Shame the Devil (cont.)

Chapter Fourteen

*****

They didn't talk in the car. They sat side by side and looked straight ahead, and Xander hoped that Spike couldn't tell that he was shaking slightly. 

Spike could tell. 

They arrived at the hotel, and Bill opened the car door. They dismissed the driver, walked into the hotel and took the elevator to the penthouse. Xander swiped the keycard and opened the door, gesturing for Spike to precede him into the room. He shut and bolted the door, making sure that the "Do Not Disturb" sign was hanging from the knob. When he turned from the door, Spike was standing by the bar, looking at him and Xander caught his breath audibly. 

The vampire's eyes were shining, but his expression was serious. Xander walked to him and stopped a foot away. Spike smiled gently, but didn't move. 

Xander raised one hand and brushed it lightly over Spike's prominent cheekbone. "Spike... could you..." he stammered, and suddenly they were in each other's arms. Xander found that his memory was correct - the vampire's soft curls fit neatly in the crook of his neck as strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist. He ducked his head until his nose touched the top of Spike's head and inhaled and exhaled deeply for a moment. He could feel the brush of Spike's lashes as he blinked against his neck, then he felt a cool dampness as a gentle kiss was pressed there. 

Xander tightened his arms and held Spike's smaller frame against his chest. He crushed their bodies together for a long moment, and then relaxed his hold a little. Spike turned his face up and tilted his head invitingly. Xander canted his head the slightest fraction to the side and they were kissing. The vampire's lips were as cool as the human's were hot, and the contrast made them both shiver. Spike insinuated a hand between them and brought his fingers up to cup Xander's cheek. 

Their mouths slid gently together, each getting a feel for the other before deepening the contact. Xander let the tip of his tongue trace invitingly against Spike's lower lip, and he sighed when the vampire answered it with the touch of his own cool tongue and a soft groan. Xander brought one hand up to the back of Spike's neck and deepened the kiss further. Xander had a secret, and Spike was just finding it out: Xander was a phenomenal kisser. From closet time with Cordelia Chase to a few carefully chosen one-night stands, Xander's kissing prowess had been appreciated by all along the way. 

Xander broke the kiss so he could catch his breath. He pulled back and looked into Spike's hazy, slightly shocked blue eyes. 

The vampire blinked slowly. "Christ, Xan. I'm an idiot," he breathed. 

Xander smiled and tilted his head questioningly. 

"I should have kissed you a long time ago, pet," he continued, "I never would have stopped." He leaned forward and kissed Xander again, slowly and thoroughly. When they broke apart again, they were both panting. 

Xander laid his head onto Spike's shoulder. "Why didn't you?" he asked. 

Spike mirrored the motion, laying his head on Xander's shoulder, turning so his lips brushed the human's warm neck as he spoke. "Was bloody scared to. I haven't had a whole lot of friends, and I didn't want to make things awkward between us." 

Xander put his hands on Spike's shoulders and pushed him out to arm's length. "So, you didn't think the occasional stoned leg-humping was awkward?" he laughed. 

The vampire ducked his head and shrugged. "Dutch courage, pet, or in this case, Bolivian or Chinese. Was the only time I was ballsy enough - and it still didn't work out. You always took care of me, but you never reacted at all." 

Xander raised one hand to tip Spike's face up. "I couldn't. I wanted you, but not that way, Spike. I didn't want to think you could only want me if you were... altered. It hurt too much." 

"Jesus, love," Spike groaned, dropping his eyes. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you like that. As usual, I didn't think." 

"Spike," Xander's voice was soft, and the vampire looked up into shining brown eyes. "Maybe you can find a way to make it up to me." 

Spike's lips curled up into a grin. "Yes, Xan, I think maybe I can make it up to you. Why don't we explore that idea a little bit, yeah?" He reached up and undid a stud on Xander's shirt, sliding the backs of his fingers against the exposed skin in a small circle before moving on to the next stud. He could hear Xander's heartbeat speed up, could see his pulse thudding faster in his neck. He used his hands to spread the sides of Xander's shirt and leaned forward to press a kiss just below the hollow of one collarbone. He moved his lips up and traced the arch of bone with his tongue. Xander shuddered. 

