Altered Perception
folder
-Buffy the Vampire Slayer › Slash - Male/Male › Spike(William)/Xander
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
14
Views:
4,998
Reviews:
12
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Buffy the Vampire Slayer › Slash - Male/Male › Spike(William)/Xander
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
14
Views:
4,998
Reviews:
12
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer of any of the characters contained within. I make no monies from these writings.
The First Trial
The First Trial
The short passageway led them into another cavernous room, lit brightly with torches around the wide open space. Spike felt the tingle that he always associated with magics and something else that tingled on the edge of his subconscious, a familiar smell that he just couldn’t place it was so faint. In the exact second that he placed the smell he glanced towards Angel and couldn’t help the shout as he saw Angel’s foot cross the barely visible line of muddy red on the caverns floor. “Angel, No!”
Angel turned with a look of shock on his face as suddenly the faint trace of magic that had been present flared strongly before dissipating again to a barely there thrum. Spike took a few swift paces towards Angel, however as he knew it would do an invisible barrier repelled him before he got within 5 meters of Angel. Angel stooped and grabbed a handful of the sandy dust that covered the floor. Throwing it wide they saw it hit the barrier before falling to the ground, as Spike has suspected the barrier was a circle, established directly over the faint circle of old but still apparently powerful blood that had been painted on the floor.
As Spike met Angel’s gaze he saw the sheepish embarrassment in Angel’s eyes, “You bloody idiot Angel!” he sighed before resting his hand against the barrier so it mirrored where Angel had placed his. Angel gave a wry grin before squaring his shoulders, “well, looks like we’re about to find out what the first trial is” he muttered and as Spike broke eye contact he saw a faint shimmering mist appear behind Angel. “Kick it’s ass yeah? Reckon that should break this barrier spell and then I’m putting you on a bloody leash” the undercurrent of pleading to Spike’s harsh words must have been obvious to Angel as his gaze softened slightly. “You can try Will, but if memory serves you always looked better tied up and leashed than I ever did”
Spike grinned at the heat in Angel’s gaze, “maybe, but I’m guessing that your cheerleader’s as much of a dom in the bedroom as she is everything else. S’pect you’ll find yourself trussed up before you can blink mate.” He enjoyed the shock that appeared on Angel’s face at that thought and smirked at the smoldering heat that made a fierce comeback, oh yeah, Angel had it bad for the cheerleader alright. “Now go on you daft bugger, kill it so we can keep moving yeah? M’getting bored” with a firm glance at Angel to make sure the message was understood. He had to win this, not just for Xander’s sake but because Spike wasn’t sure that he would survive this if he lost Angel. He whirled around, strode 3 paces before spinning and gracefully sitting himself down, legs crossed and rooting for a smoke as Angel turned to face the rapidly solidifying mist. As he lit his cigarette and drew the comforting warm smoke deep into his lungs he muttered to himself “showtime”…
Angel struggled to identify the form that was slowly materializing in the mist, so far he had managed to establish that it was big, really big, other than that he was clueless. As the mist started to dissipate more characteristics became evident. OK, not only was it big, it had tentacles, and horns. As the mist finally cleared he was left facing a 12ft Gresvslak demon. Great, these things usually stuck to the nether planes, they belonged to the groups of demons who had stayed relatively close to what the original demons had been like, before humanity had ‘polluted’ them resulting in the more common demons that still roamed the earth like vampires. He heard Spike suck in a breath as he too identified the demon, and knew that they were both remembering the exact same memory. They’d come across a Gresvslak in Europe before Spike had even been a vampire 10 years…
FLASHBACK
Angelus snarled as he swiped the blood out of his right eye, his left had swollen almost closed. His shirt was in ruins, the tattered remnants still tucked into his breeches. There wasn’t a square inch of flesh that wasn’t scratched, torn and bleeding. He spared a glance for his Childe, Will was staggering towards him. Despite the absolute agony his boy had to be in, he knew that at least 3 ribs were cracked, his right leg was clearly broken and his face was flitting between his human features and demonic, unable to maintain either visage in his pain. Yet his eyes, burning gold and blazing blue, both held absolute fury at the thing that was trying to kill is Sire. Will had refused to leave his side, Angelus had screamed at him to run and get Darla and Dru, knowing that he would likely not survive the wait but desperate to not see his boy perish with him.
