Unbreakable

by
Fanbot

41
Arboreal Vampires

The next couple of days put obstacles between Spike and Xander. Once Xander found her and calmed her down, the frightened Slayer clung to him, and cringed from everyone else. She especially hated the vampire who had rescued her. No amount of explaining could make her believe Spike was anything but evil. A Watcher from Africa was to arrive soon to return her to her tribe.

Spike was kept busy working with the six Slayers who arrived the next day. 

In the too-brief looks they managed to exchange, each tried to read in the other’s eyes what that kiss had meant.  Both men were tense, and the whole house was aware of their growing disquiet.

After five days away from Xander, five days after the kiss, Spike called a surprise night training. Part of his “job” around the estate was for the vampire to help train the Slayers “in the field.” He would go out on the property, and the girls would try to find him, even as he stalked them.

Xander had finally gotten the girl to connect with Midra over the last two days by explaining to her that it was wrong for a warrior to spend such time with her when he was beholden to another. Midra had hidden her smile and worked patiently with the fragile girl.

Xander looked out the window of the dorm room just in time to glimpse Spike turn and move away into the woods. The only contact he’d had with his… what was Spike? Friend, partner? Kissing boy? In the last few days he’d only seen Spike as he stood beneath a tree outside the window. Even then, that was infrequent as the young Slayer could feel him out there and she wanted to go kill him.

As Spike moved away, Xander felt his heart pulled along with him and made a decision. He stood and went to where Midra was braiding the girl’s hair and telling her stories in her native dialect.

“My task here is complete,” he said in the same tongue. “There are pressing matters a warrior must tend to.”

Midra frowned, knowing they’d agreed to do the parting the next night, but she also knew where Xander’s heart lay. She stood, bringing the girl with her, and said the ritualistic words that declared his task complete and freed him to go other ways.

Xander replied and hugged the girl in parting. He ignored her lost look and the part of him that said she still needed his presence, and listened only to that which called out for Spike. As he hugged Midra she whispered in his ear. “Go to him, don’t leave him again.”

Xander left without looking back. As he hurried downstairs and toward the door, Oz called after him, “It’s Slayer training, be careful!” This lightened Xander’s heart as it meant Spike had not run off as Xander secretly feared he would.

Xander tracked Spike as best he could. They both knew the footpaths through the woods well, and Xander had helped train the Slayers as well. He came across one of the five Slayers first.

Josie was a plain girl with a hell of a good kick. He could tell by the way she moved that she had found Spike. Xander quietly circled around, making the girl jump at a new noise in the woods. He found Spike crouched behind a bush and ready to spring some fifty yards up the path. Xander grinned to himself as he saw how intent Spike was on the Slayer.

Without hesitation, Xander launched himself at Spike, knocking them both tumbling across the path and into a clearing.

Spike snarled and cursed his inattention. His first thought was that the Slayers had ganged up on him. Being instinctive loners, they didn’t think of it too often, but it did happen. But the next second he knew it wasn’t a tiny Slayer. The body that had slammed into him was big, male and... Xander.

They came to a stop half under a bush with Xander on top of him. Their eyes met, Xander brought his head down, and kissed him as hard as he had tackled him. Spike’s soul surged within him. This was real, this was no fairy tale fantasy. But a bloody Slayer interrupted again. With a snarl, he rolled Xander over and sat straddling him in gameface. He exchanged a “this isn’t over” look with Xander and whipped his attention up to the path.

“You found me, Slayer,” he snarled, “and I’ve got a victim.” Spike pressed Xander down with a hand to his chest and sat on his hips. “Can you get me without letting my dinner get hurt?”

“Help me, the monster’s got me!” Xander cried out in a falsetto. Wickedly, he bucked his hips against his captor, allowing Spike to feel the erection trapped in his pants.

Spike looked down in surprise and the Slayer attacked, knocking Spike off his “victim.”

Xander propped himself up on an elbow as they fought. Josie was good and quick, and Xander saw exactly when Spike threw the fight. She kicked him to the ground and sprang atop him. Xander well knew Spike could have kicked her away, but he did not. She brought the simulated wood grain plastic stake down and touched it to Spike’s chest in just the right spot.

“Uncle!” Spike called and got to his feet. He glanced over at a smirking Xander before addressing his “killer.” “You did good, Josie, isn’t it?” She grinned and nodded. “Call in.”

Josie pulled a little two-way radio from her pocket and keyed it on. “This is Josie to base, over.”

