Xander woke the next morning to the familiar smell of coffee. Disoriented at first, he reached over to the nightstand for the steaming mug he was sure to find there…only to realize that he had no nightstand. No, he wasn’t in Spike’s bedroom. Where was that divine smell coming from?

He stumbled out into the main room, peering at the kitchen. There, on the counter, was his electric coffee maker, filled with freshly brewed coffee. He hadn’t set it the night before, had he? It didn’t matter, since the coffee was there, it was hot, and he wanted some.

Three cups later, Xander was feeling more human. His body started to wake up, telling him in great detail what it thought of the work he’d done yesterday. Ignoring the aches and pains, Xander pulled on some work clothes and went downstairs to get back to the job, carrying a couple of bananas for breakfast.

Xander couldn’t help but laugh at some of what he found in the yard. In addition to a lot of yard furniture and the like, he gathered up and threw away several articles of clothing, some of it quite intimate, a large number of Dixie cups, at least a dozen small American flags, and a mail box. He piled the garbage up where the service would pick it up, when they began to run again.

He worked like that all day, mucking out the gardens and surveying the damage. If he could get mature plants from one of the local nurseries, the place would be ok for the party. He’d have preferred to grow them himself, but it wasn’t going to happen.

Xander was just stepping out of the bathroom after a nice, hot shower, when he saw Spike lounging on his beaten-up couch. “Um, hi.”

Spike nodded. “You eaten?”

“Not yet,” Xander replied, toweling off his hair. Spike got up and went into the kitchen.

“Didn’t think so,” He muttered under his breath. Curious, Xander followed him in.

The vampire was heating up something dished out of paper containers. Xander sniffed, identifying the food as Chinese take-out. “Where’d you get that?”

Spike smirked. “Strange place called a restaurant. You give them money, they give you food. Novel concept, that.”

“Smart ass,” Xander shot back, digging plates out of a cupboard. Soon they were engaged in eating dinner, all conversation ceasing for the more important activity.

“Doing ok?” Spike asked after they were done.

Xander shrugged. “Tired, that’s all. It’s a lot of work.”

“You should sleep, then,” Spike said quietly, getting up to leave. Xander was surprised to see the vampire walk out the door, shutting it behind him. He’d expected Spike to stay and try to coerce him into bed. Then again, it wouldn’t have been much fun for the vampire; Xander really was exhausted.

•••

Through a lot of hard work, begging and threatening, Xander had Spike’s property ready for the upcoming garden party. Until just yesterday, when the last of the replacement orchids had arrived, he wasn’t sure he could pull it off. But standing in the middle of the garden, Xander felt a rush of satisfaction wash over him. The place looked perfect.

Now if only he could convince Spike that he didn’t need to attend. The vampire had been very considerate of Xander while he’d been working so hard. After only a couple of days, Xander had figured out that it was Spike making him coffee in the mornings and keeping his refrigerator stocked with food. The good deeds contradicted Xander’s notions about Spike, but he kept those thoughts to himself.

Spike had, at one point, taken the high road concerning Xander’s state of physical exhaustion. It took perhaps three days for him to get impatient and show up just as Xander was getting into bed. The boy thought about complaining, but couldn’t think of a very good reason to do so.

Despite the view of vampires as insanely selfish creatures, Spike was a considerate lover. Xander had to give him credit for that, at least. The vampire hadn’t once hurt him, although he did love to torture Xander by making him wait. He never would have pegged Spike as the type for delayed-gratification.

“Looks good, pet,” Spike said from the shadows.

“Thanks. All ready for your party,” Xander replied. “Speaking of which…”

Spike smiled. “You have to go.”

Xander frowned. “I don’t recall that being part of my job description. Gardener, yes. Doorman, no. Astor could get away with that. You can’t.”

“Who said anything about doorman?” Spike replied.

“Oh? Then what am I supposed to go as?” Xander returned.

Spike grinned. “I’ll think of something.”

“I should be afraid,” Xander muttered.

“Probably,” Spike said, reaching out to snag Xander’s arm. He pulled the boy back into the house, out of the dying sunlight. “But don’t think about that now.”

