After a long Christmas Eve, Ronald convinces William to go with him to the slopes. Part of him hopes that by caring the mountain the pain in William's heart with subside. However neither of them expect to find a brazen red shinigami chasing after them at the lift.
Claude and Sebastian take Alex to the rink and decide to teach her how to skate. As they guide her she feels as though she is soaring through the air but feels a painful pang when she watched them skate together as though they had been reunited after a century.
Who is the epic snowboarder in black?
What is Claude and Sebastian hiding?
Why the hell is Grell attempting to ski?
What caused the shiver down Alex's spine at the rink?
Enjoy,
~Kuro
P.s. I do not own Kuroshitsuji.
Chapter 58: Not Flying, Soaring
Ronald looked out the window and grinned, it had been years since he had seen a fresh layer of powder and he was itching to grab his board and do some serious damage. He looked over his shoulder to see William still asleep, he was nestled in the warm cream sheets and Ronald smiled. The night before had been difficult for William, and Ronald knew it. He sighed and looked at the elder shinigami, he didn't expect William to take him to Switzerland. It was honestly the most unexpected thing this man had done so far. He knew about how William lost his family and was aware that every Christmas Eve William would visit the grave of the woman and child he held in his heart. Those snow crusted roses waited for him in a cemetery in London. It made Ronald's chest tighten at the thought. This sweet man who had worked over time just to get time to spend with Ronald in Switzerland, was wounded so long ago. The night before he remembered waking to the sight of William sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands and tears flowing. Ronald desperately wanted to wrap his arms around him and whisper that he was there, however part of him told him not to. That it was taboo for him to even think of doing something like that to a man grieving. His eyes glided to the table next to the window and he looked at two pools of whit wax which had formed around the feel of two silver candle stick holders.
He had snuck out of the room well after William had gone back to sleep and asked the concierge for them. He could remember the heated argument he had engaged in just to get them. "No I don't plan on doing something inappropriate with them, they're for the man I'm traveling with. His wife and daughter were murdered a few years back this time of year," he had said angrily to the stubborn concierge. The woman fell silent and was pushed aside by the manager. "I see, what color candles?" he asked kindly, his voice was soft and Ronald smiled. "White please, that's probably the easiest at the time of night," he said. The manager nodded and came out from behind the desk. "This is a very unusual request, however from the sound of it you only learned of it today," he said softly. Ronald nodded and commented, "I just wanted to do something nice." The manager smiled softly and gestured for Ronald to fallow him. He hadn't expected the manager to take him into the store room so he could choose the candles personally and the candlestick holders. He smiled and remembered how he had managed to sneak back into the room and slowly light each one. They brought a gentle glow to the room, warmth in a room which had been filled with darkness and sorrow. He quietly snuck into bed and sat beside William, he watched the candles slowly burn. Time seemed to move slowly as he thought about what it must have been like to come home to police tape around your home and learning that both your child and wife had been murdered on Christmas Eve.
William stirred and Ronald was immediately pulled from his thoughts. He looked over to see William slowly rise, his eyes were bloodshot and his hair a mess. He looked horrible, "You didn't get much sleep did you?" asked Ronald softly. William shook his head and slowly put on his glasses, "I tried," he muttered as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. He was on his feet in moments and wandered over to Ronald who was sitting in the windowsill. "Did I keep you up?" asked William after a moment with concern. Ronald sensed his uneasiness and shook his head, even if it was a lie, he wasn't going to upset William. Ronald smiled and replied, "I wanted to watch the sun light the mountains aflame and the snow glow hues of orange and gold." William pouted a little as he leaned down and kissed Ronald's head, "I would have loved to see that too," he murmured. Ronald chucked and looked up at his dark haired lover, "You were so tired I couldn't rouse you, I gave an authentic effort," he said teasingly. William blushed and rubbed the back of he neck nervously before glancing around the room. He paused and his expression changed from one of embarrassment to one of surprise. "Candles?" he asked. Ronald froze, he didn't expect William to notice them quiet so quickly. He looked at Ronald and his gaze softened, "Those were for my wife and child weren't they?" he asked. Ronald attempted to reply but he couldn't get his lips to move, so he simply nodded. William smiled and fell to his knees before wrapping his arms around Ronald. The blonde was in shock for a moment and he felt warm tears soak through his shirt. "You," he whimpered, "why do you have to be so." There was a paused and Ronald slowly began to stroke William's head. "So," he stammered and Ronald whispered, "Hush, I know, I'm stubborn." William tightened his grip on the younger shinigami and shook his head, "No, so thoughtful. You always know what to do for me, even when I don't say it," he choked as he slowly loosened his grip. He looked up at Ronald through his tears and smiled, for the first time Ronald felt like William was really smiling at him. "Will?" asked Ronald and William laughed before kissing Ronald passionately. It was as though he had managed to lift the veil of sorrow which had consumed William for now. He pulled away and whispered, "Thank you, so what shall we do today?" he asked as he rose from the floor. Ronald grinned and looked out the window, "I think it's time you and I spend some time together and have some serious fun," he said brightly.
