The 2008 Spander Illuminations

Moonlighting
by Margie
Notes
 

 

 

The bar was bright and crowded, the press of bodies almost making Spike turn back toward the exit.  He didn't feel like being around so many humans, but with Willy's out of commission after that last brawl, Spike didn't have many choices.  Not if he wanted the drink that he was craving so badly.

 

He laughed bitterly, remembering the days when a crowd like this would have been prime hunting for him.

 

He'd chosen this place more or less at random, the gleaming neon lights having caught his eye as they'd blinked the pub's name, "Bull N Bear".   He hadn't thought twice when he'd seen the sign, surprised to realize an English pub had opened in Sunnydale without his knowledge.

 

But, the moment he'd entered he realized his mistake.

 

The room was too bright, too loud, and too full of half naked men to be a proper English pub.  Spike glanced around at the neon signs illuminating the walls and laughed, this time self-deprecatingly.  "Bulls and Bears", not "Bull N Bear". 

 

There seemed to be an equal measure of men and women customers, but all the servers and the bartenders were men in tight black jeans and bow-ties but not much else.  There were definitely some bears, but there were a lot of young bulls, too.

 

Spike didn't see any harm in admiring the scenery, so he took a seat in a corner booth, signaling for a pint when he caught his server's eye.  He was sipping his second beer when he caught a familiar scent in the air.  It was earthy and arousing, as always, until the bitter scent of humiliation brought a scowl to Spike's face.

 

A year ago, hell even just, six months ago, and Spike would have been reveling in Xander's humiliation, but something had changed in the last few months.  Spike wasn't even sure when it had happened, maybe the night Xander had offered him a place to stay, or more likely it had been the night they'd held the secret ceremony that put Buffy to rest. 

 

Spike hadn't even thought about what it had meant for them to hold the ceremony that night.  In his grief he hadn't realized how much easier, and safer, it would have been for them to have laid her to rest during the day.  Xander hadn't said a word to Spike that night, but a few days later Dawn had let it slip that it had been Xander's idea.  That Xander had been the one to remind them all that Spike wouldn't be able to attend a daytime funeral.

 

Spike didn't know what to think, but he hadn't fought his growing... affection either.  He'd known, even before Buffy's death that she'd never feel for him what he felt for her.  And Spike was pretty sure that Xander would be the same.  But, at least now, Xander treated him as if he mattered, as if he were human.

 

Spike searched the crowd until he found Xander, cringing away from a raucous group of men.  Spike snarled when he realized that Xander was trying to deliver their drinks without getting too close to wandering hands.  He was flushed with embarrassment, his bare chest just as mottled as his cheeks.  Spike wanted to go over and throttle the man whose hand kept brushing against Xander's hip, his palm reaching to cup Xander's arse.

 

Before Spike could throw himself across the room, a bouncer was there, having words with the table.  Xander nodded a thank you at the man, and made his way back to the bar.

 

Spike's mind was reeling.  What was Xander doing here?  He had a good job with that construction company, what did he need with this place?

 

Spike couldn't help watching him, studying the play of Xander's muscles as he hauled drinks and appetizers back and forth across the room.  He'd bulked up a lot in the last year, and he looked good.  Spike had noticed months ago, but he'd never seen Xander like this, never had the luxury of studying him so closely.

 

He was hard beneath the table.  Spike was ready to either fight or fuck, and each time Xander got near another table his muscles tensed in anticipation, but the bouncers were good and so were most of the customers.

 

It was near closing before Spike finally settled his bill and left, but he didn't go far.  He'd wanted to get out before Xander noticed him, but there was no way that Spike was leaving him to walk home alone after midnight.  Spike realized there was an employee exit when he saw a handful of men coming out the alleyway to the east of the main entrance.  Spike made his way over, trying to decide what to tell Xander while pulling his duster close to forestall any unwanted questions.

 

"Come on, man," Xander said, his voice carrying in the silent night.

 

The hairs on the back of Spike's neck prickled and he hurried his steps, stepping into the alley just as the same arse from the bar was reaching for Xander again.

 

Spike growled, his eyes glowing yellow without conscious thought.

 

Xander's head whipped around at the sound.  "Spike!"

 

"Who's this?  Your boyfriend?"  The man sneered, close enough now to rub himself obscenely against Xander's hip.  Xander jerked away and Spike lunged.

 

Xander was suddenly in his arms, palms flat against Spike's chest, stopping him.  "Spike don't.  He's human."

 

"Aw, jealous?"  It was obvious the man was drunk, but that didn't lessen Spike's anger any.  "I would be too if my boyfriend was such a slut."

 

Spike felt his muscles bunch, felt the need to pummel and hurt clawing at him.  Xander's grip tightened, but he needn't have bothered.  Spike wanted to kill the fucker, but he'd have to hurt Xander to get around him and he wasn't about to do that.

