Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Angelus glanced down at Willow. She was sitting at her usual place on the ottoman, by his side. She looked despondent, her head was low and her eyes steadily fixed on her hands in her lap.

"Sit up straight, Willow...if you persist in slouching I'll dress you in a corset and gown," he threatened, shifting in his chair and taking a drag on his cigarette watching as she straightened but kept her eyes down. As he spoke to Spike about nothing in particular he continued to watch her. Spike had mentioned that she had finally hit back in this mornings session but pulled a muscle in doing so. However physical pain wouldn't account for this gloom. Even after he'd beaten Spike and reinforced the threat he held over her, she had still taken an interest in the general conversation that went on about her, her eyes constantly watching them. But this emptiness was different. He watched as she slowly slouched down again. Grabbing her arm he hauled her up off the footrest and threw his cigarette into the empty fireplace. "That's it you were warned."

Spike's laughter accompanied them into her room with Angelus not letting her go until he reached her bedroom. He left her briefly to disappear into the vast walk in closet, which was quickly being filled with all sorts of clothes, before returning and throwing down a number of items on the bed.

"Strip," he ordered, busily working through the pile and picking up a delicate fine cotton and lace camisole and matching drawers. Smiling at her nude form he held open the drawers, bending down and waited for her to step into them, which she did while clinging to his arms to steady herself. Next was the top that slipped on easily. Moving behind her he handed her some old fashioned stockings, the sort that came to just above the knee, her drawers rested below her knees with fine ribbon ties which would hold up the stockings. In silence she put them on and tied the ribbons. As she straightened up Angelus' hands snuck around her waist, wrapping the corset about her, so he could lace it up. "You know I miss corsets."

He smiled as his fingers worked at the laces, pulling them in loosely, waiting for a question of why. He received none. He moved in closer, his lips brushing across her shoulder.

"There's something incredibly feminine about them...pushing up the breasts, accentuating the waist," he murmured, his cool fingers brushing across the bare expanse of skin at the top of her back. "Of course there wasn't anything feminine about the tight lacers, do you know who they were?"

Willow shook her head. "No, I don't."

Angelus smiled, at least she was speaking. "Women who used their corsets to reshape their bodies. Having them laced so tight that there was permanent bruising around their waists...nothing more grotesque than stagnant blood pooling beneath the skin..."

"I would have thought that was like an aphrodisiac to a vampire," Willow spoke quietly. Behind her Angelus chuckled.

"No, drinking blood from a bruise is like...drinking sour milk. Grab hold of the bedpost," he whispered against her ear. She raised her arms, her hands wrapping around the heavy post. Angelus began to tighten the corset, smiling at each little gasp of pain Willow made. "Now as for menstrual blood, that's a different story. It changes, you know, the sweetness of it. Virgins monthly blood is like ambrosia, but once a woman has had a child, there's something vulgar about the taste," he leant in close to her ear. "I guess that's something I won't have to worry about with you...is it? I wonder what you taste like when you bleed? Your blood is so sweet I think it will be delicious...guess we'll find out in a few days..."

Willow turned her head slightly. It didn't surprise her that he knew her cycle, he seemed to know everything about her. She hissed as he pulled the laces even tighter, making her breath shallow, biting her tongue she dug her fingers into the post and held on. After a few moments he tied off the laces and left her with instructions to finish dressing in the midnight blue silk and lace gown he had laid out for her and to wear the sapphire drop earrings, ensuring that her hair was drawn off her face but still worn down. Ten minutes later she walked back out to the lounge room and Spike laughed at her.

"Oh well this is a pretty picture," he smirked, taking her hand and raising it to his lips as he bowed in a mocking courtly gesture. "May I say it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

His blue eyes laughed up at her and she tried to snatch her hand away, but he held it firmly in his. He straightened again and tilted his head, holding her hand away from her body, his eyes critically taking in the turn of the century style gown.

