Work Text:
No matter how much their parents assured them both of loving them equally, Astre knew that Ciel was the favorite. They got the same toys as presents during their birthday, all toys that Ciel asked for, not Astre. They celebrated holidays with Ciel’s favorite cake and sweets. They rewarded both twins with Ciel’s favorite tea. And when it was time for their parents to bond, Ciel got to sit in father’s lap while the family talked. Astre had to sit by himself.
Not only that, but the servants also treated Ciel nicer than they treated Astre. It was subtle but noticeable how much quicker they were to listen to Ciel’s request than Astre’s. It was clear that since Ciel would grow up to inherit the mansion, there was much more pressure on them to earn his favor.
Ciel never flaunted this favoritism towards his younger brother, however. If anything, he didn’t even notice. Ciel always treated Astre like his best friend, and loved to spend all day playing games with him.
Then one day, their father announced a new servant that would tend to their needs while Tanaka was busy. Sebastian Michaelis was just as handsome and dignified as their father, making them both impressed. He carried every single duty with an air of grace and earnest, not ever showing a single hint of slowing down. He made amazing treats. Cleaned everything spotless. Clothed the twins and tied their bows with such elegance and dexterity that it was shocking how perfect they turned out.
One day, while Astre wasn’t feeling well yet again, Ciel and their parents had tea outside. While Astre was forced to stay indoors, frowning and playing by himself with his stuffed animals. He figured no one would acknowledge his existence for at least a couple hours. Which was why it was such a surprise when Sebastian suddenly came inside his room, strolling a trolley with tea and finger food.
Astre was so stunned he nearly tripped over his dolls while approaching the butler.
“Sebastian? Aren’t you supposed to be tending to Mother and Father?”
Sebastian gently showed Astre to a small chair meant just for him. He placed the tea at the children’s table in front of him, sending his young lord a knowing smile.
“Tanaka is seeing to their tea, just as he did before I arrived, young Master Astre. I asked Lord Phantomhive if I could serve you your tea in your room. Tea is excellent for a growing body, especially one that’s currently ill. Would you care to try some of this candy with it? It’s toffee made with almonds and rich goat milk. It has much more of a creamy consistency that those made with cow’s milk.”
Still shocked from the nice gesture, Astre delicately took the cup of tea in his hands. It was the porcelain set with the rose patterns on it, one of Mother’s favorites. He gratefully took a sip, but paused as he tasted it. Sebastian frowned in concern.
“Is something the matter with your tea, my lord?”
“No….it’s….is this earl grey?”
“Indeed it is.”
“But Ciel told me that today’s tea would be oolong.”
Blinking once, Sebastian slowly smiled, the concern washing over his features when he realized that Astre had no problem with the tea itself.
“They are drinking oolong outside, my lord. But I remember overhearing you say that earl grey is your favorite, and so I decided to make a fresh pot for you.”
Astre’s jaw went slack. No one ever showed him so much consideration before. Nor did they truly listened to him. In family discussions, Astre was used to being talked over, as everyone else set their attention on someone more interesting to listen to.
For Sebastian to listen to so closely to such a passing remark truly made Astre feel like he cared. The boy stared at Sebastian so long that the butler chuckled in amusement, causing Astre’s face to flush bright red.
Instead of calling attention to the staring, Sebastian brought up the tray of candies. Astre took one and plopped the confection in his mouth, grinning at how sweet and chewy the toffee was. He swallowed too fast, and a tight feeling caught in his throat. A second later, Astre was having another coughing spell.
“Oh dear,” Sebastian brought out a handkerchief and pressed Astre’s nose in it, waiting for the child’s coughing to calm down. When it did, he patted Astre’s head, “There we go. Do you need to lie down?”
Astre shook his head, “No. I’m okay! Honest….I’m sorry I ruined your handkerchief.”
“Ruined? My lord, that is what handkerchiefs are for. I’ll hear no talk of you ruining anything.”
A warm feeling began sprouting in Astre’s stomach and for once, he didn’t think illness had anything to do with it. In fact, the warmth felt nice and inviting – a feeling that he never experienced in his life, but certainly welcomed.
And the feeling magnified when he looked into Sebastian’s ruby red eyes, their shine so potent that he could see his own reflection in them.
