Splinter

Spike was vibrating with anger. How could Angel handle that so calmly? He knew that the older vampire only thought of him as a burden but to give up his claim so easily was unconceivable! It didn't only mean that Angel didn't want anything to do with him but as the head and Master of their order, it meant that Aurelius itself chose to disown him. Over a hundred years he had carried the name and now his own mentor and former lover, his Grandsire, who had been dubbed as his surrogate Sire for as long as he remembered, was discarding him.

Spike couldn't fault Raven, he knew how the other vampire felt about him, how he had always felt. He had never wasted a chance on showing as much to Spike. He actually felt flattered that such a powerful old Master Vampire wanted 'a nobody' like him. He, who his own Sire left time and time again, one of those times leading Spike to meet Raven for the first time. Not to mention, being rejected by his Grandsire and the whole Line. He couldn't understand why he would interest a striking person like him. Maybe he wanted possession of a vampire with a soul, them being a rare commodity. Perhaps not the original but a close enough copy nonetheless, or the closest there could be.

The blond vampire found himself in the underground parking lot and his eyes narrowed as they zeroed in at Angel's beloved Viper. He lit a cigarette with anger vibrating fingers.

~ That'll show the old poof! ~

He was just about to break into the car when he felt a familiar presence. He turned with a swift fighting stance to be rewarded with the sight of two amused gray blue eyes looking at him.

He relaxed his pose though his hand shook as he took a drag from cigarette.

"That’s a bad habit, you know."

"What do you want?" Spike asked irately ignoring the statement.

He thought he saw a hurt look pass in the other's eye but it was gone so fast he thought he must have imagined it.

"Why think so little of yourself, William?"

Spike usually cringed when his real name was mentioned; it brought back bad memories of countless rejections, and worse, memories of easier, happier times best forgotten except there were none of those feelings here.

"What're you talking about?!" Spike ever so defensive asked the cigarette bobbing in his mouth with every word.

A smile formed on Raven's lips. "I see you never stopped that habit of talking aloud with yourself when troubled."

Spike blinked, his defenses down. "Oh." He lowered his smoke. The older vampire must have heard him speaking his thoughts.

He didn't even move when the other approached him and even relaxed when a gentle hand started stroking his face.

"I feel I must remind you of how I always felt regarding you. Even before the soul," with that whispered Raven leaned in pressing his soft lips to Spike's. Applying ever so little pressure and with a swipe of cool tongue he was granted entrance with a welcoming groan. Spike found himself responding with fervor falling back to old nearly forgotten habits. His cigarette fell to the concrete floor as his arms brought the other vampire closer.



*Flashback*

1900, somewhere in Scandinavia…

He sensed more than heard the tall figure approach. Long silky arms wrapped around him. He sighed as he leaned back resting his head against the perfectly fitted shoulder. His eyes never wavered from their scrutiny of the starry night. Cricket sounds were everywhere, and he could hear some kind of bird chirping in the midst of this tranquility. It all added to the magic of the foggy night.

"What are you thinking of …?" was softly whispered in his ear. He felt a delicate shiver run through him causing interesting places to react in lovely ways. He didn't need to answer because his addresser knew the answer. "Or should I say whom?"

"Ray…" he sighed turning in the strong arms so he could look into the silver colored eyes. A long finger found its place on his lips.

"I know." Lips replaced the finger and a leisurely kiss made them close what little distance they had between them. Their bare chests touched and molded perfectly together. He felt those long fingers thread in his hair. His arms held the dark haired vampire to him. The mouth left his and began to lick and kiss its way to his jaw tracing down his neck. A lick to the back his ear, where he was sensitive, causing him to shudder and his eyes to flutter with a sigh. Soft nips on the expanse of his neck soothed over by a kiss and a lick respectively. He felt tiny prickles like needlepoints that caused him to open his eyes and pull back heaving unnecessary breaths. He held out his hand and watched it shake from being so close.

"No, you know you can't," he whispered under ragged breaths.

Silvery eyes looked at him with an expression he couldn't identify or didn't want to. "He still holds you, William. Why won't you let me free you from him? He wants you no more; his claim holds no value unless you allow it."

Spike's eyes fell saddened but knowing that was true. He smiled a soft bitter smile. "But the claim still holds. And as long as it does, there's hope," he said more to make himself believe than the handsome man in front of him. The handsome man that offered him all he ever desired. Someone who cared for him and saw him as an equal, even though he knew he wasn't worthy of such. Someone who wished to ravish him and cater to him and make every night as pleasurable as the last two weeks were, more if the offer was accepted. And why was he not taking him up on his offer again? Oh, yes. Because he was a fool for love, he was his Angelus' fool. He would hold on to that thin thread of chance that his beloved might wish to keep his claim on him. He willed himself not to think of the very likely possibility that his sire, *grandsire*, had forgotten of the age-old claim.

"Oh, William, if you only accept me… why keep a hold onto old ghosts?" A soft hand caressed his face. He closed his eyes and leaned into it, emitting a low purr as he pressed into the hand seeking more but not daring to ask. Long fingers traced over his features. They passed fleetingly over parted lips, sharp cheekbones and came to rest over the ever-present scar.

"This was for him," was whispered. "For him you risked your life dueling a Slayer, prevailing in an attempt to prove your worth to him, and still my sweet, he did not see you. But I see you," the words vibrated against his lips before they were taken in another adoring kiss. He melted and wished his thoughts away. He heard what his lover said but his heart still longed for his beloved Angelus. The years they had spent together never left him. Always present somewhere in the back of his mind, any small thing could cause him to remember those happy years and long for them. Long for the dark whiskey brown eyes and strong-arms that held him through cold nights in front of a hearth as he was read to by a silky brogue voice. No more than two years ago…

"Raven, make me forget?" Spike asked as his voice choked and he looked up with misty blue eyes pleading for understanding.

A wide grin found itself on Raven's lips. "I could do more than that." He leaned closer breathing into Spike's neck but was gently pushed back. He looked into wounded blue eyes.

Spike shook his head causing a few strands to fall on his face. "Not that way, Ray. I- I couldn't. His claim is the only thing I have of him. I'd know if you wouldn't..." he said in a low tone lowering his face with a sigh. He felt a hand on his forehead brushing away the falling locks lovingly, causing him to look up into understanding eyes.

"I would take what you are willing to give me, Leif."

Spike smiled sadly at the nickname. He allowed the Master vampire pull to him into the luxurious bedroom but made sure to leave the door to the large balcony slightly ajar, allowing the peaceful sounds of the night to drift in.

*End Flashback*


"Never doubt how much I care for you, Beloved. Never. I have waited what seems like forever… and this time I will not let you slip away from me." Raven whispered against Spike's lips. He gave him one last chaste kiss, smiled a smile that promised something, and started to walk away.

Spike was heaving breaths he knew for all reason he shouldn't be doing. He could still feel his lips throbbing from the loss. He didn't miss the words whispered in the night even after their owner was out of sight.

"Wait for me, Lief."

Was it so bad that Spike couldn't wait?