Title: The Love of the Bullied 5/?
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: S/X
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!
Summary: Life sucks for Xander but when Spike moves to Sunnydale will things get better or worse?
Warnings/Spoilers: None
Beta'd by: Unbeta'd
Note: I feel like this story is possibly over dramatic. Not what I really write but it just kind of went that direction.
Part Five
The rest of the day Xander managed to steer clear from both Larry and Spike. He didn't have much of an appetite so he skipped lunch and he hid in his next class. The nurse patched him up and even gave him extra bandages that were better than the ones he had at home.
Xander received a text from Spike after the last bell rang asking him to come back to his place. Home was so much closer and Xander didn't think he'd make it to Spike's. He replied saying he was just going to go home and that they could FaceTime when he got there. Three dots popped up indicating that Spike was replying. They disappeared before an 'okay' was sent. Xander figured Spike was going to try to convince him to go but thought better of it.
Once he was home Xander ignored his mother who ignored him back. He went to the kitchen for an orange soda before gingerly making his way up to his room. He tossed his backpack onto the floor before lying on his bed giving his leg a break. With a sigh Xander pulled out his phone to FaceTime Spike.
Spike answered so fast Xander wondered if he had had his phone in his hand waiting for him. "What the hell happened today? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. My dad was doing some work on the house and I tripped over his tool belt and cut my knee. When Larry tripped me in gym class it opened up it up."
"Your dad should have gotten you out of gym class!" Spike said angrily. "How is it supposed to bloody heal if it's going to get opened constantly?"
"Dad…" doesn't care about me, Xander wanted to say. "Thinks it will build character."
Spike huffed in annoyance. What kind of father considered that character building. "Just try to take it easy. You don't want it getting infected. You don't want that beautiful body of yours scarred."
Too late for that, Xander thought. "What did I say about you flirting with me?"
With a huff Spike answered, "I'm not suppose to even though it's bloody unfair and inhumane."
Xander busted out laughing which seemed to irritate Spike. "Sorry, I'm not used to people being interested in me." Not in a positive way at least. "It's overwhelming."
"So there isn't anyone else who's been interested in you… romantically?" Spike asked curious about Larry's interest in Xander.
Xander clenched his jaw before relaxing it. "Nope, no one."
Why wouldn't Xander just tell him? "Well, no one said yanks had any taste. How about you come over here this weekend? We can watch trash TV and order food."
"I have to work this weekend," Xander replied, wishing for the first time that he didn't have to.
"Right, the movie theater. Larry told me," Spike said. He watched as Xander's eyes narrowed. Larry really was a sore spot. "What time do you work?"
Xander let the fact that Spike talked to Larry about him go. "I work the afternoon shifts. Twelve to six."
"Come over after that. We'll order whatever you want." Spike gave a pleading face which he perfected when he was six.
If Xander wasn't home by eight o'clock his parents would lock him out and he'd have to sleep in the backyard. He hated sleeping in the backyard but he wanted to spend time with Spike so in the end it would be worth it. "As long as you don't mind me smelling of popcorn and nacho cheese."
"I love the smell of popcorn and nacho cheese," Spike reassured. Popcorn and nachos were always a must when he went to the movies.
Xander shook his head and smiled. "Let me know when you want to go to the movies and I'll make sure there is a thing of nacho available for you. They sell out fast."
Spike placed a hand on his chest. "Careful, Xan, I might think you like me."
"Shut up," Xander mumbled as a blush covered his cheeks from the nickname.
Saturday came and the movie theater was packed for the first weekend of the school year. Xander was in a good mood despite sweating because of the long sleeved shirt he was wearing. His new bruises were a nice green and yellow colour now a few more days and Xander could go back to wearing short sleeves.
He loved when the theater was busy because it kept his ADD in check. There was no time for his mind to wander off. His good mood also was because he was seeing Spike tonight. Xander's mood didn't stay that way when Larry appeared in front of him.
"Aren't you tired of stalking me?" Xander asked as he bent down to pull more kernels out to make fresh popcorn.
"I'm not stalking you," Larry dismissed the accusation. His eyes were on Xander's backside as he scooped kernels into a large container. "I'm just here to enjoy a movie. I am enjoying the pre-show though."
