22:16 - Chapter 6/6
“Well, that was a long call. I hope it’s because you were able to get some answers.” Xander said, yawning as Buffy and Giles walked back into the room. “Because…we’ve got nuthin’.”
Ethan stood up as a third person followed them in. “Lottie.”
“Ethan.” She responded, giving him a slight glare before smiling brightly at Willow. “Hello, Willow.”
Xander arched an eyebrow at Ethan. “No love lost there, then?”
“I wasn’t joking about spending time with Orla many years ago.” Ethan said softly, sitting back down. “I wasn’t overly gentlemanly to her.”
Lottie snorted a laugh as she shook her head. “That’s putting it mildly.”
“I am genuinely sorry for my behaviour then, Lottie. I’m not that person anymore.”
Lottie sighed heavily. “I know, Ethan. But, it’s not me who deserves your apology. Also, that’s not what I’m here.”
She glanced at Giles, who gave her a nod. Ethan blew out a soft breath.
“So, we can stop researching…” Xander asked quietly.
Lottie nodded and sat down at the table. Buffy and Giles sat next to her. Giles cleared his throat.
“Close the books. I’m confident that we can fill everyone in on what’s happened…and why.”
Ethan regarded Giles carefully, but didn’t say anything.
They all gave Lottie their full attention as she began to speak.
* * *
Xander furrowed his brow. “Okay, I’m confused. If it was foretold that Giles would be a successful Watcher who would be turned - why send him to Sunnydale? You know, with the freaking Hellmouth…and shit loads of vampires?”
Lottie sighed heavily. “That was the Council’s attempt to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled. He was never meant to be Buffy’s Watcher. His time wasn’t to come until much later.”
Willow’s eyes widened. “They seriously sent you to Sunnydale to die?”
“The Council was not then what it is now.” Giles responded, running his thumb along the band of the ring on his pinky. “Buffy was a surprise - she had fallen through the cracks. When she appeared and Merrick was killed, they thought it the best way to take care of the issue.”
“The issue of you becoming a powerful Watcher-slash-Vampire King?” Xander asked, dumbfounded.
“They did not expect us to bond. They didn’t expect me to survive long enough for that to happen.”
“Seems that the higher powers outrank the Council.” Ethan offered quietly.
“But, they didn’t know about your involvement?” Willow asked Lottie.
Lottie smiled as she shook her head. “Goodness, no. That would have been a death sentence for Rupert.”
“But, it’s permanent?” Willow asked, glancing at Giles.
“His soul is intact and safely contained. It is permanent…though there will be times when the vampire will appear.”
“Don’t make him angry…you won’t like him when he’s angry.” Xander said, nodding in understanding. He smiled when Giles looked at him in confusion. “Like the Incredible Hulk. Only…no green skin.”
“We’ll need to test the sunlight aspect of this when the sun rises.” Lottie said absently.
“You can be in the sun?” Willow gasped. “So, the only way anyone would know anything is if you tell them.”
“That’s the idea.” Lottie grinned.
Ethan tilted his head slightly at Giles. “What is it, Rupe? You don’t seem to be jumping for joy.”
“I’m a fucking vampire, Ethan. I’m Head of the Council, an organisation that is vehemently opposed to vampires - souled or not.”
Ethan looked at Lottie, gesturing to Giles. “Can something be done about that? Maybe tricking the Council spell into overlooking his vampire status?”
Lottie shook her head slowly. “There’s no circumventing that. We’re going to have to have a discussion with the Council board members - and they’ll need to either appoint a new Head or allow an exception to be introduced.”
Ethan nodded, turning his eyes to Buffy when she yawned. His features softened as he offered her a gentle smile.
“You’re welcome to one of the guest rooms. You must be completely exhausted.”
Lottie looked at him in surprise.
Buffy covered her mouth with her hand as she yawned again. “I think I’m about two steps past exhausted.”
