Spike staggered a little. It seemed that his legs had gone numb somehow, he couldn�t feel his feet at all. It made going down the stairs difficult.
He squinted in the bright light. When did it become so bright? Hadn�t it been dark only a moment ago? Hadn�t it been raining?
Raining�..
Yes, that�s right. He�d gone to meet Julia. How long ago�? Yes, it had been raining, but this time she�d been there. Just like it was supposed to have been all those years ago.
But she was gone now.
One leg buckled under him and he barely prevented himself from falling. He could see the vague shapes further below. He didn�t really pay them much mind. They belonged to the Syndicate, who else would be in here?
He half chuckled to himself. Yes, everyone here belonged to the Syndicate. Even him. He took another heavy step downwards, the smile still on his face.
Yes, the men below, Vicious above, and him. They were all just part of the monster that was the Syndicate. Like a hydra, when you cut down one, more would rise. That was the way of it.
He looked up again at the light streaming downwards. Ah, it felt warm, he thought. How had it come to this? He hadn�t intended to ever come back here, but then he�d realised that it was something he had to do. Before he had run � run from the Syndicate, run from the only life he had known. Run from the woman he had loved, and the one who was like the other half of his soul. He�d just run away. He hadn�t been brave, he hadn�t been some kind of hero to be prepared to leave the Syndicate when no-one did that of their own accord. Not and live to speak of it.
No, he hadn�t been brave at all. In fact, he�d been nothing but a coward. He�d run from it all and what was left of him had been nothing more than a shell, for he�d left everything and everyone he�d ever cared about behind. And without them, he was nothing.
All this time in the outside world, he�d been like nothing more than a walking corpse. That is why he�d had to come back. He�d had to return to where he�d begun to see if he truly had grown beyond this. He had to face his past; the shattered dreams, the screaming nightmares, all that had made him the man he was to find out if it really was worth being alive at all. That is why he�d come back.
So had he done that? Had this proved anything? He half snorted to himself, raising one bloodied hand to point up at the glowing orb of the sun and said softly, "�Bang�.
There was no reciprocal response, at least not that could be heard, but suddenly his strength gave way and he fell as heavily as though a bullet had ripped through him all the same.
He couldn�t stop his fall. His entire body refused to obey his wishes. He lay there on the steps, unable to move. He was so cold, so very cold. Was this all there was to it? Was this how it was to end?
His mind went over the last desperate fight. He�d had plenty of those in his life; whilst he was in the Syndicate and after. Blood, fear and death were nothing knew to him, they�d been a part of his life from the time he could remember as a rough street kid scavenging on the streets. He and Vicious had been two of kind in that; like two stray cats fighting and scratching to stay alive from day to day.
The smile stayed on his lips as his open eyes stared at the marble that made up the stairs he now rested upon. Yeah, maybe that�s exactly why he�d come back. Somehow it seemed right to end it like this, with Vicious. They had once been inseparable so it would have seemed wrong for one of them to go on when the other didn�t. Yeah, maybe that�s right.
Then again, maybe not. Anyway, who cares? He and Vicious were nothing more than a couple of pawns in this continuing power play. Both of them had wanted to break away from that, they had just chosen different ways to do so. He�d left and run, Vicious had stayed and slaughtered his way to the top.
Different paths, same desire.
He coughed, feeling liquid slide down his chin.
He wanted to get up now. He wanted to reclimb these stairs, back to Vicious� side. That is where he wanted to be but he couldn�t move. Why did it have to end like this? He didn�t want to be alone. He had thought that he would never be alone again. He and Vicious had once made a pact that they would always be together. It had been made when they were still young, nothing more than children but they had kept that vow for all the years after.
Until he�d left. Couldn�t there have been another way for them? Once he would never have thought it would have come to this between them. Everything else he could have imagined, but never this. This wasn�t how it had been before. Before it had been��.
-oOo-
The bullets whistled overhead, slamming into wood and glass, sending shards cascading downwards to scatter across the floor already strewn with debris.
�Shit!� Spike exclaimed, ducking down again and holding a hand up to protect his face. He felt the slight burning sensation as a sharp piece of glass sliced across the back of his hand.
The hail of bullets ceased for a moment as return shots were fired. He flung himself to his stomach, ignoring the sharp jabs against his body, sliding forward along the edge of the bar until his head rounded the corner so he could see beyond. His gun was up and ready as he added his own hail of bullets towards their opponents. He ducked back as it was retuned again and sat up, back against the counter.
�Here,�
He turned and caught the clip tossed to him. �Thanks,� he said with a grin.
Vicious returned it, his smile slightly more feral in appearance. His brother-in-arms had always been a little more�.intense. Perhaps it was only to be expected after the scrawny orphan he�d been had been christened with such a name by the Leaders. Spike had always thought they must have had a rather macabre sense of humour to give them the names they did; Vicious and Spike. What he wouldn�t give to have been a plain old �Joe�.
