Feadback is not only sweet, but inspiring! hint hint. . .

<Part 1>
 

    Cold hands holding him, running over his hot flesh, icy lips going down on him 'Oh! Oh God yeah! Fuck! I'm gonna. . . '

    Xander woke up and looked down at his wet sheets, "Xan my boy, you are one sick, masocistic fucker."

    "Oh really?"

    He jumped and turned to Spike, eyes wide, "Damn! Don't do that!"

    The bleached blond vampire grinned and sat indian style on his bed looking at his 'roomie', "Looks like your a sated little wanker ta me."

    "Shut up."

    "'ave another dream 'bout me dear ol' dad did you pet?"

    "Just shut up."

    Spike lay on his stomach and faced the human with a grin, "You should tell him."

    "Sure I should. I know it's hard for you to believe but some people don' t survive being brutaly beaten by a three hundren year old vampire."

    "He's two hundred and. . ."

    "You know what I mean."

    Spike frowned. Xander was a human but after they'd become roommates, he started to like the kid. Xander was part of his pack now and the only reason he didn't turn the mortal was because he didn't fancy the slayer taking her anger out on the both of them. "The poof doesn't remember what he did pet."

    "You know. . . I kinda miss Angelus. Not the 'I'm gonna rip your heart out' Angelus but I miss the, 'you belong to me' Angelus."

    "Sun's down pet."

    "Oh, yeah." He stood and slipped on some black jeans and a tight, long sleaved T-shirt that clung to his swimmers muscles. "Tell me again why I let you help me stock my wardrobe?"

    "Because your my little nummy treat?"

    "Forget I asked."

    "And your fashion sence is worst than Buffy's."

    "Someone shoot me now."

    "Angelus always loved black."

    "That one works."

    The vampire rolled his eyes, "So are you going to tell him?"

    "I don't. . ."

    "We live in LA. He's just down the street a bit, just pick up the phone and. . ."

    "No." Xander put on a smile, "I'm ok."

    "Yer lyin' pet."

    Xander growled and walked for the door, "Come on."

    "Why do I need a job any way? Bucha fuckin' wankers."

    "To pay your half of the rent."

    "Details, minor details."

    "To the undead maybe, some of us have to eat."
 

    They arrived at the job one of Spike's contacts had found them. Bartending an all demon night club. Xander was let in on account of being the roomie of 'William the bloody' but soon made a name for himself. He should have been content. He had a best friend and roomie that hadn't abandoned him when the rest of them ignored him. He had a nice place to stay, a job he really enjoyed and a reputation that he REALLY enjoyed. But without that cold presence that was always near in Sunnydale, it wasn't right.

    "If you keep that up I'll hand you over and you an the poof can brood together."

    Xander smiled at his friend, "Sorry, I'm just. . ."

    "Missing him."

    "Yeah."
 

    Angel glarred at Doyle as he pulled him through the doors of the underground club.

    "Aw come on! It's an all demon place, you can relax."

    He just glarred.

    "You don't have to brood 24/7 take a break!"

    The souled vampire sat down at the bar, "This is the last place we should 'relax' in."

    "Cordy told me to get you out of the house and rightly sloshed and I plan on doin' just that."

    "Try it spike boy."

    Doyle sighed and motioned to the bartender, "We need a Jack Daniel and B pos over here!"

    Spike grinned and sat the drinks in front of the two, "I guess you remember a little after all huh Angel."

    The man was up with a stake in his hand faster than anyone could see, "What the fuck are you doing here?!"

    "STOP!"

    All conversation stopped and Xander glarred at Angel, "Get off of the bar."

    He stepped down, still in shock. "X. . . Xander?"

    "If you dust my roomate then you're paying his half of the rent."

    "Nice to know I'm loved." Spike grinned.

    Doyle looked from one to the other, "I take it you know eachother."

    Angel glarred and grabbed Xander's shirt, "Outside. Now."

   The human rolled his eyes, "Spike can you take over?"

    "Sure thing nummy. . ."

    "Spike. . ."

    "Sorry pet."

    Once outside Angel shoved Xander up hard against the wall, "Are you crazy?!"