“Base here,” came Gunn’s voice.

“I have a dusting, over,” she reported happily.

There was a pause, “Say again? Over.” Kills were rare and Xander smirked even broader.

Spike took the radio from her. “She got me good, okay? I’m calling it for the night.”

“Gotcha.” Gunn gave the recall command.

Spike handed the radio back as calls for confirmation crackled in. “Can you make it back?” he asked the flushed Slayer. She nodded, still grinning, and headed out.

Spike stood over Xander where he still lay propped up on his elbows “Help me, monster’s got me,” he mocked.

“He did!” Xander laughed, taking the hand Spike offered to help him up. When sparring, Spike had helped him to his feet thousands of times, but this time Spike pulled him up into his arms. “He had me right where I wanted him,” he continued softly.

Spike slowly tilted his head to one side. “Is that right? Where else might you want him?”

“Anywhere you want to be, Spike, as long as you’re close to me.” Spike pulled Xander into a heated kiss. Hungrily, their lips pressed and their tongues explored until Xander was breathless and laughing.

“You want me closer?” Spike asked, resting his forehead against Xander’s.

“Gods, yes, Spike. Please.”

Spike dug in his pocket, pulled out his radio, and keyed it on. “Base, this is Night Creature.”

“Base here.”

“Are all the girly bits accounted for?”

“Yeah, they’re all coming in.”

“Wild Man and I are going to patrol the perimeter, don’t wait up.” He turned off the radio, not caring about Gunn’s response. “Come on, Pet. Let’s go somewhere a bloody Slayer won’t interrupt us.”

Xander allowed Spike to lead him through the woods as quickly as possible. For some time they stayed on familiar paths, heading away from the house and the ocean before entering a very old growth section of the forest. Spike took Xander’s hand and led him through areas where the near-full moon could not break through and it was almost black to human sight. Xander’s strong heart pounded with excitement and anticipation.

Finally, Spike stopped in a rare pool of moonlight, pressed Xander against a tree trunk, and planted a hungry kiss on his lips. “We’re almost there, Luv.”

Xander kissed him back. “Then let’s get there.” Spike’s pale skin glowed in the moonlight, and Xander thrilled to see this wild side of him.

“Wait here,” Spike laughed, and vanished.

Xander blinked, looking around, and heard a laugh coming from the branches of the huge tree high above him. “Heads up.” A rope ladder unfurled and hung before him. Xander grinned and easily climbed the thirty feet up. He sat on a branch wide enough to dance on and watched Spike quickly pull the rope back up and secure it. Spike stole a quick kiss and disappeared again.

This time, Xander was watching and saw Spike leap to a higher branch. Again a rope ladder came down. Xander followed, the ladder was stowed, and Spike pushed him against the broad trunk of the tree, kissing him hungrily. Finally, Xander pushed him away.

“Spike. I want you. Don’t tease me any more.”

Spike pulled a mock pout. “Not teasing, anticipating. Wait.” Spike leapt again, this time to a branch just ten feet up. Another ladder fell.

Xander climbed this one and found himself sitting on what couldn’t be anything but a five foot wide porch. Spike secured the last ladder and sat down beside Xander. Spike kissed him again. “So, what do you think?” He pointed out over the moon-lit treetops.

Xander growled and looked no where but at Spike. “I think that if we don’t have our clothes off soon, I’m going to go mad.”

Spike chuckled. “Can’t have that. There’s plenty of time to look at the view later.”

“The only view I want is of your naked ass.”

Spike threw back his head and laughed. “Such the romantic.” He stood and opened the door behind Xander. “So get in here.”

Spike went into the familiar space ahead of Xander, opening windows to let the night breeze in and turn on a single lamp. Xander barely glanced around the surprisingly large hidden room before wrapping himself around his intended conquest.

“So where exactly do I want to be?” Spike asked.

“Here, with me, I hope.”

“No place else, Xander. No place else.”

A watcher would be hard pressed to tell who took whose clothing off. T-shirts, boots, shorts, and jeans went flying. Xander growled, pushed Spike back on the low futon and covered his smaller body with his own. “Spike. Spike. I’ve waited so long for this.”

Spike’s blue eyes twinkled as he cupped Xander’s cheek. “Have you really, Luv?”

“I have. I honestly have. At least it feels like it.” Xander kissed him softly. “I… I don’t know when it started exactly. Slowly. Months ago. And… I tried to push it away. But since we kissed in the gazebo, all I’ve been able to think about is you… you naked… you under me... you in me. I couldn’t deny it any longer.”

