Travel to Rome was strangely easy, though Spike, apparently far too accustomed to traveling at the ‘pointy end’ of the plane had pouted adorably at the blushing check-in clerk, then thrown his platinum card across the counter to fund the move from row fifty two to row five.
As they settled into their seats he was still grumbling,“*Bloody typical!* Watchers still can’t even sort a decent ticket for their workers in the field! Who the hell would pay to travel without a personal drinks service and a reasonably sized pillow!”
Xander smirked at his partner… It seemed that the years of starving and Sunnydale were long forgotten. The ‘first class’ vampire was definitely in the building.
The human had placated his annoyed friend by snuggling under a shared blanket and whispering, “Don’t mind if you purr” He had continued to stroke his partner’s inner thigh while warning, “No more growling at the passengers or crew and I’ll fix this as soon as the movie starts.” He ran a nail over the material straining with Spike’s very obvious interest in the ministrations.
True to his word, Xander had distracted his partner during takeoff. Spike bit his tongue hard enough to draw blood as shared erotic images and physical sensation collided and the result was caught in the warm face towel provided when they first sat down. As always, the crew seemed to gravitate toward the ‘friends’ in row five, so much so that a very jovial inter isle card game between both patrons and bemused staff was packing up as the seat belt sign went on.
Spike gave his fellow players a genteel ‘peck’ on the hand and his partner a very public, very passionate kiss on the lips. They both grinned as they noted the almost jealous looks from flight attendants Charlotte and Cosmina, and overheard the departing comments, “*All* the good ones are gay! But gahhh weren’t they…”
They arrived at the small apartment following a taxi ride hosted by a driver who incessantly swore at fellow commuters in swift (apparently broken) Italian, wove in an out of four lanes of traffic, ran a red light, smoked three cigarettes in succession and sounded his horn at every opportunity. Xander grinned as his partner addressed the man in perfect Italian at the conclusion of their trip, commenting on his driving prowess (or lack thereof), then paid without tipping and allowed his eyes to flash gold ensuring a swift departure and no argument.
The building manager was a rather portly middle aged woman who smiled sweetly at Xander then positively flirted with Spike. The vampire’s grasp of the local language and his willingness to kiss the woman on both cheeks and return her attentions with convincing ‘shy act’, guaranteed them a platter of fresh fruit, a bottle of her brother’s home brewed lambrusco wine, and an offer to organize a car and driver whenever they needed it during their stay, and an invitation to dinner!
Fearful of the apartment being under observation, Spike had requisitioned a ‘handicapped’ bathroom and donned his heat suit while still at the airport (amidst complaints of ‘lack of accessibility’ and the overly ‘snug fit’.) Xander had all but forgotten about the technology during their cab ride from hell, so was utterly unprepared when a very warm body pinned him to the wall of their new abode and whispered “Welcome to Rome, pet.”
“Gahh! Is there a heat control for you? ‘Cause gotta say, feeling *very hot under the collar here!” Xander grinned and welcomed Spike’s open mouthed kiss and whole body contact.
Spike pulled away for a moment, “New experience for you? Thought all newly weds had to feel this.” He grinned and winked then slammed the front door of the apartment hard enough that it failed to catch, “C’mon luv live a little – how’s about I up our temperature a mark or two, figure you might like your boy hot and sweaty?!” Spike’s left hand had found its way to Xander’s very obvious erection while he forwent more dialogue in preference to plundering the hot mouth.
“Bloody lovely this, do you know how hot I feel at the moment… Can hardly think straight I’m so hot…”
“Shhhh what if someone hears us?”
“Let ‘em, feelin’ so…” Spike nibbled Xander’s ear and proceeded to unzip and unbutton his partner’s clothes, stripping him to his boxers within seconds.
Xander’s remaining brain cells dealing with rational thought, managed to register the still ajar door and the idea that a bed might be more comfortable. He pushed his lover back for a moment, shoved the door closed with his foot and maneuvered them both into the bedroom. Spike shed his outer layers as they moved to fall in a smiling heap onto the bed. What Xander did not expect was the strange sensation of having a body he knew so well clad in warmed lycra, and proceeded to silently thank the suit’s designer for the strategically placed ‘access points’ as the two began to make love in earnest.
In fourth floor of the ancient building opposite:
“Two occupants. Male, sir. One English, one American we surmise by the accents.”
“Records? You have obtained their check in details?”
“One A. Harris, building project manager, Sacramento. One W. Aurelius, investor, Boston. Both flew in from the UK last night. Here for ten days.”
“Connections in Italy?”
“None known at this stage, sir.”
“Travel plans?”
“Villa in Tuscany booked for the weekend, landlady is assisting with a driver, other than that no firm plans known sir.”
“Contacts.”
“No calls made and none mentioned sir. It seems they are here on some type of ‘honeymoon’ sir.”
The older man all but growled, “Heat scan?”
“Normal, sir, at least normal enough.”
“Explain!”
“Well sir..” The young soldier blushed profusely then continued, “They seem to be currently engaged in carnal relations, sir. The heat scan is difficult to…”
“Yes fine, soldier. Carry on” The Lieutenant turned and stalked toward the door grumbling, “What is it about faggots and Rome!”
“Excuse me, sir?”
The commander turned momentarily, “Nothing Chambers, carry on.”
“Sir?”
“We can’t move unless we are *sure* they are of interest to the group. We do know a slayer and her non human companion frequented here, but we must assume that was to do with the group we already have in custody. Can’t imagine our ‘lover boys’ are anything more than just that.”
