I've always remembered You

'Well this wasn't expected.

Spike lay on the bed, half curled up under the covers, his uncanny sweat diminishing after feeding. His hair was tousled, looking for the first time in decades like that of the boy he had once been. He did look young, Angel decided as he heard the first snores come from his childe, and not just because of his vampiric youth. He looked almost innocent as he slept and Angel thought about the events of the last hour.

He had been sitting by the phone, as he had for the last day, waiting for call from Doyle in Sunnydale. The call that would tell him Buffy was safe, that he and Cordelia had managed to warn her and save her from the danger inherent in one of the half -demon's visions. He'd intended to go himself, but a little comment from Cordelia had blown that little plan out of the water. Angel had wanted to stay in the shadows, help her, but not be seen. He didn't want to interfere with her life, not when he'd heard that she was moving on, doing the very thing he'd dreamed she'd do when he left. He loved her, but he'd had to leave. It was better for her this way.

Yeah, he thought, keep telling yourself that.

All this had been completely blown out of the water by Cordelia.

'I don't want to stir things up.' He'd said by way of explanation.

Cordelia had coughed dryly, amused by his incredibly naïve comment.

'You don't want to stir, but if my ex came to town and was all stalking me in the shadows and then left and he didn't even say hello I'd be.'

'A little upset.' Finished Doyle, 'Cordy's right Angel. You're either there or you aren't. She's not going to appreciate you being skulking boy again, and I have no desire to be on the receiving end of a pissed off Slayer.'

Angel had sighed. It was true, but what else could he do?

Doyle had come to his rescue, a hint of a smile passing the Irishman's face as he suggested that he and Cordelia went to Sunnydale and helped out, warned them about the danger. When Angel started to object, he saw Doyle wiggle his eyebrows conspirationally and gesture to his office. Cordelia had rolled her eyes and calmly announced that if they wanted her out of the room they only had to say, she wasn't insensitive or anything. When she'd left, Doyle had confided that he was going to use the opportunity to confess his half demon side to the girl, proving how heroic it could be by helping Buffy. Maybe he might be up to asking her out to dinner by then.

With little more objection and knowing that Cordelia was right, Angel had consented, on the condition that they kept him updated and if it looked bigger than they could handle, they would phone him immediately. After they'd left, he'd been on tenterhooks and unable to concentrate. Perhaps that was why he had been so jumpy when someone knocked on the door in his basement.

Puzzled and nervous, Angel had made his way to the door, his favorite axe curled in one hand, ready to do.well, Angel wasn't quite sure what he would do with it, but he was pretty certain that whoever was on the receiving end wouldn't be so happy. The banging was incessant and as he opened the door, Spike fell forward onto his carpet, one arm still outstretched to knock again. Instinctively, the older vampire had stepped back, confused as to why his childe was lying on the floor of his apartment, apparently looking for him, less than a month after he'd attempted to have his sire tortured to death by some Hannibal Lecter wannabe. Now that situation had looked really bad.

Come to think of it, Spike wasn't looking so hot either.

The peroxide vampire hadn't looked this bad even after that debacle at the church when he'd revived Drusilla. He looked bad and, Angel leant in closer, he smelled bad. Angel wrinkled his nose, his sensitive sense of smell a further curse at the moment. He contemplated using the axe for a moment, catching Spike whilst he was vulnerable but his soul, his curse and redemption, wouldn't let him. It wasn't the idea of hitting someone whilst they were down as such, but the intrigue of his wayward childe seeking him out in such a terrible state. As he stood there, wondering what to do with him, and just where he'd left that rope, Spike's sarcastic tones, apparently unhampered by his physical state, echoed in his ears.

'If you're just going to watch, Peaches, I can think of something more interesting to do than lie here smelling your sweaty feet.'

'What are you doing here?'

'Not a bloody lot. Are you going to let me in and I'll explain or are we going to stay here in this hole all night?'

Angle blinked, Spike's arrogance making him back up even as he lay there defenseless. He shook his head to rid himself of that particular déjà vu and prodded his childe with the tip of one boot.

'Why should I let you in? Haven't you got the hang of this mortal enemies idea yet?'

The body at his feet flinched and Spike tilted his head to look up. Angel noted the complexion that was more pallid than usual and his red rimmed eyes. Another memory came flooding back. William, he'd been William then, coming through the night, a fledgling, starved, half crazy because the bitch who'd sired him without thinking hadn't though for a second how he was going to survive. He was almost insane with thirst, wanting nourishment, but unable as yet to accept his new existence. He'd been clinging to his humanity, the demon within able only to gain a tenuous hold on the man. William needed to feed, but he didn't know how. He was disorientated, needing guidance, something every sire gave at birth. But Drusilla was barely able to think to feed herself, let alone care for her newly created ward.

Angelus had found the boy, his hunger palpable and his sanity going. Dru had made him because she wanted a new plaything, something Angelus indulged quite happily. He had grown quite used to the insane quality of her little creations and enjoyed watching them destroy themselves by falling foul of any one of a hundred things that could kill a vampire. She'd even kept a human for while, teasing and nibbling on the terrified boy before Angelus had grown bored and eaten him. He was used to her pets, but this one was.different.

When William had fallen weakly into Angelus's arms, he was more than prepared to drop him and leave the fledgling for the daylight. No one had ever accused Angelus of being overly endowed with compassion. But before he could let go, William's hands had tightened over his sleeves and the older vampire watched amused, as he pulled himself upright. When he could look his sire in the eye, William gulped, ignoring the hunger that pained his every bone and drew on the reserves he'd had as a man.

'Give me something to eat.' he had commanded of Angelus, who looked blankly at him for a moment and then burst out laughing. William tightened his hold on the vampire and then reached one hand back to hit the face of the man who mocked him.

'Something to eat.' He repeated and then swung.

He'd connected with his chin before Angelus could recognize what was happening. He didn't fall, William didn't have enough strength for that, but he was visibly swayed and he turned, game face on to his new childe.

'That wasn't nice.'

'I'm hungry,' William had managed.

'And I'm pissed off,' answered Angelus and knocked him to the floor. 'A word of advice, Dru isn't good at remembering to feed her pets, so I'd work it out quickly.'

'Work what out?'

Angelus had grinned and picked William up by his torn collar. His vampiric visage was inches from the fledgling's, but he didn't wince. Impressed, Angelus' grin widened and he shrugged appealingly. He dropped him and walked out into the street, plucking the plump woman with the tickly feather hat and drawing her into the alleyway. He bit deeply into her neck and thankfully, she passed out, her bulk limp against his thigh. Resisting the urge to drain her fully, Angelus savored the coppery taste and sank to the floor where William waited.

'Drink.' He demanded.

'What?'

'Drink.'

He pressed the wound against William's mouth, watching as he turned away, revolted by the idea. Angelus rolled his eyes and pulled William's face back round.

'Drink, it will sustain you.'

'I can't.' I can't do that, she's alive.dear God, what have I become? 'I can't bite her, feed from her...' he trailed off, unable to contemplate the demon that now wore his body.

Angelus growled, before smiling a little and bending back to her neck. He sucked down deeply and dropped the woman, before reaching for the childe who so badly needed to feed. He clasped the back of his neck in one hand and drew William's mouth to his. As the fledge protested and tried to pull away, Angelus thrust his tongue and the accompanying blood into his throat. William moaned, feeling the viscous liquid seeping past his teeth. He didn't want to taste it.but it filled his belly like a ball of fire, warming him and staving off the pain of his hunger. His tongued dueled briefly with his sire's desperately craving more of the life giving fluid, trying to draw more from Angelus. His true face emerged and William could feel the need, the urgent desperate need to hunt, to kill, to drink and drink and drink until he could feel more than just his desire for sustenance within his belly.

Their kiss deepened, as each strove for dominance and Angelus broke away, his body alive with lust. He picked up the woman and thrust her neck into William's face, watching with pleasure as the fledgling sunk his fangs into the gaping wound, drinking the plentiful liquid. His cock throbbed and he panted in unnecessary gulps as the boy drained the last out of the female, before tossing her aside and lunging at Angelus once more. Will's mouth met his and the older man could taste the dregs of blood on his fangs. He wanted to consume him, lay his mark on the passionate childe, but he paused and pulled back, forcing William to meet his gaze.

