Nocturnal Bravura

by Starshine

VERY AU: Master Of The Sunnydale Hellmouth plays with a tortured Slayer, his dark Princess by his side. Not the story you may think it is, in fact far from it. Come and take a journey to madness, betrayal, desire and rage. As we follow our cast of characters as they journey from the past to understand the present, as they learn love can be beautiful and pure as well as dark and dangerous. And perhaps that hardest thing in this world is too truly live in it.

Authors Note: A lot of blood-play, darkness freaky/kinky and angst and VERY NC-17. Not suitable for viewers under age. Not your typical Buffy or Spike. This will be VERY LONG with a lot of flashbacks.

At least when there were screams everything was loud so loud it overtook all flashes of the vampire’s mind.

A hunger stirred inside. Something was coming. The heartbeat echoed through the vampire’s head.

“Yes, be loud.” The vampire whispered.

So loud the images would go away.

Thunk, thunk, thunk.

It approached closer.

The Vampire reached up over it’s head and swung into the top of branch perching quietly with cat like grace.

Thunk, thunk, thunk.....

A heartbeat. Cool steady no nervousness or fear.

With a turn of the head the vampire and took a whiff the air.

A deadly smile crept upon it’s face a single word escaped it’s lips.

“Slayer.”

The Slayer loved nights like this. Hardly anyone or anything around. The cemetery ground were quiet. There was nothing to fight The Slayer for a little while could rest.

“Don’t let your guard down.” The Slayer thought.

“The Master or his Princess could be just around the corner.”

The Master had ruled The Hellmouth for the last two years. Elusive and deadly. Only The Slayer had seen him. Everyone from the demon world to The Watcher’s Council speculated. Only The Slayer knew who he was for sure.

A strange sensation crept up the Slayer’s neck.

“Fuck.” The Slayer muttered.

Something was there. Something was watching him. The Slayer saw the clearing in the cemetery. It was a trap. But for what?

Slowly The Slayer took a step onto the grass. To the average eye there would have been nothing. Maybe a slight breeze that rustled through the tree. Slayer sense saw the figure as it flipped off it’s branch and landed behind them.

The Slayer did a flip as well getting into a fighting stance watching the creature slowly rise from the crouching position.

“Why? Why always you” The Slayer thought.

The Slayer watched as the figure straightened up. The moonlight danced off of the vampire’s pale skin. It was exquisite. Everything about It. It’s hair, it’s lips, it eyes, it’s sometimes unfocused tortured eyes haunted The Slayer most.

The Vampire stood there smiling at it’s prey. Those same tortured eyes did not seem so unfocused tonight. The Slayer knew that could only mean one thing. The Vampire wanted to play.

The Vampire looked at the Slayer smiling.

“Hello there Slayer out for a stroll?” It said in a childlike voice.

The Slayer smiled.

“You know me I enjoy a good walk in the dark clears my head.” The Slayer replied.

The Slayer circled the vampire.

“Should we get on with this then?” The Slayer asked.

The Vampire nodded.

“Daddy, will want me to come home soon. Can‘t dance for too long.” The Vampire said in a sing song voice.

“Well, come on then Luv. You know you wanna dance.” The Slayer replied pulling a stake out of his pocket.

The vampire pouted.

“Bad Willie always needs little toys. You are The Slayer after all why bother?” The Vampire asked.

William shrugged his shoulders.

“I just like them they make me feel all manly.” He teased.

The Vampire leaned back on it’s heels ready to do battle.

“Are we ready to dance Willie?” The vampire asked.

William looked at the blonde vampire in front of him and took a deep breath.

“All right, then Buffy let’s dance.”

It was suppose to be a fight. Bloody, dirty full of rage and fear like all fights were but when they threw blows it truly looked like a dance. They countered each other flawlessly. Knew when to punch and when to block. There arms and legs never got entangled or off step. They step like they were in the throes of a waltz swinging gracefully from side to side. Moving there heads with poise. Even at times their breathing seemed timed inhaling when one exhaled and the other doing the same. Then every once and awhile.

