AB/BtVS FF: Nightmares in Waking Life 14-5/?
TITLE: Nightmares in Waking Life
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
RATING: en.sea.xvii overall
PAIRINGS: All the pairings from the previous two stories---and some new ones, too
SPOILERS: Up until Micah for AB; the whole TV series for the Buffyverse; Alive at Last and Living Underground.
WARNINGS: A little bit of fur... bdsm... the usuals for Anita's crazy, crazy world.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone---except for any original characters that I whip up to do my bidding ;)
NOTE: This story is a sequel to Living Underground.
Previous chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-11, 12, 13
PART FOURTEEN
Willow finished walking one of the corridors, accompanied by Claudia and Clay, and when they were satisfied that there wasn't any damage, the group returned to the main sitting room where Jean-Claude had stationed himself. He had offered some of his vampires to the various animal groups, to assist in reporting damage, so people were either calling in---and Jason was answering the phone at the vampire's feet---or dropping by to let him know what happened.
"All clear, Boss," Claudia announced from behind Willow.
The black-haired vampire looked up and smiled. "Bon," he said. "You checked the north corridor and the cavern at the end?"
The wererat nodded. Clay said, "Only some loose rock in the cavern. Everything else seems fine." He nodded again and said, "We'll go back to work, then."
"Merci," the vampire said, "both of you." When the guards left, Jean-Claude looked at Willow. "Are you alright?" he inquired.
She nodded and smiled. "Yeah, of course. I feel fine. The earthquake didn't bother me too much. A few more, and I'll be a pro."
He arched an eyebrow and reached out to gently brush one hand of fingers through Jason's hair. "Ma chérie, a few hours ago, you were testing your newly acquired powers. You must be unsettled."
"Oh... that."
"Oui," he said. He placed his hand on Jason's bare shoulder. "Mon loup, would you call your Ulfric and ask about damages to the pack's holdings? I don't believe he's called yet."
Jason nodded. "Sure, Master," he said with a playful smile.
The vampire smiled back. "Et après, if you wish to check on notre aube..." he trailed off and smiled.
"Will you need to feed later?"
"Perhaps before bed," Jean-Claude told him. "Vas-y, mon loup."
The young werewolf jumped up. He kissed Willow's cheek before walking past her. When he was gone, the Master of the City motioned for her to join him on the sofa.
Willow obeyed wordlessly and willingly. She tucked her right foot underneath her body as she sat down and let her left foot remain on the carpet. Her toes played with its thickness while she turned and looked at the vampire.
"So...?"
"So," Jean-Claude said while putting his hands on his leather-clad thighs. "I am surprised you are not more... visibly angry," he confessed, "especially since when Allura gave you l'ardeur for an evening, you were very afraid." He paused and then added: "And angry. Particularly at me, if I remember correctly."
The witch felt her cheeks flush. "I'm sorry," she mumbled. She looked down at her lap and shrugged. "I was a little panicked then. I didn't mean to take it out on you, but... you were the one who gave it to Anita, and when I thought I'd have it... and need a harem of men... I just... well, I freaked out."
Jean-Claude's fingers brushed under her chin and guided her head upwards so they were looking at each other. His eyes were gentler, more human, and Willow briefly wished he would stop looking at her because she didn't like knowing that she had hurt him emotionally earlier that night.
"I believe that you mean it," he said quietly. "But, there is no need for an apology. I, too, had troubles embracing what I am today. I understood the fear you felt then. I mentioned it only to compare the two moments, and your differences in behavior."
His fingers moved away slowly, lingering against her skin before their contact ended so that Willow had to fight to suppress a shiver.
"I am proud of you, oddly enough, for the way you handled yourself earlier this evening," he told her as his lips curved a little. "You were brave and calm, ma chérie."
Willow blushed more. "I wasn't... not really. I mean, if I'm going to be feeding off of emotions..." she trailed off and shrugged. "I don't know how I feel about it. Before I knew what it could be, I was just more cuddly and enjoying the contact. I thought I was getting used to the lycanthrope thing. I don't know what this will mean for me... and for Richard.
"You must be a little pleased," she continued. "If we can feed in other places, more discretely, then you and Anita can feed less. You can make us do the feeding and you guys can do your own thing." She shrugged again. "Maybe that's why this thing happened... Anita doesn't want to feed---has she ever wanted to?---and now, the ardeur has found a way to get what else it needs through Richard and me, but in a different way."
Jean-Claude opened his mouth to speak but Willow cut him off. "I'm not mad or anything," she said. "But, it's possible that's why this happened. And---"
The Master of the City put one cool finger over her lips. "We did not plan for this," he interjected quietly. "We are not planning on using your abilities to make our lives easier." He tilted his head. "Is that what you believe?"
"I don't know."
He sighed and smiled a little. He seemed to be amused. "Oh... ma chérie," he murmured, "what will we do with you?" He lifted his finger away from her lips. "I am pleased that this power has grown and developed but I have never wanted to give it to anyone. Even ma petite. I regretted giving it to her. I have been glad that our power has grown, but I would not force l'ardeur on anyone." He paused and frowned. "Perhaps, if it was a weapon... perhaps if it were the last weapon in our arsenal," he added.
"Jean-Claude---"
"My word is law here and beside that I wish that there be no misunderstanding or resentment between nous deux," he reminded her, still smiling, "but it is awfully difficult to make it so when you keep interjecting."
Willow blushed and smiled slightly. "Sorry," she murmured.
"Please take my words to heart, ma chérie," he insisted. "We did not plan this."
Willow nodded. "I believe you."
"Additionally, I am not plotting against you or our wolf king, now that the cards have fallen the way that they have."
"How do I---"
He put his finger against her lips again. She fell silent automatically, without thought or question.
"If you wish to refuse feeding, we can accommodate that for some time," he told her. "I do not wish to force this upon you or have you believe that I desired to burden you with l'ardeur." He lowered his hand and then splayed both of them, palms facing upwards. "So, if that is something I can do to assist you, I will."
The witch blinked. "You'd feed more so I wouldn't have to?" she asked.
"Would that help?"
"How would I know?"
Jean-Claude chuckled softly. "I do not know, ma chérie," he replied. "You would have to tell me."
"I don't know what to say, honestly," she said. She smiled and shrugged. "So far, I'm okay. A little freaked out, but okay. I don't want to 'feast' all the time... and if you're alright with it, I'd like not to be Anita's reserve ardeur feeder. In emergencies, sure. But, not every day."
