If only I could have a puppy I'd call myself so very lucky

[chainsaw_juliet]

WHO: Grell Sutcliff {chainsaw_juliet } & Puppy Ciel Phantomhive {queens_guarddog }
WHAT: Fetching the young Earl and treating him to some good old Reaper hospitality.
WHERE: Docks and then the Townhouse.
WHEN: Shortly after this

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[queens_guarddog]

Ciel was standing stiffly on the docks when Grell arrived. His hands were still covered in Sebastian's blood, the color a stark contrast to his otherwise dark clothing. If one didn't know him well enough, they might say he was in mourning. Ciel's desires were quite the opposite, however. He wanted Sebastian back and he would do what it took to see their contract through until the end.

Flinching at Grell's all too cheerful voice, the Earl narrowed his eyes - albeit only one was visible. Reaching up, he touched the eyepatch covering his right eye and steadied himself. He needed to be somewhat hospitable to Sutcliff. Sebastian wasn't here to rescue him (at least to his knowledge). Thus being reckless would be idiotic.

"Sutcliff." he glanced down at the dog, showing no signs of fear. In fact, he looked mildly interested. Where had Sutcliff obtain such an impressive guard-dog

[chainsaw_juliet]

The moment Ciel knelt before the towering dog, Grell had to laugh. The hound excitedly nosed Ciel's hands, even leaning forward briefly to press his cold wet nose against his cheek.
"Come on Knox, you can say hello properly once we've gotten the Puppy out of the rain."

The Reaper fetched a kerchief from his pocket.
"Oh my oh my." He giggled. "You're wearing my favourite colour!" Strangely tender, he wiped the blood from Ciel's face and hands. A frown. A confused look. He sniffed the stained cloth.
"This smells like his blood. Did you just lose dear Sebastian in your present world, little Earl? How fascinating...There would be time to discuss that later. Dutifully keeping the umbrella steady over him, Grell led the boy from the Docks with the hound trotting beside him and almost dwarfing him in comparison. For a brief moment he pondered the mental image of popping Ciel atop the hound like one would mount a steed. He giggled

[queens_guarddog]

A slightly shocked expression crossed the young Earl's face when the dog showed affection towards him. Honestly, he wasn't used to affection in any sense of the word. Even Elizabeth's hugs made him uncomfortable; and she was his cousin and fiance. But, somehow, he didn't mind the hound's curiosity.

"My name is Ciel." he remarked tersely, straightening once he had had his fill of Knox's perusal, "Hm?" he jerked backwards when Grell produced the handkerchief, "What are you doing?" a strange lump surfaced in his throat, "Not on purpose." his voice was low and tired.

He allowed Grell to wipe off the blood, however. It was awfully sticky even if it was the last part he had of Sebastian. His stomach clenched at that thought and he growled uncomfortably.

"I don't want to talk about it." his voice rose slightly in pitch, the sound breaking, "He did something stupidIt was a blessing that Ciel was unaware of Grell's thoughts when it came to him and Knox. However, he did place a hand on the hound's back, finding some comfort in being

[chainsaw_juliet]

Something stupid. Grell knew there was something wrong with the Earl's words. Sebastian never did anything without proper calculation, for every action held an unvoiced purpose. Did Ciel expect Grell to believe such a thing? No. The Demon was too powerful a creature to 'die'. Besides. Dying involved Reapers.

Seeing Knox settle beside Ciel and lay his head on Ciel's lap, the redhead knew he could leave the boy alone for a moment. Another pair of eyes was watching the mortal anyway; another pair of golden eyes observed him impassively from the sill of a window.
"William, do stop staring. It's just him. No Sebastian." Grell sighed, walking to the cat and giving it a fond pat. He fetched a quilt draped over a chair, giving it to Ciel to wrap himself in.

He plopped himself down on the other side of Knox so the canine lay between them.
"You're welcome." The Reaper acknowledged with a tinge of smugness kept buried inside. "So my dear Earl. What is it you'd like to know about this place?"