Title: Angelus Ascendant: Part Eleven
Author: JINX / Buffywatcher
Feedback: Constructive comments always welcome: jinxascendant@hotmail.com
Pairing: S/A
Rating: Strong R to romantic NC-17ish
Spoilers: Some scattered ones for both series, but nothing
major and pretty much goes AU
Warnings: The usual warnings for strong imagery, Slash,
language, violence, etc.
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. Please
excuse any minor discrepancies or artist license. As always thanks are going
out to GF, MarieC, Luba, and Mera my most excellent group of Beta/Editors.
Writer Credits: This story will feature the songs Tango To Evora by
Writer Websites: Shadows In A Mirror: http://www.oocities.org/sireandchilde/jinxi.html
JINXI’s LiveJournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/jinxwatcher
The Crypt: http://home.att.net/~lubakmetyk/crypt.htm#buffywatcher
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 future really is an undiscovered country…
*
Whistler watches the weasel of a
bartender return inside and steps from the shadows that have been concealing
him. His expression is sad but resigned and smoothes to a fatalistic acceptance
of the facts. He’s glad that he asked to attend to this last unpleasant duty
rather than giving it to their two newest warriors. They’re not going to like
what is going to come to pass, but unfortunately it’s a fate that has to happen
if they hope to avoid something infinitely worse down the road. Whistler steps
back into the shadows once more, as they absorb him and he fades slowly from
sight; he has an unpleasant report to make.
Chapter One
Angelus sips from the glass of
whiskey in his left hand slowly as his right hand strokes through Spike’s
naturally wavy hair. It’s as soft as goose down, curling and twining around his
fingertips like fluid silk. Knowing how fond he is of stroking his hair, Spike
kindly only gelled the top of his hair lightly, just enough to tame and control
the deep wave and tendency to curl, but he left the rest of his hair naturally
untouched. Aside from the minor incident earlier with Buffy getting upset and
his Boy trying to soothe her ruffled emotions, the night has been pleasant and
entertaining. The looks his precious Childe has been garnering all evening
secretly please him and fill him with a deep pride and feeling of possession as
he’s made it clear that he sees no one but his Sire.
Even as the thought occurs, Spike
leans against him as he chuckles at something Xander has said and his left hand
rises to stroke against his cheek briefly before falling to curl around his
left thigh. The movement is natural and somehow all the more erotically
possessive for the ease of it all. He loves the ease in everything that Spike
does, there’s no artifice, no hesitation or embarrassment, what you see with
Spike is what you get. He lays himself open for the world to see, strips his
emotions naked and revels in the purity of it. His Boy is the only creature on
Earth that never bothers to hide, even from himself. He knows exactly and with
perfect clarity what and who he is and he made his peace with it a long, long
time ago.
Arms sliding around Spike’s neck
from behind and the noisy smacking kiss on the top of his head, heralds Anya’s
arrival and they all turn with joyous greetings. Anya is looking as lovely as
ever and the older and distinguished gentleman at her side, looking vaguely
like Sean Connery has them all surging to their feet. D’Hoffryn, in his human
guise smiles and waves them all back into their seats as he a pair of burly
looking protective types quickly fetch two more chairs and everyone rearranges
themselves to make room around the table. The pair sits down with one of their
bodyguards standing protectively behind them while the other hurries to the bar
to place an order.
“You honour us with your presence
Lord and Lady D’Hoffryn.” Angelus says respectfully with an incline of his head
that Spike, Giles, and Ethan quickly copy. Catching on to the show of respect
the young people quickly copy the gesture.
“Please call me Renn. I decided
since my daughter had adopted a more…human appearance to interact, that it
would be only right if I did the same. I must admit, it’s a rather novel
experience.” The Master of Arash Ma’har admits. “Rennington Jensen, at your
service, but please, just Renn for short.” The first Vengeance Demon says with
a smile. “We are here to celebrate a truly momentous occasion here tonight and
we wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
“Milord…” Renn throws up his hand
in a censorious gesture and Giles smiles wryly and continues. “Renn…” He smiles
and nods, gesturing for Giles to continue. “You’ve said several times that what
is going to happen between Angelus and Spike is something rather spectacular.”
Renn nods. “Angelus told us that no one else has ever managed to do what Spike
has done, yet I have read accounts of Mated Vampires, in fact Drusilla and
Spike are often referred to as a Mated Pair.” He asks somewhat confused.
“Ah, I understand.” Renn leans
forward and looks pleased to have been consulted. “There have been other pairs
that have Mated true, though it has always been
extremely rare for Vampiric Demons to do so. Well, to be honest, it’s rare for
almost every Demonic Species that doesn’t require procreation to increase their
population to do so. You must understand that Vampiric society is very much
regimented and harshly divided. I’m sure Angelus has likely explained how the
hierarchy operates at least in part?”
Angelus smiles; wrapping an arm
around Wil’s shoulders and pulling him close to his side where he settles with
a happy wiggle. “I did explain the most general mechanics of how the hierarchy
works.”
“Then you understand that there
is a clear demarcation between being a Master Vampire of an Order and being the
Master OF that Order? If Angelus and
William were merely Aurelius Masters, then the fact that they are choosing to
become a Mated Pair would be interesting, but hardly a matter that would shake
the Demon community. Well okay, perhaps it may cause some slight trembles given
WHO they are, but the fact of a
mating would be of no great concern. Angelus is however much more than an
Aurelius Master, he is the Master OF
Aurelius and William is his chosen successor and heir.”
“I think I understand.” Ethan
says his eyes widening and everyone looks at him expectantly, especially the
younger people. “If they weren’t famous…or infamous I guess in this case, it
would be as if any of us got married. It would be important to us, family and
friends, but to the world at large, it wouldn’t be anything that would
register. Yet they are famous or
infamous and the fact that they’re choosing to Mate would be like a celebrity
couple getting married, the world would at least take notice.” Ethan explains.
“Angelus is however, what amounts to Vampiric ROYALTY, so the fact that he is choosing to take a Mate has become
a major topic of importance in the
Demonic Community.”
Renn nods pleased. “Add to that
the novelty of Spike being able to pass a Trial that to date, has killed every
Vampire crazy enough to undertake it, including The Master’s first Favoured One.
As you can see, the fact that Angelus has succeeded where his own Grandsire
failed he has done more than that. You see, not only has he chosen a Mate able
to pass the Trial, but he is directly responsible for the rearing of said
Childe. In a species that values strength above all things, Angelus and Spike
have become the strongest of their kind yet sired.”
“Of the warrior species among
Demon kind, Vampires have not only the greatest numbers, but they are the only
species to be not only maintaining their foothold among humanity, but are
thriving.” Anya explains. “D…My Father…believes that the reason is that despite
their demonic heritage, Vampires are inherently able to maintain their ties to
humanity, at least enough to enable them to interact more freely than almost
any other species.”
“Many species have become so very
rare as to be virtually extinct, not just here, but on any plane of existence.
That Angelus has been able to not only survive, but to thrive living contrary
to every Vampire before him, managed to raise three of the most powerful of
their kind, and is taking as his Mate the first Vampire ever to pass the Mating Trial, and let us just say that the eyes of
the Demon Community are fixed upon this event.” Renn explains, reaching out to
take a glass from the tray being held out by the second bodyguard and hands it
to his daughter before taking his own.
“I say, I can see why this would
be an event of some note.” Giles pulls off his glasses and wipes them
thoroughly with the soft handkerchief in his pocket before replacing them with
a charming flutter of his lashes.
“Demons once ruled this plane of
existence long ago. Why the First Demons left this world to their descendant
species we may never know, but I expect it had more than a little to do with
the rising of Mankind. Humans evolve, they change and adapt to overcome, and
Demons are frozen forever in time, little influenced by the passage of time. If
our kind is to survive, we must learn to copy the strengths that have allowed
Mankind to push us to the brink.” Renn covers Anya’s hand with his and smiles
at her with loving affection. “I saw my daughter’s Humanity as a weakness, when
in fact it is her greatest strength. Anya and William have shown me the error
of my ways. We will change and adapt and we will survive.” Renn says smiling at
Anya and Spike. “I owe you a debt beyond all for protecting the life of my
daughter William. I have named you as blood of the blood of D’Hoffryn in Arash
Ma’har.”
Spike’s mouth drops open in shock
and he’s glad to see that Angelus is no less affected to hear that such a
powerful Demon Lord has chosen to proclaim Spike to be of his lineage.
“I am most honoured milo…” Renn
makes a clucking noise with his tongue that has Spike smiling. “I am honoured
most Revered Father.” Spike covers his heart with his right hand and bows his
head low in respect to Renn. “I am honoured most respected Sister.” He repeats
the gesture to Anya and waits until they both acknowledge the acceptance.
No sooner do they do so, than Anya is out of
her chair and around the table. They all chuckle as one of the muscular
bodyguards scrambles to keep up with a long suffering sigh. She pounces and
ends up with her arms around Spike’s neck making him glad he doesn’t have to
breathe as he couldn’t with the strength of the embrace anyway.
