Two's Company
Part 6.
Xander was just stepping out of the shower dripping wet when a knock came at the door. He cursed inwardly. Tonight was the night he and Spike had arranged to go to the movies but he'd gotten caught up at work and was now running late. He felt unreasonably annoyed that Spike was catching him on the hop. Didn't Spike know Xander expected him to be late for everything? It just didn't fit in with the Bloodsucking-Fiend image to be scrupulously punctual. Apparently though Spike was just full of surprises lately, being the polite Creature of Unspeakable Evil that he was becoming.
Xander grabbed a towel and pelted through to the bedroom. There was no time to get into the clothes he planned to wear tonight, but there was no way he was opening the door to Spike dressed in a towel. Another knock came at the door, this one sounding slightly more impatient. Xander hurriedly pulled on a pair of baggy jeans and a T-shirt that, thanks to his wet skin, instantly dampened and stuck to him. Rubbing frantically at his wet hair with the towel, he went to the door and flung it open.
***
Spike was nervous enough without being made to kick his heels outside thank-you-very-much, so as the door opened he burst out irritably;
"Well it's about ..." His voice trailed off as his eyes registered what was standing in front of him. " ...time," he finished lamely.
Spike had never really considered he would find a guy with wet hair and a damp T-shirt especially spectacular. He fancied Xander, because he was ... well *Xander* not because of his masculine appeal. He was obviously on a steep learning curve. The T-shirt was thin and slightly see-through. His widening eyes noticed how the white, wet cotton clung lovingly to Xander's torso, erotically concealing just as much as it revealed. Water was trickling down from strands of hair Xander hadn't yet dried. One intrepid drop was sliding down into the hollow at the base of Xander's throat. Spike's eyes fixed on that trickle. He had never in his life so much wanted to be a drop of water. He wanted to follow it with his tongue. He wanted to peal off that T-shirt. He wanted to slide his hand between the gap between Xander's stomach and those loose jeans, hanging off his hips. What was going on? Was Xander *trying* to turn him into a besotted, bibbling idiot? If so, he was doing a damn fine job of it. Spike could see the outline of Xander's nipples through the cotton. He was staring. He couldn't help it.
"Yeah, sorry," Xander said, unaware of Spike's hungry gaze as he gave his dark, wet hair one final rub. With a pull that Spike could *feel* he managed to tear his eyes from Xander's chest and look him in the face. "I'm running a bit late, you'll have to hang for a few while I get ready."
Since words were beyond Spike at the moment he over-compensated by nodding vigorously. His brain still happily disengaged, he took an unthinking step forward towards Wet T-shirt Xander and bumped smack into the invisible barrier.
"Bloody Hell!" He *hated* it when that happened, it was so embarrassing.
Xander snickered. "Sorry, uh ..." Xander paused, looking uncertain for a moment, then with a roll of his eyes and a slightly self-deprecating smile said; "Come in."
"Oh," Spike stepped into Xander's apartment for the first time, and gave him a shy smile. "Thanks." He had an invite! This was *great*, he could break in and watch Xander while he was asleep - uh, in *theory*.
"Take a seat," Xander offered. "I'll be out in a sec."
Spike sat down on the couch and looked around curiously at Xander's home. It was a nice place, untidy, yet comfortable, a *huge* improvement on the basement, but despite his momentary pleasure at having an invite, Spike felt his heart sink. It was so ... *straight*. He hadn't been expecting to see a pile of gay porn magazines and a full Judy Garland C.D collection, but some tie-backs and a few less glossy posters of nearly-naked women would have been encouraging. Surely Xander had to have at least a flicker of interest in ... um ... less straight stuff? Spike didn't want to do anything to scare Xander off but maybe he should flirt a little and see if any response was forthcoming. He cleared his throat nervously.
"So whaddya think?" Xander called in from the bedroom. "An improvement on the basement, huh?"
"Yeah," Spike agreed, trying to sound casual. "Don't suppose you fancy a roommate do you?"
"Oh, no!" Xander emerged from the bedroom dried and dressed in somewhat smarter clothes, his hair combed. He looked nice but Spike infinitely preferred the other way. His eyes lingered longingly on the chest beneath the shirt Xander was now wearing, and toyed not-so-idly with the idea of carrying a water-spray around with him. Now he'd seen what he'd been missing, Xander in clothing that wasn't wet was nothing short of cruelty to besotted vampires. "I'm never living with you again!"
Spike pouted. "Hey, I was a great roomie."
"How do you figure that? You had no money, did no chores, complained incessantly, stole things when you left-"
"I let you tie me to a chair!" Spike protested, giving Xander his special flirtatious eyebrow raise. "You pervy sod, do you think I'd let just anyone do that?"
Xander grinned easily, hearing the joke, but totally oblivious to any undercurrents. "Yeah, well as pleasant as that wasn't, unless my next room mate is Jeri Ryan, bondage promises mean nothing to me. Now come on or we're gonna miss the start of the film."
Spike inwardly sighed as he followed Xander out, shooting a filthy look at the poster of Seven of Nine in her slinky catsuit. Jeri Ryan had a lot to answer for.
***
They settled into their seats at the cinema and Spike beamed happily as Xander casually reached into the large bucket of popcorn resting on Spike's knee, helping himself to a large handful. So far, so good.
"You don't mind, right?" Xander asked redundantly through a mouthful of popcorn.
"No!" Spike squeaked. "Help yourself."
"So, another dark room," Xander commented as the lights went down and the previews began. "Seems to be happening a lot when we get together, think maybe someone's trying to tell us something?"
"Like what?" //Like we should be taking advantage of it to do delicious and hitherto untried things to each other's bodies?// Spike crossed his fingers, even though he knew it was a long shot.
"Like us hanging out upsets the natural order of the universe?"
Damn. "More likely it's the fates trying to tell you what kind of light you look best in."
Xander gave him a mild cuff in mock indignation. "And where does that theory leave you Mr. 'If I Walk In Natural Light I Burst Into Flames'?
"Ah, with me they're protecting poor innocents from seeing someone as sexy as me in my full power." Spike gave Xander a slow, suggestive smile.
Xander snorted. "Yeah, are you sure it's not so you can hide that massively swelled head of yours?"
"Just stating a fact." Spike ran his tongue over his suddenly dry lips, as the leather of his coat creaked as he shifted slightly closer to Xander. "Bet if I turned on the charm even you'd be eating out of my hand."
Xander grinned but Spike could see he was distracted by the preview. How was he meant to flirt with someone who didn't know he *was* flirting? "Either that, or you'd be drinking through a straw, and I warn you, if you try the 'Yawn and Stretch' maneuver, I'm outta here."