Ethan glanced at the clock. “He’s been awake for nearly twenty-four hours and you’ve been here for nearly two full days. How you’re even functioning at all, I have no idea.”
“Some things are more important than sleep.” She said, resting her head on Giles’ shoulder.
Ethan smiled and glanced around the room. “You’re all welcome to stay, though I only have two guest rooms.”
Lottie stood up and smiled at Ethan. “I need to get back to the Coven - portals are handy in that way.”
“Do you need any help?” Willow asked, obviously prepared to go back with Lottie if needed.
Lottie shook her head, casting a subtle glance towards Buffy. “I think it might be best if you stay here tonight.”
Willow nodded in understanding.
“Thank you, Lottie.” Giles said softly, standing up and gently pulling Buffy with him. “For everything.”
“We’ll get everything else sorted, Rupert. Just take some time and settle into this, okay?”
He nodded silently and quietly ushered Buffy out of the room with him.
“Are they going to be okay?” Willow whispered to Lottie.
“Yes. But, it’s a lot to take in. So they’re going to need your support.” She looked at Xander, then Ethan. “Yours too.”
“Buffy seemed really sad.” Xander thought aloud. “Like…more than ‘my boyfriend is a vampire’ kind of sad. Because…she knows what it’s like to have a vampire beau.”
“That’s for her to discuss when she’s ready.” Lottie replied, quickly opening a portal. “Call if you need me.”
Ethan heaved a deep sigh as Lottie slipped into the portal and allowed it to close.
“I need a drink before I even attempt to sleep. Would either of you care to join me?”
Xander and Willow both nodded, following Ethan out of the room.
Willow flicked the light switch, leaving the room in darkness.
* * *
Giles looked a bit apprehensive as Buffy slipped into bed next to him.
“Are, um…are you sure about this?”
Buffy looked into his eyes, stopping herself before lying down. “Would you rather me go to a different room? If it’ll make you more comfortable, I will.”
He shook his head slowly, she could see the glistening in his eyes in the dim light of the room.
“Ru…remember how I said I wasn’t leaving?” She waited for his nod of acknowledgement before continuing. “That wasn’t something said to just be saying something.”
His brow furrowed. “Obviously, vampirism doesn’t translate your more confusing statements.”
She chuckled softly, moving closer to him. “Shut up.”
He smiled…the first smile that was uniquely Giles since this all started. She placed her hand on his chest, gently pushing him onto his back. Before he could protest, she snuggled up next to him and placed her head on his chest before draping her arm over him.
“Um…”
“Every single time we’ve slept together, this is how I’ve fallen asleep - my head on your chest, your arm around me.”
“Yes…because you said my heartbeat lulled you to sleep. I, uh…that’s not possible now.”
She smiled warmly and tenderly stroked his chest. “At first, yeah. But, it pretty quickly just became about you holding me…and you’re a pretty comfy pillow.”
When his expression still held more uncertainty than anything else, she sighed. “Let’s just give it a go, okay?”
He gave a slight nod and bit his lip as she laid down and rested her head on his chest. She draped her arm over him and snuggled harder.
“Arm, Giles.” She whispered.
He tentatively curled his arm around her, gently stroking her shoulder with his fingertips. “I love you, Buffy.”
“I love you, too.” She replied, closing her eyes. “We’re going to work through this, you know.”
He didn’t answer, but continued lightly stroking her skin. Her breathing changed as she quickly slipped into slumber. He listened to her sleep for a long while before closing his eyes.
* * *
Buffy opened her eyes to find it still dark outside…and silent in the house. Not a sound at all - and she had the thought that this would be the hardest thing to get used to. The complete silence as he slept. Though his body temperature was well below normal, he wasn’t as cold as Angel or Spike had been. But the silence was deafening. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table, not surprised to find that it was before 4 am.
