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| In Omne Tempus - Ring Out The Bells Again by Holly (8 Reviews) | | - - - abc |  | | | Chapter Thirty-One
Ring Out The Bells Again
The town was eerily silent. There had never been silence like this.
In her time, Buffy had grown accustomed to the many moods of her local graveyards. There was quiet—she knew quiet. That false sense of respect that the ground attempted to emanate; a distraction that disguised the true nature of things beneath the earth. She knew how cemeteries were supposed to look. She knew the deference she was supposed to feel when walking alongside the dead. She had lived, after all, for so many years as just a girl.
Graveyards had long since adapted a new meaning for her. Their moods were interchangeable, and it was impossible to forecast the upcoming patrols based on trends, despite the want for consistency.
“Do you feel anything?” she asked him, squeezing his hand subconsciously. There was something comfortable simply in the awareness of his presence.
Spike shook his head, popping a cigarette between his lips. “Not a bloody whiff.”
A long sigh rumbled through her throat, and she shook her head in frustration. “There’s no point in this,” she said. “I need to feel like we’re doing something, but we’re accomplishing absolutely nothing. How are we supposed to track down the Order if they won’t play by the rules?”
There was a huff at that. “Rules? Sweetling, Angelus makes up his own sodding rules.”
“Then there’s no point to this.”
“It makes you feel like you’re doin’ somethin’, I s’pose.” At her look, he shrugged. “Well, okay. But more so than sittin’ at home, yeh?”
“I suppose.”
“Really?”
“No. We’re wasting time.”
“Buffy—”
“If this all comes down to the big thing, and my Watcher’s best idea is invoking the Holy Spirit…literally.” She released a deep sigh. “I’m sorry, I’m not over that just yet. He’s supposed to be so rational, but he…”
Spike squeezed her hand tightly and brushed his lips over her temple. “Already told you, luv, we’re not gonna let this be the end. Sod all if I let bloody Angelus get the better of me.”
“We’re not getting anything done out here, are we?”
He wisely ignored the fact that she was repeating herself. “Not really, no.”
Buffy wet her lips and glanced down. “And yet, if I went home, I’d feel like I was ignoring the problem.”
“Classic conundrum, yeh?” He smiled grimly and squeezed her hand again. “I got somethin’ to show you, luv, if you want to not pretend like we’re gettin’ somethin’ accomplished out here.”
“Something to show me?” She quirked a brow. “I didn’t give you more than one cherished childhood toy when I was four, did I?”
Spike chuckled and shook his head. “’S bigger than a bloody bear,” he said, tugging her toward the graveyard’s exit. “I wasn’ gonna say anythin’.”
“Then why are you?”
“Couldn’t help it. Jus’ got everythin’ put together this afternoon.”
“And you were able to keep it in this long?” she teased. “I’m very proud of you.”
“You think you’re so cute when you’re condescendin’, don’ you?”
“I know you do.”
Spike waved a dismissive hand. “That is neither here nor there.”
“You like being put in your place by the girl who’s…what…a hundred and fifteen years younger than you?”
He smirked at that. “Gotta admit, luv…’s a bit of a turn-on.”
“Perv.”
“You love it.” He pinched her ass. “Come on. Gotta show you the surprise, yeh?”
“Yeah…when did you have time to put anything together? We were with each other all day.”
“You fell asleep around three, remember? Had to entertain myself somehow.”
Buffy quirked a brow. “You undertook a multi-part project that has stages while I was asleep?”
He shrugged. “I’m amazingly resourceful like that. Come on, sweets.”
They didn’t walk far, though it perplexed her that whatever surprise she had coming to her required a complete change of venue. In fact, when they took the turn that led south of Revello Drive, she felt the first rush of anxiousness race up her spine. Spike was nothing if not inventive. He had already made the impossible seem possible simply by being with her. He offered her hope when she had none.
Offered her the world when she was terrified to acknowledge that their story could have a happy ending. Happy endings were so far from her experience, she didn’t know if she could accept it even if it was what fate handed to her. She’d constantly be waiting for the other shoe. For the half-empty. Comfort would be a foreign luxury. After all, she was the Slayer, if not in right any longer, but in philosophy. Slayers didn’t get to see the bright side of life. They were too busy trying to preserve the world so that everyone else might enjoy it.
“That’s not you anymore, sweetheart,” Spike said softly.
Buffy blinked. “What…did I say that out loud?”
“You din’t have to. We’re mated now, remember? You send off vibes like that an’ I’m bound to pick up on them. Point bein’, that’s not your responsibility anymore. Savin’ the world.”
