Title: Morbid Curiosity
Chapter: Delightful Oxymoron
Author: DC – devils_symphony@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: If I had created 'Buffy', I wouldn't be here. Don't own, don't sue. 'Cept the plot. No one can claim that but me.
Author's Notes: Hey-hey-hey! Here we have chapter 5. Hope we all enjoyed the slashiness last chapter. Here we have more slashiness. And I meant what Is aid about being against underage sex, so don't get excited. *innocence*
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Delightful Oxymoron
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As far as Xander knew, everyone in the gym was safe. The vampires he had seen grace the hall with their presence earlier were now all making their way into the library, snarling, yellow eyes eyeing everyone with hunger. Two weeks ago, Xander would have been certain that death was upon the small band of warriors. But two were already dead at the hands of an unlikely warrior – William Wyther – and Faith was making fast time with the death of another, and Xander was confident that they'd win this little scuffle. Gritting his teeth, Xander locked eyes with two of them that were approaching, each one smirking cockily at the little teenage boy with his cute axe. Xander was pretty sure that they thought this, at least. It was a wicked axe, double-headed, black handle, pointy and generally evil looking.
Suddenly, one of them lunged, obviously bored with slow motion confrontations. Acting on the instinct of survival, Xander jumped back, but as he did so, he swung the axe and the blade caught the vampire in the shoulder. The demon made an animalistic snarl of pain, which intensified as Xander yanked the medieval weapon out. Not hesitating, Xander swung it again, this time burying the blade in the vampire's neck. The snarl was cut off and the demon's eyes went wide. His partner, the other vampire, watched this with sick fascination, licking his fangs absently as a scarlet tide started down the vampire's front. Xander yanked the head of the axe out again, annoyed that it hadn't been a clean decapitation. No need to be annoyed, though. Making a strange gurgling sound along with a pained wail, the vampire fell to his knees, hands shaking as he felt the wound that had almost severed his head from his neck. Taking another swing and putting mores strength behind it, the head now fell away. It hit the ground and both it and the body exploded into dust.
Xander gulped and looked at the other vampire who was smiling widely, a truly horrifying thing to see when the one smiling had a mouth full of oversized fangs. "Dude, that was kinda awesome," the vampire said with obvious admiration. Xander frowned. Did vampires normally talk like they were on the Sunnydale football team?
"Um, yeah," he said with uncertainty. Around him, the battle raged.
"But you know that I have to take the axe of you now, y'know?"
"No."
The vampire gave him another grin before leaping forward with unnatural speed, making a grab for the handle of the axe. Xander gave a startled yell but hung on, yanking it back. The vampire was too busy trying to wrestle the axe away to notice Xander pull out a wooden stake. Though the vamp did notice when the piece of wood was shoved into his chest. "Aw, dude, not cool," the vampire groaned before becoming a cloud of dust.
"Surreal," muttered Xander, shaking his head. Suddenly, he felt two very strong hands on his neck from behind and a growl right next to his ear. Xander yelled out in fear and surprise, trying to twist around to break free, but he was shoved to his knees, axe and stake landing with a clatter. He turned, falling on to his butt as he did so, but he aimed a kick at the vampire's jaw. It didn't work. The buff vampire grabbed his ankle, and started bear down on him. Xander shielded his face with his arms instinctively and…waited. There was a screech and Xander lowered his arms to see the explosion of dust. He coughed as some of the ash entered his throat, but he smiled gratefully to see Tara there, holding a stake. "I am so glad to see you instead of Mr. Ugly just now. Thanks."
"No problem," the amateur Wicca said, helping him to his feet. She turned and started to run towards Faith, who was being attacked by three vampires. Xander started over, until a crossbow went flying passed his nose. He turned his head sharply in the opposite direction of its flight to see two vampires circling a now crossbow-less William, who's hands were clenched in fists at his sides as he glared at them.
Picking up his stake and axe, Xander wandered over, behind one of the vampires and got ready to plunge the stake into the demon's heart from behind. But suddenly, at the signal of his fighting partner, the vampire turned and grabbed Xander's wrist with a snarl. Panicking slightly from the sudden movement, Xander gave a short and weak swing with the axe, burying it about half an inch in the vampire's side, who yelled in pain. Suddenly, the world went white as Xander was given a stinging head-butt. He stumbled back, his vision clearing to see William grab the vampire by the back of the demon's jacket and push him into the library's counter.
