AB/BtVS FF: Alive at Last 23-4/? (Willow/Asher)
TITLE: Alive at Last
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
RATING: en.sea.xvii overall
PAIRING: Willow/Asher
SPOILERS: Up until Micah for AB; the series for BtVS, even though I don't really remember much of it, since I haven't watched the last seasons in ages.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone. I'm just having a little fun.
NOTES: This story is AU, since it's a crossover; because of that, I've taken a few creative liberties with explaining why the BtVS vampires are different than the AB vampires, and so on.
Previous Chapters: 1-3, 4, 5, 6-7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
PART TWENTY-THREE
She had been dreaming and for the first time in a long time, her dream had nothing to do with Belle Morte. She had been in a beautiful tent with many loose veils being blown by a late-night breeze. She had been wearing a robe, long and pale and open, and it, too, was swayed by the moving air.
Willow remembered walking through the tent, through its canopied chambers, until she saw a large bed. Asher was lying on that bed. He was naked and peaceful, watching her though his blue eyes.
"When I take you, it will only hurt for a minute," he had said to her.
She had smiled at that. "That's what my first boyfriend said... but with more poetry."
"Poetry is not only words, Hummingbird."
His words were the last words she heard or thought before she woke up. They were still echoing in her mind when she opened her eyes and became aware of her surroundings---of Asher's still body holding her close to him. She craned her neck to look at him; he was dead to the world, resting only as vampires did, but he was still so handsome that she felt her heart flutter a little inside her chest.
Willow put her hands down on either side of his torso and she pressed her weight down into the mattress as she lifted herself up. Hovering over him, she studied his face. It was such a mess of contrasts: handsome and grotesque, smooth and uneven, serene and violent, and perfect in each pair. She knew some people thought he looked like a monster but all she could think was that he was a handsome man---or vampire---with more character than so many people in the world.
She lowered her head and rested her forehead against his. His face was so cool; she almost shivered. Instead, she tilted her head and pressed her lips to his. She knew that he wouldn't respond and that it would be more akin to kissing a statue than a man, but she felt compelled to do it anyway.
Her lips had only rested against his for three seconds. In that third moment, she felt him wake up.
It startled her. She almost lost her balance but he caught her.
"Waking Sleeping Beauty?" he asked teasingly.
Willow laughed softly and looked into his eyes. "N-not on purpose," she replied.
"Curious to see how it would be to kiss a monument?"
"Something like that," she whispered. "It wasn't like I was trying to take advantage of you or anything."
Asher laughed. "Oh, I would like to see you try... especially since I have no blood to spare."
Willow pondered his words. She blushed as she realised what he meant. "You mean... you can't... without feeding first?"
"How would I be able to?" he inquired. "Blood is what makes my flesh warm... what makes my flesh harden."
She didn't know if he meant to inflict energy upon her with his words---the way Jean-Claude did with his laugh---but she felt the energy dance over her skin. It made her cheeks flush and her muscles tremble. Asher smiled and eased her down, so she was reclining on the bed again. He leaned over her and pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Are you well-rested, at last?"
"Yeah," she whispered, watching him as he retreated from her.
"D'accord," he murmured. He sat up and inched towards the edge of the bed. "I am going to shower and feed---"
"Wait." He turned slowly. She sat up a bit and said, "Feed from me."
"Mon colibri... I cannot."
"Why?" Willow insisted. "I want you to want---"
"Want you?" he finished for her. "I can hear your blood in your veins every evening when I wake. I can hear your heart. I know when it pounds more quickly, when you are excited or nervous. I want you, do not worry." He sighed and tilted his head, his mask of hair falling into place. "Your control amazes me, mon colibri. Even in the heat of l'ardeur, you somehow managed to keep everything together. You fed in a way I have never seen. You sated the curse of Belle Morte's line with nothing more than kisses and---" he stopped short and shook his head. "I do not know what to do with you. I want you here, but... but at the same time, I want to send you away because all I want to do is break your control!"
Willow felt her jaw drop as he confessed everything to her. It took her a few seconds, but she was finally able to figure out what to say in reply.
Asher was already moving. She moved quickly, catching his arm with her hand as she slid across the silk sheets. He reacted and stopped moving---and managed to stop her from sliding off of the bed.
"I barely kept everything together," she protested. "All I wanted to do was rip your shirt open and... and do things I can't even think about without blushing. But... we had an audience and I didn't want... I didn't want anything to happen between us because of that power. I wanted us to be... well, I wanted us to be us." She tilted her head to one side and exposed the long line of her neck. "Break my control," she suggested.
"Mon colibri..."
"Asher," she whispered, looking into his eyes, "I'm not going to run... I'm not going to 'cry foul.' I'm offering you my blood."
"It is more than just blood," he pointed out.
She nodded. "I know."
"Do you? Do you know what kind of power I can push into your body? Do you know what I can make you feel?"
"Show me this side of you," she insisted in a quiet voice. "Show me what you can make me feel when you drink my blood." She put her hand on his chin and guided his face until he had to look into her eyes squarely. "You know I'm serious. You know me well enough to know that."
"Willow... please."
"You're not a monster. You're a vampire. I've learned the difference and... and after last night, I thought we understood each other."
"I simply---"
She cut him off and put a finger to his lips at the same time. "I'm not chickening out. I'm here... and I didn't lie to you."
"You wish for me to feed from you?" he inquired quietly as he took her hand down from his face.
Willow nodded. "Yes," she whispered. "I don't want you to hold back, either." He opened his mouth to speak but she smiled and quickly added, "Just like that."
He chuckled and shook his head slightly. "Well, I suppose I will not get anywhere by arguing with you," he reasoned. "I was taught to never argue with a redhead," he added, a smile teasing his lips.
"Darn tootin'!" she exclaimed. "Don't mess with me, buddy."
Asher smiled and she felt as if her insides had liquified. She watched him inch backwards, towards the headboard. He adjusted the pillows and propped himself up. "Viens ici," he whispered. "We will do this properly."
She nodded and smiled and crawled across the bed. He offered her his hand and she accepted it; he guided her into position, between his legs with her back to his chest. Before she could say or do anything, he took her other hand---which she had been pressing to her stomach, since she didn't know where else to put it---and he placed it upon his thigh.
"Oh," she whispered.
Asher pressed a kiss to her shoulder as he brushed her hair out of his way. "Are you certain?"
"What about not arguing with a redhead?" she shot back.
"I can hear your pulse," he reminded her. "It has quickened."
Willow blushed and craned her neck to look at him. "We've only been this close a few times," she pointed out. "I'm a little nervous. But it's not fear... it's just... it feels good but I don't know what to do."
One of his arms wrapped around her torso. "Close your eyes," he advised. "The bite itself will hurt, but afterwards, it will become much more enjoyable."
"Just close my eyes?"
"Yes," he whispered. He kissed her shoulder again. "Close your eyes and let me do what you want me to do."
"You want to, too, right?" she asked, her voice squeaking a little.
Asher laughed quietly. "I have wanted to since I first saw you sleeping in my bed," he admitted, rubbing a slow circle over her stomach with the palm of his hand. Willow's breath hitched in her chest and she closed her eyes before resting her head against his shoulder. "Every day, that desire has increased. I have wanted to taste what runs in your veins... and after your most recent encounter with Belle Morte... I am even more curious to discover your flavour.
"If you change your mind," he added, "do not struggle. Simply tell me you wish to stop, and I will."
"Why?"
"It is like being bitten by a snake," he told her. "Pulling away can make the wound worse."
"Oh... okay. Makes sense." She inhaled slowly and nodded. "I'm ready," she assured him.
Willow felt his mouth hover over her neck, over her pulse point; she willed her body to relax, she reminded herself that she wanted to offer her blood to Asher and in doing so, show him that she was not repulsed by any facet of his existence. He rewarded her with a gentle kiss to that area before he opened his mouth and drove his fangs into her neck.
The pain was intense, but not in an entirely bad way---and she knew what bad pain felt like. She cried out and pressed her body against his as he sucked her blood from her veins.
Something was working its way into her body. It felt like energy, his energy, and it traveled down her body, into those hidden places. It twisted and teased those places and it made them warm. She heard herself whimper and she felt her body arch against his.
"Oh god," she whispered. "So... so good."
Her magic reached up, through her body, to wrap around his power. She could sense how surprised he was; it wasn't something he thought or said, but something every fibre of his being felt. Her powers caressed his, and as he drank her blood, she felt him hardening behind her. His needs pressed into her lower back as he growled into her throat.
