Pearl:
Pearl walked close to Spike's side as they headed toward where he called home. The houses had quickly decreased and a cool breeze had picked up in the night. Without asking, she slid closer to him and slipped her arm around his.

"Are we getting close?" she asked curiously. She hadn't actually asked him where he lived, what it was like. That way it would be a surprise. Perhaps she should have, surprises be damned. It would be nice to live in a comfortable place, since she had certainly been used to luxuries. Still, she had chosen the life of a stray, and she would take what that choice made without complaint.
But if this was how far away it was... Pearl smiled at how far he'd traveled just to come see her a second time.

Spike:
Her hand slipped through his arm, and one hand came up to put his hand over hers. Home wasn't much but it was his home. Something he had found and kept all to himself. That was about as good as it got.. There were few people who came through here, and even fewer cats it seemed. Though his presence might have been a reason for that.

"Sure are love." He said softly, leading her to the graveyard that lay beyond the residences of the town. He hadn't wanted to even run the risk of running into someone who would try to take him and collar him again. No, that wasn't for him. So as far away as he could get, t hat's where he went.

The graveyard was relatively small. It was furthest from town, and so fewer people actually used it. But there were still a number of graves, and crypts decorating the earth around it. He looked down at her to gauge her reaction. He wasn't sure what she would think about home being inside a crypt.. He stopped outside the gate of the graveyard, giving her time to react before he dragged her in. It definitely wasn't a place for a lady, but she was only slightly a lady, really anyway.

Pearl:
Pearl's eyebrows shot upwards when they stopped at the graveyard.
This was where he lived? She blinked.
"Spooky," she said softly and covered her mouth with her free hand to keep from laughing. Still, her shoulders shook a little, her eyes crinkled at the corners, and a bit of a muffled laugh escaped. It just fit him for some reason. Spike didn't exactly seem conventional by any means and his preference for the night definitely gave off an air of mystery and even a little fear. Her tail quivered a little and she looked up at him.

"You know, I don't think I'd be able to control myself if you'd been a black cat," she finally managed to purr and plucked at his dark coat. "You're so close to cliche, it's almost not funny."

Spike:
She said it was spooky, but then she tried supressing a laugh and failed. He looked at her curiously, cocking his head. Why was she laughing at where he lived? Not that it mattered but that certainly was not the reaction he had been expecting. But a smile grew on his features, she was always surprising him it seemed.

"Oh that so, love?" He chuckled, and shook his head. Well it was a good thing he was actually quite a pretty cat.. But then he grinned deviantly. "If you laughed at me, and I was a black cat, I'd have to give you a good... bite." He purred the last word. Though her last words made him chuckle again. Yes he supposed he really was. He preferred the night, he dressed in dark clothing, he was a villain depending on the majority of those you asked.

He continued forward, pulling her with him. Bringing them closer to the large cement crypt. It was barred by a wrought iron gate. He was able to slip inside it easily enough, though he had to squeeze past the large wooden door that blocked their entry. There was a relatively decent sized hole, that had been blocked on the other side to make the hole near inviisble to anyone looking at first glance.

Pushing past the cloth that hung over the other side, he stood, dusting himself off and waiting for Pearl to make her way in. The bed was a large broken stone, a few blankets thrown over it. He didn't have much in here, but then again, he didn't really ever stay in here besides when he slept.

Pearl:
"I thought you were supposed to cross my path and give me bad luck," Pearl replied, narrowing her eyes with the tease.
He led her inside the cemetery and she looked around as they walked. She could feel the history here, as if it was a fog that floated around them. As much as she didn't think terribly often on humans that hadn't been her owners, it was hard not to be curious about those who lay beneath her feet. What had they been like, had they accomplished? Had they had cats?

"I hope you don't think I was laughing at it, though. It's just... it fits you somehow and I think that surprised me," she said as they approached a large crypt. It looked old and perhaps a little overgrown. Apparently this place wasn't visited too often.
Good, they wouldn't be bothered.
Pearl followed him in through the hole in the door and stopped at his side, glancing around the space. It was dark, a little chill, and... spartan. All she could see was the stone with blankets piled on it, no doubt his makeshift bed.