"D'accord," Jean-Claude agreed.
Willow's brow furrowed. "Does it... does it demand more, the longer it goes on?" she asked in a very small voice.
"You have more questions?"
"I..."
She trailed off and lapsed into silence. The witch wasn't sure what she was feeling anymore. During the experimentation process, she thought she was fine---her curiosity had taken her through the exploration of the ardeur, her shock had taken her through the earthquake, and her love for her friends and family had taken her through her aftermath and aftershocks. But, those feelings were beginning to wash away as she and Jean-Claude conversed.
"I think I do have more questions," she eventually said.
He nodded slowly. "Vas-y," he prompted.
"Will it demand more?" she repeated. "If I feed it willingly, will it ask for more?"
Jean-Claude pressed his lips together as he contemplated her questions. After a few minutes, he tilted his head to one side and spoke. "I do not believe it will. With my own experience, it has not been so. If anything, it has been more agreeable." He paused and brushed a hand through his well-styled curls. "In the beginning, I had troubles with it. The thirst for blood rivaled the lust for flesh. It was disconcerting and embarrassing. I do not enjoy thinking back upon those experiences."
"I'm sorry," Willow murmured. "I didn't mean to---"
"Non, non, ça va," Jean-Claude insisted. "As time went on, I learned to reason with the hunger inside of me. I know now, when it is time to feed... I am aware of moments when I can... comment dit-on... snack, either up close or from a distance. It is bothersome, at times, when I need to feed for others," he added pointedly, "but, with assistance from those I hold dear, it can be managed."
Willow worried her lower lip with her teeth. "So, as long as I feed... and not starve, metaphysically, then there shouldn't be a problem?"
The vampire leaned forward. "Ma chérie, you will not be a slave to your lusts," he reminded her.
She nodded. "I know, but, I'm still drawing upon someone's emotions," she argued. She frowned and shuddered. "I remember how... when I had the ardeur from Belle-Morte and Allura... I remember how desperate I felt. I would've fed on anyone at first. It took a little while to figure out what was going on... to figure out how to deal with it."
Jean-Claude put a hand over hers. "And we will figure this out, as well," he promised.
"Why do you think this happened?" she asked in a quiet voice.
He sighed unnecessarily. "I do not know for certain," he confessed. "However, what I do know is that as long as I have existed in this way, I believed that l'ardeur was simply a tool for lust. I believed it was another thirst to quench, and only that, ma chérie. But, since you have been touched with it---at the hands of others and under your own power---I have had to reevaluate my beliefs. I watched you feed it with nothing more than kisses and caresses, with mon chardonneret, and I heard how well you controlled yourself until you reached him at Guilty Pleasures. With this latest turn of events, I am beginning to believe that this power is more than lust or thirst. Perhaps it is like a multi-faceted gem. Something our opponents will not understand... something with which we can ensure our peoples' safety. Depending on the situation, on the people with us, we could use it most astutely."
"A weapon?"
"LIke food or magic or blood, ma chérie," he reminded her. "They are all necessary for us to be our strongest... our best."
Willow let his words sink into her mind. She knew he was right; expanding their hungers and gathering more strength would only help them secure their stronghold. If the Mother of all Darkness was rising, they would need that strength, but they would also need it to protect their loved ones.
Slowly, she nodded. She turned her hand over and returned the simple gesture.
"Thanks," she mumbled.
"I am here for you, and for your Ulfric, if you ever feel confused or upset by this," he reminded her. "I do not claim to know everything, but I have been uncertain of my hungers and powers before and have had no one to turn to for comfort. I do not wish that for you, so I am willing to help if you choose to turn to me."
"I'm betting he'd always be willing if you turned to him for more than that, too."
Willow and Jean-Claude turned and looked at Richard, who was standing next to Anita, who was standing next to Asher. The first two newcomers were scowling. The third, though, seemed intrigued and a little pleased, judging by the look in his light blue eyes.
"I would never turn away willing affection from one I care about," Jean-Claude said in a pleasantly neutral voice.
Anita opened her mouth to speak, but Jean-Claude rose, releasing Willow's hand in the process, and cut her off. "Non, ma petite, we will not argue about this. Not tonight," he told her. "I play husband for you, yet I share you with many others. I do not press my luck. I do not pursue the bounties you bring to my bed. You know how much I love you and tonight, we should simply be grateful no one is seriously injured. I have not felt so many earthquakes here before and I do not want to press my luck here, either."
The necromancer sighed. "You're right," she mumbled. "We should just be glad the damage is broken pipes, broken windows, and so on."
Richard's eyes widened and he blinked. "Anita, you saw---"
"We saw them talking. I don't want to be the one always jumping to conclusions. And... I trust him. Them, I mean. I trust them."
Willow looked at Richard. "We're all tied together and I live here," she said quietly. "He loves Asher and Asher loves him. I'm not going to be unreasonable and turn away his friendship. I need friends, too, Richard."
He frowned. "But, it looked like---"
"I see you in a bed with Jamil, Sylvie, Stephen, and Jason, and I don't jump to conclusions."
Richard blushed so his ears turned pink. "Okay, okay..."
She smiled. "Truce? Seal it with a handshake?"
"Come over here," he muttered gruffly.
Willow grinned and she jumped to her feet. A few moments later, she was sliding her hand into Richard's larger hand; he tugged her against his body and kissed her to seal their truce.
"Much better," she whispered as she snuggled into him.
She reached out for Asher's hand and threaded their fingers together. She wanted to include her other lover.
It would have been a perfect moment, apart from Richard's slight flinch as the vampire drew closer, so Willow chose to focus on feeling the men close to her instead of the discomfort coming from the Ulfric. She pulled back and smiled at both of them. She caught a glimpse of Jean-Claude and Anita standing nearby; however, they were wrapped up in a quiet conversation of their own.
"I'm going to go check in on Faith and Dawn," she told them. "Then, I'm gonna get a bath."
"Alone?" Richard asked.
The witch smiled more. "If either or both of you want to join me, there's an open invitation." She shrugged. "And then, I'm gonna go to bed. If you want to stay, Richard, you should stay. There's always room." She leaned up and kissed his chin. "It's not about sex," she reminded him. "It's about us being comfortable with each other."
"So wise, sometimes," Asher whispered teasingly.
"Shush, you," she shot back.
"If Goldilocks'll keep his hands to himself," Richard stipulated, "then I'll think about it."