'This is what you are.'

'Yes.'

'This is what you need - hunger and consummation.'

'Yes.'

'You are a vampire, you are a God.' He finished with a flourish.

William grinned.

'What?'

'I don't need to be a vampire to have feel that kind of power!'

Angelus paused a second, wondering if he was being mocked. But he saw the desire in William's eyes and he pulled the childe closer to consummate that other need.

'You're mine - my childe.'

William looked into the depths of his sire's eyes before answering.

'Aye, I'm yours.'
 

Angel looked down at his childe once more and sighed. He'd assumed Spike's ownership once and never quite relinquished it. Spike had the right to ask for his help and he was compelled to comply. He'd find out the full story later. Bending down, he dropped the axe and picked up the sickly vampire, cradling his slender form in his arms. Spike's head didn't loll backwards, but he could tell that it was due to will power, not strength. Carrying him inside, Angel rested Spike's body on the bed, moving towards the freezer and removing one of the bags that allowed him to think of himself as different. He warmed its contents in a cup and brought it over to the chapped lips of his childe.

Spike gulped it down and choked. Angel sat him up and wrapped one arm round his back as he coaxed his childe into drinking it slowly, easing his hunger without hurting him. As he drank, Angel took the time to look over his skinny frame. He'd not fed for weeks by the look of him and that was so unlike Spike. He couldn't think of a reason for this abstinence, but from the hungered way he was drinking, he guessed it wasn't by choice.

When he'd finished, Angel took away the cup and let Spike lay back, some colour lightly flushing his cheeks as the blood settled. He was exhausted, but at least now he was fed and exhausted. He could sense Angel watching him and Spike realized that he was waiting for some explanation. Figuring that he'd better say something before his sire decided that he was being used for some new scheme, Spike opened his eyes and sighed.

'So.' Angel said.

'So.' Agreed Spike.

'Are you going to tell me or do I kill you now?' Angel asked amiably, a thin stake noticeably within reach on the table.'

'Do you really think I want to be here?'

'No,' replied Angel, 'that's why you're inside and not ash on my doorstep.'

Spike rolled his eyes and got to his elbows.

'This conversation is going to get stale very soon if you keep threatening me with death, Peaches.'

'Don't call me that.'

'Oh? Reminds you too much that you're not the perfect guy the Slayer dreams about?'

There was a low growl, but Spike, too relaxed from the warmth of the blood, didn't care. He guessed that Angel wasn't about to kill him, not after feeding him - it wouldn't be gentlemanly. Huh!

'Sorry,' he said petulantly, 'I'd forgotten how sensitive you get. I'll try and remember to be more careful,' he added.

Ignoring the sarcasm, Angel ran a hand over Spike's forehead, feeling the sweat that had built up there. It wasn't common for a vampire to sweat; though he could vaguely recall that he'd sweated buckets when Faith had poisoned him. Spike was sick, although the blood had warmed his skin slightly and if it was starvation that ailed him, he'd heal quickly once he'd rested. Spike cast a suspicious glance at the large hand and giggled in drowsy bliss at the irony.

'If I call you Mum will you bring me a cookie?'

'What?' Angel took his hand off as though he'd been burnt.

Spike grinned, 'You just look so happy playing Mother.'

The frown was back on Angel's brow and he stood up, getting a chair from the kitchen and setting it by the bed. He recognized the barely controlled patience and that he'd better tell him something, anything just so that he'd get to stay the night. Why not the truth? It was bizarre, but his poofy sire might just feel sorry enough to nurse him back to health. (he's done that before) Spike quickly shut off the thought, not wanting to think about that time, not wanting to remember what Angel had once meant to him. He threw his arms up and started talking.

'I was back in Sunnyhell, just looking for a way to give that girly of yours a slap in the teeth.'

'Spike' Angel said warningly

'.yeah well, before you go all Batman, I didn't even get that far. Some cowardly gits nabbed me from behind with a bloody.' he gestured, searching for the word.

'Lasso?' asked Angel helpfully.

'Tazar!' completed Spike, 'Just where have you been the last hundred years?'

'Regretting every minute I spent with you.'

Spike crossed his heart.

'Oh I'm hurt now, really I am.'

'Get on with it Spike.' Said Angel through gritted teeth.

Spike grinned; glad he could still get a rise out of his sire. He really was starting to feel a lot better. Pigs blood wasn't half bad once you tasted it, it didn't have that sweet tang of fear that you got from humans, but a vampire could live on it.at least for a while. His sire didn't look bad on it. Spike smiled in his pleasantly sleepy state, Angel looked damn fine. If he wasn't feeling so tired.he yawned.

'Keeping you up Spike?'

'Oh yeah.' said Spike as he closed his eyes again, '.but then, you always could.'

He dozed happily as an image came, remembering a time before the Slayer, before those damned gypsies, before Dru had finally decided that he was worth bothering with. A time when he and Angel had spent every moment together, hunting, feeding and.more. He could remember.

Will moved forward to pounce, the couple far too involved with each other to notice the predatory vampire who stalked them. He was about to move when a firm hand landed on his shoulder. Will rumbled low in his throat and turned to see the grinning face of his sire, his demonic face present.

'Why did you do that?' he growled.

'Watch. Wait.'

Will sighed and turned back to the couple. They had started to groan a crescendo to their passion and he could feel the heat rising from his cock. She was leaning back, her blouse open enough to reveal a creamy breast, her full skirt raised to above her thigh, rising and falling on the firm column. She threw her head back and bared her neck. Will tensed to move again and Angelus squeezed his shoulder.

'Let them finish.' He almost whispered.

The man stretched in the onset of orgasm and moaned deeply, his pleasure overcoming his senses. Angelus released his hold and the vampires moved together in perfect synchronism, moving over the wet grass with intent. They kept low to the ground and as they approached, silence masking their purpose. Will could feel a beating in his head, in his chest and the low throb from his balls only made his lust clearer.

Impact.

With a snarl, Angelus sank his teeth into the exposed jugular of the man, tearing and ripping at the flesh, eager to devour its tasty contents. The low cry of his victim was lost to Spike, his world encompassed by the heat, the need and the life blood that gushed into his throat. He barely felt her breasts heaving against him, the naked flesh losing its allure as he drained its owner. She flailed her hands against the vampire, but Will was losing all thought. His entire being had been reduced.no, not reduced, simplified to need. He needed this blood. He need this kill. He needed.

As the last of her life slipped away, the young woman who had been sustenance for the vampire watched as he released her, dropping her limp half-naked frame. He leaned toward the demon that drank her lover and grasped him by the shoulders. The one with dark hair pulled away, loosening his hold on the man who she knew was already dead. Without energy enough for tears, she sank down, seeing the world fade, watching as they embraced, tearing clothes with the same lusty abandon she'd employed only minutes before. Her last view of the world was of love, though not that which she could understand.

Will plunged his tongue deep inside Angelus' mouth, needing to taste the older vampire. Since that first time, he could only enjoy a kill if he could share the blood with his sire. It had become a ritual between them and one which they both consented to willingly. He loved the low growls that emanated from Angelus' throat, a soft purring which he'd heard so rarely. As his breeches were torn from his body he had enough time to think 'Going home naked again' before he was lost.

Sliding his hands all over the fledgling's body Angelus soared with a pleasure he'd so rarely felt. Here was an equal, someone who could be everything he'd dreamed of since he'd left Darla. Smooth skinned and passionate, his Will was more than enough to match the dark vampire. He was no stooge; he though briefly as Will sought his way down Angelus' body. He didn't just want to train this childe; he wanted him as lover, as partner, as a match for all eternity.

Will trailed his tongue and fangs down his sires body, eager to taste more of him. He wanted to drink in everything the vampire had to offer. He was more than capable of taking anything the older man could throw at him and he relished every opportunity he got to prove his passion, his...love for Angelus. No other experience had ever prepared him for these feelings. As vampires they fought, hated and loved to the hilt. There were no shades of grey, only clear unabating desire. Tasting the firm column of flesh that throbbed unnaturally, Will moaned, matching his sire in need, his own erection pulsing madly as Angelus lay cool hands along its length. They stroked in a synchronized rhythm, anticipating the need of he other, desperate to prolong the delicious torment.