Spike snorted derisively as he retreated. "Yeah, as if." Damnit!
The film started and they stopped speaking. Time slipped by and Spike found himself stealing glances at Xander's profile now and then. Although he'd made it sound slightly insulting, he hadn't actually been kidding before. Xander looked good in any kind of light, but in the dark he looked his best - at least in Spike's eyes. There was something ... intimate in seeing the pale shade of his skin in the dark. The shadows made his eyelashes look longer than usual, his eyes slightly bigger. Xander was focussed on the film and didn't notice Spike's lingering glances, or when their hands occasionally brushed as they both dipped into the bucket for popcorn, but each brush made Spike shiver delightfully. Plus, he was a lot of fun. Spike had to admit, even without any flirting, or kissing, this 'just hanging out' with Xander was really, really ... nice.
Xander shifted slightly in his seat and suddenly his knee brushed Spike's, a tiny brush but Spike started as violently as if Xander had suddenly leaned over and grabbed his crotch. Yeah. Chance would be a fine thing. He looked cautiously at Xander. An explosion on screen lit Xander's face with a sudden orange flash, he was still engrossed with the film, and didn't know that all Spike would have to do was relax his leg just a little and their knees would be touching. Spike swallowed, frozen with uncertainty - did he dare let his knee touch Xander's? Would Xander notice and guess that Spike liked him? He eyed the tiny gap between them, he really, really wanted to close it. Oh this was stupid! A hundred and twenty plus, and he was acting like a fourteen-year-old boy! Spike took a breath and tentatively let his knee rest very lightly against Xander's.
Xander didn't move away. Spike looked at their knees touching and felt a surge of delight. He gazed blankly at the screen, with a ridiculous smile on his face. He hoped Xander wouldn't ask him what happened in the film from that point on, he was too delirious to care.
***
"So what did you think?" Xander asked Spike as they wandered out of the cinema. "You sure seemed to be enjoying it."
Spike looked at him, still appearing a little dazed. "I did?"
"Well yeah, every time I looked at you, you were smiling."
Spike's eyes widened. "Well it was just such a good - um film." Xander grinned at him through a yawn. It was getting late, and he had an early start tomorrow, but he didn't feel quite ready to call it a night yet.
"You want to grab a coffee?" Spike asked, seeming to read his mind, pausing outside Starbucks and opening the door enticingly.
Xander nodded. "Yeah, sure." They entered the warm building, and he inhaled deeply - he just loved that smell of caffeine. "Now why do chicks mess around with perfume and bubble bath and all that girly stuff when there are smells like this?" Xander asked rhetorically. "If I could find someone who smelt like coffee I'd marry her like a shot."
"Really?" Spike asked, interested.
"Definitely." Xander took a step towards the counter where a blast of coffee-scented steam from the cappuccino machine momentarily obscured the very pretty blonde who was serving.
"No, I'll get 'em!" Spike said hurriedly, stopping him in his tracks. "You go and find a seat."
"Yeah, but you bought the popcorn," Xander protested in surprise.
"I didn't say I was going to *pay* for them," Spike scoffed. "Just give me the money, you look ready to drop."
"Oh - okay. Thanks," Xander said uncertainly, unsure whether to be touched or offended. Either way he wasn't going to argue - the queue was pretty long, and he was tired after a long day on site at work. He handed Spike some money, and sank into a seat, resting his chin in his hand and idly watched Spike waiting to get served, marveling slightly at the weirdness of Spike getting him a coffee. Xander raised his eyebrows, Spike was wafting at the steam that hung over the counter, but it looked like he was wafting it *over* him, not away. Xander shook his head. He may be starting to like Spike, but he did *not* understand him. After a few minutes Spike came back over with a tray.
"You got me a brownie!" Xander said, deeply impressed. "How did you know that's my favorite?"
"It's a pretty good bet you'll eat anything with chocolate in it," Spike shrugged. "You're such a girl, Harris."
"I'm not the one that dyes my hair," Xander shot back through a mouthful of brownie. He took a deep swallow of his coffee with a happy moan.
"Would you like to be alone?" Spike asked amusedly.
"Coffee can be a lot like a woman," Xander said loftily.
"Oh yeah? How?"
"Well, if you're lucky, it's hot. Can be bitter, unless you give it things to sweeten it up, lethal if it's at boiling point-"
"-and goes cold if you leave it alone too long." Spike finished.
Xander nodded with a grin. "Exactly."
Spike took a sip of his own drink. "Well at least there's been no earthquakes tonight."
"Always a plus," Xander agreed.
"So is the Slayer as jumpy as you thought she'd be?"
Xander shuddered. "You have no idea, she's attacking everything - there's a cat out there somewhere that probably needs treatment for nervous shock - and she still keeps hugging us extra hard and telling us she loves us, even if we're just going to the bathroom."
"So she's a wreck, is she?" Spike said thoughtfully, a tiny, evil smile touching his lips.
"She'll get over it," Xander said, eyeing Spike sternly. "Try anything and you'll be paying very painfully for the rest of your life."
"Try anything?" Spike said widening his eyes innocently. "Me? Do something to make the Slayer shriek like a little girl - why would I want to do that?"
Xander gave him a narrow glare but he could feel his mouth twitching.
"So," Spike changed the subject. "Tonight's been ... alright hasn't it?" he said casually.
"Yeah, it has," Xander agreed. "Again." He gave Spike a sharp look over his steaming cup. "Not that this 'us hanging out thing' is gonna become a habit or anything."
****Four weeks later****
"Hello?"
"Good, you're in, I thought you might be out."
"Is that why you rung?"
"Oh, tee-bloody-hee. I'm bored. Get over here and don't forget the sodding cards."
"It's hard for me to resist such a charming invitation."
"Yeah, yeah, keep making jokes while I slowly roast out here, why don't you. You coming or what?"
"On my way."
Xander hung up and began gathering supplies that were essential for a lazy afternoon hanging out at Spike's place. Cards, soda, Doritos and dip. He had them all ready in the minimum amount of time. To tell the truth, he'd had them all at hand.
To an outside observer, it might have even looked like he was waiting for Spike to call.
***
Spike aimlessly opened his tiny fridge, peered in, and closed it again. He was peckish, but he didn't really like to drink blood when Xander might see him. Although they were friendly these days, seeing him with a blood moustache or whatever could well be a little too 'vampire' for Xander to accept. Things had been going so well he didn't want to jinx it. Besides, he was too wound up to eat. Crazy really - he and Xander had been spending so much time together lately, yet he still got butterflies when he was waiting to meet him.
