Truth Denied
folder
-Buffy the Vampire Slayer › Slash - Male/Male › Spike(William)/Xander
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
64
Views:
22,806
Reviews:
75
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Buffy the Vampire Slayer › Slash - Male/Male › Spike(William)/Xander
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
64
Views:
22,806
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 42/62
Spike and Ben got out of Ben’s car on a side street, shaded from the street lights by ancient looking maples and went down some steps to a neon signed store.
“This has to be it,” Spike says. The door has a wood carving over it, saying in operation since 1896. Spike raised a brow, wondering if it was boasting falsehood for business or if it really was such an old store.
They stepped in and were confronted with a smell of incense, oils, wax, old paper and leather. Inside was a lot larger than the outside lead people to believe, almost Tardis-like, but Spike was sure it was simply built into the buildings next door, nothing weirder than that. He refused to think of the other store fronts in the buildings next door, making the Tardis theory more likely.
An exotic looking young woman stood behind a counter, silently blessing a candle. Large black almond eyes in a heart shaped light olive skinned face gave the men something to ponder. Powers wielded in peace could be felt, even by the men and they were drawn to it. Spike reached out, his eyes glassy, but the woman broke the spell with a smile saying, “What do you seek gentleman? You both seem to be on a journey.”
Spike snapped out of it and pulled his hand back. “What were you doing?”
She smiled. “Blessing this candle, that it’s light may fall on only those who have peace in their hearts, pushing all other ambition away. It’s a powerful spell, not one to be used lightly.” She put the candle behind the counter and turned to him. “But you seek something else tonight.”
“Yes, we need to see past a specific kind of glamour, we need lenses of amber and were told you have them here.” Spike spoke lightly, but stopped once he saw the expression on the woman’s face.
“What you seek to see cannot be unseen and it will not be visions you will in all likelihood enjoy seeing.” She shifted her weight from foot to foot behind the counter, her large dark eyes drinking in Spike and Ben’s appearance and so much more.
“Tell me why you wish to see,” she suddenly said.
“I’m trying to rescue a friend,” Spike said. “We’re trying to rescue a friend.”
“Friendship is a precious thing and hard to find, but it may not be strong enough to see what the lenses show and not go mad. You need something else, something to protect you so that you may find what you seek and keep your sanity.” She spoke clearly, and kept eye contact. She looked so young, but her eyes were so ancient; Spike swore he could look forever into her eyes and never find himself again if he wasn’t careful.
“Well… what else is there?” He asked. Ben said nothing, but stood straight. His large muscular arms crossed at the chest as he stood impassively.
“What there always is, what there must be, for life to live,” she said and smiled sweetly, showing off a dimple on her left cheek, just under a beauty mark.
“What?” Spike laughed. “Water?”
She tsked and shook her head. “Nothing material, material things can be taken, traded, stolen, what is needed is what can never be stolen from you, what you carry inside for your friend.” She smiled again, knowingly, and gently nodded, the tight curls of her hair catching the flame light of all the candles in the shop and Spike swallowed.
Suddenly Spike wasn’t sure he liked where this was going; it seemed like he needed to pay a price to wear this glasses and that wasn’t what Billy had said at all. “Let me get this straight, I have to have something inside, between me and my friend, well, me and Xander, in order for me to be able to wear the glasses and not go barkin’ mad because of what I see?”
She smiled knowingly, “Yes.”
He thought madly, before she softly said, “What would you risk something like this for?”
He blinked and looked up, his pale blue eyes uncreased with no withheld emotion. He says simply, “Love.”
“That’s right… you’d risk it for love. You must, in all honesty, love this man, or this quest will drive you mad. The demons, you must understand, you think they are simple and easy to see; that they just don’t like to be seen. The truth is they can’t be seen, they need their glamour or those that view them for any length of time will go mad, too long and the damage is permanent. I hope this Xander of yours has been blindfolded or at least that the demons have been employing their instinctive glamors when within view of him… or I’m not sure your love will be enough to bring him back.” She looked sorrowful, like she had some past experience with these demons. And if she’d been here as long as the sign claimed, the demons had been here for longer so she probably did have past dealings. Spike nodded.
