~ ~ thoughts for formatting sake.

*****

Angel looked up from the book he'd been reading. It was too late for a client, well a normal one. ~Do we have normal clients?~ With everyone else having gone home, and not locking the door again... ~Mental note: check the locks~... he would have to deal with it. Putting the book down, he crossed the lobby to help... Xander Harris? The boy was just standing there, a glazed look on his slack face. It would have been typical if there was a television around. Angel moved closer, looking behind the stunned youth. No one else came in the door. What the hell?

"Xander? What's up?" he asked, stopping in front of the now disturbingly unresponsive boy.

Blinking rapidly as if coming out of a dream, Xander tried to focus on the person who spoke... The person in front of him... ~There was a person, right?~ He blinked a couple of more times, and spoke hesitantly, "An-gel?"

His voice was hoarse and broken, as if over used or not used enough. It hurt. "Can- can I- water?"

Angel stared. What had happened to Xander? His clothes were filthy and torn up. "Yeah, of course. C'mon, let's sit you down." He slung an arm under Xander's and led him to the round couch. "Stay right there," he said, "I'll get you water." Dashing to the small kitchen, he got a bottle of Cordelia's water out of the fridge. As he came back, Angel noticed Xander's sneakers were nearly worn through. Had he walked all the way to LA? "Here, drink slowly, okay?" Angel handed over the water and sat down next to Xander.

"Of course... of course... of course..." Xander whispered to himself. The water bottle slipped from his hands and bounced off the floor. Xander dully watched it roll away. "Hands... don't seem to work."

"No problem," Angel said, fetching the water. He was seriously starting to get creeped out. However, looking back, Angel realized there was no point in pressing. Xander looked completely traumatized. Later, he could ask later, maybe even call Giles or something. Opening the bottle, Angel sat back down. "Um... here." He held the bottle up to Xander's lips.

The water seemed to spark something inside Xander, jumpstart his instincts... Both hands flew up to grasp Angel's and the tilted bottle. Water was sloshing all over Xander as he desperately tried to suck the water right through the plastic. Little gurgling gasps escaped as he tried to breathe at the same time. He was so thirsty. Parched like sand under the sun.

"Woah woah woah!" Angel said, pulling the bottle back. "Careful or you'll make yourself sick." Xander's hands were almost fever hot on his. Shaking his head, Angel wiped some of the wet off Xander's dusty face. "Calm down, there's plenty, okay?"

Like a rubber band stretched too tight, everything snapped back into focus for Xander in an instant. One moment hazy oblivion, the next clarity, of a sort. He gaped at Angel, unbelievingly. "Deadboy? What?" Xander looked around wildly. "Where am I?"

"Calm down." Angel repeated. "You're in LA, my hotel." One hand found its way instinctively to the small of Xander's back, rubbing lightly, trying to soothe. "You just walked in here a moment ago. Any idea what happened to you?" ~And maybe why you're here? You hate me.~

"Calm down. Calm down? CALM DOWN?!" Xander's voice steadily rose, part in panic and part in anger. "I'm in LA... With you! And I have no clue how I got here!" He jumped to his feet, or rather he tried to. Immediately, his muscles clued him into another salient fact. One he hadn't been aware of... He hurt. All over. Muscles seized in one large cramp as Xander fell back to the couch. "Ow," he softly exhaled as a tear coursed down his cheek.

Shaking his head, Angel knelt and removed the beaten shoes and holey socks. "Yes, calm down. I've got no more of an idea of why you're here than you do and I can't help if you get hysterical." He started kneading Xander's feet and lower legs, working out the tight muscles. "I promise to let you have plenty of hysteria time in a bit. Right now, let's deal with the physical." The tear caught Angel's eye and he reached up and wiped it away. "Okay?" He bent back to his task of relieving the cramps.

"Yeah," Xander whispered, hoarsely. Even the rising hysteria couldn't cut through the pain. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest of movement, trying to twist themselves tighter. He leaned back and tried to relax. Let his muscles unknot and his mind unwind... Angel's hands were helping, working magic... It hurt, but where he touched, it began to hurt less. Dull to a manageable ache. "Thanks," he whispered and managed a wan smile, "You're pretty okay at that..."