Thwack!

William staggered back holding his nose trying to stop the bleeding.

Buffy smiled looking at him. Her pink tongue darted out of her mouth licking the little bit of the Slayer’s blood that splattered across her knuckles.

“Yummy, yummy for my tummy.” Buffy said rubbing her stomach like a child.

William knew right then it was a bad night for the blonde vampire. Sometimes he would find her. Crouched in the darkness her white nightgown muddy and torn. She mumbled about things. To most people she would seem incoherent. When William heard her it ripped his heart out. The things she mumbled haunted William. If anyone knew he had left her there or at times had taken her to shelter to make sure away she was away from deadly sun in the morning he would be history. She was The Master’s Princess he should stake her on sight. However he couldn’t he never could.

Buffy looked down at her hands then up at William with a questioning look.

“What were we doing?” Buffy asked tilting her head. She put her hands on her black leather clad hips.

Suddenly like she had a moment of clarity she squealed.

“Yes we were dancing.” She said.

Buffy immediately launched herself in the air doing a series of acrobatics. William took two steps back waiting for her to finish her flips. William saw his moment he crouched down and swept her legs as she landed. Instead of falling backwards she fell into his arms. William began to push her away when he looked into her eyes.

“If the stars have burned out by the time I see them does that make them any less beautiful?” Buffy whispered her body going limp.

William gulped hard. Her words echoed a conversation from long ago. Another place in another time. William looked down at her. She looked so helpless in his arms. Her eyes, they seemed to clear from their fog for a brief moment.

“William.” Buffy said breathlessly.

William stroked her cheek and looked in her eyes.

“Elizabeth.” He whispered.

“William?” She questioned touching face almost as if she was checking if he was real.

William fought the tears threatening to spill out of his eyes.

“Lizzie?” He asked.

Suddenly they both heard clapping in the background.

They both sprang back from each other watching the figure emerge.

William watched Buffy for a brief second as she raised her hands to her temples.

“Now, now there Slayer. Watch your manners.” The voice said.

Buffy and William looked off into the distance.

The tall figured emerged, his black leather trench coat billowed as he took slow steps to them. He stopped looking at William then at Buffy.

William resumed his defensive stance. It was The Master he was here to come and collect his Princess.

Buffy got a far off look in her eyes. A look that always broke William’s heart. She turned and clapped her hands like a child and squealed running toward the black leather figure.

“Daddy! Daddy’s here!” She screamed.

William watched as the vampire smirked he reached out in Buffy’s direction his eyes never leaving William. He was proving a point. The point not being lost to William. Buffy belonged to him. Buffy reached The Master his arms encircled her as she nuzzled into his chest.

“You shouldn’t let her out by herself. Not when she is like this.” William said.

The Master smiled at William.

“Only thing to fear out here is you. And you would never hurt Buffy would you?” The Master said reaching down and raising Buffy’s chin so she was looking into his eyes.

“Isn’t that right My Precious Princess. Willie would never hurt you.” The Master said talking to Buffy like she was a four year old. Buffy giggled like a child.

“No Daddy, Willie likes to dance.” Buffy said.

The Master continued to hold Buffy to his chest. Buffy wrapped her hands around and inside The Master’s long leather coat.

“See there then Slayer. No harm no foul. She was just having a bit of fun.” The Master said.

“I see you’re back.” William said his teeth clenched.

“What no I miss you? Really Willie I am a bit hurt. At least you took care of my Princess.” The Master said stroking the top of Buffy’s head.

“One of these days I’ll stake her and then what will you do?” William challenged.

The Master stared at William. His eyes suddenly turning gold. His smooth features contorted until his face molded into the demon William had seen so many time before. William knew he could take him right there and then. His hand gripped around his stake then the Master spoke.

“No you won’t William. Don’t you remember the first lesson of our youth? Never touch your older brother’s things.”

William watched as The Master’s face changed back into it’s human face. It was like looking at a mirror, always had been. They were identical in nearly every way. They both had the same piercing blue eyes, well chilsed jaw, toned muscles. Even the hair color was naturally the same platinum blonde. Almost everything was the same. Except for the look behind the eyes. While William’s eyes spoke of the sorrow of living life The Master’s spoke of the glee of taking it.