“Yes… I love him.” He said it, he admitted it. He’d felt it for so long and once he said it, he felt walls fall away and images rushed in. That first time Angelus had offered Xander to him, how he’d planned on turning him, he was too pretty to kill. Xander as Army Boy, how delicious he’d looked, sculpted and no more the donut boy; Spike had wished he could have finished with the slayer so he could have more fun with him. That time Xander had nearly died in the crossfire with the assassins, Spike had deeply regretted that. And on and on it went, all these images flooding him and he finally accepted them for what they were; he had been attracted to the boy. And finally… he had loved the boy, now a man, and he was damned again if he would just stand by and do nothing! He was getting those lenses! And if he went mad, at least Xander would be safe.
“Look, dunno if I love him enough or if he has to love me back, all I know is I love him and I’m willing to take the risk. If I go nutters, at least Xander will be safe and if I’m dangerous, he’ll know what to do, don’t worry.” Spike said, calmly.
She smiled and picked up the candle she had just blessed and wrapped it in tissue paper. “The light that it falls on is protected from harm and only lamb’s milk will put it out.” She smiled and put it in a bag, turning her back to them both as she rummaged.
The sounds of keys in locks could be heard, whispered incantations, flashes of light and sound before she come back with the glasses. The lenses were ancient, slipped into place of modern, sturdy frames. Spike looked them over. “How much?”
“Your friend will return them if you cannot pay the price,” she calmly replied. “The lenses belong to the task, not the person.” She wrapped them up carefully and put them in a handled paper bag with the candle. “The candle is a gift, one you will need in the near future, you poor child.” She looked at him sorrowfully, then handed him the bag.
Spike almost snorted at being called a child, but something in her eyes made him stop. She truly felt ancient. Shadows played amongst the candle light, making her face seem dark and sombre, her eyes no longer danced and Spike took the bag reverently. “Thank you,” he said.
“Dunno your name,” Spike said, taking the package in his hands carefully.
She smiled her wide, carefree smile and motioned to herself, “I am called Lakshmi by those that give me a name.” Then she motioned to Spike.
“William,” he said without thinking, knowing it went against the ID and story he’d given Ben, but he was sure after everything Ben had heard he had plenty of questions, this would just be another one to add.
“Honesty, I wasn’t sure you’d dare in front of your friend. You will be warmly welcomed here. And your friend?” She smiled, her dark eyes floating to lock onto Ben’s freckled face.
Ben cleared his throat and nervously said, “B-Ben. Name’s Ben,” he could feel those eyes searching him, probing his mind, then pulling back in sorrow.
“When you are able to speak your real name, I am ready to hear it, until then, you are still welcome.” She smiled softly and nodded, her long, tight curls bouncing.
“Thank you Lakshmi,” Spike said. “You’ve saved my friend’s life.”
She smiled knowingly. “It was worth it to see the love in your eyes. That was payment enough for my services this night. Feel free to return should you need or want to. I have plenty of wares and services I take money for.” She smiled and patted his hand.
He looked down then smiled shyly, nodding. “Thanks, I can see myself coming back as a regular, this place has potential for me.” He took his bag and headed for the door.
Just as Ben reached the doorknob the shopkeeper called after them, “Remember, lamb’s milk!” Then she disappeared behind a wall hanging and Spike and Ben left the shop.
“Think the candle will work?” Ben asked. “She seemed a little nutty.”
“No mate, she was a real ancient, she knows her magics, let’s get to a farm fresh dairy and get some lamb’s milk. This candle is going to save us, or she wouldn’t have given it to us.” Spike was steady as he sat in Ben’s car, buckling up, the parcel in his lap.
“You really believe in this witchcraft stuff?” Ben asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You’re a demon and you ask if I believe in witchcraft? I know a witch so strong, out of grief she once tried to end the world; would have done it if it wasn’t for my Xan. We have to find him.” Spike looked out the window as Ben started the engine.
It was late, stores had their security gates closed, restaurants were dark. Occasionally there would be a lit up fast food place but that was it; Newburgh looked dead. Spike hoped the demon compound would be equally deserted.
We’re coming Xander, we’re coming. Fight Xander, fight.
“This has to be it,” Spike says. The door has a wood carving over it, saying in operation since 1896. Spike raised a brow, wondering if it was boasting falsehood for business or if it really was such an old store.
They stepped in and were confronted with a smell of incense, oils, wax, old paper and leather. Inside was a lot larger than the outside lead people to believe, almost Tardis-like, but Spike was sure it was simply built into the buildings next door, nothing weirder than that. He refused to think of the other store fronts in the buildings next door, making the Tardis theory more likely.
An exotic looking young woman stood behind a counter, silently blessing a candle. Large black almond eyes in a heart shaped light olive skinned face gave the men something to ponder. Powers wielded in peace could be felt, even by the men and they were drawn to it. Spike reached out, his eyes glassy, but the woman broke the spell with a smile saying, “What do you seek gentleman? You both seem to be on a journey.”
Spike snapped out of it and pulled his hand back. “What were you doing?”
She smiled. “Blessing this candle, that it’s light may fall on only those who have peace in their hearts, pushing all other ambition away. It’s a powerful spell, not one to be used lightly.” She put the candle behind the counter and turned to him. “But you seek something else tonight.”
“Yes, we need to see past a specific kind of glamour, we need lenses of amber and were told you have them here.” Spike spoke lightly, but stopped once he saw the expression on the woman’s face.
“What you seek to see cannot be unseen and it will not be visions you will in all likelihood enjoy seeing.” She shifted her weight from foot to foot behind the counter, her large dark eyes drinking in Spike and Ben’s appearance and so much more.
“Tell me why you wish to see,” she suddenly said.
“I’m trying to rescue a friend,” Spike said. “We’re trying to rescue a friend.”
“Friendship is a precious thing and hard to find, but it may not be strong enough to see what the lenses show and not go mad. You need something else, something to protect you so that you may find what you seek and keep your sanity.” She spoke clearly, and kept eye contact. She looked so young, but her eyes were so ancient; Spike swore he could look forever into her eyes and never find himself again if he wasn’t careful.
“Well… what else is there?” He asked. Ben said nothing, but stood straight. His large muscular arms crossed at the chest as he stood impassively.
“What there always is, what there must be, for life to live,” she said and smiled sweetly, showing off a dimple on her left cheek, just under a beauty mark.
“What?” Spike laughed. “Water?”
She tsked and shook her head. “Nothing material, material things can be taken, traded, stolen, what is needed is what can never be stolen from you, what you carry inside for your friend.” She smiled again, knowingly, and gently nodded, the tight curls of her hair catching the flame light of all the candles in the shop and Spike swallowed.
Suddenly Spike wasn’t sure he liked where this was going; it seemed like he needed to pay a price to wear this glasses and that wasn’t what Billy had said at all. “Let me get this straight, I have to have something inside, between me and my friend, well, me and Xander, in order for me to be able to wear the glasses and not go barkin’ mad because of what I see?”
She smiled knowingly, “Yes.”
He thought madly, before she softly said, “What would you risk something like this for?”
He blinked and looked up, his pale blue eyes uncreased with no withheld emotion. He says simply, “Love.”
“That’s right… you’d risk it for love. You must, in all honesty, love this man, or this quest will drive you mad. The demons, you must understand, you think they are simple and easy to see; that they just don’t like to be seen. The truth is they can’t be seen, they need their glamour or those that view them for any length of time will go mad, too long and the damage is permanent. I hope this Xander of yours has been blindfolded or at least that the demons have been employing their instinctive glamors when within view of him… or I’m not sure your love will be enough to bring him back.” She looked sorrowful, like she had some past experience with these demons. And if she’d been here as long as the sign claimed, the demons had been here for longer so she probably did have past dealings. Spike nodded.