One hand searching along Will's body, Angelus watched with pleasure as the organ twitched and throbbed in his hand. Feeling the temporary warmth of his childe's blood filled mouth, Angelus wanted to share this pleasure and sank his mouth down around the erection that pulsed before him. Will let out a muffled howl that only added to his sire's enjoyment, bucking madly as he felt the sharp fangs edge their way down his penis. He'd never been with a man as a human, but the women he'd slept with had never compared to this. This was frantic, desperate infatuation and it never ended. The months had passed and they always came back to this - need.

As he felt the bucking in his childe's hips, Angelus pulled up slightly, his fangs grazing the skin. He could feel his own control dissipating and he surrendered easily to the orgasm, screeching his climax to a dark world. Will swallowed eagerly, feeling the salty liquid mix with the remnants of the blood he'd drained earlier. His only disappointment was that his own erection throbbed hard now, unfulfilled and untouched. Angelus had never left him wanting before and he bit down on his lip, drawing the sticky sweet fluid from his own mouth. He waited for Angelus to recover only to discover that the older vampire was looking round, as if he watching for something.

'What is it?'

Angelus circled his head round carefully.

'Nothing. There's no one else here.'

Will rolled his eyes in a duh way, but it was obvious his impatience came not from his sire's obscure statement, but from the need which still pulsed through him. He saw the predatory look on Angelus' face and paused before moving to get on his hands and knees. The hand which gripped him again was firm, but gentle. He turned to look at Angel, the bloodlust drained from his face.

'You're my childe.' He said softly.

'Yeah, mate.what of it?'

Angelus smiled.

'By lore I should never do this. It's.unseemly.'

Will blinked, confused by the cryptic tones of his sire. Angelus pulled him round so that the slender vampire sat opposite him, his thighs pressed against the wet grass, erection standing proud, still in need of release. Will watched as his sire eased his legs beneath his childe and moved closer, so that his nipples, already erect from the night chill, brushed almost painfully against Will's chest. The look of incomprehension on his childe's face was worth the risk he was taking. Drawing his face into his hand, Angelus kissed him, tasting himself on the vampire's tongue. Will kissed back, tentatively wondering if his suspicions were correct, knowing that he was right as Angelus took his hands and worked them down between his thighs to an area where Will had never been invited.

Angelus moaned quietly as Will touched, then probed more intimately at the entrance to his body. He wasn't an innocent on the receiving end, but once he'd become a sire, a father figure so to speak, he'd been in the more dominant role. Certainly with any of the children he'd sired, he'd been the aggressor, feeling the brief warmth of being encased with the body of his progeny. But Will wasn't exactly a submissive fledgling and many times they had fought before he'd gained the upper hand. It wasn't known in the lore for a sire to submit to his childe, but here he was, willing to share everything with the vampire who obsessed him so much. He'd disregarded love long before he was turned, but the intense passion Will inspired had availed to him the possibility. Vampires could perhaps learn love. They certainly knew desire.

Will breathed in deeply, feeling the chill of the night as his dead lungs filled. He stroked the sensitive area between the base of Angelus' balls and his ass, feeling the older vampire push up against him, wanting more. His cock throbbed in agreement and he edged forward, feeling his sire pressed more firmly against his body, wondering how he was going to accomplish this. Angelus shifted slightly and Will felt the head of his cock pressed up against the hole, spreading some of his pre-cum across its opening. Angelus moaned again and his childe sighed into his mouth, kissing him again as he eased forward, sliding more easily into his sire's body than he would have believed.

His concentration intent on this act, he almost missed the breathy sigh from his lover, and as he slid in to the hilt, Angelus growled softly, game face back on and his erection almost back up to full strength. Will felt the slap as his balls hit Angelus' ass cheeks and he closed his eyes briefly, the pressure and pleasure flooding his body. He could have cum right there, but he suspected that this might not happen again - Will had some idea that it wasn't on for a childe to fuck his sire - and he wanted to enjoy it.

He moved slowly at first, gauging his tempo from Angelus' reaction. His sire seemed to like it slightly harder and faster, so Will picked up the pace, bucking his hips and biting down on his lip once more to stop from climaxing. Between them, Angelus' erection had hardened thoroughly and it pushed against Will's belly, the friction of the soft hairs sending little pulses over the vampire. Will felt his mind was going, so tight and sensitive was the feeling of fucking his sire. He wanted this feeling to last as long as possible, but it couldn't, he couldn't and he was going to cum. He closed his eyes as the pressure built up needing something more, something Angelus had done to him, but had never allowed him to reciprocate.

When his yellow eyes opened again, he saw that predatory look back on the dark vampire's face and his head was tilted slightly to one side, waiting. His impulse strong, Will bit down on the offered flesh, feeling Angelus' teeth tear into his own skin at the same time. They drank as the rhythm picked up, bucking furiously against one another, joined where they could be joined, mouths buried in a sweet fountain of blood. Will came hard, his howl muffled in the neck of his sire, the passion and love flowing through each vein, aware dimly that Angelus had cum too, his chest soaked in the juices.

They stayed that way for over a minute, feeling the hardness ebb away until Will pulled out and Angel lay back. Joining his sire in sheer exhaustion, Will lay on the ground, counting the stars he'd learnt the names of over the years. He lighted briefly on Gemini and smiled. They were the same, he and his sire, soul mates, if you'd excuse the pun, different thoughts but a single need. They were more than friends, more than companions, they were lovers - equals.

He was musing on such pleasant thoughts when Angelus spoke.

'Never mention this to anyone.'

Hurt, but almost understanding, Will rolled over and looked at the victims from earlier.

'I won't.why would I?'

There was a deep sigh.

'Vampires don't love, Will.'

Then why does this hurt, Will wondered. But Angelus had said it and the equality of the past minutes was gone. He was the childe again and compelled to obey his sire's wishes. He got up, naked and without clothes to wear, still proud enough to hide his feelings.

'Right then, I'm going back to the house, get some bloody clothes on.'

'You're leaving?'

Was it his imagination or was there a note of sorrow in that voice. Never mind.

'Well I'm not freezing my arse off out here all night. See you around Angelus.'

He walked off; the chill night air having less effect than the hurt his sire had inflicted. Perhaps things would change between them in the future. Perhaps he'd break down that bloody façade Angelus was so keen on and they could become real lovers, partners who wouldn't have to worry about some lore that seemed to have less and less relevance as the years wore on.

He resolved to talk to Angelus the following day, but his sire didn't come home. Believing that he was sulking somewhere, or perhaps indulging on a feeding frenzy that Will was not invited to, he slept easy, determined that things would change. But that had been Romania, and Angelus was never to come back. Spike's unconscious mind raced on, past the many years with Dru, past his first sight of the Slayer, past his painful meeting with the besouled Angel, claiming love for the woman who was born to kill them all. He moved past Angel's brush as a true vampire, in which he had become more evil than Spike could ever have believed. Past all that, past the day when he'd determined to give some payback for the hurt, past that indignation. His memory picked up the pace, bringing him to the point where he'd gone to Sunnydale and those blasted soldiers had taken away his violence. Nothing had scared him more than that and he whimpered in his sleep, an animal noise, something that struck at his sire as an explanation would never have managed.

The hand that stroked his head was soothing and Spike fell into a deeper sleep, the previous days slipping away from him along with the pain that accompanied. He was back in the dark, running with his sire, safe in the knowledge that they were the night, they were the fear from which you run. Angel stroked his brow softly; not quite able to explain to himself how right it felt to comfort his childe, unable to tear himself away. As Spike shivered again, Angel lay down on the bed and pulled him into an embrace he hadn't felt in more than a century. He ignored the frantic questions his mind raised and lay his head on the pillow, relishing the feeling of being needed, taking the comfort.

This wasn't expected.
 

*
 

Spike woke in the night, running a tongue over now healed lips, glad for vampire healing. It took him a moment longer to work out where he was and as the evening's events revealed themselves to the disorientated vampire, he heard the snoring.

Spike wasn't exactly averse to sharing his bed, but he was more than surprised to find Angel snuggled behind him, a smile on his sleeping face, looking for all the world as if there was nowhere else he'd rather be. 'What the fu.?' fell out of the blond vampire's mouth before he had the sense to quiet, taking the opportunity to give Angel the once over.