Xander let Spike lead him upstairs, into the vampire’s lushly furnished suite. Spike seemed to love seeing Xander sprawled out on his midnight dark sheets; every time they were in the bedroom he stripped the boy naked and threw him on the bed. Then, Spike would just stare for a minute or two. At first, it made Xander uncomfortable. Now, though, he was used to it.

This time, Spike crawled onto the bed, leaning back against the headboard. He pushed a pillow behind his back and got comfortable. After he was settled, he patted one thigh and shot Xander a knowing glance. “Come here, Xander.”

Xander considered refusing. After all, he wasn’t a slave, or some sort of bed toy, no matter what Spike thought. “Why should I?”

Spike thought for a moment. “Because you’ll like it?”

“Maybe not,” Xander replied. Spike growled and reached forward, grabbing Xander and pulling him into his lap. “Or maybe yes.”

“Much better,” Spike growled. He softened his grip, caressing instead of bruising. Xander pulled away slightly to look at the vampire’s face.

“What is it you want to do tonight?” He asked, getting straight to the point. If Spike wanted sex, he was going to get it.

Spike grimaced fleetingly, and then resumed his normal, half-bored expression. Reaching over to the night stand, he picked up the lube. “Ride me.”

Xander nodded and straddled the vampire’s lap. Spike reached for Xander’s hand, applying lube to it. “What?”

“Prepare yourself for me,” Spike replied, smirking. Xander looked at his hand for a moment, and then complied. Once he had gotten two fingers worked up inside himself, Spike stopped him. He pulled Xander’s hand away and levered him into position.

Xander hissed as Spike entered him. He could have used more preparation than that, so it stung a little. Spike settled him all the way down onto his lap, resting his hands gently on Xander’s hips. “Move,” he hissed.

Starting slowly, Xander lifted himself, and then moved back down. Spike guided his motions by keeping hold of his hips, preventing Xander from moving very quickly. Xander moved his hands to the headboard, using it for leverage.

“Let go, Spike,” Xander panted, trying to move a little faster. Spike just held him harder and kept the pace steady. The vampire’s face was set in stony, almost grim lines and Xander couldn’t tell if this was pleasuring him or not. “Spike?”

Spike didn’t respond. He kept Xander moving just as he was. He, too, wanted to move more quickly, to race toward climax in a headlong rush. But that wasn’t what he really had in mind for the evening. To that end, he made sure Xander didn’t up the pace one notch.

Xander moaned as Spike’s cock brushed against his prostate again. He reached down to jerk himself off, only to find Spike holding his hand away from his cock, placing it back on the headboard. He would have protested, but the look on Spike’s face shut him up.

Spike watched carefully as Xander’s control began to crumble a little. The boy probably didn’t even realize he was beginning to shake inside, his muscles quivering around Spike’s erection. Once Xander was steadied again, Spike shifted down just a little bit, making Xander lean further over him. At this new angle, Xander couldn’t easily get up or move around, other than how Spike wanted him to. Too much of his weight was on the headboard.

Xander heard himself gasping for air. Damn it, he was supposed to keep some semblance of control in bed! After a couple more minutes of Spike brushing that sweet spot deep inside, he felt orgasm begin to stir at the base of his spine.

Spike felt it too, and reached over to clamp his fist around the base of Xander’s cock. Xander squealed, both angry and disappointed. “Spike!” He whined plaintively.

Spike leaned over just enough to brush his mouth against Xander’s ear. At the same time, he let Xander’s hip go, letting the boy set the pace. As he’d expected, Xander began a furious, driving rhythm.

“You’ll go to the party, Xander,” Spike whispered. Xander jerked his head to the side, not really hearing what Spike said, but orienting on the sound of his voice. Release was so close, but Spike kept him from coming. “You’ll mingle, and talk to people like a good boy,” he continued in a whisper.

Xander pressed down hard, trying to make himself come despite Spike’s hand. In response, the vampire clamped down harder. “Everyone will look at you and want you, want to shag this sweet ass you’ve got,” Spike hissed into Xander’s ear. “But they can’t, because you’re mine.”

Xander whined, a high-pitched noise that should have hurt Spike’s ears. It didn’t, though. Instead, Spike arched off the mattress, meeting Xander’s down stroke. He let go of Xander’s cock, feeling the ripples begin as Xander climaxed. “Mine, mine,” Spike chanted into Xander’s ear as he joined the boy in ecstasy.

