Midnight and Roses
folder
BtVS AU/AR › Slash - Male/Male › Angel(us)/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
40
Views:
5,386
Reviews:
2
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
BtVS AU/AR › Slash - Male/Male › Angel(us)/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
40
Views:
5,386
Reviews:
2
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The Long Way Home
Summary: Laureano and Angel find Spike in Arellano’s clutches.
Is it too late to save the blond vampire from his maddened sire?
Warning: Totally AU with vague references to Cannon.
Disclaimer: Characters depicted herein from BtvsAtS are not mine
and I make no money. Other characters are of my own creation and
I retain all rights to same.
Feedback is always welcomed.
Previous chapters can be found at:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/kindredspirit75
MIDNIGHT AND ROSES - CHAPTER 32
Laureano and Angel skidded to a dead stop in shock and surprise, eyes fixed in horror.
Spike was in the arms of the hellbeast, dying.
“Will! Son of a bitch!” Angel screamed, feeling Spike’s life force slipping away. He tried to lunge toward the creature holding his broken vampire in a death grip but he was stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder.
Laureano’s gut clenched and his undead heart broke in two when he saw Spike’s battered and abused body and felt him through their familial link.
“William...”
As much as he was compelled to follow Angel and lash out at the beast holding Spike, Laureano knew that it would be a fatal mistake without a plan. Even in its weakened state, the monster was still capable of defending itself and Laureano could feel it through his link with Arellano.
“Stand down, brother,” Laureano whispered to Angel as he dug his fingers into the demon hunter’s shoulder. “Look...”
Angels’ eyes followed the length of the vampire prince’s sword. It pointed to the ever growing vortex under Spike and the creature. Already, muffled howling could be heard from inside the hole as it drew more power, but Angel didn’t care.
“Fuck you! I have to save him! Let me go!” Angel screamed as he struggled wildly to be free of Laureano's hold.
“Listen to me, Angel,” the vampire prince hissed. “One mistake and we will all be killed and drawn into oblivion. You must trust me...”
The winged beast was taken by surprise when it had heard the sound of human voices. Scanning the darkness, it could only see Laureano standing in the shadows but it could sense another.
The creature tilted its head toward Laureano; a cruel and knowing smile seemed to cross its leathery lips as it recognized Ambrosius' favored childe. It threw its head back and roared in acknowledgement of Laureano's presence, floating gently above them with Spike’s limp body in its arms. If all went well, his father's favorite childe would be going to hell with him and William.
The small vampire’s spine was bowed back as he was held at the waist, his arms hanging dead at his sides. Demon!Spike’s head lolled slowly to the side, his fangs half-extended in a final attempt to defend himself. Slowly, amber eyes drifted open, searching for his human as the link to Angel intensified. When he was able to focus, recognition, gratitude and sorrow passed over Demon!Spike’s visage.
Mine...? He mouthed weakly as a blood tinged tear rolled down his sunken cheeks, then his eyes rolled back into his head.
“Nooo! No! Will... please don’t leave me...” Angel begged as tears filled his eyes and streamed down his face, his struggles against Laureano futile. He threw his sword down in frustration and turned into Laureano. Grabbing the lapels on the prince’s leather jacket, he pulled the emerald-eyed vampire nose to nose with his.
“Alright, your highness,” Angel spit out. “If you’re so fuckin’ smart, tell me how we can save Will... and know this... if he dies, you die. Got it?”
Laureano was unfazed but he bowed his head in acknowledgment.
“Arellano has not yet seen you, Angel,” he said softly. “You are the key...”
Without hesitation, Angel shrugged away from Laureano and stepped out from the shadows, knowing what he had to do. He moved slowly toward the hellbeast and Spike, his arms outstretched, looking for Ambrosius’ wayward son to embrace him. If he could gain the demented vampire’s confidence, he would be able to have him release Spike before it was too late.
“Ari?” Angel called softly to the vampire. “Come to me, child... come to your father...”
The hellbeast tilted its head and stared at Angel with confusion in its yellow eyes, then started to growl softly as it looked between Angel and Laureano. Was it really Ambrosius who called to him now, or was it just a figment of his maddened imagination?
Its head was spinning and what little strength it had left was fading fast. Arellano knew that he was dying and was uncertain of how much longer he would be able to keep his winged form.
“Yes, my beautiful boy...” Angel purred, trying to hold back the urge to kill the grotesque thing that still clutched his vampire to its chest. “Come... let your father hold you in his arms once again...”