Spike continued opening the studs until the shirt hung open, then eased it from Xander's shoulders, all the while moving from one collarbone to the other, kissing and licking delicately. Xander toed off his loafers and socks, and Spike broke away to pull off his own footwear. He started to unfasten the studs of his own shirt, and Xander was instantly by his side, taking over with shaking hands. Spike placed his hands on Xander's shoulders and leaned in to whisper in the other man's ear. 

"I've got an idea, pet," he said. "I think I know how to make it up to you." He chuckled, and the low sound sent shivers up Xander's spine. "I'm going to work on that - what did Dawn call it - that bulletproof kink of yours." The vampire's shirt slipped off his shoulders and down to the floor. Spike brought his hands to Xander's waist and unbuckled his belt. His lips were still brushing the shell of the human's ear, and he continued speaking in a low growl as he unbuttoned and unzipped the tuxedo trousers, letting them fall to the floor. 

"I want you, Xander. I want to touch you and kiss you. I want every inch of you." Spike pushed against Xander's shoulder, and the taller man stepped out of the puddled trousers and backward. They moved in tandem across the room and through the door of Xander's bedroom, which was illuminated only by the bedside lamp. They continued walking until the backs of Xander's knees touched the edge of the bed. Another gentle shove and Xander was sprawled at full length on the bed, wearing nothing but his black silk boxer shorts. He tucked his hands behind his head and canted his hips up slightly, causing the thin material to cling to the length of his erection, outlining it. Spike hissed at the sight and leaned down to run a finger lightly down the silk-covered bulge. Xander shifted toward the touch and whimpered slightly when it was withdrawn. 

Spike brought his hands to his own belt, unbuckling it and sliding it slowly through the loops before dropping it on the floor. He considered removing his trousers, but decided that having the barrier between his sensitized flesh and Xander's heat was a good idea for the moment. He moved over to the bed and carefully lowered his body to press full-length against the other man. 

"Hello, love," he whispered. 

"Hi," Xander replied, smiling breathlessly. 

"You feel so good," Spike said. He balanced his weight on his hands and allowed his lower body to brush enticingly against Xander's. Tanned arms came up to wrap around slim hips and increase the contact. Spike allowed it for a moment, thrusting his erection against Xander's before pulling back. 

"Don't be in such a hurry. We have all the time in the world. I need you to tell me a few things, pet." Spike's blue eyes looked into Xander's brown ones, and he smiled. "How close to the mark was I with the 'Cherry' comment, Xan?" He laughed softly when Xander flushed. "'s alright, pet - I just want to know where we stand, is all. Don't go getting freaked out." 

Xander smiled sheepishly. "Pretty close, actually. I, um, I've only ever been..." He trailed off in embarrassment. 

"Always been the top? Figured as much; it's a good place to start. Don't worry, you'll get your turn." He laughed again when Xander's eyes began to smolder and his heart rate jumped another notch. "I want you on me, love, in me, breaking me open, owning me. I want all that heat and hardness splitting me, fucking me, crushing me. But you are gonna bottom for me, Xan. I'll have you under me, all hot and wet and open. I swear you'll beg for it, you'll want it so bad. I'm gonna hold you down, tear you apart, turn you inside out. Want to be in you - tongue and fingers, cock and fangs. I want everything." 

Xander's hands were opening and closing convulsively on Spike's hips, but he made no move to wrest control from the vampire. He was enjoying himself too much. Spike's low voice was rolling through him, making his bones resonate with the dark hum of his words. He was so hard his cock was dripping, soaking the silk of his boxers, the hot fluid painting his belly. 

"I want everything," Spike repeated, making sure that Xander was looking him in the eye. "I've spent too many years gettin' it halfway. I know you, Xander, and you know me. You know what I am, what I can do, what I can give you if you'll let me. I'm not going to apologize for my nature." He nuzzled Xander's neck, allowing his game face to come forward and scraping lightly along the human's jugular with a fang. Xander bucked, and Spike could smell the burst of pheromones that wafted up from his hot skin. The heady fragrance of lust swirled around his enhanced senses. 