Grell smiled as he walked out to the lift and noticed William and Ronald waiting to get picked up. William was wearing his navy blue coat and skis, his yellow goggles rested on his head and he wore a blue and red helmet. He had taken off his glasses and was in contacts. Ronald was wearing a bright apple green coat with black accents and a matching helmet on his head. He had a pair of gold goggles on his head and a snowboard strapped to his feet. "Ronny! Will!" screamed Grell, as he darted toward them. Before William was quick to doge Grell, which caused him to fall into a snow bank. "So mean," whined Grell and William sighed. "One of these you'll learn," he commented. Ronald laughed and commented, "Let's go the lift is here." Grell straightened up and watched as William and Ronald hopped on, there was no way he was going to miss out on this. In moments he was on the carriage right behind them and sat there anxiously as the lift moved. He watched as Ronald and William got off, from the look of it they were talking about where to meet up. "Guys, can I team up with you?" asked Grell as he slid over after getting off the lift. Ronald and William looked at Grell in confusion. Grell was standing in his bright red ensemble complete with matching red skis and asked, "What?" William sighed and Ronald asked, "I thought you were with the Undertaker?" Grell fidgeted a little, it was true he did arrive with the silver haired reaper however he didn't see him; all he noticed was a note on his nightstand stating that the Undertaker would meet him on the slopes. "I have no idea where he is," said Grell nervously. Ronald stared at him wide eyes and asked, "How could you not know?" He sighed and responded, "He left a note."
Ronald groaned and was about to yell, when a shadow of a snowboarder appeared in the snow a few meters to the left, he slipped on his goggled and looked up to see a black and gray clad snowboarder twisting through the air above their heads, it was clear he had just jumped off one of the advanced jumps which was at a higher elevation. He did a side roll and then a double rodeo fallowed by 1029. Ronald's mouth fell open in shock as he watched the snowboarder soar through the sky; it was as though he was boarding on the wind above. The board had a beautiful silver and black design with a skull in the middle. "Whoa," he whispered in awe. A familiar cackle filled the air and William looked in the direction of the snowboarder, he stared in shock as the figure landed and he noticed long silver hair sticking out from beneath his helmet. "No way," muttered Ronald. The figure came to a halt a few meters away and the three made their way over to him, "Isn't that the Undertaker?" asked Ronald and William nodded. The three came to a stop and the snowboarder looked at them, he had violet goggles on his head and he smiled. "Finally out of bed I see my lovely lady," said the Undertaker. William stared and Ronald looked as though he had just been tricked. "No way! That was awesome!" cried Ronald and the Undertaker shrugged. "That was nothing," he said happily and looked at Grell, "I see you found the other two, where are the two demons?" Grell shrugged and William replied, "Skating, I heard them chatting in the foyer." The Undertaker nodded and looked at Ronald, "So you snowboard," he said playfully.
Ronald nodded and replied, "Yeah." The undertaker lifted one of his thick black gloves to his head and slowly pulled down his goggles, "Let's see what you've got then." Ronald gave a firm nod and William sighed, "I should have known this would result." Ronald and the Undertaker were quick to start down the mountain, in moments they were gliding through the snow and carving a path down the mountain. White powder flew by them as they cut through the fresh snow; Ronald jumped on a railing and was quick to do a little grinding before a small spin and landing. "Is that all you've really got?" asked the Undertaker, it was clearly a challenge; however Ronald didn't want to back down. "No I'm just warming up," he said as he lined up for a ramp. He leaned down for a moment and felt a rush of cold air hit him as he flew up the ramp and cut his ties to the ground bellow. He grinned and grabbed the edge of his board before doing several back flips, he had gotten much more air than he had anticipated. "Yeah!" he cried as he cut through the air, every cell in his body was alive and he felt his heart pounding. He landed softly and continued carving his way through the white powder. "Not bad, not bad at all, but I bet you can do even better," said the Undertaker as he hit his second ramp, he held the bottom of his board with one hand and his arm was in the air in the other, he had managed to get massive air off of the ramp. He cackled like a mad man as he did a double cork.
