Chapter XI - Hold me, Thrill me, Kiss me. . .
@---------;-----------;---------@
"WITCH!"
Xanders' first thought was // where? //. Then the reality of the situation began to dawn.
The crowd of people started to advance on him, the word spreading like wildfire.
'Witch!, he's a witch!' they chanted with a maniacal glee moving ever closer.
~ Xander! Something's wrong. Is Spike ok?! We. . . we
Another voice joined Willows, one Xander couldn't recognize asking her if she was alright.
~ I. . . ah, I can't keep it open much longer!
Xander reached for the swirling energy not a foot away from him. He could almost make out the faint form of his friend through the swirling colors. His fingers were about to brush the crackling portal when suddenly, it vanished just as fast as it appeared. No sound. No trace of it in fact ever having been there. Non that is except for the angry mob of people marching on bravely now.
"That man!"
A frantic finger pointed at Spike as he climbed to his feet. The screech attracted the attention of the crowd towards the vampire.
Both Xander and Spike realized where this was going. The mob surrounded Xander and as Spike got accused of being 'in league with the witch' he was forced in to the melee.
"No."
Every one listened. Their fear made them pay attention to the 'witch' who was only now making some move to defend himself. The silence didn't last long as Xanders' next syllables were uttered.
"I don't know that man!"
The people gathered around them didn't know what to make of this. Among them was the daughter of the head of the village. Mary Anne Wilson refused to believe what was so plainly the truth. Still, she knew that the 'witch' was lying. They did know each other.
There was nothing to be done. Unless. . .
"You all saw it!! That. . . that thing *hurt* him!"
Mary Anne pointed a gloved finger at Spike.
"How could he be a witch?!"
She smiled triumphantly when the mob seemed to agree with her logic, though she herself knew that it wasn't as simple. But she'd made her choice.
Xanders treacle eyes met Spikes blue ones. And then, there was no more time. Hands grabbed at Xander, and he turned away breaking the eye contact. He felt like his whole world crashed around him and the only thing he had left to hold on to were those blue eyes. Blue, but only if you didn't make an effort to look too closely.
The vampire fought to control the demon inside of him. He melted in to the shadows as the mob dragged off Xander, after some resourceful soul with enough fore sight to bring a two by four knocked him out.'
~~~~~~~~
"Willow!"
"I'm ok Buffy."
That wasn't true. The witch felt like she'd just been run over by a truck. It hadn't worked.
// it, it didn't work! Ethan. . .//
"Ethan!!"
Buffy and Tera held her down in the chair as Willow struggled to get up. She gave up, loosing her strength finally.
"Why?"
Ethan looked as surprised as an of them, to his credit. None of them made a move to interrogate him about it except for Willow. She wouldn't have done so either if she'd been more aware of her surroundings. Especially of Giles. He would have been first to go through with some of his threats if he suspected that Ethan had done something to disrupt the spell on purpose. But he made no move, and he knew the other man.
"I don't know, sweetheart. Ripp?"
Giles glanced up almost slipping back in to his alter ego.
"It. . . it felt too strong somehow."
Ethan nodded in agreement, though the non-practicing members of the group had no idea what they were agreeing about.
Giles had to explain that they had been working on the assumption that Xander and Spike were roughly two hundred years in the past. There was room for error: a few years either way wouldn't hurt. But it appeared as though the vortex was too strong, the excess energy stopping anything (or anyone, more specifically, Spike) that tried to break through.
"I got it wrong didn't I? The date? It's. . .it's. . ."
"Shhhh."
Tera put a comforting arm around Willows shoulders. They would try again tomorrow.
~~~~~~~~
Xander faded in and out of consciousness. He didn't know where he was. He knew certain things though. He was cold and his head hurt a lot if he tried to move. His body felt numb. He was on the floor. The damp was soaking in to his clothes, he could hear water drip somewhere in the distance.
// it'll be alright, pet. //
He knew he was only pretending Spike was there, but thinking it made him feel a little better. He didn't know what happened to Spike after he was dragged off. He remembered waking up in a dingy little room, men who had brought him there saying something he couldn't understand. He must have made some kind of noise because they turned to him and proceeded to beat and kick him until he apparently passed out. The room, cage, more like. . . evidently he was still there. He forced his eyes open. Iron bars made up one wall of his prison casting shadows across the floor. All he could see past the bars was a wall, but light must have been coming from somewhere. Xander made an attempt to curl in to a ball and closed his eyes. He felt so helpless. Helpless and scared.
