"I can't believe they're making us patrol tonight," Xander groused as he and Spike strolled down the street. "I mean, we spent all of Friday night being chased by hellhounds. Doesn't that get us a whole weekend off?"

"Guess not," Spike murmured, following a step behind Xander. Giles had called Xander to request that he come out to patrol. It seemed that the Slayer and her Watcher were concerned that they hadn't gotten rid of all the hellhounds. As a result, Giles wanted Xander to go out into the streets, armed with some special hellhound-fighting weaponry, to clean up the last of the problem. Of course he, Xander that is, was more then welcome to track down Spike if he wanted help. Actually, what Giles really meant was that he didn't want to try to find the vampire, so Xander needed to do that as well.

"But I *hate* hellhounds. And I had plans for tonight," Xander whined. He wanted to spend some more quality time with Spike, maybe out somewhere. Xander's eyes blurred as he thought about The Absinthe Club and the movie theatre. Oh, if he could get Spike back in one of those places...

"Shouldn't take too long," Spike murmured absently. "Haven't seen one yet, and it's been an hour already."

"True," Xander conceded. "Wanna swing by the Bronze on the way home?" He asked, grinning evilly.

Spike frowned. No, he didn't want to go to the Bronze. Nor did he want to visit a coffee shop, the all-night grocery, or any of the other places Xander had mentioned so far that night. "Not really," He admitted reluctantly, hoping he wasn't offending Xander. Spike really wanted to spend the remainder of the night at home, in bed, buried deep inside his lover's warm body.

Xander huffed. "So pretty much everything in Sunnydale's out," He snapped. "Is there anywhere you are willing to go?" He couldn't help but feel a bit paranoid; Spike didn't want to be seen anywhere with him. Maybe he'd done too much, been too risqu�. The vampire seemed to have enjoyed the club, and hadn't complained at all about the theatre. He'd never asked, though, if that's what Spike wanted. After all, Spike seemed to enjoy the 'almost getting caught' aspect of some of their activities. He'd been the one to initiate them with a quick handjob in an alleyway...

"Home?" Spike ventured tentatively. A warm mug of blood, a lapful of even warmer Xander, the time to savor every part of his boy's body... Spike's thoughts were interrupted by a rather unhappy Xander.

"Fine. Home. We'll go back to the apartment and hide out for a while. Maybe even turn on the TV and watch fucking basketball. Or maybe I'll just go hang out on the site, you know--sleep in the office, now that I've got the keys. Or the crypt. No one's moved in there, I'm sure. Dust and cobwebs don't appeal to many people."

Spike found himself most confused. Xander sounded angry. "I thought... bloody hell, Xander, what's wrong with spending some time at home?" What was the boy talking about, sleeping in the office?

"What's wrong with going out?" Xander shot back irately.

Spike frowned. "Nothing, but we've gone out a lot lately. Just thought we might stay home."

Xander exploded. "Why? Embarrassed to be seen with me? Tired of it? Suddenly changed your mind?" He punctuated each word with a jab at Spike's chest. The vampire soon found himself backed against a wall. Xander thrust against him, grinding their bodies together. They made a lewd picture; two gasping, panting men writhing together in the shadows. "Don't like this anymore? Decided that maybe high-school loser freaks aren't worth your time? Or will I hurt your image? Big Bad fucks Slayer lackey. Must not do much for your good name, huh, Spike?"

"What're you going on about?" Spike asked hoarsely. He tried to get control of Xander, to separate them long enough to figure out what was going on. But when he grabbed the boy's arms, Xander twisted. Spike's fingers wrenched human skin through layers of fabric, tearing strong skin ever so slightly.

Xander gritted his teeth against the tight, ripping pain in his arms. Spike was not so controlled. The vampire's head whipped back as his entire body stiffened. A pained howl poured through the night, startling some fledgling vampires who were prowling nearby. They ran away, sure that whatever had just caused that noise would soon come after them.

"Spike..." Xander whispered, backing away, rubbing at his arms. Spike had hurt him. He'd hurt Spike. He'd assaulted Spike, in the street.

The slap-slap of tennis shoes on pavement struck a heartbreaking counterpoint to the pulsating agony in Spike's head as the vampire struggled to recover. He had to get himself together; Xander had just run away. It didn't take long for Spike to pull himself away from the wall and start after Xander.

Xander ran through dark, abandoned streets, passing row after row of houses, all of them full of happy, contented people. He was neither of those things at the moment. His brain was screaming at him, damning him for everything he'd done to Spike, to himself. Xander kept going, running faster than he ever had before, faster than he'd run when he'd had hellhounds on his tail. He ran and ran, finally veering off pavement and onto the grassy bank of a highway overpass. He skidded to keep from tumbling down the embankment, coming to a gradual stop near the bottom. The road was quiet, with no traffic in either direction. Xander stared up at the sky, studying the opaque strip of dark that was the bridge above him. If he squinted, he could just see the tangled girders that made up the understructure, riveted metal waiting to bear the burdens of rush hour traffic.

Spike pushed himself as hard as he could to follow Xander's scent through town. When he drew near the highway, the vampire began to worry even more. Surely Xander wouldn't do anything rash. Spike clung to that feeble hope as he began to search for the boy.

Xander watched silently as Spike wandered under the bridge. At the moment, the vampire couldn't see him, didn't know he was there. Maybe if he stayed perfectly still...

Spike was about to give up and try another path when he heard it. There, to his left... if he stood very still, he could hear a heartbeat. Not just any heart, but one he'd laid his head on, slept next to for so many glorious months. Golden eyes turned to the bridge above him as Spike began to look for Xander once again.

As Spike got closer and closer to his hiding place, Xander began to understand how Spike had become a master vampire. The blonde was amazing to watch; fluid movements that were eerily silent, unblinking eyes missing nothing. Xander felt like a mouse, cowering in the back of the python's cage.