"Thanks and you're welcome." Angel gave Xander a small smile back. He worked his way up to Xander's thighs. "Um, it's gonna hurt more in the bigger muscles. Just thought I'd warn you." As he massaged as carefully as the knots warranted, Angel shook his head. "You know, this would be easier if you were laying down. Or even after a hot bath."

"Yeah... sounds good in theory. Don't think I can move though..." Xander mumbled, distractedly. Angel hands... Angel's hands on him... On his thighs. Something was sluggishly trying to assert itself in his brain. An unclear message. A foggy direction. Vaguely, it felt like the compulsion of a possession, but not really. Xander was certain, with his experience, that was something he would recognize. He squeezed his eyes shut attempting to corner the vague thought. He was supposed to do something.. Something? "Angel? I- I think there's something wrong... With me. More than..." His hand drifted slowly to his head.

"Xander, what is it?" Angel asked, moving to sit next to the confused dark haired mortal. The creepy feeling from before was back. Whatever was driving Xander looked like it was close to driving him right out of his mind. "Whatever it is, I'll help." Dark eyes searched Xander's face.

"You will?" Xander's eyes fluttered opened, uncertain. He was so tired... Hurt so much. Felt like he was burning up. He focused on Angel's eyes, and all that fell away. Fell away for a new pain. One that slammed through his brain and body with an iron certainty. He knew why he was here... Knew what he had to do. He pressed his lips to the vampire's, murmuring, "Fuck me...," fatigue and pain forgotten.

Xander was kissing him. Xander had asking to be fucked. Angel's eyes were wide with shock. This was beyond unexpected. It had to be some sort of spell. He should really push Xander away and call Wesley... no, Giles. Now. Angel's hands came up and grabbed Xander's arms, pushing him back carefully. "Xander, I want to help, but I don't think this is what *you* really want. This is some kind of spell or something. You don't even really like me, remember? Let me get you upstairs and call Giles, okay?"

"Noooooooooo..." Xander squirmed in Angel's grasp, trying to re-initiate contact. Kiss whatever patch of bare skin he could squirm into reach. Feverishly, he freed his hands and tried to touch the vampire everywhere all at once, begging almost mindlessly, "Need... Gotta... Please. Fuck me! You... Gotta..."

"Xander! Ah... You can't... oh God..." Angel grabbed at Xander's hands again. They were everywhere. Finally, he got them and held them still. "Xander, stop it! This is not you. Think dammit!"

"Please..." Xander knew his behavior was completely right of center, somewhere inside he *did* know that, but couldn't stop. The need burned in him, stripping everything else away. Unable to use his hands, he wiggled and twisted trying to wrap his legs around the vampire... He had to touch Angel. A higher imperative than breathing... Than living. "Please... Fuck me! Gotta! Gonna die... Need you! Anything you want... Just do it!"

Angel had to fight not to throw Xander across the lobby. This was so wrong. To make matters worse, Angel was getting hard from all the squirming. Fuck. This was *not* the way he wanted to take Xander... anyone... to bed. ~Maybe if I just knock him out... God, he's burning up!~ "Xander," Angel's voice cracked. "Please stop? I... I can't. Who did this to you?"

Xander stilled his struggles. This was getting him no closer to his goal. A goal. An imperative. Something that overrode everything that he was, or might be. He couldn't overpower the vampire, even if he had been in top shape, which he wasn't at the moment. Animal cunning took over where his brain might have been once. He rubbed slowly against Angel. The vampire was saying 'no', but he wanted to say 'yes'. The growing hardness Xander could just barely rub against was testimony to that... He just needed to find the right trigger. He whispered hoarsely, "Yes, you can... I want you to. Come on Deadboy, this is your chance... Take me and put me in my place. Don't try tellin' me it's never crossed your mind." He was so taut with need he was shaking. "You wanna bite me too? Fuck and feed? I'm cool with that..." Some small fraction of himself, buried under the feverish compulsion, screamed.