Will had refused and Angelus had been amazed at his strength and skill, he was still a Childe and yet he fought like a Master vampire, unfortunately it wasn’t enough. They were both tired and hurting whilst the Gresvslak seemed relatively unscathed for the encounter so far. Just as he was considering trying to get Will to leave again he heard the sounds of fast approaching carriages, the horses being driven mercilessly he could hear the whip coming down repeatedly. As the carriage careened to an abrupt halt, the horses braying in protest at the harsh treatment he was overcome with relief at the sight of Darla, Dru and a half dozen minions leaping to their assistance. Darla immediately came to his side, licking a path through the blood on his face she’d sighed, “Hello lover”. Barking orders to the minions they’d leapt all over the creature, their brute strength finally managing to overwhelm the dammed creature, Dru’s shrill voice taking on that eerie coherency that sometimes came with her visions as she screamed instructions on how to kill the creature to the minions, he tried to make out what she was shouting before the darkness descended.
END FLASHBACK
Angel was aware of Spike’s frantic yelling “This is fucking bollocks! No fucker can take one of these on alone. Let me in there you bastards!” as the Gresvslak charged him. He darted left and rolled, doing his best to stay out of its reach, “Will, how the hell did they kill this thing that time in Vienna?” “How the fuck should I know? Was a bit messed up if I remember right” was the snarled response. Angel was suddenly slammed to the ground as the Gresvslak finally managed to land a blow. Angel felt his shoulder pop out of socket as it took the brunt of his fall. Pushing the pain down he growled and rolled to the side a split second before the demons huge cloven foot smashed down in the exact spot his head had been. Flipping to his feet he warily circled the demon, ducking and diving to avoid it’s lunges, although the thing was as strong as the one he’d faced a century ago either this one was stupider than most or more likely the one they’d faced all those years ago was uncommonly strong.
“Silver!” Angel started at Spikes yell, darting to the side just in time to avoid what would have been a potentially crippling blow from the demon. “You got any change on ya Angel? Seem to remember Dru saying something about silver back in that alley, and one of those minions was definitely waving a silver edged sword about…. M’not saying it’s a sure thing but… well anything’s good right now aint it?” Angel wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry, so they knew, or maybe knew how to kill the thing. Didn’t do him any good now though did it? He had no weapons and even if they’d bought something with them he was pretty sure he didn’t have anything silver in his itinerary, “One slight problem with that Will, I’m not carrying an arsenal in these pants”
Spike glared at Angel as he continued to evade the worst of the Gresvslak’s attacks, it wasn’t obvious yet. To anyone who hadn’t spent years studying Angelus that was but the dark haired vampire was definitely tiring. He was sure he was right on the silver thing but it still didn’t help his Sire. Suddenly he stared closer at his Sire’s neck. “Oi, ya bloody pillock, what’s that around ya neck then? Looks like bloody silver to me!” Angel rolled his eyes both at his Childe’s unique form of encouragement and his own shortsightedness. Just because it wasn’t a conventional weapon didn’t mean it couldn’t be used as one. There was a time when he would have thought of that without any prompting, he looped his hand in the thick chain and yanked hard trying to snap it and breathing a sigh of relief when it didn’t snap. He’d come across the chain whilst cleaning out a D’voshka clan and couldn’t help himself, D’voshka worked silver was apparently unbreakable.He reached up and awkwardly with his one hand opened the clasp so it fell into his hand as one long length.
He knew he needed two working arms for this to work and with a sigh he darted past the demon heading straight for the barrier, he hit it hard, angled so that his dislocated shoulder took the brunt of the impact. His shoulder was forced back into socket and he howled at the pain. Spinning he saw the demon looking confused at his actions, getting a good grip on either end of the chain he studied the demon and it’s movements, he was only going to get one chance at this. He needed to get in close to have any chance of this working and he likely wouldn’t survive a failed attempt. He danced around the demon, slowly but surely shortening the distance between them. He waited for the perfect moment and seized it as the Gresvslak made a lunge for him, he neatly sidestepped the demon letting it’s own momentum carry it forward past the spot he’d been standing in.