His power teased her, seduced her... and it felt as if it were caressing her. It was entirely too intimate. It was something more than a lover could do. She cried out and moaned and wriggled, desperate for release from the sexual tension building inside of her.
Even in that thick, lustful haze, she thought of Asher and how much pleasure he could give but not entirely receive. She tried to guide her power to twist around his the way his had done to her body, and she tried to send some pleasure back to him; she wanted him to enjoy the experience as much as she was enjoying it.
Asher growled again and his hand moved upwards, from her stomach to her breast. When he cupped it and squeezed, she cried out again, wordlessly, and felt the telltale signs of climax approaching.
Her hand on his thigh tightened, digging into his flesh. She moaned and tilted her head further away from Asher's head, granting him more access to what he wanted.
With one final cry, her orgasm washed over her. She whimpered and twisted and gave into those heady feelings. She felt Asher stiffen behind her and he threw his head back, releasing her too suddenly. He groaned and slumped, against her and against the pillows; his hand slid away from her breast and rested against her stomach again.
"Mon Dieu," he whispered. "What have you done?"
Willow moaned, not ready to speak. Asher licked the wound he had made, tasting the blood that had leaked from it after he pulled away.
"I have never felt my gift... reflected back to me."
She smiled and patted his thigh. "I wanted you to."
"So that was your will and you made it so?"
"I tried," she whispered.
"You succeeded," he countered.
"Wow."
His chuckle was deep and it vibrated through her body. "Well said."
"I can barely feel my body," she mumbled, turning in his arms so she could bury her face in his chest. "God, that was... I had no idea it could be like that."
"Perhaps now, you understand why it is more than blood for me... with the proper person," he whispered, nuzzling her neck.
"Yeah," she breathed. "I get it."
"And in a few moments, I will summon some strength and draw you a bath."
"Both of us," she mumbled.
"Hrmm?"
Willow lifted her head and looked at him. "We both need a bath."
Asher's cheeks turned pink, her blood making him flush. "I... I can wait until your needs are---"
"After that brilliant show, you're shy?" she inquired. "We can get a bath together. You have to work tonight, don't you? You'll be late if you wait for me to finish."
"Why do I feel as if I should surrender to you?" he asked, smiling a little.
Willow beamed at him. "Because you already want to," she replied. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. She could taste her blood, coppery and something else entirely, on his lips but it didn't bother her. "So, just give in. Do what you want."
Asher arched an eyebrow. "What I want?" he echoed. "What I want involves never leaving this suite for a very long time."
She felt her own cheeks turn pink after she processed the meaning behind his nearly-growled words. "Oh," she whispered. "Well... okay. You might be late for work if you give in completely."
"And it isn't entirely appropriate yet," he added.
Willow frowned. "Why not?" she asked. "Are you afraid of what everyone'll think?"
"Only some people."
She nodded and kissed him again. "Well, I think they should be happy that you're trying to be happy," she told him. She pressed her face into his neck. "Achieving happiness is part of what makes us feel more alive, Asher."
"It has been a long time since I have been alive."
"You walk, you talk... you dance, you think, you love, you hate... how does that not make you living being?"
"Since when have you been so wise?"
Willow laughed quietly. "I'm the brains of this outfit," she joked. She lifted her head and looked at him. "I know some people probably think you guys are nothing but walking corpses, but... but they're wrong. You have feelings and thoughts like they do. You need things like they do. And you deserve to be happy---"
The blond vampire moved quickly. He gathered Willow into his arms and rose from the bed. She squealed and then laughed as he realised that he was taking her into the bathroom.
"Enough talk," he scolded.
"But, I'm not finished!"
"Yes, you are." He chuckled and set her down upon the counter, before he turned to fill the large tub with warm water. "Lilacs?"
"You'll smell like them, too," she pointed out.
"Would you mind if my skin smelled like your favourite flower?"
Willow blushed and smiled and shook her head. "Not so much, no," she murmured. "But, if you feel like it's a challenge to your manliness, then---" She stopped talking as he added the lilac-scented oil to the bath water. "Oh. Okay, then."
It took a few more minutes for them to undress and get into the water---and to suppress their awkwardness, despite the intimacy they had shared moments ago. Willow hadn't seen him naked, and she knew that he hadn't seen her naked; she was comfortable around him, but it always took a little time in getting used to physical comforts with someone she cared about. She didn't know why he was uncomfortable around her, but she didn't push their issues. She waited for him to get into the water and to tell her that he was not looking, and then she shrugged out of her remaining clothes and slipped into the water with him.
"We're weird," she commented.
"I agree."
Willow smiled and rested her head against his chest. "This is nice," she whispered.
Three doors opened. First, the outer door, then the bedroom door, and then the bathroom door. Both Asher and Willow startled, not having enough time to process one door's opening before the next one was opened, and found themselves looking into Jean-Claude's worried face.
Without saying anything, Asher rather gracefully tucked Willow behind his body as he turned slightly on his side to face the dark-haired vampire.
"Mon corbeau, qu'est-ce qui s'est passé?"
"I thought... we all felt it," Jean-Claude said quietly. "It was not l'ardeur, but something else... and... no one knew from where it was coming."
"He fed from me," Willow said meekly as she peeked over Asher's shoulder at the other vampire. "I... I tried to reflect his power back onto him, so he'd enjoy it, too. Was that... it?"
"Perhaps. That was all you did?"
Asher chuckled. "It was no small feat, Jean-Claude... it was... rather interesting."
"The whole place felt the power?" Willow asked. "Did everyone... um, well, enjoy it like we did? Because, that'd be kind of... disturbing."
Jean-Claude, relieved, had slumped against the counter. "Non. Not everyone felt what you felt."
"Did you?" she asked.
Jean-Claude hesitated for a moment. Then, he nodded. Willow squeaked wordlessly. Asher leaned towards the edge of the large tub and looked into the darker vampire's eyes. "Did you enjoy it?"
"I felt what you were feeling, mon chardonneret, and what she wanted you to feel," he replied honestly. "I did not achieve all that you did," he added diplomatically, "but I felt plenty of enjoyment in knowing what affections you were receiving. It is about time."
"Viens ici," Asher insisted.
Jean-Claude obeyed, kneeling down in front of him. Asher reached up and cupped Jean-Claude's face in his hand before he pressed their lips together in a kiss. Willow flushed as their kiss deepened; she watched them love each other without words and she could not tear her eyes away. She had known male couples, been friends with them, but she had never felt compelled to stare at them the way she was staring at Asher and Jean-Claude.
"Délicieux," the intruder whispered as the kiss ended. He opened his eyes and looked at Willow. "Your blood is very rich."
"You... oh! You could taste me... in his... wow. Um, okay." She tilted her head. "And you don't mind?"
Asher chuckled and reached back to gently caress her thigh under the water. Jean-Claude tilted his head and spoke quietly. "You did not mind watching us... just now. In fact, by the beating of your heart, I would say you enjoyed it."
Willow blushed. "I... yeah, okay," she admitted.
"Now that I am certain that no harm has come to either of you," he said, "I will leave you to finish your bath." He smiled and pushed himself up into a standing position, in one fluid movement. "Will you both be joining us at Guilty Pleasures this evening?"
"I... well, I was going to do some online research," Willow admitted. "For some spells and stuff. But, I was planning on meeting you guys later." She touched Asher's shoulder and quickly added, "If you don't mind waiting for me."
"I shall look forward to it," he assured her, sliding his hand over hers.
Jean-Claude smiled. "I am glad you are both unharmed," he said. He reached down and touched Asher's scarred shoulder, before he turned and left the bathroom.
Willow tucked her face into the back of Asher's neck, pressing it into his damp hair. She wasn't embarrassed---so naturally, she was embarrassed that she wasn't at all. She was also unsure of how to proceed with Asher, with their friendship, after such an intimate moment together. She knew such discomfort was silly, since they were naked in a tub together, but she couldn't prevent those feelings from twisting her insides.
"Would you like me to leave?" Asher inquired, breaking her from her thoughts.
Willow startled. "N-no," she whispered shakily.
"You're nervous."
She kissed his smooth shoulder. "It's been a---" she stopped short and tried again. "This is all pretty shiny and new, you know?"
"I do," he murmured.
"It kind of feels like we've done everything backwards," she added.
Asher nodded in agreement.
"And, I'm kind of worried about what Anita will think," she admitted in a quiet voice.
He turned over so he could face her. "As am I," he whispered, reaching up to smooth his fingers over her cheek. "But, she agreed that some things have to change, and she is not... my boss. I love her and she loves me... but she loves many men, and I do not want to stop feeling the way I do about you."
