The Labyrinth

- Part 3 -

His post-orgasmic lethargy prevented Xander from truly freaking out. Resting his head on a sharp hipbone, he took a few deep breaths that could be excused by their recent exercise, and tried to collect his scattered thoughts.

Fact: He had just had the most intensely erotic, incredibly powerful experience of his life. And having lived through Anya's many attempts at finding the 'perfect orgasm', that was saying something.

Fact: Along with the rest of the surviving group, he had watched Spike go up in flames, defeating the First Evil and causing Sunnydale to sink into a crater. Having had no contact outside those who'd ventured to England and the new Watchers Council, Xander knew he'd probably missed alot. But this?

Fact: There was a long list of qualities that, ideally, would be present between Dom and sub. Xander had made notes (which, naturally, he'd left at home), but he clearly remembered certain items. Trust, respect and a degree of love were imperative to any healthy relationship, but vital for this lifestyle. Did he, could he, have those feelings for the vampire? Pushing that question away for later, he continued reviewing.

Fact: Spike had treated him with nothing but kind words and a gentle touch the entire time. Yes, he'd taken charge and set boundaries, asked embarassing questions and demanded responses, but he hadn't gone further than Xander was willing to go. He doubted that another Master, one who didn't know him already, could have taken him to such heights so fast.

Fact: Eventually, he would want to 'come out' to his friends. How would they react to - first - Spike being alive, and - second - Spike being his Master... in effect, owning him. A prospect that sent tingles of anticipatory delight through his refilling balls.

Xander understood that quite a few subs entered into service for sexual reasons; after all, sex played a large role in the lifestyle. His needs went beyond that... he deeply wanted to belong to someone who truly loved him, who could be his rock of strength, who could accept his craving to offer himself completely to his partner. From what he remembered of Spike's past, he knew that the blond could provide these comforts and more. And when he hadn't known the identity of his Master, Xander was fully prepared to throw himself into service. Should he second guess himself now that he knew who would be in control? And did it really make that much difference?

In many ways, this would make things considerably easier. Spike already understood his past relationships, and had a clue how often he had been the shoulder to cry on. They had seen each other at their worst, saved each other's lives more times than was worth counting, and had - albeit unwillingly, at the time - nursed each other through broken hearts. Xander's only concern about their history was, would the vampire be able to look past their mutual animosity and develop tender feelings for him?

Even as he asked himself the question, Xander sensed the truth. If Spike were unable or unwilling to make the effort, he would have dismissed the mortal long ago. Most probably with jeers and taunts. So... Spike was going to give this a chance. Xander did a quick check of his rapid-firing nerves and concluded that he could do the same. For all the uncertainty and unanswered questions, the past couple of hours had been so much more than anything he'd hoped to find. He wouldn't be able to locate another Master so in-tune with his needs, and Xander wasn't willing to give up the large measure of peace he'd found in the blond's arms. And at his feet.

He shuddered again, his renewed arousal making its presence known.

The random purrs and mutterings from above were tapering off, alerting Xander that his peaceful thinking time was almost at an end. He caught himself stroking a long leg that he knew to be pale ivory. His fingers paused for a moment before he decided to continue. It wasn't as if he hadn't been much more intimate with the vampire only minutes earlier. Besides, he found the motion soothing to his own nerves, and figured it would keep Spike placid for awhile longer.

That thought brought him up short. How should he let the blond know that he was aware of his Master's name, his identity? And the very fact that he (mentally) could acknowledge Spike as his Master... settled a mass of tension he'd let form since he began to question their motives.

"Still awake there, dearling?" With his newfound knowledge, Xander could hear his former roommate's timbre through the cultured tones he'd adopted.

"Yeah, just... I dunno... basking. Thanks."

A low chuckle - and he could become so used to hearing that noise - from the vampire. "I told you earlier that there would be no punishment for anything tonight, little one. Are you fretting over your unauthorized actions?"

Xander could honestly say no to that question. But how much further his total disclosure would be, he couldn't tell. "Not really... If you had objected, I would've stopped." Thinking through his topmost concerns, he decided to ask, "You could have, but you didn't take me. Why not?" The answer to that might well determine how far he'd let this go.

One of Spike's hands feathered through Xander's hair, brushing it away from his sweat-soaked brow. "Because you are very new at this, and any imprudent action on my part could keep you from trusting my judgement in the future. However much I might like to sink into your hot, tight body, it would hardly be worth the effort if such an act scared you from ever coming back to me."