He landed flawlessly and teased, "So can you do better?" Ronald drew a deep breath as he made his way to a larger ramp. He felt his heart pound as his board left the ramp, he was flying again and he smiled as he grabbed the bottom of his board and leaned back. He looked at the world around him as he twisted and carved the wind. He was no longer simply flying, he was soaring. He cried in joy as he landed, a massive cloud of white powder fallowed as he touched down his head was swimming and he felt invincible, he had just managed to execute a perfect triple back flip 360 combo, his heart was pounding and he smiled like and idiot as he came to a stop. The Undertaker pulled beside him and laughed, "See now you're soaring," he commented. Ronald nodded and was about to head down when he noticed William fly off a ramp, he was even higher than they had been and his eyes widened at his superior's skill. William crossed his skis as he twisted and did a back flip before landing flawlessly he leaned back and continued to carve the mountain. "Damn," said the Undertaker and Ronald nodded. "I thought we where awesome, but that, damn," said the Undertaker. They looked over to see Grell screaming as he slid out of control and collided with a tree. "At least one of us is living up to our expectations," said the Undertaker as he slid to his lover's side. Ronald was quick to chase William down the slope and watched William slide down a rail and then zip up a ramp. He swore his heart skipped a beat as he watched William leave the ramp and execute a beautiful 360 without batting an eyelash. Ronald fallowed closely behind with a crock fallowed by a 720. He landed and looked over at William who was clearly enjoying himself. "If this is what you had in mind when you suggested we have some fun, I think you got it," he shouted as he approached another rail and did a quick flip as he slid off of it.
They looked over to see Grell flying down the mountain screaming bloody murder fallowed by the Undertaker, "Grell stop!" he shouted. William watched the pair fly by and shouted, "You idiot don't cross your skis like that you'll," there was a crash and William winces as Grell flew forward onto his face, "fall," he finished. Ronald lifted his goggles and looked at William, "He really isn't cut out for skiing is he?" asked Ronald as he tilted his head to the side. William shook his head and commented, "I don't think so either."
Alex slowly walked outside to see Sebastian leap off the ice, he pulled his arms in tightly and did four perfect revolutions before landing soundlessly. His leg lifted high and his arms out before he did a one foot three turn and did a few backward crossovers before executing a waltz jump. Her ocean blue eyes widened as she watched Sebastian, he was dressed in black, with a tightly fitted short sleeve burgundy shirt. "Spectacular isn't he?" asked a familiar voice and Alex turned to find Claude standing behind her, he was grinning from ear to ear. "I told you, he can skate," he commented before gesturing to the bench. "Let's get your skates on so you can join the fun," said Claude softly. Alex nodded and watched as he loosened the laces and asked, "Have you worn skates before?" Alex shook her head and Claude smiled. "Okay, slip your foot in," he instructed, the air was cold and she was happy to comply. Claude leaned over and she looked down. He was wearing a pair of flawlessly cared for black skates and light blue skate guards. "Okay kick your heel back." She felt the heel of the blade hit the soft mat and something grab her heel. She looked curiously at Claude and he commented, "What you did was lock your heel in the boot, this will ensure that you won't loose your skates on ice," he commented as he held the boot between his thighs and made quick work of tying it. "You really are an arachnid aren't you?" she asked mindlessly. Claude's head tipped up and she froze, "Not what I meant, I mean," she blushed and she heard someone come to a stop. "Oh my, she's flustered again, what did you do this time?" asked Sebastian playfully. Claude looked over his shoulder and up, "Apparently tying her skate resulted in her blushing like a school girl," he said emotionlessly. Alex glared at him and crossed her arms, "I don't blush like a school girl," she protested. Claude shook his head and said, "Yeah sure, what ever helps you sleep at night, give me the other foot." Alex obeyed the second part and shouted, "I don't." Sebastian was leaning on the boards of the rink and smirking, "Oh yes you do," chimed Sebastian. Alex looked up at him, his chin rested on the heels of his hands and Claude added, "A very cute one too." Alex looked down at Claude and he said, "Lock it." Alex kicked her heel back once more and Claude tied it in seconds, she stared at his handy work and sighed. "I'm not a school girl," she grumbled before rising. Claude slowly rose and dusted the snow off his knees. "No you aren't," said Claude as she slowly got on the ice. She clung to the boards for dear life and stepped off to the side. Claude stepped onto the ice elegantly and commented, "But you blush like one." Alex slipped and fell on her behind as Claude skated backward down the ice.