The slayerette let his mind wonder, fearing he'd go insane if he concentrated on the here and now. There was nothing he could do after all. // it'll be alright luv, Spike's here, you're safe now. //
Xander noticed that Spike had been referring to him as 'pet' or 'luv' for the duration of their trip, having switched from the usual 'whelp' or 'mate' he used when they were home. Spike didn't even know he was doing it, did he? // I do have a name. . . // he though with indignation, despite the fact that he actually liked the new replacements for it. If felt like. . . // whoa, wait just a second, I'm so not going there. Again. // He could of course ask Spike about it, but then he'd just get a 'What of it?' or the vampire would find a way to turn the tables on him with 'If you don't like it I can stop. . .' he could practically see those blue eyes sparkling with smug amusement. Great. He knew the vamp well enough to know what the answer was to a question he hadn't asked yet. // STOP IMAGINING THINGS, BOY! // said his fathers' voice in his mind. Well maybe not the answer. No. Spike would very rarely actually answer a question, and if he did Xander was lost. Because for every one of Spikes answers Xander got stuck with ten new questions.
~~~~~~~
"father! In this day and age, you cannot simply hang a man!"
"He is *not* a *man* !"
Magistrate Patrick Stewart Wilson was livid to the point of raising his voice. He rarely did that, and his daughter Mary Anne wisely left their argument at that as she quit the room.
The man sighed. He did not have a choice, there would have to be a trial. The appropriate authorities would have to be notified, and before long his town would descend in to chaos! What was the life of one 'man' compared to a full scale witch hunt? Having lived through one as a young man he did not care to repeat the experience. But the trial would bring panic and fear, and was quite unnecessary since the verdict seemed to be carved in stone the moment someone shouted 'witch!'.
~~~~~~~
Spike walked around the building soundlessly twice before climbing in through the open window on the second floor. It was one of the few buildings in town made of stone, bearing the inscription 'yea olde towne hall' above the door. He'd made his way there as soon as the evening provided enough cover, but was unable to do anything but wait until the crowd started to dissipate. Part of him was paralyzed with fear. Worried over what was happening to Xander. Dreading the possibility that he may be hurt or worse. . . but that part was not in any way involved right now. Right now the part that was a predator, creature of the night perfectly in tune with his surroundings was in charge. The other part of him gave him purpose, nothing more. Like hunger would lend itself as an advantage instead of a disability during a hunt. Nobody noticed that shadow moving swiftly through corridors and down stairs to the basement. Once there, Spike let his attention focus on picking the lock of the heavy oak door, which took him less than a minute to break open. a flight of stairs, and another lock later he came face to face with the final obstacle: the bars of Xanders cell. This lock proved no more of a challenge than the rest and the seemingly nightmarish effort came to an end. That's all it had been. A nightmare. Spike used the demon part of him to get to where he was now. It felt so different. He used to be at one with the demon, but now in was no more a part of him than his coat.
The vampire crouched on the floor next to Xanders curled up body and brushed his fingers over the boys face tenderly.
"It'll be alright luv, Spike's here, you're safe now."
Spike cradled Xander in his arms and just sat there waiting for him to come around a bit more. They had a little time. Nobody was allowed near the cell just in case the 'witch' could control their minds somehow. Spike had picked that up from pieces of conversation he'd overheard while breaking in.
"mhhh. Spike?"
"right here, pet."
Xander smiled. He wasn't imagining it this time. For a panicked second he thought that they'd gotten the vampire too, but then he saw that the cell door was ajar.
"got a plan for getting out?"
"wot, something other than run like hell?"
Xander returned Spike's smile and got to his feet with a little help from the vampire.
"Maybe I should just carry you. . ."
Spike said more to himself than to Xander.
"Hey! I can still walk."
Xander whispered indignantly, his heart racing.
"yeah, and we all remember what happened the last time you said that."
Xander glared but had to agree that he wasn't feeling all that up to it.
"Just. . . help me?"
