Written For fall_for_spike

This futuristic/fantasy Spander was inspired by Salustra's wonderful manip of gothic Spike with wings.

This is a sequel to The Senator's Downfall, a three part previously written fic. Though they are standalone fics, I believe reading the pre-quel is a good idea.

Pairing: Spike/Xander
Rating: NC 17
Characters: Not mine, Joss' ? I'm just playin' with 'em
Concrits: welcome in comments

The Warrior's Downfall

by
Virtual Personal

Part One

The cobbled ground of the large civic courtyard gleamed like onyx in the sunshine. Spike had just returned from the frontlines and stood against the wall while the healer sewed neat little stitches to close the wound on his chest. He didn’t make a sound, nor give any indication of pain, instead he looked at the hundred-story transport tower.

Only off-worlders rode the contraption since the Kerali would ordinarily simply leap out of the air ships and fly down to the ground. As the healer slapped a bandage drenched with the special medicinal herbs that would make the wound disappear in a matter of days, Spike saw a familiar figure emerge from the tower. Numb, he brushed the healer’s hands away with a muttered ‘thank you,’ unfurled his large black wings and crossed the courtyard, away from the tower.

Finding himself on a new world, surrounded by beautiful winged men and women, Xander wanted to take a few minutes to stare and take it all in. He would have too, if he hadn’t seen a flash of silver blond hair, and recognized that confident stride. Stuffing his informational package into his bag, he rushed to follow the warrior.

His heart knocked against his chest... excitement... fear... the rush he felt at the sight of alabaster skin set off by those inky black wings, and skin tight black pants. He knew if the warrior turned, he’d see those silver buckles on his pants... they’d been the bane of his existence on Salustria.

He called to him, lengthening his strides when the warrior didn’t stop. Spike had to have heard him, he had the sharp hearing of the Kerali. Obviously he was angry. “Spike, wait... please.” This time he dropped his bags and ran, catching up to the warrior in one of the many narrow walled streets that surrounded the civic courtyard like spokes on a wheel.

He literally had to grab the warrior’s arm before Spike turned his piercing blue gaze to him. Xander’s breath caught in his throat. Fuck... he looked even better than he remembered. What was it about those angular features that got to him?

His gaze dropped to Spike’s bare chest. His gut absolutely clenched. “You’re angry. I...”

“A warrior does not feel anger.”

Cool response from someone whose eyes burned so hot. Xander took a breath. “I couldn’t help it. I had to finish my term as Senator. I’m here now.”

“What business is it of mine?”

“We have unfinished business.” He’d given everything up... everything because of this man, feckitall, and there was no way he was going to let him pretend it hadn’t happened. Xander stepped forward and put his arms around Spike. He felt the warrior start to push him away, but when he bent his head and their mouths touched... everything changed.

Fire ignited between them, burning hotter than ever. They pushed and shoved, clawed at each other, trying to get closer. Xander stumbled and was backed into a wall as the warrior’s unforgiving body pressed up against him. When those sword calloused palms skimmed over the sensitive skin of his throat, he thought he would go mad with desire. His tongue battled with Spike’s, each taking what he needed, giving what the other craved.

Spike broke the kiss before Xander was ready.

He gripped the warrior’s narrow waist and ran his hands up and down his sides, biting his lip as he felt the guy’s muscles ripple under his touch. “I want to fuck you,” he rasped. “Can we go somewhere?”

Spike caught his breath. “Are you here for... training?”

“Yeah...” he didn’t want to think about that now. “I know, I was supposed to come immediately, but I couldn’t. Had to finish my term. Can we talk later?” He bucked up against the warrior, bringing his heavy arousal in contact with Spike’s.

Groaning, Spike started to talk quickly. “I drag your clothes off, and now that you’re naked, you stare at me.”

“I need you so bad it hurts, I reach for that buckle... hey!” Blinking, Xander moved away. “I meant for real, why do you always start this verbal thing.”

“But you’re in training...” Spike rubbed his knuckles across Xander’s mouth, then followed the path with his own lips.

Suddenly, Xander found himself on the other side of a tongue fucking that was so intense, he was soon panting and coming in his pants. A part of him protested, he wanted a room, he wanted to revisit the three days they’d spent together, but between the things Spike was doing with his tongue, and the way he moved his thigh against Xander’s arousal, anything but complete surrender was impossible.

“There. Now... go to training. That way.”

“What... huh? Feckitall... Spike.”

“I hear the head trainer. You should get going.”

“Will I see you?”

“In the courtyard, yeah.” Spike nodded, patted him on the ass and walked away.

Xander didn’t know whether to be angry, astounded or satisfied... cause they might not have gone all the way, but fuck... he felt good. Finally hearing the footsteps that Spike alluded to, he rushed to his designated barracks.