Spike's eyes never left Xander as he climbed into the web of steel beams that supported the bridge. Xander had gotten himself a good bit out, wedged into a particularly thick section of supporting steel ropes. Spike kept his movements slow, not wanting to scare Xander and make him move. Spike wouldn't be seriously harmed by an unplanned plunge to the street below, but it would probably kill the human.

Xander tensed as Spike settled onto a beam next to him. "Hi," Spike murmured, staring at his hands. "Nice night for a stroll."

Xander laughed harshly. "Sure, whatever you say, Spike."

"You ran away," Spike stated softly, now watching a few wispy clouds drift over the heavy moon.

"I hurt you," Xander replied.

"I hurt you too," Spike countered.

"You didn't mean to," Xander rationalized.

"But you meant to hurt me?" Spike asked curiously.

"Yes... no..." Xander thumped his head against the metal supporting him. "I didn't want to hurt you; I just wanted to..."

Spike waited, tongue caught between his back teeth. Waiting for Xander to say something. Anything. To let him know if it was ok to touch, to leave, to...

"Do I disgust you?" Xander asked, staring out into the night. "I thought you liked what we do together. Shocking the locals."

"I...love what we've got, Xander," Spike whispered. "More than you realize."

"Then what's wrong? Why are you being so... over there and not over here?" Xander asked brokenly. "You want to go home, hide, keep out of sight. I thought you liked it...I guess I was wrong."

Spike let his eyes slide closed. He hated this, hated it more than the chip that kept him half-neutered. Every time they got to a good spot, either his or Xander's insecurities reared their ugly heads and got in the way. "I love you, Xander."

Xander winced. How could Spike love him? He was nothing; he couldn't do anything right, not even figure out what Spike wanted out of him, if indeed the vampire did want anything out of him.

"I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear," Spike continued. "But it's the truth. The rest of it doesn't matter. None of it does."

"I'm sorry," Xander murmured. "It won't happen again."

Spike smiled sadly. "Don't be too sure," He murmured. The boy probably didn't even know what he was apologizing for. He really wished, though, that they didn't have to get into this *again*.

Xander winced. "You're right. I'll keep fucking up, again and again." He huddled deeper into the steel girders, trying to fold into himself.

Spike gritted his teeth, biting back a snarl. He maneuvered himself up and swung over to where Xander was hiding. "You didn't fuck up," Spike growled. He straddled Xander's lap, weighting the young man down. "What you did was get mad. Then you lost your temper. It happens, Xander."

"I hurt you!" Xander shouted, looking anywhere but at the vampire who was so close to him.

"Christ in a fucking handbag, I can't take this anymore!" Spike screamed. "Xander, all you did was what any insecure, self-loathing man would do; you convinced yourself that you're bloody well worthless and then you got mad at me for just being here."

"How would you know?" Xander hissed, pushing ineffectually at Spike's shoulders. The vampire was leaned right up against him, face just inches from his own. It was damned hard to ignore the blonde when he was in that position.

"Do you really think I'm just sitting about all day, watching the telly without a thought in my pretty little head?" Spike asked roughly. "That I don't wonder every blasted day why you're letting an impotent, has-been vampire stay in your flat, sleep in your bed and touch you? 'Cause I do, you know."

"I love you," Xander sighed, now looking at Spike's hands as they ghosted over his arms.

"Ah," Spike murmured. "And that's it? You love me?" The vampire chuckled dryly. "Is that supposed to make me feel better? That I have your love? What does that get me, hmm? A warm shower and a few less insults at the Magic Box?"

Xander's head whipped up. "Shut the fuck up, Spike! It means everything to me. I want you because I love you. Nothing else matters, not your chip, not the demon... nothing."

"Thin reasoning there, Xan. After all, I love you and that doesn't mean shit," Spike replied gently. "Hmm?"

Xander wilted. Damn, he hated it when he got out-logicked. Happened all the time, though, so he should've seen it coming. "You fucking bastard."

Spike grinned. It was clear that Xander had, at least for the moment, decided to not continue the self-hating rant he'd been on. "Not yet, luv," He said, rolling his hips against Xander's. "But you could do something about that. Wouldn't mind a bit."

Xander frowned. "I thought you didn't like the whole in-public thing," He said. At the same time, Xander's hands came up to grasp Spike's hips, pulling the vampire closer.

Spike let Xander draw him down. "Like it fine," He murmured, resting his head on Xander's shoulder. "Like it at home, like it on the road. I like it in the club--"

"In the pub?" Xander ventured. "In the flat? On the mat? In the shower? On the water tower? With some milk? Rubbed by silk? On the rug? With a plug?"

"Fuck me already," Spike snarled. He reached into his duster, extracting an ever-present tube of lubricant. Xander took the tube as it was thrust into his hand. As soon as he'd accepted it, Spike leaned back and began to unfasten his jeans.

Xander wasted no time. As soon as Spike had his jeans shucked down to his thighs, the boy had a finger inside him. Spike froze, shuddering, as Xander began to stretch him. Xander used his free hand to bring Spike closer to him, even as the vampire braced himself on the nearby beams.

"Harder," Spike panted, working himself back on Xander's fingers. "Come on, Xander, gimme more." The emotional intensity of the past hour was quickly transforming into breathtaking physical need. Spike craved this contact, raw and utterly sexual. He needed Xander beneath him, inside him, surrendering so that he could take Spike.

Xander unzipped himself and withdrew his fingers from Spike's body. He slicked his cock with a bit more lube, and then guided Spike down. As soon as he felt the blunt tip of Xander's cock against him, Spike lunged down, taking the boy inside him all at once.

Both human and vampire cried out as they were joined. Xander's breath was taken away by the incredible, tight coolness that surrounded him. Spike was burned by his lover's blood heat, cock stretching him to capacity. "Move," Xander panted, bracing his feet next to Spike's and wrapping his hands around the blonde's hips. Spike lifted up, guided by Xander, and then was yanked back down.

