So I'm plotting out my first multi-chapter fic and I want to include a scene with Spike and auto-erotic asphyxiation. Vampires don't technically breathe, so I was wondering if kink play like that would even be feasible. However, I was considering some in-canon references and thought it could work.

1. When Spike and Dru are fighting in BtVS:2 finale it appears that he chokes her and she falls unconscious.

2. Spike being continuously drowned by the Turok-Han as a means for torture. 

3. Drusilla's request to Darla in "The Girl in Question" that she "hold her head under the water" to presumably drown her.

This seems to indicate that vampires do in fact "breathe," but don't really need the oxygen. What do you all think?

well, i dont think all vampires breathe, Angel stated more than once that he doesn't, except when talking...but Spike frequently breathes...I think that's something that sets him a bit apart from other vampires...as for Dru, she might fall into that same category, because both Spike and Dru were said to have retained some aspects of their humanity...

I've seen it portrayed in many fics, and used the concept myself, that Spike retains the habit of breathing, to the point that he does it without even thinking about it, and might experience an emotional response (fear, upset, or in your case, arousal) from being deprived of the ability to breathe....

That's my input, love, and I think that might be enough basis for you to use it in a fic :)

*hugs*

DoS

The drowning over and over is also a sensory deprivation technique. It completely confuses your body and you can't get your bearings without noticeable recovery time.

He cut off blood from her brain. If you execute a proper triangle lock, your opponent is out in 8 seconds, nothing they can do about it, as (for a human) you're cutting off blood flow and restricting breathing.

They can breathe, and still have the muscle control to do so, as they still have to take in air every time they talk....it's necessary for the vocal chords to work. But they definitely don't need oxygen in the traditional sense like we do.

CM

I think DoS makes a great point, here.  In fact, it might make it even more interesting that the torture is more psychological, than physical, especially when it comes to testing his limits.  Making him want to, you know...prove.. that he still human by breathing, to either himself or to Buffy.

Anyway gr8 idea!

Thanks for the more technical background behind it, CM. And of course your input it always appreciated, DoS *hugs*  I will go ahead with the scene as planned.

Just as a sidenote: this is not meant to be a torture scene. It's also not a Spuffy fic. It takes place well before she is even born, so no references to her either  =)  The fic is actually going to be a prequel to the events leading up to Nikki the Slayer's death in NYC. The pairing is Spike/Dru and I was considering what sort of kinky sex acts they could get up to and this one tickled my fancy.  

CoC - there's lots of inconsistencies in the canon of the show - so I say make your own decision of what's right for your characters and go for it. :)

Yeah, I kinda figured you meant the *good* kind of torture, lol.  That's pretty brilliant, actually.   I know it's a little blaspemous saying this, being on a Spuffy board and all, but always thought Spike & Dru kink/fetish could be ultra hot reading material.  Let us know when you finish and where it is, CC!

I'm still wandering how could she pass out from choking if she didn't need oxygen to her brain? So would one day that eventhugh vamps don't need air to live that their brain still uses it?

Dru/Spike kink smut is always good. I would love to read that. I read I think maybe four since I found Buffy fan fic. There needs to be more Spike/Buffy kink as well.

Well, they're still going to have oxygen in their bodies, as an element.....she does need it, in a way, because the brain still needs fuel to function. You cut off the blood supply, you lose consciousness. And it isn't just oxygen we use when we take in air - most of the air is comprised of nitrogen. We can't take in 100% O₂. It's too rich normally. Vamps must still have some way blood is circulated to all their cells, or else it would all pool in their bodies from gravity. They'd be like a water tank that has to be filled - the brain would be the last to receive fuel. Maybe blood moves magnetically (by mystical means) using the iron in ingested blood to move it through the body.

Does that help, GB?

CM

I was thinking along that lines with the brain and oxygen. As for the blood moving through the body I think that the vampire body is alive in a sense, but of course not like humans. I mean not only do they eat blood but from Spike we see that they can eat food and drink, the body had to have a way to rid itself of those items. And for that to happen it has to something working in its favor. Of course the food isn't broken down to be used by the body, but it has to travel from the stomach to the iintestine and to do that, well, you need to be living. Same with the blood, the vamps body uses it. Maybe in the sense that it's absorbed by the body, don't know. And not to forget the sexual organs on a man, it has to get blood some kinda way,lol.

All I can say is, Spike was just accustomed to breathing.  Vamps may breathe while they hunt, but Spike breathed all the time (so it seemed). When he runs, he's out of breath.  Kisses for along time, lack of breath.  He's drowned, he pants often- and think of it: we never really see Angel do those things (at least as often as Spike), the heaving and the panting and so forth (he's so stoic and seemed to not be breathing often- kudos to David).

I just always thought Angel saying he didn't breathe (an obvious lie) was a great excuse to not do CPR and go against prophecy. He was dragged there by Xander after all instead of trying to prevent the prophecied death of his "love"...he could have taken on the Master in her place, instead he went home to await the sad news of her death!  I think he was afraid to fly in the face of the written prophecy and used that as an excuse.

I don't think they drown (Angel was under the ocean for the summer for one) but I think they do use oxygen in some way beyond breathing.  ITA with Slaymesoftly .... canon was really fluid and you can yank this one ten ways from Sunday.

Kathleen

Angel doesn't pant cause he hardly ever gets laid. 

LMAO, Spikez_tart!! Spike pants when running too ;)  Hey, when he did get laid with Darla, or that imaginary time with Cordelia, was he breathing heavily then?  I don't think so...

Angel pants all the time- it's actually really annoying. David Boreanaz calls it "acting". Iuuno, he does it alot, like when he's dieing from the killer of the dead thing. it's quite irritating. But, the never getting laid thing is true, and tres amusant.

But there is no continuation in the jossverse to whether or not vamps need to breathe. Joss couldn't seem to make up his mind. So if you want Spike to need to breathe, then go for it ;P

I can't remember if Angel panted when he had sex with Darla and you don't see much of the time when he has sex with Eve.  I never pay much attention to Angel - he's lame and his hair sticks up funny.