Aside from himself, there were five Salustrali, among the 34 Kerali trainees in his group. It was only normal that he banded with his own people, even if they treated him as the odd man out because of his former station in government. His mind wasn’t on the training anyway, it was on the things that would happen later in the night.

The winged warrior strode back and forth across the training room as he announced the rules and the punishments for infractions.

Xander’s eyebrows furrowed. Too damned many of the infractions led to solitary confinement.

“And finally... for the benefit of our Salustrali trainees who are unlikely to know this,” the trainer looked straight at Xander. “There will be no sexual fraternization with anyone for the next three weeks.”

No sex! Xander’s stomach hollowed out. Not again...

“However, for those of you in relationships, feel free to take care of your significant others in the traditional Kerali manner. We don’t need any discontent on the home front. Dismissed for the night.”

“What method? What...” Getting out of his seat, he tapped a Kerali on the shoulder and demanded an explanation.

“You use your eyes, and your voice, words, and imagination... to bring your partner off.”

“You use...”

“Old Kerali trick, it’s in the blood...” the winged man grinned. “It works on the enemy too, in a tight situation... to distract or trick...”

Stunned, Xander walked away.

At night, the courtyard looked different. Tables were set up in the open air, torches added atmosphere, and the two yellow moons gave a silvery look to the black cobbled ground. There was music and dancing, and drinking.

Xander’s gaze took it all in. Most of the men were in warrior garb, though gleaming gems and ornamentation were now clasped onto their wings. About half of the women appeared to be warriors and were also clad in the body tight dark gear of their kind, while those who weren’t warriors dressed in light colored garb reaching their ankles.

The moment he found the warrior, his gaze clung to him. He ached to touch him, to taste him again. To pull him close and...

Spike strode up to Xander, smiling smugly at the hunger in the guy’s eyes. “Good evening, beer?... or would you like a pounding ?,” the grin widened.

Xander swallowed, “thought I was the one who’d give it to you. What’s with all the... I don’t fecking get you people with all the 'no sex' rules.”

“It helps you learn control.” Spike’s gaze traveled down the length of Xander’s body. The trainee was now clad in black too. It suited him, showed off the breadth of his chest and the tight muscles underneath. “You’ll be taught to channel your sexual energy and put it into your fighting. It’s only three weeks...”

“That’s a long...”

“Then you have three weeks off, and on...”

“What!?!” Xander’s eyes widened. “I thought that would be the end of that nightmare.”

Spike chuckled. “Don’t worry, you can still take me to the places I took you before.”

Xander dragged in a deep breath of air. “Okay. And you can do that for me.” Frowning at Spike who was shaking his head, he demanded, “No... what do you mean no?”

“Warrior,” Spike tapped Xander on the chest, “you will reserve your sexual energy.”

“But... but when I got here... you... you got me off... and...”

“You weren’t in training yet, so you were allowed.”

“Then why didn’t you just let me fuck you... just get a fuck in before...”

“Senator,” Spike shook his head as if he was shocked by the ex-senator’s talk. “I had just gotten back from duty and I was under my own sexual ban until sunset... so I gave you what any Kerali would give a significant other. Mostly, the exception is meant to keep the peace with the warriors’ mates,” he grinned and poured two goblets of wine.

He was having trouble comprehending this... comprehending how he was supposed to keep his hands off Spike, how it was that holding him, kissing him, rubbing him in that special place between his wings as he fucked him would be denied to him. He’d dreamt of long sweaty nights together, and now... this. And how could he be laughing so about it.

“Three weeks will pass quickly,” Spike promised, raising the wine to his lips.

Part Two

Three weeks were passing at the melting speed of the millennia old glaciers of the rim planets. Most nights, Xander didn’t even make it to the courtyard. He and the other trainees were worked so hard, they didn’t have the energy. Then there were the nights he did appear... they were almost worse.

Nights like this.

They ate dinner, trying to keep their minds on the food, on anything but each other, and failed miserably. It was inevitable... Xander asked to go to Spike’s place. Against his better judgment, Spike agreed.

They bumped into each other, hearts pounding the moment they were alone in the streets leading to Spike's place, both tortured by thoughts of being alone and of bodies sliding together.

They climbed the steep set of stone stairs, and walked inside his sparse one room living quarters, then flopped on the bed. “I don’t think we should do this,” Spike said, his breath coming harshly as Xander crawled on all fours toward him, then pressed his mouth to Spike’s ear.

“I can do this.”

He felt moist heat in his ear as Xander’s tongue flicked inside. Instantly, he was hard. But he knew... release wouldn’t come. They'd been through this before...