“Then that really happened? The kiss?”

Xander blinked. “Didn’t it? It was so much like something I imagined doing, but was afraid I’d be turned away. And when you showed up, dressed like that…”

“It was like kissing a stranger,” Spike laughed softly. “I was thinking the same thing. Dashing foreigner, finding the sweaty, half-naked workman, his hair long and wild. Take down your hair, Xan.”

Xander raised to his knees, straddling Spike, and took out the leather thong. His thick, dark hair fell around him. He shook it free and smiled from underneath it.

“Come kiss me under that silken tent, my sweet,” Spike murmured. His hands raised to tangle in the heavy locks as Xander kissed him again.

Xander pushed his thick cock against Spike’s longer one. They moaned and pressed together, hard flesh slipping on pre come. “Spike. I want you, I need you inside me so bad. I feel so empty.”

“Yes, Luv. Anything you want.” He pushed at Xander’s shoulder, directing him to roll over, much as they did while practicing grappling moves. Spike now lay atop Xander and reached into a wooden box sitting by the bed. He held up a half-used tube of lubricant. “This is my place,” he smirked. “I come here when I need private time.”

Xander smirked right back. “We all thought you were off killing people when you were just in your tree house wanking off to dirty pictures.”

“What can I say? I’m the world’s oldest twelve year old.” He easily lifted one of Xander’s heavy legs and placed it on his shoulder. “But I’m very glad to let you join my club.” He squeezed some lube onto his fingers and coated them.

“I hear hazing can be rough,” his voice soft with emotion.

Spike bit his lip and played around Xander’s hole, lightly stroking it.  Xander shivered in anticipation. “I’m sure you can pass the entrance exam, Pet.” Spike pushed a finger into Xander’s hot body as he opened for Spike.

“Yes, Spike.” Spike watched his lover’s eye close, and felt his body respond. Gently, he rocked the finger within him. “More, Spike. I want you.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

Xander looked him in the eye, Spike’s  need and desire making it almost black. “You won’t, Spike. I know how to take it. Go slow, just don’t stop. It’s been so long.”

Spike slipped his finger out and just as quickly joined it with another. “You’re so hot and tight, Xander. So beautiful. There were times I felt I would burst into dust with the wanting of you.”

Spike saw Xander close his eye tightly, almost flinching, and he paused in his movements. “No more words,” Xander breathed. “Just say my name and take me, Spike. I want you so much.”

Spike kissed the calf resting on his shoulder and rubbed his cheek against it. “Xander, Xander, Xander,” he said, conveying a world of meaning with the one word. He added a third finger and stretched his lover more.

“Spike! Please!” Xander cried.

Spike slicked his cock and lined it up. Their eyes met as Spike sank into Xander’s dark body. “Xander…” he sighed.

Xander felt the never-forgotten stretch and burn melting quickly into pleasure as the head of Spike’s cock breached him. The vampire paused, biting his lip, as Xander’s body adjusted to the intrusion.

Spike paused, watching his lover break out in goosebumps, hearing the skip in his heartbeat. He loved that moment. He loved the next moment more, when Xander opened up, grasping at him, and allowing him to sink deep within.

Xander’s eye narrowed to a slit. He wanted to see Spike, to know it was Spike and not his lost Anthony with his cool cock deep within him. As much as he now felt for Spike, he still felt he was betraying Anthony.

Spike noticed the silent tears that ran to the pillow of wild hair. He knew of loss and of opening one’s self up to new avenues of possible hurt. Over the past few days, he’d shed more than a few of them himself. Xander’s hand crept up and clasped the pearl that never left his throat.

“Xander,” Spike said, his voice a caress.

Xander opened his eye wide. He flushed, let go of the pearl and turned his head away.

Spike put his hand on his cheek and turned him back. Spike smiled gently, acknowledging the man who still lived in Xander’s big heart, and kissed Xander’s leg again.

“Spike. God Spike. I’m…”

“Shhh… Xander. Xander,” his tone letting Xander know it was okay, letting him know he was wanted.  He moved within him, just a little out, then in.

“Spike, please. More. Fuck me, Spike. I need… I need. I need you.” Spike knew what he needed. He needed the proper emotional claiming he’d never had, and to be allowed to let go. Spike gave it to him.

Spike drew almost all the way out and slammed back in, getting Xander’s attention. The wide brown eye met his. “Xander,” Spike said. It was a statement, permission, and a request.