Considerate, looking at long-term reactions. Another notch of Xander's apprehension chipped away, and he sighed into his Master's side. "I'm not sure how ready I was, am, but thank you for thinking for me. It wouldn't have occurred to me to worry about that."

"Which is why I am the Master, little one. It is my pleasure - as well as my duty - to insure your peace of mind, not just the satisfaction of your body." A smile crept into his voice, an almost smug amusement tinting his words. "Had you indicated discomfort at any time, we would have stopped at once. Know that, Xander. I am not here to traumatize you, nor to make you feel less about yourself."

Such a radical change from the newly chipped vampire that had once shared his parents' basement. Xander made his decision then - he could trust Spike with his body and mind, and maybe even his heart. "Thank you, Master." He placed a soft kiss on the vampire's flank, only just registering how the side away from the fire was several degrees cooler than human body temperature. "Where do we go from here?"

The extended silence that followed brought a new case of nerves to the brunet. Nothing as terrible as his initial concerns, nor as shocking as the discovery of his Master's name. Xander was about to fill the gap with some mindless babble when the answer came.

"I believe... a bath is in order."

Such a statement made in that dry tone had the young man giggling into his teacher's side. "Of course, what else would we do after-"

"Yes? Go ahead and put a label on our activities. I am most interested in hearing how you would classify them."

"Uh... maybe not." He felt the flush rising on his skin yet again. Damn the bleached menace for bringing out the blushing virgin in him. But not for long, at this rate. And with that thought, his color deepened impossibly into maroon.

How could he have become enamored of Spike's sultry laugh? The dark sound he produced at his charge's color change was far from attractive.

"You're doing beautifully, Xander. Every response you've made this night has been far beyond what I'd expected." Petting sable hair as he spoke, the Master's voice showed pride and pleasure in his slave's progress. "Before we go much further, there is more we should talk about."

Here it was, the unveiling. Xander's stomach clenched, anxiety filling him as he worried over the loss of such easy companionship. After having tasted the Master vampire's authority and care, he would forever be ruined for others. But how best to diffuse a potentially dangerous situation?

"Hey, it's your home. You're bound to know your way around even in the dark, right? If you still don't want me to see, just keep the lights off. It's kinda... nice, learning by braile." He added a grin, pressing his face into the cool side of Spike's torso.

Unfortunately for him, the blond didn't take the offering of an easy out. "No dearling, we really must get this business out of the way first." The previously light strokes through Xander's hair became heavy, urging him to keep his face well away from the vampire's upper body. "Earlier, we spoke of honesty and trust. Lest you have cause to accuse me of damaging our fragile beginnings, I must confess something to you."

Xander's hand curled around the blond's fingers sifting through his hair. "Whatever you have to say, it can't be that terrible. You've been so wonderful about this, showing me how to not be afraid of my own needs." He dragged the cool hand toward his mouth, kissing each finger as he continued, "Besides, haven't we been through enough together to be able to trust each other? You're turning into Giles, y'know that Spike?"

Within seconds, the young man was flipped onto his back, the blindfold torn from his eyes, a golden-eyed vampire searching Xander's facial expressions for any hints of duplicity. He finally calmed enough to reclaim his shocking blue eyes, resting his forehead on the mortal's shoulder. "How long have you known, pet?"

"Hmm... since you came, cursing in mockney? And I liked it better when you were calling me 'little one' or 'dearling'. Unless I really am to be a pet..." his voice trailed off, equal parts thoughtful contemplation and distaste at the nickname. "Anyways, you knew long before me. Why'd you accept this whole-"

Raising his head, Spike claimed Xander's lips in a sweetly apologetic kiss, interrupting his questions. When they broke apart for the young man to catch his breath, the blond answered, "You've always been there for everyone else. Even me, when it came down to it. I'm not the same vampire I once was. Long time ago, I told Angel that demons don't change - but that was a lie."

"Most definitely." Xander grinned at his lover, his Master. "You had already started changing long before the soul thing, Spike. That just made it easier for me to admit it. We *will* be discussing your miraculous non-dusty appearance later, right? But I gotta say, damn it's good that you're here." He'd had enough mushy emotional scenes for the time, and lurched toward the blond's neck to fasten on, intent on sucking the stress out of that pale throat.

Spike knew better than to question his good fortune. His old friend - and new slave - might eventually have second thoughts, but for now he would enjoy a playful lover who *chose* to be by his side.

