Title: The Love of the Bullied 13/?
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 Thirteen
Spike just stuffed his mouth with ham sandwich. He almost choked when Xander finale admitted his was hiding things from him. Chewing as fast as he could Spike swallowed and drank some water before pushing the coffee table away so he could face Xander. "I've been waiting for you to tell me."
"I thought I was hiding it pretty well," Xander said.
"Not just you. I've known for awhile that there was something else going on with Larry."
He should have told Spike months ago but honestly he was afraid of how Spike would react. "Larry has bullied me since as long as I can remember. It was fine for the most part when I was younger because I had Jesse and Willow. When we started high school Jesse moved to Chicago and Willow started dating Oz. Soon after that we kind of drifted apart."
Spike knew who Oz was. He stood out because every week his hair was a new colour. How it didn't fall out. The redhead that was always with him must have been Willow. "And after you were alone that made you an easier target for Larry."
"In freshman year I came out as gay. Surprisingly my dad didn't have a problem with that. All he said was that I'd disappoint men as much as I would have women. You have no idea how many time I had to wash the word 'Faggot' off of my locker. One time Larry and the football team forced me into the girls bathroom because I didn't belong in the boys anymore. Dealing with that stuff for a year was fine. I could deal but when Larry came out at the end of junior year? Everyone was so accepting of him. It didn't matter that he liked guys because he was a football player. Was it frustrating? You have no idea, but I dealt."
"What change?" Spike wasn't stupid he suspected that Larry 'liked' Xander for awhile.
Xander had to tell Spike everything. He couldn't hide it anymore. Sitting up Xander answered, "the last day of junior year Larry pulled me aside and told me that he's actually been in love with me this entire time and now that he was out he wanted to date. Can you believe that? He was surprised when I wasn't like the entire cheer leading squad and falling all over him."
"You turned him down."
"It was a no brain-er. I told him he made my life a living hell for years, why would him being gay now change anything? He tried telling me that wasn't who he really is and that I should get to know the real him. I told him where to go and thought that was the end of it," Xander said, he was exhausted. "Until he saw me working at the cinema, after that he came ever day making sure that I served him so he could harass me."
Spike's heart broke for Xander. Having to put up with that everyday while he was just trying to make money to get out of town. "And it's been still going on all this time?"
"Yeah, I know I should have told you but I was afraid it was going to complicate everything at school for you. Everything has been going as plan."
Yeah, the plan where you get the shit end of the stick, Spike thought. "What did he do to you while I was gone? You can't let that bastard get into your head."
Three Nights Ago:
"Are you sure you're okay taking out the garbage?" Bill asked as he pulled his jacket on.
Ever since Xander came into work with the cast Bill has been treating him with kid gloves. The look on his face Xander knew that he knew it was Tony that caused it but Bill didn't say anything because he knew Xander would deny it and make up some lame excuse.
"Bill, I'm perfectly fine doing my job. It might take me a little longer but I get it done. Go home, I'll leave as soon as I'm done with the trash."
Bill remembered a few years ago he had a part timer that sprained his wrist and played it up to the point he had everyone else doing all his work while he got the paycheck. Xander has been hardworking since day one but a broken wrist was worse than a sprain yet Xander never once complained about his duties.
"You're a good kid, Xander. You're one of the best workers I've had."
Xander blushed at the compliment. He still wasn't used to them even though Spike always was giving him them. "Thanks, Bill. No go home and let me finish up."
Bill reminded Xander to lock up before leaving.
It took Xander a couple trips to get all the garbage into the bin in the alley. He slammed the lid down happy to be finished work and to go home and watch some Netflix.
"Are you going to tell me what happened to your arm?"
Xander swung around to find Larry standing a few feet away from him.
"Jesus Christ, Larry. Stalk much?" Xander placed his hand on his chest his heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest.
Larry ignored the question. "What happened to your arm?" he asked again.
"None of your business." Xander started towards the backdoor but was grabbed by Larry.
"If you were my boyfriend it would be my business."
Xander shook Larry's hand off of him. "That's never going to happen. Aren't you tired of this cat and mouse game?"
"I always get what I want," Larry said confidently.
