Title: Total Eclipse: Angelus Ascendant
Series: Part Ten
Author: Buffywatcher
Feedback: Constructive comments always
welcome: [email protected]
Pairing: Primarily Angel(us)/Spike
Rating: R Possibly a bit of romantic NC-17’ish
circumstances.
Spoilers: None this story takes place in an
AU setting and will pretty much ignore the current season of Angel.
Warnings: This story will contain instances
of extreme violence, sexuality and character deaths.
Disclaimer: Just borrowing them for a bit of
harmless fun. All characters, recognisable likenesses are retained by their
owner and accredited license holders.
Writer’s
Notes: This story
takes place in an AU setting and includes a scene challenge posted by Angela
with some minor artistic changes. Connor has been born, Spike has his soul and
isn’t chipped as well and Angel and the LA Gang have taken over the running of
Wolfram & Hart. However the incident with the first has not taken place and
Buffy died and has been resurrected. As always thanks are going out to GF,
MarieC, Luba, and Mera my most excellent group of Beta/Editors. Very special
thanks to Mera, she got in on the ground floor on this one and chimed in with
some big assistance so dedicating this one to her.
Writer’s
Credits: Songs used
in this story are: The time has come by Donovan Tann and #1 Crush by Garbage.
Those of you who are rabid fans will likely recognise a dialogue sequence
pulled from the B: TVS Episode Touched that will go down as one of my top ten Spike
quotes of all time. It’s been taken a bit out of context with some additions
for artistic license tacked on but I wanted to be sure to give credit where
credit is due.
Distribution: If I’ve already been given
permission to archive my work please consider it yours if you want it. If I
haven’t and you would like to archive it please do, all I ask is that you email
me and tell me where it’s going so I can visit.
Summary: The Powers That Be offer to release
Angel from his destiny as a Champion but they make a critical error that may
well doom their cause forever.
*Denotes
Thoughts*
*
Chapter
One
Angelus
tenderly lifts his still unconscious Childe from the car and cradles him
against his chest. He notes faintly that Xander’s car has pulled up and disgorged
Dawn, Andrew, and himself and that Ethan’s car is slowly making its way up the
drive as well. He nods to Xander who runs ahead and hurriedly unlocks the door
and pushes open both sets of doors so Angelus can follow carrying his precious
burden.
“Xander if
you could please look after everyone while I tend to Wil, I’d appreciate it.”
Angelus says quietly, wanting nothing more than to carry his boy to their room
and never let go.
“I’ll take
care of everything Angelus. I warmed up a few pints and left them upstairs in a
thermal carafe along with the medical kit and some mugs.”
“Thank you
Xander. You’ve been a huge help during all of this and we appreciate it. I can
see why Spike speaks so highly of how well you’ve matured.” Angelus says
sincerely, smiling as the praise makes Xander first blush with embarrassment
than glow with accomplishment.
“You’re
welcome Angelus. You take care of Spike and I’ll see to everyone else.” Xander
says proudly herding the youngest members of the family inside to warm up by
the fireplace while he waits at the door for Ethan and Giles.
Angelus
carries Spike up the staircase and into their room, setting him down carefully
on the bathroom floor. He tries to be as gentle as possible in stripping his
leathers off, grimacing as Spike moans in pain and moves restlessly with pain
despite the unconsciousness gripping him tightly. Trying to soothe his aching
Childe Angelus begins to talk quietly while he attends to his boy.
“You did so
well my beautiful Lad. I am so proud of you, they know you now, as I do and
they were all spellbound by you.” Angelus leans over to run a hot bath. “They
know how wrong they were about you being ‘fangless’ now my sweet, lovely, and
oh so deadly Childe. You showed them all what it means to be William the
Bloody, what it means to be the favourite Childe of Angelus.” He purrs.
He leans
over and turns off the water once he’s sure the temperature is just right and
carefully picks Spike up and sets him gently into the water. He grimaces as the
more serious wounds come to light as the hot water begins to wash the older
blood away.
“You’ll be
fine my Lad, a few of them are right through you but they should heal up fine
by tomorrow night and you’ll be good as new.” Angelus murmurs as he tenderly
takes care of his boy. He tilts his head to the side slightly as a soft
tinkling sound reaches his sensitive ears and he nods satisfied at the sound of
the formidable locks on the front door being closed. “The family is all in and
safe Childe, everyone is back here under our watchful eye.” He says quietly,
knowing that Spike will want to know that. He keeps murmuring softly to his
Childe as he attends to him but his mind wanders back to the amazing events of
the night.
He had
known that Spike was deliberately downplaying the full scope of his abilities,
but even he was surprised by the scope of his skills once he fully unleashed
them. He has not a doubt that if he had truly wished Buffy dead, than he would
now have a third slain Slayer to his credit. He is humbled by the depth of
emotions and devotion he felt through the link to his Childe. He is furious and
saddened that much of the pain in his existence can be traced almost directly
to him. The horrors suffered at Darla’s hands and eventually even Drusilla’s
once he’d abandoned his Childer. The agony of his own betrayal that left Spike
alone and trapped in a wheelchair as he watched the one he loved above all
others steal away the only other person that connected them. The unfathomable
pain as he realised that as soon as Angelus finished destroying Buffy that he
would meet a similar though no doubt infinitely more painful treatment at his
hands. The desperation that forced him to go against everything in his very
nature to seek an alliance with a Slayer to save Drusilla, himself, and what
remained of Angelus’ legacy from his saner times.
Suddenly
Angelus’ thoughts are caught on a sigh of such pure love and devotion flooding
through him that it is all he can do to not gasp in pure ecstasy. He looks down
at Spike in wonder, knowing that somehow he could feel how upset he was and he’s
reaching out to try and comfort him. Angelus calls himself ten kinds of a fool
as he realises what’s happened. With the empathic bond being reinforced by the
touch of bare skin that Spike can feel his emotional unrest and he
instinctively comforted his Sire in the only way he could.
“Oh my precious, beautiful boy!” Angelus lifts Spike from the water and
balancing him across his lap, wraps himself around his treasured Childe. He
tends to his wounds licking each one; biting his tongue and bathing the worst
of the wounds in a mixture of saliva and Sire’s blood. “I am so proud of you
William; you’ve won us our chance to be what we should have been from the
beginning. I am only sorry that the road to get us here has been so hard…”
“I’m not
sorry.”
Angelus
jerks back and looks down and sees that Spike’s eyes are open, though dull with
pain and exhaustion.
“The road
had to be hard for me to be strong enough to do what no one before me has done.
I am thankful for every tear, every scream, and every lonely night that got me
here. William couldn’t have passed the challenge, he wasn’t Vampire enough, Spike was needed for us to win. I was sheltered, protected,
coddled by you far more than any of your Childer, you made me strong but you
also made me weak for I had never fought alone. You left me and I had to grow
up at last and that made me strong, stronger still as Drusilla was unfit to
care for herself and that was left for me to do. I understand now what Whistler
meant about balance.” Spike says weakly. “So many things had to fall into place
for us to both find our way to this place in our lives. If our time apart and
in conflict had been any different, neither of us would have strong enough for
this.” Spike’s eyes slip closed as the speech drains his available strength.
Pulling his
Childe close Angelus lifts him and carries him into the bedroom, marvelling
once more at how well his boy has grown up.
*
Xander sets
the tray down and hands Giles and Ethan mugs of hot cider before handing Andrew
and Dawn their mugs of cocoa. He picks up his mug of cider and sits down
wearily, casting a worried glance up the stairs.
“The wounds
didn’t look serious Xander, I’m sure Angelus has things well in hand.” Giles says
comfortingly but he’s unsure whom he’s actually comforting as they’ve all taken
their turn casting worried gazes up the stairs.
Xander
tries to smile, knowing that Giles is right and tries to get his mind off his
worries about Spike. “Giles…what do you think is wrong with Buffy? I hardly
recognise her anymore.”
“I don’t
know Xander; I’ve been confused as much as you have. So much has gone on these
last few years, maybe she’s just finally broken from the stress of it all. She
is the oldest Slayer in the books, who knows what affect that may be having on
her in the long run? Her aborted relationship with Spike, Angelus being back
and making no secret about Spike being the reason he’s back rather than her, it
must all be adding to an already overburdened psyche.”
“Maybe it’s
all cumulative? Perhaps their inherent mental instability over time is one of
the factors that ensure no Slayer lives much more than six to ten years after
being called? I mean that kind of stress over prolonged periods of time must surely
play a factor in their eventual fall.” Ethan proposes.