Xander watched Spike's face morph, the boy's cock pulsing with arousal. He loved it when Spike was this feral, this raw and unrestrained. The vampire was riding him furiously, working himself on Xander's cock with brutal force. Xander met him thrust for thrust, loving the way Spike's back arched and the muscles of his neck stood out as he writhed.

Spike clenched himself around Xander on the next upstroke, growling at the feel of cotton knit catching on his cock, Xander's baggy t-shirt rubbed against him with every movement, like a feathery hand stroking him. Xander was back with him, in him, taking him in, accepting him for what he was. His boy was back where he belonged, inside and beside and underneath and on top of Spike. It didn't matter how many times Spike had to do this, had to chase Xander down and convince him that he was loved, so long as each time it worked and Xander stayed with him.

Xander moved one hand to Spike's cock, stripping that hard flesh with rough strokes. He was close, so close he could feel the come gathering, pushing its way out, wanting to flood Spike's cold body with its warmth. Xander wanted Spike with him, wanted that cold seed to spill on his hand, on his skin. Xander let is shirt get rucked up as they hurtled towards orgasm, baring his sweat-slickened skin to the cool night air.

Spike looked down at Xander, struck by the sight of his lovely boy, face flushed and eyes bright. He saw a strong hand wrapped around his own pale cock. Then the vampire's body stopped. Every nerve that could began to sing, all vibrating at the same frequency. Glowing, demonic eyes watched as his seed coated Xander's hand, flowing out onto silky skin, spattering over cheap cotton. Then ecstasy slammed into him and he saw no more.

Xander watched Spike climax, greedily taking in the shocked, naked expression, the consuming pleasure that always overcame the vampire. It was almost enough to push Xander over the edge. What did it for him, though, was the feel of Spike's come spilling out into his hand and cover his stomach. Thick, bittersweet fluid, marking him more surely than the scars on his neck. He was Spike's. The vampire had claimed him time and again, marking him with his scent as he gifted Xander with his pleasure. As the boy's orgasm overcame him, he swore that he'd start believe it, start having a bit of faith in his lover when Spike chanted 'mine' as they came together.

It was the uncomfortable jab of a steel beam into his back that kept Xander from simply falling asleep. Spike, having available to him the much more comfortable bed that was Xander, was oblivious to his surroundings. "Spike?" Xander murmured. When he got no response, he shifted slightly, disturbing the vampire's rest.

"Hmm?" Spike hummed, body still fairly ringing with pleasure.

"Twenty-five," Xander said, smacking the vampire's ass. "Can we go home now?"

*****
Part 26:

As soon as Spike and Xander got through the door, the phone rang. Out of habit, Spike picked up the phone and handed it to the young man. The vampire was well used to not answering, since no one knew he lived with Xander.

"Hey, Giles," Xander said as he walked back into the bedroom, stripping off his sticky clothing along the way. Spike decided that Xander had the right idea and followed suit, removing his own dusty and soot-smeared garments. The bridge hadn't been the cleanest place. Once he was naked, a perfunctory look down told the vampire that he'd managed to get dirty just about everywhere. A quick listen in on Xander's conversation with the Watcher assured Spike that he had enough time for a shower.

Xander considered sitting down on the bed, but nixed the idea. Their sheets were somewhere close to clean and he didn't feel like washing more laundry. "No, Giles, we didn't see any hellhounds. Not one. I'm sorry."

"Are you sure?" Giles inquired. "Did you go down by the highway?"

Xander grimaced. "Oh yeah, we went down there. Not a single devil dog to be found." That didn't appease the Watcher, who continued his questioning for several minutes whilst Xander was storing his dirty clothes in a hamper.

Spike finished his shower and walked, dripping wet, out into the living room. He could still hear Xander on the phone with Giles. Shaking his head at Xander's plight, the vampire wandered around the main room, picking up his lighter as he went. He flicked on the stereo, letting the machine randomly pick something to listen to. The moon wasn't shining in the window, so Spike lit a few candles, letting their spicy perfume fill the air.

Xander walked into the bathroom, wanting more than anything to flush his phone, and Giles with it. "Look, G-man, Spike and I found nothing. We'll try again tomorrow, ok?" He hung up the phone without waiting for a reply, turning the ringer off as he did so. The young man stepped into the shower, turning the water on full hot. His very temporary good mood was fading, as was often the case when talking to Giles.

When Xander stepped out of the bathroom, the first place he looked for Spike was the bedroom. The vampire wasn't there, however. Shrugging, Xander went into the living room. Music played low amidst wavering candlelight. "Spike?" Xander murmured, glancing around the light-and-shadowed interior of the main room.

"Yeah?" Spike answered, sliding up behind Xander. "How's the Watcher?"

Xander relaxed as Spike's cool, welcoming hands dusted across his shoulders. "Pissed off, as usual," He replied. When Spike reached for the towel around his waist, Xander let him. Lithe arms lifted up, taking Xander's along. Spike twined their fingers before bringing his arms back down, locking their bodies together.

Spike smiled as the music played and he drew Xander into a slow dance. "Love," He whispered, "Is a tanglewood tree, in a bower of green, in a forest at dawn." Xander melted back against him, letting Spike lead them in a wide, slow arc across the floor. Faded light danced across Xander's honeyed skin as they passed a table. Spike was drawn to that illuminated flesh, caressing it tenderly with their joined hands.

"But love," The vampire continued. "Is a trackless domain, and the rumor of rain, in the late afternoon..." Xander drank deeply of his lover's voice, letting the rich tones intoxicate him like the finest wine. How could he have doubted this, the love of this creature? No one had ever felt like this about him, he knew that much.

"Love is an old root that creeps," Spike whispered, sliding his cheek against Xander's shoulder, "Thin as a vagrant young vine, it encircles and twines, and it holds the heart fast," Alabaster arms wrapped around Xander's chest, molding them together. "Catches streamers in the wildwood with the stars in their eyes and the moon in their tousled hair."

