Oncoming Train

Author’s note: My profuse apologies for abandoning this story for three months! I thought my vacation would be a great time to get a few chapters written and instead Amsterdam inspired BBR. Knew I should have stayed out of those coffee shops! (Kidding, Mom!) I have been playing with this scene for the last month, trying to work out the back and forth between Angel and Xander. It’s an intimidating scene for me, swinging from one emotion to the next very quickly. Updates will be coming slowly. A huge battle is coming up and I suck at fight scenes so I am going to be taking my time. I want the ending to be good, though one of my circle is already slipping notes for the sequel. (Some people call that harassment, mister!) HE should be HAPPY, the Graham addict, since I agreed to write a Graham/Riley after BBR is done, but he wants Grey in the sequel in a threesome. IF there is a sequel. On a completely separate note, I have never spelled ‘schlong’ before, so I hope that’s correct.

Thank you to everyone who’s reviewed and given support!

***

Using a corner of the top sheet he mopped at their stomachs and chests, moving carefully so as not to dislodge himself from his sheath. He had just rolled them on their sides when someone knocked on the door. Recognizing the scent he called out permission to enter.

The door knob rattled and Angel realized he’d locked the thing even as Xander’s hesitant voice came faintly through the thick wood. “It’s locked!”

Riley mumbled a protest when he pulled away, but didn’t wake. Not bothering to clothe himself the vampire crossed the room to unlock the door and then turned back to the bed. Hearing the tumblers Xander pushed open the door cautiously. “Hey, Angel, Wesley said you needed to see me?”

“Yeah.” Riley’s one hand had fallen into his vacated spot, long fingers curled loosely into his palm. Putting a knee on the mattress Angel lifted up that hand, meaning to crawl back into his spot and hopefully back into his mate’s body. “Close the door behind you.”

Behind him Xander nodded, the door clicking shut before the teenager exclaimed loudly, “Holy Batman, Angel, did you graft that monster off a horse?” The boy was staring in open admiration at the penis hanging semi-hard between Angel‘s thighs, curiosity drawing him closer. “What are you, four, five inches thick? Fuck, no wonder Spike never wants to talk about his time with you. He’s afraid I’ll get penis envy.”

“Xander,” Angel growled, stretching out along Riley‘s side, “do you mind?” He didn’t want to seem to be hiding so he propped himself up on one elbow, unconsciously adopting a regal sprawl that displayed all of his assets in blatant alpha superiority. His mate made a soft sound of complaint at the bed‘s jostling, nose wrinkling cutely. Sleepy hazel eyes briefly opened, but Riley easily went back to napping after seeing Angel still alongside him. A long fingered hand crawled up onto his hip, however, securing him in place before the seer‘s breathing deepened into true sleep. Angel smirked, carding Riley‘s silky hair before his golden brown eyes lifted to their guest.

The teenager jerked back towards the door with an apologetic shrug, blushing slightly under his frank gaze. “Sorry. That’s just, wow, ya know?”

The vampire sighed, letting the inordinately pleased and arrogant Angelus answer the boy’s hurt tone. “It’s all about blood, boy. A master can direct the blood in his body, condition the skin to grow where he wills it. Only a master can grow back limbs and such like what the legends say. If an arm or leg can be grown back after being severed, why not height or other . . . Anatomical assets?”

“You grew your dick?” Xander looked envious and worshipful at the same time. “So if I let Spike turn me, in say a hundred years I could grow a two foot long schlong?”

Now there was a mental image Angelus snorted at. “It’s still got to fit in your pants, boy, and all that extra skin would make you look a sight.” No need to preen that he’d had nothing to be ashamed of as a mortal. Angelus had taken great pleasure in improving his form once he’d had the power to do so. For too long Angel had been humiliated to expose himself to others, his size blatant evidence of his demon’s wickedness. Hell had taught him to accept himself in all his glory. He’d had to since he wasn’t about to chop it off, though he’d threatened Angelus a few times with just such an act to rattle the proverbial bars of the cage. It went against his male sensibilities to even consider shrinking it.

“Yeah, I guess.” Xander shrugged, obviously shelving the idea for later consideration. He crept closer, openly admiring the displayed length of Riley’s body. “So how did things go?”

Where had his life taken him that he was talking about his sex life with Xander Harris? But the boy was surprisingly astute and had certainly earlier swayed Riley. “He started getting into it when I talked dirty to him,” he grudgingly confessed.

Xander seemed to leap onto the admission. “Dirty how? He’s a whore dirty?”

“No! I’ll not be calling me mate a whore!” Angelus thundered and then immediately had to calm a startled Riley who jerked awake, almost head butting the brunette. The vampire petted his tousled hair. “Shh, luv, back ta sleep wit ye. No harm heah.”

Too exhausted to investigate further Riley nodded, mumbling, “Angelus, be good,” before dropping his head back to Angel’s muscled chest.

“Cute,” Xander grinned, “he hears the escaping Irish and thinks you’re Angelus.”

Nor was he afraid at the thought, but all Angelus said was, “He’s dreaming is all.”