"You don't?"
Asher shook his head. "Non."
Willow smiled. It wasn't exactly a declaration of love, but it was pretty close to such a declaration, and she decided that was good enough considering they hadn't known each other very long.
"Thank you," he whispered as he hugged her closer to his body. "For... everything."
"Everything, huh?" she asked teasingly. "Did I do that much?"
The blond vampire chuckled quietly. "Oh, I believe you have," he replied.
&&&&
PART TWENTY-FOUR
"Hey," she said after knocking on Jean-Claude's open office door. "Do you have a minute?"
Willow had spent a couple of hours at the cybercafé that was the closest to Guilty Pleasures, researching a few spells as well as what it would mean to be a vampire's human servant, and then she went to the club. She wanted to see Asher, but she also wanted to see Jean-Claude. She had a few questions for the Master of the City and she wanted those answered before she went to Asher's office.
"For you, ma chérie, of course," he replied, smiling at her. "What is on your mind?"
He stood up from behind his desk and walked towards her. After she came inside the room, he closed the door behind her and offered her a seat in a chair.
"Well," she started talking the instant the noises from the club were smothered by the closed door, "I've been doing some research tonight on everything that's been going on with Belle Morte, which is tricky, because not many people are human servants for vampires of that caliber. I'm a little worried, I have to admit, because I really don't want to be her servant.
"And, I like it here. I don't really want to be stuck in Europe with a crazy person. I like... well, I like being here with Asher. It's been a long time since I've been so comfortable with someone and I think I make him happy. I mean, he hasn't kicked me out yet, so that's a good sign."
Jean-Claude smiled. "After this evening, I would say he will not kick you out," he pointed out.
Willow felt her cheeks flushing. "Well, okay... that's good to hear," she said quietly, smiling at the vampire.
"You wish to be his human servant," Jean-Claude said unnecessarily.
She nodded. "Yeah. I mean... not just so I'm not tied to Belle. I have other reasons."
He nodded, too. "I believe you," he replied. He smiled. "I do, ma chérie. Do not forget that I saw you both together, after feeling the power you shared with him. You were peaceful... at ease. And he has not looked so happy in a long time. There are many reasons between you both."
She smiled. "Okay... so, if Asher gave me the first two marks, he wouldn't cancel Belle Morte's out until he gave me the other two, right? And... she can't give me the other two unless she arrives in person to do them?"
"Oui," he replied. "She could enter my territory without warning, but she would be risking much to do so. She would send an emissary and begin the chess match that is orchestrating a visit."
Willow pressed her lips together and started to pace as she pieced everything together. There were several complications to the plan she wanted to put into motion. The first was Belle Morte's reaction; Willow wasn't sure how the vampire would react when she realised Willow was no longer going to be her pawn. The second was Anita's influence over Asher; Willow was afraid that Anita would not be pleased with Asher taking a human servant and she knew that displeasure would be a major obstacle to overcome.
"Ask, ma chérie."
She looked up and stopped pacing. "Hmm?"
"You have questions," he explained. "Ask them. I will be as honest as I can be."
She smiled. "Alrighty... so... how pissed'll Belle Morte be if Asher takes me as his own?"
Jean-Claude shrugged. "I do not believe she would take the news well," he replied. "She likes to think of herself as the only one worth being worshipped. She feels her power is stronger than the power of others... that she is too desirable to ignore."
Willow nodded. "Oh. Okay... well... I don't want to inflict her wrath on anyone."
"Ma chérie, we have not made her happy in the past few years," he said quietly. "Do not base your decision upon what you fear her reaction to be."
"Are you sure?" she asked. "Because, I don't want to make life difficult for you guys. You haven't done anything to deserve my baggage---"
"Ma chérie, we will not see it that way," he promised. He tilted his head. "What is your next question?"
She frowned. She didn't know how to ask Jean-Claude about his girlfriend, without the question seeming inappropriate. "I... I probably shouldn't ask the next question. Let's just call this conversation done."
"Willow."
"I... well... I worry about Anita's reaction to all of this," Willow admitted. "I don't want to drive a wedge between her and Asher and this human servant thing really could. Plenty of things could. Her finding out about him feeding on me could. And I know how he feels about her... I wouldn't want him to lose what they have. Especially since having the three of you together is pretty important to him."
Jean-Claude's eyebrows inched upwards in mild surprise. "May I ask something?"
She nodded. "Go ahead."
"Why do you not mind that he still loves ma petite?"
Willow shrugged. She didn't really have a good explanation. She just knew that Anita was important and that Asher loved her; she knew their lives were complicated, and she just wanted to fit in instead of causing a rift.
"She makes part of him happy," Willow said quietly. "And... you guys have a weird and complicated lifestyle... which isn't conventional, but overall, it seems to work out." She shrugged again. "I don't know why I don't mind. But, I know I don't."
The black-haired vampire nodded. "That is very honest. Vague, but honest."
Willow smiled. "I wish I could explain it all better," she said quietly. "But, I can't. It's just... the way it is. I can't promise that I wouldn't have days where I'd be jealous... but you can't deny that you don't get jealous either. Nathaniel probably gets jealous, too. Everyone involved probably does. But, it's just natural."
"Tu as raison."
Tu as raison. = You are correct.
"I'm just afraid that if she's afraid she's going to lose Asher... she might... say or do something that will hurt him."
"She is beginning to understand that we have other needs," he assured her.
Willow nodded. "Okay... well that's a step in the right direction, I guess."
"Ma chérie, do not worry," Jean-Claude said as he squeezed her shoulder in an act of comfort, "because I want mon chardonneret to be happy and I see that you are important to him. I also want ma petite to expand her horizons and see that there is more to our collective happiness." He smiled. "You have an ally in me, Willow."
The witch smiled. "Thank you," she said quietly. "That means a lot."
"Go see him," Jean-Claude advised. "I believe he is in his office."
Willow nodded and smiled more. "Okay. Thanks for... everything."
"De rien," he said, dismissing her with a wave as he returned to the chair behind his desk.
She flashed him another smile and then she stood up and left the office. She walked down the hall, waving to Buzz and Requiem as she passed them, and then she ducked into Asher's office.
"He left a few moments ago, to take Nathaniel to the quiet room," Requiem told her, as he walked behind her.
She turned and smiled. "Oh. I thought... well, nevermind. I'll just wait here."
"He would want to see you," the vampire pointed out. "And Nathaniel won't mind."
"You sure?"
Requiem nodded. She smiled and touched his arm. "Thanks. It's just down the hall, right?"
"Past the dressing room, yes," he replied.
She ducked past the vampire and went towards the quiet room. She knew, from conversations with Jason, that it was the room where the strippers went to relax after performing. She was disappointed to learn that she missed Nathaniel's time upon the stage; she enjoyed watching him dance.
But, when she slipped into the room and saw Nathaniel, covered in fur and purring like the big cat he was, curled up in Asher's arms as they lounged on a sofa, she realised that she was definitely seeing something much more interesting.
"Hi," Willow whispered unnecessarily.
Asher smiled at her. Nathaniel opened his eyes and she thought he smiled---but she couldn't be sure because his face was half-man, half-cat---so she approached them and kneeled down in front of them.
"Good show?" Willow asked the wereleopard as she brushed her fingers through his fur.
He purred more. Willow chuckled quietly and looked into Asher's eyes. "How was it?"
"He was exquisite, as always," Asher replied.
Willow smiled and nodded. "Cool. I'm sorry I missed it," she murmured. She touched Asher's knee. "How's your night going?"
"Much, much better," he told her, a smile curving his lips. "Did you do the research you wanted to do?"
She nodded again. "I did. And then some."
"What does that mean?" he inquired.
"I... nothing."
"Mon colibri..."
She blushed. "I just... well, I ran my ideas past Jean-Claude. I like having a sounding board sometimes."
"A sounding board that may predict the reactions of specific people involved?"
"You know, you're not playing fair," she accused.
"Neither are you," he retorted, even though he was still smiling at her. "I suppose we are even, then?"
"Just about," she murmured.
He chuckled and started to pet Nathaniel's back. The young wereleopard purred and rubbed his face against Asher's thigh. Willow saw the look of desire harnessed; she chuckled and squeezed Asher's knee, meaning it to be a sympathetic gesture.
"You will both drive me mad," Asher muttered.
"That's okay," Nathaniel whispered.
Willow laughed quietly and then rubbed Nathaniel's ear. He purred more loudly and closed his eyes. She looked at Asher and smiled as her laughter faded away. "Did you get to flog him?" she teased.
