The Labyrinth

Important AN: I don't remember the story title or author, but I recall a fic that has a similar lore regarding consorts and sharing the vampire's demon. I'll try to locate it to give proper credit - no offense is intended to the author by borrowing (and somewhat bastardizing) their ideas.


- Part 7 -

"Thousands of years ago, so long ago that even the oldest vampires weren't around to witness, a rift between Earth and one of the hells opened. It allowed the first vampire spirits to slip into this plane, where they waited patiently for physical bodies to inhabit. In the beginning of our species, there were many mistakes and few successes, but among that small number was the first Master Aurelius. He and four others, each the strongest of their specialty, created the rituals and rules of heirarchy among our kind. They acknowledged the division between potential Masters and common vampires. Such clan, or family, lines that were strong enough to control lesser demons became the aristocracy of vampiric culture. Such that it is.

"There's very little loyalty between common vampires and the strong lines. We have no compunctions against dusting the lesser beings, no more than they have for randomly gorging whole communities of humans. Their intellegence is well below their human body's former self, and they lack vital traits - cunning, subtlety, loyalty to their species, and love (as opposed to lust). They abide by no rules or strictures, and rarely acknowledge other beings as equals. One of the few exceptions is that, regardless of their inherent stupidity, they instinctively accept claimed mates of high vampires, considering them part of the species. This does not always guarantee safety to the claimed, but it does provide a measure of security they would not otherwise find.

"The ritual for claiming a mate outside of our species is at least five thousand years old. A high vampire claiming a human as mate doesn't happen terribly often, but each documented occurance has eventually been turned. In each case, there are few changes in personality - many cases claim to still 'feel' their soul's presence. Speculations over the reasons for this phenomena run rampant, but most agree that it is due, at least in part, to the frequent exchanges of blood between the mated couple. It is assumed that the human gradually comes into contact with their mate's demon spirit, accepting it into their soul prior to being turned. Hence, little change after turning - the human would be accustomed to dealing with the demon's impulses, and more capable of reigning in such urges, however violent. After turning, the claimed is usually much stronger than the average fledgeling.

"Components of the ritual vary between clan lines, but not by much. The essential parts never deviate - all differences being the particulars of each family's code or guidelines. There are seven steps in the ritual for the Aurelius line... although we only have record of two claimed humans being accepted by the Master of the time. In our case, sweetling, we're lucking out - since I'm the head of clan now, we don't have to grovel or pimp ourselves out to some pompous bastard, and maybe be killed before we can complete the ritual. Quite often in the past, the whole thing was done in the presence of whatever clan members were close enough to answer the call. Aren't you glad the rest are dust? Anyway, the seven steps are as follows.

"First, I announce my intent to take you into my life, heart, and clan as my claimed mate. There's an outline of what's supposed to be said, and it's real stuffed-shirt, but I'll mean every bit of it. Next, your acceptance - there's words for that too, but you've got alot more leeway. When we've both stated our intent, we exchange blood, just a couple of mouthfuls. We can use either blade or teeth - whatever we choose will leave its mark, so most vamps'll want to use fangs, for territorial reasons y'know. Then we do a quick spell that magically binds us together, and *probably* but no one's certain, lets a part of my demon start slipping into you. I'm pretty sure that's what happens, cus otherwise how else would the demon recognize its mate at the deepest level? Next is the fun part - we have messy, sloppy, delicious sex... no time limit here, and I plan on making the most of it, yeh? There's some formal words after we're done to finish our part, then, traditionally, we take our binding to the Master of the line and get approved. 'S why I said the last'd be simple, since I'm the Master now, right?"

"Well, aintcha gonna say anythin, pet?"

Muffled noise came from Xander, through his gag. Somewhat embarassed, Spike quickly untied the gag and cuffs restraining his lover, and just as quickly stepped back. "Sorry bout that, luv. Had ta make sure you'd let me get all that shite outa the way, didn't I?"

