"Aren't you done *yet*?" Wil tapped his foot impatiently. He'd been dressed and ready to go for the last 20 minutes, while Alex seemed to be taking his own sweet time. "Come *on*, mate! I didn't take this bleedin' long!"

"Yeah, well, some of us have reflections, you know!" Alex called from the bathroom. "We can make sure we look good."

Wil rolled his eyes. "How did I manage to get involved with someone so prissy?" he muttered to himself. "That's one thing *I'd* like to remember." In a louder voice he responded, "And some of us just *know* we look good, don't need to spend hours fancyin' ourselves up."

Alex laughed. "You just keep telling yourself that, Wil."

Finally, *finally* the door opened, and Alex deigned to emerge.

Wil's jaw dropped. //Where the *hell* did he get a pair of leather pants?!// Frozen, he stared dazedly at Alex. The pants were so tight it looked as if he'd been poured into them, the supple black material set off by the skin-tight blue shirt under which he could detect every ripple of Alex's muscles. Wil dragged his gaze up to Alex's face, feeling his fingers itching to run through the carefully styled hair that hung in soft waves.

Grinning, Alex walked -- hell, he *prowled* -- over to Wil, closing the vampire's mouth with a finger. "You like?" he whispered huskily.

Wil swallowed hard, nodding convulsively. He looked down at his own clothes, a pair of black jeans and a loose red shirt, suddenly feeling rather drab.

Alex noticed the forlorn expression that passed over Wil's face, and he tilted the blonde's head up. "Hey, you look gorgeous." He dropped a kiss on parted lips, tasting him briefly. Straightening, he smiled. "So. Let's go. Mellie suggested this one club, it's about six blocks away. With any luck, we won't run into anything...strange on the way."

"Yeah. Sure." Wil inhaled deeply, forcing himself to relax. He watched, fascinated, and Alex went to the door. He was totally mesmerized by the sinuous flexing of those curved buttocks. And when Alex turned back, he was suddenly confronted by a very obvious leather-covered bulge.

He tore his eyes away, deciding it would be best if he didn't walk behind Alex. Shaking himself, he joined his boyfriend at the door, tentatively taking Alex's hand in his own.

Alex held back a smirk at having caught the other man ogling him, instead giving Wil another kiss before pulling the door shut behind them.

"Alex, this is a gay club," Wil informed his boyfriend. He then took a closer look at the mixed clientele that was entering the building. "Make that a gay *demon* club."

"Duh. What better place is there for me to grope my vamp boyfriend in public?" He grinned at Wil's embarrassed look and paid the cover charge for them both, ignoring the suggestive wink the man collecting money sent his way. He held tight to Wil's hand as they made their way through the crowd of men. "You want a drink?" he shouted to Wil over the loud music.

Wil shook his head. "Not right now," he yelled back. Grinning, he pulled Alex to the dance floor. "C'mon, let's dance!"

Alex resisted for a moment, then gave in, not wanting to put up a fight since Wil seemed to be getting into the spirit of things. Within seconds, the two of them were moving smoothly to the beat of the music, brushing up against each other as they danced.

Eyes narrowing with mischief, Wil circled his arms around Alex's neck, moving in to nuzzle his neck as he inched the lower half of his body ever closer. He brushed his groin lightly against Alex's, grinning when the man groaned and clutched at him, hands roaming down his back to rest on the swell of his ass.

Alex successfully resisted the urge to sneak his hands inside Wil's pants, contenting himself with simply groping his firm cheeks through the barrier of cloth. He could feel Wil purring against him, hands playing gently with the hair at the nape of his neck, tongue darting out to lick across his neck, hand sliding over the small of his back to squeeze his ass--

Alex frowned, mentally counting. One hand kneading his neck, one hand wriggling through his hair, one hand fondling his butt. "Will?"

"Yeah," the blonde breathed, barely pausing in his licking.

"Your hands are around my neck, yes?"

"Mmm-hmmm."

"Then would you mind telling me who's copping a feel of my ass?"

Wil's eyes flew wide, and he ceased his torture of Alex's sensitive skin. He pulled away, leaning to peer around behind Alex. The man who'd started dancing there smiled cheerfully at Wil, not taking his hand off of Alex.