“Fuck me,” Xander pleaded.

Spike did. After a few even strokes, Spike pounded into him. Xander cried out and rose to meet his thrusts. Spike picked up his other leg and pushed both high. Flesh slapped on flesh as Spike pistoned hard. Xander cursed and cried out until all he could do was grunt in time to Spike’s cock penetrating him. Tears streamed from his eye.

He heard a familiar crackle of the shifting of bone and looked up into the golden eyes of a demon. “Xander!” Spike snarled. He roughly grabbed Xander’s bouncing cock and wrung it with his fist, even as his thrusts grew erratic. 

As the demon howled his orgasm loud enough to frighten away the flock of birds roosted nearby for the night, Xander came, pumping out his desire.

Spike slipped Xander’s quivering legs from his shoulders and was surprised when Xander clamped his legs around him, keeping him deep within. “Stay,” Xander gasped.

“Yes, Xander.” He coaxed him to relax his legs and managed to lower himself between Xander’s raised knees without slipping out. Xander twined one hand in his hair and pulled him close. His head rested on the broad chest and the world contained nothing but the thunder of Xander’s heart and the heat of his body clutching him.

Finally, Xander relaxed, almost slipping into sleep. His hand let go and fell, jerking him awake.

“Xander?” Spike said softly.

The big hand returned and petted his hair. “Thank you, Spike,” Xander said, his voice rough. “You can’t be comfortable like that.”

“It’s not so bad,” Spike said, and thrust a little in.

“Uh, ow.”

“Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay, just… feeling it. You can… Uh…”

Spike chuckled, turned his head and kissed Xander’s chest over his heart. As gently as he could, he peeled himself from the big sticky body beneath him. Xander sighed when his lover’s still-hard cock slipped free.

“Can I just hold you, Spike? Please.”

“Can I show you another feature of my getaway first? You’ll like this.”

“Sure.”

Spike stood and stretched. He went to a corner and untied a rope. With a pull, a panel set in the ceiling swung open, revealing the clear summer sky. He turned off the lantern and lay back down beside Xander. “Neat,” the human said and wrapped his arms around his new lover.

They lay and looked at the stars, comfortable in their company.

“Thank you for being so patient, Spike,” Xander murmured, relaxed and sated, his eye closed.

“Why shouldn’t I be? I’ve got nothing but time.”

Xander smiled, almost asleep. “Mr. Impatient learned to wait.”

Spike shrugged and traced Xander’s profile with a finger. “I finally found something worth being patient for,” he said quietly to the sleeping human.

Xander dozed, woke up, pushed Spike down and began exploring his body. They passed the rest of the night touching and exploring with hands, mouths and cocks.

Spike let his lover sleep for an hour before gently awaking him. “Xander, Luv, it’s almost daylight.”

“So?” Xander burrowed against Spike’s chest.

“So we’re a hundred feet up in a tree with no food and no shower. If we leave now, you’ll have food, your own bed, and me all day.”

“Evil,” Xander muttered. “Pure and simple.”

“Damn right,” Spike said and pried himself out of Xander’s arms.

Xander moaned. “All right, all right, can I at least have some light?” Spike clicked on the lamp.  Xander sat up and rubbed at his eye, then blinked around at the oddly shaped tree house room. Had it been a true round, it would have been fifteen feet across.  It was largely empty apart from the futon, a few boxes, a boom box radio, and a pile of pillows next to a couple of stacks of books. “I had no idea vampires were arboreal and thought they lived in caves, not trees. Did you read Tarzan as a kid?” He caught the pants tossed to him by reflex.

“No. It wasn’t written until after I’d been a vamp for about 25 years. Angelus mocked me for liking it. Called it pulp for the masses. He always had his nose in some deep philosophical shit.” Spike paused in buttoning up his jeans, his head tilted in thought. “I think he always hated that I went to university and he didn’t.”

Xander looked up from unbunching a sock. “Angel didn’t go to college?”

“Not a bit of it. The sod was barely literate when Darla sired him. That’s why he tries so hard now.”

Xander untangled his shirt from the sheets and tugged it on. “I didn’t go to school, Spike. I had plans of going to technical college and learning to be an architect when I came back from Africa.”

“Why don’t you, Luv?”

“So much has happened, and I’m too old now. ”

“Horseshit,” Spike snorted. “If Forehead could learn to read when he was over fifty, you can do whatever you want.”

