*****

�You called ahead?�

�Yeah. My Dad will be there too, which will probably be the first time since he moved out. Since I�ve stayed at your apartment last night, I wanted to make sure they were both there�

�You don�t have to do this. If you want to wait, then-� Xander cut Spike with a quick kiss. �What was that for?� Spike whispered through a grin that seemed to reach from ear to ear.

�You know what for. You�ve been great. Helping me get the courage to come out to my parents.� Another kiss furthered the grin travelling across the vampire�s face.

An unneeded sigh escaped Spike�s mouth, and he asked Xander if he was ready.

�As I�ll ever be. You�ll wait out here for me?� Xander looked up, hopefully.

Spike placed a kiss on the brunette�s forehead. �Of course.�

With a small smile to his lover, Xander slid his key into the lock of his mother�s home, and walked in., gently closing the door behind him, keeping Spike outside.

Calling out to find out where his parents were, Xander headed for the living room, where he found his Mom sitting on the couch with a cigarette in her hand, and his Father pacing around the room. His Mom saw him first.

�Alexander? What�s wrong? Why did you call us?� Worry and concern were etched across her face. Xander�s dad moved closer to him.

Xander sat next to his mother, and gestured for his dad to come closer. Taking his mother�s hand, he reassured her that nothing was wrong.

�But I do have something to tell you both. I�ve known for a few years, but I�ve never had the courage to tell anyone.� Xander sighed heavily. �I�m gay.�

Xander felt the atmosphere in the room suddenly get tense, and he stood. Xander�s father broke the silence.

�You�re gay? For how long?� If looks could kill�

�I�ve known since I was twelve.� The reply came in a quiet voice.

�TWELVE! Did you hear that?� The large man gestured to his estranged wife. She nodded in reply. �This little bastard has been keeping this from us for eight years. Dirty little shit.� A look of anger and disgust passed on the man�s face.

Now it was Xander�s turn to be full of anger.

�Eight years? Dad, how old am I? When�s my birthday?� Xander tried to look calm, but was sure he was failing miserably. Funnily enough, he didn�t care.

Confused by the quick change of subject, and actually stumped by it, Xander�s father answered.

�You�re 20, right? Your birthday is sometime in May.� The large man actually dared to look cocky.

�I�m 18. My birthday is March 15th.� Xander answered simply, suddenly all fear gone of his parents reactions.

�So what? This isn�t about me. Its about you. This whole gay thing; it�s a phase. You�ll get over it.� Xander�s father waved his hand dismissively.

�This is not a fucking lifestyle change. This is my life. I�m gay, I have a boyfriend, and, by the way, I�m gay!� Every word was punctuated, showing Xander�s desperate attempt to make his father realise that this was not a simple lifestyle change.

�You�ve got a boyfriend? Bullshit. You couldn�t get anyone.�

Xander flinched at the insult. Which lead to him getting pissed. �Fine. You want proof? I�ll give you some fucking proof.� Xander stormed off in the direction of the front door. He pulled it open, and was glad to see Spike was still waiting for him, right where he had been when Xander had last seen him. Quietly whispering an invitation, Spike walked across the threshold. Xander walked back into the living room, a step ahead of Spike. The brunette reached back with his hand, and Spike quickly held it with his own.

�Here�s your damn proof.�

Xander turned, and cupped the back of Spike�s head with his hands, bringing him in for a deep, passionate kiss. After a few seconds Xander pulled away. Spike intertwined his hand with Xander�s again. Neither Xander or Spike saw the punch that landed squarely on Xander�s left eye. Xander fell to the ground, breathing heavily. Spike had no time to move to his lover�s aid, before Xander�s father grabbed him and started dragging him to the door. Within seconds, he threw Spike out. Literally.

Realising this was more than an argument, Xander�s mother ran to her son. Stroking his face, she asked if he was ok.

�I�m fine, Mom.� Xander attempted a smile, but wasn�t sure if it made it to his lips.

�Good.� With a look of anger Xander�s mom walked quickly to her estranged husband, who was closing the front door. The large man smiled when he saw her.

�Proud of me? Sorted that out, didn�t I?� He smiled crookedly.

Xander�s mom didn�t. She slapped him as hard as she could muster. �Does that make you feel big? Punching your own son? You�re disgusting, do you know that?� Shaking her head, Xander�s mom told her husband to stay in the kitchen, away from Xander. He walked off.

By this time, Xander was back on his feet. He hugged his mother.

�Answer one thing for me.�

�Of course.� Xander answered.

�Are you happy? With your boyfriend?� She looked hopefully.

�I am. I really am.� Xander sighed, his trademark goofy grin lighting up his face.

�Then I�m happy for you. Now go! He�s probably waiting for you outside.�

�Thanks, Mom.� He gave a quick kiss to his Mother, and walked out the door.

***

�Are you ok? What did he do?� Spike asked, his concern showing.

�I�m ok. I�m going to have a huge shiner, but I�ll be ok. But I can�t stay there anymore. I don�t want to be there when he comes back.�

�No worries. You can stay with me as long as you want.�

Xander smiled, and leaned in for a kiss. Spike was only too happy to oblige.

~fin~