Spike leaned on the rail with Xander. "You're immortal, Xander, not invincible. Stay out of the water." He knew his lover loved swimming, but Venice was not the place to indulge. Gods only knew what lived in the canals. "Come on, I'm hungry."

"And I'm supposed to be the one with the bottomless stomach," Xander quipped, grinning. He walked next to the blonde, letting the gummed soles of his boots drag and catch on ancient cobblestones, mildly surprised to find himself liking the way the city was filled with deep, dark shadows. It was a vampiric heaven; lovers trysting in alcoves and labyrinthine streets for prowling.

"Haven't eaten since day before yesterday," Spike admitted. "Blood went rancid on the train."

"Why didn't you say something?" Xander asked, grabbing at Spike's arm. "We could've taken care of that."

"You're not my bloody emergency stash," Spike growled. "Besides, we're almost there."

Xander bit back his words and followed Spike into a dimly lit shop set back off the street. It smelled of fresh death and meat--a butcher's shop. Spike rattled off a few words in Italian and was handed a cardboard box. Within minutes, they were on the street again. Xander watched the blonde drink still-warm cow's blood, the soft slap of water echoing around them.

"Hotel now?" Xander inquired dryly. "Or would you prefer to take another cocktail out on the town?"

"Hotel," Spike said, rolling his eyes. "It's not far."

•••

Xander bounded into their hotel room, looking at everything at once. "Hey, we're right on the water!" Spike found Xander in the bedroom just in time to pull him out of the window and prevent a rather moist landing outside. "Thanks," Xander said, spinning around to head for the living room.

"Think nothing of it," Spike murmured, putting his clothes away. When he was finished, Spike pocketed a handful of silk scarves and stalked off in search of his lover.

"So...are you gonna serenade me from a gondola?" Xander asked when Spike joined him. "You know, with one of those boys with the funny hats pushing you along?"

"No," Spike growled, slinging one scarf over Xander's shoulder. The bright fabric caught the boy's attention and Spike used that to his advantage, sliding around Xander and looping the scarf around one wrist.

"Uh, Spike?" Xander started, looking down at his wrist. Oh, boy. Spike wanted to play. This could be very, very bad. Well, that or very, very good.

"Take off your clothes," Spike ordered, fingering another scarf with his fingers. When Xander hesitated, the vampire shifted into gameface. Xander's querying expression turned first shocked and then aroused, his free hand moving for buttons and zippers.

Spike looped another scarf around Xander's free wrist and slipped the boy's shirt off his other arm. Then they were moving, Spike practically dragging Xander into the bedroom.

"Cold!" Xander screeched when Spike slammed him against the high metal bed, pulling both of the young man's arms wide apart. Soon Xander was tugging against his soft bindings, twisting his head around to find Spike. "Hey, cute, Spike. Come back here!"

Spike ignored Xander's efforts, crouching down to spread Xander's legs and bind his ankles. When he stood up again, Xander was helpless, open for his touch and his pleasure. He took his time, letting the tips of his fingers enjoy the way the muscles in Xander's back strained to make contact with him.

"Spike," Xander panted, standing up on his toes. The blonde was so close, teasing him with his proximity.

"Shh," Spike whispered, his lips brushing against Xander's neck. Once Xander stilled, Spike took a step back.

Xander waited, breath coming in sharp gasps. Spike was making him wait, moving around behind him just enough to keep Xander from relaxing.

Just when Xander decided to start begging, Spike touched him. Cool hands made contact with his hips, sliding down to separate the young man's cheeks. A finger brushed against his opening, only to be replaced by a slick, blunt hardness.

"Open for me," Spike ordered, his voice low but firm. "I want inside, Xander."

Xander let his head fall back onto Spike's shoulder. Nothing, no preparation. He could do this, had to. Ever since the first touch of silk on his wrist, Xander had been impossibly hard. He needed Spike, inside and against him.

Spike waited, listening to Xander's heartbeat rise and fall. His lovely boy was concentrating, focusing. Bit by bit, Spike found his way inside, savoring every millimeter of Xander's body as he slid inside. The vampire moved his hands to the bed frame, using the extra leverage to fully seat himself inside the young man.

Xander groaned with relief when Spike finally lay against his back, cool lips trailing along his arched neck. A single roll of those slim, pale hips elicited a sharp cry as Xander writhed, overcome by the sharp sensation.

Spike set his teeth and thrust again, testing Xander. When he was sure the boy was stretched enough, the vampire began to move. Hard.

"Mine," Spike hissed, riding Xander with cruel force. The young man moaned and pushed back against him, sweat trickling down his back.

Xander looked at the ceiling; it was spinning in dizzy patterns. Spike was tattooing his name on Xander's soul with every killing stroke. He was impossibly full, suspended and open. Spike could use him however he wished, so long as he kept doing that, right there, just like...

"Never stopping," Spike swore, pounding into his boy. "Ever. You're mine, Xander, *mine*." Thrust, right against the human's prostate. Scream, choked but real. "You want romance? Silk, sweat and blood, Xander. That's romance." Fangs scrabbled against warm flesh, leaving beaded trails of blood behind.

"I can taste it, Xander. In your blood, it's there. Lust, want, need, love. That's what we've got," Spike growled, pushing harder, farther. "Wine turns and roses fade, Xander. Blood is forever. Blood and this," He continued, punctuating each word with another harsh movement. Ecstasy slammed into him, forcing him inside out and shattering his mind into ten thousand pieces.

Xander felt his climax start, flowing outward from his heart in thrashing waves of lightning. Fangs split the base of his neck just as hot seed spilled forth, matched by a cold flood inside him. The world crashed into Xander's mind, sending him reeling into Spike.

"Sixty-one," Spike whispered as he withdrew his fangs from Xander's neck. The vampire left Xander's body with great regret, untying the silk and tucking Xander into bed. If he knew his boy, and he did, Xander would be ready for another round before long.