“I always wanted a brother!” She
says happily.
Angelus chuckles and looks at the
pair affectionately. Spike has told him a lot about the feisty Vengeance Demon
and he is genuinely glad that she was there to be the friend when in his own
confused and splintered mind he was incapable of it at the time.
“I hope that you will both attend
the Ceremony.” Spike says genuinely.
“It would be our duty as your
patrons to do so. I will gladly offer my assistance to your Elders in learning
the specifics of the Ceremony should it be required.” Renn offers and Giles and
Ethan look relieved as they nod frantically. Renn smiles charmingly. “It has
been many millennia since I have had a…” He looks at Anya and quirks his brow.
“Humans call it a ‘vacation’
Father.” Anya supplies with a smile.
“Ahhh, yes a vacation.” Renn
stumbles over the pronunciation ever so slightly. “This would seem to be the
perfect time to do so. Anya was telling me of several intriguing things I would
like to experience while I am here. Something called a Mall seemed very
interesting and…Disney’s Land was it?”
“They call it
“Yes, I remember now and you are
going to purchase me hearing organs for my head.” He says with a grin. Everyone
chuckles as they realise that Anya must have told him about the Mickey Mouse
ears that have become a traditional purchase item during a visit to the
amusement park.
“Why don’t we all take a couple
of days off and drive down?” Angelus suggests. “We could all use the break and
a chance to just have a little fun for once. I’ve got a friend that can get us
in after hours so we won’t have to wait in lines or run around dodging rampant
sun beams.”
Everyone agrees that it sounds
like fun and decides to take a couple of days to clear up their business and
clear their calendars while Angelus makes the arrangements for the trip. The
rest of the evening is one to remember. The camaraderie and good spirits make
for a wonderful time as seven or eight different conversations all fly around
the happy group like a verbal tennis match played at the speed of light. No one
notices the nervously hovering
Chapter Two
The morning comes softly to his
awakening mind, the aches of an energetic night with his soon-to-be Mate attest
to a night spent in silken pleasures and enthralling passion. The more that
they give to each other, the surer that he grows to understand that it will
never be enough. It’s a good thing that they have eternity to be together and
in the end, that just may be enough.
He carefully slips from the bed,
keeping his hands soft and soothing and his voice low and melodic and comforted
Angelus remains peacefully asleep. He quietly leaves and prepares breakfast for
those that have to get an early start on their day and see them safely on their
way. Used to the rather atypical hour for a Vampire to be awake, he makes the
most of his quiet time, tidying up the manor and fixing some breakfast for them
he returns to his Sire.
Angelus wakes with an easy smile
as the scent of the blood nudges him awake with his morning hunger. A gentle
kiss and he hands the mug to his Sire and pads silently into the bathroom and
prepares a hot bath and returns to gently bully his still dozing Mate towards
his bath. He stays and bathes his Sire amidst a lot of laughter and more than a
little splashing that leaves him almost as wet as Angelus. He leaves his
playful mate to soak his morning after aches and strips off his clothes and
dries off, not bothering to dress in fresh clothing as he stalks to his
computer to check his email, totally unconcerned by his lack of clothing.
He starts to smile as he spies an
email from someone that he’s been waiting for. He clicks on it and forces
himself to display no emotion as he reads the email.
Hey,
Sweetcheeks,
I
checked out that listing you asked me to look into. Fred and I arranged for a
tour and made an appointment for a Home Inspector to go with us. The estate is
beautiful, just far enough outside the city that you don’t feel like you’re
living in clutter, but close enough that you don’t feel like you’re living out
in the sticks. Fredikins was nice enough to make some pretty good sketches of
the place and the Inspector says everything is as disclosed, not even any minor
problems. The place has been maintained very lovingly…and the best part is
there is actually a small, fairly exclusive working Winery as part of the
selling price. I’m including Fred’s sketches. Main Grounds, Basement, Second Floor, Third Floor, and Attic.
Fred
made some notations of roughly what each room is and noted the things you
specifically asked us to find. It’s larger than what you initially wanted, but
it does include everything that you were looking for plus with the Winery it’s
almost self-supporting. The current owner is willing to stay on to run the Winery
in exchange for a generous salary and ownership of a lovely two story cottage
and an acre of land that overlooks the vineyards.
I’ve
checked into land value and Fred did some cost studies on similar viable
properties and we both concur this would be an excellent purchase and the value
should continue to escalate. It’s in the upper range of the price range you
gave us, but you’ll be getting much more for your money in our opinion.
I looked
into having those specific modifications you requested and I’ve found a very
powerful coven that will be able to do everything we need and they have
absolutely no ties to Wolfram & Hart as you requested. They could have
everything done within ten days and if you’re willing to pay a little more
*everything* can be ready by the time you and Angelcakes are ready to move in.
I took the liberty of making an offer and the Owner says that he will accept it
if this property meets your needs.
I have
to tell you Blondie, it’s like you were *meant* to find this particular place,
it’s exactly what you wanted, *everything* that you wanted, including those
other matters we discussed on the phone. I made some notations on the sketches
about what we discussed…and Spike…the Winery is called Teaghlach. Tell me that
it’s not meant to be a sign? The estate itself is named Ravynsmoor and it is
without a doubt one of the loveliest places we’ve ever seen. I’ve included the
email address of the Owner, all he needs is your approval and this can be your
new home. Write or call and let me know what to do and Fred and I will take
care of it for you, our wedding present of sorts to you and big, brunette, and
beautiful. We didn’t mention this to Wesley or Gunn as you asked and I think
that was wise. You and Angelcakes may have the right idea about getting out of
Dodge while the getting is good.
Hugs
& Cuddles,
Lorne and Fredikins.
He clicks on the images and
marvels at the complexity of Fred’s ‘simple sketches’ and has to chuckle over
what she could do with a complicated one. He has to agree with Lorne, it is
perfect and has everything that he asked for and more, but if he’s being honest,
he was sold from the moment he saw the name of the Winery. He remembers some of
his long ago lessons in Gaelic, learned at his Sire’s knee and he knows that
Teaghlach means family. It’s perfect, it’s their home.
He feels the hands cupping his
shoulders and sliding slowly down his chest and the welcome weight of his Sire
as he looks over his shoulder and reads the email from Lorne and looks at the
pictures. Angelus chuckles as he looks at the sketches.
“So *that’s* why you were being
so secretive My Lad. You’re going to try and tempt them all away from Sunnydale
aren’t you?” Angelus says with a smile, pressing a soft kiss to Spike’s temple.
“They’re family.” Spike says
simply as though that is all the reason he needs and no other explanation is
required and for Angelus it’s not.
Another kiss to Spike’s temple
and Angelus leans over and cupping his hand over his Boy’s he calls up the
reply section and quickly tells Lorne to proceed with the purchase and
arrangements. A second message is sent off to the owner, now former owner of
the property, and a third message is sent off to their accountant, with
instructions to purchase the property and all secondary rights in conjunction
with the property and transfer of ownership and any applicably licenses. The
last email is sent off to their lawyer, carefully screened and researched to be
sure she has no ties whatsoever to Wolfram & Hart, to attend to any and all
legal matters in conjunction with their accountant. Both are offered generous
bonuses if the purchase can be secure within the week.
Angelus crosses his arms over his
Boy’s chest and holds him tightly. “It will be ours soon, My Precious.” He says
quietly and his tone of voice leaves no doubt that what he wants he’s going to
get and what he wants is a home for his family, where his Mate can be protected
and cosseted. Spike smiles as Angelus picks him up right off the chair and
carries him almost tenderly back to bed, sighing as they curl and twine around
each other.
“Why don’t we call Fred and Lorne
in about an hour and arrange to meet them in LA for lunch? Maybe we can drive
up and have a look at the Estate in person? We’ll be back in plenty of time for
dinner and our walk through with D’Hoffryn for our Mating Ceremony.” Angelus
says quietly, stroking his fingertips down Spike’s face gently. It has never
ceased to amaze him how beautiful his Boy is. Even when he was lying to himself
and managed to convince himself that he hated Spike, he could never deny that
he remains the most beautiful man he’s ever seen.
Spike relaxes and lets his
muscles liquefy as he pours himself around his Sire in a boneless agility
nothing in nature will ever match. He shudders gently as they flow together,
this skin electrified by the touch until their bodies pulse with a need that no
human could know or understand. He moans gently as Angelus draws his clawed
nails over his chest lightly releasing trickles of blood, just the faintest
painting of macabre scarlet, a painting of life in crimson red as he nurses at
the tiny wounds softly and gently. He lets the pain wash through him and
embraces the pleasure that moves through him in tides as Angelus opens wounds
only to lick and nurse them closed, over and over and time and again until he
is a mass of sensations that combine to send him floating up out of his body.
Only Angelus has ever been able to do this for him, to alter his perceptions of
reality, to lift him outside of himself to where pure sensation washes over him
to such a degree that a human would surely have passed out.