“I pull your clothes off, Spike. You lay on your stomach, and I kiss you... your back... I kiss your ass... slowly... I move lower...”

Spike bit his lip as the images assaulted his mind. “I feel your breath, so hot, so good against my skin. I open my legs...”

“I lick you... I feel your balls get tight under my mouth I... I... I... fuck...”

Realizing that Xander was close to coming, Spike rolled away, and pulled him up off the bed. “No. Don’t touch yourself,” he clamped Xander’s hand.

Sweat droplets beaded on Xander’s forehead. He ached to grip his arousal, to stroke himself until he came. It wasn’t fair... this wasn’t fair. In the barracks, the other men watched for each other. Here, Spike watched him... didn’t let him break the rule even once.

“It’ll pass,” Spike said through gritted teeth. Just like last time... he’d been worked into a lather, and had to stop. Next time he was not going to bring Xander home, not until his ban was over.

Xander slumped against the wall. “Okay... I’m okay. I’m gonna go now.” He knew that Spike wouldn’t argue... that he’d probably get himself off the minute he left. And that was okay... it was how it should be. He wished he could be the one to bring Spike off, but he didn’t have that control yet.

The stained glass windows of the fortress carved into the solid rock of Kera were almost as ancient as his world, and just as beautiful in a stark and unapologetic way. Black dominated over the red and white glass. He closed the window, clasped the last of his jewels onto his wings, and strode out of the large, opulent bedroom.

The housekeeper stopped him near the door. “My Lord, a message from Ta Maleck,” she said. All warriors held Ta as their title, but only certain bloodlines had the right to be called Lord.

“Yes, what does Maleck want?”

“He says he should like to dance a set tonight.”

Spike nodded. “Done.”

“Also... it is his birthday tomorrow.”

Shaking his head, Spike waved his hand. “Fine... he’s too old to care about such things, but fine. I’ll have a gift.”

She gave a curtsy as he left.

The music dominated the courtyard this night. Spike was quite happy to find Xander all over him. Three weeks had finally passed, and now Xander was threatening to give him the pounding he’d been looking forward to.

“Let’s hope you’re not all mouth, little warrior,” Spike said, rubbing his hand up and down Xander’s thigh under the table. “Did they not exhaust you today.”

“Fuck no.” Xander dragged Spike’s hand up to where he needed him. “Spike, let’s go.”

“Can’t... need to dance with someone first,” Spike answered.

“Wha... who?”
Before Spike could answer, another warrior had joined them, then another. He kept them busy, and occasionally kissed Xander... touched him... making sure to keep him warm and ready for later.

Then he saw Maleck. “I’ll be back,” he told Xander, leaving the table abruptly and heading to the dance area.

Open-mouthed, Xander stared at the two men standing inches apart. The dance was a lot like the sword dance he'd had with Spike on Salustria, only there were no swords. The men had their gazes locked, and while one moved forward and back, stamping his legs in complicated steps, the other anticipated and performed the same moves.

He had to admit that seeing two warriors move in unison, watching their muscles ripple, their bodies almost slide together... it was erotic. He wished he were the one dancing with Spike, he almost closed his eyes when they moved closer, when their bodies brushed. The music stopped as suddenly as the dance, and he watched as the tall dark-haired warrior kissed the daylights out of Spike.

By the time Spike got back, Xander was ready to explode. Spike tugged him up from the chair. “Come on, your turn.”

“Wha... Spike, you... he... who...whoa...”

Spike dragged him to the dance floor and pulled him into his arms. “Listen to the beat. Move with me, look in my eyes, you’ll know where I’m going.”

“You’re doing it... the voice and the eyes thing... and...” It was making Xander's head spin, his body melt.

“Right, right, left, hop... left, back, good...” Spike whispered the words until they danced as smoothly as if they’d been doing it for years. “That was a dance. This is... more than a dance,” he whispered, raising his wings, then bringing them around Xander. An instant later, their mouths were fused together in a slow, hungry kiss.

Xander’s heart raced, matching the beat of the drums. He clung to Spike’s lips, clung to his waist, groaning lightly when his cock brushed against Spike’s thigh. Need slammed into him, full force. Hoarsely, he begged to end the dance and go.

“Almost there,” Spike dropped his wings, then pulled Xander along the narrow streets.

Hidden behind the wings, Xander hadn’t realized they’d already left the dance floor. But with the ache building between his legs, he was more than happy to find himself closer to Spike’s place. When they reached the stairs, he pushed Spike against the wall and kissed him. Then he pushed him down onto the stairs.

Spike grunted as Xander followed him down and pressed one knee against his groin, while straddling his leg. Tangled together, they kissed again. Fierce, hungry kisses, sweet release from denial. Spike raised his hips, groaning as their cocks came into contact. For a heartbeat, they were rubbing against each other, and sucking on each others’ tongues as if nothing else mattered, as if there was nothing but them.

