Splinter

Thanks to mygothangel for the beta! And to lilithbint for the quick once-over

*~

“You need a new bed.” Raven gestured lightly, indicating to the smallness of the one they were on now.

“Yeah…” Spike pretended he wasn’t wiggling to prevent what promised to be a painful fall off the mattress. “We did well with what’ve got, didn’t we?” He leered at Raven who was almost too close to see it. Spike raised his fist. “Take that Doyle charlatan… 'ain't like you're gonna be sharing it with anyone any time soon' righ---t.” And promptly fell on his naked butt.

Spike lay there contemplating the brownish ceiling, which clearly wasn’t its original color, faintly wondering how many lives and people passed under it, as well as thanking the first vampire for implanting them with fast healing. It wasn't long before Raven’s face, long hair falling to the sides, blocked his view.

The older vampire titled his head. Even in that position his actions appeared dignified. “I must truly care for you to remain here, Leif.”

Spike crossed his arms under his head unashamed of his exposed appearance. “If you're lurking here knowing what's growing under the bed then you really love me,” he replied in good humor before using his arms to sprint up athletically. Due to the quick movement, he failed to see how his comment had affected a frozen Raven, continuing to look down as if Spike had never moved.

Promptly recovering, Raven turned his eyes to Spike’s bending form. He smiled in amusement and not little desire when the blond pulled on jeans over bare skin. Even though that wasn’t an abnormality for Spike, it still affected Raven.

"'Bit late for a stroll."

Spike barely paused in dressing, buttoning his jeans and slipping on his shirt. He did take a barely noticeable moment to decide whether to wear his coat or not, before he stuck his arms into the comfortable leather. He ran his fingers through his hair, his back still to Raven.

"Well, how many dozy bints who can't run worth their miniskirts are out past midnight?" he asked rhetorically.

"In downtown alone?"

Spike chuckled and turned around.

Raven was stretched on the bed, pushing his feet forward nearly off the edge. Spike licked his lower lip as his eyes roved over the bare white skin glistening in the semidarkness. And yet Raven seemed as elegant as if he were still wearing his custom-made neatly folded clothes which were resting on what Spike deemed to call an antique dresser.

"You do this every night," Raven said offhandedly.

Spike titled his head, shamelessly ogling the naked body in front of him. "And will keep on doing so 'til my arthritis kicks in." His eyes slowly moved up the tight abs, to the hard chest, up the tempting neck, ending with boldly staring into sharp blue eyes, showing both challenge and lust from his own.

Raven made no response. They continued to stare at each other before a blink from Raven accompanied by a movement of pushing himself to sit up broke it.

"I'll join you then." His shifting was put at a halt by Spike's hand on the middle of his chest. He looked down, watching as it roamed over his torso with slow deliberate motions. He allowed himself to be pushed back and observed with vivid interest Spike biting his lower lip before meeting his eyes once more.

"This is something I have to do. You don't," Spike said hoarsely.

Raven leaned back against the head of the bed. "You think I'll impede your chosen path?"

"Nothing you did ever suggested that," Spike replied, half crouching down. He sighed, pushing up, not giving Raven a chance to respond. "Can't keep the baddies waiting. Even if it meant that tomorrow a couple of dead-from-the-neck-up horny teenagers would end up in the same situation again."

"Yes, because you know better."

Matched raised eyebrow.

"Lairy aren't ya?" Spike closed his eyes with a smile. He opened his eyes to an amused looking Raven. "Try to be home before sun up, dear. Make sure the food's set, I like mine rare." He stuck his hands into his pockets and with a wink turned around and headed to the door. At the opened doorway, he threw back over his shoulder, "Your wheels will get ripped if you keep them here for the night."

The sounds of Raven making himself more comfortable on the tiny bed could be heard. Spike shook his head with a chuckle and closed the door.

The second he stepped out onto the curve, his demeanor completely changed, his shoulders squared and his stride purposeful, hands casually at his sides, but his eyes a light shade of blue showing his fervor. He missed the flap his duster had usually made with each step he took, not to mention the array of objects that he used to keep in its pockets.

He was walking for a couple minutes towards the bad side of town, which he was basically living in, when the expected shrill scream sounded in the supposedly silent night, if the constant sirens in the distance were to be ignored, something that rarely if ever echoed in these parts. He stopped a moment before jumping onto a fire escape on the side of a nearby building. He was sprinting on the roof towards the other side when he stopped at the edge, half a second from jumping off.