~ * ~

With his eyes uncovered and most of the tension released from his demeanor, Xander took the opportunity to really *look* at the home Spike had made for himself. It was strange enough that the vampire had chosen Texas of all places to settle down, but this classy manor house with all the trimmings - and a caretaker too - was just... weird.

He let himself be led through several hallways, up a flight of stairs, and down another hall to a partially opened door. Inside was a bedroom, the Master suite, and it too was far from what he'd imagined as being Spike's preferences. If he'd ever bothered thinking about what the blond would want in creature comforts.

Dark cream, the color of fresh caramel, covered the walls and floor, with lighter drapes masking the blackout curtains he knew would be present over the tall windows. Dressers, nightstands and bed were all built in sturdy birchwood, so light it almost appeared to be ash. The bed itself gave Xander most food for thought - besides being tall and sturdy, it was one of those cathedral types with curtains that could be drawn closed to create a room within a room. Some of the deepest emerald green he'd ever seen coated curtains and comforter in lush satin.

A flash of premonition had his phermones flooding the vampire's senses, as he pictured himself bound to head- and footboards, stretched and waiting for his Master's pleasure. Xander couldn't have masked his moan if he'd tried. Which he didn't.

Handy things to have, vampire senses. And Spike took delight in smelling his lover's arousal as it flared anew. "Time enough for that later, little one. The bath's through here, and we both need it, yeah?" His voice began in the cutured manner that had fascinated Xander earlier, but finished in classic Spike.

Grinning unrepentantly, the brunet walked slowly over to one side of the bed. He just had to touch that soft cover, let himself enjoy the fantasy while it was fresh in his mind. "Master..."

"Yes dearling?" A choked sound preceeded the question, making Xander's grin spread.

Neither man had bothered replacing their clothes for the trek upstairs, and Xander planned on taking full advantage of his naked state. Casting his eyes down, he climbed atop the comforter and assumed the most submissive position his could think of, kneeling with his hands clasped behind his back, head lowered as he asked, "Master, is this the bed where you wanted me tied and slick for you?"

Impulse control had never been one of Spike's best points, and they both knew it. Thankfully, Xander was prepared to be pinned by a blond whirlwind at his mock-innocent question, and his muscles gave way gracefully to his Master's attack. His neck arched to one side, the young man silently begged his lover for the completion of their earlier play. He had waited long enough, and whatever fears he might've had were swept away by the knowledge that Spike could, would, and very much wanted *him*. To train, pleasure, care for. Maybe even love.

"Boy, you're playing with fire," came the muffled admonishment from the crook of Xander's neck. A cool tongue lathed the corded muscle, tracing a swipe over the fragile jugular vein. "Since when do you bare your neck for a vampire, Xander?"

Pleased with his Master's response, and only a little astonished at how quickly he'd accepted the entire package of being Spike's... slave, student, lover, whatever... Xander struggled to find breath to answer. "Only you. Master mine."

Spike groaned into the brunet's shoulder, then nipped sharply at the taut muscle. "You've made up your mind, then?" He had to know, had to be absolutely certain. For, like Xander, he knew himself well - and Spike too fell in love hard, fast and completely. Something he could easily do with this open young man. He found himself thanking whatever deities sent blessings to the undead, for having given him the opportunity to know the new Xander Harris, and for Giles' interference.

"If you'll still have me, Master." The words were almost enough, but Xander knew he had to be more plain. "Gods Spike, I was so scared to take this step! It took me over a month to get up the nerve to call, after getting the number. It's something I need. Need to know, to feel. Everything. But you know I don't trust just anyone, and... had it been anyone else, I probably would've run after the first touch. With you... no matter how badly we used to treat each other, I could always trust you to a certain point."

Wonderingly, Spike finished the unspoken thought, "And you're willing to trust me for everything you need now." Not a question, but full of amazed revelation.

Xander nodded, kissing the tips of blond curls. "For everything, yeah." His hands moved to caress the pale back that held so tense above him. "Dawn used to fuss at me all the time, y'know? She said that you and I should get along so much better than we did, since we're so much alike."

The non-sequitor did its job, derailing Spike's worried train of thought and drawing forth a snicker. Which developed into a full-throated laugh. "Yeah, 'Bit's always been able to see past what most people bother looking at. Remember how much hell she gave Red over that Kennedy bint?"

Joining the vampire's laughter, Xander helplessly nodded against the firm chest. "You shoulda been there when they finally broke up. Dawn's I-told-you-so's echoed for weeks."

