White Knight, Black Knight

White Knight, Black Knight Chapter Ten

If he gotbe abe any more of a poof he was going to have to take a long walk at dawn or find a convenient tree branch to throwselfself on. Here he was, pacing around his crypt like a bloody schoolgirl waiting to see her crush.

If he broke down and was honest with himself, he’d been brooding for the past two days, but of course he’d never admit it. He’d just been thinking, that was it. He’d been thinking since the other night. He’d heard the boy’s dream and had started out ready to tease Xander with what he’d heard. That was until his own name was called out in passion.

Failing to get to sleep, he’d watched the boy the next day. Xander was embarrassed and nervous in turns, but otherwise said nothing. His scent told an entirely different story, pheromones of lust and love hitting Spike full blast, only to taper off quickly.

If any human knew what kind of actual powers vampires had it was Xander, so he wasn't surprised when the delicious smell switched off. It was when the boy relaxed and looked at Spike from underneath his eyelashes that the scent peaked.

So the boy was attracted to him, didn’t mean they had to do anything about it. He spent the entire night going through the worst areas of town, killing whatever crossed his path. That night he had his own dream to deal with.

Over the next two days he came to a decision. Xander was nothing like Buffy or Drusilla, or even Angelus for that matter. For one thing, he’d seen the boy try to lie and watched him as he tripped over his tongue. Oh, sure, he’d lie about big things, like keeping the world from being sucked into hell, but one on one Xander just couldn’t do it.

He was also loyalty incarnate. Once he dedicated himself to a cause or a person he never gave up on them. Look at how he chose a life of a Slayerette over a life with demon-girl. Hell, look at how until recently he’d had no friends really, outside of the Slayer and her bunch. He had a tenacious quality about him that a Master Vampire like Spike could appreciate. Even before they were friends and had all but hated each other the boy had risked his life to drag him out of the high school library to safety.

He remembered the night they’d first talked, when Xander had pointed out the things the vampire wanted in a mate. An equal, a hunt partner, someone to accept him as he was. In the course of their friendship, Xander was quickly becg alg all that. The boy didn’t even freak out when he dipped his onion rings in blood any more. While he was still learning tracking, stealth and self-defense, Xander was good for a human and getting better.

He’d never made a childe, but sometimes Spike wondered if this was how it felt. Teaching someone, knowing that if they were in a fight Xander would give his all to protect Spike as much as Spike watched out foe yoe young human.

Of course, it helped that Xander was absolutely delicious looking, tanned from outdoor work, big brown eyes and an innocent look to him even when he was playing a joke or was madder than hell at someone. Oh yes, Xander could be he perfect mate, better than the Slayer, at any rate.

Now that he’d decided to court the boy he felt energized. He knew Xander was meeting up with the Scoobies tonight and maybe if he followed he’d get some information. Worst came to worst, he could always wait till they were out and slip in the boy’s apartment with the key he’d nicked in case of emergencies. All he had to do was live through the wait till the sun went down.

****

By the time the sun went down the Magic Box was empty. Hands in the pockets of his duster, he quickly walked to the apartment. He wondered what was going on that caused all of the Scoobies to leave the shop. Usually the Watcher was in the store and was good for a laugh if he was bored.

All he had to do was bug the man for blood, which he didn’t even need anymore, and then set about to cause general chaos. Smoking indoors, stealing a drink from the bottle hidden in the office, rearranging the prices on the shelves. Nothing major, but it seemed to set the human on edge and cause a vein to throb in his forehead.

Of course if he really wanted to relieve his boredom he could always just wait till the others were on patrol, go over and find the man in the training room, all alone. There were plenty of weapons lying about, and part of him wanted to pay the man back for chaining him in the bath.

But once again a conversation he’d had with Xander came back to haunt him. He was limiting himself; not killing humans was unnatural to him. Part of it was the challenge. After being chipped he’d had to make do with hunting demons and he’d found that hunting humans didn’t have quite the same thrill anymore.

The main reason was the thought of hunting for dinner at the Bronze and then Dawn coming to his crypt to cry on his shoulder at the loss of one of her classmates. So he kept his hunting limited to human scum. Vampires could always tell the humans that had a taint of evil in them... like calling to like.

