Not many people knew about the mountain path Hector was following on his way back to the castle. Both ends of the path were well hidden by rocks and bushes; it was impossible to tell that there was a pathway there.

He had been gone for a few days, on a mission to visit a city down the mountains. He had started his journey back to Dracula's castle in the morning; it was now late in the afternoon, and the day was slowly turning into evening. That didn't change the fact that the late summer sun was still warming the area, and he was feeling hot. He had been forced to strip his shirt off earlier thanks to the heat; he had also run out of water an hour ago. In the end it all didn't matter; the journey was almost over.

He made his way out of the woods and smiled when he saw Isaac sitting on an old, half-broken stone fence near the end of the path. He waved to him; the other man saw him and stood up but then just sat down in the grass next to the fence, waiting.

Hector climbed up the last slope and then flopped next to the red-haired Devil Forgemaster. "Have you been waiting for long?"

"Long enough," Isaac replied. "I thought you would return earlier, and almost thought you had gotten killed or something. Anything new?" He offered the younger man a water flask, and Hector took it with gratitude.

"New?" The younger man inquired once he was done drinking. He handed the flask back, then started removing his boots. "Nothing much, but there were rumors about a small army being sent here."

"Old news. But Hector. They can send a huge army for all I care; they are no match for Lord Dracula. Besides, a Devil Forgemaster is worth a thousand men..."

"And there are two of us," Hector added with a grin. "Yes, I would say we're fine."

"If not for the weather," Isaac commented. "I just cannot wait until the night falls. I don't know about the valley down where you were, but the last few days here have been far too hot. Even the winds that come down from the mountains are not enough to cool things down. I have a few devils that are not too happy about the hot weather."

"Truly now?" Hector stated and pointed at Isaac's Innocent Devil; it was the last form of the devil-type Innocent Devil. "He doesn't seem to mind. But, what is he doing?"

The older man shrugged. "Getting himself lost in the underbrush and the flower patches. One would think that he has never seen a flower before."

"Considering how much time we spend in the castle, I would not be surprised if that was true." Hector smiled and summoned his own devil. The Innocent Devil floated in front of him for a moment until it noticed Isaac's devil and went off to see what the other was doing. "And apparently the same can be said about mine..."

Isaac watched the two devils for a moment and laughed. "Such dreadful beings they are, eh?"

"Oh yes," Hector agreed, also laughing. "Well they are, in battle. Out of battle... I wouldn't really say so. Especially if you just let them do whatever they want."

"Just like these two perfect examples here." Isaac's eyes followed the two devils as they floated over to the end of the fence.

"They do deserve a break too," Hector said and closed his eyes for a moment. "Just like us. I am so glad nothing has happened lately. I would be quite pleased if I could waste the next few days doing absolutely nothing."

"Same here. Well, if not for the weather," the redhead complained. "I'm beginning to hate the sun."

"Ah, so 'tis not your devils who dislike the heat but you," Hector teased. "Just do what I did and get rid of your clothes. There is no one here to see you even if you get naked, except for them," he motioned at the devils who were busy investigating the broken part of the fence, "but they don't care."

"Them and you, but I suppose you don't care either," Isaac said with a knowing smirk.

Hector managed to keep himself calm although the hint was too clear. "Ha ha. But I suppose you are right, considering that Lord Dracula and the Young Master dislike leaving the castle." He took a short pause. "Anyway. Might be more logical if we went to the lake of course, if we are planning on getting naked... "

"...Except that when I did that yesterday, that idiot almost drowned himself while following me. I guess he thought I cannot swim." Isaac nodded at his devil and shook his head. The devils had now lost interest in the fence and were chasing each other around.

"You cannot be serious."

"But I am. So, I would say 'tis better to stay away from the lake. Nothing deeper than the Aqueduct for me." Isaac grinned and then added, "Although... for the getting naked part..."

"Ah, but the river is over there if you..." Hector started, but he didn't get any further as the other man began to undress himself.

Isaac discarded his clothes next to them. "You were saying?" He asked.

"...No better way to end a day than lie here naked and watch the moon rise?" Hector said innocently. "At least it will not be too hot."

"Wishful thinking, my dear Hector," Isaac said and pulled him closer.

"But then again, it just might. At least the river is close should we need to cool mmphf-"

The two Innocent Devils ignored their masters and happily continued chasing each other around under the slowly fading daylight.

Author's notes:

Certainly nothing interesting, but hey. Isaac x Hector almost-porn. CV Fic LJ Comm challenge stuff again.

- Elmina (January, 2006)