Spike walked slowly up the front walk of the Summers home. He was
nervous. "*Not a date,*" he muttered in vampiric. "*Just watching a
movie. Dawn'll be there. Not a date...*" He trailed off as he reached the
front door. Before he could change his mind, and mysteriously come down
with a vampire cold, he quickly raised his hand and knocked. "*...not a
date..*"
Dawn ripped the door open, a glare on her face. "Come in," she snarled, "Buffy is-"
"DAWN!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!! THE SKIRT LOOKS DUMB!!! AND SO DO THE PANTS!!!"
Spike stepped inside, wondering about the yelling coming from upstairs. Could Buffy be as nervous as he was? "What's up with her, Lil' Bit?"
"IS THE LIVING ROOM CLEAN, BECAUSE SPIKE'S GONNA BE HERE IN-" Buffy rounded the corner by the staircase, wearing a knee-length green skirt with a flirty ruffle at the bottom and a cream off the shoulder shirt. Stopped short. "Hi."
Spike shifted from foot to foot, fiddling with his blue button-up-the- front shirt. "Uh, hey, luv.."
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Yeah, with the touching glance at the stairs. *I* have to get ready now, Buffy."
Spike put a hand on her shoulder. "Ready for what, Bit?"
She gave him a glowing smile. "Andrew is taking me to the movies."
Spike growled low- and stopped when he saw the look that the younger Summers was giving him. "Uh, a date.. You're going on a date?"
She nodded. "Uh-huh." She swept past him to climb the stairs. Buffy stopped her when she reached her step.
"Thanks, Dawn. I appreciate it. I owe you," she spoke quietly.
The Key snorted. "Ummm... yeah, ya do. And you're welcome." She gave her big sister a quick hug and kiss before running back up the stairs and shutting her door with a triumphant squeal.
She smiled at Spike, and descended the stair case. "Hey."
He grinned at her, suddenly wondering why he'd been nervous. "Evenin', gorgeous."
She looked down, smiled. Reached up to 'straighten' his collar, swipe at an imaginary piece of lint on his shoulder, then tugged at the hem just a bit. "You look nice."
He stood up straight, smiling broadly. "Thanks, luv." He looked around. "So, what's on the agenda for tonight?"
She smiled, led him into the living room. "Movie!"
He grinned, flopped on the couch. "Great, what're we watchin'?"
"Ten Things I Hate About You. And pizza with extra cheese, and extra pepperoni." She smiled, sat on the couch next to him, crossed her legs.
He looked at her. "A girly movie."
She gave him a droll look. "Says the vamp who cries at Beauty and the Beast, and Titanic... And.. what was it again? Ghost?"
He looked away. "Those... That doesn't count. There's violence, and people die." If he had been human, a blush would have been making it's presence known at that moment.
She laughed and handed the remote to him. "Do the... stuff."
"What stuff?"
She made shoo-ing motions with her hands. "Ya know... VCR operating stuff."
He held up the remote, turned it over, looked at it. "Ok, remote. Start the movie." Paused. "I think it's broken."
She rolled her eyes, nudged him with her bare shoulder. "Come on."
He chuckled and pressed play. "Sorry, luv. I feel like playing. You never know what that'll do to me."
She smiled, laid her head on his shoulder. "Have you seen this?"
"If I say yes, promise not to laugh."
She nodded.
He let out a sigh that resembled the GoodYear blimp deflating. "Yes."
She didn't laugh, just said piercingly. "Ah... and it IS such a girl movie..."
He growled. "Remember what happened the last time you pushed me, Slayer."
She just grinned and said, "Shhh... the movie's on."
Forty minutes later the doorbell rang, to Buffy's delight. "Pizza guy!"
"Can I eat him?"
She stood. "No. He's bringing us food. Will you let him in while I get the money?"
Spike obediently nodded and got up to go to the door. However, the visitor was not a pizza guy, although it was a teenager. A quick discreet sniff told the vampire that he was human, and therefore, most likely, Dawn's date. He suppressed a growl. "Luv! Not the food. Lil' Bit's *date* is here!" He backed away from the door slightly, allowing the boy to enter. To his credit, the kid took one look at Spike, and promptly gave him a wide berth. Spike let out a low growl anyway.
Buffy walked in from the kitchen, gave Spike a small frown. "Hi. I'm Buffy. Dawn's sister." "Dawn," she called sweetly up the stairs, "someone here for you."
"Uh, hi.." the teen said nervously, glancing at the vampire glaring at him.
She gave him a reassuring smile. "Andrew right?"
Spike let out a low profile snort. "*Wanker.*"
"Y- yeah."
'Stop it. He's nervous.' "Dawn will be down in just a minute. This is- Will. Family friend. Will, Andrew, Andrew, Will."
Spike shot her a death glare. Then did his best to act nice. "Hello, Andrew."
Dawn chose that moment to make her entrance. Dark camel pants, black boots, smoky eyes, and a boat cut angora shirt completed her outfit. Her lips shone with a gloss she had borrowed from Buffy, and smelled pleasantly of mango. "Hey, Andrew," she bubbled.
Spike's eyes grew wide. "Lil' Bit, can I speak to you for a moment?" He grabbed her shoulder. "Just a moment. Family stuff," he said to Andrew.
She made an indignant noise, crossed with a squeak as Spike drew her to the family room. "What is wrong with you??" She whispered fiercely. "He has a pulse!! He's cute, and nice, and has his own car, and-"
He spoke quietly. "That's just it. Human teenagers have notorious libidos, and I want to make sure that you know your rules. Also.." He took her purse, extracted the lip gloss, and tossed it onto the couch. "Don't think I don't remember what you said the other day. Wipe that off." He handed her a Kleenex.
She tossed it back at him. "Whatever. You are completely insane! Furthermore-"
"Dawn..." A low growl accompanied his words.
She stomped her foot. "I said, no." She crossed her arms. "What are you gonna do? Wipe it off me?"
That's just what he did.
She attempted to jerk her chin from his fingers, pulling valiantly.
He "tsk"ed. "I'm very much stronger than you, Bit. I won't let you go, until I'm done. And you can't do anything about it."
"Sh-pike," she snarled through the fishlips his squeezing fingers were inducing, "This ish the mosht embarrashing- Oh, my God... I am shhhhoooo mad at choo."
"There. Done." He smiled at her. "Now, go on. Enjoy your date. But behave. And remember that I'll still be here when you get back, and I have very good senses of smell and hearing." He patted her head. "Go on, now."
She tossed her hair. Gave him a good glare. Stalked in the entryway and grabbed Andrew's hand. "We're going." She leaned forward, kissed Buffy's cheek. "Twelve-thirty. I promise."
Buffy nodded, kissed her back. "Ok. It was nice to meet you, Andrew."
Dawn just stared at Spike. "Night."
"Night, Bit. I love you, you know."
She sighed miserably, let go of Andrew to hug Spike quickly. "I love you, too," she muttered grudgingly. From behind them, Buffy waved a lipgloss. Dawn reached a hand behind Spike, one still wrapped around his neck to hug him tightly. She clutched it in her hand. They made off quickly, laughing to the car.
He closed the door behind them and collapsed back on the couch. "Whew. She's bloody exhausting." He stared at Buffy. ""Will"??"
"His mom is an accountant. How good does, 'This is my boyfriend Spike' sound? I don't want anything to stop him from liking Dawn."
He nodded. "Yeah. I know... I just hate that bloody name, that's all. Want to know why?"
"Why?"
"You know what Peaches name was when he was human? Liam? Well, that's the Irish form of William. We've got the same bloody given name."
She laughed. "Poor baby."
He sighed. "I guess I'm living up to the meaning now, though. William means: Devoted Protector. I looked it up once." He said quietly, "Of course, in a very archaic language, it also means "helmet"."
She laid her head on his shoulder again, waiting for him to push play. "I like devoted protector."
He grinned and restarted the movie. "You know what? I think I do, too."
She gave him a look. "You can't go around terrorizing her dates like that. Poor kid almost wet himself."
"I didn't "terrorize" anyone. Just let the little squirt know who's the man in this family."
She rolled her eyes. "And Dawn looked thrilled."
"I'm just looking out for her. She knows that."
"What was all the squirming about?"
"Squirming?"
"Yeah... ya know, the sounds of a massive struggle coming from the living room?"
