Author’s Notes:
Written (with kind permission) as a follow-on to Buddy’s ‘Immaculate Ejaculation’ which can be found Here. Loosely based on an old challenge from ZusBlue (Step Away From My Xander) in which masturbation, i.e. the Comfort Zone is mentioned.
I’ve used some original quotes from ‘Soulless’ to keep the story arc and slightly modified some others.
Author's Site: Elusive Soul.
The comfort zone - that happy state of relief and mild euphoria that follows on the heels of orgasm.
Could there be such a place? If there was, Wesley had never been there - his ejaculations were born of bitterness, painful need and regret - never comfort. He’d seen it though, at first hand. Rather, at Angelus’ hand as the demon had pleasured himself before a captive audience of Angel’s friends and colleagues on his return.
Wes grinned wryly at the memory. Yes, it had indeed been quite a show - most effective in unnerving the anxious Angel fan club that stood in watch as their champion’s soul was expelled and a psychotic demon took his place.
All for the greater good of course.
Angel’s merry band of compatriots had finally capitulated and allowed him the dubious pleasure of ensuring Angelus’ return. It was a necessary evil, the only way in which they could discover the identity of the Beast and prevent Mankind being hurled into chaos and certain destruction.
Yes - to kill the Beast, one must become as the Beast. Or at the very least, enlist the assistance of another equally evil entity to beat it into submission or destroy it. And oh dear Lord, didn’t Wesley know all about that? To shed off one’s skin and take on the heart and flesh of another? He had mastered that art, tutored by pain and betrayal and his own grievous fault.
(Mea Culpa)
And so with the help of the Shaman, he’d unleashed Angelus upon them all once again. He supposed that he should feel guilty - but then, he’d spent most of his life making a career of that. Recently he had came to the conclusion that it most certainly hadn’t made him a better man, or even a better person. It had made him a pathetic fool, a blustering, pompous idiot who trusted too easily and cared too much about how others saw him. It had made him vulnerable. And the way of the world being as it was, that vulnerability had been exploited and exposed.
It had nearly cost him his life. It had certainly cost him his friends. More importantly, it had alienated him from Angel. And god, was it ever ironic that it was about to happen again. His weakness, his vulnerability was once more to be exploited for the greater good. At the very least, perhaps this time the ends would justify the means, perhaps somehow it wouldn’t all turn on him and devour him as it had when he’d handed over Connor to Holtz. As it had when he’d lost his friends, his life, his...
No. Angel had never been his. Not truly.
He’d watched as Angelus had pleasured himself - horrified fascination holding him in stasis, disgust making him squirm in equal measures of revulsion and lust. It had been no secret to Angel how Wesley had felt about him and those feelings had, in part, been reciprocated.
But Wesley longed for commitment and assurance that Angel was unable to give - longed for true love where there was none. Instead, he settled for respect, deep fondness, maybe even a modicum of devotion. There was no room in his champion’s heart for a weak, insecure man whose desires distracted from the needs of a world desperate for a hero to save them from horror and evil.
Of course, Wesley knew that Angelus was more than well aware of this shortcoming. And that he would make full use of it, given half a chance. Which was why Wesley found himself once again in the basement, facing the cell that held his nemesis. Which was why he was contemplating the unthinkable. Which was why he was going to offer that chance to Angelus on a plate.
Again, all for the greater good.
~*~
“I’ve imagined this moment many times ... To be one on one with the legendary Angelus. As a former Watcher, it‘s a high point.”
“Buttering me up, getting me all relaxed ... Not the most innovative interrogation technique but ... okay, I’ll play.”
“Is it a game?”
“We all want something, Wes. It’s the way of the world. Everybody’s got an agenda.”
“And you’re going to tell me mine.”
Angelus chuckled. “I think you’re already well aware of yours. Isn’t that why you’re here?”
If Wesley’s affected look of puzzlement didn’t fool Angelus, the demon chose to ignore it.
“Enlighten me, won’t you.”
Angelus took a slow, careful step closer to the bars of the cage, his attention not wavering from the tranquilliser gun in Wesley’s tight, white-knuckled grip. He licked his lips lasciviously, his dark eyes glinting with malice and wickedness.
“Foul rag and bone shot to the heart. That’s where you live.”