"Non, but Jean-Claude requested my assistance on stage, nevertheless... to show the woman selected how to treat our kitten while he seduced the audience," Asher replied. "I carried him here after the show had finished."
"And I won't get off of him," Nathaniel added.
"Well, he is pretty comfy," Willow reasoned.
Nathaniel's eyes opened again. "Exactly," he agreed.
Asher reached down with one hand and gently brushed Willow's hair out of her face. "What were you researching?" he inquired quietly.
"Some spells. And the ins and outs of being a human servant," she confessed, avoiding his gaze by staring at the top of Nathaniel's furry head.
The vampire tipped her chin upwards so she had to look at him. The room was dimly lit, but she could still see many emotions in his eyes: hope, fear, disbelief, and so on.
"You are quite serious."
She nodded but didn't say anything.
"I wish someone would shake some sense into you," he muttered. "First you offer to feed me and now---"
"Did you ever think maybe I'm acting selfishly?" she interrupted. "Maybe I'm just trying to snag your affections? Maybe I want you to like me so you won't kick me out, so I'll have a place to live? Maybe I don't want you to be able to live without me? Maybe I don't want to be tied to Belle Morte anymore? I could just be saving my own ass, you know."
Asher rolled his eyes. "I do not think you are so selfish," he replied. "There are some things for you to gain---like freedom from Belle Morte, of course---but you are offering me the chance to gain many things as well."
"I know," she whispered.
"Perhaps I have been seducing you so you will offer me all that you have?" he argued.
"Maybe," she agreed. "But, it worked... so, if we go through with it all, you'll be tied to me forever."
"Forever is not as long as you may think," he pointed out.
She smiled. "Yeah, but, it'd be a long time to be tied to someone you can barely stand."
"Logical," Nathaniel whispered.
Willow chuckled quietly and resumed rubbing Nathaniel's ears, as if he were a pet. She sighed and changed her position, shifting her weight so she could lean her head against the seat of the sofa. Asher's hand slipped through her hair and started to massage the back of her neck.
"If I fall asleep here, we'll never finish our conversation," she whispered.
"It is not something to be settled in five minutes," Asher reasoned. "The conversation can wait until later."
Willow pouted. "I'm not gonna forget, so that tactic's not gonna work," she mumbled.
She could hear the smile in his voice. "I look forward to further debate," he assured her. "But, rest now, if you wish."
"It's just because this room is so warm and quiet and peaceful," she protested. "I'm not really tired... but maybe if I snooze or something, I'll feel better."
Asher laughed quietly. That was the last sound before darkness closed in upon her.
It wasn't a long nap. If Willow had to guess how long she had been sleeping, she would have said the nap lasted a few seconds. It felt as if she had blinked: one moment, awake; the next moment, asleep; the moment after that, awake again. But, she guessed it was longer than a few seconds.
"Mmpf," she mumbled as she rubbed her face against the suede of Asher's pants. She opened her eyes and saw Anita standing in the open doorway; the expression on the petite woman's face wasn't entirely pleasant, so Willow didn't know what to expect from their encounter with the necromancer. "H-hi," she whispered.
"Jean-Claude just told me."
Willow frowned and looked at Asher for guidance. She saw that Nathaniel hadn't moved, but that his eyes were wide open. The blond vampire's lips pressed together and he shook his head slightly. She frowned more; she wanted to speak, to explain the logic behind her decision. It seemed like Asher did not want her to talk.
"Do you object to the Master of the City's second in command taking a human servant?" Asher asked in a quiet voice.
Anita sighed. "Asher... I just want you to think this out."
"I have."
"You barely know her," Anita pointed out.
"I know her," he argued. "I know her heart and blood are pure and her mind is quick and bright. Her soul is kind... but not weak."
Willow blushed and leaned back against his legs. She always had a hard time taking compliments. His compliments weren't the usual 'nice hair' or 'cool outfit' compliments regularly encountered, though; they weren't superficial at all, and they spoke of a deeper understanding of their friendship.
Anita's eyes scanned over Willow. Her brow furrowed. "She fed you."
"She offered her blood to me, oui," Asher said, nodding.
The black-haired woman's expression softened. Willow saw confusion in her eyes but she didn't know why everything was so hard to understand. Anita experienced love on a regular basis, so Willow didn't understand why she wouldn't grasp the meaning and motivation behind Willow's actions.
"Nathaniel," Anita said after shaking her head and clearing her throat, "I'm gonna go soon. If you want a drive---"
"I'll be ready to go in a few minutes," the wereleopard muttered.
"Okay," she replied. "I'll meet you by the employee door."
She was gone before Willow could really process what had happened.
Nathaniel sighed and gracefully slipped out of Asher's lap. "I was having a good nap," he complained as he stretched his arms over his head.
Willow caught sight of the erection at his groin and she stifled a little laugh. "I can tell," she mumbled as her cheeks flushed.
The wereleopard glanced down and then laughed. "Oh. Sorry. No clothes. My shorts didn't make it through the change."
"You might wish to cover yourself somehow when leaving," Asher advised, a smile teasing his lips. "I do not want you to be chased by a mob of fans."
"Good safety tip," Nathaniel replied in a joking tone of voice.
Willow blinked. "Are you guys gonna pretend that didn't happen?"
Nathaniel's pleasant expression faded slightly. "Oh... well, there's not much to talk about, really," he said quietly as he moved around the room. "You don't have boundary issues. She does. It's freaking her out."
"She has a problem with me... because I don't have a problem with any of the weird world I dropped into?" Willow asked.
"Pretty much."
"How does she have boundary issues? She's in love with... how many people?"
Nathaniel shrugged. "A handful. But, we don't get everything." Before Willow could open her mouth and ask him what he meant by his response, he quickly added: "Jean-Claude doesn't get blood. Asher doesn't get the mushy romance stuff... or blood, unless something changes her mind. Micah and I get all the domestic, 'sharing a home' stuff, but Micah rarely gets her to himself and I don't get to be dominated the way I need to be. Damian doesn't get blood, either, or the really crazy side of love... and that leaves... oh. Richard. Richard doesn't get any of the relationship stuff. Mostly because he's never around. But, still."
"Mon chaton has an opinion?" Asher asked.
The young wereleopard nodded. "Life's too short. We have to find what makes us happy."
"And yet, you are not looking for a dominant," he pointed out.
"Yeah, but I've never had a home before." Nathaniel shrugged again, before he smirked. "Besides, I have you."
Asher smiled sadly and shook his head. "Anita would not entertain ideas of you, tied to my bed."
Willow frowned. "Why not? She doesn't... do those things. And it's not like he's going to another woman for them."
"Same sex relationships kind of freak Anita out."
"But, Jean-Claude and Asher---"
It was hard to read the expressions on Nathaniel's face earlier, but Willow stopped talking at that moment when he looked at her because she understood exactly what he meant. They were in love but they rarely expressed that love. She fell silent and rubbed Asher's leg, hoping to comfort him.
"You people are so weird," she said, after a few quiet minutes had lapsed.
Asher laughed at that. "Oh, tell us something we do not know," he murmured as he picked Willow up, off of the ground. "Mon chaton, thank you for tonight. I enjoyed our time together."
"Me, too," Nathaniel said with what looked like a smile. "See you later, guys."
He disappeared out of the room. Willow draped her arm over Asher's stomach and she rested her head upon his shoulder. "So, I freak her out because I have no problems?"
"More or less... I would say you are correct," he replied.
"But..." she trailed off and sighed. "Thinking makes my head hurt," she complained in a dry tone of voice.
Asher chuckled before he kissed her forehead. "Then, do not think any longer."
"Maybe I should talk to her."
"And say what, mon colibri?"
Willow frowned. "Oh. Didn't get that far yet."
"Telling her to get over her problems might not be the best strategy," Asher pointed out.
"What if I just... open the discussion?" Willow suggested. "Ask her what her problem with me is... and clear the air from there? I mean... then, she can ask me why I don't have problems with the things I don't have problems with. And... she can get to know me a little bit, too."
Asher sighed. "She does not handle confrontation very well."
"Well... I'll bring coffee," Willow suggested. "She loves coffee."
The blond vampire chuckled softly. "True... she does enjoy coffee more than I think one should. But, do not feel as if you have to explain yourself."
"I want her to understand," Willow murmured. "I don't want her to think I'm trying to take over... I don't want to be her. I just want to slip into your lives while making the fewest ripples possible." She sighed. "But, instead, I'm making tidal waves all over the place. I wish this was easier."
"As do I," he agreed. "However, all good things are not meant to come easily."
