Chapter 21
In the early morning hours, each pair has claimed a suite and gone to sleep.
Buffy has decided that her favorite vampire ritual is one she knew little or nothing about as the Slayer. Being nocturnal predators, the days are reserved for what she considers true laziness. Being pack animals, they crave sleep and touch during the daylight hours. A great deal of vampire family hierarchy depends on touch and bonding. They might as well be a bloomin' troop of monkeys for all of the proprietary grooming they had engaged in. It is something each instinctually craves and to hear Angel tell it, the bonds that they had as humans only serve to amplify their attachments now.
Angel drives the hierarchy of their little family. He is surprisingly patient in schooling them. Buffy is learning that her role as his mate seems to come with a variety of rules and privileges. She is quickly learning that a mate in considered monogamous as long as all sexual situations are kept within their little circle. Angel explains that given a vampire's desire the additional variety actually helps with the longevity of relationships. The same dynamic applies to Willow and Xander, although she hasn't really compared notes at this point. Last night, she and Willow seemed to flow as they always had. She was glad to have her friend back.
As the afternoon wore on, they all struggle out into the main living area. Heating up mugs of hot fluid and turning on the TV. Soon both Willow and Angel are curled on the sofa looking through some of Giles' books. Seeing Willow with Angel is somehow satisfying as if giving evidence that their little family is solidifying. Both share an interest in prophecy and magic that she and Xander do not. Their pacing and flipping channels begins to distract Angel and it is he who suggests that the two go back to one of the bedroom and work off some of their energy.
Both she and Xander pause at the suggestion but a look at the golden flare in Xander's eyes intrigues Buffy to no end. Angel laughs that deep evil laugh of his and she can hear Willow and Angel laughing as they go.
Angel seems more than willing to share all with him. Her feminine curiosity compels her to prod into this dynamic but now is not the time
Xander. It is hard for her to reconcile the changes in him. He is the most changed of all. Angel has counseled her that each person reacts differently and many can't take it at all. They simply go insane. It is hard to quantify what alchemy has taken place with Xander. Since the change, he rarely speaks and when he does speak, it is to Angel. Enough of his wit and quick intelligence shows through to reassure her that he is well. There is a quality to Xander's demon that isn't present in Angel. It's a feral quality. Perhaps, she thinks, he will mellow with time. After all, Angel has been around a long time.
Xander shuts the door behind him as he follows Buffy into her room. He stalks her as if she is his prey. She is actually afraid. He speaks and his voice is familiar but rougher. The familiarity in his voice calms her. He is fast approaching her and she must admit that part of her is excited and more than ready to face this feral force that she has helped create.
Alexander catches the slight trepidation in her eyes and laughs. "What's the matter, Mommy? Don't tell me the Slayer is afraid of good ol' Xander. You know me; I'm always there to carry your books or your stakes. To dance with you when your boyfriend isn't around." He laughs as his eyes flash, "Don't you want to dance, Buffy?"
With that he pulls her close and leans down to rub his face next to her own. His touch is firm but not hurtful. Despite his harsh words, the contact reassures her that that there is still some sentiment there.
"You don't know how many times, the boy laid in his little bed at night thinking of you. Thinking of what it would be like to touch you, to take you. And you had no clue. What did you think I was? A eunuch? That you could smile at me, walk beside me, flirt with me --- dance with me - use me with no consequence? Did you ever once stop to think? I don't think so, Buff. I don't think so." He runs his hands down her back to her bottom, pulling her tight against him as he growls.
"Well Sunshine, it's time to pay the piper". And with that, he pulls her into a rough kiss, cutting at her lips.
The girl-part of Buffy is outraged and is crying out to fight back. But there is another part of her. A part of her that is submitting even now. A part that recognizes her connection to this vampire, that he is an extension of her mate. That he is an alpha male in this pack and that she is his to take. This part of her welcomes his attentions as her due.
The aggression of his kiss calls out to her demon and soon they are meeting in a fierce battle. Clothes are torn. Flesh is bruised. It is so unlike anything that she has experienced before. It is more of a territorial claiming than anything else is.
Finally once their immense energy has been spent and they lay on the bed, naked and quivering from exhaustion, does he reach for her and give her a gentle, heart-stopping kiss. His face now so handsome that to her he looks like Prince Charming. While Angel with his dark hooded eyes and cruel mouth looks like a highwayman, Xander looks like a gentle prince with his regular, even features. The changing has added a maturity to his looks that he would not have grown into for many years. Thinking of the two, it is impossible to judge which male is actually the most attractive. Both are very much to her liking.
Pulling back from her, he gathers the direction of her thoughts. Sarcastically he says "So, the slayer is thinking about what's she been missing." Buffy senses the hurt under the sarcasm. Soul or no soul, it touches her.