Willow grinned again. "Okay. See you in a bit, then." She smiled over her shoulder at Jean-Claude. "Crisis averted, I think."
The Master of the City chuckled and saluted her. "Oui, ma chérie," he agreed, looking amused. "Say hello to notre aube and our slayer, s'il te plaît? I would like them to know we've been concerned."
The witch nodded and stepped away from her lovers. "I will," she promised before disappearing out of sight.
&&&&
PART FIFTEEN
Willow yawned and stretched as she blindly took in her surroundings. She was still in Jean-Claude's room---where they decided to sleep that day, since Anita went home to her wereleopards and since there was more room in the bigger bed---and she could feel the silky smoothness of the sheets on the soft mattress.
At her back, Richard was still sleeping soundly. He wasn't snoring, but his exhalations were a little rougher than his inhalations. His breath ruffled her hair and his lips sometimes brushed the back of her head. His hand was on her hip; his legs followed the curves her own had created.
Her head was using Asher's unmoving chest as a pillow. It must have been early afternoon, she thought, because he didn't seem to be awake. She assumed that Jean-Claude, too, was still dead to the world on the other side of the blond vampire. Jason wasn't with them; he ended up keeping Dawn company during the day but Willow knew he'd be back within the next few hours so he could feed the Master of the City.
She didn't open her eyes. Instead, she inhaled slowly and catalogued what the next twelve hours would entail.
Buffy was arriving that night. She was flying into St. Louis on a plane that would land at approximately seven o'clock that evening.
In order to be prepared for the slayer's arrival, Willow had a lot to do. With the discovery of her new powers, preparing for the blonde's visit hadn't been on her list of priorities. She had gone into the meeting the night before so she could figure out what was happening to her and Richard; she did not want to have any problems with anything remotely related to the ardeur while Buffy was visiting.
So, in the aftermath of that study, she needed to go over to Dawn's apartment and change the sheets on her bed and tidy her bedroom. Buffy would be staying there with her sister while in the city; Willow wanted to make sure the place was tidy and comfortable. She'd also need to make sure that there was enough food in the cupboards and fridge---she knew that Dawn frequently passed up on grocery shopping in lieu of ordering delivered take out food.
With the essentials covered, Willow would then need to check with security to see who would be in the guard room in the apartment. She didn't know why she wanted to know that information. She felt as if she would need to prepare Buffy for the presence of another wereanimal or vampire in the apartment and she wanted knowledge of the others' identities in order to do that properly.
Then, she knew she'd have to check to see if Jean-Claude or Asher had planned any events. Willow knew her blond lover had been discussing reservations at a rather trendy---and expensive---restaurant, but she didn't know if he had made reservations or not. She'd need to confirm any set plans so she could relay them to Buffy.
She sighed and tucked her face into Asher's chest.
With the tension of the past couple of days fading, Willow was able to worry about Buffy's visit. She wasn't sure if it was her own worry, or the worry of others that was making her stomach tie itself into knots. The lycanthrope and vampire leaders in the community had been concerned from the beginning. Malcolm disapproved of Faith being in the city---when he caught wind of Buffy's potential trip to the city, he had demanded she never be granted access to the city. He claimed that two slayers in St. Louis was too dangerous. Some of the lycanthrope leaders---Anita, Micah, Richard---had been concerned about her visit mostly for Willow's sake. They worried that it would stress her; they also worried that Buffy may still be harbouring issues related to Willow's new life. Rafael was concerned because his guards staffed the Circus and, sometimes, Dawn's apartment. That was the reason for Narcissus' concern, too, although Willow suspected he had insisted on knowing the details of the trip so he wouldn't be left out of the conversations.
She wanted to be calm. She wanted to fix things with Buffy. She missed her best friend. She had new friends and a new family, but she wanted her old friend back, too.
Asher's fingers caressed her cheek.
"Do not think so much," he whispered.
Willow shivered and snuggled into him. "How long have you been awake?" she asked quietly.
"How long have you been worrying about this evening?" At the hitch in Willow's breathing, he said, "I remember what day it is today. Had you forgotten?"
She blushed. "A little," she admitted.
Asher chuckled softly. "I wondered," he murmured into her hair. "It will be an agreeable visit, I am sure," he added.
"How're you so sure?"
"I am sure because I know you, mon colibri, and because I know how much you wish to repair your friendship with the other slayer," he replied. He brushed her hair off of her neck and caressed the skin he found there. Willow shivered; he was calming her through his touch as well as through their bond. "If you wish for some assistance with the preparations, I would be glad to help."
Willow smiled and kissed his chest. "Thanks," she murmured. "Even hearing you say it helps a lot."
"Do you wish for me to stock the apartment with food or---" Asher stopped talking when Willow chuckled quietly. "Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?"
"The idea of you in the grocery store," she confessed as her laughter died away.
Jean-Claude chose that moment to speak, reminding Willow that he, too, was awake for the night. "Would it be unusual to see him there?" he inquired.
Willow laughed again, although quietly so she wouldn't wake Richard. "Yep," she replied. "Especially in leather pants and a frilly shirt... and boots. I don't know why... but... it's funny."
"I suppose that extends to me, as well."
She nodded, rubbing her cheek against Asher's cool flesh. "Maybe it's just... too mundane an activity for you guys," she suggested. "I can't picture you grocery shopping."
"We will have to remedy that someday," Asher insisted, "with reality. Then, you will have no problem seeing us conduct ourselves in such a mundane fashion."
Asher's voice, laced with amusement, tickled her insides. He was getting much better at relaying pleasant emotions through his voice. He wasn't as good as Jean-Claude was with that tool, and Willow doubted anyone would ever rival the Master of the City's skill in that domain, but he was improving.
Willow's smile faded when she heard Richard's mournful whimper at her back. He twitched a couple of times and his hand gripped her hip more tightly before he stiffened and mumbled under his breath.
"Un cauchemar?" Jean-Claude asked softly from Asher's other side.
"I think so," Willow agreed. "He said he hasn't been sleeping too well lately... guess he's having nightmares, too."
"You've been sleeping much more soundly since we pushed her out of your mind," Asher said. "Do you think she's causing his problems as well?"
"I do not know why she would be interested in a wolf," Jean-Claude reasoned as he pushed himself up into a sitting position to watch Richard as he slept. "This does not feel similarly to Willow's experience at the party."
Asher agreed with a nod and the vampires fell silent. Willow tried turning around so she could hold Richard and try to comfort him, but his grip on her hip was vise-like and she couldn't move much at all.
