::Wash...in holy water?:: Spike's eyes widened slightly. ::A test. This must be a test. How far am I willing to go, how much will I endure, to win my Sire's affections? He thinks I will shirk, I will refuse. Oh, how long it has been! He should know I would do anything to gain his approval.:: One step, then another and Spike was poised over the water, deadly surface casting no reflection. Spike reached out, willing his hand to stay firm and steady.

Angel smiled as he saw Spike visibly swallow his fears and tentatively touch the water. The look of astonishment on Spike's face could not be faked. The blonde immediately plunged both hands into the well, splashing himself with the icy liquid. it pooled on the stone floor, darkening the granite. Angel shifted slightly to accommodate a fully expected erection. Spike was a glorious creature in his own right, and in this state he was truly a celestial being. Glassy, iridescent water made his alabaster skin sparkle in the light. Damp curls fell across his brow as the vampire cleaned himself as best as he could. "Enough," Angel barked. Spike was shivering now, flinging water droplets off himself as the cold waters and equally cold air made him quake. Vampires might not be susceptible to hypothermia, but being too cold was still unpleasant.

Spike heard the directive and immediately dropped his hands to his sides. He'd gotten caught up in bathing, in the cold feel of water on his bare skin, contrasted with a heat he knew had to come from his Sire's gaze. He knew that Angel was affected by this--just as much as he himself was. Where once the air was little more than stagnant cries and dampness, now the church was filled with the essence of wanting. Angel's dark, thick arousal, twisting and commanding Spike's lighter, spicier aromas. They danced, flirted, and waited to be fulfilled.

"Follow me," Angel ordered, leaving the shadows to walk down the centre aisle of the church. Spike did as he was told, bare feet slapping softly on the hard surface. He left his clothes behind, forgotten, in the entranceway. Until Angel told him to don them again, he would remain as he was.

Angel led Spike into his living quarters, which took up most of the back rooms and tower. The bathroom was dominated by an enormous claw-footed bathtub, as much of an anachronism as he himself was. "Draw a bath," Angel ordered Spike, standing off to one side.

Spike moved to obey, neither slowly nor with too much haste. Angel admired the fluid grace of those white limbs as Spike prepared a hot bath.

::He still favors sandalwood and jasmine,:: Spike noted as he found Angel's bath salts. He ran the water to the exact temperature he remembered Angel preferring, adding in foaming crystals and oils. Nothing less than the most relaxing of baths would do for his Sire. How many times had they done this, all those years ago? Spike remembered waiting on Angelus, washing his long, dark hair. Then Angelus would pull him into the water, showing him how to be of service even in that awkward position.

Angel watched as Spike stood next to the bath, waiting for Angel to approach. "Attend me," Angel commanded. Spike came to his side, reaching for his jacket. The garment was carefully placed on a nearby clothes hanger. Then Spike went to work on Angel's shirt, trousers and shoes. The procedure was done with almost pristine efficiency. It was obvious to Angel that Spike had forgotten nothing, even though the younger vampire had shown none of his training in Sunnydale.

Spike reached for a large natural sponge as Angel stepped into the bath. The blonde vampire couldn't help but stop to relish the scent of his Sire's skin meeting heated water. It was intoxicating to the younger demon. Oh, how he longed for that, to sense that perfume every night! ::Just let me live here, in your service quarters, Sire. I shall wait on you for eternity, if only for the ecstasy of your presence.::

Angel watched as Spike lathered the sponge and approached him. "No," Angel murmured, halting Spike's movements.

::I have been too forward,:: Spike berated himself. He began to move back, to retreat.

"Come here," Angel ordered. Spike moved towards him again. "Closer."

::I am as close as I have ever been.:: Spike paused next to the tub. Angel reached for him, pulling him into the water with him. A soft gasp escaped Spike's lips as the steaming water caressed his skin.

Angel studied the unguarded expression on Spike's face as the younger vampire slid into the bath. His childe looked almost reverent. Perhaps he had not been this warm in many months. "Now, childe," Angel began softly. "Bathe me."