He chuckled. "Oh, that. I was just getting rid of a temptation."
She arched her brow. "You should have started with the eyeshadow, whatever you did."
He shook his head. "Naw. I was making a point. Only the lip gloss had to go."
"Oh."
========================================================================== ==========
Buffy laughed as Spike shut off the movie. "I could so see you dancing like that on the stairs."
"I would never do something like that," Spike said indignantly.
"Not even on a dare?"
He thought. "Maybe. But not in front of people. So, what do we do now?", he asked, leaning back against the couch pillows.
She sat up. "Wanna play a game?"
He chuckled. "Not Deepest Secret again, cause I'll so kick your ass again."
She tossed her short hair. "Whatever. It's Dare, same rules as Deepest Secret, though. But we have 10 points."
He chuckled. "Ok, why not. Who goes first?"
She sighed. "I'm feeling generous. You go ahead."
He looked around. "Uh, I dare you to... Oh!" He picked up a plum out of the fruit basket that was on the table. "Eat this. Whole." Thankfully, it was a small plum, and seedless.
She rolled her eyes, plucked it out of his hands. Shoved it in her mouth, and chewed.
"Uh uh. I said whole. Swallow it."
She had a little more difficulty with that, giving a quick gag before she finally got it down.
He laughed. "Your turn, then."
Buffy stuck her tongue out at him. "Hmm... I dare you to... take off your shirt, shoes, and socks."
He looked at her curiously. "That's it? Tryin' to make me more comfortable?"
She grinned. "That's it. You just look too... formal."
He chuckled, and complied, laying his shirt over the back of the couch, and stuffing his socks into his shoes, leaving them next to the coffee table. "My turn?"
She nodded.
He laid back, totally relaxed. "Hmm. I dare you to... Put Mr. Gordo in the stove. Not turn it on, just stick him in, close the door, and get him right back out again."
She fish-mouthed for a minute. "Th- that's evil."
"I didn't say turn it on. And you can pass, you know."
She frowned, went to her bedroom quickly, retrieving her pig. She walked to the kitchen murmuring apologies the whole way. She turned on the oven light before she put him in. Turned to Spike. "Are you watching this?"
He grinned at her, knowing he was going to pay for this one way or another. "Yep."
She placed him near the very front of the oven, slammed the door shut, then ripped it open again, whipping her pig out. She cuddled it, and sashayed back to the living room to sit down.
Spike laughed. "He can sit with us now. Can I see him a minute?"
She nuzzled the pig, muttered, "Sadist," at Spike, then reluctantly handed him to Spike.
To her surprise, Spike held the pig up, so that he was eye to eye with it. "*Sorry, lil' mate. I thought she'd pass that one.*" He handed the pig back. "Your turn."
She sat with Mr. Gordo on her lap, considered him thoughtfully. "Sing. Sing and dance for me. Just like Heath Ledger in the movie."
He balked. "WHAT!!"
She stroked the pig, much like Dr. Evil stroked Mr. Bigglesworth. "You heard me."
He sighed. "Got a request?"
"Same song that he did. Exact everything. Arm swinging, leg kicking- lyric belting rendition."
She leaned forward and pulled the coffee table towards her, pulled her legs up on the couch, then pulled the table the rest of way to the couch, giving him more room to dance. "I'll give you a starting point. 'I love you, baby.' And... Dedicate it to Mr. Gordo."
From in there, he called out, "This one goes out to a very special friend of mine, and an all around swell ham, Mr. Gordo!" He then, to his embarrassment, and Buffy's delight, began the song. He was surprised to find that he remembered all the words. About halfway through, it started being fun, and he put his all into it, dancing like a lunatic around the living room. Finally, he hummed the ending and collapsed back on the couch, panting hard.
Buffy applauded. "Mr. Gordo gives you a ten for presentation and gusto."
Spike half chuckled, half growled. "Thanks, pal," he said to the pig. Then he looked at the Slayer. "Are you happy now?"
She nodded once. "Bubbly."
"My turn, then?"
She nodded.
He thought for a moment. "Can I ask a question as a dare?"
"Umm.. sure?"
"I dare you to tell me exactly how you feel about Peaches, and Captain Cardboard. And relate them to me."
She curled her feet under her, now a cushion away from him. "What do you mean relate them to you?"
"How are we alike, how are we different, in everything."
"Well... I... just get sad when I think of Angel, because it could have ended differently than it did."
"Yeah, he could have killed you."
She frowned at Spike. "And... in some part of my heart, I'll always love him. Ya know, first love, first kiss..."
"*First sex.*"
"I heard that."
"I meant for you to."
"Fine. First lover."
Snort.
"And it was magical, and soft, and then it all went to hell."
Spike's look softened. "Sorry, luv. Let's consider this dare over. I.. didn't mean to get you upset."
She shook her head. "And Riley was safe and warm, and dependable. Which was really irritating after a while."
"You're tellin' me."
"It doesn't make me too sad to think of him. Because he's happy. And he deserves happy. And... Sam is great, so... I mean, good for him."
"Everyone needs someone. Even Fishboy."
She gave him a small grin. "And I can't relate them to you."
He looked at her. "Why not?"
"The sex is... certainly more interesting, everything's a bit less gentle, which is fine, cuz... do I look like I'm all soft and blah? And..." she was quieter now, still awkward in her confessions. "The... loving... is deeper, and... more... and-" She broke off, disgusted that she couldn't articulate her thoughts.
Spike smiled. "*Always..*", he purred, knowing that she'd get it.
She nodded, relieved. "Yeah."
He grinned. "Your turn."
"I dare you to close your eyes and don't move- at all- until I say so. Oh. And lay down."
He looked at her. "The last time you told me that, I wound up in handcuffs. What're you doin'?"
She smiled. "I don't have handcuffs. Are you going to take the dare?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Why not. I'll just take a nap."
"Ok. Close your eyes, and don't move till I say."
He laid back, relaxed, and closed his eyes. "Okay."
She slipped up the stairs, and began to pummel her pillow till she got what she wanted. A feather. She pranced down the stairs silently and came in the living room, laid a hand on his stomach.
"You back?"
"Mm-hmm..." She ran the feather down the middle of his chest, starting between his collarbones, down to the button of his jeans.
Spike yelped. "Ahh! What're you doin', Slayer?!"
She tapped a finger on his nose. "No moving."
"But..."
"Concede point?"
He shook his head. "No. But I do want to know the rest of this dare."
She sighed. "I told you. All you have to do is lie perfectly still. This won't hurt. I promise."
"I'm not worried about it hurting... and I can't stay still when something's tickling me. You know that. Squirming is a reflex action. I have no control over it."
She nuzzled his ear. "Don't you want to win?" she questioned softly.
"Yeah... How long and where?"
"Till I say."
He cracked one eye. "Luv, you can't be serious..."
She felt like a tease. "Eyes are open."
It snapped closed. "At least tell me where? So I can prepare a little?"
"Mmm-nmm..." Ran it down his chest again. "I just... don't see it in your future.."
He whimpered. "Get on with it, then."
She ran the feather around his ears, down the side of his neck. She knew she was doing a touch of turning on, but it would make it so much more fun in the long run.
Spike kept his body rigid, or at least tried to. His muscles jumped and his skin twitched involuntarily. 'Why, why, why did I have to be so bloody ticklish??', he thought hopelessly.
She trailed the feather down his jean-clad legs, to twist it playfully over his ankles, creeping towards the soles of his feet.
"..no.." he whimpered, knowing what was to come.
She changed positions abruptly when she knew he was steeling himself by his feet. Ran it ever-so-lightly across his ribs.
He let out a yelp at the unexpected switch, and his skin jumped again.
She 'tsked' playfully, then dipped the end of the feather into his belly- button, then played on the surrounding skin.
Spike gritted his teeth, trying desperately not to laugh. She KNEW that his belly-button was a weak spot.
She moved the feather to his earlobe, stroking it back and forth, then streaking it quickly across his shoulders.
He let out a gurgling growl. "Y- you didn't say that I- I couldn't laugh, right?"
She pondered. "Will you move while you laugh?"
"Only the shaking of everything connected to my lungs. Please luv, you have no idea what this is like..."
"Which connect to bone.. which connect to flesh... I just don't know."
"...please...", he choked out.
She ran the feather just on the inside of the waist of his jeans across his hips. She sighed.
He nearly bit his tongue.