Frown lines were etched across his brow, not a sign of aging, Spike realised, before glancing briefly to his mouth, seeing that the little lines that showed in his grin were long gone. Man doesn't laugh enough he thought to himself, before Angel stirred slightly, one hand groping in the dark for something he hadn't had in months. Spike paused a second before lying back down. He and Angel weren't exactly best mates these days and he had no idea how the Irishman would react to finding his long lost childe sleeping in his arms again. But the desire to stay in the arms he hadn't slept in for so long was overwhelming.

Spike lay down and looked up at the ceiling, running over his (few) options in his head. He was to all intents and purposes, a child again, unable to find or rather unable to take nourishment. He couldn't bite anyone. He'd tried, he'd really tried, but the pain in his head was so intense that he couldn't bite down. It paralyzed him and he couldn't feed. The first time he'd tried, he'd fallen at his 'victim's' feet, unable to complete the act. The second time had been with Willow, but even that had turned out bad, she'd been so bloody nice about it. Ewww, he was having impotent thoughts and he didn't even want to test that out. He'd already been Kubriked; he didn't want to throw up at the sight of a bit of leg. He had to face the truth. He was a sap.a big fluffy puppy with bad teeth.

Spike really wished he hadn't thought about that.

So he couldn't attack people, which sucked, ha ha ha, big time. He couldn't bite people, which was really his raison d'être, all vampires bit. Even hack writers had got that one right. He could, it seemed, drink blood, provided there hadn't been any violence involved getting it, violence on his part anyway. Which left him where, precisely? He could hardly walk up to someone and say, 'excuse me, but I'd really like to drink your blood. Could you oblige?'

Nope, Spike didn't say please to anyone.

Ever.

So that wasn't going to work.

He guessed that he'd have to do things Angel's way, at least until he could get rid of this thing they'd done to him, drink pigs' blood, or whatever it was. It didn't taste so bad and at least it wasn't accompanied by that pain that threatened to paralyze him. He groaned and Angel shifted slightly, his arm tightening, drawing Spike closer to his chest. The thing was, Spike loved the violence that went with feeding. He was a hunter, had been one for as long as he could remember, which was a long time. He might look as though he was two blood bags short of a full transfusion, but Spike was no ones fool, despite his best plans going awry all over the place. The best laid plans of mice and men, he murmured to himself, add vampires to that list and you would have been right, Burns.

So, he could drink pigs' blood, the gaining of which was a question for later. Fixed with the barmy notion of swapping blood bank addresses with his sire, Spike shook his head, trying to deny what he had become, wondering how on Earth he could change back. He hadn't asked for any of this. He'd been a good vampire, doing his level best to keep chaos and corruption on the up. He'd killed Slayers for Christ's sake. He was hardly a nobody in the vampire world. He had a name. He was William the Bloody. He was.reduced to drinking from plastic bags in LA. Who was going to be afraid of him now?

Unlife could surely not get worse.

Angel snored loudly in his ear and snuffled back into consciousness.

'Spike?'

'What?' said Spike huffily. His account of his existence was annoying him and when Spike got pissed off, everybody felt it.

'We're.in bed.'

'And?'

'.Together?'

Spike snorted and rolled over to look at the dazed and slightly confused vampire.

'Yes Peaches. I can't remember going to sleep like this, I just remember feeding from one of your bags and then.this. Waking up next to you.'

Angel sat up slightly, running one hand through hair that was suffering from the bed. He looked slightly askew and Spike grinned, knowing that his sire's vanity had survived the loss of his soul. Angel hadn't removed his hand from his childe's shoulder and Spike took it as a sign that he wasn't going to have to watch out for the axe just yet.

'I remember.you falling inside the door.'

'Yes,' said Spike, his tone cajoling, 'We went there, remember, I was hungry and you fed me.'

'That's right, you were hungry.'

Spike rolled his eyes and lay back, both hands behind his head. Angel sniffed and frowned, turning to look at the delicate features of his childe. Spike had always been insolent, but he was surprised it still featured when he was lying in the bed of a man he'd tried to kill on a regular basis for the last few years.

'You smell bad.'

'I smell like I've been living rough, big deal.'

'Shower. I'll try and figure out what the Hell's been going on since yesterday and work out what to do.'

He got up slowly from the bed and touched his hair again, feeling the unevenness and groaning. Spike let out a chuckle and Angel whirled on him, prepared to morph into game face. Spike held his hands up and got up out of bed, grin still firmly in place.

'Don't fret Peaches, you can fix your hair whilst I shower.' He slid his coat off and dumped it on the chair, before raising a wink to Angel. 'You can come and watch if you like.'

That did it.

'Shower Spike. We'll talk later.'

Spike chuckled and moved into the bathroom, shedding clothes along the way. No one could ever accuse him of being a neat freak. He guessed that Angel would pick them all up - his fastidiousness was legendary. As he climbed into the shower and wondered how he was going to turn it on, Angel's big hand reached round and flicked the switch. Jumping slightly, Spike turned to look at his sire, who sported a decidedly familiar grin before leaving the room.

'Bloody hell,' he muttered as the vampire left, wondering if Angel knew what effect that smile had on him. The water cascaded down on his head and he stepped back briefly as it heated up. It felt good to have such warmth on his skin. He craved it now, this long forgotten heat that enveloped his body. He thought about Angel and how he had made love to the Slayer. What had that been like, feeling that warmth around the coldness of the corpse he inhabited?

How could he have compared to that tasty bit of flesh?

Sighing, he reached for the soap and washed himself, realizing with a groan that he was going to end up smelling like the poof after all this. Time for a bit of Sid.

Angel stood in the bedroom, picking up the clothes Spike had dropped. He lifted them to his nose and pulled a face, wondering when he'd last washed any of them. Angel reached into the armoire and pulled out a shirt and a pair of jeans, knowing and not wanting to know that the jeans would be too big. He pulled out a vest and a pair of socks before pausing at his boxers. The dark vampire wasn't sure what would be more disturbing - Spike wearing his boxers, or Spike wearing his jeans without boxers.

There was a certain stirring in his own pants and he immediately turned his thoughts to Byron, questioning if the man had ever truly suspected he knew a vampire, or if it was just the drugs kicking in. Nope, Byron had been pretty cute, and that wasn't helping. Okay.bad things to think about - soul; regret; penance.okay, yeah that was working. No lust present now.

Oh dear, Spike was singing.

'I am an antichrist I am an anarchist don't know what I want but I know how to get it I wanna destroy the passer-by 'cause I wanna be anarchy no dogs body anarchy for the UK.'

Angel shook his head, he'd never been a fan of punk, he'd barely been able to listen to it, but Spike seemed to have relished the rebellion, loving the up-yours sign to the establishment in Britain. He's always rebelled, always been something other than the average, and Angel had enjoyed it. They had been friends as well as lovers back in those days. Okay, stirring in his boxers again, not good. Not helpful. They had killed, (that helped!) and fed off as many humans as they could, Spike growing pleasantly plump and Angel feeling slightly bloated. If it had been Spike's choice, they'd pick off some rich bint or some stupid aristocratic fop, the younger vampire venting some deep resentment on the upper class.

'I thought it was the UK or just another country another council tenancy I wanna be anarchy I wanna be anarchy oh what a name I wanna be anarchy know what I mean? and I wanna be an anarchist get pissed destroy!'

Angel threw the clothes into the laundry basket and carried the clean ones to the bathroom, the door pulled closed as he'd exited. Spike was in there, washing. Yes, you know that, he murmured to himself, why are you even bothered by it? He's only here until you find out what the problem is and work out what to do about it. But.he's naked.and soapy and.okay, definite problem here! I'm just going to leave his clothes outside and walk away. Right, that's the right thing to do, just leave him alone and fix us both something to eat. And I'm walking away.now.

He opened the door.

Spike blissfully sang his way through the bubbles, shampoo mixed in to his hair and plastering its platinum mass to his forehead. Soap did indeed run the whole way down his body, making interesting parts of his body appear and disappear as it slid its way to the floor. He stood under the cascading water in total comfort, feeling happier than he had in weeks. He wasn't as bothered by the simple pleasure of washing as his sire, but he couldn't deny its luxury after days of discomfort and pain. He swayed pleasantly, letting it reach every part of his body and decided that when he'd sorted all this out, he'd get a shower and a bloody great bath, something that he could fit loads of people in.start having some bloody fun again.

