Author's Note: So this is going to most likely have very short chapters and I don't know how many of them we'll end up with in the end. But as they say, 'quality over quantity' right? So hopefully you all find the quality high enough to make up for the low quantity. Thank you for reading and if you review thank you for that as well!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroshitsuji. Yet.

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Headaches and Nosebleeds

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"Honestly, Young Master, you can't rely on me to save you from everything," the black-clad demon chastised as he placed a wet rag over the forehead of his charge. "While I do my best to keep you in good health, there is very little I can do to prevent illness when you insist on always being right in the middle of every confrontation with a criminal. It was only a matter of time before you became sick."

The bed-ridden young earl glared half-heartedly at Sebastian. "Shut up," he said after a long while of trying to summon any energy he could to speak. "I didn't ask for your opinion on how I got sick," Ciel deepened his scowl with great effort but gave up after only a few seconds and lay limply upon his bed, panting slightly.

Sebastian sealed his lips with a smirk and fluffed Ciel's pillow one last time before turning to leave.

"Wait…" Ciel called softly, extending one tiny pale hand toward his butler. "Stay until I fall asleep," he whispered as his servant turned back toward him and raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

Looking at the boy's face, Sebastian could not tell whether the shade of red it had become was due to the fever or his apparent embarrassment over having made such a childish request which was also causing the pre-teen to feel the need to pull his covers over his face. He assumed the latter simply because it was the more amusing answer. And there was no sense in wasting such a perfect opportunity to poke fun at his young master.

"Are you perhaps frightened that my absence will send out an invitation for other dark creatures of the night to have their way with you?" the demon inquired good0naturedly. "Because I can assure you. Young Master, that whether I am here or not, I would never let anyone aside from myself ever have a peek at that tempting little caboose of yours."

"Don't be ridiculous," Ciel shot out, the shade of red on his face darkening significantly. Sebastian's perpetual smile widened. "I simply don't wish to have to reach for the bell should I need you for anything before I fall asleep."

"Of course," the butler replied, sinking into an elegant bow. "I shall stay then, as the young master wishes."

"Good…" said the earl softly. And having used up most of his energy being either embarrassed or defensive, he fell asleep almost instantly. Sebastian regarded his charge for a long while; he watched as his chest rose and fell, watched as the boy's parted lips closed then opened again with each breath, watched as his hand searched along the mattress for the warmth of another body.

"Mother…" It was barely audible but Sebastian heard the word that came from Ciel's lips. The petit hand continued to reach across the bed, searching, searching, searching… until the demon took it in his own and placed it gently atop the child's breast. He let his own hand remain there as he whispered words of comfort into Ciel's ear.

Finally he freed his hand from his charge's grip and placed a fresh towel on the boy's forehead before blowing out the candles and leaving the bedroom.