Title: Suzerain's Companion
Author:
Archived at:
Pairing: Xander/Spike
Rating: Mature Audiences – for content and themes
Summary: Post WWIII and 250+ years on from the Black Thorn. Highly refined, purpose bred 'Companion' Alexander is 'liberated' by feral humans, consequently rescued by the Suzerain Spike's forces, the head of which decides to ingratiate himself by presenting his Sire with a boy reminiscent of one of the former Scoobies.
Spoilers: Canon is AU - very post S5 AtS.
Warnings: M/M – if you don't like boys together, don't play here!
Disclaimer: Don't own the characters nor make any money from stories etc, and bow down to their original creators Joss, et al., plus all the wonderful online writers who continue to give the Buffy/Angel verse characters life.
The story in the late morning was something very different.
Alexander woke to insistent attentions, attentions that his body was desperate to accept. He was being hugged and stroked and kissed by a being that in no way seemed to be the Suzerain of the previous night. Alexander had never been with anyone before – all his previous giving of seed simply being by his own hand and for breeding.
Now he returned every attention passionately and completely. He craved the touch and needed… something… Only just entering his eighteenth year his was at his prime and, having been marked, his need to couple… felt… quite overwhelming. He paused for a moment, realizing it was a male and the Suzerain affording him such an opportunity, but then gave in to the carnal need.
Spike was somewhat taken aback. He had still been somewhat lucid as he returned to his home, but really could remember very little but that his new Companion had been loving and considerate, easing him to his rest. He had awoken late morning stripped, tucked in to a warm bed and obviously cared for. He also noted that his Companion had slept an uncomfortable night on the couch and exuded the distinct smell of arousal.
He had groaned in pain, the result of the previous night's imbibing. The marked Companion was instantly awake and at his owner's side with a cool towel and a wrist offered ready to be bitten. He had waved the latter away, but then grabbed it and pulled the boy down onto the bed with him, demanding that he spoon Spike's back as he was 'cold'. Alexander had obliged of course and the Suzerain had melted back into the soft warmth of his boy then promptly fallen asleep again.
Some time after midday they had switched positions. Spike cuddling his Companion like some over sized Teddy bear. A Teddy bear that had an extraordinary effect on his own (of recent times waning) libido. His own marked Companion was now in his arms and smelled of morning arousal.
He lifted the choker a little and licked over his mark then began to stroke the boy, and after some thought just decided to scent him, so continued to lick and bite while he used the cleft of the taut buttocks as a channel for his own angry erection. Alexander woke, then came in very quick succession, just as Spike bit down again on his Companion's mark and shot his cool seed up the back of his compliant charge.
They both lay for a moment in the aftermath as Spike laved over the wound and it began to close. Alexander simply stilled, compliant and feeling quite… tired again. He was snapped awake by a hard slap to his buttocks and the demand, "Well get up and clean up this mess!"
Relaxed mood completely lost, Alexander shot out of the bed as though the very devil was after him. He returned to give his owner a warm wet towel down before he rushed back to the bathroom to clean himself off.
By the time he came back into the bedroom the Suzerain was up and dressed. Alexander began to pull on the white pants from the previous day but was stopped in his tracks as a full black suit was pitched at him with force. "Get this on. No having any boy o' mine in white! Bloody disgraceful color!"
Xander quickly changed and followed his owner out of the room. He thought he would be expected to follow the Suzerain to the meeting rooms but instead was led to the training rooms and introduced to the Mistress Janet.
She was a sensei of black belt level in three different martial arts and gym instructor before the fall of the human race, had been found unwilling to partner but been turned as a Childe by the Cartel leader Mistress Eleanor, then presented to the Suzerain in penance for a serious 'misunderstanding' regards payments of her cartel's fees to the central group.
Mistress Janet had gone willingly, knowing that her sacrifice would keep her Sire safe, but had found a place in the Suzerain's Court. She took the role of training the Suzerain's minions and occasionally a human in the art of fighting. Older vampires too used her skills, Angelus training under her watchful eye regularly.
The shortish, pretty female vampire with naturally dark hair, had a slightly odd gait courtesy of illness as a human, something that seemed to disappear as soon as she entered the gym or graced the dojo mat. Many a cocky minion, thinking she would be easily taken, had found themselves pinned easily and quickly deferred to the dominant female. So much so that the Suzerain enjoyed dropping in to the sessions just for the pleasure of seeing her take the youngsters down a peg or three.
