The Promise
By Esmeralda
Epilogue
"I guess this means you and I get the floor again, yeah," said Doyle, sounding less than happy about the prospect.
Angel threw down some blankets and a couple of pillows. "Unless you'd rather cuddle up with Xander and Spike."
"Er, no. I'll pass," said Doyle quickly.
Angel stripped off his clothes and lay down, folding his arms behind his head. "What do you think of him?
"Xander? He's a good kid-"
"-not Xander," said Angel softly, "Spike."
"Oh." Doyle paused halfway through taking off his pants. He slid them off the rest of the way in silence and slipped under the blanket. After a minute or two he said quietly, "D'yer mean, am I bothered about you and him?"
Angel sat up so he could look into his lover's face. "Are you?" he asked anxiously.
Doyle sighed as he thought how to answer. "I know some stuff," he admitted. "I mean, I know vampires don't take this Sire, Childe thing lightly. I know you have to...be there for him sometimes."
"He...Spike, was upset," said Angel awkwardly. "I... he needed me."
Doyle winced. "Yeah, I get that." The young man ducked his head. Green eyes peered up at Angel somewhat wistfully. "You couldn't have just given him a hug?"
Angel's mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "Spike's not much for platonic embraces."
"Yeah, fair enough," said Doyle. "I guess maybe I'm just a bit...jealous." He flushed, adding quickly, "I mean you and him have a history."
"Most of it bad," Angel pointed out.
"So...What, you're mending bridges here?"
"I want...." Angel hesitated. "I want things to be right between us."
"And *us*?" Doyle asked plaintively.
In less than a heartbeat Angel lay down and drew the young man into his arms. "I *love* you," he declared fervently. "Never doubt it. Heart and soul, I am yours."
Doubts faded; Doyle smiled.
Angel relaxed slightly and returned the smile.
They kissed, slow and tender. Doyle nudged Angel over onto his back and proceeded to travel down the vampire's torso with eager lips and tongue. He kissed and licked every inch of chilled-satin skin, playfully tugging on Angel's nipples. He drew the stiff little points into his mouth and suckled on them greedily.
Angel let out a long moan and wound his fingers through Doyle's short hair, gently drawing the young man up for a deep, searching kiss. They explored one another's mouths with lazy passion. Slow was soon not enough and the kiss grew more urgent. Angel carefully manoeuvred Doyle, bringing him closer, cradling the young man between his thighs. Bodies aligned, their erections brushed, making them gasp.
The kiss broke and their eyes locked - green tumbling into gold. Slowly they began to move. Soft gasps, ragged breaths, and gentle groans broke the silence. Angel's neck arched back as he began to pant. Doyle pressed his lips against the smooth skin of his lover's throat. He pressed his teeth against the trembling flesh.
"*Yesss* Angel hissed.
Doyle barely hesitated. He bit down hard, tasting sharp copper as the skin broke beneath his teeth. He ran his tongue along the row of tiny puncture wounds. Angel groaned.
Suddenly the vampire flipped them over. Doyle gasped as fangs scraped along his collar bone, grazing the skin. Angel drew back, his expression anxious. Without hesitation, Doyle placed his hand behind the vampire's head and drew his lover back toward his throat. He held his breath, then cried out, arching upward, as sharp fangs pierced his flesh.
His erection twitched as ribbons of ecstasy unwound through his body, spreading outward from the fiery point at his throat. He could feel the blood welling into the wound, liquid heat trickling across his burning skin. He could hear the soft noises as Angel drank. He pushed upward, grinding his hard flesh against Angel's body.
When the vampire pulled back from his throat, Doyle gave a little sob of protest. Angel's lips covered his instantly and he tasted the fresh metallic tang coating them. Cold fingers encircled his erection and began to stroke him gently. Doyle bucked his hips impatiently and the tempo increased. With a gasp Doyle came, his seed spilling over his lover's hand.