Angel was not having fun. He stood in the doorway with his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he struggled to swallow the drool Spike elicited. He'd never seen any man take a shower and he didn't know how damn erotic it could be. His childe, standing there, water washing over him and that soap.he felt faint. His cock had sprung to attention and no amount of persuasion was going to get that to lie down. Not when he could see the vampire in front of him, pale flesh glistening as he got clean. It's a good job I can't lose my soul just for thoughts, Angel thought, the demon would be back on the spot.

Spike finally sensed the presence in the room and opened his eyes, only to see Angel standing in front of him like some naughty schoolboy. It was obvious from his very expression that he was hard, painfully hard by the look of his pants and Spike grinned, pleased that the effect was mutual. His balls started to throb and he cast a glance wickedly at the soap, wondering if Angel was up to a joint shower yet. It was worth a go.

He was about to ask when the phone rang.

Angel started at the sound, so lost was he in his fantasy. He cast one more look at Spike, then fled the room, dropping the clothes on the towel rack, racing away from his desire and toward the phone. He picked it up quickly, wondering who it was before his mind kicked in and reminded him of the call he'd been so nervous about last night.

'Angel?'

'Yeah, speaking.' He said, hoping the lust was absent from his voice. The voice on the other end was slightly tearful.

'It's Cordelia.'

'Oh. Right? Is everything all right?'

A sob.

'Oh Angel, it's terrible, I don't know how to tell you this.'

Angel drew in a breath he didn't need, listening to Cordelia cry on the other end of line in Sunnydale. Spike stepped out of the bathroom, a towel casually slung around his waist. He caught the pained expression on Angel's face and walked over, unthinking and laid a hand on his sire's shoulder. Angel felt it and touched his fingers to the oddly comforting hand.

'Tell me.'

*

'Some demon's taken over Doyle.'

'What?'

Angel blinked, unable to take in what the young girl was saying. He unconsciously rubbed Spike's fingers as he tried to figure it out.

'Tell me what's going on?'

Cordelia sobbed some more and Angel stared at the phone, willing it to explain the problem. There was some mumbled conversation and he struggled to pick up words, but he heard 'Doyle' and 'Spiky face' and 'vengeance spirit' and tried hard to put the words together. Cordelia was getting increasingly upset by the whole thing, her wailing getting louder and more piercing in his ear.

'Cordelia, stop a moment, take a deep breath.'

He heard more sobs and then a snuffly sound, which he took to mean she was trying. After a few of these, there was no wild sobbing and he thought it safe to talk.

'Cordelia, did I hear you right? You said that Doyle has been possessed by a "spiky faced demon"?'

'Yes! That's what I've been telling you!'

Angel laughed and turned round, his eyes meeting Spike's. The blond vampire was still dripping from the shower, his hand removed from Angel's shoulder and a wry look on his face. Angel focussed on the water that slid down his forehead and dripped down the side of his face, gathering on his chin in a plump droplet. He couldn't take his eyes off it and when it dropped, he followed its path down the vampire's chest and down.to the towel.that covered his.

'Angel? What are you laughing at? I'm here talking about some demon that's taken over Doyle and you're laughing like a loon! What is with you?'

Gulping and shaking his head, Angel looked away quickly, but not before he caught the grin on Spike's face. Damn Spike, damn him for being so damnably, bloody.irresistible. No, I'm not thinking like this. I'm not. I'm not thinking for one second about Spike, or his body or taking him right here and.No! No! No! I'm not going there! Listen to Cordelia. Tell her the truth. About Spike? No! Tell her about Doyle, stop her trying to get Buffy to kill him. Right, sorted it out. Then why is your body shaking? And why is your cock.

'Cordelia,' he said before he lost all control, 'did Doyle try and tell you something when you went to Sunnydale?'

'Well yeah, he told me that we had to warn Buffy and help her, again! I mean, didn't I do enough for her when I dated that loser Xander? Don't my needs ever get talked about?'

'Anything about him being a demon?'

There was a pause and Angel heard Spike's throaty chuckle as he listened to the conversation. He heard the vampire leave the room and head for the bathroom, presumably to pick up the clothes that Angel had dropped there earlier. He quashed the voice in his head that yelled 'Shame!' and tried to calm the girl on the other end of the line.

'He's a demon? And you knew? What do we do about this?'

Angel smiled gently and stopped as Spike moaned loudly at the ill-fitting jeans.

'Angel? Is someone there with you?'

'Hmmm? No, I have the.er. TV on.'

'Oh. So.Doyle's a demon? And you seem okay about this?'

There were more expletives coming from the bathroom and Angel turned his back, desperate to try and erase the image of a half-dressed Spike that hung at the forefront of his mind.

'Look Cordelia, I'm gonna have to go, something's come up here, but Doyle's a half demon, he's one of the good guys, believe me. Nothing nasty that we have to charge for, okay? Just give him a chance, ask him about it. He'll tell you. I have to go now.'

'Angel? Don't you want to know about Buffy?'

Spike stepped out of the bathroom and put his hands on his hips.which were bare - Angel's jeans hanging down so far that fluffy blond hair was visible. They were too long as well, hanging down under his feet giving him a child-like effect.making him look awfully.cute. Angel followed his gaze up Spike's body, watching as the impatient vampire pulled the vest over his head and wondered if his jeans were so loose, how were they staying up at all. He dropped his eye line back to Spike's hips and let out a barely audible gasp as he saw the tell-tale bulge in his jeans.

'Angel? Buffy?'

Spike looked at him and saw the almost desperate look on his sire's face, the deep need which burned there and that Angel struggled to deny. Rubbing his tongue inside his lip he slowly turned around, giving Angel a twirl, wondering if the other vampire would manage to control his lust, or if Spike was going to have a far better night than he'd envisaged. Angel watched with a barely controlled hunger and when he saw the peak of the tattoo on Spike's left cheek, he closed his eyes and remembered the day he'd had it put there.

'Buffy?'

The Slayer was the furthest thing from his mind right now, but he forced himself back to the present and spoke in what he hoped was a decisive voice to Cordelia. Strange to think that in the evening he'd been aching for news of her, and now, she was just an instrument between him and that beautiful flesh on the opposite side of the room.

'Is she okay?'

'Well yeah, Doyle spiked out and they killed all these Indian things.oh and a bear.'

'She's fine then?'

'Yeah.boy Angel, for a guy who was so "I can't be around her because I care too much", you don't sound interested at all!'

'I'm not' almost fell out of his mouth before he bit down.

'I'm just.I have to go Cordelia. I'll talk to you when you come back.'

He put the phone down before he let slip anything else. That would look good wouldn't it? Hi Cordelia, yes I know that yesterday I was all wound up in Buffy and worrying about her, but that was before Spike came back. And he wasn't trying to kill me, but Dear God, if I don't manage to stop thinking about fucking him, I may just go crazy.

Yeah, that would go down really well.

Spike started laughing.

'You know mate, if you don't start loosening up, you might as well be dead.'

'We are dead, Spike.' He said flatly, hoping his voice wasn't the adolescent squeak he felt like.

The blond rolled his eyes and lifted up the shirt Angel had given him, sliding it onto his shoulders and wondering if he'd be able to get his own clothes washed and cleaned soon. It was one thing arousing the boss by flashing a bit of the old skin, it was another falling over your own pants. He bent down to slide the socks on, growling as the jeans slid down his thighs.

'Oh I can't wear these!'

He stood up and pulled the jeans down and off, not hearing the silent moan that came from Angel's lips. He sat back down and pulled the other sock on, unmindful of the cock that slapped happily against his belly. Angel stood up quickly and walked into the bedroom, returning with a pair of his silk boxers.

'Put these on. I'll get your clothes laundered.'

'Thanks Love,' said Spike with a grin, 'you always did know how to take care of a man.'

Ignoring the deliberate innuendo, Angel put the mugs in the microwave and clicked on the timer. He wasn't going to think like this. Okay, he had Spike semi-dressed now and everything covered up, no danger there.yeah, right, keep telling yourself that and the hard pounding in your pants will go away too.

Yeah.

Right.

Ping!

