Prompt 79 - Gazumped - BtVS

[thismaz]

 Title: Gazumped
 Fandom: BtVS
 Prompt: 79 - Marigold
 At: tamingthemuse
 Rating: NC-17
 Summary: Part 18 of my pre-season one story.
 Word Count: 2,050
 Comments: Are greatly appreciated, loved and cherished.
 Previous parts:
 In reverse order, in tags here
 In my memories.
 Or, starting here with links to the next, at the end of each chapter.
 Disclaimer: here.
Now beta'd by the wonderful laazikaat

Warning (highlight the white area to see the warning text):

Vamp Xander story

18. Gazumped

Friday

Angel dodged around the last corner, just as the sun broke the horizon, and made his way through the underground garage to his apartment. He was exhausted for some reason, although he hadn't done very much during the night. The vampire he'd slain hadn't put up a fight, although that didn't diminish the rush he'd got from the kill.

Simply relieved to be able to at last get off his feet, he didn't bother with another meal, just stripped off his clothes as he walked across the room. Sleep came easily. No sooner had he crawled into his bed, than he felt himself sink into the deep heaviness of relaxation and his last conscious thought was a smug sense of satisfaction that at least he'd be able to tackle Spike after a good day's rest.

Angel dreamed. He was back in that rundown bar in Mexico in the 20s, facing Boone. The woman Boone was sweet on stood cowering against the wall as they fought, and Boone just wouldn't shut up. 'You want to be human so much?' he taunted. 'That must really piss you off.' Angel shook his head to clear it after a blow that nearly laid him flat. 'It's sad, the things a soul will do to a demon who's not supposed to have one.' Boone said as he glanced around at the crowds of peasants with candles and flowers, celebrating the Day of the Dead. 'Look, they're commemorating your passing,' he observed. 'I'll be sure to spread marigolds over your ashes.'

The scene kaleidoscoped and he was standing watching the sunrise and feeling the warmth suffuse his body. He walked across a meadow to a small brook and dipped his hands in the water to drink. His heart beat strongly in his chest and he knew such joy, for such a brief moment as his soul expanded, taking possession of every inch of him. It didn't last, as he knew it couldn't. Even as he gloried in the knowledge that he was alive, his hand began to crumble into ash and Dru's face appeared, floating like Ophelia in the water below him. 'Why do you think I have to lose you, my dear?' she asked. 'Don't you know yet what you are?' She laughed as her body began to crumble. 'You think it's so important, that soul? You think it makes you almost human? Oh, my poor, poor fool. You don't know what you are.'

Jeb's voice was soft. "Master Angelus?" he whispered. Angel turned his head on his pillow and opened his eyes. "Master Angelus? I didne want t' leave ye." His lips were not moving, but the words were clear in the small room, echoing as if they came at him from all sides. Jeb approached the bed tentatively, eyes cast down and hidden behind thick lashes. Somewhere off to the side was a source of dim light, which caught the movement of his hands as he undid the rope holding closed his heavy, oiled wool coat. With a shift of his shoulders it fell to the floor, exposing his naked chest. His pale hands shifted to the belt holding up his loose canvas trousers and they fell too, leaving him to step out of them and towards Angel's bed. "Please, sir," he said "will ye not let us gi' ye some peace?"