The teenager nodded. “So how did you talk to him?”

“Told him he was mine and that he felt perfect. Told him to mark me as his and that I was going to put a plug in him so he’d always have me inside. So that others could smell who he belonged to.”

“Positive reinforcement.” When Angel cocked an eyebrow Xander just grinned. “I may not be college material, but I know how to get sex. Spike likes to be called my bitch, he knows what I mean when I say it, but Riley wouldn’t. He wants to hear you value and want him in positive ways. ‘Mine’, ‘precious’, ‘beautiful’, that kind of stuff. He needs that reassurance. He’s got it in his head nobody wants him for him. Him getting these seer powers makes him think that’s the only reason you want him. The powers go and so do you.”

“I wanted him before then,” Angel frowned. “That first night I felt something.”

“Which he’s not going to remember,” Xander pointed out. “He’ll get over it eventually, but you reinforcing you want him? Not the seer or super soldier, but the shy, too sweet for diabetics farmboy? That’s how you win his heart.”

The boy spoke with a stirring truth that was surprising to hear in one so young. “Thank you, Xander. I can understand what my childe is afraid of losing in turning you.”

“Spike’s not ever going to lose me,” Xander confidently declared, mischief sparkling in his eyes. “I’ve got a plug you can use for Riley if you want.”

Angel cocked an eyebrow. “So along with extra underwear how do sex toys work their way into emergency gear?”

“There are emergencies and then there are emergencies,” Xander quipped, “and a man must be prepared for all of them.”

No wonder his childe loved this boy, Angel smirked, shaking his head. The question though, he reminded himself, was whether this boy could peaceably live in his house. “Very well, but I did not ask you up here to discuss toys. Xander, what has Spike told you about vampire families?”

Xander frowned, scratching at his shoulder. “Um, just that he didn’t get along with his.” Perhaps realizing just who he was talking to Xander flushed. “Sorry.”

The master vampire waved a dismissive hand, well aware of what his Will had most likely said of his back stabbing family. Until now, there had been little reason for Spike to want any of them. Angelus grumbled a bit, but reluctantly agreed. As sires went, they had failed dismally. “And mates? What they mean to vampires?” Hopefully his childe had been more forthcoming on this subject.

The brunette teen scratched at the back of his head, eyes casting about until they landed on the padded chair in the corner. His raised eyebrows asked the question and Angel nodded, giving permission for Xander to drag the chair up to the bed. With a small grunt Xander hefted the chair over and thunked it down near Riley’s feet. “Oh well, mainly stuff about how blood taking can create a bond and that being his mate gives me some extras, but lets him keep tabs on me in ways I can’t him because I’m not undead. And that we have to be careful of me taking his blood because too much would make me a zombie.”

“A thrall,” Angel corrected with a quirk of his lips. “Do you never intend to turn?”

Slumping back in the chair Xander shrugged, hands gripping the chair’s arms. “I don’t know yet but I want it to be my choice. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

“In part. When this is all over, what do you and Spike intend to do? You’re welcome to come with Riley and myself, but if you do, you need to know more about how vampire families behave. A lot of our rules are dependent on the House, but a great many of those are based on inherent nature.” Angel paused, warily watching the young man who possessed more depth than he cared to show. “As Spike’s mate these last several months have you noticed any changes in yourself?”

Xander shrugged, staring at Riley’s long narrow feet. “Riley and me, we aren’t vampires, so doesn’t that change things?”

So the boy didn’t want to address his relationship with Spike. Angel conceded, focusing on his first point. “A House follows its Master. I rule the House of Aurelius, make no mistake of that, Xander. The House includes my sworn childer and anyone else who lives under my protection. If you involve your life with mine, you will be of the Aurelius.” The vampire frowned, absently petting the warm body curled into him. “That used to mean something and hopefully it will soon again. A House’s strength lies in the unity of its members and Aurelius has been split for centuries.” He was guilty of that, but he knew his blame went back farther than when he was cursed. Since practically the night of his turning he had made trouble for his sire and his House.

The teenager straightened in his seat, eyes narrowing. “Just what are we talking about here? I know what Spike’s life was like with Angelus and I am nobody’s bitch. You wanna make like the Partridges, then I need to know exactly what you’ll expect of me and Spike.”

“You’re not a submissive person by nature, Xander, and I am not asking you to change that,” Angel calmly answered, strangling down Angelus’ want to simply demonstrate to the mortal his place. Xander was physically the weakest of his House, but had proven in the trials of the last year his ability to lead and protect those he cared about. He deserved Angel’s patience and the vampire could admit to himself he liked the loudmouthed brat. In another time he had been the kid who’d survived an abusive home and tried to make his way with no exemplary skills. Xander had just met a different breed of vampire in Spike than he had in Darla. “In any House there can be several alpha va- males, but only one can ultimately be in charge.”

The smaller brunette thought about that. “Like wolves on the Discovery Channel?”

