AB/BtVS FF: Nightmares in Waking Life 16-7/?
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, 14-5
PART SIXTEEN
Once Richard and Jason were in the bathroom, Asher managed to convince Willow to roll onto her back so he could inspect the damage she had endured. She insisted that nothing was broken---and that in a few days, her breast would be up to being his plaything---but he refused to ignore what had happened and he needed to know what had been done to his human servant.
He tried to rein in his possessive attitude. He couldn't until Jean-Claude touched his bare arm with one hand while placing a kiss to his shoulder. That touch loaned him control over his moods.
Then, he lifted the large t-shirt until he could see her hip, partially covered by her lace panties that she had insisted upon wearing with so many in one bed. The bruises glared through the holes in the lace, so close to black against her pale skin, and Asher fought to hide his wince.
"That bad, huh?" Willow asked.
"I have seen worse," he replied as diplomatically as he could.
He did not like the sight of the dark marks on her skin. Jean-Claude touched the back of his neck, wordlessly reminding him to appear calm, and he continued to study the purpling skin of his lover. He lowered his head and carefully kissed the bruises. Willow whimpered and sighed as she tried not to wriggle too much; Asher could feel her struggle, somewhere between trying to avoid pain but not wanting to shy away from comfort. He lifted his head and torso and slowly peeled the shirt upwards to see the rest of the damage Richard had inflicted upon her while inching upwards to protect her torso from Jean-Claude's eyes.
He sucked in an unnecessary breath. Willow's breast showed an ugly handprint, as it had been crushed in Richard's grip. The marks were purple, and an angry red shade was bordering the bruises. Only her nipple had remained unscathed and that was most likely because the small circle had been pressed against the Ulfric's hand
Asher lowered his head and gently exhaled over the curve of flesh. Then, he nuzzled it with his lips. Willow whimpered again and she reached out to touch his shoulder. She held on as he continued to offer solace, but when her fingers found Jean-Claude's, Asher felt her startle slightly against him.
"Oh," Willow breathed, looking into her lover's eyes. "I forgot where I was," she added, blushing. She smiled a little and tugged Asher to her as she adjusted her t-shirt. He yielded and allowed her the modesty; he had forgotten about their rules and her comfort zone and he did not want her thinking that he was trying to exploit her moment of distraction. "Thanks for making me feel better," she whispered.
"I wish I had the power to heal you," he admitted.
"It's okay," she assured him. "I'll be sore for a little while, but... I'll just take a pain pill and get ready to face the night---"
"Non," Asher insisted. "I will run your errands. Jason or... Or Richard can help. You need to draw upon your strength... you need to heal yourself first."
Before Willow could say anything else, Asher cut her off with a kiss. He felt her protest forming and he did not want to hear it. He sucked on her lower lip before drawing it into his mouth and worrying it---but not piercing it---with his fangs. Willow whimpered and the blond vampire felt her arching up into his body. Her fists pressed against his chest---torn somewhere between unclenching to draw him nearer, and pushing him away---and Asher put one of his hands over one of hers as if to sway the debate in her mind.
Asher wanted to lose control. Jean-Claude was pressed against his side and back; Willow was against his front. He wanted to feel Jean-Claude sink into him as he drove into Willow; however, he knew that for many reasons he could not have his fantasy realised.
With a sigh, he pulled back. He did not push Jean-Claude away, though. He let the other vampire offer him comfort as he looked into Willow's flushed face and saw the remnants of unshed tears in her eyes.
"You want to help?" Willow asked quietly.
He nodded. "Oui. Tell me what needs to be done."
Willow sucked in a slow, deep breath. Then, she said, "I need to get some food for the apartment and change the sheets on my bed. I want to lock up my magic stuff there, too."
He nodded again. "Et après?"
"I want to know if there are any events I need to tell Buffy about," she said. "Like, if you made reservations anywhere or whatever. And... well, I need to pick her up at the airport. Her plane lands in a few hours." Her eyes darted nervously to Jean-Claude's before returning to Asher's as she asked, "Is there anything you guys want to put on tonight's schedule?"
Jean-Claude shrugged. "I would like to meet this friend of yours," he said. "And, I would like you to know I have received some offers for candidates for des pommes de sang for you and notre ami," he added.
"When?"
"Before retiring, this morning," he told her.
"Well, aren't you a busy beaver."
Jean-Claude smiled and shrugged again. "It is the truth, nothing more, nothing less, ma chérie. There are some who are interested in feeding you both, if it means protection and a connection to our inner circle."
Willow's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
Asher almost cursed Jean-Claude, for mentioning such a topic at such an inappropriate moment.
"The Nimir-Raj said that both Gregory and Cherry offered themselves to you," Jean-Claude said, "but as well, Rafael has asked if we would consider a selection of his rodere. Haven is also offering pride members to both you and to Richard. I do not know if Richard has considered any of his wolves for either of you."
Willow's cheeks flushed more. "R-really."
"Vraiment."
"Okay, then."
"Surely, you see that connections through ma petite have been valuable to both us and the groups under our protection," Jean-Claude reasoned. "It makes sense, then, that they would see connections to you in a similar way. Connections to the Ulfric and pack, too, will not hurt since we need alliances in peace as well as in war."
Willow nodded. "Yeah... but... I mean... it's just... I feed most of the time through random, everyday contact. Why would I need a... it's just emotion."
"Are you saying that they cannot be heady, desirable things?" the Master of the City asked. "Would you not be intrigued if someone said they could make you feel happiness? Or if someone could temporarily remove guilt, anger, or sadness from your heart?"
"We're not..."
Jean-Claude shook his head. "Do not forget that you fed from me, ma chérie, and I felt the sadness as if it were fresh inside my heart," he reminded her. "If you would evoke pleasant memories, you would have many followers."
Willow's ears turned pink. "Yeah, okay... let's just put a pin in that for now, alright?"
"D'accord, if that is what you wish."
"It is."
"It will not make the offers disappear."
Willow smiled and fought against rolling her eyes. "I know." She looked at Asher and he had to work on schooling his face into one of detatched calm. She saw through his attempt though. Her lips twitched as she grinned. "I already know who you want me to take," she commented.
"I do not know to what you are referring."
"Bull."
Asher smiled and kissed her cheek. "Vas-y," he murmured, "go join your king."
"I'm... comfy here."
He sensed reluctance in her voice and he wanted to chase it from her, even though he was glad that she wanted to stay with him. He settled down onto his side and drew his witch into his arms. Jean-Claude moved slightly, before kissing his shoulder and whispering that he would go into the bathroom to fetch Jason for feeding to give them a moment or two of privacy.
Willow protested, but Asher accepted. His departure was not so much about rejection. He had received a gift---sharing affections with the two of them, however tame---and he wished to give them some privacy in return.
Once they were alone, Asher lifted her shirt and inspected the damage.