 

"Or maybe you like that?  Huh?"  The idiot said, coming closer.  "Maybe you like watching.  Maybe you want to watch him suck my cock."

 

Spike vamped out, blood lust soaring through him.

 

Before Spike could shift Xander out of the way, Xander did it for him, spinning unexpectedly to face their attacker.  The punch was hard and fast, a flat palm to the drunkard's nose, snapping his head back.  Unfortunately, it didn't take him down and he got in a punch of his own before Xander could deliver a knockout jab to his jaw.

 

Spike felt a vicious thrill watching Xander defend himself, watching him bash the bastard's face in.  The rush ended, though, when Xander swayed, most of his weight falling against Spike.  Shifting automatically, Spike wrapped an arm around Xander's waist to steady him.  He was warm against Spike's side, the heat of him soaking into Spike's skin and making him shudder.


The air was tainted with the faint coppery scent of blood and Spike had to force himself to keep from burying his face against Xander's neck and breathing it in.
  Spike wanted more than anything to taste Xander, to run his tongue along every inch of Xander's salty sweet skin until he found the source of that tantalizing scent.

 

But he couldn't.

 

"You've got to learn to duck, pet," Spike said, hitching Xander closer as they began to walk out of the alley.

 

"Got 'em, didn't I?"  Xander said defensively.

 

"That you did, Xan.  Good thing, too," Spike said, as they came under the bright lights of the Bulls and Bears sign.  "Saved me a headache, you did."

 

He propped Xander up against the entrance, using the light to check over Xander's injuries.  "Let me have a look at you, then."

 

Xander's tongue snaked out, licking at the blood that had welled along the tiny cut on his lip.  Spike couldn't stop staring, his cock throbbing in his jeans.

 

"Luv," he said, leaning in, the lure of Xander's blood, his lush lips, was too much.

 

"That's the first time you've ever called me that," Xander said just as Spike's lips met his.

 

Spike was careful, not wanting to hurt Xander.  He licked lightly along the seam of Xander's lips, moaning as the taste of Xander burst across his tongue.  He stepped closer, bringing their bodies into alignment, hips to hips.  He could feel Xander's hard length against his, and a rush of excitement and anticipation shot through him.

 

Xander's mouth opened beneath his, and Spike didn't hesitate.  He pressed forward with his body, rubbing himself against Xander as he swept his tongue into his mouth.  Xander's hands were at Spike's waist, holding him and pulling him closer the deeper the kiss went.

 

When Xander groaned, his hands curving over Spike's arse, it was almost too much.  He pulled away, Xander's breath hot against Spike's face. 

 

"Let's get you home, luv," Spike said, hoping to hell that Xander would want to continue what they started once they got there.

 

"Okay," Xander said, breathless.

 

Xander was still a bit loopy, from the fight or the kiss Spike wasn't sure, so Spike kept him snugged up against his side as they walked.  Xander didn't seem to be paying too much attention, leaving it to Spike to keep them safe and get them home.  It made something inside Spike's chest tighten, knowing that Xander trusted him like that.

 

Spike spotted the church on the corner of their street, the nativity scene lit brightly by two spotlights.  There were sprigs of holly decorating the roof of the barn, the sight bringing back memories of Christmases past.  His mum had hung holly all about the house, making wreaths and such for the holidays.  Without thinking he reached out to run a finger across the waxy leaves.

 

"Spike?" Xander asked, suddenly realizing that they'd stopped.

 

"Sorry, pet.  Almost home," Spike said, wondering at his own sudden melancholy.

 

By the time they reached the apartment, Xander was close to himself again, though he was still leaning lightly against Spike's side.  "You okay, Xan?" Spike asked as he helped Xander to the couch. 

 

Surprisingly, Xander flushed.  "Yeah, thanks."

 

Spike found the reaction interesting.  He wished he knew what Xander was thinking, whether he was already regretting the kiss they'd shared, or was interested in more.  He pulled off his duster and tossed it onto the couch.

 

"What's that?" Xander said, pointing to the bulging pocket of Spike's discarded coat.

 

"Oh," Spike said, having forgotten that he'd taken a handful of the holly from the nativity.  He hadn't really meant to steal it, wasn't even sure why he had.  "Just a bit of decoration for the apartment," Spike explained with a shrug, pulling the holly free of his pocket and showing it to Xander. 

 

"Spike," Xander said, his voice earnest enough to make Spike look up.  "You don't have to hang mistletoe just to get another kiss."  Xander's blush deepened, but his embarrassment apparently didn't stop him from wrapping a hand around Spike's proffered wrist and tugging him close.