Willow smiled and hugged him briefly. He had made a reasonable point.
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
RATING: en.sea.xvii overall
PAIRING: Willow/Asher
SPOILERS: Up until Micah for AB; the series for BtVS, even though I don't really remember much of it, since I haven't watched the last seasons in ages.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone. I'm just having a little fun.
NOTES: This story is AU, since it's a crossover; because of that, I've taken a few creative liberties with explaining why the BtVS vampires are different than the AB vampires, and so on.
Previous Chapters: 1-3, 4, 5, 6-7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
PART TWENTY-THREE
She had been dreaming and for the first time in a long time, her dream had nothing to do with Belle Morte. She had been in a beautiful tent with many loose veils being blown by a late-night breeze. She had been wearing a robe, long and pale and open, and it, too, was swayed by the moving air.
Willow remembered walking through the tent, through its canopied chambers, until she saw a large bed. Asher was lying on that bed. He was naked and peaceful, watching her though his blue eyes.
"When I take you, it will only hurt for a minute," he had said to her.
She had smiled at that. "That's what my first boyfriend said... but with more poetry."
"Poetry is not only words, Hummingbird."
His words were the last words she heard or thought before she woke up. They were still echoing in her mind when she opened her eyes and became aware of her surroundings---of Asher's still body holding her close to him. She craned her neck to look at him; he was dead to the world, resting only as vampires did, but he was still so handsome that she felt her heart flutter a little inside her chest.
Willow put her hands down on either side of his torso and she pressed her weight down into the mattress as she lifted herself up. Hovering over him, she studied his face. It was such a mess of contrasts: handsome and grotesque, smooth and uneven, serene and violent, and perfect in each pair. She knew some people thought he looked like a monster but all she could think was that he was a handsome man---or vampire---with more character than so many people in the world.
She lowered her head and rested her forehead against his. His face was so cool; she almost shivered. Instead, she tilted her head and pressed her lips to his. She knew that he wouldn't respond and that it would be more akin to kissing a statue than a man, but she felt compelled to do it anyway.
Her lips had only rested against his for three seconds. In that third moment, she felt him wake up.
It startled her. She almost lost her balance but he caught her.
"Waking Sleeping Beauty?" he asked teasingly.
Willow laughed softly and looked into his eyes. "N-not on purpose," she replied.
"Curious to see how it would be to kiss a monument?"
"Something like that," she whispered. "It wasn't like I was trying to take advantage of you or anything."
Asher laughed. "Oh, I would like to see you try... especially since I have no blood to spare."
Willow pondered his words. She blushed as she realised what he meant. "You mean... you can't... without feeding first?"
"How would I be able to?" he inquired. "Blood is what makes my flesh warm... what makes my flesh harden."
She didn't know if he meant to inflict energy upon her with his words---the way Jean-Claude did with his laugh---but she felt the energy dance over her skin. It made her cheeks flush and her muscles tremble. Asher smiled and eased her down, so she was reclining on the bed again. He leaned over her and pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Are you well-rested, at last?"
"Yeah," she whispered, watching him as he retreated from her.
"D'accord," he murmured. He sat up and inched towards the edge of the bed. "I am going to shower and feed---"
"Wait." He turned slowly. She sat up a bit and said, "Feed from me."
"Mon colibri... I cannot."
"Why?" Willow insisted. "I want you to want---"
"Want you?" he finished for her. "I can hear your blood in your veins every evening when I wake. I can hear your heart. I know when it pounds more quickly, when you are excited or nervous. I want you, do not worry." He sighed and tilted his head, his mask of hair falling into place. "Your control amazes me, mon colibri. Even in the heat of l'ardeur, you somehow managed to keep everything together. You fed in a way I have never seen. You sated the curse of Belle Morte's line with nothing more than kisses and---" he stopped short and shook his head. "I do not know what to do with you. I want you here, but... but at the same time, I want to send you away because all I want to do is break your control!"
Willow felt her jaw drop as he confessed everything to her. It took her a few seconds, but she was finally able to figure out what to say in reply.
Asher was already moving. She moved quickly, catching his arm with her hand as she slid across the silk sheets. He reacted and stopped moving---and managed to stop her from sliding off of the bed.
"I barely kept everything together," she protested. "All I wanted to do was rip your shirt open and... and do things I can't even think about without blushing. But... we had an audience and I didn't want... I didn't want anything to happen between us because of that power. I wanted us to be... well, I wanted us to be us." She tilted her head to one side and exposed the long line of her neck. "Break my control," she suggested.
"Mon colibri..."
"Asher," she whispered, looking into his eyes, "I'm not going to run... I'm not going to 'cry foul.' I'm offering you my blood."
"It is more than just blood," he pointed out.
She nodded. "I know."
"Do you? Do you know what kind of power I can push into your body? Do you know what I can make you feel?"
"Show me this side of you," she insisted in a quiet voice. "Show me what you can make me feel when you drink my blood." She put her hand on his chin and guided his face until he had to look into her eyes squarely. "You know I'm serious. You know me well enough to know that."
"Willow... please."
"You're not a monster. You're a vampire. I've learned the difference and... and after last night, I thought we understood each other."
"I simply---"
She cut him off and put a finger to his lips at the same time. "I'm not chickening out. I'm here... and I didn't lie to you."
"You wish for me to feed from you?" he inquired quietly as he took her hand down from his face.
Willow nodded. "Yes," she whispered. "I don't want you to hold back, either." He opened his mouth to speak but she smiled and quickly added, "Just like that."
He chuckled and shook his head slightly. "Well, I suppose I will not get anywhere by arguing with you," he reasoned. "I was taught to never argue with a redhead," he added, a smile teasing his lips.
"Darn tootin'!" she exclaimed. "Don't mess with me, buddy."
Asher smiled and she felt as if her insides had liquified. She watched him inch backwards, towards the headboard. He adjusted the pillows and propped himself up. "Viens ici," he whispered. "We will do this properly."
She nodded and smiled and crawled across the bed. He offered her his hand and she accepted it; he guided her into position, between his legs with her back to his chest. Before she could say or do anything, he took her other hand---which she had been pressing to her stomach, since she didn't know where else to put it---and he placed it upon his thigh.
"Oh," she whispered.
Asher pressed a kiss to her shoulder as he brushed her hair out of his way. "Are you certain?"
"What about not arguing with a redhead?" she shot back.
"I can hear your pulse," he reminded her. "It has quickened."
Willow blushed and craned her neck to look at him. "We've only been this close a few times," she pointed out. "I'm a little nervous. But it's not fear... it's just... it feels good but I don't know what to do."
One of his arms wrapped around her torso. "Close your eyes," he advised. "The bite itself will hurt, but afterwards, it will become much more enjoyable."
"Just close my eyes?"
"Yes," he whispered. He kissed her shoulder again. "Close your eyes and let me do what you want me to do."
"You want to, too, right?" she asked, her voice squeaking a little.
Asher laughed quietly. "I have wanted to since I first saw you sleeping in my bed," he admitted, rubbing a slow circle over her stomach with the palm of his hand. Willow's breath hitched in her chest and she closed her eyes before resting her head against his shoulder. "Every day, that desire has increased. I have wanted to taste what runs in your veins... and after your most recent encounter with Belle Morte... I am even more curious to discover your flavour.
"If you change your mind," he added, "do not struggle. Simply tell me you wish to stop, and I will."
"Why?"
"It is like being bitten by a snake," he told her. "Pulling away can make the wound worse."
"Oh... okay. Makes sense." She inhaled slowly and nodded. "I'm ready," she assured him.
Willow felt his mouth hover over her neck, over her pulse point; she willed her body to relax, she reminded herself that she wanted to offer her blood to Asher and in doing so, show him that she was not repulsed by any facet of his existence. He rewarded her with a gentle kiss to that area before he opened his mouth and drove his fangs into her neck.
The pain was intense, but not in an entirely bad way---and she knew what bad pain felt like. She cried out and pressed her body against his as he sucked her blood from her veins.
Something was working its way into her body. It felt like energy, his energy, and it traveled down her body, into those hidden places. It twisted and teased those places and it made them warm. She heard herself whimper and she felt her body arch against his.
"Oh god," she whispered. "So... so good."
Her magic reached up, through her body, to wrap around his power. She could sense how surprised he was; it wasn't something he thought or said, but something every fibre of his being felt. Her powers caressed his, and as he drank her blood, she felt him hardening behind her. His needs pressed into her lower back as he growled into her throat.
His power teased her, seduced her... and it felt as if it were caressing her. It was entirely too intimate. It was something more than a lover could do. She cried out and moaned and wriggled, desperate for release from the sexual tension building inside of her.
