Elderly Pets

Fic: Elderly Pets

Author: josie_h

Pairing: Spike/Xander
Rating: Mature Audiences (M/M sexual content! And themes)
***Warnings: D/s, Major character death, slavery***

It’s an AU!..... The Premise: A hundred and fifty years after the final battle with the Senior Partners… Demons rule the world. The luckier humans are pets…. Most are bred for food. Spike survived, and in the early days found Xander at an auction, purchased him and did what Spike does best…. Made the most of it.

Author’s Note: Don’t own the characters etc and bow down to their original creators Joss, et al., plus all the wonderful online writers who continue to give them life.



Part 11

Xander’s two stallion sons proved themselves worthy leaders of their line as the funeral day approached. Their focus was primarily the family funeral, but still had a minor roll in the public one. Despite their own mourning, instructions were followed and arrangements made, their ‘handlers’ serving as more than willing assistants where society did not allow the boys to order or express their wishes. The complicity and support of the whole Aurelian staff was absolute, but then it had really always been so. Daniel had never been more grateful for the calm Kreptard demon who was his ‘handler’, and who quietly and efficiently organized all manner of small details for his ‘charge’.

Meals were still made, laundry done and cleaning completed…. But there was no joy in any of it. Extra staff were engaged for the daughters whose breeding partners were absent for some reason. Every human in the household was now in full length black capes, unadorned… and silence reigned.

Three of the carers in the nursery were so distraught at the news of Xander’s passing that replacements were brought in for two days. The thirty or so children too young to understand what was occurring were occupied with happy excursions on the property and with special treat events as best the new carers could manage. Xander’s grandchild Bethany would later be praised for arranging all that… but for now it was simply survival.


………………………


Once the ‘breeding’ aspect of the Chateau was in full swing and numbers stabilized, the number of newborns any one year was around seven. This equated to somewhere between a hundred, and hundred and twenty children between the ages of zero and seventeen ‘at home’ in any one year. Spike had nine full time tutors on staff, and of late had rejoiced when Charlotte’s eldest proffered a formal request (via her handler) that the Master might consider that she take the role of teacher.

Bethany was sixteen, fine featured and blindingly intelligent. Spike and Xander had already discussed her future. They had decided that, given her other talents and interests, it would be five to eight years before they would seriously discuss breeding with her, but she would stay on the property like many of her line around her age. Xander’s daughters needed a rest from reproducing now and the next generation of mothers needed to be found. Only those expressing a desire to do so were considered, many preferring the prized pet option, some simply wanting to forge out on their own (as pets of course… but away from the family), others were simply unsure so were given time to decide.

Spike and Xander had always been adamant that all the children from his Stud would be schooled appropriately prior to their handover to new Masters. Their lives after Chateau Aurelius would be in some of the most elite demon households on the planet. Virtually all were destined to be Prize pets. So the schooling was not simply to be Etiquette for pets or slaves. All were given a solid grounding in the classics, languages (demon and human), music and fine arts. Of course any with magical tendencies were secretly given additional classes.

They were encouraged to enjoy exercise, just games and fun initially, but for the older ones, it meant learning some basic skills in sports popular to the elite. Sailing, tennis, golf, horse riding, and swimming were all on the agenda, as they would likely accompany their masters and may be required to actively participate. Skiing was difficult to arrange but a week was spent each year at a private chalet and skills were honed under their own instructor. Other skills they might need were less predictable so a smattering of all manner of activities was engaged in over their lives at the stud. They all trained in at least two disciplines of martial arts, and after the incident at the Alliance were allowed to be seen doing it… even on inspection days.

The older ones were instructed in current culture and some excursions were made into Nice as none of the children had been off the property since birth. The excursions were still tricky to arrange as it would be difficult to explain why a large group of humans and their handlers was wandering around the city together. So each of the children on the field trip was dropped off with their handler in a different locations around the city, all to follow the same circuit but beginning from a different starting point. Like a bizarre treasure hunt, they were required to go shopping, collect things from certain sites, make observational notes, generally practice their etiquette in public, and debriefing on return. They did a similar trip to Venice and another to Rome – the latter two being three day ventures. Inevitably, seeing first hand the situation of most other humans lived in, brought home just how very fortunate their lives had been and a new found respect for their Master and grandfather.