It didn't hurt yet---but she knew if he squeezed any tighter, it would.
She was controling her breathing and trying to figure out a way to wake Richard up without scaring him when Jason crept into the room. He wriggled out of his shorts and crawled into bed; Jean-Claude pulled him close and they spoke softly for a few minutes before the young werewolf turned his attention to his Ulfric.
"Did you let him eat sushi before going to bed?" Jason asked, smiling. "That always gives me nightmares."
Willow's smile was weak and he noticed. "It was funny," she assured him when he asked if his joke had fallen flat. "He's just holding onto me a little too tightly."
"Why didn't you say something?" Asher asked as he rose onto one elbow. He used his free hand to explore Willow's side until he found Richard's hand. He tried prying a few of the Ulfric's fingers off of Willow's hip and it almost worked. Willow felt the pressure easing off of her flesh and bone for a moment before the werewolf king snarled in his sleep and pulled Willow firmly against his body. "Damn," the vampire cursed as he surveyed the situation.
Richard's hand was still on her hip. His other arm was wrapped around her waist and that hand was gripping one of her breasts in a similar crushing hold.
Willow whimpered. There was no need for heroics anymore, she realised, and she wanted Richard to wake from his dream for more than the reason that he would release her when he did. She could feel the fear radiating off of him. She wasn't sure she had ever felt him so afraid.
"Mon loup," Jean-Claude suggested mildly, "perhaps the scent of pack will calm him. If you could take his other side and touch him in a familiar fashion..."
"On it, Boss," Jason responded before scuffling around the other three adults. He slipped behind Richard, who wasn't wearing much; most of their skin was pressed together and Willow could feel the call of the pack as the scent of the forest and fur ruffled through her mind and body. "Any better?" he asked Willow, shaking her from her thoughts.
"Not yet."
Richard shoved against Jason but the werewolf wasn't so easily dislodged. He hugged Richard around his neck and shoulders and refused to let go. When the Ulfric twisted and tried to buck off Jason again, the blond male used his legs to secure himself to his king's body.
Willow whimpered when Richard squeezed his hands. She could barely feel her hip under the throbbing of her soft tissue. Her breast wasn't up to throbbing yet; the pain under his hand, in the fatty flesh, was more sharp than anything else. She enjoyed a little pain, especially in the dungeon with Asher, but that moment wasn't welcome and it was more than she could comfortably manage.
The fear washing over her wasn't helping either. She was afraid. She hadn't been that afraid of Richard in a long time. If anything, she felt more afraid of him than she ever had before. She could taste Jason's fear, too, after a few minutes and when she tasted unease coming from Asher and Jean-Claude, she knew something wasn't quite right with Richard.
"He's feeding," she whispered as she figured out what was happening. She shivered, in reaction to the pain and to the fear washing over her in invisible waves. "Oh, god... he's so scared."
"Can you stop him?"
She opened her eyes and looked at Asher. "I can try," she replied. "Can you help me focus?"
He nodded and inched closer to her. He brushed his lips over the bridge of her nose before resting his forehead against hers. Willow felt his presence much more clearly, in that moment, through the fog of fear and as she reached for the metaphysical hand that would find Richard's fear and absorb it, she felt his metaphysical hand joining hers in preparation.
Their powers sought Richard's and pushed through it as one would push past a thick velvet curtain. Willow meant to only pull that fear away from his mind with her powers, but with Asher's hand pushing, too, they went further into his heart and Willow was suddenly attacked by a series of images that were filled with so much rage and panic that she could taste the emotions on her tongue.
She caught glimpses of an angry mob hollering and waving weapons at Richard. She felt him cringing in fear. He was roaring, trying to escape, but there was so much pain in his arms and legs and Willow knew he was chained with silver to the ground. She saw the school where he taught, barely and by the light of a few torches. It was like a scene from a medieval horror movie and a racist rally all rolled into one.
The witch became caught up in the images and it was Asher that was able to pull the Ulfric's fear into them to feed the ardeur. Willow was able to lower her shields when she felt what Asher was doing and she drank the fear into her body; it was like Asher was holding a cup to her lips and letting her sip slowly until she could hold the cup herself. Taking that fear on didn't make her feel more afraid. The fear dissolved as her strange, new succubus power ingested it. She felt powerfully confident once the fear had been eradicated---and with that rush, she felt a small shiver of anxiety near her heart.
Richard's grip on her body had lessened and he jolted awake as a loud sob escaped his mouth and throat.
Willow sighed as she turned to face him. She wrapped her arms around him and she didn't even grunt as her abused breast was pressed into his chest. He cried into her neck and shoulder; as he returned the embrace, he also reached back for Jason, who snuggled into the other man's back.
"Oh no," Richard groaned between sobs, "it was so real..."
"Shhh," Willow whispered. She kissed the side of his head. "It's over, Richard. It was just a dream," she said, repeating it over and over until he stopped shaking and crying.
"Did you see it?" he asked.
Willow hesitated. Then, she asked, "How'd you know?"
"Felt you guys in me," he mumbled as he rubbed his face against the soft cotton of her t-shirt. "It was awful."
"Yeah," Willow agreed, "but it was just a dream. If you ever get outed, you won't be alone and I'm not the only one who would keep you safe."
"Promise?"
"Of course," she whispered.
"Oui," Asher said.
"Bien sûr," Jean-Claude added. "And I suspect ma petite feels similarly, mon ami, not to mention the countless others in our circles."
Richard let out a sigh; he shuddered from head to toe and then he fell still against Willow's body.
"Their hatred... their fear... they wanted me dead because I'm... who I am," he said quietly. "It was so terrifying to be so alone and at their mercy---"
"You're not alone and you're with us, Ulfric," Jason interrupted. "It's okay. It's not gonna happen."
Richard nodded slowly. He kissed Willow's neck and lifted his head to look at the vampires. "Can I use your bath, Jean-Claude?" he asked. "I just... I wanna clean up and---"
"Put together your armour in my bath," the Master of the City said, cutting him off to speak. "Take Jason with you. Do you wish for me to call for some other wolves? I am sure they would join you willingly."
Willow nodded and rubbed the back of Richard's neck. "You'd like that, right?"
"Just Jason for now," he said, "if that's okay. When I feel better, maybe you and some others?"
Willow nodded again. "Sure."
The Ulfric kissed her lips gently, a sharp contrast to the force he had unknowingly exerted upon her in his sleep.
