Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Giles ran through the forest barefoot, ignoring the sharp sticks and cold earth as he blindly barreled his way through the trees that were only illuminated by moonlight. The only thing separating him from the cold air was the button-up that Angel had unfastened while tying him down and his boxer shorts— he hadn’t bothered looking for any other article of clothing when making his escape from the castle. 

He cursed himself for falling for such an obvious trap, Buffy’s paging him for an emergency two nights ago didn’t raise any red flags as he wasted no time heading alone to the graveyard on the south side of town. He hadn’t realized his mistake until it was too late, receiving a shovel to the head by the time he put two and two together. 

He’d barely woken when several hands pinned him down as Angel peeled his trousers off and pulled his shirt open. He was blindfolded and gagged before they even finished fastening his wrists and ankles to bedposts. No evil speech, no torture, not even a snide remark. Just left sprawled out on a bed with most of his senses cut off, the only sound being the heartbeat in his own chest and his heavy breathing.

He bucked and pulled at his restraints until his wrists bled and screamed until his throat burned. No one came around to shut him up or give any hints on why he’d been kidnapped, just leaving him to struggle in the darkness alone. He’d only escaped after managing to twist his wrist enough to reach the knot, picking at it until he could slip out. 

He stumbled into the forest with no clue where he was or how long it had been. All he knew was he had to get back to familiar territory, collect himself, figure out what was going on, and hopefully get some new clothes. Buffy was no doubt looking for him, right? He’d vanished without a trace, it only made sense. But his sudden disappearance from the castle meant that it was only a matter of time before Angel went looking for him as well…

Right on cue, a force tackled him hard from the side, sending them both tumbling through the dead leaves. Obviously one of Angel’s goons, Giles again cursed himself for not waiting until dawn to make an easy escape— but it wasn’t like there were many windows when he was. 

Giles, still in a dazed state, swung a hard punch that connected with the vampire's nose. That bought him a second to scramble out from under it and make it a few yards before getting tackled again. He grunted, trying to wrestle against the vampire despite his weakened state. He was not going back to the stupid castle if he could help it.

He managed to worm his leg far back enough to loosen the vampire off him, but a solid punch to his face dragged him back under. Blood from his nose drained into his throat and dripped down his chin, he didn’t have much time to breathe before hands pushed against his throat tightly, cutting off his air supply. the vampire was obviously trying to asphyxiate him, mostly likely not kill him though. Clearly there was some scheme behind this kidnapping.

He pushed against the vampire's face with one hand to help loosen the pressure and pawed at the ground for anything that could be helpful with the other. As he felt the edges of his vision darken, his hand grazed something hard and cold. He smashed it as hard as he could against the vampires skull, again breaking away from its grasp and making a run for it. 

He did his best to suppress the bloody coughing fit that bubbled up with the sudden rush of cold air that flooded his system. The wave of vertigo hit him harder than he realized as he stumbled in his attempt to escape, the lack of any food or water was beginning to catch up with him after using all his energy in the fight. He attempted to pull himself back up, picking up all the speed he could muster. His vision was blurred and the taste of blood swirled in his mouth, but he pushed on. All he had to do was make it until sunrise— whenever that was. There had to be a main road nearby or something. He just needed to find buffy and—

His head crashed into the side of a tree, immediately he crumbed to the forest floor. Red pounded in his skull, the pain searing deep into his temple as he gasped. He used the last of his strength to try and push himself back up, but the rubber sole of a boot roughly shoved his face back into the sharp tree roots underneath him. He cried out in pain, everything hurt. He was too tired to keep fighting. 

“Rupert buddy, seriously…” a familiar voice sighed. Giles groaned. “I mean you made it so easy the first time. Why do you try to keep fighting us?” 

“Whatever it is t-that you’re plotting” he gritted his teeth, trying to find any last bit of strength within him. “B-buffy will stop you.”

“Oh please. Buffy doesn’t even know you’re here.” Angel chuckled. “You should be happy you’re here instead of her y’know, tied up to the bed practically naked. You’re gonna see why soon enough, you’ll be thanking me if anything .”