Spike started to get up, but was pushed back again. He could have stopped Xander, but the lust in the boy’s eyes was too tantalizing. He swallowed as Xander tried to rip his shirt in half, only to find the material didn’t give. Then he felt Xander fumble with the silver clasps on his pants, with equal lack of success.

“If you don’t take it off, I’m going to fuck you through your clothes,” Xander growled, half mad with need as he bucked against Spike. “Feckitall...”

Swallowing hard, Spike lifted his arms, and let him rip the top off then holding Xander around the waist, got up. “Come on then, inside...”

Thick and hard, Xander nudged his aroused cock against Spike’s ass as they walked up. The door opened, and an instant later, it was slammed shut.

Staring at each other in the light of the moons, the two men shed the rest of their clothes. Then they were in each others’ arms, each stroking the others’ swollen member as they staggered toward the bed.

“Want you so bad,” Xander’s breath was labored, his voice husky and unfamiliar.

“Have me then.” Taking a deep breath, Spike turned around and put his hands on the edge of his bed.

Xander stared at the warrior’s rock hard legs and ass, inviting him... just waiting for a fucking.

“What’s it to be?” Spike spread his wings up high over their heads, and flexed his arms, bending over a fraction more.

“Me... inside you.” Xander rubbed his seeping tip against Spike’s hole, then pushed his finger inside his satiny canal. As he rubbed the pad of his index finger over Spike’s gland, he felt Spike close around him tighter, felt him push back. A few more strokes, and then he withdrew his finger. Aligning himself, he held spike in place and pushed inside.

Blinded by the momentary pain, Spike forced himself back, forced himself to take all of Xander. So full... so good, he groaned and panted, clawing at Xander’s ass... “Come on...”

Xander reached around and closed his hand around Spike’s thick shaft, alternately stroking him, and thrusting into him... hard... pulling out and pushing in again. He loved the way the warrior moved back and forth, his biceps bulging as he pressed up and down, carrying part of Xander’s weight. With each long stroke, the pressure built in intensity.

“Fuck... fuck... fuck...” Xander couldn’t keep to the slow pace anymore. He moved his hips, thrusting again and again, releasing Spike’s cock and now gripping his hips to drag him back hard and fast, to meet each furious thrust. He licked the spot between Spike shoulder blades, and fucked him all the harder when he heard that Kerali purring sound that did things to his insides.

Spike arched back, his body humming with blinding pleasure. Xander’s lusty sounds set him on fire. He half turned... straining... watched as the boy bit his lip and leaned his head back, watched as he went out of his mind trying to reach that place... watched as his eyes glazed over.

“Harder,” he begged, shuddering just as Xander came deep inside him.

They collapsed on the bed, still joined for a minute, before Xander rolled off and took a breath. “Ten minutes?” He let out heavy breaths.

“Yes. Ten Kerali minutes,” Spike grinned, and kissed him. He would never have enough of this, not ever.

Part Three

They hadn’t had the luxury of spending the day in bed, or in each others’ company. Xander had to go back to training and Spike had to be at his ancestral home for Maleck’s birthday. Even if a bit frivolous for a warrior, the man didn’t make unreasonable demands of Spike.

Wine flowed freely at the castle filled with guests and well-wishers. Spike gave Maleck a dagger... one that was a spoil of war. They kissed, and then each went back to his separate group of friends.

He would have stayed the night with Maleck, but Maleck had been called up and would be sent to battle tomorrow. Like all warriors going to battle, his sex ban started three days prior to the date he was to leave.

Neither of them made the other’s blood burn... it wasn’t like being with Xander, but it didn’t have to be. The important thing was that they got along, liked each others’ company well enough, and the sex was good enough. And he'd live where he belonged. Spike ran a long finger over the stone-carved armrest.

His forefathers had lost their family castle, but their pledge to get it back never died. In the years before, when duels solved property disputes, several of Spike’s ancestors had been maimed in an effort to wrest back what was theirs. In the present world, gold pieces were the way to resolve property rights... if he had enough, he could buy out Maleck... everything had a price. But it would take several lifetimes to raise the amounts necessary for such a venture. No... sharing his title in exchange for equal rights to the castle was ... not a bad deal at all.

The next afternoon, when Spike reached the stairs to his quarters, he found Xander sitting on them and staring glumly into the horizon.

“What have we here?” He pulled Xander up to his feet and kissed him soundly. When the boy pulled away, he cocked his head. “Didn’t miss me, then?”