Angel froze. Everything that Xander just said hit him hard. In the guts, in the heart, in the groin. The only way either of them were going to get out of this unscathed was for him to knock Xander out. Chains and a gag would't work, Xander would just struggle and writhe and look too damn good that way. Angel shuddered. ~Got to stop thinking like that!~ Setting his jaw, Angel stood and pulled Xander up. "I still don't think this is a good idea, Xander." Angel turned the over stimulated youth partially around, "But, I did say whatever." Giving Xander a sad smile, Angel whipped his fist up and knocked Xander unconscious.

Quick reflexes saved Xander from hitting the floor. Angel scooped him up and headed upstairs. Shuffling around, he finally got Xander in his room and on the bed. The irony didn't fail him as he sat down and picked up the phone. It took him a moment, but he remembered Giles' phone number. Now if the Ex-Watcher was home...

Frantically dashing across the room, stumbling against the desk, Giles desperately snatched at the phone receiver, and prayed. "Hello?! Xander?!"

"Um, no. Angel. But he's here." Angel shifted the phone and looked back at Xander, shaking his head. "Giles, what in the hell happened?"

Giles sat down shakily, almost missing the chair. "He's there? In LA? Oh dear God. Is he okay? Please tell me he's okay..."

Angel fought back a growl. "Yeah, he's here and he's unconscious. It looks like he walked the whole way here." A world weary sigh (pat. pend.)escaped Angel. "And I don't know if he's okay. He's acting like he's under some sort of spell. What happened?"

"How exactly is he acting..." Giles hedged, cautiously. "He hasn't- He hasn't done anything untoward? Has he?"

Only Giles would use a word like untoward. "Sorta... Yes... Dammit, Giles! Tell me what's going on so I can help him!" Angel barely controlled the shout, not wanting to rupture Giles' eardrums or possibly wake Xander. "Please," he said in a softer tone.

"Yes, quite," Giles' sighed and shook his head, "Unreasonably, I had hoped he had escaped the spell's effects, even though he disappeared, but it seems not... He's feverish yes? Single minded about- about getting you to have sex, yes?"

"Um, yes and yes." Angel shifted. Giles was nearly in lecture mode and Angel felt like a student caught staring out the window. "There's a counter spell or something, right?"

"We're still searching, but no, not to my knowledge. It's an ancient bonding spell, used by vampires of warring clans... Back when vampire clans were large and demons went underground, so to speak. Called in the vernacular "Love the Hateful Dead". I have no idea where this minion found it. It was supposed to have been lost millennia ago. Buffy was the intended target of course. It missed her and hit... er, another of our party. Xander was in the direct path of the spell, but further back. We had hoped he was out of range," Giles said, pausing for both breath and strength. He continued on stalwartly, "Angel, if he's bonded to you, you're going to have to complete the bond. Xander will burn himself out, literally, if you don't.."

Angel blinked. No way. He'd heard vague rumors of something like that, and had dismissed them as a fanciful romantic myth. "Xander got hit? I have to... Giles, do you know what you're saying? I don't want Xander to die, but if this bond... it's going to go both ways, you realize that? I mean, never mind the whole Angelus thing." Angel rubbed his eyes. Bonds were serious business and again he was reminded how much Xander Harris hated him. "Wait, another member?"

"If you don't, he will die. In horrible pain. Driven insane by the compulsion. We were almost too late in figuring it out for..." Giles paused, uncertain, but concluded Angel needed to know, "almost too late for Riley."

"Riley." Buffy's soldier. "He got hit too? Who'd he have to bond with?" Angel couldn't quite keep the bitterness out of his voice. It wasn't over Riley, but the whole damnable situation. "And Angelus will kill or turn Xander, you know that." Turn him after a long torture. Angelus always wanted Xander.

"I don't think so, really. In theory, bonding with Xander just may cement your soul... Maybe even merge it with your demon. Technically, the bond would be tied to both soul and demon... I think. Neither would be able to be vacated, after the, er, process. Well, in theory that is. In theory, this spell should have never worked on a human. In theory, Xander shouldn't be dying." Giles sighed and then chuckled inappropriately, "Oh, congratulations... You have an ex-Initiative son-in-law." ~Gallow's humor old man. Laugh or start screaming.~

Angel's jaw dropped. Riley and Spike? How in the world was Buffy taking that? For that matter, Spike? If he'd been planning a trip to Sunnydale anytime in the future, Angel would cancel it now. No way was he going to get caught in that. "Right. So all I have to do to save Xander is to sleep with him, complete the bond. And in theory, Angelus won't pop back and kill him. Great. Wonderful." Angel sighed again. "Okay, I'll... I guess we'll just hope one of us calls you in a while."

