Claude and Sebastian have decided to compete against each other in a little surfing competition. The winner get's to decide what the winner has to do. However Claude doesn't win this time, Sebastian does.

Alex is enjoying watching the pair surf and takes a bunch of pictures. However she starts turning red and Claude decides it's time to get her in side before she burns. Claude reaches to touch her only for Alex to jerk. Sebastian takes her inside and takes care of her sunburn, while Claude waxes the surfboards.

What will the clever raven make the spider do?

I hope you enjoy,

~The Dark Ringmaster

Chapter 20: Surfs Up

Sebastian was quick to line up and drop in on his wave. He stood up smoothly as he got into position; unlike Claude who looked like he was stalking the wave Sebastian simply owned it. He made swift swerves as he hopped off the top and back into the white water. His raven hair was tipped with water and his crimson eyes were filled with sheer joy. Alex was quick to swap lenses and took a superb picture of Sebastian hopping off the crest. Once he finished he jumped off the board with a loud shout and swam to his board. Claude sighed and watched as Sebastian paddled over, a large grin was spread on his lips. "You're not going to take it easy on me are you?" he asked. Sebastian snickered and replied, "Where's the fun in that?"

Sebastian slipped his hand in his wet hair and smoothed it back, his body was covered in water droplets and Claude decided there was no way he was going to pass it up. He paddled out and dropped into his second wave, this time he was much more determined, his golden eyes narrowed as he jumped and dropped back in his movements were in sync with the water and it was as though he could read the ocean. His navy blue board shorts clung to his legs, his white and gold board slipped through the water and Alex watched as he shifted his weight. Alex was quick to take a picture or Claude, his black hair was soaked as he slipped into the water and paddled over to Sebastian. "How's that?" he asked, with a note of triumph. Sebastian smirked and paddled further out, "What's he going out there for?" he asked in confusion. Sebastian continued to paddle further out and finally paused. "Hey the action's up here!" called Claude as he sat patently on his board. He glared and watched Sebastian's hand hover the water. "What is out there?" he asked curiously, Sebastian some how always knew what the ocean was doing. It was as though he were a part of it. Claude stared as a massive wave made its way and Sebastian was ready for it, he paddled quickly and quickly stood up. The wave towered over him and Claude's jaw dropped. He watched as Sebastian cut into it and then straightened out, he crouched low and Alex snapped another photo as the water slowly fell over him, it was like a large curtain had just been lowered and Sebastian powered through the wave.

Alex stared at the massive wave which Sebastian was inside; the barrel was beautiful and listened to the crash as the wave folded on itself. Sebastian stared out the end of the wave to the light as the blue water rushed over him, his heart was pounding. He flew out of the wave and stood up with his head tiled back and shouted, "Yes!" before jumping into the ocean. Claude's jaw was still agape and he sighed there was no way he could defeat Sebastian after that. "That was an amazing ride," he muttered and shook his head. Clearly Sebastian had won, at first he was disappointed and then he felt a spark of happiness. It had been a while since he had seen Sebastian surf like that. "I got to watch my raven fly," he whispered as Sebastian paddled up to him, his wet hair was in his eyes and a bright smile spread across his lips. There was no way he could surpass the slender raven's skill. "You win," said Claude with a hint of defeat and Sebastian smiled. Alex called, "That was amazing!" and they noticed her jumping in the air on the beach. The pair laughed and smiled as Sebastian said, "Do you think we should teach her?" Claude shook his head and replied, "Only if she wants to." Sebastian nodded as he propped his legs on his board and began to paddle back to shore.

"Now you have to do what every I want," said Sebastian. Claude smirked, he knew with Sebastian it had to be something amazing for him to pull this stunt. However he was a little disappointed he wouldn't be able to rip the tight black jiggers from his hips. They came up a quarter of the way down the leg, and hugged his slender hips. "You wore that to drive me nuts," muttered Claude. Sebastian smirked and replied, "Don't tell me you don't like them." Claude sighed, he did enjoy the little show, after all Sebastian did look hot when wet. A grin curled across his lips and Sebastian commented, "You know, I like you in board shorts too." Claude paused and slicked his hair back, "Really?" he asked cautiously. Sebastian turned and looked at him, he smiled as he looked over his lover. Claude's skin glistened and he noticed a bead of water travel down the side of his face. He held his gold and white board over one arm and his hand rested on his head after he had slicked his hair back. His board shorts rested just above the hip line and Sebastian could see all of his upper body, it was chiseled and hard as marble. Sebastian smirked and whispered, "I can't wait until I get my reward." Claude shivered and grinned he couldn't wait to hear what Sebastian had planned.

Alex sprinted over to the pair and said, "That was amazing." Claude and Sebastian smiled as they stuck their boards in the sand. "We have a Dark Room, so you can develop the photos later," said Sebastian. Alex smiled brightly and nodded, she was hot in her jeans however she was too excited to think about it. Claude slowly touched the side of her face and Alex winced a little. "You're skin is so fare, you should really use sun screen," he said as he lowered his hand. Sebastian nodded and said, "Let's get you out of those hot jeans and into something cooler." Alex smiled a little, they always seemed to know when something was wrong, "Okay," she replied and Sebastian nodded. He looked back at Claude, it was as though he was asking Claude permission. Claude simply nodded and Sebastian lead her into the house, "How do you guys do that?" she asked after a moment. Sebastian stepped onto the patio and grabbed a towel, "Do what?" he asked. Alex sighed as she slipped her shoes off and fallowed him into the house.