&&&&
Okay. And now, I need to go finish my dooooooooooooooooom piece ;)
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
RATING: en.sea.xvii overall
PAIRINGS: All the pairings from the previous two stories---and some new ones, too
SPOILERS: Up until Micah for AB; the whole TV series for the Buffyverse; Alive at Last and Living Underground.
WARNINGS: A little bit of fur... bdsm... the usuals for Anita's crazy, crazy world.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone---except for any original characters that I whip up to do my bidding ;)
NOTE: This story is a sequel to Living Underground.
Previous chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-11, 12, 13
PART FOURTEEN
Willow finished walking one of the corridors, accompanied by Claudia and Clay, and when they were satisfied that there wasn't any damage, the group returned to the main sitting room where Jean-Claude had stationed himself. He had offered some of his vampires to the various animal groups, to assist in reporting damage, so people were either calling in---and Jason was answering the phone at the vampire's feet---or dropping by to let him know what happened.
"All clear, Boss," Claudia announced from behind Willow.
The black-haired vampire looked up and smiled. "Bon," he said. "You checked the north corridor and the cavern at the end?"
The wererat nodded. Clay said, "Only some loose rock in the cavern. Everything else seems fine." He nodded again and said, "We'll go back to work, then."
"Merci," the vampire said, "both of you." When the guards left, Jean-Claude looked at Willow. "Are you alright?" he inquired.
She nodded and smiled. "Yeah, of course. I feel fine. The earthquake didn't bother me too much. A few more, and I'll be a pro."
He arched an eyebrow and reached out to gently brush one hand of fingers through Jason's hair. "Ma chérie, a few hours ago, you were testing your newly acquired powers. You must be unsettled."
"Oh... that."
"Oui," he said. He placed his hand on Jason's bare shoulder. "Mon loup, would you call your Ulfric and ask about damages to the pack's holdings? I don't believe he's called yet."
Jason nodded. "Sure, Master," he said with a playful smile.
The vampire smiled back. "Et après, if you wish to check on notre aube..." he trailed off and smiled.
"Will you need to feed later?"
"Perhaps before bed," Jean-Claude told him. "Vas-y, mon loup."
The young werewolf jumped up. He kissed Willow's cheek before walking past her. When he was gone, the Master of the City motioned for her to join him on the sofa.
Willow obeyed wordlessly and willingly. She tucked her right foot underneath her body as she sat down and let her left foot remain on the carpet. Her toes played with its thickness while she turned and looked at the vampire.
"So...?"
"So," Jean-Claude said while putting his hands on his leather-clad thighs. "I am surprised you are not more... visibly angry," he confessed, "especially since when Allura gave you l'ardeur for an evening, you were very afraid." He paused and then added: "And angry. Particularly at me, if I remember correctly."
The witch felt her cheeks flush. "I'm sorry," she mumbled. She looked down at her lap and shrugged. "I was a little panicked then. I didn't mean to take it out on you, but... you were the one who gave it to Anita, and when I thought I'd have it... and need a harem of men... I just... well, I freaked out."
Jean-Claude's fingers brushed under her chin and guided her head upwards so they were looking at each other. His eyes were gentler, more human, and Willow briefly wished he would stop looking at her because she didn't like knowing that she had hurt him emotionally earlier that night.
"I believe that you mean it," he said quietly. "But, there is no need for an apology. I, too, had troubles embracing what I am today. I understood the fear you felt then. I mentioned it only to compare the two moments, and your differences in behavior."
His fingers moved away slowly, lingering against her skin before their contact ended so that Willow had to fight to suppress a shiver.
"I am proud of you, oddly enough, for the way you handled yourself earlier this evening," he told her as his lips curved a little. "You were brave and calm, ma chérie."
Willow blushed more. "I wasn't... not really. I mean, if I'm going to be feeding off of emotions..." she trailed off and shrugged. "I don't know how I feel about it. Before I knew what it could be, I was just more cuddly and enjoying the contact. I thought I was getting used to the lycanthrope thing. I don't know what this will mean for me... and for Richard.
"You must be a little pleased," she continued. "If we can feed in other places, more discretely, then you and Anita can feed less. You can make us do the feeding and you guys can do your own thing." She shrugged again. "Maybe that's why this thing happened... Anita doesn't want to feed---has she ever wanted to?---and now, the ardeur has found a way to get what else it needs through Richard and me, but in a different way."
Jean-Claude opened his mouth to speak but Willow cut him off. "I'm not mad or anything," she said. "But, it's possible that's why this happened. And---"
The Master of the City put one cool finger over her lips. "We did not plan for this," he interjected quietly. "We are not planning on using your abilities to make our lives easier." He tilted his head. "Is that what you believe?"
"I don't know."
He sighed and smiled a little. He seemed to be amused. "Oh... ma chérie," he murmured, "what will we do with you?" He lifted his finger away from her lips. "I am pleased that this power has grown and developed but I have never wanted to give it to anyone. Even ma petite. I regretted giving it to her. I have been glad that our power has grown, but I would not force l'ardeur on anyone." He paused and frowned. "Perhaps, if it was a weapon... perhaps if it were the last weapon in our arsenal," he added.
"Jean-Claude---"
"My word is law here and beside that I wish that there be no misunderstanding or resentment between nous deux," he reminded her, still smiling, "but it is awfully difficult to make it so when you keep interjecting."
Willow blushed and smiled slightly. "Sorry," she murmured.
"Please take my words to heart, ma chérie," he insisted. "We did not plan this."
Willow nodded. "I believe you."
"Additionally, I am not plotting against you or our wolf king, now that the cards have fallen the way that they have."
"How do I---"
He put his finger against her lips again. She fell silent automatically, without thought or question.
"If you wish to refuse feeding, we can accommodate that for some time," he told her. "I do not wish to force this upon you or have you believe that I desired to burden you with l'ardeur." He lowered his hand and then splayed both of them, palms facing upwards. "So, if that is something I can do to assist you, I will."
The witch blinked. "You'd feed more so I wouldn't have to?" she asked.
"Would that help?"
"How would I know?"
Jean-Claude chuckled softly. "I do not know, ma chérie," he replied. "You would have to tell me."
"I don't know what to say, honestly," she said. She smiled and shrugged. "So far, I'm okay. A little freaked out, but okay. I don't want to 'feast' all the time... and if you're alright with it, I'd like not to be Anita's reserve ardeur feeder. In emergencies, sure. But, not every day."
"D'accord," Jean-Claude agreed.