•••

Xander woke the next morning alone. Spike was nowhere to be seen, although the customary mug of freshly brewed coffee was on the night stand as usual. When he finally forced himself out of bed, Xander found clean clothes laid out for him. He showered first, then dressed and ventured downstairs. The staff was cleaning furiously, and the newly hired kitchen staff was busy polishing silver and creating various party food masterpieces.

Xander, without any real job to do concerning said party, left the house for his own apartment. He noted how the staff had begun setting up tables and chairs according to his previous instructions. It was only those detailed directives that kept him from nosing about in the preparations—he didn’t want anything to do with the party, but he also didn’t want to see all his work get ruined.

Inside his apartment, he found waiting for him a garment bag. Inside the bag was a set of clothes, obviously new and expensive. He knew instinctively that it was from Spike. The vampire was insistent that he attend the party that evening. Looking down at the clothes, the best thing he could come up with was that he was grateful he didn’t have to wear a tux. Hanging up the clothes, Xander decided to spend the day out on the town. There was no reason for him to hang around the house, since he didn’t have anything to do.

It was absurd, but Xander found himself sneaking off the property, trying to make sure Spike didn’t see him leave. Once he noticed what he was doing, Xander straightened out and fairly marched away from the house toward his car. There was no reason for him to be afraid of leaving without telling Spike first.

Xander spent the day wandering around downtown, drinking espresso and ducking into neat little shops. He picked up a couple of books (comic book artwork) and a new aloha shirt (hibiscus and monkeys). Finally, though, he realized that it was time to go back and get ready for the damned party.

He waited until he heard people mingling in the garden below before descending the stairs and exiting his apartment. From the looks of things, about a third of the invited guests had shown up already. The event was sure to be a success.

Xander skirted the edges of the crowd until one of Lavinia’s ‘bluehairs’ saw him. She shrieked a greeting and he found himself drug into conversation about the garden. That discussion, and the tangents that flowed from it, distracted Xander for almost an hour. By that time, most of the rest of the guests had arrived. It was then that Xander noticed that the partygoers were of a different makeup than the ones at Lavinia’s affair. Oh, the same matrons and socialites were there, of course. But there were also lots of younger folk hobnobbing with the elderly people. A couple of the bolder ones approached Xander.

“Hi there. I don’t recall meeting you at one of these little soirees before,” A tall, dark-haired man said. Xander blushed. He wasn’t used to being flirted with.

“Um, this is the second one I’ve been to,” He replied.

“I see,” The man said, chuckling. “So, what brings you to Charleston? I know you’re not from around here.”

“Gardening,” Xander said.

The man looked surprised. “Gardening?”

Xander waved his arm around. “Yeah, you know, the garden? You should have seen this place a week ago. The hurricane really did a number on it.”

Realization struck his conversation partner. “You’re the gardener! Oh, how pleasant. Do you hire out?”

Xander shook his head. “You’d have to ask Spike, I work for him.”

The man fluttered his hand. “Oh, I’m sure Spike wouldn’t care, not one whit.”

“Actually, he would,” Spike said from behind the man. While the guy sputtered, Spike walked over to join Xander. “He’s mine, and I don’t share, Tom.”

Tom blanched and stepped backward. “Oh.” A moment later, he was gone, making a beeline for the other side of the garden.

“Why’d you do that for?” Xander asked angrily. “I was talking to him.”

“Yeah, and he was propositioning you,” Spike shot back, looking equally furious.

“As if. You’re paranoid.” Xander taunted.

Spike pulled Xander to him. To anyone else, it looked like they were in close conversation. To Xander, it felt like they were back in Spike’s bedroom, about to tumble between the sheets. “You’re mine.”

“Yours,” Xander echoed dazedly.

Spike let him go then, watching like a hawk as Xander drifted around the party, making light conversation here and there. The boy didn’t notice all the stares he got, or the sheer number of offers that came his way. Spike did, though. He also noticed how Xander managed to not take anyone up on those offers. It pleased him to no end; his training was going nicely.

