Chapter 34 – Gentle Hands
Strong arms wrapped Spike.
They pulled him back against the solid body of his Sire. In what he assumed was
a declaration of peace, a tender kiss was placed on his neck. He hadn’t heard
any shouting or doors slamming downstairs which had left him wondering if his
mates had just killed each other. The appearance of Angel a few moments ago had
let him know that at least one of them lived. Not in a hurry to be Angel’s
confessor, Spike had remained leaning against the window until his Sire had
come to him.
“I love you,” Angel
whispered.
Spike closed his eyes as his
head dropped forward. A part of him wished he had the courage to leave. Or to
stop loving them so much but he couldn’t. He trailed his fingers along the arm
around his waist knowing that no matter how far he tried to run it would be to this
embrace that eventually he would return. There was no one else who could
understand or love him as much Angel did. And, well, Buffy was the light in his
heart. Her nurturing had opened part of himself that had never been seen
before.
“What happened?” Spike
asked, figuring he may as well hear and get it over with. Maybe there was a
chance they would make up quickly.
“I told her that I knew what
happened and I didn’t appreciate her doing it without our prior knowledge,”
Angel said, squeezing him a little tighter. “I also told her that I understood
why she did it. In the end I decided to trust her not to use the power she had
unless it’s needed.”
“You what?” Spike asked,
surprised by Angel’s reaction. Previously his Sire had to be the one to hold
the power and wield it but he knew this decision wasn’t just to bend to Buffy’s
demon but something else. “Why?”
“Because I couldn’t stand to
see you or her in any more pain,” Angel said softly. He rested his chin on
Spike’s shoulder. “Besides it’s not time to confront her yet.”
“Are you planning on
confronting her?”
Angel sighed. “If she
surprises me and pushes beyond what I think is safe for her.”
“So, you’ll still try to
dominate her?”
“Not dominate, Spike,” Angel
said, turning Spike so they were facing each other. “You know as well as I do
that she is playing a dangerous game. A game whose consequences I don’t think
she’s ready to deal with. I’m counting on the fact that underneath this power
play the basic decency that is Buffy will come through before it’s too late. If
it doesn’t then I’ll do what I have to protect her. Wouldn’t you?”
The question was spoken
softly but it rocked Spike with its intensity. His brows furrowed as he stared
up at Angel.
“Do you think I wouldn’t?”
“So, why do you make me feel
guilty for the same thing?” Angel asked. He cupped Spike’s face and kissed him
softly. “I’m not trying to start a fight. I love her too but there has to be a
limit to how far we let her go.”
“And who decides?”
A hand was placed on Spike’s
chest. “Let those shiny soul twinges tell you how far she can go until she
reaches a place she can’t return from. Thinking she can control us is fine, the
linking with Faith is acceptable because I don’t think she can really do
anything unless the three of us are linked. It’s when she starts trying to play
these games with everyone else with no regard as to how they’re feeling then
it’s too late.”
Spike nodded. He knew about
that line that was so deceitful. He had been hovering on it since he had come
to live with his mates. It wasn’t always so easy to tell which side you should
be on. The Buffy he knew and loved would never forgive herself if she crossed
it and hurt someone else. Like the man that Faith had killed.
“I understand,” Spike said.
“Thank you.”
“For?”
“For not fighting with her,”
Spike said, shaking his head. “I can’t…not on top of everything else.”
“I know,” Angel said,
turning the blonde until they were facing each other. “I’m starting to see
things differently since this whole thing started.”
“It’s a bitch not being able
to control everything, isn’t it?”
“Something like that,” Angel
agreed, chuckling softly. “Was I that bad?”
“Sometimes,” Spike said,
softening his word with a kiss to the lips so close to his own. It was meant to
be quick but fingers slid through his hair holding him still so Angel could
plunder his mouth. Spike didn’t object. He let his body lean into Angel’s,
closing the gap between them. Spike slid his arms around his Sire’s so there
was no doubt that he wanted to be right where he was. The world seemed to
brighten again. Things were changing but maybe it was to show them where they
could improve their relationship. Spike would hold onto that hope and onto the
two that shared his life.
“I’ve got an idea,” Angel
whispered when he lifted his head too soon. He came back for one more taste
before stepping back. “How about we take her hunting?”
“Hunting? Are you daft?”
“Not like that, boy,” Angel
said, laughing. “Let’s take her patrolling but show her what those enhanced
senses can do for her. Let her see the other side of the demon. The side that would
be positive for her.”
Spike nodded his head.
Excitement started racing through his veins at the thought of being out there
on the prowl. It had been so long since they had taken the time to do anything
other than routine patrols.
“Sounds like fun, doesn’t
it?” Angel asked smiling. He took Spike’s hand to lead him downstairs. “Tell
you what. I’ll let you guys have all the fun out there and when you’re all
revved up, I’ll let you both fuck me.”
“Fuck you?” Spike asked
wanting to clarify the invitation. Despite the changes, Angel still preferred
being top and it was a treat for Spike to be able to change the positions.
“Yep,” Angel said, laying
his hand on Spike’s erection. “I don’t know the thought of being surrounded by
the two of you…”
“Hell, let’s go,” Spike
said, pulling Angel faster downstairs.
~~~~~~~~
It had been a good idea.
Angel loped along a few
paces behind his mates. The blondes were chasing three vampires they had
discovered in a crypt. There had been a rear entrance they had taken off
through instead of standing their ground to fight. The loot they had been
collecting was being dropped as they ran. They weren’t going to get away. Not
with Buffy and Spike on their trail. The two were in full battle mode and
having fun at it.
