__The Beach__
By Kath



Angel and Wesley stood in the alleyway, watching, as Gunn and Cordelia headed off in Gunn's truck. By the animated motions they could see, through the back window, it was evident that the girl was still lecturing her newest challenge on the art of saying 'thank you'.

Wesley smiled and turned back to his employer. "Right, well, since your keys are pretty much...er...hopelessly covered in demon goo, would you like a lift back to the hotel?"

Angel ran his hand through his hair and looked up at the moon. "Full moon tonight," he said, avoiding the question.

Wes followed his gaze. "Hmmm, yes, what you can see of it, with the city lights being so bright." He looked expectantly back at Angel, who smiled his quirky, slanting half-smile.

"Ah, actually, I don't really feel like going home..."

Wesley's grin lit up his entire face. "Care to go for a ride?"

"I thought you'd never ask." Angel slipped onto the back of the bike, and waited.

"Angel," Wesley chided, before turning and disappearing back into the garage.

The vampire groaned, as his associate returned, carrying a filthy, slightly dented, but still very obviously hot-pink helmet.

"Angel, you've still got to wear this...Your hair is rather a lost cause already, anyway." He laughed, as Angel's hand flew to his head. "You're certainly vain, for someone who was no reflection."

Resisting the urge to stick out his tongue, Angel snatched the despised head gear and jammed it roughly onto his head. "You're *still* gonna pay for this."

Wesley winked precociously, and slid onto the bike, in front of Angel. "Hold on tight...Gorgeous."

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The Big Dog roared down the California coastal highway, as Wes opened up the throttle, taking curves at breakneck speed. On impulse, the Rogue Demon Hunter swung abruptly onto a cross street, nearly sending his passenger careening off the back. Angel retaliated by thumping his fist on the top of Wesley's helmet, causing him to slow slightly. Another bend in the road, and their destination became clear.

Wesley pulled to a stop, and switched off the engine. The crashing of the ocean waves against the beach could now be heard, and the bright light of the full moon positively sparkled off the water.

The two men removed their helmets, and dismounted. "Expecting, maybe, to find some werewolves prowling around the beach?" Angel teased.

Wesley had already removed his leather jacket and sweater, and was working on his boots and socks. "Nope, tonight we're off the clock." He slipped off his glasses, depositing them into one of his boots. Angel couldn't help thinking he looked 'way James Dean' (as Cordy would say) in his t-shirt and jeans.

"C'mon, Angel." Wes gave the vamp a friendly whack. "Let's go down to the water."

Angel swore Wesley was practically skipping, as he reluctantly followed after his enthusiastic friend. "Uh, Wes, I don't really *do* beaches. His comments fell on deaf ears.

Reaching the water's edge, Wesley stopped, close enough to feel the water lapping at his feet and ankles. He heard Angel's approach, and spoke, without even turning around.

"I like it down here; it's so peaceful."

"Sorry? Couldn't hear you over the crashing waves."

"Ha ha, you know what I mean...I'd say it reminds me of home, but it doesn't really. It's nothing like the beach at Brighton - for one, there's sand..." He dug his toes into the wet, gritty stuff. "...and for another, the water is actually warm."

Without warning, Wesley had shrugged out of his t-shirt and jeans, and was wading out into waist high water, wearing nothing now but his boxers. He peered over his shoulder at Angel, with a dopey grin on his face.

"Come on, Angel! Come on in; the water feels wonderful."

"Uh, no thanks, Wes."

"Chicken!"

250+ years old or no, Angel was not about to let Wesley get away with that. He shed his clothes in record time, and soon joined him on the sand bar. He would have dug his hands into his pockets, had his pockets not been back on the beach.

"Now what?" In answer, he received a playful splash of water in the face. "Hey, watch the hair!" Another splash followed the first one.

Angel gave Wesley a shove, in fun, but underestimated his own strength, sending the startled man tumbling backward, into the sea. Legs and arms flailed helplessly, until Angel bent down and plucked Wesley out again. The nearly drowned Wesley hacked and coughed, choking on the salt water, as Angel thumped him on the back.