Daylight was breaking when Spike carried Xander up the stairs. He undressed the boy carefully, making sure not to wake him. Once they were unclothed, he curled them up together under the covers, soaking up the warmth that radiated from Xander’s body.

•••

When Xander woke up the next morning, he automatically reached for the cup of coffee he knew would be waiting for him. The heady stuff perked him right up and just a few minutes later he was conscious enough to notice that Spike wasn’t around. Both the coffee and Spike’s morning absences were becoming regular parts of Xander’s morning rituals. He’d figured out that the vampire made him the coffee, but still wondered why he disappeared before Xander woke up.

Xander finished off his coffee while he thought about the night before. The party hadn’t been bad, he guessed, although these society get-togethers really weren’t what he was used to. The only thing that niggled in his mind was Spike’s behavior. The vampire had been moody all night, following Xander around and glaring at everyone. If Xander didn’t know better, he would have said Spike was jealous.

He was certainly possessive. Xander couldn’t talk to people without Spike either knowing about it or being there. Gods forbid Xander go anywhere with someone. Spike would be right there, nosing out what was going on. The way he’d acted at the party fit right in to how he acted in bed—totally in control. Spike was master of his domain, and apparently he thought that those privileges extended to Xander as well.

The idea that Spike was trying to control him irked Xander to no end. He decided that a day away from the house would be in order, since thinking about Spike just made him mad, and he didn’t want to be tempted to stake the jerk the next time he saw him.

The Waffle House was nearly empty when he got there, so he took up an entire booth for himself and ordered a huge breakfast. The waitress was new, so she didn’t try to chat him up as much as the regular one. Xander stared into his coffee for a long time, trying to figure out how he’d gotten himself where he was.

The getting to Charleston part of that equation was easy enough. What Xander couldn’t really explain was why he was still in Charleston, sharing Spike’s bed. It didn’t make any sense to him. For years, he’d hated vampires with all his being, but now he was bedding one that had tried to kill him several times. Of course, he actually liked Spike, found his sense of humor grotesque but funny, and enjoyed spending time with him. It was pretty much a normal relationship once you overlooked the whole undead-master-of-the-city gig Spike had going on.

After breakfast, Xander drove around Charleston, still thinking. The more he considered the situation, the more questions he had. Since he wasn’t paying attention to where he was going, he was only partially surprised to find himself in front of Lavinia’s house a couple of hours later.

“Fleur!” Lavinia cried joyfully. Xander ducked and smiled at the older lady. “What brings you here?”

Xander shuffled his feet. “Um…Wanna have a cup of tea?”

Lavinia raised one eyebrow but didn’t comment. Once the tea was poured, she began her interrogation. “So, why are we having tea this afternoon, Fleur?”

“Can I ask you something?” Xander said cautiously.

“Of course, dear,” Lavinia replied.

“How do you know Spike?” Xander asked her.

“Spike?” Lavinia repeated. “Oh, Daisy killed my first husband.”

“What?!?” Xander squeaked. Spike had killed this lady’s husband, and she liked him?

Lavinia smiled. “And good riddance, too. He was a good-for-nothing layabout. But that was a long time ago, in New York. Probably before you were born.”

“But…you like him, and he…” Xander sputtered.

“One does what one must, Fleur. Besides, I really don’t miss the jackass,” Lavinia said lightly. “But I don’t think that’s why you came here today.”

Xander shook his head. “It’s Spike. He’s going to drive me insane.”

“Do tell, dear,” Lavinia murmured.

Xander told her about Spike, how possessive he was and how annoying he could be. Lavinia listened quietly, not commenting at all.

“It’s nice and all, getting attention, but I feel like a toy or something. It’s like I’m not even alive, like he can just do whatever he wants with me,” Xander finished.

“Hmm…what is it you want from Spike, Fleur?” Lavinia asked.

“Want? Nothing, nothing at all,” Xander replied.

“I see. What does he want from you?”

Xander shrugged. “I don’t know, a warm-blooded bed bunny is my best guess,” Xander said finally.

“You don’t think he cares for you?” Lavinia inquired.

“If he did, why would he treat me like that?” Xander asked.