The redhead squirmed under her lover's watchful gaze. He arched an eyebrow and tried to convey without words that her antics would not prevent him from looking at the damage that had been inflicted upon her body.
When she stilled, he eased the t-shirt upwards until it was bunched around her neck and shoulders. Willow lifted her arms to accommodate the change, and Asher decided to take advantage of the situation. He slipped the shirt over her head and along her arms until he could bunch it up upon the pillow and expose her body to his hands and eyes.
"Mon colibri, are you at ease or are you simply hiding the pain from me?"
"Asher..."
"Be honest," he insisted.
Willow sighed.
"Okay, okay," she muttered. "It hurts. Is that what you want to hear? Because it does."
"Does it hurt to move your leg?" Asher asked. He brushed his fingers over the bruises on her hip and then down to her thigh. "Mon colibri?"
"It hurts, Asher," she said in a glib voice.
He frowned and sat up more so he could cradle her leg in his hands. Slowly, and while keeping his eyes fixed upon hers, he began to test Willow's range of motion. He used the whites of her eyes as a guide to her level of pain and by the time he was finished testing her, he knew that her hip would probably cause her some problems for at least a couple of days. There seemed to be some damage beneath the bruises on her skin.
"You should join him in the bath," Asher murmured, "because some heat would ease your pain and assist you in healing."
"Not yet," she insisted.
Asher let an unnecessary sigh escape his lips. "Pourquoi?"
"I wanna stay with you for a little bit," she whispered. She turned onto her side, onto her unmarked hip, so she could face him after he settled back into a sitting position next to her. She put her hand on his bare, scarred thigh and smoothed it to his waist. "I wanna feed you," she added.
He looked down at her. "In Jean-Claude's bed? With him, Jason, and Richard in the next room?" he asked.
"I just want some comfort... something familiar... something and someone I love," she murmured. "The past few days have been such a roller-coaster and I'm stressed about tonight... and I hurt... I just want you right now, okay?"
Asher frowned again. He knew that when he fed from her, their antics often led to the very American version of sex. His human servant had made one of his fantasies a reality---and, together, they had made it something habitual and very enjoyable. But, he did not think that it would be conducive to her healing.
"You will tell me if it hurts too much when I am close to you?"
Willow nodded.
He relented and moved to her other side, so her back was against his chest. The bloodlust wanted him to pierce her neck as quickly as possible; however, he did his best to ignore it. He nuzzled her neck with his lips as he rubbed her belly. It wasn't until he heard her sigh contentedly that he leaned in and bit her neck.
The witch's blood flowed over his tongue and down his throat. He swallowed hungrily, sucking from the wound he created to speed the process. He pushed only a small amount of his power into her. He hoped he could restrain himself and put a stop to their activities before they spiraled beyond their control.
Willow, apparently, had other ideas. As Asher slowed feeding, he felt her hand snake between them. It was an awkward grip, but from the moment her fingers wrapped around him it didn't matter. He growled and wrapped his arm around her stomach, securing her position against him. He replaced her hand with his and used his leg to nudge her onto her stomach.
She consented; he followed.
Once he spread her legs, he lifted his upper body and watched what he was doing. He was hard and ready---from habit and arousal---but he made sure that he slid into her very slowly.
Inch by inch, his erection disappeared inside her body.
She whimpered---but it wasn't entirely a sound of pain. He could smell her arousal, a desire that his powers had not solely caused, so he did not feel too guilty for causing her more pain.
"Please," she whispered.
He lowered his head, his torso pressing against hers, and he nipped at her earlobe. She rewarded him with a throaty moan and when she turned her head, he inched forward and caught her lips in a quick kiss.
"You feel so delightful, mon colibri," he growled.
She whimpered again and rocked back into his body.
It didn't take long for either of them to tumble into ecstasy. Asher growled wordlessly and tipped his head forward, into her hair, as an orgasm rocked through his body, propelling him into hers, and generating her own climax.
Willow cried softly into her pillow as it faded away. He first worried that he had hurt her, but when she smiled at him through her tears, she assured him that she was fine.
He slid out of her body and kissed along her spine before turning her onto her back.
With one hand, he wiped her tears away. With the other, he caressed her thigh closest to him.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"For making you cry?"
She chuckled after pressing a kiss to his palm. "No... just for being with me," she murmured, still laughing a little. "You made me feel good... less scared."
"You did not feed from me---"
"No, I didn't need to," she told him. "You make me feel good, Asher."
If he had had any blood left to spare, he would have blushed.
He settled on holding her close and pulled the bedding up over them to protect her from anyone's intrusion on their private time.
Willow snuggled into Asher's body as the bathroom door opened and Jean-Claude appeared, wearing his favourite robe. His face showed that he had fed; Asher could see the blood under his master's skin. He was sure that he, too, looked less pale since feeding from Willow's neck, but most of that blood had already been used already.
He swiped his tongue across his teeth and savoured the taste of Willow's blood. There was something different underneath the coppery flavour of the potent fluid. He did not know what it was except to say that it was not illness. He decided that he would simply watch her carefully to see if she was undergoing any other changes.
"Better, ma chérie?" Jean-Claude asked teasingly. "Et mon chardonneret?"
"Better," Asher agreed as he smiled at his other lover.
"Richard has asked to see Willow," the Master of the City said. "I am going to use your bath, if it would be acceptable."
Asher snorted. "Acceptable? Since when do you have to ask permission to use something you have given me?"
The black-haired vampire tilted his head; his dark curls fell over his fur-lined robe. "Since I wish to have you in it as well," he said as a wolfish grin took over his face.
Willow smiled and kissed Asher's chin. "Go on," she insisted. "Go get clean. I'm gonna go soak in the tub with Richard."
"Can you walk---"
"I'm not gonna break, goof."
He sighed. "Do not make light of the situation," he insisted.
"But, I'm fine. We've proved it. My skin'll be a little tender for a while, but I'm fine, Asher."
He sighed again. Jean-Claude touched Asher's arm when he was close enough to the bed to do so. "If she says she is fine, she must be fine," he said, smiling a little still. "The hot water will help, nevertheless, and she will not be alone this evening. I am sure you will be with her often enough to help her prepare for the slayer's arrival."
"Oui," he said quietly.
"Bon," the black-haired vampire said. "I will go run our bath. Salut, ma chérie."
Willow smiled and waved a little as she snuggled under the silk sheets. Asher spent a few more minutes with his human servant before he allowed her to nudge him out of bed and into his icy blue robe and pajama pants. He tried to linger, but she was insistent.
He was in his own suite a few moments later. He could hear Jean-Claude puttering in the bathroom and he knew the other male was laying out hairbrushes, towels, soaps, and other tolietries upon the countertop. He smiled, despite his concern for Willow, and he walked towards the sounds.
Jean-Claude greeted him with a dazzling smile. "Mon chardonneret," he purred before approaching and stealing a kiss.