“You can’t even best Buffy in a bloody fight.” Giles scoffed, ignoring the obvious bait. “What makes you think you could tie her down?”

He was buying time he couldn’t use, but he was correct in thinking there was a motive behind this kidnapping. Maybe some kind of sacrifice related to a specific date— but why take him so prematurely? It could have something to do with Eyghon, but there wasn’t much you could do with that if others weren’t marked. And if it couldn’t be a general research, information gathering, or a run of the mill hostage situation. Why have him tied up that way and left alone for so long?

“I was gonna save this ‘til Rayne showed up.” Angel’s boot twisted deeper into Giles’s face, pinning him down further. “But If I gotta keep beating you up like this, you won’t be pretty enough to get what I want. And honestly? I think I like you better when you can’t scream.”

Wait. Rayne? As in Ethan? Hold on—

Before he could say any further something jabbed into the side of his neck, pushing a burning glut of fluid into his bloodstream. He panicked for a moment, squirming from underfoot as the liquid burned through his body. But almost instantly his muscles relaxed, his limbs falling to his sides. Everything was numb, he couldn’t move. His eyes fogged over before his heavy eyelids even got the chance to shut all the way, his mind going completely blank.

Chapter Text

The plane touched down in Sunnydale at sunset, just enough time for Ethan to make his way to the hotel and unpack before meeting his latest contract. It was a simple summoning spell, to call upon a chaos demon as a distraction to a bigger plot. Hardly a reason to be called all the way from England, but he’d been promised a handsome sum for his troubles. It gave him all the more excuse to see Rupert as well, maybe this time he could appreciate a good chase.

Messing with Rupert had to wait for tomorrow— they were bound to cross paths anyway. Angel was the one who contacted Ethan, a former ally of the slayer. If she was trailing after the vampire to stop him, Rupert wasn’t too far behind. Ethan was going to make sure to summon a demon Rupert could recognize as his doing, just to make sure his presence was known. 

Even so, he made time to pass by Rupert’s flat on the way to the hotel to drop off his calling card, just to make the first move in starting the chase. But something felt off as he approached the building. He frowned at the dimmed lights and lack of a car— a few pieces of mail and newspapers piled up by the front step. 

Ethan tried the door, surprisingly having it click open. He stepped inside to take a quick glance around, the room barely lit by the fading sunlight. A cup of molded tea sat at Rupert’s desk next to a dust-lined book and a rock-hard croissant. The few dirtied plates in the kitchen sink had their remnants flaking, the house plants were wilted, and the toothbrush in the bathroom was bone dry. All signs pointed to life, but It was like Rupert had vanished from thin air. 

It didn’t make much sense, Maybe Rupert had been spending so much time with his slayer that he hadn’t been home? It was evident it had been a while since anyone had been there, but where else could he go? Maybe back to England for a bit or somewhere else sure, but why seemingly in such a hurry?

Ethan eyed the pager device on the desk, he lit the small screen up to see a message from the slayer. 

“SOUTH END GRAVEYARD. 911.”

That’s where Ethan was going. Weird. 

As much as he wanted to investigate further, he had an appointment with Angel. Maybe he’d see Rupert later once the summoning took place, or he could swing by after the slayer inevitably saved the day. It was a small town, there weren't many places for either of them to hide. 

With that he stuck the usual letter to the door, just to cover all his bases. Either this would be the easiest summoning of all time, or he was just given a head start.

Ethan arrived at the castle after nightfall, reluctantly handing over the keys to his rental car to Angel’s goons. The vampire himself waited at the entrance, practically bouncing on his heels with excitement. For someone who evidently lost their soul, he sure did have a zest for life. Angel handed him a clipboard of papers and a pen, pointing a different sections of the paper— pretending as if any part of this had legal binding. Ethan would have laughed at the situation or given a glance at the papers if he hadn’t gotten distracted. He swore he caught a glimpse of a familiar Citroen parked behind a pillar as he absentmindedly signed off, but was quickly whisked away inside into the castle before he could get a second look. 