"Xander, no! I'm so sorry. I see now that I hurt you. I hurt you over and over. I am sorry. I've always loved you just not - this way. I mean, if I didn't want you with me --- if Angel hadn't known how important you were to me, then he wouldn't have --- turned you too." She whispers the last words as her small hands cup his dear face with his flashing topaz eyes.
"Do you --- do you forgive me for --- leading you into this?" She asks softly holding his face so he must look at her.
"Forgive you? Buffy, there isn't anything to forgive. Hell, I just had sex with you. If it hadn't been for Mr. Undead Guy in there, I wouldn't be here with you now."
"And you - you and Angel, --- you weren't his biggest fan, you know?"
"Well, times change. I guess I'm in a better position to understand him now, huh? The pot can't call the kettle black."
Xander rolls to lie on his back looking up at the ceiling as he tries to put his feelings into words. "It's like we're connected now. I mean, don't you feel it? It's like there's this invisible current running between all of us and the more we are together the more the current hums. It's incredible. For the first time, I feel like I'm a part of something. Of something secure, of something where I matter, where I'm important. Oh, don't start with the 'Oh Xander, you've always been important to me' crap - you know damn well, what I mean. Angel gave this to me, you and Angel and I'm grateful."
Just as his impassioned speech finishes, the door opens and Willow and Angel bound into the room. Given their own state of undress, Buffy would guess that they too have been engaging in some extra-curricular recreation well beyond Giles' books.
Willow crawls into the bed by Xander and Angel by Buffy. Angel immediately pulls Buffy into a passionate, territorial kiss. When he finishes, he pulls back and looks at all three of his children. "Don't you understand, we are one. Together we are stronger."
Angel quickly reaches across Buffy to where Alexander sits and pulls the other male into a kiss. The kiss is not a peck but a real kiss. Buffy and Willow both watch with awe as Xander rises up and begins to participate in the exchange. The men are leaning over Buffy's body as they grasp at one. While Buffy can imagine an aggressive exchange between the two, this is more sensual and tender than she could have imagined and watching the two beautiful men do this right above her has rendered her speechless.
Willow, feeling out of the loop, pulls up on her knees behind Xander. With her ivory hands on his board shoulders, she watches the two for a few moments before beginning to kiss Xander's neck while he continues on with Angel.
The sight of the three engaged, as they are prompts Buffy out of her stupor. Given her own position in the mix, she briefly contemplates her own options before reaching each hand under the covers to grasp the two men. This touch finally draws the men apart and they both turn their attentions to Buffy. Some sort of unsaid communication occurs between Angel and Xander before Angel slides down her body with soft kisses that cause her to arch in frustration. Xander rolls to the far side of her and begins to kiss her mouth. Suddenly, she feels a sharp tug on her breast and realizes that it is Willow. The sensations are too overwhelming to grasp. The adrenaline running through her body is too much and she feels herself slipping away as her demon rears up.
**************************
Cordelia Chase has never been more frightened in all of her life, and that is saying a lot considering that this is Sunnydale. She has woken to find a huge wolf leering at her like she is so much breakfast. Oh God, this is probably what ate Xander! This is so not good.
OK, Cordy, you can do this. Nice puppy, Nice puppy.
Amazingly, the animal lumbers over to her and cautiously sniffs at her. Oh please God, I hope he likes Channel No. %. Cordy closes her eyes, her heart beating double time. The next thing she feels is a huge wet tongue tentatively licking her hand.
Incredulously, Cordy manages to open her eyes. Meeting her gaze, the beast gives her a reassuring bark and jumps onto the cot beside her.
"So what you tellin' me Spot? You stuck here too?" Spot barks in response and nestles his head in her lap.
Glad for the reassuring warmth the dog provides, Cordy wraps her arms around the huge beast with a shiver and goes to sleep.
Oz has never been in this form before. The closest word he can think of is bewitched. Since Willow has left him, his mind has cleared a good bit. As long as Willow is near, his mind is clouded. He couldn't resist her commands, he didn't even what to resist.
But now, he can clearly recall their interaction of the previous evening. It all makes some sort of horrible sense even be locked up here with Cordy.
At least in this form, his mind is his own. As a werewolf, everything is one big haze. His mind is a twisted maze of grief, anger, betrayal and fear.
While he feels fairly safe with Willow, at least in this form, he is fearful of both Angelus and Xander. He fears even more for poor Cordelia. From what he can gather, she has no idea of how she got here or who brought her. Having looked with Willow at some writings of Angelus' past - well, he just needs to figure a way to communicate with Cordelia and get her out if she is to have any hope at all.
After several hours, Cordelia is back awake - crying all the while and her ever-faithful hound is curled up around her racking his brain for a way to save her from a fate worse than death.
He feels the daylight waning. He feels the shifts in the sun and the moon as only a creature that lives by these rhythms would. He realizes that in this form he has only one-way to save her and that is to turn her first.