"Thanks (sputter) alot, Angel."

"Well, *you* started it."

As Wesley stood silently, hair dripping, chest heaving, Angel attempted to ignore the fact that Wesley's practically transparent underpants were clinging to his soaking wet body. He watched, mesmerized, as the other man made his way back to the beach and flopped down on the sand.

<<Too bad Wesley doesn't swing both ways. He's looking sexy tonight.>> Angel's inner demon was restless tonight. Probably due to the full moon. He wanted Wesley - BAD - and, being dressed only in his underwear, he wasn't sure how long he would be able to hide that fact.

Coming out of the water, the vampire sat down, crosslegged, next to Wesley, who was laid out, hands behind his head, eyes closed. Angel's hungry gaze swept up and down Wesley's still form.

Angel contemplated his two choices: 1) Get dressed and forget the whole thing, or 2) Rip off Wesley's shorts and ravage his body. So intent was he, on his own thoughts, that he was not aware when Wesley rolled over onto his side to face him, propping himself up with his elbow. When Angel looked over, the ex-Watcher was definitely watching him, with an almost wistful expression on his face.

Wesley opened his mouth to speak, and then, apparently, changed his mind, giving Angel a boyishly charming smile instead. He sat up and began to wipe sand off himself. The worst of it was stuck to his back and in his hair, and Angel, automatically, reached over to brush it off. As his hand floated down Wesley's bare back, Angel realized just how close his friend's body was to him.

Wes had drawn his legs up to his chest and was hugging his knees, but his lower leg was brushing against Angel's thigh. He was staring intently at Angel, the pensive look back on his face.

Angel fought the impulse to reach out; he wanted to smooth the worry lines from Wesley's otherwise handsome features. He could feel increasing pressure in his groin, as he glanced down to where their legs were touching, his hand still lightly caressing the other man's back. His acute preternatural senses picked up Wesley's excitement as well; he could 'hear' his heartrate accelerating, and his breathing becoming shallower and quicker.

Without warning, Wes dropped his knees down, revealing just how much Angel's close proximity and touch had aroused him. Angel's brain barely had time to register this, before he felt Wesley's soft, warm lips connect with his own cool ones. He leaned into the kiss, pulling Wesley to him, only to feel his partner pulling away again.

"I-I-I'm sorry, Angel," he stammered, face red with embarrassment.

"I'm not."

Wesley's head shot up, as he searched Angel's face for any sign he was joking. Wes looked petrified.

"Hey, Wes," Angel began, gently. "It's okay. I don't mind if you're gay. I'm attracted to you too."

"I'm not...that is to say...er...I *like women*, I really do...It's just that, at times..." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Sometimes, I like men too. It's always been a bit confusing for me." He smiled weakly.

"I understand. Granted, it's been a while for me. I think my last one was Spike."

Wesley entered Watcher mode, and began reciting his book knowledge from memory. "Spike? Ah, yes. William the Bloody: Sired by Angelus; earned his nickname from his penchant for torturing his victims with railroad spikes; has taken credit for the deaths of two Slayers, and possibly assisted in the death of a third; last seen in Sunnydale, California." Wesley took a deep breath. "Him?"

"Anyone ever tell you you're sexy when you're spouting off facts?"

"You're having me on, aren't you?"

Finding a vampire's cool tongue in your ear could be considered stressful under any circumstance, but for Wesley, already in a highly excited state, it was tantamount to electric shock therapy. He let his head fall backward, allowing free access to Angel, who planted soft, seductive kisses along his neck. A low moan escaped his throat, as the vampire's hands ran down along his sides, resting on his hips.

"Wesley?"

"Mmmm?"

Angel spoke in between kisses. "Why tonight?"

Wesley pulled back to look directly into Angel's face. "I've felt closer to you, these past few months. I've been interested for quite some time, actually. I rather think it was the 'naked thing' though, that pushed me over the edge."

"Wesl...?" The question was cut off by Wesley's impassioned kiss.

For several minutes, neither spoke, as they continued to neck like teenagers. Angel pushed Wes back into the sand, partially covering his body with his own, as he slid his hand into Wesley's shorts.