“Now before I go out and create some fun for the lovely residents of Sunnydale, I do take fifty percent up front.” Ethan followed Angel down the small flight of spiral stone stairs. “I take cash or check—“

“Oh, I have something better than cash.” Angel smirked as they approached a door. “Something a bit more…desirable to you I think.”

The door swung open, a room dimly lit by candles showed the vague outline of a bed. Ethan raised his eyebrow at the sight, taking a cautious step inside with Angel’s gentle nudge. There was something in the bed that was covered by a sheet. It was Unmoving aside from the center rising and sinking slightly.

“I remembered how you acted when you couldn’t have what was yours before, I know that feeling well. So I did the hard part, I went out and got it for you.” Angel said, making his way to the bed. “Think of it as getting what you deserve back.”

Angel tugged the sheet away in one swift motion. Ethan’s eyes widened at the unexpected sight. 

Rupert— his arms and legs tied to the bedposts, blindfolded with a knotted piece of cloth tied tightly between his teeth. He still had boxer shorts on with his button-up shirt spread open to reveal his sweat-glistened torso. His head was lulled to the side and his breathing was shallow, some crusted blood circulating around his nose and upper lip.

“The hell is this?” Ethan turned to face Angel. “You assume you have an upper hand here somehow, but I don’t do hostage exchanges.”

“Ethan buddy, you misunderstand.” Angel chuckled, panting his hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “I caught him for you, I’m giving him to you.”

“How is that any different from a hostage exchange?” Ethan shoved Angel's hand off. “ You’re getting a demon summoning and I get a person I never asked you to kidnap.”

“Because your fifty percent upfront is being alone with him like this right now for as long as you want.” Angel said, Ethan squinted back unimpressed. “It’s a two birds one stone situation, you get Giles and the slayer off your back, I get the slayer and Giles off my back. It’s a win-win.”

He knew what Angel was implying. The presentation was purposeful in that regard he supposed, all that was missing was rose petals and music at this point. But wasn’t really Ethan’s style— he enjoyed a good chase out of Rupert, that was the understood dynamic. He didn’t have much interest in topping a pre-wrangled Rupert, it removed all the foreplay. 

“I didn’t agree to these terms.” Ethan shook his head, turning to the bed. “Like I said, I don’t do hostage exchanges— no matter how beneficial it might seem. Maybe we can reassess the deal and—”

As he reached to undo the rope, Angel’s clawed hand clamped around Ethan’s wrist tightly. He bared his fangs, eyes darkened.

“You seem to forget about the contract we agreed to, Rayne. Y’know, the one you just signed?” Angel growled, his hold squeezing harder. “If you back out, I will kill him and let the slayer have fun with you.”

Ok so maybe the contract deserved a once over. He really should start reading those blasted things.

“After you summon the demon, you can do whatever you want with him.” Angel shrugged. “The slayer has no idea he’s even here, take as much time as you need now and he’s all yours after you complete your contract.”

Ethan turned and peeled the blindfold back, Rupert’s good eye twitched in its half-open state while the other one was bruised to a purple and remained shut.

“Is he even conscious?” Ethan asked, snapping his fingers in front of Rupert's face. “You don’t have much leverage here if he’s a bloody corpse.”

“That’s kinda hard to say.” Angel wavered his hand. “He kept trying to escape— that’s why he has a black eye. I didn’t wanna keep roughing him up too bad so we’ve been pumping him with sedatives to keep him down for the most part. Before that, he just kept fighting way too much. But he’s alive and all, we gassed him up before you came and we’re gonna give him another dose when you leave with him. Easier transport that way.” 

Kidnapped, displayed like a piece of meat, and dosed up to his eyes in Benzos? Oh, Rupert was absolutely going to kill him. 

Ethan sucked in through his teeth, pinching the bridge of his nose. He really needs to stop coming to this godforsaken town, it really was its own little hell. He wasn’t even going to get paid for this. But Rupert didn’t ask for this either, so it would be unfair to leave him behind. Leaving him alone with Angel was a death sentence no doubt, it was clear without Ethan in the picture Rupert would’ve been dead by now. Maybe this could be considered getting even for the Halloween and Egyhon situations.