"I just... really think that's moving." She sighed again. "I suppose that's ok.. but not too much shaking." She shook the feather on his nose.
He nearly sneezed. "That's cheating!"
She smiled. "Yeah." She ran the feather down to his feet again, trailing it slowly up the arch.
Spike tried to keep the hysterical laughter that was threatening him down to a quiet laughing giggle.
She moved the feather between his toes, and just set it there, not moving.
"You.. you wouldn't."
She pulled it halfway out, slowly. "No?"
He snorted, unable to hold that in. "Not fair!"
She shoved the feather back again, tickling him, then she stopped. "Ok. You can move now."
"Can I open my eyes too?"
"Yup."
He opened his eyes. "Is it over? Or are you teasing me?"
She smiled. "It's over."
He looked at her. "You are evil, Slayer. You know that? But now I know what my dare will be."
She grinned confidently. "What?"
He smiled at her. "Take off your socks and shoes. This game has just officially been declared a tickle war."
She scooted back into her corner of the couch. "Hey now. I'm in a skirt. No socks or shoes..."
"Don't you trust me?"
'Not with that look in his eyes...' "Ummm.."
"Besides. I was going to say go put on pants first." He gave her an evil grin. "Or shorts, if the backs of your knees aren't too ticklish."
She gave a tiny pout. 'Of course I'd spend an hour picking this out so I can change into sushi jamma's...' "They aren't."
"So go then."
"Be right back." She went upstairs, yanked open a drawer and started throwing things out. NOT sushi bottoms. Or pigs... or cow print.... She frowned. Where were her pretty jamma's???
"Take much longer, Slayer, and I win automatically!", Spike called from downstairs.
She marched into Dawn's room. 'Hello, pretty yellow satin jamma pants,' Buffy thought as she tore them off Dawn's bed. "JUST A MINUTE!"
"Oh, and bring another feather. I need two!"
She yanked them on as she raced back to her room, deciding on a tight black tank top. Winced, and grabbed another feather. She looked in the mirror, and gathered her hair into two ponytails at the base of her neck. Lip gloss? No. Too obvious. She trooped down the stairs again.
"'Bout time, luv. I was beginning to think you snuck out the window."
She snorted. "Whatever. I was on a rescue mission."
"Dawn swiping your clothes again?"
She gave a huge sigh and nodded. "Yes!" Grudgingly handed him the new feather.
He grinned, looking at the two feathers in his hands. "Perfect. Now, get comfortable. I'm gonna make it easy on you. You can laugh, but no movements that could throw me off, okay?"
She lounged on the couch, partially sitting. "Ok... How long?"
He grinned evilly. "Till I say."
She winced. Followed him with her eyes.
He sat down next to her, and pulled her feet into his lap, restraining them with a well placed elbow hold. He held up one feather. "Ready?"
She whimpered. "Eyes?"
"Closed."
She slammed them shut, muttering under her breath.
He grinned, and ran the feather up her left instep, agonizingly slowly.
She twitched.
He continued to stroke upwards, then quickly slid the feather back down, and over her ankle.
Quiet whimper, slight hip twist.
He grinned like a mad scientist playing with a favorite experiment. He knew what to do now. The feather began making small circles just beneath her toes, and the second one suddenly began sliding in and out between the toes on the other foot. Combined weak spots.
Buffy scrunched down on the couch, now lying flat. Gave a moaning laugh. "Cheater."
He didn't bother answering, and proceeded to switch feet. Now tickling the toes on the other side, and the instep on the first side. "Havin' fun, luv?"
She squirmed. "Evil."
"You would know." He did something unexpected. Still tickling the toes with one feather, he slid the other feather up her tank top slightly, to wiggle it around and in her belly-button.
She did a half-sit up. Squealed.
"Ah, gotcha." He continued. Releasing her feet entirely, and slipping the second feather up to tickle her ribs.
She was sputtering denials mixed with laughter.
He chuckled. 'I am really going to pay for this when it gets to be her turn,' he thought. He momentarily used both feathers on the belly-button and stomach areas.
She whimpered/laughed, sitting up straight, eyes still tightly closed.
Then one feather on each side, going full force on the ribs. The long feathers almost reaching her armpits.
"Noo-oh-oh-oh...." Her hips twisted every way, lifting up, and she giggled helplessly.
Spike laughed, loving having her at his mercy. He stuck the feathers a little farther, actually reaching her under arms. He wiggled them unceasingly.
She let out a keening laugh. "Sp-pike!"
"Yeah?", he asked playfully, not even pausing.
She gave a pitiful moan, still squirming.
He grinned and retracted the feathers. "I'm done, luv. You can open your eyes now."
She peeked one open. "No teasing?"
He shook his head. "You want a go with two feathers? It's fun."
She shook her head. "My turn, hmm?"
He nodded, placing the feathers on the coffee table next to Mr. Gordo.
She lifted her legs together and pointed her feet. "Have a seat."
"Huh?"
She shrugged. "You can do it standing up, too, I suppose. What do you prefer? Up or down?"
He looked at her. "Uh, luv. Before one of us makes an embarrassing mistake, what the hell are you talking about!?"
"My dare. Won't hurt. Won't be fun either. Sitting or standing?"
He sat. Looked at her.
She held her feet level with his chest and lay down, hands tucked under her head. "I dare you to kiss my feet in apology for tickling them so mercilessly." She suppressed a grin, waiting for a pass.
He looked at her, then chuckled. "You think I won't do it, do you?" He grabbed her feet, kissed each one individually, and leaned back, leaving them in his lap.
She frowned. That sucked. She considered. At least he wasn't a toe- sucker.
"My turn?"
She nodded, vastly disappointed.
"I dare you to demonstrate what else you learned from that book that Rupert gave you. On me, of course. And tell me what it is you're doing."
She retrieved her feet then crawled up to him. "Ok. Vampires, in general are susceptible to moderate stimulation in touch. Depending on the vampire and the pressure, it can be tickling or arousing."
He cocked his head. "Ok."
"Hand."
He held a hand up.
She took it, ran her own fingers feather-light across his, waited for his reaction.
He shivered pleasurably. "Oh. That kind of tickled, but I liked it."
She nodded. "Fingers need almost no stimulation. Light touch. Middle hand," she rubbed her thumb in the center of his palm. "Medium pressure, repetitive motion is the stimulant."
Spike purred. "Oh. I see..." His eyes closed for an instant, then snapped open. "Relaxing, too."
"Yeah." She pointed at the heel of his thumb. "Hardest stimulation, slow motion is the stimulant." She brought his hand to her lips, scraped her teeth against it. Very slowly, checking his eyes the entire time.
Spike moaned and shivered again. "Oooh."
She nodded. "Same goes for the neck, collarbones, ribs and back. For a vampire to heal, they should feed off a healthy person, strong."
"Don't suppose you'd like to show me those too?" He nodded. "Yeah. I knew that. I use bull's blood when I'm feelin' bad."
She grinned. "Maybe later. They recommend breaking the persons neck and feeding from the heart region."
To his credit, Spike turned slightly green. "Eugh."
She shrugged. "You gotta do what you gotta do."
He shook his head. "Uh-uh. Not me. I'd puke it right back up. Got a weak stomach."
She smiled. "I noticed. Very weak... How'd it go? 'Slayyyyer, heeeeerrrrreeee kitty, kitty... I find one of your friends first, I'm gonna suck em dry... and use their bones to bash my head in'?"
"Bash YOUR head in. If you're gonna quote, do it right. And threats are different."
"Mmm... so... it's my turn now?"
"Yeah."
Her eyes lit up. "I've got fishnets and a skirt upstairs..."
"HELL NO!! Point."
She pouted, then remembered that she was winning. "Yay."
He grinned. "Now, what were you saying about my ribs?"
She grinned at his abs. "Yes, I note the absence of bandages."
He nodded. "Yep. I've got a clean bill of health, or so says Rupert. So, what'd that book tell you about them?"
"Well, we know what scratching does. But rubbing isn't a... a leg jump reflex."
"What is it, then?"
"Basically a rib massage um... can... help... excite... a vampire before a claim, as most are done with sex."
He grinned. "Have to try that, sometime."
She gave him a look safely in her corner of the couch. "Hm... hmmm hmmmmm....I dare you to let me put lipgloss on you."
He chuckled. "The old fashioned way, or the way that you seem to have taught Dawn?"