Without further protest Spike wrapped his arm around Xanders' shoulders, supporting him as they made their way to the stairs. Spike listened carefully for a minute, and once the coast was clear they climbed the stairs as quickly and quietly as possible. Everything was still in the darkness of the hallway and Xander made to continue but Spike stopped him. He felt the vampires lips brush against his ear as he whispered a 'shhh'. Xander couldn't suppress a shudder, and being pressed up against the vampire he was sure he felt it too, but hopefully Spike would write it off as a symptom of the cold. After all, if that was good enough for Xander. . .
Spike started moving once more, another flight of stairs, and a hallway, Xander could barley see anything. He could make out a door ahead of them. The flickering light of a candle struggling through the gaps in the wood. Spike knew that to be the kitchen. The main door would be guarded, but they could with any luck get out the back way without anyone noticing.
"pet? You still with me?"
Xander was starting to look pale as Spike set him down on a bench and tried to will the lock open.
"yeah. . ."
Xander paused for a moment noting that Spike seemed to have jimmied the door and then turned just in time to catch the other door open.
"I'm not the only one too."
Finally the door gave and several things happened at once. Xanders' familiar weight settled on his arm, the hinge on the door behind them creaked and then a deafening shriek rang through the air along with the sound of cutlery crashing to the floor. Spike turned to see a woman clutch at her hair with one had and point at him with the other.
// oh, this is not good. // was the unanimous thought of everyone present.
Spike realized that he was still in game face and the woman screamed again, this time to the background of running footsteps.
"demon! Demon!! DEMON!!"
The sounds only increased in volume, and followed the direction of the two figures retreating in to the darkness. Soon torches were lit and the witch hunt began in earnest. By the time the angry mob got organized Xander and Spike had made it to the edge of the woods. The sound of their pursuers spurred them on as they made their way back the way they came.
~~~~~~~~~
Spike decided that they should take a break. Not only was the sun rising above the tree tops, but he could tell that Xander was about to drop. After all the adrenaline was wearing off, even though the boy was almost enthusiastic enough to make up for that. They were further up river than before. Spike sat Xander down on a rock and shrugging out of his duster took off his shirt and tore it in to several strips. He used the materiel to clean the cut on Xanders fore head. The exhausted slayerette winced in pain and Spike bit his lip. Rolling up Xanders' sleeve he cleaned and wrapped the gash on Xanders' arm. This time the boy noticed the fact that Spike was in pain. Oh god, he didn't think! Flinching away he jarred his arm and caused it to start bleeding again.
"Spike! The chip. . ."
"I know. Hold still, Xander."
Xander did as told trying to convince himself that what Spike was doing didn't hurt. A minute later the vampire was done.
"Thanks. Spike I. . ."
He couldn't think of a way to finish that without it sounding like an insult.
"Thanks."
Spike could tell what the boy was trying not to say.
"What, didn't think I had it in me, pet?"
Could vampires read minds? Dracula could. Now there was a horrifying thought. For all the wrong reasons.
"No. Well, I knew you were capable of caring for other people. Well not people, but you know."
Xander was babbling again. He sighed in exasperation. All he wanted to do was thank him and he couldn't even get that right.
"You hate me. . ."
"I don't hate you."
Spike said without thinking as was so often the case, and found himself faced with a pair of wide cola colored eyes looking at him with amazement and doubt. Mostly doubt. And something else. He didn't care to speculate on what that was.
"God, but you are annoying!"
"I'm annoying?!"
"Glad to hear you admit it!"
"I may be annoying but I can still stake you deadboy! we are in a forest."
"You're less annoying when you don't talk."
"I'll stop talking if you do!"
"Deal!"
With that the conversation ended for the night, but then, who said you need to talk to keep entertained?
Sighing, Spike got up and getting Xander to his feet also, led them to the shelter of a cave. Finding a flat surface he laid out his long suffering duster on the floor and tried to get comfortable on one side of it while Xander occupied the other. Laying on his back, he listened to the brunette toss and turn.
