Donations and Decorations

 

Spike woke with a start.  He yawned out the last vestiges of sleep while he rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hands.  Xander lay watching with a small smile on his lips. 

 

He sighed quietly, thinking how cute Spike looked when he first woke up. Xander hadn't had a chance to see Spike yesterday as both Bran and Spike had woken before him.  Today, Xander had woken a full half hour before Spike, but hadn't wanted to move enough to jostle Spike awake.  He liked watching the other man sleep, and remembering the events of last night.

 

Their date had been practically perfect.  It had been years since Xander had really gone on anything resembling a date.  He'd met a few guys at the club, but with Bran at home and no one in his life he trusted to watch Bran for more than a few hours, dating had been difficult.

 

This morning, Xander had found himself watching Spike sleep as he contemplated the fact that he actually did trust Giles and even, to a certain extent, Joyce.  What Joyce had told him of her choices, and what led to them, hadn't made him forgive.  But he could, in some part, understand.  And he knew that she would never do anything to hurt Bran.  Maybe she had been young and selfish when she'd given him up all those years ago.  And maybe he would never be able to completely forgive her.  But he found himself beginning to trust her.  Trust all of them, Joyce, Giles, and Spike. 

 

And what would he do when it all went to pot?  He'd have no one to blame but himself.  But as he watched Spike sleep, lashes fluttering against his cheek as he dreamt, Xander couldn't fight against the feelings warming him. 

 

Spike smiled shyly at Xander when he found the other man watching him.  "Mornin', Xan."  It was strange to wake up with another man in his bed.  His mind flashed to the memory of last night, and he felt his face redden.  Had he really done all that?  With another man?

 

Xander saw the flush on Spike's cheeks and worried over it.  "Good morning, Spike," Xander answered softly, deliberately not leaning forward to touch like he wanted to. The look Spike gave him was shy and vulnerable and sweet, and made Xander's chest ache.

 

It was Spike's turn to watch Xander through lowered lashes.  "Did you sleep well, luv?"  Spike asked.  "Still worried over Bran?"  He'd noticed Xander chewing on his bottom lip.

 

"No, actually, was just thinking about how strange it was that I've come to trust Giles.  Trust you all, really," Xander mused aloud.

 

Spike's expression softened and he leaned forward.  He brushed his lips delicately over Xander's before pulling away.  "Thank you, Xan."

 

Xander's whole body relaxed at Spike's affectionate caress.  "For what?"

 

"For trusting me," Spike answered, still watching him through lowered lashes.

 

"You made it difficult not to," Xander answered, shrugging.  He wanted to reach out and touch Spike so badly his fingers twitched.

 

Spike caught the movement and raised a brow at him.  "You can touch me, luv," Spike, worried that he'd misinterpreted, continued, "if you want."

 

Xander smiled shyly, letting his hand reach across the bed and rest gently on Spike's blanket covered thigh.  Spike felt the heat from Xander's palm radiate out from his thigh through the rest of his body.  He shivered in reaction.

 

Xander leaned forward for another kiss, this one more than a brief meeting of lips.  They nibbled on each other, Xander unable to stop himself from bringing their bodies together.  He groaned when he felt Spike undulate against him, their morning erections rubbing together almost painfully.

 

Xander broke away, panting heavily.  "Spike, do you trust me?"  Spike nodded, confused, and extremely aroused.  He nearly jerked off the bed when he felt Xander's hand make its way down to cup his hardness.  "Can I?"  Xander gave him a questioning look.  Spike nodded again, still speechless. 

 

Xander began to caress and fondle Spike.  Loving the feel of Spike's cock as it twitched in his hand beneath the blanket.  The thought that they were only separated by the thin sheet and their flimsy boxers had Xander's own shorts wet with anticipation.  Xander took Spike's lips once again, thrusting his tongue in Spike's mouth as he played with Spike's increasingly hard member.

 

What was he doing, Xander wondered?  Last night, and this morning, Xander had been plagued with thoughts that Spike was going to regret every minute of their time together.  But after Spike's sweet kiss, and his gentle entreaty for the brunet's touch, Xander couldn't help himself.

 

Impatient now with the barriers, Xander shifted until he could get his hand under the blanket, and into Spike's shorts.  His own cock throbbed at the reaction this elicited from Spike.  He left Spike's mouth to lavish kisses on his neck and then shoulders.  Both men had fallen asleep last night in nothing but their boxers, the feel of Spike's smooth skin beneath his lips made Xander moan deep and low in his throat.

 

"Luv," Spike whispered harshly, "please."

 

"Please what, Spike? What do you want me to do?"  Xander asked, not wanting to go too fast for the other man.

 

Spike gave Xander a pleading look, then thrust his hips forward.  He didn't know exactly what he wanted.  The feelings that Xander invoked in him confused and aroused him.  Made him want...want...just want.  He needed more.  Needed Xander.

 

Xander trailed his kisses down Spike's chest and towards the waistband of his tented boxers.  His brown eyes locked with Spike's the entire time.  At the first hint of hesitation Xander would force himself to stop, to pull away.  But God, he hoped it wouldn't come to that.

