The rather cryptic phonecall gained a predictable response from Xander. The fact that it had come from his partner at one in the afternoon when Xander knew Spike was usually ‘lounging’ was odd. The “Had a call. Something’s come up. We need to talk about Europe,” was worrying, and the “Can you come home for a while this arvo?” … downright terrifying. Thankfully terrifying was downgraded to concerning as the final statement had been “‘s not the Initiative before you ask.” This left Xander utterly baffled but no less worried regards the urgency of the request to come home.
Angst and worry became stronger and stronger through the link as Xander approached their apartment. By the time he burst through the door a few minutes after one in the afternoon, he was frantic.
Spike had paced and worried since talking to his consort. What if he was ‘handed the keys to the kingdom’? The implications were ridiculous, but if he didn’t, then the demon world of Europe would be in chaos. He could not include Connor in the venture. And Xander was even more important. Flicking in and out of game face Spike was powerless to act and desperate to speak to Xander.
The master vampire all but fell into the arms of his consort… both calming by the sheer force of their contact… “What’s wrong Spike… what’s happened?!”
“Not yet…” Spike was in game face, and barely audible as he buried his face in his consort’s neck attempting to gain some equilibrium. “Nothing!... Well… something and… at least…. I’m sorry… It was goin’ to be a holiday … but now… and we were meant to…. Oh pet!” Only the human’s strong hug seemed to be holding him on his feet.
Xander pushed the door shut and pressed the agitated vampire against the wall mid entrance hall. For the first time in many months, it was Xander’s turn to do the consoling though he was still at a loss as to what it was all about. Feelings of worry, sadness and fierce loyalty, much older than their own relationship, flowed freely through the link. Xander’s own puzzlement was fast turning to panic.
Xander pressed his full body against Spike, pinning him to the wall and amidst loving kisses, and consoling touches he managed to whisper, “Please talk to me sweetheart …. C’mon talk to me… We’ll deal together … common! Let me in Spike… what’s going on?”
Spike’s demon was screaming for release. It wanted to claim his consort again then travel and take the power that was rightfully his. Spike’s soul and the residual William were terrified by the prospect of the latter, wanting no part of it. This left the vampire utterly confused, distressed, and needing his consort. Or more importantly…. He needed his best friend. Pressed against the wall, he felt blessed. His wonderful partner had taken charge, his admissions were ‘par for the course’… but the acceptance he felt transcended Europe or the new world or… anything….
Xander offered the only thing he could think of, baring his neck and registering the relief and bliss flooding the link, easily canceling out the sharp sting of desperate fangs penetrating his jugular. The link opened further and Xander was reminded at a visceral, soulful, gut level, just what unconditional love meant…. There was a deep satisfaction and surety in his role as both giver and receiver of the same. He whispered into Spike’s ear as the vampire gently laved the bite closed, “C’mon sweetheart, just tell me what’s wrong… please?!” As Spike fell back into human guise, Xander grabbed the blonde’s wrist and pulled him through to sit on their bed, and simply waited.
“We were planning to go to Europe pet, so you can…. Get to know me.” Spike took his partner’s hand and looked hard into the loving eye of his consort.
“So far, so not knowing anything new Spike…” Thus far Xander reveled in the nuzzling and careful attentions of his partner. But Spike was quiet, and the consort/master link had momentarily shut down. All thoughts of a conciliatory ‘nooner’ were abandoned as Spike reverted again to game face and lost control of the link, sending vague messages of history, worry, family and love, all so vivid and mixed that Xander fell to his knees, dragging his Master vampire with him.
The former Scoobie simply waited, albeit on his knees and with no real idea of what ‘waiting’ might achieve. After five long minutes of quiet rocking and disturbing imagery, all went quiet and Spike began to speak. Xander simply held on, face in his partner’s neck, and listened.
“You know who I am Xan? You know I am a Master? We were goin’ to the old country so’s you could know me a little more… yeah?” Spike waited.
The quiet “Yeah,” was all he needed.
“Well…” Spike took a much needed emotionally calming breath, then continued, “ T’was me intention to let you into a bit more of … um William and… Oh Gahhh! This is ridiculous!” He pulled out of Xander’s grasp and paced across the floor. “You know I’m an Aurelian, yeah?… Line of Drusilla, Angelus, Darla, the Master…. all that?”
“Well hello finances and yeah I guess… kinda recent history in Sunnyhell anyways.”
“Pet, the Aurelians were always so much more than…” He stood and began to pace.
“Yeah well, I got that with the whole master thing and the Scourge of ..” Xander was cut off.