Xander tried heard to get conformable. So far it wasn't working. This was ridiculous. They were both freezing and yet here he was avoiding crossing the invisible line down the middle of Spikes' coat. It wasn't even as if they hadn't slept together before. Xander really hadn't meant to snap at Spike earlier. But he didn't know how else to deal with the situation. Spike risked his own life to rescue him from those psychos, and then took care of his cut even though it hurt him. . . . every time he tried to figure it out, his thoughts took him to places he didn't want to be. It was wrong! In soo many ways. For lack of anything better to do though his mind started to wonder. The blonde menace had been acting kind of strange lately. Ever since he started to share living space with the vamp. Over all, he just acted like Spike, but that didn't mesh well with his supposed evilness. After all, Xander did owe his life to the vampire. // Arrgh! Stop thinking! Right now! // Frustrated, Xander rolled over a little too fast. Straight in to Spike. His weight was braced on his hand resting on the vampires' chest, and the look on his face was reminiscent of a deer caught in headlights.
The two found themselves staring in to each others eyes. Xanders' heart rate and breathing seemed to be heaving a race, and he unconsciously liked his lips. The vampire couldn't look away, there was a good chance he was dreaming this. The boy didn't really feel the same way about him, did he.? // No. he doesn't love you. You're just here. //
Xander blushed as he realized what he wanted most at the moment. // But I'm *not* gay! // he tried to reason.
Spike braced himself on his elbow and slowly, leant forward and brushed his lips over Xanders' in a gentle kiss. When he didn't immediately pull away, the vampire decided that he was definitely dreaming and with that in mind, traced Xanders' full bottom lip with the tip of his tongue. He could swear that his heart started to beat again when Xander opened his mouth in invitation. He was kissing him back! Xander moaned as he felt Spike's tongue brush against his own. Oh God! This was really happening! Spike kissed him!
// don't stop!! //
But they had. And now Xander was forgetting to breathe as he looked at Spike. The vampire mirrored his look of amazement for a moment, then, he lay back down and placing his hand on Xanders' back, gently pulled him down as well. The brunette was still in shock and lay his head on Spikes' shoulder, his thoughts fighting for attention in his head.
". . ."
"shhh."
Spike brushed his lips over Xanders' temple and if he was about to say something he didn't know what. There was too much. And this was good. Each promised himself to think about it tomorrow but, despite everything, decided that they would rather be here that anywhere else. Angry mob and all.
For the first time since Xander could remember he felt safe. Everything could wait till later. He felt Spike pull the edge of the duster over them and fell asleep soothed by the rhythmic motion of Spikes' hand on the small of his back.
TBC. . .
@---------;-----------;---------@
"WITCH!"
Xanders' first thought was // where? //. Then the reality of the situation began to dawn.
The crowd of people started to advance on him, the word spreading like wildfire.
'Witch!, he's a witch!' they chanted with a maniacal glee moving ever closer.
~ Xander! Something's wrong. Is Spike ok?! We. . . we
Another voice joined Willows, one Xander couldn't recognize asking her if she was alright.
~ I. . . ah, I can't keep it open much longer!
Xander reached for the swirling energy not a foot away from him. He could almost make out the faint form of his friend through the swirling colors. His fingers were about to brush the crackling portal when suddenly, it vanished just as fast as it appeared. No sound. No trace of it in fact ever having been there. Non that is except for the angry mob of people marching on bravely now.
"That man!"
A frantic finger pointed at Spike as he climbed to his feet. The screech attracted the attention of the crowd towards the vampire.
Both Xander and Spike realized where this was going. The mob surrounded Xander and as Spike got accused of being 'in league with the witch' he was forced in to the melee.
"No."
Every one listened. Their fear made them pay attention to the 'witch' who was only now making some move to defend himself. The silence didn't last long as Xanders' next syllables were uttered.
"I don't know that man!"
The people gathered around them didn't know what to make of this. Among them was the daughter of the head of the village. Mary Anne Wilson refused to believe what was so plainly the truth. Still, she knew that the 'witch' was lying. They did know each other.
There was nothing to be done. Unless. . .
"You all saw it!! That. . . that thing *hurt* him!"
Mary Anne pointed a gloved finger at Spike.
"How could he be a witch?!"
She smiled triumphantly when the mob seemed to agree with her logic, though she herself knew that it wasn't as simple. But she'd made her choice.
Xanders treacle eyes met Spikes blue ones. And then, there was no more time. Hands grabbed at Xander, and he turned away breaking the eye contact. He felt like his whole world crashed around him and the only thing he had left to hold on to were those blue eyes. Blue, but only if you didn't make an effort to look too closely.
The vampire fought to control the demon inside of him. He melted in to the shadows as the mob dragged off Xander, after some resourceful soul with enough fore sight to bring a two by four knocked him out.'