 

He pulled gently on Spike's boxers until they were down his legs and off.  Xander shifted them once again until Spike was on his back, Xander between his legs.  He spread them wider, until Spike was lying with his knees drawn up and his feet flat on the mattress.  Xander looked down briefly, licking his lips at the sight of Spike's dribbling cockhead.  At Spike's sharp inhalation Xander looked up, a question on his features.

 

"Is this okay, Spike?"  Xander furrowed his brow.  "Do you want me to stop?"

 

"God, no, Xan.  Please, touch me," Spike begged.  "You're making me ache, luv."

 

Xander licked his lips once more.  "Is it okay if I taste you instead?" he whispered.

 

Spike groaned, shutting his eyes tight and throwing his head back into the pillow at the very thought of Xander's mouth on him.  "Fuuuuuck."  The word was ripped from Spike's throat.

 

Xander took that as a yes and swooped down to take Spike into his mouth.  He licked at the dripping pre-come, savoring the salty bitter flavor as it burst on his tongue.  Then he took just the head in his mouth, suckling gently.  Slowly he took the rest of Spike's cock in, licking the underside as he went.  He couldn't quite deep throat, but swallowed about three-quarters of Spike's penis before having to stop.

 

Spike was trying very hard to be still.  He wanted to thrust so badly he had to tighten every muscle in his body to keep from moving.  The feel of Xander's hot, wet mouth around him was almost too much to bear.  Spike'd had blow jobs before, had women taking him down their throats, but this...Xander, was too much.  The thought, the idea, the sight of Xander with Spike's cock in his mouth, looking up at him with those dark chocolate eyes, God!  Then Spike cried out as Xander pulled back letting his teeth scrape gently against Spike's flesh the entire way.

 

"Oh, God!  Xander!  Oh, fuck!"  Spike exclaimed.

 

Xander began to bob up and down Spike's cock, applying a tight suction the entire time.  His right hand came up to jack the base of Spike's cock, his left cupping and massaging Spike's sac.  Spike was groaning above him, unable now to keep himself from thrusting, and Xander loved it.  Loved the thought that he'd driven Spike to these sensations, that he was Spike's first male lover.

 

Xander continued to rub at Spike's balls, while he sucked at his penis.  He stopped every now and then to pull off and lick at Spike's slit, making the other man writhe below him.  He took Spike's cock in his mouth once more, and this time took him as far as possible; letting the head of Spike's cock brush against the back of his throat.  Xander still wasn't able to swallow Spike in his entirety, but he was close.  And then as he swallowed around Spike's rod, letting his muscles relax and tighten around the hard flesh, Xander took one finger and stroked at the soft skin of Spike's perineum. 

 

"Xander!"  Spike screamed, coming in spurts and jets down Xander's throat.

 

Xander grunted, swallowing Spike down, humping brazenly against the mattress, until he too came.  He groaned at the feel of his wet boxers sticking to his skin.  But had a satisfied, happy smile on his face when he finally pulled away to look up into Spike's eyes.  He watched for any signs of regret, of having pushed Spike too far, but saw none.  Xander shimmied up Spike's body, lying flush against his partner, his lover. 

 

Spike had seen the way Xander had studied him.  Knew what the other man had been doing.  He pulled Xander close to him, kissing the crown of his head.  "No regrets, luv," he whispered and reveled in the way Xander relaxed against him.

 

***

 

They called Giles to let him know what their morning plans were.  Xander spoke to Bran, explaining when they would be by to pick him up, asking whether Bran was having a good time and chuckling at Bran's answers.

 

"First things first, yeah?"  Spike had asked, driving them over to the hospital.  They weren't allowed in to see Buffy, but could see her through a glass partition.  She was asleep so Spike silently wished her sweet dreams.  It didn't take long for Xander's donation.

 

They had both agreed that it would be easier for Xander to give his donation while Giles watched Bran.  Xander didn't want Bran to be scared of what the procedure was, or what they were actually doing to Xander.  He chose the local anesthetic and was out within the hour.

 

When he emerged from the room, Spike was there, waiting.  He took Xander's hand in his.  "You okay, Xan?" he asked, checking over the other man with his eyes.

 

"Yeah, no problem," Xander replied, still feeling a little weird at the odd sensation of the anesthetic.  But forgot all about it when Spike kissed him. 

 

"Thanks, luv."

 

"Yeah."  Xander nodded, not knowing what else to say.

 

It was only a few minutes from the hospital to Giles' house, where Bran was bouncing up and down on the front porch.  He waved wildly at them as the car pulled in then raced to Xander's side.  Bran was in Xander's arms before Xander even had a chance to close the car door.

 

"Hey, buddy, miss me?"  Xander hugged Bran close, squeezing him until Bran squealed and tried to squirm away.

 

"Daaaaaddy!  You're squeezing all my insides out!"  Bran complained.

 

Xander chuckled as he released Bran, glad to see that the night apart hadn't bothered the young boy overmuch.  Xander's grin widened when Bran immediately ran to the other side of the car to throw his arms around Spike's leg. 