Wesley blinked. “Meaning?”
“Ooooh ... Struck a nerve, didn’t I? This is gonna be so easy. Just like you really, Wes. Soooo easy.” Angelus leant forward. “Still wanna play?”
“Always.”
“Alrighty then. It’s not like your schoolgirl crush is a big secret anyway. They all know. They all see how pathetic you are, sniffing around at his heels. Hovering in his wake, waiting for crumbs. Starving for a little bite of kindness, a little scrap of consideration. Thirsting for just a drop of the sacred come of the champion and waiting tirelessly for the inevitable pity-fuck.”
Wesley’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly. “You disgust me.”
“Of course I disgust you. You can’t handle the truth. And the truth as we all know it Wes, is pretty damn nauseating.”
“Truth? What do you know about the truth?”
Angelus gasped loudly and put his hand to his mouth in mock surprise. “But ... Isn’t that why you’re here? For the truth? Isn’t that what you seek, oh great and mighty rogue demon hunter?”
“Tell me about the Beast.”
“Way to change the subject, Wes. Switching from one bonehead to another.”
“In Cordelia’s vision, you and the Beast were standing on a field ...”
“Oh god, yeah! Let’s talk about Cordy, shall we? Huh? Now there’s a rack to write home about. Too bad about the personality, though. Yap, yap, yap, yap.”
“Shut up.”
“Yeah! We’re getting closer to your precious truth now, aren’t we? So enlighten me Wes. Which do you think is worse? What you did to me when you stole Connor, or Cordelia sockin’ it to you by bangin’ the only two people that you’ve ever truly wanted. All the sloppy kissing and furtive groping she got up to with the lovely Xander Harris whom, incidentally, everyone knows you panted over like a bitch on heat. Not surprising really, he was a tasty piece of meat.”
Angelus smacked his lips theatrically, then raised a hand to his mouth and slowly licked his fingers.
“I gotta tell you Wes; he was some good eatin’. Tight as a ten-year-old virgin and he sang like an angel when I boned him. Or maybe that should be ‘screamed‘. Damn, you‘d have loved it. He‘d have played good little doggy for you just perfectly. And man, he looked hot in his leather studded collar; hell ... Spike even had a piece of him - used to make him bark like the little bitch he is.”
“You sick bastard.”
“Moi? Oh, now you flatter me. But hey, if that’s not truth enough for you, how about all the bumping and grinding that sweet Cordy and your champion got up to while you lay in hospital with your throat cut and your life in tatters. She’s not as tight as the boy, but she had a few more tricks up her sleeve. She’s a little more ... seasoned. Thought for awhile she was gonna hit the jackpot and give me my Get Out Of Jail Free ticket, but it wasn’t to be.
I bet that’s a relief though - that she couldn’t give him happiness either. You’re both just a couple of sad fucking losers at the end of the day, aren‘t you. Lap dogs for the people‘s champion - fuck-toys for his use and selfish pleasure. Now that, my old friend, is a sick bastard.”
Angelus pursed his lips and tutted. “My, my. When you take a long hard look at the truth, it seems Angel is not all sweetness and light after all, is he Wes? He uses you, he used her and you’re both too stupid to see it. There’s a little bit more of me in him than you care to think about, isn’t there? But then ... that’s what you really want, isn’t it? That’s what you’re really looking for in him.”
“You’re a liar.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. You’re addicted. Admit it. You’re just a pain-junkie, Wes. You’re attracted to the darkness like a moth to a flame and let me tell you right here, right now, whatever you think you know about your ‘champion’, I know him better. He’ll chew you up and spit you out and there’ll be nothing left but a sad, empty husk. He’ll suck the life and soul right out of you.”
Angelus threw his hands in the air and roared with laughter. “What am I saying! Look at you! Soul Boy’s already done a number on you, hasn’t he? You know I’m just about ready to tear up here, I mean, he’s done such a great job emasculating you with little or no collateral damage, you gotta admire him just a little. ‘Course, he hasn’t got my flair and he certainly has no stomach for the end game, but to keep you dangling and hanging on like this ... Wow.”
“The Beast, Angelus. All I’m interested in is the Beast. You can fabricate as many stories as you like, fool yourself as much as it suits you, but I won’t listen. You’re right, I do have an agenda - and my prime directive is to stop this apocalypse right in it‘s tracks by killing the Beast. If that means taking you along with it, I’ll have no compunction at all.”
