Eleven
Twenty Three O Five: 5
by Josie_h
Notes
It was their third month in Vancouver and their human ‘minder’ and the vampires were out for a run… literally.
Richard had parked the van and the human’s slim form jogged happily along with the vampires in the early evening. The pace however, was relentless for the human, though rather effortless for his other worldly companions…. The five mile mark and the obvious uphill rise caused Richard to pause.
Their kind ‘minder’ had driven the three of them well into the mountains to Kootenay Park but Richard was no hill runner and, though appreciating the flat ‘jog’ they had done around the river area, paled a little at the prospect of sprinting up the hill!
Spike slowed and jogged effortlessly alongside their lanky companion. He noted the rather sweaty state of their rescuer and simply said… “Need to take the boy for a real run… You be OK if we meet you back at the van?”
It was all the human could do to give a rather thankful nod and gasp, as he had the thrill of watching the Master Vampire and his Mate accelerate up the hill in a way most Kenyan marathon champions or hundred meter Olympic sprinters could only dream of… He was just able to make out the two figures as they challenged each other over a bridge spanning the broad river then sprinted up the leeside of the mountain, chasing, weaving and tackling each other up an impossibly steep slope, until they disappeared from view.
He jogged slowly back to the van, happy to have an opportunity to warm down human muscles and find the water bottle he’d stowed under the front seat. (Confusing drink bottles these days simply *not* an option after a certain incident involving sheep’s blood and … it was all too nasty to think about!).
As he waited for his speedy friends to return, Richard idly noted a text message on his phone.
He had finally contacted his family, the result being a desperate message. He paled a little as he read the reply. Apparently Richard’s sister, indeed the entire family, was frantic.
Kerryn had recently been contacted by her brother’s former employers and told of his ‘speedy departure’. His mother was distressed beyond belief and convinced that he had ‘taken to drugs’. The fact that he had failed to contact them for close to three months was out of character and unbelievable from the formerly thoughtful young man.
He returned the call with a text message including the city and country he was in, and a local number, with additional assurances of his well being and promises to communicate with his mother soon and regularly.
Spike was first back to the van and noted the rather thoughtful, almost depressed demeanor of their generous human friend. His eyes fell to the cell phone held in a lax hand and made an informed decision…
He gently took the phone from the limp hand and put an arm around their slim friend, “Figurin’ it’s family… Always able to push yer buttons, ain’t that right?...” Richard simply dropped his head further. Spike could smell the salty tears and pulled the man into a tight hug, indicating to Xander to wait a moment via their link.
“Now you listen ta’ me mate… You’ve done somethin’ wonderful for us… courageous… honorable!! And honor ain’t always rewarded these days… but you’ve got two friends for life here pet… So whatever they say… If they’re truly family, they’ll love you regardless … and you need to remember that … and hold on to it. ‘S precious that is…” Spike kissed the man sincerely but as he pulled away, grinned a little and added rather flippantly, “Just suggest you might leave out the bit ‘bout yours truly… and the gender preference… Oscar Wilde came to a sticky end with that little revelation!”
The vampire then winked but when Richard continued to look somewhat sad, kissed the forehead of their friend and lowered his tone, “”S OK pet… some just don’t understand… I liked both, but the boy over there is all I need from now to eternity. Find the bloke you want to be with for the rest of time, and bloody well disappear with ‘im pet….”
Richard’s had almost thought of a response that was intended to be witty but the last outburst from Spike undid him. Spike caught the man on the way down, “’S OK pet ‘s OK… didn’t mean to break you… c’mon luv rally a bit fer your old Spike… that’s the way… We need ya mate… An’ those W & H bastards won’t come close again if me and me mate here had anything to do with it!”
Later that evening, in week twelve of their freedom, Xander slept on while Spike and Richard spoke late into the night… morning… next day. There was give and take in the extreme. Spike saw elements of William in the rather naive, mild mannered, and good natured intellectual.
Richard, like William, was University trained, and had read Philosophy and Literature before finally finishing a degree in Biology. Richard realized for the first time, the extraordinary age and intelligence of his companion.