“Alright.” He sighed, dropping his hands to his sides. “When I come back out, tell me what kind of demon to summon. After that, I’ll be on my way.”

“Of course, enjoy.” Angel chuckled as he walked out of the room. “Take as much time as you need, I’ll get ready for the fun.”

“I’m not too far behind you.” Ethan called back, rolling his eyes. “Don’t forget to sharpen the fangs.”

Ethan waited for the stairway door to shut before beginning. He undid Rupert’s hands from the bedposts, his wrists had been rubbed raw and cut by him struggling against the ropes evidently. Ethan did the same for Rupert's feet, which saw similar damage to his wrists, the ankles rubbed bloody and the bottoms of his feet cut up. He undid the knotted gag and blindfold, which got some movement out of Rupert finally— but only a gargled murmur and his good eye rolling around.

“Sorry to drop in like this, Ripper.” He hoped that would get a reaction as he fastened the buttons on the shirt. “I hope they haven’t hurt you too much, spoiling our fun. Do you um…want some water maybe?”

“Hngf” Rupert managed to choke out, Ethan expected as such. 

“It’s probably best to hold off on that I suppose— I assume you’ll want your pants back, did they leave your pants somewhere?” Ethan looked around the room, Rupert didn’t respond. “I’ll just uh, cover you with the sheet then. Privacy and all that.”

He took the sheet Angel had tossed aside and tucked it up to Rupert’s shoulders. That seemed better, much more comfortable. This way Rupert could sleep off whatever drugs he was on without risking hurting himself anymore, Ethan could take care of the injuries later. Hopefully whoever came back later wouldn’t redo all the work.

“Obviously I didn’t ask for this, you should know that by now. No fun in topping you anyway.” Ethan said, blowing out the candles in the room. “I’ll be back as soon as I make trouble for your slayer, keep her occupied so she won’t find you like this and have to drag you back home herself.”

Whatever noise Rupert made sounded similar enough to a chuckle or a horrified groan, if he even understood what Ethan just said at all. Ethan stood over him for a moment, smoothing his hair back.

“It’s a shame we have to keep meeting like this. After this, we’ll go for a nightcap.” Ethan said, dusting his hands off. “I’ll be back shortly, don’t go anywhere.”

As he exited he turned to look back from the doorway. Rupert had never looked this small to him.

“I’ll bring you some uh, pants as well.”

It only made him slightly uncomfortable to see Angel sitting at the midpoint of the stairs, a slightly disappointed look on his face. 

“Kinda assumed you’d do more.” He sighed. “Come on, I’ll show you what I have in mind.”

The current plan was to first grab a few things from Rupert's flat before summoning the demon. After doing his job, he was going to take Rupert back home and hope that there was enough time before the sedatives wore off so he could make his escape without injury. Ethan wasn’t going to stick around to see if Rupert was going to thank him for not taking advantage of the situation or beat the living shit out of Ethan for being the reason he was drugged and held against his will— not that Ethan asked for that to happen as he pointed out, but Rupert had a finger to point and a fist to clench.

Ethan was surprised to find the front room lamps on in the flat, not sure if he ever turned it on when he was there before. He ignored it, seeing he had bigger things to worry about. All he was looking for were last-minute ingredients that he knew Rupert stashed away for emergencies and some fresh clothes for him— so at least when he came to fully he wouldn’t be stewing in the same soggy clothes from days before. 

Ethan went to the small book cabinet behind the couch and began to rifle through, he’d seen Rupert go for something in here during one of their…private encounters when his Slayer was visiting family. All that was needed for the demon summoning was some herbs, enchanted crystals, and a human skull—

He felt the pan smash into the side of his own skull before hearing the footsteps running up behind him, the pain took a moment to catch up with him before collapsing to the ground. Another pair of feet came scampering in.

“I-I knew it! Ok thank god that wasn’t Giles...” A shrill voice called out. ”aw geez I hope we didn’t kill him…”

When Ethan came to again his head throbbed and his wrists strained against his back. There were three voices now splashing around as he tried to regain composure over himself. 