“Where were you?” Xander brushed the hair out of his eyes. “We have the day off. I came to find you last night... we could have... you were with someone, weren’t you?” he demanded.

“Let’s get you something to eat—“

Xander shrugged him away. “I asked you a question Spike. Are you fucking someone else?” He took a breath, “is someone else fucking you? Answer me... it’s that guy, from the other night... isn’t it...”

“I wasn’t with anyone, not in the sense you’re asking. Not last night.” Spike felt himself skittering near the edge of a precipice. Salutrali were so different... so less pragmatic. And this one in particular was very emotional, at least in matters dealing with himself. It had been that way from the start.

“Not last night... how about the night before... or the night... Feckitall, Spike, you know what I’m asking. Were you with him last night... who is he!”

“His name is Maleck. We’re to be hand fasted in three moons—“

“What... you’re what....”

Seeing Xander pale, Spike felt cold fingers of fear clutch his heart and squeeze. “Xander... listen to me,” he put his hand on Xander’s back. “It’s a hand fasting of convenience.”

“Convenience! Whose... not mine. So you’re going to marry that ... that... you’re going to walk away after all this...”

“No!” He pulled Xander into his arms, forced him to stay. “I’m not walking away. I’ll still see you... be with you. He won’t care... just as I don’t care who he's with—“

“I care.” Xander pushed away. The warrior was strong, but even in the short time he'd been here training, he’d found new strength from all of the exercise. “I – care – Spike. Why... why do you want this... this other person... I don’t fecking understand. Make me understand.”

“Don’t judge... wait. Listen.” He wanted Xander to get it, to know what it was like for a family to lose its honor... it’s place, but he didn’t think a Salustrali would. “He wants my title... I want my family’s land back. It’s simple... it’s something I have to do.”

“It’s not simple,” Xander shouted. “it’s not simple at –“

Spike climbed up the stairs and dragged him up against his frame, kissing him hard... kissing him until he stopped fighting. “It is simple. I don’t feel like this with him, only with you... This is reserved only for you. He gets the title, the occasional appearance at his side, a few nights... my friendship... that’s all. You have everything else... you have my heart.”

“You’re insane... where is it... where is this land you’re doing this for? What land is that important?” Xander’s voice rose, “what is so important. Show me. Godamnitall... show me.”

Spike gave a silent nod and led the way down the stairs. For the first time, an uneasy silence hung between them. Their boots struck the cobbled ground, the sound echoed off the walls on either side, but there was no attempt to talk.

The cliffs on the west side of the town weren’t too far. They walked through the civic courtyard, each remembering many moments shared right there at the dining tables, then took the road leading to the cliffs.

The Cliffs of Fortresses was an impressive sight. Onyx walls and flying arches gleamed in the light, while stained glass windows acted as prisms, making it seem as if the skies above the cliffs were showered in pale hues of ultraviolet and yellow. In all, there were 23 fortresses carved into the cliffs, though only about half were visible from the city.

There were no large grounds, just a simple garden leading to the stairs that stopped led to the entrance of the mansion. Before they reached it, the doors were opened and Lord Spike was welcomed by the staff. He waved them away and stole a glance at Xander’s strangely dark visage.

“There... you’ve seen it... can we go...”

“No... no we can’t go. Where is he... where is Maleck?”

“He’s gone, Xander. He’s gone to battle...” Spike’s gaze followed Xander, as the brunet strode around the large entry hall, went inside one of the living rooms and came back.

“This is it... this rock... Show me... show me what it is about this place that you would sell yourself...”

“Do not—“ Spike snarled, then reminded himself that Xander wasn’t Kerali. He grasped his wrist and dragged him up a flight of curved stairs, coming to a stop in the gallery. “This is why.... him, and him, and her, and him,” he pointed at the paintings of his ancestors. “I belong here... with them.”

Xander’s chest heaved as he looked up at the paintings, faces of dead people, people who didn’t matter. “Where’s your room?”

Surprised, Spike was about to question him, but changed his mind. The sooner the boy saw what he needed, the sooner they could talk about this. He led the way, and opened the door.

Xander strode past him. He didn’t see the beauty of the room, or of its furnishings. He only saw the large four-poster bed. “It this it.”

“'It'...what?”

“Is this where you fuck him?”

It wasn’t over... he didn’t know when this would ever be over, or how he could help Xander contain his feelings. “No. This is my room. Only.”

“Where’s his?” When Spike didn’t answer, Xander strode out and pushed open the doors of the room directly across the hall. He found himself inside a much larger room, with an even larger four poster bed made of intricate wrought iron. “This is it, isn’t it,” he turned.

Spike stood just inside the door. “It’s his room, yes.”

“And where you...”

“Yes,” his voice dropped to a whisper. “Come... please...”