Master would not let them ‘go’ until they turned seventeen of course, so there was now a lengthy waiting list of hand picked owners as well as constant requests for his Pet’s line. All owners were thoroughly vetted beforehand but were generally already known to the Master. Contact with the children following their departure from the Chateau was varied but it was a requirement of ‘sale’, that regular updates of their well being be supplied, and that the Aurelian pet be given permission to contact the Stud Master at least once at the end of their first year. Some owners allowed their pampered pets far more contact, and the thrill of receiving news from their now grown children, a delight for all Xander’s offspring still at the stud.

Some children were special, however, showing a talent or a calling in addition to their accepted role in life. Where possible it too was indulged. The lovely Bethany had been a case in point.

It was late afternoon and a business associate of the Master’s was being ushered out of the Master’s study as the young girl knelt and waited nervously by her handler. Bethany immediately realized that they were with ‘company’ and fell to a full down position as was societal custom and waited.

Guest dispatched, the Master had invited her in.

She dropped carefully to a formal kneel in the middle of the floor, around a body length from the Master as was proper.

“You asked to see me, Bethany?”

Head still bowed, she swallowed hard, then replied, “Yes Master, I wish to request something of Master.”

“Of course you may… and the something would be?”

She took a deep breath then spoke at a speed that would have made the Willow of old proud, and Xander smiled a little. “I wish to become one of our tutors here at the Chateau, and I think I will make a really good teacher because I am good at my lessons, and I’m already kind of helping everyone, and I like helping everyone ‘cause it makes them happy too. And I promise I’ll still bear children for the line master, I want to do that too, but I think I can do both, and I really want to do both and…. Please Master will you allow me to teach?” She broke her training for a second to look up with pleading eyes, then dropped them again, hoping that little act hadn’t compromised her chances.

“I would be delighted if you would do me the honor of being one of the Chateau’s permanent tutors, but you will need to study further yourself. I will arrange that you have the finest instruction in all aspects of your studies and in learning theory for the next two years. Then you may start.” Spike squeezed Xander’s shoulder, knowing this would please his dear Pet immensely. “Pet, you look like you need a bit of a stretch, would you mind fetching me a snack from the kitchens? Thank you.”

Her grandfather excused himself, then the Master smiled at the female ‘handler’ who had brought her in, knowing that in private, the family could take liberties. The female demon returned a knowing look and left the room leaving the Master to enjoy a private moment with the grandchild.

The slightly teary, extremely nervous teenager met her Master, truly alone for the first time in her life. Now by herself, she simply opted for the ‘proper’ behavior and continued to hold a formal kneel position. She flinched noticeably as the Master leaned forward and lifted her chin, his blue eyes sparkling with affection. Her breath hitched. “Come kneel beside me, you are the granddaughter of my honored Pet. You are welcome at my side.” Bethany stared at the vampire wide eyed as he took her hand and moved her to settle as he suggested. He still looked around the same age as her birth father, even though she knew he must be hundreds of years old.

The Master smiled sweetly at her, asked her about her lessons, then held her hands in his and told her how very proud he was of her. He told her of his hope that she would love her role and pass on her passion for learning. He had then kissed her forehead, told her how very blessed she was to be one of the Aurelian household and added that he and his Prize Pet, her grandfather, hoped she would eventually honor his line with many of her children as she was *very* special. She was *so* pleased that she thought she might burst, and knew, in that instant, why their line was so extraordinary.

Not sure of the protocol for ending the audience with the Master, she remained still until Master took her right hand and kissed the back of it, “I am *so* very, very proud of you. Be well.” At that moment Grandfather reentered the room with her handler. She saw him smile directly at Master, and stared for a moment, then gasped and fell back into a full down kneel, afraid that she may have been rude. Luckily her own handler tapped her lightly and smiled. She was led back to the children’s quarters without comment. At that moment Bethany decided, no matter when her own children were conceived or with whom, she would honor the legacy of her grandfather and Master. She would work hard to deliver every one of the offspring with a good education and rejoice in being a member of the Aurelian Line. After all … she was special…. Master had said so.

…………………..

Bethany was heavily pregnant, but still tireless as she organized the children for the formal funeral, the replacement carers’ tasks, and supervised the final ‘coaching’ of the younger children for the private event. It had been decided that only children of seven years or older should be at the formal funeral. It would be a longer event, and a full down position had to be held for the entire ceremony regardless of itches, need to go to the toilet, or a simple ‘case of the wriggles’.

At the end of the day before the funeral, there was still the gathering of the Aurelian breeding line to attend in the evening. But there were a few hours to rest.

