Title: The Love of the Bullied 16/?
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 Sixteen
Xander had woken up long enough to eat before taking off his jeans and climbing into bed. Spike wouldn't be surprised if Xander didn't even remember eating. While it was only a few hours drive from Sunnydale to L.A but Xander wasn't use to traveling, never being out of Sunnydale before.
Spike stayed on the couch for a few more hours watching videos on his phone. He had all the lights off so not to disturb Xander. It was just before eleven when Spike went into the bathroom to brush his teeth before crawling into bed. Xander must have felt the bed shift because he turned around until he was facing Spike. Even though eyes never opened his hand somehow still managed to find Spike's. This happened every night when Xander stayed at the apartment. It was as if having Spike near him while he slept made him feel safe. Not that Spike minded.
Spike woke up before Xander whose head was buried under his pillow. They forgot to close the drapes and the sun was streaming in. Leaving Xander to sleep he took a quick shower before ordering them breakfast.
It was the knock on the door that roused Xander awake. "What's happening?" he asked drowsily.
"Breakfast," Spike answered as he opened the door. He pulled the trolley in before tipping the waiter and closing the door behind him.
"Breakfast?" Xander sat up. "I like breakfast."
Xander was the most adorable person Spike had ever met. How Xander packed away so much food yet never seemed to gain a pound. "Let's eat, then you can take a shower and we'll head out."
Xander slid out of bed and sat on the couch as Spike laid out all the food. Did he order one of everything off the menu? There was pancakes, waffles, sausage, bacon, eggs, toast, and muffins. "I'm not even going to ask how much this cost."
"That would be for the best," Spike replied not looking at Xander.
They ate in silence while Xander woke up. When they were done Xander kissed Spike and murmured a good morning before disappearing into the bathroom. When he came out twenty minutes later the dished were back on the trolley which was near the door. "So, I have a question about our apartment hunting."
"What's that, pet?" Spike asked while he laced up his boots.
"How are we going to look at apartments? Don't you need to make an appointment for that and even then would they even take an eighteen year old serious about renting a place? Also we don't graduate until June even if we find a place they aren't going to hold it for us until than."
Xander was so cute. "Xan, I know when it comes to money you don't see a difference between people but when you have money you get perks. Including paying rent on a place before even needing it so it's guaranteed yours. My dad has already gotten in contact with a few apartment managers explaining the situation. We've got three places to look at."
"We might be paying three months rent when we aren't going to even be using it?" Was Spike out of his damn mind?
"How else do we make sure we have a place to go after graduation?" Spike asked with a raised eyebrow. "We can stay in a hotel until we find a place if you want."
Xander opened his mouth and closed it. Spike had a point. He didn't want to live in a hotel until they found a place. "As long as your parents keep track of what we owe them."
Spike wanted to tell him his parents didn't care but Xander did and that was one of the reasons he loved him. "I'll let them know." He looked at his phone. "Let's get going."
Apartment looking at actually been way more fun than Xander thought it would be. The managers of all three apartment buildings were all nice. He had been worried that they would be judge-y of two men looking at apartments with only one bedroom. They had all be very accepting. "It was Los Angeles after all," was one of their response.
Spike told each of them that they would call them before the end of the day with their decision. They went to a nearby In-N-Out to get a drink and talk. "What do you think, Xan?"
Xander was looking over the pictures they had taken. "The first one was cute and the manager was super nice but I think a little too small. There were barely any cupboards." Spike nodded in agreement. The second place was really nice. I loved all the windows and there were a lot of cupboards but…"
"The neighbors were too loud," Spike finished. It was only two in the afternoon and they were yelling and blaring their music. The manager didn't even seem to notice it. "So that leaves the last place. It's bigger than I originally wanted but with all that space in the living room I could buy a shelving unit and have all my nerd stuff on the back wall… if that's okay."
The third apartment was bigger than their apartment in Sunnydale. It was more space than they probably needed but like Xander said there was space for both of there things. The kitchen was big with quite a bit of cupboard and counter space, The appliances were brand new as well. The neighbors seemed chill, they weren't yelling in the hallway. Spike wanted them to have a quiet place. When they were at the second apartment he could feel Xander tensing up, looking around for escape roots.
"You can get one of those units with glass doors," Spike replied after taking a sip of his drink.
"So… we've found our apartment?" Xander asked.
Spike's face broke out into a smile. "We've found our apartment." He stood up. "I'm going to phone them and let them know our decision." Spike pointed at Xander. "Don't go anywhere."
Xander grabbed Spike's finger. "I'm not going anywhere without you, baby." He pulled Spike's finger making him lean down so Xander could kiss him. It was their first kiss in public.
"You… you kissed me. In public." Spike's eyes were wide with surprise.
"I did." No one seemed to noticed their kiss. No one was looking at him in judgment. "I like it here." Xander interlaced their fingers.
Seeing Xander coming out of his shell made Spike so proud. "Me too, luv. Me too."