“… We were one of the three ruling lines of Europe… Vampire Royalty. Aurelians ruled for near a thousand years, Middle Europe ya know… Up through Germany across Czeckoslovakia down to Italy and all the way across to Ireland. Darla was the Master’s favorite… collected her from the new world and brought her back to Europe… trophy fledge… favorite childe. He took three others I know of… all of ‘em dusted sometime between Napoleon and Hitler. She was bored of the court a couple of hundred years in and took Angelus as a Childe. Stayed lovers with the Master on and off, but he hated Angelus, and all his offspring. The Demon in Angelus was a rightful challenger to the thrown but preferred to wander… never was much for administration… ‘ad too much fun bein’ the royal playboy. Ol’ Master was too besotted by Darla… Let her have her pretty things. But I’m sure ‘twas him who convinced Darla to feed me ol’ Sire the gypsy. Sneaky bastard. She would have been into the power, and him into the slick folds of ‘er nether regions.
“He ruled for nigh on five hundred years and some change, was eventually tricked into visitin’ the new world by a sneaky nephew/granchilde Clarence - poncy name for a vampire if you ever heard one…. But deadly as they came…. And last remaining from the older Dracul line apparently. You lot did your bit on the Hellmouth from there.”
Xander grabbed the hand of his own Master as Spike spun ready for another lap of the bedroom, tugging him forcefully into a hug.
“Stop sweetheart… just stop…. What does this all have to do with today?” He sat down and pulled Spike back down beside him on the bed, again, holding both hands in his as both emotional support and gentle restraint.
Spike faced away from his consort but went into game face, “Everything! Anton rang… I need to… we need to…. Ah F#%$!! I’m sorry Xan … I’m *so* sorry!”
Xander was more confused than before and the link was a muddle of feelings, memories and thoughts that might as well have been a dumpster of shredded paper for all the sense it was making. He rolled Spike until the blonde was chest to chest under him and bit down hard on the vampire’s throat reopening his own mark and tugging hard at the sluggish cool blood. Despite the lack of feeding, the consort felt the bond strengthen as he took two strong drafts then proffered his own neck to his partner. Spike latched on, feeling the strength and adoration direct from the blood as the warm ambrosia slid down his throat.
Empowered and encouraged, he pulled off, lifted a pale hand to gently caress his partner’s jaw-line in gratitude, then said, “The court’s lost it’s leadership pet. The Royal Court without a master…. warrin’ factions all that, pet. But Anton knows an’ called. Me and me ol’ Sire’s boy Connor…. They’ve named us successors to the ‘throne’ if you will… ‘Course not lettin’ the boy near it ‘til I’ve done a bit of recon. Hafta keep the lad safe… Promised Angel.”
It was Xander’s turn to look stunned. His previous position on his partner, one of comfortably rubbing increasingly interested ‘parts’ together as Spike took his fill, was relinquished and it was his turn to stand and pace the floor. "Geez Spike! So what does that mean? I … Gahhh! Sweetheart! How?.... Why didn’t you? …. It’s this like one of those dumb Disney movies where I’ve like…. Married the Prince and didn’t realize is it??!!” Xander was oscillating between annoyed, intrigued and terrified. “God Spike! Is our life ever going to be…. You know… just straight up normal?”
Spike who was propped up on his elbows, wiggled a cheeky eyebrow, and quipped “Hardly peg us as straight or normal pet….” But his jest was met by a clenched jaw and tight fists as Xander did yet another ‘round’ of the bedroom floor trying to make sense of the afternoon’s developments. The blonde relented, “Never much cared for all the court shite. Too many politics ‘n mind games. But if I don’t do this Xan… if we don’t go now, then Buffy ‘n the Slayers ‘n the Watcher’s mob are gonna be fightin’ for their lives as every upstart makes ‘is (or her) own army. I can’t do that, Luv….” He stood to grasp Xander by the shoulders, kissed him soundly then looked him at the hurt expression in the chocolate eye.
“It’ll be fine pet. We were goin’ anyway, and Anton will be there to support us. ‘Sides I’ve got a few contacts from the ol’ days that might be willin’ to help I reckon.”
Xander mumbled “Bet you have…”
“Now luv…. Don’t be like that… You wanted to know bits about me… well… Ahhh Sod it Xan! I never wanted you in this but I’m askin’ you…. I can’t do this alone! I won’t pet. You an’ me are forever but…” Xander pushed a finger to still Spike’s rant as raw angst began to push through the link from the blonde.
He leaned forward, kissed Spike passionately, then whispered, “’S OK Spike… I’ll come…. I’ll come with you….”
Spike let out relieved snort, ducked his head for a moment then looked at his partner with genuine relief and wonder, finally gracing his consort with a blinding smile. “Thank’s pet…. Just… Thank you…” The ensuing hug lasted several reassuring and blood-exchange filled minutes as both males relaxed a little.
Xander finally broke the embrace, kissing his partner on the nose, and with a cheeky grin, made for the door, “Well Prince Willie, you do the arrangements, I’d better get back to work.” He’d made it to the entrance of the apartment before a growl came from the bedroom.
“Oi!!! Who you callin’…. ?!”
Xander drove back to work distracted but surprisingly calm. Spike would attend the court as named successor; Anton was acting as Sire/older cousin/demon world liaison; Connor would remain in his human life for now, and under Spike’s protection - the full blooded little brother of his Sire; and Xander would attend the court with full Consort status…… Not quite how he envisaged their European holiday this time around.