Warnings: Mild slash. Okay, not that mild. At all. Also, I seem to always make Yuber way too caring and stuff. Blame it on all the Japanese fanart. I'm sorry, I'm a sap! *cries* Why can't I write Yuber?! Why, God?! Oh well. Anyway, it's pretty sucktastic, so like it or hate it, please review.

A book is open in his lap. As if caressing an old friend, he traces the sentences with one gloved finger; when he speaks, the words flow off his tongue like water over stones in a brook. He does not notice that his student�s mind has drifted. He squints at the minuscule print through his glasses, emerald eyes deadened by too much war and too much work. He is so weary that he doesn�t even realize what he has done to himself.

He does not feel the comforting weight of an arm around his shoulder, nor the faintest brush of dry, parted lips against his neck. His companion�s sigh, a warm rush of breath that would have undone any other man, goes unnoticed. He stirs only when he feels a hand brushing a stray lock of reddish hair back behind his ear.

"What?" he demands, voice tinged with irritation. "Are you even interested in learning this? It will help you in battle, you know."

"I don�t need help," his partner replies, sounding almost bored. "I�m already unbeatable."

The smaller man frowns and lowers his head. Tresses of glossy hair fall, hiding the expression on his face. The black-clad man next to him, both questioning and amused, cocks his head, a small smile pulling at the corners of his pale mouth. He reaches over and again brushes the hair away, letting each lock

"What�s wrong?" he asks softly.

"Why do you want to die?" Albert murmurs, barely turning his head. "You could live forever if you wanted to. I don�t understand."

Yuber looks at him in silence, face void of emotion. "Forever is a long time."

"Is there nothing here to keep you entertained?"

Yuber sighs, stroking his lover�s hair. "I suppose there are some things."

"Not me?"

"You�re only a temporary plaything," the demon says, perhaps a bit too sharply. "Even if I wanted to stay with you, you would eventually die. Where would I be? Here, alone, as I always am. Did you think that I could love you?"

"Perhaps."

"Fool."

Albert does not answer. He looks down at the book on his lap. It has told him many things, but he realizes now that none of them are of any importance. They have simply taken the place of the things he forgot he ever had � friendship, affection� a little brother. And now, sitting so close he can feel body heat, is a man he could almost love, if ever he had the chance to knock down the barriers between them.

He stirs when he feels his companion�s breath on his ear. One hand, void of its usual glove, cups his chin, turning him to look at its owner. Yuber�s face is so close he can almost feel those soft lips against his own. He shivers involuntarily, waiting for the demon to speak.

"But if there�s anything you�ve done that I�m glad for," the demon begins in a whisper, "it�s that you�ve made the past few months more� interesting, to say the least."

Yuber�s mouth closes over his, and for a moment he forgets how to breathe. The demon tastes sweet and sour, like lemons, but it can�t compare to the feeling of the blonde�s tongue stroking in and out of his mouth in imitation lovemaking. He groans and leans in closer, wrapping his arms around Yuber�s neck to pull himself against the hard, warm body, burying his hands in the long, straw-coloured mane.

And the memories come flooding back � of his eyes meeting the true colours of the sky for the first time; fiery, bloodred sunset and the deep blue hue of midnight, sparkling banefully from under the brim of a black hat. A warm hand touching his, perhaps accidentally, but sparking the attraction all the same. A voice, cool and crisp when commanding, but mellow and sweet when whispering his name�

Then Yuber�s hips pounding against him like the beat of his heart in his chest, the mingling of their sweat a tangible shroud in the darkness, enclosing their cries in a space meant for them alone� and the demon�s mouth, touching him where no one else had touched before, tasting what no one else had ever tasted, bringing him to such heights that the pleasure felt more like pain�

And in the end, he realizes, it never really mattered how it felt, because Yuber always managed to bring him to where he wanted to go. At some point, the pain turned to pleasure and the pleasure turn to pain, and it was then that his senses failed him; blind and deaf and clinging to his last anchor to the real world, all feeling centred in his core, like white fire searing him� he was falling, falling, his scream buzzing in his numb ears �

There comes a sharp knock on the door, and the memory shatters as Yuber pushes him away. He reluctantly shifts himself, careful not to look at the demon.

"Come in," Yuber says, unable to hide the disgruntlement in his voice.

The door opens and Sarah pokes her face in. Her pale eyes spy the two sitting on the settee; one eyebrow arches slightly, scrutinizing. It irritates Albert, and he looks away, staring at the floor, gritting his teeth. Next to him, Yuber rises to his feet, buttoning his jacket.

"Master Luc says it�s time to go," she tells them, turning halfway in preparation to leave. "He wants you downstairs now. He has waited a long time for this ritual and he is eager to begin. Please hurry."

She is gone again, with a slight nod. Albert sighs and runs a hand through his hair as he glances up at the demon. Yuber is fixing his hat, staring resolutely at the door.

"So this is goodbye�" Albert says softly.

"That�s how it seems," Yuber answers, crossing his arms. "It�s been fun, Silverberg."

Albert has no reply. He sighs as he tucks his scarf into his coat, buttoning the last few buttons with trembling fingers as he tries to avoid looking at the blonde. He does not want Yuber to see how their parting hurts him � especially since the demon doesn�t seem to care at all that their relationship, no matter how odd or twisted or cold it may be, is ending.

"Well� hurry, then. You heard Sarah."

Albert stands and goes to the demon, stopping him before he can reach the door. He turns the black-clad figure to face him, trying to look stronger than he feels as he stares into Yuber�s pale, angering face.

"What is it now, Silverberg?" he asks, rolling his eyes. "You�ve already wasted enough of my time. I want blood."

"And you�ll have it, I promise," Albert says, tucking a stray hair behind the blonde�s ear, causing him to wriggle away. "Just remember to keep your part of the bargain, or we�ll be bound forever."

Yuber�s eyes glitter as he laughs quietly. "I�ll be more than happy to give you what you want, Silverberg."

"But you can�t give me everything I want."

The demon frowns as he turns to the door, taking the doorknob in his hand. "Perhaps you ask for too much, then."

Then he is gone, the ends of his black coat billowing after him like night chased by the pink fingers of dawn. Albert stares after him, trying to find some consolation though desperation is swallowing him whole. After a moment, he looks away, remembering his confidence and resolve, and a knowing, sinister smile creeps up his face.

Ah, but you forget, demon� He sneers, fixing the lapels on his coat. I am Albert Silverberg�

And I always get what I want.