Even in that thick, lustful haze, she thought of Asher and how much pleasure he could give but not entirely receive. She tried to guide her power to twist around his the way his had done to her body, and she tried to send some pleasure back to him; she wanted him to enjoy the experience as much as she was enjoying it.
Asher growled again and his hand moved upwards, from her stomach to her breast. When he cupped it and squeezed, she cried out again, wordlessly, and felt the telltale signs of climax approaching.
Her hand on his thigh tightened, digging into his flesh. She moaned and tilted her head further away from Asher's head, granting him more access to what he wanted.
With one final cry, her orgasm washed over her. She whimpered and twisted and gave into those heady feelings. She felt Asher stiffen behind her and he threw his head back, releasing her too suddenly. He groaned and slumped, against her and against the pillows; his hand slid away from her breast and rested against her stomach again.
"Mon Dieu," he whispered. "What have you done?"
Willow moaned, not ready to speak. Asher licked the wound he had made, tasting the blood that had leaked from it after he pulled away.
"I have never felt my gift... reflected back to me."
She smiled and patted his thigh. "I wanted you to."
"So that was your will and you made it so?"
"I tried," she whispered.
"You succeeded," he countered.
"Wow."
His chuckle was deep and it vibrated through her body. "Well said."
"I can barely feel my body," she mumbled, turning in his arms so she could bury her face in his chest. "God, that was... I had no idea it could be like that."
"Perhaps now, you understand why it is more than blood for me... with the proper person," he whispered, nuzzling her neck.
"Yeah," she breathed. "I get it."
"And in a few moments, I will summon some strength and draw you a bath."
"Both of us," she mumbled.
"Hrmm?"
Willow lifted her head and looked at him. "We both need a bath."
Asher's cheeks turned pink, her blood making him flush. "I... I can wait until your needs are---"
"After that brilliant show, you're shy?" she inquired. "We can get a bath together. You have to work tonight, don't you? You'll be late if you wait for me to finish."
"Why do I feel as if I should surrender to you?" he asked, smiling a little.
Willow beamed at him. "Because you already want to," she replied. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. She could taste her blood, coppery and something else entirely, on his lips but it didn't bother her. "So, just give in. Do what you want."
Asher arched an eyebrow. "What I want?" he echoed. "What I want involves never leaving this suite for a very long time."
She felt her own cheeks turn pink after she processed the meaning behind his nearly-growled words. "Oh," she whispered. "Well... okay. You might be late for work if you give in completely."
"And it isn't entirely appropriate yet," he added.
Willow frowned. "Why not?" she asked. "Are you afraid of what everyone'll think?"
"Only some people."
She nodded and kissed him again. "Well, I think they should be happy that you're trying to be happy," she told him. She pressed her face into his neck. "Achieving happiness is part of what makes us feel more alive, Asher."
"It has been a long time since I have been alive."
"You walk, you talk... you dance, you think, you love, you hate... how does that not make you living being?"
"Since when have you been so wise?"
Willow laughed quietly. "I'm the brains of this outfit," she joked. She lifted her head and looked at him. "I know some people probably think you guys are nothing but walking corpses, but... but they're wrong. You have feelings and thoughts like they do. You need things like they do. And you deserve to be happy---"
The blond vampire moved quickly. He gathered Willow into his arms and rose from the bed. She squealed and then laughed as he realised that he was taking her into the bathroom.
"Enough talk," he scolded.
"But, I'm not finished!"
"Yes, you are." He chuckled and set her down upon the counter, before he turned to fill the large tub with warm water. "Lilacs?"
"You'll smell like them, too," she pointed out.
"Would you mind if my skin smelled like your favourite flower?"
Willow blushed and smiled and shook her head. "Not so much, no," she murmured. "But, if you feel like it's a challenge to your manliness, then---" She stopped talking as he added the lilac-scented oil to the bath water. "Oh. Okay, then."
It took a few more minutes for them to undress and get into the water---and to suppress their awkwardness, despite the intimacy they had shared moments ago. Willow hadn't seen him naked, and she knew that he hadn't seen her naked; she was comfortable around him, but it always took a little time in getting used to physical comforts with someone she cared about. She didn't know why he was uncomfortable around her, but she didn't push their issues. She waited for him to get into the water and to tell her that he was not looking, and then she shrugged out of her remaining clothes and slipped into the water with him.
"We're weird," she commented.
"I agree."
Willow smiled and rested her head against his chest. "This is nice," she whispered.
Three doors opened. First, the outer door, then the bedroom door, and then the bathroom door. Both Asher and Willow startled, not having enough time to process one door's opening before the next one was opened, and found themselves looking into Jean-Claude's worried face.
Without saying anything, Asher rather gracefully tucked Willow behind his body as he turned slightly on his side to face the dark-haired vampire.
"Mon corbeau, qu'est-ce qui s'est passé?"
"I thought... we all felt it," Jean-Claude said quietly. "It was not l'ardeur, but something else... and... no one knew from where it was coming."
"He fed from me," Willow said meekly as she peeked over Asher's shoulder at the other vampire. "I... I tried to reflect his power back onto him, so he'd enjoy it, too. Was that... it?"
"Perhaps. That was all you did?"
Asher chuckled. "It was no small feat, Jean-Claude... it was... rather interesting."
"The whole place felt the power?" Willow asked. "Did everyone... um, well, enjoy it like we did? Because, that'd be kind of... disturbing."
Jean-Claude, relieved, had slumped against the counter. "Non. Not everyone felt what you felt."
"Did you?" she asked.
Jean-Claude hesitated for a moment. Then, he nodded. Willow squeaked wordlessly. Asher leaned towards the edge of the large tub and looked into the darker vampire's eyes. "Did you enjoy it?"
"I felt what you were feeling, mon chardonneret, and what she wanted you to feel," he replied honestly. "I did not achieve all that you did," he added diplomatically, "but I felt plenty of enjoyment in knowing what affections you were receiving. It is about time."
"Viens ici," Asher insisted.
Jean-Claude obeyed, kneeling down in front of him. Asher reached up and cupped Jean-Claude's face in his hand before he pressed their lips together in a kiss. Willow flushed as their kiss deepened; she watched them love each other without words and she could not tear her eyes away. She had known male couples, been friends with them, but she had never felt compelled to stare at them the way she was staring at Asher and Jean-Claude.
"Délicieux," the intruder whispered as the kiss ended. He opened his eyes and looked at Willow. "Your blood is very rich."
"You... oh! You could taste me... in his... wow. Um, okay." She tilted her head. "And you don't mind?"
Asher chuckled and reached back to gently caress her thigh under the water. Jean-Claude tilted his head and spoke quietly. "You did not mind watching us... just now. In fact, by the beating of your heart, I would say you enjoyed it."
Willow blushed. "I... yeah, okay," she admitted.
"Now that I am certain that no harm has come to either of you," he said, "I will leave you to finish your bath." He smiled and pushed himself up into a standing position, in one fluid movement. "Will you both be joining us at Guilty Pleasures this evening?"
"I... well, I was going to do some online research," Willow admitted. "For some spells and stuff. But, I was planning on meeting you guys later." She touched Asher's shoulder and quickly added, "If you don't mind waiting for me."
"I shall look forward to it," he assured her, sliding his hand over hers.
Jean-Claude smiled. "I am glad you are both unharmed," he said. He reached down and touched Asher's scarred shoulder, before he turned and left the bathroom.
Willow tucked her face into the back of Asher's neck, pressing it into his damp hair. She wasn't embarrassed---so naturally, she was embarrassed that she wasn't at all. She was also unsure of how to proceed with Asher, with their friendship, after such an intimate moment together. She knew such discomfort was silly, since they were naked in a tub together, but she couldn't prevent those feelings from twisting her insides.
"Would you like me to leave?" Asher inquired, breaking her from her thoughts.
Willow startled. "N-no," she whispered shakily.
"You're nervous."
She kissed his smooth shoulder. "It's been a---" she stopped short and tried again. "This is all pretty shiny and new, you know?"
"I do," he murmured.
"It kind of feels like we've done everything backwards," she added.
Asher nodded in agreement.
"And, I'm kind of worried about what Anita will think," she admitted in a quiet voice.
He turned over so he could face her. "As am I," he whispered, reaching up to smooth his fingers over her cheek. "But, she agreed that some things have to change, and she is not... my boss. I love her and she loves me... but she loves many men, and I do not want to stop feeling the way I do about you."
"You don't?"
Asher shook his head. "Non."