Vicious pushed back his silvery grey hair, leaving a bloody smear across his forehead, darker traces staining the pale strands. He�d begun to grow it long now; Spike thought it suited him. Vicious� hair had always fascinated him. It was such an unusual colour and he had to admit that he�d never met anyone with that colour anywhere else. It wasn�t blond, nor was it white. Perhaps ash blonde was the closest it could be, according to some bar girl who had commented on it when the two of them had been out drinking one time. It always reminded Spike of gun-smoke; perhaps aptly so although Vicious preferred blades. Spike remembered as a kid always wanting to reach out and touch Vicious� hair thinking it would be hard and stiff like polished wires yet always amazed at how soft it had been.
�What are you looking at?� Vicious put in, bringing Spike back to the present.
�Nothing in particular,� Spike said languidly, with a small shrug.
�Ha!� Vicious gave a bark of laughter. �Can�t take your eyes off my amazing beauty I bet!�
�Yeah,� Spike answered, raising his hand overhead to shoot off some shots without looking then waiting for the return volley which wasn�t long in coming. �That would be it.�
Vicious shot his own round and sat back beside Spike so their shoulders were touching. �You checked that out?� he suddenly said, nodding towards Spike�s hand.
�What?� He glanced down to see the blood still seeping from the wound he�d sustained earlier.
�Give it here,� Vicious said, reaching out for it. �Better check if there�s any glass left in it.�
Before Spike could react, Vicious leant down and he felt warm lips seal over the wound. He winced at the pressure, then all thoughts of discomfort fled as other sensations flooded through his body, almost overwhelming his senses. He could feel Vicious� tongue lapping across the cut, sliding over his flesh, the heat seeming to penetrate deep within his body. This heat mixed with the adrenalin already flowing through his veins, mixing together, intensifying deep within his guts. Every nerve ending was tingling, sending tiny jolts of sensation through every part of his being, building�..building�..
His gazed remained fixed on the lowered head, seeing that Vicious� eyes were closed, his pale hair trailing over his hand making shivers run up his spine. He raised his other hand wanting to tangle his fingers within those pale strands but before he could do so Vicious raised his head, looking up and meeting Spike�s gaze.
Spike could only look back, trying to hold himself in check. Vicious� lips were tinged with colour from Spike�s blood, contrasting against his pale face and his eyes seemed to gleam with an intensity that captured Spike entirely. As he watched, Vicious� tongue darted out and slowly ran over his lips, leaving them glistening moistly. Spike couldn�t control the way his half hard erection now fully flourished at the sheer eroticism of this act and the blood pounded loudly in his ears.
�You taste good,� Vicious said in a low voice, one corner of his mouth curling upwards.
He leant in closer to Spike so there was only an inch between their faces, keeping his gaze locked on Spike. Spike thought he was going to drown in those eyes. It felt like he was being devoured by Vicious� gaze and he knew that he wouldn�t struggle against such a death.
�Got ya,� Vicious then whispered before pulling back with a feral grin and flinging his gun over the counter and firing off some shots, laughing out loud.
Spike tried to get his thoughts back in order. Damn Vicious! It had all just been a game! The problem was that he never knew when his friend was serious or not. He never had. Vicious never let anyone close to him, never showed he really cared about anyone or anything. There was always a need, a hunger within his friend. It had always been there, from the time they had first met, up till now. Vicious wanted something from life, yearned for it with all his being, but Spike didn�t think even Vicious knew what would fill that void.
Vicious threw himself back down beside Spike and they were silent for a moment as the destruction continued around them.
�Doesn�t look like help�s coming,� Vicious finally said as he pulled out the clip from his gun and examined it.
�Nope,� Spike agreed, absently twirling his gun. Not surprising really. In the Syndicate you lived and died by your own wits. If you couldn�t handle a job then you weren�t of much use to them.
�I�m down to my last clip. What about you?� Vicious asked, pushing the clip back into place with a sharp snap.
Spike reached into his jacket pocket, withdrawing and opening his hand to reveal two pieces of chewing gum. �This is my sum total of ammunition.� he said with a crooked grin. �Want one?�
�Sure, why not?� Vicious accepted, popping one piece into his mouth as Spike did the same.
They chewed in silence for a moment as bullets continued to rip into the wood around them. They could feel the vibrations through their backs as they leant against the bar as each slug connected solidly. Spike just sat and watched the destruction flying over their heads as further holes appeared in the wall before them, then ducked as a bullet ricocheted off the metal coffee machine and came a little too close for comfort as it embedded itself in the bar between them.
�They�re getting feisty,� he commented, brushing wood chips from his jacket.
�Impatient,� Vicious replied, voicing his disdain. �So you�re ready?� he asked, looking over at Spike.
He really didn�t need to explain further. Spike was fully aware they were in a really tight spot. They had little ammunition left and were outnumbered and pinned down with no chance of assistance. They either sat here, finished the last of the rounds, and waited to be cut down in cold blood like cowering dogs. Or, they took matters into their own hands and went out in a blaze of glory. In the first scenario their chances were zero. In the second, there was the chance they would at least prove their short existence on this earth had some worth.
Either way they would be dead.
�Ah, well,� Spike said, looking up at the swinging remains of the bar lights overhead. Even as he watched a bullet struck the remains of one, sending another glittering shard to rain downwards. �Things were getting pretty boring any way.� He met Vicious� gaze and grinned again, holding his gun at the ready. �I�m with you, partner.�
Vicious grinned back. �Let�s do it!�
At that comment they both moved; Vicious leaping over the bar counter, shooting from the apex of his flight until he landed and rolled behind the cover of an overturned table. At the same time, Spike threw himself in the opposite direction, rolling across the floor, shooting as he went until he could huddle for a moment behind some chairs, satisfied with the cries of pain he could hear so he knew that some of their shots had hit home. Let the bastards suffer.