"Not the best of plans..." Giles replied, stuttering. "If we had the time, I'd say wait until I or Willow could get to LA with the soul restoration spell..."

"But we don't have the time, do we? He walked here, Giles. That's about six hours. I trust your judgment on the theory of this. I have to." Angel stood and paced next to the bed. "Maybe... maybe I can have Wes come over and I can't believe I'm saying this, stand guard outside. If I change, the bond will stop me from killing Xander. It will be overwhelming so there will be time to... stake me if needed." Just then, Xander moaned and thrashed about. Angel sat back down and rubbed his back gently. "Giles, he's waking up and I really don't want to have to knock him out again. What do we do?"

"Wesley's number quickly... I'll ring him with the particulars," Giles said quickly. "You- you take care of Xander."

Angel gave him the number and rung off. He looked down at Xander, still mostly out, and sighed. Brushing a strand of hair off the sweaty face, Angel murmured, "It's going to be okay, Xander. I'll take care of you." Rising, Angel headed to the bathroom and came back with a cool wash cloth. Sitting back down, he carefully wiped the sweat and road grime off.

Xander was an excellent swimmer. Always had been, even before the swim team. But the currents were dark and strong, and he felt so tired... Limbs like lead and lungs on fire. All he wanted to do was rest... sink to the bottom and sleep. No more fire or fighting. He just didn't think- If he woke up the compulsion would be there again. He murmured, "Better to die."

"No dying on my watch," Angel said. "C'mon, Xander, wake up." He leaned closer and tried to ignore the guilt creeping up his spine. Gently he pulled Xander upright. "I talked to Giles. I know about the spell." Angel kept talking, pulling off the ratty jacket and shirt Xander was wearing. "I'm not going to let you die, Xander." With a hand he hadn't even realized was shaking until now, Angel stroked Xander's cheek. Could he really do this? Fuck Xander so he wouldn't die? It wasn't as if he'd never noticed Xander's looks before, the kid was attractive if goofy. Now though, Xander looked like he did that night in the library. The night after Faith had nearly strangled him to death. Pale, wan and completely lost, the only thing missing tonight were the ligature marks. It made Angel mad, seeing him used again. Yeah, he could do it. ~Just pray it's you when it's over.~

Xander's eyes flickered open against his will, and a moan escaped his lips unbidden. The fever inside him cranked up another notch and he shivered against the fire. "Should have left me out of it," he ground out between gritted teeth, "Should have- Should lock me up. Throw away key. Can't fight it... Can't...." Whatever else he might have said was lost in a sob as Xander instinctively pressed his cheek into Angel's palm.

"Shhh, shhh," Angel whispered and brought his other hand up, cradling Xander's head. "I know you can't. It's okay." He swallowed and continued, staring into scared hazel toned eyes. "We're going to do this, okay? Not letting you die." He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Xander's lips, whispering against them. "You don't deserve death, Xander. Especially not this way."

Xander stared at Angel for a confused moment. Was that supposed to make sense? He didn't know, and for the most part didn't care. Angel had touched him and kissed him, willingly. That was Xander's sense and sensibility now, washing away the last fragile threads of hard won control. He shivered and pressed his lips to Angel's cool mouth. Somewhere deep inside, wound in his guts, he knew Angel would put out the fire... Angel and only Angel. He parted his lips, offering the vampire his mouth. Offering Angel whatever he wanted... That's why he was here. That was his existence now.

~If only he'd come to me on his own, so much could have been different..~ Angel dismissed the longing thought. They'd worry about the details later. Right now, there were other considerations. He slicked his tongue in-between the parted lips, getting his first taste of Xander. Sweet, warm, and tinged heavy with desire, enough that Angel moaned softly, threading his hand into messy dark hair and pulled Xander closer. He let his own desire grow, shoving away thoughts of spells and Angelus. Letting the kiss get messy, he mouthed his way along Xander's jaw, licking at the stubble, seeking his pulse along the side of his neck.