He gives his body over to his
Sire, lets him call the tune in this ancient communion of blood and emotion,
let’s him lead him into this dance of timeless rhythms that is the love of a
Sire for his Childe. Soon their relationship must evolve, as the Childe becomes
the Mate and their Demons linger near the surface, calling to one another,
coaxing them into the ancient rites of devotion. He knows that little will
change in his logical mind, but his instincts know that something is going to
change on a level so fundamental that quakes with the knowledge of it, even
while reaching out to embrace it. There will be no more lonely nights, no
question of who owns him heart and body…and soul, and no more waiting for the
night he’ll wake up alone. He’ll have the only thing that he’s ever
wanted…Angelus forever. On that thought, he slips gracefully into
unconsciousness on a wave of pain induced pleasure that sends him hurtling into
the inner space of his consciousness.
Angelus curls around his Childe,
purring loudly and nuzzling his unmoving form gently, coaxing him back to
consciousness with gentle caresses and loving murmurs. He can feel his Precious
Boy’s mind curling and writhing around his own, carried by the bond of blood
thrumming through his body and he luxuriates in the sensations. He is humbled
by the trust Wil has placed in him, allowing himself to be rendered helpless
and vulnerable with only his Sire to protect him from whatever may threaten
him. He could do absolutely anything to him right now and he could do nothing
to save himself, but that is the purpose of the bond that unites them. Every
night until the Mating Ceremony is complete, they must share themselves in this
way, Spike abandoned himself to his Sire, upholding their sacred union and
sating their Demons in each other’s lifeblood.
He drags his razor sharp nails
over his nipple, laying it open almost to the bone and gently manoeuvres Spike
into position to nurse and his Demon rouses just enough to feed. He curls
around his boy, stroking his back tenderly and whispering lovingly as he nurses,
reclaiming the blood taken from him during his rapturous feeding. As his blood
flows to nourish his Childe, his mind is laid open and they mingle as freely as
the now mixed blood that he is nursing and they are made stronger in the
sharing.
Spike moans softly and licks the
wounded nipple closed, melts against his Sire and lets his forehead tip forward
to rest against Angelus and they remain still and silent, their foreheads
pressed together as their minds slowly retract until all they can hear are their
own thoughts. He whimpers softly and Angelus cups his face to lift his eyes to
meet his own and he almost flinches at the matching dejection dulling his
beautiful eyes.
“Soon, my Love, there will be no
parting.” He murmurs gently as his hands trace his features. “We will have
eternity together and the only price is these few weeks of feeling this way.”
“I know Liam, but I ache.”
Spike’s voice trembles as he quakes gently against Angelus.
“As do I, My Precious Lad, as do
I.” Angelus gathers his Childe tightly against him and snarls silently that the
process of bonding their Demons must be as horrible as it is profound.
They curl together and try to
hold on to that feeling of unity for as long as they can because in the end all
that matters is that feeling…and each other.
Chapter Three
It’s just after six in the
evening when they return to Sunnydale and the mansion on
“Hey, Pop.” Andrew says
distractedly from a school book spread on the floor between Dawn and him, a pen
tapping his lip rhythmically. “Did you get your business in the city all taken
care of?”
“Yeah, it’s all taken care of. We
even had a chance to see Lorne and Fred, we had lunch.” Spike says smiling at
Angelus as he takes his coat and hangs it up before doing his own and taking
Wil’s hand and towing him to an empty seat on one of the couches. He sits down
and taps his lap with a warm smile and sighs as Wil curls up in his lap as
boneless and supple as a cat and he contents himself with stroking his silky
hair. He’s glad that Spike’s decided to let his hair grow out a bit and that
he’s styling it in a subtly softer, lightly-gelled style. Truthfully, the hard
edge of the eye catching style suits his Childe’s ignore-me-if-you-dare
personality and what attentions his look cannot garner for him, his sheer
presence will draw to him like iron shavings to a magnet.
Their friends share an amused
glance as the two oblivious become lost in each other and a slow drugging kiss
that has a couple of them flushing and dropping their eyes.
Giles clears his throat quietly.
“You said you’d tell me a bit about the special gifts some Vampires receive
upon turning?” The Vampires part, but settle together comfortably with Spike
curled up in the lap of his larger Sire with a happy wiggle and their attention
turns to Giles.
“Well firstly, not all Vampires
are what we would call ‘gifted’, as Vampires have evolved many of the old
powers have been lost and it is rare that they manifest in the younger
generations.” Angelus explains. “Only Masters have been known to develop these
talents, they have never manifested in a minion. One would assume that it would
have to do with how one is turned. Minions simply do not receive enough blood
in order to foster the gifts, their link to the bloodline too diluted to make
them viable.”
“So then a Childe that receives
more blood at their turning, more care and attention will develop a gift?”
Ethan asks, interested in Rupert’s work, he finds himself enjoying learning
more about Vampires and what a Watcher does and what actually goes on in the
twilight world of the supernatural that men just do not see.
“Well as one must be a Childe in
order to reach the true rank of a Master; that is in essence correct. However
by no means will every Childe develop a gift upon achieving Master ranking.
Less than a fraction of one percent of Masters has a gift and some Orders tend
to produce more gifted than others. The Old Ones believed it was because some
bloodlines are inherently stronger than others and some have shown better taste
in selecting additions to the Order.” Angelus explains.
“So it’s a little like selective
breeding to improve a species?” Giles asks, fascinated by the concept.
“Selectively turning those that can benefit the bloodline…is it a conscious
desire?”
“Perhaps it’s more of an
instinct; we just have a feel for whether or not someone will make a decent
Vampire in a way, I’m not sure it’s really a conscious desire to turn someone.
However the desire to make a Childe is very much a conscious decision.” Spike
says helpfully.
“And what is it that attracts you
to someone that you plan to turn as a Childe?” Ethan says wonderingly. He
notices that the others have caught on to the discussion and are slowly
creeping closer to listen.
“That varies from Vampire to
Vampire, but when I turned my Childer it was because the Demon sensed something
in them. Dru turned Spike because she felt his gift sleeping inside him, or so
she told me once. I think she knew what he would mature into one day and that
her powers let her know what he would come to mean to me. Drusilla was very
possessive and we think she may have turned Wil so that I couldn’t frankly and
she would have more of a hold on him as his blood Sire than I did.” Angelus
strokes his Boy’s perfect cheek. “It wasn’t really that effective, my Wil was
always my favourite, but it did work partially in that it gave Darla more cause
to demand I not spend as much time with Wil as he was only my Grand-Childe and
not mine own.”
“About Drusilla’s powers as a
Seer, they were already present when she was Human I understand, but what
effect did being turned have on her?” Giles asks eager, to solve a mystery that
no Watcher before him has been able to discover the truth about.
“As a Human, Dru’s powers weren’t
as strong and they weren’t as focused, they were sporadic and often times only
partial glimpses. Strangely it was the addition of her Demon that would cause
her Seer’s powers to fully evolve. Unfortunately I’d driven her quite mad prior
to that and it made her seem disjointed and unfocused. Wil was the only one
that could correctly interpret her visions for what they were or calm her in
her worst fits of madness.”
“So the powers she had were not
inherent in the Aurelius line?” Giles asks, somewhat disappointed.
“Well not her Seer powers, but
her ability to thrall, that was a gift of the Aurelius line, it is one of the
rarest of the Vampiric gifts and often only those that possessed some talent of
the mind prior to their turning will develop and be able to use the gift of
thrall. It was an especially rare gift for an Aurelian to posses in particular.
The Aurelius Order rarely produced any Masters with mental gifts.” Spike
explains. “Other Orders were known for that, the Dracul Order in particular; as
I’m sure you’ve heard about?”
“So what gifts does your heritage
carry?” Ethan asks, smiling at a beaming grin from Rupert, who was about to ask
that himself.
“Aurelius is a Warrior Order; it
has long been known to produce the best fighters of all the Orders. We’re
overall just that much faster, stronger, and so forth than the fighters of
other orders.” Angelus explains.
“Which explains why you two were
so deadly for your time, you both must have the gift. Spike certainly given his…defeat
of two Slayers in one on one combat, something no other Vampire can claim.”
Giles says, pulling off his glasses and cleaning them unnecessarily before
replacing them and manages to catch an intriguingly enigmatic glance between
Angelus and Spike.
“Actually…while Spike does
possess the Aurelian gift for physical combat, it’s actually his secondary
gift, not his primary one. My first Childe Penn and I possessed the Aurelian
fighting gifts in full measure, but it was different for Spike.” Angelus says
proudly.
Spike undulates his body into a
sinuous slide that has him unfolding his body from Angelus’ and strolls
silently to the staircase and up to their room with a curiously silent stalking
gait that has the observer shivering faintly in reaction. Angelus hides his
smirk of possessive pride and he knows that his wicked Boy is up to something
and whatever it is he’s in no doubt that he’s going to enjoy it, but he
suspects the others may enjoy it more, he thinks hiding his devilish smile
behind a bland expression.