“We saw the card taped to the door, so we assumed it was him…” the same shrill voice from before spoke, less panicked. “But Giles wasn’t with him.”

“Well obviously he’s got somethin’ to do with Giles goin’ MIA.” A deeper voice pointed out, not entirely wrong but not entirely accurate either. “I mean, you don’t just show up at someone's house and go through their stuff for no reason. Criminals always return to the scene of a crime—“

“Guys, stay focused!” He recognized that annoyed voice, the slayer. “Why the hell was he here in the first place?”

“I-I don’t know…I um, kinda bonked him on the head before I could ask.” The shrill voice said. 

“I did come here for a good reason actually.” Ethan finally spoke, blinking his eyes to adjust to the light. “But if we want to play clue all night instead of me helping Rupert—“

The attention turned towards him as he focused his vision. It was the slayer and her two friends from before— all standing around him. They evidently restrained his hands behind his back with tape, the edges of which were digging into his skin. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” The slayer snapped, ignoring his comment. She looked disheveled in her dirtied clothes, darkened eyes, and her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. “Don’t try to play games right now cuz I’m not in the mood.”

“I’m the one playing games?” Ethan scoffed. “You people are the ones hitting innocent men over the head—“ 

Ethan was cut off by a sharp slap across his face.

“Giles has been missing for four days, and all of a sudden you pop in to poke around. Knowing your track record, it’s nothing I have time for or it’s gonna take me straight to the answer. So I apologize that we aren’t very hospitable right now.” The slayer hissed. “For both of our sakes, let’s skip the part where I kick your ass or get you to take me to Giles.”

Four days? Jesus, hopefully Angel had been feeding him. Ethan realized he should’ve assumed Rupert had been there a while based on the state of his wrists and the fact Angel had been drugging him, Ethan was beginning to get a little worried. Rupert was really going to kick his ass for this later.

“Look…I know where Rupert is. And for the most part, he is ok.” He started, the group exchanged looks. He knew Rupert probably didn’t want his haggle of children rushing to save him even if he was sober and had pants with him. “If you let me do what I need to do, I can bring him back— but only if you let me do my job.”

“How do we know we can trust you? After all the trouble you’ve caused before?” The boy asked. “You just expect us to take your word for it?”

“Because I listened to you all prattle on instead of making my escape.” He held up his hands which were now completely freed of tape after having used magic to release himself. “I want to help, without me you can’t get Rupert back.”

The slayer looked at him with a hardened expression and her hands on her hips. The two behind her seemed a bit more convinced.

“Fine. But if you try and pull a fast one—“ she dropped her hands back to her sides. “Just tell us what to do.” 

Chapter Text

He picked an easy demon to summon, something that would occupy the slayer for a reasonable amount of time but not take much effort to handle. No fancy weapons or outside books needed, just a bit of elbow grease. The Last thing he needed was Rupert to wake up from his four day long sedative induced slumber and discover his precious slayer hurt, Ethan wanted to leave Sunnydale with all his fingers at the very least.

The group of teenagers watched the summoning the entire time after having gone over the plan to exhaust. The Slayer was to handle the demon while the other two were to distract the vampires who were to attack some nightclub. That would give Ethan just enough time to retrieve Rupert and get him back home before the Slayer was done, meaning he could avoid several undeserved ass kickings. He decided on using magic to heal Rupert’s injuries, get him changed so no one had to find him smelly and half naked, and skip town before anything else could happen. If there was time, maybe take a few bills out of Rupert’s wallet as payment for all his good deeds. A perfect plan that left him able to return to England in one piece. 

“You promise no tricks, right? You’ll bring Giles back in one piece?” The slayer had the sharp end of her stake a bit too close to Ethan's throat for his liking. 

“You’ll have him back by the time you take care of the demon, don’t fret.” He pushed the stake away. “I’ll be out of your hair before you two have the chance to thank me.”

