Once again another story that I am writing with another friend.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Or Angel (Angelus) or Spike.
Chapter 1
"That git… if I ever find her…I'll rip her throat out." a brown haired man muttered as he ran down the dark deserted street. "Never should have hired her…" At the end of the street, the flicker of a torch appeared and a shout could be heard. "Fuck!" the man hissed and pivoted on his heals and turned. The sight of more torches greeted his as he turned. He took a step backwards with a quiet curse and turned to dash across the street with inhuman speed. The torches followed slowly as he darted down an alley.
'It is getting close to dawn…I cannot run much longer.' His running came to an abrupt halt as the alley stopped and he was met with a brick wall. "Fabulous." he muttered then jumped into the air with amazing agility, and landed on the roof of the building in front of him. He looked down at the confused towns' people and smirked then let out a small chuckle. "Idiotic fools. Thinking that they can out run a vampire." he turned and jumped off the other side of the building to find shelter from the incoming sunrise.
He ended up stopping at a storage building near the port when he couldn't press his luck with time anymore. "What a vile place…"he said as he watched rats scurry away from him in fear. "Nothing like my normal accommodations but I guess it will have to do…for today."
The man climbed behind a few crates and sat down in the corner, his entire body hidden by the wooden boxes. "Well I suppose it was getting close to the time to leave that place anyway. Perhaps sooner is better than later." he closed his hazel eyes as the sun began to shine through an overhead window.
* * *
The brunette's eyes snapped opened to a smell invading his nose. "Fire?" he gasped and stood quickly from his spot on the floor. The walls of the building he had slept in were being set ablaze. "How in the hell did they find me?" he cursed and ran over to a lower window and cautiously peered out to see the setting sun. "Damn! So I either stay and burn, or escape and fucking burn!" He let out a growl and backed away from the window. "Alright… Relax, just relax William. Just a few more moments and the sun will be gone. I'll be able to escape and maybe kill some of those bastards."
He moved towards the center of the building looking for a flight of stairs to get higher up in the building, where the offending flames hadn't gotten to yet.
Luck decided to be on the opposing side this time around, as the storage building turned out to have only one level.
"Bloody hell…" he growled and kicked over a large crate. "Damn it all!" the contents of the crate spilled out on the floor, William looked at them, and a smirk broke out on his face. "Perfect."
He snatched up one of the wool blankets and wrapped it tightly around his body, careful to cover every inch on his skin. He looked around quickly for an area of the building that hadn't been lit with fire. After finding none, he let out a short curse. "They don't leave any openings do they?"
Without any other options, he began kicking at a wall that had the least amount of fire licking at the wood. He gave the old wood one last good kick and the wall gave in, the wood splintering apart violently. William darted out the hole and ran away from what would have been his burning coffin. Dark silhouetted forms followed him quickly, shouting profanities as they ran.
William easily out ran them and slowed his pace as he reached a wooden dock, the heels of his shoes snapping against the wood. His eyes scanned the names of the ships and the words on the boxes that were being transported on said ships. Newfoundland, Ireland, South America, Africa, and then finally he found one that looked promising. New Orleans. "Better than the other choices I've been given." he said quietly to himself and looked up at the ship. The Bloody Mary was the name of the vessel that would transport him across the sea. "Alright. America shouldn't be that bad." he said and quickly jumped onto the deck of the ship. Since it was late all of the men had gone home to their wives, so the ship was deserted, unaware that they would be transporting not only their crates of goods but also a vampire.
He walked around the deck slowly and headed down below deck to find a place for him to sleep for the next five months. "I hope they have a large crew." he laughed and continued to search through the ship.
* * *
Angelus ran as fast as he could towards the church. He had to get there, fast. Church was the only place where he could find a peace of mind. With everything he was going through, he knew that God would be the only one who could help him.
It was dark when William jumped off the Bloody Mary, and only a few humans were wandering the streets. Drunkards, prostitutes, and... a man that seemed to be running as if the hounds of hell were on his heels. "Hmm..." William followed the man with his eyes and decided to follow him.
Staying a good ten feet behind him, William came to a sudden halt when he saw the man run into a church.