It only took one or two sessions with the Mistress Janet before any of her students bowed to her with reverence borne of respect not custom. Even the Suzerain sparred with her occasionally – something his dear ageless trainer never tired of. Spike would usually let her take the upper hand initially but inevitably he pinned her to the floor or was in the position to take a killing blow then chose not to, instead giving her a draft of his blood as acknowledgement of her fine work.
As she met the pair at the door of the dojo, she could smell the scent of the Suzerain all over the boy.
"Suzerain?"
"This is Alexander. New Companion. Need him fit and deadly. Three months – at the outside six… can you do it?"
Janet looked over to the rather effeminate boy behind her boss and noted the soft lines and sweet look. She looked at the ground then up at the Suzerain. "I suspect it will take the six Suzerain… The boy is a bred Companion, is he not?"
"Champion apparently…" Spike paused and watched Janet's eyes narrow a little as she considered the implications of trying to train an individual who had specifically had his aggression bred out. Spike grinned rather wickedly as he saw the hesitation, "Good you've got four months." Before the Mistress could help herself she looked up with annoyance, but the Master lifted his wrist to her and allowed her just a tiny draft of his blood.
She pulled away and nodded in a business like manner, "As you say Suzerain. He will be ready."
Alexander moved willingly into the training area for the first of what would be a gruelling schedule of gym, skill and fitness sessions that saw his body shift from the softer lines of the teenager, to a rather magnificent specimen of sleek masculinity. He would never be heavy and his face retained its pretty quality, but the muscles thickened and were far more defined as any baby fat he still carried fell away with the hard work.
He warmed his owner's bed each night, though there was no more to it than that and perhaps the occasional welcomed stroking and mutual pleasure.
The only problem Mistress Janet perceived was that the dear Companion had been bred, engineered and trained not to be aggressive…
In the third month of his training, the Suzerain watched the sparring session, and was genuinely disappointed to see his 'bodyguard' pull punches and then simply submit. He decided to up the anti.
Every time Alexander was asked to spar with his betters, he simply could not inflict harm… He knew intellectually that vampires had amazing recovery time etc etc. But still he struggled. Mistress Janet was at her wits' end and in the middle of the third month of Alexander's training, appealed to the Suzerain. There was nothing more she could do.
The quiet, considerate, warm male Companion had quite endeared himself to Spike, and the Suzerain was not about to abandon the project. He had an idea.
He worded up his First, and Angelus agreed immediately. Once more he was 'out of favour' according to the cartels, so even if spied upon, it would confirm the charade.
His Sire and he exchanged blood before they entered the training space, Angelus fully aware that the following week his dear Lisbeth (again in her 'male' guise) was to be turned and mated in private with his Sire's full approval. Angelus smiled rather shyly at his Sire and stilled as they were about to walk through the door. He took his Sire's hand and bent to touch it to his forehead then his mark, and whispered, "Thank you for…"
Spike knew the agenda prompting the gesture and pulled Angelus into a full embrace, kissing him soundly. "Family… 'S all it is Pet… Family!... Now let's go sort that boy out."
The two entered the training area unannounced. Alexander knew better than to fall to his knees, instead standing, hands clasped behind his back and eyes lowered.
The Suzerain addressed his trainer, "Well done Mistress. He is quite… perfect." But then Xander heard the growl from the First of the Suzerain.
Angelus played his part, growling then spitting out, "I've seen the tapes Sire. F#$ He cannot fight… he's a pretty boy … You're replacing me with that??"
"More willin' than you though Pet, isn't he! Hmm??"
"F#$ that!!! He might look good but you need me! How many times, Sire? How many times have I had your back, yet you reject me for that?"
They were both in game face, snarling and circling like two great cats spoiling for a fight.
"When am I to find your favour? When will I gain my own territory?"
"Never… Childe… just … Never! You are a disgrace!"
Without warning Angelus moved with lightening speed to attack his Sire, but surprisingly, the Companion Alexander was faster, and the Mistress grinned.
It was a simple tackle low down but the collision left them both sprawled on the mats and Angelus the more surprised. Even before the vampire could act the Companion was instantly straddling him and throwing a flurry of wild punches.
The barked command of the Suzerain to stay his hand, however, was obeyed immediately – if a little confusing. He was in a blinding white haze of anger. The Suzerain, his marker, his owner, his all, was under threat, he had to protect him!