"I've missed alot, huh." His mood changing as fast as lightning, Spike raised his head to look the mortal fully in the eye. "Things were crazy when I got back. How I got back. There wasn't much time to do more than figure out how to stay alive another night, much less angsting over a phonecall to Watcher central. What was I supposed to say? 'Hey it's me, sorry I didn't stay dead for ya.' Or maybe I coulda called Niblet and let'er spread the news, and she coulda given me hell for not naggin someone sooner to let'er know bout the amulet bringin me back. Or how bout-"

Xander stopped the rant before it could become a full-on pity party, by the most direct route - he kissed the unlife out of the vampire. When his body started screaming for air, he broke away only far enough to nibble a line across one jaw, latching onto the delicate skin under Spike's ear. From there, he spoke between soft kisses, "Too many what if's. How you tell the girls is your business. I'm just really glad you're here, right now, *exactly* where you are." Using his teeth to latch onto a particularly sensitive piece of flesh, he sucked hard until the blond began thrusting his hips against Xander's. "Be even gladder if you'd follow up on your earlier promises, bleachboy."

With an extended groan followed by a shimmy that had the mortal's eyes crossing, Spike let himself be detoured from regrets. "What did I tell you about using the proper form of address, boy?" He 'punished' the young man by moving completely off of the writhing, tanned body.

Before Xander had a chance to whine about his new (no body contact) circumstance, he found his hands being drawn into silken ropes at the carved headboard. Happily purring, he shifted til his limbs were spread eagle for his Master's use, waiting patiently for the blond to secure him for the fun to begin again.

Spike took great delight from the willing smile on his lover's face. With both arms tied high above his head, his legs spread wantonly, Xander's erection hovered over his lower stomach. Already leaking. And all for the Master vampire. At the last minute, he changed plans, shoving pillows under the young man's hips so his head was pushed into the mattress, leaving his ass high in the air. Spike's purr almost matched Xander's as the brunet recognized exactly where this was heading.

"Yesss, please... Master, Spike..." hissing his agreement, Xander spread his legs as far as they would go, creating a blatant invitation for the blond.

Before moving to join the young man on the bed, Spike pulled open his nightstand drawer, taking out a fresh tube of lubricant. He placed the cool container on Xander's chest, smirking at the indrawn breath from cool metal meeting hot flesh. Had he been following the standard initiation script, he would have spent hours tormenting his new slave before allowing pleasure to overtake him. But Spike refused to let the young man's first time be dictated by custom.

Feather touches to his straining arms, light kisses across his face and neck. If all of Xander's brain cells hadn't already taken vacation time, he would probably be going mad soon. As it was, he revelled in the slow build-up of sensation. Spike was being so... considerate. Something he hadn't expected, and swore he would never take for granted.

Remembering some of the things Xander had told him earlier that evening, Spike took great care in lavishing attention on his lover. If Xander wanted to give up all control, then surely the blond could take the reigns from him. Free him of all the young man's inhibitions and worries. Burying his face in the junction of hip and thigh, Spike inhaled the intoxicating aroma of Xander's arousal - heightening his own need. "Total abandon, dearling. Give me everything you've got."

As a teen, Xander had needed to muffle himself during masturbation at his parents' house. When he later moved out, sharing an apartment with Anya, he had continued the practice - apartment walls were notoriously thin. But here and now, he knew such restraints were unnecessary. He fully understood what Spike was demanding, and wanted to give his Master whatever he asked for. Moans and cries, even the occassional whimper when a particularly sensitive section was stroked, Xander let every reaction out to the fullest. It only seemed to inflame them both.

Spike suckled a swollen nipple, soaking up the young man's sounds of encouragement. Each response he dragged from Xander went straight to his own tumescent cock, but he forced himself not to rush this - a person's first time deserved more respect than some frantic push-and-shove. He petted the trembling stomach, stroked down both thighs that spread for his touch, and continued the too-soft caress with his lips. Xander wanted more, he could tell, more pressure or contact, and he was close to giving in. Just a few more minutes of torment for them both.

Alternately praising and cursing various gods for the century-plus of experience that kept his Master from simply *taking* him, Xander tried to concentrate on memorizing everything - feeling, smelling, hearing, tasting, and finally seeing. Being able to watch the lust flare in those amazingly blue eyes brought Xander's desire to a fervent pitch. He begged for more with every moan, each shift of tense muscles. Finally, his addled brain put its two-cents worth, forcing him to offer in words that which his body was trying to convey.

"Master, please! There's plenty of time for slow and gentle later. I need to feel you, in me, Spike please."