He glanced over to where Vicious was as they both hunkered behind their meagre protection whilst the hail of bullets continued. He felt something strike his shoulder and grunted with pain but could do little else, keeping his eyes fixed only on his partner.
Suddenly Vicious nodded and they both exploded from cover, shooting in unison, coming together so they were shoulder to shoulder to lay down a deadly covering fire, before turning to run and leap onto the booth table on the other side of the room. Spike heard Vicious grunt loudly as they threw themselves through the crazed window, shattering the glass, and bursting into the street.
Spike kept rolling with his fall, ignoring the stabbing pain through his injured shoulder, then springing to his feet and began to run. He glanced behind, expecting to see Vicious right there only to see him still on the ground, struggling to get up. Spike swore, turned and sprinted back to him, skidding to a stop at his side, grabbing one arm to try and pull Vicious to his feet.
A shadow caused him to look up to see one of the assassins climbing through the broken window and he raised his gun to shoot when it clicked empty. The assailant smirked and lifted his own weapon. Spike cursed his luck as he believed he stared at death down that gleaming barrel when from the corner of his eye he saw Vicious� gun on the ground nearby. He lunged, swept it up, spinning back and blasted a hole into the man�s chest, flinging him back into the room behind.
�Come on,� he commanded, hauling Vicious to his feet and dragging his arm over his shoulders. �It�s time we got outta here!� Unceremoniously he made off at a staggering run, Vicious trying to assist, practically hopping on his one good leg, the other dragging in the snow leaving a wet, dark trail behind.
Now Spike used his knowledge of this home turf to his advantage; heading down side alleys, crawling through fence gaps in what appeared to be dead ends, all the time staying one step ahead of their pursuers. They were being pushed to their limits though, the pursuit was relentless and they had no time to spare. They only stopped once to tie a tourniquet around Vicious� leg to reduce the bleeding, and wrap a makeshift bandage made from one of Spike�s shirt sleeves around the wound so they wouldn�t leave an easily seen trail. It wasn�t ideal but it was the best they could do.
�Leave me,� Vicious said between gritted teeth as Spike gave the bandage another twist tighter.
�Like hell I will,� Spike replied just as firmly, not even looking up from his handiwork.
�I�m only slowing you down,� Vicious said, reaching out and gripping Spike�s wrist in a vice grip. �Leave me and save yourself. You�ve got a better chance on your own.�
Spike looked up and met his friend�s glare evenly. �It�s not going to happen,� he replied. �I�m not leaving you. And nothing you say is going to make me.�
They stayed like that for a moment longer, gazes locked, then finally Vicious closed his eyes and released his grip. He ran a hand through his hair as he half chuckled. �You always were too soft,� he said in a low voice. �That�s going to be the death of you one day.�
�Maybe,� Spike agreed, tying off the bandage and getting to his feet. He held out one hand to Vicious where he still sat. Vicious looked up at the extended hand, then at Spike�s smiling face. �But that day is not going to be today. Right?�
Vicious just shook his head as he reached up and placed his hand in Spike�s. �I guess not,� he said as Spike hauled him to his feet and then steadied him as he swayed.
Spike grinned at him as he slipped under Vicious� arm and began to lead them on their way.
They continued on their way, staying ever alert although it seemed they had finally managed to shake their followers. However, it was too early to let their guard down yet so they moved carefully.
Spike was breathing hard now, sweat dripping into his eyes making them sting. The burning fire in his shoulder was hurting intensely but he wasn�t about to let go of Vicious. He had little in this world as it was; no family, no real home. The Syndicate was the closest he had to a home and even then he wasn�t so na�ve as to think that he was really needed. He was nothing more than a convenience at the moment and just as easily could be discarded. That�s just the way it was.
The only thing he really had was Vicious. His one friend. The only one he could count on. And he would never let that go.
He leant against the wall and surveyed the area, his breath misting in the cold air although he felt so hot he didn�t really notice the chill.
�What do you see?� Vicious asked, leaning heavily against him and using the wall for extra support.
Spike surveyed the street again. �I can�t see anything,� he replied. �We�re going to have to risk it.� He turned to his friend, reaching for the shoulders. He gazed into Vicious� face, seeing the tiredness etched there. He knew his friend was close to the end of his strength. �Ready?�
Vicious looked up at him through a veil of pale hair. He really should get it cut again, Spike thought absently, holding the shoulders before him. �Yeah. Give us a hand and let�s do it.�
Spike supported Vicious once more and they cautiously stepped out of the meagre protection of the alley and began to slowly cross the wide street.
�I feel like a sitting duck,� Vicious mumbled under his breath, his voice harsh with tension.
�As long as it�s not open season we�re good�,� Spike murmured in reply, eyes darting from side to side, constantly on the look out for trouble.
They reached the apartment block before them but still didn�t relax. They entered and made their painstaking way up the stairs just as cautiously. When they finally reached their destination Vicious was breathing so hard he was almost hyperventilating and his face was far paler than Spike had ever seen it.