The other vampire leapt over, grabbing William's arm, looking about ready to break it. Spontaneous and without a real clue of what the hell to do, Xander rushed forward and took down the vampire via football tackle. He succeeded. The demon let go of William's arm as he went crashing down with Xander with a loud 'oof!' Almost without thinking. Xander's stake descended into the vampire's chest, ripping through skin and muscle. The outcome was becoming familiar. Xander, who had been pinning the vampire down, landed on the ground as the vampire turned into an eruption of ash, coughing again. He turned just into to see William pick up Xander fallen axe and decapitate the other vampire. Xander stood up shakily, looking at William as the Brit turned to him, eyes locking. Before Xander could say anything, William turned away to help Gunn with a rather fast vampire.
Sighing, Xander looked around to see if he was being attacked. He saw a vampire give Tara a very painful-looking backhanded hit, the girl crying out and falling to the floor. Xander didn't need to be a hero, as Faith started pummeling the vampire. By the time Xander had rushed over, crouching beside Tara, the vampire was dust, as were many others. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Fine," said Tara as Xander helped to her feet. "That's gonna bruise, though." She gave him a half-hearted smile, before looking over his shoulder and yelling: "Faith!" Xander turned to see Angelus bearing down the dark Slayer, landing a hard kick on her chest. Xander swore he could here bones cracking and he winced at the horrible sound. Faith went crashing down, knocking over the circular table they had done their homework on so many times. Xander started over but stopped as both Slayer and master vampire started battling it out in the same untouchable way as displayed in the graveyard.
And then there was Buffy. She stood in the doorway of the library, holding that dagger she had used to threaten the death of William with. She surveyed the makeshift battlefield with a look of disgust and disappointment. The vampires were losing in this particular battle. And then, she looked at Xander, and for a brief moment, their eyes locked. Xander looked for any ounce of humanity left in her, anything, a flicker, even, would do. But no, nothing. Just calculating coldness, like staring into the heart of an impending storm. And then, Buffy turned and fled down the hall. Thinking of the students in the gym, Xander started after her, and then stopped. She had gone in the direction of the exit, not the gym.
Xander let her go. Not out of hope that his friend still inhabited that body. But she wasn't a priority. Angelus was backing off fast, bleeding from his bottom lip, his nose, from a gash under his right eye and a large crimson stain had spread over his shirt. Xander looked around the library as Angelus did the same. All of the vampires were dust. Gunn and William walked over; both looking bruised and battered. Tara stood behind Xander and Faith stood squarely in front of Angelus.
"This isn't finished, Slayer," Angelus said darkly, edging towards the doors.
"Nah, it ain't finished 'cause you're still walking," Faith said, but before she could follow through with her threat, Angelus had fled as well. Silence descended upon the library, and the Scoobies formed a circle. Faith dropped her short sword with a clatter as she ran a hand through the tangles of her hair. "Some spring dance," she murmured, and everyone sort of nodded in bitter agreement.
"Do we have any first aid kits around here?" asked Xander.
"Yeah, just behind Ethan's desk," Faith answered. Nodding, Xander crossed the circle and walked behind the desk. The white metal box made a 'clank' sound as Xander placed it on the desk, opening it. "I'll stop off at a doctor's clinic I sometimes stop by," Faith said when Xander asked her if she needed anything.
"Fine. Will," said Xander, gesturing him over.
"No, I-"
"No, he's right, you're bleeding everywhere," Tara said. She walked over to where Xander stood, and, with great reluctance, so did William. Gunn and Faith started talking, which looked like it consisted of Gunn insisting something and Faith refusing. With a motherly but practical-nurse touch, Tara tilted William head to look at the cut just above his left eye. The line of red that had trickle from that to his chin had stopped and was drying, but a few more droplets had formed. "That'll scar if you don't get it stitched by a doctor."
"No," William said firmly, looking anywhere but at them. "Can't go to a doctor." Tara and Xander exchanged a glance but ultimately dropped it. Tara expertly grabbed a brown bottle of clinical disinfectant, swabbing the slash like she'd been doing it all her life. William winced slightly as the burning liquid started taking action.
At the other side of the library, a loud and vocal fight between Gunn and Faith erupted. "If you could just fuckin' back off, I'd be a little happier!" she yelled.
"If you could just relax-" started Gunn with equal volume.
"Guys!" interrupted Xander. They fell silent, glaring. Tara glanced at Xander before heading over, ready to patch things over between Gunn and Faith, sort out whatever argument had made them yell. Xander had long since learnt that everyone seemed to have a separate role in the group, and each one was relied upon. He was yet to figure out his own.
"So, what will it be tonight: bandages, band-aids? Or the usual whisky on the rocks?" asked Xander lightly, looking at William, even if he wasn't looking back. "Come on Brit-boy, chose or it's the doctors for you."