He shook off his demon visage and kissed Xander roughly, thrusting their bodies together for a moment before pulling back again. Xander groaned his frustration. "I know you're close, love, I can smell it. I can smell your come, building up, so ready to go. You just need a little bit more, don't you? Just a touch, just my hand on you, my mouth on you." Xander trembled harder with each word. Spike drew his tongue up the side of his neck and swirled the tip against the curve of his ear, then moved in for the kill. 

"We're going to do everything, love - everything you've ever wanted. We've got days and days to spend together, and I'm going to spend them learning you inside and out. I want to feel you around me, hot and tight. God, I can't wait to come inside you, can't wait to hear you beg me to fuck you." 

Xander's breath was coming in gasps, and Spike could smell how close he was to orgasm. "Gonna fuck you, Xan, gonna make you scream." It was too much; Xander pulled Spike's hips down to his and rubbed against him roughly once, then twice before his body stiffened and he came, crying out harshly. 

Spike stared into Xander's face, watching the expression of pained ecstasy that swept over his features. His own orgasm rushed through him, taking him by surprise, and he gasped and shuddered before collapsing onto the warm body below him. Xander brought his hands up to cradle Spike's head, carding his fingers through the blond waves before raising his head to kiss the vampire slowly. 

Xander pulled back and smiled. "I can't believe you just talked me off," he laughed. He trailed his hands down Spike's sides, moving one between them, questing. 

Spike laughed shortly and stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "No need, pet. I came when you did. The look on your face..." 

Xander leaned up and captured Spike's lips in a gentle kiss. It was one of those post-orgasm kisses - soft and deep and exciting without being urgent; a perfect coda to the roller coaster ride of the night that preceded it. The kiss faded away, lips moving to brush against the hard planes of cheeks and over chins and eyebrows and cheekbones and jaws, accompanied by soft sighs and small noises of satisfaction. 

Finally, the vampire rolled them to their sides, and then stood to strip off his damp trousers. Xander wiggled out of his boxers and Spike appropriated them to clean them both up. He balled up the soiled garment and tossed it away. Xander shrugged his way under the blankets and held them up for Spike. The vampire settled against his chest, half-lying on top of him as he reached over and turned out the light. 

Xander pressed a kiss to the top of Spike's head, and then sighed happily. Spike felt the vibration as Xander started to giggle. "What's so funny?" he asked. 

"Wordgasm," Xander said, and they laughed together until sleep claimed them.

*****
Chapter Fifteen
*****

Xander awoke with his arms around Spike, his nose buried in the nape of the vampire’s neck, and his morning erection pressed between the firm globes of his ass. His first impulse was blind panic. Mercifully, that passed in an instant, and he gave in to his second impulse – gently kissing the back of the vampire’s neck while pushing his entire body strongly against the lean, cool back. Spike shifted backward, increasing the contact, and Xander let his hand wander down the contours of his chiseled abdomen to brush against his erection. 

Spike groaned as Xander began stroking him while at the same time thrusting against him. They picked up a slow rhythm, Spike pushing forward into Xander’s tight grip and back against his steely hardness. Xander licked, sucked and bit Spike’s sensitive neck the whole time, causing the vampire to arch his head back and keen with pleasure while his hands fisted helplessly in the sheets. 

“Gonna come, Xan,” Spike groaned. “Oh, God, I want to taste you.” 

Xander slipped his other hand between Spike’s neck and the pillow, bringing his wrist to the vampire’s mouth. Spike cradled the proffered arm gently in his fingers and licked at the spot where wrist and hand met, tracing the fine veins there with the tip of his cool tongue. 

“You sure?” he asked. 