Willow smiled. It wasn't exactly a declaration of love, but it was pretty close to such a declaration, and she decided that was good enough considering they hadn't known each other very long.
"Thank you," he whispered as he hugged her closer to his body. "For... everything."
"Everything, huh?" she asked teasingly. "Did I do that much?"
The blond vampire chuckled quietly. "Oh, I believe you have," he replied.
&&&&
PART TWENTY-FOUR
"Hey," she said after knocking on Jean-Claude's open office door. "Do you have a minute?"
Willow had spent a couple of hours at the cybercafé that was the closest to Guilty Pleasures, researching a few spells as well as what it would mean to be a vampire's human servant, and then she went to the club. She wanted to see Asher, but she also wanted to see Jean-Claude. She had a few questions for the Master of the City and she wanted those answered before she went to Asher's office.
"For you, ma chérie, of course," he replied, smiling at her. "What is on your mind?"
He stood up from behind his desk and walked towards her. After she came inside the room, he closed the door behind her and offered her a seat in a chair.
"Well," she started talking the instant the noises from the club were smothered by the closed door, "I've been doing some research tonight on everything that's been going on with Belle Morte, which is tricky, because not many people are human servants for vampires of that caliber. I'm a little worried, I have to admit, because I really don't want to be her servant.
"And, I like it here. I don't really want to be stuck in Europe with a crazy person. I like... well, I like being here with Asher. It's been a long time since I've been so comfortable with someone and I think I make him happy. I mean, he hasn't kicked me out yet, so that's a good sign."
Jean-Claude smiled. "After this evening, I would say he will not kick you out," he pointed out.
Willow felt her cheeks flushing. "Well, okay... that's good to hear," she said quietly, smiling at the vampire.
"You wish to be his human servant," Jean-Claude said unnecessarily.
She nodded. "Yeah. I mean... not just so I'm not tied to Belle. I have other reasons."
He nodded, too. "I believe you," he replied. He smiled. "I do, ma chérie. Do not forget that I saw you both together, after feeling the power you shared with him. You were peaceful... at ease. And he has not looked so happy in a long time. There are many reasons between you both."
She smiled. "Okay... so, if Asher gave me the first two marks, he wouldn't cancel Belle Morte's out until he gave me the other two, right? And... she can't give me the other two unless she arrives in person to do them?"
"Oui," he replied. "She could enter my territory without warning, but she would be risking much to do so. She would send an emissary and begin the chess match that is orchestrating a visit."
Willow pressed her lips together and started to pace as she pieced everything together. There were several complications to the plan she wanted to put into motion. The first was Belle Morte's reaction; Willow wasn't sure how the vampire would react when she realised Willow was no longer going to be her pawn. The second was Anita's influence over Asher; Willow was afraid that Anita would not be pleased with Asher taking a human servant and she knew that displeasure would be a major obstacle to overcome.
"Ask, ma chérie."
She looked up and stopped pacing. "Hmm?"
"You have questions," he explained. "Ask them. I will be as honest as I can be."
She smiled. "Alrighty... so... how pissed'll Belle Morte be if Asher takes me as his own?"
Jean-Claude shrugged. "I do not believe she would take the news well," he replied. "She likes to think of herself as the only one worth being worshipped. She feels her power is stronger than the power of others... that she is too desirable to ignore."
Willow nodded. "Oh. Okay... well... I don't want to inflict her wrath on anyone."
"Ma chérie, we have not made her happy in the past few years," he said quietly. "Do not base your decision upon what you fear her reaction to be."
"Are you sure?" she asked. "Because, I don't want to make life difficult for you guys. You haven't done anything to deserve my baggage---"
"Ma chérie, we will not see it that way," he promised. He tilted his head. "What is your next question?"
She frowned. She didn't know how to ask Jean-Claude about his girlfriend, without the question seeming inappropriate. "I... I probably shouldn't ask the next question. Let's just call this conversation done."
"Willow."
"I... well... I worry about Anita's reaction to all of this," Willow admitted. "I don't want to drive a wedge between her and Asher and this human servant thing really could. Plenty of things could. Her finding out about him feeding on me could. And I know how he feels about her... I wouldn't want him to lose what they have. Especially since having the three of you together is pretty important to him."
Jean-Claude's eyebrows inched upwards in mild surprise. "May I ask something?"
She nodded. "Go ahead."
"Why do you not mind that he still loves ma petite?"
Willow shrugged. She didn't really have a good explanation. She just knew that Anita was important and that Asher loved her; she knew their lives were complicated, and she just wanted to fit in instead of causing a rift.
"She makes part of him happy," Willow said quietly. "And... you guys have a weird and complicated lifestyle... which isn't conventional, but overall, it seems to work out." She shrugged again. "I don't know why I don't mind. But, I know I don't."
The black-haired vampire nodded. "That is very honest. Vague, but honest."
Willow smiled. "I wish I could explain it all better," she said quietly. "But, I can't. It's just... the way it is. I can't promise that I wouldn't have days where I'd be jealous... but you can't deny that you don't get jealous either. Nathaniel probably gets jealous, too. Everyone involved probably does. But, it's just natural."
"Tu as raison."
Tu as raison. = You are correct.
"I'm just afraid that if she's afraid she's going to lose Asher... she might... say or do something that will hurt him."
"She is beginning to understand that we have other needs," he assured her.
Willow nodded. "Okay... well that's a step in the right direction, I guess."
"Ma chérie, do not worry," Jean-Claude said as he squeezed her shoulder in an act of comfort, "because I want mon chardonneret to be happy and I see that you are important to him. I also want ma petite to expand her horizons and see that there is more to our collective happiness." He smiled. "You have an ally in me, Willow."
The witch smiled. "Thank you," she said quietly. "That means a lot."
"Go see him," Jean-Claude advised. "I believe he is in his office."
Willow nodded and smiled more. "Okay. Thanks for... everything."
"De rien," he said, dismissing her with a wave as he returned to the chair behind his desk.
She flashed him another smile and then she stood up and left the office. She walked down the hall, waving to Buzz and Requiem as she passed them, and then she ducked into Asher's office.
"He left a few moments ago, to take Nathaniel to the quiet room," Requiem told her, as he walked behind her.
She turned and smiled. "Oh. I thought... well, nevermind. I'll just wait here."
"He would want to see you," the vampire pointed out. "And Nathaniel won't mind."
"You sure?"
Requiem nodded. She smiled and touched his arm. "Thanks. It's just down the hall, right?"
"Past the dressing room, yes," he replied.
She ducked past the vampire and went towards the quiet room. She knew, from conversations with Jason, that it was the room where the strippers went to relax after performing. She was disappointed to learn that she missed Nathaniel's time upon the stage; she enjoyed watching him dance.
But, when she slipped into the room and saw Nathaniel, covered in fur and purring like the big cat he was, curled up in Asher's arms as they lounged on a sofa, she realised that she was definitely seeing something much more interesting.
"Hi," Willow whispered unnecessarily.
Asher smiled at her. Nathaniel opened his eyes and she thought he smiled---but she couldn't be sure because his face was half-man, half-cat---so she approached them and kneeled down in front of them.
"Good show?" Willow asked the wereleopard as she brushed her fingers through his fur.
He purred more. Willow chuckled quietly and looked into Asher's eyes. "How was it?"
"He was exquisite, as always," Asher replied.
Willow smiled and nodded. "Cool. I'm sorry I missed it," she murmured. She touched Asher's knee. "How's your night going?"
"Much, much better," he told her, a smile curving his lips. "Did you do the research you wanted to do?"
She nodded again. "I did. And then some."
"What does that mean?" he inquired.
"I... nothing."
"Mon colibri..."
She blushed. "I just... well, I ran my ideas past Jean-Claude. I like having a sounding board sometimes."
"A sounding board that may predict the reactions of specific people involved?"
"You know, you're not playing fair," she accused.
"Neither are you," he retorted, even though he was still smiling at her. "I suppose we are even, then?"
"Just about," she murmured.
He chuckled and started to pet Nathaniel's back. The young wereleopard purred and rubbed his face against Asher's thigh. Willow saw the look of desire harnessed; she chuckled and squeezed Asher's knee, meaning it to be a sympathetic gesture.
"You will both drive me mad," Asher muttered.
"That's okay," Nathaniel whispered.
Willow laughed quietly and then rubbed Nathaniel's ear. He purred more loudly and closed his eyes. She looked at Asher and smiled as her laughter faded away. "Did you get to flog him?" she teased.
