HOT WATER
by Yseult deBreton

RATING: NC-17 (coarse language, sexual situations)
TIMELINE: Sometime after "Hero" and before "Five by Five"
SUMMARY: Um, Angel, a bathtub, and memories of Buffy? It’s a companion piece to The Ritual but without the angst. Think fluff. Think superfluff. Oh, and don't ask me about the curse.
AUTHOR’S NOTE #1: God help me. I think this might turn into a series. I could call it "Variations on a Theme – Water". This was written because (1) DarkRhiannon mumbled something about wanting to see Angel in a tub (2) Laitiane seconded the idea. (3) Dark Star mentioned a nekkid Angel scrubbing tiles (4) Alley’s still looking for her smut. (5) Leni pouted because my last story was not fluff. So, here it is.
AUTHOR’S NOTE #2: Angel’s thoughts are in italics.
DATE OF COMPLETION: 24 June 2003
DISTRIBUTION: Yseult's Passion and my permission.
DISCLAIMER: So not mine.
FEEDBACK: Makes me write more nekkid Angel. This is either a good thing or a bad thing, depending upon your mindset. Send it to yseultdb@yahoo.com

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Fantasy #1: A bathtub full of hot water.

Fantasy #2: A bathtub full of hot water and soap.

Fantasy #3: A bathtub full of hot water, soap, and a bottle of alcohol.

Fantasy #4: A bathtub full of hot water, soap, a bottle of alcohol, and some classical music.

Fantasy #5: A bathtub full of hot water, soap, a bottle of alcohol, some classical music, and candles. Yeah. That’s the one Angel wanted. Except, he’d add something else: Buffy.

Fantasy #6: Buffy, a bathtub full of hot water, soap, a bottle of alcohol, some classical music, and candles. Perfect. Now he could die happy. Not that he was in danger of dying anytime soon. Unless you count death by foul odour. This was one of those days when it sucked to be a vampire with highly acute senses. Useful when you’re hunting the bad guys. Frigging torture when you’re the one smelling like, well, whatever a Stayock’s word for shit is.

Damn Wesley and his fucked up translations. How the hell did he get to be a Watcher anyway? Isn’t there an exam or something you have to pass before you can be a Watcher? Maybe he cheated. Angel grimaced at that thought as soon as it was formed. Uh huh. Right. Wesley Wyndham-Price cheat? Does the man even know how? Whether Wesley knew how to cheat was irrelevant. Angel smelled and looked like shit. Smelled for the obvious reasons. Looked because Wesley fucking Wyndham-Price the Third didn’t fucking mention that fucking Stayock demons not only produce fucking copious amounts of crap but they fucking spew it as well. Angel idly wondered about the benefits of a headless Wesley.

God. I’m gonna smell like crap forever. Angel could just hear Cordelia. "Wow, Angel. Way to bring the clients in."

He stood at the back of the building which housed Angel Investigations and his apartment and considered his choices. The first option was to shed his clothes and walk naked into his apartment. Later, after the neverending shower, he could just burn everything. The second option was to walk through the front door and deposit the Stayock’s defenses all over the floor on his way to the apartment. That choice just sucked. Cordelia would never let him forget it and the smell would take forever to dissipate. Option #3 was to drag his stinking body over to Wesley’s apartment which had a separate shower and tub and inflict this mess on him. An Angelus grin flickered over Angel’s features. Option number 3 it was.

*****

"Angel." The word hung in the corridor. Wesley waved his hand in front of his nose. "I take it you found the Stayock demon and, uh, dispatched it. And I say, that’s quite an overpowering odour."

"Glad you like it," said Angel before he pushed past the ex-Watcher and entered the apartment. He peeled off his duster and dumped it on the floor. Then he kicked off his demon-encrusted shoes. He was unbuckling his belt when he heard Wesley mumble behind him. "Did you say something?"

"I said, I wonder if the uninvite spell is retroactive." Wesley eyed the growing pile of discarded clothing as Angel continued to strip in front of him.

"I’d say no, but feel free to try it. I’m in a weird mood tonight, Wesley. Giving the neighbours a show is not what I had in mind but as long as I get clean, I don’t much care." Angel was now naked except for his boxers. He ran his fingers through his hair and debris rained onto the carpet. "You should probably get rid of those sooner rather than later." He indicated the fetid sodden clothing.

"But—" Wesley began.

Angel squeezed the man’s shoulder. "Don’t gape, Wesley. It makes you look less manly."

Wesley shut his mouth. He opened it again "Angel, why are you here? Did something happen to your apartment? I know a reputable plumber—" He stopped speaking when he caught the look on Angel’s face. "I see. I suppose it is a little late to apologize for the mistranslation." Wesley regarded the condemned clothes with disdain. "Has anyone ever told you that you can be vindictive?"

Angel’s smirk grew larger. "What can I say, Wes? Payback’s a bitch. I need a towel. Possibly two." The vampire suddenly realized that Wes was dressed in a suit. "Are you going somewhere? Do you have a date?" Angel listened and noted that in addition to Wesley, there was another human in the apartment. "Did you bring someone home?" Angel whispered

The ex-Watcher blushed. "I didn’t bring her home exactly. She just… Are you going to be long?" Wesley’s studious face dared Angel to make a rude comment. But Angel was too tired and too focused on getting clean.

"I just want a bath, Wesley. Well, a shower and then a bath and I want to be left alone. I’m gonna be awhile. So why don’t you take her to my apartment." Wesley raised an eyebrow. "There’s wine under the stairs but no food. I’ll clean up when I’m done. I promise." Angel rummaged through his coat pockets and found his keys. He held them out to Wesley.