“Oh. Now we’re getting to the crux of the matter. Taking me?” Angelus prowled forward until his nose was nearly touching the bars of the cage. He reached up slowly with both hands and loosely gripped the bars, idly stroking them between his fingers and thumbs.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you Wes? To take me.”
Wesley jaw tightened and he gripped the tranquilliser-gun harder. “Yes. I must admit, I would quite enjoy killing you.”
“Who said anything about killing?”
Angelus dropped his eyes, then glanced up at Wesley coyly. “I could smell you, you know. When I put on my little floorshow for the minions. You were hot, weren’t you? You were hard and hot and ready.”
Wesley’s mouth fell open and he shook his head. “No. No, absolutely not. You ... You disgusted me. What you did, in front of Fred and Cordelia, it was ...”
“It was hot and you know it. And don’t let old Chuck tell you that it didn’t tighten his balls just a little. And the ladies? Mmmmmmm ...”
Angelus head lolled back and his eyes slid closed as he sniffed the air. “I love the smell of wet cunt in the morning, don’t you?” His head snapped forward and his eyes opened, glaring at Wesley with malicious glee. “Oh, but you wouldn’t, would you? You don’t swing that way.”
Wesley flinched - not enough for a mere human to notice, but enough for Angelus, who smirked darkly. “Denial’s a bitch, Wes. A bitch that’ll trap you and then gobble you down whole if you let her. Give her up, or you‘ll never be free.”
Angelus cocked his head to one side and the smirk slid smoothly from his lips to be replaced with something else. Something resembling the calm concern that Angel habitually wore on his brow like a crown of thorns.
“Let me help, you Wes - you know that I can. I know everything that there is to know about you, I can see into your soul.” Voice hushed now. “Let me free you. Let me free both of us.”
Wesley swallowed hard. “All right.”
Angelus blinked owlishly, then his eyes narrowed in confusion and distrust. “All right? What does that mean?”
“Your offer. I’m willing to accept your offer if you can give me what I need.”
Angelus didn’t answer but Wesley could nearly hear the vampire’s mind racing as his own words echoed in his head. Words that were picked apart, analysed, dissected, rejoined.
Wesley cocked an eyebrow. “You did make me an offer, did you not? To help me? Or have you changed your mind so quickly?”
Angelus thought for a moment. “Huh. Let’s see now. I just need to clarify what part of this ‘offer’ is supposed to be to my benefit. Don‘t want to be too hasty - gotta make sure that everyone walks away from this with a happy.” He winked. “Everyone meaning me, of course.”
“’Let me free both of us‘, isn’t that what you said? It’s what you want, isn’t it? To be free? To be out of this cage? I can give you that. Quid Pro Quo, Angelus.”
Angelus snorted. “It’s gonna take a little more than that, Wes. You know and I know that sooner or later I’m getting outta here. I have friends. Powerful friends and you’d better believe that they‘ll ...”
Wesley looked around him, his face a mask of mocking concern. “Where are your ‘friends’ now, Angelus? I don’t see anyone here, do you?” He took a small step closer to the cage and smirked. “It’s just you and me. Right now, I‘m the only ‘friend‘ you‘ve got.”
The demon’s face twisted in a snarl. “How fucking cosy. Not.”
The ex-watcher smiled coldly. “Quite. So what’s it to be?”
Angelus sighed theatrically. “Well, not being a man of many choices right now, I’d have to go with what’s behind door number 2, Wes.” He widened his arms in a sweeping gesture. “Let the mutual back scratching commence.”
Wesley nodded curtly. “All right. Let’s begin, shall we? I want you to ...”
He was interrupted by a bray of laughter from the vampire. “Oh I think we’ve already established what it is that you want me to do, but hold on there just a second ...”
Angelus tutted. “Such a hasty boy, no patience at all. That’s something that we need to work on, but not today.”
He cocked his head to one side quizzically and smiled. “What exactly do you take me for? You know in your itty-bitty heart that just the promise of freedom isn’t enough. When you dance with the devil, nothing is ever enough. You of all people should understand that. I need more.”
Wesley‘s face was impassive. “What more could you possibly want?”