Angel took both mugs out and passed one to Spike, sitting down at his broad kitchen table. He decided that he'd better find out what the deal was before he slipped up and shagged the man. Oh no! Shag the man? That was pure Spike.he needed to sort this out now!

'So,' he said, taking his first sip, 'How come you've not been feeding?'

Spike slurped a big mouthful back and turned, game face in full play and a blood moustache coating his lip. Angel found it oddly endearing.

'The bastards that zapped me, they put something in my head.'

'What?'

'I don't know! If I knew do you think I'd be here, begging for,' he paused and looked at the mug, 'pig's blood?'

'Guess not.' Said Angel, trying to bite down on the smile that threatened - Spike looked so damn horny when he was angry. Any minute now he'd get up and pace the room.wearing Angel's boxers. Oh please?

'So you can't bite?'

Three.

Two.

One.

Spike got up and started to pace. Yes, thought Angel happily, watching as the silk clung to his childe's thighs. Spike took another drink and spat out every vile thing that had been done to him.

'I can't bite, I can't even kill someone! It's so bloody annoying. I went to that stupid cow Harmony and she wouldn't even give me someone to eat.'

'Harmony? Cordelia's friend?'

'She got turned mate, where have you been?'

Angel shrugged and gestured to Spike to go on. Man he looked good, that blood was flushing his cheeks. I bet it's warm inside, a voice whispered in Angel's head. I bet that you could slide inside him and it would be so warm right now.

'Shut up.' he said, before realizing that he's said it aloud.

Spike blinked at him.

'What?'

Angel shook his head, 'Go on, I was just thinking about something.'

I bet you were, Spike thought to himself and grinned a little.

'So I figured the Slayer had gone all high tech and I went to find her and give her a little pay back.'

'And what?' asked Angel. For some strange reason, he wasn't bothered in the slightest by Spike's last remark. Maybe it was because he'd evidently not managed to get to Buffy, maybe it was for some other reason.

'She wasn't in her room. The little red head was.'

'Willow?'

'Yeah, her. I didn't hurt her, don't look at me like that!'

'I'm not looking at you like anything.'

'You are, you've got that self-righteous look on! Well, keep your pants on Precious, I didn't hurt her, couldn't even rough her up too much.'

'Why?'

'It's this bloody thing!' Spike exclaimed and thumped his head. 'Everytime I go arrgh!' he said, demonstrating his biting technique, 'I get this pain and I can't do anything.'

Angel laughed.

'It's not bloody funny!'

Angel looked up at his indignant childe.

'No? The Big Bad unable to bite? Sounds like the piggies got you.'

'Huh?'

'Big Bad Wolf.the three little pigs.never mind.'

Angel leaned back and grinned.

'So what happened? You came to me because.?'

Spike looked at him, his blue eyes suddenly sad. It was such a rare sight and it expressed everything that Angel could ask. He had come because Angel was home. And home is the place that, when you have to go there, they have to take you in. He'd heard someone say that once, a little humanity in his vampiric life. But it didn't make it any less true. His instinct to survive had brought him to Angel and Angel had taken him in.

So what now?

Angel sighed and drunk the last of the blood.

'You're harmless then?'

'Well aside from my biting wit, yeah. I can't do it mate.'

He sat down, defeated.

Angel looked at his childe, biting on his lip in a nervous act few saw him do. He couldn't admit, even to himself, how good it felt to have Spike here alone with him. Half his mind was busy working out where he could strip the vampire naked and make love to him, the other half just wanted to take his slender frame in his arms and comfort him. Had it always been this way between them?

He could remember wanting to punish Spike when he had lost his soul. Wanted to take out all his anger at the humanity the Slayer had made him feel. The blond vampire had always managed to retain more of his personality than any other. He was almost human in his affections and Angelus had hated that after nearly a century of suppression. Whatever they had meant to each other once, the soulless creature that lorded his body had been determined never to feel again. He had wanted to hurt and hate and despise. Angelus had only taken Dru because he had known how much Spike would suffer. Anything but human, his demon had demanded, anything but affection.

Spike wasn't like that.

Angel wasn't like that.

He stood up and moved to the other side of the table, laying both his hands on Spike's shoulders. Spike leaned forward at first, trying to pull away from the comfort offered, but it was too hard to reject. He missed this too much and as he leaned back, both vampires let out something between a sigh and a growl. Angel smiled at the acceptance, glad that he could offer solace. A vague plan began to form in his mind.

'You can stay here, with me.until you get sorted, that is.'

Spike smiled silently, then remembered to whom he was talking.

'What? Stay here with you and angst all day? I may be a little.'

'.impotent?'

'INCAPABLE, right now! But I'm still a vampire, I'm not fighting for the good of humanity or anything sappy like that.'

'I didn't offer you a job.' Said Angel, amused, 'I said you could stay.until you'd figured out where to go. Which is, incidentally, anywhere but Sunnydale.'

Spike turned and looked up at him.

'What? You mean I could be your live in.'

'You can stay, or not, Spike!' Angel added quickly. 'It's up to you. And anyway, I like what I do.' He sniffed.

'Oooooh!' Spike whistled, 'Sorry, your lordship, I'd forgotten how into Batman you were.' He dropped his voice to mock Angel's. 'Whenever there is trouble, I'll be there. Wherever people have lost hope, I will provide it, because I'm sooo keen on wearing black and poncing about, whilst girlies fall over thinking I'm sooo pretty.'

Angel simply raised an eyebrow.

'Childish.'

Spike grinned, 'Yeah, but it's true.'

'It is not.' Said Angel, dimly aware that Spike was flirting with him.

'It bloody is. You love it when they bat their eyelashes at you and if it wasn't for that bloody curse of yours you'd be lapping it up, shagging every one that offered a firm thigh and a promise of breakfast.'

Angel began to walk away.

'I don't have to listen to this.'

'Why not? It's true. You're so desperate for a shag that you're permanently hard! Tell me you're not.'

Angel growled slightly and moved toward his bedroom, determined to get away.

'Dammit Angel, why do you always have to be such a wanker?'

Angel whirled round, angrier than he'd been in a while and ready to snap. But Spike didn't look as if was just provoking now, he looked genuinely concerned. He looked bothered that Angel lived in a constant state of unfulfilled desire.

He cared.

Man did Angel look horny when he was angry, thought Spike. Everything was tensed and pumped and.oh I want to know if his cock is as hard as mine. I wonder if we could do something without his bloody curse getting in the way. And that was a surprise. He didn't want Angelus back, his long time lover and fellow fiend of the night. He wanted to ease Angel's suffering. He wanted this version of the dark vampire, silly brooding feelings and all.

The sad look which now fell over Angel's face hit Spike deeply. He wanted to take the pain away. He sighed.

'Come on Soul Boy, let's go do something fun. Hell, I might even be up to helping you keep up your Batman image.'

'I'm not trying to be Batman.'

'Yeah, right Bruce, come on. I'll buy you a drink.'

Angel looked pointedly at Spike's lack of pants.

'Despite this being LA, I think you're going to have to put some pants on.'

'Fine!' exclaimed Spike. He picked up the jeans he'd dropped earlier and pulled them on, the waist still too wide. He picked up his won belt and threaded it through, grumbling as they felt too loose and baggy. Angel bent down and rolled up the hem, a shudder of pleasure crossing his face as his fingers brushed against Spike's ankle. How could he have forgotten the pleasures of touching this man? How could he ever have convinced himself, even as Angelus, that hurting Spike was more fun?

He stood up and looked at his watch - two in the morning. A drink sounded good. He could always drown his sorrows that way. Worked as well as any other method he'd come up with.

'Come on then.'

'You buying the drinks then?'

'I thought you offered to buy me one?'

Spike grinned.

'Left my wallet in my other pants.'
 

*
 

'I could have had him.'

'Yeah, sure you could Angel.'

'I could!'

Spike grabbed tighter hold of Angel's wrist, balancing the larger vampire over his shoulders. Angel wasn't exactly drunk, but he was nowhere near sober either. They'd been in the bar for little over an hour when the drunks had come in. College boys by the looks of them. All balls and no brains, trying to get laid in the big City. It didn't look as though they'd had much luck so far, so they'd got drunker and nastier, trying to take out their aggression on anyone who got near.