Giles and Ethan are still tag
teaming questions when Spike silently returns, having changed into a pair of
old and worn jeans, frayed in several interesting areas and so worn in others
that the blue fabric is white with age and wear and it follows every dip and
eddy of his musculature. He has on a button-down dress shirt, but it’s
unbuttoned and not tucked in, drifting around his form like a silken cape of
dark blue silk. The sleeves are rolled back casually, his feet are bare and he
is still the sexiest, most sensual man he’s ever seen and it’s all the more
powerful for the fact that he is totally relaxed and laid back about it.
His return is silent and without
fanfare, but Angelus smiles and stifles a chuckle as one by one the heads turn
to track his progress down the stairs and across the room to the entertainment centre.
His Boy has an uncanny knack for shouting his presence without saying a word.
He watches as he looks through the rather extensive CD collection for a few
minutes and gradually the attention in the room shifts away from him. Keeping
half an eye on him, while still answering Giles and Ethan’s questions, he
smiles as a soft melodic song starts to filter out from the hidden speakers dotting
the room.
He smiles as he recognises the
haunting lilting tones of one of his favourite songs and he sits back to relax
and watch the show his Childe is about to put on. He turns his head and catches
Xander’s eye as he tries to look like he’s working nonchalantly on some
blueprints when in facts he’s been listening rather fixedly to their
conversation. A silent message passes between them and he’s gratified to see
that Xander has understood and he’s positive that his training with Spike is
likely responsible for that.
“So what gift is Spike’s primary
gift anyway?” Xander asks, giving up all pretence that he hasn’t been listening
in on their conversation. Angelus hides his smile as the young man asks exactly
the question that he wanted him too.
He turns and angles his back just
enough that he can both talk and watch Spike, having to force down a wicked
chuckle as Spike is shifting restlessly as he stands in front of the
entertainment centre. Any second now the impulse is going to be too strong and he’s
going to…
Spike starts to sway slowly and
gracefully, his head tilted back and his eyes closed as the music moves through
him. His feet begin to move first and by beat his muscles go fluid one part of
his body at a time in a display of sensually controlled abandon that is his and
his alone as he dances as though he were alone in the room. At first the
movements are slow, almost imperceptible like the swelling of a building tide,
flowing and joining together as they rush onto the beach and his whole body is
in motion, carried by the ebb and flow of the wordlessly passionate song.
Angelus tenses his muscles,
forcing them into rigidity by force of will alone as he feels the first
prickling brush of awareness along his nerves that quickly becomes an intense
heat that has him aching and throbbing. It has been so long since he has felt
the brush of William’s more than formidable gift as his Seducer powers begin to
leak into the room to tighten its invisible arms over them all. He bites back a
moan as his body has a marked and very physical response to the unseen caress
of William’s Seducer Aura. He knows that he is sensitive to the rising tide of
power, but soon even the Humans will begin to sense the electric charge in the
air. They’ll react on an unconscious level, the instincts of all sexual
creatures are his Boy’s instrument and in his hands and with that body, the
aria they create is one of sublime surrender.
The heat is incredible as it
washes through him like fiery pulses of pure sensation and he wants to burn to
ash and gone by throwing himself into that fire, but his indomitable will
serves him with utter implacability. His glittering brown eyes trace over the
others and he doesn’t bother to hide his smirk as he notices that they have
begun to react.
Andrew and Dawn seemingly still
engrossed in their schoolwork and apparently oblivious to the fast that they
have moved closer together as they lay side by side on the floor and their
closest hands have threaded together. They’re youth and relative little
experience in sexual matters will insulate them somewhat from feeling the full
effects of Wil’s gift, but not even innocence is immune to it.
Xander is shifting restlessly;
the slight thrusting of his hips doesn’t go unnoticed nor is it mistaken for
restless fidgeting. His eyes glide over and it’s easy to see that Ethan is
experiencing much the same, his hand gliding up and down Rupert’s thigh in an
unconscious caress. He chuckles deep in his chest as his gaze lands on Giles.
His gaze if fixed on Spike and his glittering eyes shimmer brightly with heat
and a thin sheen of sweat has begun to rise from his skin. His chest is rising
and falling in gradually quickening breaths and he can hear his heart hammering
away in his chest until it is almost a constant thrumming in his ears. He almost
laughs out loud as he realises whom Spike has decided to fix his attention upon
and the focus of his gift. His boy always has to go for the big, flashy
gestures. If a Watcher should fall to him, than what better example could there
be of the depths of his talent and what better illustration of just how lucky
they can consider themselves.
For whatever reason, and he’s
sure that he hasn’t heard *all* of
Wil’s reasons yet, his Boy decided that he wanted the Slayer and her friends
alive. If he had he wished it otherwise than he would have drawn them one by
one to their doom and they would have walked right into their deaths willingly
for a taste of the ecstasy that he promises. Instead he not only spared them,
he actively protected them. He wonders if they’ll ever fully understand just
how strong an ally Spike has been to them. He glances around the room and he
smiles; some of them understand he knows as he looks around the strange, but
dear little family that has come to be his own.
Wil is dancing faster, his body
dipping and twirling through his partner-less tango, but one can almost imagine
his partner floating with abandon in his arms. Even as he watches Wil slows and
lifts his arms out in silent entreaty and Giles rises stiffly and moves
forward. At first his motions are jerky as though he were a marionette on
strings, but as he draws closer to Wil; his body becomes fluid and relaxed.
As Wil’s arms close around them
pitching them back into the sensual motions of the dance, Giles follows
effortlessly. Their bodies pitch and roll, surging together only to part before
the touches are fully realised and the rhythm of the dance parts them once
more. Wil is the flame as Giles is the moth and ever closer he draws heedless
of the heat. He is not ignorant of the danger it just doesn’t matter next to
the feeling of being the centre of that transcendent siren’s universe.
Angelus watches and marvels as
the somewhat reserved Englishman that he’s always known becomes a creature of
motion and emotion in the evocative arms of his Childe. Self-consciousness
flees before the power wielded by his boy with the steady hand of the finest
sculptor or painter. He knows that Wil has long maintained that none of the
fine arts are his to call upon, but he has always understood that to be a
falsehood. His boy is a painter and humanity is his canvas and emotion is his
paint, with it he can paint a still-life of such beauty as to make the Gods
weep. Wil is a sculptor, the malleable flesh of humanity is his to mould, even
the hardest of marble hearts turning to clay in his skilled hands. His Boy is a
Michelangelo and his life is his Sistine Chapel and all of them gather to
worship beneath its majesty.
Giles is no exception as the song
slows and Wil’s movements slow and he follows with no hesitation, letting
himself go, as he is drawn deeper into his Boy’s predatory embrace. Even from
this distance, as Wil dips the boneless Watcher deeply over his arm, a powerful
arm braced between his shoulders and holding him securely, he can see the lost,
glazed look in Giles’ eyes. As Wil’s features slowly morph and the Demon that
the blood of his blood gifted to him, is revealed like the ripples on a pond’s
surface.
A hint of movement from the
corner of his eye brings his head around to spy Ethan one hair away from
surging to his feet as his protective instincts start to break through the
cloud of arousal Spike’s gift has called up in him. He raises his hand and
silently mouths that it’s alright, Spike won’t hurt him and after a moment and
a steely glance, Ethan nods once tersely and relaxes. Xander’s eyes are as
glazed and fixed as Giles and Angelus’ eyebrows rise in surprise. It seems that
the young man is especially vulnerable to Wil’s gift and he notes that and
files it away to be pondered over later and turns his attention back to his
Boy. He chuckles finally as he noticed the identical expressions of slack jawed
amazement that both Andrew and Dawn are sporting as they watch Spike and Giles.
He shivers as he catches the
flash of snowy white ivory and he almost moans imagining those razor sharp
fangs being dragged slowly over the sensitive skin of his own neck. He sucks in
a breath as a ragged moan is ripped from Giles throat and his hips jerk
reflexively against his Boy’s and the faint smell of copper and iron perfumes
the air. He knows that Wil has carefully laid open the merest hint of a
scratch, leaching no more than a scant handful of tiny droplets of blood yet
Giles clutches him closer, his hand sinking into the platinum paleness of his
hair. It is obvious that Giles is so far gone that Wil could sink his fangs in
and drink his life away and Giles would welcome it, beg him to take his life as
he has taken his will and seduced his mind away.
Wil slowly straightens pulling
the wise Watcher once more upright and spinning them once more into the dance,
slowly beat by beat of the rhythmic music he releases the man from his spell,
slowly retracting his power back inside himself. He releases his more than
willing captive and continues to dance as Giles reverses his earlier motions
and returns once more to his seat beside Ethan, his movements disjointed and
jerky until he collapses weakly onto the sofa.
Angelus chuckles and the wicked
sound echoes in the room as Wil’s husky voice joins his in counterbalance. “And
*that* Giles is Wil’s gift. I’d make
for a hell of a Christmas huh?” Angelus says wish a deep chuckle, his voice
pitched low and husky with need as Spike does a hip turn and lifts his arms to
beckon his Sire into his arms with a shimmy of his hips and a hungry stare.
