Spike emerged from the bedroom to the soft clatter of Xander locking each of the deadbolt locks behind him.

"Knows it's not the right question, does he?"

William closed his eyes, burrowed more deeply into the blanket that still smelled strongly of Xander and ran his tongue over his teeth - tasting Xander. "Let it go, Spike."

"You told him. That was supposed to be our secret. Ours."

William opened an eye. "Are you going to natter at me or are you going to get in here with me and keep me warm?"

Spike folded his arms across his chest and didn't move. "Not his bloody replacement," he muttered.

"Don't be jealous. It'll always be you and me. And you know that."

"What about your boyfriend? Does he know that?"

"We're both here, aren't we?"

"Not as far as your boy's concerned. He's only got eyes for you."

Will sighed and shook his head.

"Come here," he ordered. He lifted the blankets and waited until Spike was spooned in front of him to continue. "So who're you really jealous of - him or me?"

"Not jealous," Spike grumbled. "Don't trust him, is all."

"I don't believe for a moment that we'd be here if you didn't trust him, Marion." Will shuffled and curled until he'd made a neat pillow of Spike.

Who wasn't looking at him.

"What's on the telly?"

"Soap operas."

Spike flicked on the television, decided Passions was acceptable and didn't answer.

When the commercials came on, it was more difficult to pretend interest in feminine hygiene products and William pounced. "You must tell me, Marion."

Spike smiled - their mother's tone of voice. William did it so well. "Don't wanna."

"Good little boys share their problems."

Spike opened an eye and gave a snort. "That's what she told you. I was never a good little boy."

"Oh very well. Tell me or I'll knee you in the bollocks. And don't think I won't." William shifted threateningly.

"Rotten little shit." Spike melted into the couch and sulked. "Don't like him knowing our history, do I? Don't want him...lookin' down on us." He couldn't meet William's eyes but didn't care much what was happening to Sheridan's baby - or whoever. God, he missed Corry.

William put his hand on Spike's chin and turned it so that Spike was forced to meet his eyes. "He doesn't look down on us. You were eavesdropping. You should know that."

"I know he'll say whatever it takes to get into your knickers."

"Then you don't know a damn thing about him. Maybe if you tried talking to him once in a while, instead of avoiding him..."

"'M not avoiding him."

"You bloody well are. Because you know that if you talk to him, you might have to start liking him. God forbid. But would that really be the end of the world?"

Spike didn't answer, looked away again. "You haven't, have you?"

"Haven't what?"

"Haven't let him fuck you yet?"

Spike felt every inch of William's body tense against his. William's voice was low and tight. "If you ever say that again, you'll regret it."

It wasn't that Spike doubted the threat, but he was too worked up to back off. "Say what? 'Fuck'? Gotta learn to say the words, Will, if you think you want to do the deed."

"And you've got to learn new words, Spike, if you ever want to talk about me and Xander again. Because I'm not letting him do anything, I'm a very willing participant. And what we do do, when we're ready, won't be fucking."

"Right," Spike muttered, "'cause you have so much experience in the area."

William climbed over Spike, got one foot onto the cold floor before Spike yanked him back into the blanket's warmth. "Let me go," William said in frigid tones.

"Look - I'm sorry."

"Oh, you're sorry! You're a total git. God."

"I'm really sorry. All right? He's - he's not so bad." Spike wasn't looking at William again. "Not like I have much more experience. Haven't got experience with anything but fucking. Nothing wrong with it - "

"Marion - "

"I said there's nothing wrong with it! It's just two bodies, innit? But what we have, Will. That's real. That's what's important. Not - bodies getting off together."

"Marion." Will caught Spike's head, pressed it to his chest, muffling Spike's words as he stroked his twin's hair. "Marion - with Xander, it will be more than bodies. But it won't change us."

Spike didn't resist Will's hold and, for a long moment, the only sounds in the room were of steadying breaths and slowing heartbeats. Then the words came - whispered and weary against Will's chest.

"How d'you know?"

The tips of Will's fingers traced along Spike's scalp, pre-gel strands of platinum sliding between them. "Trust me."

Spike pressed his head into the touch. "How d'you know it'll be more than bodies?"

Will just smiled and kept petting. "Trust me."

They stayed that way until Spike was all but purring, his breathing so deep and steady that William wondered if he'd fallen back asleep. Spike had come home quite late the night before - or rather quite early that morning - which reminded Will...

"Been out late a lot this week."

"Mmmm."

"Where've you been?"

"Usual."

"And that would be?"

"Nothing for you to worry about."

"And Xander?"

"What about the tosser?"

William smiled. 'Wanker' and 'tosser' were beginning to sound like endearments. "Is it anything Xander should worry about?"

Spike snorted at that, threw a leg over William and made himself more comfortable. "Let him worry about you. I can take care of m'self."

"You don't want to take care of me anymore?" William intended the words to tease, lighthearted and playful, but Spike stiffened.

"I could take care of all three of us. Letting him feel like a big man takin' care of you, aren't I?"

"Are you?"

"Not letting him do it all, mind. Just letting him help a bit. I know his type. Gets off on being needed."

"Mmm, that type," William murmured. His voice was dry as he stroked a hand over Spike's jaw. "I may have encountered one or two of them in my time."

Spike frowned and looked like he was about to protest, but William cut him off with an exaggerated sigh of contentment.

"Lucky me," William crooned, batting his eyelashes. "I have not one, but two big, strong men practically tripping over each other trying to take care of little old me."

Spike snorted. "No one buys your damsel-in-distress bit, pet."

"Everyone buys my damsel-in-distress bit. And besides, I was going for Southern Belle."

"That Scarlett bint's got nothing on you, luv."

"Why thank you, kind sir."

Spike snorted again. "Not sure it was a compliment. Just using us then, are you?"

"Hey, Scarlett loved Rhett. He was just too stubborn to see it."

"Well, maybe if she wasn't always - " Spike cut himself off and shook his head. "I can't believe you made me read that to you."

"You loved it." William sobered and leaned his forehead against Spike's. "And in case you're too stubborn to see it, I need you. I love you."

"Yeah." Spike closed his eyes. "You and me against the bloody world, right?"

"Right. And perhaps... there is room for Xander to join us in fighting the good fight?"

"Wanker's already a sodding white knight, isn't he?"