“You may be
right Ethan. Spike told me a bit about the Slayers he faced and slain and he
said that in the end he defeated them because they didn’t seem to have the will
to survive. Maybe it’s like a battery winding down and that’s why there are so
many potential Slayers, the Elders foresaw their deterioration and knew that
eventually even the best would fall?” Giles says, vocalising his thoughts as
they occur.
Xander
shakes his head as Giles and Ethan launch into a lengthy discussion about
Slayers and glances over at the kids and sees them engrossed in a TV show about
ancient
“Come in
Xander, it’s alright.” Angelus waves him inside and he quietly enters closing
the door behind him. “He’s going to be just fine; my blood will heal him by
tomorrow night.”
Xander watches as Spike turns his head to
smile weakly as best he can around the wound he’s nursing at and he lets out a
breath he wasn’t aware he was holding. He sits down on the bench at the foot of
the bed and smiles at the pair.
“You did a
hell of a job, Spike. That corner kick was great, I’d ask you to teach me that
but I don’t think I’m MaryLou Retton enough to pull it off; gymnastics are so
not my thing.” Xander says with a wry grin as Angelus and Spike chuckle
quietly.
Spike pulls
back slightly and licks the wound in his Sire’s chest until it heals before he
cuddles against his chest, resting. “You should probably train with Angelus,
Xander.” Both men look slightly surprised at that. “You both have similar
builds and Angelus could teach you more about taking advantage of that than I
can. My style of fighting came about because I’m not built like a lorry like
SOME people, so I have to focus on speed, agility, and defense.”
Angelus
grins and cuffs his pain in the ass Childe lightly on the back of the head. “He’s
right, however insultingly that was phrased. I’ll be happy to help you if you
want to train with me. Spike’s style is more suited to Dawn and Andrew…” Angelus chuckles. “…And surprisingly
Giles.”
“Saw that
cool hip throw too huh?” Xander asks with a chuckle. He reaches out and closes
his hand around Spike’s ankle and squeezes affectionately to get his attention.
“I’m glad you’re alright Spike. That bit at the end with the voice… that was
very, very cool. It just walked right up to you like a tame kitten. How do you
do that?” Xander asks very interested.
Angelus
glances down at Spike, chuckles and motions for Xander to come and sit by them
and he smiles as the young man does so with no trace of fear.
Xander glances
over and smiles as he realises that Spike has drifted to sleep, cradled in his
Sire’s lap as he arranges himself against the headboard of the bed.
“You’re
aware of a Vampire’s ability to thrall a victim yes?”
Xander
grimaces. “I’m unfortunately intimately acquainted with that.” He notices the
unasked question in Angelus’ eyes. “Dracula paid us a short visit and I ended
up a bug muncher.”
Angelus
grimaces in sympathy. “Contrary to most literature, including that possessed by
the Watcher’s Council not all Vampires are able to thrall a victim. Dracula
could and Drusilla was one of the best at it that I have ever seen.” Xander
nods his understanding. “Drusilla was born with certain gifts that I sadly
twisted and perverted in the course of siring her. I wouldn’t be surprised if
Dracula was similarly gifted before his own siring. The transformation into
Vampires seems to only enhance such abilities but there are some rare Vampires
that acquire certain gifts after they are transformed. The oldest of the elder
Vampires believe that it is the in actuality the Demon that possesses these
abilities and they are in turn passed to their ‘host’ and usually manifest when
a Vampire achieves a certain level of maturity within their host form. I have
long believed that William is such a gifted individual. There has always been
something compelling about Wil, something above and beyond the physical beauty
he possesses.”
Xander
nods, admitting that he is far from immune to that unnamable
quality that radiates from the younger Vampire. “So he’s like Drusilla minus
the visions?”
“Not precisely
no.” Angelus says with a wicked smile. “Do you know what an Incubus is?” Xander
shakes his head. “An Incubus is a very seductive Demon that feeds by draining
the will, life-force and sexual energy of a sleeping victim by seducing them
sexually through their dreams. Imagine if you will a Demon so seductive that
you would damn your eternal soul to remain in their embrace, give yourself to
evil willingly to keep them in your arms.” Xander shudders and unconsciously
scoots over away from Spike until he realises what he’s doing and looks
embarrassed and scoots back. “There is literature about Incubi going back to
the beginning of mankind, just as there is about Vampires and in many cases the
two have been mistaken for each other. A true Incubus is a formless Demon that
rises by reanimating a corpse, hence why they are sometimes confused with
Vampires. It is not unusual for an Incubus to Father a child while in their
human shells. Such half-breed children are called Cambions and they are always
born with the marks of their inhuman parentage upon them in some fashion.
Ancient tales have said that the Great Merlin himself was the product of such a
cross-breeding and one reason why his magic was so awe-inspiring. Among Vampire
kind there are ancient tales known only by the eldest of the old ones that hint
at the possibility of some Vampiric Demons being similarly cross-bred. I often
wonder if William’s Demon isn’t such a one.” Angelus says with a chuckle.
“Do you
think it could be?” Xander asks fascinated.
“I don’t
really know Xander, but I think it unlikely. All of the Old Ones have passed
from this plane for the most part, much as the First Ones before them. I do not
think any of the Old Ones yet remain on this plane, but I suppose it is
possible that the remnants of their reign still exist. Spike’s gift is pure
sexual sensuality and when he focuses that on someone, it can be devastatingly
effect. He dampens the effect deliberately to a great degree and it is usually
muted and almost unnoticeable. When he turns the juice up on it though, it’s as
deadly an ability as ever possessed by any Vampire and only magnified that much
more by the fact Spike is just the most gorgeous Vampire yet sired.” Angelus
says proudly. “Maybe he is an Incubus, but it’s more likely that he’s just
plain sell-your-soul-for-an-hour-in-his-bed Spike; no more and no less and
certainly that’s ENOUGH.” Angelus and Xander chuckle at the inherent truth in
that statement.
“I wonder
how it would work if he was?” Xander muses.
“The effect
is much more pronounced when he’s physical present, though once he’s
deliberately taken pains to focus on a particular person, they seem much more…
suggestible and his voice is enough to mesmerise and enthrall.
Eye contact seems very important as well, I’ve noticed he locks his eyes on
whatever he’s attempting to sway.” Angelus adds helpfully.
“His voice
must play some part, he gets that deep thrum to his voice it’s almost hypnotic.
Dracula had a voice a little like that but his scared me, Spike’s makes me feel
both safe and drawn to him.”
Angelus
nods and looks down smiling as Spike stirs sleepily against him, his eyelashes
fluttering against his chest as lightly as butterfly wings. He yawns hugely,
unintentional morphing into his Demon face as the stretch drops his fangs down
and he looks like a sleepy kitten waking up. The image is only reinforced as
his mouth unerringly finds the healing wound he was feeding from earlier,
tracing it with gentle flicks of his tongue.
Xander
tries to look away but the sight is astonishingly sensual yet comforting as
Angelus draws a razor sharp nail over the wound, gently pulling Spike’s mouth
to his chest. Spike makes a soft purr of contentment as he gently closes his
mouth over the wound, his mouth moving gently as he licks the wound
occasionally encouraging the bleeding that is nourishing him. Realising that
Angelus will need to replenish the blood he’s feeding to Spike, Xander gets up
and refills the mug Angelus is still holding with fresh blood from the thermal
carafe.
“Thank you
Xander.” Angelus says with a smile, sipping the blood from the mug and stroking
the hair at Spike’s nape as he nurses.
“How much
will he need to feed?” Xander asks curiously.
“Sire’s
blood is stronger than almost any other kind, he’ll heal very quickly. This
feeding and another in the morning and he’ll be fine by tomorrow evening.”
Xander
looks as relieved as he feels. “
Angelus
glances down at Spike and notices the twinkle in his bright eyes and gives in
to the inevitable. “Sure why not. It would be nice to leave on a nice note and
mend some bridges along the way. I’d rather not leave Sunnydale on a bad note
as we may be called back here at some point.”
“Great I’ll
give her a call and let her know after I start dinner. Do you need anything?”
Xander asks rolling off the bed, a little shy about feeling a little too
comfortable lounging in the Vampires’ private space.
“I think
the blood you made earlier was enough. Filtered through me, it should have him
almost good as new by morning. I’ll help Spike downstairs after he feeds and
rests a bit more. I’m sure everyone will feel better if they can see he’s
alright.” Angelus says quietly, rubbing Spike’s back and sighing at the silky
texture of his skin. He wants little more than to spend the night wrapped
around his boy but they’re new Clan will need their attention and support for a
while as well.