Asher yielded because it had been a while since they had been alone and because as Jean-Claude's hands traveled underneath his own robe, he felt his tension melting away. The ardeur was near the surface and for that moment, he was not a vehicle for more control---he was the food.
&&&&
PART SEVENTEEN
Willow fought to hide her wince as she took Asher's hand and allowed herself to be guided out of the limousine. She hadn't told Faith or Dawn what had happened and they were too close to her to not notice if she gave into the pain.
"You should not be here," Asher insisted, mind-to-mind. "You should be resting. I do not know why you feel the need to put on a brave face for your friends! They would not fault you---"
"I want to spare Richard," Willow interjected through the same communication method. "He doesn't want the whole world to know he's having bad dreams, and I'm okay with that!"
Asher helped her right herself. To anyone on the outside of their private conversation, he seemed calm and politely---or lovingly---concerned. Willow, however, could look into his eyes and see the frustration building in those pale blue orbs.
"Any shapeshifter in our home will know you've been bruised! Any vampire will know you've been bruised. Our guards have known since before you got into the vehicle that you have been injured! It does not matter that you bathed---his scent, and mine, will be all over you! It will not take them long to deduct who injured you---"
"If you're protecting your own---"
"Honestly! Do you believe for a moment I would shirk my responsiblities to you? Do you believe there would be a moment such as this where I would cringe like a coward? I would not shy away from my mistakes, if it had been me!"
"He apologised," Willow reminded him as she put a hand on his arm. She put her other hand on his shirt and tugged gently. She leaned up; he took the hint and leaned down. Their lips met in a kiss. "I know you think he hasn't apologised enough, but... his dream... Asher... it's already done a number on him. He needs us for support, not condemnation."
Asher had pulled away to look into her face but after she finished speaking to him, he sighed and kissed her again. He ended the embrace so he could kiss her temple. "You certainly do have a way with words, mon colibri," he murmured.
"Are you two lovebirds finished yet?" Faith asked. Her body language said she was annoyed but her eyes said she was amused. "B's flight from Tampa should be here soon," she reminded them.
Dawn looked from one to the other, after sparing a glance towards the two werewolves---Clay and Graham---that would accompany the group into the airport. Another werewolf, Patrick, was guarding the limousine.
"But, they weren't talking," she said after a pause.
"Silently," Faith told her. She rubbed her swollen abdomen and nudged Dawn into walking towards the doors to the Arrivals area of the airport. "C'mon, let's go get a cart for her luggage."
"She said she was traveling light."
Faith snorted. "Have you ever seen your sister travel light?"
"Not lately," Dawn conceded as they led the way into the terminal.
Willow took Asher's hand and smiled at him. "Are we gonna be okay?"
"I suppose," he said in a wry tone of voice. "I will require some sort of token of your affection, however, to ensure this truce."
"Save it for the bedroom," she advised wisely as they were suddenly walking through clusters of people, who also seemed to be waiting for passengers to arrive.
Asher cleared his throat. "Then, perhaps, I shall not be held accountable for my actions this evening," he responded in a discrete whisper.
Willow rolled her eyes but didn't respond orally as they joined Faith and Dawn.
It took approximately forty-five minutes before they saw Buffy's head among a crowd of weary travellers. She seemed fairly weary, herself, but when she saw the small group waiting for her, she grinned. Her brilliant smile was dampened only as she saw the werewolves standing behind the group; her brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before Dawn launched herself at her older sister.
"Buffy!" Dawn exclaimed into their embrace.
Buffy chuckled quietly and returned the hug. "I missed you," she murmured. "Are you okay? Not getting into any trouble, or---" Dawn pulled back and Willow caught the familiar Summers' glare on the younger woman's face. Buffy stopped talking, pressed her lips together, and nodded. Then, she said: "Got it. No trouble."
"Only the good kind," Dawn teased before hugging her quickly again. "God, it's so good to see you! Christmas wasn't the same without our lame baking attempts!"
The blonde slayer smiled again. "We can always trash your kitchen," she suggested.
Willow groaned quietly. "Y'know, others use that kitchen," she muttered pointedly.
Buffy turned and looked at her. The slayer's smile was uncertain, but present, and Willow decided that was a good sign. She took a step towards her; Willow responded by letting go of Asher's hand.
They met in the middle of the space that had been between them. Buffy hugged the witch before she could hesitate anymore and before Willow could figure out what her next move should be. Willow leaned into the hug and closed her eyes. There was pain, but there were also some frightening images that came in reaction to the hug. Some of her nightmares---whose range had expanded to include Buffy as more than Xander's sidekick in his crusade, as her own dangerous campaign---flashed behind her eyes. She hid her own fear by not physically giving into it; however, Buffy shivered and that was when Willow realised how influential her new power could be.
She concentrated on Asher's presence behind her and their bond; slowly, she felt her fear leak away or fade into the background.
"You need a regular meal, mon colibri, if your control falters consistently."
"I fixed it!" Willow shot back.
She opened her eyes and saw Asher staring intently at her. She wondered if her control was hardwon---or borrowed.
Buffy shook her from her thoughts. The slayer stepped back and smiled. "I'm really glad to be here," she said quietly and sincerely. "And I'm thrilled you came to get me."
"Didn't want to catch a ride from our furry friends?"
The blonde shook her head, still smiling. "I wanted to see you, Dawn, and---" Buffy stopped as she turned her head, skipped over Asher, and looked straight at Faith "---Mother Theresa," she finished, jokingly.
"Oh, shut up, B," Faith groused. "My hips are killing me, I'm getting too fat for my favourite leather pants, and Damian refuses to let me ride my motorcycle! I was so bored on Boxing Day, I read a book. A whole book. Without pictures."
Buffy and Faith hugged quickly. There wasn't much emotional closeness between them---their pasts kept them apart, even though they were good friends.
"I'm sure you learned a lot, though," Buffy said, ribbing Faith. She looked down at the baby swell and said, "Can I?"
"Oh, yeah, that's the other thing," Faith continued, a smile twitching her lips. "People always mistake me for Buddha!" She chuckled and nodded as she motioned to her stomach. "Go ahead," she offered, still smiling.
Willow leaned back against Asher as Buffy and Faith talked about the slayer's pregnancy. Buffy seemed to be in awe---surprised that Faith would choose to be a mother more than that she could be a mother at all. Faith seemed to be accepting it more since her abdomen began to grow; she wasn't as ecstatic as Damian, but she was pretty close to thrilled that she could make him so happy.
"She ignored you... but she didn't mean it to be an insult like at court," Willow whispered to Asher's mind.
"It was not meant to start a war or bloodshed, but she did it for the same reason," Asher responded. He gently squeezed her unmarred hip. "It does not matter. She is here to see you---"
"But, you're a part of---"
"We did not meet on the best of terms," he reminded her. "And to her, you three are more important."