"Non, but Jean-Claude requested my assistance on stage, nevertheless... to show the woman selected how to treat our kitten while he seduced the audience," Asher replied. "I carried him here after the show had finished."
"And I won't get off of him," Nathaniel added.
"Well, he is pretty comfy," Willow reasoned.
Nathaniel's eyes opened again. "Exactly," he agreed.
Asher reached down with one hand and gently brushed Willow's hair out of her face. "What were you researching?" he inquired quietly.
"Some spells. And the ins and outs of being a human servant," she confessed, avoiding his gaze by staring at the top of Nathaniel's furry head.
The vampire tipped her chin upwards so she had to look at him. The room was dimly lit, but she could still see many emotions in his eyes: hope, fear, disbelief, and so on.
"You are quite serious."
She nodded but didn't say anything.
"I wish someone would shake some sense into you," he muttered. "First you offer to feed me and now---"
"Did you ever think maybe I'm acting selfishly?" she interrupted. "Maybe I'm just trying to snag your affections? Maybe I want you to like me so you won't kick me out, so I'll have a place to live? Maybe I don't want you to be able to live without me? Maybe I don't want to be tied to Belle Morte anymore? I could just be saving my own ass, you know."
Asher rolled his eyes. "I do not think you are so selfish," he replied. "There are some things for you to gain---like freedom from Belle Morte, of course---but you are offering me the chance to gain many things as well."
"I know," she whispered.
"Perhaps I have been seducing you so you will offer me all that you have?" he argued.
"Maybe," she agreed. "But, it worked... so, if we go through with it all, you'll be tied to me forever."
"Forever is not as long as you may think," he pointed out.
She smiled. "Yeah, but, it'd be a long time to be tied to someone you can barely stand."
"Logical," Nathaniel whispered.
Willow chuckled quietly and resumed rubbing Nathaniel's ears, as if he were a pet. She sighed and changed her position, shifting her weight so she could lean her head against the seat of the sofa. Asher's hand slipped through her hair and started to massage the back of her neck.
"If I fall asleep here, we'll never finish our conversation," she whispered.
"It is not something to be settled in five minutes," Asher reasoned. "The conversation can wait until later."
Willow pouted. "I'm not gonna forget, so that tactic's not gonna work," she mumbled.
She could hear the smile in his voice. "I look forward to further debate," he assured her. "But, rest now, if you wish."
"It's just because this room is so warm and quiet and peaceful," she protested. "I'm not really tired... but maybe if I snooze or something, I'll feel better."
Asher laughed quietly. That was the last sound before darkness closed in upon her.
It wasn't a long nap. If Willow had to guess how long she had been sleeping, she would have said the nap lasted a few seconds. It felt as if she had blinked: one moment, awake; the next moment, asleep; the moment after that, awake again. But, she guessed it was longer than a few seconds.
"Mmpf," she mumbled as she rubbed her face against the suede of Asher's pants. She opened her eyes and saw Anita standing in the open doorway; the expression on the petite woman's face wasn't entirely pleasant, so Willow didn't know what to expect from their encounter with the necromancer. "H-hi," she whispered.
"Jean-Claude just told me."
Willow frowned and looked at Asher for guidance. She saw that Nathaniel hadn't moved, but that his eyes were wide open. The blond vampire's lips pressed together and he shook his head slightly. She frowned more; she wanted to speak, to explain the logic behind her decision. It seemed like Asher did not want her to talk.
"Do you object to the Master of the City's second in command taking a human servant?" Asher asked in a quiet voice.
Anita sighed. "Asher... I just want you to think this out."
"I have."
"You barely know her," Anita pointed out.
"I know her," he argued. "I know her heart and blood are pure and her mind is quick and bright. Her soul is kind... but not weak."
Willow blushed and leaned back against his legs. She always had a hard time taking compliments. His compliments weren't the usual 'nice hair' or 'cool outfit' compliments regularly encountered, though; they weren't superficial at all, and they spoke of a deeper understanding of their friendship.
Anita's eyes scanned over Willow. Her brow furrowed. "She fed you."
"She offered her blood to me, oui," Asher said, nodding.
The black-haired woman's expression softened. Willow saw confusion in her eyes but she didn't know why everything was so hard to understand. Anita experienced love on a regular basis, so Willow didn't understand why she wouldn't grasp the meaning and motivation behind Willow's actions.
"Nathaniel," Anita said after shaking her head and clearing her throat, "I'm gonna go soon. If you want a drive---"
"I'll be ready to go in a few minutes," the wereleopard muttered.
"Okay," she replied. "I'll meet you by the employee door."
She was gone before Willow could really process what had happened.
Nathaniel sighed and gracefully slipped out of Asher's lap. "I was having a good nap," he complained as he stretched his arms over his head.
Willow caught sight of the erection at his groin and she stifled a little laugh. "I can tell," she mumbled as her cheeks flushed.
The wereleopard glanced down and then laughed. "Oh. Sorry. No clothes. My shorts didn't make it through the change."
"You might wish to cover yourself somehow when leaving," Asher advised, a smile teasing his lips. "I do not want you to be chased by a mob of fans."
"Good safety tip," Nathaniel replied in a joking tone of voice.
Willow blinked. "Are you guys gonna pretend that didn't happen?"
Nathaniel's pleasant expression faded slightly. "Oh... well, there's not much to talk about, really," he said quietly as he moved around the room. "You don't have boundary issues. She does. It's freaking her out."
"She has a problem with me... because I don't have a problem with any of the weird world I dropped into?" Willow asked.
"Pretty much."
"How does she have boundary issues? She's in love with... how many people?"
Nathaniel shrugged. "A handful. But, we don't get everything." Before Willow could open her mouth and ask him what he meant by his response, he quickly added: "Jean-Claude doesn't get blood. Asher doesn't get the mushy romance stuff... or blood, unless something changes her mind. Micah and I get all the domestic, 'sharing a home' stuff, but Micah rarely gets her to himself and I don't get to be dominated the way I need to be. Damian doesn't get blood, either, or the really crazy side of love... and that leaves... oh. Richard. Richard doesn't get any of the relationship stuff. Mostly because he's never around. But, still."
"Mon chaton has an opinion?" Asher asked.
The young wereleopard nodded. "Life's too short. We have to find what makes us happy."
"And yet, you are not looking for a dominant," he pointed out.
"Yeah, but I've never had a home before." Nathaniel shrugged again, before he smirked. "Besides, I have you."
Asher smiled sadly and shook his head. "Anita would not entertain ideas of you, tied to my bed."
Willow frowned. "Why not? She doesn't... do those things. And it's not like he's going to another woman for them."
"Same sex relationships kind of freak Anita out."
"But, Jean-Claude and Asher---"
It was hard to read the expressions on Nathaniel's face earlier, but Willow stopped talking at that moment when he looked at her because she understood exactly what he meant. They were in love but they rarely expressed that love. She fell silent and rubbed Asher's leg, hoping to comfort him.
"You people are so weird," she said, after a few quiet minutes had lapsed.
Asher laughed at that. "Oh, tell us something we do not know," he murmured as he picked Willow up, off of the ground. "Mon chaton, thank you for tonight. I enjoyed our time together."
"Me, too," Nathaniel said with what looked like a smile. "See you later, guys."
He disappeared out of the room. Willow draped her arm over Asher's stomach and she rested her head upon his shoulder. "So, I freak her out because I have no problems?"
"More or less... I would say you are correct," he replied.
"But..." she trailed off and sighed. "Thinking makes my head hurt," she complained in a dry tone of voice.
Asher chuckled before he kissed her forehead. "Then, do not think any longer."
"Maybe I should talk to her."
"And say what, mon colibri?"
Willow frowned. "Oh. Didn't get that far yet."
"Telling her to get over her problems might not be the best strategy," Asher pointed out.
"What if I just... open the discussion?" Willow suggested. "Ask her what her problem with me is... and clear the air from there? I mean... then, she can ask me why I don't have problems with the things I don't have problems with. And... she can get to know me a little bit, too."
Asher sighed. "She does not handle confrontation very well."
"Well... I'll bring coffee," Willow suggested. "She loves coffee."
The blond vampire chuckled softly. "True... she does enjoy coffee more than I think one should. But, do not feel as if you have to explain yourself."
"I want her to understand," Willow murmured. "I don't want her to think I'm trying to take over... I don't want to be her. I just want to slip into your lives while making the fewest ripples possible." She sighed. "But, instead, I'm making tidal waves all over the place. I wish this was easier."
"As do I," he agreed. "However, all good things are not meant to come easily."
Willow smiled and hugged him briefly. He had made a reasonable point.