She smiled. "Old fashioned. I want it to be pretty."
He grinned. "Only if it's apple."
She considered. "Only if I get to put a glitter coat overtop."
He snorted. "That's what Lil' Bit said, and she wound up torturing me." He thought. "Although... I don't know. Maybe I'm starting to like being tickled in my old age." He chuckled. "Ok, but I can wash it off before I leave this house."
She nodded. "It'll be gone before Dawn gets home."
"Ok, then."
She scampered up to grab her purse, rifled through it, and pulled out two tubes. She sat on the couch and scootched closer to Spike. "Open your mouth."
He did as she asked. "Ike tis?"
She nodded, uncapped the apple and smoothed it carefully over his lips.
He fought the impulse to lick it off.
She mimed smacking her lips together.
He smacked a little. Surprised himself by liking the feel of the gloss.
She grabbed the second tube, dabbed the glitter on his lips with her little finger, smoothing it expertly, carefully. She reached over to the coffee table and pulled out a tissue. Folded it and placed it between his open lips. "Blot."
He closed his mouth on the Kleenex and opened it again. "Done?"
She smoothed it out again, leaned back and smiled. "Ok. Don't move."
He stayed still. "Why?"
She leaned forward, kissed him softly.
He chuckled when they pulled apart. "Oh." He put his arms around her and pulled her into his lap. "My turn?"
She nodded. "I just always wondered why guys complained about gloss." She smacked her apple-ee lips. "Still don't get it."
He shrugged. "Me neither. Now, tell me about... what was the rest? Neck, back, and collarbone?"
She shrugged. "Kinda like the ribs, but not for claiming. Just used in foreplay. Sensitive to biting, scraping, gently."
He grinned. "Show me?"
She tilted his head up. "Well. The neck is sensitive to gentle stuff." She kissed down it softly, then back up to nuzzle under his ear, then nip and lick back down to his collarbone.
Spike's eyes crossed.
"The collarbone takes a little more work." She bit harder, then sucked on the spot she had ravaged.
"..oh..god.."
Kissed across, lightly dragging her teeth here and there, till she got to the indent at the base of this throat. Licked at it a few times, then sucked the flesh in, lightly nipping him.
Low, rumbling purr/moan. "*..Buffy...*"
She worked her way across to his opposite shoulder. Reached her arms around him, began pressing her fingers in his back, harder when she was kissing, lighter when she was biting.
Spike rumbled again. "...oooohh.. What... what're you doin' now?"
"Alternating stimulation, pressure, hightens awareness..." she feathered her fingers across the back of his neck while she bit impishly at the end of his collarbone.
A series of increasingly pleasurable shivers shot through the vampire, causing him to moan again. "..no kidding.."
"Mmm-hmmm..." She licked the spot she had just bitten, increasing the pressure of her fingers. "Are you aware, Spike?"
"...Uh-huh... luv.. Better stop now..."
She kissed the spot one last time and pulled back.
Spike was panting, actually having his tongue hanging slightly out. "Wow... just, wow. Uh, what were we doin' again?"
She smiled. "My dare, I believe."
He nodded, feeling as if his body had no bones.
"Can you-kiss without biting when you're vamped?"
He nodded. "Yeah... I think so. Why?"
"I dare you.. to kiss me while you're vamped out."
"Ok, but may I ask what brought this on?"
She shrugged. "I can feel... smell... hear... so much when you're vamped... I wonder if kissing you will just overload my senses."
He grinned. "You mean kissing me normally doesn't? I'm hurt." He stuck his lower lip out.
She smiled. "It does... I just.. wanna feel what you feel."
He chuckled. "There was a time, not too long ago, when you had felt too much of what I feel. Now you want it again?"
She smiled. "I told you I didn't mind sharing."
He grinned. "Okay, Slayer. You asked for it." He vamped out. "Not scared of me, are you?"
The emotion coursed through her, as it did every time. His arousal was higher, anger less. She smiled cockily. "I never was."
He grinned, showing fangs, quoted her, "I seem to remember a game of Deepest Secret..."
She smiled, touching her tongue to her own still-short incisors.
He leaned toward her, closing his yellow/gold eyes, and their lips met. He drew her bottom lip into his mouth, somehow managing to nibble with fangs and not break the skin.
Her mind went blank, focusing totally on her heightened senses, the touch was lighter, but she felt it more, shuddered out a breath.
He slowly released her lip and moved down her neck, still barely allowing his fangs to touch her. He could feel the blood pulsing just beneath the skin, but he ignored it, deciding instead to nibble lightly on that spot just beneath her ear. 'How you doin' so far, luv?', he thought to her, using the claim bond.
She gave a soft moan, her hands playing at the back of his neck, slowly reclining.
Spike purred, feeling her touch, and nibble/licked his way down her throat, pausing occasionally to nip the skin lightly. Not enough to break it, just enough for her to feel it.
She tilted her head back for him, for her...
Spike could feel his bloodlust warring with the claim, and he knew he'd have to stop, or risk hurting her. "*Luv,*", he said. "*Gotta stop, or I'm gonna bite you...*"
She said thoughtfully, "How hard?"
He pulled back. "I mean, B I T E you. As in drain you dry. Got to stop."
She pulled back, pushed them both to a sitting position.
Spike turned away, trying to force the demon back. "...sorry..", he said quietly, still vamped.
She laid her head on his back, rubbing soft circles there. Made quiet, comforting noises.
After a moment, Spike won the battle within himself, and leaned against Buffy. "My dare? Assuming you still want to play with me."
She nodded.
He turned slightly. "Can I put my head in your lap? I'm, uh, feeling a little shaky right now."
"Of course you can." She guided his head to her lap, one hand playing with his hair.
Spike purred and closed his eyes. "Thanks. Could you tell me something?"
"Hmm?"
"What finally made you love me?"
She kept playing with his hair. "You make me laugh, and cry, and Dawn loves you. You make her smile, too. I don't have to be weak for you, or strong. I can just be Buffy, and that's ok."
He smiled, keeping his eyes closed and concentrating on the wonderfully relaxing feeling of her fingers in his hair. "Your turn, luv."
"I dare you to tell me why you went to Africa."
As relaxed as he was, it almost slipped out. "I went to get a... Uh, to get the chip removed. I told you."
She sighed. "I have no idea what you were talking about, a cloaking spell for blood. I didn't do it."
He snorted. "Okay... okay. Promise not to tell anyone?"
She let his hair curl around her fingers. "Yup."
He took a deep breath. "I was scared, terrified that I'd hurt you again. The chip didn't work with you, so I had to figure out another way. About that time, Clem told me about this demon shaman who could supposedly grant any wish. I went. Not even really knowing what I wanted, just that I wanted you to trust me, and I wanted never to hurt you again. After I got there, it occurred to me that a soul would work for all of that. So that was my wish. There. Are you happy now? I did it on purpose."
She looked into his slightly petulant face and kissed his cheek. "Very happy."
He looked up at her. "Really? Why?"
Buffy shrugged. "I'm happy. I'm not... hiding anything, I'm not ashamed of anything, and someone went to the trouble to get a soul, to help me. That's... very flattering."
He thought for a moment. Grinned. "Yeah. I guess it is. You know what? I've really been enjoying these last couple of months, certain events aside."
She thought for a moment. "Me, too. No events aside. Your dare."
He thought. "I'm tired. Maybe we take a nap, and finish the game later?" He yawned, nuzzling her leg gently.
Buffy checked the clock on the mantle. "You can nap, but I'd put your shirt on first. Dawn's gonna be home in a few minutes."
He looked at the clock. "Damn it, you're right. How'd it get so late so fast?"
She shrugged. "We're interesting people."
========================================================================== ==========
Dawn and Andrew pulled in five minutes before her curfew. Andrew walked her to the door, where they stood for two minutes. Dawn opened the door, three minutes to curfew, wiping her lips on the back of her hand. "Hey, guys." She walked in the living room, stared at the couch. "Hey, Buffy."
Buffy went to hug her sister, then remembered the big lump o' Spike still sleeping in her lap. She shrugged helplessly at Dawn, asked quietly, "How'd it go?"
Spike purred in his sleep and nuzzled her leg gently.
She stroked the back of his head, his hair now curling freely.
Dawn sighed. "It went so good. Oh my God. He's so cute."