 

Spike was about to explain Xander's mistake when he realized what the boy had said.  "Yeah?"  Spike arched a brow as he let Xander pull him in.

 

"Yeah," Xander said, as his lips touched Spike's. 

 

Spike let Xander lead, opening his mouth for Xander's questing tongue, sucking lightly at the tip.  Xander moaned, pressing more firmly against him.  Spike was pretty sure he had dropped the holly somewhere between them but neither of them cared at the moment. 

 

Heat spread along his thigh where Xander's palm lay, his hand unconsciously massaging Spike's leg.  Groaning, Spike shifted closer, spreading his thighs a little and encouraging Xander to explore a little higher up.  Xander's mouth was hot and wet against his, and before Spike even knew what he was doing, he had Xander beneath him, using his own body to press Xander into the couch cushions.

 

Xander was rocking up into him, making them both moan.  Even through two layers of clothing, the sensation was so erotic that Spike was panting, fighting the urge to rip all their clothes off and bury himself inside what he knew would be the sweet heat of Xander's body.

 

Spike tried to pull away, wanting to make sure that Xander wanted this and that he wasn't pushing too far, too fast.  But Xander wouldn't let him.

 

"Don't stop," Xander said, hands at Spike's hips, holding him steady as Xander thrust against him.

 

"Oh, fuck," Spike moaned.  "Xan."

"Want," Xander kissed him again, hard and fast.  "Want this.  Want you.  Wasn't sure... didn't know if you..."

 

"Do," Spike said.  Desperate and needy, he ground their hips together.  "Fuck, Xan."  There was no way that Spike could wait, could hold off his orgasm long enough to prepare Xander, prepare them both for what they really wanted.  So he reached down and freed himself, then freed Xander, wrapping his hand around both their cocks.  They were already both leaking enough to forgo lubricant.

 

He took Xander's mouth, still chasing Xander's uniquely tantalizing flavor as he thrust again and again, forcing their cocks together.  Spike tightened his grip, leaning down to press his face against Xander's neck, his mouth going unerringly to Xander's pulse point.

 

"That's it, luv," Spike encouraged.  "Just like that.  Fuck my hand, thrust against me.  Push us both over the bloody edge."  Spike groaned, feeling his balls tighten and his cock pulse.

 

Xander was moaning and writhing beneath him, the sounds of lust bringing Spike ever closer to climax.  Then Xander was jerking, hot splashes of come wetting Spike's hand as Xander came.  Spike shook himself, feeling his fangs descend even as he pushed away from Xander's neck, as he arched and thrust, and thrust again.  He came seconds later, every muscle in his body tightening as his orgasm washed through him.

 

"Bloody hell," Spike said, practically collapsing on top of Xander.  He shifted just enough to put most of his weight on the couch.  "Fuck!" Spike cursed when the prickly holly leaves poked at him.  He shifted again, pulling the crushed holly from beneath him and tossing it onto the floor.

 

Xander laughed and Spike couldn't resist kissing him again, a quick but possessive buss.

 

"What were you doing there, Xan?"  Spike said, watching as Xander's expression turned sheepish.

 

"I'm just moonlighting for a few weeks.  I wanted to make some extra money, you know, for Christmas presents," Xander said, ducking his head.  "I can't believe you saw me dressed like that."

 

"Of all the..."  Spike shook his head.  He couldn't believe Xander was sitting here blushing over being seen in his work clothes after what they had just done, especially when he should be worrying about all the bloody gits with wandering hands.  Spike felt his jaw clench at the thought.  "The girls won't care whether you buy them hundred dollar or ten dollar pressies.  They won't care if you get them any damn Christmas presents."

 

"I know," Xander said.  "I just... it's Dawnie's first Christmas without Buffy, you know?  I just wanted... I don't know, to do whatever I could for her."

 

"Aw, luv," Spike said.  There wasn't much Spike could say to that.  Spike understood how Xander felt and could hear the determination in Xander's voice.  He needed to help Dawn, out of guilt or love or loyalty, Spike didn't know.  But he wouldn't stand in Xander's way.

 

He didn't like Xander working at that place, didn't like the thought of other men, or women, staring at, leering after what was his.  Just the thought of that bastard coming on to Xander, touching him, made a growl emanate from somewhere deep in Spike's gut.

 

"Hey," Xander said, concern darkening his eyes.  "You okay?"

 

"Should be asking you that," Spike said, letting his thumb trace the line of Xander's mouth, gently swiping over the already sealed cut on his lip. 

 

"You did, and I am," Xander said, softly.

 

"Yeah," Spike nodded, finally.  "You are, luv," Spike said, kissing him again.  No, Spike wouldn't stand in Xander's way, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to show up at that damn bar every night protecting what was his.  "And I'm going to keep you that way," Spike said softly.

 

 

 

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