Spike approached the upset boy slowly. Still seated on the dark vampire, Alexander's body shook uncontrollably, he limbs tingled and all he could think of was Suzerain!
Finally Spike managed to push the still fisted hands down and lifted the shaking human into a warm hug.
"C'mon Pet… C'mon!!! Just needed to know is all… That you had it in you… Shhh… it's OK!... C'mon! You don't think my Childe would really hurt me?"
Alexander lifted chocolate eyes so full of tears and adoration, that Spike almost lost his train of thought.
"I asked Angelus… just like I might ask you one day… you know… play a part… get a response… Ahh Pet… Calm down… Ohh Bloody Hell!" The Suzerain recognized the confusion and the devotion, so finally sank his fangs into the dear human over his mark once more, but this time biting down hard and true, and at the same time stroking his dear marked Companion to completion once again.
Alexander was still wild eyed, heart racing and panting and now the front of his training pants were wet. He had lost all track of what he was expected to do after the bite so simply held tight on the Suzerain's grip, and eventually slumped against his keeper, quietly whispering, "I'm your's, I'm your's." over and over.
It didn't solve the problem. The Suzerain needed to be confident of his Companion's ability to attack on an order from his owner, not just when Spike was in peril. He wondered if a full claiming would have some effect. Certainly the boy would be linked to the vampire for all time.
The Suzerain smiled and nodded to his First, the 'actor', and Angelus returned the gesture and then departed from the scene, happy that his Sire was pleased with his performance.
Spike turned his attention to the boy in his arms, "You did well today Pet. So… My bed tonight and we'll see to ya. Work on the attack on command – and your bloody style tomorrow."
Alexander relaxed and sighed a little, he had done well. He had panicked as he realized that he had attacked the Suzerain's Childe! But Angelus had been pretending, so he had still 'done well' and was to be pleasured by his owner, it had only happened a few times previous when his owner needed comfort and found it in pleasuring his Companion, something Alexander found a little odd but never questioned. They had been the Companion's happiest nights
The first night it happened he realized just how much he missed Master Natte's establishment and missed Samuel. They had always been penned together at night. Natte firmly believing that his stock suffered if they slept alone as they were bred to crave affection. Samuel and he had often brought each other to mutual relief, never truly coupling, just enjoying the touch of another.
Now the Suzerain had not only marked him, but promised him a reward! Even if it was the only time he received such a prize, the gentle Companion resolved to work even harder at his training, though pondered the problem of attacking… he really did struggle with the idea.
He was pulled from his musing by a sharp slap to his backside. "Right then off with you. Handlers there 'll see to ya." Alexander stood immediately, eyes to the floor, and followed the handlers out to be showered and fed and then… his owner's bed. He smiled at the thought.
……………………
Part 5
He wasn't sure where he should be after he'd been showered and dried, so simply stood, towel around his waist, in the middle of the room 'at ease' and waited.
It seemed like hours but was probably only minutes before he heard and almost felt his beloved Suzerain. He struggled to stay still as the vampire walked around behind him and whispered how proud of him he was; how much he hoped he would grow into his role; how much he was cared for… And with the last statement, the boy struggled to hold back his tears. He had never imagined that the Suzerain would value him, he had hoped but...
"Gonna Claim you tonight Pet, seemings as you're strugglin' so hard with the attackin' and such. Reckon it just might help. But ya gotta agree…"
Alexander's hopes rose then fell. The Suzerain was claiming him to improve his ability to do his designated role as defender of his owner, nothing more. He was useful, not loved. But then, he really had to stop expecting the ruler of the Super Alliance of Demon Cartels to love a Companion. Logic dictated. He would say yes and would be the best bodyguard the Suzerain had ever had, bearing the loneliness of knowing that despite the fact that he lay with the vampire nightly, it was unlikely to ever be more than that.
The brunette swallowed hard, "Yes, Suzerain, I wish to be claimed by you, Suzerain. Thank you, Suzerain. It is my duty and training to serve you, Suzerain."
But Spike heard the hesitation, the sadness and resigned submission in the answer. "Listen! Don't need a bloody lacky… You either want this or ya don't! Now what's got your knickers in a twist?"