Even as he said the words, he saw a strange light creep into Xander’s eyes. Anger... Jealousy. Madness. He wasn’t all that surprised when Xander slammed the door shut and pushed him toward the bed. “How does he take your clothes off?”

“He... I take them off...”

“Then do it.”

Before Spike was done undressing, Xander hauled him up against his frame and kissed him. It was a hard, punishing kiss, filled with rage and pent up emotions. Spike took it, gave him free rein, if this was what he needed... it was what he’d have.

Rough hands groped him. He winced as Xander’s teeth cut into his lip, and caught his breath when Xander’s hand dipped inside his open trousers.

“Does he touch you like this. Do you grow hard for him... like this?” Xander pulled him close again, rubbing his groin against Spike’s.

Spike tasted his tears, felt his trembling, felt helpless. “It’s not the same. I swear it isn’t. Warrior’s don’t lie.”

“You didn’t tell me... you call that the truth?” Xander finished stripping, then dragged Spike’s trousers off. “Put your face in his pillows.”

“Xan...” deciding that the boy wouldn’t listen to reason, Spike went down on the bed, lifting his body as he felt Xander shoving a large pillow under his stomach.

“This is how you spread for him, isn’t it... that’s what all the fecking pillows are for... and this is how he takes you, every night, he fucks you.”

Spike braced, gripping the pillows as Xander slammed into him. Pain... pleasure... more pain. He took a few calming breaths, and tried to relax as Xander thrust again, and again. He shifted, moving so that Xander’s blunt tip started hitting him where it counted. “Fuck...” All of a sudden, he didn’t care that Xander was still angry, still accusing him of getting fucked like this by Maleck. “Harder,” he demanded, raising his ass up to meet each violent thrust. “Yeah.... fuck... yeah...”

“That’s what you say to him... that’s what you fecking say to him.”

Each time Xander drove into him, Spike saw white lights and gasped for air. It was difficult to distinguish between pleasure and pain... to want something that hurt so, to listen to words filled with anguish and accusation.

“I hate you. I hate you for doing this to me...” Xander screamed out his release and collapsed on top of Spike, still squirming under him.

Spike’s throat constricted. A warrior never cried. “I’ll explain again, later... you’ll understand...” He struggled to catch his breath, struggled to think straight...

“On Salustra... it was a set up, wasn’t it? You used that voice thing... the looking into someone’s eyes thing... you made me a traitor, you didn’t want me...not really.”

Spike didn’t move, didn’t push Xander off, or try to look at him. He could feel the rise and fall of Xander’s chest on his back, feel every kick of his heart, every gasping breath that he took. Swallowing, he answered as best he could. “Those are our weapons, yes. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t want you. I wanted you as badly as you wanted me. Warrior’s honor.”

Warrior’s honor,” Xander snorted. “You made a deal with me... you came to my place, because of the deal.”

“But I stayed... if I hadn’t wanted to... then one fuck was all you’d get,” he said harshly, trying to get through to Xander. “Three days... countless fucks. Laughs,” he strained to breath under Xander’s weight. “We talked, we ate, we... It meant something... it did... only a closed-mind could see it for other than what it was.”

“But you want your castle... you won’t give it up for me. Will you?” he demanded hotly, in Spike’s ear.

It was an ultimatum. Icy cold fingers entered Spike’s gut ... he couldn’t imagine losing him. Before, when he’d left Xander on Salustria, it had been different. Now... they’d reconnected. He’d started to daydream about sharing a place, about training together, traveling when they had time. It was all about to slip out of his grasp.

“My name... you have to understand--” the moment Xander was off him, Spike got up and tried to stop him. “Listen... Xander.”

Xander dressed and didn’t bother with the complicated silver clasps on his pants.

“Xan...”

The boy locked gazes with him. “Choose me.”

Spike flinched.

Silence spoke the words he could not.

Part Four

“Good morning brother... you look terrible.”

Spike dropped the piece of fruit he’d been playing with for an hour, got up and gave his brother a manly hug. “Willem... Welcome back.”

“Pining after Maleck, are you?”

“Hardly.” Spike pulled away and strode to the window.

“The rumors are true... you have it for someone else.”

“What rumors.” Spike’s gaze grew darker.

“Perhaps rumor is an exaggeration, I spoke with Taven...”

Spike gave a brief nod. Of course their mutual friend would have told Willem all.

He turned. “It’s true.”

“A Salustrali trainee? The ex-Senator...” Willem would have laughed, if his brother’s face weren’t so drawn and haggard. “I see.”

“No you don’t.”

“I do. Why don’t you arrange to have the both of them? Maleck might even like—“

“Don’t you think I tried?” Spike snarled. “He won’t have it. He wants me to choose.”