It was filled with warm colors and plants, every where she looked she saw the brick floor and mosaics. Sebastian continued through the house and into the living room, she stared at the wicker furniture and smiled. It was so different compared to the stuffy manner. Sebastian said, "Wait here, I'll grab the aloe and sunscreen." She watched Sebastian walk away and understood immediately why Claude had whipped out. She smiled and snickered Claude was knocked off his board by Sebastian's ass. Once he was out of sight she walked over and watched Claude kneel in the sand and wax the boards, his hands moved in circles. She admired not only his concentration but the care which went into the boards. After a moment she looked around the room, it was spotless like the mansion had been, only it was more relaxed. It was odd she could tell who picked what as she looked through the room. There was only one thing she couldn't tell who picked, a clay vase with a beautiful image of macaws. In the vase rested the flower Bird of Paradise. Sebastian had returned he was in a tee shirt and shorts, he had a tube of aloe in one hand and sunscreen in the other.

"I picked the vase, Claude picked the flowers," said Sebastian and Alex turned around. Sebastian looked at her and she took a seat. He squeezed a little aloe on his hand and slowly smeared two fingers in the aloe. Alex sat still as Sebastian drew closer, "Why did you flinch when Claude touched you?" he asked as he slowly applied aloe to the side of her face. It as cold and slightly soothing, she paused. It was true that she had flinched when Claude had attempted to touch her, however she didn't realize that Sebastian had noticed. "My face just hurts," she replied softly and she winced in pain as he applied the aloe. Sebastian sighed and capped the aloe, he clearly didn't believe her however he wasn't going to push it. "Those pants are probably hot," he commented, Sebastian always changed subject when he decided not to press any further. Claude entered the room, a towel was around his neck and he noticed Sebastian was in clothes, "You changed?" he asked.

Sebastian looked at him and replied, "No I just slipped into these to make her a little more comfortable." Alex felt guilty all of a sudden, Claude was clearly happy about the shorts Sebastian had been wearing and she looked at the glass topped whicker table. "Oh, do we still have that sundress from Nicky?" he asked. Sebastian paused, he closed his eyes and then nodded, "I think so, it will be a little big on her though," he said. Alex was immediately intrigued and Sebastian snickered. He could tell that her mind was reeling, "Nicky was a woman who lived here with her grand son, they moved last year, they used to take care of this place," said Sebastian. Claude disappeared and returned with the dress in his arms. It was a beautiful white strapless sundress. "Try this," said Claude as he handed it to her. Alex nodded and asked, "Bathroom?" Sebastian got up and said, "I'll show you to your room instead." Alex fallowed him to a large room and she stared at the canopy bead. The sheets were clearly silk and she started, "You guys really go all out," she whispered. Sebastian smirked and said, "Fell free to try it on," before disappearing.

Claude was slipping into a white tee shirt and he looked at Sebastian, "She's changing," said Sebastian as he took a seat. Claude sat across from him and said, "The Sinigami are tracking Hannah, they lost her in the Alps." Sebastian sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, "The Undertaker?" he asked. Claude paused for a moment and replied, "Is attempting to use his connections to learn where the other Scribing tools are, however he hasn't found anything." Sebastian crossed his arms and looked at him, "She's safe here however I would feel better if we could find Hannah and her master," he whispered. Claude nodded and his eyes flickered violet, Sebastian was silent as he watched a barrier fly up around the property, "It's strong only we can get in and out," said Claude. Sebastian nodded, he was unsure of how great their reach was. There hadn't been an attempt on her in a while, however it was the silence which proved to be the deadliest. "She was smiling," whispered Sebastian, there was a hint of concern in his voice. Claude noticed how upset Sebastian had been and asked, "Why do you care if she smiles?" Sebastian looked up at him, Claude had never asked him before and he understood why, he was never interested in human emotions. "At first it was because I intended to make a contract with her myself, however now," he paused when he heard the door to the room she was staying in open.

Alex walked down the hall and stood in front of them, the white dress was loose and she clung to the top, Sebastian got up quicly and returned with a canvas belt from his closet. "Here use this around you waist," he said as he handed it to her. Alex nodded and put on the belt oddly enough she was a slender as Sebastian was. "Good idea," she said and smiled. Claude nodded and said, "It's hot I spotted some beautiful fruit in the kitchen let's make some smoothies." Alex nodded and fallowed him into the kitchen. Sebastian and Claude worked together flawlessly, it was as if they were two halves of a whole and she noticed their silver rings sparkling in the light again. They really were perfect for one another. Claude emptied a mango and some other fruit into the blender as Sebastian grabbed glasses. Time seemed to stand still in the hacienda as the pair cooked and enjoyed conversations. "I'll take you into the city tomorrow for some clothing, you can pick up some swim wear too," said Claude as he poured her a glass. Alex nodded and looked at her camera on the table. Sebastian smirked and said, "I'll show you the dark room later." She nodded and sipped her smoothie, it was sweet yet bitter like they were.

Alex was fast asleep in bed and Sebastian walked out of the house, he was carful not to make a sound. Claude was sitting on the patio admiring the night sky, the moon was full and the stars were covering the sky. Sebastian leaned in the door way and said, "I've decided what I want from you." Claude turned to find Sebastian in a sheer linen robe, "Oh?" asked Claude curiously. Sebastian nodded as he approached and untied his robe, "Up for a swim?" he asked. Claude stared at him, this time the shorts weren't in the way. Claude smiled and threw his clothing off, he didn't care where it landed as he chased the sprinting Sebastian into the ocean. Sebastian ducked underwater and opened his eyes to find Claude looking at him. His golden eyes seemed to glow in the dark. He pulled into him and licked his lower lip, demons didn't have to worry about breathing underwater, which made this all the more exhilarating. Claude's lips parted and he tasted the salty sea water as it entered his mouth.