"Well, this could certainly use a woman's touch." But she smiled up at him.

Spike:
He smiled down at her, shrugging. He did what he could. He had never thought it had been lacking before, but with the idea of her being here.. Suddenly it just didn't seem enough. He had almost been embarrassed to bring her home. He loved it, truly loved his cement and stone home. But that didn't mean everyone had to.

"You can change what you like, pet." He said softly, turning to embrace her. This place had never had another cat living in it with him. Ever. "It's yours too now, after all." He lived simplistically, because he considered the world his home. It suited him, he supposed she was right. He had never thought about it that way.

"No one ever comes out here. I've never had a visitor, and that's why this place is so appealing." He grinned deviantly.

Pearl:
"I don't think I'd change anything. Just a few additions." Pearl walked over to the blankets and ran her hand over them. At least he had good taste in that. They were nice, soft and plush. It would make a comfortable bed, but she was inclined to make it even more so. Cushions, which she could even make if need be. Perhaps a few more blankets to cuddle under on particularly cold nights. Candles wouldn't be bad to ha-
She turned to look at him, her eyes a little wider than they usually were. She was surprised by what he had said. He'd never... That he was sharing this with her really said something. It wouldn't have been difficult to find her somewhere safe to be on her own, to come to see her. But he'd brought her home instead. Where no one else had ever been.

"I..." What could she even say to that?

Spike:
He brought his thumb up to brush her cheek. What could he say, she brought out the romantic in him. He didn't have friends, he didn't have family, she was pretty much it for him. That was okay with him too, really.

"We'll have to go out and get some things for the place sometime then. A little swindling for kicks." He grinned, and walked over to the makeshift bed, and flopped down on the blankets. He stretched out, resting his arms behind his head. He watched her from his position, grinning at her like a cheshire cat.

"What would you change in here?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.

Pearl:
Pearl's eyes closed at the touch and she sighed. Oh, yes, no regrets.
They opened again at his suggestion and a devious little smile crossed her features. She wasn't a mean cat, she wasn't even particularly unfriendly. But she was hell on wheels when it came to things and their penchants to go missing. And worse, it wasn't even that she really wanted whatever it had been most of the time she when was a pet. No, it was the thrill of figuring out how to do it. The question of, could she get away with it?

"I would like that quite a bit," she purred, her eyes following him as he moved to the bedding and sat down. He made her think of an indolent king, lounging on his plush throne. It took something of an effort to pull away and glance around the large space.
"Pillows." She walked over to the centerpiece of the tomb, a single, tall sarcophagus. She ran her fingers over the stone and flicked them against her thumb. "And something to help a bit with the dust. But mostly pillows, more blankets. Doesn't it get cold in here in the winter?"

She glanced back over at him and pressed her fingers to her cheek, just high enough that her thumb cupped her chin, a thoughtful gesture. Oh, yes. Candles would be a nice addition as well.

Spike:
His particular position made it easier to watch her standing there. It was really the motive in the first place. He watched as she walked around the sarcophagus, he watched every move she made. His eyes greedily taking her in.

"Pillows. I think pillows are a fabulous idea," He said, thinking of what it would be like to have random pillows in random parts of the tomb. Perfect places for a little variety in the bedroom too.

"With me? You won't be cold. That I can promise." He snorted, but then shrugged. "Though who is to say I know what it is like to be cold, huh?" He was really unbothered by much beyond harsh snow, and extreme heat. He was pretty adaptable.

Pearl:
Good, she wasn't making suggestions that were too far away from what he liked. Really, she didn't need or want much. Just a little more comfort and a little more atmosphere. Wasn't he glad she wasn't the type to want flowers and pastels everywhere?

She walked closer, slowly, stopping a pace or two away from Spike. Her tail swished back and forth with the movement.
"Don't get cold? Well, no harm in having them just in case, hmm?" she asked, tilting her head just a bit with her question. "What is your opinion on candles?"
It was dark in there, with no windows to speak of, but she didn't truly mind. She could see him well enough in the dark, she knew where he was. But that didn't mean a little light wouldn't hurt. For mood, if nothing else.