Strangely enough, Angel's kisses brought a peace to Xander's mind, and while they didn't lessen the fire raging inside him, they did cut through the haze in his brain. He'd been accepted. Instinct told him this, though he had no idea why it was important or why it gave him peace in the midst of storm. Suddenly, he tensed at the touch of Angel's mouth at his throat... Had he felt teeth? A small tiny part of him wanted to push Angel away... Away from that. The larger part urged him to press his throat upward and beg for the fangs. The fire roared in his ears again, and he understood. This was part of it. He followed his body's direction and turned his head giving Angel complete access to his throat. "Anything," he whispered, surrendering to the longing to be taken in every way.

"Oh God," Angel whispered against the maddening pulse under Xander's skin. If Xander was to be bonded, he had to bite him. He'd known that, but the submissive act made his resurgent erection throb. Made him franticly struggle to get his shirt buttons open and throw the thing to the floor. Clutching Xander to his chest, he laid the mortal back, nipping and sucking at his shoulder, collarbone, anything he could get to without letting go. He rose up on his arms and rocked his crotch against Xander's, groaning.

A strangled yowl caught in Xander's throat. Angel was everywhere. Hands. Mouth. Body. Cock. ~Oh god.~ Xander could feel Angel's hard cock thrust against his own, and it was a bliss he'd never known before. He arched into Angel, trying to get more of everything. He eeped loudly as he gained carnal knowledge of his zipper. Grabbing Angel's shoulder's, Xander gasped out, "Pants off! Now! Bad, bad pants!"

Angel stopped and stared down, a laugh rumbling through him. Bad pants indeed. He stood and made quick work of his, throwing them aside where ever his shirt had landed, knelt next to Xander's legs and undid the fly of Xander's cargo pants. Trying not to rip them off, he coaxed Xander into raising his hips so he could remove them with the... black smiley face boxers. Somewhere, deep in a drawer, he had a pair like them, given by Cordelia as a gag Christmas gift. Angel chuckled again and pulled them off. He laid his body back down on Xander's, relishing the near inferno heat pouring off the dark haired young man. He moved slowly, knowing this wasn't going to last much longer. ~Hurry, Wes.~

Xander hissed and moaned, pressing himself upward against Angel. Flesh on flesh. Angel was so cool. Xander wanted to crawl inside him and bank the fire raging inside his own body. He wanted to drown in the cool water. Be a part of Angel. Be Angel's. He just didn't have a single clue on how to get there from here. Point A and point B had never seemed this far apart, ever. He'd never been attracted to another man, much less wanted to have sex, wanted to be had, by one. Wasn't gay. Never had a homoerotic thought in his head. ~Liar guy! Okay, had the thought, but everyone has those. M'not gay. Not even a little.~

Shaking and uncertain, Xander stroked at Angel's skin tentatively, exploring the musculature of Angel's shoulders and back. "Buff-guy," he murmured, "Very muscle guy." ~Very much the guy.~ Xander was flooded with an unexpected wave of desire, unconnected to the compulsion. Angel was strong. Angel was strong enough for him. To take him and take care of him. Angel was strong enough for both of them. He trembled a little more. "Angel? Need you...," he stammered, embarrassed now, "I've never... I don't know..." He broke off confused, looking to Angel for answers or actions.

Angel stroked Xander's hair back. "It's okay, I have and I know. I'll be careful." ~Unlike Spike's first time. This *will* be gentle.~ He kissed Xander again, and then slid slowly down the twitching body beneath him. Scooping up Xander by the hips, he nuzzled the straining erection jutting out of dark curls. He took a deep breath, impressing Xander's scent on his brain. Sweaty, musky, bay and salt, deeply Xander. His tongue flicked out to lick the shaft twice, letting the smells explode into taste. A soft moan rose from his throat and he slid his tongue further down and back, parting Xander's cheeks. Licking and prodding, he pushed his tongue into the small, tight hole it found.