“Now dear brother welcome your old brother home. I have had such a journey.” The Master said sighing dramatically.

William stared at him trying not to let his older brother get the best of him.

“This isn’t you home Spike not anymore.” William said his voice quaking.

Buffy whimpered in Spike’s arms.

“Now see look what you have done Willie. You have upset out Perfect Princess.” Spike said taking Buffy’s face in his hands.

“There, there Luv. Willie did not mean it.” Spike said kissing the top of her head.

He picked Buffy up and cradled her in his arms like a baby.

For some reason she always looked so much smaller than she was when Spike did that. It broke his heart and disgusted him at the same time.

“Let’s get you home. Daddy brought you all kinds of presents. Let’s get you inside Pet. Get that cute tummy of yours filled.” Spike said touching his nose to Buffy’s giving her Eskimo kisses.

Buffy giggled and threw her arms around Spike.

William watched them for a moment. He shouldn’t care he should stop what ever Spike was planning but he couldn’t. The question screamed in his head. The words burned on his tongue. He needed to walk away. He needed not to care. If he could just turn around and walk away.

William began to do just that. He stopped finally giving into the question that rage through his mind.

“Did you find it?!” William yelled.

Spike stopped dead in his tracks and turned around.

“Did you find a way to make her better?” William asked quietly.

Spike looked down and the girl in his arms. For a moment he looked pained. Buffy sat cradled in Spike’s arms worrying the button’s of Spike red shirt humming a tune only she could hear oblivious to anything else going on around her.

“No, no I didn’t but I will.”

William Giles walked into his house on Revello Drive. His mind tried to process everything that had happened tonight. He knew he had to keep up appearances. His father had a sense about these things. What did William expect he was a third generation Watcher. Just like William’s grandfather and great grandmother before him. William was to inherit that role. That was before. Two years ago before the world spun out of control.

William heard Rupert emerge from the study.

“William, your back early.” Rupert observed.

William nodded.

“It was a quiet night.” William responded.

Rupert took off his glasses and pulled out his handkerchief, a tell tale sign that Rupert was about to broach a subject uncomfortable to him.

“I take it you know what tomorrow is?” Rupert asked.

William sighed nodding slowly.

“We have to be there for her William. It will be difficult for her to say the least.” Rupert said.

William smiled trying to reassure his father.

“I know. Is she sleeping yet?” William asked.

Rupert smirked.

“I assume she is in bed but you know as well as I do William she does not sleep until she sees you.” Rupert said smiling back at his son.

“Right then.” William replied.

William walked up the stairs and turned to the first door on the right. He rapped on the door.

“Will! Come in!” He heard a young girl yell.

William opened the door and walked in.

For a brief moment his previous worries melted away at the site of the young girl tucked into her covers laying in a small pick canopy bed. He walked over and sat on the edge.

“ ‘Lo Lil Bit” He said his British accent sounding a bit more thick.

“Hi Will. Kill any mean nasties tonight?” The young girl asked.

William frowned at her.

“Dawnie, you know you shouldn’t....”

“I know, I know don’t sound like Giles please. I don’t need to hear another guardian-like lecture about destiny and responsibility. How I should not even know my guardian’s son is The Slayer and that it’s a privilege to be included in the little Scooby circle.” Dawn said rolling her eyes.

William had to laugh at her.

“All right I won’t say a word.” William said.

His eyes drifted to a picture at Dawn’s bedside. It was such a beautiful photo. In the middle was Dawn’s mother Joyce, flanked on each side with her lovely daughters. William absentmindedly reached out and touched the photo.

“I know you know what tomorrow is.” Dawn whispered.

William nodded.

“Sometimes I can’t believe it’s been two years.” Dawn said picking up the photo.

“I miss them both so much.” Dawn said fat tears rolling down her tiny face.

William reached out and hugged the girl.

“I know Bit me too.” William whispered.