"But love is a light in the sky," Xander murmured, "And an unspoken lie, and a half-whispered prayer." This vampire had given him what no one else could, what no one else wanted to. Spike willingly changed who he was to keep Xander's love, even though Xander never asked him to do such a thing.

Spike brushed his lips to the nape of Xander's neck. "I'm walkin' down a bone-dry river," He echoed, spinning Xander across the floor, away from the light. "I'm bankin' on the fables of the far, far better things we do..."

Xander's breath hitched, heart pounding. Spike's voice was silk, tantalizing his soul and his body in equal measures. He felt his limbs grow liquid and pliant under his lover's ministrations, his movements becoming as sensuous in arousal as Spike's were all the time.

"I yearn away, I burn away, I turn away the fairest flower of love, 'cause darling..." Spike chanted, leaning back to lay Xander more fully upon him. He wanted them to stay this way forever, wrapped in a spell of soft passion so intense it burned, dark but for the glimmer of candlelight and tears.

"Love's a garden of thorns, how it grows," Xander continued, hips undulating sinuously as Spike dragged their hands along his thighs and up to his stomach. Spike hissed as the young man's body ground against his, applying delicious pressure to his hardness. Still they moved together, gliding around the room in an abstract dance of growing desire and want.

"My body has a number," Spike whispered, "And my face has name and each day looks the same to me." Cool skin seduced warm, luring it to give up some of that blessed heat for mutual gain. Come with me now and we will find the shadows together. They are for us, lover. "This longing is a voice on the wind, and the wages of sin..."

Xander felt weightless as Spike turned him in his arms, twisting their arms overhead until they were once again bound together. Eyes light and dark met briefly as the lovers came together in a kiss so soft, so deep, that the night ached for wanting the same from her lover.

Xander willingly slipped beneath the surface of his lover's passion, submitting to the rising tide of need that filled them both. Spike pushed oh so gently, urging Xander on, tongues sliding wetly, satin and silk skin whispering together. Moisture, painted unhurriedly as fluid hips danced.

Xander felt it first, a warm summer night breeze sweeping through his soul. He shivered even in its welcoming, loving strength, undone by the images it carried. His blonde lover, bent over him with nothing but clear, honest love and lust in his eyes. Spike, laughing at the worst of his jokes, laughter turning to moans as Xander switched from humor to seduction. The young man willingly, wholeheartedly, gave his entire being over to it, to this irresistible, unstoppable euphoria and to the man who had called it to him.

Spike watched Xander lose himself in rapture, holding back for just one more moment, one second longer. He wanted this image to be burned into his mind, onto his eyes, so that he might see it every day and night, no matter how bleak his existence became. But Spike too felt the heated caress of fulfillment, asking and then demanding that he surrender to it, give what he had promised when this dance had begun. He was powerless to deny that payment and capitulated, crying soundlessly upon Xander's lips as he shuddered and emptied himself of his offering.

"Twenty-six," Xander whispered as he drew Spike in for one last kiss. A warm, sure hand slid one of Spike's cooler ones down to press against an ivory hip.

"Bed now," Spike murmured, slowly dancing Xander backwards to their waiting bedroom.

~ Lyrics from Tanglewood Tree by Dave Carter ~

*****
Part 27:

"I can't believe I agreed to come back out here again," Xander groaned. They were once more out on the prowl for hellhounds. Where just a few nights ago they hadn't been able to lose the hellhounds, now they couldn't seem to find a single one.

"Maybe we should try over by the butcher's," Spike suggested. "There's a nest of Harskcha demons there. Hellhounds love 'em."

Xander shrugged. "Sounds good to me," He said, following the vampire across campus. "So, what do hellhounds do with Harskcha demons?"

"Before or after they rip their guts out?" Spike inquired.

"Never mind," Xander replied, grimacing. "Let's just go hunting the hellhounds and not think about devil dog chew toys?"

Spike laughed. "Right. We'll just prance on over to Bradley's for a pint of cow and hound chasing. Come along, then."

***

"See? Nothing," Xander spat. "Not a paw print, not a puppy swirl. There's not a hellhound in all of Southern California, much less Sunnydale."

Spike was wont to agree with the young man. The Harskcha demons were prancing about in the shadows like twisted little squirrels, obviously scared of nothing. The diminutive things could smell a hellhound from five hundred paces; if they weren't running scared, there wasn't anything around. "Right. Why don't we pop inside to stock up, then?"

"Sure," Xander murmured, opening the butcher's door for Spike. The vampire placed an order for whatever tickled his fancy that week while Xander studied the floor with great intensity. He wasn't fond of the all-night butcher's shop. The owner freaked him out.

"Could you carry this?" Spike asked Xander, holding out a huge paper bag of blood. The vampire had several items under one arm, ones that looked nothing like blood containers.

"Sure," Xander said. "What's in those?"

"Steaks, lamb, Cornish hens," Spike replied lightly. Xander blinked. Wow, Spike was in a good mood. Xander knew that because those were the types of meat the vampire cooked himself. He didn't trust Xander to do them justice. Then again, Xander had tasted what Spike could do with a leg of lamb, and he wasn't complaining.

They walked down the street together, Spike smoking a cigarette with his free hand. About halfway to the car, Xander's cell phone rang. He glanced down at his burden and scowled. "Spike? Could you get my phone? I can't reach it."

"Alright," Spike sighed, slipping his hand into Xander's pocket. He flipped open the phone and paused, puffing on his cigarette.

"Phone?" Xander murmured.

Spike grinned and held it up to his own ear. "'Ello?"

"Spike!" Xander hissed. "Give me the phone!"

Spike covered the receiver. "Quiet, mate, it's Rupert. 'Sides, your hands are full." The vampire went back to the phone conversation, ignoring Xander's irate stare. "Rupert? Yeah, we're still on patrol."

