Splinter

"Oh, great." Angel rolled his eyes when the elevator doors opened and revealed Spike.



Spike looked uncomfortable. "Going down?" he asked.



Angel gave him a 'what do you think, idiot' look but said instead, "You wish."



Spike flung his hands up. "Fine! I'll go down the other lift." However, the mumbled but not concealed "Thank God" stopped him from pressing the button and with a determined sniff and crack of his neck - as if he was attempting battle - he entered the elevator and closed the doors with an angry flick of his wrist. He pointedly looked at the changing numbers so he was startled when they stopped before the ground floor, but the doors didn't open. After a few seconds of nothing happening, he turned his head to the left.



Angel still had his finger pressing on the Stop button. His lips were pressed tightly together. The clenching of the jaw was clear by the bone and muscle clenching beneath the fair skin.



"Why are you doing this?"



The question had come from him unexpectedly. Thus, Spike was speechless for a whole second before his eyes blazed.



"ME? Has luxury really made you 'eccentric', mate? Coz that's bloody bonkers if you ask me!"



Cold eyes turned to him and Spike suddenly wished for a larger elevator. "But I didn't ask you, *Spike*. I asked you, and you know how I REALLY hate repeating myself, why are you doing this, boy?!"



Spike raised his finger. "Now, you misquoted yourself, so that really doesn’t count as a repeat." He raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips in triumph.



"Don't push me, boy." Angel advanced, which wasn't too dramatic because it took less than a two whole steps and he was at Spike's face. “I had a bad day. A bad two weeks, in fact.”



Spike swallowed but, as usual, ignored commonsense and pressed on. "There's your downfall again, *Angelus*. That 'boy' deal. M'not yours no more, remember?"



Golden eyes flashed for a second, growl reverberating in the small lift before Angel closed them tightly and swallowed. He took those couple of steps to the other side compartment.



"Why, Spike?" this time there was a sense of defeat in the query. Spike's defenses all but crumbled down.



"You haven't given me no other choice, now didja?"



"But the Rule?" Brown eyes opened to meet his. Spike was tempted to lower his eyes but held strong.



"So guess you heard. Took Percy less than ten minutes of me out of 'is hair to go squeal to the Boss, eh?"



Angel shook his head. "I have my resources." That was exactly where he had just came down from and the reason he was in a hurry to get out of this cursed building to find something to kill, good thing he had changed clothes before. But he wasn't going to tell Spike all that.



Why did he leave his favorite car out front where his private elevator didn't go? This situation wouldn't be happening if he hadn't done that. But, wait, he had been a little troubled the night before and hadn’t thought about parking down there, and come to think of it, that had been partly Spike's fault as well. "Not that HE was so discreet about it all. Or you."



"Better make the best of a bad situation, right?" Spike shrugged.



Angel laughed. "Bad situation. Who are you kidding, Spike? You could've done worse."



Spike sneered. "Sure I could, you wanker. And he's standing right here. Ray's good to me, and extra, that's more than I could ask for!" The unspoken ‘from you’ was loud and clear in the static filled air.



The blond vampire hissed when his head slammed, meeting the wall. He knew tomorrow when his eyesight had returned he would be able to spot a dent there.



Angel had his fingers tightly pressed into Spike's shoulders effectively restricting his arms. His vampire face was out full force as he growled.



"That's why you're after me like a puppy, then? What do you want from me, Will? Why do you keep pushing my buttons?!"



Spike wanted to answer. He knew if he was able to talk he would have. But he couldn't. And the concussion he had, had nothing to do with that inability. It was more likely due to the vampire stuck to his mouth. Spike always thought a mouth should *always* be used for three things; talking, eating or engaged in a sexual act. And he always followed his own philosophy to the dot.



It was messy with Angel's fangs digging into his lips as Spike returned the kiss full force, although it became messier when his fangs came into play as well. He didn’t know when the other vampire's tight hold on him was gone, but he soon realized it when his skin started to tingle because they were caressing him all over, which was easier now since he didn't have his duster on anymore.