He paced restlessly around his crypt, marking time until Xander arrived. He thought - he liked to believe - that he and Xander were friends now if the amount of time they spent together was any indication. Hell, it was getting to the point where it felt a bit strange when Xander *wasn't* around. Yet, weirdly, the more time they spent together, the harder the thought of telling Xander how he felt about him became. Spike had always considered himself to be a pretty 'do or die' kind of bloke. The type to risk everything on the roll of dice and so on. If you lost it all - so what? You obviously hadn't been satisfied with what you had if you wanted more, and at least you'd taken your bloody shot. But then Spike had never had Xander Harris's friendship to lose before.
Spike groaned as he paced the crypt. He'd always had a bit of a gift for messing up, but he'd really done it this time. When he'd begun hanging out with Xander he hadn't realized that being friends with Xander would come to mean so much, that the thought of losing him would give him a sick thud of panic. //It's all Xander's fault for being such a great mate// Spike thought irritably - and irrationally, he had to admit, but he didn't know what the hell to do. To not say anything - to give up on something he wanted so badly - it went against his very nature. But what if he made a move on Xander and the answer was - and Spike had no reason to believe it would be otherwise - an unarguable 'no'? Things wouldn't be the same between them, Xander would *know*. It would always be there, an unspoken, awful tension. Even worse, maybe Xander would be disgusted or embarrassed and wouldn't want to be friends with Spike at all anymore, and now he'd managed to slide into Xander's life Spike couldn't bear the thought of being on the outside again. Maybe he *should* just give up hope.
Yeah, right. That was why he was wearing a tighter-than-usual T-shirt.
A loud kick at the door startled him out of his contemplation. "Spike!" Xander called through the door, his voice muffled. "Hurry up, my arms are full!"
Spike cautiously eased the door open, careful not to let the sunlight hit his hands. "Hey," he said his voice croaking slightly as he shivered, trying to hide the sudden shyness he always got the first few moments he saw Xander.
"You need to get a phone in here," Xander said irritably. He pushed past Spike, juggling his armload of goodies, and giving Spike a waft of his clean, masculine scent. The air felt palpably warmer with his entrance, Xander spent so much time out of doors on his job sometimes it felt like the sunshine was somehow weaved into his skin. "Risking your hide to ring me from the phonebox is crazy."
Spike watched as Xander dumped the bag on his chair, noticing the muscles play in his arms and swallowed. Xander turned to give him an easy smile, as usual totally oblivious to all 'Obvious Crush' signs.
"Spike? You listening? Get a phone, okay?"
Spike rolled his eyes, slipping into his usual nonchalant demeanor. "Yeah, yeah, did I *ask* for a mother hen?"
Xander gave him a second look and frowned. "Have you been trying to do the laundry again? 'Cos I thought you'd come to an arrangement, you dump your dirty clothes at my place and complain until I wash them."
"You say that like you don't get any enjoyment out of it."
"Lets just say you skipped the part where you ran it past me. But have you? Been doing the laundry I mean?"
"No, why?"
"Your T-shirt looks like it's shrunk."
Spike shifted nervously. "Um ... does it?"
"Either that or you're putting on weight there porky," Xander prodded him teasingly in the belly.
"Am not," Spike tried to scowl, but couldn't help giggling as Xander's fingers tickled him. "Get off! Did you bring the cards?"
"Yeah. I got sodas, chips and dip here somewhere too."
Spike helped Xander unpack the bags, kept two sodas out and put the rest in the fridge, making sure to shove the blood bags well away from it. They settled on the floor, their backs against their usual seats and Xander stretched out his legs, his jeans pulling taut against the long, firm lines of his thighs as he leaned forward to deal the cards. Spike popped open his soda, suddenly needing to do something with his hands.
"So, what's the story. Awful, sunny day like this, I thought you'd be at the beach, sunbathing with your pals or something, being all healthy."
Xander shook his head. "Nah, I hate sunbathing, the chicks take it so seriously it's all timed and everything, and lying motionless in the sun is not the fun-fest its cracked up to be. After a few hours it can even be considered boring. Anyway today they're shoe-shopping. Hence, here I am. Even hanging with a de-fanged vampire in his Crypt 'o' Crud is better than shoe-shopping."
"How gracious," Spike said sweetly.
Xander flipped him the bird.
"So the Slayer's finally calmed down after the earthquake, has she?" Spike smirked, changing the subject. "No more demons jumping out from behind her?"
"Yeah, strange thing that," Xander gave him a baleful glare. "Lots of demons sneaking up on her, shouting 'doom!' then running away. Not the kind of thing you'd expect them to do."
"Hmm, almost like someone had put them up to it," Spike agreed, biting his lip to hold back a grin. "Any idea who might have been behind that?"
"Well *I've* narrowed down my list of suspects," Xander said pointedly, giving Spike a hard look. "But yeah she's fine now, I just hope Will doesn't make any sudden moves while Buff's got a stiletto in her hand."
"Sounds like fun, shame you're missing it."
"You're joking, even without Buff being freakishly paranoid, Riley and I like to reach minimum safe distance on shoe-shopping day."
"Ah, yeah. So what, you didn't fancy spending the day with Captain Cardboard?"
"Don't call him that," Xander said automatically, frowning at his cards, Spike hid an affectionate smile. Xander had never really managed the poker face. "And no. He's at the gym."
"Ah yes," Spike nodded sagely. "Mastering his ass."
They glanced at each other. Xander's mouth twitched, then they both began to snicker.
***
Xander stretched his arms up above his head and groaned. They'd played about eight hands, and he now owed Spike a trip to the pictures, a pizza, more beers than he could remember and a T-shirt Spike fallen in love with that said; 'Don't piss me off, I'm running out of places to hide the bodies'. They'd learnt early on not to play for money, as it led to accusations of cheating, loud arguments, sulking and possible bankruptcy.
"Aww, you ready to give in?" Spike asked lazily, watching him stretch and doing some fancy shuffle with the cards.
"I'm hungry," Xander whined. "How can I concentrate when I'm hungry?"
"You've been scoffing all afternoon," Spike snorted.
"Yeah, snacks, that's different. Snacks are not food. You got anything around other than type O?"
Spike shrugged a little uncomfortably. "No, sorry. You could go to the phonebox - call for a pizza for us."
"Us? You not gonna be cracking open a blood-bag?"
Spike looked at him warily. "You - uh - wouldn't mind?"
Xander frowned slightly at Spike's slightly nervous expression. "Well it's not exactly endearing, but I've seen worse. Geez, you should see Willow with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups at a certain time of the month." He shook his head in pained recollection. "You don't want to get between her and her chocolatey goodness."