“You, Wes. I want you. I want you to be my bitch. I want you to scream as I ravage that lily-white, self-loathing, denial-loving ass of yours. I want you to beg and plead and weep as I take my pleasure from you. I want you to bleed for me. Willingly.”
Wesley‘s lips tightened. “In order to do that, you’ll have to be free. And in order to be free, you’ll have to give me what I want first.”
“I thought that was what you wanted. For me to take you. Make you mine.” Angelus licked his lips suggestively. “Make you beg.”
“I want you to tell me about the Beast. That is all. When we‘ve averted the apocalypse, I‘ll release you. Then, I don’t care if I never see your hateful face again.”
The vampire chuckled. “Never gonna happen. You think I’ll just let you walk away? You think I won’t want my pound of flesh? Damn Wes, you don’t know me at all - my feelings are kinda hurt now. I thought you understood me. So much for Quid Pro Quo.”
“What about the others? Will they just walk away or are they on your to-do list also?”
Angelus laughed. “That all depends on you. And hey ... is that a sense of humour you’re finally cultivating? God, I’m must be rubbing off on you, Wes.” The vampire pressed the heel of his hand against his crotch. “Mmmm ... well, not just yet, but I’m hopeful.”
“Enough. I ...”
Angelus eyebrows knotted in indignation. “Enough? I tell you when it’s fucking enough, boy. This is my damn party and you’ll dance to my tune or you won’t dance at all.”
Wesley waited silently watching the vampire clench and unclench his large hands. Hands he could almost feel on his body orchestrating an aria of pain, pleasure and blood. Pushing aside the thought, he gritted his teeth and capitulated.
“I’m sorry. But it’s vital that you give me the information that I need soon, otherwise ...”
Angelus smirked. “Armageddon time.”
Wesley nodded slowly, eyes downcast.
“So, soon-to-be man-bitch of mine ... Tell me again, because I just love to hear you saying it - in return for telling you what you want to know and giving the others ... say ... a two hour head start, I get ... what?”
“Freedom. And me.”
Angelus studied him thoughtfully. “Freedom and you. And as mentioned, it has to be willingly. I mean, it’s not that I don’t get off on having you act the martyr, Wes. But it would be no damn fun if you didn’t hate every fucking second of the remainder of your short but bloody life, squirming in the knowledge that you did it to yourself. Knowing that at any time you could have walked away and hey ... maybe I’d never have caught up with you. Maybe, just maybe, you’d have survived regardless.”
The demon stared at Wesley intently. “Why, Wes. Why are you doing this? Indulge me.”
Wesley shrugged. “The Beast, the darkness… the world is falling apart. We’re out of time. We’re out of ideas. This is all there is left. Sometimes a sacrifice needs to be made.”
“And you’re the itty-bitty lamb. Not that there aren’t a few things I wouldn’t mind doing to that body… other than the obvious.”
“Tell us about the Beast and you can do whatever you want.”
“You’re lying.”
“Look in my eyes. Angel knows me. You know me, better than anyone. You know I’m not lying.”
Angelus grunted ambiguously. Wesley smiled weakly. “We’re agreed then?”
Deviousness glinted in Angelus eyes. “Not quite. How do I know that you won’t try and wrangle yourself out of this one, huh? I need proof, Wes. I need a money-back guarantee. A show of faith, if you will.”.
Wesley frowned. “You’ll just have to take my word for it.”
“Your word isn’t good enough, Wesley.” Angelus counted off on his fingers. “I’m thinking ‘liar’, I’m thinking ‘betrayal’, I’m thinking ‘kidnapping a man’s only son‘.”
“You’re not a man.”
“Oh split hairs, why don’t you? You took my son, Wesley. You betrayed Faith, you betrayed Angel and you’ll sure as shit betray me if I give you even half a chance. I need you to do something to prove to me that you mean what you say.”
Wesley sighed. “What can I do? Tell me. You obviously have something in mind.”
The vampire chuckled. “Well, as it happens ... Okay, I was thinking how generous it was of me to put on that little floorshow for you and the rest of the champ’s lapdogs, and how rude it was that I got no appreciation whatsoever. Not a smile, not a ‘thank you’, not even a reciprocal offer.”
“Reciprocal offer? You can’t seriously mean...?”