�You doing okay?� Spike queried as he knelt down and long fingers scrabbled around in the crack in the wall and finally breathed a sigh of relief when they touched cold metal and he withdrew a key.
Vicious grinned at him, more just a baring of teeth, chest still rising and falling as he strained for air. �I�m good. Though I�d kill for a drink!�
�You and me both,� Spike agreed, slipping the key in the lock and turning it. �Wait here,� he instructed, slowly pushing the door open, standing to one side as he did so.
All remained quiet and with a small nod to Vicious, Spike slid around the door jamb into the room beyond. He paused for a moment and let his eyes adjust to the darkness. All remained silent nothing stirred. He strained his ears but could hear nothing else moving in the apartment. He cautiously moved forward and checked the entire place out. When he�d done so he returned to the front and looked out. Vicious still remained where he�d left him, although now his eyes were closed.
�Thought you might have passed out,� Spike said.
�Nah,� Vicious replied, opening his eyes. �Do you think I�d be willing to lie down in this crap?�
Spike dragged Vicious� arm over his shoulder once more and escorted his friend inside, immediately closing the door behind them and slipping into place the three locks. He didn�t turn any of the main lights on and went immediately to the bathroom before turning that on as it had no window to the outside to betray their presence. This may be a �safe house� for the Syndicate, one of many in the city, but Spike wasn�t about to take any chance that their enemies may also know of it and be around to check at some point. So he and Vicious had to go softly-softly at the moment.
He sat Vicious on the toilet seat, kneeling before him to begin unwrapping the bandages, hearing Vicious hiss as the dried blood was pulled away with the cloth.
�Shit, that hurts!� he said through gritted teeth.
�It�s gonna hurt more in a minute,� Spike said, turning and opening up the vanity cabinet behind. Sure enough, there was a large metal box there. He dragged it across closer and opened it, gazing at the well laid out medical supplies. As a �safe house� the Syndicate ensured that the place was well stocked with items that were likely to be needed; which meant medical supplies, food, and drink.
�Don�t worry. The bullet went right through,� Spike said, looking at the wound. �So we�ve just got to disinfect it and bandage it up. Get your gear off.�
�You just want a chance to get into my pants,� said Vicious with a strained laugh as he undid his belt and began to try and stand to slip his trousers off.
��Course,� Spike relied amicably. �How could I resist the temptation?� He reached out and forestalled Vicious� struggle. �So allow me to assist you.�
He pushed Vicious gently back so he leant against the cistern and reached for the waist of the trousers, undoing the button and sliding the zip down, trying to ignore the soft bulge that he could feel beneath his hand as he drew the zipper downwards.
�Lift your hips,� he instructed which Vicious did, using his hands to support himself.
Spike reached behind and gripped the waist band, pulling downwards so the pants slid over Vicious� arse and slim hips. He continued dragging them lower, down those long, muscular legs. Vicious� skin was pale, he�d never been one to tan easily.
As he drew the clothing down Vicious� legs, Spike could feel his knuckles brushing against the warm flesh all the way down their length, the heat from Vicious� body seeming to sear his hands. The skin felt soft and made Spike yearn to touch it further; to stroke that smoothness.
When Vicious� pants were completely removed, Spike passed up a bottle to him. �Start drinking,� he said. �It might deaden the pain a little.�
�Thanks,� Vicious reached out and took the bottle, immediately breaking the seal and taking large gulping swallows from the amber liquid, whilst Spike stood to fill a bowl with warm water.
�Easy,� Spike warned, picking up some gauze and forceps. �You�re gonna throw up otherwise. It�s just to take the edge off.�
�It would take more than that to make me chuck up,� Vicious replied. He took another couple of deep swallows then leant back and closed his eyes, saying, �Okay, get on with it.�
Spike leant forward to examine the exposed wound. It was still slowly seeping dark blood, the edges torn and jagged flesh. He began to clean the area, wiping away the blood and grime, the water quickly turning a dirty brown shade. He could now see that there appeared to be some material within the wound.
He looked up at Vicious. �I�m going to have to dig around a bit. Think you can handle it?�
Vicious opened his eyes and met Spike�s gaze, before lifting the bottle and taking another deep drink. �Do it,� he said, closing his eyes again.
Spike swept the wound clean again and moved the forceps into position. He paused for a brief moment and then plunged in, aiming for the edge of the tiny remanent of cloth he could see. He heard Vicious� strangled cry, and out of the corner of his eye could see his friend�s hand tightened around the neck of the bottle so the knuckles turned white.
He kept focused on the job and kept probing until finally he held up the instrument in his hand with the bloodied remains he�d been seeking. He dropped them into the bowl and began to swab the re-opened wound. It was good that it was bleeding anew; it meant that it would help flush anything else that had been pushed into the wound and hopefully reduce the possibility of infection.
When he was satisfied he liberally poured the disinfectant over it and began to reapply a pressure bandage. Once that was complete, he leant back on his heels.
�How�s that?� he asked, looking up at Vicious.
Vicious was breathing rapidly and Spike could see the tiny trickle of blood that ran from where he had obviously bitten his lip to prevent from crying out.