"Whatever."
Xander sighed, glaring down at the assorted medical equipment in the neat little box, as if it was the cotton-ball's fault. "Listen," he said, quieter now, "I don't know what's wrong. The kiss in the gym…I thought you liked it."
"I did," William muttered.
"So did I. What's the problem?" asked Xander.
"Isn't it obvious?" asked William, looking at him.
"No…"
"Well…come on, we're guys and…" William gestured a little bit wildly. "Isn't kissing more common to boys and girls rather than boys and boys?"
"No. There's this little thing called 'homosexual', and another thing called 'bisexual'," Xander said as calmly as he could. It was hard not to react to that. It was like admitting that Xander was indeed gay. Xander paused at this thought. 'Am I?' he wondered, mentally shrugging. 'Not too much of a shock. Not like I was the biggest womanizer ever to hit Sunnydale High.'
William flinched at the words, subtle but noticeable. "Listen, Will," continued Xander, "if you wanna just forget it, I'm all for it-"
"Yeah, I figured," William said bitterly.
"Huh?"
"Well, what was that to you?" asked William, looking suddenly angry, though his voice was still quiet so others couldn't hear. Xander wasn't sure what he was angry at. "Just something to forget. Nothing serious. It's not like you feel anything for me. I don't know what that…that kiss was but it certainly wasn't the start of a relationship." There was a scoff on the word 'relationship', but even still, Xander's stomach started doing something similar to a gymnastics move when the word was mentioned.
"You really don't think I kissed you because I like you?"
"Of course not."
"Why so sure?"
"Because…" William seemed to flounder for the right words. "Because you never…no…"
"You're not sure," said Xander with a little triumph.
"I don't know what I'm sure of," William sighed, suddenly looking very, very tired. There was a pause as they both contemplated over what to say next. Xander got there first.
"I like you, don't die of shock, but I do," Xander said. William blinked and seemed to forget whatever he had lined up to say. "I kissed you because of that."
"I like you as well," William added absently.
"I hope so. I mean, we don't have to go around in the halls holding hands and calling each other sappy pet names amongst the public," Xander said with a shrug. "But I wouldn't mind…"
"Me neither," said William, with an expression that seemed to question his own sanity.
"I didn't finish that sentence."
"You didn't have to."
Xander smiled widely, then glanced over William's shoulder. Gunn, Faith and Tara were wrapped up in intense conversation, not looking at them at all. Perfect. Leaning over the desk, passed the first aid kit, Xander planted a gentle kiss on William's lips. They lingered for a little while before Xander broke it off, both smiling madly. "This is rather insane," William said softly.
"I know. But we can break it off whenever we want."
"I don't want to."
"Me neither."
More smiling. Despite the disastrous school function, there seemed to be a lot of smiling.
---
Friday's were always good in Xander's (and probably most other people's) book. He and Gunn had walked away from the library last night with the least amount of battering and bruising. When Xander had gotten home, his father was asleep on the couch and his mother had retreated to seclusion in her and Tony's bedroom to read, so Xander had the rest of the night to himself. He had spent it lying in bed the wrong way up, resting his feet against the headboard and tossing a baseball in the air, dazed at what had happened that night. Not the vampires, that was business as usual, but kissing William three times in one night was not. Okay, two times, really, but the first one in the gym had been broken in half, so therefore made the total count up of three. Discovering that he, himself, was gay was a difference. Or perhaps bisexual, Xander had wondered. He had been a little surprised to see that he was not lying on the bed, moaning in agony, groaning: 'why, oh why, am I gay? How terrible!'
It was a surprise, but not something that Xander had been disgusted about. And it seemed that William was rather cool with it as well. Xander wondered vaguely if William had already known that he (William, that is) was gay or bisexual. Xander would ask the Brit when the right moment struck.
William…Xander couldn't help but feel slightly giddy whenever he thought about him. He found himself hoping that William felt the same way. Then he wondered that if acting like a highschool girl was a symptom of being head-butted by a vampire.
So. Friday. Goodness. As Xander walked through the opened doors of Sunnydale High, someone caught up with him. Faith put a hand on his shoulder as they greeted each other, keeping up their pace. "Did you convince Will to go see a doctor?" asked Xander.