Spike:
She walked closer to him, and he found himself biting his lip as he drank her in further. Her voice was something he was sure he could lose himself in.
"Mmm. I like candles." Though his eyes lit up, suggesting that he might like candles for more than just their warm glow in the dark space. Well there was one way he could keep this word of keeping her warm all winter.

He reached out for her, one hand outstretched to take her to the bed with him. He wanted to hold her. He'd never held anyone in his own bed before, and he just wanted to feel her next to him. He purred a little.

Pearl:
Pearl smiled at the look on his face. Ah, she could get used to that, to him.
Good, he liked candles. She definitely thought they would give the space a softer... more decadent feel. And she truly felt that Spike deserved nothing less.

Her hand slipped into Spike's and she let him pull her to him and down onto the blankets. She curled up against his side, resting her head on his shoulder, one hand on his chest.
"What do you do, when you're not hunting or charming ladies from their homes?" she asked, the last part a blatant tease. Her tail curled over her hip, falling over his thigh.

Spike:
She curled into him, and his arm draped over her waist instinctively. He held her there, tight against him. When she lay next to him, he closed his eyes. Feeling he could get used to that..Oh yes he could. She warm and soft, and she was his. Which made things better.. Or rather.. He was hers. Because he'd have done anything for her.

"Mmm." He grinned, his eyes still closed. "You mean there are other things in the world?" He teased, his fingers wiggling against her in an attempt to tickle her a little.
"I could tell you what I'd want to spend my time doing now." He answered, the grin still plastered on his features. Truth was he was just a wanderer. He traveled the town, he hunted, he terrorized depending on who he came across. The world was sort of his oyster.

Pearl:
She was used to lying with someone. Even as adults, it wasn't unusual for her and Obi to fall asleep, their shoulders pressed together. Her brother was cuddly like that.
But this, this was very, very different. It felt... safe. She felt warm and protected and honestly, it was almost like home. For the first time she actually felt like she was in the right place.

Pearl's breath sucked in on a quick hiss and she grabbed his hand, leaning up so that she could glare down at his stupidly relaxed face.
A flush spread on her face when she considered what he implied.
"Will you take me places?" She wanted to see... everything! She'd barely ever been away from the house or pet-store. Now she'd be able to.

Spike:
When she leaned up, one eye popped open, followed by the other lazily. He caught the flush, and with a small growl he flipped her over so that he was in the position she had been. "I'll take you wherever you would like to go." He purred down at her, leaning down to nibble along the length of her shoulder and throat.

"Where is it you want to go first, pet?" He asked, pulling away, but his hand resting on her belly. His tail swayed behind him playfully.

"I like when you blush." He purred, leaning his head back down to kiss at her jaw. "It goes straight to your ears."

Pearl:
A gasp left her when Spike rolled her and she stared up at him. Her eyes widened ever so slightly when he said he'd take her wherever she wanted to go, the purr and the nibbles that followed it making her mind take a beautiful swan-dive straight into the gutter.
It took her a moment to refocus her thoughts when he stopped, trying to remember what he had asked her.

"Ah... Besides shopping? Perhaps you should surprise me."
She hissed when he leaned back down and left kisses on her jaw. Her hand flicked, giving his arm a very half-hearted slap.
"My ears are always red."

Spike:
"Shopping? I think you are using the wrong word here." He grinned deviantly, knowing full well shopping wasn't what they'd be doing.. Stealing, thieving, and having sticking fingers was more likely. He knew of some nice places that they could probably raid for only the best. Because that was what she was worth. Only the best for her.

"Trust me when I saw that there's a difference." He grinned, leaning over her once more, staring down at her. It was a wonder how pretty she was, sometimes she just took his breath away. His fingers trailed up and down her arm, oh so gently.

Pearl:
"Oh, I never said I intended to pay for anything," Pearl purred, a wonderfully devious expression crossed her face. She leaned up and nuzzled against his jaw.
"I'm afraid I neglected to tell you my dirty little secret," her words were soft against his skin before she let her head fall back to look up at him. "I fear I have a bad habit of taking things, just to see that I can."