“Spike—”
“I’ve told you. Once this apocalypse is over, I’m takin’ you away. Some place exotic where you aren’ obligated to do anythin’ except relax an’ get shagged sideways whenever I feel like it.”
She perked a brow. “Whenever you feel like it, huh?”
“Well, I am frontin’ the cash for this trip, aren’ I? You could show a li’l appreciation.”
“So, in other words, I’m whoring myself to get away from the Hellmouth. Nice career move, Buffy.”
Spike flashed her a dangerous glance. “You so much as look at another bloke the way you look at me—”
Buffy rolled her eyes. “Oh please. The thought grosses me out more than it does you.”
“Slayer—”
“You’re perceptive until it comes to matters of logic. I see how you play your little game.” She jerked him to a standstill and all but mauled his mouth with a hungry kiss. “I don’t know if I’ve told you this in the past…oh…ten minutes or so, but I love you, you big doofus.”
Spike warmed at that and kissed her again, teasing her senseless with the whispers of his tongue massaging hers. “Love you, too, kitten.”
“So much that you wanna show me this elusive prezzie you got me?”
He grinned and stuffed his hands in his pockets as they continued walking. “’S not jus’ for you, you know,” he said. “’S for the both of us…if you want it, that is.”
He didn’t lead her far. In retrospect, they were only a couple of blocks away from the cemetery she patrolled most frequently. Spike tugged her to a halt after a few minutes and directed her attention to a dark, modestly sized house at the corner of the street.
“There you are, luv.”
Buffy blinked in confusion. For whatever reason, it took her a few belated seconds to notice the worn ‘for sale’ sign propped in the front yard.
A thrill ran through her body. “Spike…”
He smiled gently. “Do you like it?”
“Is this…?”
“It’s yours if you want it, sweetheart. Called the owner today while you were sleepin’.” He glanced to the pavement and shuffled anxiously. “I’ve been in a few times. Belonged to a tyurack demon for a few years. Bloody annoyin’ sod who still owes me a couple hundred, but I s’pose I got my own back from filchin’ off him as much as I did. Pretentious as all hell, so he always had the best booze. I—”
“Spike? You’re rambling.”
He flashed an awkward grin. “’m nervous.”
“You bought a house?”
“Not yet…I wanted you to see it firs’.” He released a deep breath. “I gave him an offer so the bloke knows I’m interested, but it’s so bloody pitiful that there’s no way he’ll accept, so we’re not committed to anythin’. I jus’ saw this one was for sale an’…why are you lookin’ at me like that?”
Buffy smiled. “Because you’re adorable.”
Spike scowled and released a small growl that was more obligatory that truly wounded. “Take it back.”
“No. You’re adorable.” She pressed her lips to his cheek and squeezed his hand. “I told you I don’t care where we live—”
“You’re a chit. You say you don’ care, but the second I make a decision, I bloody well know it’s gonna be the wrong one an’—”
“Spike.”
“Right.” He nodded. “Shutting up.”
“I thought you told my mom that you hadn’t found a place yet.”
“This was s’posed to be a surprise,” he reminded her. “An’ I haven’t signed anythin’, so technically we’re still lookin’.”
“Spike—”
“But the bloke’s already moved out so we can look inside. Don’ need an invite.”
Buffy felt herself nodding before her mind could catch up, and the next thing she knew, Spike was manipulating the door lock with a bobby pin that he plucked off her head. She was grounded with a numb sense of realization.
“Oh my God.”
“Yeh,” he drawled, straightening and opening the door for her. “Might be bloody elementary, but MacGyver knew his stuff.”
“No, I mean…” She drew in a deep breath as they stepped across the threshold into the vacant house. The room looked big and lonely upon first glance, and she found herself mentally compiling what to put where based on furniture pieces that she didn’t even own. The house was modest but larger than she had expected for their first place together; a large living area stretched to the left, the dining and kitchen area at the right. Splitting the two sections was a hallway that undoubtedly led to the bedroom and the bath. “This…”
Spike shuffled nervously. “Do you like it?”
“I’m…I’m actually going to have my own place.” Her eyes lit up and she turned to him with a large, beaming smile. “Oh my God!”
“So—”
“I’ll take it!”
“You haven’ seen it all yet, luv—”
“I don’t care. This is perfect.” She cupped his cheeks and kissed him heatedly. “I can’t believe you did this.”
He smiled softly. “I din’t do anythin’ but open the paper.”
“But you…” She broke away from his embrace and turned back to the room, stretching her arms demonstratively. “This is ours. We have…oh my God, you can afford this?”
“Of course I can.” His eyes twinkled. “Contrary to popular belief, I did do some investin’ over the years.”