By this time, Spike and Angel were growing merry down one end of the bar, talking about things they'd seen. Well, Angel was talking about the sights they'd seen, Spike tended to relate everything to who he'd killed whilst he'd been there. Not one for false modesty, Spike. By unspoken agreement they'd watched the football, Spike complaining that it wasn't violent enough for his taste. He only got excited when some poor sod in the crowd got crushed in the drama. Spike was the only one who booed when the paramedics came to take him away.

Angel had been rolling his eyes in a 'Children will play manner' when one of the college boys had walked past and laughed at Spike's haphazard ensemble. Spike hadn't noticed and was calling the bar tender to get another round in when the boy in question tapped him on the shoulder.

'Your Mom get you dressed this morning?'

Spike half-turned, it had been so long since a human other than a member of the Scooby Gang had insulted him. He looked the frat boy up and down and decided that since he couldn't bite him, he wasn't worth worrying about. Spike turned his back and leant over to get the bar tender again.

Sharp fingers prodded him in the back.

'I was talking to you.'

Spike sighed and tilted his head to Angel.

'Couldn't you just kill this one for me and I'll drink when he's dead?'

The older vampire shook his head slowly, no humour evident in his face. He was debating whether to get Spike out of there or beat the crap out of this boy. He glanced up and saw the boy's friends, drunk and more than happy to fight. He could take them out without them getting too hurt, although something in his head wasn't exactly bothered by the thought of that. But he was a little worried about Spike. He knew that the vampire couldn't kill anyone, but he had no idea if he could still fight.

Best not to find out just yet.

'Come on Spike,' he said, 'Let's go.'

'Oooh!' laughed frat boy, 'Your boyfriend taking you home?'

Spike raised an eyebrow.

'He's not my boyfriend.'

'No? Cause you two look all cozy there and.'

'He hasn't asked me yet,' said Spike with a grin.

Angel glanced at Spike, surprised. He'd expected some kind of comeback from the vampire, but this had taken him aback. Spike winked and he stuck his lip out, sucking on it and wondering how to respond. It had been so damn long!

He settled on the grin that shot wicked shudders down to Spike's roomy pants.

'Well I didn't know how you'd answer. I've been hurt you know.' He said, half-mocking something his childe had once said.

'Really? Well baby, you'd better let me kiss it better.'

Spike leant over and landed the softest kiss on Angel's mouth. Despite the situation and the knowledge that this was all for show, Angel responded with as much passion and desire as he could muster. His lips parted and he accepted the tongue that probed forward, tasting the slightly salty tang of his childe's mouth. He stroked Spike's face with the side of one hand, feeling the all too familiar throb in his pants as his own tongue joined in the kiss, swirling over and under the coolness of the mouth that kissed him.

Spike was lost in the moment, oblivious to anything other than the feel of Angel's kiss, something he'd never experienced. He'd kissed Angelus many times, but that had always been borne of hunger and desire. This was nothing short of tender, his sire stroking his face, responding not only to his plan, but to his touch and passion. He wanted Angel, it was that simple and he could feel his entire body beating to the same rhythm, wanting to show this man how good it could be between them, wanting to show him how much he loved him.

'That,' said frat boy with distaste, 'Is the grossest thing I've ever seen.'

Angel broke away briefly, his eyes opening and matching the desire he saw in Spike's.

'Matter of opinion boy.'

'Yeah? You fags make me sick.'

Spike grinned.

'Fags? We're not fags love.'

He turned to the group, his demon side very evident.

'We're something much worse than that.'

'Shit!' yelled frat boy and backed off. 'You're fucking freaks!'

Spike slid off the chair and walked to the door, his adrenaline, what there was of it, pumping. He held it open for Angel, waiting for the tall vampire to follow him. Angel, who had still not recovered from the intensity of that kiss, stood up and walked toward Spike. He was so preoccupied, that he didn't hear someone behind him pick up the stool he'd been sitting on. He didn't see as it flew through the air, heading toward Spike. He only saw it when it hit and forced Spike into the doorframe.

Angel growled as his mate was hit and he turned back to the boy who had thrown it, game face firmly in place.

'You shouldn't have done that.'

'What? Worried we hurt your boyfriend?'

'He's a vampire, he'll heal.' He picked up the offender in one hand, 'You. Won't.'

Spike rubbed his side as he watched Angel start throttling the boy. His smile grew at the sight, he loved violence and his sire defending his honour, sort of thing, made grin beyond measure. Then his goodwill sank, as he realised the angst Angel would go through if he killed him. As much as the little shit deserved it, he wasn't going to have Angel brooding about the worthless thing's death. Angel didn't deserve it.

With a groan and a mumbled, 'I don't believe I'm doing this', Spike stepped up to Angel and laid a hand on the arm that choked frat boy. Angel looked at him and Spike read the anger and hurt that rested there. He gestured to the struggling youth and shook his head.

'You want me to let him go?'

'Not worth it mate.' Spike said flatly, hoping that his reasoning was clear to Angel. 'He'll just give you indigestion.

Angel blinked at Spike, wondering where this humanity had come from. It just wasn't like his childe to stop aggression. He had always been the first one in a fight and the last one out. Then it hit him. Spike wasn't worried about the boy at all, he was concerned about him. He didn't want Angel's soul to suffer. Touched and aroused at such consideration, Angel lowered frat boy down and dropped him to the floor.

'Come on mate, let's go home.'

Angel nodded and they walked out of the suddenly quiet bar.

Which was when the flashy sports car had soaked them both as it drove through the puddle.

Angel had been quite pissed off after that and more than willing to go back inside and beat further amounts of crap out of the frat boy and his friends. It had taken all of Spike's strength to get him back to the apartment without beating anyone up.

He was still ranting as they passed through the office, the usually silent vampire uncannily verbose as the alcohol passed through his system. Spike had listened to most of his ravings in good faith, still high from Angel's automatic defense earlier. They were both soaked to the skin with the dirty water and Spike, normally happy to have a wash a couple of times a week, found himself considering his second shower in the past six hours.

Of course, this time he could take Angel with him.

Which made all the difference.

'Shower mate?' asked Spike as Angel touched the griminess of his hair.

'Urgh, yeah, I hate this. It's what's bad about this town. The dirt and all. You can never get it out of your hair or off your body, or your clothes.'

'Angel, shut up!' said Spike as he sensed another tirade beginning. 'It doesn't bloody matter!'

Angel paused and looked at his childe. He'd been feeling quite light headed from that kiss and he suspected he might be over-compensating by talking too much. But that kiss.It had been so good, so intense and he had wanted so much out of it. However much Spike flirted, he thought that he was simply reacting to his memories of Angelus and he was neither able nor wanted to be that vampire again. He didn't want to be a substitute for someone else. He didn't want to make love to Spike and have him thinking about Angelus.

But if Spike kept looking at him like that.

'The shower,' he mumbled, 'That was what you said, right?'

'Yeah,' said Spike, 'So that your beautiful hair can regain that perfect shine' he added in falsetto.

'Very Cordelia.'

'Very you.' Pointed out Spike, 'But since I don't fancy watching you fall into a drunken stupour in there, I'll wait in here until you're done.'

'I'm not that drunk,' complained Angel.

Ummm, hello Angel, what the hell are you talking about? This is your opportunity to see if he really wants you. Don't you think he knows that you're not that drunk? He wants to get your kit off and he's as horny as you. Just, for once in your existence, let it go. Let the night go where it wants.

I can't.

I can't risk it. I might lose my soul.

He'd make you that happy?

Angel paused and considered it.

He'd make me that happy.

His inner voice quieted a moment, before reminding him quietly, the powers that be wouldn't lose you so easily again. If you had been in danger, they would have told Doyle.

True.

'Oh for God's sake!' said Spike, 'Just get in the bloody shower!'

Angel moved to pull his coat off, then glanced suspiciously at Spike.

'Don't worry Peaches, I won't watch.'

Angel felt his heart sink and growled quietly to himself. He shouldn't be so bothered. It was only Spike and it was only a shower. Just a way of getting clean.or dirty, the little voice suggested. I am not going to think about that, I'm just going to have a shower.

Wash that man right of my hair.

Great - show tunes.

I am so not good at this.