�You��would make a crap doctor,� Vicious gasped out, giving a cough and raising the bottle once more with a shaking hand. Spike could see the beads of sweat that covered his friend�s face, a droplet sliding from Vicious� temple and down his stretched back throat as he drank.
He knelt up and reached out with a clean damp cloth and began to wipe Vicious� face, cleaning away the bloody smear on his forehead at the same time. Vicious closed his eyes for a moment and seemed to lean into Spike�s touch. They remained in silence as Spike continued his task; slow, soft motions, over Vicious face, then down that long pale throat. Spike could feel Vicious� pulse vibrate against his hand as he passed over it. He continued downwards, lingering for a moment to trace the contours of the two wings of Vicious� collarbone, pausing for a heartbeat at the hollow of the throat.
Spike found he was now leaning right in close to Vicious, kneeling between his legs and stretching forward to touch Vicious� half-reclining figure. He was breathing heavily, feeling like his blood was beginning to boil within his veins from some form of inner inferno. He felt himself lean in even closer, his fingers continuing their journey across Vicious� throat, both hands seeking more of that flesh. Suddenly he realised that his lips were almost touching Vicious� neck and he jerked back in shock.
At that moment Vicious opened his eyes and they just looked at each other in silence. Then Vicious sat up, pushing his hair back.
��What about you?� he asked Spike, reaching out to touch his shoulder. His hand came away bloodied.
Spike winced as he tried to shrug away. �It�s fine.�
�Don�t be stupid,� Vicious admonished curtly. �Turn around and get your shirt off.�
Spike was going to argue but the look in Vicious� eyes told him it wouldn�t be a wise move so instead he turned so his back was to his friend as he sat on the floor. Vicious helped him shrug out of first his jacket and then his tattered shirt before examining the wound. Spike tried not to be too self-conscious of the touch of Vicious� hand laid flat against his bare back, the heat that was building under that touch that sent corresponding fires through his own body which was beginning to make him more than a little uncomfortable in certain areas.
�You know it�s still in there?� Vicious suddenly said, his fingers lightly touching around the wound.
Spike couldn�t prevent the shiver that shook him as he answered, �Yeah. Thought it was.�
�There�s no helping it then,� Vicious said. �Better change that water and get this over with.�
Spike stood and tipped the stained water down the sink before rinsing the bowl thoroughly and refilling it. When he turned he saw that Vicious had already leant down to rummage through the first aid kit and pull out what he needed.
Spike set the bowl down on the edge of the bath within easy reach for Vicious and reseated himself before him.
�Here,� Vicious said, holding a piece of wadded bandages over Spike�s shoulder. Spike looked back at him. �Bite on it so you don�t bite your tongue. I�m going to have to cut it out.� Spike took it, then Vicious passed the bottle as well. �Take a slug of that too.�
Spike did as instructed, swallowing the burning amber liquid, feeling it scalding his throat and hitting his empty stomach hard. He took another couple of long drinks before setting it aside and placing the wad firmly between his teeth. He tried not to tense up, knowing if he did it was liable to hurt even more but it was hard to force his body to obey him. It knew that it was going to hurt!
He took a couple of deep calming breaths through his nose and felt the cold slice against his flesh, before the blossoming of pain that made his whole body clench up. His hands clenched, one gripping the neck of the bottle within its grasp, the other digging into his own leg. He couldn�t stop the moan that escaped him. If he hadn�t been biting down so hard on the bandages between his teeth he would have been screaming.
Vicious continued to work in silence and Spike was beginning to think he wouldn�t be able to take much more when he heard the other�s pleased �Got it,�, followed by a tinkling sound of something dropped into the metal pan beside him. Spike slumped forward then, the wad slipping from between his teeth to fall to the floor. He was breathing hard and his vision was still fading in and out almost in time to the throbbing in his shoulder. Something was dabbed on the wound but the pain that generated was negligible compared to what it had been previously.
Vicious placed a taped pressure bandage to the wound and gave Spike�s back a final pat. �There, all done.�
Spike leant back, feeling the coldness of the toilet against his sweat slick back. �Thanks,� he gasped out. He then felt a warmth on either side of him against his arms where they hung by his side. He cracked an eye open and saw that Vicious had moved and now his legs were pressed against Spike, caging him in.
He felt long fingers slide past his ear, circling around his jaw, brushing against the soft underside. Slowly his head was tipped back, stretching his neck taut and he opened his eyes to find himself looking directly into Vicious�.
His friend was leaning over him, his pale hair falling forward like a curtain; their faces almost close enough for the tips to brush across Spike�s cheeks. He could feel the warmth of Vicious� breath gusting against his skin as that intense gaze probed deep within his soul.
Slowly, Vicious lowered his head; so slowly that Spike was tense with anticipation when finally their lips met. He didn�t close his eyes. He feared that if he did he would find that this was all nothing but a dream.
Vicious held the kiss for only a moment before raising his head and straightening up. He continued to gaze down at Spike who remained where he was, looking up at him.
�This is crap,� Vicious suddenly said. �Help me up,� he motioned to Spike. �My ass is freezing.�
Spike gave a crooked smile and twisted round to his knees before standing and grasping Vicious� extended hand and yanking him to his feet. �Want me to warm it up for you?� he said jokingly as he slipped an arm around his friend�s waist and began to help him hobble out into the other darkened room.