A sense of déjà vu fell over him as a girl cowered against a dumpster in the dark deserted backstreet while Angel fought back a couple of vampires with ease. He felt the need to pull out a cigarette while he waited for the predictable second when the girl realized this was an ideal opportunity to hightail her high heels to a safer location.

~ Dim mare. ~ Spike sucked in some smoke. ~ And there she goes! ~ He let out the toxic breath.

Angel quickly disposed of the first vampire and focused on the second; his actions were heated and his eyes set on what he was doing. Spike tilted his head and recalled the last time he was in such a position; his presence wasn't detected as well. He was angry then, now he wasn't sure if it had been because Angel had his gem or…

He puffed out a ring of smoke as the second vampire's dust settled on the ground. His lips pressed against the cigarette and he turned around. He was in the middle of the roof when he heard the sounds of fighting. With a frown, he returned to his position at the edge, this time his face darkened. It seemed the two vampires had some friends. Angel was surrounded and some of these vamps weren't sadly lacking in the fighting department. They still weren't up to an older vampire's level, but with their combined muscle they could cause some serious damage.

Spike sighed, crushed his fag, and jumped off the roof. He really missed his duster.

"Can anyone join this party or do I need an invite?"

"What do you know, another one of those traitor leeches," one of the vampires growled through his fangs.

"You know you just insulted yourself?" Spike pointed out casually. He ignored Angel's glare. Spike sometimes wondered how the old poof had handled Buffy's running commentary in the past.

The vampire looked offended. "I'm no traitor!"

"Yeah?" Spike pressed his tongue against his cheek. "But I'm betting you're one of those leeches." A puff of dust later, Spike twirled his stake. "Yep."

And the fight broke out.

These vampires might not have been the smartest, but they were organized, they split into groups, surrounding the two vampires. Spike was working on autopilot, kicking, staking, punching, staking, twisting a couple of necks off, so he didn't notice when his back was against Angel's.

Everything clicked.

It was as if a misplaced piece was repositioned, igniting a charge. They were twisting and turning in union, never missing a beat, instinctively knowing where the other was, and all that was soon left were flouting dust particles and two vampires each facing the souled heroes. When those two realized they were the only ones remaining, they didn't waste time in sprinting away, each of them running in a different direction, merely to end up in a cloud of dust themselves as two stakes were hurled into their chests.

Angel turned around to face Spike, some well selected words ready on his lips, but he was taken by surprise when his back hit the wall, his speech obstructed by a pair of lips latching onto his own.

Spike pulled back, panting for more reasons than one. His eyes didn't leave Angel's shocked ones, waiting for the other vampire to make the second move. Angel didn't disappoint, after a moment where his eyes flashed with something unrecognizable and yet elected some long forgotten memory, Spike was slammed up against the opposite wall, tasting his own blood due to the violent way Angel attacked his lips. His hands were gripping at the black hair, not pulling back the rough assault but encouraging it more. Tongues entangled with no words being uttered, the smell of blood filled the air and Angel pushed Spike's back harder against the coarse brick wall. Spike's hold slipped down to the taller vampire's neck, nails scraping against pale tightened skin.

When Angel's hands dipped under Spike's shirt to caress his back, a rough shove from Spike pushed him a couple of steps back. He had no time to blink before he was caused to drop, being roughly pressed down against the ground by a quick movement from Spike.

Spike bent down so Angel could see his face, while straddling his body, denim covered thighs pressing at his legs, hands on either side of the taken aback face. Angel's hands were still half raised after his fall and they made no move to stop him. Spike tilted his head with a smirk and before Angel could protest, rubbed his crotch against the prominent bulge in Angel's pants.

The dark eyes closed halfway as he groaned.

Spike could feel Angel's cock growing harder the more he leaned forward. His movements were stopped when Angel hands held his waist. He didn't struggle and waited. He wasn't disappointed when he felt a hand slide up his lower back all the way to clasp under the back of his head, pulling his neck down for a kiss, slower this time. He quickly put a stop to that and bit Angel's lower lip so he was sucking at the dripping blood. Licking the droplets that found themselves at Angel's chin, he moved downwards to lap at his neck, he scraped his teeth and smirked when Angel hissed but didn't stop him. Spike pulled back long enough to rip open the black shirt, sending a couple of buttons flying, barely showing any regret when Angel's eyes narrowed. That look didn't last long because Spike was nipping at his chest, applying delicate pressure over his hardened nipples while his crotch continued to timidly brush against Angel's own.