He is off the couch in a sinuous
slither and across the room to wrap his boy in his arms, joining him in his
pagan dance answering the call of his heart and the demands of his body. They
are drawn together as the last of Wil’s power slips seamlessly inside him,
binding them into a world of their own choosing as they sway together, no
longer dancing so much as caressing each other in time to the music.
“Damn that was really hot; do it
again!” Dawn says her voice sounding like a rifle shot in the too quiet room
and shocking the last of them out of their trance-like states.
Xander jerks in his seat and
makes a painful sound squeak like groan and falls over to press his burning
cheeks to the sofa cushions as Giles tips over to lie across Ethan’s thighs,
his chest heaving and his muscles twitching. Ethan looks no better as his hands
fly over Rupert easing him down off the plateau with frantic murmurs of
comfort. After a moment Giles turns over in his lap to look up at Ethan and
they both draw in a shaky breath as their arousal doesn’t subside, but only
grows stronger fed by their frenzied caresses. They lean towards each other at
the same moment, their mouths meeting hungrily for several seconds pulling they
pull away with matching expressions of shock that slowly becomes wonder.
Giles rolls to his feet as Ethan
leaps to his feet and they run up the stairs holding hands and giggling like
naughty school boys, their departure punctuated within seconds by the slamming
of a door upstairs.
Xander blinks owlishly and
shudders faintly. “I hope to God that I never see anything like *that* again. Ewwww, it was like watching
your parents having sex!” He says with a groan and turns his face back into the
couch cushion with another shudder as Dawn and Andrew giggle madly and elbow
each other and make kissing noises. He wonders how long it will take to
suffocate in the couch cushions and decides that however long it takes, maybe
it won’t be so bad, as he shifts his still hard length against the yielding
cushion with another pained groan. Yeah, death isn’t looking so bad right now.
Chapter Four
He is dishing out the last scoop
of fried potatoes into the bowl when a very rumpled and unsteady looking Giles
trudges heavily through the doorway. He sets the frying pan down and deftly
catches hold of the lagging man and gently manoeuvres him over to a chair at
the table. He pours a cup of strong coffee, automatically doctoring it up to
suit Giles’ particular preferences, and presses the warm cup into his shaking
hands, curling them around the warmth of the mug.
“Good *morning*, Rupert, since you missed dinner, I assumed you’d be
hungry this morning.” The tone of Spike’s voice is lightly teasing, but the
expression is one of affectionate kindness. “I’ll have the rest finished in
just a few moments.” He says with a smile as he sweeps some chives off the
cutting board nearby and sprinkles them over the fried potatoes before slipping
the bowl into the oven to keep it warm.
He picks up a small plate and a
pair of tongs and carefully removes a still hot scone from a tray beside the
potatoes and sets it carefully on the plate, as an elbow skilfully taps the
oven door closed. Setting the plate and tongs down in favour of a sharp knife
and the flaky, moist scone is soon neatly sliced in half, releasing the
fragrant scents of apple and cinnamon.
He walks over and places the
plate in front of Giles with an encouraging pat on the back and returns to the
stove to watch his sautéed mushrooms cook. He keeps an eye on them while a
steady hand skilfully sprinkled a richly peppery olive oil over the finely
minced garlic and the tomatoes he’s already chopped. He sets the deftly spins
the bottle to catch the drip as he dashes a final drizzle of olive oil over the
mushrooms before capping the bottle and returning it neatly to storage.
“Spike…William…” Giles begins,
but trails off to nervously break off a bit of his scone and nibble on it
nervously.
His attention caught by the
unexpected use of his birth name and Giles’ uncharacteristic reticence, Spike
tilts his head to the side in silent contemplation of the squirrelly Watcher as
he attends to the rest of their breakfast.
“I’m a Seducer; that is what my…gift
is called.” He begins, slipping easily into lecture mode, hiding a smile as he
notes Giles’ rigid body relax. “The gift is fairly rare and it is becoming more
so with each successive ‘generation’. No one really knows the reason for that
as you can understand, few people study Demons much past the point of
discovering how to kill them. Most of what we know, our Demons either
intuitively understand or it has been passed from Sire to Childe.”
“It sounds like it would be a
very fascinating course of study.” Giles replies sounding intrigued.
“Ya rather like being a Demon
Watcher or something. Being the first to catalogue the truth behind Demon
species objectively and without malice would be the making…or the pinnacle…of
someone’s career. There are many species of Demons only a fraction of which are
actually dangerous to humans and some so rare and fantastic that men have not
laid eyes on them in millennia untold.” Spike says with an enigmatic smile. “To
quote The Bard; ‘There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are
dreamt of in your philosophy’; and more things in Hell as well. Be it a Demon
that looks like a man or an apparition of a dead king upon the grounds of
“Tell me more about your gift. Is
it a version of a thrall?” Giles asks gruffly, shoving in another bite of his
delicious scone.
“No, it’s not. If it was a
version of the thrall ability you would not have fallen to me so easily, you
are too strong, your mind too focused and clear for it to be effective.” Spike
replies frankly.
“That’s not true, Drusilla proved
that when she raped my mind for the secret to awaken Acathla.”
Spike can clearly hear the
bitterness in Giles’ voice and he aches for the pain he still carries even
after all these years. He knows that it is only partially revolving around the
fact that he was the one to tell the secret about Acathla. He knows it has as
much to do with his long dead lover and the unresolved trauma of his torture at
the hands of an; at the time, thoroughly insane; Angelus. No doubt he feels as
though he has betrayed the confidence of his Slayer as well in failing to hold
out. Given the fact that Buffy is steadily slipping farther away from the once
paternal Watcher with each passing day, it’s little wonder why his feelings of
inadequacy are resurfacing as they are now.
“It…wasn’t just Drusilla, Rupert.
You had survived Angelus, you would have survived Dru as well and you would
have died horribly. You had to bend before they could break you.” His voice is
soft and hesitant, shaded by resignation.
“It was you.” Giles breathes and
in that moment he wonders why it had never even occurred to him that Spike
could have been responsible for his confession and ultimately for saving his
life. At the time it seemed that he had done little, but stayed Angelus’ hand
from killing him and his help was passively offered at best.
“Yes…” Spike dishes out the last
of the food and brings everything to the table, making sure it’s all covered so
it stays warm. He takes the seat across from Giles and pours some warm blood
into his mug from the bright red thermal carafe on the table and he sips it and
looks ashamed of himself. “Dru’s mental abilities are extremely strong, but
even weakened as you were by Angelus’ interrogation, you would not have been
brought low. Dru’s powers work on the mind, mine work on the body, your mind
would not have been fooled for long by the illusion that she placed there. You felt that Jenny was there because I
projected that reality for you, the combination of the mental suggestion and the
physical manifestations are what made you reveal the secret. And ultimately
what saved your life. I am sorry Giles, you had to bend or you would have been
broken, it was just a matter of time. I promised to guard your life, but I
could not guard your heart or your feelings and still save you. I hope you
understand.”
“I don’t understand.” Giles
readily admits, pulling off his glasses to rub at his eyes fussily.
“Drusilla’s powers were all smoke
and mirrors. She could plant the suggestion that you were aroused, but
physically you wouldn’t have been. However my gift is a physical one, you felt that she was with you. The physical
reaction was very much real so your mind more readily accepted the suggestion
Dru planted. I’m sensitive to the emotions of other people it is a side effect
of sorts of being a Seducer.” Spike says somewhat shyly. “I can in essence
affect the physical condition of the people around me with a combination of
limited empathy, pheromones, and my actions. Drusilla could plant the suggestion
of those things into your mind. I can make you feel them. Do you
understand now?”
“What I understand is that I am
long over due with the gratitude. You were a bastard back then, but you had to
be, I understand that and I need to thank you for that. My stubbornness was
going to get me killed and Buffy would never have recovered if she knew she’d
been at least partially responsible for unleashing Angelus and hence my death.
Not on top of the trauma of having sent Angel to Hell.” Giles looks across the
table and he wonders when he stopped seeing Spike as a Vampire and started
seeing him as a friend? “You could have killed us one by one and from what I
felt last night we would have begged for it. Why didn’t you?” He asks bluntly.
Spike takes a sip of his breakfast
and considers his answer. After a moment he sets his mug down and looks at
Giles. “I suppose at first it was a matter of getting one over on you. You were
all so arrogant, positive that the world and everything that you saw was all
there was to everything. It was a novel experience, being underestimated by a
bunch of children that thought a bit of plastic and silicon would protect them
from me. The chip wouldn’t function if you were willing…and you would have
been.”
“Yes, I have little doubt of that
after your demonstration.” Giles says gruffly, flushing a bit as he remembers
how it felt. They would have walked
to their deaths and given themselves to it.