He suddenly felt himself pushed from behind and toppled forward to fall heavily on the old spring bed pushed to the side of the wall. �Hey,� he began, rolling over.
Vicious remained standing by the bed, not speaking, just looking down at him. Suddenly his hand dove downwards and slid into the front pocket of Spike�s trousers.
�Hey, hey!!� Spike said hurriedly, grabbing at the slim wrist and trying to twist away.
�Stop squirming,� Vicious stated, long fingers delving deeper.
�Shit!� Spike groaned as he couldn�t prevent himself arching into that touch with a groan. He knew Vicious would be able to feel his stiff erection, there was no hiding it. Well, what did he expect? Between the adrenalin from the recent fight, the alcohol flooding their systems, and that kiss, how could he not be hard?
Suddenly Vicious withdrew his hand and Spike felt a wave of disappointment. He heard a clicking and opened his eyes to see Vicious leaning over to light the two candles stuck on saucers on the wooden crate set by the bed. He finished the task and turned around, holding up the lighter so Spike could see it was his. �You get excited easily, don�t you?� he said, barring his teeth.
�You bastard!� Spike snarled and swung his long legs off the bed and stood with one fluid motion. What a damned fool he�d just made of himself when Vicious had simply been going for his lighter!
He had only managed to take two steps when strong arms wrapped around his torso, holding him in place and preventing his escape. He could feel Vicious pressed up hard behind him, the roughness of his hands from the many calluses as they glided over his flesh. He couldn�t hold back the gasp as one reached his right nipple, caressing it, gripping it between thumb and forefinger, rolling it, rubbing it, squeezing so he involuntarily rose onto his toes as he sought to press into that sensation. The other hand was running down his sternum, moving out to trace across each rib, reaching lower to slide over his jutting hip bone just above the waist of his low hung trousers.
�Vicious,� he mumbled. �Don�t be a prick. Let me go.� He had to try and salvage something of his dignity this night. He�d been made a fool of too many times already but even though that is what he thought, he could feel his body reacting to that hard demanding touch.
He felt hot lips press against his good shoulder then a moist tongue languidly lick a trail along skin, followed by sharp nips against the nape of his neck and up to his hair line that made him shiver uncontrollably. The deep groan that fell from his lips told all too clearly how much it was affecting him. That and the rock hard erection that was straining against his pants.
�I won�t let you go,� Vicious� words sounded in his ear like the whisper of an incubus. Another agonisingly slow lick circled around that aural appendage before sharp teeth bit against the lobe suddenly making Spike cry out in surprise at the sudden stab of pain before it was soothed away once more. �I�ll never let you go.�
It sounded like a promise; a promise of forever but Spike didn�t have time to ponder it any longer as Vicious� other hand had now slid down his taut stomach, between skin and trousers to circle around his erection.
�Urgh!� Spike uttered, doubling over as his body tried to draw away at the intense pleasure yet attempt to thrust forward into that touch at the same time. Vicious mercilessly began to stroke him, slowly at first and then squeezing harder.
�Damn�.you�� Spike gasped out, hips snapping forward as his head dropped back to rest on Vicious� shoulder.
Vicious� hand on his nipple continued to pleasure him whilst kisses were pressed against the side of his neck. He felt the hand in his pants withdraw for a moment to yank hard at the waist band, snapping the button and then grabbing the zipper and pulling it down so forcefully that the trousers pulled down lower so they slipped over Spike�s hips, sliding to his knees. Before Spike could protest, that hand had once again wrapped around his cock.
�You�re so wet,� Vicious murmured in Spike�s ear as his hand began to stroke faster making Spike�s hips snap forward unconsciously.
�Shut up!� Spike managed to get out before he spoiled the effect with a deep moan. One hand had risen to tangle in Vicious� soft hair, holding that warm hungry mouth to his flesh whilst his other dropped to wrap around the hand holding his cock.
�I�m going to make you scream for me,� Vicious whispered against Spike�s skin. �I�m going to make you beg for me like a woman.�
That snapped Spike out of the pleasure soaked haze he had been in. He was no fucking woman and damned if he was going to let Vicious think otherwise!
He shrugged Vicious away from him, spinning around and gripping the front of Vicious� shirt, bunching the material into his fist. He glared at his friend, not caring that he stood there with trousers around his knees and upright erection dripping precum, clear evidence of just how into it he had been.
�I�m no fucking bitch!� he snarled, giving Vicious a shake, anger making his voice rough. �Don�t you dare think you can treat me like that!�
�But you�re so pretty,� Vicious said with cold smile, not appearing concerned by Spike�s sudden burst of anger.
Spike felt his rage flare higher. Reaching out he gripped Vicious� shirt with his other hand also and yanked, sending buttons raining down to the floor as the shirt separated and bared the pale lean expanse of Viscous� chest to his view. The force of his act had pulled the shirt off the shoulders and half down Vicious� arms, effectively pinning them for the moment.
They remained standing like that, face to face, so close their chests almost brushed as they breathed deeply. Spike could feel the heat emanating from Vicious� body they stood so near.
�So now what are you planning to do?� The smile still remained on Vicious� face which only served to infuriate Spike further. That bastard! Was he still laughing at him? Was he still treating him with such disdain? He�d show him otherwise!