"Fuckin' wanker," Wil growled, wrenching himself out of Alex's grasp. He stalked around to the man, yanking the offending arm away and twisting it brutally. "I *suggest* you keep your fuckin' hands to yourself, y' bloody pillock!" he hissed, feeling his face shift and change.

The man blanched, cringing away as he whimpered from the pain of bones grinding together. "I'm sorry!" he gasped out. "I-I-I didn't know!" His entire body trembled with fear. "P-Please..."

With a snarl, Wil shoved the man away, glaring as he watched him scramble off the floor, injured arm clutched to his chest. He then turned his stony glare to the audience the incident had drawn, daring anyone there to make an issue. As the noise level again grew and faces turned away from them, Wil moved back into Alex's arms.

Alex grinned, kissing the top of Wil's head. "My hero," he murmured. "I like it when you get all possessive," he added, grinding his body against his boyfriend's.

"Yeah?" Wil calmed, his features shifting back to their human guise. He brought Alex's head down for a proper kiss, using his tongue to stake a claim of the other man's mouth.

Alex surrendered himself eagerly, welcoming the cool, wet probe with his own tongue.

The two molded themselves together for endless moments, only breaking apart when the music changed its tempo from upbeat and lively to something slow and pulsing.

Wil grinned, backing an arm's length away from Alex, gyrating his hips seductively. Alex groaned, reaching out to grab hold of those hips and drag Wil back to him. But the vampire twisted out of his grasp, turning around before backing up and replacing Alex's hands.

Alex gasped as Wil's luscious ass pressed back against him, grinding against his steadily hardening cock. He dropped his head, nibbling at the pale neck before him, sliding one arm around Wil's waist to hold the other man as they continued to sway with the music.

Wil wiggled his hips, rubbing himself against the hard mound in Alex's pants. He whimpered as Alex's other hand slid up his chest to play idly with a stiffening nipple. Tilting his head back further, he turned it to capture Alex's lips with his own, once more introducing their tongues to each other.

They continued to dance for what seemed like hours, touching, teasing, kissing, groping. They were both painfully hard, and even knowing that they weren't going any further anytime soon, they couldn't manage to keep their hands and mouths off each other.

Finally, though, they had to call a halt, both of them desperately in need of a drink. They left the floor, to the dismay of the other customers who had gathered to watch the erotic display. Making their way over to the bar, they took a couple of vacated stools.

Alex put his mouth to Wil's ear. "What do you want?" he asked.

"JD's fine, luv," Wil responded.

Alex nodded, turning to wave the rather harried-looking bartender over. After a few moments, the slim redhead made his way over to them.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"A Jack Daniels for him, and I'll have a Red Death."

This order earned him a blank look before the bartender hurried off. It was about five minutes later when they finally received their drinks.

"Sorry," the bartender apologized in a weary voice. "It's just, I don't normally work the bar, so I had no idea how to make what you ordered. Had to look it up."

Alex took a sip of his drink. "What happened?"

"Well, the regular guy quit a couple of days ago, so Frankie's had us dancers taking turns pulling shifts at the bar." He made a face. "I suck at it. But at least the customers are being pretty cool about the whole situation." He turned as another customer called for him, hurrying over to take yet another incomprehensible order.

"Huh." Alex watched him briefly, then tossed back the remainder of his drink. "Damn," he hissed through clenched teeth. He turned his head to look at Wil, holding back a groan as he saw the vampire calmly sipping at his drink. Bottle tilted up, lips wrapped firmly around the mouth. Throat working with each swallow, bottle tilted back down. Lips releasing the glass only to be replaced by a tongue that snaked out to circle the rim, capturing any stray drops. Lips twisting into a smug grin when Wil noticed the effect he was having on Alex...

Alex snapped his mouth shut with an audible 'click', glaring at Wil. "You will pay for that, you know," he informed the vampire casually. "Someday, when you least expect it..."

"What?" Wil assumed an innocent expression. "I was just havin' a drink!"

"Uh-huh. Sure you were. No ulterior motives with that little show at all."

Wil snickered. "None whatsoever."

Alex rolled his eyes, using the movement to tear them away from where they insisted on lingering on slim, pale fingers that slowly caressed the side of the bottle... He shook himself.