Spike suddenly gave him a brilliant smile. Xander raised his eyebrows. "What?"
"Nothing," Spike said, still smiling.
"Okaaay. I'm gonna go call for the pizza."
"Get sausage on it," Spike said as he stood.
"I thought you were having the red stuff?"
"I am but it doesn't mean I can't dunk."
"Okay, now that's *disgusting*."
"You should try it with onion rings - "
"I don't want to hear!" Xander yelled, clamping his hands over his ears as he made a sharp exit.
It took a while to find a pizza place that would deliver to Spike's address. On the fourth call, Xander asked in exasperation; "Why not? What's he done to you?" to which he got the reply; "Nothing, I've never been there, but the guy who delivers for the Chinese place hasn't been the same since." Xander sighed and hung up. On the fifth attempt he finally found someone who hadn't heard of Spike, but even then Xander practically had to promise to leave a tip bigger than the cost of the pizza just to get him to agree, because for some reason the guy didn't seem to find 'Oakhill Cemetery, the fifth crypt in from the entrance' a reasonable address. Xander rolled his eyes. *Now* the people of Sunnydale decided to get a clue?
He headed back to Spike's place, and let himself in. "What the hell have you been doing to the delivery guys?"
"Me? Nothing." Spike said innocently, though his guileless look was slightly spoiled by the smear of red at the corner of his mouth, telling what he'd been eating while Xander had been out. Even without it Xander wouldn't have been fooled, the last time he had seen that innocent look he'd gotten a surprise invite out for dinner and drinks. Spike had paid for everything, it had been great - until the next day when he discovered his wallet had been stripped bare.
Xander raised a disbelieving eyebrow. "Riiiight. Well next time we order a pizza we're doing it from my place, and you are *not* getting the door. By the way you have a little ..." He tapped the side of his mouth. Spike nodded, looking a little embarrassed, yet pleased that he didn't mind. Xander hadn't realized that Spike thought drinking blood would be a 'thing' for him. It made his chest feel tight in a sweet sort of way to think that Spike had avoided doing it in front of him just in case it made him uncomfortable. Even now Spike seemed shy about it, turning slightly so he wasn't looking at Xander, he dragged his thumb over the smear, pulling his lip a little and sucking it from his thumb.
Spike had more color when he had just fed, in his mouth especially. His pale lips were slightly flushed. Xander realized he was staring and hurriedly averted his eyes, feeling unaccountably flustered.
"So you want another game while we wait for the pizza?" Spike asked, turning back to him, shuffling the cards in anticipation. The pink tint to his mouth had faded, much to Xander's relief. The moment of strange embarrassment passed.
He sat down next to Spike, pulling a face. "I don't think I can take any more poker."
"How about a game of snap?"
"Snap?" Xander asked, idly reaching over and plucking the cards out of Spike's hands. "Didn't think that was your thing."
"Hey, as I told you once - there's a lot you don't know about me."
"So you say, but I dunno. You've been hanging round like a bad smell for long enough-"
"Hey!"
" - not to mention I even had to put up with you as my roommate for a while, and the fact that I am now spending more time with you than Buffy spends kicking demon ass - I think I know you pretty well."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah!" Xander said, starting to count the facts off with his fingers. "You have a bizarre liking for onion rings dunked in blood -"
"Yeah, but you only found that out just now so it doesn't count."
"-you spend more time than can possibly be good for you watching 'Passions', you like Frank Sinatra, and scream like a big girlie girl when there's an earthquake -"
"For the last time I didn't scream -"
" -and I'm almost certain you cheat at Poker."
"Let's see you prove it," Spike said smugly, then looked at him appraisingly. "Okay then, so if you know me so well, let me ask you this - if I had the chance to kill Angel or the Slayer, but could only pick one of them who d'you think I'd pick?"
"Spike!" Xander exclaimed in exasperation. "That's one of my best buds!"
"So you're saying you don't know?"
"No! I'm just not going to guess at something like that!"
"Don't know me as well as you'd think then, eh?"
"It's a twisted question, and you're sick for asking it."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."
A pause, Xander fiddled with the cards. "Sooooo - out of curiosity, who *would* you pick?"
Spike snickered. "It was a trick question, bugger the rule about killing one of them - it'd have to be both."
"Spike!"
"No, really. As long as one of 'em was walking around the doubts that I'd killed the wrong one would haunt me for the rest of my life."
Xander laughed, he couldn't help it, he'd get his punishment when he died. "But really, what's either of them ever done to you? Apart from all the death threats and fighting, which you've gotta admit, you started."
"Angel's a prick, I've got 'bout a hundred years of grudges there, but the Slayer - she's just *really* bloody annoying."
"Okay, I'll give you the Angel thing, but hey remember", Xander said holding one hand up. "Friend of the Slayer here, four years and counting."
"Hey, you asked. And admit it Xander - your pal *is* annoying."
"No she's not."
"Is too."
"Is not."
Spike adopted a high-pitched voice. "Oh woe is me!" he breathed out as he leaned back, lifting the back of his hand to his forehead in a mockery of frailness. "I am cursed with the superpowers of the Slayer, and a destiny that makes me harass perfectly innocent, yet devastatingly handsome vampires, before I go to get my hair bleached *again* while riding that big hall monitor I call my boyfriend - "
"Shut up!" Xander threw the cards in his hand at Spike who raised a dangerous eyebrow, then grabbed the bag of chips and swiftly emptied them over Xander's head.
"Hey!" Xander objected through sniggers as he tried to wrestle Spike into a headlock. They would often end up play fighting like this - sometimes Xander would swear Spike deliberately tried to antagonize him into fighting. "They're all we had to eat till the pizza comes! And look whose talking about bleached hair!" he added as he ruffled Spike's gelled hair out of shape.
"Oi! That takes bloody ages to do without a reflection!" Spike gasped, also snickering.
"Actually you and Buff have a lot in common," Xander continued dodging as Spike wrenched free from the headlock and began to pelt empty soda cans at him. "You both fight vamps, are obsessive about your hair care routine -"
"Yeah, but at least that's all - *I'm* not shagging Captain Cardboard -"
"Don't call him that - and no, somehow I don't think it'd work for you two - think of all the testosterone-filled fights over who gets to be 'the guy'. We'll have to find someone else for you." Xander batted a can away, and grabbed Spike's wrists. They flailed together for a moment then Xander managed - more easily than he'd expected - to push Spike to the floor. He sat on top of him, straddling his chest, his knees pressing Spike's arms to the floor. "Winner and champion!" he said triumphantly, clasping his hands above his head in mock victory.