He reached up with one hand and wound it around the back of Vicious� neck, tangling fingers within the long hair and gripping it hard enough to hurt. He pulled his friend in close, jerking him so he lost his balance and fell heavily against Spike�s chest as he crushed their lips together.
He thrust his tongue forward, delving deeply into Vicious� mouth, teeth biting at the lips hard enough to almost draw blood. He withdrew only to yank back Vicious� head, exposing the pale column of his neck and dropping his lips to that soft flesh, ravishing it.
His other hand now let go of the shirt it had been gripping and quested down and between their bodies, seeking and finding the bulge between Vicious� legs, a bulge that was hard and firm within Spike�s grip. He ruthlessly began to stroke it, sliding his hand up and down the shaft, feeling the pooling moisture at the tip through Vicious� jocks.
He felt Vicious� head drop forward to rest his forehead against Spike�s shoulder as a groan slipped out and his hips thrust into Spike�s hand.
�Still think of me as a woman?� he snarled softly against Vicious� head, nipping at his ear.
�A woman�..� Vicious moaned again. �Doesn�t have�.this!� and his hand wrapped around Spike�s aching cock.
At that touch Spike couldn�t stop his own hand from spasming in response, squeezing Vicious� erection so they moaned in unison and leant heavily against each other.
�Is this�..,� Spike said, lifting his head to gaze up at the ceiling as his hips thrust into Vicious� grasp. �Because we�re drunk?�
Vicious raised his head and captured Spike�s lips in another deep kiss, tongue plundering his mouth and stealing his breath. When he broke away he responded. �Does it matter?� he said, his voice low and husky.
Spike pondered that for a brief moment then closed his eyes and answered, �I guess not.�
�Enough,� Vicious then said, pushing Spike back a little and holding him at a distance.
�What?� Spike questioned. What had gone wrong? �Suddenly shy?� he half mocked.
Vicious� smirk showed no indication of shyness at all, and the fact that his hand still remained firmly encircling Spike�s rigid cock indicated that that wasn�t the problem.
�Strip,� Vicious ordered.
�You first,� Spike countered.
�I�ve got less on than you,� which was true for as Vicious dropped his arms, the torn remains of his shirt slithered from his body to pool on the floor so he stood only in his stained underwear.
�You�ve got me there,� Spike admitted and reached down to push his pants down completely, stepping out of them.
�And the rest,� Vicious indicated.
Spike rolled his eyes. �Race you,� he smirked as he gripped the top of his briefs and began to pull them down. Vicious mirrored the gesture and they were both fully naked in a blink of an eye. They stood there for a moment, grinning stupidly at each other, naked bodies gleaming with sweat and full erections twitching.
�Come here,� Vicious finally said gruffly, reaching out and grabbing Spike�s good shoulder, drawing him in closely so their bodies pressed against each other.
They entered into a kiss again, a burning kiss where they explored each other�s depths with everything they had. All the time their hands roamed over their skin; touching, pinching, squeezing, stroking. Vicious returned to playing with Spike�s nipples whist he slid his hands around Vicious to trail down the bony spine, along the dip of the lower back, slick with sweat, to grip the firm roundness of Vicious� arse. He kneaded this full flesh, digging his fingers in and pushing Vicious� pelvis tighter against his.
They both groaned as their entrapped erections rubbed against not just their bodies but against each other, the precum smearing between them as a lubricant making the motions smoother that only added to their pleasure.
Vicious moved one hand to between their bodies and gripped both their upright erections together, enclosing them both in his grip. He began to stroke, hips thrusting in time. Spike groaned deeply and did the same, his hand wrapping around over the top of Vicious�. With both of their hands, not a portion of their cocks were not being held, the pressure encircling them completely.
The sound of their breathing was loud in the silence, becoming more ragged, punctuated with gasps and deep moans.
�I�..I�m coming!� Spike gasped out, hips snapping forward as he felt that familiar sensation beginning to build right from his toes. His entire body was shaking and he was forced to hold onto to Vicious tightly to prevent himself from falling. �I�m coming!�
He threw his head back with a cry and felt Vicious bury his head at the base of his throat, and could hear the groan and deep cry that tore from his throat at the same time as he felt the pulsing begin in his cock as he ejaculated, each spasm jerking his body forward. In their combined grip he could feel a corresponding pulse and knew that Vicious was coming also. They could do nothing more than hold fast to each other as they climaxed together, prey to their bodies needs, until the last drop had been wrung from them.
Spike�s knees trembled as he gasped, feeling the sweat soaked hair plastered to his brow. Suddenly his support vanished as Vicious stepped away, but before he could do more than let out a cry of surprise and begin to tip forward a hard hand gripped his upper arm and propelled him further forward so he fell upon the bed with a grunt.
He rolled to his side, injured shoulder away from the bed, and looked up as Vicious knelt on his good leg on the bed, his injured one still stretched down to the floor.
�What�?� he began when Vicious reached out and grabbed his limp cock and began to stroke him firmly. He groaned and was almost shocked when he immediately hardened in that grip. �Aw, shit,� he muttered, closing his eyes and thrusting up into the hand that continued to pleasure him.
He opened his eyes again to see that Vicious was hard also, his erection glistening in the dim lighting, still smeared with their earlier secretions.