    He grinned, "Last time I checked I was getting there, lemme see, mortal in a demon's bar, homicidal rommie, fight evil by night. . . yep still there."

    "He would kill you without a thought."

    "He can't."

    "You'd trust your life to a computer chip?!"

    "Why do you care?!" Xander glarred, "You hate me remember?!"

    "I don't hate you."

    "Yeah, and Angelus is in love with me."

    "He is."

    Xander opened his mouth for another sarcastic line and stopped, his eyes leaping to Angel's, "What did you say?"

    "Angelus was in love with you."

    "Ok this just got really wierd."

    "Why do you think he didn't kill you? He didn't need to keep you alive, he didn't need 'your' blood specifically, so why didn't he kill you?"

    "Satanic pleasure in watching Buffy's friend squirm?"

    "He was in love with you. If they hadn't rescued you he would have sired you."

    "And you know this because. . ."

    "I. . ."

    "Angel, the people in there are getting restless, seams they really like the kid here, maybe you shouldn't. . ."

    "We're leaving."

    "What? But we just. . ."

    "Now."

    Doyle sighed, "Nice to um. . . meet you?"

    "Likewise." Xander nodded and walked back inside.

    The irishman caught up the the retreating vampire and grinned, "You have got it bad!"

    "I don't know what you're talking about."

    "That kid! You were ready to hump him to death right there!"

    "You were seeing things."

    "Yeah, lots of 'em."

    Angel just kept walking.

    "So who is he?"

    "Xander."

    "That helps."

    "He's one of Buffy's friends."

    "And that other guy 'was' Spike wasn't it?"

    "Yes."

    "They're roomies? That kids got guts."

    "He's luck they're still inside of his skin."

    "He likes you."

    "It's not your buisness."

    "But he *does* like you. I saw it."

    "In a vision?"

    Doyle shook his head, "In his eyes."
 
 

    When Xander went back inside and smiled all of the talk began again. Their adopted human was alright.

    "So how'd it go pet?"

    "He told me I was crazy."

    "He noticed too huh?"

    "Yeah go figure." Xander's reply was automatic but he was lost in thought. Angel's eyes, his lips, his hair. . . damn! This was why he did the whole 'I hate you' thing!

    "He remembers you know."

    "Hm? What?"

    Spike grinned, "Angel remembers you and Angelus."

    "H. . . How do you know?!"

    "The bloke he was with knew exactly what blood type he wanted."

    "So?"

    "Noticed when you feed me the time I got burned, you're B pos."

    "And Angel. . ."

    "Yep, he was basically tasting you."

    "He. . . this could be very good or very, very bad."

    "Leaning to good don'cha think?"

    Xander just smiled.

<Part 2>
 
 
 

    Angel slamed the door to the office and stalked across the room. Cordelia, after getting over her initial 'Oh my God!' stage turned to Doyle for an explination.

    "He met an old. . . aquantence."

    "How old?"

    "Human, 18, maybe 19."

    "So what's he all growly about?"

    "The kids living with Spike."

    "Big bad and bleached Spike?!"

    "That'll be him."

    "Shit."

    "Yeah."
 
    Cordelia shook her head, "That poor kid's either insane or really brave."

    "Both most likely."

    "He have a name?"

    "Zan- something or other."

    "XANDER?!"

    "You've met him I take it." Doyle stretched back in a chair, "He's a good guy I take it. One of the slayers watch-humans?"

    "Yep, and my ex."

    "You have good taste luv."

    "But what is Xander doing in LA?! With SPIKE!"

    Doyle shrugged and Angel stormed back into the room.

    "Heard about Xan."

    "Save it."

    "We should do something. Help him out."

    "He doesn't want to be helped."

    "Why don't we through him a birthday party? His birthday is in a week or two. Then we can see how Spike's treating him and. . ."

    "Do what you want."

    "Angel. . ." She stared at the vampire's broad back as he vanished into the dark hallway. "What was that about?"

    "He's got a lot on his skull."

    "Like what?"

    Doyle whispered conspiritorily, "The 'L' word."

    "The L. . . with Xan?!?!"

    "Think so. But not with him."

    "Who?"

    "Spike and Xan."

