Spike rolled his eyes and tugged the young man along. "We're going to miss our boat, Xander. Besides, you'll love it--and Asunción is easy to pronounce."

"Oh, shut up. I think you want to go to Paraguay because it takes weeks to get there," Xander accused, waving his ticket. "Could you have fit another month onto this itinerary?"

"I have one word for you: Nauru," Spike replied, smirking.

"Let me guess--island in the middle of the South Pacific," Xander said. He saw Spike's surprise and continued. "I used to dream about going somewhere as far away from my family as possible. Nauru looked good. Tuvalu also."

"Come on," Spike muttered, trying valiantly not to grind his teeth into powder. Some days, he wanted nothing more than to go back to Sunnydale and kill Xander's parents... and employers... and friends... and...

"At least I like boats," Xander stated as they handed their luggage to the attendant.

"You nearly ripped your eyes out on the last flight," Spike reminded him.

"Only because the flight attendant caught on to what we were doing and started stalking us," Xander responded. "Speaking of which..."

"We have a cabin with no windows, for a transatlantic cruise," Spike assured him. "On a cruise ship with a very... understanding staff." He led Xander onto the ship, steadying the boy gently. The flights they'd caught getting here had been uncomfortable and hastily planned, meaning that Xander hadn't slept well. Both of them needed rest.

"Speaking of which," Xander groused, "How the hell did you find a cruise ship that caters to the evil undead?"

Spike just grinned.

As Spike had promised, their cabin was windowless. It was not, however, as cramped as Xander had feared. That didn't equate to spaciousness, but after experiencing train travel, this wasn't so bad. He bounced tiredly on the bed, watching Spike tip the attendant and order dinner.

"Come 'ere," Xander slurred, blinking drunkenly. He wasn't going to make it to dinner; exhaustion was pulling at him in heavy waves. Spike caught the young man just as he began to slump over, preventing him from hitting the floor. "Thanks, Spike."

"You should sleep," Spike ordered, reaching over to pull back the covers. Xander frowned slightly, as though thinking.

Then he moved.

It took most of his remaining energy, but Xander managed to stand up and grab Spike by the arms. The blonde spun around and slammed backward into the wall, just as Xander stepped forward. The vampire's startled gasp was cut off by a hard, wet mouth.

Xander nipped and licked at Spike's lips, creatively dodging his lover's attempts to gain control of the situation. He delved inside that cool mouth, stroking along the vampire's tongue and quickly descending fangs.

Spike shuddered as Xander expertly undid him, heat seeping into his body from every contact point. Every muscle tightened, as though Xander was doing more than just kissing him. Spike tamped down the irrational desire to gulp for air, instead focusing on bringing Xander under control. He failed spectacularly; instead of Xander capitulating to the stronger demon, Spike found that he was the one mewling underneath his lover's ministrations.

Xander knew he was fading fast; he fought a yawn, knowing that just a little more would have Spike where he wanted--panting and game-faced, trembling and shaken. With that in mind, the boy redoubled his efforts, sinking his teeth into the vampire's lower lip.

Spike growled as blunt pain raced through him from where Xander's teeth pressed. No skin was broken, but it didn't matter. The exquisite counterpoint to sensual pleasure was enough to push Spike over the edge. Climax hit him so quickly and unexpectedly that the vampire blinked in confusion even as his body hummed with euphoria.

"Sixty-six," Xander whispered sleepily as he pulled away. A quick glance told him he'd succeeded; a dumbfounded Spike stood slumped against the wall, staring stupidly at him. The young man stumbled to the bed and dove in, toeing his shoes off on the way.