“Uh huh. Bite me,” Xander grunted in his ear and stroked his cock even faster in the friction-warmed cleft. Spike morphed into game face and very gently sank his fangs into Xander. The human jerked momentarily at the sharp pain, then gasped audibly at the pleasure that suffused his body, radiating out from the two points where Spike’s fangs pressed inside him. Xander bucked hard against Spike’s body and climaxed, shooting hot jets of come between them. Spike sucked one more time and spilled his own release over Xander’s hand. 

While they both calmed down, Spike continued to run his tongue over the marks from his fangs, licking them long after they’d closed. Finally, after wiping his hand on the sheet, Xander drew his arm back and leaned up to prop himself on his elbow. He rested his other hand on the curve of Spike’s waist, rubbing the indention there with the tips of his fingers. 

“Good morning,” he said. 

“Mornin’, pet,” the sated vampire replied. “Breakfast?” 

“Shower,” Xander said, noting how sticky his chest and belly were. 

“You get in the shower,” Spike said, “I’ll order.” 

Xander kissed him one last time on the neck and wandered off to the bathroom. 

By the time the food arrived, they were both clean and dressed, and if the waiter thought having waffles at 6:00 pm was strange, he didn’t say so. Halfway through their meal, Spike jumped up and went into Xander’s bathroom, coming back with a small bottle in his hand. 

“Here,” he said, tossing it to Xander, who looked at him questioningly. “For your headache.” 

“Thanks. How did you know I have a headache?” Xander asked. 

“Could taste it in your blood – silly mortals and your hangovers,” Spike scoffed. 

Xander washed down a couple of the painkillers with his juice and went back to eating his waffles. He had the fork halfway to his mouth when he dropped it onto the plate with a clatter. Spike raised an eyebrow at him. 

“We’re dumb,” Xander exclaimed. 

***** 

Shortly after sunset, Spike and Xander came hurtling into the Magic Box, hand in hand. As soon as Dawn saw them, she began to squeal. 

“You did, didn’t you?” she asked. 

Spike looked at her and grinned. “Yeah, Bit. We did.” She ran over and hugged him. 

Xander looked fondly at the two of them. “God, you’re like a couple of teenage girls,” he said, laughing when they both stuck their tongues out at him. “Where’s Willow?” 

“Right here,” she said, popping her head out of the office. “What’s up?” 

Xander grabbed Spike and dragged the vampire, with Dawn attached to his other hand, into Willow’s office. “We know how to find out what’s wrong with Giles.” He had to laugh at the completely nonplussed look on her face. 

“How? What? How?” she spluttered. 

“Three excellent questions,” he rejoined, and then laughed out loud again when the petite girl launched herself into his arms. 

They broke apart and she looked up into his face, beaming. “What? How? Tell me, tell me!” 

“Vampires can taste emotions and pain and stuff – Spike should be able to tell what’s up with Giles if he tastes his blood,” Xander explained. 

Dawn clapped her hands excitedly. “Let’s run by Buffy’s – I’ll get my bag. Then we can go to Willow and Tara’s and I can draw some blood so Spike can taste it! Let’s go!” She turned and ran out to the main part of the shop to lock up. Willow turned to gather her things from her desk and missed the significant look that passed between Spike and Xander. When she turned back around, she didn’t miss their clasped hands. 

“When? What? How?” she spluttered again, pointing at their linked fingers. 

“Xander, when I asked you said nothing was going on!” 

“When you asked, there wasn’t,” he told her, ducking his head a little. “It’s new. Like, last night new.” 

Willow enfolded both men in her arms, pulling their heads close to hers on either side. “If one of you hurts the other, I will say seven words that will make your man parts shrivel up and drop off, and I don’t mean that figuratively,” she threatened. 

Xander swallowed audibly. “Upgraded the shovel talk, I see,” he said weakly. 

“Gotta change with the times,” she said, shrugging. She turned and went after Dawn. 

Spike looked at Xander. “She scares the unliving fuck out of me sometimes,” he said. 

“No shit,” Xander replied. They looked at each other for a second, and then Xander leaned in to kiss Spike gently. The kiss was starting to intensify when Dawn cleared her throat from the doorway. 

“As panty-dampening as that is,” she said, “we’ve got a Watcher to cure.” She turned and left the room again. 