Spike sat up when Angel's hands gripped at his thighs. He rocked forward while their erections strained their pants, rubbing against each other, slowly, keeping them at the edge, not pushing them over it. Angel dug his nails into Spike's thighs urging him to move faster, but Spike held the same pace, a devilish look on his face as he titled his head back, letting the faint light in the night catch the planes of his face, accentuating his sharp features.

"Oh, god!"

Both vampires froze. That didn't sound like either of them. They turned as one. Half way into the abandoned path stood the young woman that had recently escaped. She was looking between them with wide eyes, her chest was heaving but not from running. It seemed that she had been standing there for a while. A blush covered her already flushed face when she saw the dazed expressions on the two men.

She spluttered.

"I- uh, came back to say thank you and –uh," he voice faded in a whisper as her eyes fell on a particular spot where the two vampires were connected; she didn't look away fast enough because Spike cocked his head and asked, "Nice fantasy brewing in that blond-head of yours, pet?" He raised an eyebrow when her eyes snapped to his face and she choked.

"I should –um, thanks, bye." Spike pouted as if disappointed. She quickly spun around on her incredibly high heels, long floppy blond hair twisting in the air. She only looked back twice before she disappeared down the street, hopefully going home this time.

Spike barely had time to turn around before he was dropped on the ground when Angel suddenly stood up. The tall vampire tried vainly to close his shirt as he stalked away. Not a second glance or a word of goodbye.

Spike leaned back on his arms. His face tilted forward, only visible expression was a small upward twist of his lips.

*~*~*~*~*~*

His shirt was a loss. He tossed it into the trash on his way to the shower. Angel was moving on autopilot, not giving himself a chance to think. Thinking was supposed to serve him before the act not afterwards. A steaming shower later he groggily flopped onto the bed. He covered his naked body with a single sheet, quickly falling asleep, already knowing, without much doubt what was to come.

He had been having wet-dreams, it had been going on for months if he dared admit it but they stopped - he thought he had placed a firm distance between him and their cause - only to have them return full-blown, this time more like memories that had grown a life of their own, night after night… it scared and excited him at the same time. It excited him because it had been some time since he had an actual sex life - part of his self-punishment according to Spike's consistent insinuations. It scared him because it was reminiscent of what he had with Darla three years before. However then, it had been forced, whereas this scared him more because it was part of him that was causing these forceful bouts of erotic nostalgia. Besides, then he was having more sleep; this was the other way around.

Therefore, for Angel, it was easy to give in to the temptation of feeling that cool hard body against his. He had before, knowing the risks. But tonight, he knew he wasn't the only one to lustfully gaze. His boy was in his element, he looked the part, he was himself and he had the demons and creatures of the underworld eating from his hand. He couldn't help but conjure that sight before him again.

The vision of the elegant looking Spike was soon replaced by the vampire who had taken control later that night. The night seemed to stretch. Angel couldn't move under him as if held by invisible bounds. He was taken back to the night Spike had beaten him down; it seemed so long ago. It was the night when Angel knew everything would change, nothing would ever be the same after this, he would see to that, he would never forget nor forgive the humiliation. It was too dangerous, too risky, too close to the surface, it could…

No. He wouldn't cloud his mind, not now. He needed the imaginary release, even if it was merely for his psyche. He watched how this time Spike, uninterrupted, leaned over once more, weight resting on his hands at either side of Angel’s face. Their eyes locked in the darkness before a smile appeared on Spike’s face, unlike the unreadable expression he had on before.

Spike bent his head and kissed him.

Angel wanted to see this fantasy through, see an ending to it. Unlike the memories where he knew the outcome, this he could control, if he willed it. But he feared that sudden actions would drive the vision away, so he let dream-Spike take hold, much like he had done not more than an hour before, and this time not because he was overwhelmed. The kiss was all-wrong though. Not like Spike. It was slow and tentative, not passionate and barely controlled; Spike never did anything without passion. This was not like the rough meeting of lips, tongue and teeth that had made Angel's blood seep from his swollen lip. Angel wanted to feel Spike's blood heavy on his tongue, wanted the taste of it; the unique flavor that had only added to his thirst but this time for that thirst to be quenched. So, he yielded to his desire and took hold of the leisured kiss, sucking Spike's lower lip into his mouth and biting.

It took only a split-second after the blood filled his mouth before Angel had sprung in his bed, eyes wide, panting. His hand covered his mouth and when he pulled it away, there was a hint of blood on it, the little that had remained from what he had instinctively swallowed. His eyes snapped up.