"Well that's just fucking perfect." he muttered. Normally William would just turn around and leave, but there was something about this man that made him walk over to a bench across the road from the church and wait for the man to exit the building.
After what seemed like an eternity, the dark-haired man exited the church. William noticed that he had a somber expression on his face. Not wanting to admit it to himself (or anyone else, for that matter) William realized he felt sympathy for the man. He knew that expression...he knew the feeling of loss. William stood up from the bench, and slowly walked towards the stranger.
"Why so glum, mate?" he asked quietly as he walked up next to the depressed looking man.
William gave the man a sideways glance with his eyes. He made an attempt to read his thoughts, which he quickly learned were much more complex than he'd ever imagined.
Noticing that the man wasn't really up for a conversation, he took a risk to get the stranger to talk. "Problems with the missus?"
Angelus glared at the man. Who does this guy think he is? Figuring that it wouldn't hurt to talk to someone who could actually give him some feedback.
William chuckled softly so that the human wouldn't hear and held out his hand. "How rude of me, I haven't even introduced myself. William Pratt."
I'm not quite sure if I trust this here William fellow, Angelus thought to himself. "I'm Angelus. You do not need to know the rest." I am not sure why, but I feel as though I must keep my guard up against this one.
William smirked with a light chuckle. "Angelus. What a unique name." he stole a glance at the sky and groaned to himself at the sight of the horizon. the sun would be up soon.
Angelus could not help but take notice of William's concerned look as he glanced at the approaching sunrise. He took a chance and decided to ask him, "Worried about the dawn, are you?"
He looked back at Angelus and smiled. "I have sensitive eyes. I don't do well in sunlight so I prefer to stay indoors. I'm a night person myself."
"I see..." Angelus responded in a thoughtful tone. "I've always loved the sunrise. I used to compare the brilliant red color to that of my wife's hair..."
"Used to?" he asked and placed his hands into his pockets.
Angelus fought back tears. There was no way he would let himself break down...especially not in front of this stranger. Yet, there was something about him...Shaking the thought from his mind, Angelus spoke below a whisper. "Yes, used to. She was murdered 27 days ago. Along with our child. I lost them to the war."
William frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that my friend." he said softly. "Do you need someone to talk to? I'm willing to listen."
Angelus could not hold back any longer. He dropped to his knees, his fist clutched to his chest. "It hurts so much..." he said through his teeth as the tears began to flood down his cheeks. "I'd rather die than live forever without my wife and daughter..."
He kneeled down next to Angelus. "My friend, please, stand up let us retire to your home. I will gladly listen to your story."
"I...I can't. It hurts to move..."
William smiled and put one arm under Angelus legs and his other arm behind his back and lifted him up. "You're going to have to tell me where you live, Angelus."
Angelus was trying to keep himself calm. He did not want to hyperventilate, but he knew it was inevitable. He had not let himself properly grieve for his losses. After feeling alone for so long, he finally found someone who would listen. Between heavy breaths, he said, "About a mile from here. Beyond the schoolhouse."
He smiled. "Relax my friend. You'll be home soon. then you may rest." he said and started to walk quickly towards Angelus' house.
The combination of William's steady walking pace and warm arms around his body quickly took Angelus into a deep sleep.
When William reached the man's house he stopped and looked down at the man in his arms. "Angelus." he whispered quietly and shook him slightly. "May I enter your home?" he asked.
Angelus whimpered and nuzzled his head into William's chest. He nodded. "Yes of course…" he murmured and fell back into a deep sleep.
* * *
When he awoke the next morning he was surprised to see William asleep in the rocking chair that his wife used to rock their daughter to sleep in.
William's eyes opened slowly and he looked at his new friend. "Good morning my friend. I pray you slept well?"
Angelus stretched his muscles and expected them to be sore; they usually were because he rarely got a peaceful night of rest anymore. But to his surprise he was very relaxed. "Now that you mention it, I've had the best night of sleep that I've had in weeks." He sat and thought about this for a moment. "Or even months, for that matter!" he added with a chuckle.
William smiled. "I'm glad to hear it." he stood up and stretched his back cracking from sleeping upright in a chair. "Do you wish to talk?"
Angelus stretched some more, enjoying the relaxed sensation that flooded his body. "I truly would like to, but I need some breakfast first. Would you like some eggs and bacon?"
