They had wandered the property in the eerie light of a full moon, enjoying Xander’s enthusiastic account of the ‘adventures of Gregor and Xan on Quad bikes’, and debriefing a little regards the meetings of the day. Despite the icy chill of the air, it was a warm and pleasant and had all the feel of loving brothers ‘comparing notes’, the conversation shifting freely from business to personal and back again.
As they made their way back up to the villa, Anton excused himself, kissing both men on the cheek and promising to see them sometime mid afternoon the next day. He then removed his great coat and handed it to Spike. The blonde looked puzzled.
Anton leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “For your consort little brother, the ground’s cold.” He gave a barely perceptible wink before disappearing into the night.
Xander realized shortly after the immortal left, that it felt utterly natural to be kissed by him. It was family. Spike saw the pensive expression, then smiled a little as a feeling of acceptance and fondness for another flowed across their link. But the jolt of sadness that followed was a little unexpected and he grabbed his lovely brunette by the hand pulling the attention back to the present.
“Penny for your thoughts, pet?”
“I think I know what it is to have a Sire… I mean… I think I *really* know…” Spike saw the beginnings of tears in the near black eyes, so pulled his consort into a hug. “I think I understand… what it feels like to be loved… by your dad or your Sire… Oh Spike… I’m sorry… I’m such a… ” Xander buried his face into his partner’s neck and held on. The tears were a silent tribute to the overwhelming sense of love, of family and belonging he had found. It was not commented on, merely… acknowledged with a tightening of a hug and subtle exchange of blood. The dripping bite to a pale wrist and the swift sting of a bite as the wrist was taken consolidating what they both already knew. “I never had that…. You know… my dad … he really didn’t…”
“Shhhh ‘s OK pet. Your Dad never knew you, did he love?… he just never knew… and now you have family that does and loves you all the more…” Spike held on for a few more minutes then abruptly pulled away, slapped his partner’s behind and took off with a thoroughly immature whoop of delight in a game of catch amongst the poplars… Spike’s obvious intention being to get ‘caught’.
After several aborted attempts, near misses beyond count and a lot of scrambling as he lost his footing in the eerily lit grass and trees, Xander finally managed to grab a taunting arm from behind a tree and hauled his partner down to the ground. He knew only too well that Spike was a willing party. He was capable of moving at lightening speed, had no need to breath and was strong enough to fling the human onto the third of fourth branch of the tree they now lay under. Instead, he gave a very good impression of ‘submission’ at least until he flipped them both, resulting in Xander having in-vampire-lap issues and an erection so hard that it threatened to break it’s own way out of his clothing with no help from fingers of its utterly aroused owner.
Spike reached around his lover to stroke the hard flesh through material, causing his partner to arch up to the touch and groan. Without removing the teasing hand he flung out the great coat he had continued to carry throughout the chase and hefted Xander onto his back, slightly cushioned from the cold by the garment.
Following Xander’s gasp of surprise, Spike began to kiss his consort passionately, the act returned willingly, tongues exploring well known territory gleefully. Spike’s next stroke evoked an endearment and some begging, and the third a litany of begging and swearing that would have made anyone blush, the fourth stroke’s return saw the button and zip opened with ease. Spike grinned as he slid the jeans and underwear down the willing legs just enough to release the tortured object from its denim enclosure. The vampire then spun around to take the member in his mouth.
Xander came the instant Spike swallowed hard… the undulating muscles literally demanding the event. Spike drank the salty sweet fluid and pulled off with a plop, only to feel his own erection so close to his lover’s face, released from its leather cladding to be taken. He groaned as the warm mouth enveloped him and held himself back as the urge to force the pace almost overwhelmed him.
His love knew, however. An urgent tongue and firm suckling, combined with the furious pace, left the vampire with little choice but to give to an ecstatic release within moments.
As the vampire calmed Xander squirmed enough to spin around and capture Spike’s lips. They kissed, then lay sated for some minutes until Xander shivered with the cold. Pale hands gently tucked in his partner, and the zip was refastened. Xander reciprocated.
They stood, collected the coat (now a little muddy and in need of laundering) and wandered slowly back to the house, hand in hand.
Tucked warmly into their huge bed a little later, showered and relaxed, Spike kissed his almost slumbering partner and whispered “Merry Christmas Luv.”
Xander’s good eye fluttered open for a moment, “Oh? Wow, I’d forgotten… Liked my present though…”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, great day…. ‘n family,” he snuggled into Spike’s arms a little further, “ ‘N a really… nice [yawn]…finish…”
………………
They slept fitfully in the enormous soft bed, this time the tangle of legs and arms was about the happiness of ‘being there’ and woke to feel like there was a slow evaporation of doubts regarding the dramatic shift in their lives over such a small period of time.
Master and consort descended the stairs again dressed to see the clans in full matching leather. They found Anton in the study speaking agitatedly into the phone. He waved them in but continued his conversation. It seemed that the altercation with Reginald had caused some concern amongst the British contingent and they were requesting an immediate audience, refusing to wait until the following day. Anton looked over to Spike who clearly could hear both sides of the conversation. Spike simply nodded resignedly and Anton relayed the Master’s reluctant agreement mentioning that the only time available was four that afternoon then hung up.