He lay, trembling, eyes closed. They opened quickly when a cool, wet mouth closed over his spent flesh, cleaning it gently, but thoroughly. "Hmmzzt," Doyle murmured. Angel came back up to lie beside him. Doyle lay, breathing hard, until it sank through his desire-addled brain that Angel hadn't come yet. He let his fingers wander down the vampire's body until they reached the silken length.
Doyle ran one finger down his lover's erection, feeling it twitch into his touch. He looked at Angel. The vampire was very still, eyes closed, mouth parted slightly - the barest glimpse of ivory behind kiss swollen lips. Doyle wriggled onto his side and placed his hand gently, but firmly around Angel's rigid length. Gold eyes fluttered open.
"Want to watch you," Doyle whispered. He stroked once, gently.
Angel made a soft pleasured sound.
Doyle moved his hand and Angel began to pant. Heavy-lidded, the vampire focused on him, near drunk with desire. Doyle kept up the rhythm as Angel began to thrust into his fingers. He upped the tempo, enjoying his lover's soft grunts and growls; then slipped his free hand beneath the straining flesh, lightly kneading the heavy sac. Angel bucked hard into his grasp and came with a choked cry.
Doyle drew his slippery fingers up to his mouth. He sucked each one, slowly and deliberately. Angel watched, wide-eyed. Then the vampire growled and grabbed him, kissing him fiercely.
When the kiss broke they remained in the circle of one another's arms. After a while Doyle spoke, "I can deal...you know...with you and him. Just give me some time, yeah?"
Angel tightened his hold. "Okay," he whispered.
Doyle nuzzled closer and closed his eyes. Within minutes he was asleep. Angel realised the young man still hadn't said what he thought of Spike.
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Spike lay, watching the subtle rise and fall of Xander's chest. The boy's face was titled toward him; his soft, sweet breath brushed Spike's skin with each gentle exhalation. Blue eyes traced each feature, memorising the shade and shape of lips, nose, and eyes ~ lax in sleep. His gaze fell upon the faint scar scoring Xander's cheek. The lines had paled but were still visible, more so to his inhuman sight.
Thin lips compressed tightly. Very carefully, Spike leaned forward and kissed the mark, nuzzling Xander's cheek gently before he drew back - inhaling the young man's scent. "Mine," he whispered. Spike drew the blankets closer, tucking them around his lover. Then he lay back down, one hand resting lightly on Xander's chest, feeling each breath through his fingers.
Hours drifted by, Spike remained awake. He heard Xander whimper softly and he tensed in readiness. Heart-rate and breathing quickened, then Xander suddenly jerked and tried to sit up. Spike didn't try to restrain him; instead he spoke to soothe the frightened youth. "Woah there, tiger. Easy, easy."
"S-Spike?"
"Still here, pet. Just like I promised."
Xander sank back into the pillows, breathing hard.
"Bad dream, yeah?"
"Oh, yeah," said Xander breathily. "The baddest."
"Wanna talk about it?"
Xander turned his head toward his lover.
"I mean, if you want to," Spike mumbled awkwardly.
Xander smiled faintly. "It's no biggie. Just the usual capture, torture stuff." His attempt to be blasé was undermined by the slightly panicked look that had settled on his face.
"I'm guessing the flashback didn't help none, hmm?" said Spike.
Xander blinked. <Transparent, much?> He *had* panicked when he'd woken from a feature length nightmare to find himself lying on a key prop. He just hadn't expected Spike to be so...well...sensitive. "Yeah," he croaked hoarsely. "My memories of this room need a little work."
Spike didn't answer. Reaching to the floor he picked up a glass of water. "Here, have a sip of this. It'll help your throat." He assisted, lifting the youth slightly and holding the glass steady while Xander drank.
Xander took a few sips and then lay back. "Thanks."
Spike set the glass back down. "You know we don't have to stay 'ere. I can borrow Peaches car. Get us a room somewhere."
Xander shook his head, smiling wanly. "No, it's okay. I....I need to do this."