“Good,
great, I’ll take care of dinner, take out okay?” Xander asks.
Angelus
nods and hands Xander his wallet with a thankful smile and watches the young
man hurriedly leave.
“Has he had
feelings for you for very long?” He asks glancing down at his Childe as he
licks the wound over his nipple closed.
“I don’t
think it’s really a personal interest Liam. I think he’s realised that his
sexuality may not be as cut and dried as he thought. He’s read enough about
Vampires to know we’re inherently non-gender biased when it comes to sexual
matters. I think he’s just feeling the weight of attraction, but it’s harmless.
I don’t think I, or for that matter you, are the ones
that will be helping him solve that particular life decision for him. Once we’re
mated love we’ll be bound and there will only be room for each other in our bed,
so no matter what Xan’s feelings may be, they’ll pass.” Spike says leaning up
to kiss his mate to be with infinite gentleness.
Angelus
turns on his side and pulls his boy carefully over him, mindful of his still
healing injuries as they lose themselves in the slow seduction of skin on skin.
*
Chapter
Two
A quartet
of happy faces grin as Angelus appears carrying an awake and obviously healing
Spike down the staircase, only moments before the soft sound of the doorbell
rings through the mansion.
“That’ll be
the food, we heard him heading up the drive as we were coming down.” Angelus
offers.
Xander
grabs Angelus’ wallet and hurries to the door with Andrew at his heels as
Angelus sits down on the couch facing the fireplace, cradling Spike in his lap.
Dawn sinks to her knees beside the couch and moves Spike’s robe aside to
lightly trace the bandages.
“Don’t
worry Lil Bit, I’ll be all healed by morning. It’d
take more than three of those beasties to get the better of me. I had to face
four just to be recognised as a Master Vampire. Three was easy peasy lemon
squeezy.” Spike says tired but proud.
Xander and
Andrew carry the bags into the kitchen to plate everything and arrange it on
the table with the eagerness that only hungry, growing young men can know.
“If Darla
wasn’t in hell already, she’d be going there for that bit of deviltry to be
sure my Laddy.” Angelus says with a growl. “The Masters Trial only calls for
one of the foul creatures.”
“I know she
was just trying to find a way to get rid of me. You should have seen her face
when I didn’t die like a good waste of space she always called me.” Spike says
obscenely proud of disappointing his ‘dear’ Great Grandsire. “It cost me an arm
and a leg, literally, but hey, they reattached just fine and it was worth it to
see her catatonic with rage.”
“It’s
amazing that you survived that Spike.” Giles replies shocked.
“Dru still
needed me back then, so she helped me heal up and Sire’s blood, fixed me right
up within a couple weeks.” Spike says with a shrug, smoothing his palm over
Angelus’ chest soothingly as he silently curses his late Sire and Childe. The
tender caress and the calming effect of Spike’s soft purring quickly soothe the
bad feelings away and a soft smile replaces the frown on Angelus’ face.
“That’s
amazing… I didn’t know Vampires purred. How truly
fascinating!” Giles exclaims charmed by the low rumblings.
“Vampires
are very close to their natures Giles and more alike cats than human beings.”
Spike says softly, still purring deep in his chest, soothing his Sire’s worries
away.
Giles and
Ethan share a glance of enchantment as they watch Angelus rub his cheek against
Spike’s chest like a tame tiger begging to be petted. Dawn smiles at the pair,
happy that Spike has finally found someone that can love him to the same depths
that he loves.
“May I ask
a personal question?” Ethan queries. Spike and Angelus
nod as they twine around each other to rub their cheeks together. “Rupert has
told me that love is rather foreign to Vampires as a species, yet it is obvious
that you two are very much in love. Is it because you have souls?”
Angelus
chuckles against Spike’s chest and Spike laughs softly as they rearrange
themselves on the couch. Angelus leans against the far arm of the couch lifting
his left leg to brace it on the cushion and pulling Spike back to rest against
his chest wrapping his arm loosely across his collarbone.
Dawn smiles
at the sight, but it’s dulled a bit by a twinge of jealousy she can’t quite
conceal. It’s been so long that Spike’s been all hers and Andrew’s, but now he
has someone to love all his own. She’s happy for the man that has been a
brother to her and a great father figure to Andrew, but she admits she
sometimes misses being the center of his world. Even as that occurs, she smiles
brightly as Spike’s hand finds the top of her head and absent-mindedly strokes
her hair. She lets her head fall to rest on the edge of the cushion, resting
against his thigh and sighing as he strokes her hair with a little more
pressure.
“Since we’re
family now, I think we should clue you in a bit Giles. All those books from the
Council that you’re so fond of… with all those lovely facts about Vampires?”
Angelus begins.
“Rot; they’re
all rot. Not worth the parchment most of ‘em are printed on.” Spike finishes
while Angelus nods. “Most of that stuff you take as fact… well they are facts
but about minions not about Master Vampires. I saw very little that accurately
says word one about the truth about Master Vampires and quite a bit about Sires
and their Childer is also not very accurate.”
“Granted
however, true old world Masters are rare these days as most are killed before
they’re old enough or have the handicap of a weak Sire that is themselves not a
true Master Vampire.”
“But that
is impossible! Surely the Council would know?!” Giles stutters.
“How mate?
The Slayers before Buffy all died within a few short years and like Angelus
said there are relatively few true Master Vampires left, perhaps no more than a
dozen throughout the world.” Spike says quietly, leaning back against his Sire
and stroking Dawn’s long dark hair. “It’s unlikely the Council has ever gotten
close enough to a true Master to know from the source if you will.”
Giles looks
absolutely floored by the possibility that everything he’s ever thought to be
fact is at best misinformation and half truths or at worst outright
fabrication. Ethan cups his shoulder and squeezes reassuringly.
“Will you
tell me about true masters?” Giles asks quietly, his voice hesitant, sure that
they will say no.
“Why don’t
we tell everyone at the same time? I’m sure Xander and Andrew are almost done
putting dinner on the table, shall we change venues?” Angelus suggests.
His words
prove prophetic as Andrew sticks his head around the corner and mumbles that
dinner’s on the table, munching happily on a fried prawn. Everyone scrambles
knowing that Andrew and Xander alone with food is never a good thing if they
plan to get their share.
Angelus
sits at the head of the table and Spike picks up a plate and fixes a selection
of foods before taking a seat to his right as the others all get their food and
situated around the table. Spike wields his chopsticks with the same easy skill
as the axe earlier, feeding himself and Angelus from his plate. He smiles as
Andrew passes him two mugs from the tray of drinks he’s brought to the table
and is handing out.
“Please
continue from earlier?” Giles asks enthusiastically. Ethan smiles and shakes
his head at his boyish excitement. Some kids get that way about amusement
parks; trust Rupert to get excited over bits of arcane Vampire lore.
“Very well,
let me start from the beginning, but first I have to ask that what is revealed
here is for your knowledge and yours alone. This remains within the family.”
Angelus looks at each and every person waiting for their nod of understanding,
smiling as each gives it; even Xander and Andrew who have no idea what he’s
talking about.
Spike
covers his Sire’s hand and squeezes in silent support, smiling as he leans over
and kisses him softly before he begins. It melts him that Angelus feels so
comfortable that he’ll touch him so openly with undisguised love.
“Let me
start with the basics with the Vampire Hierarchy. At the bottom rung are the
functionaries, Willie is a good example of what that is. Basically it’s a human
or demon that for whatever reason; in Willie’s case that would be money; serves
a Vampire’s interests. Next in the Hierarchy are the minions. There are several
ranks among minions, but they share one common denominator and that is that
they are essentially disposable. They form the rank and file of Vampire society
and by far the greatest number of the population at any given time is composed
of their number.” Angelus begins.
“If their
numbers outnumber stronger Vampires, why don’t they ever try to take over?”
Xander asks.
“For two
reasons mainly, one they aren’t really strong enough to take out a Fledgling
Childe much less a Sire; who is ALWAYS a true Master Vampire. Secondly they are
created deliberately submissive to the Vampire that creates them and it is
almost unheard of for a minion to amass sufficient intelligence, dominance, and
strength to be able to succeed. Minions are bred to be weak and easily controlled
by the stronger members of the Hierarchy. While some Masters have favored minions, even they are considered little more than
cannon fodder. Now next in the Hierarchy are the Pets or as some call them
companions or familiars. They are almost always non-vampires and very often
they are human. They are people that willingly or sometimes they are captive
but that is fairly rare, that willingly remain with a Vampire.”
“Why is it
rare for a pet to be captive?” Andrew asks.