Spike takes another sip from his
mug and continues. “Then I suppose bit by bit some of you started to worm your
way into my good graces, if perhaps not quite my heart as yet. I am not a
solitary person, I prefer the company of peers and friends, in time that is
what all of you became to me. The Angelus I knew was gone, Drusilla was
slipping farther into dementia with every passing year, and I was exiled among
my own kind. First it was because of the chip, then because of my association
with you lot, then the soul, and lastly and finally by choice.”
“You never did tell us how or why
you got the soul. You just left for a few months with Andrew and then you
returned with it.” Giles realises.
“I knew that what I felt for
Buffy had more to do with Angelus than it did with her. If I cannot touch the
feet of God than perhaps I can walk where he has walked and seek his communion.
I never expected Angel could love me, knowing what I was and wallowing in the
penance he’d forced upon himself. I figured I’d stay here among you lot and do
my best to keep you all alive until I met the bad ass who was having themselves
a real good day and they took me out.”
“If I cannot touch the feet of
God than perhaps I can walk where he has walked and seek his communion.” Giles
breathes in insight. “You got your soul back because Angel has his and you
thought it would be as close as you would ever come to sharing his life again.
William, that’s extraordinary.”
“I met an old friend and he told
me of an ancient legend about a cave in
“All for the love of Angel who’d
abandoned you a century ago?” Giles asks in wonder.
“All for the love of Angelus…you can’t compartmentalise him
any longer Rupert. Angel was always Angelus; you’ve always known that, it’s why
you’ve hated him for so long. With the soul he can overcome the Demon and
modify his behaviour, but he is and always will be Angelus regardless of what
he calls himself. Your Lady died Rupert; it was a tragedy, but no more his
fault than Buffy’s for accidentally releasing him. What happened was
pre-ordained before any of us walked this soil by forces too large to be seen.
We see only glimpses of them, like ants looking upon Giants. We are being moved
around a chessboard and we never see the hand that moves us. If it had not been
meant to happen as it had, the Powers would never have taken him as their champion.
Her death had meaning Rupert; it is that single moment that most greatly
influences him now.”
Giles looks stunned and shocked
and his mouth opens and closes, but no words come out.
“Angelus killed without remorse
for more than twice your years, but even once he got his soul and began his
atonement, he never truly understood what those lives were. None had touched
him, they were nameless faces from another life, while he regretted them all;
he could feel no remorse for them as people, only as lives lost to his Demon.
Your woman’s death was different, he knew her, she had people that cared for
her and for the first time death had a cost, and it had a name and a face. He
is a champion because of her sacrifice and because of his example I now have a
soul and two of the most vicious Vampires in history are working for mankind
rather than preying on them. It seems that would be quite the fitting epitaph
for your woman’s life Rupert Giles, she was the mother of Heroes.” Spike sets
his mug down and refills it and sets it down as he rises and walks around the
table and leans down to whisper in Giles’ ear. “Forever is not just a word to
the eternal Rupert, hear me when I tell you that she will not be forgotten. She
will be remembered as long as he and I exist, how many mortals could aspire to
that?”
Spike steps back with a pat on
Rupert’s shoulder as he straightens and turns. “Good morning, Lover. You’re
just in time for breakfast.” He gestures to the table and his now vacant seat
as he walks into Angelus’ arms, as he leans in the doorway, for a deeply slow
morning kiss. “I’ll fetch the others, you two go ahead and get started eating.
You may have a chance to get a decent portion if you fill your plates before
the boys get here.” With a lingering caress to Angelus’ cheek and he slips past
him to head upstairs and wake the others.
After an uncomfortably awkward
moment Angelus straightens away from the doorway and strides to the table and
takes the seat Spike directed him to and picks up his mug.
“I’m sorry about Jenny, Giles. I
don’t think I’ve ever said that and I should have before now. I owed you that
and more. I am sorry.”
Giles clears his throat gruffly.
“I accept the apology. If things hadn’t happened the way that they did, you may
not have been here to help us stop the Mayor’s ascension and many more people
would have died. And I guess in a roundabout way we should thank you for Spike
too. When did he become so smart anyway?” He manages to dredge up a small
smile.
“I think that he always was
Giles, we just didn’t bother to listen to him before.” Angelus returns the
smile and the pair share a chuckle as their friends begin trickling in. The
chuckle becomes a laugh as Andrew picks up a sausage and piece of bacon and
consumes them before he’s even sitting in his chair. They share a look and dive
for their plates to make their plates while there’s still food left. Spike is
wise about a lot of things.
They’ve taken their first steps
forward with the quiet assistance of his Childe and soon to be Mate, but neither
he nor Giles mistakes it for anything more than a beginning. They have farther
to go to achieve true forgiveness, but by mutual agreement they’ve taken their
first few steps down that road together.
Chapter Five
The day passes quickly once their
friends are all gone for the day. The morning saw Andrew off to school, Xander
to the construction site and Giles and Ethan off to the Magic Box. They
stretched and did their morning work out before a leisurely interlude spent
mostly in bed and each other followed by a peaceful nap, the late afternoon
welcomed their second awakening.
Their afternoon bath and second
feeding and they parted ways. Angelus went to the phone in his study to attend
to some business and make arrangements for their new home. Spike returned to
their bedroom and his computer to attend to some business and arrangements of
his own. He took care of transferring all his bank accounts into joint accounts
accessible by Angelus and himself and also set up some accounts for their new
family. In the quiet of their bedroom, during the peace of sated bodies they
had discussed the future and decided upon some plans of action. So Spike set
them into motion by opening two Swiss and
After a long discussion with his
Sire about what they plan to do now that he is leaving Wolfram & Hart and
they are finishing their arrangements to leave Sunnydale for good, they have
decided several things. First Angelus would like to reopen his detective agency
so Spike contacts their lawyer with orders to secure all the proper licences
and zoning waivers, whatever is required to be sure that running businesses
from their new property is allowed. While he’s working on that he also has him
arrange for two other business licenses, part of his surprise for Xander and
Giles.
It all fell into place one night
as he overheard Xander telling Giles that he was now a licensed Construction
Contractor for the state of California as well as an Architect, having passed
all his exams and been issued all the appropriate licenses and other
legalities. He was hoping to use them to get a better job, but as they were
soon to leave Sunnydale he decided to continue working for his present boss
until his two week severance was over and find another
job later on. He was considering focusing on ‘special construction needs’ for a
select clientele, in short those that could hardly pop in for an afternoon
business meeting.
An email to Lorne and a well
outfitted home office centre is being designed and set up according to his
specifications. A call to Xander’s boss and a dinner later and the details have
been worked out and with the additional information, Xander will have all the
resources he needs should he pursue the avenue they’ve opened for him.
Similar arrangements have been
made for Giles and Ethan and he hopes that eventually he will coax them from
Sunnydale as well, but suspects it will be a while down the road. Though Buffy
has been treating him poorly and rarely relies on him any longer he knows that
the Watcher still feels responsible for her and will not leave her easily.
Ethan will of course stay where he is, they’ve been apart long enough.
He saw the interest in Giles’
eyes when he brought up the woeful lack of current and impartial data on nearly
every aspect of Demons. How to kill many of the species has been documented,
but little else has been written about their lifestyles. Even in cases where
more extensive studies have been conducted, such as the Council’s fairly
detailed study of Vampires, much of their information is partial, misleading,
misconstrued, misunderstood, or an outright falsehood. Giles has been eagerly
asking them questions trying to discover the truth about their species, not for
the Council, they know Giles will keep their faith in that regard, but for
himself. Knowledge is Giles’ drug of choice.
They have not forgotten their
other friends in their planning either. Angelus contacted the school and picked
up copies of Andrew and Dawn’s records and gave them to Spike. Both being
excellent students, barring the usual teenage shenanigans that is, both have
been accepted to UCLA for the start of the new term. They haven’t told them
that yet, planning to keep it as a surprise for their first night in their new
home. They both know that the kids were planning to apply for the fall term
anyway, though both were nervous that they’d never be accepted to such a
prestigious university. Secretly both had expressed their fears to Spike and had
separately considered applying to one of the smaller community colleges where
they would be less likely to be turned down for admittance. Between his Sire
and himself they’ve set those fears to rest he thinks. They also know that
they’ll never wean the pair off their extracurricular night activities, they’ve
both grown up on a Hellmouth, and it is inevitable.
After a lengthy discussion
they’ve decided that it would be best for everyone if the pair worked for the
detective agency part time to earn their own spending money and they’ll be
under their watchful eyes. Fred has also decided to leave Wolfram & Hart
and return to work for Angel Investigations. Lorne having decided that he
misses the excitement of owning a bar is planning to move to
They’ve discussed Wesley and Gunn
and Angelus doesn’t feel that he can completely trust either. Slowly but surely,
Wesley has begun to fall into the shadow cast by Eve and he has started to
change into someone that he can no longer turn his back on. His recent
suggestion that they find and re-hire Lindsey, allegedly so that they can keep
an eye on an enemy has concerned him greatly. Gunn’s willingness to offer up
mind and body to be ‘improved’ by Wolfram & Hart, has never sat easily upon
Angelus’ mind. There are just too many ways that Gunn could have been
compromised during the procedure. While it breaks his heart to leave them
behind, Angelus will not chance them associating with his new family if he
questions their loyalty. Strangely he knows that it is Gunn that Angelus fears
for more than Wesley, as it seems the former Watcher has given himself over to
the company willingly; Gunn’s loyalty may not be altogether willingly won.