She watched him sleep a few minutes longer and then leaned into him, pressing her lips to his. She kissed him a second time, a soft lingering kiss focused on his bottom lip. The tip of her tongue lightly touched it before she pulled away. She gasped when his hand quickly moved to the side of her neck, his fingers curling around to her nape.
And then his mouth was on hers, his tongue nudging between her lips. His tongue stroked hers and he moaned softly as her fingers traced his ribs. And then just when she expected him to roll her onto her back and move to kneel between her thighs, he pulled from the kiss and stared at her through amber eyes.
“So, not just anger or fighting brings out the vampire, huh?” She whispered, gently pulling his bottom lip down slightly with her thumb. “Eyes, fangs, but no ridges…that’s going to spin me out for a bit.”
“Buffy…”
“I need you, Rupert.” She whispered emotionally, returning her eyes to his.
When he swallowed, but didn’t respond, she slipped her hand under his shirt. “We need this. This isn’t about sex, this is about you understanding that we’re still us - regardless of what has happened.”
He looked down as she started to push his shirt up. “And making love with you will help me understand that?”
“Making love with me will help us both understand that we can work through anything together…” She placed a warm kiss on his sternum before meeting his eyes. “You’re worried about what this is going to do to us. But that’s something you don’t need to worry about at all. I’m here, Giles. I’m all in. But, I need to know if you still are too. Because if you’re not, I just - ”
He interrupted her with a sudden kiss. Her lips parted beneath his in an open invitation - an invitation he accepted immediately with no hesitation. He relished the warmth of her tongue against his, groaning into her mouth as her fingers glided over his nipple. When her hand paused briefly over his heart, he pulled back and looked into her eyes.
“I’m all in, Buffy. I have been from day one.” He whispered, pushing the hair back from her face. “My reluctance has nothing to do with any waning desire felt for you. If anything, I want you more. I’m…worried about hurting you.”
She smiled and slid her fingers down his chest to curl in the hem of his shirt. “I’m the Slayer, Giles. Pretty sure I can handle anything you dish out.”
Without saying another word she sat up, pulling him with her. They sat there on the bed, staring at each other hungrily. His eyes darted to her lips before settling on her eyes. She moved to her knees in front of him, carefully pulling his shirt up and off.
His eyes seemed to glow as her fingertips trembled against his skin where Clara had bitten him. The wound had healed, there wasn’t even the faintest scar…but he could feel it when Buffy touched him. And it sent a shock of arousal straight to his groin.
Before he could change his mind, he grabbed the bottom of her shirt and pulled it up…smiling as she raised her arms to help him. He captured her lips again, pushing his tongue into her mouth as he slipped his hands into the waistband of her pajama bottoms. She thrust her tongue wantonly against his as his hands pushed the clothing down her thighs.
When he could push them down no further, he pushed her down to the mattress. The kiss spiralled into uncontrollable desire and she kicked her legs free, flinging the bottoms onto the floor…somewhere in the room. And then her hands were grabbing at his remaining clothing, frantically trying to rid him of anything touching his skin.
He chuckled deeply, pulling from the kiss and quickly removing his pajamas…leaving them both naked and obviously aroused. He knelt between her thighs and he could feel her heat almost calling to him. His synapses were firing rapidly and her scent was so heavy that he could nearly taste it.
“You’re the Slayer.” He murmured.
“Yeah…” She nearly groaned, sliding her legs around his hips.
“My Slayer.” He continued, allowing her to pull him closer.
“Uh-huh…” She reached between them, wrapping her fingers around his cock.
“If I…” He stared at her, the golden hue blazing into her eyes. “…you fucking stop me if you need to, Buffy.”
She stroked his thickening erection and licked her lips. “You know how you used to tell me that I should just plunge and move on?”
His lips twitched in a slight grin. “I’m not moving on, love.”
“As long as there’s some plunging…I’m good with that.”
He snorted as her brow furrowed. And then she laughed. And then his deep, genuine laugh echoed hers.