“Yes, like wolves. Kinda. Well, not really.” Never actually having had to explain vampire behavior Angel felt his frustration mounting. Why the hell had Spike thrust this on him? The brat was his damn mate! It was a test, he knew it. He’d made his intentions to reassume control of his House known and his obnoxious childe was testing that assertion. If Spike wanted to see how far he was willing to take this then so be it!

Sitting up Angel exercised his inhuman strength in curling an arm around his sleeping seer and lifting him higher onto the bed and behind him as he slid closer to the wary teenager. Thumping his feet to the carpet next to the chair he ignored Xander’s widened eyes focused on his quiescent sex. “You know vampire mating bonds are not like human marriages. There’s more that goes on than claiming each on other on your taxes. Spike can sense your moods, track you across the country if he needed to, but he also influences you. Yes, you are the dominate in your relationship, but he has changed you. Lowered your inhibitions? Sex acts that disgusted you a year ago now excite you?”

Xander’s eyes cut to his, cheeks stained with embarrassment and anger but he jerkily nodded. “Yeah. You gotta point?”

“Just listen!” Angel growled. “With your friends, you want to touch them more, feel jealous and worry when they go anywhere without you? Some of them, you think of as yours, that it is your right to protect them.” Dark brown eyes flickered to Riley’s curled figure and the youth’s flush deepened. Angel smirked in victory. “You want to fuck him, to leave a part of yourself within his essence so that you will never lose him. This is not a bad thing, Xander,” Angel said softly, gently. Ruthlessly. “It is now part of your nature.”

“I don’t want to cheat on Spike,” Xander vehemently denied.

“And you wouldn’t. When you fantasize about being with Riley, are you alone or is Spike with you?” He didn’t need the words to know the youth’s answer. “You have a dominating vampire nature, an alpha if you want to call yourself that. Spike knows this. Why do you think he’d leave you alone with Riley? He knew you wouldn’t act without him. I said dominating vampire, and that is where your nesting urges are coming from. To a vampire, sex with your loved ones is a way to solidify those bonds. If I hadn’t come and taken Riley as my mate you would have taken Riley to your bed, shared him with Spike. If you had already been a vampire, your urges would have been stronger.”

Xander’s eyes were tortured, but he did not let go of his anger. “Why are you telling me this? I get that Riley is yours now, that he’s no longer one of my blondes. You don’t need to beat me over the head with it!”

He was no good at this! With a frustrated huff Angel lashed out, catching Xander around the neck and hauling him out of his chair to smash their mouths together. The teenager was too stiff for it to be a kiss at first, but Angel had thrown out a challenge and Xander answered it. It was a battle Angel had the experience to win and when he finally pulled away after a final nip at the youth’s bottom lip he was pleased to see the reaction he’d achieved: swollen lips, glazed over dark brown eyes and a heady waft of arousal. Legs tangled together Xander was a limp weight across his lap and chest with one hand on his shoulder.

“Riley is my mate but I am not blind to the bond you two already share,” Angel said softly against the youth’s mouth, foreheads pressed together. “Am I making sense here? Do you understand what I am offering when I invite you into my family?”

When Xander pulled back to sit next to him on the bed Angel let him. “I kinda knew from the way Spike talked that sex is pretty much a means of conversing among vampires. Just didn’t expect that you’d be okay with that with Riley and him doing stuff with others. With me.”

“Anything more than kissing and I had better be participating,” Angel clarified. “No one gets inside my boy but me, regardless of how far things go. Can you say you’d have a different opinion regarding Spike?”

It didn’t take the youth long to think on that one. “No.” Again his eyes went to Riley and Angel did not mistake the longing Xander had been repressing for longer than he had been here. Slowly leaning over Angel lured his mouth to open with more gentleness than he had yet shown, pleased when Xander readily responded. He couldn’t say he really felt any rousing passion kissing the teen, but it was an enjoyable experience, echoes of his own childe’s techniques easily detected in the stroke of tongue and mischievous use of blunt teeth. He could control this situation.

“Why don’t you go get that plug and Spike?” he softly suggested.

Xander drew back, flush climbing his cheeks. “You want to try this arrangement out now?”

Angel shrugged. “Is there a reason you can think of that we shouldn’t? We’ve talked vaguely a couple of times about you all coming with us, but I think it would reassure Riley if he felt more confident of where we all stand with each other.”

“Oh. Okay.” Xander stood slowly and eeled around the chair. His steps were obviously taken with reluctance, but Angel did not mistake the bulge straining the front of his jeans. “Splug, Plike,” he mumbled as he rushed out the door, barely remembering to close it behind himself.

Oh yeah, this was going to work beautifully. Standing the master vampire could not contain his triumphant smirk as he tenderly tugged his mate back into the middle of the bed. Knowing he was safe Riley didn’t wake at being rolled onto his stomach, sighing softly as Angel started a light massage, beginning at his calves and working his way up. Just being able to touch his vulnerable lover this way, so similar to a night only a few days past, but now there was no trespass. This boy was his, and through Riley he was going to assure Xander’s loyalty and Spike’s obedience. Through this boy his House would be born again, stronger than it had ever been. Angel bent to kiss the small of Riley’s back in grateful worship.

TBC.