"May I have the honour of this dance, Miss?" he asked and without waiting for an answer wrapped his arm about her waist and led her off in a waltz.

"What do you really think Spike?" asked Angelus watching them together with interest. She was fighting against him, uncomfortable being so close to him. Angelus frowned slightly as he realised that she wasn't uncomfortable with Spike, she was uncomfortable with herself.

"She is pretty...reminds me of all those nights we spent in the drawing rooms of society," Spike spoke softly as he continued to waltz her about the room, his eyes searching her face, a soft trace of a smile on his lips. "How many hours did we spend waltzing, listening to pretty little girls sing and playing those damned games before we could sweet talk our way into a dark corner to drain societies most precious daughters?"

"Hours upon hours," Angelus affirmed and then grinned. "I miss those games...they were amusing in their own way."

"What sort of games?" asked Willow, curious as to what they meant. Angelus laughed and pushed himself out of his chair, strolling over to the couple, stopping their dance to pull Willow away.

"I suppose the best way to explain them..." Angelus purred, brushing the side of her face with his fingers. "Is to play them. Spike, get a blindfold."

Willow's eyes widened, her mind wandering back to the last time she had been blindfolded and she blushed. Angelus laughed as the colour stained her cheeks and he took the blindfold from Spike, tying it about her eyes.

"With this game you have to catch someone and kiss them," Angelus said, turning her around in circles. Willow frowned.

"How am I meant to catch you if I can't see you?" she asked, her hands testing the air in front of her.

"Simple," Angelus whispered against her ear. "You listen and you feel."

With that he let her go and stepped back, winking at Spike. Slowly they began to circle her as she held out her hands blindly reaching out.

"This isn't fair, you don't even breathe," she protested, spinning around and reaching out. Angelus laughed again and she lunged at the sound. He smiled and side stepped her, walking around to stand behind her, his fingers reaching out and lightly running down her back. Willow spun and reached out for him and he snatched his hand away. Spike leaned forward and tapped the back of her knee, making her turn again and grasp at the empty air.

"You can move about, Willow," Angelus said, walking around so she wouldn't be able to focus on his voice long enough to catch him. "We won't let you get hurt."

Hesitantly she took steps forward and listened closely. Although they didn't breathe, their clothes made sound as they moved, Angelus' soft silk shirt rustled slightly while his pants creaked softly, Spike's denim jeans made a rougher 'whooshing' sound as he walked about. They continued to torment her, reaching out and touching her. Finally she stood still and listened waiting for one of them to come in to touch her, as soon as she heard them she reached out and grabbed making contact with a cool hard body. Despite herself she bounced up and down, giggling madly at her success.

"I got you, I got you," she chanted, suddenly realising she sound very much like a child. She didn't care, she'd got one!

"You haven't got him until you kiss him, Willow," Angelus reminded from behind her. Slowly she let her hand move to Spike's face and rose up to her toes to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "Well done. Spike, your turn."

The blindfold was transferred to Spike and he was spun in a circle before being released. Angelus grabbed Willow's hand and walked her around Spike, urging her to reach out and touch him, ducking in time to miss being caught. Soon she found herself giggling with Angelus and Spike as the silly drawing room game continued. Angelus was caught and Willow watched as Spike kissed him, it was no chaste kiss like she had bestowed on Spike, this was a kiss of passion and she felt like she was intruding. Silently she dropped Angelus' hand and stepped back from the two men.

"My turn," declared Angelus taking the blindfold from Spike and walking over to Willow, holding it out to her and kneeling down. "Blindfold me."

She did so and spun him about before taking a step back. Spike walked around the dark haired vampire and struck out at him, catching him on the knee and silently urged Willow to do the same. So they continued for some five minutes, amongst giggles and near misses, when Angelus lunged at Spike who grabbed Willow and held her in front of him so that she was the one caught. As his lips crashed down on hers he kept pushing her backwards until she was pressed flush against Spike for the duration of the long and ardent kiss. Angelus broke the kiss and pulled the blindfold away.