Without Angelus’ knowledge he has secretly created a trust fund for Gunn as
well, but with several iron-clad provisions that will assure he will never
learn of, be able to access, or use the funds as long as he has any connection
to Wolfram & Hart. Id he should he ever find the means to sever his
connections to the evil law firm than he will have more than enough money to
start his life over again. It’s all that they can do for the young man now. He
didn’t bother to do the same for Wesley as Whistler all, but revealed to them
that it is too late to save the former Watcher now.
Fred has secretly taken
precautions and on the day that she leaves Wolfram & Hart for the last
time, a viciously thorough computer virus will utterly erase any and all
mention of all of them from their system and through the high speed mainframe
network that links all of the Wolfram & Hart offices the destruction will be
thorough and complete. An old friend of Lorne’s, a very powerful mystic and the
head of the most powerful coven in the country, has thoughtfully provided
powerful spells to ward and protect their new home. They will not have to worry
about intrusions from Wolfram & Hart in their own home and certain wards
and blessings will keep anyone with harmful, false, or evil intents from even
stepping foot on their property. There is no way to protect them in the rest of
the city or anywhere else in the world for that matter, but at least in
Ravynsmoor, they can let their guard down as much as it’s even down to begin
with that is. It would be foolhardy to grow too complacent.
He finishes up his work for the
day by attending to their extensive portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other
assets. Buy and sell orders are issued, purchases authorised or declined, and
instructions sent off to their veritable army of brokers and accountants. They
wisely keep their assets spread over a wide network to avoid the temptation by
anyone to abscond with their assets; not that anyone would be that stupid, but money makes people do
strange things. He completes his tasks and log off and powers down his computer
and slips silently out of the bedroom.
Chapter Seven
He hears the raised voices well before
he slips silently into the study. His eyes narrow at the waves of fury roiling
off his Sire and he knows that his talk with Wesley isn’t going well at all.
Angelus looks up at a silent cue
and watches his Childe stalk into the room with the slow and graceful cat-like
gait that is uniquely his own. The dark blue silk of his sleeveless top
reflects in his eyes, deepening the icy purity of his eyes to dark sapphire
pools, the glint of amber gold betrays his highly emotional state as bits of
the Demon show through. His jeans are worn and thin with age, hugging his lower
body as lovingly as any embrace and his feet are bare.
He lifts his hand to his boy, but
smiles to see that he is already coming to him, curling up on the arm of his
large, sturdily built desk chair. As soon as his arm curls around his waist and
his boy melts against him to stroke his hair, he feels his fury start to ebb.
“Wesley, I’ll be back when I’m
back. End of discussion. If something
comes than handle it, you can manage that without my having to hold your hand
surely?” Angelus’ voice is icy cold, but his eyes are molten as they stare at
his beautiful Lad and he purses his lips and smiles as Spike obligingly leans
over to press a brief, but heated kiss against his mouth.
“Certainly I can handle things
without having my hand held!” Wesley’s voice sounds like it is a curious
mixture of a growl and arrogant disdain.
“Then do it.” Angelus disconnects
the call without warning and chuckles as he notes the approving gleam of humour
in his Childe’s eyes. “You liked that didn’t you?”
Spike laughs huskily and turns to
straddle his Sire’s hips and snuggles close. “And if I did?”
“I’d say you were very wise.”
Angelus says with a smile as he strokes one hand up and down Spike’s back
soothingly while the other glides up and down his denim covered thigh. “Did you
get everything done that you wanted to?”
Spike nods. “It’s all been taken
care of.” He explains what he was able to accomplish then takes a deep breath
and explains what he set up as a contingency for Gunn.
Angelus leans forward and presses
a soft kiss to Spike’s lips gently. “Thank you William. Charles was my friend
once and if he can ever find a way to save himself, I’m glad to know that he’ll
be taken care of. It’s almost five; they’ll be trickling in soon. Shall I help
you with dinner before we do our evening workout?”
Spike hops off his lap with a not
well stifled snicker. “If that means that you can sit and watch me cook than yes.” He chuckles and heads
for the door and Angelus rises from the chair with a sour expression.
“Hey what does that mean?” He
demands as he follows.
“It means that the last time you
tried to help me you almost caught
yourself and *me* on *fire*. I’d rather not be mated to an urn of dusty ashes
on the mantle if it’s ok with you. You can do a lot of things, cooking is not
one of them!” Spike says laughing as he darts out of the room.
Angelus gapes in shock for a
moment and roars after him. “Hey, take that back!! I can cook!” he jogs from
the room to catch up to his hysterically laughing pain in the ass of a childe.
Chapter Eight
After fixing two trays of lasagne and green
salad large enough to feed a platoon of marines, they settle down in the great
room for a bit of reading and quiet conversation, welcoming Andrew and Xander
as they come in. They watch the clock and almost twenty minutes on the dot they
hear keys in the door and Dawn calls out a greeting as she comes in carrying a
heavy backpack, locking the door after her. If you learn anything on the Hellmouth,
it’s the value of locking doors whenever possible.
Spike is out of his seat in a
moment, taking the backpack from her and setting it against the stonework of
the fireplace where she and Andrew like to stretch out and do their studies
together.
“Thanks Spike.” She says with a
hug before walking over to get swept up by Angel for another hug that has her
giggling.
“Dinner will be ready in about an
hour and half, pet. Would you like a snack or something to drink?” Spike asks,
smiling at the young woman affectionately.
“I’m fine for now I think. I had
a latte before I came over.” Dawn replies with huge smile just for Andrew, as
he has just jack-rabbited down the staircase and over to her for a hug.
Spike and Angelus share a look of
fond amusement as a knock on the door gets their attention.
“I’ll get it, you go ahead and
change for our workout and start warming up and I’ll join you in a few
minutes?” Angelus offers and Spike nods and blows him a kiss before jogging up
the stairs.
Angelus opens the door and smiles
welcomingly at Giles and Ethan. “Come in, come in.” He waves them in and they
step in with warm smiles. “Store closed for the dinner break?”
Giles and nods and blushes faintly as he
notices Angelus’ glance straying down to where Ethan is holding his hand. He
watches as Angelus walks over to the small old fashioned mail desk and opens
one of the drawers and extends out his hand towards them, two bright, shiny new
keys nestled in his palm.
“Please take these.” Angelus
bounces the keys in his palm. “Spike and I have had a talk about what we’re
going to do about this house when we leave, we’d like you two to live here.” He
says bluntly, shocking the pair. “We’d feel better knowing it was being used
rather than sitting here vacant and the security is state of the art. Consider
it at least?” They slowly reach out and take the keys.
“We certainly will Angelus, thank
you.” Ethan says with a nod and Angelus smiles pleased turning to jog up the
stairs as Spike’s coming down, pausing to kiss his childe quickly before
proceeding.
Spike traces the smile on his
lips with his fingertips and continues down the staircase with a jaunty hop in
his step. He’s changed into the simple silk gi, this set dark blue and silver,
that he prefers to practice his Tai-Chi in.
“Hey Rupert, Ethan, dinner will
be ready in about an hour and a half. We’re having Lasagne and salad tonight
and mango sorbet for dessert. Feel free to help yourselves to drinks and
snacks.” Spike says sounding positively chipper as he catches the balustrade of
the staircase and uses that to deflect his body down the side hall. “We’ll be
in the atrium if you need us.” His voice calls back as he disappears down the
hallway.
Dawn and Andrew share an excited
glance. “Do you think they’re gonna do it?” Dawn asks with a giggle as Andrew
covers his mouth to stifle an excited snicker and nods.
Within a few minutes Angelus is
zipping down the stairs also wearing a set of silk gi, only his are black and
red. He smiles at them and jogs down the hallway to the atrium where they can
hear the soft sounds of music starting to play.
They wait until Angel is out of
sight then Andrew and Dawn bolt for the kitchen door with very ominous sounding
giggles. Ethan and Giles share a perplexed look that quickly turns devilish and
they take off after the teenagers. There’s no sign of them in the kitchen so
they step out into the garden area that borders the back of the house. The
sound of muffled giggles and whispers leads them around the corner and they spy
the pair huddled outside the atrium, peeking through the bushes partially
shrouding the leaded glass walls. They can see Spike and Angelus inside
stretching and warming up. The jackets of their gis
have been discarded and set aside, leaving them wearing only the loose silk
pants. They find themselves unconsciously caught up in the inhuman
attractiveness of the pair and find themselves inching closer.
They hear the sound of a throat
clearing and whirl around to face a grinning Xander and open their mouths to
try and explain why they’re out skulking in the bushes spying on Angelus and
Spike.
“Am I late?” He whispers with a
grin, before throwing himself to his knees and crawling over to sit beside a
giggling Dawn and peering through the shrubs.