“What were you expecting, hearts and flowers?” Lavinia shot back. “He’s not human, Xander. Don’t forget that.”

“So vampires get to treat their lovers like property because they’re vampires?” Xander said shortly.

Lavinia shook her head. “No. Think about it, Xander. What would you do if you liked someone and were involved with them and wanted to show your affection? Flowers, dates, dances.” Xander huffed. “Now, imagine that your lover is really sick. Wouldn’t you bring them things, try to make them feel better?”

“Yeah, but what does that have to—“ Lavinia cut Xander off.

“Or what if your lover was in trouble with someone and you had to protect them from getting hurt. Xander, to Spike, what he’s doing is showing affection. You don’t need flowers; you can grow them yourself. You’re healthy, not sick. But to Spike, you’re fragile, easily damaged. So for him, the only real way he’s got is to protect you, and that’s what he’s doing.”

“How, by enslaving me?” Xander cracked.

Lavinia scowled. “You’re not getting this too well. He’s a Master vampire. Even though Charleston’s a peaceful town, things happen. Also, he is one of the most powerful people in the city. What else can he give you that you’d appreciate?”

Xander sank back down into the chair. What was he supposed to say? According to Lavinia, Spike was being nice to him. Okay, hmm.

“That’s just weird,” Xander said. “Mrs. Astor, I’m gonna have to go now. Thanks for the tea.”

Lavinia stood up with him. “Any time, Fleur, and call me Lavinia.”

•••

The sun had almost set by the time Xander got home. He’d had some more time to think about what Lavinia had said. The more he worked over it, the more he saw how what Spike was doing might be considered affection—in a weird, vampire sort of way. Xander liked the idea of Spike liking him; that meant he wasn’t just a toy. But he was definitely going to have to tweak some of Spike’s methods.

When Xander looked out his bedroom window, he saw Spike looking back at him from the house. Spike looked almost forlorn, like Xander was punishing him. While it amused him to no end, Xander decided that he should probably go talk to Spike.

“Have a nice day?” Spike asked casually as Xander walked into the kitchen. Xander nodded and poured himself a glass of water.

“Went to Lavinia’s for tea. She’s a great lady, you know?”

Spike nodded his agreement. “Thanks for going to the party last night. I know you didn’t want to.”

Xander looked at Spike in surprise. He hadn’t been expecting gratitude, or even acknowledgment. “Not a problem. You’re not planning on throwing very many of those things, are you?”

Spike grinned. “Nah, they’re too much trouble.” He walked around the kitchen, circling Xander. When the boy would have stepped aside, Spike caught him by the arms. “No running away now, Xander.”

Xander snorted. “Right. What makes you think I’m running away? Maybe I’m plotting to throw you over my shoulder and ravish you.” That made Spike laugh.

“You wouldn’t. You don’t have it in you,” The vampire taunted.

Xander quirked an eyebrow. Didn’t have it in him? That sounded like a challenge. Twisting his arms out of Spike’s hands, he bent down and hefted the vampire over his shoulder, ignoring Spike’s indignant cursing.

Carrying Spike up the stairs was a chore. The vampire wasn’t as light as he looked. “You need to lay off the blood, Spike.”

“Sod off!” Spike swore. Xander just grinned. He knew that Spike could get away at any time, so the vampire’s protestations meant little. When they got to the bedroom, Xander dropped Spike onto the bed, ordering him to strip. Spike began to protest, but when Xander pulled off his own shirt, Spike decided to follow along, doing what Xander asked.

Xander might have been mistaken, but he could have sworn he saw worry in Spike’s light blue eyes. Brushing aside the suspicion as an overactive imagination, Xander joined him on the bed. Spike immediately rolled Xander beneath him, rubbing against him suggestively.

Xander smiled at Spike, nipping at the vampire’s sensitive neck. Spike could be a lot of fun like this, when the day hadn’t driven him into frustration by business dealings and the like. Xander reveled in the few moments when Spike seemed almost normal.

That was when Spike let go of a little of the iron control he kept in the bedroom. Most of the time, Spike led and Xander followed. What they did varied, but who was in charge did not. Some times, though, when Spike first woke up, Xander could sneak in a kiss or two, a touch here and there, which Spike hadn’t planned on. Then the vampire would wear him out and disappear before morning.

