thatotherperv | Sin Eater: China 1900 (part 1 of 6)

so I was reading

nyghtpet's Angelus/William series Wycked Boys a couple weeks back and inspiration struck. if you haven't read it, do. love it!

this is a different thing for me. I didn't ever think I'd do a historical fic like this again, so please mind any gaping anachronisms. I'd hate for you to fall through them and break an arm. :) also, deviation from the norm because it's not really porny, although there is sex. also, the format is new to me...it's 6 shortish parts. originally meant to be drabbles, but I am physically incapable...after all, look how much I babble in the header to my fic?

I have to thank

so_sharlemaine for giving this a read-through for some continuity stuff I was angsting about. I've never written anything episodic like this before and I was/am nervous. she also suggested the title! so this one's totally for her, because she's such a sweetie. *smooches*

THIS IS NOT A WIP. lol. I thought that deserved caps lock. all six parts are written on my hard drive. I'll post the rest after Christmas, when things pick back up a bit.

Title: Sin Eater
Author: Mel (

btvslover82)
Pairing: Spangel
Rating: uh...R? I guess maybe NC-17, though...I'd say R for non-porny intent of the smexing.
Summary: pre-canon AU. What if Spike stumbled across Angelus just before he fled China? A peek at how their lives would have been different.
Warnings: typical vamp stuff...violence, sexual violence, death. insanity. angst.

A/N: I'm keeping everything pre-leave-off point as close to canon as possible, so sire = in the sense of mentor.

China, 1900

“Angelus?”

Spike had put Dru to bed after one more tumble, but he wasn’t bound for sleep just yet. His veins still coursed with slayer’s blood, and the adrenaline of the kill. Figured he would troll the burning streets a bit longer and snatch one or two more tasties before sunrise. Scare the holy hell out of some missionaries and snap the necks of some villagers. Good clean fun.

But his plan was arrested by the sight of his sire hunched over something strangely in an alleyway. He’d been happy to see the tosser again after two years’ separation, but he'd been a cranky bastard since he’d joined them last month…well, crankier than usual.

“What have you got there, mate?”

Angelus’ shoulders were shaking strangely, and when Spike stepped close enough to peer over his shoulder, he saw a human infant, eyes wide and glassy, small limbs still. Didn’t smell like blood, just smelled like…death. Spike was puzzled.

“Darla’s going to be right pissed you snapped the thing’s neck, you know how she likes them to squirm and wail when she tears into their little—”

He stopped short, physically stuttering backwards at the mournful sound Angelus made, and the way he clutched the little body closer. Spike’s eyes narrowed. “Angelus? What…what the bloody hell is wrong with you?”

Spike’s skin began to crawl at the way his sire’s body started to rock, muttering like a madman. The only thing he could catch coherently was ‘dropped her….’ Spike took in the broken glass littered around them and raised his eyes to the gaping window of Darla’s room.

He lay a hand on Angelus’ shoulder. “Angelus….”

The other vampire stood suddenly, child falling from his arms like a broken doll as his large hands flew up to pull at his hair, raking it back nervously. “My fault, I should have…but I didn’t and now—Have to go, I can’t..be here, with the screaming. Screaming in my head, and the screaming in the streets, and the screaming of the dead…. Damned.” Dark eyes flashed up and locked on his, wide with terror like a spooked horse. “Have to go.”

And he took off like a shot, moving as Spike had never seen Angelus move before…scurrying-like, head tucked against his shoulders, big body hunched as if to make himself invisible. Moving fast. Fleeing.

“Angelus, wait!” He gave chase, finally catching up with the other vampire just beyond the edge of the village, lunging out to snag Angelus’ arm and yank him around in a way that his sire should never have allowed.

When he didn’t find himself backhanded, Spike knew that something was very, very wrong. He gave Angelus a long, hard look, trying to understand this change in demeanor.

“Where are you going?”

Angelus’ eyes flitted out into the darkness, disoriented and uncertain. “I…away. Let me…I have to….”

But Spike held fast to his arm when he tried to yank it away. He had a strong premonition not to let Angelus disappear. A feeling they’d never see him again if he did. Spike looked back towards the blazing wreckage that contained, for the moment, both their better halves.

Dru would be heartbroken if Angelus were to fuck off again. Inconsolable.

The thought made his own chest squeeze sickly.

“I’m coming with you.” Angelus lurched backwards as if he’d been stricken. They stared at one another for a moment. If Spike went with him, he could keep tabs and make sure they were reunited. The girls would catch up in a week or two. Surely there was nothing left for them here, and they’d soon grow bored and leave. Angelus had said as much himself just tonight. Spike didn’t like taking off without notice to Drusilla, but it seemed as though it couldn’t be helped.

Some strange expression passed over his sire’s face. “I don’t want to be alone.”

Spike hesitated at the small, lost tone and the alien words. “…Right. Well. Lead on, then.”

They’d better find somewhere to hide their heads before the sun came up.

Part 2: India 1900