"Yeah, only by tipping the handlebars that I was sitting on," Faith said, rolling her eyes. "He didn't want the 'rents finding out about his little dent, but then I made up a lie for him that involved him crashing his bike, losing his glasses and both of us having to make a pit-stop at a clinic." She shrugged. "Worked for the docs, and English's parents will believe anything ya feed 'em." Xander nodded, obviously satisfied with this new information. Faith paused, putting a hand on Xander's chest, stopping him. "Oh, and by the way, broken rib cage ain't so much of a biggy. I mean, I am the Slayer and all, and why not break a few bones? They'll grow back. Thanks for asking." As soon as Faith had started with this, Xander started apologizing, but Faith wouldn't let a word in before she finished. Now that she had, she waited for Xander to speak.
"Oh, gee, I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "It's just that you're a Slayer and all, and Will and Tara and us…aren't Slayers. And you looked okay when you left? I just assumed…" His shoulders slumped in defeat at Faith's expressionless stare. "Sorry."
Her features broke into a grin and she put an arm around Xander's neck. "It's five by five, Harris. Don't sweat it. Besides, after the doctor patched me up a little, the bones are healin' damn quick. They're used it. But let's just say I'm takin' a break from slayage tonight."
"Last night was pretty wild."
"You're telling me. Man, I just wanted to stake Angelus so bad."
"Me too. We all did. Does Ethan know?"
"Nah, I'm gonna report it all to him during break." The bell rang out and Xander and Faith winced visibly. "You think that if the faculty found out about my night job, I'd be excused from this hellhole?" asked Faith, as they started towards the English classroom.
"Yeah, you wouldn't have to go to school. Kind of hard when you're locked in a padded cell with a straight jacket tailor made for you," Xander said, pointing out the obvious. Faith agreed and the two started talking about tonight's activities. Apparently, though Faith wanted a break from slaying, she was more than happy to go party at the Bronze. Xander was all for it, especially if he got a moment alone with – eep – William. Faith and Xander found themselves waiting outside, talking like best friends, as other classmates pulled up to wait for the signal to go inside the room.
Tara, William and Gunn arrived together, talking about the fight last night quietly so that they didn't catch unwanted attention from the other's students. The three made up the circle of five. "So anyway, William was just saying how he was more than happy to offer his large, empty house for all five of us to stay in for the weekend," Tara said.
"I wasn't. I said 'no'. I always have to clean up afterwards," William protested.
"Aw, c'mon man, you're parents are out for the weekend, you'll be all on your lonesome with that big wide screen TV, the DVD player and the stereo and the large living space for us to camp out in," said Gunn, smirking at Xander and Faith.
"I like my lonesome, thank you very much, and I did that I have to clean up afterwards."
"What's this I hear about camping out?" asked Xander, confused. Tara and Gunn looked at William expectantly, who sighed.
"My parents are staying in L.A for the weekend, something about Dad having to do some work up there in his law firm, Wolfram and Hart, or something, and Mum always goes along for these trips. So my house is free for the weekend and these two want to fill it with everyone's presence," he explained, rolling his eyes. "We've done it before and between the four of us, we made a wreck of the place and I had to clean before my parents got back."
"A 'wreck'? You call a few strewn items a 'wreck'?" asked Tara.
"Well, not a wreck. But I still had to clean," William said sullenly.
"So. We now have plans. I'll provide the entertainment, Faith and Gunn can bring the food, William can be our host and Xander…do you have anything to offer that can make the sleep over fun?"
"A bunch of CD's and contraceptives are always useful," Xander said with an exaggerated wink in Faith's direction, who lifted an eyebrow in return.
"I haven't said 'yes' yet," William said, glaring darkly at Tara who looked as innocent as possible. The girl was evil sometimes, when you least expected it.
"Aw, c'mon, we'll even help you clean up afterwards," Tara said promisingly. Everyone looked at William expectantly, whose shoulder slumped in defeat.
"Fine."
"Yay, we now officially have social lives!" Xander said, exchanging high-five with Faith.
"Social, as in, hanging out with the same people that you see every day because you're not cool enough to make other friends?" asked William cynically, smirking.
"Well, if ya gonna put it that way," said Xander, theatrically glaring until William laughed.
"Class, inside," said the familiar voice of their English teacher. Everyone sighing in unison, they started filing in. Xander walked behind Tara and next to William.
"Hey, Tara, what's the entertainment that you're planning on bringing?" he said in a stage whisper, poking her lightly in the back.
"Nude dancing," she shot over her shoulder, stunning Xander at her un-Tara-ness. She giggled and sat down at the front row. Xander took the seat behind her and William sat down next to him, and next to a window.
"How's that?" asked Xander, looking at William gash on his eyebrow.
