fair," Sebastian chuckled softly, making his next and final move. "Checkmate."

I stared at my butler in awe. He just beat me at my own game.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," he smiled, going to put the board away. "I have to give you credit. That's the longest anyone's been able to play me."

"Wait," I stopped him before he could clear all the pieces. "...I want a re-match."

Sebastian grinned slightly, showing the tips of his white fangs. "As you wish, master. I suppose I could go a bit easier on you this time."

"No going easy," I smiled. "This is a competition now."

Several games later, it seemed that we had lost all track of time. It was actually afternoon when lunch was finally served. By then, a thought began to dwell on me, one that I wasn't sure I was fond of. Everything I had thought I believed to be an absolute fact and what I had observed through experience tangled conflict. I wasn't sure if it was a realization or my emotions getting to me, but whatever it was, it created enough confusion to cause me to lose three more games of chess.

It was sunset before I finally attempted to speak the question aloud.

"Will you tell me now?" I asked Sebastian.

"Whatever do you mean?" he replied. I growled a little in my mind.

"You know exactly what I mean. What motivation do you have to clear the schedule and set aside this day to enjoy?"

"I simply thought you could use a break-"

"No, no, not that... ah, I have to find a way to be clearer. I forget it's like talking to a simpleton with you..." I laid my head in my hand, sighing heavily as I began thinking. I soon realized I'd have to come and ask the question plainly. "Sebastian, why do you care this much about me?"

"Master, with digression, I remind you that you must prepare a meal properly before it is consumed."

"Yes, I know that, but... it's more than that. You do more than I ask of you. You... always go out of your way, even for the little things. Sometimes... I think you can actually... do you..."

Sebastian rested his hand on my shoulder. It was a strange gesture that I would usually react to, but this time I didn't even begin to pull away. I couldn't even resist when he took my other hand in his and placed an object wrapped in clothe in my palm. I slowly looked up at my butler, whose face was illuminated by the reddish glow of the sun. He tilted his head ever so slightly, giving me a soft smile.

"I believe this may answer your question."

"What... what is this?" I asked, gently unwrapping it. I found that I was holding an unusual, flute-like instrument that shone like the color of a glassy sky. On the mouth piece was a silver ring that bore a golden, triangular crest.

"It's an ocarina. A very special one, at that." He delicately stroked the surface with his fingers. "I searched far and wide for it. Getting it was a bit more difficult than I first imagined, but... that's not important now."

"Why are you giving this to me?"

"So many questions tonight," he chuckled. "I'm afraid you've asked another question that can only be answered by this instrument. Or, more specifically, a certain song."

The ocarina was very simple to play- simple enough for me to learn to play an eight note scale with ease in a few short minutes.

"Now, Young Master, this is the song I'd like for you to play," Sebastian told me as he pulled a sheet of music from his coat.

"It doesn't seem too difficult."

I began playing right as the final burst of golden light was emitted from the sun. The song... was very strange, yet beautiful, and powerful, as the instrument itself was. More so, it seemed to be a song perfectly suited for it. It sounded a certain tone that beckons your eyes to close and your heart to clench at the same time. A sad, somber, yet beautiful melody... I'm not even sure how to describe it.

Finally, the song ended on the note it had repeatedly ended on throughout the verses. Except, something felt different when I pulled it away and looked up at my butler. The wind quickly picked up around us, unnaturally. The world began to fade from my vision, Sebastian with it.

In fear, I reached for him, but he didn't reach for me. He simply smiled, his dark red eyes almost glowing as I cried out for him. Suddenly, he turned to dust, his last words echoing...

"Goodbye, Young Master..."

"Sebastian!" I screamed, but it was no use. I couldn't see anymore. I couldn't even hear myself anymore.

What had he done?

~~~