Xander glared at the vampire, willing the demon to give him his phone back. Spike steadfastly ignored the boy's best efforts. "Where's Xander?" He's lookin' at a bevy of Harskcha demons."

"Spike!" Xander tried one more time. The vampire turned slightly away, as though Xander was rudely interrupting his conversation.

"I know that, Rupert. An' I told him that Harskchas are about as evil as lemmings, but you know the boy. No, I won't let him do anything stupid like take one home. Yes, I'll get him back on task. No, I won't feed him to the hellhounds. Fuck, Rupert, we haven't seen one all night."

Xander was suddenly struck with a very, very evil thought. That thought grew into a devious, cruel idea. He carefully set the bag of blood containers down and stepped in front of Spike again. Then he fell to his knees.

"What? The mall? You want us to look for them at the fuc--" Spike's rant ended in a squeak as Xander unzipped his jeans and swallowed him to the root. Xander dragged his teeth along Spike's length as the vampire tried desperately to finish his sentence. "Er, no, Rupert, the mall is fiiiine."

Spike glanced down at Xander, eyes crossing at the sight of his pale cock disappearing into that rosebud mouth. Rupert was a fly buzzing in his ear, a minor annoyance keeping him from enjoying the full effect of that liquid heat burning him. "Ah... no, Watcher, I don't think the hellhounds are..." The blonde moaned as strong muscles rippled around his cock and clever fingers reached in to fondle his sac.

"What was that? No, no one's getting hurt. That wasn't a moan, just a drunk walkin' by. Bloody hell, Watcher, I'm not killing the boy..." Actually, Xander was trying his damnedest to off the vampire. Fingernails scraping tender flesh, lips closing around just the tip of his erection, sucking hard.

Xander teased Spike with his tongue, rasping the rougher surface across sensitive tissues. Then he sank back down, swallowing hard, almost biting down. At the same time, he twisted the hand on Spike's balls ever so slightly.

"Yeah, fine, I'll go fetch the boy and ahhhh--" Spike screamed as he came, bucking into Xander's warm, wet mouth, the pain and shock of the act bringing him to a fast and unsteady climax. Giles was forgotten as Spike shot his mind across Xander's tongue.

Xander licked Spike clean and then stood up to take the phone. "Giles? Yeah, it's Xander. No, I just gave the phone to Spike 'cause I left my jacket in the car and I was going dumpster diving. Didn't want to lose it. We'll look over by the mall tomorrow, G-man. It's late, you know. And yes, I'm aware that you hate that nickname. Good night, Giles."

Spike tucked himself back into his jeans while Xander got rid of the Watcher. The smack on his ass was not unexpected, but he jumped nonetheless. A quiet snick signaled the end of Xander's phone call and the boy hefted his paper and blood burden off the sidewalk, joining Spike. "Twenty-seven," Xander said cheerfully as they resumed their walk. "Was it good for you?"

*****
Part 28:

Xander watched Spike finish up his blood. The vampire had gotten into the habit of washing out his mug right after he drank. It was a small gesture, but it meant a lot to Xander. Then again, Spike was generally very considerate, something that would shock Buffy and the others. They probably couldn't fathom how loving, how caring Spike was. Hells, they couldn't even see past the brittle shell the vampire put forth. Just beneath the surface was one of the most generous people, human or otherwise, that Xander had ever met.

The vampire had no qualms about indulging Xander, happily participating in almost everything. That included what Xander wanted to do that evening. He'd been leery of asking for this ever since his rather humiliating breakdown. However, he needed to do it, to go back, to show Spike that he wanted it for what it was and what it meant between them.

"You're thinking again, pet," Spike commented. "Something bothering you?"

Xander smiled and shook his head. "Nope, I'm fine. Just thinking about getting ready to go out tonight."

One sculpted eyebrow lifted up. "Is that so?"

"Mm hmm," Xander hummed. "I'll just be a few minutes." Spike watched Xander disappear into the bathroom. After a moment, he took a seat on the sofa and turned on the television. He knew the boy was up to something, but that was just fine. Spike knew that Xander liked surprising him, and so far that had been a good thing. He'd learned that letting Xander do things for him was mutually beneficial. Xander liked it, he liked it, and they often couldn't walk afterwards.

Xander jumped into the shower, grabbing his sharpest razor. He'd shaved that morning, so now he only needed a quick once-over. It didn't take any time at all and soon he was dried off and smoothing richly scented oil over his skin. He ducked out of the bathroom and ran into the bedroom before Spike could get a good look at him.

Spike listened to Xander rustle around. He'd caught a whiff of the boy's favorite, spiciest oil when the bathroom door had opened. Perhaps the evening would prove to be particularly... stimulating. Soon, though, he got caught up in the documentary on the atrocities of colonization.

Xander padded across the living room floor, moving to kneel at Spike's feet. As he fell to the ground, the chain around his neck tinkled lightly. The boy waited, holding in his hands a second, leather collar.

Spike heard Xander exit the bedroom and walk towards him. The telly was entrancing, so Spike didn't look over right away. No, the vampire's attention was riveted on the show--until he noticed leather. The combined scents of leather, spice, and pheromones hit him like a sledgehammer. That managed to get his attention. He glanced around, eyes flashing.

"Xander," Spike whispered. Oh, his boy was... at his feet, waiting for acknowledgment. His perfect, beautiful boy, in leather and steel. The vampire leaned forward, using one cool hand to bring Xander's face up. "What's this?"

Xander raised his hands up, presenting Spike with the leather collar. "Master," Xander whispered, eyes already turning liquid.

Spike glanced from Xander's open face to the collar. It was... exactly what he would've chosen. Unrelieved black leather, plain steel fastenings. Thin strips of leather overlaid the base piece, coming together in the back in a column of four buckles. "Put it on," He ordered hoarsely.

