Immortal Knight

I really wish this site had a review response button, i'm doing a post and run, so just have time to say a quick thanks to those who commented, and i've fixed the eye/eyes thing in the last chapter


Lost Knight

Wes had been swept away by the two ancient Immortals, heading for files and records to check and see if Wolfram and Hart had any information that could help them. Spike and Amanda had gone to find her some decent clothes; laughing and bantering like life long friends. That just left Xander and Angel.


The young man was staring out the window into the night, and Angel was struck once again, by how much he’d changed. The Xander he remembered had been full of nervous energy, never able to stop moving and babbling, as though he’d had some need to fill every silence and space. He didn’t know how to relate to this new version of the boy. Though boy was hardly the right word any more, young as he was, Xander’s eyes spoke of a maturity that belied his years.


The differences bothered him, as annoying as it had been at times; Xander’s babble had also been strangely comforting. He’d always been so open, so easy to read and now so much of his light was gone. Thinking of Xander’s changes forced Angel’s mind back to Methos, that smirking ancient creature who apparently owned Xander.


It was incomprehensible to him; Xander had always fought so hard to be in control, to be strong. He never backed down; even from fights he couldn’t hope to win. So what the hell could have possessed him to hand his life over to another man? Not just his life, his body too; the familiar way the two had touched made it obvious to anyone with eyes; that they were lovers.


On the surface it seemed Xander was comfortable with Methos’ touch, but Angel couldn’t help but wonder if the younger man hadn’t been coerced into something he didn’t want. The way Xander had so quickly acquiesced to Methos admonition spoke of a deference that made the vampire uncomfortable. It reminded him all too much of the humans who’d become Angelus’ playthings.


The story they’d told, the risks the whole world faced, meant he had no choice but to try and find a way to work with Methos. But Angel was determined to find a way to rescue Xander, if he needed it. First he had to get the man to talk to him.


As he watched, Xander stretched one arm above his head, twisting and turning his neck; obviously trying to remove the tension in his muscles. And before Angel could stop himself he was urging Xander towards the sofa, and offering to help. He let his hands settle on to hard shoulders, and began a gentle massage, his fingers flexing as he tried to loosen the heavy knots he felt beneath the skin.


As he worked he tried to draw Xander out, asking questions about the time the younger man had spent in Seacouver. Little by little Xander told him everything; all about the things he’d had to learn and his relationship with Methos. Now and then, when he heard something he particularly didn’t like, Angel knew has hands gripped a little too tightly, dug into muscles a little too deep. But Xander didn’t seem to mind, if anything, he leaned in closer, apparently enjoying the sensation.


Angel had been so busy listening, he’d failed to notice anything else, it was only when Xander stopped talking, that the vampire finally realised something had changed. Earlier Xander’s scent had been anxious and worried, not unsurprising under the circumstances, but now the only thing Angel could smell was lust.


His hands stopped moving, as he tried to figure it out; the whole idea of Xander wanting him was just too ridiculous. But there was no mistaking that particular scent, nor the groan of disappointment Xander made when he realised his massage was over. And when Angel snatched his hands away from that too tempting flesh, Xander simply turned around and brought his own hands to Angels shoulders, offering to return the favour.


It was so easy for Angel to give in, to relax and accept the simple touches, to just let his eyes slide close and his brain shut down, and enjoy the peaceful moment whilst it lasted. He didn’t even notice when the hands slipped lower, caressing smooth circles on his back and pulling him close to the other man’s body.


Lost in the sensual haze Xander was creating, he accepted the mouth pressed softly to his own, opening in invitation when an agile tongue swept across his lips. The kiss was warm and gentle, the two mouths moving slowly, tongues engaged in a tempting, tantalising dance. It wasn’t until Xander groaned deep in his throat and the kiss turned more passionate; that Angel came back to himself enough to take notice of what he was doing.


Wrenching their lips apart, he shoved himself off the sofa and tried to put a little distance between them. This wasn’t how he’d planned the night to go, he was supposed to be helping Xander not molesting him. Raking his fingers through his hair, he tried to regain a little composure before he returned his gaze to the man on the couch.


He expected to see panic on Xander’s face, or at the very least embarrassment, not the wide smirk and amused arrogance he was presented with. Or the predatory way Xander pushed himself to his feet and sauntered across the room; getting right up in Angel’s face. Holding the vampire’s eyes, he leaned in even closer and his words were practically breathed across Angel’s lips.


“Never figured you for the shy and retiring type, it’s not like you weren’t enjoying yourself” And Angel couldn’t hide his own arousal, when Xander punctuated his words by rolling his hips and rubbing their cocks together.


It would have been so easy to give in, to let himself take what was being so freely offered. But when Angel looked down at the point where their bodies were resting against each other, he could see the edge of Xander’s tattoo peeping over the top of his pants. It was just enough to help him regain his self-control; and he literally shoved Xander away from him.


“Wouldn’t your Owner have a problem with this?” Angel knew that he was out of line, but figured that an angry Xander would probably react more like the man he remembered. It turned out he’d underestimated him yet again. Instead of anger, all he could see was amusement on Xander’s face and his next words did nothing to calm Angel’s fears.


“Methos? Well he’d probably be a bit peeved that we didn’t wait for him; so you could expect a certain amount of pouting and whining. But you can usually fuck that kind of mood right out of him.”


Angel didn’t want to think about the fact that Xander had implied he’d been invited to both their beds. It was too surreal, so he focused on the way Xander had spoken. The crudity of his words disturbing Angel even more than the offer.