Willow's brow furrowed. "Does it... does it demand more, the longer it goes on?" she asked in a very small voice.
"You have more questions?"
"I..."
She trailed off and lapsed into silence. The witch wasn't sure what she was feeling anymore. During the experimentation process, she thought she was fine---her curiosity had taken her through the exploration of the ardeur, her shock had taken her through the earthquake, and her love for her friends and family had taken her through her aftermath and aftershocks. But, those feelings were beginning to wash away as she and Jean-Claude conversed.
"I think I do have more questions," she eventually said.
He nodded slowly. "Vas-y," he prompted.
"Will it demand more?" she repeated. "If I feed it willingly, will it ask for more?"
Jean-Claude pressed his lips together as he contemplated her questions. After a few minutes, he tilted his head to one side and spoke. "I do not believe it will. With my own experience, it has not been so. If anything, it has been more agreeable." He paused and brushed a hand through his well-styled curls. "In the beginning, I had troubles with it. The thirst for blood rivaled the lust for flesh. It was disconcerting and embarrassing. I do not enjoy thinking back upon those experiences."
"I'm sorry," Willow murmured. "I didn't mean to---"
"Non, non, ça va," Jean-Claude insisted. "As time went on, I learned to reason with the hunger inside of me. I know now, when it is time to feed... I am aware of moments when I can... comment dit-on... snack, either up close or from a distance. It is bothersome, at times, when I need to feed for others," he added pointedly, "but, with assistance from those I hold dear, it can be managed."
Willow worried her lower lip with her teeth. "So, as long as I feed... and not starve, metaphysically, then there shouldn't be a problem?"
The vampire leaned forward. "Ma chérie, you will not be a slave to your lusts," he reminded her.
She nodded. "I know, but, I'm still drawing upon someone's emotions," she argued. She frowned and shuddered. "I remember how... when I had the ardeur from Belle-Morte and Allura... I remember how desperate I felt. I would've fed on anyone at first. It took a little while to figure out what was going on... to figure out how to deal with it."
Jean-Claude put a hand over hers. "And we will figure this out, as well," he promised.
"Why do you think this happened?" she asked in a quiet voice.
He sighed unnecessarily. "I do not know for certain," he confessed. "However, what I do know is that as long as I have existed in this way, I believed that l'ardeur was simply a tool for lust. I believed it was another thirst to quench, and only that, ma chérie. But, since you have been touched with it---at the hands of others and under your own power---I have had to reevaluate my beliefs. I watched you feed it with nothing more than kisses and caresses, with mon chardonneret, and I heard how well you controlled yourself until you reached him at Guilty Pleasures. With this latest turn of events, I am beginning to believe that this power is more than lust or thirst. Perhaps it is like a multi-faceted gem. Something our opponents will not understand... something with which we can ensure our peoples' safety. Depending on the situation, on the people with us, we could use it most astutely."
"A weapon?"
"LIke food or magic or blood, ma chérie," he reminded her. "They are all necessary for us to be our strongest... our best."
Willow let his words sink into her mind. She knew he was right; expanding their hungers and gathering more strength would only help them secure their stronghold. If the Mother of all Darkness was rising, they would need that strength, but they would also need it to protect their loved ones.
Slowly, she nodded. She turned her hand over and returned the simple gesture.
"Thanks," she mumbled.
"I am here for you, and for your Ulfric, if you ever feel confused or upset by this," he reminded her. "I do not claim to know everything, but I have been uncertain of my hungers and powers before and have had no one to turn to for comfort. I do not wish that for you, so I am willing to help if you choose to turn to me."
"I'm betting he'd always be willing if you turned to him for more than that, too."
Willow and Jean-Claude turned and looked at Richard, who was standing next to Anita, who was standing next to Asher. The first two newcomers were scowling. The third, though, seemed intrigued and a little pleased, judging by the look in his light blue eyes.
"I would never turn away willing affection from one I care about," Jean-Claude said in a pleasantly neutral voice.
Anita opened her mouth to speak, but Jean-Claude rose, releasing Willow's hand in the process, and cut her off. "Non, ma petite, we will not argue about this. Not tonight," he told her. "I play husband for you, yet I share you with many others. I do not press my luck. I do not pursue the bounties you bring to my bed. You know how much I love you and tonight, we should simply be grateful no one is seriously injured. I have not felt so many earthquakes here before and I do not want to press my luck here, either."
The necromancer sighed. "You're right," she mumbled. "We should just be glad the damage is broken pipes, broken windows, and so on."
Richard's eyes widened and he blinked. "Anita, you saw---"
"We saw them talking. I don't want to be the one always jumping to conclusions. And... I trust him. Them, I mean. I trust them."
Willow looked at Richard. "We're all tied together and I live here," she said quietly. "He loves Asher and Asher loves him. I'm not going to be unreasonable and turn away his friendship. I need friends, too, Richard."
He frowned. "But, it looked like---"
"I see you in a bed with Jamil, Sylvie, Stephen, and Jason, and I don't jump to conclusions."
Richard blushed so his ears turned pink. "Okay, okay..."
She smiled. "Truce? Seal it with a handshake?"
"Come over here," he muttered gruffly.
Willow grinned and she jumped to her feet. A few moments later, she was sliding her hand into Richard's larger hand; he tugged her against his body and kissed her to seal their truce.
"Much better," she whispered as she snuggled into him.
She reached out for Asher's hand and threaded their fingers together. She wanted to include her other lover.
It would have been a perfect moment, apart from Richard's slight flinch as the vampire drew closer, so Willow chose to focus on feeling the men close to her instead of the discomfort coming from the Ulfric. She pulled back and smiled at both of them. She caught a glimpse of Jean-Claude and Anita standing nearby; however, they were wrapped up in a quiet conversation of their own.
"I'm going to go check in on Faith and Dawn," she told them. "Then, I'm gonna get a bath."
"Alone?" Richard asked.
The witch smiled more. "If either or both of you want to join me, there's an open invitation." She shrugged. "And then, I'm gonna go to bed. If you want to stay, Richard, you should stay. There's always room." She leaned up and kissed his chin. "It's not about sex," she reminded him. "It's about us being comfortable with each other."
"So wise, sometimes," Asher whispered teasingly.
"Shush, you," she shot back.
"If Goldilocks'll keep his hands to himself," Richard stipulated, "then I'll think about it."
Willow grinned again. "Okay. See you in a bit, then." She smiled over her shoulder at Jean-Claude. "Crisis averted, I think."