“Oh come ON, Wes! Don’t be coy. It’s not like you won’t spank the monkey later when you’re all alone and horny and thinking about me and my gorgeous thick cock.”
“Dear God, is there no end to your depravity? You can’t think that I’d even consider ...”
“Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock ... Clock is ticking, bitch. Armageddon approaches and you’re playing the coy virgin when you should be on your knees sucking my cock in gratitude for helping you.”
“You’ve told me nothing of any importance or use.”
“Other than HOW you can help yourself and the rest of this miserable fucking world by giving me my show of faith and saving all their miserable asses.”
They studied each other, deadlocked in silence. Seconds dragged by.
“What do you want me to do?”
Angelus smiled magnanimously. “No more or less than I’ve already done for you. See? I won’t even make you suck me off this time. I’m content to watch you entertaining me, thrilling me with your ... technique.” The vampire’s face pressed against the bars and he licked his lips. “ Show me how much you intend to please me when our deal is done, Wesley. Make me believe that you’re up for it and I swear you’ll have what you want.”
A large bead of sweat crept slowly from Wesley’s brow and made it’s way nonchalantly towards his chin. Angelus watched hungrily as it trickled down the ex-watcher‘s neck, his fangs itching and impatient within his gums.
“Well? Gonna give daddy some sugar, baby?”
Wesley stuttered. “I ... I can’t. How can I make it ... I mean ... its not ... I’m not ...”?
“Hard?” Angelus cooed. “Poor baby can’t get it up, huh?
Wesley glanced quickly at the CCTV camera above the cell.
Angelus chuckled. “We both know it’s not switched on, Wes.”
Wesley blinked, exasperated - more beads of sweat popping out and shining wetly on his forehead.
The vampire grinned widely. “Oh, so it is on? But I’m betting ... volumes turned way down, yes? So they can see us, but they can’t hear us. Now that makes things all kinds of interesting.”
Angelus walked to the back of the cage, slid to the floor and stretched dispassionately.
“Tell you what, boy ... I’m gonna help you out a little here, see if we can’t get that soldier standing to attention. You just step back a little out of range of the camera; they won’t see a thing.”
Wesley whimpered hoarsely. “I can’t ... Please ...”
“Please what? Please begin? Okey dokey, don’t mind if I do. And for god’s sake look as if you’re enjoying yourself. If you don’t play nice, you don’t get the cookie.”
Wesley stepped back until he felt the cool hardness of the wall at his back. Hands trembling but resolved, he opened the button on his pants and slid down the zip.
Angelus hissed softly. “Oooh eager ... I like that. Now ... slide those pants down just a little more. Lemme see some skin. Oh yeah, that’s it. Now, get your favourite hand nice and wet for me - don’t want to see ugly friction burns on my bitch, do I? Least, not any that I haven’t put there myself.”
Wesley raised his hand to his mouth and licked his palm. It tasted salty, already moistened by nervous sweat. He tongued it until it glistened with saliva, and gulping hard, he slowly lowered his hand and loosely fisted his semi-hard penis. He was surprised and embarrassed to note that it wasn’t completely flaccid and indeed it jumped eagerly in his hand as he closed his fist around it.
Angelus growled softly. “Mmmm ... good boy. Now stroke it slowly, we don’t want to rush things ... yeah ... hold it out so I can see it, that‘s right. Feels good doesn’t it Wes? Close your eyes now. Imagine it’s him ... Angel ... on his knees ... eager tongue licking the length of your shaft ... those big brown eyes gazing up at you as he slides his lips over the head and sucks hard on your cock.”
And god help him, but he does. He can see Angel behind his tightly shut eyes. Can smell him. And although his head knows that it’s Angelus’ scent, his heart and his fantasy demands that it’s Angel.
“Now ... other hand ... slide it along your thigh ... cup your balls ... feel how smooth they are ... how soft they are in your hand? Watch Angel cup them gently ... cradle them ... roll them on the palm of his hand while his mouth is working on you ... tongue lashing the head of your cock ... sucking you so hard ...”
Wesley moaned, his head lolling back, eyes tight shut and hand working faster, harder.
“You’re fucking him now, Wes. He’s on his knees and you’re inside him so deep that he’ll taste you when you come. You’re slamming into him and he’s moaning ... begging ... more ... more ... oh god, Wesley ... fuck me harder ... deeper ... please Wes ... fuck me harder ...”