Xander nodded and lifted the collar to his throat. He buckled it slowly, stopping every time his breath hitched. Every buckle bound him to Spike, each leather strap tying him down, holding him to his lover. As soon as he was done, Xander's hands dropped down to his thighs as he waited for Spike's next order.

Spike reached out with a trembling hand, caressing the smooth, enticing leather. He was entranced by this very external sign of Xander's submission to him. The brunette shivered as the collar pressed into his throat. Spike abruptly grasped the chain that still encircled Xander's neck. He loosened it and slipped the thing over his boy's head, undoing the loop. The vampire used the spring-loaded hook on the long end of the chain to leash Xander. Then he stood, beckoning Xander to rise also.

Spike studied Xander's face. "My name. Call me by my name," He commanded. "Now, where should we go tonight?"

"""

The Absinthe Club was considerably busier than the first time they'd gone in together. Xander followed behind Spike as they passed the bouncer and Spike made brief, casual conversation with the owner. Enough of their admirers from before were present to draw a small crowd.

Xander felt hot eyes on him and stood straighter, holding himself proudly. He had to be at his best to earn his place at Spike's side. Everyone in the club wanted Spike, he knew it. The very thought of Spike with one of the other slaves made Xander's eyes tear up. No, Spike would never look at one of them because Xander was going to be that much better. Perfect--that was what he was going to be. Without fault. The ideal slave. There would be no reason for Spike to be disappointed in him. Xander quelled his excitation, tamping it down expertly. It just wouldn't do to tremble and shake, now would it?

Once Spike ordered his whisky, along with something milder for Xander, he led his slave through the club. The vampire noted how Xander's attention was drawn to the couch where they'd spent their last visit. While dallying on the sofa would no doubt be pleasurable, Spike had other ideas. There was something he had long wanted to see, and now was the perfect opportunity for it.

Xander obediently followed Spike through the club. He knew he was on display, and it showed with every step. Head high and proud; strong, leather clad muscles flexing with every step. If Spike was the most desirable, most powerful being in the club, Xander was the closest thing to his equal.

Spike led Xander to a large fireplace that graced the back wall of one of the club's many rooms. A roaring fire sent waves of heat out onto Xander, making him sweat slightly underneath his leather clothing. "Are you warm, Xander?" Spike murmured, letting the heavy links of Xander's leash slide along the boy's arm.

"Y-yes, Spike," Xander answered. Blue eyes, lit with flickering firelight, captivated him. Spike was always an arresting figure, but now he was positively captivating. Pale blonde hair glowing; skin almost on fire, it glowed so brightly.

"Too warm?" Spike asked. He reached for Xander's shirt, easily unfastening the constricting leather. It fell away, revealing smooth, honeyed skin. Spike's mouth watered. "Finish undressing yourself," He ordered.

Xander immediately knelt to remove his shoes and unfasten his trousers. Once the leather was opened to his thighs, he peeled away the leather and remained kneeling at Spike's feet. The waves of heat from the fire were much more pleasant this way, almost a gentle caress stirring his hair.

Spike looked down on Xander with a soft smile on his face. He could smell the flood of pheromones that poured off the boy. How could he have doubted that Xander wanted this, loved this interplay between them? In the crazed, hectic world of slaying and simply staying alive and housed, Xander took a lot of responsibility upon himself. In this situation, the only thing Xander had to focus on was Spike. The lack of stress, the freedom, was apparent in every cell of the man's body. He was so relaxed, so... young. If he could, Spike would keep Xander here forever, just to never see his boy in pain ever again.

Xander turned his face upwards as a cool hand drifted over his cheek. He pressed into the caress like a cat, almost purring with contentment. When a smooth fingertip stroked his lower lip, Xander opened his mouth and briefly, tentatively, tasted that salty skin, worshipping his master.

Spike pushed his finger inside Xander's mouth, stroking the boy's tongue. Xander shivered and wrapped that warm, wet muscle around Spike, sucking softly. The vampire slid another finger inside as Xander closed sinfully hot lips around him.

Xander moaned softly as he suckled on Spike's fingers, working them in his mouth as though they were something larger, harder, and more sensitive. He could almost taste Spike's cock on his tongue, leaking bitter-sweet-salty fluids as he took that lovely flesh deep into his throat. Yet what he had was Spike's nimble fingers, and whatever his master gifted upon him was ambrosia, pure and more than enough to satisfy his every need.

Spike bit back a groan as Xander dragged his teeth along his fingers. Then Xander opened his eyes and looked up at Spike. Their eyes locked as the boy took those same fingers as deep into his throat as he could get them, swallowing around them as he did so. Spike felt his cock jump and twitch, as though the boy had been servicing that organ instead of a few fingers.

Xander kept his eyes focused on Spike's as he moved faster and harder. He needed to show Spike the depths of his love, had to express in some way just how he felt about his vampiric lover. This surrender, this absolute gift of self, was all that he had. In turn, Spike stood between Xander and the rest of the world. Even if that protection was gone when they stepped out of the club, while it was present, Xander felt incredible. He could let down his guard, be defenseless. In return, he was Spike's, without reserve.

The vampire was close, Xander could tell. He was panting and his eyes were flashing gold. Xander was deeply grateful that the club catered to a multispecies clientele. Spike didn't have to hide who he was.

Spike reached for his jeans, suddenly desperate to be inside Xander's mouth, to bring them together in the act his boy had been mimicking so very well. He was so close that a single touch of that liquid tongue would probably make him lose control. Regardless, he released the constricting pressure on his cock and immediately withdrew his fingers from Xander's mouth. The boy almost edged forward to envelope his cock, but stopped, remembering that such things were not his to take. Waiting was torture and time openly mocked Xander. He needed this, craved it, and every fibre of his being begged Spike to take pity on him.

Xander breathed heavily, warm air rolling over Spike's cock. The blonde thrust forward, painting the brunette's lips with precome. Xander almost whined, nearly ready to beg. Then Spike placed one hand on the back of Xander's head and pulled them together.