He paused to think of his answer. "I don't have much of an appetite, but thank you for the offer."
Angelus laughed softly. "I do recall you saying that you are more of a night person." When he rolled back the blankets, he realized he was not in his usual nightwear. "Um," he said in an embarrassed tone before quickly covering himself up again. "What exactly happened to my clothes??"
He attempted to hide a smirk, but failed. "Daytime clothing isn't exactly the most comfortable to sleep in. Don't you agree?"
"Well, yes." Angelus could not help but smirk either. He also could not help but chuckle while saying, "Would you mind turning around so I may get dressed?"
"Haven't I already undressed you?" He asked and put his hands in his pockets.
Angelus stared at his new friend, not blinking. "Well, yes you have. However, if I recall this correctly I was in an unconscious state last night and was incapable of taking care of myself."
He laughed lightly and walked towards the door. "Indeed you were, my friend. I shall meet you in the hall." he opened the door and slipped out of the room.
As Angelus changed into his day clothes, he could not help but feel appreciation towards the man who took care of him the previous evening. He had never thought about being with a man before, and this William character was intriguing him in every possible way. What really astounded Angelus, is that he did not find this to be odd in the slightest sense.
William smirked as he peeked through the crack that he had left in the doorway and smiled at the man's thoughts.
As Angelus turned to leave the room, he saw William's eyes peeking through a small crack in the door. "William? Is there something I can help you with?"
William's smirk widened and he pushed the door open. "I think the question that I would ask you to reply to that question would be... are you willing to help?"
Angelus returned the smirk. "Well that depends on you. What is it that you need me to help you with?"
'I have a feeling that this man will drive me to my last nerve.' William thought then started to walk slowly over to the dark-haired man.
Angelus approached William, watching his eyes with an intense passion. When they were practically touching nose-to-nose, Angelus placed his hand on William's neck and caressed his cheek with his thumb.
William chuckled and lifted his hands to weave his fingers into Angelus' hair. "Do you have any idea what you are doing my friend?"
Angelus smiled, without taking his eyes off Williams'. "I haven't the slightest clue. But what I do know," he said, before dropping his tone to a whisper, "is that this feels very, very right..." Angelus let his voice trail off as he leaned towards William.
William smirked, pressed his lips to Angelus roughly, and backed him up towards the bed while sliding his hands down Angelus' back.
Angelus grabbed Williams' buttocks as he backed his way to the bed. He wrapped his arms around Williams' waist as he laid them down onto the mattress, slipping his tongue between his lips as he did so.
He bit down softly on Angelus' tongue and slipped his hands under his shirt. He pressed a knee between the other man's legs and shifted closer to him.
Angelus gasped at the sensation of having another man touch his unmentionables, even through articles of clothing. However, it was a gasp of pleasure. A pleasure he had never felt before, not even with his wife...
William moved his hands to the front of Angelus' shirt and made quick work with the buttons, then slid the fabric off of his shoulders.
Angelus unbuttoned and unzipped William's trousers(he was already shirtless) and started to pull them down the man's legs.
William kicked off of his pants and pulled out of the kiss remembering that Angelus was human and therefore had to breathe, then moved his lips down to his neck.
Angelus writhed underneath the man's body, feeling his hardness rub against William's. He wrapped his arms around his shoulders, moaning from pleasure as William sucked on his neck.
William shuttered as Angelus moved against him and grazed Angelus neck with his fangs. He pulled back trying to restrain himself and moved his hands down to remove Angelus' pants.
Not wanting to wait to be touched, Angelus grabbed William's hand and shoved it down his pants.
William chuckled then moved his lips up to whisper against Angelus' ear. "You sure are feisty my friend. Have you ever been with a man before?"
Angelus stared into William's ice blue eyes. "Never in my life. But this feels right." He stopped for a moment to squeeze William's butt. "So does this," he said with a smirk.
He smirked and laughed again as he pulled his hand out of Angelus' pants and removed the article of clothing. he placed the humans legs around his waist, then leaned down to whisper in his ears. "It's going to hurt."
Angelus' eyes suddenly widened with alarm. He rolled away from William and grabbed his pants. "You're a vampire!"