    "Well this promises to be interesting."
 

    Spike sat beside Xander after the bar had closed and poured him another drink, "It's ok pet, I'll carry you home if you get sloshed."

    "Sloshed?"
 
    "Inebriated, Intoxicated, Drunk."

    "Oh 'Slooooooshed'."

    Spike grinned, "You never got drunk before 'ave you."

    "No, but today's a good day to start."

    "I'll drink to that!"

    Xander took the bottle from Spike and took a long swig, gasping as it burned down his throat. "That stuff's awful!"

    "Aquired taste."

    "My head's kinda fuzzy."

    "Good start, have some more."

    He nodded and took another drink, "I mean I 'left' Sunnyhell to get away from the mem. . . mem. . . past. An' now he shows up here!"

    "'Of all the bars in the world. . .'" Spike grinned.

    "Damn straight."

    "Or not."

    ". . ."

    "Well he did try to save you."

    "From YOU!"

    "Still tried to save you."

    "God I'm confused."

    "Is that why you sitting on my lap?"

    "Huh?"

    "You can't hold you liquer pet."

    "mmm. . . nope."

    "Ok, time to go home." Spike hoisted Xander over his shoulder, "See you tomorow Zake."

    "Yeah, 'night Spike, Xan."
 
 

    The blond vampire entered their warehouse/apartment and let Xander drop to his bed.

    The human sobbed and Spike croutched beside him, "You doing ok nummy?"

    "I missed him so much." He cried and Spike crawled into the bed with a sigh.

    "There there pet. let it go."

    "Angel. . ."

    Spike sighed and lay his head on top of  his room mate's. //Wish I could take the hurt away pet. I really do.// He snorted then and hugged his friend closer. //Not that I've gone soft or anything.// "I still think you're a nummy treat." He grinned softly.

    "Very bitable?" Xander yawned, "Moist and deliscious?"

    "Yeah. Angel's a sod not to see it."

    He made a slight sighing sound and cuddled closer to his friend, "Thanks."

    "Sure thing pet."

    Everything was quiet for a bit until Xander spoke again, this time so soft it was barely audible even to the vampire's ears. "Would you?"

    "What?"

    "Angel said you'd kill me if you didn't have the chip. Would you?"

    Spike stroked his friend's hair, "No. You're my nummy treat remember? If you tell anyone this I'll strangle you and the chip be damned, but you're my best friend."

    Xander smiled as he slipped into sleep, "Love you too Spike."

 
    Angel looked up at the warehouse in front of him, it was Spikes style, no doubt. //Xander is living in this. . . with Spike. . .// He didn't know if he could do this, but he had to do something, say something. With a silent decision, he knocked, "Xander?"

    A muffled, "Come in." Made the vampire frown, //He shouldn't be so quick to trust.//

    "I'd stake anyone who tried to hurt him."

    Angel froze, "Spike."

    The blond looked up from the bed where he was cradleing Xander to his chest.

    "Is he alright?" Angel heard himself ask.

    The vampire's childe glarred coldly at his sire, "You made him cry, poof."

    "Why do you even care? Are you still trying to hurt Buffy? Through him? Because if you are I swear I'll. . ."

    "You'll what?!" Spike growled and went gameface, "Is it always about Buffy?! He loves you! You fucking wanker!"

    Angel stiffened.

    "Yeah, you heard me. The kid loves you and you don't even try to care."

    "You're in love with him!" Angel's realization caught Spike off guard and he tensed, holding the sleeping man tighter.

    "So what if I am?!"

    "I didn't think you could. . ."

    "What?! Feel real love?! You think cause Dru was so loopy and soiled what we had that I wasn't capable of love? Fuck you Angelus! I love him more than you could ever love anything including yer self!" He looked at the sleeping human and a saddness washed through his eyes. "You think I can't love him. You're wrong."

    "You. . ."

    "I love him so much that I'm trying to help you two find eachother, because it's what my pet wants. And if that'll make him happy I'll give up my dreams for him."

    Angel smiled saddly, "You've grown up Spike."

    "Yeah well, don' get used to it. I don't plan on stayin' this bloody sappy."