Xander thought for a moment he had swallowed his own tongue. He glurbled, not really talking or moaning. His hands grasped sheet as his focus tilted. He'd sort of expected the attention to his cock. He was guy. Cocksucking, well that was always, if not expected, dearly hoped or negotiated for. But what Angel was doing to him... What that tongue was doing to him. It was unexpected. It was disturbing. It was incredible. A full throated moan managed to escape the strangle vise of his throat, and Xander tried to move his shaky limbs wider.

Angel shouldered his way further between Xander's legs, tongue thrusting deeper in and out. A growl started deep in his chest as he felt himself getting caught up in what he was doing. Angelus may have wanted the boy, but Angel was going to have him. For as long as Xander was alive. Strange, feathery tickles of the spell wove their way into his mind as it started to begin the bond. He pulled back and away just as he felt his gameface start to emerge. ~Crap! I... can't lose it now. Got to stay in control...~ But the spell pulled at him now, urging the completion of the Rite. "Xander, don't be afraid," he whispered. Using his fangs, he cut a gash in his wrist and let the blood drip on his cock. It was all he had and it had worked well enough before. Pulling Xander onto his lap, he carefully began to ease in. ~Oh Hell! He's so hot, so damn... small there...~ It was like pushing into a furnace, slowly burning and good.

"Afrai-" A shift in positions. A glimpse of gameface. And then pain. Xander dug his fingernails into Angel's flesh. ~Oh God, it hurts!~ Pain burned and shook him to his core. Mouth opened in a silent scream, he slowly sunk onto Angel's cock. Xander tried to disengage himself from the pain, breathing heavily. It didn't matter. It made no difference. It was necessary. He had to have this. No matter what the cost. Finally, after what seemed like days, he came to rest. Angel was inside him, and he could feel the compulsion, for lack of a better word, changing. He was becoming Angel's. He laid his head against the vampire's shoulder, breathing heavily.

Angel held Xander tight, stroking his back, pulling them chest to chest. He could smell the sweat slicked pain on Xander's skin, hear it in his breathing, feel it in the heart hammering against his chest. The gameface melted away as he crooned nonsense into Xander's ear. Slowly, he felt the inferno around his cock relax. Wrapping his left arm around Xander's waist, he began to stroke the younger man's failing erection with his right hand. Kissing the bowed neck, he stayed still except for that hand. "We move when you're ready."

It still hurt. Angel inside him still hurt, but it was lessening as Xander's internal muscles rearranged themselves. Angel's hand was stroking the fire inside him, giving pleasure in the midst of the pain. It warmed him on multiple levels, not just the erotic. It meant Angel wanted him to enjoy this. It wasn't required, but it was- nice. It was unexpected, nice, and made Xander melt a little. He leaned back a little to look into Angel's face, hissing a little as he felt the vampire's cock shift inside him. Releasing the death grip he had on one shoulder, Xander caressed Angel's face in mute gratitude. Ignoring the tears running down his face, he kissed Angel gently. Not the hungry, desperate kisses of earlier. A gentle kiss. Xander smiled wanly and nodded.

Did Xander even understand how beautiful he was right now? Angel didn't know, but the tiny smile and the sweetest of kisses, combined with the luminous eyes and the total look of surprise and trust, nearly undid the vampire. He rubbed his forehead on Xander's and began to move his hips up and down with the utmost care. That small amount of friction sent shudders through him. He put his head to Xander's chest, choking back a sob.

Alien. The feeling of another man's cock moving inside Xander was alien. To be fucked instead of being the one doing the fucking... It was strange, and, while not as painful as it initially had been, definitely uncomfortable. The small part of his brain that was still working wondered why any guy would *want* to do this... The hand on his cock was nice, but- Angel shifted and an electric jolt shot through Xander's body. Exploded inside him, shattering his sight into prismatic rainbows. Both hands resumed their death grip on Angel's shoulders, and he exhaled, "Oh."