A crash drew his attention, and he looked over to where the dancer/bartender had managed to upset a stack of glasses. He grimaced sympathetically, watching as the man scrambled to sweep up the mess and continue to take orders. He stood, dropping a quick peck to Wil's cheek. "Don't go anywhere," he told him.

Without really even thinking about it, Alex moved behind the bar, calmly taking an order and expertly mixing the requested drink He continued in this fashion, placing any money he received carefully under the counter. Taking the latest order, he turned to mix it, only to come face-to-face with the other bartender, who stood smiling wryly at him.

"Do this often?"

"Geez, I'm sorry. It just...you looked like you could use some help, and...I'll just go now."

"No! Heaven forbid...don't let me run you off. Please, feel free to continue." He held out a hand. "I'm Jon."

Alex shook the proffered hand. "Jon. I'm Alex."

Jon beamed at him, dimples flashing. "Well, don't mind me. Carry on."

Alex grinned back, then went on with his impromptu bartending, quickly reestablishing his rhythm of taking orders and mixing and serving drinks. He even managed to sneak in another kiss with Wil, dragging the vampire over the bar for an extended liplock when he ordered another drink. This was met with cheers, whistles, and some rather hearty applause, much to the delight of the two participants.

Things continued like this for a bit, until a loud voice behind Alex made him jump.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Alex spun around, swallowing nervously as he was confronted by a hulking figure. One he tentatively assumed was human, although it was rather difficult to tell under all the hair.

"Um, I-I-I--"

"Do you work for me?"

"Well, no, I just--"

"You mean to tell me you're out here tending my bar, and you're not an employee? Jon!"

Jon came rushing forward. "Yeah, Frankie?"

Frankie stabbed a finger in Alex's direction. "You got this boy tending my bar?"

"Um, yeah?"

Frankie grunted, scratching hid beard thoughtfully. He peered intently at Alex.

Alex nibbled his lip, hoping to god that this behemoth of a man wasn't going to take offense with him.

"Why the *hell* aren't you an employee?" Frankie barked out.

"Um...b-because you never hired me?" Alex offered tentatively.

"A fucking inexcusable oversight on my part! Can you start regular tomorrow night? You'll get $12 an hour, plus tips."

"Oh, well I don't--"

"Alright, fine, $15 an hour, but only because you look to be a damned sight better at the job than the last miserable excuse for a bartender I hired."

"I..." Alex cast a glance back at Wil, who shrugged.

Frankie squinted. "That vampire. He your boyfriend or something?"

Alex blushed slightly, nodding.

"Hmph." Frankie brushed past Alex to stand imperiously in front of Wil. "Well, you look like a strong wind could knock you over, but your sort tend to be tough. I could use some extra muscle around here, bouncers are always needed when some of the boys start dancing and get the customers worked up. Interested?"

Wil shrugged. "Could be. What kinda dosh we lookin' at?"

"I can start you out same as your man over there, amount negotiable when I see how well you work out. No one can say I underpay my employees."

Wil exchanged a calculating glance with Alex, then nodded. "Fine then. You got us."

Frankie clapped his hands, rubbing them together delightedly. "Wonderful!" He turned back to Alex. "You can finish out the night at the bar, if you like. Then come in tomorrow around 5:00, we'll get the paperwork and whatnot all hashed out. The vampire can come in after sunset and we'll get him settled." He clapped Alex's back, nearly sending him sprawling to the floor. "Welcome to the Dark Phoenix!"

Bemused, Alex watched him go, then glanced back at Wil. The vampire smiled at him happily, giving him the thumbs-up, and he smiled back. Looked like their days of unemployment were over!

*****
Part 16:

Alex woke slowly, stretching himself out on the bed. Sleepily, he reached over, frowning when he encountered only cold sheets. He sat up, looking around.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he checked the time, not surprised to find it was almost noon. It had been a late night, and they hadn't gotten home until almost 3:00 in the morning. They'd had barely enough energy for a few almost chaste kisses before succumbing to exhaustion, curling around each other like puppies as they slept.

Alex stumbled from the room, heading for the kitchen to procure some caffeine. An strong hand headed him off, leading him over to a table that held steaming waffles toped with butter and syrup, a dish of fresh strawberries, and a glass of ice-cold milk. Mumbling his heartfelt thanks, Alex proceeded to practically inhale the food. By the end of the meal, he had achieved full consciousness, and he gave Wil an abashed grin. "Sorry about the zombie act," he apologized.