The slayer growled, but didn’t say anything else. Just watched as Ethan salted the floor and painted the needed symbols in a circle with pigs blood. He was working with what he had, Rupert was going to have a fit later when he saw the crusted blood on the floor— it would probably require some professional cleaning to get that out fully.

Ethan began to read the chant that was inscribed in Rupert's book aloud, it was for the chaos demon of With the candles placed at each symbol lit, Ethan used the blade outlined in the book to nick the palm of his hand, squeezing a few droplets of blood onto the deer skull that was at the center. The flames from the candles grew larger, pulling towards Ethan as he reached the end of the chant.

“From the surface, I call on those who came before,  I provide a vessel for your bidding.” Ethan felt a wave of magic wash over him as he watched the deer skull begin to rattle. The blood seeped through the empty eye sockets and formed the demon's body as it rose. “On this new plane of existence you will obey my command, find yourself within me. My blood is your blood.”

The demon took its final form, standing upright with the antlers nearly touching the ceiling. The slayer and her friends stood with mouths agape, probably their first time ever seeing anything like this.

“Are you sure this plan is gonna work?” The boy asked for what felt like the millionth time. “I mean this thing won’t get chewed up by vampires right away, will it?”

“No, it’ll take a bit for them to be drawn to it. But since it was my blood, the magic within it will weaken them— in case the slayer needs a failsafe. Realistically, all she has to do is sever the head from the demon's body if the vampires don’t get to it first.”

He didn’t really care what else she did beyond that, after he summoned the demon his end of the bargain would’ve been fulfilled. He supposed on some level it mattered that she lived, so Rupert wouldn’t kill him. If this group made it this far, surely they could handle a few more vampires without adult supervision. 

“You all know what to do?” He dusted his hands off. “I’ll bring Rupert back before you’re done.”

“We’re ready.” The other girl nodded, still not fully sure if they could trust him. “Y-you can send the scary demon thing to The Bronze.”

He let the demon take a whiff of vampire blood, giving it the location to track. It liquidated into the floorboards, taking the skull with it. The teenagers had to give the thing a bit of time to let Angel think his plan was successful, but if all was well they’d arrive before it could actually do anything bad. 

With that they went on their way, weapons in hand. How Rupert keeps track of three teenagers is something he’d never understand. 

Ethan scrambled back to the castle, hoping Angel had already left. The last thing he wanted to do was deal with right now was a melodramatic vampire, it had been too long of a night already. Most of the minions had cleared out by the looks of things, probably on their way to where the teenagers were heading. 

Ethan reached the room Angel had taken him to, pushing the door open. Rupert was how he left him thankfully, still in one piece and breathing. But as more light filled the room, the outline of a second body stood out against the wall.

“Back so soon?” The shadow stepped forward, Angel forming in the light. “I’ve barely finished sharpening my fangs.” 

An unseen bump in the road, Ethan assumed Angel would be halfway to his feast by now. Logically speaking though, it made sense he stuck around— to make sure Rupert somehow wouldn’t get up and leave or that Ethan would simply return without performing what he was told to do.

“I did just as you requested, everything went according to plan. The rest is up to you.” Ethan swallowed. “I’ve come to collect my pay and leave.”

“So it’s done then.” Angel cocked his head, stepping into the light. “I assumed you would’ve allowed yourself to have more fun.” 

Ethan shifted his jaw, the unpredictable nature of Angel made him a bit uneasy. He knew the vampire could see the gears in his head turning, trying to figure out his next move. Never before had Ethan been thrown off kilter like this, usually he was one step ahead, not two steps back. 

“is that not what I just said?” Ethan tried to play it cool. “Release Rupert at once.” 

“Y’know, I called you for a reason buddy. I thought we were a lot alike. People who wield power right, people who take whatever they please. We could’ve worked so well together, that's why I offered such an amazing gift.” Angel tugged the sheet off Rupert, uncovering the unmoving body underneath. “But maybe I was wrong. I’m handing you what you’ve been chasing for so long on a silver platter, and now you want to act all high and mighty, like a good person? For what?” 