“Is it bad Will that I think of her more than I think of Mom?” Dawn asked.

William shook his head.

“Makes sense. Your Mum was sick for a long time. Your sister it, was sudden.” William said trying not to let her emotions get the better of him.

“Giles says we don’t have to go to school tomorrow. Well your in college so I guess you can skip whenever you want to. Me, I need an excuse. Can you believe she would have been nineteen tomorrow?” Dawn said.

William nodded looking down.

Dawn frowned.

“I’m sorry William. I know how you felt about her.” Dawn said reaching out and holding his hand.

He smiled at the thirteen year old girl in front of him. Dawnie had always been so intuitive. So smart for such a young thing. The rest of the world never saw through his facade but Dawn always did even at nine she knew William had been hopelessly in love with her sister. Now at thirteen her intuition was only stronger. Rupert suspected she may have sort of special gift, that marked by her forced maturity made Dawn different from other girls her age. Perhaps that’s why William felt so bonded to her. He knew what it felt like to see the world through eyes that were askew.

“Go to bed Lil’ Bit we’ll see you in the morning.” William said kissing the top of her head.

Dawn smiled and snuggled into the covers.

William began to walk out the door. He opened the door and begun to swing it shut when he heard Dawn whisper.

“Happy Birthday Lizzie, I miss you.”

William entered his room and shut his door he leaned against it for a moment shutting his eyes. After a long moment he walked over to his desk and sat down. He stared at the triple framed picture on his desk. One side was a recent picture of him and The Scoobies. Xander, his girlfriend Anya, Willow and her boyfriend Oz. The best mates a Slayer could ask for. They stood by him in battle and in life. Xander was somewhat of a weapons expert while Willow was good at anything to do with research that and she was a hell of a witch.

Anya, well that one was complicated. Hard to explain to the average human that you best friend’s girlfriend was once a demon that had been around for 2000 years. Even more strange to try to get them to wrap their heads around the fact that she wasn’t anymore because she got begrudgedly stuck here but somehow became a white hatter.

Oz was a great friend loyal and trusting. Adored Red who William loved like a sister. However they had to keep him caged up three nights a month being a werewolf and all.

In the center was a family picture. Spike and William’s 16th birthday their parents hugging each of them. Before their mother Jenny died. Before either of them knew anything about their destiny and fate. Before Spike.....

Spike had always been closer to his mother than he was to his father. William had deduced along time ago that it was because they shared the same carefree spirit. They were both artist. Jenny a painter; Spike a musician. They both wore their hearts on their sleeves and gave into their emotions. While William and his father were more reserved. They were both shy and sometimes a bit distant. Which was why their family unit worked so well. Gone were those days.

William looked at the final picture. It was the one that always choked him up. It was taken at Disneyland near The Haunted Mansion. The four of them looked so happy. It was Dawn’s 10th birthday. Elizabeth had begged her mother to trust her enough to take the long drive from Sunnydale to Disneyland. At first they adamantly refused Elizabeth was only 16 and had just gotten her driver’s license. William would never forget the disappointment of Elizabeth’s face. Unlike most older sisters. Elizabeth adored spending time with Dawn. She desperately wanted to give Dawn a special birthday seeing as their father said he would not attend. Hating to disappoint his two favorite girls William walked over to the artist studio behind the Summers home that Joyce and Jenny shared and volunteered his services.

Spike and William took them to Disneyland. Elizabeth absolutely spoiled her little sister showering her with everything from cotton candy to silly mouse ears. William and Spike had sat down on a bench waiting for an impossibly long line to move to let then into the “haunted” attraction. Elizabeth seizing the opportunity asked the people behind them to take a picture of the four of them. Dawn jumped onto Spike’s lap. Which seemed odd to William Dawn had always been partial to the younger of the twins. It hit him that The Bit was manipulating the situation so that Elizabeth’s only option would be to plant herself on William’s lap which she did. It was a happy genuine moment for the four of them. Gone were those days as well.