Glaring at the blond-who-might-not-get-laid-tonight, Xander rubbed his wrists to regain circulation, then leaned over for the glass of water on the nightstand. Half a glass later, he finally found his voice. "You really didn't have to do the gag thing, Spike. How long ago did you memorize that, anyways?"

Spike reached out for his prospective mate, stroking fingers across a tanned hand. "Wasn't sure I could get through it if you'd interrupted a single time. 'S a lecture I had ta learn just after being turned, but once I could quote it straight, I never had to repeat it again. So, yeh I did, an... bout a hundred an twenty years. Give or take."

Xander nodded, thoughtful. "Don't think you gave my curiosity enough credit, but I understand your reasons. And not to sound like Giles, but that was just *fascinating*! I almost wanna call the gang to come by as witnesses, y'know? But not, cus ewww - so not thinking about the girls watching us having the ritual sex." He shuddered dramatically, while his vamp lover just smirked. "And ok, a certain amount of exhibitionism is cool, but not the girls!"

Alternately snickering and cringing at the idea, Spike rejoined his lover on the bed. He retook Xander's hand, lacing their fingers together. "You're the first person I've ever told, and the only one outside of clan to know in several hundred years. Might not mean much to you-"

"NO! Gods Spike, it means everything! And before you ask, no I'm not gonna back out. I want this as much as you do, even if it's happening so fast it makes my head spin like that little girl in the Exorcist movie." Xander's strong words were undermined by his trembling hands, but Spike sensed only understandable nerves. His voice softened, his eyes caught and held the blond's. "There's no way I don't want this. It's like something finally clicked into place that I've been missing all my life, and I'd be nuts to doubt it or turn it down. I may be alot of things, but crazy I'm not."

Laughing through his words, Spike tried to agree. " Of course not, luv. Never said you were... that I recall. Do you... *when* do you want to do this? How soon before I can stake my claim on your gorgeous self, hmm?" His words teasing, but a fervent want throbbed in his blazing blue eyes.

Xander shivered at the blatant need coming from his beloved, but he felt the same urgency. "Is tonight too soon? What sort of herbs or candles or stinky potions do we need for the spell part?"

Inside, Spike's demon roared in triumph. His mate-to-be was just as eager, he would face no rejection from the only being to truly deserve his devotion. "Probly got everything we need here, dearling. Simple enough spell, just a few words in Latin - the vampire version of it anyway - and the right incense burning. I'll go hunt that down, and light some candles, if you wanna start a bath for us."

Both men stood, automatically coming together in a tender kiss. Xander swore to relearn how to breathe through his nose so that they didn't ever have to break apart for such mundane reasons. When they parted, Spike left for parts unknown, leaving the brunet to run the hot water at just the right temperature and add soft, musky bath oil.

All previous attempts at long-term commitment had left Xander terrified, clammy and sweaty and ready to vomit. He experienced none of those nervous feelings, only a sense of peace and - cheesy as it sounded, even to him - completion. As if he were finally at the place he was destined to find. Beside William the Bloody, forever. Even the prospect of eventually being turned didn't alter his decision. After all, wasn't that what Giles or Willow was for, to anchor his soul if it was in danger? Although, if Spike's lesson in lore was accurate, he might not even need that. And just how cool was it that he could probably spend the next thousand years with a person who loved him above all others... The broad smile that covered his face showed how ecstatically happy he was.

~ * ~

They bathed each other with gentle touches and loving kisses, replenishing the hot water twice to draw out their pleasure. With fluffy towels and frequent stops to smooch or grope, both found their physical contact had grown more sensual, leading up to their upcoming union. Xander stepped into the bedroom first, gasping at the dozens of candles and soft incense that leant a meditative aura to the room.

"Oh Spike, this is... all it's missing is rose petals to be the ultimate romantic scene." He spotted a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket near the bed, with two tall fluted glasses on the night table - beside the lube, romantic itself when he thought about his vampire's taste for rough play. He almost jumped out of his skin when a cooling hand met his lower back.