In the early morning hours, each pair has claimed a suite and gone to sleep.
Buffy has decided that her favorite vampire ritual is one she knew little or nothing about as the Slayer. Being nocturnal predators, the days are reserved for what she considers true laziness. Being pack animals, they crave sleep and touch during the daylight hours. A great deal of vampire family hierarchy depends on touch and bonding. They might as well be a bloomin' troop of monkeys for all of the proprietary grooming they had engaged in. It is something each instinctually craves and to hear Angel tell it, the bonds that they had as humans only serve to amplify their attachments now.
Angel drives the hierarchy of their little family. He is surprisingly patient in schooling them. Buffy is learning that her role as his mate seems to come with a variety of rules and privileges. She is quickly learning that a mate in considered monogamous as long as all sexual situations are kept within their little circle. Angel explains that given a vampire's desire the additional variety actually helps with the longevity of relationships. The same dynamic applies to Willow and Xander, although she hasn't really compared notes at this point. Last night, she and Willow seemed to flow as they always had. She was glad to have her friend back.
As the afternoon wore on, they all struggle out into the main living area. Heating up mugs of hot fluid and turning on the TV. Soon both Willow and Angel are curled on the sofa looking through some of Giles' books. Seeing Willow with Angel is somehow satisfying as if giving evidence that their little family is solidifying. Both share an interest in prophecy and magic that she and Xander do not. Their pacing and flipping channels begins to distract Angel and it is he who suggests that the two go back to one of the bedroom and work off some of their energy.
Both she and Xander pause at the suggestion but a look at the golden flare in Xander's eyes intrigues Buffy to no end. Angel laughs that deep evil laugh of his and she can hear Willow and Angel laughing as they go.
Angel seems more than willing to share all with him. Her feminine curiosity compels her to prod into this dynamic but now is not the time
Xander. It is hard for her to reconcile the changes in him. He is the most changed of all. Angel has counseled her that each person reacts differently and many can't take it at all. They simply go insane. It is hard to quantify what alchemy has taken place with Xander. Since the change, he rarely speaks and when he does speak, it is to Angel. Enough of his wit and quick intelligence shows through to reassure her that he is well. There is a quality to Xander's demon that isn't present in Angel. It's a feral quality. Perhaps, she thinks, he will mellow with time. After all, Angel has been around a long time.
Xander shuts the door behind him as he follows Buffy into her room. He stalks her as if she is his prey. She is actually afraid. He speaks and his voice is familiar but rougher. The familiarity in his voice calms her. He is fast approaching her and she must admit that part of her is excited and more than ready to face this feral force that she has helped create.
Alexander catches the slight trepidation in her eyes and laughs. "What's the matter, Mommy? Don't tell me the Slayer is afraid of good ol' Xander. You know me; I'm always there to carry your books or your stakes. To dance with you when your boyfriend isn't around." He laughs as his eyes flash, "Don't you want to dance, Buffy?"
With that he pulls her close and leans down to rub his face next to her own. His touch is firm but not hurtful. Despite his harsh words, the contact reassures her that that there is still some sentiment there.
"You don't know how many times, the boy laid in his little bed at night thinking of you. Thinking of what it would be like to touch you, to take you. And you had no clue. What did you think I was? A eunuch? That you could smile at me, walk beside me, flirt with me --- dance with me - use me with no consequence? Did you ever once stop to think? I don't think so, Buff. I don't think so." He runs his hands down her back to her bottom, pulling her tight against him as he growls.
"Well Sunshine, it's time to pay the piper". And with that, he pulls her into a rough kiss, cutting at her lips.
The girl-part of Buffy is outraged and is crying out to fight back. But there is another part of her. A part of her that is submitting even now. A part that recognizes her connection to this vampire, that he is an extension of her mate. That he is an alpha male in this pack and that she is his to take. This part of her welcomes his attentions as her due.
The aggression of his kiss calls out to her demon and soon they are meeting in a fierce battle. Clothes are torn. Flesh is bruised. It is so unlike anything that she has experienced before. It is more of a territorial claiming than anything else is.
Finally once their immense energy has been spent and they lay on the bed, naked and quivering from exhaustion, does he reach for her and give her a gentle, heart-stopping kiss. His face now so handsome that to her he looks like Prince Charming. While Angel with his dark hooded eyes and cruel mouth looks like a highwayman, Xander looks like a gentle prince with his regular, even features. The changing has added a maturity to his looks that he would not have grown into for many years. Thinking of the two, it is impossible to judge which male is actually the most attractive. Both are very much to her liking.
Pulling back from her, he gathers the direction of her thoughts. Sarcastically he says "So, the slayer is thinking about what's she been missing." Buffy senses the hurt under the sarcasm. Soul or no soul, it touches her.