His exploration stopped abruptly, Spike looked closely at his lover's face. Raw, aching need - no other way to describe it - blazed in Xander's expression, his eyes dilated til only burning black watched out from behind thick dark lashes. He quickly came to the same conclusion as Xander.

Positioning himself between the young man's thighs, Spike retrieved the tube of slick and spread a large dollop on three fingers. It wouldn't do to be underprepared, and no matter how eager Xander was, he'd need to be fully relaxed and lubricated to make this enjoyable. His worries withered away at the swift introduction of the first digit, which the brunet accepted with a moan of thanks. As his second, then third, finger went in smoothly, Spike's body reacted with burning intensity - his erection, jealous of his fingers, demanded to be welcomed into the tight sheath presented for debauchery.

Xander felt everything. The slip-slide of the satin duvet. The cool brush of air wafting over his sensitized skin. The random touches between Spike's legs and his own. And those wonderfully diabolical fingers, opening him up and preparing him for his Master's use. Some switch clicked over in his mind, turning what was an incredibly erotic experience into an offering - his ultimate gift to another person. Up until that point, tonight had been a game, something fun and sort of scary, but an act he could walk away from with little regret. Now he truly understood the draw toward this lifestyle.

He breathed deeply, causing the trio of fingers to wriggle further into his body, and whispered his plea, "Master, please take me. All I am, all I can be... is yours."

Spike watched with rapt attention as the young man's mind took off somewhere for a minute. It frustrated him, and he was close to ending the whole thing. Then he saw Xander's eyes refocus, opening to show that emotion he'd demanded before - the total, joyful abandonment. When his lover spoke of his gift, the Master had to stiffle his own whimper quickly. He removed his hand, used more lubricant to smooth over his cock, and slipped the head into place.

"Dearling, look into my eyes." His voice a strangled shadow of its normal husky self, Spike carefully slid inside the sucking inferno of Xander's sphincter. He watched as each inch buried inside the young man's body, watched the nearly-black eyes widen in newfound knowledge. "You feel perfect, little one. Your body was made for this, for me. There's nowhere I would rather be, with no one other than you. Feel me filling you up, opening you to fit my all the way. You're pulling me inside you, lovely loving boy."

The almost babbled words of endearment drew Xander near the brink. It was too soon, and years too late. How he wished that he could have looked past his prejudices and fears long ago, when he first had the chance... but no, they both had much to deal with before coming to this point. Silently sending up a prayer of fervent thanks, Xander pulled his legs up and around his Master's slim hips, tugging him closer. "I feel you, Master. Spike... I see you, only you. Only you ever again."

The heartfelt promise made Spike's hips jerk forward, seating him the rest of the way inside. For several moments, he simply held still, enjoying the overwhelming sensations of pleasure and something akin to peace. Not even his lovely, lost Dark Princess had ever made him feel so deeply, and surely not in such short a time. And whether the young man was sincere, or merely speaking words in passion, he would accept it without question.

They began to move together, slowly building toward the pinnacle of their desire. Each entry had Xander widening his eyes in surprised pleasure, then letting them slip almost shut as the thick length retreated, only to repeat the process.

Watching his lover's reactions, Spike moved with as much deliberation as possible. He didn't want his lover too sore to enjoy a second helping in the morning, or - heavens forbid - to be forever traumatized against repeating the act. Using one arm to maintain balance, he let the opposite hand caress the tanned skin laid out for his delectation. So much area to memorize, and he vowed to enjoy every moment of the learning process.

Spike's hand moved over his ribs, across pert nipples, down his sides and over his abdomen. It was more than Xander could concentrate on, focused so intently on the delicious slide of the thick cock that was bringing him such exquisite joy. He heard himself promising forever, devotion and obedience and learning to love, and he couldn't regret a single word of it. No, he didn't love the blond. Yet. But he very easily could. In a flash of insight, he knew that he *wanted* to - this man, this Master vampire, would accept everything he had to give, wouldn't throw it back in his face. Such a revelation dragged a strangled shout from the Xander as he neared the edge.

With every grasping entry into his lover's body, Spike felt himself melting into the young man. Or, more likely, felt the brunet's spirit melding into him. All the love he had thrown at Drusilla - and later Buffy - was rejected. But this wonderful, grown-up version of Alexander Harris would accept. Was vowing the same offers of everlasting that Spike craved so badly.

When the brunet whispered "Forever, want to be yours, no one else's, let me love you", Spike felt that his undead heart would explode. His voice cracked, but he forced it to function, "Mine, Xan. And I am yours."