Angel looked up at Xander's face, saw it alight with wonder and smiled. He canted his hips again and locked eyes with Xander's, wanting to see the face he made. It was certainly going to be Angel's undoing, as sure as the heated body riding him was. As sure as the slightly painful grip, like Xander was clinging to a lifeline, was. He moved his hand faster, running his thumb over the soft edge of Xander's cockhead, determined to make Xander enjoy this as much as possible. The strange fluttery feeling was back, urging him on. Trying to get him to complete the claim, finish the spell. He growled and fought to keep from just slamming harder and harder into Xander's willing body. "I answer your call, Alexander, and claim you as mine and mine alone." ~Where in the hell did that come from?~

Xander moaned, and from deep inside the words rose and poured from him. "I answer your call, Angel.." he fought for a moment to hold back the flow, but the compulsion would not brook his interference, "and Angelus! I claim you as mine and mine alone." Xander gasped. He was getting close. Angel's hand. Angel's cock. His body conspiring against him. Xander shuddered in pleasure unexpected. He clasped his hands to the sides of Angel's face, and focusing on Angel's eyes, the rest flowed out. "I claim your clan as mine. Kith and Kin. Your death is my death!" Xander threw his head back as another explosion of pleasure rocked his being. Something inside him was breaking, fragmenting into a million pieces, and rebuilding itself. They were almost there.

Somewhere, deep inside Angel's mind, Angelus howled. This was not the way it was supposed to be, he was not to be thwarted in this way! A bright light flared in Angel's eyes as Angelus faded. Not away, but bound tightly by the ritual. ~Thank you, Giles!~ "I claim your clan as mine. Kith and Kin. Your death is my death!" Angel nearly shouted, as he felt his fangs descend again. It felt like something had wrapped itself tight around his heart and soul. A circle not quite complete, but it made electricity dance along his nerves. So damn close. Just one more thing to be done. "Look at me, Xander!" he commanded, eyes flashing yellow.

Xander's head snapped back and he locked gazes with Angel. The golden eyed face of a demon. He smiled unafraid. He wasn't sure if it was the spell or instinct or what... But he had no fear any more. No pain. Only pleasure and the sure knowledge that he'd never be alone again. Laughing, he gave instinct free reign, stopped fighting the spell completely, and buried his blunt human teeth into Angel's throat. The first taste of blood exploded on his tongue, exploded in his mind. Everything that Angel was... Human and Vampire. Soul and Demon. Saint and Sinner. Everything flooded Xander's mind, body and soul. Xander was Angel in that moment. And Angel was his. He would have screamed. Wanted to scream. But his mind and muscles were seized as orgasm spontaneously rocketed through him.

Angel's eyes rolled back into his head and he cried out. Never had he expected this. Never expected Xander to bite him. Never expected the searing fire along his body as Xander came. He whipped his head down and sank his fangs into Xander's neck, drinking one deep quaff of rich blood. The circle completed and he felt Xander pour into his very being. With a roar barely muffled by Xander's neck, he came, thrusting deep into Xander. His Xander.

The circuit closed and the bond snapped into place, humming with power. Xander felt Angel's orgasm rip though both his body and his mind. It was too much. Too much of everything. This time he did scream. Loud and long. He howled in unadulterated pleasure and joy. Bound to Angel, Xander was free and flying.

Angel couldn't move, couldn't see, couldn't hear anything but Xander. Just Xander in his head, in his heart, in his soul. Swept up in the ecstasy flooding his senses, Angel clung to Xander, overwhelmed and blessed beyond any expectation he'd ever hoped for. When everything crashed back, an unending time later, he found himself sobbing against Xander's chest. Part of him wanted to kill everyone and everything that ever hurt his Bond-mate, even himself. Part of him wanted to just curl up and stay in this room with Xander forever. Part of him realized, with a jolt, that this was his perfect happiness and he was still Angel. "My God..." he whispered.

"Nope, still Xander..." Xander responded without thought. Automatic joke instinct, kicking in. He blinked a couple times rapidly, as the fog cleared, and the who, where, and what they had done came surging back. He could still feel Angel deep inside him, not just physically, but emotionally. And it was Angel not Angelus, though he could faintly feel the demon there too... Fierce joy balanced by even fiercer protectiveness. And maybe love? Xander wasn't sure. He combed his tired fingers through Angel's short hair, tilting the vampire's head so they could look each other in the eye. He couldn't help the crooked grin at what he saw there. Still in game face, Angel's mouth was smeared with blood, his cheeks wet with tears, but his eyes, his golden eyes shone with true happiness. Xander had no doubts his own face mirrored Angel's. He pressed his own blood stained lips to Angel's, not even hesitating over the gameface. It didn't scare him any more. It was just Angel. He murmured, "Uhm, hey."