He looked at Elizabeth her eyes danced full of life and love. So different than what they looked like now. Confused, lost, weak. He put the picture down and begun his nightly ritual. He took a shower and got into bed. William closed his eyes wondering what memory would invade his dreams tonight.

Sixteen year old William Giles sat out of his porch reading his book. It was a beautiful day out. The real reason why he had to escape the confines of the inside of his house was because it felt like a circus had settled into their living room. Spike was in his room working on his latest song.

“What's a word means "glowing"? Gotta rhyme.” He mused.

William awoke gasping for air. His body covered in sweat. He held his face in his hands. Maybe if he had said something that first day, maybe if he had acted faster.

His thoughts haunted him like they always did. He thought of all the different ways he could have saved her. None of it counted, of course, but every night his mind raced. He’d see it all again ... do something different. Be faster or more clever. Dozens of times, lots of different ways ... every night he saved her....

Spike watched from his chair in his mansion as his minions danced and carried on. The Hunt had been hard as of late. His brother seemed to be everywhere at once making it difficult to eat. Spike knew the prizes he brought back would boost the moral. Which they did. Drunks and transients with addiction issues always gave them a bit of a buzz. He was proud of himself. The Master Of Sunnydale.

Buffy sat in his lap her head pressed against his chest running her hand up and down his arms. She purred contentedly. Spike smiled tightening his grip around her.

“Did My Princess miss Daddy?” He asked looking in her eyes.

Buffy smiled and nodded vigorously. Suddenly her eyes filled with tears.

Spike held her face in his hands.

“Hey what’s that about now?” Spike said gently wiping the tears away from her eyes.

“I don’t like it when Daddy goes away. There’s not enough noise. Than the pictures come and they don’t make sense. Need it to be loud.” Buffy whimpered.

She buried her head in the crook of Spike’s neck.

“Princess sometimes Daddy has to go away and see if something he hears about could help his Princess get well. Daddy wants to make you al strong and better. You understand right” Spike whispered almost sounding like a scared child himself.

Buffy smiled.

“I understand Daddy. Wants his Princess to be well... so much blood to spill..taste sweeter if they are innocent” Buffy said brightly.

Spike smirked.

“That’s my girl.” He whispered.

Spike clasped his hand around her neck and drew her to him. He kissed her deeply Buffy began to purr and growl grabbing Spike by his jacket. He broke apart their kiss both their eyes danced with flecks of gold. Their demons beckoned each other. It had been too long.

Spike closed his eyes and held Buffy tight. One of his minions began to approach to ask The Master a question. Spike let out a loud growl. The whole room stopped and turned around. None of them were allowed near Buffy. Even when Spike was around. His minions had learned to not even look at her. Spike gave all of his spoils to them freely knowing the more he gave the more they were indebted to him but Buffy was his and his alone.

The last fledging stupid enough to try anything did not live to meet another sunset. Buffy was beautiful in life as a vampire she was intoxicating. Her pale skin and huge green eyes made her look more like a porcelain doll than a real creature. When she was well, she dressed in sexy outfits that cause all of Spike’s minions to almost get worked into a frenzy. Black leather pants tight, exotic looking tops. Her long blonde hair straight and choppy.

When she was ill she looked like an angel. She would wander aimlessly through the halls dress in long white night gowns. Making her look like she was a young Victorian noblewoman. One night while The Master was away one of the new fledglings brought in her cup of blood. He was suppose just leave it there. One of The Master’s older minions would check to see if she ate later if she didn’t they knew bring in one of the prizes from the hunt and hold them down while she fed on them.

But she looked so beautiful so attainable. He could see traces of her nipple through her gown. He wanted to touch her for just a moment. Put her nipple between his fingers. No one would ever know. He did just that getting greedy he slipped his hand underneath her gown. No wonder The Master was so possessive of his Princess. She was still warm. Buffy whimpered he quickly withdrew his hand smiling to himself. Yup no one would ever know. Stupid fool was too young to know anything about scents

That next night Spike circled the room pretending to glad hand all of his newest recruits. He out his hand on their backs pretending to lean in and whisper instructions into their ear. Finally he caught the smell that lingered on his Princess’s chest. Spike pretended to walk away then snapped back around ripping out the fledglings throat. The fledging gasp for unnecessary air still alive bleeding all over the mansion floor. Spike slammed the flesh to the ground grabbing an axe of the wall. He walked over to The fledging and placed one hand on the table.