Astre opened his mouth, wanting to say something nice to Sebastian. Compliment his tea or thanked him again for his courtesy. Something. But he felt utterly speechless, even though it was the first time in his life that he had an attentive audience other than his own twin.
Astre licked his dry lips nervously. Just tell Sebastian he had pretty eyes. For one thing because Astre truly believed that he did. For another, because he genuinely wanted to make Sebastian feel as happy as Sebastian did to him.
But was it weird to tell a man that his eyes were pretty?
Before Astre could bite the bullet, the door opened up, causing both males to look at the newcomer curiously.
“Astre? I brought some toffee to go with your tea….” Ciel poked his head out, his eyes flashing when he saw Sebastian was still in the room. In his hand was a bag of hand-wrapped candies. The same as the ones Sebastian had already given him, no doubt.
“It’s okay, Ciel. I already have some. Go back to Mother and Father.”
But instead of doing that, Ciel froze just in front of the door, taking in the scene of Sebastian standing by ever so close to his twin, ready to refill his tea at a moment’s notice. There was a silence as Ciel seemed to be deep in thought.
Finally, Ciel spoke without his tone betraying any emotion, “How come Sebastian is still here? I thought he was just going to get you tea and leave.”
Sebastian, even though the question was not directed at him, responded pleasantly, “I feel it is my duty to do more than simply serving him his tea and leaving. If I want to be the best butler I can be, then I will need to take example from my elders, such as Tanaka, and make sure that every master in the house is well tended to.”
It was an innocent answer, so why did Ciel’s eyes seemed to narrow at this response? Astre usually felt happy whenever Ciel came to visit him while he was sick. But now, he wished Ciel would leave, so that he could have Sebastian’s attention all to himself again.
Astre took another bite of candy, doing his best not to choke this time. Ciel watched him savoring the treat with a critical eye and it looked like another tense silence was going to occur. But Sebastian broke it before it could dwell too long.
“Would you care to join your brother? It’s earl grey, but if you desire any other kind, I will be happy to---”
“Moroccan.”
Sebastian paused, “I apologize. Could you repeat—”
“I want Moroccan mint tea. Now.”
Astre was shocked at how short Ciel was all of the sudden. Taking no notice of his rude behavior, Sebastian bowed and left the room to do just that. Once the butler was gone, Ciel came and took his usual spot at the children’s table – right next to Astre.
Astre frowned at him.
“You should’ve at least said please, like Mother taught us.”
Ciel rested his face against his palm, his face amused, “He’s just a servant. He’s supposed to do what we say.”
“But Mother said our please and thank you’s should always-“
“We say please and thank you for our guests, not our servants,” Ciel had an air of authority, like he was being Astre’s tutor right now, “They’re being paid and they get to live in this mansion during their contract. I think that’s thanks enough.”
Astre disagreed with this, seeing as how hard Sebastian slaved away for their every order without a signal complaint. In all hours of the day too.
But Astre had never disagreed with Ciel on anything. And he felt scared to do so now, fearing that would destroy some undisclosed bond that they had developed over the years. So he kept silent. Happy that he wasn’t about to be challenged, Ciel grinned. He placed the candy that he had brought on the table.
“Why don’t you compare. I bet mine are better than Sebastian’s.”
Astre paused, “What? You didn’t make these. Tanaka and Sebastian made them.”
“Yes. And I’m sure the inferior batch you had was from Sebastian. The ones I brought are from Tanaka. I bet they’re better. Go ahead. Try it.”
Astre was about to point out that Ciel had just called Tanaka’s candies ‘his’ as if he made them himself, but he worried doing so would result in an argument. And Ciel seemed to be in a fragile enough state already. For what reason, Astre had no idea. But he didn’t want to worsen it.
The last time Ciel had gotten in a mood like this, he had locked him and Astre in their room alone for hours. Astre was too naïve to know this was not normal behavior from an older brother.
So Astre plopped a candy in his mouth. Ciel watched like a hawk, his smile eerily wide.
“See? It’s much better, right? You should trust me to only get the best for you. Now, why don’t we play on of our board games. You do like my toffee better, right?”
They tasted just the same. But Astre lied and said Ciel’s was better, just to avoid any drastic change of mood.
Honestly, he loved his brother. It’s just his brother’s love became too much at times.