She held out the lipgloss Buffy had slipped her. "Thank you *so* much," she whispered, and Buffy smiled, and went to stuff it in the couch cushion behind her. What Spike didn't know couldn't hurt him.
Dawn ripped the door open, a glare on her face. "Come in," she snarled, "Buffy is-"
"DAWN!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!! THE SKIRT LOOKS DUMB!!! AND SO DO THE PANTS!!!"
Spike stepped inside, wondering about the yelling coming from upstairs. Could Buffy be as nervous as he was? "What's up with her, Lil' Bit?"
"IS THE LIVING ROOM CLEAN, BECAUSE SPIKE'S GONNA BE HERE IN-" Buffy rounded the corner by the staircase, wearing a knee-length green skirt with a flirty ruffle at the bottom and a cream off the shoulder shirt. Stopped short. "Hi."
Spike shifted from foot to foot, fiddling with his blue button-up-the- front shirt. "Uh, hey, luv.."
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Yeah, with the touching glance at the stairs. *I* have to get ready now, Buffy."
Spike put a hand on her shoulder. "Ready for what, Bit?"
She gave him a glowing smile. "Andrew is taking me to the movies."
Spike growled low- and stopped when he saw the look that the younger Summers was giving him. "Uh, a date.. You're going on a date?"
She nodded. "Uh-huh." She swept past him to climb the stairs. Buffy stopped her when she reached her step.
"Thanks, Dawn. I appreciate it. I owe you," she spoke quietly.
The Key snorted. "Ummm... yeah, ya do. And you're welcome." She gave her big sister a quick hug and kiss before running back up the stairs and shutting her door with a triumphant squeal.
She smiled at Spike, and descended the stair case. "Hey."
He grinned at her, suddenly wondering why he'd been nervous. "Evenin', gorgeous."
She looked down, smiled. Reached up to 'straighten' his collar, swipe at an imaginary piece of lint on his shoulder, then tugged at the hem just a bit. "You look nice."
He stood up straight, smiling broadly. "Thanks, luv." He looked around. "So, what's on the agenda for tonight?"
She smiled, led him into the living room. "Movie!"
He grinned, flopped on the couch. "Great, what're we watchin'?"
"Ten Things I Hate About You. And pizza with extra cheese, and extra pepperoni." She smiled, sat on the couch next to him, crossed her legs.
He looked at her. "A girly movie."
She gave him a droll look. "Says the vamp who cries at Beauty and the Beast, and Titanic... And.. what was it again? Ghost?"
He looked away. "Those... That doesn't count. There's violence, and people die." If he had been human, a blush would have been making it's presence known at that moment.
She laughed and handed the remote to him. "Do the... stuff."
"What stuff?"
She made shoo-ing motions with her hands. "Ya know... VCR operating stuff."
He held up the remote, turned it over, looked at it. "Ok, remote. Start the movie." Paused. "I think it's broken."
She rolled her eyes, nudged him with her bare shoulder. "Come on."
He chuckled and pressed play. "Sorry, luv. I feel like playing. You never know what that'll do to me."
She smiled, laid her head on his shoulder. "Have you seen this?"
"If I say yes, promise not to laugh."
She nodded.
He let out a sigh that resembled the GoodYear blimp deflating. "Yes."
She didn't laugh, just said piercingly. "Ah... and it IS such a girl movie..."
He growled. "Remember what happened the last time you pushed me, Slayer."
She just grinned and said, "Shhh... the movie's on."
Forty minutes later the doorbell rang, to Buffy's delight. "Pizza guy!"
"Can I eat him?"
She stood. "No. He's bringing us food. Will you let him in while I get the money?"
Spike obediently nodded and got up to go to the door. However, the visitor was not a pizza guy, although it was a teenager. A quick discreet sniff told the vampire that he was human, and therefore, most likely, Dawn's date. He suppressed a growl. "Luv! Not the food. Lil' Bit's *date* is here!" He backed away from the door slightly, allowing the boy to enter. To his credit, the kid took one look at Spike, and promptly gave him a wide berth. Spike let out a low growl anyway.
Buffy walked in from the kitchen, gave Spike a small frown. "Hi. I'm Buffy. Dawn's sister." "Dawn," she called sweetly up the stairs, "someone here for you."
"Uh, hi.." the teen said nervously, glancing at the vampire glaring at him.
She gave him a reassuring smile. "Andrew right?"
Spike let out a low profile snort. "*Wanker.*"
"Y- yeah."
'Stop it. He's nervous.' "Dawn will be down in just a minute. This is- Will. Family friend. Will, Andrew, Andrew, Will."
Spike shot her a death glare. Then did his best to act nice. "Hello, Andrew."
Dawn chose that moment to make her entrance. Dark camel pants, black boots, smoky eyes, and a boat cut angora shirt completed her outfit. Her lips shone with a gloss she had borrowed from Buffy, and smelled pleasantly of mango. "Hey, Andrew," she bubbled.
Spike's eyes grew wide. "Lil' Bit, can I speak to you for a moment?" He grabbed her shoulder. "Just a moment. Family stuff," he said to Andrew.
She made an indignant noise, crossed with a squeak as Spike drew her to the family room. "What is wrong with you??" She whispered fiercely. "He has a pulse!! He's cute, and nice, and has his own car, and-"
He spoke quietly. "That's just it. Human teenagers have notorious libidos, and I want to make sure that you know your rules. Also.." He took her purse, extracted the lip gloss, and tossed it onto the couch. "Don't think I don't remember what you said the other day. Wipe that off." He handed her a Kleenex.
She tossed it back at him. "Whatever. You are completely insane! Furthermore-"
"Dawn..." A low growl accompanied his words.
She stomped her foot. "I said, no." She crossed her arms. "What are you gonna do? Wipe it off me?"
That's just what he did.
She attempted to jerk her chin from his fingers, pulling valiantly.
He "tsk"ed. "I'm very much stronger than you, Bit. I won't let you go, until I'm done. And you can't do anything about it."
"Sh-pike," she snarled through the fishlips his squeezing fingers were inducing, "This ish the mosht embarrashing- Oh, my God... I am shhhhoooo mad at choo."
"There. Done." He smiled at her. "Now, go on. Enjoy your date. But behave. And remember that I'll still be here when you get back, and I have very good senses of smell and hearing." He patted her head. "Go on, now."
She tossed her hair. Gave him a good glare. Stalked in the entryway and grabbed Andrew's hand. "We're going." She leaned forward, kissed Buffy's cheek. "Twelve-thirty. I promise."
Buffy nodded, kissed her back. "Ok. It was nice to meet you, Andrew."
Dawn just stared at Spike. "Night."
"Night, Bit. I love you, you know."
She sighed miserably, let go of Andrew to hug Spike quickly. "I love you, too," she muttered grudgingly. From behind them, Buffy waved a lipgloss. Dawn reached a hand behind Spike, one still wrapped around his neck to hug him tightly. She clutched it in her hand. They made off quickly, laughing to the car.
He closed the door behind them and collapsed back on the couch. "Whew. She's bloody exhausting." He stared at Buffy. ""Will"??"
"His mom is an accountant. How good does, 'This is my boyfriend Spike' sound? I don't want anything to stop him from liking Dawn."
He nodded. "Yeah. I know... I just hate that bloody name, that's all. Want to know why?"
"Why?"
"You know what Peaches name was when he was human? Liam? Well, that's the Irish form of William. We've got the same bloody given name."
She laughed. "Poor baby."
He sighed. "I guess I'm living up to the meaning now, though. William means: Devoted Protector. I looked it up once." He said quietly, "Of course, in a very archaic language, it also means "helmet"."
She laid her head on his shoulder again, waiting for him to push play. "I like devoted protector."
He grinned and restarted the movie. "You know what? I think I do, too."
She gave him a look. "You can't go around terrorizing her dates like that. Poor kid almost wet himself."
"I didn't "terrorize" anyone. Just let the little squirt know who's the man in this family."
She rolled her eyes. "And Dawn looked thrilled."
"I'm just looking out for her. She knows that."
"What was all the squirming about?"
"Squirming?"
"Yeah... ya know, the sounds of a massive struggle coming from the living room?"
He chuckled. "Oh, that. I was just getting rid of a temptation."
She arched her brow. "You should have started with the eyeshadow, whatever you did."
He shook his head. "Naw. I was making a point. Only the lip gloss had to go."
