Title: The Love of the Bullied 20/?
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 Twenty
Spike and Xander got home mid afternoon on Sunday and made tacos for supper and did the homework they had ignored during the weekend. Life was back to normal on Monday, Spike being greeted by everyone while Xander was ignored… except for being tripped in the hallway by Larry. Larry was apparently done keeping his distance. Fortunately Xander's backpack helped cushion the fall.
On Monday night Spike went to bed early saying he wasn't feeling feeling well. Xander turned the T.V off and finished his homework in silence to prevent disturbing Spike. When it was time for bed Xander crept into the bedroom. Spike was curled up on his side, the blanket tossed off of his body. After sliding into bed Xander carefully placed the covers over Spike's body before rolling over. As much as he wanted to snuggle the last thing he wanted to do was disturb Spike's sleep.
Tuesday morning came, the alarm going off. Xander stretched before getting out of bed. He went to the bathroom washing up before coming back out to get dressed only to find Spike still in bed. Usually he'd be in the kitchen making himself a cup of coffee. Was he still not feeling good? He knelt beside the bed and placed a hand on Spike's forehead. He unquestionably had a fever.
Going back to the bathroom Xander soaked a washcloth before ringing it out and grabbed a bottle of Tylenol. He made his way to back to Spike placing the washcloth on the nightstand before opening the bottle. "Spike? Baby, you need to take some medicine."
"Don't want to," Spike mumbled. Spike was not big on taking medicine. He preferred to just ride it out.
"You've got a fever, you have to take it." When Spike opened his mouth to argue Xander slipped them in before holding Spike's water bottle up. Begrudgingly Spike swallowed them. Xander then placed the washcloth on Spike's forehead and tucked him in. While sitting there Xander unlocked Spike's phone and sent a text to the school saying that he wouldn't be there today. "Get some more sleep, baby. I'll be home right after school. I love you,"
Spike tried to say that he loved Xander too but nothing came out. He wished that Xander would stay with him but knew Xander had to go to school.
School had been even more boring without Spike. While they didn't interact with each other at least Xander could look at his good looking boyfriend. Hopefully Spike would be feeling better when Xander got home.
During lunch before Xander could even get his lunch out of him bag Larry ripped out of his hands and dumped the contents into the trash. "A poor guy like you is probably use to eating out of the garbage."
"You know if you got laid even once maybe you wouldn't be such a dick all the time. But with your personality I can understand why no one's interested in you." Was that a douche move? Definitely. Did Xander feel bad that Larry flinched at the words? A little bit.
"He's gay," Harmony said defending her friend. "His only option is you."
Xander laughed and he saw that Larry had wished Harmony kept her mouth shut. "Yeah, except Larry isn't an option for me. He's not even a blip on my radar. He's too ugly on the inside. Now since I'm done lunch I'm going to relax in home ec. before class starts. Enjoy your food." With that Xander left leaving the group speechless.
Xander unlocked the apartment door, while juggling his plate of homemade southern buttermilk biscuits. He had texted Spike a couple times to check on him throughout the day but received no response. Dropping his bag at the door and placing the biscuits on the table with the mail before heading towards the bedroom only to be stopped by noises coming from the bathroom. The door was open but the light was still off. "Spike?"
Spike couldn't answer him because his head was in the toilet.
"Oh, baby," Xander said in a soothing voice as he stopped himself from gagging. He didn't have the best gag reflex. He turned the light on to find Spike an absolute mess. If Xander were to guess the bed was probably in the same state.
"Sorry, Xan," Spike managed to croak out. He looked at Xander with tears streaming down his face.
Xander shook his head. "Why don't we get you out of those clothes?" As carefully as he could without actually touching the vomit Xander managed to get Spike down to his boxers. He retrieved a new washcloth and dampened it handing it to Spike to clean his face. "Let me get the bedroom cleaned up and then we'll get you back into bed." As much as he hating leaving Spike alone he needed to clean up.
As quickly as he could Xander striped the soiled sheets from the bed and put on fresh ones on. He grabbed a mop bucket from the closet and went to gather up Spike. "Back to bed with you." Spike didn't fight Xander when he pulled him onto his feet, careful not to jostle him too much.
Once Spike was in bed Xander was running out grabbing him Gravol and a ginger ale. He would give him a Gatorade to get his electrolytes up. After yet again forcing Spike to take medicine Xander ran the laundry down to the basement.
When Xander came back into the apartment he heard Spike's phone ringing, rushing in to stop it from waking up Spike he took and phone and slipped out of the room. When he looked down he saw Spike was getting a Facetime from his parents. What was Xander supposed to do? Before he knew what he was doing he pressed the accept button and was greeted with Anne and James Pratt. "Umm... hi."
Anne looked confused at first but then a smile spilled over her face. "Alexander! It's nice to finally meet you... so to speak."
"It's really nice to meet you as well Mr. and Mrs. Pratt," Xander said nervously.
"We've heard a lot of good things about you, Alexander," James added. "I don't mean to be rude but where is William?"