"Oh, it's fine now," William said. It didn't look fine to Xander. It was a dark red (matching William's jacket that would have looked too formal for school, if it wasn't denim), and you could see the stitches, at least four. "Doctor said that there's a chance it'll scar. But then he assured me it'll give me a rugged and dangerous look," William said with a skeptical roll of his eyes as he took out his notebook assigned for English, the homework book they had to read and a pen.
"And you have an extra pair of glasses, I see."
"Always have to be prepared when you're dusting vampires for a living," he said with a slightly twisted smile. Xander mirrored it. There was a companionable silence, until Xander broke it.
"You realize you resemble a human shaped stop sign, right?"
"I'm aware."
---
The Scoobies stared at what was possibly one of the most disgusting things they had ever layed their eyes on. It was either alive or far beyond dead to the point of decay. When prodded, it made a wet, slurping sound that made everyone recoil. "My god, what is it?" whispered Xander, horrified.
"I don't know. Can we get rid of it?" squeaked Tara.
"Maybe we should see if it's friendly," William said nervously.
"Nothing that butt-ugly could be friendly," Gunn disagreed.
"Is…is it alive?" asked Xander.
"Nah, it's dead. Way beyond dead," Gunn answered.
"Okay, Slayer duty calls, I'll try it," Faith said. She cut off a morsel and stuck it in her mouth. Everyone looked away as she chewed. "Actually, it ain't that bad, if you ignore the sticky wetness," she said, voice muffled from eating. The Scoobies were seated around the table, and Gunn had brought back today's cafeteria special – brown slime with green wobbly bits. It was the consistency of mud and the attractiveness of shit. As far as cafeteria foods go, this was by far the worst. "It kinda resembles spam," Faith said hesitantly. "Only with less taste. Could be pork." She swallowed, putting the fork down. "Okay, I'm done. Man, that didn't feel good on the way down." She put the lid back on it and everyone gave it a disgusted expression.
"Can we go outside? Suddenly the really spacious cafeteria seems too small for a sardine," said Xander, standing up. Everyone nodded in agreement and they trekked their way out of the school building and into the fresh air, obediently keeping within the boundaries of Sunnydale High.
"My theory is that someone accidentally invoked it and decided to pass it off as food," William offered, walking beside Xander, the two trailing behind everyone else. He stuck his hands in his pockets, sneaking glances at Xander when he thought he wasn't looking. Xander caught his eyes. And they smiled shyly at each other, if not, they smiled dopey-like.
"They didn't succeed, " Gunn said gravely. He suddenly brightened up as a familiar redhead walked over. "Hey Wills!"
"What?" asked William at the mention of what would be his nickname, plural. He then saw Willow and smirked as Gunn grinned at her like a small child seeing the ocean for the first time. Tara and Faith exchanged glances at giggled girlishly, an action so unlike Faith that Xander was inclined to do a double take.
"Hey Gunn!" said Willow happily, hugging him, standing on her tiptoes to do so. Xander and William glanced at each other, sniggering at Gunn's expense. Gunn gave them a glare and the chuckles were cut like scissors through a thin strip of paper. "What'cha doing on the weekend?"
"Oh, a sleep over type thing," Gunn said, and he frowned at the disappointment in the redhead's eyes. "But I can break away from it early. Y'see, this group of losers are dragging me along, and I feel I should go with them to make their sad little lives a bit brighter. But I'm free Sunday afternoon." He ignored the death glares he was receiving. Willow took no notice.
"Cool, 'cause I was wondering if you wanted to go to a café thing, or something, or maybe a movie," Willow said hopefully.
"Pick you up at one?" asked Gunn, beaming as Willow grinned.
"Cool, I'll see you there, then!" she said, kissing him on the cheek hesitantly. "But I gotta run now, science fair meeting and all." She rolled her eyes a little. "Bye!" She turned and walked over to where a mousy girl in braids and glasses stood, waiting. Willow whispered something to her ('Fred?' wondered Xander) and the two giggled, before heading back inside the main building, arms linked.
"Man, she's cute," said Gunn, grinning and turning back to the group. His smile vanished. "What?"
"You are so evicted from the Scoobies my friend," Tara said.
"Who are you calling 'losers'?" asked William, crossing his arms.
"Hey, sorry if I have a social life by having another circle of friends," said Gunn, ducking as Faith threw a pencil at him. The five started wondering around again. "So is it okay if I ditch you guys? 'Cause if its not, I'll just go back and ask Willow out another time."
"It's fine, Gunn," Tara said assuringly, smiling.
"Wouldn't wanna break Little Red Riding Hood's heart, now would we?" asked Faith, slapping Gunn on the back so even his stumbled forward a little.