"Oh, please," Spike scoffed, but he seemed breathless. "I let you win, it was the only way to get you to shut up."
"Oh yeah? Is that why you're panting like that?" Xander teased.
"'M not panting," Spike scowled.
"You are too, you need to get more exercise, pal."
"Need to get something," Spike muttered.
"Laid?" Xander suggested, with an evil grin. He was rewarded by Spike gulping audibly and looking at him with a shocked expression.
"What? Um ... what?"
"Hey you did say it had been a while," Xander teased. "Maybe you should give Harmony a call."
Spike scowled and struggled under him. "Get off."
"Oooh, sensitive! It was only a joke, Spike." But he moved off anyway. "Not that I blame you for not seeing the funny side - I mean *Harmony*? Spike, what were you thinking?"
Spike sat up, trying to smooth his ruffled hair. Xander rather liked it like that, it was oddly endearing. "I wasn't," Spike admitted. "Not with my brain at least."
"Freak," Xander said affectionately.
Spike shrugged good-humouredly. "I've given up dumb blondes now, so tell the Slayer she's out of the running."
"She'll be heartbroken. So what type do you like?"
"What?"
"You've given up dumb blondes - a type I have to say you've got a lot in common with - "
"Hey!"
"-thus implying you like another type now."
Spike looked away and Xander sat up a little straighter. "You do? Really? Is there someone you like?" To his surprise he felt a violent pang of childish 'but he's supposed to hang out with *me*!' jealousy. If Spike got a girlfriend then things wouldn't be the same, Spike wouldn't always be available, Xander wouldn't be able to just drop in on him the way he did now.
Spike still wasn't looking at him, and Xander felt irrationally angry and snappish, his teasing coming out a little more viciously than he intended. "So what is it - you like someone, and you *haven't* managed to get her into bed? Wow, who is this wonder-girl? I'd like to give her an award for good taste."
"There's no girl," Spike said curtly.
"Oh." Xander sank back, feeling oddly relieved and slightly ashamed for being mean. Spike didn't meet his eyes, straightening his T-shirt that had gotten a little rumpled in the fight. It definitely looked tighter, but Xander could admit to himself that it wasn't because Spike was putting on weight. He seemed to spend a lot of his time grappling with Spike and he could feel - uh well, things felt pretty firm under there. Xander gave him a light kick. Spike glanced at him, then kicked back. Xander retaliated a little harder this time and another scuffle could well have broken out when there was a cautious knock on the door.
"Pizza," Xander said eagerly, levering himself up off the floor and heading to the door.
"And don't forget you're paying!" Spike called after him.
Xander rolled his eyes. "Yeah, okay." Of course most people would consider that since it was Spike's fault they no longer had any food, and since he was Spike's guest, that Spike should pay for the pizza - but then most people weren't friends with Spike, so what did they know?
He opened the door, checking Spike was safely back in the shadows and grinned at the pizza guy.
"Hey, glad you found the place."
"Yeah, that'll be twelve-sixty, and I heard there's meant to be a big tip -"
A growl coming from behind Xander made the guy's eyes widen with fear as he glanced over Xander's shoulder and took a hurried step away. "Wha-what is ...?"
"SPIKE!" Xander shouted without turning around. "Quit it! Sorry about him," he said to the pizza guy. "He's a little ... challenged. Thinks it's funny to scare people."
"Uh-huh. Well it's not fun-"
The growl got louder and the pizza guy turned white and began to back away rapidly, as Xander followed him out, trying to give him the money. "Keep the tip!"
Xander frowned and closed the door, glaring at Spike, who looked the picture of innocence.
"What?" Spike asked as they settled down, tearing into the food. "Saved you a few bucks didn't I?"
"Yeah, but we're never gonna get pizza delivered here again."
"Oh, stop complaining," Spike grumbled. "You're such a whiny human."
"Oh come on Spike, you know you love me just as I am," Xander said absently. The sudden quiet from Spike made him look up at the vampire who looked away swiftly, making a big production of wiping his hands on a napkin. Maybe Xander had surprised him in the midst of a sneak attack to grab the slice of pizza he had in his hand. The fact that there was plenty of pizza left wouldn't have deterred Spike in the slightest. Xander folded the slice and stuffed it in his mouth expertly, looking at Spike with his eyebrows raised smugly. //Ha, can't get it now can you!//
Spike shook his head slightly, looking equally disgusted and impressed. "And you say *I've* got bad table manners."
"Do you see a table anywhere?" Xander managed to say reasonably clearly as he swallowed.
"Good point."
"Actually you do really need to get some furniture in this place."
"A phone, furniture, you're just a regular little homemaker aren't you?"
"The place needs a woman's touch."
"You want the job?"
"Very funny," Xander said, checking the time and reaching for another slice. "I'll have to go after this. I've got to help research tonight."
"Yeah, okay." Spike asked casually. "So what you doing tomorrow?"
"Well there's this crazy thing us mortals do called work - then tomorrow night me and the guys are hitting the Bronze." Xander grinned as he spoke, he was really looking forward to having a night out with them, it had kind of been all work, no play lately for the Scoobies lately, their time together being limited to research or patrol. "You gonna swing by?"
Spike snorted. "Yeah, right. I hang out with you, not your mates. I can imagine the welcome I'll get off them."
Xander waved his hand easily. "They'll be cool."
"Yeah, like ice. I don't think so."
"Oh, c'mon!" Xander protested. "I need someone with a 'y' chromosome there, and Cap ... uh, Riley is gonna be busy. 'Manic' are gonna be playing, and they're pretty good."
Spike rolled his eyes. "They're just another boy-band with a new look ... which explains why you like 'em."
"Hey -" Xander began indignantly.
" - and there's a film on that I wanna watch," Spike said smoothly.
"Oh. Okay." Xander nodded reluctantly, listlessly flipping the lid of the empty pizza box open and closed. That meant tomorrow he wouldn't see Spike all day.
The thought was oddly unappealing.
***
Xander smiled politely as the music roared on, and let a group of girls squeeze past him. A fatal mistake, because that meant that absolutely everyone now saw the tiny patch of space in front of him as a sort of walkway. After a few moments of non-stop human traffic he took the plunge anyway and stepped out. The people trying to walk past gave him filthy glares, Xander gave them a blank look. //Okay, here we go// he intoned in his head as he began to squeeze through the crowd, clutching the drinks he had just bought tightly in his hands. //Captain Xander's Operation Safe or Spilled is commencing. I'm gonna try to get you all there intact, but it's risky. Casualties are likely.//
He inched through the throng and as he'd suspected, a goodly portion of the drinks ended up over his hands and on the floor after jostling elbows had shoved him about. He didn't think he'd ever seen the Bronze this busy before. The band were playing their hearts out, the place was hopping and Xander felt slightly out of sync with it all. He reached the table where Buffy, Willow and Tara were sitting with the relief of a thirsty man in a desert who had been handed a large, ice-filled glass of coke.