Some part of Angel knew then that he was dreaming and he lifted his left arm, but whether to ward off the apparition, or pull it to him, he wasn't certain. It made no difference, anyway, because Jeb crawled up onto the bed and crouched over Angel's feet, on his hands and knees. He lowered his head, rested his cheek against the blankets covering Angel's shins and pressing forward, stroked his face up Angel's leg, coming to a halt at his groin, where he nuzzled, like a small creature in search of mother's milk. Angel made some small noise of protest, even as his hand came down to the back of Jeb's head, combing and gripping strands of the thick hair. He'd washed that hair himself, before he took Jeb to his bed, laughing at Jeb's protests when the soap came too close to his eyes. "Nay, be still," Jeb whispered, burrowing his face into Angel's groin through the bedding. "Dint y'reckon y'deserve it? Doin' reet as y'are." He ran one hand up Angel's side and Angel watched it approach, spellbound in the dim light. Jeb's fingers gripped the edge of the sheet, where it lay across Angel's chest, and drew it down towards him, until he was able to apply his lips directly to the crease at the top of Angel's leg, rubbing his chin against Angel's cock, which twitched slightly in an effort to respond. The touch was soft and cool and although his mouth was busy, his voice was still clear. "I's not some sackless boy who mun be protected." Jeb's right hand smoothed down the outside of Angel's thigh, pushing the sheets further and he began to mouth the sensitive skin on the inside. Angel groaned as the memories of a stolen week and a stolen life overcame him and his hips jerked. And finally, Jeb's mouth closed over his shaft and he began to suck. "Tis too lat fer that," he whispered, and in this dream state, it didn't seem strange to Angel that Jeb could both service him and talk, at the same time. "Remember how t'stars skimmered so bright t'night 'fore ye flit'ed? Night 'fore I lost ye? It were like heaven, Angelus." Angel shivered and again his hips jerked with desire, causing Jeb's head to bob up, almost dislodging him from his task. "I know y'dint mean me t'dee," he said, even as he swallowed Angel's cock again and Angel grabbed at a handful of hair. "I know I wasn' bait t'ye." Jeb tilted his head and looked up at Angel from beneath his lashes. His eyes were dark and...

"No!" Angel cried, dragging Jeb's mouth away from his cock. "Stop!" He pulled the boy towards him until his arm had enough leverage, then flung him away, so he tumbled off the bed and crashed onto his back on the floor.

Sitting up, Angel scrubbed his hands over his face and through this hair. He looked down at the figure sprawled on the mat. "Xander?" he asked, hoping against hope that he was still dreaming.

Xander growled, his mouth contorting with frustrated rage and his eyes glowing yellow, even as his features shifted, with a crunching sound, and a vampire was glaring back into Angel's horrified face.

A movement near the foot of the bed caused Angel to drag his eyes away from his greatest failure and Spike stepped into view from the kitchen. "Hmm, shame that," he observed. "Was looking reet promising there, it were." He walked over to Xander and placed a restraining hand on his shoulder, glancing down at his childe. "Better get ye kegs back on, love," he advised. "Looks like this one's played out." Turning to Angel and nodding towards Angel's half hard state, he added, "Though if I was you, I'd be a mite insulted by that."

Angel grabbed the blanket and pulled it back up, clutching it to his chest until Spike's growing smirk made him realise how that must look and he let it fall to his lap. "How did you get in here?" he demanded.

Spike turned Angel's reading chair around so it faced the bed and sat down. "Sewer access, mate." He shrugged with a smirk, "Plus, I know where you live..." He paused. "Exist, anyway." His voice became thoughtful and he cocked his head. "I'm not sure 'live' is the right word. What do you think?"

Sulkily, Xander rolled over and reached for his trousers and coat, standing up to pull them on, leaving the coat unbelted. He moved to stand behind Spike, but Spike snagged him around the waist, pulling him down to sit on the arm of the chair, leaning against Spike's shoulder.

Wrapping the sheet around his waist, Angel swung his legs out of bed, so he was sitting with his feet on the floor, and rested his forearms on his thighs. They stared at each other across four feet of furry rug. Eventually Spike broke the silence. "Wasn't meant to wear off that fast," he observed.

"What wasn't?"

"The drug. Was supposed to keep you under while Xander here had his wicked way with you." He gave Xander an affectionate squeeze and leered up at him. "And he can be very wicked, can't you, pet?" Xander smirked back.

"What drug?" Angel asked, feeling, as he so often did these days, that his life was escaping his control.

"The drug in the blood you bought." Spike explained, speaking slowly and clearly, as if Angel where being particularly dense. "At the hospital? Nigel Mears? Your 'contact'? Ringing any bells?"

"You paid him," Angel stated, flatly.

"Well, yeah!" Spike's smile was feral. "Not much point in doing anything else. Couldn't sell you the blood if he was dead, now could he?" Angel ran his hands over his face, trying to clear his head. "That would be the last of it, beginning to wear off," Spike added. "Did some killing tonight, did you? Got the endorphins pumping?" Angel looked up sharply. "Yeah," Spike continued. "That'd do it. Counteracts the effects. Should've thought of that. But, watching you for the last few weeks, didn't think you were likely to take on anyone who could actually fight back." He grinned cheerfully. "You'll be a bit groggy for a few more hours, but it'll be worn off by evening."