“Pets
receive certain … compensations for serving their Vampire Master. They’re
allowed to feed from their Masters every so often. The experience is
highly…enjoyable for both parties. Tasting the blood of a Vampire, particularly
Masters, is an ecstatic experience, much like taking a drug and just as
addictive. The blood can heal injuries faster, even retard aging to the point
where a lifespan of hundreds of years is possible. In return the Vampire gains
a….” Angelus glances at Dawn and Andrew and decides to not be too blunt.
“Lover… that is loyal and bound to them, and whose loyalty is beyond question,
for their Master becomes their life. Should their Master die, their pet will
often follow them to their fate from the trauma of the bond’s severance.”
“I
understand, they may begin as captives but they soon become addicted to the
blood and stay willingly with the Vampire that they now serve?” Andrew says
looking to Spike and Angelus for approval which he smiles to see they readily
give with proud nods of their heads.
“Wait so
that would be what Riley is… was? When he was letting those Vampires feed off
of him?” Xander asks somewhat disgusted.
“Very good
Andrew; yes that is why a captive pet is rare. Most Masters consider it a point
of pride that their pets be willing and therefore a sign of their allure as
their Master. Riley was little more than what would be called a leech or a
ghoul. That’s a human that feeds off a Vampire for the pleasure and rush it can
bring. They are sick and sad creatures that are usually reviled by the very
Vampires that feed off of them; they have no rank and are considered little
more than food.” Angelus grimaces at the thought of such a lowly creature and
the desperate Vampires that would willingly feed off them.
“The less
said about Mr. Finn the better in my opinion.” Giles growls and everyone nods.
“Next in
the Hierarchy are the non-vampire mates. Mating outside the Vampiric lines is
fairly rare and most instances are alliances formed out of necessity to seal
some treaty or gain some advantage to the Vampire half of the couple. In the
old days, Sires would often arrange such matches between Childer to seal
alliances or treaties between the various clans, orders, and factions. Next in
the Hierarchy is the Childer. A Childe is turned in a very specific way, to
ensure that not only are they stronger than a minion but that they retain much
of their human qualities after the change. Childer are
precious to their creator and will never be willingly sacrificed. They are
created to be companions in eternity and are often selected for their beauty,
intelligence, and other factors that make them appealing as companions. Only a
true Master Vampire has the strength to create Childer, and you can always tell
when a Childe’s Sire is a true Master.”
“How can
you tell?” Ethan asks fascinated by it all. He is starting to see what Giles
sees in all the dusty lore and endless books he pours
over.
“The
Childer of a true Master will always eventually become Masters in their own
right and a very difficult trial must be passed before a Childe or any Vampire
may be acknowledged as a Master. It is not a matter of age as most commonly
assume. A minion turned now will be a minion four centuries from now, just as a
Childe turned by a minion is in fact a minion itself. They will never become true
Master Vampires. Masters always know when another Master is near and it has
been years since I have come across another that was not a member of my
bloodline.”
“Than
Harmony will never be a Master Vampire?” Giles surmises.
“Harm will
never be strong enough to be anything but a minion because she was sired by a
minion. I’ve taught her what I could to help her make her own way in the world,
but truthfully, if she hadn’t found a niche in the human world, she’d not have
lasted this long. She’d have been destroyed by stronger Vampires or reduced to
little more than a slave. She made the right decision to suppress her Demon and
live a more human life.” Spike says quietly.
“I should
have known that you had a hand in that. She’s very strong for a minion and adept
at the politics of her position. She’s doing very well at Wolfram & Hart,
though I could have killed Wesley for assigning her as my Secretary at first.”
Angelus nuzzles Spike’s cheek and continues. “The true Masters of the orders
are next in the Hierarchy and are highly prized for their rarity.”
“Next in
the Hierarchy are Favored
Childer. That is basically what it sounds like; the Childe that a Sire prefers
over all others, but there is very much more to that relationship than I could
probably ever tell you. I guess I can illustrate it most easily by an example.
If you were to kill a Sire’s Childe, you would certainly meet a similar fate
shortly thereafter. If you kill a Sire’s Favored
Childe you’ll die, but you’re going to be begging for death long before it
happens and it is likely that everyone you know would meet grisly ends before
you just to make it hurt more. A Favored Childe is
the Childer a Sire intends to remain at their side through eternity. Each Sire
has only one Favored Child and in most cases only the
death of the Childe will ever see them replaced in their Sire’s affections.”
Angelus dips his head to nuzzle Spike’s cheek making a purring sound of
pleasure that causes everyone to smile.
Spike
smiles and nuzzles his Sire’s cheek back, making a soft sound between a purr
and a growl that has Angelus ducking his head to kiss him gently before
straightening slowly.
“A Favored Childe is held in higher esteem than a true
Master?” Dawn asks somewhat confused by that reasoning.
“Not all
true Masters will necessarily have Childer, much less a Favored
Childe and that is a sign of some distinction amongst our kind. A Childe-less
true Master is not held in quite the same esteem as one that has proven able to
sire other true Masters.”
“Angelus
was in fact held in very high esteem for having a bloodline that sired two of
the strongest true Masters, Penn the Engraver and Drusilla the Seer, to be seen
in centuries.”
“And of
course, let’s not forget his Favored Childe, William
the Bloody.” Angelus says proudly.
“Of course,
how can you have a good Scourge without the bloody?” The pair share a private laugh.
“May I ask
a personal question?” Giles asks, smiling and pulling off his glasses and
cleaning them before putting them back on. “Unless I am mistaken, Spike is your
Favored Childe….” Angelus nods turning his hand to
lace his fingers with Spike. “…Yet Spike was Sired by Drusilla and not
yourself? Is it possible for a Master to have a Favored
Childe that they didn’t personally sire?”
“That is a
very intelligent question Giles.” Angelus praises and Giles actually ducks his
head as he feels the faint heat of a blush fly across his cheeks. “It is
possible in this case because Drusilla was my Childe, which makes all of her
Childer as my own. As her Sire, her first loyalties were always to me, even to
the extent of allowing me to Sire Spike. There are two types of Sires among
Vampires. In the basic sense any Vampire that creates another is a Sire, be
they minion or Childe. The second type of Sire refers to a Vampire that
essentially rears, trains, and has responsibility for the Childe. Drusilla may
have created Spike, but I was in every other way his Sire and his first
loyalty; before I was cursed with my soul; was to me. We may have fought like
cats and dogs and we may have ripped at and hurt each other, but woe be it to
any other that tried to do the same. We may have tried to kill each other, but
we never really tried THAT hard, because through it all, we loved. He has been
my favorite pain in the ass from the moment I saw
him, indeed it is the reason I allowed Drusilla to sire him.” Angelus glances
at Ethan. “You asked earlier about whether it was our souls that allowed us to
love?” Ethan nods. “The answer; as with everything else in existence; is
neither yes nor no. Demons can love but it is different from love as a human
would see it. Demonic love is a very powerful thing, almost tangible and nearly
always obsessive. We must possess utterly that which we love, to such a degree
that a human would likely begin to feel smothered. It is so encompassing that
Empires have risen and fallen in its thrall.”
Spike turns
to face them all and smiles gently but his eyes are eerily distant, as though
seeing something very far away. “Imagine if you will what it would be like to
know that you belong so utterly to another person that they will die to be with
you, kill to protect you. To know that there is no other that means more to
them than you do; to know that there is no other place they would choose to be
but with you. To fall asleep held close and know that you belong there, to
awaken in the arms of the one that has chosen you to be theirs, not for the
night, not for the month, but for centuries untold. A Favored
Childe never leaves their Sire’s side, no matter if they become a Master in
their own right or not. A Favored Childe is bound to
their Sire for all of their days. It is why Angelus and I could never cross
that line and finish each other off; no matter how we
hated each other for a time. In the end he is my Sire and I am his Favored Childe and now I will stand as his Mate.”
“And where
does a Vampire Mate stand in this…Hierarchy… Angelus?”
Giles asks.
“What will
occur between Spike and I has never been successfully done before Giles. There
is no precedent for what we will be. I am more than just an Aurelius Master; I
am the Master of the Aurelius order, which is a far different thing. All
Vampires, be they functionaries, minions, pets, Childer, Masters all borne or
in service to Aurelius, all of them are mine. The Master stood as the seat of
power in the Aurelius order, Darla stood as his Favored
Childe, and he chose me to be his heir. Darla was many things including an
exemplary Vampire, but she would have made a horrible Master of the order for
she had no skill for such things. As I would come to claim my Sire’s rights to
appropriate William for my own, so The Master made me his heir over Darla. With
the death of The Master, Darla, and Drusilla, I am now the seat of power among
the Aurelius. There are Aurelius that span more centuries than I, but there are
none stronger than I. Spike and I are the last of the
true Aurelius Masters. It is unlikely that we will make any other minions or
Childer at this point, so the true glory of the order shall pass with us.”