Spike groaned when he felt the hardness pressing against his thigh and skillfully moved his leg so they would both have some pressure. His eyes started to roll back when Angel moved a path from his mouth to his ear. He licked his lips, cleaning the blood off them and tried to push away the thought that a few hours ago, Raven had done the same thing. The difference was that after Angel finished sucking on his ear lobe, he headed downwards - somewhere he had never let Raven near before due to the temptation - to his neck. Spike's breathing started to increase and his eyes snapped open in anticipation.



One bite and all this would be over. No more unspoken-for Claim, no more responsibility with the Rule, no more…



As soon as it had started, it ended. Angel was as far away as the four-walled elevator could allow, eyes forcefully shut and finger almost breaking the Release button from the continuous pressing.



Spike still couldn't get his breathing under control and was busy wiping at his mouth, trying to make sense of the situation.



Before that could happen, there was a ding. The doors opened but neither man got out. And surprisingly, no one had entered. Except that only proved that people had a brain. Walking ten flights of stairs must have seemed quite appealing in the face of two tense vampires who seemed to have been, if their appearances of bruised face, jumbled hair and tousled clothing meant anything, in a big fight.



Neither of them said a word. For once, Spike didn't follow his way of life. He didn't know what to do.



"Forget about this," Angel growled.



And he was gone. That was it. As simple as that.



Spike wanted to slink down the wall and hang his head against it. He didn't want to move. But he couldn't stay there.



He exited and pretended not to notice the people who were looking at him. Pretended that a flustered Lorne asking him if ‘he was okay, did Angel do that to him and is the vampire coming after Lorne next? Because that was an honest mistake and anyone could make it!’ didn’t exist.



Spike didn't hear him. Or he did. But all his thoughts as he exited the building leaving a green demon behind him whispering "Oh, no, he didn't" as if he had come to a sudden revelation, were pointing out the fact that at least Buffy knew what she had wanted. Who knew that he would miss those days?



He had time before the sun rose since he was walking out in the open aimlessly, although he didn't feel up to killing anything.



Maybe Raven had a cool action movie in that big entertainment center of his.









All Angel could think of as he drove his heel into the floor of the Viper and swerved around another corner was that he had smelled like HIM. He tried to wipe it away but he was covered with him. He was HIS. He wasn't Angel's anymore. He never was. He was Angelus' and now he would belong to neither.



Angel was never more thankful for the bad section of town like tonight.







*~*~*~*~*~*







"Okay, Lorne. What was so urgent you had us ditch the out-of-towners, and meet in Wes' office?" Cordelia crossed her arms, her toe tapping impatiently.



"Yes, do tell, Lorne. I have several things I need to review." Wesley looked at the green demon with boredom as their summoner paced from one side of the Englishman's office to the next.



"Yeah." Fred giggled. "Cordy and Xander seemed to be getting really close back in the movies."



"Don't forget Faith eyeing me…"



Cordelia beamed as she interrupted Gunn. "We did, didn't we?" She bit her lip in thought. "That eye patch, tan combo really works for him."



She blinked when a couple of fingers snapped in front of her. "That's great, Princess. Details complete with colorful charts later regarding you and your past fling. Now, we have an *ancient* fling with a whole lotta problems!" Lorne all but screeched.



Cordelia placed her hands on her hips. "What did you do now? And why aren't you playing ostrich hoping Angel won't come after you?"



"I forgot my fave mixed CDs back in my office." Lorne rubbed his head embarrassed. "And I didn't do anything!" he said as an after thought.



"Ri-ight." Cordelia snorted.



"Wait, what did 'Lorney-tones' do?" Gunn asked confused.



"Okay, first," Cordelia said, poking the black man in the side making him cry out in pain. "If you're out of silly nicknames, stop stealing them, especially from Harmony! And Lorne did exactly this," she proceeded to explain what the green demon did.



"Again I repeat… that was based on good intentions!" Lorne exclaimed. "And minute guilty pleasures," he said under his breath.



Fred was worrying her lip. "Angel saw Spike and Raven kissing? No wonder he was upset earlier today." She looked guilty and ignored Gunn's mummers of denial at 'would they stop saying 'kiss' already'.



Wesley pulled her close. "Don't blame yourself for something that isn't your fault, dear. Angel could have approached Spike anytime he wanted before the-- kiss and he didn't."



Gunn groaned.



"Well, to give Angel some credit, I didn't notice him there. But I did notice Raven, and boy was he all designer or what, swoop down the second I left Spike." Cordelia smiled helplessly. "Though what those two were so intently talking about I will never know."



