That Butler: Caring?

Chapter 5.

Red light. Smoke filled air and flames devouring everything in sight. The horror he felt at the sight of his father's body, beautiful cerulean eyes filled with tears.
Pain. Mind-numbing, endless pain. Blood, the screams of a child. Then darkness... And a clawed hand outside the bars.

Ciel awoke with a start, jolted from his sleep by the first nightmare he had experienced in years. With a shaky hand he reached up to touch his cheeks and was shocked to find them wet.

Was I... Crying?

He sat there in the dark, confused and angry at himself for his weakness. Just as the boy was about to lay down and try to go back to sleep he heard a quiet knock on his bedroom door.

"Who is it?"

He whispered, and was surprised at the voice he heard coming from outside.

"It is me, My Lord. May I come in?"

Sebastian was stood outside with a concerned expression, having known his master was awake. After a few moments Ciel replied, hastily drying his face on the bedsheets.

"Yes."

Opening the door, the butler stepped inside and allowed the candlelight to fill the room.

"I sensed something wasn't quite right. Are you having trouble sleeping?"

Despite his best efforts Ciel simply couldn't bring himself to glare at his butler, so he just stared at him with a blank expression and glazed eyes.

"No. It was nothing."

Oddly, as the boy looked up he could have sworn the demon's crimson eyes softened as he came closer.

"Are you sure, My Lord? You seem as if something is troubling you."

For goodness' sake, does this damn demon not know when to drop the subject?

"I've said it once and I won't say it again. You're trying my patience, Sebastian."

He said warningly. His tone was cold and obviously defensive, but what he seemed not to realise was, in his butler's eyes, he had no reason to act this way.
Sebastian sighed softly and set the candelabra on the bedside table.

"Please, Young Master. As I said earlier today I can tell when something is wrong, and when you are lying. What reason do you have to lie to me? I am your servant, and I exist only for you."

The look on his face genuinely shocked Ciel. He seemed almost upset... Aggrieved even. The boy couldn't understand it.

"And what reason do you have to act like you care?"

Retorted the Earl. A shadow of pain crossed the demon's face and he fell to one knee, bowing his head.

He's right... Why do I act like I care? What is this?

After a few moments of painful silence he spoke again.

"Forgive me for disturbing you, My Lord. I shall leave now."

He stood without looking at his master, picking up the candelabra again and turning away, walking towards the door.
After a pause Ciel allowed a sigh of his own to slip past his lips.

"Wait."

"My Lord?"

The butler replied without turning around.

"Stay with me. Until I fall asleep."

"Yes, My Lord."

The boy laid himself down to sleep, keeping his back to Sebastian. The demon stood watch without another word, and though his face was calm his mind was in turmoil.

This is absolutely ridiculous. What am I thinking? Even the idea that I can feel emotion is preposterous. So why is it that, whenever I see him like this, I never seem to feel like I normally do? It's not as if I'm even capable of caring about this boy.

The same thoughts ran circles around his skull, driving him to the point of distraction. Even with all his centuries of experience he was unable to comprehend his own feelings... Something he never thought he would have to do.