Spike opened his eyes, appalled that he had drifted off. However, Angel's face held no rebuke, so the blonde retrieved the sponge he had dropped into the water and ran it down Angel's chest. Ah, that pale-honey skin was so alluring, slick soap casting mirrored shadows along Angel's nipples. Spike focused completely on that skin, on removing any foulness that had dared touch his Sire.

Angel let himself enjoy Spike's ministrations as his childe sloughed of the irritations of the previous night. Spike remembered so very much--the place on the back of Angel's neck that always needed just one more pass with the sponge, how he had to press a little harder on one shoulder to keep from tickling his Sire. It had been... how many years since someone had shown this type of easy care and attentiveness to him? Angel couldn't remember. Buffy had never done this, and no one after, for sure. And before there had only been... Spike who did this willingly. Only his blessed childe.

Spike was about to repeat his cleansing of Angel's left arm when his Sire reached for the sponge. It was released immediately and Spike knelt back on his knees opposite Angel, head down and hands on his thighs. The first touch of soap and rough sponge brought Spike's head up. "Ah--"

Angel quirked one eyebrow, daring Spike to complain. It was his Sire's right to touch Spike however he wanted to, be that in pain or pleasure. If Angel wanted to wash his childe, that was his prerogative.

::Sire please stop, please don't give me this gentleness, for in no way have I earned it.:: Tremors began to wrack Spike's body. His Sire was... showing kindness. Had he perhaps, just maybe, pleased Angel? ::Oh that this may continue, please let it be so. If nothing more, then just this...::

Angel decided that they'd both had enough. If Spike kept looking like that, he was going to forget everything that the blonde had ever done to earn his enmity and simply sink into that fondly remembered body. That would do neither of them any good; if Angel's suspicions were right and Spike was playing him, then Angel would be hurt. If Spike was truly here for help, to offer himself to his Sire, then it was just too soon for them to cleave unto one another. If Spike was here to claim his place at Angel's side, he needed more training.

Spike's eyes flew up to Angel's face when the elder vampire stopped washing him. "The sun is up. We should rest." The blonde immediately clambered out of the tub and fetched a towel for Angel. He started to dry off his Sire as soon as he was clear of the water, gently whisking away the excess moisture. All the oils in the bath left Angel's skin silky-smooth and richly scented, drawing Spike even closer to him.

Angel held out a towel to Spike and waited for the blonde to dry himself off. "Follow me," Angel murmured as he walked out of the bathroom. Spike pulled the drain plug and rushed behind his Sire. They entered the darkened bedroom, which was ascetic in its spareness. The only thing in the room was a large bed and a small table against one wall. Angel pulled back the heavy bed covers and climbed in, burying himself under layers of down and cotton.

::May I rest here on the floor, Sire, or shall I watch you as you sleep?:: Spike studied the room that held his beloved Sire. It was spare, almost ugly. Only Angel's presence made it livable. But his Sire... who had touched him with something approaching gentleness. He was happy, ecstatic, to be allowed this close, this soon. He'd fully expected to be kicked out onto the streets.

"Are you going to sleep, Spike, or just stand there all day?" Angel asked from under the covers. Spike nodded silently and slid to the floor. Unlike the main part of the church, it was made of wood and was therefore slightly less cold.

Angel frowned. Had Spike just lain down on the floor? He moved over to peer down at his childe. "Spike, get up here." How was it possible for Spike to willingly follow every directive given to him and still frustrate his Sire? It must have been a gift from some vengeful god.

Spike stood quickly and curled up on the foot of the bed, careful not to crowd Angel. The elder vampire growled and reached for his childe. "You sleep in the bed, with me," The dark demon said, irritation seeping through his voice. "Unless I tell you otherwise, you spend your days here." Spike nodded, ducking his head to rest it on Angel's shoulder. Angel curled Spike around him, getting them comfortably situated.

Spike did not resist. There was no way he could have. The blonde vampire was frozen in a euphoric cloud, so very close to his Sire. Oh, Angel was not only touching him but holding him close, *ordering* him to stay by his side. His Sire. Beloved. ::I am yours, Sire, yours to create and destroy as is your will. The silk of your skin calls for creation. Please, let us become.::

The sun rose high and then low in the sky, casting light and darkness over the tortured city. Inside Angel's home, two souls met for the first time, even as their demons experienced their union's rebirth.