“Then it’s simple. You can’t go back on your word to Maleck. He shares your title... you get our lands back,” Willem walked up and put his hand on Spike’s shoulder. “Its your duty, brother. Would that I could do it for you.”

Weeks passed. Spike would see Xander at the civic courtyard during evening meals. Sometimes he’d talk to him, but most of the time Xander only had one question for him... and since Spike couldn’t give him the answer he wanted, the conversation was at an end before it ever started.

Tonight, he watched Xander from a distance. Watched and wanted and wished. He drank heavily, trying to deaden the pain, trying to forget...

“Good evening warrior, you’re staring at me as if you have something to say,” Xander sat down across from Spike and poured himself a goblet of wine and refilled Spike's. “If liquor is what it takes to give you the courage... I’ll help you get there.”

Spike sucked his breath in. He wanted to lie. To promise Xander he’d renege on the hand fasting... anything to have him in his arms one more time. But obligation, duty, truth, honesty... honor... they were too ingrained in him. “I’m a bit drunk, yeah... but thinking straight,” he locked gazes with Xander.

“Is that right? Then why do you look so sad? Where is the man who used to keep an entire table of warriors on the edge of their seats when he talked? Hmm? Used to make them laugh.”

“Maybe a tall dark and handsome Salustrali came and stole him from me.” Bringing the goblet to his mouth, Spike took a long drink, draining and refilling it, but never looking away from Xander.

“And maybe he’s keeping him safe until you come to your senses,” Xander shot back, but Spike heard the tremor in his voice.

They were both hurting. “Don’t do this, don’t do this to us.” Spike pleaded. “You need me just as much... or you wouldn’t have crossed several worlds to get here.”

It was sudden and unexpected, but when Xander leaned across the table and started to kiss him, the world slipped away from Spike. He’d dreamed of this for weeks... wanted it for weeks. Tongues slid together, breaths mingled. The instant Spike delved his own tongue into Xander’s mouth, the fire between them ignited.

They struggled to stand up, mouth against mouth, arms trying to drag each other closer, hands exploring each others’ chest and body, with the table between them blocking most of their efforts. The drums beating for the dancers nearby reverberated around them, made them forget where they were.

Spike lifted and dragged Xander half way across the table, so the brunet was semi-crawling on his knees as they hungrily tongued each other. One desperate tug, and Xander came over the edge of the table. Immediately, they staggered together, thighs sliding past each other, bodies pressed tightly together. “Come fuck me,” Spike whispered thickly, rubbing his cock against Xander's.

“Can’t... I’m on three weeks off-sex...”

Groaning, Spike stopped grinding against Xander. “Then give me relief.” He ached so, he needed this so.

Xander broke away. His cheeks were flushed, his pants tight over his swollen arousal. “No. Not unless you...”

“What?” Spike let out a few heavy breaths and reached out. “You can’t mean...”

“I’m not asking any more of you than ... than what I asked of myself.”

Helpless, Spike watched as Xander’s expression turned serious and he backed away... waiting for the words that would not come.

Months passed, but nothing changed. Nothing except Maleck was back. Now Xander was tortured not only by thoughts of a life without Spike, but thoughts of Spike in that big bed of Maleck’s.

It was hard... so hard for him to get it. Spike looked at him with soulful eyes... eyes that begged and said the words the damned proud warrior’s mouth would not. If he wanted him, if he didn’t want Maleck, why not just tell Maleck to take a fecking hike? Keep his castle.

He was busy sharpening the swords in one of the armories when a familiar looking warrior walked in. Xander frowned. He looked like...

“Willem. Brother of Spike,” the blond warrior announced, putting his hand out and clasping Xander’s forearm.

“Xander,” Xander did the same. “I didn’t know Spike had a brother.”

“I suppose that makes me the black sheep. I have been on the outer-rim worlds for some time. I came to talk to you about my brother.”

“Ah. Why can’t he talk for himself.”

“For all I know, he has. He claimed he offered you a place in his life but you’re not...”

“What the feck... does everyone know?” Xander demanded, then sat down. “I don’t want what he offered. Hard for you to get... that’s fine... but it’s also non-negotiable. Believe me, I’ve thought it over, and if anyone can negotiate a problem away... it’s me. This one... we have a make or break issue.”

“Well maybe you don’t have all the facts. Maybe when you realize the position that Spike is in, you may change your mind.”

“Doubt it.”

An hour later, Xander was fully informed about the shame that would be brought onto any warrior who broke a contract of any sort, and particularly one made in connection with a hand fasting. It made no difference, but it did give him some ideas.