"Shh luv, just me, innit? An I didn't do the rose petals, cus they don't smell right with this type of incense. But if you really want them-"

"No, don't bother. I don't want to spend my wedding night sneezing." Giggling with anticipatory nerves, Xander placed a chaste kiss on the tip of Spike's nose. "You'll... lead me through what I'm supposed to say, right?"

When his darling boy said 'wedding night', Spike almost jumped the mortal. Carefully reigning himself in, he pulled Xander into his arms. "Just listen to what I say. You'll figure out the responses pretty easy from there. Sorta like those church things where the preacher says something and the congregation replies, and it's all written down in the back of the hymnals, yeh?"

"Uh, you do realize that I never really went to church, don't you? Went to synagog a few times with Willow when we were kids, but my folks weren't religious. At all."

"Don't matter, luv. You'll catch on quick-like." Snuggling his face into a warm neck, Spike inhaled the leftover scent of bath oil and the underlying aroma of his darling. He led Xander to the bed, kneeling down in the center and guiding the brunet to copy his actions. "Ready Xan?"

"Almost..." Tentatively, Xander leant forward and brushed his lips against Spike's. Naked and rapidly hardening, his body was energized and electrified - it felt as if he had consumed several two-litres of cola, a dozen Twinkies, and inhaled a ton of pure chocolate. "Now I'm ready. Wanna be yours, Spike."

Spike relished his lover's kisses at any time, but this one was... charged. He could think of no other way of phrasing it, as every molecule in his body seemed to gravitate toward his lovely. "Want you, dearling. Wanna be yours too."

Bodies arranged so they were almost touching, Spike did a quick check to make sure the incense was still going and that none of the candles had gone out. Satisfied, he drew a silver dagger from beneath a pillow and faced his future mate. Locking his eyes with Xander's, he began to speak in a low, strong tone.

"I, William the Bloody, also known as Spike, Master of the Aurelius clan and Master in my own right, lay claim to this human known as Xander, born Alexander Lavelle Harris. From this day til our deaths, let all know that he is my consort, my beloved mate, the holder of my heart. I offer my love, devotion, and protection, as well as anything else he should want or need, for eternity. I ask only that he remain faithful to me, never losing his love and delight in our relationship. This is my intent, so say I."

Xander's lungs locked up tight, hearing the ritual words spoken in that voice he adored. His lover was right after all - he'd have no problem with his replies.

"I, Xander Harris, born Alexander Lavelle Harris, accept the claim upon my life and love by Spike, otherwise called William the Bloody. Til he's dust and I'm dead, may this world and all the rest of them know that I belong to him. May he continue to be my lover, best friend, my heart and the better part of my soul, for the rest of our days. Everything I am or can be is his, and I'll never let anyone come between us. Take my love and loyalty, as I accept yours. This is my intent, so mote it be."

His lover's twist on the ritualistic phrases only caused a raised eyebrow. Spike kissed Xander, letting it deepen til they had practically crawled inside each other's mouth. Pulling away only an inch, he flicked his eyes back to brown ones filled with emotion. "Want blade or bite, luv?"

A full body shiver caught Xander. "Bite me, blondie." He snickered at the old taunt, still shaking lightly in arousal. "Can I bite you too, or do I need to use the dagger?"

"Whichever you like, Xan. Just remember that whatever we do, it's supposed to scar." Licking the warm neck in front of his face, Spike considered where he'd put his mark. The thought almost made him come. "Want to put it here, sweetling, on your shoulder, up close to your neck. That way you'll feel it every time you move, remember who you belong to, yeh?"

By the time the blond finished, Xander was panting heavily. "Specially if it's gonna scar, it's gotta be *my* teeth marks in you. Not just some cold, impersonal metal. To let the rest of the world know, no poaching, property of Xander Harris." Seeing a similar territorial look on the vampire's face, Xander felt less uncomfortable with his primal need to sink his teeth into that lovely flesh.