The Master of the City chuckled and saluted her. "Oui, ma chérie," he agreed, looking amused. "Say hello to notre aube and our slayer, s'il te plaît? I would like them to know we've been concerned."
The witch nodded and stepped away from her lovers. "I will," she promised before disappearing out of sight.
&&&&
PART FIFTEEN
Willow yawned and stretched as she blindly took in her surroundings. She was still in Jean-Claude's room---where they decided to sleep that day, since Anita went home to her wereleopards and since there was more room in the bigger bed---and she could feel the silky smoothness of the sheets on the soft mattress.
At her back, Richard was still sleeping soundly. He wasn't snoring, but his exhalations were a little rougher than his inhalations. His breath ruffled her hair and his lips sometimes brushed the back of her head. His hand was on her hip; his legs followed the curves her own had created.
Her head was using Asher's unmoving chest as a pillow. It must have been early afternoon, she thought, because he didn't seem to be awake. She assumed that Jean-Claude, too, was still dead to the world on the other side of the blond vampire. Jason wasn't with them; he ended up keeping Dawn company during the day but Willow knew he'd be back within the next few hours so he could feed the Master of the City.
She didn't open her eyes. Instead, she inhaled slowly and catalogued what the next twelve hours would entail.
Buffy was arriving that night. She was flying into St. Louis on a plane that would land at approximately seven o'clock that evening.
In order to be prepared for the slayer's arrival, Willow had a lot to do. With the discovery of her new powers, preparing for the blonde's visit hadn't been on her list of priorities. She had gone into the meeting the night before so she could figure out what was happening to her and Richard; she did not want to have any problems with anything remotely related to the ardeur while Buffy was visiting.
So, in the aftermath of that study, she needed to go over to Dawn's apartment and change the sheets on her bed and tidy her bedroom. Buffy would be staying there with her sister while in the city; Willow wanted to make sure the place was tidy and comfortable. She'd also need to make sure that there was enough food in the cupboards and fridge---she knew that Dawn frequently passed up on grocery shopping in lieu of ordering delivered take out food.
With the essentials covered, Willow would then need to check with security to see who would be in the guard room in the apartment. She didn't know why she wanted to know that information. She felt as if she would need to prepare Buffy for the presence of another wereanimal or vampire in the apartment and she wanted knowledge of the others' identities in order to do that properly.
Then, she knew she'd have to check to see if Jean-Claude or Asher had planned any events. Willow knew her blond lover had been discussing reservations at a rather trendy---and expensive---restaurant, but she didn't know if he had made reservations or not. She'd need to confirm any set plans so she could relay them to Buffy.
She sighed and tucked her face into Asher's chest.
With the tension of the past couple of days fading, Willow was able to worry about Buffy's visit. She wasn't sure if it was her own worry, or the worry of others that was making her stomach tie itself into knots. The lycanthrope and vampire leaders in the community had been concerned from the beginning. Malcolm disapproved of Faith being in the city---when he caught wind of Buffy's potential trip to the city, he had demanded she never be granted access to the city. He claimed that two slayers in St. Louis was too dangerous. Some of the lycanthrope leaders---Anita, Micah, Richard---had been concerned about her visit mostly for Willow's sake. They worried that it would stress her; they also worried that Buffy may still be harbouring issues related to Willow's new life. Rafael was concerned because his guards staffed the Circus and, sometimes, Dawn's apartment. That was the reason for Narcissus' concern, too, although Willow suspected he had insisted on knowing the details of the trip so he wouldn't be left out of the conversations.
She wanted to be calm. She wanted to fix things with Buffy. She missed her best friend. She had new friends and a new family, but she wanted her old friend back, too.
Asher's fingers caressed her cheek.
"Do not think so much," he whispered.
Willow shivered and snuggled into him. "How long have you been awake?" she asked quietly.
"How long have you been worrying about this evening?" At the hitch in Willow's breathing, he said, "I remember what day it is today. Had you forgotten?"
She blushed. "A little," she admitted.
Asher chuckled softly. "I wondered," he murmured into her hair. "It will be an agreeable visit, I am sure," he added.
"How're you so sure?"
"I am sure because I know you, mon colibri, and because I know how much you wish to repair your friendship with the other slayer," he replied. He brushed her hair off of her neck and caressed the skin he found there. Willow shivered; he was calming her through his touch as well as through their bond. "If you wish for some assistance with the preparations, I would be glad to help."
Willow smiled and kissed his chest. "Thanks," she murmured. "Even hearing you say it helps a lot."
"Do you wish for me to stock the apartment with food or---" Asher stopped talking when Willow chuckled quietly. "Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?"
"The idea of you in the grocery store," she confessed as her laughter died away.
Jean-Claude chose that moment to speak, reminding Willow that he, too, was awake for the night. "Would it be unusual to see him there?" he inquired.
Willow laughed again, although quietly so she wouldn't wake Richard. "Yep," she replied. "Especially in leather pants and a frilly shirt... and boots. I don't know why... but... it's funny."
"I suppose that extends to me, as well."
She nodded, rubbing her cheek against Asher's cool flesh. "Maybe it's just... too mundane an activity for you guys," she suggested. "I can't picture you grocery shopping."
"We will have to remedy that someday," Asher insisted, "with reality. Then, you will have no problem seeing us conduct ourselves in such a mundane fashion."
Asher's voice, laced with amusement, tickled her insides. He was getting much better at relaying pleasant emotions through his voice. He wasn't as good as Jean-Claude was with that tool, and Willow doubted anyone would ever rival the Master of the City's skill in that domain, but he was improving.
Willow's smile faded when she heard Richard's mournful whimper at her back. He twitched a couple of times and his hand gripped her hip more tightly before he stiffened and mumbled under his breath.
"Un cauchemar?" Jean-Claude asked softly from Asher's other side.
"I think so," Willow agreed. "He said he hasn't been sleeping too well lately... guess he's having nightmares, too."
"You've been sleeping much more soundly since we pushed her out of your mind," Asher said. "Do you think she's causing his problems as well?"
"I do not know why she would be interested in a wolf," Jean-Claude reasoned as he pushed himself up into a sitting position to watch Richard as he slept. "This does not feel similarly to Willow's experience at the party."
Asher agreed with a nod and the vampires fell silent. Willow tried turning around so she could hold Richard and try to comfort him, but his grip on her hip was vise-like and she couldn't move much at all.
It didn't hurt yet---but she knew if he squeezed any tighter, it would.