Wesley squirmed uncomfortably underneath the vamp's weight. "Angel, don't." Angel either didn't hear him, or ignored it. He began to push at the arm, trying to get the hand away. "Stop it, please."

All Angel's demon was allowing him to hear was the drumming of Wesley's rapid pulse and the swooshing of the blood flowing in his veins. He was close to vamping out, and struggled to control himself.

"ANGEL! STOP!" Wesley shoved as hard as he could, while wiggling out from under him.

"What?!" The voice was more Angelus than Angel, as the frustrated vamp tried to figure out where all the pleasure had gone.

Wesley resembled a baby bird, fallen from its nest, as he scooted himself back, away from Angel. "I didn't mean for you to...that's not what I....I'm not ready for..."

"Not *ready*?! Wesley, it was *your* idea to come here. You set up this whole seduction scene, and now you have the nerve to say you're 'not ready'?!" Angel stood and gathered his clothes from the sand. "Nobody likes a tease, Wesley." He started to stomp off, towards the bike, then looked back at Wesley's forlorn face. "Or a Crybaby! When you know *what* you want, just let me know."

Resting his face in his hands, Wesley shook violently: first with fear, then sorrow, and finally, with anger. Angel watched, as the gangly man picked himself up, yanked on his jeans, and began to march determinedly towards him. He didn't stop until he stood directly in front of Angel. Expecting to hear the usual apologies and whining, Angel was taken aback by the fury with which Wesley attacked him.

"How *dare* you! Haven't you heard that saying? No means *NO*, Angel. For your information, I did *not* set out to seduce you tonight. I just wanted to enjoy your company; I like being near you. I wanted to share my special place with you. Yes, I let my feelings carry me away, but I certainly never planned...." Wesley was choking back tears now. "I'm *so* sorry that I want to be more than *just* a fuck toy to you; I'm sorry I ever revealed my feelings for you, and I'm *sorry* I ever kissed you!" The outburst over, Wesley sank to the ground, all energy drained from his body.

Angel was stunned, Wesley's true feelings for him sinking into his thick skull at last. "I'm sorry, Wes. I didn't realize....I thought you just wanted to have a little fun. I didn't know...."

"What? That I'm in love with you? That I'm a frightened virgin? That I probably wanted you just as much as you wanted me, but I lost my nerve? Yeah, I know...I'm pathetic."

Angel took his hand and pressed it between his own hands. "You're not pathetic, Wes. I think you're rather sweet. And, I'd have to say 'no' to the first two questions, and 'yes' to the last one."

"I've certainly made a mess of things, haven't I? I should never have risked our friendship that way."

Angel sighed. How was he going to make him understand. " I'm the one who messed up, Wesley. I didn't listen to you, when I should have. And, you haven't lost my friendship, you know. If anything, you've endeared yourself to me more." Angel leaned in and brushed his lips lightly across Wesley's cheek. "Can we start over? We'll take it slow; you take the lead and let me know what you're ready for. Okay?"

"That sounds nice to me." Wesley smiled at him and kissed him softly on the lips. "Are you sure?"

Exasperated, Angel tossed up his hands and growled, making Wesley laugh. Angel looked thoughtfully at the sky, and turned a serious frown towards Wesley. "There *is* just one problem."

Worry lines creased Wesley's face again. "What?"

"If ya don't take me home soon, I may not turn into a pumpkin, but you will be dating a smoking pile of dust." He grinned, and Wes grinned back.

"Right, well, we'd better get you home before curfew. Wouldn't want to have to explain *that* to Cordelia. She'd never let me live it down."

The two men finished dressing and climbed back onto the bike. This time, Angel put on the pink helmet without any protests, and, as they pulled away, he wrapped his arms tightly around Wesley's waist, leaning into him, and enjoying the feel of the strong body against his. He wanted to hear Wesley say it again, and when he did, Angel smiled and hugged his friend even closer, delighting in their new found relationship, as he assumed Wesley was too.

"Let's go... Gorgeous."

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