“Panty-dampening?” Xander mouthed at Spike, who shrugged and led him out. 

***** 

Giles was happy to have blood drawn, though Spike posited that in his current state the Watcher would have been happy to strip down, paint himself lavender and join a pride parade. Dawn expertly applied a tourniquet, found a likely vein and deftly drew a large syringe full of blood, which she squirted into a small cup and handed to Spike, who tasted it, and immediately spit it back into the cup. 

“Beer me,” he demanded. “That was awful.” Tara hopped up and went to rummage in the witches’ refrigerator for a beer for Spike. 

“So, what’s wrong with him?” Xander asked the disgusted vampire. 

“He’s been poisoned,” Spike replied, taking the beer from Tara with a grateful look and slugging back half of it. 

The others all started talking at once, and all Spike heard was a cacophony of voices. He waited until they fell silent to speak. 

“I don’t know exactly what. The blood loses its potency if it’s not still in the person, and it’s hard to get a read on exactly what’s going on. I can tell you one thing, though – Watcher’s happy as a lark. Whatever it is must have some sort of euphoric effect.” Spike looked over at Giles, who beamed back. 

“Well, I’m glad he’s happy,” Willow said, frowning. “But we really need to fix him.” 

“Spike could just bite him,” Xander said, then slapped a hand over his mouth. 

“Spike could what?” Buffy asked, standing in the doorway with Sia behind her. 

Xander looked at Spike. “Oops?” 

***** 

“A little over six years ago.” Xander’s pronouncement was met with bleak silence and blank stares. 

“OK,” Buffy said carefully. “That answers the when; what about the how?” 

“Brain surgery, Cedars Sinai,” Spike said. The blank stares were back. Spike glanced over at Xander. “This might be fun if it wasn’t so freaky,” he said quietly. 

“You had brain surgery?” Willow asked. 

Spike nodded. 

“How did you do that?” she said. 

“Money talks. The more money, the louder it talks. Turns out almost everyone can be bought,” Xander explained. 

“So, you didn’t need me to get you blood because…” Willow continued, glancing to the side to make sure that Sia and Giles had gone to the back of the house as requested. 

“Because I can get it myself,” Spike said. 

“You don’t drink out of bags anymore, do you, Spike?” Buffy’s voice was toneless. 

“No, Slayer, I don’t.” Spike looked at her unwaveringly. She continued to stare at the hands clasped in her lap. 

She looked up and met his eyes. “But, you don’t kill people.” It was a statement, not a question. 

Xander watched as Spike’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and then smiled a little as the vampire caught himself and turned the _expression into a sly grin. “And what makes you think that?” he purred silkily. 

“I just don’t think you would. Besides, I don’t think Xander would let you.” Her voice was confident, and she gave first Spike and then Xander a penetrating look. 

“You’re not wrong,” the vampire conceded. 

“So, where do you get your blood?” Buffy asked. 

“The bodyguards,” Dawn said, and the others all turned to look at her. 

“What?” she asked. “Haven’t you seen them eat? Those guys are red meat fiends. They each ate half a cow at the party.” 

“They… let you…” Tara stammered a little as she spoke. 

“It’s part of their job, Tara. They’re probably the highest-paid bodyguards on Earth. We recruit them specially – we screen them very carefully; have to make sure they’re healthy, no addictive personality traits, stuff like that.” Xander took her hand as he spoke, and she clutched his strongly as she absorbed the information. 

“So they know Spike’s a vamp,” Buffy said. 

“It’s hard to miss when I’m feeding off of them,” Spike said gently. 

“So, where do you get them?” Willow asked. 
“Cleveland, mostly,” Xander said. 

The others nodded, acknowledging the sense of recruiting people in the know, supernaturally speaking, from the site of the currently most active Hellmouth. 

“I think you’re missing the point here,” Dawn said, looking at Spike. 

He raised an eyebrow at her and waited. 

“You’re telling me that you know a neurosurgeon at Cedars, and you didn’t use that connection to get me an internship there? You suck.” 

*****

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