Willow huffed and turned to glare at him. Behind his half-mask of golden curls, he smirked. She wanted Buffy to accept her whole life, not only a few parts of it.
"What's with the guards?" Buffy asked, looking from Clay to Graham.
The redhead smiled and shrugged. "Comes with the territory most days," she explained. "Clay and Graham, this is Buffy. Buffy, this is Clay---" she motioned to him "---and this is Graham," she finished as she motioned to the other werewolf. She took Asher's hand in hers again. "You remember Asher, right, Buffy?"
"Minx. You did that on purpose. Particularly by introducing the guards first. And by pointing me out."
Willow fought not to smile. Buffy had been eying the guards but at Willow's last question, she flicked her gaze to the blond vampire.
"Hi, Asher," Buffy said as she shifted her weight and extended her hand for a polite shake. "How are you?"
Willow watched in amazement as Asher stepped forward and took her hand. He did not shake it as the slayer had expected. Instead, he leaned down, carefully keeping his eyes in hers, and he kissed the back of her hand.
"Bonsoir, Mademoiselle Summers," he murmured. "How were your flights?"
"And you did that on purpose," Willow muttered into her lover's mind.
The witch smirked and turned away slightly until she could compose herself. Buffy had blushed at Asher's actions and when Willow met Faith's eyes, she knew the other slayer had noticed Buffy's reaction, too. Turning away had been her only option to shield her reaction to their exchange.
Once the slayer and vampire finished conversing, Dawn reminded them that they needed to get Buffy's suitcases. The group walked to the luggage carousel and it only took a few minutes before bags crashed down the ramp onto the conveyor belt.
"What do you want to do tonight?" Willow asked Buffy quietly as they waited.
"Well, I'd kill for a shower," Buffy replied with a little smile. "And a change of clothes. I ate in Tampa, after going through customs... so, whatever."
Willow smiled. "Okay. Shower we can manage. You're going to be in my room at the apartment---"
"The bath's way better," Dawn gushed. "I mean, you could fit a waterpolo team in that tub but---"
The younger woman turned red and stopped talking. Buffy looked at her sister. "How did you find this apartment?" she asked. "Isn't a big bathtub sort of... luxurious for a college student? How much of the rent is Willow paying for?"
Willow leaned forward and looked at Dawn. "You didn't tell her? I thought she knew?"
"Well..."
Asher cleared his throat. "Mademoiselle Summers, Willow is my human servant and she is the local pack's lupa. She has been before and will be again, despite my best attempts, a target for those who wish to take St. Louis for themselves. When Dawn arrived and decided to stay, she lived with us for some time in the beginning---"
"What does this have to do with their apartment?"
"I am arriving at the point now," Asher replied. "Dawn is close to Willow. But, she is not... well, she is much stronger thanks to her lessons, but she could be seen as leverage. I do not wish notre aube to endure any pain or torment. I purchased and renovated a loft for them both, since Willow, too, needs a space of her own from time to time. Security has been staffed at my selection, and... the building is not too far from our businesses, in case there is a problem that needs attending to."
Buffy blinked a couple of times. Then, she looked at Dawn. "You told me Willow had a place in the city, and you were living there."
"Technically, Dawn has not lied," Asher told the slayer, "since what I own, Willow owns through me."
The blonde frowned. "Security?" She motioned to Clay and Graham. "Why?"
"It's a great detail," Graham said with a smirk, as he tossed his hair out of his face. "A nice vacation after Guilty Pleasures. Some peace and quiet... pizza..."
Dawn smiled a bit and shrugged. "It's kinda nice. I'm never alone. Except they eat too much of my food."
Willow looked to the blonde slayer. "Another Master of a city has some of his kiss' children here, going to university," she said to explain, "in exchange for their assistance in... well, in rescuing me, for starters. We've offered guards for them, because we're responsible for their safety. Like Asher said, she spends a lot of time with me and some of the others, so any good spy would know she's important to us. She has a couple of guards that watch her at school, too, as if she were another of the out-of-towners, and to keep the apartment safe, she needs guards there, too."
"And what about these lessons?" Buffy asked, after a curt nod to acknowledge what Willow told her. She turned to look at her sister again. "What're you learning?"
Faith spoke up. "Damian's teaching her sword fighting. Bobby Lee's teaching her hand to hand. Anita taught her enough about guns to be safe. She's learning from the best, B. And she's not bad." The older brunette grinned. "Maybe big sis' is rubbing off on her?"
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Oh, I doubt that has anything to do with it." She looked back at Dawn. "Why didn't you tell me all this?" she asked.
Dawn shrugged. "Well... I was afraid you'd freak out."
"Yeah?"
"Buffy, don't be mad."
The blonde frowned. "I don't want to be. But... you're living with lycanthropes and I thought you were living with Willow... next you're gonna tell me you're dating a vampire."
Dawn blushed. "N-no."
"Dawn."
"Well, I've kinda been seeing a werewolf," Dawn mumbled. At Buffy's groan, Dawn said, "Well, just a little bit."
Everyone was silent for a few minutes. Buffy hoisted one of her suitcases off of the belt and she set it down before speaking. She blew her hair out of her face with an upwards gust of breath and as she straightened she looked from Dawn to Willow. "A big tub, huh?" She smiled a bit. "So... you have a security team. That's very rock star of you. What else do I have to get used to?"
Willow nudged Buffy in a friendly way. "Not much," the witch said cyptically. "Any other bags?"
"One more."
"You did travel light," she commented.
Buffy smiled more. "Yeah, I know."
After a little laugh and after the other suitcase joined its companion, Willow said, "So, how about we get you back to the loft first?"
"And then what?"
Dawn pressed her lips together and looked a little guilty. "I sort of, um, have to study."
"With Jason?" Willow asked.
"No, he's working tonight."
Willow smiled and nodded. Dawn pressed onwards. "I have a test next week and Professor Fane said he wasn't going easy on us," she said. "So, maybe you guys could hang out and do the grown-ups thing and I'll see you when you get back?"
Faith nodded, too. "Sure thing, kidlet. Damian said he'd swing by to meet up with us after he finishes at work... so, wherever you wanna go is fine with me, B."
"Oh, sure, put all the pressure on me."
The blond vampire cleared his throat. "I must go to Guilty Pleasures and meet Jean-Claude. He has expressed an interest in meeting you, Mademoiselle Summers, if you three ladies would deign to join us later, I am sure you would enjoy yourselves."
Willow and Faith both blushed. The slayer mentioned something about hormones while Willow glared at Asher.
"Qu'est-ce qu'il y a, mon colibri?" Asher asked. "Both Ripley and Brandon will be performing this evening. I am sure they would appreciate you being there," he added with a teasing grin.
"Willow has two more boyfriends?"