~~~~~~~~
"Willow!"
"I'm ok Buffy."
That wasn't true. The witch felt like she'd just been run over by a truck. It hadn't worked.
// it, it didn't work! Ethan. . .//
"Ethan!!"
Buffy and Tera held her down in the chair as Willow struggled to get up. She gave up, loosing her strength finally.
"Why?"
Ethan looked as surprised as an of them, to his credit. None of them made a move to interrogate him about it except for Willow. She wouldn't have done so either if she'd been more aware of her surroundings. Especially of Giles. He would have been first to go through with some of his threats if he suspected that Ethan had done something to disrupt the spell on purpose. But he made no move, and he knew the other man.
"I don't know, sweetheart. Ripp?"
Giles glanced up almost slipping back in to his alter ego.
"It. . . it felt too strong somehow."
Ethan nodded in agreement, though the non-practicing members of the group had no idea what they were agreeing about.
Giles had to explain that they had been working on the assumption that Xander and Spike were roughly two hundred years in the past. There was room for error: a few years either way wouldn't hurt. But it appeared as though the vortex was too strong, the excess energy stopping anything (or anyone, more specifically, Spike) that tried to break through.
"I got it wrong didn't I? The date? It's. . .it's. . ."
"Shhhh."
Tera put a comforting arm around Willows shoulders. They would try again tomorrow.
~~~~~~~~
Xander faded in and out of consciousness. He didn't know where he was. He knew certain things though. He was cold and his head hurt a lot if he tried to move. His body felt numb. He was on the floor. The damp was soaking in to his clothes, he could hear water drip somewhere in the distance.
// it'll be alright, pet. //
He knew he was only pretending Spike was there, but thinking it made him feel a little better. He didn't know what happened to Spike after he was dragged off. He remembered waking up in a dingy little room, men who had brought him there saying something he couldn't understand. He must have made some kind of noise because they turned to him and proceeded to beat and kick him until he apparently passed out. The room, cage, more like. . . evidently he was still there. He forced his eyes open. Iron bars made up one wall of his prison casting shadows across the floor. All he could see past the bars was a wall, but light must have been coming from somewhere. Xander made an attempt to curl in to a ball and closed his eyes. He felt so helpless. Helpless and scared.
The slayerette let his mind wonder, fearing he'd go insane if he concentrated on the here and now. There was nothing he could do after all. // it'll be alright luv, Spike's here, you're safe now. //
Xander noticed that Spike had been referring to him as 'pet' or 'luv' for the duration of their trip, having switched from the usual 'whelp' or 'mate' he used when they were home. Spike didn't even know he was doing it, did he? // I do have a name. . . // he though with indignation, despite the fact that he actually liked the new replacements for it. If felt like. . . // whoa, wait just a second, I'm so not going there. Again. // He could of course ask Spike about it, but then he'd just get a 'What of it?' or the vampire would find a way to turn the tables on him with 'If you don't like it I can stop. . .' he could practically see those blue eyes sparkling with smug amusement. Great. He knew the vamp well enough to know what the answer was to a question he hadn't asked yet. // STOP IMAGINING THINGS, BOY! // said his fathers' voice in his mind. Well maybe not the answer. No. Spike would very rarely actually answer a question, and if he did Xander was lost. Because for every one of Spikes answers Xander got stuck with ten new questions.
~~~~~~~
"father! In this day and age, you cannot simply hang a man!"
"He is *not* a *man* !"
Magistrate Patrick Stewart Wilson was livid to the point of raising his voice. He rarely did that, and his daughter Mary Anne wisely left their argument at that as she quit the room.
The man sighed. He did not have a choice, there would have to be a trial. The appropriate authorities would have to be notified, and before long his town would descend in to chaos! What was the life of one 'man' compared to a full scale witch hunt? Having lived through one as a young man he did not care to repeat the experience. But the trial would bring panic and fear, and was quite unnecessary since the verdict seemed to be carved in stone the moment someone shouted 'witch!'.