Anton smiled apologetically at the two men, “I trust you slept well? It seems today will be a busy one. Perhaps we might discuss some of the unresolved clan matters over some food before the first business of the afternoon arrives.”
Freshly baked rolls and a platter of butter, cheese, cold meats and jams awaited them, along with steaming hot coffee. Xander smiled and mused to himself as he took his seat, “OJ and Opos to start.”
The two blood drinkers finished the first part of their meal swiftly, “William, did you consider our discussions from last night?”
As he had come to do when discussing Court business with Anton, Spike spoke in his original upper class English accent, “Of course Sire, and am comfortable with the possible repercussions, but I have yet to hear the British issues and it seems now that they will be first to arrive.”
“It seems so yes, but you need do little. They must first ask your forgiveness for the incident last night and pledge their absolute allegiance to you. Their High Master has already been forced to submit to you. The others know this.”
Spike smiled a little, then realized, “Do we know what their issues are Sire?”
“It seems Reginald had come in with his own agenda… literally. His disrespect for you and intent to deny your new position was his alone. The Clans simply wish discuss the dwindling vampire population in some northern regions, the combination of clan squabbles and changing societal practices is making it harder for them… I don’t believe you can do anything directly or immediately, but we may need to consider a longer term plan to deal with it across Europe not just for the British clans. It involves your whole Court.”
Spike nodded and frowned a little, there was much to be done. Xander saw the look of deep concern on his partner’s face, reached for the pale hand, and squeezed it gently.
The evening ran smoothly. More than one of the delegates eyed the tall Consort warily as he stood behind the Master’s chair. None had forgotten what he was capable of, and his absence the previous day had been somewhat of a relief for the less powerful clans.
The ‘twins issue’ and naming in the German clan was resolved swiftly with the consent to name two Masters and share the territory after the offer was made by the Master to ‘simply divide the territory between the two’. Spike and the clan knew full well that they needed to share and managethe whole hunting region to survive, so decided to ‘honor’ family.
The French and Spanish delegations came in together. They presented their business plans and indicated their willingness to work toward a merger of their business under the Aurelian banner. They would still retain their unique control but would definitely benefit from the wealth and combined marketing power of the Court and its extensive interests. The issue of ‘Cru d’ Chateau’ needed a longer term solution and would eventually be addressed.
Clans on the Steppes came with their aid request – a very modest amount. Spike looked at Anton and quadrupled it, stating that they would send the amount requested immediately and invest the other three quarters on the clan’s behalf, that the clan might draw upon it in future years.
Overwhelmed by the generosity, the three vampires from that region all dropped to their knees in front of the Aurelian Master. The Master of their clan, Gorran, then kissed the Aurelian ring, thanking William formally and bared his neck in gratitude. Spike simply touched the neck with the ringed hand and said, “I do not need this from you. Repay me with your loyalty, restore your region and make your clan strong.”
Alenka’s court was ushered in. Of all her direct line only three grandchilder remained. Spike called on Peter’s first Childe, Minna. High cheekbones, light gold hair and ocean blue eyes attested to her Finish heritage, and the glint of savagery in the pretty eyes, her vampiric bloodline. She knelt to kiss the Master’s ring then waited.
“You are the natural successor Mistress Minna, but to become so, must swear yours and your clans’ allegiance to the Aurelian Court. There can be no doubt on your part.” There was none.
The ceremony was formal and short, and at its conclusion Minna spoke as the head of the northern clans for the first time. She bowed deeply to Xander, “Consort Alexander, you eliminated the killer of my Sire. I am in your debt.” All Xander could think to do was give a small nod of acknowledgement in return.
The hunting territory squabbles between clans were swiftly dealt with, a cessation of hostilities between clans demanded, and a promise from the Master to reconvene the court within the month in order to determine the short and long term strategies for dealing with shifting human population and the fast changing human society.
As the last of the delegations departed, Spike put his head in his hands and Xander knelt in front of the exhausted Master. He stroked the golden locks with one hand, and as Spike lifted his face, offered his wrist. Spike bit down gently and took two small sips then licked it closed. Xander leaned forward and kissed the true face of his lover, tasting his own blood and Spike’s blood as the vampire sliced his own tongue on his fangs.
Anton smiled and stood. “Stay a while if you wish. I have arranged dinner to be in the smaller dining room tonight, and will have the spa and sauna prepared for your use. I will dine and sauna with you but then must attend the airport.”
Spike looked up confused. “Sire?”
“Now the clans have been dealt with and so very quickly, my love will join us. It was prearranged that she come to stay in Basel and to sightsee and perhaps shop for a few days, but now I can surprise her.” The look of boyish glee on Anton’s face and prospect of a very special visitor energized them all.
Spike stood dragging Xander with him, “No need to wait on us ‘lover boy’… If your beautiful Slayer is on her way, we’ll muck in and have you waitin’ for that airport kiss in no time.”