Angelus says regally. “Spike is more than my Favored
Childe, more than even my Mate; he stands as heir of the blood to the seat of
Aurelius. As The Master chose me, so I have chosen Spike.”
“Wow, so
you’re like royalty?!” Dawn squeals.
“I’m not
sure how royal an order of two is Dawn.” Angelus laughs and everyone joins him.
“And you’ve
adopted us if I interpreted that final scene with D’Hoffrun correctly?”
“Yes, by
acknowledging you as blood of my blood before a witness of D’Hoffrun’s rank and
station I have recognised you as Childer basically. To the Aurelius order, you
are human Childer of the Master of the order. No Aurelian
would dare to harm you without risking their existence.”
“You have
no plans then to sire us?” Giles asks gruffly after he clears his throat
several times.
Angelus and
Spike laugh. “No Giles we don’t plan to. Spike and I have discussed it and we
will not sire any of you unless that is your specific desire. Your lives are
your own and as much as we would keep you with us for eternity you must follow
the course of your lives to whatever end there is. Being a Vampire is no
guarantee of safety, Spike and I can still be killed, it’s just a little harder
to do is all. What guarantees do any of us have about what tomorrow will
bring?” Angelus says truthfully. He reaches for a mug of blood and presses it
into Spike’s free hand urging him to feed heartily, knowing it will help heal
his injuries faster.
“Fair enough.” Giles says gruffly and Ethan, Dawn, and Andrew all nod while Xander
looks faintly relieved but yet disheartened at the same time.
“You all
would make truly marvelous Childer though.” Spike say
quietly smiling as Xander seems to perk up at the praise. He murmurs a quiet
sound of assent and drinks from the mug dutifully.
“All of
this has of course been a very simplified explanation of a very complex matter.
In truth most Vampires possess an instinctive knowledge of much of this so it
is hard to explain.” Angelus says wrinkling his brow.
“I think I
understand it somewhat.” Andrew says with a smile. “It sounds somewhat like a
wolf pack with dominate and submissive members sort of mixed with a feudal
medieval caste system.”
Angelus
grins. “Yes it is very much like that Andrew. It is a very apt analogy.”
Spike grins
at his boy, pleased and proud at his swift grasp of things. “Xander tells us
Everyone
nods, though Giles and Ethan look somewhat nervous at the prospect and Spike
smiles happily.
“I should
get Spike into a hot bath, it will help the healing and ease any pains and then
put him to bed for an early night.” Angelus says standing.
Spike looks
aggrieved. “I’m not really tired Angelus and I feel much better.” He says
stubbornly.
“Nevertheless
William you will do it all the same if only to humor
your Sire Little One.” Angelus says grinning. Spike shakes his head stubbornly
refusing just as he knew that he would. He calmly leans down and sweeps his
Childe tenderly into his arms, ignoring his protests and mock threats of
retribution. “Quiet William or I’m using the bubble bath.” Angelus grins as
Spike facial expression says that he’d rather be back fighting more Demons than
face that fate. He sweeps out of the room and heads up the stairs. “If you’re
good I’ll even let you play with your rubber duck.”
Angelus’
voice drifts back to the dining room and everyone breaks into laughter as Spike’s
swearing at Angelus is cut off by the closing of their bedroom door.
Xander
looks around. “Is everyone done eating?”
To the
chorus of assents, he quickly gets everything packed away and put in the
refrigerator while Andrew washes their glasses and the mugs. Giles and Ethan
help dawn gather the rubbish and finish cleaning up. With everyone pitching in
it doesn’t take very long.
Xander
looks at Giles and Ethan and notes that they both look worn out. “We’ve got a
lot of spare rooms here Giles; Angelus had the cleaners do a pretty thorough
job on the airing out. Why don’t you and Ethan stay here for the night? There
are two rooms just sitting empty at the end of the right hall, across from each
other.”
“That
actually sounds delightful right about now.” Giles admits and Ethan nods his
agreement.
“Great I’ll
show you upstairs while the kids say their goodnights and Dawnie gets her
coat.” Xander says, throwing up his hand to cut off Dawn’s protests. “It’s a
school night Dawnie and it’s already past
Xander gestures down the hallway. “Straight
down and all the way at the end, there are two rooms right across from each
other. I’ll just pop in my room and get some things for you for tonight.” He
says slipping inside his room as Giles and Ethan follow his directions, Giles
taking the room on the left and Ethan the one on the right.
Xander opens
the tall freestanding wardrobe cabinet and lifts out an unopened pack of silk
boxers and sets that aside. He open one of the drawers and pulls out two
unopened sets of silk pajama bottoms and adds that to
the pile. Fortunately he’d gone shopping with Spike recently, both of them
having decided to take nothing but a few prized possessions when they leave
Sunnydale for good, they’ve been shopping and picking up the things they’ll
need. Xander smiles and shakes his head at the wonder of discovering that not only
are both Angelus and Spike filthy rich but that the younger Vampire is
something of a Wall Street wizard. In the short time Spike has been helping him
with his investments he’s already making more money than he does working.
Picking up the items Xander quietly leaves his room and heads down the hall to
knock softly on the door on the right, smiling at Ethan as he appears in the
doorway. He wordlessly hands the man a pack of the pajama
pants and rips open the pack of boxers and hands him a set.
“Thank you
Xander.”
“You’re
welcome Ethan. The bath is the third door on the right as you come into the
hall. There’s a cupboard in there that has towels and there’s trial sizes of
shampoos and toothpaste, and such… everything you’ll need next to it on the
shelves. Just help yourself to whatever you need. I’ll be leaving with Andrew
to drop Dawn off shortly so if you need anything Spike and Angelus’ room is
through the double doors at the head of the stairs. Kitchen is open twenty-four
hours and if you’d like anything special just let Spike know, he’s actually a
very good cook. You’ll probably find out tomorrow since he usually gets up
early to cook us all a ‘decent’ English breakfast. I’d say he was fattening us
up but then he’d just work me extra hard during the morning workout so I won’t
say it.” Xander says with a smile.
“Thank you
so much Xander.” Ethan pulls the small pile of things to his chest and wraps
his arms around it, hugging it to his chest. “I must say you’re being really
understanding about all this.”
“I’ve
learned a lot working with Spike. When Anya first left I was horrible to him
and everyone else, Spike was the only one who was still talking to me after a
while. He kept picking fights until finally I snapped and beat him about to
death… well final death but he never lifted a finger against me. I was sick
when I realised what I’d done to someone that wasn’t fighting back and I took
him home to patch him up and recover for a few days. Somewhere along the way I
started healing too. Then he offered to train me to be a better fighting and
somehow, someway animosity turned to respect and eventually friendship.” Xander
says remembering the day he hugged Spike and thanked him genuinely for being
his friend. His eyes glow with an inner warmth as he saw Spike really smile for
the first time and hug him back; he really is the most beautiful Vampire he’s
ever seen.
“He is a
remarkable Vampire. He helped me too, though he said he only did it to take
away something the Initiative wanted. I think he just did it to be nice
though.” Ethan stage whispers.
“Yeah he’ll
get over his aversion to admitting he’s nice someday.” Xander says with a
laugh. “I’ll drop these off to Giles than get Miss Dawnie home before Buffy has
a stroke.” Ethan smiles and thanks him again before closing the door as Xander
crosses the hall to repeat his speech for Giles.
As soon as
that’s done he heads downstairs and smiles to see Dawn and Andrew holding hands
and smiling shyly at each other as they talk quietly. “You two ready to go?”
They nod and Xander follows them out the door.
*
Chapter
Three
Angelus
stretches his arms over his head and stretches like a cat, yawning and wiggling,
loosening his muscles from the stillness of sleep. A smile curves his lips
slowly and he wiggles again just enjoying the slippery caress of the silk
sheets against his bare skin. He knows without looking that Spike isn’t in the
bed, from the faint sound of typing nearby. He rolls onto his side and snuggles
into his pillow and watches Spike’s fingers flying over the keyboard of his
computer. Whereas he has tried to live in a bubble of collapsed time, where
yesterday shines as brightly as today, Spike is very much a product of
tomorrow, a Childe that continually stretches its arms out to embrace whatever
comes without fear.