She relaxed into the warm bath and leaned back against the broad chest of her breeding partner, Nikki, a tall blonde from a stud just north of the former Oslo. He picked up some liquid soap and proceeded to massage the drum tight skin of her bump, feeling one or perhaps both of their children move within, responding to the strong loving touch of their father through the barrier.

“It won’t be long now my love.”

“I know… I just wish grandfather could have seen them… I just… Oh Nikki.”

He enveloped her in a warm hug, one arm between her ample bosom and belly, and the other resting on the soon to be children, while she cried.

“He’ll know love…. Somehow he’ll know.”

…………………

Xander’s role was very much that of loving father then grandfather, playing with the children, taking the children fishing, teaching them to ride and throw, taking the ‘littlies’ down to collect the eggs, and helping to catch bunnies in the secret garden when they were less than keen on being petted. But unless Spike specifically instructed, he only ever went out in the day when Spike was sleeping or engaged in business matters that really did not need to done by the two of them.

Without discussion, Spike took on the role of benevolent Master of Chateau Aurelius. To keep the children safe, to keep their behavior close to ‘normal’, to keep the house in order and to keep their business interests in check. And as time went by and the push for human rights began, he was away more frequently. In a strange quirk of fate, Spike had ended up in much the same role as his own Victorian father, a somewhat formidable figure only by virtue of infrequency of contact, and the societal behavioral codes they all followed for the sake of the family safety.

When Master did have contact, the children were always well behaved rather than boisterous as they were with Xander. Nevertheless, as soon as given permission, many a small person was thrilled to find Master was excellent at hugs and more than happy to listen. If the children particularly wanted to see Master during ‘business hours’ they made a formal request through their handlers or tutor. This was not designed to hold the children at arms’ length but rather it allowed Master to ensure that no business or outside visitors would interrupt. When the children were injured, the Aurelian elixir contained a little of Master’s blood mixed in with the cherry syrup and paracetamol, sped their recovery.

In the early days (pre breeding) Master and Father always celebrated special events with all the children. However, in a household as big as the Aurelian Stud was at full capacity, ‘formal’ occasions meals, ‘happy to you’s’, solstice celebrations, partnering ceremonies, farewells, and birth welcomes, equated to once or twice a week affairs. Most of these events had become direct breeding pair family events (with favorite cousins of course). Master would always make an appearance to toast the guest(s) of honor and spend a little time. Sadly for Master, as patterns of conduct were established, he found that his presence, particularly at the birthdays, sometimes made the event more formal than it needed to be.

In the eleventh month of having the children, Xander really saw the pain caused by Spike’s inability to walk in the sun. They were still simply bringing up children together at that stage… no thought of breeding… and yet one of them missed so much by being trapped in the shadows.

It was a late summer’s afternoon. Spike was watching Xander playing with children in the swimming pool area from their shaded balcony. The ‘baby’ pool and associated sandpit was attached to the side of the main pool, though around four feet lower down as it was situated at the base of the natural slope. The side of the main pool created a natural barrier and, along with a regular pool fence, kept all the little people from venturing to the ‘big pool’ should any of the curious brood ‘escape’ the eye of their nannies (or later … mothers). The water graded from three inches to around two feet at the deep end where a cascade of water flowed in from the main pool. The constant waterfall was a source of great amusement.

Xander was sitting in shallow end, his legs spread wide, the tiny Desmonde in between splashing furiously (with encouragement); a little blonde John using his father’s body as a living climbing frame; while Simon and Charlotte took turns tipping water from a plastic cup onto Xander’s feet. Four nannies, also in swimsuits, were supervising the others. When Xander lay back in the shallow water propped up by his elbows, Spike was reminded of a Serengeti lion with cubs crawling all over it. Squirming little bodies scrambled over the larger figure for no reason other than fun. Xander had looked up at that moment and seen the look of extreme pain and longing on Spike’s face, and resolved to make every effort to include Spike in children’s lives whilst not risking the family.

It began with Master reading bedtime stories to them every night while the children were little and in their communal bedroom. This went to a ‘roster’ system when the children were given rooms sharing with only one or two other siblings. Master was an excellent reader with a ‘liquid honey’, baritone voice and perfect diction. Xander always knelt with his head on Master’s knee during the readings, Master with one hand petting him, the other holding up the book. The favorite was always Christopher Robin by AA Milne, the readings directly responsible for one of the most enduring family traditions… Night time Pooh Sticks

The suggestion was Xander’s who knew an ideal spot for it. The day after Master read the chapter of Christopher Robin to the children, Xander arranged for solar flood lights to be fixed to an ancient stone footbridge that spanned the stream at the bottom of the ‘market garden slope’. It was perfect. That evening a trail of six year olds all holding hands, made their way to the bridge along with their special guest, Master. Xander switched on the lights and looked over to see Spike’s face …. He was grinning like a madman…. Spike then hugged his partner so hard it hurt!