"Xander, no! I'm so sorry. I see now that I hurt you. I hurt you over and over. I am sorry. I've always loved you just not - this way. I mean, if I didn't want you with me --- if Angel hadn't known how important you were to me, then he wouldn't have --- turned you too." She whispers the last words as her small hands cup his dear face with his flashing topaz eyes.
"Do you --- do you forgive me for --- leading you into this?" She asks softly holding his face so he must look at her.
"Forgive you? Buffy, there isn't anything to forgive. Hell, I just had sex with you. If it hadn't been for Mr. Undead Guy in there, I wouldn't be here with you now."
"And you - you and Angel, --- you weren't his biggest fan, you know?"
"Well, times change. I guess I'm in a better position to understand him now, huh? The pot can't call the kettle black."
Xander rolls to lie on his back looking up at the ceiling as he tries to put his feelings into words. "It's like we're connected now. I mean, don't you feel it? It's like there's this invisible current running between all of us and the more we are together the more the current hums. It's incredible. For the first time, I feel like I'm a part of something. Of something secure, of something where I matter, where I'm important. Oh, don't start with the 'Oh Xander, you've always been important to me' crap - you know damn well, what I mean. Angel gave this to me, you and Angel and I'm grateful."
Just as his impassioned speech finishes, the door opens and Willow and Angel bound into the room. Given their own state of undress, Buffy would guess that they too have been engaging in some extra-curricular recreation well beyond Giles' books.
Willow crawls into the bed by Xander and Angel by Buffy. Angel immediately pulls Buffy into a passionate, territorial kiss. When he finishes, he pulls back and looks at all three of his children. "Don't you understand, we are one. Together we are stronger."
Angel quickly reaches across Buffy to where Alexander sits and pulls the other male into a kiss. The kiss is not a peck but a real kiss. Buffy and Willow both watch with awe as Xander rises up and begins to participate in the exchange. The men are leaning over Buffy's body as they grasp at one. While Buffy can imagine an aggressive exchange between the two, this is more sensual and tender than she could have imagined and watching the two beautiful men do this right above her has rendered her speechless.
Willow, feeling out of the loop, pulls up on her knees behind Xander. With her ivory hands on his board shoulders, she watches the two for a few moments before beginning to kiss Xander's neck while he continues on with Angel.
The sight of the three engaged, as they are prompts Buffy out of her stupor. Given her own position in the mix, she briefly contemplates her own options before reaching each hand under the covers to grasp the two men. This touch finally draws the men apart and they both turn their attentions to Buffy. Some sort of unsaid communication occurs between Angel and Xander before Angel slides down her body with soft kisses that cause her to arch in frustration. Xander rolls to the far side of her and begins to kiss her mouth. Suddenly, she feels a sharp tug on her breast and realizes that it is Willow. The sensations are too overwhelming to grasp. The adrenaline running through her body is too much and she feels herself slipping away as her demon rears up.
**************************
Cordelia Chase has never been more frightened in all of her life, and that is saying a lot considering that this is Sunnydale. She has woken to find a huge wolf leering at her like she is so much breakfast. Oh God, this is probably what ate Xander! This is so not good.
OK, Cordy, you can do this. Nice puppy, Nice puppy.
Amazingly, the animal lumbers over to her and cautiously sniffs at her. Oh please God, I hope he likes Channel No. %. Cordy closes her eyes, her heart beating double time. The next thing she feels is a huge wet tongue tentatively licking her hand.
Incredulously, Cordy manages to open her eyes. Meeting her gaze, the beast gives her a reassuring bark and jumps onto the cot beside her.
"So what you tellin' me Spot? You stuck here too?" Spot barks in response and nestles his head in her lap.
Glad for the reassuring warmth the dog provides, Cordy wraps her arms around the huge beast with a shiver and goes to sleep.
Oz has never been in this form before. The closest word he can think of is bewitched. Since Willow has left him, his mind has cleared a good bit. As long as Willow is near, his mind is clouded. He couldn't resist her commands, he didn't even what to resist.
But now, he can clearly recall their interaction of the previous evening. It all makes some sort of horrible sense even be locked up here with Cordy.
At least in this form, his mind is his own. As a werewolf, everything is one big haze. His mind is a twisted maze of grief, anger, betrayal and fear.
While he feels fairly safe with Willow, at least in this form, he is fearful of both Angelus and Xander. He fears even more for poor Cordelia. From what he can gather, she has no idea of how she got here or who brought her. Having looked with Willow at some writings of Angelus' past - well, he just needs to figure a way to communicate with Cordelia and get her out if she is to have any hope at all.
After several hours, Cordelia is back awake - crying all the while and her ever-faithful hound is curled up around her racking his brain for a way to save her from a fate worse than death.
He feels the daylight waning. He feels the shifts in the sun and the moon as only a creature that lives by these rhythms would. He realizes that in this form he has only one-way to save her and that is to turn her first.