Sebastian chuckled and offered Alex one of his black gloved hands, "Here, I'll help you out," he said sweetly. Alex sighed and slowly got off the ice, she was about to fall again when Sebastian lunged and caught her effortlessly. "I got you, now then let's do this slowly," his tone was encouraging unlike the twirling arachnid on the other side of the rink. She nodded and slowly righted herself. Sebastian nodded and held out his hand, "Take it, it's easier for me to catch you if you do," he commented. Alex looked at his ruby eyes and sighed as she slowly slipped her white gloved hand into his black one. "Alright, the most important thing in skating is your stroke," he commented, "if you have a strong stroke and the proper form your set up for a majority of moves." Alex nodded and watched as Claude slowly came to a stop beside her. "Okay first of all, all the power you need comes from here," he said and slapped his thighs. He looked at Claude who nodded and demonstrated a basic stroke. "Hear that sound, it means you're cutting into the ice, you want that," called Claude as he grew more distant, he did a swift turn, and stopped at Sebastian's side. "You keep balance with your knees and pelvis. If you tip too far forward you'll fall on your face, too far back and," said Sebastian. Claude grinned and interrupted, "You'll fall on your ass." Sebastian's ruby red eyes narrowed and he looked over at Claude who shrugged innocently, "What?" Alex chuckled and realized that these two would make the most amusing grade school teachers. "You want to keep your back strait and your arms out, that will help with balance too," said Sebastian sweetly. Alex nodded and he asked, "Ready to give it a try?" She was silent and looked at him nervously, she really wasn't interested in falling again but he had moved so beautifully before. "Don't worry, I'll be beside you the entire time," said Sebastian reassuringly and then he elbowed Claude in the ribs. Claude jumped and responded, "Yeah me too," he then glared at Sebastian and rubbed his side. Alex laughed; she was well aware Claude was feigning it.
She hesitantly slid her foot out and glided on the ice, "Good, now stronger in the core, and hold your chin parallel to the ice," instructed Sebastian. Alex did so and smiled it seemed much harder than she thought. Claude looked at Sebastian and asked, once around and then the fun stuff?" he asked. Sebastian shook his head and laughed, "For you 'fun stuff,' translates to a number of activities, very few of them I will do on ice," said Sebastian teasingly. Claude looked floored and responded, "I wouldn't mind doing that to you on ice, but in broad daylight, is a bit gutsy even for you." Sebastian stared at Claude who was grinning with glee as he did a line of foot work down the ice. "Is it just me, or has he gotten kinkier?" asked Alex after a moment. Sebastian looked at her and sighed, "He's always been like this, usually you aren't around," he commented. Alex laughed when she realized that on some level Sebastian enjoyed the playful banter, it was just inappropriate for the place they were in. "Enough chit chat," he sighed and turned to her and slowly placed one hand on the small of her back and another on her stomach, "Adjust your posture," he whispered. Claude came to a stop beside him and nodded, "Hold that and now float the arms up," he instructed smoothly. Alex looked over at the golden eyed demon and realized that he had finished teasing her and was now seriously teaching her. She nodded and gave a firm stroke, she smiled as she glided through the corner and Claude called, "Good but more from the thighs, nice hard strokes." Alex did as she was told and noticed Sebastian skating behind her and Claude on her left. "Excellent, now there are three stops," started Claude. Sebastian nodded and continued, "Snowplow Sam, Hockey Stop and T Stop." Claude stayed did a quick turn and said, "Snowplow Sam is an elementary stop, basically your skates form a V with the tip pointing in front of you." His skates formed a V so that the toe picks were pointed at one another and came to a stop. "Like so," he said happily, "Want to give it a try?" She nodded and slowly formed a V, she came to a rough stop in comparison to his graceful one. "Not bad, that one has always been a little uncomfortable," he commented. Sebastian skated out in front of them backward and called, "This is a hockey stop, basically you stop on the outside edge of the blades." She watched as he drew closer and came to a quick stop, his boots parallel to one another and horizontal to her. "Give it a try, we'll catch you if you fall," said Claude softly.