"Besides, the sooner you lot clear off, the better," William added, grinning quickly as the death glare round was turned to him. As they walked, Xander had the unfamiliar wish to take William's hand in the normal relationship-ish way, but he didn't want to cause the Brit embarrassment. Admittedly, Xander would feel uncomfortable under quizzical and taunting stares, so he kept hands to himself. But walking side by side was like a cruel and unusual punishment. There was what he wanted, and he couldn't touch him, because of all these reasons that seemed equitable, but didn't feel it.
'Just a moment alone,' Xander wished, 'and then I could experience another first kiss.' A nagging voice in the back of his head pointed out the oxymoron.
---
William had agreed that everyone should arrive at his place at one P.M. He had taken Xander aside and asked if he'd like to arrive at twelve. This had made Xander bouncy all through the rest of Friday, much to William's pleasant amusement. The rest of the Scoobies, unaware of William's arrangement, based Xander's hyperactivity to the fact that it was Friday. Everyone gets at least a little bouncy on Friday, especially after a long week. Gunn had been in a similar state if mind, not really speaking much but wearing a happy grin, so that by the time the bell went, signaling the end of the school day, all Scoobies were pretty much ready to punch the lovesick vampire hunter.
They gathered at the front of the school, ready to head their separate ways, exchanging phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses. Mainly it was a one way deal: Xander to Scoobies, Scoobies to Xander. The conversation was made up of: "Hey Tara, you didn't say your email address" and "Ah, well, y'see, my house is behind that one, so it's not really '14A', more like '14B', but that's not what our post reads" and "Oh, that looks like a seven. It's meant to be a one. Let me correct it…" and "Gunn, don't tell me you don't have an email address. Hello, welcome to 1997!" and "That's my phone number, only it's gotten disconnected, but once it's back on you should be able to use it" and "Oh bloody hell, it still looks like a seven. Just pretend it's a one."
It had been a very stressful event.
Xander got home to find the normal scene – his mother working on what seemed to be an endless parade of housework, his father out at work. "Hey mom," he said automatically when he heard her cleaning the dishes. No answer. Xander walked up to the kitchen entrance, looking at the back of his mother. "Hey mom," he repeated. Still no answer. Shrugging, Xander started away when Jessica finally did say something.
"You should call Jesse."
"Will do." Xander put his school bag at the end of his bed, looking around. Less boxes, only one that he hadn't finished unpacking. Cramped living space, unmade bed, strewn laundry, cluttered belongings, stereo that he'd accidentally left on, the newly hooked up computer and phone…pretty much the same room he had left in L.A, it seemed. Xander pressed 'Play' on the CD player, not totally sure what CD was in there. Songs from a CD that actually belonged to Jessica welled up – some John Bon Jovi thing. Shrugging, not really caring what was going on for background music, Xander sat cross-legged on his unmade bed, grabbing his phone and dialing the familiar number. Jesse's mom, a lady that Xander had gotten to know and love like an aunt, or a second mother, picked up the phone.
"Xander! How are you, hun?" she asked, her voice sounding strange on the phone.
"I'm great, Tina," Xander said automatically, smiling at the sincerity in the woman's voice.
"That's good. I hope you're well and you're not lying to me," Tina said. "Okay, I'll just go get Jesse." There was a pause, a shuffle sound, and Jesse's voice sounded on the phone.
"Yo?"
"Hey, Jesse."
"Xander! Dude!"
Xander grinned. "Jesse! Dude!" he mimicked.
"How's Sunnydale High? Man, did ya hear that L.A public thrashed Sunnydale in football last week?"
"Nope, didn't catch that one."
"Yeah, me neither, but I read it in the school paper this morning."
"We're still the same highschool losers, huh?"
"Yup." There was a pleasant pause, and Jesse continued. "How's stuff?"
"Stuff-ish. And you're stuff?"
"Pretty much the same. Oh, hey, there was this girl – remember the one with big fizzy red hair that we decided would implode if we stared at it too hard? Well, I asked her out, and she told me to fuck off, but it was still pretty cool."
Xander laughed. "Good to here it."
Some things never changed, no matter the circumstances.
---
Other stuff changed, though.
Like people dying. It got to the point, during the night, that Xander felt like he could rip his eyes out from his head, just to stop the images. He looked blearily at the radio clock next to him, numbers fuzzy and green. 1: 56 A.M? Excellent. Moaning, Xander rolled over, head buried in his pillow. He had no trouble in getting sleep. In fact, he'd accomplished this already.
Three fucking times, in fact.
Neat, huh?