Alexander was on the edge of an anxiety attack as he answered in close to a whisper, "I had hoped I… I… you might… um that you might… since you are… that you might care f-for me… as… um…"
"Course I bloody care for ya, you nit!! Otherwise I'd've sold ya months ago! Now go lie down face up on the bed, while I sort meself some supplies. And if you so much as smell of tears, I'm gonna beat it out of you so hard you'll wish ya were a feeder not a breeder!"
Alexander went to lie on the bed as instructed, now miserable and unsure of what to expect.
But the Suzerain was all but whistling as he returned with three aromatic candles, a fearsome looking ceremonial knife and various jars of things the Companion could not identify without changing his position to look properly.
"Now first things first Pet. Let's get rid of that there choker – and before ya start fussing, it's just for now. Got it??"
The human nodded, pulled his long hair sideways and turned his face away so his owner might access the lock at the back with ease.
Spike then lit the candles, putting one at the apex of the bed head and one on either side table. He spread a feather light, red silk sheet over his already nude Companion, wickedly rubbing Alexander's lax member through the material as he crawled up the bed. The response was almost instant and his soon to be claimed let out a little whimper with the sensation.
Spike straddled him, sitting squarely over his hips and rocking back just a little so Alexander continued to feel the Suzerain's behind pressing against his now full erection. Alexander struggled to focus, "Now Marked Companion. You will need to answer the ritual words then I will claim you. There will be pain. Are you still prepared to be Claimed for all time?"
"Yes Suzerain. I wish to be your claimant."
"Right well let's on with it then."
Spike tugged the sheet down and opened his own wrist just a little, as he the blood dripped onto his Companion's torso making a bloody pentagram, he recited the ritual words which Alexander dutifully replied to. "Companion Alexander, do you give yourself freely to the Suzerain Spike?"
"Yes, I give myself freely."
"Do you fully accept the consequences? If the Claimant has false intent you will die. If you are true to your word then your the link to the Suzerain will go well beyond your changed status in demon society, you will also crave your Claimer in every way, need for his blood and have a non physical connection. You will live for as long as your Claiming vampire unless you are mortally wounded, but die an agonizing death in the case of his demise. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand the consequences."
"Then it shall be so," With those words Spike took a handful of dust from one of the jars on the side and sprinkled it on the pentagram on Alexander's chest. There was a harsh flash and the blood simply seemed to disappear into the Claimed's skin, "Now offer yourself as the Claimed of the Suzerain."
Alexander wasn't sure what to do next exactly but his owner swiftly lifted himself and tugged away the sheet completely in the process.
"Gonna mark your skin first pet, then gonna take you as mine now flip over then stay still."
The human obediently flipped over and abruptly arched as he felt white searing pain just over his tail bone. An iron hand pushed him back down onto the bed and game faced Suzerain literally growled, "Bloody Hell! Stay. Still!" Spike cut an ornate 'S' into his back with the hunting knife as the poor Companion tried to muffle his cries by biting down into the pillow but could not stop the tears from eyes squeezed shut so hard that it was almost painful. He just hoped his owner would be too preoccupied to note his weakness.
As soon as Spike finished he laved over the area with a cooling tongue. "There, all done." Alexander simply whimpered a little, but remained still. The tongue did feel wonderful over the burning pain. His chest where the pentagram had been was suddenly hot too, and as he began to catalogue the painful, yet increasingly pleasant sensations, he felt his hips being lifted and hands massaging his backside in the most erotic fashion. He knew the hands kneading him and gradually working their way to his entrance… he lost himself in the sensation, welcoming the slicked finger inside when it finally pushed through the barrier muscles. There was so much slick on the finger it felt… just wonderful. His Claimer was purring and stroking his fast becoming interested member. Alexander began to rock back then felt a second finger enter, and finally a third before he was flipped once more.
He arched up as the covers hit his sliced flesh, but the pain was swiftly relieved as the Suzerain took his legs and slung them over his shoulders, lifting his hips.
Then the white pain of the cuts was surpassed by the hurt of a large iron stiff object plunging into his core in a single stroke then stilling. His own manhood wilted a little but his owner knew a virgin passage took time to adjust and waited, taking the time to pepper kisses on the neck Claimed.
Spike felt the sheath of muscles begin to flutter and began to move, tiny movements in and out, controlled and slow, gradually increasing the pace as he felt the boy push back more enthusiastically. As they began to move in concert and Alexander moaned as his prostate was brushed yet again, the vampire snaked his hand around and began to pump his charge in time with the thrusts.