Angel's features faded back to normal and he pressed his forehead to Xander's. "Hey yourself," he muttered back. Xander was happy, he could feel it. He could feel everything pouring off the younger man now. With a contented sigh, he laid back and cradled Xander on his chest. They needed a shower, but right now he just wanted to stay close. Closer than he'd ever been with someone. Even Darla and Buffy, though The Slayer ran close second. Briefly, he wondered how Spike and Riley were doing, if they were feeling anything like this. He hoped so, for Spike's sake. As big of a pain the blonde vampire was to him now, maybe this would settle him out. ~Make an honest vamp of him? Nah, never happen.~ "How you doing?" he asked, nuzzling Xander's hair.

"Mmmmmm?" Xander mumbled into Angel's chest, still deep within post orgasmic lassitude. He ran his fingers lightly over the strong pectoral next to the one his head rested on, giving the question as much serious consideration as he could muster. "Well, sooner or later, I'm gonna remember that every muscle in my body is strained and hurts... That I gotta be giving off a more than manly smell. Oh, and thank you for not mentioning that. That I'm still not sure what really happened here, and will be uber-confused. Maybe a little freaked. Okay probably a lot freaked. Not sure yet. But right now?" Xander craned his neck a little and smiled at Angel, "Right now, I'm good. Okay, even. Oh hell, I've never felt this good in my life... You?"

Angel dipped in for a kiss. "I'm good. Better than good. Running through the whole list of things to do when I can walk again: shower, call Giles, make sure Wes doesn't stake me, kiss you a lot is in there quite a bit." He tipped Xander's head up and kissed him again. "This is the best I've ever felt. We'll worry about the other stuff later."

"'Kay. Deal later... I can deal with that." Xander yawned slightly. "M'tired too. Did I mention that? Is there a nap anywhere on that list? Oh... OH! and food! Felt like I haven't eaten in days..." As if to prove a point, Xander's stomach growled expectantly. He smiled sheepishly at Angel.

Angel chuckled, bouncing Xander lightly on his chest as he did. "Here's an idea, you nap. I'll get a bath going and round up food. Bath, food, and more napping, sound good to you?" ~Strawberries, I wonder if we have any here?~ Angel was feeling stupidly giddy at the prospect of feeding Xander while he bathed. ~Lost my mind in a good way, I guess~

Angel's happiness and excitement shone through their bond, and Xander couldn't help but laugh. It was dizzying. It was infectious. And what was truly miraculous was that Xander not only felt Angel's happiness, but a matching measure of his own. "Okay... Sounds idea like," Xander agreed, and looking at Angel's smile couldn't help but blurt out, "Ya know, the whole smiling deal? S'good look for you. Though you keep it up, I'll probably have stop calling you Brood-boy." ~Oh man, I've gone lock, stock and wack-a-doodle!~

"Thanks, I think." Angel raised an eyebrow and couldn't help smiling again. "Not too sure how Smile-boy sounds though." He turned over until Xander was on his back and pulled the covers over him. "I'm just happy, I guess. Kinda a new thing. Don't worry, something will happen to make me brood, I'm sure. Wes'll find some nasty scroll, or Cordelia'll see the Apocalypse again. Typical stuff." He got up and pulled on his pants. "Get some rest while I get food." He gave Xander one more goofy grin and headed to the door.

"Okay," Xander agreed and let his eyes drift shut. With his eyes still shut, but a mischievous smile, he called out as Angel went through the door, "And Smile-Boy? Puh-lease! I was thinking Chuckles..."

Angel shook his head as he took the step two at a time. Chuckles was awful, but Xander would do it in a heartbeat. Probably get Cordelia in on it too. It didn't stop his grinning, however, as he hit the small kitchen downstairs. There wasn't much in his refrigerator in the suite, just blood packs. ~Not exactly strawberries.~ Not bothering with the light, he started rummaging around in the kitchen.

*****