He spun and leapt onto the demons back, using his knees to grip it’s sides and maintain his balance he leant forward and looped the chain around the demons neck before yanking back and praying that the chain held. The Gresvslak struggled furiously trying to buck Angel off it’s back but it was no use. With a roar Angel planted his feet against the huge demons back, crossed his arms to tighten the chain around it’s neck and pushed with all his strength. For a few seconds he felt despair wash over him as nothing happened, the chain didn’t break but the demon was still struggling and he knew he had no other cards to play in this fight. He would die and then Xander would or Will would die either attempting to complete the trials or if by some miracle he survived it he’d die when using the dagger to revive Xander. Then he felt something give, the chain slid through the demons thick neck like a hot knife through butter and the head flew behind Angel over his shoulder. Angel rode the body to the ground and slumped, still straddling it, head hanging low as he fought exhaustion.
Spike whooped as he saw the chain slice through the initial resistance and the swift full decapitation that followed. He felt the exact moment that the barrier disappeared and darted forward as his Sire started to slide off his seat on the demons carcass. He cradled Angel and gently lowered him until he was lying on the floor. Glancing around he decided that they were safe for the time being he lifted his Sire into his arms and maneuvered them until Angel was sitting, cradled between Spike’s spread legs, back supported by Spike’s chest. He gently tugged Angel’s head until it rested in the crook of his neck, mouth over the point where neck met shoulder and he whispered “drink Angel, need you strong and I need you with me. Drink from me Sire”. He gasped as he felt Angel’s fangs part tender skin before sinking deep and as the first rush of blood answered the ancient call of Sire to Childe he felt the all encompassing wave of emotions that ran between them.
Angel drank deeply for a few moments before pulling back with a sigh to lave the marks, “thank you Childe” he whispered against Spikes skin, Spike couldn’t help the full body shudder the feel of his Sires lips, still slick with his blood against his skin caused. “We’ll rest for a moment then move on” Angel muttered before giving into the blackness that beckoned. Spike sighed as he looked into his Sires obviously exhausted face, 10 minutes, he could give Angel that. Pulling his duster close and trying to cover the parts of Angel it would reach he settled himself down and started to count the seconds, until they moved again.
A/N - I am so sorry that I've been away from this for so long. Suffice it to say that RL snuck up and kicked my arse somewhat repeatedly. Some pretty major heart surgery later and I'm looking to be back at work in the next few weeks so shoudl be getting some more chapters posted soon.
The short passageway led them into another cavernous room, lit brightly with torches around the wide open space. Spike felt the tingle that he always associated with magics and something else that tingled on the edge of his subconscious, a familiar smell that he just couldn’t place it was so faint. In the exact second that he placed the smell he glanced towards Angel and couldn’t help the shout as he saw Angel’s foot cross the barely visible line of muddy red on the caverns floor. “Angel, No!”
Angel turned with a look of shock on his face as suddenly the faint trace of magic that had been present flared strongly before dissipating again to a barely there thrum. Spike took a few swift paces towards Angel, however as he knew it would do an invisible barrier repelled him before he got within 5 meters of Angel. Angel stooped and grabbed a handful of the sandy dust that covered the floor. Throwing it wide they saw it hit the barrier before falling to the ground, as Spike has suspected the barrier was a circle, established directly over the faint circle of old but still apparently powerful blood that had been painted on the floor.
