Merry Christmas Eve everyone ^.^ I hope everyone has a great holiday.~

Sebastian grunted softly as the early morning light peaked in through the slightly drawn curtains, pulling him from his slumber. Shielding his eyes with his arms he was about to turn over when he felt something block him. He opened his eyes lazily and lifted his head, surprised to find that what was blocking his movement was not a something but a someone.
Claude was stretched out beside him, his arms wrapped around the raven demon's waist, holding him closely. Sebastian's head was resting against the others chest and he felt a gentle kiss being placed on the top of his head, signifying that Claude was awake as well.
"Good morning." The plum haired demon purred, lowering his head to kiss the younger demon's forehead.
"Claude..." Sebastian murmured sleepily. "What are you doing here?"
Both demons had left the room after they established their deal and they went their separate ways. Sebastian had retired to his room and he figured Claude had done the same. Apparently he was mistaken.
"I don't see the need to answer such an obvious question." Claude teased, shifting his future mate so that they were face to face.
The black haired demon glowered at the other male and moved to get up, only to hesitate as he felt a cold breeze pass his bare chest. Shivering inwardly he laid back down in the bed, enjoying its warmth. As much as he hated to admit it Claude was warm and Sebastian absolutely despised the cold.
The spider demon smirked at the prince's actions and pulled him closer.
"Is my little raven cold?" The golden eyed demon mused, running a warm hand down the other's sides, aware of crimson eyes watching him warily. "Get as close to me as you wish."
"Shut up." Sebastian growled, pulling the blanket further over him. Of all the months why did his father demand his presence during the cold season? He would have much preferred suffering the heat than this blasted frigid air.
Claude hummed softly and placed another warm kiss on the other's cheek.
"Your past contract must have worn you out more than you expected. You slept for quite a bit of time."
The raven demon's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion and he looked over at the spider. "How long did I sleep?"
"12 hours, give or take. "
Sebastian sighed and ran a hand through his black hair, smoothing it down. "I suppose I was more exhausted than I had suspected." It was true that his past contractor did run him ragged and even though it was not necessary for him to sleep it was pleasant. Life was dull and continuous if you could not nap every once in a while, or at least that was what Sebastian thought.
"You're quite adorable when you sleep." Claude informed teasingly, leaning his face closer to the other.
His words were met with a glare.
"You are irritatingly persistent."
Claude chuckled softly. "I am merely attempting to win our bet."
"As am I."
The older man's small smirk disappeared and used his hand to force the raven demon's head up to face him, any signs of past amusement fading.
"This insistence on being stubborn is growing on my nerves." The spider demon growled, his gaze harshening. "What have you to gain by this defiance? Whether or not you win this bet you shall still be my mate. I don't see why you continue to defy me."
"I'm afraid our past is not particularly in your favor."
Claude snickered, the anger glinting in his golden eyes not fading in the slightest.
"Our past is meaningless. Tell me now that you do not enjoy my touch; tell me that you do not enjoy being here with me now. Despite our past you remain here willingly in my arms."
Sebastian felt the other's arms tighten even further around his waist in what seemed to be a protective manner. It was beyond the black haired demon how this was the same, stoic demon that he had fought with on earth. Emotions danced across yellow eyes and he seemed to be holding back a frown. On earth he had always seemed so composed, so sure of himself. Now he seemed as though he was nearly incapable of disguising the thoughts rushing through his mind. For once Sebastian found himself without a witty remark to counter the others words.
Several moments of silence passed as the black haired demon pondered the other's words. Claude was right, although he would never admit as much to the cocky demon. No, he would rather freeze out in the cold than to ever admit that perhaps the other was not completely incorrect. He had a big enough ego as it was.
"Fine." He muttered, giving the spider demon a harsh look. "I will give you a chance."
Claude smiled at the words and kissed the smaller demon's lips. "Is that so?"