“Your orders sir?”
“Just keep the scanners on, forty-eight hours. If you don’t get anything unusual, we’ll have to assume it’s another ‘pink pair’, all Lamborghinis, leather and lattes!” He scowled and stalked off mumbling unhappily about Mardi Gras madness, gays in the military and the desire to engage in ‘real’ espionage rather than ‘watching pansy’s screw’.
………..
A drip fell from the end of Xander’s nose, landing neatly on the middle of his blonde partner’s forehead. He had never really considered just how advantageous it was to engage in sex with a ‘cooler’ friend. Finally rolling off his warm bed buddy and spooning the figure to join him in slumber, his last thought prior to snoozing was one of slight concern over moisture and the dangers of electric blankets. Spike had no such qualms, he simply snuggled into the feel of his lover’s body and enjoyed a warmth that came from every direction.
Their encounter had begun with the usual rush of enthusiasm, fueled, as it had been since their mating, by imagery and emotions flowing from one to the other. This time however, as Xander heated up, Spike’s suit seemed to respond in kind, giving its wearer and his lover the most extraordinary addition to their lovemaking.
Xander had bitten gently down the clad torso, carefully unzipped the groin and just before engulfing his partner’s already solid erection, exclaimed “My God Spike, you are *so* hot.” Then continued to pet and caress until his incessant tongue and mouth elicited the first of three climaxes for the night. Vampire stamina gave Spike the advantage, but it seemed that the warmth now surrounding his person had other effects. Xander had prepared himself then lowered onto his lover, beginning to rise and fall slowly, and brushing his own sex over the silky material now covering his lover. For Spike the effect had been electric – within seconds, the suit heated up, he heated up, and found himself positively ravaging his lover’s mouth, and driving his release.
Xander had grinned, commented on hot and horny youth then proceeded to take his partner face to face, kissing and nipping the writhing figure throughout until he had heated the blonde ‘from the inside’.
They both stirred some time after noon the next day, untangled limbs that had intertwined during sleep, and petted each other softly until words could be formed. The afternoon sun was well onto the other side of the building, so Xander stood, opened the curtains then traditional wooden shutters, and let the heat, the sounds and smells of old Rome enter.
An azure blue stare greeted him as he returned to the bed, “Hey sweetheart”
“Hmmm, mornin’ luv”
Xander rolled onto his back and stared at the ornate ceiling, putting the arm farthest from Spike under his head.
“Amazing.”
Spike shifted a little and smirked, leaning over to caress the bare torso of his lover, “Been called many things pet, but coming from you…”
“No, I meant the ceil… Grrrrrr” Restful thoughts abandoned, he launched himself at the vampire, tickling every available mark before lightening speed replaced giggles and squirming, and he found himself pinned out on the bed like some ancient sacrifice.
Spike was all but in game face and grinning when Xander felt unfettered fear flow through the link. The vampire leaned down as if to kiss him on the ear “Shhh pet… we’re definitely bein’ watched.” From the corner of his good eye, Xander caught what he thought to be the glint of a camera lens from a building across the narrow street.
Spike pulled up a little and grinned, though his partner saw the intent and the resolve in his eyes, “Shower now lover! C’mon… we’ve got a city to explore!”
Filling the small bathroom with steam before they entered the shower cubicle had allowed the vampire to strip the heat suit temporarily. Both silently blessed the technology, aware that without it, there would have been a fairly good chance that they would now be languishing in some sterile cell.
Once under the jet of scorching water, what appeared to be shower sex (or at least its precursor) to possible outsider observers was, instead, a whispered conversation of carefully chosen words and many more images flowing through their link.
“How’s this gonna work Spike?”
“Suggest we make love for the afternoon then head out for dinner and such tonight. And call ‘em out on the way home.”
“Wha..?”
“Gay couple on their first holiday pet, me a bloody rich blighter, an’ catches some bloke takin’ photos for profit… c’mon, be fun. Nothin’ Scoobie just plain put em off their game for a bit.”
“It’s too risky! God Spike! What if they… you know have vampire detectors or something.”
“It’s a military gig, pet… All gizmos and what’s its… They’ll be relyin’ on the technology.”
“But…”
“Willow gave me a cloaking spell, an’ you know her mojo of late… no one will guess I’m not a real boy.”
“But what about the mating thing?”
“Covers that too luv, though I have me doubts it will be needed. C’mon Xan… little payback… promise you can snog me in front of ‘em if we need to.”
Xander broke into a wicked smile “Or kiss one of them perhaps.”
“Perhaps? Oh I am shocked dear friend…. It’s a given!”
The shower did conclude with some fondling and definite ‘getting off’, but the excitement was more about the anticipated events of the evening than the need to relieve any tension.
…………….
“Sir? They’re in the shower now Sir…”
“Yes Sir. They have opened the shutters, I have clear visual to bedroom and living room, Sir”
“No Sir. It appears at this time they are… um… engaged in… yes Sir… The room is very steamy and confusing our equipment… Yes Sir, of course.”
“Twenty one hundred, yes sir… I will be here Sir.”
Chambers was on his second back to back shift and was struggling to keep awake. Images of two beautiful men making love had seemed abhorrent in the past, but having to sit and watch these two for the last twelve plus hours… with all the hard lines and the tender… Gahhh! He was sure he was going mad… The thing he could not understand was the lieutenant’s attitude? These men weren’t dangerous, just… gay!