As Spike met Angel’s gaze he saw the sheepish embarrassment in Angel’s eyes, “You bloody idiot Angel!” he sighed before resting his hand against the barrier so it mirrored where Angel had placed his. Angel gave a wry grin before squaring his shoulders, “well, looks like we’re about to find out what the first trial is” he muttered and as Spike broke eye contact he saw a faint shimmering mist appear behind Angel. “Kick it’s ass yeah? Reckon that should break this barrier spell and then I’m putting you on a bloody leash” the undercurrent of pleading to Spike’s harsh words must have been obvious to Angel as his gaze softened slightly. “You can try Will, but if memory serves you always looked better tied up and leashed than I ever did”
Spike grinned at the heat in Angel’s gaze, “maybe, but I’m guessing that your cheerleader’s as much of a dom in the bedroom as she is everything else. S’pect you’ll find yourself trussed up before you can blink mate.” He enjoyed the shock that appeared on Angel’s face at that thought and smirked at the smoldering heat that made a fierce comeback, oh yeah, Angel had it bad for the cheerleader alright. “Now go on you daft bugger, kill it so we can keep moving yeah? M’getting bored” with a firm glance at Angel to make sure the message was understood. He had to win this, not just for Xander’s sake but because Spike wasn’t sure that he would survive this if he lost Angel. He whirled around, strode 3 paces before spinning and gracefully sitting himself down, legs crossed and rooting for a smoke as Angel turned to face the rapidly solidifying mist. As he lit his cigarette and drew the comforting warm smoke deep into his lungs he muttered to himself “showtime”…
Angel struggled to identify the form that was slowly materializing in the mist, so far he had managed to establish that it was big, really big, other than that he was clueless. As the mist started to dissipate more characteristics became evident. OK, not only was it big, it had tentacles, and horns. As the mist finally cleared he was left facing a 12ft Gresvslak demon. Great, these things usually stuck to the nether planes, they belonged to the groups of demons who had stayed relatively close to what the original demons had been like, before humanity had ‘polluted’ them resulting in the more common demons that still roamed the earth like vampires. He heard Spike suck in a breath as he too identified the demon, and knew that they were both remembering the exact same memory. They’d come across a Gresvslak in Europe before Spike had even been a vampire 10 years…
FLASHBACK
Angelus snarled as he swiped the blood out of his right eye, his left had swollen almost closed. His shirt was in ruins, the tattered remnants still tucked into his breeches. There wasn’t a square inch of flesh that wasn’t scratched, torn and bleeding. He spared a glance for his Childe, Will was staggering towards him. Despite the absolute agony his boy had to be in, he knew that at least 3 ribs were cracked, his right leg was clearly broken and his face was flitting between his human features and demonic, unable to maintain either visage in his pain. Yet his eyes, burning gold and blazing blue, both held absolute fury at the thing that was trying to kill is Sire. Will had refused to leave his side, Angelus had screamed at him to run and get Darla and Dru, knowing that he would likely not survive the wait but desperate to not see his boy perish with him.
Will had refused and Angelus had been amazed at his strength and skill, he was still a Childe and yet he fought like a Master vampire, unfortunately it wasn’t enough. They were both tired and hurting whilst the Gresvslak seemed relatively unscathed for the encounter so far. Just as he was considering trying to get Will to leave again he heard the sounds of fast approaching carriages, the horses being driven mercilessly he could hear the whip coming down repeatedly. As the carriage careened to an abrupt halt, the horses braying in protest at the harsh treatment he was overcome with relief at the sight of Darla, Dru and a half dozen minions leaping to their assistance. Darla immediately came to his side, licking a path through the blood on his face she’d sighed, “Hello lover”. Barking orders to the minions they’d leapt all over the creature, their brute strength finally managing to overwhelm the dammed creature, Dru’s shrill voice taking on that eerie coherency that sometimes came with her visions as she screamed instructions on how to kill the creature to the minions, he tried to make out what she was shouting before the darkness descended.
END FLASHBACK
Angel was aware of Spike’s frantic yelling “This is fucking bollocks! No fucker can take one of these on alone. Let me in there you bastards!” as the Gresvslak charged him. He darted left and rolled, doing his best to stay out of its reach, “Will, how the hell did they kill this thing that time in Vienna?” “How the fuck should I know? Was a bit messed up if I remember right” was the snarled response. Angel was suddenly slammed to the ground as the Gresvslak finally managed to land a blow. Angel felt his shoulder pop out of socket as it took the brunt of his fall. Pushing the pain down he growled and rolled to the side a split second before the demons huge cloven foot smashed down in the exact spot his head had been. Flipping to his feet he warily circled the demon, ducking and diving to avoid it’s lunges, although the thing was as strong as the one he’d faced a century ago either this one was stupider than most or more likely the one they’d faced all those years ago was uncommonly strong.