"Do not misunderstand me. This does not mean you have completed the bet. You have not won my affections; I have merely established a way of which you may gain them. I'll give you only one chance." Sebastian added, wanting what he was proposing to be clear. It was obvious that his circumstances were not in his favor. His father's words were law and he would be the only one capable of breaking up this engagement, although the black haired demon was well aware that that was highly unlikely. He had struck a lovely deal with the spider's father and would have no reason to go back on it. There had been other suitors, but none offered a deal that exceeded the spiders. It was because of that that he found himself in the present situation.
"I am aware." Claude murmured, gazing over at the others face. He found the faint traces of sleep still resting in the other's expression to be amusing and rather enduring. "I knew it would not be that simple to win you over. You are strong and stubborn, Michaelis, I learned that from our time on earth. You are also as persistent as I. That is why this shall be an interesting game."
"A game…" Crimson eyes closed and a slight sigh passed pale lips. "With myself as the prize."
"You should be used to such a thing, seeing as you were nothing more than a pawn to the Phantomhive brat." Golden eyes danced with amusement. "Only this time the game maker plans to keep you."
"Plans to keep me? You make it sound as though I am nothing more than an object to be won. Pawn I be, or shall I say used to be, I am not something that can be easily won. It is best for you to learn that now before you step into dangerous waters."
"Dangerous waters?" Claude mused.
"Give me one reason to doubt you, to make me believe that you are merely here for my ranking and I will not hesitate to kill you, regardless of the deal that my father struck with yours."
A soft chuckle escaped the spider demons mouth and he nibbled the other's collarbone. "You are as feisty as ever, Michaelis. Although I can assure you that I do not wish to be with you simply for your ranking. I am unlike my father and my brother. Such a feat as that is meaningless to me. "
"Show me such and perhaps I will end up losing our little bet." Sebastian slipped out of the bed, ignoring the shivers that passed through him as he dressed in a warmer outfit.
"I shall do just that." Claude assured, climbing out of bed as well and kissed the shorter demon's lips.
The raven demon opened his mouth to respond when a sudden knock on the bedroom door stopped him.
"Come in." He grumbled, pulling yet another jacket over his shoulders. There were no words to describe how much Sebastian despised this horrid winter weather.
Claude glanced up as a familiar plum haired male entered the room and a slight frown crossed his face.
"What are you doing here, Valentine?" The spider demon inquired, glaring at the smiling male. His hair was longer than Claude's, coming to reach his shoulders and his hair was the same plum color as his eyes. He was clothed in a blue jacket and black pants and loomed an inch over his younger brother.
"It is nice to see you as well, brother." Valentine mused, Purple eyes flickering from his brother to rest on the black haired male that seemed to be in a rather poor mood. "As for your question, mother and father are here as well. Satan invited us over for breakfast to celebrate your engagement." His smile wavered slightly as he spoke of the engagement.
Sebastian glanced from Claude to the one called Valentine boredly. Chills still seeped through his heavy clothing and he was in no mood to meet anyone new. "I was not aware of that."
The older spider demon offered another smile and bowed slightly.
"It is a pleasure to see you, Prince." He purred as his eyes trailed down the raven's body. Even from the several layers that clothed the shorter demon he could tell that the male was slender, yet muscular. He would even go so far as to describe him as beautiful.
Sebastian ran a hand through his hair in an attempt to fix it and mumbled. "I am sure."
Claude, well aware of his brother's trailing eyes, stepped in front of Sebastian and gestured for his brother to leave the room. "Thank you for the information, we shall be down shortly."
"Of course." With another bow Valentine exited the room, his smile disappearing the moment he closed the door. It had been quite a while since he had last seen the Prince and he was pleased to find that he was doing well. He had grown much more attractive since their last meeting all those years ago on the raven demon's 16th birthday. He would have loved to have stayed longer with the male if his brother had not intervened. Angelus always was so protective of what he believed was his, but then again so were most spider demons.
Taking one last glance at the mahogany door that blocked him from his brother and Allech Valentine trailed down the stairs as he made his way back to the dining halls, a sly smirk creeping back on his face. His brother had no place being a future ruler of hell, nor did he have the right to claim a male as attractive as the prince and he would not if the older spider demon had any say in it. Luckily for Valentine and unfortunately for Claude, he did.