Chapter Text
Sebastian lay awake in the Phantomhive manor staring at the lavish walls, he didn't particularly know what to do at these hours since sleep was usless to a demon.
After he completed his duties for the day, cleaning the manor, making sure his young master was asleep and safe, the building was silent. The exception being Mey-Rin surveying the outside for any intruders. Speaking of, it might be nice to pace outside for a change. He'd be back in time to prepare breakfeast and his usual morning routine just a small walk won't hurt, despite judging the manor staff they can be quite capable.
He silently slipped past the doors as to not disturb anyone, and began his descent into the town. He passes many shops and cafes, heels clicking against the sidewalk, he even thought about paying the funeral parlor a visit but decided against it. He should only see the undertaker for business purposes, and right now he was just mindlessly pacing.
Eventually the view of buildings turned into a more scenic one, scattered with tall oak trees and flowering bushes. He'd stumbled upon quite the lovely park, he was about to sit on one of the many benches and admire the scenery when he spotted a bright shade of red he knew all to well.
𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵.
He thought Grell would notice his presence right away and bombarde him with the usual flirtatious comments but something was off.
He didn't walk away, infact he sat down next to the reaper, curious, but she still did not seem to notice, her eyes glued to the starry horizon. He didn't want to say anything to break the silence, so he didn't untill the reaper finally seemed to snap out of her trance.
"OH! Jesus Bassy you frightened me! What did you come out all this way just to see me I'm flattered-"
As he predicted Grell did infact barrade him with snarky remarks the second she noticed him but it was a facade, he could tell, her voice was hoarse, her eyes tired.
"Don't credit yourself so much I simply wanted to survey the area-"
"You were really ordered to at this hour?! You really should be getting paid more."
"Being able to eventually devour my young masters soul is plenty compensation, and no I came here out of free will thank you. I'm more curious what a reaper like you is doing at this hour."
Silence
"Well haha you caught me! Slacking off on the job-"
"Theres no use in lying Grell."
...
"Aw what do you care about me now? Has Bassy gone all soft?"
He let out an annoyed sigh, not at her behavior but why she isn't being honest, its irritating him.
"I am not 'soft' in the slightest I'm a demon for hell's sake, I am simply wanting to know if you're causing any trouble for the Phantomhives."
Her grandiose sharp smile faded into a softer one.
"Well, honeslty I dont know Sebastian. You know after the whole 'Jack the Ripper' situation my work reputation isnt the best."
"So you were fired"
"I WAS NOT-"
Grell shot up from the bench they shared, face red with embarrasment. Sebastian chuckled at the reaction he got.
"I was not FIRED I just... have a more open shedule!"
"So you decided to use that extra time to stare at the sky all night?"
"Well that's what youre doing as well isn't it?"
Sebastian paused, realizing that was infact exactly what he was doing.
"I suppose it is."
The two sat in silence, Sebastian seeing Grell just out of the corner of his vision wiping the residue from her tearstained eyes and smiling.
For once she didnt seem so insufferable.
A faint glow startled him from his thoughts, the sun slowly beggining to rise. But he could have sworn he had only been there a few minutes?! he needed to start making his way back to the manor quickly befo-
As he went to stand up he felt something weighing him down, Grells head rested on his shoulder.She was quietly snoring, a small string of drool lining her lip.
He knew he was going to regret this.
He gently stood up as not to wake the reaper, and draped his coat across her shoulders before making his exit. It'd be unmannerly to leave her in the cold, no other reason.