She quirked a brow. “Not enough to buy a castle, though.”
“Enough to buy you a nice house for however long you wanna stay in this pissant town.”
“However long…?”
“Told you I wanted to get you outta here. This…’s not much…jus’ until you’re ready.”
Buffy exhaled a deep breath and simply stared at him. “You’re something else.”
He prowled forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, tugging her into him with an impassioned growl. “Wanna shower you with gifts, luv. ‘S not a castle jus’ yet. Gimme a few years.”
“Spike…” Her vision blurred and she glanced down. “It’s absolutely perfect. I can’t…why did you tell my mother tonight that you were still looking?”
“Din’t know if this was what you wanted, pet. ‘Sides, it was s’posed to be a surprise, like I said.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “When the battle’s over, I wanted us to have a place to come home to.”
“When the battle’s over…”
He nodded. “An’ Angelus is dust.”
Buffy released a deep breath and nodded. “This is amazing. I can’t even…” She turned to him, her eyes shining. “I can’t…” She paused for a minute, then wiped her tears away. “Sorry. Stupid girly thing.”
Spike smirked and his gaze raked her body appreciatively. “I happen to like your girly things,” he murmured, leaning inward to nibble on her lips. “Point of fact, I think I’m quite enamored with ‘em.”
She smiled. “They seem to like you, too.”
“Mmm…” He cupped her breasts, walking her back toward the wall, pressing himself fully into her as her legs hiked up around his waist. “They certainly are…” He tugged at her nipples through her shirt. “…responsive.”
Buffy play-slapped at his hand and wagged a finger at him. “Bad.”
“The baddest, baby.”
She released a small mewl and thrust herself against the hardness grinding into her center, reflecting briefly on how effortlessly he could make her lose all semblance of control. The slightest touch and her body was left in want. The claim had brought her to life in ways she couldn’t fathom, and as Spike had prophesied, she found herself in need of his touch every waking second. “We should probably get going,” she murmured, her voice lacking conviction as his mouth worshipped her throat. “Get…”
“Buffy…” He pulled his head back, his eyes flashing with need. It amazed her that he could still look at her like that. Amazed her that the feelings she felt him feeding her blood were all for her; that his feelings were as powerful as they were.
She had to remind herself every now and then that this was something he had waited for. Sure, she’d heard him say it a thousand times, and with as little time as he had been in her life, she couldn’t imagine the lonely years before him without the whisper of his presence. After all, he had been there all along. He had watched her grow up. He had protected her from badness without truly stepping in. Her life thus far had been brief, and though she hadn’t always been able to see him, Spike had been with her for every step. Every step minus four precious years. He was one of her earliest memories, and she knew somehow that when the world ended once and for all, she would be holding his hand.
She recalled the night he first came back into her life. The night his eyes had flashed for her and everything had changed. It hadn’t been too long ago, but god, it felt as though she had aged a thousand years since then. She remembered his short-lived control, the intrusive presence of his fingers inside her, breaking her virginal body with passion that hurt more for its newness and her fear than actual pain. She remembered trembling as she raced home. She remembered looking in the mirror the second she was back in the sanctuary of her room, then collapsing with relief when she felt him outside her window.
A lifetime ago. She loved him now. She felt she had loved him forever.
Buffy released a deep breath and lowered her mouth to his throat, unwinding her legs from around his waist and sliding to the floor, her body shivering when he whimpered in protest. “Shhh…”
“Sweetling, I—”
As early as tomorrow, this all could be over.
A long shudder seized her and she shook her head, kissing away Spike’s confusion as she coaxed him to turn until his back was pressed against the wall.
“Wanna give this place a good christening?” she asked, her gaze turning devious.
He smirked. “Jus’ so we feel at home, yeh?”
“Oh, totally.” She tugged at his belt, nibbling lightly on his lips. “Guess we can call this the pre-christening christening. I’m sure we’ll need to try out all the rooms once everything is final.”
“Make a day of it,” he agreed, a long gasp tearing through his throat as his cock sprang into her waiting hand. “Move the mattress with us as we decide where we want the bed.”
Buffy quirked a brow, squeezing his length, her teeth skimming the claim mark on his throat. “Where we want it? I was thinking the bedroom.”
“Ahhhh…” Spike’s eyes fell shut and he thrust into her touch with a small whimper. “Nah…’s what everyone’ll expect.”
“Mhmm.”
“God, Buffy, please…” His hands fell to the hem of her top. “Need you so bad.”
“You have me.”
“Buffy!”
She squeezed him again with a grin. “You have me.”