Lost in his thoughts, he found himself at the boy’s apartment. He let himself in, not hearing any human heartbeats inside. It was obvious Xander had come home after work; his toelt elt was on the kitchen table and the room reeked of that damn expensive kitten food the human had insisted on buying for the little fur ball.

He set about looking around. He’d not done this before, just quick peeks here and there. Stakes and weapons hidden in odd yet handy places; the umbrella stand by the front door had a wooden cane that had been sharpened to a point and behind some knickknacks on a shelf was a water gun filled with holy water. A laptop he’d not seen before was on the kitchen table along with instruction book. He found himself smiling at the blood in the fridge and the imported beer set on the cabinet. Xander hated the stuff, bitching about it not being cold, but he’d bought it for Spike.

Not finding much in the main rooms, he made his way into the bedroom. Obligatory porn hidden in the bedside table, along with lotion and small towels. Embarrassing yearbook hidden in the top of the closet. The kitten had followed him from room to room and he picked out the most hideous shirt from Xander’s wardrobe and teased the fur ball with it. He’d done this on the Friday night as well, while the boy was busy fixing up a place for the moggie.

Leaving the door open to the closet and the cat busily clawing his way through an orange sweater, Spike made his way back into the main room. He’d not found anything really, at least nothing he didn’t expect. No notepad with anything doodled on it, no sex toys, nothing out of the ordinary.

Spike found himself sighing needlessly. First he fell in love with the freaking Slayer, now it was her Boy Scout sidekick.

Only he wasn’t her sidekick so much lately. He knew that Xander had felt like he was being left behind; hell, it was obvious that his friends forgot him from time to time while living their busves.ves. If anything, he now belonged to Spike.

Feeling somewhat better he left the apartment, making sure to lock the door so the boy would never know he’d been there.

***


He took the short cut back to the Bronze and there was still no one there. Frustrated, he sat down in the back alley to have a smoke and try to plan his next move. Neither Xander nor himself had much luck with relationships; the stories of the boy’s courtship of the cheerleader reminded him too much of gas lit parlors and Cecily. He figured it was best to be forward about things. Declare his intentions, give the boy time to panic, and then court him proper like.

Either that or make sure of Xander’s feelings and then shag him through the mattress; either way would work.

Growing restless after a few minuets, Spike growled and then started hunting in the area. Circling through the town, he found a surprising lack of fledges. Even the back alley and area surrounding the Bronze was clear.

A few minutes later he found out why. Xander’s SUV was parked in the street and the Scoobies were under attack by a large group of minions. He stood in the shadows to watch. The witches and Watcher were protecting each other’s back, using a combination of magic and stakes to defeat their opponents. On the other side of the vehicle, the Slayer was busy using her stake and nattering on about nothing important. Either she was trying to draw them away from Xander or she just wasn’t watching his boy.

Xander was using his sword to fight, lopping the head of one of his opponents. Unfortunately he was backed up against the SUV and was having difficulty getting enough room to move. Plus more vampires were after his boy than even the Slayer, she’d gotten down to fighting two but was playing with them, while Xander still was facing three fledges.

Growling to himself, Spike joined the fight. Before he could get there one of the vampires that had been attacking the humans on the other side of the car had been sent flying, crashing into Xander from behind. The minion quickly turned the disadvantage into an advantage and started attacking Xander, sitting on his chest and lunging at the boy’s neck.

His human façade fell away as he pulled out a stake from one of the deep pockets of his duster. Grabbing the demon by the shoulder, he rammed the stake from the back straight into his heart. He collapsed into dust and Xander started coughing.

“Spike!”

“Look at you, pet. I let you go play with the Slayer one night and you’re already in trouble.”

He held out his hand and pulled the human up effortlessly, taking a moment to rub the back of Xander’s hand. Dark eyes dilated for just a moment and then the boy simply grinned and shrugged. Spike slipped an extra stake out from his jacket and handed it to Xander. More vampires came from the shadows and they quickly moved into their fighting positions, back to back.

Ten minutes later and the fight was over. Dust covered everyone and the humans had various bruises and scrapes. Spike could scent blood coming off the Watcher but it wasn’t much; the man wasn’t hurt badly.