The typing
stops as Spike looks over and meets the eyes of his Sire and suddenly he is
across the room in a pouncing leap that has Angelus scrambling backwards out of
instinct. Angelus grunts as his nimble Childe lands on his
chest; driving him down into the mattress, pinning him there with his weight.
There is a feral light in his eyes as he drives his head down to possess his
mouth, but the kiss is tender and deep. Angelus rolls flipping his Childe
underneath him, their mouths still locked together. His head reels with the
dictomy of feelings flooding through him as Spike’s hands fly over his body
frantically, but his mouth slowly and tenderly absorbs his own. Part of him
wants to drive into his Childe endlessly, sinking so far into him that they can
never be parted. The other part of him wants to wrap his arms around him and
spin him around until he is his only reality in a spinning world of madness and
nothing outside can reach into their sacred space.
“What are
you doing to me Wil?” He asks softly pulling his head back to stroke his hand
down his bared chest, memorising every curve of the muscles, every twist of the
ligaments.
“I’m loving you Liam.” Spike raises his hand to his and draws
a clawed index finger down his chest, opening a shallow wound and pulls his
Sire’s mouth to feast on him. He arches to meet his hungry mouth, sinking his
hand into his hair stroking the mane of thick soft hair that would put a mink’s
pelt to shame.
Angelus
moans like a man being broken on the rack, or one that has been given
everything he ever wanted and told he can do whatever he wants to with it.
Licking hungrily he sucks and laps up every drop of blood. He feasts tenderly,
starving hungrily until his saliva naturally heals the wound over as though it
never was, but Spike’s devilish hand is there opening another crimson ribbon
for him to devour.
“God never
stop loving me Wil.” Angelus buries his mouth against the bloody gift
selflessly given up by his Childe and he feasts on a lifetime of pent up emotion
and the silent devotion of his boy that was only waiting for his Soulmate’s
return.
Spike wraps
his arms around his Sire and keeps the blood flowing. It speaks louder than any
shout of devotion, evokes a tie beyond mere emotion, and moves them to depths
beyond any motion’s ability to delve. His life is in his blood, his blood is
life and he offers both freely in a sacred communion to the being that
encompasses his world. Father, Lover, Brother, Teacher, Guide, Enemy, Punisher,
and Redeemer, he has been all of them and more. He is the constant center of
reference in his life, that single point that has always lived at his heart and
brought him home time and again when he has been tossed amongst a world full of
chaos. He is home, safety, he is adventure and he is danger. He is love.
Angelus
lifts his face from the bloody feast and fuses his mouth to Spike’s and feeds
him back a mouthful during a lazy kiss, his eyes open and drowning in a sea of
stormy blue. He knows he could so easily dive into those endless pools and lose
himself but he knows that for everything he gives Spike will return it in
perfect time. Every emotion that rises and falls he returns with the pounding
regularity of the tides, sweeping the debris of his existence away and making
the sands of his life once more pristine. Without fear he dives into those eyes
as he surges into the welcoming body below and he is lost even as he is found.
*
Chapter
Four
Spike rolls
carefully off the bed, his hand trailing along the arm of his Sire until at
last they are parted with the merest brush of fingertips. He hates to leave his
lover; he smiles to know that Angelus is comforted by the lingering presence in
his dreams. He brushes his fingertips over the tattoo behind his ear, that
while it cannot be seen, concealed as it is to a waking mind, the power of it
still thrums beneath his sensitive fingertips. He closes his eyes and lets his
mind slip inward, conscious thought avails him naught as he seeks the silence
within that has never been broken. He long ago discovered this unusual talent
and it has served him well under Drusilla’s piercing mental tortures and the
flailing sting of Darla’s whips. It has kept him sane as a Favored
Childe parted and reviled for a time by the Sire that abandoned him. It kept
him silent beneath the inquisition of a hell-born god and it kept him from
losing all that he was to the madness of what he’d done not only before he
fought to regain his soul but some of the things he’s done since then. His lips
curve into a smile as the tattoo responding to his loss of conscious thought
flares to glowing life, the answering mark flaring on the inside of Angelus’
wrist for a moment.
Spike
slowly opens his eyes and regains his conscious thought as the tattoo slowly
fades into dormancy once more and he dresses quietly, assured that Angelus’
dreams are pleasant. He quietly leaves the bedroom, easily avoiding the
creaking floorboards and crackling steps on the staircase as he nimbly skips
down the staircase and into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He reckons that
he has roughly half an hour until the kids start to stir, well use to his
morning routine by now.
Spike is
setting down a full plate of sausage, ham, bangers, and bacon forty minutes
later, as a sleep tousled Andrew slowly drags his feet to lounge heavily in the
doorway.
“Mornins
Pop.” He says sleepily, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
Spike
smiles at the simple joy of hearing Andrew call him that and pours a glass of
orange juice and hands it to him while gently nudging him towards the table,
while skillfully tipping out a cooked waffle from the
iron. He pours another glass of juice and holds it out as Xander steps through
the doorway equally dozy and sleep tousled.
“Thanks
Spike.” Xander mutters as he takes the juice and sinks heavily into a chair at
the table, leaning sleepily against Andrew who is grateful for the support as
he blinks sleepily as well.
Spike piles
up the waffles and covers them with a tea towel to keep warm before pulling out
a tray and opening the pantry doors, he loads it with the various syrups and
condiments they’ll need before exiting the larder. He opens the refrigerator
and grabs the butter, a tub of clotted cream and the pitchers of orange and
apple juice putting them onto the tray as well. Closing the door, he carries
his burden to the table and unloads it before fetching the loaded plate of
waffles and opening the oven uses a dish towel to pull out another heaping
plate, which he deftly covers with a tea towel to keep warm. He carries the
plates to the table and sets them down before fetching a thermal carafe and
carefully pours the fragrant coffee he’s freshly made into it before dropping
it by the table.
“Remember
we have guests, so no eating until Giles and Ethan come down right pets?” Spike
says ruffling already sleep tousled hair as he stalks out of the room and
silently up the staircase. He nudges the bond thrumming between his Sire and
him and smiles as he feels Angelus’ stirring to wakefulness as he turns down
the hallway.
His nose
flares delicately as he softly taps at the door on the right and patiently
waits for Ethan to come to the door or give him permission to peek his head
inside. He isn’t surprised to find Ethan fully awake and dressed, having
surmised he’d likely be an early riser like Giles.
“Breakfast
is ready if you’re hungry Mate. Just down the stairs hang a left and it’s the
second doorway on the left. Or I can bring up a tray if you’d rather dine in
peace.” Spike says quietly in deference to the early hour.
“I rather
think I’ve had enough of quiet, solitary breakfasts William.” Ethan smiles as
he steps out and closes his door behind him and waits patiently.
Spike nods
understandingly and turns to cross to Giles’ door, tapping softly. “Breakfast
is ready Giles if you’re in the mood for a spot of brekky.” He calls out
softly.
The door
opens and Giles steps out wide awake and fully dressed as Spike knew he would.
“Good morning.” Giles says softly as he follows Spike and Ethan down the
hallway where Angelus has emerged wide awake and dressed comfortably in the
loose flowing cotton pants and simple robe Spike had set out for him. Ethan
glances at Giles and Spike and does a double take as he notices they are all
attired virtually identically.
Spike
notices the glance and drops back to speak to him as Giles and Angelus talk
quietly on their way down the stairs. “We exercise every morning and usually
train in the afternoons. Would you like to join us Ethan? I’m sure Xander has a
spare set of workout clothes he could loan you.”
“I’d like
that William. I’m quite advanced so I’m sure I won’t hold you up.”
“No problem
Ethan, always welcome Mate.” Spike says warmly as he follows Giles and Angelus
into the kitchen and motions for everyone to find their seat around the
breakfast nook’s table. He uncovers the waffles and sets the plate down between
Xander and Andrew nudging them awake nonchalantly chuckling as their forks dive
for the food even before they’re fully awake. Angelus, Giles, and Ethan all
chuckle, and wonder at their chances of getting waffles without losing a limb
as the pair duke it out with their forks over the fattest waffles.
Spike
shakes his head at their antics and uncovers the other plate and sets it
between Giles and Ethan with a smile. “I thought you might enjoy a taste of
home, so I thought some elderberry scones would hit the spot.” He sets the tub
of clotted cream and grabs the strawberry preserves and sets them beside the
plate of scones. He almost laughs at the twin expressions of salacious hunger
and surprise on Giles and Ethan’s faces as he nips back into the kitchen and
quickly heats two mugs of blood before returning to the table. He laughs as
Angelus catches his waist and pulls him down onto his lap for a slow kiss good
morning then refuses to let him up. He sits back and enjoys it feeding his Sire
choice bits from their shared plate between sips of blood as the morning
conversation gets off to a quiet start.