The creature whined pitifully in bewilderment for several long moments before it threw its head back and let out a long, mournful howl. It had been so long without father... so long... Was he finally forgiven?
The beast had no more interest in Spike now so it lowered its arms and let Demon!Spike drop to the ground.
Angel’s heart skipped several beats as he watched Spike fall, his naked body hitting hard, landing with the sound of a sickening splat against the cold, marbled floor.
“Will!” Angel screamed and flew to his vampire as fast as his legs would carry him.
Laureano rushed after Angel, keeping an eye on the winged beast as it gently floated down to the ground and morphed into Arellano.
Angel gathered his vampire into his arms and grew pale at the sight of Spike’s broken and abused body. He hugged him tightly to his chest and tried to press Spike’s face into his throat, but Laureano stopped him.
“Angel, let me... you must finish with Arellano...”
Angel tried to shrug Laureano away from him as he wept and rocked his vampire in his arms.
“No! I can’t! Will needs me... I have to help him... he needs my blood....”
“He needs blood stronger than yours, brother, Laureano sighed. "My blood is closer to sires’ blood than is yours. Please, Angel... it is almost done. You know that it should be you who avenges William, but I will finish it if necessary. I will do it... for my sire..."
Angel looked over to Arellano’s pitiful form and knew that Laureano was right. Gently, he kissed Demon!Spike on the forehead and was rewarded with a soft sigh. That was all that Angel had needed, to know that there was still a spark inside his vampire. Reluctantly, he let Laureano take Spike into his arms and watched as he pressed a bloody wrist into Spike’s lips. Only when Demon!Spike had started to suckle, did he slowly rise and walk over to Arellano.
The mad vampire was naked and on his knees, keening softly with his arms wrapped tightly around his chest. Angel could see the blood seeping from the raw wound that Spike had inflicted that, in any other dimension, should have been fatal. Even in his weakened state, Angel could still feel the energy and magicks surrounding him and he knew, that once Arellano was dead, all around them would disappear into oblivion.
Arellano slowly raised his head and looked into Angel’s eyes, defeated. “Please...” he pleaded with black, tear filled eyes. “Forgive me, father...”
It took all of Angel’s iron will, as a warrior and as a man, not to reach behind his belt and unsheathe the knife that he always carried there and ram it through the demon’s unbeating heart. How he burned to avenge Spike’s torture by inflicting as much pain as he could before he finally killed Arellano, but there was no time. He knelt down in front of the dark vampire and took his face in his hands. Then, he looked over to Laureano and Spike.
Laureano nodded slightly and Angel felt relief rush through him to know that Spike had suckled from the emerald-eyed vampire. He watched as Laureano stood with Demon!Spike in his arms, prepared to lead them back to Giles and the portal.
Angel stared into Arellano’s dead eyes and found nothing there but hate and unremorse. The vampire smirked and started to laugh manically.
“You cannot fool me, human,” Arellano spat out between giggles. “You are not Ambrose... not my father.”
Before Angel had time to react, Arellano was already attempting to morph again. Angel growled deep in his throat, and with all the strength that he could muster, one mighty twist of his hands snapped the demon’s neck in two. As Arellano’s lifeless body floated to the floor, Laureano and Spike both cried out in pain as a part of their ancestral link was broken.
Angel dashed toward the pair as fast as his feet would carry him just as a thunderous roar and a shimmer in the air shocked all back to reality. The vortex beside them was widening dangerously close and there was little time left before everything would collapse into itself. Without waiting for Laureano to protest, Angel took Spike from his arms and pressed him close.
“Almost home, Will...” he whispered into Spike’s ear. “Almost...”
Holding Demon!Spike’s small body in one large arm, Angel grabbed Laureano around the waist and supported him as they headed toward the safety of the portal, never looking back.
Gunn was pacing nervously back and forth in front of Giles, not liking the sounds of explosions and howls of wind coming from the direction Laureano and Angel had disappeared into earlier. The feeling as if all of the oxygen around them was being sucked away didn’t set well with the dark warrior, either, and he couldn’t help but take out his frustration on Giles, who was having his own panic attack nearby.
“Yo! Wiz, man! Now’s about a good time as any to do your voodoo shit!” he shouted over the din.
Giles was trembling in his shoes, uncertain of what was happening around him and Gunn. He worried about Angel and the vampire Laureano, hoping that they had found Spike and were on their way back. The wizard knew that there was not much time before those left behind would be sucked into oblivion if they had failed to make it through the portal.