Angel looked at his grandchilde and his great-grandchilde, sitting together and felt himself slump in defeat. "What did you expect to gain from this charade, Spike?" he asked.

Spike looked offended, if Angel chose to believe his expression. "Just wanted to give you a present," he said, his tone aggrieved. "Remind you of the good times. Remind you where you belong. Drug's supposed to free you, give you some home truths from the old subconscious and release your deepest desires. You always had a soft spot for Jeb, thought you'd enjoy meeting the new version."

"That's not Jeb," Angel snapped, just as Xander said, "Hey!"

Spike gave Xander another squeeze, tipping him over to sprawl across Spike's lap. Smiling down at the indignant face, he tapped Xander lightly on the nose. "No you're not Jeb," he agreed. "But you look like him. The spitting image." He considered his childe. "Well, except for the eyes," he added, ruffling Xander's hair, playfully.

Xander crossly swiped his hair out of his face, but he didn't move off Spike's knee. Instead, he reached up one hand and stroked it down Spike's cheek and neck, a gesture so tender and full of trust, on both their parts, that Angel felt a sharp pang of jealousy. "You killed Xander," he said, stating the obvious in an attempt to dispel the mood and regain his indignation.

"Yeah," Spike agreed, obviously not picking up on Angel's intentions. "Isn't he beautiful?" Xander purred and nuzzled his face into Spike's neck, which sent a vivid sense memory of his attempted seduction through Angel's chest and into his groin. Spike's arms closed around his childe. Looking up, Spike grinned at Angel. "So it didn't work," he said. "But I'm not complaining. I got me a lovely childe from the deal. Would never have thought of turning him, if I hadn't seen you panting after him. Remind me to thank you for that, one day." He pushed at Xander to make him stand up and heaved himself out of the chair. "We'll leave you with that thought," he said, sauntering towards the door. "Come on, pet. Time we were off home." He looked over his shoulder at Angel. "We're at 3, Torres Heights, if you want to find us," he added, as he opened the door. "See you soon." And with that, they were gone.

Angel dropped his head in his hands and tried to will away the memory of a lean young body and the adoring look in a young vampire's eyes as he gazed up at his sire.



Translations of dialect words:
us - often used to mean the singular 'me' or 'I'
sackless - simple-minded
mun- must
lat - late
ye flit'ed - you left
skimmer - to shine brightly, to sparkle
dee - die
bait - food
I think the rest are obvious from the context, but let me know if there are any that aren't.

The title is a British word that refers to a situation where a verbal agreement of sale is withdrawn by the seller, because they have received a better offer.

Continued here.

Comments

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

"that didn't diminish the rush he'd got from the kill." The minute I read that bit, I thought, hang on, since when does this big broody Angel get a rush from a kill, and it made me wonder what was coming next.

Lovely description of Angel's subconscious. As always your descriptions just glow with life.

And I was right - last week, Spike did dress Xander up as Jeb to mind fuck his Sire, and here he's doing it again! I love that Spike really rubs salt in Angel's wounds by admitting that he wouldn't have thought of turning Xander if Angel hadn't been panting over him - ouch!

Nice to see some well chosen dialect, it kept Jeb so much in character in Angel's mind while Xander was doing naughty things to his body. And Xander has obviously learned a thing or two since he was turned!!!

Really gorgeous chapter, hon. This is just going from strength to strength.
s x

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

since when does this big broody Angel get a rush from a kill
Well, this Angel is a little closer to the edge than the one in canon and in season 1, although we don't see Angel fight, he obviously does - he took on fork guy, because he ended up with scratch marks to show for it. Buffy then defeated fork guy pretty easily, so that shows how weak Angel still was. Also, in chapter 2 of this story, there is this line - So he took his revenge, as he had always done, through violence.

As always your descriptions just glow with life.
Shucks, *hunches shoulders and swings them* thank you so much.

