Take Me As I Am

“conversation”
thoughts
emphasis
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Drusilla was sitting cross-legged in a burgundy-colored loveseat when Angelus got back to the library. Spike was standing behind her, playing with her hair. They both looked up when Angelus entered.

“Oi! Peaches! How did it go with the whelp?” Spike smirked at the glare sent his way.

“Is the little kitten all tucked in?” Drusilla straightened her legs to make room for her Sire.

“Don’t call me ‘Peaches’!” Angelus cuffed Spike’s head when he passed him. He was smiling slightly though. “Show some respect for your Master and Sire, Childe.”

When Angelus was seated, Drusilla moved to sit in his lap and Spike took her place on the loveseat. She was feeling affectionate tonight and was in the mood to snuggle with her family.

“When do I get to meet my kitten? I want to play with him.” She missed the by-play of Angelus and Spike’s eyes meeting over her head. “I’ll introduce him to Miss Edith and we can all have tea-parties together.”

“Now, Princess… you know you can’t play rough with the boy. I’ll let you meet him tomorrow but no tea-parties.” Angelus placed a kiss on her pouting lips and she giggled.

“So… it went okay then?” Spike voice was casual but Angelus knew he was curious.

“He didn’t seem angry for being here. He wasn’t as scared as I thought he’d be either.” Angelus was thinking back on the meeting earlier. Xander had not ranted or raved. He had been slightly scared but he had not backed down or tried to fight. In fact, Angelus was surprised the young man had answered his question so freely. He had not planned on kissing Xander afterwards but he looked so down after telling his story… Angelus sighed.

I’m a sucker for dark beauties.

“Hey Sire! Are you gonna answer me or what?” Spike’s annoyed voice interrupted his thoughts and brought him back to the present.

“Right. I was just thinking about the meeting with Xander.” He hugged an obliviously humming Drusilla closer to his chest and put an arm over Spike’s shoulders. He had missed being close to his Childer; he had missed them. Angel the soul had been appalled by their unlife-style and left them as soon as possible.

I'll have to make it up to them. Spike was still so young; barely a fledging, and Drusilla could not have been easy to take care off. Darla was a harsh Master, I should know.

“We had a little chat and then I showed him to his rooms.” He knew Spike wanted details but he decided to have a little fun with Spike. A little payback for ‘Peaches’.

He’ll have to learn to live by my rules once more; what lines not to cross. We’re all three Masters in our own right but I’m their Master. Angelus put his hand on Spike’s neck, caressing his nape. Let’s see what he’ll do to know more?
___

Spike was sensing a change in the atmosphere. He still had not forgiven Angelus, Angel, for abandoning them so long ago. It would take awhile before he would trust the older vampire again.

Calling him ‘Peaches’ is my way of rebellion. I won’t disobey him too much but he can’t just come back and expect everything to be fine. He felt Angelus move his hand in a slow caress.

I’ve missed this! Darla wasn’t too fond of her Grandchilder and Dru needed me to take care of her. I missed someone taking care of me. He scoffed. I’m going soft!

“Peaches?” No response except for a tightening grip on his neck. Right.

“Angelus?” The hand was caressing him again but Angelus was still not answering.

“…Sire?” Is he testing me?

“Yes Childe?” Angelus voice sounded calm and disinterested.

“Will you tell me about your meeting with Xander?” Spike really wanted to know. The whelp had seemed more like a clown then a fighter but he was still alive. That was a rare thing, especially living on a Hellmouth.

Sure, the Slayer is the biggest threat to the creatures of the night but Xander is still fighting along side her. When she and the rest of the group let him, off course. Wankers!
___

Angelus was pleased with his youngest Childe’s response. It was a step in the right direction.

“You were right; he’s being abused. It didn’t take much for him to tell me about it.” He decided to just tell Spike what he wanted to know. Then they could spend the night doing other, more fun things.

“He told me his father beat him up when he was nearly 8. Xander also mentioned that his parents, usually hit him when they were drunk.”

Angelus looked at his Childer. Spike was growling but not yet in game face. Drusilla had stopped humming. Despite them being evil bloodsucking vampires, neither of them approved of child abuse.

“He seemed to like his rooms.” Angelus tried to distract them with what Xander did later, even if it was not strictly the truth. Xander never said he liked them; he just could not stop staring.

“We’re not going to let them get away with it, are we?” Spike was angry.

Well okay. The topic-change didn’t work.

“I’d like nothing more than to rip out his father’s throat but I don’t want to upset Xander.” He petted Drusilla’s hair; it seemed to make her calm.