~~~~~~~
Spike walked around the building soundlessly twice before climbing in through the open window on the second floor. It was one of the few buildings in town made of stone, bearing the inscription 'yea olde towne hall' above the door. He'd made his way there as soon as the evening provided enough cover, but was unable to do anything but wait until the crowd started to dissipate. Part of him was paralyzed with fear. Worried over what was happening to Xander. Dreading the possibility that he may be hurt or worse. . . but that part was not in any way involved right now. Right now the part that was a predator, creature of the night perfectly in tune with his surroundings was in charge. The other part of him gave him purpose, nothing more. Like hunger would lend itself as an advantage instead of a disability during a hunt. Nobody noticed that shadow moving swiftly through corridors and down stairs to the basement. Once there, Spike let his attention focus on picking the lock of the heavy oak door, which took him less than a minute to break open. a flight of stairs, and another lock later he came face to face with the final obstacle: the bars of Xanders cell. This lock proved no more of a challenge than the rest and the seemingly nightmarish effort came to an end. That's all it had been. A nightmare. Spike used the demon part of him to get to where he was now. It felt so different. He used to be at one with the demon, but now in was no more a part of him than his coat.
The vampire crouched on the floor next to Xanders curled up body and brushed his fingers over the boys face tenderly.
"It'll be alright luv, Spike's here, you're safe now."
Spike cradled Xander in his arms and just sat there waiting for him to come around a bit more. They had a little time. Nobody was allowed near the cell just in case the 'witch' could control their minds somehow. Spike had picked that up from pieces of conversation he'd overheard while breaking in.
"mhhh. Spike?"
"right here, pet."
Xander smiled. He wasn't imagining it this time. For a panicked second he thought that they'd gotten the vampire too, but then he saw that the cell door was ajar.
"got a plan for getting out?"
"wot, something other than run like hell?"
Xander returned Spike's smile and got to his feet with a little help from the vampire.
"Maybe I should just carry you. . ."
Spike said more to himself than to Xander.
"Hey! I can still walk."
Xander whispered indignantly, his heart racing.
"yeah, and we all remember what happened the last time you said that."
Xander glared but had to agree that he wasn't feeling all that up to it.
"Just. . . help me?"
Without further protest Spike wrapped his arm around Xanders' shoulders, supporting him as they made their way to the stairs. Spike listened carefully for a minute, and once the coast was clear they climbed the stairs as quickly and quietly as possible. Everything was still in the darkness of the hallway and Xander made to continue but Spike stopped him. He felt the vampires lips brush against his ear as he whispered a 'shhh'. Xander couldn't suppress a shudder, and being pressed up against the vampire he was sure he felt it too, but hopefully Spike would write it off as a symptom of the cold. After all, if that was good enough for Xander. . .
Spike started moving once more, another flight of stairs, and a hallway, Xander could barley see anything. He could make out a door ahead of them. The flickering light of a candle struggling through the gaps in the wood. Spike knew that to be the kitchen. The main door would be guarded, but they could with any luck get out the back way without anyone noticing.
"pet? You still with me?"
Xander was starting to look pale as Spike set him down on a bench and tried to will the lock open.
"yeah. . ."
Xander paused for a moment noting that Spike seemed to have jimmied the door and then turned just in time to catch the other door open.
"I'm not the only one too."
Finally the door gave and several things happened at once. Xanders' familiar weight settled on his arm, the hinge on the door behind them creaked and then a deafening shriek rang through the air along with the sound of cutlery crashing to the floor. Spike turned to see a woman clutch at her hair with one had and point at him with the other.
// oh, this is not good. // was the unanimous thought of everyone present.
Spike realized that he was still in game face and the woman screamed again, this time to the background of running footsteps.
"demon! Demon!! DEMON!!"
The sounds only increased in volume, and followed the direction of the two figures retreating in to the darkness. Soon torches were lit and the witch hunt began in earnest. By the time the angry mob got organized Xander and Spike had made it to the edge of the woods. The sound of their pursuers spurred them on as they made their way back the way they came.
~~~~~~~~~
Spike decided that they should take a break. Not only was the sun rising above the tree tops, but he could tell that Xander was about to drop. After all the adrenaline was wearing off, even though the boy was almost enthusiastic enough to make up for that. They were further up river than before. Spike sat Xander down on a rock and shrugging out of his duster took off his shirt and tore it in to several strips. He used the materiel to clean the cut on Xanders fore head. The exhausted slayerette winced in pain and Spike bit his lip. Rolling up Xanders' sleeve he cleaned and wrapped the gash on Xanders' arm. This time the boy noticed the fact that Spike was in pain. Oh god, he didn't think! Flinching away he jarred his arm and caused it to start bleeding again.