"Here we go ladies," he said genially, sitting down and distributing the glasses.
"Thanks, Xander," they chorused.
"Just couldn't resist my drink, huh?" Buffy teased, looking at her half-empty glass.
"Hey stick a banana cocktail under a guys nose what do you expect?" Xander said cheerfully. "So what's up guys? It's been a while since we just hung out. Buff, how's the new training schedule going?"
Buffy rolled her eyes with a frustrated groan. "Don't ask - Giles is a *slavedriver*!"
"Yet, you sound surprised. Because he's been such a slacker up till now?"
Buffy smiled reluctantly. "I shouldn't complain, I did sign up for this, and it's going pretty well, though it does mean I've been really busy. I've hardly seen Riley the past few weeks." She lowered her voice a little. "I think it's weird for him, you know my powers getting stronger? He's started joining all these clubs that go rock-climbing or parachute jumping."
"Yeah, he asked me if I wanted to join with him," Xander agreed.
"Oh, are you going to?" Tara asked.
"Nah, I've got enough terror in my life, I don't need to sign up for more."
"Don't worry Buffy," Willow said soothingly. "Riley likes that you're the Slayer, he'll deal. Besides we've all been busy lately, I've been so tied up with study and spells and working in the Magic Box since Anya left ..." she paused. "Oh, sorry Xander."
Xander blinked - he must have been spending too much time with Spike, someone being tactful actually came as a shock to him now. He shrugged easily. "It's cool."
Willow gave him a smile. "And what have you been doing, while we've all been slaving away?"
Xander gave her an easy grin. "Oh, you know, working on my plans for world domination."
"How's that going?" Tara asked with amusement.
"Not that great, in order to take over the world I need minions, but I can't pay them until I take over the world, it's a cruel irony."
"I'll be your minion, Xander," Willow said comfortingly. "All the payment I need is for you to take me for a spin." She nodded towards the heaving dance floor.
Xander rolled his eyes as he stood and held out his hand to her. "The sacrifices I make for my career as supreme dictator of the human race!"
She took his hand and they hit the dance floor - or rather inched politely onto the dance floor, making a space with their elbows and knees to shuffle around in. Willow was about as good a dancer as he was - which meant on their best day they were only average, so he didn't feel in the least self-conscious.
"So do you like these guys?" Willow shouted over the music, her face flushed with enjoyment.
"Oh, yeah!" Xander yelled back. "But Spike says they're just another boy-band with a new look." He shook his head. "I swear if they don't smash up their equipment, or wear a fedora he just doesn't wanna know!" Willow nodded with a slight smile, but she looked a little confused as to why he was telling her this. Why *was* he telling her this? All the noise must be addling his head.
"Hey, look at her!" Willow pointed towards a truly hot girl with long dark hair in a spray-on dress gyrating away not far from them.
"Now this is why gay Willow is so cool!" Xander grinned, noting the girls form appreciatively. "Does Tara know you like to look?"
Willow gave him a mild cuff. "For you dummy! Why don't you go talk to her?"
Xander shrugged, as he looked at the brunette appraisingly. "I dunno ..." Just then the girl glanced up, catching his eye. She gave him a quick up and down flick over with her eyes, her mouth quirking into a slight smile. Xander raised his eyebrows flirtatiously at her, then turned back to Willow.
"Well, go on, she smiled at you!" Willow encouraged.
Xander shook his head. "I think I'll give it a miss tonight."
"Why? Is it too soon? Are you still missing Anya?"
Xander felt a momentary pang of guilt. //God, I haven't thought about Anya for ages.// He had missed Anya a lot at first, and in a way still did, but he missed her for herself, because she was fun and outrageous, not as his girlfriend. "No - it's not that."
"So go on then, trying to get a date couldn't hurt."
Xander glanced over at the brunette again, then shook his head. "Nah, I mean she's hot, but she's not ..." He snapped his fingers trying to hit on the word he wanted. It refused to come to light, and he shrugged again. "Y'know?"
"Y-yeah," Willow sounded a little uncertain. "So what are you looking for? What do you want in a girlfriend?"
Xander grinned teasingly. "Well, gorgeous, of course."
"Of course," Willow agreed smiling.
"And she has to consider me a sex-god and laugh at my jokes," he continued.
"Well anything less just wouldn't be right."
Xander smiled, then became more thoughtful. "Someone I can be comfortable with, y'know? It takes a *lot* of effort continually impressing you chicks, someone who was just happy to take me as I am would be cool. And maybe they could have a bit of an edge - someone full of surprises."
Willow nodded, and Xander pulled a face, remembering Anya. "And hopefully someone who already knows about demons and can handle the sheer terror of my life, which includes facing certain death every night."
"Well ... it's good to know what you want," Willow said encouragingly.
Xander snorted. "Yeah - come on Will - how many people like that are out there?"
"You never know until you start looking."
"Not really into looking right now, Will. If it happens great, but until then ..." Xander trailed off with a shrug, and whirled her into a spin that ended the conversation.
When the song ended they left the dance floor flushed and happy, joining Tara and Buffy who were deep in discussion.
" ... so then I saw this dress, that was like a million times nicer than the other, but a million times more expensive, so I said to mom ..."
"Oooh, is that the red one?" Willow joined in eagerly.
Buffy nodded enthusiastically. " ... so then I said to mom; 'Mom ..."
Xander tuned out the conversation, not that he wasn't passionately interested in Buffy's new dress of course, he just felt a little restless. Although he was having a perfectly nice time it felt like some indefinable spark was missing. Maybe Willow was right, and he should start looking for a girlfriend, although apart from having sex - yeah, he did miss the sex - he didn't feel like he was lacking anything. He absently watched the hot brunette wander over to the bar, and let his eyes slide past her, glancing around again. The Bronze was heaving with people, but he realized he was actually looking out for a distinctive blond head that wasn't here. Spike obviously wasn't going to show tonight. Not that he should, since he had already said he wouldn't, but Xander had thought maybe Spike might give up on the movie and come out for a beer anyway.
" ... do you think Xander? Xander!" Xander snapped back to attention as Buffy slapped him lightly on the arm.
"What? Sorry zoned out there."
"I'll say! I was asking what you think of my shoes." Buffy stuck her foot out and showed of what undeniably looked like a shoe, albeit a rather high, strappy sort of shoe. Xander groaned inwardly. Why did girls *do* this? Didn't they know the reason men wore flat shoes with no straps was because they were born without the chromosome that made them care about that sort of thing?
