Silence was the only thing that stood between them, creating a fragile distance, one that seemed to beg to be broken. Even now, in their last moments, he still exuded everything a Phantomhive butler should be able to offer. He stood tall, posture as perfect as it always had been, before his master, who watched him with tired eyes. "Three years," he spoke, voice carrying the delicate quality of silk, veiled under his breath. "Three years I spent in your company, and three years you spent in mine." To him, it felt like an instant. Those three years had felt as if he had barely had enough time to blink. He supposed it was the product of living for an eternity. Time began warping before his eyes. To the boy however, living the life of a human, it had felt like a very long time. The demon could see it in those weary eyes of his, cobalt hues filled with fatigue. Sebastian could still bring those memories to the surface of his mind, have them play back again as if they were playing right before him. A child, bruised and bloodied, stood before him, eyes wide with mingled fear and despair. Those dark blue eyes had shown him only anguish and agony, and now, three years later, they showed only boredom and weariness. "How far you have come in such a short time, young master," he commented quietly, remaining completely still. "You have done what many humans fail to do. You have quelled despair with wrath and pride, and have managed to exact revenge on those who have wronged you." A pause. "And here you are now, staring at me in a manner best described as monotonous." Perhaps it was a trick of the dim lighting, but one could swear that his gaze softened, expression morphing into one of a sad fondness. There was silence for a few moments, and then the butler’s mouth opened once more. "You were a worthy master of a demon, my lord." And Sebastian extended his arm before bringing his palm to his chest in a flourish, stooping into a slight bow. That was just it, wasn’t it? He was a demon. For three years he had lived under the alias of Sebastian Michaelis, nothing more than a rather talented butler. But underneath that milky complexion, beneath that sly smile, lay a monster. And it was here, now, that the monster would be freed. Their contract had been all but completed, and as of now, he had no use for the lie he had told. For Ciel Phantomhive was not the only one who would die tonight. With his master, Sebastian Michaelis would perish as well. "Truly worthy…" Expression becoming unreadable, stoic in every possible mannerism, the butler stepped forward, kneeling before the child for a final time. As he stepped into the light, it returned. The melancholy sentimentality flickered in his gaze as he stared into the eyes of his meal, focusing on the blue one, the only one capable of showing emotion. There was another moment of silence between them before Sebastian broke it. "Your orders, master?" And there, with the child’s response, determined and strong as ever despite the lingering foreboding in his gaze, came the words Sebastian had waited to hear for so very long. The order to devour his soul. With them, his lips curled into the smirk that had become so familiar to the boy.