He felt the Companion give in to the wonderful sensations and move closer and closer to climax. Alexander finally stiffened and Spike chose the moment to strike, biting deep and hard over his previous mark and drinking quickly as the Companion came hard. After the first draft he also released, filling his now Claimed before they both collapsed, Spike still embedded deep within both neck and backside.
A few long minutes later, the Suzerain withdrew his fangs and laved the wound closed then opened his wrist and offered it to Alexander who took it with a look of awe and after a few drafts, gazed in wonder and adoration at the Suzerain whilst still suckling. As his Claimer pulled out and took back the wrist, Alexander passed out.
He woke a few hours later in his Suzerain's arms, being stroked to hardness again. But this time something inside had definitely shifted… He felt the Suzerain, felt his Claimer on a visceral level, like he was a part of the same being. It was wonderful.
They coupled again, and again throughout the daylight hours. Finally the exhausted Companion was ordered to the shower and allowed to joyfully clean his owner as well as himself.
……………………..
The same evening as Alexander's claiming, Angelus had turned his long time claimant, Lisbeth in his private rooms.
Spike visited the soon to be Sire as he kept vigil at his dear one's death bed, waiting for her to rise. He fed the dark vampire his own powerful blood and revelled in the idea of being Grandsire to the prize on the bed.
She had been fed massive amounts of her new Sire's blood. The pretty individual had always looked ethereally beautiful whether in male or female guise, now even more so.
Lisbeth was witty, blindingly intelligent, and absolutely loyal as a human, and was the perfect choice for his powerful Childe. She also, according to his Childe's rather sheepish admission one drunken evening, enjoyed 'asserting' herself in the bedroom – even with male to male type activities. Spike had simply refrained from commenting and smiled at the time. She would make a fine vampire.
Two days later, his Sire - the Suzerain, and his Sire's Claimed, bore witness to Angel's formal mating ritual with his new Childe. Their identical mating insignias magically scarred the skin around their belly buttons after they were branded by their Grandsire as part of the ritual.
It was joyful for all concerned, though to the outside world, nothing had changed.
Lisbeth's Childe status would be held secret for a little time yet, and the Companion's Claimed status would not be acknowledged in public. Both the partners felt a little sad not to be able to show their affection openly but understood and played their part.
When Alexander returned to his training four days following his Claiming, the Mistress noted the difference.
There was a new confidence and she was so close when correcting his stance, that she could scent the change.
He trained hard, now feeling his Claimer very distinctly through some strange emotional link. But even though he was aware of the Suzerain's calculated violence, after three weeks there still seemed to be little change in his ability to be aggressive. That was unless the Suzerain himself was threatened.
Mistress Janet noted the same with pride, that her student had pinned a Master Vampire to the floor of the Cartel meeting room in a blinding flash of speed and very good technique when said individual stood with stake in hand ready to attack the Suzerain. With a nod from Spike, the Master was dust at the hand of the pretty bodyguard.
Spike took the Mistress aside after the event, kissed her soundly and gave her a trickle of his blood in gratitude, but still had to ask her professional opinion, "Even with my blood?"
"He will attack anything or anyone that would hurt you, Suzerain. To the point of placing himself in deadly circumstances, I would suggest. But he is simply not cut out for cold blooded murder. Find yourself an assassin, Suzerain, and let the boy do the job you originally tagged him for… let him warm your bed and protect you. He is loyal to a fault and easy on the eye… and a very good study… bright and willing. If I may be so bold, you have Claimed well, Suzerain."
Spike looked up in surprise at the last statement, only to see Janet brush her nose with her forefinger to indicate a no tell policy was maintained.
Two days later, the Companion was pleased to learn that he was no longer expected to attack on command.
A very vicious gangland criminal 'J.B', turned as a vampire minion then trained virtually as an 'attack dog', arrived, muzzled and bound with his 'handler'. The Suzerain was pleased when his bodyguard Alexander placed himself between the new comers and his owner. Spike now had little doubt that his dear Alexander would taken the other down if it were at all possible – or die trying if his Suzerain were ever threatened.
Part 6
For three months after the Claiming and Lisbeth's turning, little changed.