“Silver!” Angel started at Spikes yell, darting to the side just in time to avoid what would have been a potentially crippling blow from the demon. “You got any change on ya Angel? Seem to remember Dru saying something about silver back in that alley, and one of those minions was definitely waving a silver edged sword about…. M’not saying it’s a sure thing but… well anything’s good right now aint it?” Angel wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry, so they knew, or maybe knew how to kill the thing. Didn’t do him any good now though did it? He had no weapons and even if they’d bought something with them he was pretty sure he didn’t have anything silver in his itinerary, “One slight problem with that Will, I’m not carrying an arsenal in these pants”
Spike glared at Angel as he continued to evade the worst of the Gresvslak’s attacks, it wasn’t obvious yet. To anyone who hadn’t spent years studying Angelus that was but the dark haired vampire was definitely tiring. He was sure he was right on the silver thing but it still didn’t help his Sire. Suddenly he stared closer at his Sire’s neck. “Oi, ya bloody pillock, what’s that around ya neck then? Looks like bloody silver to me!” Angel rolled his eyes both at his Childe’s unique form of encouragement and his own shortsightedness. Just because it wasn’t a conventional weapon didn’t mean it couldn’t be used as one. There was a time when he would have thought of that without any prompting, he looped his hand in the thick chain and yanked hard trying to snap it and breathing a sigh of relief when it didn’t snap. He’d come across the chain whilst cleaning out a D’voshka clan and couldn’t help himself, D’voshka worked silver was apparently unbreakable.He reached up and awkwardly with his one hand opened the clasp so it fell into his hand as one long length.
He knew he needed two working arms for this to work and with a sigh he darted past the demon heading straight for the barrier, he hit it hard, angled so that his dislocated shoulder took the brunt of the impact. His shoulder was forced back into socket and he howled at the pain. Spinning he saw the demon looking confused at his actions, getting a good grip on either end of the chain he studied the demon and it’s movements, he was only going to get one chance at this. He needed to get in close to have any chance of this working and he likely wouldn’t survive a failed attempt. He danced around the demon, slowly but surely shortening the distance between them. He waited for the perfect moment and seized it as the Gresvslak made a lunge for him, he neatly sidestepped the demon letting it’s own momentum carry it forward past the spot he’d been standing in.
He spun and leapt onto the demons back, using his knees to grip it’s sides and maintain his balance he leant forward and looped the chain around the demons neck before yanking back and praying that the chain held. The Gresvslak struggled furiously trying to buck Angel off it’s back but it was no use. With a roar Angel planted his feet against the huge demons back, crossed his arms to tighten the chain around it’s neck and pushed with all his strength. For a few seconds he felt despair wash over him as nothing happened, the chain didn’t break but the demon was still struggling and he knew he had no other cards to play in this fight. He would die and then Xander would or Will would die either attempting to complete the trials or if by some miracle he survived it he’d die when using the dagger to revive Xander. Then he felt something give, the chain slid through the demons thick neck like a hot knife through butter and the head flew behind Angel over his shoulder. Angel rode the body to the ground and slumped, still straddling it, head hanging low as he fought exhaustion.
Spike whooped as he saw the chain slice through the initial resistance and the swift full decapitation that followed. He felt the exact moment that the barrier disappeared and darted forward as his Sire started to slide off his seat on the demons carcass. He cradled Angel and gently lowered him until he was lying on the floor. Glancing around he decided that they were safe for the time being he lifted his Sire into his arms and maneuvered them until Angel was sitting, cradled between Spike’s spread legs, back supported by Spike’s chest. He gently tugged Angel’s head until it rested in the crook of his neck, mouth over the point where neck met shoulder and he whispered “drink Angel, need you strong and I need you with me. Drink from me Sire”. He gasped as he felt Angel’s fangs part tender skin before sinking deep and as the first rush of blood answered the ancient call of Sire to Childe he felt the all encompassing wave of emotions that ran between them.
Angel drank deeply for a few moments before pulling back with a sigh to lave the marks, “thank you Childe” he whispered against Spikes skin, Spike couldn’t help the full body shudder the feel of his Sires lips, still slick with his blood against his skin caused. “We’ll rest for a moment then move on” Angel muttered before giving into the blackness that beckoned. Spike sighed as he looked into his Sires obviously exhausted face, 10 minutes, he could give Angel that. Pulling his duster close and trying to cover the parts of Angel it would reach he settled himself down and started to count the seconds, until they moved again.
A/N - I am so sorry that I've been away from this for so long. Suffice it to say that RL snuck up and kicked my arse somewhat repeatedly. Some pretty major heart surgery later and I'm looking to be back at work in the next few weeks so shoudl be getting some more chapters posted soon.