Spike was standing at the foot of his bed, gently licking his split lip. Their eyes locked in the dark room. Angel didn't move or speak, not even when a knowing grin appeared on Spike’s face, or when he leaned over the bed, drawing Angel's attention to his nudity.

Angel didn't protest when Spike crawled over him, cat-like, fists digging into the mattress with each lift of arm, pushing him backwards until he was lying down, the head of Spike’s hard cock dragging along Angel’s sheet covered thigh. Angel felt every brush, more so than if it had been against his exposed skin. There was barley any build up after that, Spike locked his lips to Angel's, like a drowning man, drawing on last fervent breaths.

Spike’s lips had always been soft, that never stopped amazing Angel, moistened more so by blood, but only mouth brushed against his own, and he wanted more, he could admit that. The tip of Spike’s tongue licked his upper lip, over his teeth, and his tongue instinctively mimicked the action. Spike opened up and Angel pushed forward into a mouth oh-so-yielding as in the still vivid memories.

"You want me," was whispered against his lips. It was no question. Spike rocked his hips against Angel’s for emphasis. The feel was more noticeable now than before since the only barrier this time was a light sheet of fabric.

Angel clamped his hands down on Spike’s ass to keep him from moving. "That was never up for debate."

"You always look at me," Spike murmured, eyes gazing at the expanse of Angel's shoulder and neck. "When I’m not looking, you are. Even when you shouldn’t, and I always know. I wait. And nothing." He lowered his head and licked at Angel’s neck.

"And I kept trying to suss out what it meant."

"Did you?" Angel lifted his head unceremoniously, exposing more of his neck. He closed his eyes, relishing the feel of Spike’s tongue and lips - but never teeth, not more than a brush in excitement, he would never dare - tracing over his neck, making his body ache in the most delicious ways.

"Don't matter now," he sounded sad. Spike raised his head, but then bent down and kissed him once more, leisurely this time but with no less heat.

Angel opened up under his mouth, matching him with each movement while his hands traced over the muscled back. He could feel the pull of each muscle as Spike shifted, because Spike never stood still.

Angel could have pulled Spike down to signal an increase in tempo, but he didn't. He kept with the measured pace, took in the fervor in which it was given, relished the prickle like shudders that rippled through his back. He arched up when Spike kicked down the sheet all the way off, and gabbed at his leaking member, thumb circling the tip expertly.

"You don't seem surprised that I’m here," Spike’s words were hushed, as if wondering why he was yet to fly through the specially tinted glass windows and onto hard gravel.

Angel had been wondering the same thing, so it certainly shocked him when he heard his voice reply. "I am surprised," his breathy voice assured Spike. "It’s that I'm not very much convinced that I'm fully awake."

"Aw. Dream about me, do ya? You’ll have me blushing soon enough," Spike teased though his voice failed to hide the daze in his revealing eyes. His hand twisted harder, making Angel push his hips forward. "Don't worry, Tattoo Texas and his dream conjuring demons are a thing of the past." His eyes hardened and he used both his arms to pull up Angel’s head to meet his lips, causing the straddled vampire’s back to arch even more. Spike pushed his hips forward when Angel’s arms encircled his back, tightening. Angel matched his thrust. "You didn't say goodnight, quite boorish of you, mate."

"You didn't say hello," Angel countered.

"Saved your life… besides, I used tongue, you use that to say hello," Spike said, his voice coming as if from a distant place. He blinked, refocusing. His hands scratched over Angel's chest, then tweaked his nipples causing them to flush a darker color.

“I smell him on you.” Angel nipped at Spike’s ear. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you basic hygiene?” he gasped the last word when the electric friction quickened, Spike's movement causing him to lose his ability to speak.

Their hips matched in urgent thrusting as their leaking cocks brushed together. Angel’s hands were now firmly on Spike’s ass, pulling him down, clenching at the firm globs, grinding into him. That went on for a little while before Spike took control once more, easing his thrusts down to a torturing pace, and then quickening them enough to scratch the edge before pausing only to move leisurely once more.

Angel spread Spike's cheeks and inserted a finger as he caught Spike's mouth in another kiss, pushing it against the tight ring and curling it. Spike responded, leaning forward and his moan reverberated in Angel mouth, before fervently continuing to grind against Angel's dripping cock. Equal shocks of pleasure shuddered through them, both feeling their effect on the other's body. Angel broke the kiss, breathing lightly over Spike's swollen lips. He let his head rest on his pillow as he gazed into blue, unreadable eyes save for the pure lust shining in them.