“It’s not voodoo and it’s not shit,” Giles still managed to snort indignantly through his fear.
“Whatever the fuck it is, better do it now, posthaste! Good enough?” Gunn exclaimed nervously.
Giles had already started his chanting to open the portal home when Angel appeared out of the quickly enveloping darkness dragging Laureano and Spike with him.
“Shit, man!” Gunn dropped his axe when he saw the trio and ran over to Angel. He grabbed a limp Laureano and propped him up under one arm without having to be told; Angel smiled in appreciation.
“You all right, man? How about the vampires? Can we get the fuck outta here... now?!”
“Yeah, so far... you ready?” Angel asked as he looked over toward Giles, making sure he was still safe.
“Man, I been ready, ever since we got here!”
“Then, what’re we waiting for?” Angel smiled in relief as he saw the convolution of a portal start to form near Giles.
Static electricity began to arc out of the maelstrom that swirled to form an opening in the fabric of time and dimension.
“In girum imus nocte et consuminur igni!”* Giles commanded.
The air grew quiet, even though chaos was swirling outside of the protection circle that Giles had constructed for their safety.
Angel looked at Laureano with concern. Although weakened by his blood loss to Spike, he was conscious and lucid now.
“Can you take Giles?” Angel asked anxiously. As much as he had wanted to leave this hell hole, he refused to leave until all were on their way to safety through the portal.
Laureano nodded and went over to Giles. “Come with me, Mr. Giles. Do not be afraid,” he said reassuringly as he held out his hand to the wizard.
Giles took Laureano’s hand and held on tightly. “Yes... see you on the other side, then,” he said with a weak smile before he was pulled into the vortex with the vampire prince.
Next, Angel looked at Gunn just as the air around them shimmered from the force of an explosion and started folding in on itself.
“Hurry, Gunn... not much time! I’m right behind you.”
“You sure, man? Want me to get your back... you with Spike and all?”
“We’re right behind you, Bro... Go.” Angel ordered and watched as Gunn jumped into the portal.
“I’ve got you, Will,” Angel cooed to Demon!Spike even though he was still unconscious.
“We’re almost home, baby. Just hold on.” Angel said lovingly and kissed his vampire gently on the cheek.
Without ever looking back, Angel turned and plunged into the abyss with Spike tucked securely in his arms only seconds before a thunderous explosion gave birth to a maelstrom that sucked everything around it into an unending black hole.
~ tbc ~
*We enter the circle at night and are consumed by fire.
Is it too late to save the blond vampire from his maddened sire?
Warning: Totally AU with vague references to Cannon.
Disclaimer: Characters depicted herein from BtvsAtS are not mine
and I make no money. Other characters are of my own creation and
I retain all rights to same.
Feedback is always welcomed.
Previous chapters can be found at:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/kindredspirit75
MIDNIGHT AND ROSES - CHAPTER 32
Laureano and Angel skidded to a dead stop in shock and surprise, eyes fixed in horror.
Spike was in the arms of the hellbeast, dying.
“Will! Son of a bitch!” Angel screamed, feeling Spike’s life force slipping away. He tried to lunge toward the creature holding his broken vampire in a death grip but he was stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder.
Laureano’s gut clenched and his undead heart broke in two when he saw Spike’s battered and abused body and felt him through their familial link.
“William...”
As much as he was compelled to follow Angel and lash out at the beast holding Spike, Laureano knew that it would be a fatal mistake without a plan. Even in its weakened state, the monster was still capable of defending itself and Laureano could feel it through his link with Arellano.
“Stand down, brother,” Laureano whispered to Angel as he dug his fingers into the demon hunter’s shoulder. “Look...”
Angels’ eyes followed the length of the vampire prince’s sword. It pointed to the ever growing vortex under Spike and the creature. Already, muffled howling could be heard from inside the hole as it drew more power, but Angel didn’t care.
“Fuck you! I have to save him! Let me go!” Angel screamed as he struggled wildly to be free of Laureano's hold.
“Listen to me, Angel,” the vampire prince hissed. “One mistake and we will all be killed and drawn into oblivion. You must trust me...”
The winged beast was taken by surprise when it had heard the sound of human voices. Scanning the darkness, it could only see Laureano standing in the shadows but it could sense another.
The creature tilted its head toward Laureano; a cruel and knowing smile seemed to cross its leathery lips as it recognized Ambrosius' favored childe. It threw its head back and roared in acknowledgement of Laureano's presence, floating gently above them with Spike’s limp body in its arms. If all went well, his father's favorite childe would be going to hell with him and William.