“Have you heard yourself? The Xander I knew wouldn’t talk like that, and he certainly wouldn’t be making a pass at me.”


When Xander finally spoke there was an exasperated edge to his tone. “Angel, that Xander hasn’t been around for a long time, and it has nothing to do with Methos. When you left Sunnyhell I was eighteen. For fuck’s sake, did you think I’d be some perpetual kid? I did a lot of growing up over the last few years, that changes everyone. And the truth is you didn’t exactly know me all that well, you can’t say that we were ever friends.”


“No we weren’t friends, and that’s my point. It’s like you’ve had a personality transplant, back then you would have been far more likely to stake me than kiss me.”


Xander chuckled, a low dark sound that did nothing for Angel’s self control. “Well I was a judgemental prick sometimes back then. And you were always easy on the eye, even as repressed as I was back then, I noticed that.”


When Angel didn’t respond, Xander continued, “I have changed a lot, but I’ve learned a lot too. The most important thing that Cassandra and Methos taught me, is that life is short. Which is kind of funny when you consider how old they are, but the truth is any of us could be dead tomorrow. They made me realise that if you really want something; then you need to reach out and grab it, whilst you have the chance.


Sometime soon we’re going to be fighting something that’s more powerful than I can even begin to imagine; and lets face it, the odds of us all coming through unscathed are somewhere between slim and none. I want you, and from the way you reacted before the panic set in, you want me too. So the question is, do you really want to spend what might be your last few nights on earth alone? Or do you want to take a chance and maybe find a little joy?”


Angel was so close to saying yes, but then he heard a heartbeat coming towards the room and the moment was lost. He shook his head and turned away, not wanting Xander to see the regret in his eyes. He concentrated on the sounds of Xander’s soft steps as he headed for the door and the room he’d been loaned. Clenching his teeth to stop himself from responding to Xander’s final whispered words. “It’s your loss, but you know where to find us if you change your mind.”


He wanted some time to himself, needed to try to figure out what was going on with Xander. Much as he wanted to take the words at face value, he had to be sure that Xander was okay before he could even begin to consider being with him. Particularly as it seemed that being with Xander also meant being with Methos; a man that he instinctively distrusted.


He could hear Xander exchanging brief words with whoever had been approaching the room and then his door slid open and he was face to face with last person on earth he wanted to deal with right then.


Methos eyed the glowering vampire and quite rightly surmised that he wasn’t a welcome sight. Unfortunately for Angel, the Immortal was never one for being accommodating, so he didn’t take the hint and leave. “Turns out we may have a bit of a problem, the pendant only holds half of the crystal we need; Wes and Cassandra are going to try and track down the rest.”


“We’ll help any way we can, I told Xander that.”


“Well that’s very friendly of you.” Methos made no move to leave; instead he let his gaze flit around the room, as though searching for something.


“Xander isn’t here.” Even as he spoke, Angel realised that the other man already knew that.


“I know, I spoke to Alex in the hall.” Methos couldn’t resist emphasising his student’s name, enjoying the way his presence was disconcerting the other man. “He headed up to bed, I understand you won’t be joining us.”


Angel sucked in a breath and tried to reign in his temper, he couldn’t believe Methos’ audacity that the other man could be so casual about something so important was infuriating.


“I admire your willpower, Alex is a very tempting boy.”


“Is that why you fucked him?” He knew he was out of line, but the Immortal had pushed him too far.


“I fucked him because he was there, and because he belongs to me. Is that what you wanted to hear?” Methos’ voice was pure ice, his own temper coming out. But then he got a good look at Angel’s eyes and saw the worry there, the sorrow, and realised he may have gone a step too far. “I made love to him because he’s beautiful.” The Immortal’s words were softer now, and there was genuine warmth in his tone.


“He looks at me and sees the man, not the legend. He doesn’t expect me to be the font of all wisdom, doesn’t see the monster I used to be. When you’ve been around as long as I have people start to blur together; it becomes hard to let anyone in when you know you’ll only wind up grieving for them. There’s barely a handful that actually stand out, whose souls shine bright enough to carry their memories through the years.


He’s one of them; I know exactly how lucky I am to have him, for however short a time. He opened his heart to me and invited me in, I might not be the love of his life, but only a fool would turn down a chance to be loved by a man like Alex.” Methos had to stifle a groan, it seemed the man in question had stuck around to eavesdrop and he’d sent a sudden burst of lust and love through the bond. Deciding not to waste the passion or the opportunity, Methos moved closer to the vampire and pulled his head down.


For the second time that night, Angel found himself undone by a kiss; but before he could decide to respond, or not, Methos had stepped away and headed from the room. The conviction in the Immortal’s voice had convinced Angel about his intentions towards Xander, at least as far as the physical side of the relationship was concerned, but other worries still plagued him.


“What if you’re wrong?” Angel’s voice had lost the angry edge he’d used earlier and the words halted Methos just before the door. “What if all those weaknesses you…….eradicated, were the reason the powers chose him? What if that impulsiveness, that fire, is the very thing that will defeat Terathyne? He’s changed so much, what if those changes are the reason we lose?”


Methos didn’t turn around, but his shoulders slumped and his scent turned bitter with worry. “I’m not wrong, I can’t be.” The words held a kind of desperate fear, and Angel couldn’t tell if the Immortal was trying to convince his questioner or himself. Before he could ask, Methos was gone, out the door and off to Xander’s side. Leaving Angel alone, with unanswered questions and an empty bed. It was going to be a long and lonely night.


tbc