Wil grinned, shrugging in response. "S'ok. I woke up earlier, thought I'd fix you some breakfast. Good?"

Alex wiped his mouth, licking the crumbs and sticky syrup off his fingers. "Very. You made these?" He looked dumbfounded at Wil's nod. "I didn't even know we owned a waffle iron."

Laughing, Wil replied, "We don't. I borrowed it from Mellie; she gave me the recipe for the waffles, too."

"That woman is an absolute saint." Alex managed to refrain from licking the plate, but it was a close call. "Remind me to let you cook any time."

Wil smiled bashfully and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Go wash up. I thought we could have a quiet day before we start work tonight."

"Yeah, good idea." Alex put his dishes in the sink, then headed for the bathroom. After a quick shower and change of clothes, he went back in the living room, where he found Wil lying on the couch, reading. With a soft laugh, he made himself comfortable in the chair, hands reaching for a pencil and mostly blank sheet of paper on the coffee table. Eyeing the blonde vampire, he hesitantly began to apply pencil to paper.

This continued for a while, the 'scritch-scritch' of pencil on paper breaking the comfortable quiet of the room.

Eventually, Wil glanced up, curious. "What are you doing?"

Alex flushed, hastily covering the paper. "Um...nothing."

Wil raised an eyebrow. "Alex," he said in a coaxing tone. "Show me?"

Alex hesitated, but couldn't say no to the blatant look of pleading on Wil's face. With a sigh, he handed the paper over, waiting for the laughter that would soon follow.

Wil gaped at the picture. "You...drew me?"

Alex shrugged, embarrassed. "Ok, I know it's not that good, but I was just...doodling, and--"

"You drew me." Wil gazed up at him, eyes shining.

Mouth snapping shut, Alex fidgeted slightly under that adoring look.

Wil smiled and pulled him close, kissing him. "I love it," he breathed. "Promise me you'll draw more?"

"Oh, well I..." He melted. "Yeah. Sure. Of course I will."

"Good." Wil stroked the paper, that devastating smile still playing about his lips.

Desperate to change the subject, Alex cleared his throat. "So...what are you reading."

"Hmm?" Wil looked up at him, questioning.

"The book? What is it."

"Oh." Wil reclaimed his seat after carefully placing the drawing on the table so it wouldn't get crumpled. "It's, um, it's a book Jenna loaned me." Now it was the vampire's turn to look embarrassed. "It's kind of...cute. I guess."

"What's it called?"

"Solo's Journey," Wil admitted.

"What? Why are you acting like that? Is it porn or something?" Alex snuggled up beside Wil, trying to sneak a glance at the book.

"No! It's...it's about, well, cats."

Alex looked doubtful. "Cats?"

Defensive now, Wil narrowed his eyes. "Yes, cats. Y'know, four feet, tail, furry, they meow and purr a lot?"

Alex whacked him on the leg. "I *know* what a cat is, dummy! Why are you reading about them?"

"'Cause I want to. Sod off." Pouting, Wil huddled away from Alex, shooting the human an icy glare.

"Wil..." Alex sighed, stroking Wil's leg gently. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you." Will just sniffed, and Alex bit his lip, feeling somewhat ashamed. Then he brightened. "Is it good?"

"Yeah," Wil muttered shortly, eyes firmly fixed on the book.

Alex wiggled closer, slipping his arm around Wil's waist as he lay his head down on the vampire's chest. "Read to me?"

Wil hesitated.

"Please? You've got such a sexy voice."

With a sigh, Wil relaxed, an arm coming up to hold Alex to him. In a quiet voice, he turned the pages back and slowly began to read. "Even in his...sleep, d-deep within the hid...hidden thickets, Solo could sense that som...something was wrong." Wil squirmed, bringing the book closer to his face as he squinted at the small print. "As he r-roused himself to the surface of...wakeful...wakefulness--"

"Wil?"

Jaw clenched, Wil set the book aside. "Yeah?" he asked shortly.

Concerned, Alex stroked a sharp cheekbone. "Is there something wrong with your eyes?"

Wil turned his face away, but the insistent fingers tilted it back. He heaved another sigh. "It's just...I can see fine when I'm all 'rrrr', y'know? But like this...things are kinda fuzzy up close."