“Thanks, Spike.” He looked around with a skilled eye as he tied his boots. “This place is very well made,” he said as Spike set about battening the hatches. “How did you find it?”

“I had it built,” he shrugged. “I’d never had a place of my own and Willow gave me permission.”

Spike turned out the light.

“Wait. You have electricity?”

“Solar. Now come on, carpenter boy. Quit playing real estate agent and let’s get back before my ass gets crisped.

42
It Is Said

They raced the sun home. Spike led Xander through the rapidly brightening woods. When they reached paths well known to Xander, he panted to his new lover, “go on! I know where I am.”

Spike dropped back and ran beside him. “You sure, Luv?”

“I just found you, I don’t want you dusted before I get some more of that…” Xander leered at Spike’s backside.

Spike laughed with a twinkle in his eye, and before Xander could blink Spike was gone.

Xander slowed his frantic pace and jogged easily through the woods. Breeds of birds he’d known all his life welcomed the morning, and he realized he hadn’t watched the sunrise in far too long. He took the path to the overlook and sat on the bench. As the sky brightened and the ocean started throwing back sparkles, Xander sighed.

“I’ve got a new lover, Anthony,” he said quietly to himself as he fingered the pearl. “William the Bloody himself. I wish I could say you two would have gotten along, but I’m not so sure. I know you couldn’t have resisted fighting with one another. Now there’s a pants-tightening image. I… I tried to not love him, but he’s so… sweet. He’d kick my ass if I ever called him that to his face. To be honest, I don’t know if he loves me. After all, he’s not said it.” Xander’s hand dropped from the pearl. “You didn’t either. Until it was too late.”

Xander watched a squirrel hop up on the table beside him. He often ate his lunch here and had taken to bringing nuts. “No treats today, furry one. I didn’t know I was coming.” The little gray creature stretched out his head, sniffed at Xander, and jerked back. “What’s wrong?”

The squirrel chattered at Xander and leapt to the nearby tree trunk. From a safe branch he scolded Xander some more. “Okay! I’ll bring some later. Or not. I don’t think I’m going to leave my room today. I want some more vampire lovin’! Oh, unless you smell Spike on me.” The little creature chattered. “Too bad, buddy. I have a feeling it’s going to happen a lot.”

Xander looked back at the ocean and his belly growled. He hopped off the table, making the squirrel vanish into the tree tops. Smiling at the new day, Xander set off home.

Half-way down the path, he met Oz on the way up. “Mornin’, Oz!” he called.

“Hey.”

Xander stopped on the path level with his friend. “What’s got you up  and out early today?”

“Seeing as how our two Slayer trainers disappeared last night. I get training duty.” Oz turned back toward the house and nodded for Xander to follow him.

“Sorry about that,” Xander said in a tone that indicated he really wasn’t. “So what are you doing in the woods? Did another Slayer go astray again?”

“Damnest thing. Gunn and I were sitting at the kitchen table when this vampire comes bursting through the door. He ignores us and stares out the window like a dog waiting for his master to come home. After ten minutes, he’s pacing and growling. So I ask what’s wrong. He all but picks me up and throws me out the door to come looking for you.”

“You’re shitting me!”

Oz shook his head. “Just please don’t tell Spike I said he was acting like a dog.”

“I won’t.” Oz studied Xander’s grin and nodded.

Shortly, they reached the house. After Spike making him feel like a teenager being dressed down by his parents for staying out too late, Xander quieted Spike with a kiss.

“Breakfast, now. Then you can take me upstairs and ground me.” Xander said, drawing a chorus of catcalls from Oz, Gunn, and Willow.

“Oh, I’ll… ground you,” Spike said, suddenly becoming aware of the audience. He looked in Xander’s completely happy face and dropped all pretence. “Bloody hell. Get your Fruit Loops and let’s get upstairs already!”

Xander turned to find some food, only to have Willow thrust a laden tray into his arms. “Compliments of the house.”

“Thanks Willow, you’re the best.” Xander turned to go, but paused. “Is… is Antloa all right?” he asked after the Slayer who had been afraid of Spike.

“A Watcher is coming today to take her back to her people,” Gunn said. “Midra’s not left her alone.”

“Good. Thanks. Come on, Spike!”

When they reached their room, Xander burst out laughing. A sign saying “Honeymoon Suite” in fancy lettering with a glitter edging on it had been taped to their door.

“Bloody hell,” Spike muttered, opening the door for Xander.