"It makes me feel good that I'm the first thing you won't be getting. My boyfriend really wouldn't like it." Xander couldn't believe he let that slip.
Larry's face darkened. "You don't have a boyfriend."
Xander couldn't take it back now. "Yeah, I do."
"Who? No one else in town shows any interest in you."
That's what you think. "Who said he lives in Sunnydale? I didn't."
Larry's hands turned into fists, why was Xander purposely upsetting him? "Where is this imaginary boyfriend than?"
Trying to keep to the truth as much as possible Xander said, "he lives in L.A. He was in town visiting family for the summer. We met at the food court in the mall after one of my shifts. He asked me to hang out and it just kind of happened."
"What's his name and why didn't he come down and see you for Christmas? I guess you don't mean that much to him," Larry said putting down Xander's 'fake' boyfriend.
Not missing a beat Xander replied, "His name is Billy and his family took him to the Alps to ski. He asked me to move to L.A after graduation. And if you don't believe where do you think I got this watch from? I couldn't afford it on what I make." He held his left arm up showing off the watch Spike got him months ago.
"You're not moving to L.A with some guy you don't know. Stop trying to make me jealous." Larry slammed Xander against the brick wall, his hands holding Xander still. "I'm tired of your mind games."
"I'm not playing minds games with you because you aren't worth it." Pain radiated down his back. "Now let go of me."
Ignoring Xander, Larry did what he's been wanting to do for years. He smashed his lips against Xander's not giving him a chance to stop him.
Xander hated his cast from the moment it was put on him but he never hated it more until now because it was making him weaker that he already was against Larry. Instinct kicked in and Xander bit down on Larry's bottom lip so hard that he could taste blood.
Larry howled, letting go of Xander and stumbling back as his hand when up to his mouth. With Larry distracted by the pain it let Xander push away from the wall and with all the strength he could muster up kicked Larry in the balls. Larry fell to his knees, tears welled up in his eyes. "What the hell?"
Xander wiped his mouth on his arm. "That's the difference between you and Billy. He gave me a choice when he first kissed me. He isn't a selfish asshole like you." Before going back into the building Xander spat on Larry.
Spike couldn't believe what Xander just told him. How could Larry force himself on Xander? "I'm going to kill him."
"You are not going to touch him," Xander argued.
"Why are you protecting him?" Spike wanted to scream. It felt like his body was on fire with how much rage was coursing through his body.
Xander gripped Spike's chin forcing him to look at him. "I'm not protecting him, you idiot. I'm protecting you. Why the hell do you think I never told you before now? We are not risking the future because of me."
"I don't care about my future! That wanker doesn't get to force himself on anyone especially my boyfriend! I'm going to tell him that I'm your boyfriend."
"You're not telling anyone anything. If you don't care about your future than care about ours. If you get into trouble they'll be disappointed and they might change their mind about you going to UCLA. I don't want you to hate me for that." The fear in Xander's voice was real. "I can endure anything he or anyone throws at me because I have you."
The universe has not been kind to Xander. Spike got on his knees so he was more eye level with him and placed his hands on Xander's cheeks. While Spike wanted to tell Xander that he would never hate him there was no point because Xander wouldn't believe him. "I won't do anything stupid as long as you start eating. You're punishing yourself for something that was forced on you. That's not fair."
"I feel like I betrayed you," Xander replied.
"The only one betrayed was you by Larry." Spike picked up half of his sandwich and held it for Xander. "Eat," Spike ordered.
"Bossy," Xander said with a smile before accepting it and taking a bite. It really did feel like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
Spike looked at Xander adoringly. "I love you."
Xander almost spit out his food. He had not expected Spike to say that. He hoped one day but not now. Holding up a finger Xander chewed down the sandwich before swallowing. "I love you too. I never thought anyone would love me, but I'm glad it's you."
"I'm happy and sad it's me as well, pet. You should have been loved along time ago." Spike kissed Xander. "Let's finish eating because I want a snuggle."
"Only if I can sleep in your room," Xander negotiated. He had actually been sleeping in Spike's room the entire time Spike had been gone.
It was only to sleep nothing else Spike had to remind himself but he was excited. "You drive a hard bargain."
"I learned from the best."