She raised her arms and her shirt was gone the next second. His eager mouth fell to her breasts, tonguing her heatedly through her bra as her small hand stroked his cock. He rumbled into her with fervor as he thrust into her touch.
“Such a hot li’l hand,” he gasped. “Buffy, please!”
Buffy brushed a kiss against his lips. “I love seeing you all squirmy,” she murmured, nipping at his throat as she worked her way slowly down his body until she was face-to-face with his raging predicament. She grinned mischievously, curling one hand around the base of his erection as her other teased the weight of his balls. “Squirm for me, baby.”
“I…did you jus’ call me ‘baby’?”
She shrugged, her tongue curling around his sensitive head. “Was just trying it on for size.”
“A-and?”
“Feels strange coming outta my mouth.”
Spike released a long, strangled sigh and thrust forward. “Your mouth is perfect,” he whimpered. “Everythin’ about you is perfect.”
“Mmm.” Buffy pressed a series of hot, wet kisses along the underside of his length, licking at the base before lapping back to his head. “You’re just saying so ‘cause you like what my mouth is doing right now.”
“B-Buffy—”
She drew him all the way into her hot cavern until he brushed against the back of her throat, then slowly slid him out again. “You know, I think I’ve gotten pretty good at this.”
“D-do you?”
“Mhmm,” she agreed, grinning inwardly when he moaned at the vibrations she sent through his body. “All things considered…” She licked at his skin. “I haven’t been doing it all that long.”
Spike heaved a deep breath. “I can’t believe I lived without it.”
“See?”
“Buffy…”
Her tongue swirled around him once more as her hand pumped what she couldn’t take into her mouth.
“Buffy, please! You gotta…bloody hell, stop!”
She glanced up. “Stop?”
“Wanna be inside you.” Spike grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her onto her back. “Want your sweet li’l quim stranglin’ me into oblivion. Wanna come with your sweet li’l titties bouncin’ in my face as you ride me.”
She whimpered and nodded eagerly.
“Christ,” Spike gasped, stroking himself furiously as she disrobed. “You drive me outta my mind.”
“The feeling’s mutual,” she replied, stripping her slacks down her legs. “Spike, please—”
“I—”
He tugged her to the ground the next second, his jeans shoved down to his ankles. His duster was off the next minute and splayed beneath his body; a makeshift mattress for their needs.
Very makeshift, though definitely better than nothing.
Buffy released a deep breath as she crawled over him, carefully removing his combat boots, then extracting his legs from his pants. Her heart was thundering as she slid her body over his. For some reason, she found herself inexplicably tense. With as intimate as they were, with everything they had already done, there was something about seeing him in such need that never failed to wrack every nerve in her body.
“I haven’t been on top before,” she reminded him as she straddled his thighs, taking his length into her hand and stroking him gently.
“Well, not with me lyin’ down,” he retorted cheekily, stripping off his tee. “You okay, sweetheart?”
“Uh huh.”
“Jus’…” He maneuvered her hips until her seeping entrance was hovering over his cock, then found her eyes and held as she sank down. A shared moan ripped through the air. “Oh, fuck.”
“Uhhh…”
“Feel so good, baby. Every time,” Spike panted, raising his head to lap sweetly at her breasts through the lace of her bra.
Buffy whimpered and worried her lip between her teeth, rocking her hips sensually against his. “Never…Spike…I…”
“Shhh, sweetling.” He ripped her bra away the next second, laving a wet path around her nipple. “Remember what I told you about dancin’ the other mornin’? Jus’ like that, pet. Jus’ like that. ‘S natural. Jus’ ride me.”
She flushed and wiggled, moaning when her actions seated his erection deeper within her. “I’m just…I was just thinking a few minutes ago about how long you had to wait for…well…us, and I guess I got…I mean, I’m—”
Spike smiled and cupped her cheek tenderly. “Silly girl. You’re perfect. You’re absolutely perfect. An’ I love you so much I’m surprised I haven’ dusted from it.”
A shiver raced across her skin and she raised her hips, moaning as his cock slipped out of her. “I love you, too,” she said, sliding down again the next second until her pussy was pressed against the base of his erection, their curls intermingled. “Oh my God.”
“Oh, bloody hell.” He threw his head back and thrust up into her needily. “So hot. So fucking hot. That’s it, pet. You got it. You got me. Ohhh, yeh, that’s it. Squeeze me real good.”
Her vaginal muscles contracted around him as her hands found his shoulders, her hips developing a natural rhythm. She pressed her breasts against his chest; a sharp jolt shooting through her body. She felt stretched wider than she’d ever been, though she honestly didn’t know if it was because of the position or the feel of truly being in control. It was amazing. Amazing how he could fill both her body and a void that she hadn’t even known was tearing her apart.