“Well, that was not fun. Xander, I thought you said you and Fangless here patrolled this past week? What’s with the ambush? Your demon friends set us up?”

Spike growled low in cheschest and lit a cigarette, trying to use the action to calm himself down.

“Yes Buffy, my boss lured us out to a sparse area of town to give us a false sense of security. When nothing happens they know we’re not paying attention and wait till we get half a block from the Magic Shop to attack. I’m sure no one but Mr. Long knows what my SUV looks like either. Just like no one knows your name in the demon community and know that you ride with me sometimes. Now, aren’t you going to thank Spike for helping us?”

The blond preened at the thanks. “Think nothing of it, pet.”

“I’ll think nothing of it, he probably set us up. Why are you here anyway Spike? Get tired of scaring people out of their money? Or following me again, is that it? I don’t need your help, Fangless.”

Spike just narrowed his eyes at the blond woman and leaned on the side of the SUV, hands in his pockets to keep him from slapping the girl. Whatever could he have seen in her? “Wasn’t helping you was I, Slayer?”

”Thanks, Spike. If it hadn’t been for you, I’d be vamp chow right now. Lets get out of heruys,uys, before our new fan club finds us again.”

“Quite, one surprise attack a night is sufficient.” The other Brit was cleaning the ash off his glasses while the two witches leaned tiredly on each other. Xander has come over to lean on the truck with Spike, and he noticed that the boy’s heartbeat sped up just a little bit more. The Slayer looked like she was ready for another fight, though. She crossed her arms and glared at the vampire.

”I’m not riding in the back seat with him, he'd most likely grope me or something.”

“Fine, Buffy, he can ride up with me you you can worry about Giles groping you.”

“Ewwww! Xander!” Both Red and the Slayer’s voice were shrill and the Watcher made a noise of protestation. Red’s girl smiled from under her hair, though, and he could see Xander’s smirk. Oh no, he couldn’t let his boy have the upper hand quite yet.

”Well, guess I’ll just have to grope you Harris. Now get your arse in the truck and let’s go.” He leered at the boy, enjoying the way embarrassment made the blood rush to his cheeks to fill capillaries and veins. He had to stop himself from grinning liome ome lovesick girl when the blast of pheromones hit him.

“Spike! Don’t tease Xander! It’s not nice.”

”I’m not nice Red, and who says I’m teasing? Or maybe you ladies just want me to come and sit with you, eh?”

“Spike, I think that is quite enough. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Spike grinned to himself; that vein in the Watcher’s forehead must be throbbing by now.

“I get it, you’re just jealous I’m not trying to grope you! You’re not my type, mate, but I suppose I could cop a short feel.”

“Spike! Don’t make me pull out Mr. Pointy!”

"Really, Slayer! I didn’t think you were that way, never could tell from the clothes or the attitude. Must hurt to tuck it up when you’re wearing threalreally short skirts, don’t it?”

“God, would you all please just stop it? Why are Tara and I the only ones acting our age?” The voice sounded angry but his boy’s scent was amused. Looking in the back, Spike could see why Tara hadn’t commented.

“Don’t look now, but Glinda is playing house with Red back there. Either that or they're playing doctor and Red is checking her tonsils.”

“Oh, gods.” He can see the boy wiggle in his seat and it was nice to know the flirting was affecting him.

They made it back to the Magic Box, the witches pulling themselves apart and unlocking the door, leaving the others to follow.

”Okay, what the hell was that? Spike, I swear to god if that was you recruiting fledges…” Everyone gathered around the big table they used for research except for Spike. He pulled himself up to sit on the counter, ignoring the Watcher’s protests.

”The only thing I can think of is that you’ve pissed off some master. Most minions don’t make fledges, too stupid. So there’s someone recruiting. Most of what we fought off tonight were only onetwo two days old, so it’s not like we’d have seen them on patrol.”

He didn't say what bothered him most; it obv obvious to him that the majority of the fledges he'd seen tonight was of the same line as hs. Hs. He knew Dru wasn’t in town, and hadn't done it. He figured if Peaches had flipped his soul they would have gotten a call from L.A. So who was it, siring minions left and right, since there weren’t any other masters in his line?