Spike found himself mezmerized by the steady throb on his lovely's throat. He licked his lips, then traced his tongue across jugular vein, ending beneath the right ear. "You ready, Xander?" Dropping his head onto the mortal's shoulder, Spike nuzzled into his boy's warmth. "Gonna do it right here, right now. Might sting a bit more than the couple times I've bit ya before, gotta be deeper to scar, yeh?" He gnawed on the trembling muscle, relishing the waves of intense arousal and want coming from his darling. "MINE!"

As the vampire's fangs sank through tissue, all the way down to bone, Xander's body slumped into the bite. He had never felt more connected to anyone before, his whole being centered around the feeling of his blood being carefully drawn into that cool mouth. Some small portion of his psyche reminded him to be prepared for his turn, keeping Xander grounded through the bliss invading him, mind body and soul.

Every emotion his lovely felt blazed through his blood, feeding Spike's hunger. It was far from basic bloodlust, however - the most intimate joining of his human soul and demon spirit with this wonderful mortal. Nearly orgasmic in itself, he lifted away from the bite and gently licked his puncture marks closed to begin healing.

Xander floated in and out of consciousness, aware that his turn was coming and trying to stay coherent enough to do it right. If their earlier forays into biting had been intense, sensual, but this... anchored him. His mind flew through a thesaurus of new age terms in an attempt at locating the most appropriate phrase. Nothing really described it, though he came close with transcendental and spiritual merging. Shaking himself out of his foggy thinking, Xander took his mate's lips in a fierce kiss, sucking each linguring droplet from Spike's mouth.

"Think I've got the idea, blondie. Together forever, right?" Sloppy licks and nibbles outlined the vampire's throat as Xander drew a meandering map across his torso. "Know where I want to leave my mark too." Spike could get no firm hints with the brunet's random movements, and his body quivered in surpressed need. "You'll love this, Spike. Gonna hurt and bleed for me, aren't ya... Right... here."

Finally settling his lips into place, Xander tore into the vampire's pectoral, just a couple of inches above his left nipple. He had to use alot more force with blunt human teeth than his lover's fangs had done, but from the sounds Spike was making, Xander figured he didn't mind much. Chewing and sucking, his efforts eventually brought up enough blood for Xander to gulp a couple of mouthfuls. And with each swallow, his senses heightened til he too could feel his mate's emotions. If he'd had doubts before, the taste of Spike's love-drenched blood put them to rest.

With his last sip, he felt something dark and glowing touch his heart. Raising his head, Xander licked across the ragged wound and opened his eyes slowly, immediately caught his lover's golden stare. "I feel you, Spike. Inside me - gods, it's incredible!" Tears flowed freely down his face, so choked with emotion that he couldn't prevent some form of release.

The image of Xander's blood-tinged lips would forever be etched in Spike's memory - a picture so erotic to the demon, and equally sensual to his soul. He captured his lover's mouth, completing the circle of their essence exchange. "Never letting you go, Xan. Can't, won't, would kill me."

"You won't ever have to. Can't let you go either, fangs." Their kisses became more passionate, taking no care around the razor teeth of Spike's demonic visage. "Let's finish this now, Spike. Want you so deep inside me in every way."

Taking a shaky breath, the blond forced himself to rest back on his heels, away from the tempting body in front of him. "Right, next step is the spell. Shouldn't hurt, but... this is where we'll be tied together, luv. Dunno what'll happen, honestly. There's no records of the specific-"

"Hey Spike, shut up and spell us." Xander leant forward for one last, hard kiss. "It'll be a surprise. And you'll be here to catch me, no matter what, right?"

"Yeh, no matter what." His lovely's words strengthened Spike, lessening the worry. Mojo had always made him nervous, regardless of what it was supposed to do. But he remembered well the words to the simple spell, and they fell from his lips quickly. At the last syllable, Spike felt a tug in his mind and heart, tethering him to his lover's spirit. He was so wrapped up in the unique sensation of being enveloped in that warmth that he almost missed Xander's reaction.