"Oh."
========================================================================== ==========
Buffy laughed as Spike shut off the movie. "I could so see you dancing like that on the stairs."
"I would never do something like that," Spike said indignantly.
"Not even on a dare?"
He thought. "Maybe. But not in front of people. So, what do we do now?", he asked, leaning back against the couch pillows.
She sat up. "Wanna play a game?"
He chuckled. "Not Deepest Secret again, cause I'll so kick your ass again."
She tossed her short hair. "Whatever. It's Dare, same rules as Deepest Secret, though. But we have 10 points."
He chuckled. "Ok, why not. Who goes first?"
She sighed. "I'm feeling generous. You go ahead."
He looked around. "Uh, I dare you to... Oh!" He picked up a plum out of the fruit basket that was on the table. "Eat this. Whole." Thankfully, it was a small plum, and seedless.
She rolled her eyes, plucked it out of his hands. Shoved it in her mouth, and chewed.
"Uh uh. I said whole. Swallow it."
She had a little more difficulty with that, giving a quick gag before she finally got it down.
He laughed. "Your turn, then."
Buffy stuck her tongue out at him. "Hmm... I dare you to... take off your shirt, shoes, and socks."
He looked at her curiously. "That's it? Tryin' to make me more comfortable?"
She grinned. "That's it. You just look too... formal."
He chuckled, and complied, laying his shirt over the back of the couch, and stuffing his socks into his shoes, leaving them next to the coffee table. "My turn?"
She nodded.
He laid back, totally relaxed. "Hmm. I dare you to... Put Mr. Gordo in the stove. Not turn it on, just stick him in, close the door, and get him right back out again."
She fish-mouthed for a minute. "Th- that's evil."
"I didn't say turn it on. And you can pass, you know."
She frowned, went to her bedroom quickly, retrieving her pig. She walked to the kitchen murmuring apologies the whole way. She turned on the oven light before she put him in. Turned to Spike. "Are you watching this?"
He grinned at her, knowing he was going to pay for this one way or another. "Yep."
She placed him near the very front of the oven, slammed the door shut, then ripped it open again, whipping her pig out. She cuddled it, and sashayed back to the living room to sit down.
Spike laughed. "He can sit with us now. Can I see him a minute?"
She nuzzled the pig, muttered, "Sadist," at Spike, then reluctantly handed him to Spike.
To her surprise, Spike held the pig up, so that he was eye to eye with it. "*Sorry, lil' mate. I thought she'd pass that one.*" He handed the pig back. "Your turn."
She sat with Mr. Gordo on her lap, considered him thoughtfully. "Sing. Sing and dance for me. Just like Heath Ledger in the movie."
He balked. "WHAT!!"
She stroked the pig, much like Dr. Evil stroked Mr. Bigglesworth. "You heard me."
He sighed. "Got a request?"
"Same song that he did. Exact everything. Arm swinging, leg kicking- lyric belting rendition."
She leaned forward and pulled the coffee table towards her, pulled her legs up on the couch, then pulled the table the rest of way to the couch, giving him more room to dance. "I'll give you a starting point. 'I love you, baby.' And... Dedicate it to Mr. Gordo."
From in there, he called out, "This one goes out to a very special friend of mine, and an all around swell ham, Mr. Gordo!" He then, to his embarrassment, and Buffy's delight, began the song. He was surprised to find that he remembered all the words. About halfway through, it started being fun, and he put his all into it, dancing like a lunatic around the living room. Finally, he hummed the ending and collapsed back on the couch, panting hard.
Buffy applauded. "Mr. Gordo gives you a ten for presentation and gusto."
Spike half chuckled, half growled. "Thanks, pal," he said to the pig. Then he looked at the Slayer. "Are you happy now?"
She nodded once. "Bubbly."
"My turn, then?"
She nodded.
He thought for a moment. "Can I ask a question as a dare?"
"Umm.. sure?"
"I dare you to tell me exactly how you feel about Peaches, and Captain Cardboard. And relate them to me."
She curled her feet under her, now a cushion away from him. "What do you mean relate them to you?"
"How are we alike, how are we different, in everything."
"Well... I... just get sad when I think of Angel, because it could have ended differently than it did."
"Yeah, he could have killed you."
She frowned at Spike. "And... in some part of my heart, I'll always love him. Ya know, first love, first kiss..."
"*First sex.*"
"I heard that."
"I meant for you to."
"Fine. First lover."
Snort.
"And it was magical, and soft, and then it all went to hell."
Spike's look softened. "Sorry, luv. Let's consider this dare over. I.. didn't mean to get you upset."
She shook her head. "And Riley was safe and warm, and dependable. Which was really irritating after a while."
"You're tellin' me."
"It doesn't make me too sad to think of him. Because he's happy. And he deserves happy. And... Sam is great, so... I mean, good for him."
"Everyone needs someone. Even Fishboy."
She gave him a small grin. "And I can't relate them to you."
He looked at her. "Why not?"
"The sex is... certainly more interesting, everything's a bit less gentle, which is fine, cuz... do I look like I'm all soft and blah? And..." she was quieter now, still awkward in her confessions. "The... loving... is deeper, and... more... and-" She broke off, disgusted that she couldn't articulate her thoughts.
Spike smiled. "*Always..*", he purred, knowing that she'd get it.
She nodded, relieved. "Yeah."
He grinned. "Your turn."
"I dare you to close your eyes and don't move- at all- until I say so. Oh. And lay down."
He looked at her. "The last time you told me that, I wound up in handcuffs. What're you doin'?"
She smiled. "I don't have handcuffs. Are you going to take the dare?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Why not. I'll just take a nap."
"Ok. Close your eyes, and don't move till I say."
He laid back, relaxed, and closed his eyes. "Okay."
She slipped up the stairs, and began to pummel her pillow till she got what she wanted. A feather. She pranced down the stairs silently and came in the living room, laid a hand on his stomach.
"You back?"
"Mm-hmm..." She ran the feather down the middle of his chest, starting between his collarbones, down to the button of his jeans.
Spike yelped. "Ahh! What're you doin', Slayer?!"
She tapped a finger on his nose. "No moving."
"But..."
"Concede point?"
He shook his head. "No. But I do want to know the rest of this dare."
She sighed. "I told you. All you have to do is lie perfectly still. This won't hurt. I promise."
"I'm not worried about it hurting... and I can't stay still when something's tickling me. You know that. Squirming is a reflex action. I have no control over it."
She nuzzled his ear. "Don't you want to win?" she questioned softly.
"Yeah... How long and where?"
"Till I say."
He cracked one eye. "Luv, you can't be serious..."
She felt like a tease. "Eyes are open."
It snapped closed. "At least tell me where? So I can prepare a little?"
"Mmm-nmm..." Ran it down his chest again. "I just... don't see it in your future.."
He whimpered. "Get on with it, then."
She ran the feather around his ears, down the side of his neck. She knew she was doing a touch of turning on, but it would make it so much more fun in the long run.
Spike kept his body rigid, or at least tried to. His muscles jumped and his skin twitched involuntarily. 'Why, why, why did I have to be so bloody ticklish??', he thought hopelessly.
She trailed the feather down his jean-clad legs, to twist it playfully over his ankles, creeping towards the soles of his feet.
"..no.." he whimpered, knowing what was to come.
She changed positions abruptly when she knew he was steeling himself by his feet. Ran it ever-so-lightly across his ribs.
He let out a yelp at the unexpected switch, and his skin jumped again.
She 'tsked' playfully, then dipped the end of the feather into his belly- button, then played on the surrounding skin.
Spike gritted his teeth, trying desperately not to laugh. She KNEW that his belly-button was a weak spot.
She moved the feather to his earlobe, stroking it back and forth, then streaking it quickly across his shoulders.
He let out a gurgling growl. "Y- you didn't say that I- I couldn't laugh, right?"
She pondered. "Will you move while you laugh?"
"Only the shaking of everything connected to my lungs. Please luv, you have no idea what this is like..."
"Which connect to bone.. which connect to flesh... I just don't know."
"...please...", he choked out.
She ran the feather just on the inside of the waist of his jeans across his hips. She sighed.
He nearly bit his tongue.
"I just... really think that's moving." She sighed again. "I suppose that's ok.. but not too much shaking." She shook the feather on his nose.
He nearly sneezed. "That's cheating!"