That dream, that dream of walking through the girls' locker rooms, seeing that same, limp, bloodless hand just lying there, fingers becoming stiff as rigor mortis set in. But the dream had been a little more extended, this time around.
Xander rushed to Buffy's side, glassy green eyes staring sightlessly into nothing, and they never would again, as far as Xander was concerned. "Oh god, oh god, oh god," he whispered, kneeling there, the floor cold and hard under his knees. Her throat was bloodied, but he could make out the bite marks from which the blood had flowed. Hesitantly, Xander reached out with two inexpert fingers, trying to check for a pulse. He hadn't known that so much blood could get so cold and sticky so quickly. He wiped away the blood vigorously on his T-shirt, tearing his eyes away from the body of his friend. "Help!" The yell bounced off the walls. "Help! Someone, get help!" he cried, feeling useless and inept. "Anyone!" He had to stop yelling, his throat was starting to get sore from the volume he had pitched his voice at.
"Oh god, Buffy, please," he whispered frantically, voice thickening as tears of panic welled at his eyes. Furious, he wiped them away, trying to focus. But all he could see was her skin paled, colour ebbing away from her gaping lips, eyes wide and glazed over. Shaking slightly, Xander reached out for her hand, and recoiled almost instantly. Cold and stiff, as if she didn't have bone under her flesh, just a hard, unyielding metal frame.
Sitting back from his crouch, back against the lockers, Xander let the tears flow, fifteen years of a normal life having not prepared him for seeing his friend lying dead. Knees up, arms wrapped around them, he cried, unable to stop.
"I hate you," Xander whispered as a special montage of images from his memory and dreams floated through his head. He wasn't sure where the hate was directed. At Buffy, the vampire, for being such an obscene waste of space; at Angelus, for taking her life away and giving her a new one of hunger and emptiness; or at himself, for not being able to save her, nor having the courage to end the demonic version of Buffy Anne Summers.
For the fourth time that night, Xander fell asleep, once again, dreamless.
---
'Gaping like a goldfish never solved anything you moron,' Xander told himself sharply. 'Just check the address again to see if you've gotten the right house.' Xander looked at the slip of paper in his hand. 23 Verdana Avenue. He looked at the street he was on. Verdana Avenue. He looked at the number of the house. 23. He looked at the house. He looked at the paper.
It was almost twelve – Xander had allowed himself a little more time to find William's place, and he had…perhaps. He wasn't sure if this was the right house. Well, 'mansion' would probably be a better adjective. Yup, this was the place. Hesitantly, and feeling like he was trespassing, Xander opened the gate at the front – it didn't even squeak! 'Weird. All gates should squeak.' The path leading up to the front doors was a pristine white, made of slabs of outdoor tiles that Xander felt like he was defiling just by wheeling his bicycle on them. The house was…big, if you wanted to use an understatement. Two stories high were reasonable. Three stories high were just plain ambitious. The front of the house seemed to stretch on for ages, and, by the looks of things, so did the back end. It was a nice white colour, with reddish tiles on the roof, and auburn coloured double wooden doors that stood at the front. Two squares of lawn sat on each side of the path, mowed within a few millimetres of its life.
Xander rung the doorbell, the average 'ding dong' sounding out loudly. He had sort of expected the Star Wars theme, or a Christmas jingle, or perhaps 'Ode to Joy'. But no. Just a nice, plain 'ding dong'. Xander decided that if he had his way, his future house would have the Star Wars theme for the doorbell. 'Yeah, that'd be cool.' He waited patiently. In a house this size, William would probably arrive via chariot. But, then again, by the looks of things regarding to money, Xander wouldn't be surprised if William arrived in a silver Ferrari that had 'La Coca Racha' for the horn. After about a thirty-second wait, the door opened, and Xander smiled brightly at William, who gestured him inside. "I was just wondering if you had some sort of conveyor belt to get you from one room in the house to the other," Xander said, "'cause it must be kind of a hike…wow…" The place was clean. Not clean, but clean clean. As in, one could defile the place by being in the same radius of a mile; it was so damn clean.
"You're gaping," William said helpfully, closing the door behind him.
"Only in the jaw dropping sense," Xander said, looking around the large entrance room ('the place had an entrance room. Or something'). "By the way, have you ever considered having the Star Wars theme for a doorbell?" William gave him an arch look. "Didn't think so. Well you should."
"I'll keep it in mind," William answered, smirking at him as he took Xander's sling bag. "You travel light," he said sarcastically as the thing thunked to the floor when he had tried to haul the strap onto his shoulder.
