You Can't Hide Forever

His Butler, Fluent (part 2)

I woke up and the first thing I noticed was that I was in a boat and that it was foggy. Sebastian was rowing the boat with one hand, still missing his other arm, while he smiled a little down at me. I looked down at my clothes and noticed that I was in a black suit of sorts with a white rose in the breast pocket.

"You're awake, young master?", Sebastian asked. I sat up.

"Where are we?", I asked.

"Do you want to know?", Sebastian asked.

"That's why I asked", I replied. "No, on second thought... I have a feeling I don't need to know." A few singing birds flew by and I put a hand to my eye patch. "I seem to have slept for quite a while." I looked out at the river's waters and noticed images and events from my life being shown. "What's this?"

"Your Cinematic Record. Apparently it's drifted all the way here", Sebastian replied. I looked at all the memories. The time I had dressed as a girl. The first day of Claire's job working for me. The many time I held her in my arms.

I'll never get to do that again...

"I see. So this is... the life I've lived", I said, looking at the memories sadly. "I'm... dead now."

"Not yet, my lord", Sebastian replied. "I will be delivering your death presently." He released the ore he was using to row and placed his hand over his heart as he so often did. "I'll take full responsibility for you until the end... as your loyal butler."

"Hmph", I replied and looked at the memories. There were quite a few of Elizabeth crying. "Elizabeth is sure to cry like a baby."

"Yes. You were Lady Elizabeth's family, so she cares about you very much", Sebastian replied.

"She was a sobbing mess when Madam Red died, too", I pointed out as I saw the memory of Madam Red's funeral.

"That's because she cried your tears and hers, since you were being mulish", Sebastian said. Then, I saw memories of Bard, Finny, and Mey-Rin.

"Are those three dead?", I asked.

"I couldn't say, my lord", Sebastian answered. "The last I saw them, they appeared to be breathing."

"Well, they are uncommonly stubborn, at least", I said. Then, I caught sight of memories of Pluto. "And Pluto?"

"Shall I collect his bones later and bury them?", Sebastian asked.

"His bones?", I asked. After a moment, I looked away from the river. "No. What meaning could bones have? Everything is..."

"Everything is what?", Sebastian asked. I closed my eyes.

"Nevermind... I imagine it's still a bit too soon to speak of everything", I said. I looked back at the river for a moment and caught sight of a few memories with Claire's siblings. "What about those eight?"

"It's going to take a lot more than a fire to kill them when they're together", Sebastian replied.

"I suppose you're right", I said before I saw more memories with Claire. "Sebastian... what about Claire?"

"Last I saw her, she was at the top of the Tower Bridge mourning what she believes is your death", he replied. "But do not worry, young master. Hogo and the others have found her, so I'm sure she is safe from any remaining harm."

"I see...", I said. "She'll be devastated for quite some time, won't she?"

"Indeed", he replied. "Her feelings towards you run very deep and strong."

"As do mine towards her..."

I must've really hurt her... But I had to fullfil my end of the deal as Sebastian had his... It pains me to leave her. I wanted to live a long happy life with her after I realized how I felt, but.... it seems not everyone can have what they want...