Getting his breath back Xander handed over the evening’s proceedings to his vampire, “You’re the boss Master.”

Spike slapped his hands together and instantly became both starter and finishing judge. “Right you lot Pooh Sticks at the ready?”

Adrian and Simon were still arguing over the same stick, the girls were all ready having selected mostly leaves. Xander finally managed to line the children up on the upstream side of the bridge. “Right on the count of three, over the they go, got it? I’ll be there to judge, but if you just want watch whose stick emerges first you’ll have to run to the other side of the bridge.” There was no question of the latter!

Every Aurelian child had a firm grounding in Pooh sticks and a nighttime ‘initiation ceremony for six year olds’ run by Master Spike… a momentous occasion at that age. The game itself was oft played in the sunshine, but that night was always special

Other activities were arranged to involve Master (by his beautiful partner and later by the daughters), included the children giving a special music or dance performances for their Master. Night time walks to ‘catch smells and listen to things’ (Master and Pet always together on these) and Master’s role instructing the older students in some aspects of Vampire Law and discussing current politics. Children were sent to Master for being especially ‘good’, and were rewarded with an audience with Master and given ample praise when their lessons were particularly well done. And an awards night was instigated so each year the children might be recognized. It was run like a Christmas party ‘with accolades’, each child coming away with something special that was theirs alone.

The rite of passage in their fifteenth year became a ‘Spooky Party’. Arranged at the maze and complete with candles, props and Master under one ghost sheet and his Pet under the other. The aim was to make it to the food and drink at the centre of the Maze without the ghost catching you. Normally an easy exercise, but in the dark with all the mock panic and the chasing it usually took a fun filled hour. After which Master and his Pet traditionally ‘worked off’ a little of their own adrenalin from the evening with some serious ghost coupling.

…………………

Spike sat in his Pet’s chair in the late afternoon shade on the day before the funeral. Everyone would arrive soon.

He watched the children in the enclosed playground and heard the excited sounds of little children at play... Who would look out for him now? Who would include him? Would they leave their Master to do ‘what Masters do’ and forget he was as much their grandfather as his Xan? Who would wander up behind him, wrap him in a hug and help him feel the love when he was trapped by the shadows and the role he had to play to keep them all safe?

Caught up in his own worries and contemplating again…. how much easier it would be to simply to walk into the sun, the family could have a joint funeral. He was prevented from following those thoughts to their natural conclusion, when a tiny figure crawled up his pant leg to greet him. The vampire lifted the eager visitor onto his lap. Once there the child insisted on pushing up further, gesturing with a tiny finger pointing skyward and looking hopeful. Spike lifted him until he was standing on his Master’s strong thighs and holding his balance by resting hands wherever he could get purchase. The little boy grinned at Spike in triumph and patted his face. With the white blonde curly locks and crystal blue eyes, twelve month old Nathaniel could easily have been Spike’s own progeny, rather than one of Xander’s line.

The little lad leaned forward , Spike responded as most adult relatives might, leaning forward too, growling a little then pulling back with a look of mock surprise. Nathaniel squealed with delight. Spike did it again screwing up his face a little as he growled. This time he received bouncing as well as the happy noises in return, so did it again. But in his fragile emotional state, he accidentally dropped into game face without realizing, yet the giggles and squeaks continued and Nathaniel began to pat Spike’s ridges as he bounced for the sheer fun of it. Spike was torn between being horrified at his lack of control and overjoyed that the little fellow cared not a jot. He pulled the lad to him to give and receive a warm hug as the tiny head of curls relaxed onto Spike’s shoulder for an instant of complete acceptance and love. The vampire felt the tingle of tears threatening again, so lifted the lad high then sat him on the knee of one leg and, holding both Nathaniel’s hands, began to bounce him.

Kathryn was minding Master this hour. She watched from the doorway, her eyes awash with tears, as Master let his own tears of sadness and joy mix and succumbed to the charms of the little boy. The bouncing continued and squeals of glee rang out like a bell of hope from the balcony of Master’s suite, and the vampire allowed himself a grief tempered, yet no less genuine, smile. Bringing Nathaniel was all Kathryn could think of to do for Master, but it seemed to have been enough for now.