And I was right
You certainly were *hands out the gold stars* And yeah, I enjoyed that little bit of revenge, too. *g* And I spent a couple of hours on the web yesterday, trying to find sites that would provide me with good spellings for some of Spike's attempt at Yorkshire dialect. If I messed any up, I figure that since he can't get his own accent consistent, any errors are his, not mine. *g*

And thank you for that final comment, it is a welcome boost. Silly to get into counting, when I should concentrate on quality. As DJ says, I appear to be famous in five very good places and every comment really is loved and cherished.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Now I'm wondering if Spike's plan got derailed or went exactly as he intended it. Very sneaky you are. He wouldn't tell Angel where to find them if he didn't have an ace up his sleeve.

The melding of dream and reality was very nicely handled, they wove in and out of each other beautifully.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

I think it got derailed. Angel drank the drugged blood earlier than Spike expected, as well as the counter effects from killing something. But he knows that Angel won't kill him and now that Xander is no longer a secret, there's no reason to hide.
Thank you. I wanted the progression out of dream to be smooth, so I'm pleased to know that worked.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

"You paid him," Angel stated, flatly.

*laughs* Spike's "Well, yeah," was perfectly placed here. Angel did have moments of incredible obtuseness. *g*

The dream/reality sequence was beautiful. So well done, I was as shocked as Angel to realize it was all real. He'd dreamt of Jeb so often, and of course, he didn't know Xander had been turned yet. This was as skilful as any of your fighting scenes. Just lovely.

I think, though, that my favourite part this week is Xander's momentary petulance while sitting on Spike's lap being compared to Jeb. Any ordinary mortal would be offended at the comparison. Well, anyone with an ounce of self-respect. Xander demonstrates this despite his early-series self-doubts with his other friends. "Hey, I'm the shit now. I'm a vampire! You can't say things like that!" Oh, but you're my sire; I guess maybe you can. *g* That was really well done.

Actually, the entire chapter is incredibly well done. I can't believe this was part 18!!! How did we get here so quickly? Now you seem to be in the real heart of the story. Secrets have been duly revealed, and as Angel is a pivotal character, what's he to do at this point since Xander can no longer be saved? I can't wait to see what you do with this. *g*

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*grins* Yeah, Angel could be dense at times, but I think he looks more dense than he is, because he says things like that when he is surprised, sometimes by other aspects of the situation. Here, I think he was surprised by the fact that Spike's plan was so intricate.

And yes, I agree, vampire Xander is not the same creature as human Xander. He has different values. I do actually hold to canon, that the human dies and the vampire takes over the memories, but none of what is essentially the human remains. And I love your reinterpretation of his response, I would never have come up with that phrasing, but you captured my intention perfectly.

It is amazing to realise it is part 18. I feel like I've only just started this story, in many ways. But, yes, the heart of the story, or at least the right atrium. *g* Angel's knowledge that Xander is a vampire will cause a shift. It'll be fun finding out where that goes.

Thank you, as always, your comment is welcomed and very much appreciated.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

It'll be fun finding out where that goes. For you and for the reader. :)

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*grin* Yes, thank you.

[lilithbint.livejournal.com]

oh that was glorious,
the dream was lush and wild and the reveal was perfect.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Thank you, hon.
I am so pleased to hear you enjoyed it.

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

Oh, sneaky Spike. That plan almost worked, which is better than most of his plans, that's for sure. I get the feeling that Angel wanted it to work, which probably helped because once he threw Xander off, he sobered up quick enough. The drug seemed more excuse than actually controlling his behavior. And Angel... you aren't too quick to jump to Xander's defense here, are you. It's like he's so worn down he doesn't care, and I think Spike knows it.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Yes, in the moments before he fully woke, when he thought he was dreaming, I think Angel was quite happy with the 'dream'. As for the drug, well, he drank it earlier than Spike expected and it made him tired and ready to sleep and gave him the earlier dreams of Boone and Dru, but it wore off a bit quicker than Spike expected, so he did manage to wake, when he saw Xander's eyes. I was thinking about Darla in AtS S2 with all this, obviously.
As for Angel's attitude to Xander, as opposed to Jeb, he knows it's too late, that situation is broke and can't be mended. Plus, the added complication that Human Xander reminded him of a human he wanted to turn as a childe. Vamp Xander is therefore what he wanted to turn Jeb into.
Conflicted, worn down, yeah, I'd say so.