The next few days were an absolute Hell, even for the demon himself. Kadence had been isolated to her own room while she healed. She was only really disturbed when it was mealtime by the others, but Sebastian found himself in the room any chance he could get. The tiny woman would be in and out of consciousness, muttering nonsense when she was awake and twitching violently when she wasn't. The way things were, it was difficult to tell if she would even be able to pull herself back. It was just about too much for the butler to bear.

Ciel sat at his desk in his study, Meyrin and Bard standing in front of him. "You uh...called us, sir?" The maid muttered timidly, grasping her apron tightly with one hand while the other adjusted her spectacles.

"I'm sure it is no secret Sebastian has been distracted recently," Ciel muttered, resting his hands underneath his chin. He gazed at them seriously. "So I want to ask you both to step up and take on more chores to assist him. I know he could usually handle it, but lately, it would appear his sanity has dropped quite a lot."

He never would've thought he'd see the day. Sebastian had always been such a capable butler. A scarily accurate man. It was hard to see such a strong individual that he would admire crumble.

"Aye. We can do that," Bard spoke in a low voice, casting a sideways glance to his coworker. "It's funny, eh? Never woulda...thought we'd see Sebastian take the tumble he has. Let alone fall in love. Never seemed like 'im."

"Yes, yes." Meyrin clasped her hands together and lowered her head. "Even when I tripped and broke the best china set we had, he didn't yell at me. He didn't even glare! He just sort of glanced at me and told me to clean it up, he did. It's...i-it's very hard to see 'im like this. Think there's anything we could to 'elp?"

"Can you magically heal someone on the brink of death? I don't think so." Ciel stated and leaned back in his chair. "The most we can do right now is keep out of his way, and do as you are told. Relay this to Finny once-"

The young Earl paused as Sebastian wheeled the tea cart into the room, his crimson eyes lifted and staring at the three of them. "It is rude to talk about somebody behind their back," he muttered. Despite the faint joking tone in his voice, the ruby-colored orbs looked exhausted.

"Oh, Mr. Sebastian, let me help you with that," Meyrin stepped forward to assist in pouring the tea, only to step back as he sent her a harsh gaze.

"Oi! There's no reason to look at 'er like that! We're all worried about you, mate. We're all family here. You don't hafta do everything by yourself, you know." Bard stepped forward now, the chef eyeing Sebastian and shaking his head. "You look like shit, Sebastian. Plain and simple. Stop pretending that you're so tough. You're worried about Kadence. We all are. Hell, if Finny wasn't so scared you'd yell at 'im, he'd probably hug you and never let go."

Closing his eyes, Sebastian huffed softly. The chef was right. They all were right. And he hated it. Hated that he was suddenly so weak and could hardly function. "Fine. Prepare the tea." He muttered, most likely more bitterly than intended. With that, he left the room, allowed the door to slam shut behind him, and made his way back to the large kitchen downstairs to prepare a light lunch.

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Sebastian stood in front of the counter, his tailcoat off and hung up, sleeves rolled up, and gloves off to the side. In front of him was a cutting board and several vegetables. Vegetable soup as a side sounded like a good enough add on to the course as well as the perfect meal for the recovering Borrower upstairs.

Guiding the knife, he carefully cut a carrot into small slivers. It was hard to keep his focus. If he were to cut himself, it wouldn't hurt, but it would contaminate all the food he was using and he'd have to start all over. Figuring he was alone, he allowed the knife to fall from his hands with a clatter and he raised both his hands to his face.

"Ah...Mr. Sebastian?" A soft, gentle voice rang from the doorway. Turning to look, the demon sighed as he gazed at the blue-eyed, blonde-haired young boy gazing back at him. Finnian stepped into the room slowly, his brows furrowed as he gazed up at his superior. "I just wanted to check on you. I-I know you most likely want to be left alone, but...but...nobody should be left alone at a time like this!"

Swiftly pulling his gloves back onto his hands, Sebastian closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "You all seem to be keen on pointing out how little help I've been lately."

"That's not what I'm trying to say! Not at all!" Finny hurried forward and grabbed Sebastian's hands in his rather tightly, taking the demon by surprise. "Please! It was my fault that I couldn't grab her and hide with her, that's why she was taken, that's why she was hurt! Please let me try and make this up to you both!"

Pulling his hands free from Finny's, the dark-haired butler shook his head faintly. "Finnian. Do not blame yourself. Blaming yourself will only make you feel worse if she were to-" he hesitated for only a moment. "-to leave this world."

Unable to take it anymore, unable to see Sebastian so hurt, Finny wrapped his strong arms around the demon and squeezed. He squeezed his own eyes shut tightly, tears brimming in the blue pools. "B-But...!"

Sebastian was surprised at the sudden pressure around his body. Had he been human, most likely his spine would have been crushed. But what surprised him more was the fact he wasn't repulsed. He was touched and found that he was thankful for the boy's attempt. With a faint chuckle, he lifted one hand and placed it on top of the blonde locks. He gently smoothed down the hair, gazing at the much shorter male. The boy was still so childlike despite all that they'd all gone through together, it was almost admirable. "If you want to help, will you help me finish lunch?" He requested in a low voice. "I'm afraid my hands aren't as steady as I'd like them to be at the moment."

Finny lifted his head, gazing up at him with sparkling eyes. His lips twisted into a wide, happy grin. "I'd love to! Yes, of course I will!"

So, Sebastian quickly set up a way for Finny to help him prepare both the soup and the main dish. He'd never let him help in the kitchen before. But currently, the demon found that at this moment he needed the company.