Rain poured down from the darkened sky, crashing against the cobblestone streets with no mercy. Streaks of lightening flashed, the temporary light pouring down through windows of dimmed homes, teasing them with the momentary brightness with each strike. The grumbling of thunder rattled windows, it's low growl a warning for another flash of lightening to strike at any moment. As temperatures dropped day by day in London, this was likely to be the last rain before water froze into soft snowflakes, signifying the beginning of winter.
Ciel remained where he had been all day - sat in a large leather office chair, sifting through various papers containing bills, pleads for loans, questionable business offers, etc, etc, etc.
Tedious.
It was all so tedious.
A bolt of lightening flashed, illuminating the dimmed office for only a moment before slowly fading away, leaving no trace of it's presence. The young earl's small frame shook from the flash, his heartbeat automatically picking up it's pace. Not too late afterwards, a deafening roar of thunder caused the muscle's consistent rhythm to pick up, pounding at the boy's chest with such force, it nearly ripped through the bone and tissue keeping it contained.
Tha-thump.
Tha-thump.
Tha-thump.
Frail hands trembled, unable to lift another envelope as his muscles weakened in fear. A strong, unforgiving wind pelted an unimaginable amount of rain against the Phantomhive Manor windows. Anxiety flooded his veins, hazing his mind with panicked thoughts.
Down in the main hallway sat a large wooden grandfather clock, sitting silently, considering it's soft ticking was drowned out by the seemingly endless rain and deafening thunder.
However, once the hand struck midnight, it's thunderous sound broke through the storm, echoing off of the estate's walls.
Sebastian's ears twitched ever so slightly, the continuous ringing signified the arrival of midnight.
"Ah~" The butler spoke in a soft, calm tone. He set down the damp plate he held in both gloved hands, unrolling his sleeves.
"It's time for the Young Master to retire~"
Sebastian spoke to himself, dress shoes clicking against the tiled floor, grabbing the long ebony tailcoat that hung on a coat rack as he walked through the kitchen door and into the corridor.
He paid no mind to the storm that raged on and on, for he had never truly come to the conclusion that the Earl of Phantomhive could be afraid of something as childish as a thunderstorm.
Before reaching the earl's office, Sebastian attained a candelabra that had been waiting for him patiently atop a small oaken side table that sit just outside the kitchen door.
With a snap of his gloved fingers, the three waxen candles sparked to life, illuminating the pitch black hallways with the occasional flash of lightening momentarily brightening the estate, only to fade away into the darkness.
Upon approaching the office, Sebastian gently rapped upon the large oaken door, patiently waiting for permission to enter the room. By this point, Ciel remained in the large leather chair, head in hands with frail fingers digging into his skull.His small body jolted, almost mistaking the knocking for thunder. He sat up straight, pushing his fear and anxiety down, down, down into the bottom of his heart. "C-" he stopped, his voice hoarse and uneven. With a small sigh and the clearing of his throat, he spoke once more. Louder, Clearer. "Come in, Sebastian".