Thwack!

The fledgling yelled raising up his ruined limb only to have the other one get sliced off. Spike grabbed the boy by his shirt and dragged him into a room he threw him in there and chained him to the wall. The Fledgling looked up and realized the room had no roof.

At sunrise the minions all heard a soul wrenching scream. Spike did not allow the hands to be moved or the blood to be cleaned for a week a reminder of what would happen if anyone that dare thought to touch his Princess.

The minion immediately backed off. Spike stood up still cradling Buffy in his arms. The minions cleared a pathway allowing Spike to walk through. Spike unlike other Master’s did not have multiple lovers. Just one His Dark Princess. Occasionally he wooed women bringing them to the mansion making them think they would have the most mind blowing sex of their lives but it never happened.

They were just food. Food for his weakened girl. A few female minions tried to his their charms to gain favor with their Master but it never worked. Those who were determined or too persistent were cast away from the protection of the mansion left to face the world alone or worse face The Slayer. The minions watched as Spike walked up the stairs a few growls were heard as Buffy continued to purr. Finally The Master disappeared into his room.

Spike placed Buffy on the bed. Buffy frowned.

“Want Daddy. Need Daddy. So weak.” She pouted.

“Daddy’s thought of that Luv. Brought you a special present.” Spike said kissing her shoulder.

The door opened as a young girl about Buffy’s age and a man around the same age was pushed in bound and gagged. Buffy’s eyes lit up and she clapped wildly. Spike smiled down at her. He loved it when he could surprise her....

After they finished feeding but of the corpses were disposed of. Spike gently disrobed Buffy. Buffy feeling strong ripped his off. He fell backwards on the bed closed his eyes. Buffy laid on top of Spike licking the blood off his mouth. She licked at his lips like a kitten lapping up milk. Spike hips began to thrust upwards. He looked into Buffy’s eyes then grabbed her by the back of her head demanding what was his. He kissed her brutally causing her to whimper in pleasure.

Spike attacked her neck trailing soft kisses down her throat. He stopped at the base of her neck licking two tiny pin prick scars. His face shifted smiling up at it;s mate.

“Mine” He growled.

Buffy smiled then shifted into her game face. She found the identical marks on Spike’s neck.

“Mine” She growled.

The claimed mates let their demons take over. Biting and scratching at each other for a bit licking every inch of each other’s bodies.

Spike knew better than to let it go too far. Buffy was better for the moment but she was not entirely strong. He shifted back into his human face looking at Buffy who followed suit. Spike smiled kissing her passionately.

“I love you.” He whispered.

“I love you” She said softly back.

All the nights of chasing after her when she would wander off. Caring for her. Deciphering her ramblings and moans. All the times she seemed so lost and far away every time she looked at him and said those words made it all worth it to him. Every time he questioned his decision when she said those words all doubts were wiped away from his mind.

Spike rolled Buffy over and entered her slowly. Buffy arched her back trying to draw him further in. Wanting to please his girl Spike thrust deeper into her hitting those places inside that drive her crazy. Buffy bit her bottom lip. Spike smiled.

He kissed her lip pulling it out covering it with light feathery kisses. Her eyes rolled back. He felt her walls flutter.

“There it is Luv...” Spike said his eyes rolling back.

Buffy arched her hips up and began to shake violently.

Spike always loved this part. Nothing ever felt this good.

She screamed giving into her orgasm sending Spike careening right behind her.

Spike rolled off Buffy who crawled on top of her mate. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed happily. Soon she was asleep.

Spike smiled and kiss the top of her head. He held her close enjoying the feeling of her in his arms.

He had missed her.

Yes he was The Master. He was strong , feared and powerful. But none of it would mean a thing without the girl asleep in his arms.