"Woah! Fuck me sideways..." The hint of Spike's presence that he'd felt from the blood multiplied, and Xander staggered forward, slumping against the blond's chest. His voice choked and rough, he kept repeating, "In me, around me, you're inside me, Spike."

Some deeply buried part of the vampire's mind remembered the next step in the ritual. And wasn't it convenient how his darling boy was once again in his arms? Spike gently laid the mortal down, grabbing the slick as he slithered his body along the length of his lover. "Gotta have ya now, pet. Make this good for ya, getcha slippery an stretched an ready for me."

Still dazed, Xander locked onto his mate's voice. His legs spread eagerly at the questing touch, closing around the pale hips to drag them closer. When had he gotten so hard? No answer came, but he ignored it for later. Right now, he had a eager vamp with a luscious prick to fill the aching emptiness in his butt. "Don't take too long, Spike. Want you now, hard and fast."

"Not gonna hurt ya, luv. Just a little more," more to reassure himself than his panting Xander, Spike babbled through one, two, three fingers worth of lubricant. "Good enough, sweetling?"

"More than. NOW, Spike!" If he had to flip their positions and mount the blond to ease his burning need, Xander was prepared to do just that. Lucky for them both, Spike caught up with his urgency and swiftly impaled himself. "Oh fuckin hell yesssss..." And then there were no more words, only waves of ecstacy flowing between and through them.

Dimly, Spike recalled the bliss he'd felt when he had first taken his darling - was it really just a couple of days ago? - but he was completely unprepared for the wealth of sensation that swept through him now. There was no finesse to his movements, although he did manage to brush his lover's prostate more often than not. Caught in a tsunami of sensation, he sought and found Xander's weeping erection, pulling it in time with his thrusts. "Not gonna last, luv. Sorry it's so quick-"

"Me too, gods Spike! Don't hold back on me." Xander knew he was just asking for it, demanding the stronger-than-human thrusts into his untrained hole. Pleasure/pain burned brightly, raising the fire inside him to iron-melting intensity. Tomorrow, he'd pay for their energetic activities, but right now he *needed* Spike's full strength.

He didn't want to hurt his lover, really he didn't, but how was he supposed to hold back when the wonderful, sweet *hot* young man was begging so prettily. Lifting tanned legs across his shoulders, Spike dived in for all he was worth, pistoning his cock into Xander's grasping hole in a blur of speed. The tell-tale tingling began at his pelvis and spread up his spine, slowly taking over his senses. He couldn't hold off orgasm any longer, and stroked his lover faster to bring them off together.

Xander was happily stuck in a web of sensual delight. Between the thick erection pounding into his ass, hitting every nerve and setting them on fire, and the cool hand on his dick that demanded his come... he didn't want it to end, but knew they were rapidly hurdling toward climax. Spike's movements became jerky and erratic just as Xander felt the beginnings of his own completion. "Fuck! Mineminemine forever now love you Spike my one my own fuck yessss!"

He honestly tried to hold it back, but when Xander's head started thrashing in time with the pulsations of his ass, Spike's orgasm rampaged over him. He barely heard his lover's rambling declarations - although, his demon apparently took detailed notes, roaring its approval. "Yours Xan, never letting you go." His internal roar turned outward, rattling the windows in triumph. Somewhere in the distant echoes of his buzzing ears, he heard himself screaming possessive claims, but since Xander answered each with a firm 'yes!', he let darkness suck him under.

~ * ~

For the first time since he'd arrived at Spike's home, Xander woke first. Experimentally flexing his muscles, he made a few interesting discoveries - first and most appealing was that the vampire's prick was still lodged in his butt, but he also noted that he didn't have any annoying aches or pains. Probably had something to do with the spell, so he wasn't about to complain.