The British man hesitated before accepting them. "There are towels in the bathroom. I’ll get rid of your clothes. I assume you brought a change? Nothing I have will fit you."

Angel laughed. "No offense, Wes, but I’d rather go naked than wear anything you own." Angel pointed to the bag he’d dropped by the front door. "I’m set." He padded off to the bathroom.

*****

He’d been in the shower less than 30 seconds when Wesley knocked before opening the bathroom door.

"Angel? I’ve put your clothes in several garbage bags and left them by the dumpster."

"Thanks, Wes."

The door closed. Angel turned his face into the cold spray and let the water dance over his body. When he felt as if most of the gunk had come off, he turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. Angel had run the bath earlier. The tub of hot water and a bar of soap beckoned him. Going with fantasy #2.

He settled into the tub and closed his eyes. He could feel the water slowly warming his skin.

Another quiet knock then click. The bathroom door opened slightly. Angel peered through half-closed eyes. Wesley was pointedly not looking at the bathtub.

"Angel? Will you be going back to your apartment tonight? Or can I…?"

"Stay as long as you need to, Wes."

Click. Angel’s eyelids fluttered shut. He felt the remaining residue lift away from his body. In a few minutes, his mind would follow. Click. Damn it, Wesley. Now what?

"Angel? Help yourself to whatever shampoo or soap you need."

"Thank you. I will."

Click. Angel ran his fingers over his arms. He could still feel a layer of scum. He grabbed the soap and lathered his arms and chest. The soap was warm. In his mind, he imagined it was Buffy’s hand that skimmed over the muscles of his chest and arms and— Click.

"Angel? Feel free to use whatever you need to. Treat my home as yours, as it were."

"Get. Out." The words were forced through Angel’s fangs and accompanied by a low warning growl. He heard the satisfying slam of the bathroom door followed by the front door opening and closing.

The soap traced the contours of his thighs, shins, calves, feet, back, and buttocks. Angel ducked his head below the water to wet it again and poured some shampoo into his hand. Then he methodically massaged it into his hair. It was Buffy’s hands that moved through it and gently rubbed circles into his scalp.

They had taken one bath together, just before he left Sunnydale. He had filled the mansion’s large tub with hot water and slowly undressed her. As each piece of clothing was removed, he had covered Buffy’s naked skin with kisses. By the time she was bare, Angel had licked every inch of her body. She had returned the favour. It was the first time someone told him that his belly tasted like peaches and his cock was like strawberries. She had wondered aloud what he would taste like with whipped cream. He had threatened to leave her there and go to the store. ("Another time, Angel.") She never did find out. She also didn’t remember ice cream and chocolate and peanut butter and… Angel growled. He always ended up in this place. He didn’t want to remember anymore.

Angel dunked his head and rinsed the shampoo out. When he raised it, he watched the teetering towers of foam break into mounds of bubbles and disappear. He grabbed the bar of soap again and created a rich thick lather. This time his hand dove beneath the water’s surface and gripped his cock. He leaned his head against the bathtub wall and closed his eyes. Slowly he traveled up and down the shaft with building pressure. He never increased the pace. Each time he made love to Buffy, it had been slow and sure. This was a sense memory. If he went faster, he was just jerking off. If he went slow, he was making love to her again. Coming. I'm coming.

Click. The goddamnfucking bathroom door was open. If Wesley wants a show, I’ll fucking give him one.

"Unless you’re planning on joining me, Wesley, GET. OUT."

There was silence. Angel’s hand continued to move rhythmically below the water. He ignored the tingle he felt at the base of his spine.

Then a voice asked, "You want some help with that?"

Angel opened his eyes and murmured "Buffy" as his body spasmed and shook and his orgasm literally choked. It can’t be— She’s in Sunnydale. Angel blinked just to make sure. Buffy was really standing in the bathroom. With no clothes. And a can of whipped cream.

"You’re here." Angel was still in shock. It was the only explanation for his sudden display of idiocy. Of course she’s here, moron.

"You’re one smart vampire." Buffy shook the can in front of her chest in a blatant echo of Angel’s earlier actions. She looked like something beyond heaven. Angel could feel his erection get even harder. He watched her cross the bathroom floor and lightly perch on the edge of the bathtub. By his feet. Where he’d have to actually move to touch her. As his gaze drank her in, a drop of perspiration rolled down her neck and between her breasts.

He swallowed several times before he spoke again. "Do I want to know why you’re here?" One of his fingers touched her knee. It was quickly joined by other fingers and a palm as they traveled the brief distance between her knee and her hip.

"Does it matter?" she smiled.

Nope. Not one damn bit. Angel’s hand continued to move over her body. It stopped briefly to cup a breast and harden a nipple. When it reached her face, Angel searched her eyes for permission to take her.

"You’re here," he said again.

Buffy giggled. "You keep saying that. Yes, I’m here." His eyes caught the furtive movement of her finger on the nozzle of the spray can.

Angel’s third-to-last thought as he heard the whipped cream spray across the bathroom was That’s gonna be a mess to clean up. His second-to-last thought was a snapshot of him stark naked and scrubbing tile. His last thought was a different picture: Buffy on her hands and knees with her firm ass wiggling at him while she scrubbed the tile. He licked some of the whipped cream from her fingers.

"I don’t want you here," taunted Angel as he placed his hands around her hips.

She wrinkled her nose and altered her position so that she had a better balance. "Where do you want me?" It was a dare. They both knew it.

He gave her a wolfish grin. "I want you here," said Angel and he pulled her into the bathtub with him. Buffy’s shriek of joy was cut off by Angel’s lips lickingtouchingtastingsucking hers. I want you here forever.

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