Title: Vamp for Rent 11/18
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: S/X
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed
Summary: After Anya dumped Xander he has become the fifth wheel. The girls start to notice he isn't hanging out with the gang as much so Buffy and Willow decide to do something about it.
Warnings/Spoilers: Season 5 No Dawn, No Anya.
Beta'd by: My Sister
Note: One chapter each week.
Part Eleven
Spike walked out of the bathroom a puff of steam followed. He was wearing a pair of Xander's joggers that were tied as tight as possible and a shirt too big him.
"I'll stop by the crypt to grab some of your clothes and any blood you have after work." Xander was putting his work boots on. "At lunch I'll phone Jerry." He had been serious about Spike staying with him for awhile.
"I have an old, wooden box hidden in the sarcophagus could you grab that as well?" Spike asked. It wasn't much just a few things from his human days. One of them being his father's pocket watch.
Xander walked over to Spike and kissed him on the forehead. He really hoped Spike didn't mind. "Sure." He ran his hand through Spike's damp hair. "I would never say this in front of any one else but your curls are adorable."
Normally Spike would be offended for anyone calling him adorable but the fact that it was Xander made it okay. It actually made him want to not use hair products. "Because it's you I'll let it slide."
With a grin Xander made a move to leave but Spike pulled him into an embrace, anxiety suddenly getting the best of him. He didn't want to be alone but Xander had to go to work.
Running his hand up and down Spike's back hoping to comfort him. "How about on my breaks I give you a call? I can let you know I'm doing okay."
Spike could never express how much it meant to him for Xander trying to make it seem like it was him that need to be comforted to save Spike from embarrassment. "Yeah, you could do that, I guess." He released Xander.
"Can you lock the door behind me? Xander asked. "It feels weird leaving it unlocked even though someone is still here."
Once again Xander was trying to make Spike feel safer by acting as if Spike would be doing him a favour. "Yeah, I'll even put the chain lock on."
"Perfect. Thanks." Xander grabbed his tool belt. "There is one more blood bag in the fridge. I'll see you tonight." He waved before leaving. When the door closed behind him Xander waited to here the click of the locks. It didn't take long. He felt relief knowing his vampire was locked away from the world.
His vampire? Xander was putting the cart before the horse. Sure they had kissed and said they liked each other but that was it. Spike needs support right now. Not some human asking stupid questions about what they could be. Xander told Spike he could wait and he could even if his brain was in overload with questions. When Spike was ready he would be the one to bring up the conversation. That was good enough for Xander.
Xander tried not to think about Spike too much. His focus needed to be on work, the last thing he wanted to happen was to be sent to the ER because he needed a nail to be removed from his hand.
"Did you and Spike get into a fight?" Dave could see a difference in Xander. Xander was a great guy and he deserved to be happy in his personal life.
"What?" Xander was confused. "Oh no. Um... we've kind of admitted to liking each other."
It was now Dave's turn to be confused. "That's great! It doesn't explain the look on your face."
Xander put down his nail gun. "He was jumped last night." He saw Dave's concerned look. "He's mostly okay. Pretty shaken up though. He spent the night at my place but he's freaked and lives alone. I'm hoping to talk to Jerry about maybe Spike staying with me for awhile."
"I'm sorry to hear about Spike. I hope that he'll be okay," Dave shared his sympathy. Sunnydale was a dangerous town. "You're in luck though. Jerry is gonna be here to go to lunch with me."
"Really?"
Dave looked at his watch. "He should be here in twenty minutes if you want to meet us in my office." He had no doubt Jerry would have no problem with it. The apartment was meant for a roommate after all and Xander was paying full price.
"Thanks, Dave." Xander smiled for the first time that day.
Xander was home by six with treasures in hand. He rapped on the door and called out for Spike even though he knew Spike could probably hear him but he didn't want to chance it.
Multiple clicks later and the door opened for him. "Hey," Xander greeted. Even though he had talked to Spike a few times throughout the day Xander was still apprehensive.
Spike grabbed everything from Xander's arms. "Hey, pet."
Xander followed Spike into the apartment closing and locking the door behind him. They both went into the kitchen where Spike dumped his blood into the empty vegetable drawer. There was enough blood that should last him a good five days. "How are you?"
Spike didn't look at Xander. He had been too vulnerable as it was, even if it was Xander. "Fine."
While he maybe the dumb one of the Scooby's Xander was smart enough not to push. "I talked to Jerry at lunch."
"You didn't mention that this afternoon. Does that mean he said no?" Spike was trying not to panic over it. Maybe he'd find a new cemetery to live in. There was one five blocks from Xander's place.
"Sorry, you know how scatter brained I can be. Actually he has no problem with it. You won't be put on the lease which is good considering you have no I.D but he said as long as the rent is paid you can stay as long as you want."
Spike had thought that if he was allowed to stay it would only be for a few weeks but he could stay indefinitely? "How do you feel about that?"
"About having you as a roomy?" Xander stupidly asked.
"No, about Xolnox and C'opita demons mating with each other," Spike sarcastically answered. He loved the boy buy that didn't stop him from wanting to ring his neck at times.
Xander blinked multiple times taking the question seriously. "I think love is love. I like a vampire and I'm human. Why is that okay but not for two other different species of demons?"
That wasn't what Spike was expecting. He had assumed Xander would go back to the original question. Any aggravation that Spike had dissipated. "You're an idiot," he said fondly.
"I know," Xander replied honestly. "And about the first question I would love for you to live with me full time. If I didn't I wouldn't have suggested it. And I don't want you thinking I expect you to pay rent. Just as long as you can pay for your own stuff."
"I can do that," he could do that with his blood money he was getting from Buffy and Willow which is what he would be relying on because right now he was sodding scared to go to his poker game despite his group were the peaceful sort. It wouldn't raise questions from Xander at all.
As if Xander read his mind. "I was wondering if I could tag along for your poker games? I never learned how to play it would be kind of cool to learn." It was a lie as he uncle Rory taught him but Spike didn't need to know that.
"You can tag along if you want. The demons I play with are peaceful so you don't have to worry about them."
Peaceful demons would be a nice change of pace for Xander.