Spike whooped as he leapt
over an above ground grave. His duster flew out like black wings around him as
for a moment he seemed to take flight. His arms stretched out while he threw
his head back in obvious joy before landing gracefully on his feet on the other
side.
Buffy not to be outdone followed
closely behind him. Her hands leading the way as her feet left the ground to
fly above her. One, two, so easily as her fingers seemed to be barely touching
the surface before she continued over to land only a few seconds after Spike.
Their combined laughter
broke through the silent night and they were off again. They ran without exertion
as they continued after their quarry among the graves. Moonlight illuminated
their way. Streams of its soft light stretched toward the two supernatural
beings caressing them. It was almost as if they were angels sent to fight on
this lowly plane.
“Right,” Buffy shouted,
veering left to surround the vampires.
Spike didn’t even slow as he
obeyed her command. The vamps were cornered.
“Didn’t really think you’d
get away, did you?” Buffy asked as she slowed and pulled a stake from her
waistband all in one motion.
The trapped vamps looked
from the pretty, smiling young woman to the snarling game faced vampire that
stood between them and freedom.
“Let’s go. Fight already,”
Spike said. “I need to get rid of your asses before I can get laid.”
“Oh you will,” Buffy beamed
at him. “I’m so hot for you right now.”
Angel laughed at the
astonished look on Spike’s face. It seemed Buffy’s demon was bringing out a
side to her they hadn’t expected. But a very welcomed side as far as Spike was
concerned because as soon as he realized she had really said it, he staked the
vampire closest to him.
“One down, two to go,” Buffy
said, as she kicked out toward the vamp closer to her. “Stay back, Angel.” She
turned that bright smile to him as she turned to flip the vampire over her
shoulder.
Angel hunkered down to watch
them dance. He knew they wouldn’t need him but on that odd chance he would be
ready. This was the way his mates should be. Happy, working together, their
love for each other fairly making them glow. This time it didn’t hurt him. He
hadn’t lied when he had told Spike he was learning new things. The side to
Buffy’s personality that reminded him of Angelus only made him squirm. He was
ashamed of the dictatorial manner he had used in the past to deal with Buffy and
even Spike.
It was time to make changes.
If they could forgive him,
or at least live with what he had done, then why was he worried? The love
between them had connected them. It would make them all stronger, better and
closer eventually. This was where he belonged and he made the decision to learn
what he had to so they would be happy. Angel stood as the last vampire that had
been tossed between the warriors was put it out of its misery by Buffy and blew
away in a gust of wind.
Two sets of amber eyes
turned in unison to eye him hungrily.
Angel turned and ran. For
the first time in maybe ever, he ran for the sheer fun of it. His mates were
behind him, laughing, taunting that an old man like him couldn’t outrun them.
He didn’t want to. He just wanted a slightly less public place for them to
ravish him. There was a crypt in front of him and he decided why the hell not.
He picked up speed and leapt, landing on the roof with ease.
Spike slowed, turning to
Buffy and bent over. A giggle escaped from her as she put her power into her
feet again. Her hands found purchase on Spike’s back as she flipped upwards.
Angel caught her and pulled her over the edge. It was only a second later that
Spike landed next to them.
“I think someone is
overdressed,” Buffy cooed. Her hands undid Angel’s belt while Spike pulled
Angel’s coat from his shoulder. Hot lust rushed Angel’s system as his mates
hurried to undress him. He surrendered to their need and nothing mattered but
the feel of them, loving each other and him.
~~~~~~~
The last week had been
almost heaven. Spike decided as he pulled Buffy closer to him. Glory had been
strangely absent from the radar. Angel had been home with them. And Buffy had
been fairly glowing with happiness. The amber in her eyes had almost faded to
the emerald depths that he adored.
She turned, nuzzled his
neck, nipped on his ear, and said, “I wish we hadn’t had to get out of bed this
morning.”
“Me too,” Spike said, as he
turned onto
This morning had been like
the last few as they tried to get back into their routines again. Angel had
taken off to
“I can’t believe my mother,
my mother, had a date last night,” Buffy exclaimed for the hundredth time.
“Yeah, I remember,” Spike
said. “We watched the bit. One more conversation about Justin Timberlake and I
might have had to…”
“Behave,” Buffy said,
squeezing his thigh. “It’s healthy for Dawn to feel like that. I did for Donnie
Wahlberg.”
“He would probably taste
horrible,” Spike groused, stopping the car in front of the house.
“You’re just jealous,” Buffy
giggled, crawling out of the car. She held the blanket up for him so he could
get out.
Spike wrapped the blanket
around him even as he ran for the porch. Buffy followed, pulling the key from her
purse.
“Am I going to have to hear
a bunch of girly details about this date?” Spike asked, tossing the blanket
over a chair.
“Probably,” Buffy said,
walking into the house. “Ooh, flowers. Someone still knows how to do this.”
“Cheap ones,” Spike said,
watching as Buffy took off down the hall.
“Mom, where are you?” Buffy
shouted.
“She’s right there, Luv,”
Spike said, catching a glimpse of Joyce on the couch. He stepped into the
living room and stopped short. His senses were going into overdrive and he
shook his head to clear them. He felt Buffy beside him and he grabbed her around
the waist before she could go any further.
“Mommy…”
to be continued…
Author’s Note: Some lines
were borrowed from the episode, ‘The Body’.