"Maybe I can shed some light onto that matter," Wesley interjected and he did. With as little words as possible to the relief of the others. Gunn commented that fewer vampires killing and needing to be killed was always good. Cordelia said that unless the PTB gave her a ring then she thought it was an excellent idea as well for Spike to use the situation to help. Lorne was frowning in thought and clearly in dire need to speak and Fred worried about Angel.



"Angel claims it doesn't bother him. He has to live with the consequences," Wesley stated with a shrug.



"Which Slim is paying for!" Lorne let out exasperated.



"What?" they all asked.



The demon sighed finally getting their attention. "I was using the second elevator coz the first seemed stuck or something and when I got off I saw Angel storming out from the first one, Spike slowly following him. He seemed ruffled. And so did Angel. But Spike was more bruised and the way he walked…" He shook his head. "I thought Angel attacked him at first… I was too startled to listen to my tinglies but when I did… whoa Nelly!"



The others were listening in horrified silence waiting to hear the rest but when nothing more was revealed someone had to take action.



"What was it?" to all their surprise Gunn was the one who succumbed to pressure.



Lorne frowned in thought. "Don't they always keep track of everything here? Records?"



"Like in the elevator. The camera!" Fred jumped. "It has sound too, so we can find out exactly what happened."



"Wait, guys," Cordelia raised her hand. "Isn't this pushing the privacy envelope too far?"



If they were in the woods, even crickets wouldn't make a sound.



The Hollywood star shrugged. "Just want it on the record that I said that."



"Dually noted." Wesley nodded. "Shall we?"







*~*~*~*~*~*







"Sorry, these are private records. Only the Big Boss can release them."



"Well, we're double B's all hands, so I think he wouldn't mind."



"I think this he would." The man raised his eyebrow meaningfully.



Lorne narrowed his red eyes. "Why not give us a song-" He looked at the nametag. "Johnny Boy?"



The man, Johnny, smiled uneasily. "Well I had this really bad cough this morning maybe…"



"You better be singing or I'll make sure you sing in more unpleasant ways than a sore throat," Gunn threatened in a gruff voice.



After a couple notes of some boy band group that made Gunn want to come true to his threats, Lorne waved his hand for the man to stop. He turned to the others flicking his finger at the seated man.



"He was going to sell the tapes." At their exclamations of outrage, he continued, "Don't worry. He didn't get time make copies."



"Ah, I believe this would be called leverage," Wesley spoke thinly towards the cowering man. "Turn it on before you leave… permanently. And if word circulates about this, I would know who to blame." The man nodded frightened. His hand shook as he slipped in a disk then scampered out.



The gang turned to the screen. They listened to the words, wincing at the right times…



"Damn, that's gonna leave a mean dent. Maintenance has their work cut out for them."



Before…



"Oh my."



"Wow, that's hot."



"Yeah…"



"That movie idea is taking a whole new twist, my eyes are clearer now…"



"I'm never going to close my eyes again."



Then…



"And that folks, is the clincher."



"Oh, no…"



"What the hell?! Angel! Come back, take it back! Oh, boy, he's gonna get an ear full!"



"We can't let him know that we know. He'd flip! I'm never looking at him the same again. I really don't need him knowing I saw that!"



"Oh, suck it up, Charles, it's not like they had sex."



"Wesley!" Cordelia laughed out loud. "Never knew you had it in you."



Wesley smiled back at her but it was dry. "There really isn't much we can do."



Fred said firmly, "Maybe Spike *is* better off with Raven. I really don't know what Angel wants with Spike." She waved her hand at the monitor.



Lorne sadly looked at the currently snow stormed screen, sounds of Gunn destroying the only copy in the background. "Something tells me, Sugar, that the Dark One doesn't know what he wants either."





*~*~*~*~*~*





"Can I come in?"



Raven tilted his head to the side.



"You don't need an invitation." He stepped out and leaned against the door frame.



Spike matched the tilt with his own with an added rub at the back of his head. "Yeah, the vamp vamp thing but…"



"No." Raven quickly took in his visitor's appearance and there was an unnoticeable narrowing around his eyes when he caught Spike wince as his hand touched his head. He skimmed over the bruised, marred face. "You needn't ask. This is your home if you wish it to be."