He put the thought aside, as he ignored for the most part the complaints and conversation surrounding him. No one was talking to him, so it didn’t matter. He did notice Xander look over from time to time and could see the boy struggle not to blush or give himself away. Oh yeah, the boy was interested, he thought with a grin.

“So, Willow and Tara will keep an eye out in the paper and on their infernal computer for any dog attacks or other signs of vampire activity. Buffy, you should patrol some of the usual places vampires will hide during the day tomorrow and see if you can find the nest. We did manage to destroy quite a few minions tonight, so that’s good. Xander, perhaps you could…”

“Ask my evil demon friends for information? Sure thing, G-man, but I’ll leave out the part where I tell them you think they set us up. Might get more answers that way. I warn you, with the exception of Spike none of them are the hanging out with Master Vamp types.”

He watched as the boy stood up and stretched, enjoying watching the muscles ripple underneath the blue tee shirt Xander was wearing.

“And with that thought, I say good night. Ladies, glad you had loads of fun on your trip. G-man, glad you had fun with your lady; at least I assume you did, you closed mouth devil you.”

“A true gentleman never kisses and tells, Xander, and, once again, do not call me by that name!”

“Night Xander! Oh, want to come over tomorrow night for movies and popcorn after patrol? We’ve got to make up for missing your birthday still. I can magic up a cake!” Spike couldn’t help but shudder at that idea; magic food never did seem like a good idea to him. He didn’t wait to hear the rest of the nightly pleasantries.

“Right then I came,” he leered at Xander. “I saw and I helped you lot kick ass. Gimme some blood, Watcher, so I can go home before you lot give my fangs a cavity from all the sweetness.”

“I’m afraid there isn’t any, Spike. I haven’t been here for a week after all. You’ll have to wait.”

“I’m hungry now, don’t wanna wait. I’ll just have to go home with you. Xander, know you’ve got some.”

He didn't wait to hear the boy stutter out his agreement or finish saying goodnight to his friends. He jumped down off the counter and was out the door first, stopping at the SUV to wait.

He didn’t have to wait long. Xander followed him out and Spike took a deep breathe ale almost lost his human face as the scents of lust, love, fear and a hundred other things washed over him. He knew the other thought that Spike was either teasing or playing with him, so before Xander could speak he crowded the boy, standing in his space.

”I heard everything the other night. I know you’re attracted to me, you know I can smell it on you.” A blush made its way across Xander’s face but he saw the eyes grow darker at the comments.

Taking a chance, Spike stepped even closer, until their bodies were leaning into each other.

“I know you can’t scent me, Xander, so I’ll come out and say it, pet. I’m just as attracted to you, your smile, your eyes, the way you throw yourself into a fight; fucking beautiful it is.” Here he let his human face slip away, and made sure that Xander was looking at him before going on.

“This is what I am, Xander; a demon, a Master Vampire at that. I’m possessive, Love, very. You’d belong to me in a way.” He dropped his voice even lower and raised a hand to caress Xander’s face and neck. “I’d bite you, Love, not to turn you unless you wanted it, but that’s part of what I am. The bite, the blood... like fighting, it gets vampires going, eh? Now, I’d love to see where we can go, but’ve ’ve got to think about it, make sure this is what you want.”

He stopped to brush his thumb across Xander’s lips. The human was panting, his eyes halfway closed, and Spike was hard just from the smell and the heat radiating from the body in front of him.

“I’m gonna go now, Xander; you think about it and decide what you want.” This was the hardest part for him, stepping away. He was surprised when Xander caught his arm and pulled him close.

”What if I don’t want to think about it, Spike? What if I just want to feel?”

Spike leaned forward quickly and kissed him, waiting for Xander’s mouth to open so he could slip in his tongue, using it to map out all the sensitive places in his boy’s mouth and stroke his tongue. After a few moments he pulled away and Xander took a deep breath.

“No, Xander. From what you’ve said, your other relationships have all been that, starting out with feeling without the thought. You deserve better than that and, besides…” Again, he leaned in to kiss his boy, this time just a soft brush of his lips.

“Sometimes anticipation makes everything sweeter.”