The Sample

"Young Master, the report has come back. They are willing to give you the sample for free if you allow them to post the results." The earl waited until his butler placed the letter down on his desk before touching it himself. He read over it, tired already from the day.

"Explain their drawling words, Sebastian, I don't have time to decipher this," Ciel said in a snobby tone, looking the other way. Sebastian sighed.

"The experimental asthma medication that need only be taken once a month to heal your lungs. The scientists at this university are willing to give you a sample for free if you record the effects and report it back. How shall I respond?" Ciel thought for a moment. It would be nice to be able to chase this new bandit down if I weren't gasping for breath at every corner.

"Respond sternly, accept the offer, but warn them if this new drug does anything to me their entire campus will suffer," Ciel chided. Sebastian bowed.

"Yes, my lord." How childish, Sebastian thought. Threatening such hardship for something so simple.

Two days later, the medicine sample was delivered in a sealed wooden box lined with cloth. Sebastian received the box with a genteel smile and sent the university representative away. "Young master, the medication sample has arrived." The earl was taking tea in his study while poring over a collection of Shakespeare. Which meant he was trying desperately not to fall asleep. Sebastian smiled at the adorable sight. He set the box down on one of his smaller rolling carts and leaned down close to Ciel's ear. "Bocchan," he whispered, and Ciel jumped upright in the armchair. Sebastian zipped forward to catch the teacup on its saucer and book, open on the page Ciel had been falling asleep on.

"Don't sneak up on me like that!" Ciel barked. Sebastian just gave his teasing smile and set the things down on his cart.

"I said, the medication sample arrived. Would you like me to read off the instructions, young master?" Ciel was about to protest, saying he wasn't a child, he could read it himself, but he was too tired from Shakespeare to read any scientific papers.

"Go ahead," he said dismissively, slumping onto his elbow to hold his head up.

"Two twenty milligram pills to be taken after dinner and before sleep. Three doses in box. Please take one dose per day and record the results the next day. For consistent results, please refrain from strenuous activity the day following Dose 1. After Dose 2, please do a heavy cardio workout the following day and record results. Refrain from using other medication during this time unless fully asphyxiating. After Dose 3, do a light cardio workout the following day and record results." Ciel was already dozing off again. "Young master!" Sebastian tapped him on the head with the envelope. "You need to pay attention, this is for your health."

"Just read the whole thing yourself and ready my first dose tonight to take as instructed. You will also document the effects," Ciel commanded. He cringed as he heard a loud crash. "Go check on that and get dinner started."

"Yes, my lord." Sebastian bowed and went to see what Mey-Rin dropped this time.

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Sebastian closed the last button on the earl's nightshirt and pulled his cart in next to the large bed. "Young master, the medication sample," he reminded Ciel as Ciel moved to tuck himself into bed. He sat back up, tired but able to manage a haughty eye-roll.

"Two pills?" He asked, a little wary of trying a new medication. Am I to be a mere guinea pig for these pharmaceutical scientists?

"Yes, as written," Sebastian said as he set out the pillows and cooled tea so the earl could gulp them down. He took the pills and waited a minute, not noticing any immediate difference. "Good, now tomorrow you will follow the instructions and not partake in any strenuous activity. If there is progress on the bandit case, I will oversee it."

"Do not order me around, dog!" Ciel threw a pillow at Sebastian. The butler stared for a moment, surprised by his sudden outburst. He picked up the pillow and fluffed it, then replaced it on the bed.

"Yes, my lord," he bowed and left.

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The next day, Sebastian kept a journal hidden in his coat to document any changes in the earl's behavior. He was more energetic, but he was having angry outbursts and tantrums like the one the night before. He knocked a tray from Mey-rin's hands when she served it on the wrong dish. How uncivilized of you, bocchan… That night at dinner, he threw a bun across the room at Finny. They were small things, but so unlike the earl that Sebastian copied over the emotional differences. As Sebastian prepared him for bed once more, he readied the tea and second dose.

"Bocchan. Your medication." Ciel huffed and sat up, tossing the pills back.

"I notice no difference. You will inform them of their failure if I see no improvement," he said in his direct, haughty monotone.

"Yes, my lord. Tomorrow, with the second dose, you are to perform strenuous activity. Yesterday was a test to make sure you had no ill reactions to the medication."

"Yes I know this."

"You may choose the activity, though I suggest a run or heavy workout, something on property so I may keep an eye on you in case the dosage does not improve your function or condition."

"You ramble on, just do your job. Leave me now." Ciel dismissed him by flicking his hand. Sebastian's red eyes flashed as he caught a particular scent, but it disappeared as quickly as it had come. He watched Ciel roll over and lie down, tucking the blanket tightly around himself.

