Splinter

Sorry for the formatting problem in the last posting. *glares at who's responsible* will post extra! *smiles apologetically*


Previously:There was a social gathering in which powerful creatures recognized Spike as Raven’s claimed. Xander -there as an observer- was given as a trade in for a long accumulated debt to Spike from Dracula. And Angel made a somewhat discrete appearance in which he’d given Spike his blessing- his way at least. But, was everything as it seemed??

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"Brandon escorted young Mr. Harris back to his hotel."

Spike had been leaning against the wall and didn't appear surprised at being addressed out of nowhere. He pushed off his perch and walked a couple of steps forward, delving more into the darkness. "The limo? Thought he wanted to sport it on his own tonight."

Raven chuckled lightly, standing next to Spike, shoulders touching, looking out into the night; the sounds of the party inside dying out. "Let him drive one of mine? I think not. He was very willing once I let it slip that it was the quickest means away from your manipulative amusement."

Spike glanced incredulously at the overly calm figure next to him. "Bloody scared off my toy, Ray. That's malicious of you," he said, although his words lacked their usual intensity as if he were working on autopilot.

Raven shrugged.

"When?" was spoken in a grave hush.

Raven looked sideways at Spike before following the other vampire's gaze into the empty night. He quietly relayed what Spike already knew. The night was a success. And if all went according to schedule – and it would since Raven was at the helm – the mating would take place under the next full moon with a court of gathered witnesses from the Orders.

Spike absentmindedly reminded Raven that he allegedly didn't concern himself with other Lines as much; the only thing he heeded was to perform the ritual in respect to the age-old traditions. Raven casually waved that off as a matter of formality especially if they intended to bring as much Lines into the Treaty as possible. He then promptly smirked, taking a jab at Spike wanting to ‘Commit’ as soon as possible. While Spike spluttered in defiance, Raven had the soon-to-be-ravished look on his face that only predicted timely tending to.

When once more all was silent but for the sounds of the night, the raven-haired vampire turned fully to face Spike and smiled sideways when he took him by surprise, running a smooth finger over his tense cheek. "Angelus gave in," he said with the barest hint of question, more a statement than anything else.

Spike's face was set, revealing nothing and yet everything without giving a worded response. Raven dropped his hand.

"It was incredibly standoffish how he entered unannounced and exited the same without a simple greeting."

"Apparently someone disagreed with him," Spike blandly said, holding his hands face up in the air. "And you know how His Forehead gets when that happens."

"I would ask one of my loyal servants to contest to that but..." Raven sighed exuberantly, continuing even when Spike's lips showed a little twitch, "It seems that she's been misplaced. The only consolation out of Angelus' presence tonight was his worded assent. I’m taking the bigger man route and settling with that," he spoke with the casualness of relaying the weather.

That caused a definite response in Spike who slightly lowered his head, shaking it as he chuckled. "Impressive. As for worded?" He rolled his eyes in thought and pressed his lips in thought. "He didn't veto it."

He plastered a wide grin and let out an effeminate giggle. "Oh, Johnny, Daddy wasn't jumping fences or kicking hens but he didn't pull out his shotgun either, ye'll make a respectable gal out of me, I'm thinking-" Spike spread his arms in demonstration. "Fall wedding! With daffodils." He held up his head seriously.

Raven raised an eyebrow then promptly backed Spike against the damp brick wall. "Is that so, Narkissos?" He brought his face closer to the inviting cynicism-spouting lips. He paused a millimeter from his desired destination. "I doubt anything I do would make you respectable," he spoke hoarsely, his darkened gaze never leaving Spike's. “Infamy becomes you.”

"How quaint of you courting me with Greek references," Spike said, tilting his head in response to the former sentence. "I wouldn’t worry." He pointed solemnly at his face. "No reflection."

Raven's gaze heated even more. "Ah, but- there are far too many accounts, Leif, to be sure." His eyes roved over Spike's pensive face as he continued, somberly, "How everyone's gaze bore into you tonight, I wished to claim you then and there…"

Spike blinked silently. He frowned and then finally appearing to have come to a conclusion, cocked his head to the other side and pointedly licked his lips. "You know, seeing I have this tiny aversion to holy water, I've yet to christen my flat," he said matter-of-factually.

Raven looked momentarily appalled. He pulled back. "No."

Spike lowered his face to better accentuate his pout and fluttered his lashes. "Aw, mate, help a fellow here, you should hear what the neighbors say about me."

"That you're an annoying British punk who plays his games loud enough so everyone would know that he had conquered the final level in Final Fantasy?"

Spike opened his mouth, closed it, and then opened it again. "Well, yeah. But they say at least 'e's better than that bloke in 4C who screams when he makes sweet heterosexual love. My reputation as a stud is at stake! Funny since there is no wood involved at all."

Raven looked sickened, taking another step back. "I implore you to keep away from that so-called honorary watcher… that-" He waved his hand in the air. "---was appalling."

When the indication sank in, Spike grimaced horrified. "I got Harris cooties?!" He jumped forward and clutched at Raven. "Oh, now you must save me! Rid me of his touch."

Raven growled deep in his throat. "There will be no touching."

Spike tilted his head and gestured with a finger. "Greenish around the eyes there, all that 'cause of the comic-relief sidekick? I really must be cursed. That's it." He grabbed Raven's hand and dragged him towards the parking lot. "We're having loud manly romping in my dingy flat." He looked back at Raven who –defeated- was amicably letting himself be dragged by a horny, bluntly wanting-to-be-distracted-by-sex vampire, and blithely asked, "I'm short on mung rags… think Xanny would mind if we use his clothes?"

Raven smirked.

It was a good night.





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