Ethan grins and grabs Giles’ hand
and they dart over to sit next to Andrew. “What are we doing?” He asks
whispering excitedly.
“We’re watching.” Andrew says
with a superior grin, but he ruins it by giggling. “Just watch.” He motions
towards the glass. “Dawn and I caught them doing this by accident last week;
it’s the most beautiful thing we’ve ever seen.”
“And hot. It’s really, really hot.” Dawn says with another
giggle. They all turn their attention inside.
Chapter Nine
Spike centres himself, letting
his eyes slip shut as he kneels on his knees and presses his forehead to the
padded mat. He lets his arms stretch up over his head, concentrating on the
feeling of the deep breaths expanding and collapsing his chest. He hears the
feather soft sounds of Angelus’ movements around the room and his brow furrows
as the mellow sounding Celtic music is silenced and replaced with something
much more surprisingly modern.
I'd
never tell you one lie, I'd never let you down
I'd
never leave; I'd be the one who'd always be around
Baby give me a chance
I'd pull
the sun out from the sky to light your darkest night
I
wouldn't let one drop of rain fall down into your life
Put your
heart in my hands
Believe
me baby, I could never do you wrong
And I
would never paint your world blue
And if
sometimes it seems I must have lost mind
I might
be crazy, but I'm crazy about you…
He spares a millisecond to smile
as he explodes up out of his crouch into a back arch to drape over Angelus’
drawn up legs. He didn’t need to see where he was to trust that he would be
there to catch him. He rotates his arms around and feels them caught in the
unshakeable steel grip of his sire. He relaxes his back as Angelus presses him
up slowly and he gracefully lets his body roll into a handstand. They hold the
position for a beat of the music before he lets his body fold in upon itself
and he walks over regaining his feet only to sink back down to his knees, still
holding on to Angelus’ hands and pulling him up and over his back in a lazy
roll over, regaining his own feet. The whole movement is graceful and seamless,
looking more like some sort of acrobatic dance move rather than a dance
routine.
He rises up slowly rolling his
back, until he is braced in an arch, catching Angelus as he pitches his body
forward to rest over his back. They wait a heartbeat before slowly rolling
their spines in perfect unison so that they remain pressed together along the
full length of their bodies, until they are standing.
I'd lie
for you and that's the truth
Do
anything you want me to
I'd even
sell my soul for you
I'd do
it all for you
If you'd
just believe in me
On the beat of the music Spike
lunges left as Angelus lunges right, their hands flashing out to lock around
each other’s wrists, balancing over their outside leg and by virtue of their
clasped hands they look like birds poised for flight for a heartbeat. A gentle
tug from Angelus has Spike airborne, but his relaxed expression and posture
betrays no nervousness, the trust is absolute and unshakable as he deflects his
body into a slow motion rolling kick as he rolls across the larger man’s
shoulders. He drops as his feet touch down and braces as Angelus repeats the
manoeuvre with the same ease of trust and grace. They move smoothly with the
music, their bodies moving through various positions of the acrobatic routine
for several minutes before they drop into the traditional positions and
movements of the Yang Tai-Chi Chuan Form.
What is so astonishing is Angelus
and Spike perform the full one hundred and eight movements of the form in not
only perfect unison, but with Spike pressed tightly against the front of
Angelus’ body. It’s like they’ve been glued together, their bodies adapting the
movements to allow them to be performed in tandem. Their bodies never stop
moving, never cease to touch and be touched.
Just
take a look in my eyes; you'll see a love that's blind
Just
take a hold of my hand; I'll take you to paradise
Ain't a
star that's too far
Your
every wish will be a wish that I will make come true
And if
you want the moon I swear I'll bring it down for you
Let me
into your heart
Believe
me baby got your name carved on my soul
You're
the only one that I'll give it to
Go let
'em say that I'm I fool to act this way
'Cause if I'm crazy, I'm just crazy 'bout you…
Outside the spectators are caught
in the beauty of the exercises, marvelling at the speed, grace, and flexibility
of the two warriors as they make it look so easy. Each of them instinctually realises
that they are seeing more than exercise or training at work here. They’re
watching Angelus and Spike’s relationship set to movement. Every movement is
met, countered, and what is more amazing still they can easily see that both
men have their eyes closed. This is a true communion of spirits and bodies, a
silent testament to a relationship that has spanned more years than all of them
have been alive put together.
This is not a skill born of a
decade or even twenty; these are the skills of a lifetime. In that moment all
of them marvel in the solitude of their own minds that both of these men,
regardless of their youthful appearances have lived far longer than their own
short years. It is so easy to forget that both of these men have seen the turn
of the century and could conceivably witness the turn of many more. It’s enough
to make you believe in Gods and Monsters, even if they didn’t already. Their
eyes return to the beautiful display being played out for them.
I'd lie
for you and that's the truth
Move
mountains if you want me to
I'd walk
across the fire for you
I'd walk
on the wild for you
If you'd just believe in me…
And you
will never see a day I'll ever break your heart
You'll
see the sky fall down before it ever gets that far
I'll
show you heaven every second that you're in my arms
Baby I'm
crazy, but I'm crazy about you!
On some hidden signal they roll
up to a standing position and roll to separate sides, pitching into shoulder
rolls towards the opposite edges of the room to catch up a tasselled oriental
sword. They pitch back into easy rolls ending up standing side by side and
pitching themselves into the complex interweaving of movements of the limbs,
manipulations of the sword, changes in directions and feints and deceptions
that are the thirty-six movements of the Tai-Chi Chien Sword Form. Once more it
is accomplished in perfect unison, but at a speed almost too fast for their
human eyes to follow but that in no way detracts from the sheer deadly beauty
of the exercise.
With no pause they break into the
thirteen movements of the Taijiquan discipline. The deadly sword a veritable
blur that has their audience thankful these two warriors are on their side. As
one they lunge to the side and the swords are replaced by spears, but the
exhibition is no less impressive as they attack, retreat, counter, and defend
in perfect harmony. Despite the unison of their movements it is clear to see a
delineation in their separate styles with Angelus’ form leaning more to the
power moves while Spike’s smaller more flexible form lends him an extra
something in the quicker more agile movements.
I'd lie
for you and that's the truth
Move
mountains if you want me to
I'd walk
across the fire for you
I'd walk
on the wild for you
If you'd
just believe in me
I'd walk
across the wild for you
Move
mountains if you want me to
I'd walk
across the fire for you
Do
anything you asked me to
They cross the spears and take
several breaths in unison before parting in perfect unison and setting the
weapons aside and rolling back into the same positions as they started with
earlier. They once more fall into perfect partner unison as they move through
other Forms, both traditional and non-traditional and even one or two thought
to be extinct styles that fascinate Giles and Ethan in particular.
They temper their movements to
allow them to be performed in the partner style and it is just as fascinating
to watch now as it was earlier as they appear to become extensions of each
other, literally moving as one person. Their movements begin to slow until each
movement looks like its being done in slow motion, the song repeating time and
again as they celebrate their bodies in their silent communion.
I'd lie
for you and that's the truth
Do
anything you asked me to
I'd even
sell my soul for you
I'd do
it all for you
If you'd
just believe in me
I'd lie
for you and that's the truth
Move
mountains if you want me to
I'd walk
across the fire for you
I'd walk
on the wild for you
If you'd just believe in me…
They slow and repeat in reverse
the acrobatic movements that began the awesomely beautiful routine until Spike
is once more kneeling with his forehead pressed to the floor, but this time
with Angelus protectively draped over his back, their hands clasped over their
heads.
Giles and Ethan quickly gather
everyone and hurried shoo them back inside, recognising that the routine is
almost over and that they for one don’t want to be caught playing peeping tom
in the shrubbery!
Angelus rises slowly, easily
carrying Spike up with him and wrapping his arms around him from behind and
nuzzling his neck.
“They’re gone. We should just put
some lawn chairs out there for them; it has to be more comfortable than hiding
in the shrubs.” There is a smile in his voice as Spike turns in his embrace to
nestle against his chest.
Spike shrugs. “Let them think
they’re getting away with something, it’s good for developing their sneakier
sides. I’d love to know how they got Rupert and Ethan to hide out in the bushes
though.” He says with a chuckle raising his arms to lock around Angelus’ neck.
“So about this song, Peaches…? Was it a message for me or for them?” He motions
towards the windows with a nod of his chin. “Did you mean it? What the song
said?” He asks quietly, lowering his eyes shyly.
Angelus strokes his cheek and
curls his fingers under that stubborn chin to lift those beautiful eyes to meet
his again. “No, I lied.” He whispers, swooping down and catching that beloved
mouth in a passionate kiss that redefines both of their definitions of
paradise.
I'd lie
for you and that’s the truth
For two Vampires, Soulmates
reunited; paradise is a place very much on Earth and there is no need for lies
when the truth suits them just fine. They believe, at long last they believe,
in love; in each other and it’s all that they need.
*
Coming soon: The conclusion to
Total Eclipse: Angelus Ascendant!