Right now, Spike seemed unusually indulgent. Xander took advantage of the situation, rolling Spike over until he was on top. After a moment, Spike relaxed into the new position. Xander grinned reassuringly at the vampire.

Then he began to lick his way down Spike’s body. The pale skin was nearly hairless and incredibly smooth. It held a faint coppery taste that Xander wasn’t really surprised to find. After all, most of Spike’s sustenance was blood. It was an intriguing contrast to what Xander was used to, namely human skin.

Spike didn’t seem to be in any hurry to take control back from Xander, so he continued his leisurely path down Spike’s body. An appreciative moan greeted him when he bit lightly into the sculpted muscles of Spike’s abdomen. Before going lower, Xander urged the vampire to shift his legs. Spike resisted for a second, and then complied.

Satisfied with how exposed Spike’s body was, Xander bent down to trace the vein on the underside of Spike’s cock with his tongue. Spike hissed and bucked, obviously not minding the sensation. Xander grinned and repeated the action until Spike was panting breathlessly.

He then turned his attention to the soft skin of Spike’s thighs, sucking here and there to leave quickly fading marks. The vampire writhed underneath Xander’s ministrations. Once or twice, Xander felt Spike’s hands on his shoulders, as though to stop him. But Spike never did, always drawing back.

Once he’d gotten up the nerve, Xander lowered his head, running his tongue over Spike’s testicles and back to his perineum. Spike inhaled sharply, trying not to arch too harshly into Xander. His reaction to that was nothing compared to what he did when Xander ran his tongue across his puckered hole.

Xander grinned when he heard Spike’s undignified squeak. Well, he certainly hadn’t been expecting that! Xander tongued and sucked more quickly, ignoring Spike’s gasped pleading for him to stop. He dimly felt Spike reach for him, but he just shrugged off the searching hands.

Spike closed his eyes, trying to block out some of the exquisite sensations he was suffering. He hadn’t expected Xander to pick up on that technique quite so quickly, but he was certainly rather good at it now. Unfortunately, the position they were in made Spike feel very exposed and insecure. He tried to stop the boy, but Xander ignored him, brushing off his hands with no real effort. A particularly hard jab made him shudder violently. As he was coming down from it, Xander pushed one finger into his now moist and loosened hole. Spike was about to protest that when Xander expertly crooked his finger and pressed on his prostate.

Xander nearly crowed in triumph when Spike arched off the bed, howling. That was worth doing again, so he did, relishing how easy it was to make Spike writhe. He’d never been able to make Spike react like that before.

Spike finally managed to get a hold of Xander and yanked him up over his body. Xander landed with a soft whoosh of air, catching himself with one arm. Spike held onto him with both arms, keeping Xander from moving even a little.

Xander lay very still for a moment, until he felt Spike start to relax. “Problem, Spike?”

Spike growled. Instead of answering, however, Spike rolled them onto their sides. When Xander would have protested, Spike kissed him softly, picking up one of Xander’s arms to drape over his waist.

Xander felt the implicit invitation in the gesture and resumed his petting. Perhaps he’d triggered a bad memory for Spike. Gods know, he had a few of his own. One thing Xander knew for sure, he and Spike wouldn’t be delving into the world of strangulation-as-foreplay anytime soon.

Spike arched into each caress Xander gave. Now that he didn’t feel so completely out of control, he could fully enjoy what they were doing. Xander obviously wanted a little control and Spike was in the mood to humor him. So, when Xander’s hands drifted back down and resumed stretching him, Spike didn’t object.

Xander latched onto Spike’s mouth, humming contentedly. He loved being able to explore Spike’s body without the vampire interfering, and Spike didn’t seem to feel like stopping him. Xander wrapped one hand around Spike’s cock, stroking him in time to the thrusts of his other hand.

Spike moaned as Xander began to jerk him off, the fingers inside him prodding at his prostate. Xander began to move faster, keeping Spike off balance with his erratic pace.

Xander felt the instant when Spike began to come. His body froze, and then arched back as cold semen shot out over his hand. Xander gently removed both his hands, wiping them on the sheets. Spike collapsed against him, sinking deeper into the mattress.