Meeting the deep azure of his eyes, though, she conceded that a simple change of position in their lovemaking didn’t make much of a huge difference in his innate pull. Spike had a hold on her that couldn’t be comprised simply of exercising authority that she felt too inexperienced to grasp.
Though she believed him when he reassured her doubts. After all, she felt what he felt, now. She could feel everything.
“You’re amazing,” he whispered, tugging at one of her nipples as his other hand scaled down her belly. “So amazing.”
Buffy smiled, intensifying her thrusts as the spark he had ignited in her body started to burn. “Reading my mind?” she gasped, tossing her head back as he lapped at her breasts.
“I feel what you feel, too, baby,” he murmured, slipping his thumb over her clit. God, she was such a puddle of slayer-goo in his hands. “Feel every. Delicious. Thing.”
She nibbled at his lips, slowing her movements to a measured, steady cadence.
Spike whimpered and his eyes widened. “Buffy?”
“I wanna try something.” She seized his wrist and guided his touch away from her pussy as his cock slid out of her. A long gasp of complaint rumbled through his throat and he reached for her with desperation. “Shhh.”
“Buffy!”
Her hand found his length, navigating his spongy head to stroke her clit. The contact sent sharp jolts through her body; her eyes went wide and she mewled in pleasure. “Oh, my God!”
“Holy fuck.”
“Oh my God.”
Spike’s gaze positively burned. “You are the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” he growled, searing her skin completely with his sinful caresses as she rubbed his cock against her sensitive pearl. “You like that, pet?”
“Ohhh…”
“Like usin’ me to get off?”
Her eyes locked with his. “Spike—”
“No. Keep doin’ it.” He licked his lips, his hand circling his erection, pumping himself in time with her movements. “Bloody hell, I could watch you all day.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded, stroking his shaft furiously. “Buffy…Buffy!”
She nodded and positioned him at her opening once more, encasing him in her sheath with another long moan of completion. “Ahhh…”
“Nothin’ like the feel of you,” he murmured. “Love you, baby.”
“Love you,” she agreed, her hands finding purchase at his hips as she slid herself up and down his cock with new desperation. “Oh God.”
“That’s it. You’re close, aren’ you?”
She glanced down at him, watching him through hooded eyes. Watching as he swallowed her whole with his gaze. As he released a slew of obscenities that only served to make her blood burn hotter than she thought possible, she leaned forward so that her breasts dangled just above his mouth.
“Tease,” he growled, suckling a nipple between his teeth.
“You love it,” she replied, gasping as his fingers pinched her clit again. “Oh!”
“Come for me, baby. Wanna feel you coming hard around me. Wanna hear my name on those gorgeous lips of yours. Scream it, Buffy.”
“Guh!”
“Scream it!”
“Spike!”
For a minute, she could’ve sworn the walls around her vanished, the floor beneath her ceased to exist, and it was just her and Spike. Just the waves crashing through her blood; just the feel of the vampire beneath her thrusting up into her desperately as he spilled himself within her.
No world to save. No demons to defeat. No baddies to slay. He stole away the pain of reality for a few wonderful seconds. There was no want for anything more. There was just this.
When she came back to herself, she was curled in his arms, his lips caressing her brow as his hands traced cool patterns over her body.
“I’ll take it,” she said after a few long, recuperative moments, releasing a contented sigh.
“Take it?”
“The house. I’ll take it.”
Spike peered up at her through one eye. “You haven’ seen the rest of it, yet.”
“I told you I’d take it when we first got here.”
“Now you’re sayin’ it again.”
“Yes.”
“So we’re takin’ it?”
“Well, if you introduce me to every room like that…”
“You’re the one that jumped me, luv.”
She nodded her agreement, pressing a kiss against his chest. Had it happened like that? She couldn’t remember, and it didn’t matter. She felt herself in need of him all the time, so it was entirely possible. “What can I say?” she murmured. “I couldn’t help myself.”
“Can’t resist my sexy bones, can you?”
“Nope.”
She settled against him comfortably, closing her eyes to will the world to stay away for just a few more minutes. To keep the outside knowledge from bursting forward again; to keep the battle she was dreading on the doorstep.
To keep the bad from surging toward them again. She had already endured so much bad. Spike provided light in the midst of her dark. She needed to hold onto the light. She needed it so much.
Just a little while longer.
It didn’t seem, after everything, too much to ask.
To be continued in Chapter Thirty-Two: Flights of Angels… | | | | | | | |
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