“Because It’s not fun this way.” Ethan spit through his teeth, clenching his fist tight as he watches Angel trace his finger down the shallow ab crack on Rupert’s chest. “You have taken away the chase, the drama of it all. It’d be like if I killed the slayer. I’ve taken away your toy, you’d be bored.” 

Angel only offered a cold look back. Ethan narrowed his eyes. 

“You don’t actually want to win, that defeats the whole purpose.” Ethan continued. “If I wanted to beat Rupert, I would’ve done it the same dirty way you have. Victory is meaningless if it means you do so.”

Angel’s face remained unmoving, his index finger still running between Rupert’s chest. There was nothing to prove anymore, Ethan’s job was done. The kids were probably already done with the demon and sharpening their weapons because he was taking too long. 

“So you’re taking the high road even though you get nothing in return? Doesn’t sound like you. Even without the fun you deserve something for all the trouble.” Angel’s hand trailed to Rupert’s hip, his fingers slipping under the waistband of the boxer shorts. “Come and take it, He can’t fight back and won’t even remember it. This can just be for you, I can show you—“

Ethan didn’t even know what spell he cast, but whatever it was it was enough to send the vampire crashing into the far wall. Angel bounced off the stones, crumbling instantly into the floor. Electricity visibly ran over his body as he strained to move, leaving him unable to get back up again. Ethan looked down at his hands, now moistened with a sheet of sweat and shaking slightly. The same wave of electricity bubbled. 

“Did you see that, Rupert?!” He turned his attention to the bed. “I totally fried that twat!”

Rupert, of course, laid unmoving on the bed just as he had been for the past three days. 

“Oh.” Ethan said to himself. “Hopefully those muscle relaxers absorbed the shock.”

Chapter Text

His eyes were heavy, even with one unable to open it still took twice the effort to keep the other from rolling back into his skull. Not that it mattered if they were open anyway, provided the blindfold covering his eyes and all. The darkness that surrounded him on all sides beckoned him to give in, that was no logical reason to fight it anymore. No thoughts could form in his head, the fog had turned to thick cotton in his mind, leaving little space to figure out why exactly he wanted to stay awake at all. 

“How the mighty have fallen.” Angel’s voice barely bubbled to the surface as his claws scraped against his leg, leaving what felt like scorch marks. Yeah, not sure why he was fighting to stay lucid for this. “I can’t wait for Rayne to come, I’m gonna watch everything he does to you.”

The burning blazed upwards and under his shirt, the sharp fingers circled around his chest and stomach. Drowning in an ocean of darkness, there wasn’t anything he could do to fight back. His nerve endings seized against the pressure, but his body couldn’t move. It was a root canal extraction without Novocaine, a triple heart bypass without anesthesia. Ironic really, given the drug cocktail he had been binging.

“and when I finally kill the Slayer— I’m gonna tell her exactly what he did to you. Every single detail.” Angel chuckled. “That way, she’ll know Daddy suffered just as much pain as she did.” 

No. 

It was the only thing he could solidify in his head. But it was all he could do. Whatever was being pumped into his system made him feel heavy. His mouth was dry and his wrists and ankles burned— but all he could do was think no. 

Ethan wasn’t going to hurt him, right? Even with the addition to dark magic, devotion to chaos, the spells that harmed others, and overall just kinda being a malicious dickhead…Giles had to believe that Ethan wasn’t going to do what Angel assumed he would. Maybe a little handsy action or something, but certainly not rape or murder. Doesn’t seem like fun without the usual tango they had. 

 “Usually I like to give people a fair fight, but honestly this is a way better look for you.”  The trail blaze continued down to his hips, fingers making their way underneath the elastic of his boxers. “I wanna understand a little bit more and take a peek at what Ethan gets all worked up about. Don’t worry, just close your eyes. That way you won’t feel any of this.”

No. No. Nononononono—

He allowed himself to sink into the darkness. There was nothing else to do but pretend none of this was real. Either Ethan was going to be the man Giles knew him as before or the man that Angel knew him as now. In either scenario, Giles was beginning to think there was no winning for him anymore.