Alex managed to do the stop but nearly fell over in the process. Claude's large hands were quick to grab her and support her. Sebastian came to a quick stop and asked, "Are you alright?" She paused and realized how badly she had managed to frighten him in such a short period of time. His eyes were wide with concern and she snickered, "I'm not a glass doll, I won't break that easily," she commented. There was silence among the three and she looked at them slightly confused. "What?" she inquired and the pair looked at one another. "It's nothing," said Claude with a nervous smile, she knew instantly he was lying, however about what was unclear. "The final stop is called a T Stop," said Sebastian as he demonstrated the formation of the T with his boots, "tuck the blade in slightly so you shift to the outside of the blade to stop completely." Alex nodded hesitantly, she understood the stop, the issue was what they were hiding from her. Once again they where hiding something from her. Claude looked away and smiled, "Sebastian, I think we should try a different method," he said slyly.
Sebastian looked at the tall golden eyed demon and asked, "Oh and what would that be?" Claude's golden eyes sparkled in the light and he grinned, "Learn by doing," he said happily. Sebastian paused and closed his eyes for a moment, it was clear he was weighing pros and cons. "Sebastian there is two of us you know," said Claude impatiently. Sebastian's eyes flickered open to see a pair of excited and playful golden eyes looking at him. He sighed and muttered, "He complains about me with that look." Claude grinned and Sebastian sighed, "Alright, you win." Claude was smiling and he laughed, "Yes!" It was apparent who really loved to skate. The music was soft and elegant another waltz, it was apparently one of Claude's selection, it was slow and dark. "A short waltz to get you used to skating with us," said Claude. Claude took her hand and began to guide her through a dance which she had only dreamed of partaking in. "Don't worry," he whispered as he pulled her in closer to him, one hand had wrapped around her abdomen and she could feel his warm chest close to her back. "Lift your left leg," he instructed as he supported her. Alex felt as though she was flying, the pair did a beautiful spiral down the ice. "Now turn out," he instructed, Alex looked at him nervously and did so. She looked over to see Claude skating behind her, his elegant cross-over's flowed as he looked to Sebastian. In moments Sebastian had collected Alex from him and smiled, "You're doing very well for your first time," he commented. Alex laughed and replied happily, "You two are really good at this." Sebastian chuckled as he bent at the knees into a seated position, "Lean back," he instructed. Alex looked at him frightened and felt a strong arm behind her. "Go on," he coaxed. She smiled nervously and leaned back she felt his arm support her and she lifted her leg unconsciously, "Further," he directed. She leaned further back to find herself looking up into amused ruby eyes. "You're much more flexible than you look," he commented. Alex blushed as he guided her up right. "Do a small turn and then lunge," said Sebastian softly as he turned away and did a beautiful triple Lutz. She slowly bent her knee and the boot trailed across the ice, the music quickly changed to something much more up beat and she watched Sebastian do a line of foot work down the ice as she did a swift turn into Claude's waiting arms. "I see it's my turn hm?" he mused. He smiled and turned his toe picks outward and supported Alex, "It's alright fallow me," he said softly. He powerful arms supported her as she glided. Claude was beaming with delight as they came out of the movement and entered another. The music became louder and she smiled as she mirrored his foot work down the ice. He did a series of amusing steps and stood on his toe picks for a second, before entering a spin. It started as a two foots spin and gradually as the spider spun he lifted his foot. He moved faster and gradually brought the blade over his head. It looked as though he were a flower in bloom before he twisted, arms wrapped around him and his palms opened to the sky as he slowly wilted. The blade which had been over his head was now parallel to the ice and she watched as he curled up clutching his leg for a beautiful sit spin. She paused and simply watched him. She thought Sebastian was stunning; however Claude was beautiful in his own right. He twisted his torso once again and slowly unfolded until he was upright and glided into a backward spiral. "Whoa," she whispered and she skated to the side and leaned on the boards. The upbeat piece had disappeared and she recognized a familiar piece of Debussy. Sebastian played it in his office frequently, she watched as he did a stunning triple toe double sow cow combination. She sighed and watched as he joined Sebastian and the pair looked elegant together.