The small vampire’s spine was bowed back as he was held at the waist, his arms hanging dead at his sides. Demon!Spike’s head lolled slowly to the side, his fangs half-extended in a final attempt to defend himself. Slowly, amber eyes drifted open, searching for his human as the link to Angel intensified. When he was able to focus, recognition, gratitude and sorrow passed over Demon!Spike’s visage.
Mine...? He mouthed weakly as a blood tinged tear rolled down his sunken cheeks, then his eyes rolled back into his head.
“Nooo! No! Will... please don’t leave me...” Angel begged as tears filled his eyes and streamed down his face, his struggles against Laureano futile. He threw his sword down in frustration and turned into Laureano. Grabbing the lapels on the prince’s leather jacket, he pulled the emerald-eyed vampire nose to nose with his.
“Alright, your highness,” Angel spit out. “If you’re so fuckin’ smart, tell me how we can save Will... and know this... if he dies, you die. Got it?”
Laureano was unfazed but he bowed his head in acknowledgment.
“Arellano has not yet seen you, Angel,” he said softly. “You are the key...”
Without hesitation, Angel shrugged away from Laureano and stepped out from the shadows, knowing what he had to do. He moved slowly toward the hellbeast and Spike, his arms outstretched, looking for Ambrosius’ wayward son to embrace him. If he could gain the demented vampire’s confidence, he would be able to have him release Spike before it was too late.
“Ari?” Angel called softly to the vampire. “Come to me, child... come to your father...”
The hellbeast tilted its head and stared at Angel with confusion in its yellow eyes, then started to growl softly as it looked between Angel and Laureano. Was it really Ambrosius who called to him now, or was it just a figment of his maddened imagination?
Its head was spinning and what little strength it had left was fading fast. Arellano knew that he was dying and was uncertain of how much longer he would be able to keep his winged form.
“Yes, my beautiful boy...” Angel purred, trying to hold back the urge to kill the grotesque thing that still clutched his vampire to its chest. “Come... let your father hold you in his arms once again...”
The creature whined pitifully in bewilderment for several long moments before it threw its head back and let out a long, mournful howl. It had been so long without father... so long... Was he finally forgiven?
The beast had no more interest in Spike now so it lowered its arms and let Demon!Spike drop to the ground.
Angel’s heart skipped several beats as he watched Spike fall, his naked body hitting hard, landing with the sound of a sickening splat against the cold, marbled floor.
“Will!” Angel screamed and flew to his vampire as fast as his legs would carry him.
Laureano rushed after Angel, keeping an eye on the winged beast as it gently floated down to the ground and morphed into Arellano.
Angel gathered his vampire into his arms and grew pale at the sight of Spike’s broken and abused body. He hugged him tightly to his chest and tried to press Spike’s face into his throat, but Laureano stopped him.
“Angel, let me... you must finish with Arellano...”
Angel tried to shrug Laureano away from him as he wept and rocked his vampire in his arms.
“No! I can’t! Will needs me... I have to help him... he needs my blood....”
“He needs blood stronger than yours, brother, Laureano sighed. "My blood is closer to sires’ blood than is yours. Please, Angel... it is almost done. You know that it should be you who avenges William, but I will finish it if necessary. I will do it... for my sire..."
Angel looked over to Arellano’s pitiful form and knew that Laureano was right. Gently, he kissed Demon!Spike on the forehead and was rewarded with a soft sigh. That was all that Angel had needed, to know that there was still a spark inside his vampire. Reluctantly, he let Laureano take Spike into his arms and watched as he pressed a bloody wrist into Spike’s lips. Only when Demon!Spike had started to suckle, did he slowly rise and walk over to Arellano.
The mad vampire was naked and on his knees, keening softly with his arms wrapped tightly around his chest. Angel could see the blood seeping from the raw wound that Spike had inflicted that, in any other dimension, should have been fatal. Even in his weakened state, Angel could still feel the energy and magicks surrounding him and he knew, that once Arellano was dead, all around them would disappear into oblivion.
Arellano slowly raised his head and looked into Angel’s eyes, defeated. “Please...” he pleaded with black, tear filled eyes. “Forgive me, father...”
It took all of Angel’s iron will, as a warrior and as a man, not to reach behind his belt and unsheathe the knife that he always carried there and ram it through the demon’s unbeating heart. How he burned to avenge Spike’s torture by inflicting as much pain as he could before he finally killed Arellano, but there was no time. He knelt down in front of the dark vampire and took his face in his hands. Then, he looked over to Laureano and Spike.