Xander woke briefly but was sent such love and feelings of calm through their link that he was simply happy relax and snuggled down into his Sire’s lap, letting the conversation wash over him. Spike’s thoughts flowed in and out of his consciousness and he quietly sent love back. His ear was currently resting against Spike’s stomach and he happily registered the beloved voice rumbling from the source.
Richard spoke rapidly, his slim hands gesticulating wildly as he reveled in the joy of speaking to someone who could argue toe to toe on almost any subject. They argued about the Adam Smith version of equitable growth, and whether the accounts of Patroklos and Achilles should be read in English or the original Greek (the two giving quite a different taint to the relationship). They debated the various great battles of history and what *should* have happened (Richard eventually realizing that he was at a great disadvantage having not, like his adversary, *been there*!)
Richard reveled in the conversation and therefore was more than a little surprised as he was reminded of the real status of his lovely intellectual friend. A semi-conscious Xander leaned up, nudging at his Sire’s torso with his nose and chin and making tiny begging noises much as a kitten might its mother. The childe was rewarded as Spike lifted his shirt and pulled Xander to him much as a breast feeding mother would do, allowing his Childe to bite down just above his right nipple then holding the fledge there as he continued the conversation with Richard and Xander drank his fill.
Richard did not fail to notice Spike’s gentle stroking of Xander’s hair as his mate fed, nor the reciprocal eager hand that caressed the crotch of the Master vampire. He adjusted his own position as jeans suddenly became tight.
Spike noted the discomfort, held his mate close and raised an eyebrow, “You a little distracted mate?”
“I… Um… *no*… well yes… I… just … what does it feel like… when he does that, I mean?” Richard blushed a deep shade of crimson as he tried not to stare at the hand caressing Spike’s now obvious erection.
“Probably should ask your mum on some level, luv… The boy here is only a little one in terms of vampire age, he’s mated an’ all, but doesn’t change the need for the Sire.” Spike noted Richard’s demeanor fall, so answered his question more honestly, “It’s the closest I’ll get to heaven, pet. Someone so connected needing… and wanting… to take their life sustenance from you… I never realized the joy the women of this world could gain feeding their human children… And for vamps there is a bit of a bonus.” Spike grinned as his hand slid into Xander’s sweats and began to caress his Childe’s already hard member to completion. “It’s all about food, f#@%ing and fighting for us lot see?!”
Richard watched the very erotic show in front of him and became more and more aroused, but still could not help arguing the last statement. “But it’s not is it… You *teach* your childer.. and the f words are just an easy out aren’t they! You were an academic *before* you were turned. You never lost that… it’s obvious! You read, adapt and learn constantly… God you’ve got three lifetimes of learning! You’ve lived through wars and depressions, the landing on the moon and God knows what else… and died… again… to save… us… You’ve stood against armies knowing you would lose but still willing… I um… God!!... Spike I feel like I don’t even have the right to talk to you! You are heroes! How can I even begin….”
“Boy here is a hero, I was just in the right place at the right time, mate.”
“That’s not true! What you did… and what it cost… I mean Angel and Wesley, was it? and Charles?... and…”
“Stop there luv… Can you just stop? Please?!”
Richard looked up and saw the grief, pain that was far more profound than anything he had noticed before.
He moved to Spike’s side, both Master and Mate moved to tears as Spike remembered and pain flowed through the link, “Oh Geez… I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” Richard pulled the two into a hug and continued to apologize. “I shouldn’t have … I didn’t mean to … Ahhh geez!” Spike continued to weep silently, his mate following him into the abyss of grief and doing likewise.
Spike eventually calmed, rallied, apologized and continued the discussion. They talked of his love for his Sire, of Angel and the end of days together. Detached from his Sire’s chest, Xander lay with his head in Spike’s lap for the duration of the conversation. The sadness flowing through the link was palpable. All he could do was send his love and devotion in return.
By the end of the tale, Richard moved to wrap his arms around Spike, then quietly stated, “Have you told the Watchers… or the Witches? You know … about you or… Xander??”
The jolt of distress through the link signaled that Xander realized that they had not informed ‘them’ or Giles and Willow more particularly, of his new status… and of Spike’s ongoing existence… and of their…. there was a lot to report.
Richard made the call, then looked on as the former watcher took the phone in the supporting embrace of his lovely partner.