Tales of Tribulation

2

Sebastian hears a knock on the door, late, past sunset. He freezes, awaiting his father's wrath. "Who the fuck is that?!" And there it is. He hears footsteps beyond the door, heavy ones he's feared since infancy. Since he was 5 and hid underneath his bed to escape those footsteps, terrified and alone. Now he opens his door just slightly, watching from a tiny groove between the wood, Ash's dark hands in the velvet blackness pull open the door. "Oh,"

"Evening, Mr Michaelis,"

Sebastian isn't sure if his heart explodes in his chest or falls into his gut like a penny from an airplane. Thankfully, Vincent Phantomhive, who looms at the door is one of the few friends his dad actually likes. Vincent walks in, sighing in content that the house is actually clean for once. He turns right to Sebastian's room, who immediately yanks the door open and drags him in, slamming it. "What are you doing here?!" He demands with a whisper.

"Well, I have something to tell you," Vincent boops Sebastian's nose with a grin. "And don't worry, I remember the rules - don't cuss, don't let your dad hear any noise. Right?"

"Right," Sebastian nods in affirmation.

Vincent sits on the bed, observing the dismal state of the bedroom. He sighs, flopping down and placing his hands behind his head. "So I spoke to Ciel..."

Sebastian feels a jolt of excitement, but bites back his excitement - it wouldn't do to show excitement in front of Vincent. The boy issues any vulnerability he can to manipulate even his friends. "And what did he say?" He asks in a too-measured voice.

"Well, that doesn't really matter. I know my brother and I know he wants you,"

"So he said no?" Sebastian sighs, collapsing into the bed beside Vincent, curling up to the headboard. He grabs a takeout box from his dresser and starts eating the cold leftovers, offering some to Vincent who accepts. Of course he said no. Nobody wants to date the weird emo kid, especially someone like Ciel Phantomhive.

"He did," Vincent admits with a pout. "But - I have a plan. What he said doesn't really matter,"

"What do you have in mind?" He inquires curiously. No matter his carelessness, Vincent is a great schemer. He's smart and can make plans, plans Sebastian trusts to work.

"Well, it'll be beneficial for both of us," of course, whatever he does he makes sure to get something out of it. Rewarding himself for his cleverness. "I need someone to take care of things around my mansion and Ciel needs to realise how much he likes you. So - you're going to be my butler,"

Sebastian giggles behind his hands, amused with the while incredulity of this. "So what? I get to be your servant and maybe Ciel takes an interest in me? And who knows how long that'll take - no, screw you Vince. Do you really misjudge me so badly?"

"Not at all - although I was hoping you'd accept, I expected to have to offer more," he admits. "Fine. You don't like living here of course. I'll provide you with a room of your own, which you can use as your own bedroom while you work for me. And I'll pay you, something close to minimum wage. Deal?"

Sebastian grits his teeth in irritation. Vincent knows he'll accept now - he's offered him a deal he can't refuse. Partially because he likes deals so much. "Deal," he agrees.

"Good - d'you have a suitcase? Well start packing tomorrow!" Vincent decides confidently.

"You can't stay over, Dad hasn't - "

"He loves me. Stop being so wet," He dismisses, kicking off his shoes and burying under the duvet. "Now get Netflix on, its so boring and quiet in here,"