Willow laughed and shook her head, before committing herself to answering Buffy's question.
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, 14-5
PART SIXTEEN
Once Richard and Jason were in the bathroom, Asher managed to convince Willow to roll onto her back so he could inspect the damage she had endured. She insisted that nothing was broken---and that in a few days, her breast would be up to being his plaything---but he refused to ignore what had happened and he needed to know what had been done to his human servant.
He tried to rein in his possessive attitude. He couldn't until Jean-Claude touched his bare arm with one hand while placing a kiss to his shoulder. That touch loaned him control over his moods.
Then, he lifted the large t-shirt until he could see her hip, partially covered by her lace panties that she had insisted upon wearing with so many in one bed. The bruises glared through the holes in the lace, so close to black against her pale skin, and Asher fought to hide his wince.
"That bad, huh?" Willow asked.
"I have seen worse," he replied as diplomatically as he could.
He did not like the sight of the dark marks on her skin. Jean-Claude touched the back of his neck, wordlessly reminding him to appear calm, and he continued to study the purpling skin of his lover. He lowered his head and carefully kissed the bruises. Willow whimpered and sighed as she tried not to wriggle too much; Asher could feel her struggle, somewhere between trying to avoid pain but not wanting to shy away from comfort. He lifted his head and torso and slowly peeled the shirt upwards to see the rest of the damage Richard had inflicted upon her while inching upwards to protect her torso from Jean-Claude's eyes.
He sucked in an unnecessary breath. Willow's breast showed an ugly handprint, as it had been crushed in Richard's grip. The marks were purple, and an angry red shade was bordering the bruises. Only her nipple had remained unscathed and that was most likely because the small circle had been pressed against the Ulfric's hand
Asher lowered his head and gently exhaled over the curve of flesh. Then, he nuzzled it with his lips. Willow whimpered again and she reached out to touch his shoulder. She held on as he continued to offer solace, but when her fingers found Jean-Claude's, Asher felt her startle slightly against him.
"Oh," Willow breathed, looking into her lover's eyes. "I forgot where I was," she added, blushing. She smiled a little and tugged Asher to her as she adjusted her t-shirt. He yielded and allowed her the modesty; he had forgotten about their rules and her comfort zone and he did not want her thinking that he was trying to exploit her moment of distraction. "Thanks for making me feel better," she whispered.
"I wish I had the power to heal you," he admitted.
"It's okay," she assured him. "I'll be sore for a little while, but... I'll just take a pain pill and get ready to face the night---"
"Non," Asher insisted. "I will run your errands. Jason or... Or Richard can help. You need to draw upon your strength... you need to heal yourself first."
Before Willow could say anything else, Asher cut her off with a kiss. He felt her protest forming and he did not want to hear it. He sucked on her lower lip before drawing it into his mouth and worrying it---but not piercing it---with his fangs. Willow whimpered and the blond vampire felt her arching up into his body. Her fists pressed against his chest---torn somewhere between unclenching to draw him nearer, and pushing him away---and Asher put one of his hands over one of hers as if to sway the debate in her mind.
Asher wanted to lose control. Jean-Claude was pressed against his side and back; Willow was against his front. He wanted to feel Jean-Claude sink into him as he drove into Willow; however, he knew that for many reasons he could not have his fantasy realised.
With a sigh, he pulled back. He did not push Jean-Claude away, though. He let the other vampire offer him comfort as he looked into Willow's flushed face and saw the remnants of unshed tears in her eyes.
"You want to help?" Willow asked quietly.
He nodded. "Oui. Tell me what needs to be done."
Willow sucked in a slow, deep breath. Then, she said, "I need to get some food for the apartment and change the sheets on my bed. I want to lock up my magic stuff there, too."
He nodded again. "Et après?"
"I want to know if there are any events I need to tell Buffy about," she said. "Like, if you made reservations anywhere or whatever. And... well, I need to pick her up at the airport. Her plane lands in a few hours." Her eyes darted nervously to Jean-Claude's before returning to Asher's as she asked, "Is there anything you guys want to put on tonight's schedule?"
Jean-Claude shrugged. "I would like to meet this friend of yours," he said. "And, I would like you to know I have received some offers for candidates for des pommes de sang for you and notre ami," he added.
"When?"
"Before retiring, this morning," he told her.
"Well, aren't you a busy beaver."
Jean-Claude smiled and shrugged again. "It is the truth, nothing more, nothing less, ma chérie. There are some who are interested in feeding you both, if it means protection and a connection to our inner circle."
Willow's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
Asher almost cursed Jean-Claude, for mentioning such a topic at such an inappropriate moment.
"The Nimir-Raj said that both Gregory and Cherry offered themselves to you," Jean-Claude said, "but as well, Rafael has asked if we would consider a selection of his rodere. Haven is also offering pride members to both you and to Richard. I do not know if Richard has considered any of his wolves for either of you."
Willow's cheeks flushed more. "R-really."
"Vraiment."
"Okay, then."
"Surely, you see that connections through ma petite have been valuable to both us and the groups under our protection," Jean-Claude reasoned. "It makes sense, then, that they would see connections to you in a similar way. Connections to the Ulfric and pack, too, will not hurt since we need alliances in peace as well as in war."
Willow nodded. "Yeah... but... I mean... it's just... I feed most of the time through random, everyday contact. Why would I need a... it's just emotion."
"Are you saying that they cannot be heady, desirable things?" the Master of the City asked. "Would you not be intrigued if someone said they could make you feel happiness? Or if someone could temporarily remove guilt, anger, or sadness from your heart?"
"We're not..."
Jean-Claude shook his head. "Do not forget that you fed from me, ma chérie, and I felt the sadness as if it were fresh inside my heart," he reminded her. "If you would evoke pleasant memories, you would have many followers."
Willow's ears turned pink. "Yeah, okay... let's just put a pin in that for now, alright?"
"D'accord, if that is what you wish."
"It is."
"It will not make the offers disappear."
Willow smiled and fought against rolling her eyes. "I know." She looked at Asher and he had to work on schooling his face into one of detatched calm. She saw through his attempt though. Her lips twitched as she grinned. "I already know who you want me to take," she commented.
"I do not know to what you are referring."
"Bull."
Asher smiled and kissed her cheek. "Vas-y," he murmured, "go join your king."
"I'm... comfy here."
He sensed reluctance in her voice and he wanted to chase it from her, even though he was glad that she wanted to stay with him. He settled down onto his side and drew his witch into his arms. Jean-Claude moved slightly, before kissing his shoulder and whispering that he would go into the bathroom to fetch Jason for feeding to give them a moment or two of privacy.
Willow protested, but Asher accepted. His departure was not so much about rejection. He had received a gift---sharing affections with the two of them, however tame---and he wished to give them some privacy in return.
Once they were alone, Asher lifted her shirt and inspected the damage.