Angel’s lips parted to ask a question but it was lost once more, this time in pleasure-pain shudders that wrecked his body from head to toe, it all happened too fast. Spike was coming against him, thrusting over and over and then collapsing over him burying his head against his shoulder and neck and sinking his sharp teeth into the soft tissue of the back of his shoulder.

Time froze.

All it took was small pressure, pulling his blood through those precise tiny holes, the quick movement of his blood making him feel as if his body was alive again, before he was coming in a loud growl.

Flashes of light blinded Angel’s eyes, but his other senses were intensified. His ears picked it up first, as if moving through a fog, the distinguished sound of a nail scraping against skin. His nose was next, scenting the blood as it filled the air. He felt his mouth water and before he knew what was happening, his lips were fastened over a throbbing neck.

The flashes faded none too soon. Angel gasped, pulling back a second before his teeth clamped into an all too well remembered position. He fell back on his cushions, his breath coming out hard.

Spike was still on top of him. He was silent and unmoving.

All Angel could see was his ceiling. He imagined he could hear the hands of a tiny clock moving. He hit thirty before a grip that he hadn't noticed loosened, disappearing completely when he made no response.

Spike rolled over, sitting on the side of the bed furthest away from Angel. He sighed, getting up with a bounce.

“Don’t mind me, I’ll be checking the hot water accommodations that Evil Inc had stole your soul with. I wonder if there’s that massager I keep hearing about…”

Angel gave no response as Spike noisily made his way to his bathroom. He was looking up at his bare, clean ceiling that reflected nothing. It had no trace of anyone who lived under it before him because none existed. It was a bareness that echoed something within him.

~ Maybe it just needs some paint… make it feel lived in. ~

*~*~*~*~*~*

The water was hotter than a human could handle, but not for a vampire. He could pretend he was alive if he wanted to. He wondered if Angel did that. Pretended. If he had to bet, it would be yes. Spike braced his arms against the humidity-slick wall, his face turned up to the spray. His eyes were open to the water; he didn’t remember if it was supposed to sting like that. He closed his eyes and let it flow over him, all over his body. He didn’t use any of the displayed easy-to-reach products. He didn’t even use his hands.

He let the water run over him and tried not to think, not to remember. He willed his soul to quiet down as well.

There was one time he thought about sharing this trick with Angel, but then he thought against it. If there was anything Angel wanted the least of it was advice from him. He opened his eyes, this time they were looking down, at the drain. He didn’t let himself think about what was running off him, getting sucked into that little hole. Those last few minutes, they were a lapse in judgment, nothing more. A chance he scraped off its face to reveal what he should have already known, a worthless waste of a dime. He knew without any doubt, that coming out of it, it would be just like a dream that you wave off, pretend you never had. It was easy, pretending. He was okay with that. He didn’t even give it much thought, any thought.

One thought echoed in his mind, “Was it worth it?”


*~*~*~*~*~*

Spike was out of the bathroom, towel unquestionably soaked flying at Angel’s couch, making a slap as it hit its destination. His feet moved straight towards his scattered clothes. He was pulling up his pants faster than Angel could process a thought about how the vampire never changed.

“He'll know.” A futile statement, Angel knew that, looking up at his ceiling once more. He clasped his hands under his head, and waved off the thought that wished to question his decision in announcing that futile statement in the first place. Not to mention what followed. “It’s sun up.”

Spike zipped up his jacket over his shirt, turning around. “Watch out for them bed bugs, Angel.”

Angel blinked; the ceiling was looking barer the more he looked at it. He was calm. “Better not see you again, Spike.”

Spike half turned his head, he lowered it with a small nod and a tiny smile that Angel didn’t see because he was now supposed to be contemplating a remodel of his entire dwelling.

A soft click singled Spike quiet exit from the room, leaving Angel with a brief thought about how some people change even when you're looking, before exhaustion won over.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Good hunt?"

Spike draped his jacket over the back of the chair; he didn’t pause. "I don't hunt anymore," he said, undressing.

"Hunts for us vampires are expressions reserved as means to satiate an unrelenting craving."

Spike stopped at the side of his bed, seemingly lost in thought before he looked up into Raven's eyes. "Yeah." He nodded lightly while Raven's features seemed unperturbed. "Good hunt." He gently nudged Raven aside, placing his head on his shoulder, and pulled the covers over them.

*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC