Truth Denied
folder
-Buffy the Vampire Slayer › Slash - Male/Male › Spike(William)/Xander
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
64
Views:
22,786
Reviews:
75
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Buffy the Vampire Slayer › Slash - Male/Male › Spike(William)/Xander
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
64
Views:
22,786
Reviews:
75
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 23/?
Pairings: Spander (eventually)
Appropriate Ratings: NC17 overall but this chapter... pg-13 (If I'm wrong, lemme know)
Warnings: Not much for this chappie
Beta: LJ User Tamakin and LJ User Laazikaat
X-posted to: -Complete list on my lj,/i>-
Comments keep my muse well fed.
They lounged about in Spike’s changing room after getting off stage, waiting for the bouncer to come back with their bag of tips. They glistened in the light of the change room, each gasping for air and feeling every stretch and pull they hadn’t on stage. Spike threw Xander a cold bottle of water which he demolished in one long chug. Spike laughed, “Want another then?”
“N-no, thanks. I was just… really hot. I mean, in the temperature sense, not the other kind, because that's so totally not what I meant. Anyways, thanks. And really? New dance? Not that scary. Practice makes perfect I guess and we were smoking tonight.” He sighed contentedly and slouched down in his chair, leaning his head back over the back rest. “Think we’ll have a good night?”
“Yeah pet, we’ll do fine. Crowd was full and hoppin’. You see that muscle bound brunet that tried t’ get your eye?” Spike asked while getting himself a bottle of water.
“Yeah, he threw something on stage, figured I’d pay attention to it after the dance instead of during.”
“That’s the way to do it. Looked like he wanted some private time with Priape’s newest star,” Spike smiled softly and took a long swallow. “I don’t want to be a drag, but I gotta remind you of the rules-”
“No dating or going out with the patrons, I know, Chad told me the first night I came in for an interview. Besides, Spike, this is me you’re talking about. That‘s not a rule I'll break, you know that.” He closed his eyes and balanced the empty bottle on his forehead, obviously bored.
“I know, but I gotta do my job too. Besides I’m sure, whenever it is you’re ready to date, you’ll find better pasturage outside this place. You want a guy to want you, not the sex god you play on stage, right?” Another sip as he watched Xander out of the corner of his eye.
“Because there’s so much more I got to offer?” Xander retorted almost bitterly, trying to keep calm.
Spike was saved from answering by the knock on the door, followed by a bouncer sticking his hand holding two bulging sacks into the room. “Thanks Bret, we’ll pay out before we head out.” The door closed silently after Spike took the bags from his hand.
~*~*~*~
They separated the cash into Spike’s pile and Xander’s pile in short order. They split everything down the middle, except for the tips that were obviously aimed at just one of them with a note attached. They cashed out in the safe room, pulling out large bills to replace the small bills they were tipped with and then headed upstairs to Spike’s apartment.
Xander fingered the wad of money in his pocket and smiled, Least I’ll have money for rent and what the hell is that?
There, on the landing to Spike’s apartment was another monstrous bouquet, this time of blood red roses. Nestled amongst the velvet petals was a single white card. Spike plucked it free silently and read it before crumpling it into a ball and shoving it into a pocket. “From a fan, one of the boys must have carried it up here to save us the trip. Bring it in if you want it or I’m throwing it out in the morning,” and he walked inside. The flower's perfume filled the air, but Xander had already made up his mind.
That doesn’t seem odd, not at all.
~*~*~*~
Xander watched Spike’s stiff shoulders lower fractionally when he noticed the bouquet had been left outside, Noooo, nothing suspicious here. Suddenly he put two and two together, how Greg had first contacted Spike at home and now the appearance of this new monstrosity. Bah, who needs a genius when an idiot can see the sameness of it all.
“It was Greg, wasn’t it?” He watched Spike freeze, obviously barely breathing before his blond head lowered in defeat. “Why’d you lie?”
Spike’s voice was soft, pitched to barely carry, Xander strained to hear it. “Didn’t lie, ‘xactly,” Spike mumbled, “it was just a note… saying how good I looked on stage but that I’d better get used to a kept life and how he don’t like to share, blah blah blah. Didn’t want to worry you after you had a good night was all. Doesn’t matter, you know he knows where I live and how quickly he’d find out what I do I, should have just told you instead of trying to keep it from you , but I just… didn’t want you to worry.”
“Next time just say it Spike. I’m a big boy, you don’t need to protect me from the truth.” He meant it too, and he couldn’t believe how calm he felt about the whole situation. He thought he should be freaking out a little more, but it just seemed like things were going according to plan. Huh, guess having Angelus after us for almost a year got me all prepped for having Greg after us. If nothing else he’s performing to predictable form. Or I guess I could be in some kind of shock.
The roses were thrown out that night instead of waiting until morning, Xander did the honours himself. Good riddance to bad rubbish, even if the rubbish smells pretty. How many dozen were in that thing, anyhow? And none were de-thorned, doesn’t take a genius to read the message in that. Greg must be loaded. All the better to stalk us with I suppose. I don’t know why Spike thinks he’s going to get out of this so easily, we’re in for a long haul with this guy.
~*~*~*~
Xander started keeping a scrap book of his notes and little trinkets; it was the only thing he could think about doing with them. He tried throwing them out but pulled the wrapped bundle from the trash instead, some piece of him not able to part with them. Who knows, maybe some day they’ll help me out of a funk, looking back at all these lewd, crude and sometimes oddly sweet notes. Or maybe I’ll just want to show off or something. Who knows?
Eventually he decided to sort the notes according to the order he got them in, putting up a label describing the dance and the song it was danced to. It’ll help me see where I need to work harder and when I’m working hard enough. It’s all scientific you see. Willow’d be proud.
His mood darkened as he thought about his used-to-be best friend. Doesn’t matter, I got Spike now, long as he’ll have me and doesn’t get tired of me and stuff. Hell, I think I even got Chad as a friend too, so I’m not doing that badly, am I? I’ve been doing fine without the ‘old’ friends, new ones are better anyways… they don’t know and won’t know and can never judge me on it… ever.
~*~*~*~
The week sailed by without incident, making both of them jumpy as they waited for the other shoe to fall. The silence from Greg just made them think of the silences from Angelus, it usually meant something dire and big was in the plotting. Spike was jumpier than usual, flinching at sudden sounds and spending large portions of the daylight hours locked in the cool, dark comfort of his office, while Xander flipped through Spike’s massive music collection looking for their next song to dance to and failing miserably.
We should have more than two dances. And this would all be so much easier if Spike came out of that dark officehideaway and helped! He’s better at this than me, done this longer! He’d be able to put a dance to music with no problem at all and I’m floundering! I guess I’m a doer when I panic and he’s a ‘batten down the hatches’ kinda guy. Yet another way we’re complete opposites.
~*~*~*~
Xander stood in front of Chad’s door and willed himself the courage to knock. Instead he fidgeted with his shirt, a silky thing that just clung in all the right places. He stroked a sleeve lovingly, he loved that shirt. Ever since he’d left Sunnydale he’d found he liked looking good and liked clothes that showed him off, so silk was definitely a winner in that department.
He slapped himself mentally and took a deep breath, That door opening is not a bad thing, he just jabbers and paints and you don’t even have to look at the painting so who cares? It’s just a few hours with a guy that makes me laugh and tells funny stories. He’s just a guy who’s got a crush for me and wants to bend me over a bench and have his way with me. And if I wasn’t me, I’d probably say yes. Damn he’s cute.
He shook his hands and pressed the doorbell, hearing the soft chime through the door and a responding pounding of feet approaching it. He heard someone pause, probably looking through the peep hole, and then a chain rattled for a moment and then suddenly there was smiling Chad, pulling him welcomingly into his home. Xander smiled to himself, remembering how overwhelming Chad’s attention could be. Could be worse, at least he actually acknowledges my existence, unlike the other guys at the club. You’d think I was a leper for all the attention they give me. They can’t all be jealous like Daijon, can they? I mean, I’m not taking away from their livelihood, am I? Should I be giving them some of my money to make up for it? Dammit these are questions I need answered… And Chad’s staring at me as if he’s said something and is waiting for a response. Fuck what do I say?
“Sorry, was wool gathering, so you were saying?”
“Wanna just pose or do you want to sit and talk first?” Chad asked. “I have a fresh bottle of wine with our names on it.”
“How about we pose first, then if we’re still in the mood to talk we’ll keep talking. Sound fair?” Xander couldn’t believe how calm and cool he sounded, almost like he knew what he was doing. Chad’s got to be seeing right through this. God I’m such a loser.
“Sounds perfect. You go on in and get settled and I’ll bring the wine.” And he practically skipped off to the kitchen. Xander sighed and hid a groan, He’s got plans. He’s got to have plans. This will not end well.
Appropriate Ratings: NC17 overall but this chapter... pg-13 (If I'm wrong, lemme know)
Warnings: Not much for this chappie
Beta: LJ User Tamakin and LJ User Laazikaat
X-posted to: -Complete list on my lj,/i>-
Comments keep my muse well fed.
They lounged about in Spike’s changing room after getting off stage, waiting for the bouncer to come back with their bag of tips. They glistened in the light of the change room, each gasping for air and feeling every stretch and pull they hadn’t on stage. Spike threw Xander a cold bottle of water which he demolished in one long chug. Spike laughed, “Want another then?”
“N-no, thanks. I was just… really hot. I mean, in the temperature sense, not the other kind, because that's so totally not what I meant. Anyways, thanks. And really? New dance? Not that scary. Practice makes perfect I guess and we were smoking tonight.” He sighed contentedly and slouched down in his chair, leaning his head back over the back rest. “Think we’ll have a good night?”
“Yeah pet, we’ll do fine. Crowd was full and hoppin’. You see that muscle bound brunet that tried t’ get your eye?” Spike asked while getting himself a bottle of water.
“Yeah, he threw something on stage, figured I’d pay attention to it after the dance instead of during.”
“That’s the way to do it. Looked like he wanted some private time with Priape’s newest star,” Spike smiled softly and took a long swallow. “I don’t want to be a drag, but I gotta remind you of the rules-”
“No dating or going out with the patrons, I know, Chad told me the first night I came in for an interview. Besides, Spike, this is me you’re talking about. That‘s not a rule I'll break, you know that.” He closed his eyes and balanced the empty bottle on his forehead, obviously bored.
“I know, but I gotta do my job too. Besides I’m sure, whenever it is you’re ready to date, you’ll find better pasturage outside this place. You want a guy to want you, not the sex god you play on stage, right?” Another sip as he watched Xander out of the corner of his eye.
“Because there’s so much more I got to offer?” Xander retorted almost bitterly, trying to keep calm.
Spike was saved from answering by the knock on the door, followed by a bouncer sticking his hand holding two bulging sacks into the room. “Thanks Bret, we’ll pay out before we head out.” The door closed silently after Spike took the bags from his hand.
They separated the cash into Spike’s pile and Xander’s pile in short order. They split everything down the middle, except for the tips that were obviously aimed at just one of them with a note attached. They cashed out in the safe room, pulling out large bills to replace the small bills they were tipped with and then headed upstairs to Spike’s apartment.
Xander fingered the wad of money in his pocket and smiled, Least I’ll have money for rent and what the hell is that?
There, on the landing to Spike’s apartment was another monstrous bouquet, this time of blood red roses. Nestled amongst the velvet petals was a single white card. Spike plucked it free silently and read it before crumpling it into a ball and shoving it into a pocket. “From a fan, one of the boys must have carried it up here to save us the trip. Bring it in if you want it or I’m throwing it out in the morning,” and he walked inside. The flower's perfume filled the air, but Xander had already made up his mind.
That doesn’t seem odd, not at all.
Xander watched Spike’s stiff shoulders lower fractionally when he noticed the bouquet had been left outside, Noooo, nothing suspicious here. Suddenly he put two and two together, how Greg had first contacted Spike at home and now the appearance of this new monstrosity. Bah, who needs a genius when an idiot can see the sameness of it all.
“It was Greg, wasn’t it?” He watched Spike freeze, obviously barely breathing before his blond head lowered in defeat. “Why’d you lie?”
Spike’s voice was soft, pitched to barely carry, Xander strained to hear it. “Didn’t lie, ‘xactly,” Spike mumbled, “it was just a note… saying how good I looked on stage but that I’d better get used to a kept life and how he don’t like to share, blah blah blah. Didn’t want to worry you after you had a good night was all. Doesn’t matter, you know he knows where I live and how quickly he’d find out what I do I, should have just told you instead of trying to keep it from you , but I just… didn’t want you to worry.”
“Next time just say it Spike. I’m a big boy, you don’t need to protect me from the truth.” He meant it too, and he couldn’t believe how calm he felt about the whole situation. He thought he should be freaking out a little more, but it just seemed like things were going according to plan. Huh, guess having Angelus after us for almost a year got me all prepped for having Greg after us. If nothing else he’s performing to predictable form. Or I guess I could be in some kind of shock.
The roses were thrown out that night instead of waiting until morning, Xander did the honours himself. Good riddance to bad rubbish, even if the rubbish smells pretty. How many dozen were in that thing, anyhow? And none were de-thorned, doesn’t take a genius to read the message in that. Greg must be loaded. All the better to stalk us with I suppose. I don’t know why Spike thinks he’s going to get out of this so easily, we’re in for a long haul with this guy.
Xander started keeping a scrap book of his notes and little trinkets; it was the only thing he could think about doing with them. He tried throwing them out but pulled the wrapped bundle from the trash instead, some piece of him not able to part with them. Who knows, maybe some day they’ll help me out of a funk, looking back at all these lewd, crude and sometimes oddly sweet notes. Or maybe I’ll just want to show off or something. Who knows?
Eventually he decided to sort the notes according to the order he got them in, putting up a label describing the dance and the song it was danced to. It’ll help me see where I need to work harder and when I’m working hard enough. It’s all scientific you see. Willow’d be proud.
His mood darkened as he thought about his used-to-be best friend. Doesn’t matter, I got Spike now, long as he’ll have me and doesn’t get tired of me and stuff. Hell, I think I even got Chad as a friend too, so I’m not doing that badly, am I? I’ve been doing fine without the ‘old’ friends, new ones are better anyways… they don’t know and won’t know and can never judge me on it… ever.
The week sailed by without incident, making both of them jumpy as they waited for the other shoe to fall. The silence from Greg just made them think of the silences from Angelus, it usually meant something dire and big was in the plotting. Spike was jumpier than usual, flinching at sudden sounds and spending large portions of the daylight hours locked in the cool, dark comfort of his office, while Xander flipped through Spike’s massive music collection looking for their next song to dance to and failing miserably.
We should have more than two dances. And this would all be so much easier if Spike came out of that dark officehideaway and helped! He’s better at this than me, done this longer! He’d be able to put a dance to music with no problem at all and I’m floundering! I guess I’m a doer when I panic and he’s a ‘batten down the hatches’ kinda guy. Yet another way we’re complete opposites.
Xander stood in front of Chad’s door and willed himself the courage to knock. Instead he fidgeted with his shirt, a silky thing that just clung in all the right places. He stroked a sleeve lovingly, he loved that shirt. Ever since he’d left Sunnydale he’d found he liked looking good and liked clothes that showed him off, so silk was definitely a winner in that department.
He slapped himself mentally and took a deep breath, That door opening is not a bad thing, he just jabbers and paints and you don’t even have to look at the painting so who cares? It’s just a few hours with a guy that makes me laugh and tells funny stories. He’s just a guy who’s got a crush for me and wants to bend me over a bench and have his way with me. And if I wasn’t me, I’d probably say yes. Damn he’s cute.
He shook his hands and pressed the doorbell, hearing the soft chime through the door and a responding pounding of feet approaching it. He heard someone pause, probably looking through the peep hole, and then a chain rattled for a moment and then suddenly there was smiling Chad, pulling him welcomingly into his home. Xander smiled to himself, remembering how overwhelming Chad’s attention could be. Could be worse, at least he actually acknowledges my existence, unlike the other guys at the club. You’d think I was a leper for all the attention they give me. They can’t all be jealous like Daijon, can they? I mean, I’m not taking away from their livelihood, am I? Should I be giving them some of my money to make up for it? Dammit these are questions I need answered… And Chad’s staring at me as if he’s said something and is waiting for a response. Fuck what do I say?
“Sorry, was wool gathering, so you were saying?”
“Wanna just pose or do you want to sit and talk first?” Chad asked. “I have a fresh bottle of wine with our names on it.”
“How about we pose first, then if we’re still in the mood to talk we’ll keep talking. Sound fair?” Xander couldn’t believe how calm and cool he sounded, almost like he knew what he was doing. Chad’s got to be seeing right through this. God I’m such a loser.
“Sounds perfect. You go on in and get settled and I’ll bring the wine.” And he practically skipped off to the kitchen. Xander sighed and hid a groan, He’s got plans. He’s got to have plans. This will not end well.