“Yes… I love him.” He said it, he admitted it. He’d felt it for so long and once he said it, he felt walls fall away and images rushed in. That first time Angelus had offered Xander to him, how he’d planned on turning him, he was too pretty to kill. Xander as Army Boy, how delicious he’d looked, sculpted and no more the donut boy; Spike had wished he could have finished with the slayer so he could have more fun with him. That time Xander had nearly died in the crossfire with the assassins, Spike had deeply regretted that. And on and on it went, all these images flooding him and he finally accepted them for what they were; he had been attracted to the boy. And finally… he had loved the boy, now a man, and he was damned again if he would just stand by and do nothing! He was getting those lenses! And if he went mad, at least Xander would be safe.
“Look, dunno if I love him enough or if he has to love me back, all I know is I love him and I’m willing to take the risk. If I go nutters, at least Xander will be safe and if I’m dangerous, he’ll know what to do, don’t worry.” Spike said, calmly.
She smiled and picked up the candle she had just blessed and wrapped it in tissue paper. “The light that it falls on is protected from harm and only lamb’s milk will put it out.” She smiled and put it in a bag, turning her back to them both as she rummaged.
The sounds of keys in locks could be heard, whispered incantations, flashes of light and sound before she come back with the glasses. The lenses were ancient, slipped into place of modern, sturdy frames. Spike looked them over. “How much?”
“Your friend will return them if you cannot pay the price,” she calmly replied. “The lenses belong to the task, not the person.” She wrapped them up carefully and put them in a handled paper bag with the candle. “The candle is a gift, one you will need in the near future, you poor child.” She looked at him sorrowfully, then handed him the bag.
Spike almost snorted at being called a child, but something in her eyes made him stop. She truly felt ancient. Shadows played amongst the candle light, making her face seem dark and sombre, her eyes no longer danced and Spike took the bag reverently. “Thank you,” he said.
“Dunno your name,” Spike said, taking the package in his hands carefully.
She smiled her wide, carefree smile and motioned to herself, “I am called Lakshmi by those that give me a name.” Then she motioned to Spike.
“William,” he said without thinking, knowing it went against the ID and story he’d given Ben, but he was sure after everything Ben had heard he had plenty of questions, this would just be another one to add.
“Honesty, I wasn’t sure you’d dare in front of your friend. You will be warmly welcomed here. And your friend?” She smiled, her dark eyes floating to lock onto Ben’s freckled face.
Ben cleared his throat and nervously said, “B-Ben. Name’s Ben,” he could feel those eyes searching him, probing his mind, then pulling back in sorrow.
“When you are able to speak your real name, I am ready to hear it, until then, you are still welcome.” She smiled softly and nodded, her long, tight curls bouncing.
“Thank you Lakshmi,” Spike said. “You’ve saved my friend’s life.”
She smiled knowingly. “It was worth it to see the love in your eyes. That was payment enough for my services this night. Feel free to return should you need or want to. I have plenty of wares and services I take money for.” She smiled and patted his hand.
He looked down then smiled shyly, nodding. “Thanks, I can see myself coming back as a regular, this place has potential for me.” He took his bag and headed for the door.
Just as Ben reached the doorknob the shopkeeper called after them, “Remember, lamb’s milk!” Then she disappeared behind a wall hanging and Spike and Ben left the shop.
“Think the candle will work?” Ben asked. “She seemed a little nutty.”
“No mate, she was a real ancient, she knows her magics, let’s get to a farm fresh dairy and get some lamb’s milk. This candle is going to save us, or she wouldn’t have given it to us.” Spike was steady as he sat in Ben’s car, buckling up, the parcel in his lap.
“You really believe in this witchcraft stuff?” Ben asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You’re a demon and you ask if I believe in witchcraft? I know a witch so strong, out of grief she once tried to end the world; would have done it if it wasn’t for my Xan. We have to find him.” Spike looked out the window as Ben started the engine.
It was late, stores had their security gates closed, restaurants were dark. Occasionally there would be a lit up fast food place but that was it; Newburgh looked dead. Spike hoped the demon compound would be equally deserted.
We’re coming Xander, we’re coming. Fight Xander, fight.