Honorable
Sons: 3
by Josie_h
Notes
The move this time was surprisingly easy, made so by Spike’s knowledge that they were destined for known accommodation, and that there would be some relief from the constant running, at least for a time.
Spike pulled into the underground garage well before sunrise and located the apartment key taped inside the rollout recycle bin, as arranged. Leaving his Sire asleep, he carried the duffel bag upstairs to inspect their new abode.
An airy apartment on the second floor with a view of the water (if you were prepared to stand on tiptoe) in one direction and a lovely park in the other, judging by all the trees he could see in the pre dawn light. It was decorated generally neutral tones and pale wood, offset by dark marble benches and bathroom features, giving it a Scandinavian feel. The hundred and fifty year old fledge in Spike couldn’t help smile, *Sire will be pleased*.
He closed all the curtains – noting with some dismay that the ‘water view’ windows were not adequately blocked out. Wandering onto the balcony, he found a couple of west facing ‘sail’ awnings that seemed to have been taken down for the winter. He quickly reattached them to their stays, hoping that they would at least shade a part of the afternoon sun and provide a little ‘extra’ until he had a chance to change the drapes.
Furniture was rich redwoods and plush leather – all the things his Sire liked. The huge futon in the bedroom and spa in the bathroom were certainly Spike’s ‘thing’.
He checked the guest room – elegant and simple. Good for the visiting Willow.
Inspecting the study, he saw the extras ordered for their specific needs, noting that large sums of money seemed to make things happen far more efficiently. A top of the line computer and connection; a redwood desk and leather chair; one folded massage table; one specialized ‘turning frame/bed’ for human spinal patients; and one wheelchair, all awaiting use. He rolled the last item into a store cupboard in the hallway so as not to upset his patient, then went to collect his Sire.
As he approached the van, his vampire senses allowed him to hear the plaintive call. “Spike” followed by a hitched and unnecessary breath then, “Oh please….. Spike where are you?”, the last question trailing off into another hitched cough.
Spike opened the back of the van and kicked himself *yet again* for leaving his Sire alone. He dropped to his knees beside his distraught partner and regardless of the pain inflicted, grabbed him and hugged the larger form close to his chest. He rocked them for some minutes before Angel responded.
“Oh, oh… Spike?” Angel’s eye focused on the familiar face staring down at him.
“Yeah, c’mon ya old ponce, let’s get you up to our new abode shall we?” A fond smile was followed by Spike rewrapping his precious bundle and lifting him with the greatest of care.
Relaxing into the arms of his Childe, Angel wondered at the gift he had been afforded - his blonde beauty of so many years, the forgiving lover, the tender partner… And the man who, when similarly crippled, Angelus of Sunnydale, had taunted and tortured. He buried his head into his Childe’s chest again as they stood waiting for the elevator. This time Spike heard a whispered, “Oh William, I am *so* sorry, I am *so* sorry!!”
“What are you on about now, you daft bugger?” Spike tempering the statement with a kiss to his Sire’s temple. “Nothin’ to ‘pologise for, ‘s a new day!”
The doors of the lift opened and they stepped in, Spike accidentally hitting his charge’s knees on the handrail as he reached for the control panel, eliciting a pained cry from the man in his arms.
They exited seconds later with Angel continuing his “I’m so sorry, I hurt you, I hurt you” mantra, though Spike did note with some relief, that it had become somewhat meditative, rather than the initial ‘acute pain’ version.
He sighed and pondered. *Wonder whether funds will extend to several years of counseling for the undead, cause… bloody hell!*
Spike had ensured that all the lamps and in-ceiling spotlights were on and set to ‘soft’, displaying the apartment at its very best, indeed photo ready for a home style magazine.
“Right, so this is home. At least for a while”
He walked his Sire around each room, explaining the features and finally stepping outside to scent the fresh air and note the wide balcony.
Angel had been fascinated and horrified in equal measure by the spinal bed and massage table, though begrudgingly acknowledged the genuine benefit available from both – at least he might have some relief from the ever present bed sores…
Spike settled his partner on the king sized bed, then made an excuse to head back and lock the van. Instead he drove it to the shore of the bay, parked, and rang the local police from a phone box to report an abandoned car with Nevada number plates. He then sprinted back to their abode.
Willow was two days away, but Spike wanted to have his Sire ‘settled’ well before that.