"Nah, I mean, thanks, I just need a good action filled flick… possibly with a lot of gore?" Spike slipped on his side grin.



Raven pursed his lips as in thought. "Well, it happens that I have a section reserved for just that."



Spike chuckled. Raven grinned and he stood back. "Come in." He waved his hand in a welcome gesture. "You are welcome in my humble abode."



That had Spike scoffing, but he strode inside as if the place was his own. He eyed the decorative charcoal coat hanger somewhat wistfully as he passed it.



"Now." Raven snapped his attention back with a clap. "Popcorn… buttered… not or dipped in blood?" He smirked devilishly.



Spike shook his head in wonder. "Bugger. You remind me of myself … it's bloodcurdling at times!" he said with noticeable amusement, walking with Raven towards the bountiful living room.



There was a falter in the older vampires step. "Uh, not really. I find it to be horrendous, hence suggesting it to you." He spared the blond a side glance full of a leer.



"Cheeky." Spike laughed humorously.



Raven fingered his on display DVD selection, finally stopping on one. He pulled it out and showed the cover to Spike. "What do you think of Angelina Jolie?"



"I think she'd make an appalling vamp." He shuddered. "She'd bite off her lips as soon as she rose."



"My thoughts exactly." The dark haired vampire nodded returning the case.



"You mean…? No, never mind." Spike shook his head before flopping down on the large comfortable couch. "I'm better off not knowing, right?"



"Most likely," Raven said without turning his head his voice not revealing his emotion.



Spike's hand ran over the couch arm in a plainly edgy gesture as he absorbed the penthouse from a different view than the last time he had been there.



"Well, it certainly beats Harm’s brilliant idea of turning Brad Pitt."



Raven laughed as he silkily sat down right next to Spike even though the sofa could take five people comfortably while the Widescreen Television displayed the boring but usual DVD information. "That's Angelus', I beg his pardon, ‘Angel’s’ assistant, I take it?" He observed Spike's stiffening and nodded as if an answer to an unasked question had been given.



The dark haired vampire continued talking as if a strong urge to pay a certain vampire an unsociable visit hadn’t shot through him, "Well, you can't fault the girl. Mr. Pitt presents a lovely sight."



Spike relaxed at the neutral subject and turned his head to look at Raven's face. "You're serious? I mean, I'm not saying the bloke would have me running to sunny hills… but Pitt? I mean at least Cruise was a fun vamp!"



"You can't fault me. I always find myself drawn to blonds with blue eyes and magnificent facial structure." If possible, he drew even closer to Spike. "Though, I had always found him to be lacking somehow."



Spike pushed his tongue against his lower lip but didn't move in either direction. "And I'm betting a Siamese that you met him, mate."



Raven's silver eyes traced the planes of Spike's face. "Yes, I have. Wouldn't recommend it, his uh- lady has him on a short leash.” He shook his head, ignoring Spike’s snigger. “It's only a matter of time for them." He caught Spike's eyes with his own. "Oh, and kittens, Spike? Messy currency that expires, I don't recommend it." With one last thorough glance of inspection that had Spike's eyes darkening, he pulled back.



"Movie's starting. Hope you like Troy. Orlando Bloom is very captivating, nonetheless, I find him more interesting with blond hair and blue eyes."



Spike opened his mouth intending on some snide remark, he really did. But all of a sudden Raven stood up.



"You didn't say how you would like your popped corn?"



Spike opened his mouth, and then closed it. That had been happening a lot tonight. With an amused shake at a superiorly amused Raven he replied, "I think I might pass on the blood spatter tonight."



"Wise choice," Raven said seriously. "Extra salt and butter it is." He headed towards the fully equipped kitchen.



Spike shouted out after him without turning around. "Don't cheap out on the booze!" He felt a need for numbing this evening.



"I think I would know what would go great with this evening," Raven called back still able to sound elegant in doing so.



Spike grinned. A split second later, his face froze. He was stunned at how at home he felt. It should have felt wrong. But it didn't. And somehow that made it even worse.



He didn't know how long he sat there unmoving but when he found a glass shoved in front of his face, he silently took it and chugged back a large swallow. "Good black stuff," he said mechanically as he licked his lip.