She smiled. "Yeah." She ran the feather down to his feet again, trailing it slowly up the arch.
Spike tried to keep the hysterical laughter that was threatening him down to a quiet laughing giggle.
She moved the feather between his toes, and just set it there, not moving.
"You.. you wouldn't."
She pulled it halfway out, slowly. "No?"
He snorted, unable to hold that in. "Not fair!"
She shoved the feather back again, tickling him, then she stopped. "Ok. You can move now."
"Can I open my eyes too?"
"Yup."
He opened his eyes. "Is it over? Or are you teasing me?"
She smiled. "It's over."
He looked at her. "You are evil, Slayer. You know that? But now I know what my dare will be."
She grinned confidently. "What?"
He smiled at her. "Take off your socks and shoes. This game has just officially been declared a tickle war."
She scooted back into her corner of the couch. "Hey now. I'm in a skirt. No socks or shoes..."
"Don't you trust me?"
'Not with that look in his eyes...' "Ummm.."
"Besides. I was going to say go put on pants first." He gave her an evil grin. "Or shorts, if the backs of your knees aren't too ticklish."
She gave a tiny pout. 'Of course I'd spend an hour picking this out so I can change into sushi jamma's...' "They aren't."
"So go then."
"Be right back." She went upstairs, yanked open a drawer and started throwing things out. NOT sushi bottoms. Or pigs... or cow print.... She frowned. Where were her pretty jamma's???
"Take much longer, Slayer, and I win automatically!", Spike called from downstairs.
She marched into Dawn's room. 'Hello, pretty yellow satin jamma pants,' Buffy thought as she tore them off Dawn's bed. "JUST A MINUTE!"
"Oh, and bring another feather. I need two!"
She yanked them on as she raced back to her room, deciding on a tight black tank top. Winced, and grabbed another feather. She looked in the mirror, and gathered her hair into two ponytails at the base of her neck. Lip gloss? No. Too obvious. She trooped down the stairs again.
"'Bout time, luv. I was beginning to think you snuck out the window."
She snorted. "Whatever. I was on a rescue mission."
"Dawn swiping your clothes again?"
She gave a huge sigh and nodded. "Yes!" Grudgingly handed him the new feather.
He grinned, looking at the two feathers in his hands. "Perfect. Now, get comfortable. I'm gonna make it easy on you. You can laugh, but no movements that could throw me off, okay?"
She lounged on the couch, partially sitting. "Ok... How long?"
He grinned evilly. "Till I say."
She winced. Followed him with her eyes.
He sat down next to her, and pulled her feet into his lap, restraining them with a well placed elbow hold. He held up one feather. "Ready?"
She whimpered. "Eyes?"
"Closed."
She slammed them shut, muttering under her breath.
He grinned, and ran the feather up her left instep, agonizingly slowly.
She twitched.
He continued to stroke upwards, then quickly slid the feather back down, and over her ankle.
Quiet whimper, slight hip twist.
He grinned like a mad scientist playing with a favorite experiment. He knew what to do now. The feather began making small circles just beneath her toes, and the second one suddenly began sliding in and out between the toes on the other foot. Combined weak spots.
Buffy scrunched down on the couch, now lying flat. Gave a moaning laugh. "Cheater."
He didn't bother answering, and proceeded to switch feet. Now tickling the toes on the other side, and the instep on the first side. "Havin' fun, luv?"
She squirmed. "Evil."
"You would know." He did something unexpected. Still tickling the toes with one feather, he slid the other feather up her tank top slightly, to wiggle it around and in her belly-button.
She did a half-sit up. Squealed.
"Ah, gotcha." He continued. Releasing her feet entirely, and slipping the second feather up to tickle her ribs.
She was sputtering denials mixed with laughter.
He chuckled. 'I am really going to pay for this when it gets to be her turn,' he thought. He momentarily used both feathers on the belly-button and stomach areas.
She whimpered/laughed, sitting up straight, eyes still tightly closed.
Then one feather on each side, going full force on the ribs. The long feathers almost reaching her armpits.
"Noo-oh-oh-oh...." Her hips twisted every way, lifting up, and she giggled helplessly.
Spike laughed, loving having her at his mercy. He stuck the feathers a little farther, actually reaching her under arms. He wiggled them unceasingly.
She let out a keening laugh. "Sp-pike!"
"Yeah?", he asked playfully, not even pausing.
She gave a pitiful moan, still squirming.
He grinned and retracted the feathers. "I'm done, luv. You can open your eyes now."
She peeked one open. "No teasing?"
He shook his head. "You want a go with two feathers? It's fun."
She shook her head. "My turn, hmm?"
He nodded, placing the feathers on the coffee table next to Mr. Gordo.
She lifted her legs together and pointed her feet. "Have a seat."
"Huh?"
She shrugged. "You can do it standing up, too, I suppose. What do you prefer? Up or down?"
He looked at her. "Uh, luv. Before one of us makes an embarrassing mistake, what the hell are you talking about!?"
"My dare. Won't hurt. Won't be fun either. Sitting or standing?"
He sat. Looked at her.
She held her feet level with his chest and lay down, hands tucked under her head. "I dare you to kiss my feet in apology for tickling them so mercilessly." She suppressed a grin, waiting for a pass.
He looked at her, then chuckled. "You think I won't do it, do you?" He grabbed her feet, kissed each one individually, and leaned back, leaving them in his lap.
She frowned. That sucked. She considered. At least he wasn't a toe- sucker.
"My turn?"
She nodded, vastly disappointed.
"I dare you to demonstrate what else you learned from that book that Rupert gave you. On me, of course. And tell me what it is you're doing."
She retrieved her feet then crawled up to him. "Ok. Vampires, in general are susceptible to moderate stimulation in touch. Depending on the vampire and the pressure, it can be tickling or arousing."
He cocked his head. "Ok."
"Hand."
He held a hand up.
She took it, ran her own fingers feather-light across his, waited for his reaction.
He shivered pleasurably. "Oh. That kind of tickled, but I liked it."
She nodded. "Fingers need almost no stimulation. Light touch. Middle hand," she rubbed her thumb in the center of his palm. "Medium pressure, repetitive motion is the stimulant."
Spike purred. "Oh. I see..." His eyes closed for an instant, then snapped open. "Relaxing, too."
"Yeah." She pointed at the heel of his thumb. "Hardest stimulation, slow motion is the stimulant." She brought his hand to her lips, scraped her teeth against it. Very slowly, checking his eyes the entire time.
Spike moaned and shivered again. "Oooh."
She nodded. "Same goes for the neck, collarbones, ribs and back. For a vampire to heal, they should feed off a healthy person, strong."
"Don't suppose you'd like to show me those too?" He nodded. "Yeah. I knew that. I use bull's blood when I'm feelin' bad."
She grinned. "Maybe later. They recommend breaking the persons neck and feeding from the heart region."
To his credit, Spike turned slightly green. "Eugh."
She shrugged. "You gotta do what you gotta do."
He shook his head. "Uh-uh. Not me. I'd puke it right back up. Got a weak stomach."
She smiled. "I noticed. Very weak... How'd it go? 'Slayyyyer, heeeeerrrrreeee kitty, kitty... I find one of your friends first, I'm gonna suck em dry... and use their bones to bash my head in'?"
"Bash YOUR head in. If you're gonna quote, do it right. And threats are different."
"Mmm... so... it's my turn now?"
"Yeah."
Her eyes lit up. "I've got fishnets and a skirt upstairs..."
"HELL NO!! Point."
She pouted, then remembered that she was winning. "Yay."
He grinned. "Now, what were you saying about my ribs?"
She grinned at his abs. "Yes, I note the absence of bandages."
He nodded. "Yep. I've got a clean bill of health, or so says Rupert. So, what'd that book tell you about them?"
"Well, we know what scratching does. But rubbing isn't a... a leg jump reflex."
"What is it, then?"
"Basically a rib massage um... can... help... excite... a vampire before a claim, as most are done with sex."
He grinned. "Have to try that, sometime."
She gave him a look safely in her corner of the couch. "Hm... hmmm hmmmmm....I dare you to let me put lipgloss on you."
He chuckled. "The old fashioned way, or the way that you seem to have taught Dawn?"
She smiled. "Old fashioned. I want it to be pretty."
He grinned. "Only if it's apple."
She considered. "Only if I get to put a glitter coat overtop."