Alexander protected the Suzerain in public and warmed his bed in private – daily saddened by the matter of fact way he was treated as the alternative to heating blanket. Yet the Companion craved the vampire's touch, so each time he was pulled tight against the cool body, and was offered a little blood from his Claimer's wrist (now so necessary), he tried to count his blessings. And if the Suzerain nuzzled his neck or rubbed against him during sleep, Alexander would take the private time to quietly cry, hoping the sensitive vampire nose would not notice.
Lisbeth had yet to be acknowledged as a Childe and no-one outside the immediate household ever came close enough to notice, but that could not last. The Mistress Janet trained the new vampire by herself once a day and with Angelus again toward the morning. Lisbeth was stronger than the average fledge – and her lithe figure and naturally graceful style augured well for a very deadly combination were Angelus and Lisbeth ever cornered.
Of late, occasionally the Mistress would have Lisbeth and Alexander spar and gradually came to realize the increase in the human's speed and strength. Initially she had thought that Lisbeth was pulling her strikes, but it was apparent by the third occasion that it was not the case. She could only put it down to the claiming by the Suzerain and wondered that the cartel leaders had yet to notice the change in the Companion come bodyguard.
In his fourth month of being a Sire, Angelus begged Spike to acknowledge Lisbeth in front of the leaders of the cartels – she was after all a Childe of the line of Aurelius. Spike agreed, but only after considering how it was done to safeguard the family.
In the end it was decided. To the outside world, Angelus was apparently currently still out of favour. And all in the group of cartel leaders knew of his tendency to catch, train and bed ferals, especially those with similar slim lines and elfin features, either male or female. So the stage was set. The performance to occur on the night of the monthly cartel leaders' meeting.
The Suzerain roared his displeasure at his Childe's latest tryst in full earshot of several minions he knew to be spies, and coinciding with the arrival of five cartel leaders. The drama was occurring just outside the Suzerain's quarters within sight, but at the end of the very long hallway. A blonde girl was prostrated at his feet obviously trembling with fear.
Spike was in game face, something that even the cartel leaders feared. Loud shouting ensued, "And you leave her on my doorstep to do what exactly?"
Angelus was on his knees, head down with wrists bound behind his back and blood still oozing from a painful looking bite mark on his neck – opposite to his turning mark, an obvious sign of his Sire's displeasure. He replied rather miserably, "I just thought you might enjoy her… She was very…"
Spike hit him so hard that he fell sideways and his head impacting hard on the floor with a nasty crack.
"Idiot Childe!! She is damaged goods. You insult me by offering your leftovers! If you think she's such a tasty then you take her, not just as concubine… have her for eternity and see how it feels to have a wayward Childe weighing you down!"
With lightening speed, he grabbed Angelus by the scruff of the neck, forced him up and slapped him hard enough to bring his Childe's demon to the fore, then forced him down onto the whimpering girl's neck. The witnesses saw the girl shudder and cry out as Angelus tried to protest but then give in to instinct bit hard and began to apparently drain her.
In truth, little blood was taken and Lisbeth whimpering was to do with the young vampire trying to contain her own demon and stem her arousal.
Spike sliced the ropes binding his Childe's hands none too carefully, the knife cutting deep into the now freed wrist. He grabbed the wounded limb and shoved it into the now collapsed girl's mouth and massaged her neck.
Six more cartel masters arrived just in time to witness the 'turning'.
The cartel leaders gasped as minutes went by. The Suzerain was indeed making a Grandchilde, forcibly. And since there would be little love lost between new Sire and Childe, or Grandsire and this new fledge, the dysfunctional Aurelians had apparently just provided them all with another way to undermine the ruler.
Spike made a show of whipping off his belt and forcing it around Angelus' neck, making collar and leash in one, humiliating his Childe in full view of the audience. He then tugged hard, barking the order, "Pick her up!"
Still on his knees, the dark vampire shuffled over and lifted up the dead girl reluctantly. "Now put her in your quarters and wait there, I haven't finished with you yet." The Suzerain roughly hauled Angelus to his feet using the belt and forced him toward the door of his suite adding sarcastically, "And leave your leash on – I may have need of it later – Your suggestion of some relief might be just the ticket, and I fancy you in a collar pleasuring me where you would have had me use your whore."
All 'interested parties' present saw the look of pain and hatred on Angelus face as he turned to carry the obviously unbreathing, lax body through the door to his own suite.
Spike roared as he slammed the door behind the two, "Now where's my bloody bodyguard!"