Raven leaned back surprising Spike by placing his Italian leather bound feet on the glass table. "I find Guinness to be appropriate. I have the best delivered of course."



Spike twitched an eyebrow as he watched Raven take his first drink from the beer in his hand. His eyes followed the tongue as it mimicked Spike's earlier action but unbelievingly with more grace. He looked up and saw that Raven had been watching him as he did the same.



Spike pressed his lips together, annoyed to have been caught and placed his booted feet on the table in an act of rebellion that had always irked Angel. That was before he remembered that the table was already being used as a foot stool. He was even denied this small rebellion. He glared at Raven who only looked back at him unblinking.



Nearly a minute later and their eyes remained locked.



"Gonna miss Pitt's butt shot." Spike crossed his arms defiantly and waited for Raven's response. The other vampire didn't even twitch an eyelid.



"Not my type."



"Is that so?" Eyebrow moved upwards but amazingly eyes remained steady.



Raven matched the raised eyebrow just as balanced. "Too tanned for my taste."



Another sixty seconds later. "I'm bored stiff here, mate."



"If I ever see you motionless, I'd be sure that Hell is lovely that time of year."



"Hah! You made a joke! Sure that hasn't happened yet?" Spike smirked.



"I'll have you know, I'm very funny. When I choose to be."



"Pretend I just rolled my eyes." Spike tilted his head. "Maybe when you get that superior stick up your arse…"



Raven blinked outraged. "My what…?!" A growl stopped as soon as it started when Spike burst laughing. Leaning against the cushions, Spike was pointing a shaking finger at Raven.



"You are so bloody easy… didn't actually think you'd fall for that!"



Raven frowned confused. "For what?"



Spike sat back up. "Blinked. Therefore, you forfeit. Rules of the game." He nodded firmly.



"Really? And what did I lose?"



Spike scratched the back of his head in thought. "Guess you have to let me shack up here tonight, not in a mood to trek to *my* humble abode."



Raven grinned. "Not much of a loss, is that?" Then he turned his attention back to the blaring set and leaned back. "Besides, I wasn't playing."



Spike scoffed. "Yeah, right. Try to pull that over some other sorry sucker. Why the Hell were you taking an hour to gander at me if not for that?" He caught the small smile on Raven's lips before they were covered by the tip of the glass.



Spike leaned back and watched the tube, hugging himself tighter.



So, so, wrong, that it was right. Would it be really wrong to indulge?







*~*~*~*~*~*







Angel knew his mechanic would have a fit if he realized what kind of tire burns the car was doing right now with him as the purposeful driver at its helm. Good thing he didn't know his mechanic. For all he knew, they had his car changed each time he took it out. That department of Wolfram and Hart's L.A. branch he didn't mess with. Therefore, he didn't care about the damage he was doing to it.



Fuck it all. Nothing was working out like it should. So he made a mistake. Like that was something new. He wanted to make things right. But he couldn't chance it. Spike brought out Angelus closer to the surface even without the curse hanging its devious head over them. Damn Gypsies! Darla should have killed them all.



Was this it? Should he resign the fact that it was over? He had expected Spike to come barging into his office angry at the dismissal like he used to. Like it had always been with the two of them. Spike would yell at him, he would yell back, they would insult each other and then they would sit down to a nice beverage. Something Irish, warm and very strong that would make them forget about… just forget what needed to be forgotten. And maybe remember when things were good, without body counts or blood… other than their own. Perhaps continue where they left off…



But he never came. Angel spent hours and hours under pretence that he was working, piles of still untouched paper stand as witness, waiting for Spike to rant and curse and be his annoying self… but all Angel got that was annoying barging into his office was an uninvited Xander.



If tires could sue… well he still had super charged Gunn.



Another swift turn and he pushed down the brakes making everything squeal in protest. He jumped out of the car slamming the door closed. With wide strides, he approached a brick wall. He held on to the fire escape ladder and climbed it swiftly. His hands making soft taps as they pulled him further up along the cold metal. Reaching a dead end didn't stop him as he scaled the tall building effortlessly. Jumping, he fell on the roof, the high air breeze making his coat flap like dark wings as he marched towards the far edge. He stood by it looking down. The street, even from this high up, was clearly clean. Expensive cars were neatly parked along the street. Trees and bushes were neatly trimmed and night blooms scattered adding a perfect color.