Standing up quickly Xander slammed the cupboard closed. "The popcorn will take a few minutes to be ready. If you could please stand off to the side so I can help the couple behind you."
Larry smirked and stepped off to the side.
As Xander helped the older couple he couldn't ignore Larry staring at him. It was unnerving. Why couldn't Larry just leave him alone?
When the popcorn was done and in the bag Xander held it out for Larry. Larry ran his hand down Xander's arm before he accepted the bag and walked away with a smile on his face.
If anyone had seen it they ignored the scene, just like everyone ignored everything when it came to Xander. He shook it off and smiled at the family who stepped up to the counter. He could fake being happy, he'd been doing it for years.
It was a little after six and Spike was not so patiently waiting for Xander to show up. He'd already ordered the food. Apparently there was a decent Vietnamese restaurant in town that had really good Pad Thai. Xander asked for a lemongrass chicken rice bowl. Spike had no idea what lemon grass was but whatever Xander wanted Spike would give him.
There was a knock on the door and Spike was hoping it was Xander instead of the food. When he opened the door he saw a tired looking Xander. "Long day?"
"Yeah, the theater was packed today," Xander said, he had his backpack over his right shoulder. "Can I wash up a little? I'm hoping to feel a little more human." There had been an overly excited kid who ate his popcorn too fast and ended up getting sick. Xander ended up on vomit clean up duty.
Spike pointed towards the bathroom. "Food should be here soon."
"Thanks." Xander took his shoes off before making his way to the bathroom with his backpack. Once he closed the door he stripped down to his Tweety Bird boxers. He when through the cupboards and found a wash cloth and towel. After a quick wipe down Xander put on his clean clothes stuffed his dirty ones into his bag.
When he walked out Spike was placing the food on the small kitchen table. "Food's here." He noticed Xander replaced his long sleeved shirt with another.
Xander's stomach grumbled loudly at the smell of the food.
"And just in time from the sounds of it," Spike laughed as he grabbed utensils.
Xander blushed as he sat down. "Thanks for supper." Spike placed a can of orange soda next to Xander's food. "You remembered."
"That doesn't count as flirting, does it?" Spike sat across from Xander setting down a Coke.
"It doesn't." A small smile appeared. "But I will store it away in my memory."
A smile materialize on Spike's face. "So you'll be thinking of me? I like that."
Xander pointed his fork at Spike. "Eat your food before it gets cold."
The smile remained on Spike's face as he took a bite of his his food.
After they finished eating they went into the living room and watched Die Hard. Spike rented it off of the TV. He'd never seen it before and Xander was giving him a bad time about it. "It better be as good as your saying it is, Xan," Spike said.
In the end Xander was right and he wasn't going to let Spike forget that anytime soon from the sounds of it.
Xander looked at his phone. It was 8:15PM. He had just missed his curfew and while he knew there was a good chance at that happening he couldn't stop himself from cursing.
"What's wrong?" Spike asked. Xander swearing came out of nowhere.
"I missed my curfew," Xander sighed.
Spike bolted upright from his lounging position. "Fuck! Are you going to be in a lot of trouble?"
"No, just more character building," Xander said as he stood up. "If I miss curfew my dad makes me sleep outside."
"He makes you what?" Spike jumped up. "You are not sleeping outside!"
Xander made his way to the door and started putting on his shoes. "Kind of my only option, Spike. Thanks for letting me hang out. I'll message you when I get home."
Spike grabbed Xander's arm and stopped him from walking out the door. While Xander hated being grabbed Spike knew it was the only way to get him from leaving. "Stay here."
"What?" Xander was about to tell Spike to get his hands off of him but Spike did it without being told. "You want me to stay here?"
"Why not? I've got a spare room. And this way if you miss curfew in the future because you're here you don't have to worry about sleeping outside." Spike saw Xander was about to refuse. "It's my fault you're late."
How was it Spike's fault when Xander never told him he knew what would happen? "I don't want to get in the way."
"I like having you in my way." Spike smiled, hoping Xander wouldn't scold him for his light flirting. "Please?"
"Okay." Xander removed his shoes. "Just for tonight."
Spike shook his head. "Anytime you need the room is there for you. We're safe here, right?" Xander was keeping things from him and even if they'd only known each other a week Spike didn't like it.
"Right, safe," Xander agreed.