By the time
everyone is finished, there isn’t anything left but crumbs and empty plates and
everyone graciously pitches in and helps clean up after the feast.
“I haven’t
had a breakfast like this in years, thank you Spike.” Giles says groaning and
patting his stomach happily. “Those were the best scones I’ve had in forever.”
Everyone
echoes the sentiment as they troop out of the kitchen, the boys heading up the
stairs to change into their workout clothes, Xander pulling Ethan along to get
him fitted out.
Giles
follows Angelus and Spike into the exercise room in the converted conservatory
and joins them in some light and leisurely warm up stretches.
“Since you
know what most of us are capable of Wil, why don’t you lead?” Angelus offers.
“Ta pet,
but I’ve taught them all that you’ve taught me so we can follow along with you
fine and Ethan is an advanced practitioner as well, so I don’t expect there’ll
be any snafus.” Spike says with a smile as Angelus smiles back flattered that
Spike has been following his Tai-Chi regimen.
Angelus is
pleasantly surprised as he finds that all five men are indeed easily able to
follow his training regimen, their movements quickly following into a
synchronised rhythm that mirror his own. The soothing sounds of the Chinese
flutes and drums music Spike started playing when he began is soothing and they
easily slip into the meditative calm of the ceaseless music. He isn’t very
surprised when Dawn silently slips in and warms up and effortlessly slips into
the rhythm but he admits to a fair bit of shock when Buffy and
He turns
and catches his Childe’s eye and communicates silently as they break their
forms to circulate among the group making minor corrections to form and offer
quiet assistance as Xander leads them effortlessly through the routines three
times. Spike catches his Sire’s hand and pulls them both into comfortable
kneeling positions and gestures to Giles who has stepped out of the group and
turned to face them.
Angelus is
pleasantly surprised as Giles leads them through a very thorough and inventive
mediation sequence and still further surprised as
Angelus
pulls Spike aside and wraps him in his arms. “I’m proud of you, you’ve taught
them all well. If your training sessions are as thorough, I can see why they’ve
become so formidable.”
Spike
trails his palms up Angelus’ sides and around to slide slowly up his back, stepping
closer smoothly until his arms have slipped around him and curved up until his
hands can lock over his shoulders. “The steel was always there lurking beneath
their skin, they just needed a bit of honing. Your lessons transformed me from
a self-righteous and self-conscious boy into a capable and able, albeit
arrogant man, to be reckoned with. I just helped them to find what you helped
me to find in myself. Their lives will always be dangerous; they’ve seen too
much and they’ve lived too close to the edge; they’ve seen the depths that most
people will never see, to live tame lives now. They are warriors and perhaps
they’ll walk the fine line better than we and they won’t have to find out what
life among the monsters is like.”
Angelus
tightens his arms around his boy and holds on tightly. “I don’t see any
monsters in this room Wil.”
*
Chapter
Five
Giles parks
his car and meets Ethan’s equally nervous gaze as they turn in unison to stare
at the entrance to The Bronze. As it always is on a Friday night, people of all
ages seem to be hanging, leaning on or out of, every available surface and
edifice. They both laugh nervously, knowing without a doubt they’ll at least
APPEAR to be the oldest people in there and both silently curse good humouredly
at their Vampire counterparts being spared that indignity. They’re both
startled by the strident tapping on the driver side window and they look over
to see Spike leaning down and looking at them.
“Nice try
you two, but if WE have to go in there and make happy party goers, than so do
you two sods. Get those prim bums in gear.” He yells with a totally too
obscenely smug expression.
Giving in
the inevitable the pair sighs and step out of the car and join the waiting
Angelus and Spike. Giles laughs as he sees that they’ve all managed to dress
somewhat alike again. The Vampires are both looking cool and confident in faded
jeans and button front dress shirts; Angelus in dark wine red and Spike in deep
sapphire blue, boots and their dusters. Loafers and simple aviator jackets
aside, he and Ethan are similarly attired. Angelus lays his arm across Spike’s
shoulders as his rests easily around his waist as they smile at the pair.
“We’re not
going to an execution, gents.
Despite
their trepidations the evening is actually very pleasant and even Buffy has
been behaving herself despite her contrary behavior
of late. No one really notices as Spike leans over and whispers softly into
Angelus’ ear; getting an understanding smile and a nod as he quietly stands and
slips away from the table. He makes his way across the floor and pulls a small
laser disk out of his duster pocket. He slips it to the DJ along with a
sizeable tip and a request before slipping back to the table, sliding out of
his coat and laying it over the back of his chair. The house lights dim a bit
and the DJ’s voice filters out across the crowd.
“We’ve got
a very special request from William and dedicated to good friends that will
never be forgotten no matter where their lives may take them.”
I close
my eyes,
And I can see,
The day we met,
Just one moment and I knew,
You’re my best friend,
Do anything
For you
A song
starts playing and Spike kisses the top of Angelus’ head before crossing around
the table to kneel beside Buffy’s chair. “Dance with me pet.”
Buffy
stares at him and slowly reaches out to take his hand, her eyes glinting with
unshed tears as he leads her out onto the dance floor and slowly wraps his arms
around her loosely.
We’ve
gone so far,
And done so much,
And I feel,
Like we’ve always been together,
Right by my side,
Through thick and thin,
You’re the part of my life,
I’ll always remember
Buffy
clings to Spike, darting forward to shove her face into his chest, her
shoulders shaking as he strokes her hair and back and murmurs quiet and
comforting nonsense sounds of comfort. She knows that he’s leaving, but she doesn’t
know how to say goodbye to him.
The time
has come,
It’s for the best I know it,
Who would’ve guessed that you and I...
Somehow, someday,
We’d have to say goodbye
Xander and
You’ve helped me find,
The strength inside,
And the courage,
To make all my dreams come true,
How will I find
Another friend
Like you
Buffy is
blind to everything but the sight of the man holding her so tenderly, saying
goodbye in a way that only he can. Her world narrows to the inhuman strength of
that body that has put itself between her and harm’s way too many times to
count.
Two of a
kind,
That’s what we are
And it seemed
Like we were always winning,
But as our team,
Is torn apart,
I wish we could go
Back to the beginning
She flashes
back in time to a dark alley and her first glimpse of a cocky blond Vampire
clapping from the shadows. Another flash and they’re fighting and her mettle is
tested for the first time to its breaking point. Flash; and he appears like a
ghostly pale savior knocking a policeman out. Flash;
and he rises like an avenging angel with a crowbar sending Angelus to his knees
and giving her a fighting chance. So many flashes that she is blind to the
present and cast into the past, realising for the first time how entwined their
lives have been. She feels the arms tensing to push her back and she makes a
wordless sound of protest and resists for a moment but then another set of
comforting arms close around her and pull her protectively close.
The time has come,
It’s for the best I know it
Who would’ve guessed that you and I,
Somehow, some way,
We’d have to say goodbye...
She clings
to Giles, knowing without looking who has taken Spike’s place but her eyes
follow him as he stalks with confidence assurance off the dance floor. She
knows he’s walking away from his past and towards his future. Angelus is there
to pull him down onto a welcoming lap and a heated embrace and she squeezes her
eyes shut and tries to learn how to let go.
Spike spies
Amy loitering at the edge of the crowd and calls her over and introduces her to
Amy and the couple is soon out on the dance floor, much to Angelus’ delight at
getting a quiet moment with his Childe. A moment it proves to be as they see
Buffy wrench away from Giles and run up the stairs to the top level.
“Go after
her Wil, she needs you.” Angelus urges lifting Spike off his lap and taps him
on the butt; not altogether softly; sending him stalking after Buffy, rubbing
his abused cheek. That has Angelus groaning and closing his eyes and praying
for patience and for his erection to ease up.
Spike
easily catches up to Buffy catching her arm and spinning her around to face
him, leaning against the railing of the upper level.
“Stop
running and talk to me Buffy. I can’t help if you won’t tell me what’s wrong.”
He growls.
“What’s
WRONG? What’s wrong is you’re leaving, no, you’re already gone aren’t you? You
just haven’t left yet.” She cries covering her eyes and turning her face away.