However, he wasn't there to enjoy the scenery. He looked across the street.



His eyes narrowed.



Angel watched Spike and Raven through the large window in Raven's penthouse. He watched as Raven looked knowingly at Spike as they sat in front of the large T.V. Spike seemingly lost in the flick. Angel, seething, observed Raven observing Spike.



With the palm of his hand, Raven turned Spike's face towards him, looked at his face before leaning over. Angel wanted to look away. He knew what was going happen. He had seen this before under a different starry night. It seemed a lifetime ago, but felt like yesterday; nonetheless, he didn’t shield his eyes. This time he didn't leave.



He watched as Spike's eyes widened in what he chose to describe as worry when Raven brought his head to him, for the older vampire was with no doubt breathing in his scent. He watched as Spike opened his mouth in that defensive instant reaction of his. Angel could methodically hear him say, "Not like I carry your claim yet, can snog whoever I please, whenever I please." He waited for him to say that. Waited for Raven to beat him or at least throw him out when Spike uttered those words. But Spike didn't say that. His mouth didn't even move.



Angel couldn't see Raven's face as the Hravolen Master was giving him his back. But obviously Spike saw something in it that made him relax, giving a small shake of his head. To Angel’s surprise, that seemed enough of an explanation, for Raven ran his hand gently over Spike's bruised face before gently massaging his ear.



~ He didn't ask. ~ Angel's eyes narrowed. ~ They sit there… he let him in knowing and still didn't ask. ~



Spike's eyes rolled back in their sockets in response to the attention his lobe was receiving. His mouth then opened the way it unconsciously did when he was being stimulated. Angel could practically hear him moaning from where he stood. He remembered it well. His face remained as emotionless even as his pants tightened.



Raven took no time in recognizing that. He swooped down and kissed Spike. His hands quickly released the sprawled vampire's shirt, no doubt ripping some buttons, and threw it over his head instantly forgetting about it as it landed on a porcelain statue of two lovers entwined facing the window, their gender undetermined due to their tight embrace.



Long fingered hands begun running over Spike's chest tweaking his nipples before his mouth took one of them in.



Spike bucked.



Angel's eyes widened as he took in a Master Vampire, Ruler of an Infamous Line, pleasuring a vampire that was not only a fledgling in comparison but also who was seen as a traitor to his own kind.



Spike lowered his head looking through half lidded eyes at his assailant. With a smirk he pulled at Raven's knees causing the other vampire to fall on his back, presenting a clearer view of Spike's naked top to Angel.



Angel fingers were now knuckle-deep in the roof bricks he had been clutching.



The vampire on the roof waited. Any second now Hrafen would push Spike off and punish him for pulling such a stunt on an Elder. Angelus would. It would end here.



Angel's eyes almost popped out when Raven only raised one hand and pulled Spike down for a passionate kiss as if not bearing to be separated from those smirking lips.



In all the times Angelus and William spent together, Angelus had never allowed the younger vampire to dominate him. Angel felt something inside him harden.



His sources had been right.



He had been foolishly expecting that any minute, Spike would rush in asking, or more likely demanding, for help to get him out of another mess he had gotten himself in; begging him to take him back away from this evil vampire who was tormenting him. That was never going to happen. No vampire worth their Master name would allow a lesser to dictate them, unless…



Unless everything he received about Hrafen and Hravolen was true.



He continued to watch.



Spike leaned in to nuzzle the skin behind Raven's ear. Raven had his hands running up and down over Spike's back urging him, pausing momentarily to dig in the shoulders before scraping down his back causing the muscles to ripple and Spike to throw his head back, blue eyes hidden as his face creased reflecting pain. But Angel knew better. He glimpsed Spike slipping his hand under the dark gray shirt of the vampire underneath him, casually flipping the buttons open with the other.



Angel knew then, it was a lost cause. Spike would never let this go. He had always been dominated. By him--- Angelus, Drusilla, even Buffy, he was sure. They had all held something over Spike, William, it didn't matter. *They* were the ones in control. Raven, however, seemed to be a different case. He could easily dominate Spike, but he didn't. He might initiate the approach but he allowed Spike to take his own pace… which seemed to be working.