Angel stripped off his clothes as Spike stared pointedly at the door. He dumped most in the basket and draped his coat over the chair in the bathroom. He stepped into the cubicle, denying like mad that he'd just calculated whether it was big enough for two as he turned the water on. Hot water soon gushed out and he felt his tension ease slightly as soapy water pulsed down his body. God, that felt good. It would feel even better if it was Spike's hand instead of.I'm not thinking about that!

He heard the wolf whistle as he started to soap down his cock.

Angel opened his eyes, and saw Spike watching him, naked as the day he was born, his cock hard and throbbing. Oh man!

'I thought you weren't going to watch?' he managed.

Spike grinned, almost wolfish in his desire.

'I got bored.'

Angel smiled at that.

'You always were impatient Will.'

Spike let out a sigh - it had been so long.

Angel bit down on his lip and then raised a hand to his childe.

'Come on then, let's get you cleaned up.'

Spike stepped easily into the shower, feeling the larger man pressing against him in the small cubicle. He grinned again as he heard Angel moan gently, suspecting it had been a long time between intimate caresses for him as well.

'I don't usually wash as much as this.' He said casually.

'I can tell.'

'Oi! Just cause I'm sharing a shower with does not mean you can get all personal with me!'

'Really?' asked Angel as he turned, 'I thought that was exactly what it meant.'

Blimey, he really is a big bugger, thought Spike as Angel's mouth descended on his once more and he stretched his arms up to hold the vampire closer. Angel pressed against him, his need all consuming and the desire to take Spike in his arms greater than anything had been before. He sunk his tongue deep within his childe's mouth, kissing and caressing the lithe body as if there was no tomorrow. He could feel Spike's hard cock pressing against his belly and wanted to touch, to taste, to make love to this creature who he wanted so badly.

Spike felt Angel's hands caress his waist, stroking and squeezing and teasing at the flesh that tensed under his touch. He wanted more, so much more from Angel and thought with a certain amount of wonder that he had never felt anyone make love to him like this. Not even Angelus. Stroking his fingertips down the sides of Angel's face, Spike drew his mouth slightly away and kissed around the lips which tried to recapture his at every contact. His cock pulsed hard, feeling the hot liquid slide down both their bodies. His balls throbbed and he had never felt so bloody good in his entire existence. Making love to Angel was erasing the loss of Angelus with a fierceness he wouldn't believe.

Angel spun him round suddenly, his hands playing lightly with the supple skin. Spike smiled softly as he guessed what Angel was looking for and put his hands on the wall, enjoying his sire's inspection. Angel traced little patterns down his lover's body, each detail learned anew, seemingly perfect under his fingers. He ran his thumb down the prominent backbone, watching with pleasure as Spike shuddered. As he reached Spike's waist, he drew both his hands down and heard the huge gasp as he stroked the lines of his ass.

And there it was.

His mark.

The matching tattoo to his, etched across the cheek of his favourite childe.

'You're mine' he had once told him and it still made sense to the dark vampire. And Spike had agreed. He'd taken him to some frightened tattoo artist as Angel watched his mark being drawn across his ass. When it was over, Angel had sucked the tiny droplets of blood and they had left the frightened artist alone as payment for such fine work. He'd loved seeing it then, and he laved it with his tongue as he renewed his claim.

'Mine', he murmured.

'Yours' came the breathless reply above him.

Angel paused as he kissed the tender tissue, wanting to make love to Spike, but desperate not to be like Angelus, not to just take. He stood up, his erection brushing against his childe's ass, enough to entice, but not to enter. He had something he wanted to say before that. Angel turned Spike around slowly and lifted his hand to cover Spike's. Water cascaded over the blond hair, the puzzlement along with the desire in the blue eyes. Angel drew Spike's fingers up, resting them gently over his still heart.

'Yours.' He said slowly, deliberately.

Spike blinked a moment, unsure what Angel was saying, not daring to guess what he'd just meant. But Angel's eyes were clear and open. It was all there in his expression, something he was one of few people to see. He swallowed deeply and then looked at Angel again. There was something close to contentment in his eyes and Spike wondered absently if this little encounter might end with him losing his soul.

Better make the most of it then.

'Mine.' He said firmly.

Angel grinned.

Spike smiled and kissed him lightly.

'Now will you fuck me?'

Angel threw back his head and laughed, the directness thrilling him.

'Yeah, let's have a little fun.'

'A little fun? Angel love, I've always had all the fun going! Otherwise, it's just not worth it!'

Angel grinned again and leaned forward.

'Turn around,' he murmured breathlessly.

Spike grinned.

'You just want to look at your handiwork.'

'True, but I'm going to do far more than that.'

Picking up the soap, Angel watched carefully as the water ran down Spike's back. He lay the smooth bar on his lover's back and let the suds build up. He could feel the tension gathering as Spike shifted from foot to foot, his ass bobbing appealingly in the wetness. As he judged his childe couldn't take anymore, Angel slid his soapy hand down the slick cheeks, reaching for the puckered hole he'd not been near in nearly a hundred years. Spike moaned hard against the ceramic tiles, his desire rising and his hips tilting back for more.

Angel slid a finger against him, wanting to move slowly, wanting to prolong this intensity. The digit slipped inside and both men groaned at the tightness. Sliding it in and out of the throbbing passage, Angel let his other hand stray to the heavy sac under Spike's cock. He let it roll between his fingers, easing a second one inside his lover, wanting to please and be pleased. Spike pushed back against Angel's hand, wanting to be as open as he could be when he felt his sire push inside him. He hadn't expected the care and attention to his body and smiled as he was reminded again that it was Angel who was making love to him.

As the third finger slipped into the tight hole, Spike groaned loudly, pushing back as hard as he could, feeling it nudge against the sensitive gland in his ass. His balls were being manipulated with a careful skill, one he wouldn't have expected Angel to use. Angel's hand slid up, stroking the tender length of his cock, rolling the tips of his fingers up and over the head, eliciting moans of pleasure from his childe. Spike felt the fingers slip away and sighed softly, trying to spread his legs a little, waiting for the thick cock to slide inside him.

Angel kissed the delicate flesh of his lover's neck and stroked Spike's cock in rhythm with his won. He didn't think he'd last long, so strong was the desire to cum, but he wanted to wait, to make this last as long as possible. As the tip eased into the tightness of his ass, Spike howled with pleasure, a sound he hadn't made since the last time he'd been so intimate with this body. No one else had ever come close. With one long push, Angel felt his balls slap against Spike's thighs and moaned gently into the slender neck. It felt so good!

Spike grinned.

'You like that huh?'

Angel pushed into him deeply.

'You talk too much.'

They both groaned and Angel began to build up a rhythm, matching each stroke with one on Spike's cock. He experimented a little to find what speed Spike liked best and found that slow but firm seemed to suit him perfectly. He could feel all the tension of the past months leaving his body, flooding away with the water that still soaked them. As he felt the end approaching, he prayed silently that his soul would not leave him. He wanted to do this again, he wanted to be able to love again, giving back to his childe what he had once so cruelly taken.

He felt the pressure in his balls build up and started working faster, hearing Spike beat out the same tempo with breath he didn't need. He felt the cock throbbing in his hands, a smile crossing his face as he brought his lover to orgasm, climaxing himself moments afterwards. He let out a throaty growl of pleasure and felt Spike buck against him, milking his body for everything he had.

Paradise.

As they tried to recover, Angel slipped out and turned the water off. He reached out for a towel and wrapped it around Spike's lower body. He kissed his shoulder softly and wrapped a similar towel around himself. Spike turned, a rare flush covering his cheeks as he stepped out of the bath. They dried in silence, but they both knew what was on the other's mind. Had their moment of passion caused Angelus to re-emerge?

Angel stepped into the bedroom, the stake more visible than ever to him. He put it under the bed and got into it, holding back the covers for his childe. Spike climbed in next to him, wrapping his arms eagerly around his sire, not wanting to talk about the horrific possibility that was oh so real. Angel held him closely and as fatigue overtook them again, a post coital rest that they deserved, prayers were on the lips of both men that nothing would change by morning. And when Spike woke up a couple of hours later, he thanked a God he no longer believed in, that his lover lay at his side, body still entwined with his, a faint smile on his lips. Angel was still Angel and that was enough for him. Although secretly, he confided to himself that it was as he had expected.

It was the stake pressed against his heart that threw him.
 

*

On to 'Who wants to be a Hero'