As Spike walked through the crowd at the courtyard, people moved away from him, whispered and pointed. The warrior who was often held up as an ideal to others was not used to being shunned and ridiculed. It was only the third day, he told himself he would be used to it, the way his fathers had gotten used to the censure in other warriors’ voices when they talked about the loss of their castle and holding to Maleck’s family in one night of over-indulging in drink and cards.

Back held as straight as a ramrod, face as expressionless as a warrior’s could be, he started to look for an empty table. When he came face to face with Xander, he took a step back. “Yes,” he said loudly.

“Hi Spike what’s going on, and ‘yes’ to what...” Xander was obviously confused.

“’Yes,’ I choose you. ‘Yes,’ I’ve told Maleck, and my brother... and everyone who...”

“’Yes?’” Xander beamed. “You could smile...”

“It’s no smiling matter.”

“Not what you say when you’re in bed with me.”

“I hardly smile in bed. Outside it, maybe,” Spike was keenly aware of everyone’s scrutiny.

“So... Maleck told you? I told him I wanted to tell you first.”

“Tell me what?” Spike cocked his head.

“You don’t know... okay, you first then... what were you going to say?”

“I told you. The hand fasting contract is broken, I retracted.” Spike bit his lip.

“You did... just like that? I mean without talking to Maleck...”

“I told you I told him I was breaking it off,” Spike protested. “At least let me keep one shred of my honor.”

“Oh... hmm... but... okay, so your honor, you lost it because...”

“Because I broke my word by retracting, because I’m not going to get my family’s lands back, and because I didn’t give him my title. Its done, and I don’t want to think about it anymore,” he said, clearly uncomfortable.

“You’re sorry you did it, aren’t you?”

Spike heard the disappointment in Xander’s voice. “I’m sorry I had to do it to Maleck. I’m sorry you didn’t come sooner from Salustria and stop me from asking for the hand fasting to begin with. I’m sorry I’ve put a bigger black mark next to my family name. But I’m not sorry I met you, and I’m not sorry I chose you. Believe me.” He put his hand out.

Xander took it. “I believe you. Are you just going to look at me like that or...”

Crowd be damned, Spike pulled Xander into his arms and kissed him with all the pent up passion of months of longing. There was nothing to keep them apart now... nothing, and every kiss, every caress, every hard won touch told him this had been worth it.

Xander broke the kiss. “Wait... listen. You haven’t lost your castle ... it’s yours. I ... I talked to Maleck and I bought it. For you.”

“You...” Spike was stunned.

“Don’t be an idiot, you knew I had the gold. It was simply a matter of figuring out the price and getting Maleck what he wanted. He’s got his own lands, but he wanted a connection to a family in the nobility, so... I bought his castle and arranged for Willem to be hand fasted with him.”

“What?!”

“Willem likes him. He likes him more than you like him... so... you get to keep the title and the castle, Maleck and Willem will be hand fasted and...”

“I gave him my title.” Spike grew quiet.

“You what?”

“I gave him what he’d wanted... what he would have gotten out of the deal. I didn’t want to shirk completely and...”

Xander clapped. “Perfect. He’s got the title, shares it with your brother ... it’s still in the family...”

Spike let his breath out. Giving away the title was itself another blight on his name, but if stayed with his brother, it certainly wasn't as bad. “You’re... right...”

“Now you can smile.”

Spike did smile. His smile broadened when Malech and Willem approached, as did his friend Taven. He might no longer be called Lord, but he would still rule the roost ... it was his personality.

“Okay... everyone... lift your goblets,” Xander said, having filled them to the brim. He then fell to his knees and took Spike’s hand. “Warrior Spike, I ask you to be hand fasted to me. Our contract will be one of love, witnessed by our friends.”

“No!”

Xander’s face fell. “No?”

“Oh, by all that’s lit by our moons!” Spike grimaced, then relented. “Yes... but...”

Meanwhile, the group around them started to laugh and congratulate them. Xander tugged on Spike’s arm. “Why did you say no at first?”

“Because I like having sex with you. Argh...”

“Argh... what... what????”

“You asked for a hand fasting... that’s three full months of sexual ban for both of us.”

“What?! What is it with you people and everything being related to having sex or not having sex!”

The others melted away in a fit of laughter.

Even Spike was giving a rueful grin. “Our sex drive is strong and its energy must be harnessed and controlled. When you’re in a courtship, you want to be sure it’s not the desire for sex that’s driving the relationship,” he ran a finger down Xander’s chest, all the way down to right above his belt.

Xander’s body hardened in response. “Fuck...”

Spike started to walk away and then looked over his shoulder. “Yes. But the ban starts at dawn... this is our only chance. You’d better hurry.”

“Oh... OH!” Xander chased after Spike, intent on filling their one single night with enough sex to get them through the next three months.

The End

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