William sighed and grabbed Angelus' wrist. "Come now love, don't be ridiculous." he pulled Angelus back towards him.
Angelus' voice shook as he spoke. "I felt a sharp tooth graze my neck. And...the only time I've ever heard of men being together intimately is when a vampire overtakes another male."
William wove his fingers into Angelus' hair and kissed him softly. "I would never hurt you Angelus." he whispered.
Angelus felt a surge of anger rush through him, because this man just would not listen to what he as saying. He pushed William away and backed up a few steps to put some distance between the two of them. "It's not the sex that I'm worried about, William. Well, I mean, I am worried about the sex. Not the pleasure part. I'm just afraid that you will gain control and bite me when I'm the most vulnerable."
William sighed and stood up then stepped closer to the human. "Look Angelus... I will NOT bite you. I could have before, but I didn't. I won't hurt you."
For some reason he couldn't understand, Angelus felt a sense of trust toward William. He slowly approached him once more, and sat on the bed. "I believe you...and I do trust you. I'm just, not ready..."
He leaned over Angelus and caressed his cheek. "I can wait." he whispered then grabbed his clothes and went to leave the room.
As William walked away, Angelus felt a part of himself leaving with him. "WILLIAM! Please, don't go..." he pleaded as he approached him. "Just, stay with me. In my bed. I...don't want to be alone anymore..." He let his voice trail off as tears began to flood his eyes, memories of his wife coming back to him tenfold.
William turned and dropped his clothes to put his arms around Angelus. "Don't cry. Tears don't flatter you." he whispered.
Angelus could not help the emptiness he was feeling; yet at the same time, with this stranger - this, William character - he felt wholesome again. The sensations were overwhelming, and still holding onto the man, he slid to the floor. Unable to hold in his emotions, he did what he'd needed to do and let two years' worth of agony and grief be released.
William sat down next to Angelus and pulled him into his lap. "Angelus..." he brushed away the tears. "It's all right now. I'll stay for as long as you want me."
Angelus grabbed onto William's body even tighter and pulled him as close to him as he possibly could. "Don't ever leave me," he cried.
"Of course. I'll stay by your side forever... My angel." he whispered and kissed the top of his head.
* * *
William stared down at the human who was clinging to his waist and sighed. "I'm just getting myself into a huge mess." he said quietly. He brushed some hair out of Angelus' face and frowned. He glanced at the window and wondered if it would keep out the sun that would be rising soon. He glanced form the window to Angelus. He wanted to get up to make sure that the window was closed tightly, but his body refused to move from Angelus' grasp.
Angelus moaned in his sleep, clinging onto William's body which was providing him with so much warmth. He could feel the stranger becoming restless, but he refused to let him go.
William smirked knowing that Angelus was awake. He glanced down at the man and chuckled. "I know you're awake Angelus." he whispered and leaned down to lick at his ear playfully.
Angelus smiled and sat up, stretching his sore and tired muscles. "What exactly happened? And...how did you end up in bed with me?"
William's smirk widened as he read the other man's mind and he leaned closer to Angelus. "You mean you don't remember." he whispered and kissed Angelus softly. "Maybe I should remind you..."
A flash of power soared through Angelus' veins when William's lips met his. Suddenly, every major event that occurred in his life flashed before his eyes as he wrapped his arms around William's neck and pulled him on top of him. He could feel his mind being invaded by an unknown force, but he didn't care. Whatever was making this man act the way he did, Angelus didn't want it to stop.
William placed his hands on either side of Angelus' head to keep himself steady and moved his lips down to Angelus' neck. "Rather excited this morning I see." he whispered and nipped at the skin of his neck.
The words that flowed from William's lips were but a blur of sound. Angelus was completely lost in the moment, enjoying the surge of power that coarsed through his blood. "I want you, William," he said in a hushed voice.
The vampire laughed and pulled his own mind out of Angelus'. "Now now, lets not get carried away." he said and looked down at Angelus. "We've only just met."
Angelus ran his hand along the man's chest, feeling the curves around his breasts and tight abdomen. "I can't help what I feel, William. I know what I feel in my mind...and most importantly, in my heart." He kissed the man's cheek softly.