"Hey, they're great!" he said cheerily. "Look at that, they match and everything."
"Didn't you notice?"
"Notice ...?"
"What makes them so special!"
"Umm ..."
"The buckle, dummy! Don't you love the buckle?"
"Oh yes. Absolutely. They have a buckle and I love it."
"And I can walk in them," Buffy said cheerily.
Xander frowned. "Can't you walk in shoes anyway?" The girls gave him mingled looks of pity and contempt. Buffy shook her head, and turned back to Willow.
"So then I got this gypsy top and ..." Xander edged his chair away slightly. He was a little nervous in case Buffy asked his opinion about her top. He feared she'd quiz him on what made it special, and after he'd failed it miserably they'd all look at him as if he was simple and say; 'tsk, the *buttons*' or something. He checked his watch, it was eleven-thirty, the band would probably be winding up here pretty soon, but Spike's movie would have only just started. Would it have nudity or violence? Knowing Spike it would have to have one or the other, probably both. Actually, watching some scantily clad girl wander down into dark basements towards creepy noises and scream her heart out was actually sounding pretty appealing right now. He could maybe call by Spike's place on the way home and catch the end, Spike could tell him what had happened, and then he could moan at Spike for talking all over it.
Buffy stood as a new song started and turned to Xander.
"Hey, fancy a dance?"
He shook his head. "No thanks Buff, I think I might split."
Buffy looked surprised. "Already? You okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine, I just want to ..." For a moment he very nearly said 'have an early night' but stopped himself, finishing honestly; " ...call in on Spike on my way home."
"*Again*?" Buffy asked, surprised. "Why? Didn't you see him like last week or something?
Actually it was every day last week and five out of seven this week but -yeesh- like Buffy *needed* to hear every little detail? Of course the gang knew - were vaguely aware at least - that he was hanging out with Spike, but somehow he'd never got round to telling them just how much. To keep the peace tonight he probably should have told the guys he was going straight home, but something in him shied away from that. Evasion was one thing but he shouldn't have to lie like he was doing something to be ashamed of.
"Well, yeah," Xander answered Buffy, who was looking at him curiously. "But I figure one day the guys gotta fall on a stake, and I wanna be there when it happens." He finished with a grin, but Buffy didn't return his smile.
"But ..." She looked a little non-plussed. "Well, Xander I know we've all been busy lately, and if you want to hang out with the chipped undead to pass the time then that's up to you but why do you have to go and see him tonight when we're all here?"
Xander's jaw dropped in disbelief as he found himself vibrating with a surge of oddly protective anger. Of course he told Spike he only hung out with him because his pals were busy. Often and to his face, but it wasn't like he actually *meant* it. "Excuse me?" he spluttered. "I'm not hanging out with Spike because I've got nothing better to do ... well okay, yes a lot of the time I am, but it's not *just* that."
"So what is it?" Buffy asked. "Why are you bailing on us to go see him?"
"I'm not *bailing*..."
Willow chipped in quickly. "Um ... I think what Buffy means is, well, you can see Spike anytime, but we haven't really had chance to spend non-slayage related time together lately, and we miss you."
"Yeah, what she said," Buffy put in hurriedly.
Xander's annoyance ebbed and he reluctantly smiled, touched. "Guys, it's great hanging out with you," he said sincerely. "Always a pleasure and you know it. It's just now, well lately Spike and I ... um me and Spike we ... well we're ..."
"Friends?" Tara suggested, looking a little amused.
"Can you not say that out loud? It's much easier to deny it that way."
Tara mimed zipping her lips.
"But yes," Xander finished reluctantly and with a touch of surprise. "I guess we are."
"You're *friends*?" Buffy repeated, with as much shock as if Xander had just told her he liked to spy on Giles in the shower. "Why? How? Why?"
Xander crossed his arms defensively. He was feeling like a rebellious teenager, trying to explain to his parents why a nose-ring was a good idea. The annoying thing was he had no-one to blame for this but himself, he should have told them sooner, but he honestly hadn't realized until just now much he missed the Bleached Menace when he wasn't about.
"Well ... we're friends because ..." Xander paused, images of Spike filling his head. //Because he's smart and fun and tough and sarcastic. Because he looks out for me in a way that makes it seem like he's not and everything just feels ... *more* when he's around, bigger, better, brighter, and he seems to feel exactly the same about me, and that's ... Well. That's really something.//
He caught Buffy's eye, she was watching him curiously with raised eyebrows as she waited for his explanation and he knew she wouldn't believe all that, even if he could put it into words.
" ... uh, he's explaining 'Passions' to me."
"But you never told us you two were friends!" Buffy protested in bewilderment. "Xander, you're the one that hated Spike the most! What's changed? Even Spike keeps telling us he's still evil and how much he hates us all ..."
"Look, that's all talk. Spike's not dangerous - well except for the sarcasm - so why is it a problem if I want to hang out with him?"
"It's not a *problem*," Willow said, trying to pour oil on troubled waters. "It's just a surprise that you'd rather spend time with him."
"It's not a question of I'd rather be with him," Xander protested, beginning to feel hot under the collar. "It's just he didn't come tonight because he knew you guys wouldn't like it, but, well I don't want to have to choose."
"So, you want us to hang out with Spike as well?" Tara asked tentatively.
"No, not if you don't want to - God can you imagine trying to referee between him and Buff? I just want you guys to be okay about me hanging out with him." Xander cleared his throat. "Quite a lot actually."
Buffy heaved an irritated sigh. "This is just like the Cordelia thing all over again."
"What!" Xander spluttered. "I'm not making out with Spike!"
"Eww! And, by the way disturbing that that's where your mind leapt straight to, but I mean the way you start something then tell us at the last minute and expect us to deal." She shook her head resignedly. "Well, we can't stop you. I guess in a way it could even be helpful. It doesn't look like Spike's gonna leave town any time soon, and if he's hanging with you, then he might actually make himself useful and give us demon information when we ask for it."
"It'd save you having to beat him up," Willow pointed out helpfully.
"Yeah, I suppose," Buffy sighed, a wistful expression on her face.
"Great," Xander said tightly. "Glad you're all seeing the good side. So, you guys won't mind if I split now and drop in on him?"
"Okay. But, we'll see you tomorrow?"
Xander nodded. "Sure. See ya ladies."
"Bye," they chorused, still all looking a little shell-shocked. Xander had the feeling his ears were going to be burning tonight.
"Xander!" Buffy called out suddenly.