It was so weird hearing Spike called William. "He is actually..." He winced when he heard Spike throwing up. "Sick."
"Oh, Little Mouse," Anne made a sad noise. "Has he taken anything? He doesn't like taking medicine."
Little mouse? There had to be a story behind that. "I've gotten him to take some but not easily. I've given him some ginger ale I hope it will help calm his stomach. Is there anything else I can do for him?"
James could see the worry on Xander's face. Taking care of anyone who was sick wasn't fun especially it being your first time. "Anne's homemade chicken soup always helps settle William's stomach."
"Oh..." Xander looked deflated. He wished Mrs. Pratt was here.
Anne whispered in James's ear and Xander saw him nod to her. "I have some work to do. You and Anne have a nice chat. I will talk to you another time, Alexander. Good luck with my son."
"Bye, Mr. Pratt. It was really nice meeting you," Xander rushed out.
"You as well." James smiled. "You make our son very happy, Alexander. Thank you for that."
Xander flushed. Spike's parents genuinely seemed to like him and it was a relief.
James disappeared leaving Xander with Anne. "Take me to the kitchen, Alexander."
"What?" Xander asked confused.
"You are going to make William homemade chicken noodle soup, my dear. I need to see what you've got," Anne replied patiently, with a smile.
After twenty minutes Anne helped Xander go through the cupboards and fridge to make a list of groceries he'd need to run out for which unfortunately was everything. Xander wrote down the recipe Anne gave him. She made sure to be clear on the instructions because she knew that Xander would feel guilty if it didn't come out perfectly.
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Pratt." It was just after five o'clock, Xander really needed to get to the store.
"You're welcome, Alexander and please call me Anne. Don't hesitate to call us if you need any help with William. He can be a handful when he is sick. Very stubborn."
"When isn't he stubborn?" Xander said with a little laugh. Even though he'd only spoken with Anne for a short time but he felt so comfortable with her.
Anne winked at him before saying goodbye.
Xander ripped the grocery list out of the notebook and tucked it into his jean pocket. Before heading out Xander checked in on Spike who managed to use the bucket with success. He cleaned it out and placed it back on the floor beside the bed. As much as he didn't want to wake Spike up Xander couldn't leave without letting him know.
"Baby?" Xander whispered.
"Hmm?" Spike asked.
Xander ran his fingers over Spike's sweaty forehead. "I have to run out for a little bit but I'll be back soon. Do you need anything?"
"You," Spike mumbled.
"I'll be super fast," Xander promised. He didn't receive an answer because Spike fell asleep and was snoring due to his plugged nose. "I love you."
Xander returned home half an hour later, checking in on Spike before he started prepping the food which probably took him longer than it should have but he just wanted everything to be perfect. The vegetables were washed thoroughly and sliced precisely. His attention was on the chicken boiling. The last thing Spike needed was salmonella poisoning. Soon the chicken was cooked and shredded in a pot with chicken stock, ginger, garlic, noodles, carrots, celery.
Remembering about the laundry Xander dashed down to the laundry room and threw the sheets into the dryer. He entered the apartment just in time to hear Spike being sick again. His throat had to be so sore at this point. Spike was sitting up the bucket clutched to his chest. He looked absolutely miserable.
"Drink some ginger ale," Xander said as he pressed the can against Spike's lips and cautiously tipped it.
Spike took a few small sips before Xander took it away. "I'm hungry."
"I can bring you some soda crackers. I have soup on the stove but it still needs a little more time."
With an adorable pout Spike said with a whine, "I want mum's soup."
"I guess it's a good thing that your mom called and gave me her recipe," Xander replied with a smile on his face as he thought about how nice Spike's parents were.
If he wasn't feeling so miserable Spike would have been so happy. Not only did he have his mom's soup and Xander made it for him but Xander also met his mom. "You talk to mum?" Spike leaned back against the headboard unable to sit up on his own anymore.
Pulling the blanket up to Spike's chest Xander replied, "your dad too. They're both really nice."
"You like them?" Spike asked. He wanted to be excited but he was just so tired.
"I do. Your mom even told me I could call her Anne."
Spike grabbed Xander's hand and gave it a weak squeeze. "You can't even imagine how happy I am, Xan."
"I'm gonna have to save up money so we can go visit them." Xander gave a squeeze of his own. "Why does your mom call you Little Mouse?"
A groan escaped his lips. "She really is never going to stop calling me that. I was born prematurely, only four pounds. Mum says I didn't cry as much as other babies until I was about four months old. I was as quiet as a mouse."
Xander couldn't imagine Spike being so tiny. "That must have been so scary for them."
"I had to stay in the hospital for a week just to make sure I was healthy. It almost killed my parents coming home without me. I was lucky though, no medical conditions. My parents donated to a charity called 'Bliss' every year to make sure hospitals have all the equipment they need to help preemies."
ThePratt's are so cool Xander thought. "Now let's see how the soup is coming. If you can drink some more, I don't want you getting dehydrated."
Enjoying being taken care of Spike did as Xander wanted and was able to get down more of the ginger ale.