“That’s…not…where I meant for that image to go.” She said, rubbing her thumb over the head of his cock. “But, I’ve missed hearing your laugh. So…I’m kinda okay with it. But, seriously, Giles…plunging…soon, yeah?”
His eyes softened and he swallowed hard.
“I fucking love you, Buffy.” He whispered emotionally, allowing her to guide the head of his cock into her.
And then he closed his eyes as her warmth completely enveloped him. His senses slipped into overdrive and he knew that the intensity of her heat would push him over the edge much sooner than he would like. Hearing her gasp, he lowered his head to brush his lips across hers.
“What…what does it feel like for you, love?” He whispered thickly, angling his hips slightly in a way that he knew she loved.
“Huh?” He mumbled, curling her legs over his hips.
“It feels…different…for me.” He murmured, sliding his tongue along her collarbone. “The heat…oh fuck, the heat…”
She forced her eyes open and smiled. “Tell me.”
“It feels like every single molecule in my body is on fire - a white heat that reminds me of…” He paused and closed his eyes as he pulled his mouth away from her neck.
“Of what?” She asked, lightly raking her nails across his lower back.
“Of life…of death…lust and love. The way you’d tease me…the way you’d set my soul on fire and I’d fucking burn for you.”
Her eyes widened, her nails dug into his skin. “Jesus, Giles…”
“And now I feel like I’m literally burning for you - and it’s the most sublime sensation I’ve ever…” He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. “You make me feel alive.”
“I love you.” She whispered emotionally, her eyes bright with sudden tears.
“I love you.” He replied, sliding his left hand down her torso as he increased his thrusts.
She groaned - loud enough that he knew he should probably cover her mouth, swallow her sounds. But, he also wanted to hear her - he could feel her, smell her, watch her writhe beneath him. And he wanted to hear her.
Oh yes…he’d come soon. But, he was also fairly certain that he could bring her with him. He watched a bead of sweat roll into the hollow of her throat and longed to lick it away, suck it from her skin. But, he didn’t completely trust his control yet. There was plenty of time to test that - he was immortal now…until someone was able to slam a stake through his heart.
“Stop.Fucking.Thinking.” Buffy moaned, sliding her right hand to his chest. “Just…fuck me, Giles.”
He smiled, his eyes blazing with love and lust, and gave her a nod.
And then she curled her fingers into the hair covering the back of his head and plunged her tongue into his mouth, forcing him to swallow her cries of ecstasy.
He was suddenly, and oddly, okay with that. And he allowed his senses to soar towards capacity - and then he’d push them further. He suddenly felt the intense desire - need - to make her come…sooner, rather than later. To feel her heat bathe him while he’d come deep within her. He wasn’t sure where that desire came from.
Could’ve been the fact that they were in his one-time friend-then lover-then enemy-now friend’s house…where that friend’s sister - who obviously had carried some very intense feelings towards him over the years - turned him into a vampire…and that was just too fucking weird on too many levels.
He’d make her come - of that he was certain. And he’d come…that wasn’t even a question. And then they’d hold each other until the sun rose.
And next time will be different - because he’ll get used to her heat and he’ll learn how to keep his senses from overloading. But, not this time - this time was about something completely different. She was right…this was very much about him working through the fear of how this would affect them - as a couple, as a partnership, as a team.
Life…or death, as it were…had taken a very unexpected turn for them. He had no doubt that things were going to be difficult and confusing - and he was certain that frustration and anger would appear more clearly at some point in the near future. And then there was the issue of the Council…and him being Head…and a fucking vampire.
Buffy suddenly pulled from the kiss and stared up at him. “Hey…less thinking, more plunging. We can think in the morning, promise.”
He gave her a smile…which faded as she closed her eyes and bit her lip to stifle a moan.
He could feel the demon within him knocking around - trying to gain control.
Rupert Giles was stronger. The demon would soon learn how strong.
~ End
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