Spike sighs
and drops to one knee, closing his hands over her shoulders and saying
earnestly. “You listen to me.” He cups her chin and lifts her eyes to his. “I’ve
been alive a bit longer than you and dead a lot longer than that. I’ve seen
things, you couldn’t imagine. I’ve done things I’d rather you didn’t. I don’t
exactly have a reputation for being a thinker. I follow my blood; which doesn’t
exactly rush in the direction of my brain. So I make a lot of mistakes, a lot
of wrong bloody calls. In a hundred plus years and there’s only been one thing
that I’ve ever been sure of. You.” He reaches up to
stroke her cheek and lets his hand fall away as she instinctively recoils. “Hey
look at me.” She slowly lifts her eyes, shining with tears to his. “I’m not
asking you for anything. When I say I love you, it’s not because I want you or
because I can’t have you. It has nothing to do with me. I love what you are,
what you do, and how you try. I’ve seen your kindness, and your strength, I’ve
seen the best and the worst of you and I understand with perfect clarity
exactly what you are.” She turns her face away but he catches her chin and
turns her eyes back to meet his. “You’re a hell of a woman. You’re the one
Buffy.” Spike reaches out to stroke her cheek again and this time she doesn’t
move away but leans into the caress. “You’ll be the one that makes the
difference not me.”
“I don’t
want to be the one.” She says in a small voice, the strain of her emotions
causing her voice to crack.
“I don’t
want to be this good looking and athletic, we’ve all got crosses to bear.”
Spike quips with a boyish smile that almost makes her laugh.
“Won’t you
stay with me Spike? I can’t do this without you....” Buffy says with her lower
lip trembling.
“You’ve
always been able to do it without me Pet. You’re the one Buffy and you’ll get
along. The pain that you feel, will heal, you’ll live and go on until one day
it doesn’t hurt anymore.” Spike moves his hand until his thumb is stroking her
bottom lip, calming the tremors.
“But what
if I trip and fall Spike?” She asks in an uncertain voice.
“Then you
fall and you hurt and you get up and keep going just like you always have. I
follow my blood Buffy and the one that makes my heart want to beat, finally
loves me as much as I love him. This is my chance to be happy Buffy with
someone that understands me and accepts me for what I am. Would you have me
stay so that I can kiss those scraped knees and dust you off and send you back
out to face whatever hides out in the shadows of your life? That would leave me
alone Buffy and I have been alone for so very long. I have existed for what
feels like forever Buffy and I’ve done everything but I’ve done it alone and
now I have a chance to share myself with someone. I’m sorry you have to hurt
for me to have this chance Buffy but it’s not an opportunity I’m prepared to
turn away from.”
“But you
love me too.” Her voice cracks and trembles, sounding very much like a little
girl.
“Yes I do
Buffy, but my path is different from yours and it’s carrying me away from you
and this town. I’m in love with him Buffy, I’ve loved him since before your
Grandmother was born and I love him still. You can offer me the now, stolen
moments from today. Angelus offers me all the tomorrows Buffy and I want them
and I want him.” Spike says quietly, the love for Angelus shining pure and
strong in his eyes and Buffy finally sees it for what it is.
“Go to him
Spike. Be happy, that’s what I want for you.” She takes a deep breath and steps
away, tossing her head back proudly and squaring her shoulders lifting herself
up tall and strong.
“Thank you
Buffy. I’ll take care of him for you.” Spike leans forward and presses a soft
kiss to her forehead before he stands. “We’ll be in LA that’s close eh; we’ll
be here if you need us.”
“Make sure
he takes care of you too Spike.” She calls after him softly as he walks back
down the stairs with a last look and a nod. Her eyes follow him and watch as
Angelus stands and catches him in a tight hug. “Goodbye Spike.” She says
quietly, leaning against the railing and watching as both of the loves of her
life embrace each other. They will move on together and she will watch them go.
Part of her knows she has to watch them go to believe that they have really
gone and then she can begin to learn how to live with that knowledge.
“Buffy, are
you alright?”
Buffy turns
to see
*
Chapter
Six
Angelus
leans down and rubs his cheek against Spike’s temple, purring softly and
rocking gently, easing his Childe’s emotional distress. He knows that the talk
with Buffy must have been a very difficult one to have despite its necessity.
He knows he should try to talk to Buffy at some point and say the things that
should have been said a long time ago but he knows that she no longer sees him
as she used to. They’ve been apart longer than they were ever together and
perhaps he should leave things as they are and let time fix what his words
never will.
He feels
Spike move against him and stifles a groan as he realises that he’s dancing
still pressed to his chest.
“I love
this song.” Spike says in a delighted voice as a husky voice filters out over
the crowd.
I would
die for you
I would die for you
I’ve been dying just to feel you by my side
To know that you’re mine
To his
surprise the driving beat finds an echo inside him and lead by Spike’s
movements he pushes away from the booth and slides his arm tighter across Spike’s
collar bone locking them together.
I will
cry for you
I will cry for you
I will wash away your pain with all my tears
And drown your fear
Spike looks
over his shoulder in shock but it quickly turns to delight as he feels Angelus
mirror his movements and his shock turns to a grin as he slips his hands back
to cup his thighs as they rock together.
I will
pray for you
I will pray for you
I will sell my soul for something pure and true
Someone like you
“Someone like you.” Angelus leans forward to breathe against Spike’s ear, grinning as Spike
shivers against him.
See your
face every place that I walk in
Hear your voice every time I am talking
You will believe in me
And I will never be ignored
Angelus
lets his hand drift up Spike’s thigh and slowly over his hip before slipping
naughtily into the front pocket of his jeans and jerks him back to meet his
rocking hips and locking him tightly against him. Emboldened by Spike’s
response Angelus gets bolder, gradually losing himself in the beat of the music
and the feel of Spike against him.
I will
burn for you
Feel pain for you
I will twist the knife and bleed my aching
heart
I’ll tear it apart
Spike drags
his arms up grabbing his wrists behind Angelus’ nape and lets his Sire’s
movements lead his own through the rocking and swaying dance rolling through
their shared blood.
I will
lie for you
I can steal for you
I will crawl on hands and knees until you see
You’re just like me
Spike
almost cries out in ecstasy as Angelus breathes the last line of the song in
his ear again and tries to turn around but whimpers as his Sire tightens his
hold forcing him to stay as he is.
Violate
all the love that I’m missing
Throw away all the pain that I’m living
You will believe in me
And I can never be ignored
Angelus
lets his fangs drop and he pierces Spike’s earlobe sucking the spicy blood as a
drowning man does the air and whispers of dark and deep pleasures that they
will know. Wicked and debauched things that are never said out loud, done only
in the darkest of shadows and guarded by locked doors. Angelus grins, flashing
his fangs as Spike fights to turn around only to fail again and his whimpers
are music to his ears; better than any dance song.
I would
die for you
I would kill for you
I will steal for you
I’d do time for you
I would wait for you
I’d make room for you
I’d sail ships for you
To be close to you
To be a part of you
‘Cause I believe in you
I believe in you
I would die for you.
Angelus
slides his hand further into the pocket of Spike’s jeans stroking his fingers
against the hardness that is barely contained by the faded tightness of his
jeans.
“Would you
die for me my Laddy?” Angelus asks with a groan.
“Drusilla
took care of that part Pet a very long time ago. Would I die for you again?
Every night in your arms I die and every time I wake up in your arms, I want to
live.” Spike’s groan turns into a startled screech as Angelus deftly releases
his hold and spins him around.
The embrace
is fierce but the hands cupping his face are tender as Angelus traces his cheek
bones with his thumbs and they stare into each other’s eyes lost in the moment.
*
Chapter
Seven
Buffy
forces her glance away from the entranced pair as
“Have you
really accepted them now?” She asks quietly concerned for her friend.
Buffy
reaches over and cups
“Here why
don’t you try this?” Buffy looks up in surprise as one of the bartenders slides
over a frothy drink that looks almost too pretty to drink. “It’s a little
special recipe I came up with, guaranteed to soothe an aching heart and one
hundred percent on the house to the broken hearted.”
The man’s
smile is easy and pleasant and at the moment drowning in the frothy concoction
has more appeal than drowning in the sight of Spike and Angel moving on. She
takes a big sip and smiles. “It’s very delicious thank you.” She keeps sipping,
not noticing as
Back at the
table the others are all talking and laughing with easy camaraderie and no one
notices anything amiss in the fact that another frothy drink appears in front
of Buffy; almost as if by magic every time she empties a glass. No one notices
the kindly bartender quietly slipping out of the back door of the club, pulling
a cell phone out of his pocket and placing a call.
“It’s done.
No not a clue, three doses. Yes Sir. Yes Sir. Yes as you suspected. No Sir I
don’t foresee that will be a problem as we first proposed. Yes Sir, completely
unaware Sir. Positive Sir. Not at all Agent Finn, I’m glad I could be of
service.”
TBC