The redhead squirmed under her lover's watchful gaze. He arched an eyebrow and tried to convey without words that her antics would not prevent him from looking at the damage that had been inflicted upon her body.
When she stilled, he eased the t-shirt upwards until it was bunched around her neck and shoulders. Willow lifted her arms to accommodate the change, and Asher decided to take advantage of the situation. He slipped the shirt over her head and along her arms until he could bunch it up upon the pillow and expose her body to his hands and eyes.
"Mon colibri, are you at ease or are you simply hiding the pain from me?"
"Asher..."
"Be honest," he insisted.
Willow sighed.
"Okay, okay," she muttered. "It hurts. Is that what you want to hear? Because it does."
"Does it hurt to move your leg?" Asher asked. He brushed his fingers over the bruises on her hip and then down to her thigh. "Mon colibri?"
"It hurts, Asher," she said in a glib voice.
He frowned and sat up more so he could cradle her leg in his hands. Slowly, and while keeping his eyes fixed upon hers, he began to test Willow's range of motion. He used the whites of her eyes as a guide to her level of pain and by the time he was finished testing her, he knew that her hip would probably cause her some problems for at least a couple of days. There seemed to be some damage beneath the bruises on her skin.
"You should join him in the bath," Asher murmured, "because some heat would ease your pain and assist you in healing."
"Not yet," she insisted.
Asher let an unnecessary sigh escape his lips. "Pourquoi?"
"I wanna stay with you for a little bit," she whispered. She turned onto her side, onto her unmarked hip, so she could face him after he settled back into a sitting position next to her. She put her hand on his bare, scarred thigh and smoothed it to his waist. "I wanna feed you," she added.
He looked down at her. "In Jean-Claude's bed? With him, Jason, and Richard in the next room?" he asked.
"I just want some comfort... something familiar... something and someone I love," she murmured. "The past few days have been such a roller-coaster and I'm stressed about tonight... and I hurt... I just want you right now, okay?"
Asher frowned again. He knew that when he fed from her, their antics often led to the very American version of sex. His human servant had made one of his fantasies a reality---and, together, they had made it something habitual and very enjoyable. But, he did not think that it would be conducive to her healing.
"You will tell me if it hurts too much when I am close to you?"
Willow nodded.
He relented and moved to her other side, so her back was against his chest. The bloodlust wanted him to pierce her neck as quickly as possible; however, he did his best to ignore it. He nuzzled her neck with his lips as he rubbed her belly. It wasn't until he heard her sigh contentedly that he leaned in and bit her neck.
The witch's blood flowed over his tongue and down his throat. He swallowed hungrily, sucking from the wound he created to speed the process. He pushed only a small amount of his power into her. He hoped he could restrain himself and put a stop to their activities before they spiraled beyond their control.
Willow, apparently, had other ideas. As Asher slowed feeding, he felt her hand snake between them. It was an awkward grip, but from the moment her fingers wrapped around him it didn't matter. He growled and wrapped his arm around her stomach, securing her position against him. He replaced her hand with his and used his leg to nudge her onto her stomach.
She consented; he followed.
Once he spread her legs, he lifted his upper body and watched what he was doing. He was hard and ready---from habit and arousal---but he made sure that he slid into her very slowly.
Inch by inch, his erection disappeared inside her body.
She whimpered---but it wasn't entirely a sound of pain. He could smell her arousal, a desire that his powers had not solely caused, so he did not feel too guilty for causing her more pain.
"Please," she whispered.
He lowered his head, his torso pressing against hers, and he nipped at her earlobe. She rewarded him with a throaty moan and when she turned her head, he inched forward and caught her lips in a quick kiss.
"You feel so delightful, mon colibri," he growled.
She whimpered again and rocked back into his body.
It didn't take long for either of them to tumble into ecstasy. Asher growled wordlessly and tipped his head forward, into her hair, as an orgasm rocked through his body, propelling him into hers, and generating her own climax.
Willow cried softly into her pillow as it faded away. He first worried that he had hurt her, but when she smiled at him through her tears, she assured him that she was fine.
He slid out of her body and kissed along her spine before turning her onto her back.
With one hand, he wiped her tears away. With the other, he caressed her thigh closest to him.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"For making you cry?"
She chuckled after pressing a kiss to his palm. "No... just for being with me," she murmured, still laughing a little. "You made me feel good... less scared."
"You did not feed from me---"
"No, I didn't need to," she told him. "You make me feel good, Asher."
If he had had any blood left to spare, he would have blushed.
He settled on holding her close and pulled the bedding up over them to protect her from anyone's intrusion on their private time.
Willow snuggled into Asher's body as the bathroom door opened and Jean-Claude appeared, wearing his favourite robe. His face showed that he had fed; Asher could see the blood under his master's skin. He was sure that he, too, looked less pale since feeding from Willow's neck, but most of that blood had already been used already.
He swiped his tongue across his teeth and savoured the taste of Willow's blood. There was something different underneath the coppery flavour of the potent fluid. He did not know what it was except to say that it was not illness. He decided that he would simply watch her carefully to see if she was undergoing any other changes.
"Better, ma chérie?" Jean-Claude asked teasingly. "Et mon chardonneret?"
"Better," Asher agreed as he smiled at his other lover.
"Richard has asked to see Willow," the Master of the City said. "I am going to use your bath, if it would be acceptable."
Asher snorted. "Acceptable? Since when do you have to ask permission to use something you have given me?"
The black-haired vampire tilted his head; his dark curls fell over his fur-lined robe. "Since I wish to have you in it as well," he said as a wolfish grin took over his face.
Willow smiled and kissed Asher's chin. "Go on," she insisted. "Go get clean. I'm gonna go soak in the tub with Richard."
"Can you walk---"
"I'm not gonna break, goof."
He sighed. "Do not make light of the situation," he insisted.
"But, I'm fine. We've proved it. My skin'll be a little tender for a while, but I'm fine, Asher."
He sighed again. Jean-Claude touched Asher's arm when he was close enough to the bed to do so. "If she says she is fine, she must be fine," he said, smiling a little still. "The hot water will help, nevertheless, and she will not be alone this evening. I am sure you will be with her often enough to help her prepare for the slayer's arrival."
"Oui," he said quietly.
"Bon," the black-haired vampire said. "I will go run our bath. Salut, ma chérie."
Willow smiled and waved a little as she snuggled under the silk sheets. Asher spent a few more minutes with his human servant before he allowed her to nudge him out of bed and into his icy blue robe and pajama pants. He tried to linger, but she was insistent.
He was in his own suite a few moments later. He could hear Jean-Claude puttering in the bathroom and he knew the other male was laying out hairbrushes, towels, soaps, and other tolietries upon the countertop. He smiled, despite his concern for Willow, and he walked towards the sounds.
Jean-Claude greeted him with a dazzling smile. "Mon chardonneret," he purred before approaching and stealing a kiss.