He took great pleasure in studying this man, his lover and new mate. From golden blond curls to sharp cheekbones, down the defined chest and delicious... His dick woke up too, happily agreeing with his assessment of the vampire's attributes. Xander didn't want to wake his lover, keeping still as possible even as his bladder joined the land of the full-to-burst. After all, what was he supposed to do about it, with 180 pounds of slumbering undead on top (and still buried inside) him?

At least he had a few minutes to take stock without those entrancing blue eyes distracting him. What was he thinking, jumping into this without research or talking to Giles or Willow or... Xander gave himself a hard mental slap, stopping that train of thought in its tracks. All the best decisions he'd ever made had been from his heart. And that was the why and what of it. He quickly stomped on the tiny voice in his head that screamed at his stupidity - mainly because it sounded like his dad, but also because he *knew* he'd done right.

"Can hear ya thinkin, luv. Don't sprain yerself."

Bonded and claimed or not, that deserved the usual response. He whapped the back of a blond head, then leaned up and snagged a sloppy kiss or three. "Hey there, bloodbreath. Wanna get off me so I can pee?"

And apparently, Spike was trainable - he vaulted off his lover and practically dragged him toward the bathroom only seconds after the request was made. Xander's giggles echoed behind the closed door, punctuated by a steady stream of liquid hitting liquid. One of the many facets of humanity that the blond hadn't ever missed.

Flush, wash hands, scrub face, and ok his hair showed exactly how rough he'd been ridden. Xander's satisfied smirk greeted him in the mirror, and he winked at it before opening the door. And immediately was pounced on by the blond tornado with too many hands and a hyperactive tongue that seemed determined to lick every inch of his body in the next three seconds. From the looks of things, it just might succeed too. Not that he was complaining.

Xander waited almost patiently until the blond head moved to investigate his claim mark before asking, "Hey Spike," in his best whine, "Feed me!"

A chorus of two - for once in total accord, both demon and soul - chanted 'Mine mine mine mine' in his subconscious, Spike was determined that his taste buds memorize his darling's body. His purpose was detoured briefly when he came upon his fang marks, and they demanded attention. He could happily have spent the next decade devoted to his oral exploration, but for the sulking voice begging food. With a put-upon sigh, he made note of where he'd left off mapping his territory. "Right, one high calorie meal, if I recall your earlier schedule."

"Umhmm, tasty food before sex, keeps the human from passing out or being grumpy." Without Spike's lips and tongue devouring him, Xander's brain caught up with his stomach. He determined to ignore his hard-on til after sustenance was provided - both it and his vampire could just deal.

Stealing a hard kiss, Spike kept his darling locked in inhuman arms. "Let's finish first, yeh? Won't take long, luv."

"What more do we need to do? I'm yours, you're mine, and now the long line of Aurelius has a new addition - even if I'm not undead yet. And you've already given the Master's approval, right?" Even as he said his list, Xander's attention shifted to his teeth marks on the pale chest. A perfect ring of holes, silvering as they healed to scars, announcing to the world his ownership. His erection seconded the wave of proprietary arousal that swept through him.

"Eh, pretty much that... you've-" Spike's nose picked up the mortal's change in scent "-bloody hell, Xan! Yer not gonna make it to breakfast if ya keep smellin like that." He ground his hips against his lover's, drawing groans from them both. "Right then, you're mine an I'm yours. As Master of the line, I approve the match. Everyone else can kiss arse." Arms closing around Xander, he tossed the human over his shoulder and headed back to bed.

It came as a surprise when Xander felt an answering wave of arousal coming from his mate. Like a feedback loop. All thoughts of food evaporated in lieu of his need for immediate sex. "Food later, fuck me now."

No complaints came from his partner, who had his mouth full anyways.

~ TBC ~

Huh... took a much different turn than my original idea. Let's see what you folks think, yeah? Please let me know, the good, bad and ugly of it.