"What next...I know, hide and seek," he smiled, moving backwards.

"Hide and seek?" questioned Willow, thinking she had surely heard him incorrectly. "You mean we hide and you seek us out?"

"Smart and pretty, could be a deadly combination," Spike said sarcastically. Angelus ignored him.

"That is it precisely, I'll give you both until I count to fifty," he paused, his eyes darkening and roaming over the two individuals standing in front of him. "Then I'm coming after you."

He turned his back and started to count. Spike grabbed Willow's hand, urging her to the stairs.

"Come on, love," he urged, glancing back over at his sire. Willow giggled and followed him down the stairs and into the catacombs of the lower level hallways. Madly they ran through the maze of the mansion, Spike never loosening his hold on her.

"Spike," Willow called breathlessly, making him slow down and glance back at her. "I can't keep up in this outfit, you go on."

"Nah, come on, we'll go out to the garden. Harder to track a heartbeat out there," he stated leading her down a hallway that had French doors opening out into the lavish grounds of the mansion.

"You two better run," called out Angelus from somewhere in the mansion. Willow squealed in delight as Spike squeezed her hand and led her through the moonlit garden.

"He's going to catch us," she stated looking back over her shoulder for any sign of him. Spike laughed.

"Of course he is, that's the whole point of the game," Spike said as they walked down a path winding through the gardens.

"Yes but I thought it would take longer," said Angelus from behind them, causing them both to spin around and look at him.

"Oh bloody hell. Run, love," Spike shouted pushing Willow toward another path. With a shriek of fun she ran as fast as she could in the long dress she was wearing. Without looking back she continued to run down the path only stopping when it ended in a small garden of roses. Catching her breath she walked into the garden, strolling amongst the roses, marvelling at the many different varieties, the game and Angelus temporarily forgotten. She paused in front of a single rose of pale pink, closing her eyes and breathing in its wonderfully sweet scent.

"How fitting to find a rose like yourself surrounded by flowers that pale in comparison," Angelus purred from the entrance of the garden. Willow glanced up, frightened by the intensity of his eyes.

He moved forward, his eyes pinning her in place. His hand brushed her hair from her face as he bent down, his lips capturing hers. She moved forward slightly, her body flush against his. She felt his mouth move from hers, his lips blazing a path down her face to her neck. She whimpered softly as his blunt teeth nipped at her pale flesh. She stared up at the moon, the cool night air wrapping around them. She was startled to feel his hands move to the front of her dress. Surely he wasn't intending to take her there, in the garden. Anyone could walk by and see them. Self consciously, she moved away from him, her arms wrapping around herself.

Angelus watched her face silently. He saw the fear in her green eyes and knew exactly what she was afraid of. He brought his hand up to her face, letting his fingers caress her smooth skin. "Do you know how beautiful you look by moonlight? The way the soft light illuminates your skin...the way your eyes shine so brightly...I could stand here and simply watch you for hours."

Willow felt herself being drawn in by his words. She moved her face into his touch, her arms falling to her side. She caught his eyes, the dark orbs burning into hers. She so wanted to believe his words.

Angelus turned to look behind him, catching Spike's curious blue eyes as the blonde vampire moved into the garden. He smiled slightly, turning his attention back to Willow who was unaware of the blonde's presence. "Strip for me, Willow."

"What?" Willow asked breathlessly. She saw the desire in his eyes and knew he did mean to take her in the garden. She gulped, closing her eyes.

Angelus caught her hands as they shakily moved to the front of her dress. He rubbed small circles on her palms as he began to unfasten the row of tiny buttons. He heard her breathing quicken as he slid the dress from her delicate shoulders. He let the material fall to the ground, his eyes taking in her form. He looked at her face and saw that her eyes were still shut tightly. He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair as annoyance flashed in his eyes. "Look at me." he demanded softly.