Nearly undone, Wesley moaned deep in his throat, Angel’s name sputtering from his lips like a litany. He half-opened his eyes and watched Angelus, still sprawled on the floor of the cage, pants open and hand busy on his own cock as he watched the human in return. He felt his balls draw up and tighten as he started to come.
“Please ... please Wes ... don’t stop ... fuck me ... make me come ...” Angelus panted hoarsely.
“God ... oh god ... Angel ...” He gasped for air, the tendons on his neck straining - and the orgasm when it hit was one of the sweetest that he’d ever had. His knees gave out and he sank slowly to the floor, rapidly softening penis slipping from wet fingers, and almost immediately the shame swamped him dispelling any vestiges of pleasure that still remained.
A sound issued from his throat, a mixture of groan and sob. Slowly, carefully, he zipped and buttoned his pants again, still dazed and strung-out by the strength of his orgasm.
From across the room, Angelus caught his eye. He was smirking, as usual - licking his own semen from his hands with relish. One by one he sucked each finger into his mouth and licked them clean noisily.
“Mmm ... mmm ... mmm. Well, I gotta hand it to you Wes, as assurances go, that was pretty damn convincing. Pity ‘the gang’ couldn’t have gotten an eyeful, though. Maybe next time, huh? But hey ... I‘m sure they enjoyed my encore just as much.” The demon winked broadly and then waved briefly in the direction of the camera.
Wesley got to his feet somewhat shakily. “Is that what you wanted? Will that suffice?”
Angelus studied him in silence for a moment. “For the time being.“ He stood up, adjusting his clothing. “Okay, little lamb - you’ve got a deal. Wanna shake on it? While you‘ve still got hands, that is.” He extended his hand through the bars of the cage, but on glancing at Wesley’s semen-coated hand he withdrew it. “Maybe not.”
“Angelus ... the Beast?”
Angelus sighed. “Better pull up a chair, bitch ‘o mine - this could take awhile.”
~*~
“So the beast sought you out? Why?”
“Girl trouble. Thought I might be able to help him with a situation.”
“How?”
“You’ve heard of the Svea Priestesses? Very powerful. Big on banishing. Seems the Beast was next on their list. He couldn’t touch them himself, some kind of mojo. But a vampire could.
“He wanted you to kill them for him?”
“Yup. Kind of a Quid Pro Quo gig - I’d scratch his priestesses and he’d scratch my back somewhere down the line— a limited partnership. But he wanted more - wanted to make it permanent. Had this dream of the two of us cutting a swathe through the general populace throwing the severed heads of children behind us as we passed. Not that it wouldn’t have been a lot of fun, but you know me Wes, I don’t play well with others.”
“So you refused?”
“He didn’t take it too well, bless his little cotton socks. He got a little tetchy - decided that he’d rather beat me to death with my own arm than let me walk off into the sunset without him.”
“So you fought?”
“Well, if you call ‘fought’ me getting the ever-lovin’ crappola beaten outta me. So he caught me on a bad day, got in a couple of lucky punches. Anyhoo, upshot is I thought that was going to be the end of me but like I said the big guy had girl trouble. The Svea Priestesses appear across the field, dressed in blue cloaks and carrying long staves topped with glowing crystals. They started with the whammy and ... that was that.”
“They banished him? How?”
“Damned if I know. Was too busy choking on teeth and passing out to care.”
“And?”
“And? There is no ‘and’, that’s it. Find the Svea Priestesses and ask them, Sherlock.”
Wesley rose from his chair and turned to leave. “I’ll be back.”
Angelus called after him. “What, that‘s it? No thanks? No hug? Alrighty then, bye snookums - have a nice day!”
He got nothing but the quiet clunk of a closing door in reply.
~*~
Wesley descended the stairs and stood before Angelus once again. The vampire sprawled motionless on the floor, arm over his eyes.
“Hi honey - you’re home!” Angelus was on his feet and standing before the bars facing Wesley before the human had even registered him moving. “Now get me out of here. Busy time ahead - things to kill, people to do - you get the picture.”
Wesley’s face was stony. “I’m afraid that you won’t be going anywhere, Angelus.”