It was a joke, really. As far as secrets and bad habits went, for a cat that wasn't the most terrible. She certainly wasn't sadistic. True, she had a bit of a temper when pushed, but beside her sticky fingers and fiery personality when riled, she was really a sweet, playful female. And usually the things she had took at home were mostly harmless. Like socks. Or the entire bag of cat treats that Hector never should have accidentally shown her where they were.

Spike:
When she whispered against his skin, he purred, and his tail began flicking side to side. His heart was pounding hard in his chest. Her secret did nothing but make him grin further.
"That so? You clever little minx." He purred, his hand at the small of her back, tracing circles.

He had a bit of a darker past, and if that was all she had ever done then he supposed she was still lacking in that department. He wondered sometimes what all he'd actually tell. She knew he was dark, but did she know he had been truly cruel? Still could be if he wanted to be. But he had been supressing that need rather well lately.

"Got any other dark, dirty secrets for me?" He asked, the words a heavy purr.

Pearl:
"Mmmm." The hum was thoughtful and she even went so far as to press two fingers to her lips and glance away. Deep, dark secrets. What did she have buried down and waiting?

"I'm worried I might be developing a crush on someone terribly untrustworthy," she murmured, her gaze flicking back towards his. For all that her tone was teasing, it was a true, dangerous confession. She knew next to nothing about him and yet here she was, run away from her home, curled up in his nest of blankets with his warmth wrapping around her. To say that she felt anything at all opened all kinds of doors. But it was true. She felt safe with him, even if she probably shouldn't. And happy, for the first time. "Dark and secretive and such a bad influence. My family would never approve."

Spike:
He looked serious at her, though his eyes were playful.
"Oh no." He feigned upset. "He sounds like a bad, bad cat.. You may need to run and quickly." He sat up a little, resting on his elbows as he looked up at her.

"Wouldn't want anyone to corrupt such a sweet little thing such as yourself, now would we, pet?" He purred up at her, realizing he had felt that way since he had first met her.
"Then that reminds me of my dark secret." He arched an eyebrow before continuing. "There's this bird, and she's incredibly... sexy." His voice went low, his tail still twitching behind them.
"She ran away from home for me. And I'm not sure why I'm so lucky.." He grinned, his accent thick in his words.

Pearl:
Pearl tilted her head to one side.
"I've never really been one for running. I think once is enough for me."

His own secret actually made her heart flutter. It was once again a novel, wonderful feeling to be told she was attractive. And then he kept talking and she didn't care if Spike was teasing her or not. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Because you rescued her. You offered safety and freedom all in one and what girl could say no to that?" Her question was soft and her words were actually sincere. The teasing had left her tone and expression. He needed to know and understand how much this, at least her experience so far, meant to her. What the future brought her for this rash decision... Well, she'd cross that bridge when she came to it.

Spike:
"You can't tell anyone the big bad rescued you love. I have a reputation to maintain, and all." He chuckled, winking at her as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He smiled at her, a smile that was all for her. It was both warm, and promising, all wrapped up in one.

"I hope you are happy that you left..months from now." He said, letting a little bit of the vulnerable side show. What if she hated that she left once she realized everything had consequences.. Would she be able to put up with his dark nature? He thought so, but sometimes it was a bit over the top, and frankly sadistic.

Pearl:
"Why would I want to let anyone else know? They might try stealing you away from me."
Her ears flicked back when he shared his concern that she might not be happy after time passed. True, that was always a possibility, but she didn't think they needed to think about that. That he was thinking of the future, and more specifically her feelings in the future made her melt all the more.

Big bad, her tail. For all that he was a charmer, sometimes unsettling in his looks, and for all that he'd been a tiny bit rough with her, he had a sweet streak to him that she couldn't help but notice. He was gentle with her when she had needed it and had yet to ask her for anything but to come with him.
But she didn't want to talk about that. There was a charge of feelings and she wanted to get back to safer ground.
"That's much too far away," she sighed, moving one of her hands into his hair at the back of his head. "I'm sad that you're thinking about that and not this moment."
Pearl cut off anything else Spike might have said by leaning towards him and nipping at his lower lip once before she kissed him.