Spike's eyes fell shut as Xander took him in. Long, warm slide into silken heat and then his boy tightened around him, sucking him down, dry, over the edge...

Xander felt the first jet of semen hit his throat. He wanted to pull back, wanted to taste that precious fluid, but he stayed as he was, fully sheathing Spike's cock as the vampire trembled and hissed through his release.

Spike slowly came down from a sharp, shattering climax, enjoying the blood heat that surrounded him. After a moment, he withdrew from Xander's mouth, letting the young man sit back on his heels.

"Twenty-eight," Xander murmured reverently, sighing with contentment.

Spike opened his eyes and looked down at Xander, who was resting on the floor. He knew that around them stood scores of people, all panting and aroused by what he and the boy had been doing. None of them mattered, though. No, the only creature that Spike saw was his lovely boy.

*****
Part 29:

Xander took in Spike's relaxed stance, the heavy-lidded eyes and faint smile. He'd done well, had pleased the vampire. A surge of pride flowed through him and he tentatively returned his lover's grin.

Spike knelt down in front of Xander, slowly letting his desire for the boy overcome the lassitude of his last orgasm. The young man in front of him was irresistible; sweat-slickened skin glistening, lust rolling off him in thick, hot waves. Xander had been so good, so giving. Spike felt compelled to touch him, to show his boy just how he felt about this gift he'd been given. There weren't words to express how much Spike treasured this capitulation.

When Spike placed his hands on Xander's shoulders, the young man obediently fell back onto the soft, plush floor below him. Those cool fingers traced down silky skin, coming to a stop on Xander's knees. The lightest of pressure had the boy opening himself wide, welcoming Spike between his thighs. Dark, liquid eyes fixed on Spike's face as the vampire softly stroked heated skin, soothing and arousing.

Xander felt himself still and calm as Spike touched him. He let himself go, trusting Spike completely. His lover would take care of him, give him what he needed. Every caress reinforced that belief, showing him just how much Spike cared, how much Xander meant to his lover. The young man began to tremble, but not with anxiety or frustration. He let every touch of his master's hands affect him fully, not tamping down any of his response. Each shiver, moan and twitch belonged to Spike and had to be presented without restraint.

Spike considered just how he could treat this lovely boy, who was even now a glowing, golden jewel lay out before him. What would bring them the most pleasure? How could he show some measure of what Xander had given to him? An idea glimmered to life in Spike's mind and he reached for his duster, extracting a well-used tube of slick. He kept one hand on Xander's body, smoothing it over trembling muscles. The other hand was busy preparing himself for the boy.

Spike levered himself into position, straddling Xander's thighs, barely letting their bodies touch. The first touch of impossibly smooth, cold skin made Xander squirm, but a quick, hard glare from Spike stilled him. He fell back, body tense, until the vampire saw fit to continue.

Xander forced himself to remain as still as Spike wanted him to be as the blonde sank down on his cock. Fiery cold tightness engulfed him oh so slowly, burning him even as he began to quake with the relief such intimate contact afforded him. Spike was incredibly soft-hard around him, a seducing demon bent on drawing him straight into a hell of ecstasy.

Spike groaned as the sensation of being stretched by Xander's blood-hot erection. Every time he took the boy inside himself, he wondered how he ever existed without this contact between them. Once he was fully impaled, the vampire rested for a moment, simply reveling in the pulse of blood that echoed inside him from Xander. He tightened around the boy, enjoying the way Xander's entire body tensed and relaxed at the cruel movement.

All too soon, though, Spike found himself unable to resist the call of his own body to move, to ride the boy and seek his own pleasure. The blonde's renewed erection was aching, his body demanding that he drive himself and the boy on towards completion. The intensity of the situation only added to Spike's sudden urgency; the thrum of lust that permeated the club was its own unique aphrodisiac.

Xander gasped as Spike began to move, that slick, tight sheath releasing him only to take him back in, rough upstrokes followed by equally cruel returns. The boy watched in awe as Spike's face contorted with pleasure, beautiful features wracked with divine torture. Slender fingers dug into his shoulders as Spike pushed himself harder, working Xander's cock at a furious pace.

Spike wrenched his eyes open to stare down at Xander. His lovely boy was so very naked at this moment, lying quiescent between the vampire's thighs, leaving nothing hidden from his lover. And yet even now, when the young man had to be nearly insane from want, having suffered so long from unfulfilled desire, he gave himself over to Spike and sought not his own completion. Spike clenched himself harder around the boy, milking his boy with every movement. He would not be alone in this maddening pleasure, no. Xander would join him, would fully experience what they had made. He had to; Spike demanded it from him. The boy's pleasure was Spike's to command, and the blonde ordered it from him.

Xander cried out brokenly as Spike threw him heedlessly over a wide chasm of desire, fairly dragging his climax from the boy's willing body. He bucked and thrust into his master's tight, welcoming coolness, never taking his eyes from that beloved face. Even as he fell apart in a maelstrom of rapture and delicious anguish, Xander held that gaze as though frozen forever in it. His release flowed into Spike's body as though commanded, a willing offering to this most glorious of masters.

Spike growled in triumph as Xander shuddered and cried out his release. The hot flood that filled him was enough to bring forth his own climax, that undeniable proof of his power over his gorgeous creature Spike's ultimate undoing. The vampire rode out his orgasm, watching as Xander's eyes glazed over and faded into glassy pools of sated desire, knowing that his own inhuman eyes reflected the same spent passion.

Xander watched absently as Spike lifted off him and sat off to one side. "Twenty-nine," he murmured, catching Spike's amused grin as he spoke.

"Yes," Spike confirmed. He reached out, beckoning Xander to sit up. The young man did so, easily slipping into Spike's arms. The fire-warmed links of the chain attached to his collar slid over his skin as Spike took hold of it. "Now, Xander... You've been such a good boy tonight..."