 

Spike hugged Bran back and ruffled a hand through the boy's hair.  "Have fun with my da, bit?"  Spike asked, snickering when Bran tried to duck away, giving him a pouty look.

 

"Yeah!"  Bran started talking a mile a minute.  "We stayed up late watching funny movies, and had hot chocolate with little marshmallows, and once when I took a sip of my cocoa and started laughing cause of the movie I spit chocolate everywhere!"  Bran threw his arms wide to let them know exactly how far the chocolate went.  "And Giles told me about Inglad, and how everyone there talks like you and him.  And he tried to teach me some words, and how to say them just like you!  But I don't think I got them right."  Bran frowned.

 

Xander narrowed his eyes at Giles, who was standing on the porch watching the whole scene.  "Just how much sugar has he had since we last saw each other?"

 

"Yes, well, erm..." Giles cleared his throat and looked away.

 

"You know, you are allowed to say no to him."  Xander laughed, then turned his gaze to Spike.  "I suppose you were just as bad as a kid?  Did he just let you run wild?"

 

"Da made me the man I am today, luv."  Spike grinned cheekily.

 

Giles rolled his eyes.  "Yes, well, I'm afraid I do have to take credit for that."

 

"Oi!"  Spike glared at his father.  "Somehow don't think that was a compliment."

 

Giles shrugged, then changed the subject.  "Would you two like some tea, then?  Or are you off?"

 

Xander looked at Spike who answered for them both.  "Think we'll be heading out, da.  Xan and I are going to decorate the tree tonight.  So's it'll be ready for Santa Claus when he comes."

 

"Oh!"  Bran ran around the car and tugged on Xander's sleeve.  "Will Santa know where we are, daddy?  What if he misses me?"

 

"Don't worry, buddy.  Santa knows everything.  He won't miss you."  Xander assured him.  "He always knows where you are and what you're doing.  How else do you think he knows if you've been naughty or nice?"

 

"Have I been naughty, daddy?"  Bran looked worried.  "I haven't been naughty, have I?"  Before Xander could answer, Bran was off and running again.  He threw himself at Spike, not once doubting that Spike would catch him.  "Can I help decorate the tree, Will?  Can I?  Huh?"

 

"'course, bit."  Spike caught Bran deftly, lifting the boy into his arms.

 

"Thanks again for watching him, Giles."  Xander blushed, realizing that Giles must know why he'd had to watch Bran all night.

 

"You're quite welcome, Xander."  Giles just nodded at him, throwing a knowing smile at his own son.  He watched as all three climbed into the car and waved as they drove away.  When they were finally out of view, Giles let out a long suffering sigh, and rubbed the back of his neck in a world weary gesture before going back into the blissfully quiet house.

 

***

 

"Stop that!"  Xander chided Bran, lightly slapping the wrist that had reached into the popcorn bowl.  "Those are for stringing!"

 

Bran giggled, stealing a handful anyway.  When his daddy scowled at him, he laughed out loud and flung a few kernels into his daddy's hair.  "Got you, daddy!"  Bran screamed, running as soon as he saw his daddy reach into the popcorn bowl.

 

Xander dropped the needle and string he'd been using on the popcorn to chase after his son.  Soon they were in the middle of an all out popcorn war when suddenly they heard the front door click shut and the sound of someone clearing their throat.  When they looked up they were greeted with a stern looking Spike, hands on hips.  Both boys immediately dropped their heads, looking at Spike through lowered lashes.  "Sorry," they both mumbled apologetically.  Then they gave him their patented puppy dog eyes.

 

Spike melted.  How the bloody hell was he supposed to resist that?  He'd thought Bran's pouty look was bad enough, but both of them?  Together?  It was too much.  Spike sighed, threw up his hands in surrender, then...reached for some popcorn.  Both Xander and Bran were running before Spike could even grab his first fistful.

 

By the time they all collapsed, exhausted, onto the couch, the apartment floor was covered with smashed popcorn bits.  Spike looked around, imagining all the work it was going to take cleaning the mess up, but then glanced over at Xander and Bran.  They were cuddled together on the couch, both panting, with Bran still giggling softly.  Something inside Spike shifted, and for the first time in years he wondered what he was doing living in this great big apartment all by himself.

 

There must have been a reason he'd gotten a three bedroom flat.  At the time he'd been dating Dru, but he didn't think he'd ever honestly believed their relationship would go any further than the casual fun they'd been having.  So why had he gotten such a large place?  Had he unconsciously wanted to fill the space?  To fill his home with someone to love?  Someone who loved him? 

 

And what the hell was he thinking of that now, for?  Did he love Xander?  They'd only just met, for Christ's sake!  And what about Bran?  Even if he admitted to loving Xander, was he ready to be a father figure?  Was he ready to have a child in his life, permanently?  And was Xander ready to love *him*?  There were too many questions with no answers.  The idea that one or all of them might get hurt, worried him. But as Spike watched the pair recuperating next to him, he couldn't help but note that his heart gave a little extra flutter at the image.  Just then Xander looked up at him and smiled shyly.  And Spike found himself smiling back.