The piece was soft and peaceful as the pair embraced one another; they looked as though they hadn't seen one another in centuries. A smile curled her lips as she watched them do side by side double axels and then a beautiful spiral together. Claude panned upward as though he was offering the heavens all he had to offer as Sebastian did a swift turn to skate in front of him, not once did they release each other's hand. "Partners for life," she whispered, an odd feeling swept over her as she watched them. They were demons and yet they looked so beautiful and at the same time solemn. She was about to sneak away when Sebastian grabbed her waste and Claude came after him, "Did you think you would get away that easily?" asked Sebastian softly. Alex looked over to see Claude holding out his hand and she took his as the pair worked together to guide her. With them by her side she felt as though she could soar. They had given her wings, the music came to a stop and she found herself in their embrace. Their bodies were warm and they both seemed happy at that moment. "Well?" asked Sebastian nervously, she could tell he honestly wanted to know what she thought. "I felt as though I could soar," she replied. Claude grinned and Sebastian laughed as he helped her up right. "Her lips are turning blue," said Sebastian softly and he ran a gloved thumb over her lower lip. Claude nodded and wrapped his arm around her, "I'll take her in to get something warm, will you be out here much longer?" he asked. Sebastian looked at the ice and then at his watch. "I just need a few minutes," he said softly before turning away and skating across the ice. Claude watched him, his gaze was listless and Alex could tell something was consuming his thoughts. "Well then," he said as he gently tugged her arm to guide her off the ice. He clicked his blue guards on, and Alex fallowed the same procedure.
She looked up to see Sebastian skating faster than before; he looked as though he had lost himself on ice. His bangs swayed as he moved rapidly, the music grew louder and Alex heard the swell of violins along with the increased force he was using in his stroke. Claude paused and turned around to watch Sebastian skate, "You always could fly no matter what the obstacle," he commented as Sebastian threw himself into a quad and then did a line of flawless footwork. She had never seen him move with such emotion before, his arms floated in the air and he spread his fingers before doing a swift turn, she watched him settle on his rockers before lifting his skate and holding it over his head as he did a spiral. "You're both really good, when you skate you look like a spider dancing on his web as he weaves, but when Sebastian skates," she paused and watched as he did a split in midair, "He looks like a raven." Claude looked down at her and realized how mystified she was by him. He sighed and gently nudged her, "I promised to get you warm," he said swiftly. Alex looked slightly confused until she noticed the pained expression on Sebastian's face as he did a beautiful camel spin before slipping into a sit spin. "It's as though he's spiraling to his death," she muttered. Claude turned his attention to Sebastian again, his eyes widened with fear and he tensed. Sebastian finished, he was panting and slowly glided over. "I thought you were going to get her warm," he commented. Claude sighed and replied, "I was but you distracted her."
Alex was about to say something when a chill ran down her spin and she looked over her shoulder. "What's wrong?" asked Claude and she looked up to see the two of them staring at her. It was as though the very action of looking over her shoulder had put them on edge. "Nothing, I just thought," she paused and noticed how edgy the pair looked, "No it's nothing." She immediately felt guilty, she had lied, it wasn't nothing it was the same feeling she had gotten in the park before the rose appeared. That child like nightmare had returned to haunt her.
"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high. Will you rest upon my little bed?" whispered a man as he took a sip of his coffee. He placed the cup on the saucer and continued, "There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin," he said softly, his voice was dark and a smirk played on his lips. "And if you like to rest awhile," he looked down at his coffee and a waiter walked over. "Sir would you like another cup?" His silver hair looked almost white in the light and green piercing eyes narrowed as he looked up at the waiter and nodded. "I'll snugly tuck you in!" he said with a hint of finality. The waiter looked at him with a puzzled expression and then his eyes fell on the volume on the table. Sitting at his side was a black book with a beautiful black and white illustration across the top, "Oh the Spider and the Fly, I haven't heard that in a long time," mused the waiter. The man looked up at him and nodded, "It's a wonderful poem don't you think?" The waiter nodded as he poured more coffee into the cup, "I always thought it was a bit dark though," he commented. Pale pink lips parted as he chuckled and looked up at the young waiter again. "But that's what makes it so wonderful," he said softly. The waiter looked slightly perturbed and took a step back, "Will that be all Mr. Sterling?" asked the waiter cautiously. Sterling smiled charmingly and replied, "Not quite, one of those skaters lent me this book. Could you ensure that when they come in that they sit at this table?" he gestured to the book on the table. The waiter nodded and trotted away. The cup was hot as he wrapped his fingers around it and he smiled with glee, "I didn't think you would put up such a fight dear spider, however if there is one thing I've learned, it's that younger spider will always devour the older ones when given the chance," he commented. His emerald eyes were locked on the girl in a midnight blue dress who was standing between two male skaters. "You will be mine, no matter what the cost," he whispered before rising from his seat and abandoning the fresh cup of coffee. A white rose sat on the table with the book open to a page.