“Now here’s the plan. We’ll spend the rest of the weekend getting to know Xander. Make sure you’re on your best behavior you two.” He favored Spike with a glare. “When Monday comes, I’ll either inform the school that young Mr. Harris is sick and will be gone for the rest of the week, or we’ll trust each other enough to let him go to school and then come back here.”

“Good plan, Sire.” Spike praised him ironically. “Now all we need to know is why you’re interested in the Slayer’s whelp.”

“The boy is duality, the stars tell me.” Drusilla interfered. “Showing face after face after face. Always falling down, down, down… He is more than he knows, more than he shows.” Drusilla looked at her Sire. “He’s alone. I like his eyes. They show his soul, like a wounded puppy… Will you play with me Daddy?”

That did not make much sense but then again, Dru’s ramblings never did. It was either a vision or just Dru being loony. Only time would tell if it meant something.

“We’ll play soon Princess. If you want, you can run along to my room. Spike and I will join you there.” Angelus needed to talk with Spike alone and this was a good opportunity.

“Okay Daddy. I’ll be waiting.” Drusilla left the library, happily singing a song about roses.

“You know, Sire, Dru is very dear to me. Weird but dear.” Spike sighed. “Did you have to drive her crazy?”

“It was fun at the time.” Angelus defended himself. “Besides, I don’t think she’s quite as mad as you think. She’s far from sane though…”

“Anyway, my reasons for Xander being here… When Angel was in control he, I, focused on Buffy. She was young, innocent, beautiful and deadly. She was all the soul saw and wanted.” He pulled Spike closer, his back to Angelus’ chest.

“I didn’t pay much attention to the others helping her. The Watcher seemed a bit stuffy, the redhead was not much in a fight and Xander acted jealous whenever I was near.”

“Over time, the others learnt to tolerate me. Buffy even loved me. Xander, however, still didn’t trust me. It wasn’t until I lost my soul earlier this year that I realized Xander’s potential. Out of all of them he was the only one willing to fight me. Buffy never tried to stake me when we fought.” He laughed. “Silly girl, she’s a Slayer. She could have prevented so many deaths during my demon’s killing-spree. She’s a good guard dog though. I haven’t had so many problems with taking over my new city since the Watcher, Giles, made that deal with me.”

“Yeah alright but what about the whelp?” Spike squirmed around until he sat on Angelus’ lap, face to face.

“Patience Childe. I’m getting there.” He grabbed Spike by the hair to expose his pale throat by tilting his head back.

“Do you remember when the Slayer was sick and I went to the hospital?” He licked Spike’s throat all the way up to his chin.

“Ye-yeah. You brought her roses.” Spike put his hands behind him, on Angelus’ knees, for balance and incidentally tightening the shirt over his chest.

“Well… Xander was there. He had always been in the background whenever Buffy and I fought, or he had been with Willow or the Watcher when I went to taunt them.” He looked at Spike’s chest with approval. The silver-blue shirt brought out the blue in his Childe’s eyes. It was also slightly revealing, like now. He could see the nipples press against the thin fabric.

“This time, he was alone. He stopped me outside Buffy’s hospital-room.” Angelus caressed Spike’s chest, ghosting over the nipples, feeling them peak. “He was all that stood between me and a dead Slayer. He wasn’t even armed; no stake, no cross, nothing but himself.”

“Why didn’t you kill him?” Spike was moaning softly, arching into the caress.

“I don’t really know what happened but my demon didn’t want him dead. The Slayer; yes. Xander; no. I’m sure he was as surprised as I was when I gave him the roses and left.”

“After that, my demon’s need for blood tapered off and I made an agreement with Giles. The Slayer and her friends stay out of my business and I don’t kill them.”

“Good agreement.”

“Yes it was.” Angelus was smug. “I got a Hellmouth-city to rule over and a Slayer on a leash.”

“That still doesn’t tell me why the whelp is here.”

“He intrigued me; strong when facing danger alone, yet weak when with the others. I sent out minions to spy on him and the other Scoobies. Last week I sent you.” Angelus’ fingers found and twisted a nipple through the thin fabric. He was rewarded with a groan from Spike.

“His friends, Buffy and Willow, are treating him badly. They don’t seem to care anymore. The Slayer is busy with stupid fledglings and the redhead is training to be another Watcher. Neither one has noticed Xander being abused either, Willow is suppose to have known him since kindergarten!”

“Is that the only reason, Sire?” Spike was now panting.

“… No. Xander’s hot. His body has filled out during the years and you know I’ve always been attracted to brunettes.”

Spike chuckled at the response.

“Now what do you say we go and join our sweet Drusilla?” Angelus let go of Spike’s hair.

Spike leaned in and kissed him. Both moaned into the kiss when their hard cocks finally touched.

“I say… first one there gets to choose!” With that Spike jumped off Angelus and ran out the door. Angelus was not far behind.