Asher yielded because it had been a while since they had been alone and because as Jean-Claude's hands traveled underneath his own robe, he felt his tension melting away. The ardeur was near the surface and for that moment, he was not a vehicle for more control---he was the food.
&&&&
PART SEVENTEEN
Willow fought to hide her wince as she took Asher's hand and allowed herself to be guided out of the limousine. She hadn't told Faith or Dawn what had happened and they were too close to her to not notice if she gave into the pain.
"You should not be here," Asher insisted, mind-to-mind. "You should be resting. I do not know why you feel the need to put on a brave face for your friends! They would not fault you---"
"I want to spare Richard," Willow interjected through the same communication method. "He doesn't want the whole world to know he's having bad dreams, and I'm okay with that!"
Asher helped her right herself. To anyone on the outside of their private conversation, he seemed calm and politely---or lovingly---concerned. Willow, however, could look into his eyes and see the frustration building in those pale blue orbs.
"Any shapeshifter in our home will know you've been bruised! Any vampire will know you've been bruised. Our guards have known since before you got into the vehicle that you have been injured! It does not matter that you bathed---his scent, and mine, will be all over you! It will not take them long to deduct who injured you---"
"If you're protecting your own---"
"Honestly! Do you believe for a moment I would shirk my responsiblities to you? Do you believe there would be a moment such as this where I would cringe like a coward? I would not shy away from my mistakes, if it had been me!"
"He apologised," Willow reminded him as she put a hand on his arm. She put her other hand on his shirt and tugged gently. She leaned up; he took the hint and leaned down. Their lips met in a kiss. "I know you think he hasn't apologised enough, but... his dream... Asher... it's already done a number on him. He needs us for support, not condemnation."
Asher had pulled away to look into her face but after she finished speaking to him, he sighed and kissed her again. He ended the embrace so he could kiss her temple. "You certainly do have a way with words, mon colibri," he murmured.
"Are you two lovebirds finished yet?" Faith asked. Her body language said she was annoyed but her eyes said she was amused. "B's flight from Tampa should be here soon," she reminded them.
Dawn looked from one to the other, after sparing a glance towards the two werewolves---Clay and Graham---that would accompany the group into the airport. Another werewolf, Patrick, was guarding the limousine.
"But, they weren't talking," she said after a pause.
"Silently," Faith told her. She rubbed her swollen abdomen and nudged Dawn into walking towards the doors to the Arrivals area of the airport. "C'mon, let's go get a cart for her luggage."
"She said she was traveling light."
Faith snorted. "Have you ever seen your sister travel light?"
"Not lately," Dawn conceded as they led the way into the terminal.
Willow took Asher's hand and smiled at him. "Are we gonna be okay?"
"I suppose," he said in a wry tone of voice. "I will require some sort of token of your affection, however, to ensure this truce."
"Save it for the bedroom," she advised wisely as they were suddenly walking through clusters of people, who also seemed to be waiting for passengers to arrive.
Asher cleared his throat. "Then, perhaps, I shall not be held accountable for my actions this evening," he responded in a discrete whisper.
Willow rolled her eyes but didn't respond orally as they joined Faith and Dawn.
It took approximately forty-five minutes before they saw Buffy's head among a crowd of weary travellers. She seemed fairly weary, herself, but when she saw the small group waiting for her, she grinned. Her brilliant smile was dampened only as she saw the werewolves standing behind the group; her brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before Dawn launched herself at her older sister.
"Buffy!" Dawn exclaimed into their embrace.
Buffy chuckled quietly and returned the hug. "I missed you," she murmured. "Are you okay? Not getting into any trouble, or---" Dawn pulled back and Willow caught the familiar Summers' glare on the younger woman's face. Buffy stopped talking, pressed her lips together, and nodded. Then, she said: "Got it. No trouble."
"Only the good kind," Dawn teased before hugging her quickly again. "God, it's so good to see you! Christmas wasn't the same without our lame baking attempts!"
The blonde slayer smiled again. "We can always trash your kitchen," she suggested.
Willow groaned quietly. "Y'know, others use that kitchen," she muttered pointedly.
Buffy turned and looked at her. The slayer's smile was uncertain, but present, and Willow decided that was a good sign. She took a step towards her; Willow responded by letting go of Asher's hand.
They met in the middle of the space that had been between them. Buffy hugged the witch before she could hesitate anymore and before Willow could figure out what her next move should be. Willow leaned into the hug and closed her eyes. There was pain, but there were also some frightening images that came in reaction to the hug. Some of her nightmares---whose range had expanded to include Buffy as more than Xander's sidekick in his crusade, as her own dangerous campaign---flashed behind her eyes. She hid her own fear by not physically giving into it; however, Buffy shivered and that was when Willow realised how influential her new power could be.
She concentrated on Asher's presence behind her and their bond; slowly, she felt her fear leak away or fade into the background.
"You need a regular meal, mon colibri, if your control falters consistently."
"I fixed it!" Willow shot back.
She opened her eyes and saw Asher staring intently at her. She wondered if her control was hardwon---or borrowed.
Buffy shook her from her thoughts. The slayer stepped back and smiled. "I'm really glad to be here," she said quietly and sincerely. "And I'm thrilled you came to get me."
"Didn't want to catch a ride from our furry friends?"
The blonde shook her head, still smiling. "I wanted to see you, Dawn, and---" Buffy stopped as she turned her head, skipped over Asher, and looked straight at Faith "---Mother Theresa," she finished, jokingly.
"Oh, shut up, B," Faith groused. "My hips are killing me, I'm getting too fat for my favourite leather pants, and Damian refuses to let me ride my motorcycle! I was so bored on Boxing Day, I read a book. A whole book. Without pictures."
Buffy and Faith hugged quickly. There wasn't much emotional closeness between them---their pasts kept them apart, even though they were good friends.
"I'm sure you learned a lot, though," Buffy said, ribbing Faith. She looked down at the baby swell and said, "Can I?"
"Oh, yeah, that's the other thing," Faith continued, a smile twitching her lips. "People always mistake me for Buddha!" She chuckled and nodded as she motioned to her stomach. "Go ahead," she offered, still smiling.
Willow leaned back against Asher as Buffy and Faith talked about the slayer's pregnancy. Buffy seemed to be in awe---surprised that Faith would choose to be a mother more than that she could be a mother at all. Faith seemed to be accepting it more since her abdomen began to grow; she wasn't as ecstatic as Damian, but she was pretty close to thrilled that she could make him so happy.
"She ignored you... but she didn't mean it to be an insult like at court," Willow whispered to Asher's mind.
"It was not meant to start a war or bloodshed, but she did it for the same reason," Asher responded. He gently squeezed her unmarred hip. "It does not matter. She is here to see you---"
"But, you're a part of---"
"We did not meet on the best of terms," he reminded her. "And to her, you three are more important."