That was all it took for Xander to climax, his cock untouched, leaving him a quivering mass beneath the blond. His entire body pulsed with the intensity of his orgasm, gripping Spike with legs and ass, pulling him deeper and holding on with everything he had. As his nerves gradually relaxed, he tilted his neck to one side, again offering his ultimate trust to the Master.

Spike rode out the waves of his lover's climax with gritted teeth. He was strung too tightly to withstand the sight of Xander's ecstacy, the submission of his words, the gift of his bared throat. With more grace than he expected, due to the roiling tension of his body, Spike leaned over the young man's chest, licking across the tilted neck. He desperately wanted to mark the young man as his own, but that would wait til Xander had a better idea of what it entailed. For now, he would accept the offering - and pray it wouldn't be the last time.

Xander felt each taste bud slide across the expanse of his throat. Years ago, he and Willow had snuck a peak at the lesser known Watchers journals, the ones that detailed how erotic a vampire bite could be. And if he publically proclaimed not to be interested, to be disgusted even, it never stopped many of his wet dreams from centering on the topic. Now here he was, the recipient of such targeted interest from William the Bloody, and he voluntarily offered his neck. He was either crazy or falling faster than ever before. Xander prayed for the second option, just as his mind went blank of every thought past 'Oh FUCK that's good!'

Spike morphed into gameface, letting his fangs sink slowly into the mortal's vein. He held back the temptation of claiming the young man, reigning in his demon's adamant demands that he do so. In an inadequate compromise, he sipped slowly of Xander's lifeblood, relishing the mix of emotions it delivered. Pleasure so great it passed into rapture, the abandon he'd demanded of the young man, faith and trust and something that came very close to budding love. It was the last emotion that sent Spike hurtling over the edge into his own gut-wrenching climax. He roared in triumphant orgasm, clutching Xander close to him with all his strength.

Coming back from heaven, Spike's only regret was that his lover's hands weren't petting him. He lifted his weight only enough to release the silken cords keeping Xander's arms bound, then sank back into the mortal's embrace. Arms that quickly came around to hug him closely, stroking his arms and back, across shoulders and over buttocks.

If Xander's dreams had been erotically terrifying, the reality was earth-shattering. Pierced and taken, he felt cherished beyond all else. This was what he'd been searching for, for so many years. For all his life, it seemed. He shuddered when his arms were untied, but lost no time putting them to better use. Spike... Master, had made love to him. Not fucked or shagged or any of the locker room euphamisms. And Xander never wanted it to be any other way.

"I meant it, y'know." Just in case the blond hadn't figured it out. "I'm yours, if you want me."

Spike's brain took a minute to catch up with the situation, but he finally muttered, "Meant it too, Xan." He wanted to say more, make sappy proclaimations, write poems dedicated to the mortal's beloved attributes... and that scared him enough to make him shut up.

He got a smack to the back of the head for his tone of voice. "You're brooding. Stop that shit. Time to bask and cuddle, then we take that bath you mentioned earlier. And then, if you still feel the need to beat yourself over some imagined woe, you can bare your soul - heh - and I'll whap you again and then we can make love some more, ok?"

That short burst of Xanderbabble broke the vampire out of his fugue state, and he laughed at himself. "There's a term for pushy bottoms like you, pet. Think they call'em 'sassies'."

"Yeah, that's me. And I get the impression that you're a switch-hitter. One of those topics we'll discuss later, alright? For now, more kisses and less fussing." Purring happily, Xander lifted his lips eagerly to his lover's, waiting for his mouth to be plundered by that talented tongue. Never one to pass up such a golden opportunity, Spike gave him long linguring kisses that softened into more tenderness than sensuality.

"Bath, or nap then bath? I'll remember to feed you in a bit." As comfortable as he was, Spike knew his mortal would require both soon enough.

"Nap first. Stay..." his voice trailing off, some of Xander's courage seemed to depart in the afterglow.

"Finish your thought, dearling." The vampire tried to lift himself from his lover's body, make him more comfortable, but he was trapped by strong arms.

As the blond made to move away, Xander shyly made his request. "Stay where you are, please. For just a little while."

And since that was exactly where Spike wanted to be, he gave in gracefully. "Of course, love. For just a little while."

~ TBC ~

A longer chapter than I'd expected, but I just couldn't find a decent stopping point. There's more to come, another couple of segments at least, that I'll work on this week. Hope everyone finds this one satisfactory.

And for those of you wondering about that comment concerning our favorite Watcher, the answer is nigh *wink*