Xander turned back. "Yeah?"
"Just ... be careful okay? Remember what Spike is. He's not the most trustworthy guy in the world."
Xander paused - for a moment he just wanted to nod and leave, at least that way they wouldn't think he was any crazier than they already did, but something in him just couldn't let that remark go.
"He always walks me home at night, to make sure I get back safe, and never even cracks a joke about it," Xander said, making an effort to keep his voice steady. "I think that makes him pretty trustworthy. At least to me."
There was a pause, then Buffy unexpectedly gave him an affectionate smile. "Well, just don't forget your old friends, while you're making a new one."
Xander felt himself relax as he flashed them all a genuine smile. "Impossible."
***
As Xander walked to Spike's place he felt a little discomforted. It was no big shock that the others didn't much like him hanging out with Spike, but hell why shouldn't he? It was his life after all. Geez, he hadn't been happy when Buffy started dating Angel, and Willow's choices had certainly taken a little adjustment, but even so he'd eventually respected the fact that it was their choice to make, just like this was his. Not that he was dating Spike of course, but he liked hanging out with Spike - hell, he liked *Spike*. It wasn't that Spike could take the place of Willow, or Buffy or Giles, but he was special in a different kind of way. A way that Xander couldn't really define, and hadn't really noticed until tonight, highlighted by his absence. Maybe it was something to do with the fact that with the gang they all shared in, and shared alike. He didn't get any more of Buffy than Willow or Giles did. In fact occasionally, and totally undeliberately he knew, he sometimes felt that he got less of them than any of the others, but Spike - Spike had no time for Buffy, or Willow, the only person he had time for was him, a thought that made Xander's stomach leap ever-so-slightly.
He knew Buffy was just looking out for him, and in her position he'd have said the same thing, but things had changed between him and Spike. Ever since the Toth incident, when he'd seen just how much control Spike's human side kept over the demon he had begun to *respect* Spike, and it was hard to hold someone in contempt when you respected them. And it was hard to hold onto the 'evil enemy' thing when he and Spike spent hours in the arcade, battling it out for Ultimate Fighting Champion, until their thumbs practically cramped up. When they watched Dawson's Creek together, both yelling advice to the characters. When Spike always started the conversation with an interested; 'So how are you today then?' When he had let Xander hold onto him during an earthquake, but had never once made him feel like an idiot about it.
Okay, so he was evil, Xander hadn't forgotten that - exactly - but while the chip was still doing it's thing it was easy to put it to the back of his mind.
Xander reached Spike's crypt and knocked on the door. A string of curses told him the movie had just got to a good bit. He grinned to himself.
Spike flung the door open; "This better be ... Xander!"
Xander nodded, "Then you are most definitely in luck."
Spike smiled as he stepped in, but looked surprised. "What are you doing here? I thought you were off with your pals tonight."
"You're a pal too," Xander said, looking at Spike seriously. After the scene at the Bronze, he really wanted Spike to know that. He didn't want anyone - especially Spike - to think this was about convenience. Spike's eyebrows lifted in surprise, but the corners of his mouth started to curl up into a pleased smile, and Xander suddenly felt much better, the tension that had lodged in his chest, easing. "Besides," he said, switching tones and setting into his favorite chair, "there's only so much talk about gypsy-tops and sling back shoes a guy can take."
Spike went to the fridge and threw him a beer, which he caught easily. On the T.V a sexy girl with dark wet hair wrapped in a towel was inching her way down a dark flight of stairs. Spike pulled out a beer for himself and sank into the chair next to Xander's. Xander glanced at Spike. "So I told them that I was coming to see you."
Spike raised his eyebrows. "I bet they loved that."
Xander shrugged. "They were mostly okay, though it'll take a little time." He gave Spike a mock glare. "You couldn't have been nice when you first got to town?"
Spike sighed ruefully. "Didn't know things were going to work out like this, did I? If I'd have known I'd end up chipped I ... probably still would have tried to kill you all. I'd have just tried a bit harder."
"Spike!" Xander groaned, although despite his exasperation he could feel a smile lurking. "It's you saying stuff like that that's making Buff get all tense about us."
"Just stating the facts," Spike said, mock-innocently. "If you lot were all dead it'd make my life easier now."
"But I wouldn't be hanging out with you now. The only reason I am is 'cos you sucked at trying to kill us."
That was a cue for Spike to make a crack about punishment after punishment being heaped on his head, but instead he gave Xander a small smile. "Every cloud ..." he said softly.
Xander started, staring at Spike in surprise. Spike looked back. He wasn't smiling. His blue eyes were dark and oddly intense. Xander's heart gave a peculiar, frightened little lurch, and he looked away in confusion. On the T.V the hot girl in the towel was now fleeing for her life, the flapping of the towel providing some interesting views.
Xander gestured towards the T.V, trying to break the sudden awkwardness. "Anyway I figured I'd come and watch this classy movie of yours, and try to piss you off before the day ended."
"Just your presence does that, Harris," Spike said, sounding decidedly sarcastic and normal again. Xander heaved a sigh of relief. What could he say - he was a man, uncomfortable with emotional declarations from other men. Though it was nice to know Spike saw his friendship as a 'silver lining'. A warm, touched feeling made Xander smile slightly. Yes, that was nice to know.
"Watch it, fangless," he retorted comfortably. "A bit of appreciation for me coming here wouldn't go amiss, especially since there was a girl at the Bronze even hotter than her," he nodded at the T.V. "Who was checking out yours truly."
"Oh," Spike said fiddling with the tab on his beer can. "Did you talk to her?"
"Nah, this girl was a goddess! I know my limits."
"You don't have limits," Spike protested.
"Yeah, I do. My limits involve watching bad movies with a cheap bleached blond."
"Who are you calling cheap?" Spike spluttered.
"To be honest I didn't want to go over to her. Looking is one thing, but the whole small talk thing is just so much effort." Xander sighed. "Actually all of it feels like too much effort. Even with Anya, I could never just *be*, not the way I can with Willow say."
"Think you may have missed the boat on her," Spike said, sounding slightly uncomfortable. "You know, with her being gay and all."
"Nah, not like that - but that's the thing, do you think there can be someone that feels like your best friend, but makes you get that flip in the stomach?"
Spike glanced at him, then quickly glanced away. "Wouldn't know mate," he said casually, staring straight ahead at the film. "Wouldn't know."
"Yeah, I guess it is pretty rare," Xander sighed. He turned to the T.V. "So what's happening then?"
Spike began to explain, and Xander felt the last tension seep out of him as he sipped his beer and listened to Spike. Oh yeah. This was where he wanted to be.
Continued in the next part
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