�Did you think that would be enough for me?� Vicious said hoarsely, his eyes glinting as though lit with an inner fire.
His other hand now brushed against Spike�s buttocks, ghosting over the flesh.
�Ha..!� Spike tried to move away from that questing touch but the hand expertly jerking him off prevented anything more than a token resistance as he succumbed once more to the pleasure he was receiving.
He felt one long slick finger slide easily down the crack of his arse, probing for the entrance it was seeking. It found its goal soon enough and without any further ado slid smoothly inside. Spike realised then, even as his back arched at the intrusion, the slight burning sensation mixing with the pleasure on his cock, that Vicious was using their mixed semen as a lubricant.
He could feel Vicious� finger delving deeper within him, moving and curling inside, making him squirm in discomfit. Then suddenly that digit touched something deep within him and he let out a high cry of pure pleasure as his eyes widened in shock. It wasn�t that he didn�t know what Vicious had just found but he still had been unprepared for the jolt of pure desire and need that shot through his entire body and sent his blood pounding.
Vicious was merciless, stroking that point over and over again, unerringly finding it. Spike was writhing madly, unable to hold still, all the time Vicious continued to pull on his cock that seemed to feel like it was going to burst.
�Argh!� Spike gasped out. �Vicious!� He reached up behind him, hands scrabbling until they found purchase, wrapping around the metal bed head and holding on tightly so he could push back against that hand that continued to plunder his depths and draw out such exquisite pleasure.
He felt that tingling begin. Damn it, how could he be coming again so soon?! �I�m�.� Spike began to say when suddenly the hand on his cock clamped down hard on the base, squeezing so tightly that the stab of pain was enough to interrupt the waves of pleasure running through him. �Ahh!�
�Not yet,� Vicious growled, glaring at him, eyes almost wild. Spike felt the hand leave his arse and he moaned at the loss as he suddenly felt so�empty.
Vicious grabbed his top leg, lifting it so it rested over his shoulder, shuffling forward so he knelt on his one good leg, straddling Spike�s bottom leg resting on the bed. Spike felt Vicious� cock nudge against his entrance as he settled himself, leaning forward so he was positioned correctly.
�Hold on,� Vicious said in a harsh voice and thrust forward to bury himself within Spike in one hard motion.
Spike couldn�t prevent the shout of pain at this sudden intrusion. His body felt like it was splitting apart, with no relief, the burning building and continuing to build and he moaned. �Get it�.out!� he gasped out, trying to push against Vicious.
�No,� was the only answer he got as his leg was lifted higher and the pressure in his arse intensified as Vicious� cock plunged even deeper within him.
�Arghhhh!� the strangled cry fell from him. It felt like he was going to die.
A hand wrapped around his flagging erection and began to stroke him once more. Pleasure flared anew, fighting against, then merging with the pain that still permeated him. Vicious began to move then, sliding in and out of Spike�s arse, the movement becoming smoother. Tiny bolts of desire began to initiate deep within Spike, all centred around Vicious� actions. Those tiny sensations began to grow, each small spark beginning to develop into a bonfire, increasing slowly but surely.
Suddenly Vicious hit that spot once more; that spot that sent Spike�s senses reeling and spinning out of control so the only thing that mattered was to feel that desire over and over again. His hands returned to the bed head and he held on as Vicious began to pound harder, his hand pulling on Spike�s dripping cock. Spike could hear Vicious� heavy breathing, the gasps and occasional groans as he continued to thrust within Spike�s now malleable body.
�Good,� he heard Vicious murmur. �So fucking good!�
Spike couldn�t say anything in return. All speech had left him now. All he was capable of was the cries of pleasure that begged for more.
He felt the sensations build again, rushing in upon him and he knew that there was no way it could be halted this time. He wasn�t even able to conjure up any words to forewarn Vicious but it seemed that there was no need for he felt Vicious stiffen above him also. Just as his back arched up so hard that it felt like he would break it in two and he emptied his load across his own body, splattering abdomen, chest and even to his chin with a loud cry of completion, Vicious gave one last thrust, holding himself deep within Spike, the hand gripping Spike�s upraised leg so hard the fingers dug in deeply to the flesh, and Spike felt the warm flood of liquid filling him from inside as Vicious� almost animalistic cry sounded through the room as his body shook.
When Spike took note of his surroundings again they were still in darkness. He still lay on his side on the bed, only this time Vicious lay spooned behind him, one arm thrown around his waist. From his breathing Spike realised his friend was asleep. Not surprising. Loss of blood, alcohol, and then the exertion that followed would be enough to make anyone tired. Spike felt something leak from his arse. Vicious� release, still held deep within the recesses of his body. It would slowly seep out and disappear, just like the events of this night would most likely do.
Spike sighed softly. In the morning it would all be back to normal. He and Vicious would return to the Syndicate having survived another day. They would continue to watch each other�s back, standing by each other�s side. None of that would change.
Spike let his eyes drift shut. And that was the problem. For he knew that although Vicious was the only thing in his life that mattered to him, it wasn�t the same for his friend. Vicious didn�t need anyone, he didn�t want anyone. Spike knew that, so all he could do was stay by his friend�s side.
That would have to be enough.