"Yes… my lord…"

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The next day, after the earl had time to digest his breakfast and rest, Sebastian brought him out to the courtyard. The young male had protested his outfit, but to no avail. He wore a thin, tight-fitting black tee that he felt suffocated him and showed too much of his small form; and below that, loose, long shorts meant to allow room for motion and air. He didn't like the breeze blowing through the legs of his shorts or the sun soaking through his ink black shirt. He had been quiet most of the morning, and Sebastian noticed his face was flushed as though embarrassed or flustered. He noted it in the journal, leaving room for an explanation, but had not mentioned it.

"What have you done to my garden, Sebastian?" Ciel scolded when he saw the new design. Overnight, the butler had turned the elegant botanical garden into a large oval track with crawling plants to fill the middle. Short ferns and low-growing flowers made a nice bubble in the middle of the track; the track itself was paved with fine gravel, thick enough to give traction but smooth enough not to trip a small foot; the border was still thick, flowered hedge, but it had been cut short to allow view of the unaltered portions of the garden; and there were three lanes on the track, marked by tediously planted rows of white wildflowers.

"Young master required a place for his workout. I can assure you the garden will be returned to normal after today, if master wishes," Sebastian said calmly, folding a hand over his chest with a rigid half-bow. He noticed Ciel was unmoving and placed a hand on his back to nudge him towards the starting line. Ciel jerked away from his touch like it was a hot flame.

"Do not touch me today. It is hot enough outside, in this shirt, without you suffocating me." Ciel went to the start line. "Have you prepared a workout then?" He asked, eyeing Mey-Rin as she brought out a tray with ice and refreshments.

"I have. The first is a warm-up, two laps jogging. A small break, then a one-lap sprint and I will check your vitals," Sebastian instructed. "I will compare times for record as well." He pulled out his watch. "And. Begin." Ciel immediately set a steady pace and kept it for two laps. He slowed to a walk, Sebastian standing in the middle of the track garden to observe. Ciel's face had turned red but his breathing was even. He picked up the scent again, smirking with curiosity. He snapped his fingers and Mey-Rin took Ciel a glass of water to sip as he walked. When he reached the start line again, Sebastian checked the watch. "Begin." Ciel took off at a full sprint, his short legs flinging out in front of and behind him. Sebastian licked his lips briefly, watching the young, pale legs and their wobbling gait. Like a newborn gazelle. Or, something slightly more predatory but just as awkward. What animal could be matched? Something with elegance, prowess, but clumsy and prone to embarrassing situations… a kitten, perhaps. Yes, Ciel was just like his beloved kittens. He loved his ego to be stroked, but his attitude was sharp as a cat's. He used his words like tiny claws to scratch away the pride of anyone who dared challenge him. Sebastian checked again as Ciel finished the lap and approached him. "Continue walking," he said firmly as Ciel panted.

"I… know…," Ciel breathed roughly. He wasn't wheezing though. Sebastian noted the improvement.

"Is there any chest pain? Headache?" Ciel shook his head. Mey-Rin accompanied them with another drink. "Small sips."

"I know," Ciel hissed, taking the glass. Sebastian stopped in front of him so Ciel would stop walking.

"Take a break, young master. Come sit." He led Ciel over to a bench, walking close to identify the scent he kept smelling. Yes, he knew what it was. The medication was having an odd side-effect. "Mey-Rin." She snapped upright at Sebastian's voice. "Get back inside out of this heat," he said in a caring tone. She blushed deep red and ran back towards the mansion in her flustered gait. Once alone, Sebastian stood over Ciel, his shadow looming over the boy. Ciel looked grateful, but said nothing of it.

"What are you looking at?" He quipped.

"Your medication is having strong side effects that you have failed to inform me of," Sebastian pressed.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Ciel suddenly yelped as Sebastian leaned down, placing his hand directly over the earl's groin and applying light pressure.

"You have a strange swelling, young master. And you've been putting out a strong scent. Surely you didn't think you could hide it from me? This should be noted." Ciel couldn't think with Sebastian touching him… there… his face filled with blood, his cheeks red as a cardinal's feathers. "Young master? Why didn't you inform me?" Sebastian's smirk was hidden in his shadow.

"Get… get off me!" Ciel barked, though he didn't move. Sebastian moved in front of him and pressed a little harder, licking his lips again when he felt the young male's growing erection throb against his palm.

"Your body is saying otherwise, and if it is due to the medication, young master, I believe it behoove you to allow me to fix the problem." He said into Ciel's ear.

"Then fix it," Ciel hissed, trying to remain an air of pride. Sebastian smiled darkly.

"Yes. My lord."