"Shh..." he pushed the man away and looked at him. "Angelus, don't you remember last night at all?" he breathed.
Angelus tried to remember the night before, but everything was a blank slate. "I remember what happened before last night, but it's as though last night didn't happen. Won't you please remind me?"
William laid him back down. "Angelus, last night you told me to stay with you in your bed, but you told me you didn't want me to gain control over you and bite you. You told me you weren't ready."
"Ready for what?"
He sighed and leaned over to whisper in his ear seductively. "Sex." he whispered and nipped at his ear.
Angelus let out a chuckle that came from deep inside his chest. "Sex? No, I don't want sex. I just want you wrapped around my body and to kiss you until the sun goes down."
William just laughed again. "There's more that you don't remember Angelus." he said and licked at his neck.
The tone of William's voice suddenly brought Angelus back to reality. "There's something you're not telling me..." He put his hands on William's shoulders and pushed him off his own body, then quickly sat on the edge of his bed. He started to stand, but then remembered he was naked so he quickly sat down and covered his privates with the bed sheet. What the hell is going on here? I only do things like this with my wife...this isn't normal!
The vampire smirked and pulled the human back onto the bed and leaned over him. "No. I'm far from normal." he whispered.
Angelus was suddenly filled with great fear. This man has read my thoughts...but how? He searched William's eyes, hoping for an answer. Yet none came.
"You really should be more careful of who you invite into your home." he said and caressed Angelus' neck.
"YOU'RE A VAMPIRE!"
"Pretty much the same reaction as last night." he said and ran a nail down Angelus' neck.
Angelus paused, and reality started to come back to him. He remembered walking home from the Inn the night before after a long day at work. Sorrow had over swept him; he met a stranger on the street, and brought him home. Then remember being told that this stranger...was a vampire.
"If that's true..." Angelus started carefully. "Why haven't you bitten me yet?"
"I told you I wouldn't." he said and leaned closer. "But... if you want me too, I could always..." he leaned down to graze the humans neck with his fangs.
A sharp sigh escaped Angelus' lips at the feel of William's fangs on his neck. He scratched his nails down the man's muscular back. "Yes..."
William paused and pulled back slightly. "You want me to bite you?" he whispered. "You aren't thinking Angelus."
Angelus sat up and placed his hand at the back of William's neck, caressing it softly with his thumb. "I'm not sure why I'm feeling the way I am for you William. But you've relit a fire within me that's been dead for more than a year. I'm tired of this suffering. From what I know about vampires...they don't feel basic human emotions. William - make me be able to NOT feel!" Angelus pleaded as tears began to fill his eyes.
William pushed the human away. "There's a lot more to being a vampire than not feeling emotions." he said softly. "I'm not damning you to hell." he whispered.
In a burst of rage, Angelus pushed William away from him and jumped off the bed, no longer caring that his manhood was in clear view of the stranger. "Do you not think that I am not in hell right NOW, William!? For God's sake my wife and my daughter were taken from me. I have no other family. I haven't felt alive in over a year. Then you come strolling along in the middle of the night and help me back here to my home...my HOME. This is the first time I've ever called this place my home - " Angelus continued his rant, his arms outstretched to emphasize the importance of the room. "-until I invited you into it." He stared at William for a while to catch his breath, then slowly walked back towards the bed and sat next to him. He took his hands into his. "William, I want to be with you. I KNOW this is what I want. Please do not deny me eternal happiness with you."
"Angelus." he whispered and pulled him into his arms. "My angel. I can't do that to you." he said. "I won't let you live the way that I have for so long."
Angelus could not help but blush. "Your angel?" he repeated shyly, burying his face into William's chest to hide his pink cheeks.
"Yes. I won't damn my angel to hell." he whispered and ran his fingers through Angelus' hair.
Angelus felt a wave of disappointment. He was willing to offer his life - his soul - to this vampire who he had fallen in love for at first sight, yet he was being rejected on the spot. "Leave."
"You want me to leave?" he whispered. "You were begging me to stay last night." he said then laid the human down and stood up. He dressed silently and left the bedroom.
Angelus could no longer hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. As they slid down his cheek, he whispered, "William, my love...come back to me..." even though he knew that William would not hear him for he had already left the house.