Xander batted his eye at Spike. “Aren’t you going to carry me over the threshold, lover?”

“That’s a fertility ritual and you’ll spill your breakfast,” Spike said, going into the room first. A laughing Xander almost ran into his back. He peered around Spike’s shoulder. A big vase of cut flowers stood on the table with a note leaning on it and a brightly wrapped box beside it.

“Move it, buster,” Xander said, nudging his back with the tray. “I’m hungry and there’s presents!”

Spike explored the room as Xander ate. The note was a fancy congratulations card signed by everyone, including Dawn and Giles somehow. The present contained an enchanted candle holder that would keep sound from escaping the room. The bedside table now sported a pump bottle of lube. A pile of clean towels was found in the bathroom, and the gift that got Spike laughing the hardest was a plastic tarp and a bottle of body oil.

“It looks like they’ve been planning this for a long time,”

They spent the day hidden away, much as they had many other days, only now they gave in to the whims and desires they had previously suppressed. They touched, talked, loved and slept.

The next morning, Xander woke up and studied the still-sleeping vampire. Spike was sprawled face-down beside him. Xander studied the sharp profile where it was mashed into the pillow until the blue eye opened. “What? Have I got a bug on my face?” Spike mumbled into the pillow.

Xander smiled. “No. I was just looking at the handsome man I get to hide away with.”

“Well do it without staring at me so much. Makes my neck prickle.” Spike turned his face away.

“I know something else makes your skin prickle,” Xander sing-songed and leaned over to kiss Spike’s neck.

“Eek!” Spike scrambled up to his knees. “That’s cheating!”

“Are there rules, now?”

“Well… you never licked me awake before. You caught me off guard.”

Xander watched appreciatively as Spike stretched and yawned. “I’d wanted to kiss you before, you know.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Spike flopped back down beside Xander and pulled the man into his arms. “What do you want to do today, Xander? We haven’t broken open the oil and tarp yet.”

Xander gave an exaggerated sigh. “Here we are, still on our honeymoon and you already need to spice things up.”

“It’s not that. I have a new toy and I want to find out what all the attachments do.”

Xander tensed at Spike’s words. A toy, he was just a toy. He scrambled out of bed, untangling himself from Spike and the covers. “I… I just remembered, they’re delivering some paving stones for the gazebo today.”

“Xander? Oz can take care of that.” He was puzzled by the sudden change in Xander’s mood and tried to replay the conversation in his mind. “Come tell me what’s wrong.”

Xander shook his head and made a dash for the bathroom. “No…nothing. Oz is busy and I have to sign…” he closed the bathroom door behind him.

Angry now, Spike strode to the bathroom and opened the door as Xander turned the water on. “Talk to me, Xan. Please. What’s wrong?”

Xander shook his head and moved to get into the shower. Spike grabbed him by the arms and pressed him against the tile wall. “What. Did. I. Do. Wrong?” He asked, looking hard at Xander.

Xander wouldn’t meet his eyes. “What could be wrong? I’ve got room service, friends who love me and a vamp who thinks I’m entertaining.”

Spike’s grip loosened and he gently took Xander’s chin in his hand, turning him to face him. “Look at me, Xander. Listen to me. Yeah, I think you’re hot in bed. You’re also, funny, smart, sweet, and a hell of a strong person.”

Xander let out a breath. “Yeah, that’s me; entertaining.”

“Bloody hell. I can’t do anything right.” Spike’s other hand pushed Xander’s sleep-mussed hair from his face. “I love you, yeah? Every single bit..”

He was interrupted by a kiss. Finally, Xander pulled back. “So I’m not a toy, then?” he asked with a self deprecating smile.

“What? Is that what got you?” Xander nodded, embarrassed. “You are my toy only in that I want to play with you all the time. To touch you, hold you, and not share.”

“Say it again?” Xander whispered.

“Hell, I’ll bloody shout it to the world if you want. I love you, Xander. Have for some time.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Xander ventured, still unsure.

“It had to be you  making the first move, yeah? I could have made my move at the first, but I didn’t want to be… rebound. I wanted… it to be real if it was to be at all.”

A tear ran down Xander’s cheek and neither one remarked on it. “I love you, too, Spike. You’ve been so good to me.”

Spike pulled him into another kiss. “Then let’s clean up so we can get all messy again.”

“Say it again?”

“Let’s clean up…” Spike started with a smirk, Xander pouted and Spike kissed his lower lip. “I love you. 

The End