Xander turned hopeful, eager eyes up to Spike's still-smiling face. What did his vampiric master have planned now? Xander wasn't sure he could outdo what they'd already done.

"What would you like, hmm?" Spike inquired softly. "Such a well-behaved boy deserves a little reward, don't you think?"

*****
Part 30:

Xander blinked. What would he like? He was being held, cradled, by Spike. His body was still thrumming with mind-bending pleasure. The security he felt in his lover's arms left him almost giddy. What would he like?

"Hmm?" Spike murmured, shifting around a bit to expose more of Xander's body to the warm fire. "How should I reward such a good boy?"

Xander whimpered. How was he supposed to decide? That wasn't for him to say; such things were Spike's domain. "Spike," Xander whispered pleadingly. He willed the vampire to understand, to see that what Xander wanted was what Spike wanted and nothing more. If it pleased Spike then it would please him.

Spike saw the beginnings of distress in Xander's expression. "Shall we leave, then?" He asked, thinking that perhaps the boy had had enough of the club for the evening.

Xander frowned and shook his head. He liked it here, with the warm fire and the shadowy presence of others winding around them. Even in the midst of the other patrons, they were alone, making Xander feel even closer to his lover. "I..."

"Yes?" Spike murmured. "Tell me, Xander. What do you want?"

Xander closed his eyes and forced himself to think. What would he want the most? If Spike were to lay him out right at that moment, what would he be silently begging for? "Make love to me," He said quietly, almost in a whisper.

Spike's eyes widened and turned darkest blue. He pushed Xander to the floor, spreading the boy out on a soft rug. Someone reached down to move their clothes out of the way. The vampire snarled at whoever dared to intrude upon their space, glaring until they retreated. Xander moved his legs apart, cradling Spike between them.

Xander cried out softly as soft, cold lips trailed up his chest to close around one hard nipple. Those cries turned to whimpers as Spike suckled harder, nipping with blunt teeth. Devilish fingers pressed and fluttered over the sensitive crease of hip and thigh, making Xander squirm and moan. Spike made no protest when Xander moved, encouraging the boy to express himself freely.

Spike could taste Xander's desire, an intoxicating flavor complementing the incredibly smooth skin on which he feasted. He poured everything he felt--every sharp ache of love--into each touch. Xander was an open, welcoming vessel, taking into himself everything Spike could give him. That just spurred Spike on, until he was frantically stroking and teasing, laving at his precious love, not willing to miss a single square inch of skin.

Xander looked down at Spike, transfixed by the sight of his lover feasting on him. The vampire looked both contented and desperate, as though he was truly enjoying himself but still felt driven by something. When the blonde worked his way up to Xander's face, the boy couldn't help but turn his head to meet those silken lips.

Spike kissed Xander softly, gently, until the boy had tears in his eyes from the exquisite torture of it. Still Spike pressed on, trying to fill Xander with all the emotions that were pouring out of him. Finally, he tore his lips from Xander's, trailing them over overheated flesh to suckle briefly at the boy's earlobe. "Is this what you wanted?" The vampire asked breathlessly. "What you needed, Xander?"

Xander shuddered bonelessly. "Y-yes," He replied. How could it not be? He was drowning in Spike. It didnt matter what the blonde did; Xander's body sang in response. When Spike's hand drifted lower, to circle and tease his entrance, Xander bit his lip to keep from begging.

"Do you want me inside you?" Spike hissed, slowly pushing one slicked-up finger, and then another, into that satiny cavern. "Filling you?"

"Please," Xander said brokenly, tightening around those strong, cold fingers. Spike withdrew his fingers and raised Xander's legs, positioning himself. A single, deep thrust seated him fully inside the boy.

Xander cried out as Spike filled him, stretching him impossibly, filling him. Blue eyes drilled into his own darker ones, freezing him even as he was about to move. The vampire slowly withdrew, and then thrust forward again.

"Mine," Spike growled as he slowly thrust into Xander. "You're mine, Xander."

"Yours," Xander choked out. Spike slid his hands up to capture Xander's wrists, pulling them above the boy's head.

"This," Spike continued, dipping his head down to press against the wide leather collar at Xander's throat, "Tells every one of 'em that you're mine."

Xander nodded, rolling his hips up to meet Spike's thrusts. "Only yours," He whispered. Spike kissed him, harshly at first, but slowly gentling until Xander was ready to beg for something more than the butterfly caress of the vampire's mouth.

Spike reared up, keeping Xander's hands trapped. The very sight of his boy, laid out like this below him, nearly made Spike lose control. He forced himself to slow, to drag Xander's pleasure out. He twisted his hips slightly, reveling in the way that Xander's eyes went blind and those kiss-bruised lips fell open in a breathy moan.

Xander struggled to breathe. He couldn't find any air, though. Spike had him pinned, held captive while the vampire lavished him with pleasure. It was more than Xander could stand; he was at this creature's mercy, unable to move except to mindlessly respond to every killing thrust. The young man could feel his climax building, spiraling out of him to wrap around Spike. There was nothing he could do to prevent it, not even if he'd wanted to.

Spike caught Xander's gaze again, even as he felt the boy start to come. "Come for me, Xan," He purred. "Let me feel how much you want this, how much you need it."

Xander screamed as his body fractured into a million pieces, each one drawn back together by the touch of Spike's skin upon his. He gasped and shuddered, spilling hotly across his own belly.

Spike was so engrossed in watching his boy that he didnt realize how close he was until his on release was upon him. Orgasm rolled over him, pushing him down until his lips touched Xander's. He fused their mouths together as ecstasy took away his voice, rendering him mute with pleasure.

Finally, many minutes later, Spike raised himself up slightly. He still had Xander pinned, open and vulnerable. "Thirty," Xander murmured idly. Spike took in his handiwork and grinned. The boy looked utterly debauched. Irresistible.

*****