Alexander had been waiting behind the door of their suite until he heard the 'draining scene', just in case any of the other vampires approached within distance of hearing a heart beat. He had tried to elevate his own to mimic fear by silently doing exercises during the first section of the performance. For her part, Lisbeth had been genuinely fearful that the ruse might not work so smelt 'right'.
As soon as it was time, he raced for the balcony doors. Let himself out silently and sprinted around to the rear entrance to the kitchen, strolling through past various minions with the excuse that he had been told to grab a sandwich, orders of the Suzerain. The rather portly minion, obviously turned for his culinary skills, grumbled regards his own wasted talent but swiftly made a sandwich of smoked salmon, tomato and lettuce. It was the best he could do at short notice. He had learned the hard way from the Suzerain, that Companions were permitted no dairy and only a little fish added to their vegetarian diet, the theory being that dairy had detrimental effects to the human constitution and red meat increased aggression.
To the observers, Alexander was the perfect Companion, instantly responding to his owner's call, emerging from the kitchen at a sprint, skidding to a halt and visibly swallowing a mouthful of food, quickly hiding the rest behind his back as he took his place behind the Suzerain.
Spike was apparently in no mood for deceptions, growling, "Well eat your bloody meal fast and on the way. We have work to do."
Alexander followed the vampire as he stormed past his 'guests' with an agitated, "Well? Show's bloody well over… Come on, let's do some work!"
The meeting was unsurprisingly, very quiet, none of those present wanting to aggravate the obviously still fuming Suzerain. Matters were dealt with icy efficiency and the break only long enough for the word to spread as to what had occurred. The Suzerain and his bodyguard adjourning to the balcony apparently so the Suzerain might smoke and calm. The remainder of the meeting concluded uneventfully – though all in the room wondering at the Suzerain's unpredictability and brutality… and charisma. He was even able to keep his abused Childe loyal!
As the last of the leaders left, Spike snarled at the minions, "You too! Go on … F#$ off." then mumbled, deliberately audibly as they left, "Got some family business to sort." The two traitors grinned at each other as they departed the room. Their own demon masters, not present on the night, would be most pleased to learn of this turn of events.
Spike, followed closely by his Claimed, attended his Childe and Grandchilde.
As they entered the room, Spike knew, Lisbeth had tended to her Sire's wounds and the two had obviously made passionate love and exchanged blood while the Suzerain had seen to cartel matters.
A sated Angelus rolled from his relaxed spooning of a smiling, sated Lisbeth, to kneel at his Sire's feet, Lisbeth followed suit and both kissed his feet with genuine gratitude. And Alexander loved his owner all the more as the Master of the line knelt also and pulled the two vampires into a warm hug, kissing first Angelus then Lisbeth on the forehead and offering an open wrist to each all the while whispering, "Well done, so proud of you! Well done!" Then caressing Angelus' face where he had earlier struck in apparent anger.
He lifted his Childe's chin. "You OK Childe? Are you still in pain?"
Angelus stared back with nothing but adoration in his chocolate orbs. "No Sire… How could I be? You have given us Lisbeth! Thank you, Sire."
Spike repeated the act with Lisbeth, who let her own tears of joy fall, "Suzerain!. Oh... thank you Grandsire!"
He cupped her pretty face with his right hand, fixed her with his crystal blue stare and said, "In or out of favour to the outside world, you are now known a Childe of the Aurelian line. There may be a need to play the audience outside, but in private you will always be loved. Never forget that." He kissed her again, this time soundly on the lips, then took his Childe's with as much passion.
The two were left on the floor a little overwhelmed as Spike stood and made for the door to the balcony, leading his Companion back to his own private rooms.
If anyone watched the door of the Childe Angelus suite, they would assume the Suzerain was taking his wayward creation in punishment as sounds of coupling and the smell of spending and blood was detectable to those with vampiric senses.
Alexander felt a little jealous. He might be the claimed but the love between Lisbeth and Angelus… and even Angelus and Spike was in stark relief, with how the Suzerain would ever see him… Yet he yearned for such a connection.
That evening Spike spooned his human bed warmer, fed him a few drops of blood, then whispered, "Well done Pet… very well done," before falling into an exhausted sleep, and Alexander felt wonderful and terrible all rolled into one. He so wanted to be worthy of the Suzerain's love, but had no idea how to achieve that goal.