"There were a lot of contraceptives to bring," Xander quipped, earning a laugh. "And don't complain, I had to bike my way over here. I left it on the deck outside, if that's okay." He followed William out of the room and down a hallway, towards the stairs. "And by the way, someone could've warned me that you were royal."
"Royal?"
"Obscenely rich," Xander translated.
"Oh, y'know, it's not something I like bragging about," William said seriously, straining as he lugged the bag up the stairs. "By the way, I am trying to be a good host, but you can help any time you want." Xander shot him a smile and together they managed up the stairs. After a few more moments walking, William kicked open a door awkwardly, as his arms were full. "Whenever we do this, everyone just throws their belongings in my room," he explained.
"I think the words 'cavernous chamber' are a better description," Xander said, looking around. It was good to know that, despite the hugeness of the bedroom, it looked normal. It reminded Xander of his own room, only bigger. Laundry had been kicked into the corner; the computer on the cheap, pine desk was still on, showing a screen saver that involved a banner of words saying some quote by some dude whose name Xander didn't recognize. The bed was unmade, curtains half drawn, and books were strewn across the floor. Scale the room down by a half, degrade the computer by a couple of years, replace the screen saver quote for a dancing bee and exchange the thick volumes for a few comics, and it was basically Xander's room.
"A messy cavernous chamber, I clean only when it can't be avoided," William said, half-apologetic as he dragged Xander's bag over to one wall, out of the way.
"As is the mission statement for teenage boys everywhere," Xander added. William laughed lightly, at they found themselves standing opposite each other, the subtle whine of the computer serving as the only noises in the silent room and house. The next thing Xander knew, he had his arms wrapped around William's waist, William returning the embrace, heads resting on each other's shoulders. It had been the first of real contact since the blackout. William felt warm under his grey T-shirt, warmth that could be felt through the sleeves of Xander's own shirt, up his arms and against his chest. It felt so good to Xander, hardly used to hugs besides the odd one from Tara. Buffy had been into hugging, but that felt so long ago. His parents hardly even acknowledged him let alone touch him (something Xander was, in fact, grateful for. All he ever smelt from his parents when they came close to him was stale cigarette smoke and equally stale alcohol).
He felt William lift his head, and Xander did the same. As soon as he had done so, Xander felt his lips captured in a warm, kiss, chaste and sweet. He happily closed his eyes, and he couldn't imagine anywhere in the world he'd rather be. Xander angled his head, flicking his tongue out shyly, inviting William to open his mouth, but no, William pulled away, and Xander was met by a bright smile, which he mirrored. "Hi, by the way," the Brit said, smirking.
"Yeah, hi," chuckled Xander, absently reaching up and pulling William's glasses down his nose, in order to kiss the scarring cut on William's eyebrow, to which was responded by a why chuckle. "How are you?" William ducked his head, landing a gentle, shy kiss on Xander's neck. He tilted his head in response, and William kissed the same spot in between pauses in his reply.
"Fine, but I've been bored since yesterday evening." Xander barely listened as William gently led the kisses p his neck and across his jaw line. Equally tentative, Xander gently played with the hair on the nape of William's neck. "Thought today would never come. And it did, wouldn't you know."
"Yeah, days do that," Xander murmured absently as William's trail of kisses stopped at the corner of his mouth. He looked at the Brit, smiled, and captured his wandering mouth in a deep kiss, deeper than any kissing they'd done before then. Xander broke it off, pleased to find that he'd left William panting slightly. "You're not being a very good host at all."
"Oh is that right?" asked William skeptically, smirking slightly.
"You haven't offered me anywhere to sit down," Xander said as seriously as possible. William's smirk spread into a smile and he disentangled himself from Xander, leading him over to the appropriately unmade bed for a typical teenager inhabited room. "This will do," Xander said, sitting down near the end. William settled down next to him, both getting the same idea and holding hands.
No more words were exchanged for the rest of the hour that they were alone. They ended up lying down on the bed, perpendicular to what was normal for bed lying, snuggling as close as possible, exchanging smiles and kisses, both chaste and deep, arms holding them together, legs in a jeans-clad tangle. It seemed almost too soon when the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of the second Scooby to arrive.
~~~
Yay, slash! Gotta love the stuff. For those Xander/Spike 'shippers who are getting annoyed with William being too…William-y (though I've gotten no complaints so far) don't worry, our beloved Spike's personality may shine through in ways I shall not say now. *ominous* And I've just thought of a future plot twist that made me all bouncy and really wanting to write this some more, just so I could get to it. Plus, it's fun slashing, bwahaha. Funny how the twist occurred when I was no where near the computer, as is the way. Anyway, next chapter will be up ASAP.