"Spike! The chip. . ."
"I know. Hold still, Xander."
Xander did as told trying to convince himself that what Spike was doing didn't hurt. A minute later the vampire was done.
"Thanks. Spike I. . ."
He couldn't think of a way to finish that without it sounding like an insult.
"Thanks."
Spike could tell what the boy was trying not to say.
"What, didn't think I had it in me, pet?"
Could vampires read minds? Dracula could. Now there was a horrifying thought. For all the wrong reasons.
"No. Well, I knew you were capable of caring for other people. Well not people, but you know."
Xander was babbling again. He sighed in exasperation. All he wanted to do was thank him and he couldn't even get that right.
"You hate me. . ."
"I don't hate you."
Spike said without thinking as was so often the case, and found himself faced with a pair of wide cola colored eyes looking at him with amazement and doubt. Mostly doubt. And something else. He didn't care to speculate on what that was.
"God, but you are annoying!"
"I'm annoying?!"
"Glad to hear you admit it!"
"I may be annoying but I can still stake you deadboy! we are in a forest."
"You're less annoying when you don't talk."
"I'll stop talking if you do!"
"Deal!"
With that the conversation ended for the night, but then, who said you need to talk to keep entertained?
Sighing, Spike got up and getting Xander to his feet also, led them to the shelter of a cave. Finding a flat surface he laid out his long suffering duster on the floor and tried to get comfortable on one side of it while Xander occupied the other. Laying on his back, he listened to the brunette toss and turn.
Xander tried heard to get conformable. So far it wasn't working. This was ridiculous. They were both freezing and yet here he was avoiding crossing the invisible line down the middle of Spikes' coat. It wasn't even as if they hadn't slept together before. Xander really hadn't meant to snap at Spike earlier. But he didn't know how else to deal with the situation. Spike risked his own life to rescue him from those psychos, and then took care of his cut even though it hurt him. . . . every time he tried to figure it out, his thoughts took him to places he didn't want to be. It was wrong! In soo many ways. For lack of anything better to do though his mind started to wonder. The blonde menace had been acting kind of strange lately. Ever since he started to share living space with the vamp. Over all, he just acted like Spike, but that didn't mesh well with his supposed evilness. After all, Xander did owe his life to the vampire. // Arrgh! Stop thinking! Right now! // Frustrated, Xander rolled over a little too fast. Straight in to Spike. His weight was braced on his hand resting on the vampires' chest, and the look on his face was reminiscent of a deer caught in headlights.
The two found themselves staring in to each others eyes. Xanders' heart rate and breathing seemed to be heaving a race, and he unconsciously liked his lips. The vampire couldn't look away, there was a good chance he was dreaming this. The boy didn't really feel the same way about him, did he.? // No. he doesn't love you. You're just here. //
Xander blushed as he realized what he wanted most at the moment. // But I'm *not* gay! // he tried to reason.
Spike braced himself on his elbow and slowly, leant forward and brushed his lips over Xanders' in a gentle kiss. When he didn't immediately pull away, the vampire decided that he was definitely dreaming and with that in mind, traced Xanders' full bottom lip with the tip of his tongue. He could swear that his heart started to beat again when Xander opened his mouth in invitation. He was kissing him back! Xander moaned as he felt Spike's tongue brush against his own. Oh God! This was really happening! Spike kissed him!
// don't stop!! //
But they had. And now Xander was forgetting to breathe as he looked at Spike. The vampire mirrored his look of amazement for a moment, then, he lay back down and placing his hand on Xanders' back, gently pulled him down as well. The brunette was still in shock and lay his head on Spikes' shoulder, his thoughts fighting for attention in his head.
". . ."
"shhh."
Spike brushed his lips over Xanders' temple and if he was about to say something he didn't know what. There was too much. And this was good. Each promised himself to think about it tomorrow but, despite everything, decided that they would rather be here that anywhere else. Angry mob and all.
For the first time since Xander could remember he felt safe. Everything could wait till later. He felt Spike pull the edge of the duster over them and fell asleep soothed by the rhythmic motion of Spikes' hand on the small of his back.
TBC. . .