Spike lay down again beside his lover, laying his arm lightly across the boy's chest. "Remembering's hard," he said quietly. "Memories can drive you mad if you let 'em." Brown eyes turned toward him, the gentle orbs bright with pain.
"I just want to forget," Xander whispered desperately.
Spike smiled sadly and brushed dark bangs back from Xander's pale face. "I know, luv. I know. Time'll blur it a bit."
"I won't forget though, will I?"
Spike's expression was serious as he held the boy's gaze. "No, not totally. The mind don't work that way."
Xander rolled over so he could press his face into Spike chest.
Spike stroked the boy's back as he held him. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, pet."
Xander drew back. "Not....not you fault," he said brokenly. "He....he hurt you too." They both knew he wasn't referring to recent events and Spike's gaze dropped away. "Do...do you still remember?" Xander asked.
Spike gave a bitter smile. "Our sort don't have the luxury of forgetting, pet. See our memories don't fade." He tapped the side of his head. "We keep everything locked away up 'ere. Every detail, picture sharp, down to the last bloody reel."
Xander's face tightened in sympathy and distress.
Spike's gaze softened. He touched the boy's unhappy mouth gently. "Here, don't take on so. I remember good stuff too. Even back then it weren't all bad."
He grinned wickedly. "Plus I get to memorise all those little breathy moans you make when you're close to coming. The way that flush steals across your skin, right down to your balls. The way your mouth drops open when you're surprised and that neat little furrow you get when you frown." Spike stroked said furrow with his forefinger. "Yep, that's the cute little bugger."
Xander couldn't help but smile at the vampire's words. "You're crazy," he told his lover. "You know that, right?"
Spike looked positively indifferent to the possibility. "Hmm," his grin turned sly, "but if I'm crazy...and you love me...What does that make you?" he teased.
"Certifiably insane?" Xander quipped. The gentle humour was easing his distress, that and the closeness of his lover. Here, with Spike, he felt safe.
Spike's answering grin disappeared behind an uncertain look. "You're still alright then? I mean with this, with us?"
The unusual show of vulnerability drove home for Xander that he wasn't alone in being shaken by the past few days. He wriggled closer. "More than okay. I love you, remember."
Spike's grin switched back on. "Love you too, pet." He gave Xander a quick, tender kiss. "Things will be better when we get us our own place." His mouth twitched in amusement. "I think Peaches wants his bed back. He's a bit past this sleepin' on the floor lark."
"We haven't got any money yet," said Xander worriedly. "How can we get a place?"
Spike shook his head in fond exasperation. "Pet, I'm a vampire, you're my consort. We find a place and move in. That's how it's done."
"We're not killing any one," said Xander firmly.
Spike crossed his unbeating heart with mock solemnity. "No good guys. You have my word."
Xander took one look at the glint in his lover's eye and decided the bad guys better move out fast.
"So where do you fancy. No high rises, mind. Up there's a bad place to be when it's hot and sunny."
Xander gave him a look. "And here was I thinking a glass-roofed penthouse would be the perfect spot for me and my turns-to-dust-in-daylight lover."
Spike ignored the dig. "So somewhere dark then, yeah?"
"*Not* a basement...Or a crypt," said Xander firmly.
"You want something like this?"
Xander shrugged. "It's nice but a bit......"
"Nancyish?"
Xander frowned, "I was going to say old fashioned. I'd prefer somewhere a bit more 'this century'."
"Right then, we'll get the mick on it first thing."
"Doyle? Why Doyle?"
"Cos," said Spike, "he's lived here longer than any of us. Plus you are staying in bed until you're stronger and I'm staying right here." He jabbed the mattress with his finger.
Xander smiled. "Good," he said softly. Spike ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead.
"Go to sleep, pet. Spike'll keep the nightmares away."
Xander closed his eyes. Cool fingers caressed his face as he slipped back to sleep; the bad memories held at bay by the reassuring touch of his lover.