Willow's eyes flew open. She saw the annoyance in Angelus eyes and wondered what she had done. He caught her face in his hand, leaning forward until their noses almost touched. "You are beautiful Willow. Why do you not see what I see?"

She couldn't answer. What was she suppose to say? She kept her eyes on his as he removed the camisole and drawers. She felt goosebumps on her skin as the cool breeze caressed her bare flesh. She watched as he stepped away from her, his eyes raking possessively over her trembling body. "Do you know what I see, Willow?"

She shook her head slightly and answered softly, "No. What do you see?" She asked, curiosity burning in the green depths of her eyes.

He smiled, his eyes still unreadable. "Why ask me? You don't seem to believe me. Spike, what do I see my boy?"

Willow's eyes widened as she glanced in the direction of his words. Her body flushed as she realized that Spike had been standing there the entire time. She started to cover her body but saw the warning flash in Angelus' eyes. Instead, she looked at the ground, not wanting to hear Spike's words.

"Truly magnificent" Spike said softly, wondering what game his sire was playing with the girl now.

Angelus moved to sit in one of the patio chairs. He looked at them both, annoyance again flashing in his eyes. He crossed his legs, waiting, his eyes watching Willow as he gestured impatiently to Spike, "More. Tell her what I see when I look at her."

Spike frowned, then turned to take a better look at his sire's consort. He let his eyes blaze a path over her body before he answered lazily, "Vibrant red hair that surrounds the face of an innocent angel...eyes that burn with curiosity and knowledge...lips that beg to be kissed...a neck so graceful it almost seems a shame to mar it with a bite but that makes it impossible to resist staking your claim...pert breasts that fit perfectly in your hands...nipples that harden just from a look.....a flat stomach that leads down to red curls that glisten in need and want, a sweet scent coming from between her thighs....long legs that fit perfectly around your waist as you sink deep into her..."

Willow heard Spike's words, her eyes still locked with Angelus'. She suddenly knew that this was what Angelus saw when he looked at her. She felt pleasure come over her body as Angelus smirked at her, seeing her understanding. He stood, moving to her. He again caught her face, bring her eyes to stare into his. "Do you believe me now?"

She nodded, still slightly unsure. Spike's words had convinced her more than anything Angelus could have told her. She felt his lips capture hers as she was pulled into his hard body. She felt his hands moved around her, cupping her ass and bringing her in closer to him. He pulled back, his eyes staring into her soul. "Tell me, Willow."

She knew what he was asking. She took a hesitant breath, saying softly but with some conviction, "I'm beautiful."

He nodded, seeing the slight truth in her eyes. She was slowly starting to believe it. He glanced at Spike, who was still watching silently. Angelus smiled at his childe, "Go now." he said quietly. Spike nodded, moving from the gardens.

Willow had never felt more beautiful. His and Spike's words had given her the confidence she had been lacking lately. She saw the desire in his eyes as he swept her into his arms. Startled, she looked at him as he began to walk to the house, her nude body cradled in his arms. He laughed silkily at her expression, "I wasn't going to take you in the gardens, Willow. I just wanted to see you nude by the moonlight." He smirked at her dazed look, "I prefer the bed over the cold stones outside. Besides, anyone could have walked by." He caught her lips, wondering if his games had gotten her out of her melancholy mood of earlier in the evening. He moved into her room, shutting the door behind them. Laying her on the bed, he stripped and joined her.

Two hours later Willow watched as Angelus got out of her bed, his fingers tracing a path from her neck down to her fingertips, just like he had every night he was with her. Unconsciously she sighed in disappointment, knowing that he was walking away to go to Spike. He stopped short of the door and turned back to her.

"You can come with me..." he stated softly, his brown eyes capturing her green ones. "if you want to."

Willow stared at him for a moment before rolling over and turning away from his unrelenting gaze.