Willow huffed and turned to glare at him. Behind his half-mask of golden curls, he smirked. She wanted Buffy to accept her whole life, not only a few parts of it.
"What's with the guards?" Buffy asked, looking from Clay to Graham.
The redhead smiled and shrugged. "Comes with the territory most days," she explained. "Clay and Graham, this is Buffy. Buffy, this is Clay---" she motioned to him "---and this is Graham," she finished as she motioned to the other werewolf. She took Asher's hand in hers again. "You remember Asher, right, Buffy?"
"Minx. You did that on purpose. Particularly by introducing the guards first. And by pointing me out."
Willow fought not to smile. Buffy had been eying the guards but at Willow's last question, she flicked her gaze to the blond vampire.
"Hi, Asher," Buffy said as she shifted her weight and extended her hand for a polite shake. "How are you?"
Willow watched in amazement as Asher stepped forward and took her hand. He did not shake it as the slayer had expected. Instead, he leaned down, carefully keeping his eyes in hers, and he kissed the back of her hand.
"Bonsoir, Mademoiselle Summers," he murmured. "How were your flights?"
"And you did that on purpose," Willow muttered into her lover's mind.
The witch smirked and turned away slightly until she could compose herself. Buffy had blushed at Asher's actions and when Willow met Faith's eyes, she knew the other slayer had noticed Buffy's reaction, too. Turning away had been her only option to shield her reaction to their exchange.
Once the slayer and vampire finished conversing, Dawn reminded them that they needed to get Buffy's suitcases. The group walked to the luggage carousel and it only took a few minutes before bags crashed down the ramp onto the conveyor belt.
"What do you want to do tonight?" Willow asked Buffy quietly as they waited.
"Well, I'd kill for a shower," Buffy replied with a little smile. "And a change of clothes. I ate in Tampa, after going through customs... so, whatever."
Willow smiled. "Okay. Shower we can manage. You're going to be in my room at the apartment---"
"The bath's way better," Dawn gushed. "I mean, you could fit a waterpolo team in that tub but---"
The younger woman turned red and stopped talking. Buffy looked at her sister. "How did you find this apartment?" she asked. "Isn't a big bathtub sort of... luxurious for a college student? How much of the rent is Willow paying for?"
Willow leaned forward and looked at Dawn. "You didn't tell her? I thought she knew?"
"Well..."
Asher cleared his throat. "Mademoiselle Summers, Willow is my human servant and she is the local pack's lupa. She has been before and will be again, despite my best attempts, a target for those who wish to take St. Louis for themselves. When Dawn arrived and decided to stay, she lived with us for some time in the beginning---"
"What does this have to do with their apartment?"
"I am arriving at the point now," Asher replied. "Dawn is close to Willow. But, she is not... well, she is much stronger thanks to her lessons, but she could be seen as leverage. I do not wish notre aube to endure any pain or torment. I purchased and renovated a loft for them both, since Willow, too, needs a space of her own from time to time. Security has been staffed at my selection, and... the building is not too far from our businesses, in case there is a problem that needs attending to."
Buffy blinked a couple of times. Then, she looked at Dawn. "You told me Willow had a place in the city, and you were living there."
"Technically, Dawn has not lied," Asher told the slayer, "since what I own, Willow owns through me."
The blonde frowned. "Security?" She motioned to Clay and Graham. "Why?"
"It's a great detail," Graham said with a smirk, as he tossed his hair out of his face. "A nice vacation after Guilty Pleasures. Some peace and quiet... pizza..."
Dawn smiled a bit and shrugged. "It's kinda nice. I'm never alone. Except they eat too much of my food."
Willow looked to the blonde slayer. "Another Master of a city has some of his kiss' children here, going to university," she said to explain, "in exchange for their assistance in... well, in rescuing me, for starters. We've offered guards for them, because we're responsible for their safety. Like Asher said, she spends a lot of time with me and some of the others, so any good spy would know she's important to us. She has a couple of guards that watch her at school, too, as if she were another of the out-of-towners, and to keep the apartment safe, she needs guards there, too."
"And what about these lessons?" Buffy asked, after a curt nod to acknowledge what Willow told her. She turned to look at her sister again. "What're you learning?"
Faith spoke up. "Damian's teaching her sword fighting. Bobby Lee's teaching her hand to hand. Anita taught her enough about guns to be safe. She's learning from the best, B. And she's not bad." The older brunette grinned. "Maybe big sis' is rubbing off on her?"
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Oh, I doubt that has anything to do with it." She looked back at Dawn. "Why didn't you tell me all this?" she asked.
Dawn shrugged. "Well... I was afraid you'd freak out."
"Yeah?"
"Buffy, don't be mad."
The blonde frowned. "I don't want to be. But... you're living with lycanthropes and I thought you were living with Willow... next you're gonna tell me you're dating a vampire."
Dawn blushed. "N-no."
"Dawn."
"Well, I've kinda been seeing a werewolf," Dawn mumbled. At Buffy's groan, Dawn said, "Well, just a little bit."
Everyone was silent for a few minutes. Buffy hoisted one of her suitcases off of the belt and she set it down before speaking. She blew her hair out of her face with an upwards gust of breath and as she straightened she looked from Dawn to Willow. "A big tub, huh?" She smiled a bit. "So... you have a security team. That's very rock star of you. What else do I have to get used to?"
Willow nudged Buffy in a friendly way. "Not much," the witch said cyptically. "Any other bags?"
"One more."
"You did travel light," she commented.
Buffy smiled more. "Yeah, I know."
After a little laugh and after the other suitcase joined its companion, Willow said, "So, how about we get you back to the loft first?"
"And then what?"
Dawn pressed her lips together and looked a little guilty. "I sort of, um, have to study."
"With Jason?" Willow asked.
"No, he's working tonight."
Willow smiled and nodded. Dawn pressed onwards. "I have a test next week and Professor Fane said he wasn't going easy on us," she said. "So, maybe you guys could hang out and do the grown-ups thing and I'll see you when you get back?"
Faith nodded, too. "Sure thing, kidlet. Damian said he'd swing by to meet up with us after he finishes at work... so, wherever you wanna go is fine with me, B."
"Oh, sure, put all the pressure on me."
The blond vampire cleared his throat. "I must go to Guilty Pleasures and meet Jean-Claude. He has expressed an interest in meeting you, Mademoiselle Summers, if you three ladies would deign to join us later, I am sure you would enjoy yourselves."
Willow and Faith both blushed. The slayer mentioned something about hormones while Willow glared at Asher.
"Qu'est-ce qu'il y a, mon colibri?" Asher asked. "Both Ripley and Brandon will be performing this evening. I am sure they would appreciate you being there," he added with a teasing grin.
"Willow has two more boyfriends?"
Willow laughed and shook her head, before committing herself to answering Buffy's question.