The vampire snarled and hurled himself at the bars of the cage. Wesley took a step backwards. “We had a deal, bitch ‘o mine. Show of faith, information. Information, end of apocalypse. End of apocalypse, me getting the FUCK OUT OF HERE! So do it. Let. Me. the. Fuck. Out of here.”
“They were dead.”
Angelus blinked. “What? Who was dead?”
“The Svea Priestesses. We found a little boy, his sister, mother, father, grandmother… all dead.
“Oh great. I miss all the good massacres, thanks a bunch.”
“The Beast butchered them.”
“No shit, Sherlock. Look, I hate to break this to you, but this is not my gig - I had nothing to do with it. Beastie boy was probably prancing around their still-warm corpses while you and I were ...”
“There is no ‘you and I’.”
“Oh, don’t be like that, baby. C‘mon over here and let me turn that frown upside down.”
Wesley stood motionless, anger coursing through his veins, the urge to just stake Angelus and be done with it almost overwhelming.
Angelus sighed heavily. “Look. He came, he saw, he ripped their heads off - NOT MY FAULT! I was in here - you know that. Besides ... what could I possibly have to gain from killing them, huh? Me and the Beast - not best buds, in case you hadn’t noticed. So don’t go blaming me for your little debacle. I told you everything I know, that was the deal.”
“No. The deal was you give us information, we save the world, and you get me. Well… the world has not been saved, therefore I won‘t be releasing you anytime soon.”
Wesley turned around and slowly walked towards the door. He looked over his shoulder and paused.
“Which also means, by the way, that our deal is off - no world saved means no releasing of you and therefore no having of me. But never mind. Better luck next time, Angelus.”
“You bastard. You really don’t believe for one fucking second that I’m about to let this go, do you?”
“Don’t see how you have much choice, being in that cage. “
Angelus glowered. “You won’t be able to keep me in here forever.”
Wesley smiled. “Ah. Actually, we don’t intend to. In approximately ...”
He checked his watch.
“... One hour, we’re going to re-instate Angel’s soul. We need him here for the impending apocalypse, you see. Such a shame you’re going to miss it.”
“On the contrary, I’m looking forward to it.” Angelus gripped the bars tightly with both hands, knuckles glowing whitely in the dim light. “I’m not out of the game yet, Wesley. You still owe me and believe me, lover, I fully intend to be around to collect.”
The ex-watcher stared at Angelus, his impassive expression giving away none of the turmoil that he felt inside. Then he walked towards the door and didn‘t look back.
“Goodbye, Angelus. I don‘t suppose we shall meet again.”
The closing door muffled the vampire’s roar of rage.
~*~
Wesley walked unhurriedly to the office where the others were waiting, trying hard to steady his breathing, slow down his pounding heart. His early feeling of shame hadn‘t dissipated, rather it twisted and soured inside him and he felt violated ... unclean.
He had no idea how he was going to face Angel again. In all honesty, he hadn’t given that eventuality much thought whilst he was contemplating his ‘plan’. His intentions had been good - he really did mean to give himself up to Angelus if the need arose.
But what had happened in the interim, the extra ‘show of faith’ that the demon had demanded, well ... there had been no time to consider it - he had to act quickly. He only hoped that Angel could understand - could forgive.
He entered the office, barely glancing at the others who were waiting for him.
“Okay, let’s ...”
He broke off, aware that they were all staring at him. A sense of fast-approaching doom washed over him and his heart renewed it’s frantic pounding.
“What?”
Fred’s voice shook and her face was pale with shock. “Angel’s soul, it’s ... Wesley it’s gone!”
He stared in disbelief and growing horror at the empty safe that had, until recently, been home to Angel’s soul. Angelus’ words and threats, the impending apocalypse, the loss of their champion, it all whirled around in his head like a maelstrom.
“What do we do? Wesley ... what do we DO?”
Wesley looked around at all of them, unnerved by the confusion and anguish on their faces. Their fear was almost palpable, but he made his decision speedily.
He walked across to the other side of the room and unhooked an axe from the wall, testing it‘s balance by throwing it from hand to hand adeptly. He swung it once, twice, three times and then turned to face his friends again.
“We do exactly what Angel would do if he were here ...“
He strode to the door and looked back at them.
“We go to work.”
+ Fin +