They were entwined, relaxing nude under the soft covers of the large four poster in their rooms at ‘slayer central’. It was the first night Xander had his human/vampire shaped friend in his arms since they had come to England, and only the second since they had met up in Boston again. Well strictly speaking there had been a fair amount of fondling under the covers of a first class airline seat blanket… but...
Spike had draped himself across his partner’s chest, head resting on the well sculpted left pectoral, ear to the heartbeat and left hand gently caressing his partner’s torso.
“What was it like?”
“What pet?”
“Being… fuzzy and rabbit shaped…? I mean, could you understand when I was talking to you?
“’Course… understood everythin’ and don’t forget the bond?! Felt that too.”
“Well, what was it…”
Spike’s quiet tones interrupted the line of questioning.
“Terrifyin’ for much of it. ‘Twas an odd thing really. Instincts of prey, and mind that kept screaming predator? Bein’ that small and havin’ your own permanent fur coat was mighty odd too. Fur feet just damned annoyin’... Few things were nice though… Sun was bloody marvelous!! And sleepin’ on your chest, the heart beat, and snuggling meself safe in your arms?”
Spike hugged and snuggled into his partner as if to demonstrate the point, “Hmmm could well do with more of that...”
“God I missed you! And I was so afraid that… “ Xander sat up abruptly… “You know I am *never* gonna feel the love for cats again!.. That library adventure of yours… gahh!”
The consort shivered with the terrifying memory. Spike snuggled and caressed his partner further, expressing his gratitude and love in simple wordless stroking and snuffles as he intertwined his limbs with Xander. Spike opened his wrist and found it accepted with the reverence due the arm of a religious leader. Xander stretched his neck as he accepted the dripping limb but could not withhold the amorous groan.
The human was reluctant to break the mood but felt he had to, given the side discussions with Willow and Giles over the past couple of days.
“Now that you’re… well… back, Giles wants us all to have a formal meeting with the coven and the new council tomorrow.”
“Oh Bloody Hell! What now? As if we haven’t had enough of mojo and mumblin’s from watchers and witches to last a lifetime! We’re on *holiday’s* in case they’ve forgotten...?!”
“The New Council is just trying to sort out the Italian connection with Initiative stuff.”
Spike stilled and almost whispered with trepidation, “The what?!...Buffy…?!”
“She’s fine but ‘wigged’, and her new squeeze is as well… What sort of weirdo calls themselves ‘the Immortal’ anyway?…”
Spike looked decidedly annoyed, raised an eyebrow and stated with venom in his flat delivery, “A wanker who is.”
“You *know* him?”
“Hate the bastard.”
“Is Buffy safe with him?... I mean, he sounds like a pretty great guy from what Andrew and Willow were saying?”
“Oh he’s a barrel of laughs mate, bloody ponce… Bloke’s a regular walkin’ shagfest… ‘cording to Darla ‘n Dru at least… no doubt figures Slayer’s a right conquest. *Bastard*.” The last word was all but spat out.
Xander paused while his now game faced partner calmed.
“Anyway… Giles got a call, Buff was sure it was them… bit of intel later and… Like to bet my good eye that Mr Corn-bred Idaho Marine Guy is behind the Buffy stalkage... And to think I felt sorry for him when we were in Sunnydale!”
“I didn’t.”
“Yeah well… ”
“Fun times pet…” Spike watched his partner’s face as memories came flooding back. Xander distinctly recalled days of questioning sessions with one underfed, desperate vampire chained in a bathtub. At the time, it had not bothered him, now it was a whole period that he would rather forget, given his rather shameful taunting of ‘the helpless’. As his thoughts drifted to family, years of betrayal, abuse and basements, Xander’s expression reflected the inner lost and beaten, small boy. His lover squeezed him, grounded him and reminded him of just how different things were now by kissing the frown on his forehead then a tender kiss to his worry tightened lips.
“Life’s better now innit?”
“Oh yeah….”
Silence reigned for a moment.
Spike eventually sniffed hard, folded his arms, and said resignedly, “So, much as I enjoy rakin’ over the past, what is it the Watcher wants us to do? Not exactly warriors for the good any more are we pet?!…”
At that point, Xander had the dignity to look embarrassed, he watched as the azure eyes flashed yellow then blue and gold with the ‘side order of excruciating pain’, his own voice dropped to an intimate growl, “Just thought… You know, if they needed us…”
“Oh bugger, you’ve *got* to be kiddin’! Me, saved the world twice, been there in the foray for two or three others. You’ve averaged one for four luv. We’ve lost too much, and we owe them *nothin’*! Don’t want you involved! Don’t want me involved! Xan?!!! We came here to make memories, not relive ‘em.”
Xander took the face of his life partner in both hands and forced him to face Xander’s patchless, scarred visage.
“If the Initiative is back and looking at Slayers, then everyone here is going to be a target… Not to mention the whole ‘demons of Europe’ being in danger, and if they succeed here then they’ll go back into the US as well. You… and me too, being ‘consort’.. Well you know we’ll be targets for them … and Jamielle or no Jamielle! You can bet they’ll be at our Sacramento address!" Xander squeezed his partner a little tighter. “Giles won’t force us sweetheart, it’s just… *we* can be useful here… At least come and listen to what’s going on before *we* decide.” Xander snaked his hand up, grasped his partner’s beautiful face and pulled him into a passionate kiss.
Spike pulled away first, “Bloody unfair Harris!”
“What?” Xander’s attempted innocence failed miserably as he grinned knowing he’d won.
Spike pursed his lips, gave his most wicked smirk and with narrowed eyes gave his agreement, “Just so long as you know, I *will* be shaggin’ you senseless after the meetin’, cause I swear! It’s been almost three weeks since you had a proper seein’ to!”
Xander matched the smirk and replied, “Eighteen days and counting… so… let’s just see who sees to whom shall we?”
Spike attempted to look shocked, “You cheeky bastard!” He proceeded to tickle and tease the human to within an inch of delight-induced asphyxiation. In the process the vampire discovered that improved speed and reflexes were other traits the consort inherited from the link to his master.
Xander escaped, dressed and was standing at the door with a smirk very worthy of the consort of William the Bloody. He held out his hand. “Are you coming?”
Spike wished in that moment that he had a heartbeat to skip… but need not have worried, the nervous jolt of pride and lust was very much the same.