She was controling her breathing and trying to figure out a way to wake Richard up without scaring him when Jason crept into the room. He wriggled out of his shorts and crawled into bed; Jean-Claude pulled him close and they spoke softly for a few minutes before the young werewolf turned his attention to his Ulfric.
"Did you let him eat sushi before going to bed?" Jason asked, smiling. "That always gives me nightmares."
Willow's smile was weak and he noticed. "It was funny," she assured him when he asked if his joke had fallen flat. "He's just holding onto me a little too tightly."
"Why didn't you say something?" Asher asked as he rose onto one elbow. He used his free hand to explore Willow's side until he found Richard's hand. He tried prying a few of the Ulfric's fingers off of Willow's hip and it almost worked. Willow felt the pressure easing off of her flesh and bone for a moment before the werewolf king snarled in his sleep and pulled Willow firmly against his body. "Damn," the vampire cursed as he surveyed the situation.
Richard's hand was still on her hip. His other arm was wrapped around her waist and that hand was gripping one of her breasts in a similar crushing hold.
Willow whimpered. There was no need for heroics anymore, she realised, and she wanted Richard to wake from his dream for more than the reason that he would release her when he did. She could feel the fear radiating off of him. She wasn't sure she had ever felt him so afraid.
"Mon loup," Jean-Claude suggested mildly, "perhaps the scent of pack will calm him. If you could take his other side and touch him in a familiar fashion..."
"On it, Boss," Jason responded before scuffling around the other three adults. He slipped behind Richard, who wasn't wearing much; most of their skin was pressed together and Willow could feel the call of the pack as the scent of the forest and fur ruffled through her mind and body. "Any better?" he asked Willow, shaking her from her thoughts.
"Not yet."
Richard shoved against Jason but the werewolf wasn't so easily dislodged. He hugged Richard around his neck and shoulders and refused to let go. When the Ulfric twisted and tried to buck off Jason again, the blond male used his legs to secure himself to his king's body.
Willow whimpered when Richard squeezed his hands. She could barely feel her hip under the throbbing of her soft tissue. Her breast wasn't up to throbbing yet; the pain under his hand, in the fatty flesh, was more sharp than anything else. She enjoyed a little pain, especially in the dungeon with Asher, but that moment wasn't welcome and it was more than she could comfortably manage.
The fear washing over her wasn't helping either. She was afraid. She hadn't been that afraid of Richard in a long time. If anything, she felt more afraid of him than she ever had before. She could taste Jason's fear, too, after a few minutes and when she tasted unease coming from Asher and Jean-Claude, she knew something wasn't quite right with Richard.
"He's feeding," she whispered as she figured out what was happening. She shivered, in reaction to the pain and to the fear washing over her in invisible waves. "Oh, god... he's so scared."
"Can you stop him?"
She opened her eyes and looked at Asher. "I can try," she replied. "Can you help me focus?"
He nodded and inched closer to her. He brushed his lips over the bridge of her nose before resting his forehead against hers. Willow felt his presence much more clearly, in that moment, through the fog of fear and as she reached for the metaphysical hand that would find Richard's fear and absorb it, she felt his metaphysical hand joining hers in preparation.
Their powers sought Richard's and pushed through it as one would push past a thick velvet curtain. Willow meant to only pull that fear away from his mind with her powers, but with Asher's hand pushing, too, they went further into his heart and Willow was suddenly attacked by a series of images that were filled with so much rage and panic that she could taste the emotions on her tongue.
She caught glimpses of an angry mob hollering and waving weapons at Richard. She felt him cringing in fear. He was roaring, trying to escape, but there was so much pain in his arms and legs and Willow knew he was chained with silver to the ground. She saw the school where he taught, barely and by the light of a few torches. It was like a scene from a medieval horror movie and a racist rally all rolled into one.
The witch became caught up in the images and it was Asher that was able to pull the Ulfric's fear into them to feed the ardeur. Willow was able to lower her shields when she felt what Asher was doing and she drank the fear into her body; it was like Asher was holding a cup to her lips and letting her sip slowly until she could hold the cup herself. Taking that fear on didn't make her feel more afraid. The fear dissolved as her strange, new succubus power ingested it. She felt powerfully confident once the fear had been eradicated---and with that rush, she felt a small shiver of anxiety near her heart.
Richard's grip on her body had lessened and he jolted awake as a loud sob escaped his mouth and throat.
Willow sighed as she turned to face him. She wrapped her arms around him and she didn't even grunt as her abused breast was pressed into his chest. He cried into her neck and shoulder; as he returned the embrace, he also reached back for Jason, who snuggled into the other man's back.
"Oh no," Richard groaned between sobs, "it was so real..."
"Shhh," Willow whispered. She kissed the side of his head. "It's over, Richard. It was just a dream," she said, repeating it over and over until he stopped shaking and crying.
"Did you see it?" he asked.
Willow hesitated. Then, she asked, "How'd you know?"
"Felt you guys in me," he mumbled as he rubbed his face against the soft cotton of her t-shirt. "It was awful."
"Yeah," Willow agreed, "but it was just a dream. If you ever get outed, you won't be alone and I'm not the only one who would keep you safe."
"Promise?"
"Of course," she whispered.
"Oui," Asher said.
"Bien sûr," Jean-Claude added. "And I suspect ma petite feels similarly, mon ami, not to mention the countless others in our circles."
Richard let out a sigh; he shuddered from head to toe and then he fell still against Willow's body.
"Their hatred... their fear... they wanted me dead because I'm... who I am," he said quietly. "It was so terrifying to be so alone and at their mercy---"
"You're not alone and you're with us, Ulfric," Jason interrupted. "It's okay. It's not gonna happen."
Richard nodded slowly. He kissed Willow's neck and lifted his head to look at the vampires. "Can I use your bath, Jean-Claude?" he asked. "I just... I wanna clean up and---"
"Put together your armour in my bath," the Master of the City said, cutting him off to speak. "Take Jason with you. Do you wish for me to call for some other wolves? I am sure they would join you willingly."
Willow nodded and rubbed the back of Richard's neck. "You'd like that, right?"
"Just Jason for now," he said, "if that's okay. When I feel better, maybe you and some others?"
Willow nodded again. "Sure."
The Ulfric kissed her lips gently, a sharp contrast to the force he had unknowingly exerted upon her in his sleep.
&&&&
Okay. And now, I need to go finish my dooooooooooooooooom piece ;)