He snorted. "That's what Lil' Bit said, and she wound up torturing me." He thought. "Although... I don't know. Maybe I'm starting to like being tickled in my old age." He chuckled. "Ok, but I can wash it off before I leave this house."
She nodded. "It'll be gone before Dawn gets home."
"Ok, then."
She scampered up to grab her purse, rifled through it, and pulled out two tubes. She sat on the couch and scootched closer to Spike. "Open your mouth."
He did as she asked. "Ike tis?"
She nodded, uncapped the apple and smoothed it carefully over his lips.
He fought the impulse to lick it off.
She mimed smacking her lips together.
He smacked a little. Surprised himself by liking the feel of the gloss.
She grabbed the second tube, dabbed the glitter on his lips with her little finger, smoothing it expertly, carefully. She reached over to the coffee table and pulled out a tissue. Folded it and placed it between his open lips. "Blot."
He closed his mouth on the Kleenex and opened it again. "Done?"
She smoothed it out again, leaned back and smiled. "Ok. Don't move."
He stayed still. "Why?"
She leaned forward, kissed him softly.
He chuckled when they pulled apart. "Oh." He put his arms around her and pulled her into his lap. "My turn?"
She nodded. "I just always wondered why guys complained about gloss." She smacked her apple-ee lips. "Still don't get it."
He shrugged. "Me neither. Now, tell me about... what was the rest? Neck, back, and collarbone?"
She shrugged. "Kinda like the ribs, but not for claiming. Just used in foreplay. Sensitive to biting, scraping, gently."
He grinned. "Show me?"
She tilted his head up. "Well. The neck is sensitive to gentle stuff." She kissed down it softly, then back up to nuzzle under his ear, then nip and lick back down to his collarbone.
Spike's eyes crossed.
"The collarbone takes a little more work." She bit harder, then sucked on the spot she had ravaged.
"..oh..god.."
Kissed across, lightly dragging her teeth here and there, till she got to the indent at the base of this throat. Licked at it a few times, then sucked the flesh in, lightly nipping him.
Low, rumbling purr/moan. "*..Buffy...*"
She worked her way across to his opposite shoulder. Reached her arms around him, began pressing her fingers in his back, harder when she was kissing, lighter when she was biting.
Spike rumbled again. "...oooohh.. What... what're you doin' now?"
"Alternating stimulation, pressure, hightens awareness..." she feathered her fingers across the back of his neck while she bit impishly at the end of his collarbone.
A series of increasingly pleasurable shivers shot through the vampire, causing him to moan again. "..no kidding.."
"Mmm-hmmm..." She licked the spot she had just bitten, increasing the pressure of her fingers. "Are you aware, Spike?"
"...Uh-huh... luv.. Better stop now..."
She kissed the spot one last time and pulled back.
Spike was panting, actually having his tongue hanging slightly out. "Wow... just, wow. Uh, what were we doin' again?"
She smiled. "My dare, I believe."
He nodded, feeling as if his body had no bones.
"Can you-kiss without biting when you're vamped?"
He nodded. "Yeah... I think so. Why?"
"I dare you.. to kiss me while you're vamped out."
"Ok, but may I ask what brought this on?"
She shrugged. "I can feel... smell... hear... so much when you're vamped... I wonder if kissing you will just overload my senses."
He grinned. "You mean kissing me normally doesn't? I'm hurt." He stuck his lower lip out.
She smiled. "It does... I just.. wanna feel what you feel."
He chuckled. "There was a time, not too long ago, when you had felt too much of what I feel. Now you want it again?"
She smiled. "I told you I didn't mind sharing."
He grinned. "Okay, Slayer. You asked for it." He vamped out. "Not scared of me, are you?"
The emotion coursed through her, as it did every time. His arousal was higher, anger less. She smiled cockily. "I never was."
He grinned, showing fangs, quoted her, "I seem to remember a game of Deepest Secret..."
She smiled, touching her tongue to her own still-short incisors.
He leaned toward her, closing his yellow/gold eyes, and their lips met. He drew her bottom lip into his mouth, somehow managing to nibble with fangs and not break the skin.
Her mind went blank, focusing totally on her heightened senses, the touch was lighter, but she felt it more, shuddered out a breath.
He slowly released her lip and moved down her neck, still barely allowing his fangs to touch her. He could feel the blood pulsing just beneath the skin, but he ignored it, deciding instead to nibble lightly on that spot just beneath her ear. 'How you doin' so far, luv?', he thought to her, using the claim bond.
She gave a soft moan, her hands playing at the back of his neck, slowly reclining.
Spike purred, feeling her touch, and nibble/licked his way down her throat, pausing occasionally to nip the skin lightly. Not enough to break it, just enough for her to feel it.
She tilted her head back for him, for her...
Spike could feel his bloodlust warring with the claim, and he knew he'd have to stop, or risk hurting her. "*Luv,*", he said. "*Gotta stop, or I'm gonna bite you...*"
She said thoughtfully, "How hard?"
He pulled back. "I mean, B I T E you. As in drain you dry. Got to stop."
She pulled back, pushed them both to a sitting position.
Spike turned away, trying to force the demon back. "...sorry..", he said quietly, still vamped.
She laid her head on his back, rubbing soft circles there. Made quiet, comforting noises.
After a moment, Spike won the battle within himself, and leaned against Buffy. "My dare? Assuming you still want to play with me."
She nodded.
He turned slightly. "Can I put my head in your lap? I'm, uh, feeling a little shaky right now."
"Of course you can." She guided his head to her lap, one hand playing with his hair.
Spike purred and closed his eyes. "Thanks. Could you tell me something?"
"Hmm?"
"What finally made you love me?"
She kept playing with his hair. "You make me laugh, and cry, and Dawn loves you. You make her smile, too. I don't have to be weak for you, or strong. I can just be Buffy, and that's ok."
He smiled, keeping his eyes closed and concentrating on the wonderfully relaxing feeling of her fingers in his hair. "Your turn, luv."
"I dare you to tell me why you went to Africa."
As relaxed as he was, it almost slipped out. "I went to get a... Uh, to get the chip removed. I told you."
She sighed. "I have no idea what you were talking about, a cloaking spell for blood. I didn't do it."
He snorted. "Okay... okay. Promise not to tell anyone?"
She let his hair curl around her fingers. "Yup."
He took a deep breath. "I was scared, terrified that I'd hurt you again. The chip didn't work with you, so I had to figure out another way. About that time, Clem told me about this demon shaman who could supposedly grant any wish. I went. Not even really knowing what I wanted, just that I wanted you to trust me, and I wanted never to hurt you again. After I got there, it occurred to me that a soul would work for all of that. So that was my wish. There. Are you happy now? I did it on purpose."
She looked into his slightly petulant face and kissed his cheek. "Very happy."
He looked up at her. "Really? Why?"
Buffy shrugged. "I'm happy. I'm not... hiding anything, I'm not ashamed of anything, and someone went to the trouble to get a soul, to help me. That's... very flattering."
He thought for a moment. Grinned. "Yeah. I guess it is. You know what? I've really been enjoying these last couple of months, certain events aside."
She thought for a moment. "Me, too. No events aside. Your dare."
He thought. "I'm tired. Maybe we take a nap, and finish the game later?" He yawned, nuzzling her leg gently.
Buffy checked the clock on the mantle. "You can nap, but I'd put your shirt on first. Dawn's gonna be home in a few minutes."
He looked at the clock. "Damn it, you're right. How'd it get so late so fast?"
She shrugged. "We're interesting people."
========================================================================== ==========
Dawn and Andrew pulled in five minutes before her curfew. Andrew walked her to the door, where they stood for two minutes. Dawn opened the door, three minutes to curfew, wiping her lips on the back of her hand. "Hey, guys." She walked in the living room, stared at the couch. "Hey, Buffy."
Buffy went to hug her sister, then remembered the big lump o' Spike still sleeping in her lap. She shrugged helplessly at Dawn, asked quietly, "How'd it go?"
Spike purred in his sleep and nuzzled her leg gently.
She stroked the back of his head, his hair now curling freely.
Dawn sighed. "It went so good. Oh my God. He's so cute."
She held out the lipgloss Buffy had slipped her. "Thank you *so* much," she whispered, and Buffy smiled, and went to stuff it in the couch cushion behind her. What Spike didn't know couldn't hurt him.