"Maybe you should get some reading glasses."

Wil snorted. "Yeah, an' look like a bleedin ponce! No thanks!"

"Well, you know, you'd only have to wear them here. No one else would see you in them. And then you'd be able to read without straining your eyes."

"I...I'll think about it, ok?"

"Sure." Alex laid his head back down. "If it's easier, why don't you change and read to me? I still want to hear your voice."

Rolling his eyes, Wil let his vampire features settle into place. With his sight now sharp and clear, he picked up the book and started again. "Even in his sleep, deep within..."

~~~~~~~~~~

Frankie glanced up at the knock on his office door. "Ah, you’re here! Excellent." Hefting his bulk upright, he led Alex on a quick tour of the establishment.

Alex took everything in eagerly and quickly. He blushed as a few of the dancers who'd come in early greeted him with fervent hugs and murmured thanks. It seemed as though the temporary bar help was ecstatic over being replaced.

"Now, I'd like you to come in around 6:30 or so to start gettin' things ready for the evening crowd. Bar opens at 7:30 precisely, closes at 1:00 in the morning. You get two half-hour breaks, and no drinking on the job. What you do on your own time, though, is your business. I don't care if you mingle with the customers or other employees, but by the looks of your boyfriend, I'd say that's pretty much the last thing on your mind."

Frankie shot him an appreciative leer. "You know, it sure as hell ain't gonna hurt business none havin' a coupla pretty boys like you working here. Ought to draw as good a crowd as my dancers do." He eyed Alex speculatively. "Hey, you ever think about--"

"No." He shook his head decisively. "*Way* no. No offense."

"Eh. Too bad. You look like you could put on a mean show." He shrugged though. "Anyway, I just have a few papers for you to sign, I'll need your boyfriend to sign his too when he gets in. Payday is every Tuesday, any tips you make are yours. No uniform, but try to dress...sexy. Draws the customers in."

"Dress sexy. Right."

"Good. Now, closing. All you have to do is wipe down the bar, put everything there away. Make sure it's clean. Usually the bouncers and other muscle take care of cleaning the rest of the place. Cash out the till, turn the money in to me. You'll almost always be out of here by 2:00. Shipments come in on the first Saturday of the month, I'll need you in early that day, noon will be fine. Place is closed on Sundays, give everyone a break before starting the next week. If you need a night off for some reason, try to let me know a couple of days in advance."

Alex nodded, absorbing all this. He signed the papers that were handed to him, filling in the requisite information needed.

"Great. Well then, familiarize yourself with the bar, get things ready to go. And Alex? Good luck!" Frankie gave him a wide grin, then lumbered back to his office.

Alex glanced out the window, calculating the time until sundown, and how long it would take for Wil to arrive. Then he shook himself and began to get the bar set up.

He didn't realize how much time had passed when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to find Jon sitting on the top of the counter, legs swinging.

"Oh man, you came back! Thank all the gods that ever existed!" Leaping down, he pulled Alex into a hug. "Man, you are a total lifesaver. Never leave. *Promise* me you won't go away and leave me with this evil job again."

"Um..." Alex patted Jon's back awkwardly. "Sure. Need money, not planning on going any time soon."

"Good. Great. God, I love you!" He threw his arms around Alex again, kissing his cheek.

A warning growl sounded from behind them, and Jon pulled back, glancing at the newcomer. He quickly yanked his hands away. "Not groping, just thanking! I *so* don't poach on someone else's territory." He walked over to Wil, who continued to glower at him. "Oh, give it a rest, sugar. You're the only thing that boy sees. Be good to him, yeah?" He kissed Wil's cheek as well, then bounced off to the dressing rooms.

Wil stalked over to Alex, grabbing his head for a claiming kiss, sucking on plush lips until they were swollen, marking the other man as his. "Gonna have to slap a 'Do not touch' sticker on your ass, looks like."

Alex laughed. "But then what would *you* do, Wil?"

Wil smirked. "I'm a rebel. I rarely do what I'm told."

"Mmmm." Alex stole another kiss while Wil freely groped his ass. "I think I like bad boys." He gasped at the sharp pinch. "Then again, maybe it's just you."

"Damn right, mate." He petted those curved cheeks again, then paused thoughtully. "How about 'Property of Wil'?"

*****