Nuzzling the expanse of Rave's throat and moving lower, Spike laid wet kisses on the other man's pale skin before catching his eyes with a heavy-lidded glance.

Raven bucked forward the moment Spike's hand was on him, rubbing through the smooth material.



Spike licked down the bare belly, and opened the pants as he moved down to nibble on a hipbone. Above him, Raven moaned but his head remained steady as he observed the blond's ministrations. He ran fingers through Spike's hair, disturbing the slicked look, and urged him on as the younger vampire's fingers caressed and danced over the slim hips.



Spike stopped. He raised his head only to lower it for another meeting of battling lips.



He loved to kiss. Angel remembered that. His own lips throbbed in demand but he ignored them.



Still suffering from a serious case of lip-lock, Spike slid the pants half off. His lips gleamed when he finally pulled away. He followed his earlier path. He licked down as he went, stopping with a wicked smile to gnaw at the hipbone. He took his time to give everything his attention, almost everything.



Something in Raven's eyes evidently pleased Spike as his smile only got wider. Frustration seemed to be a turn on for William the Bloody. Before Raven's fingers had a chance to pull at the disarrayed white strands, urging the teasing to stop, Spike distracted him with a wiggling pink lip.



In vampire speed the kiss swollen lips were around the other vampire and the pink tongue that had taunted just a split second ago flicked at the head. Opening his mouth and lowering it, Spike sucked, his cheekbones sharpening. His eyelids dropped awhile later as his throat worked.



If he had opened his eyes and looked straight ahead, he would have seen a large brick falling from its place on the roof of the building opposite to the one he was in. And perhaps would have caught sight of the figure responsible. But he didn't.



Angel couldn't watch anymore. He jumped off the other side of the building and stiffly entered his car. He roughly unzipped his pants, and with swift heavy jerks to his already weeping erection, he came silently. His hands clutched at the steering wheel his eyes looking out sightlessly. He pulled his hands off, not noticing the way his fingers had left matching imprints in the leather and yanked out the blanket he kept for emergencies, wiped himself off and with a screech of angry rubber, drove away. He really hoped that they did replace his cars; he had no need of a memento reminding him of this night. The only thought pounding in his head was that he always had to force, to push, Wil—Spike to take him in and swallow him, while Spike did it willingly for Raven.









Less than ten minutes later…







"We didn't do nothin' I swear!" A loud crash as a body was thrown against a mold filled wall. It barely had a chance to stand up as an object came hurtling through the air only to fall in a cloud of dust.



The retreating figure raised his hands. "Okay, okay, so there was the one Minister but he was asking for it, dude, all mocking us with his collar covered neck and everything."



A flick of the wrist was all the warning he received before everything he owned went up in flames.



"Man, what's your issue?! Vamp and fire don't mix. Are you on some sorta death wish or sometin'?" He didn't approach nor make any sudden moves. "Ya know, I was a major in physic, you have some serious repression problem … it usually comes out in anger."



Angel shot him a fiery glare, but that could have been the affect due to burning buildings' brightness building falling on his face.



"'Kay, so I flunked and was snuffin' it in classes but I swear that day I wasn't!"



"Do you know who I am?"



The vampire shook his head. "Nah, I just ascended to the evil ranks a month ago." He pointed a pile of ashes behind Angel. "She was my sire… barely filled me in on the does and don'ts of this gig. Sorry if we were feedin' on your turf or sometin' I-I'll shove off now." He nodded frantically.



Angel frowned but stepped in his way stopping the sorry excuse for an escape. "So your sire didn't give you any rules? That's sad."



The purple haired vampire shrugged. "Wasn't bad. I’m a rebel, really don't like rules. Puts a damper on life… or death in my case! But she did give me the basics." He started clicking on his fingers. "Drink blood. Kill. Maim. Don't go out in the sun. No smoking 'til I get the hang of lighting a cig. You know the things you see in those Vamp movies." He looked sad. "But I never did get why they always hit me and made fun of me whenever I asked when I'd get to fly all batty." He held another finger up, his face brightening as he remembered something else. "Oh, and stay away from angels when they're pissed. She was serious about that." He shook his head. "Never got that one. Don't angels suppose to be hallow-y and peaceful?"



Angel smirked, a wild gleam sparking in his eyes. "Oh, don’t worry, I'll help you *get* that one."