Laureano nodded slightly and Angel felt relief rush through him to know that Spike had suckled from the emerald-eyed vampire. He watched as Laureano stood with Demon!Spike in his arms, prepared to lead them back to Giles and the portal.
Angel stared into Arellano’s dead eyes and found nothing there but hate and unremorse. The vampire smirked and started to laugh manically.
“You cannot fool me, human,” Arellano spat out between giggles. “You are not Ambrose... not my father.”
Before Angel had time to react, Arellano was already attempting to morph again. Angel growled deep in his throat, and with all the strength that he could muster, one mighty twist of his hands snapped the demon’s neck in two. As Arellano’s lifeless body floated to the floor, Laureano and Spike both cried out in pain as a part of their ancestral link was broken.
Angel dashed toward the pair as fast as his feet would carry him just as a thunderous roar and a shimmer in the air shocked all back to reality. The vortex beside them was widening dangerously close and there was little time left before everything would collapse into itself. Without waiting for Laureano to protest, Angel took Spike from his arms and pressed him close.
“Almost home, Will...” he whispered into Spike’s ear. “Almost...”
Holding Demon!Spike’s small body in one large arm, Angel grabbed Laureano around the waist and supported him as they headed toward the safety of the portal, never looking back.
Gunn was pacing nervously back and forth in front of Giles, not liking the sounds of explosions and howls of wind coming from the direction Laureano and Angel had disappeared into earlier. The feeling as if all of the oxygen around them was being sucked away didn’t set well with the dark warrior, either, and he couldn’t help but take out his frustration on Giles, who was having his own panic attack nearby.
“Yo! Wiz, man! Now’s about a good time as any to do your voodoo shit!” he shouted over the din.
Giles was trembling in his shoes, uncertain of what was happening around him and Gunn. He worried about Angel and the vampire Laureano, hoping that they had found Spike and were on their way back. The wizard knew that there was not much time before those left behind would be sucked into oblivion if they had failed to make it through the portal.
“It’s not voodoo and it’s not shit,” Giles still managed to snort indignantly through his fear.
“Whatever the fuck it is, better do it now, posthaste! Good enough?” Gunn exclaimed nervously.
Giles had already started his chanting to open the portal home when Angel appeared out of the quickly enveloping darkness dragging Laureano and Spike with him.
“Shit, man!” Gunn dropped his axe when he saw the trio and ran over to Angel. He grabbed a limp Laureano and propped him up under one arm without having to be told; Angel smiled in appreciation.
“You all right, man? How about the vampires? Can we get the fuck outta here... now?!”
“Yeah, so far... you ready?” Angel asked as he looked over toward Giles, making sure he was still safe.
“Man, I been ready, ever since we got here!”
“Then, what’re we waiting for?” Angel smiled in relief as he saw the convolution of a portal start to form near Giles.
Static electricity began to arc out of the maelstrom that swirled to form an opening in the fabric of time and dimension.
“In girum imus nocte et consuminur igni!”* Giles commanded.
The air grew quiet, even though chaos was swirling outside of the protection circle that Giles had constructed for their safety.
Angel looked at Laureano with concern. Although weakened by his blood loss to Spike, he was conscious and lucid now.
“Can you take Giles?” Angel asked anxiously. As much as he had wanted to leave this hell hole, he refused to leave until all were on their way to safety through the portal.
Laureano nodded and went over to Giles. “Come with me, Mr. Giles. Do not be afraid,” he said reassuringly as he held out his hand to the wizard.
Giles took Laureano’s hand and held on tightly. “Yes... see you on the other side, then,” he said with a weak smile before he was pulled into the vortex with the vampire prince.
Next, Angel looked at Gunn just as the air around them shimmered from the force of an explosion and started folding in on itself.
“Hurry, Gunn... not much time! I’m right behind you.”
“You sure, man? Want me to get your back... you with Spike and all?”
“We’re right behind you, Bro... Go.” Angel ordered and watched as Gunn jumped into the portal.
“I’ve got you, Will,” Angel cooed to Demon!Spike even though he was still unconscious.
“We’re almost home, baby. Just hold on.” Angel said lovingly and kissed his vampire gently on the cheek.
Without ever looking back, Angel turned and plunged into the abyss with Spike tucked securely in his arms only seconds before a thunderous explosion gave birth to a maelstrom that sucked everything around it into an unending black hole.
~ tbc ~
*We enter the circle at night and are consumed by fire.