    "Mmm, Spike?" Xander shifted a little and the look in Spike's eyes caught Angel completely off guard! It was so. . . tender!

    "Hey pet, how you feeling?"

    "Like Bruce Willis is doing the cancan on my brain in spiked heels."

    "Now there's an image."

    Angel watched the banter between the two. //Gods. They're perfect together.//

    "Remind me why I got sloshed again."

    "He's standing right over there."

    Xander looked up with wide eyes and gave a sound half way between a mew and a yelp.

    "Hello Xander."

    "Um. . . who let you in?"

    "You did."

    Spike chuckled, "You were still asleep pet."

    The boy blushed and licked his lips, "Ah. . . why are you here?"

    "To see you."

    "Oh."

    Spike stood and tried to hide his pain, "I'll let you two get re aquainted, you need me I'll be outside haveing a smoke."

    "You actually got him to smoke outside?"

    "It kills humans. Spike wouldn't hurt me."

    "I'm sorry I did."

    "Could you tell me why? What happened? Because I found myself at the age of seventeen being stalked by a horny two hundred something year old evil vampire who happened to be dating one of my friends. It kinda make a person wonder."

    "Angelus loved you. I like you very much. He's gone now and I hoped we could still be friends."

    He tried to put on a brave front, and nodded with a half smile, "Y. . . yeah. Friends."

    "Will you be ok?"

    "Fine."

    Angel frowned, Xander's smile was too bright. He would start to cry any minuet. "Cordy wanted me to invite you to have your birthday with us."

    "O. . . ok."

    "Goodbye."

    "Yeah. Bye."

    Angel glanced at Spike as he walked outside, "He's going to start crying again."

    "BLOODY HELL!" The blond slamed his sire into the ground, "What did you say to him!?!"

    "I told him the truth."

    "Your cold Angel. At least Angelus had fire."

    Those dead eyes waited and watched and Spike finally backed away from him, "Ice is just as useful."

    Spike snorted and walked back inside, "You are univited Angel. I claim the land beneath this roof as a home and you may not enter here."

    A sob was heard and Spike slammed the door and turned back to the broken man laying on the bed, trying valiently to hold in the pain.

    Angel watched the door for another moment and walked away. //Goodluck Spike.//

<Part 3>
 

    Spike took Xander into his arms again and cuddled with him. The boy loved the cuddle and Spike had found he didn't mind it at all. So they showed their affection by cuddling each other. But this wasn't like the other times. This was to comfort. "Gods, I hate to see you so sad pet."

    "I'm sorry."

    "Don't be luv. You're a human. You're intitled to cry when your heart is broken."

    "Why do you stay with me Spike? I mean, no one stays with me. Even my friends only saw me when they needed something."

    "Those weren't friends pet. And you aren't the only one whose been left. Darla, Angelus, Dru, I've opened my heart four times and three of them 've been throuwn back in my face."

    "What about the fourth?"

    "He's a nummy treat." Xander laughed and Spike kissed his forehead. "See? It's not all bad. You just got thrown a bit."

    "I'm glad you're here to catch me when I fall."

    "'at's what friends are for."

    "Will you stay with me Spike?"

    He nodded, "You know I will."

    "Let's get rid of one of the beds ok?"

    That startled the vampire, "huh?"

    "I like cuddling with you. Let's just use one bed from now on."

    "You'll end up smelling like a vampire."

    "Oh grusome! Someone get me some old spice! A vampire ick!"

    Spike chuckled and swatted him playfully, "Ok I get the idea! Yeah we'll drop one of the beds ok? Better?"

    "Much."

    "How you doing?"

    "'m tired."

    "So sleep."

    "'k." Xander threw his arms around the vampire's waist and rested his head on the cool chest beside him. He was asleep in moments and Spike watched him, watched the human's breaths even out and his soft lips part slightly as he began to snore.

    //And now that Angel is gone from the picture. . . would you let me own you Xander? Would you own me? Maybe I'll have a chance to find out.//

    He smothed the mortal's hair and thought to himself, //his bleedin' birthday is comin' up and I didn' even know it! Maybe I'll pay a visit to the cheerleader bitch and see what she knows.//
 
 

    Cordelia opened the door and blinked.

    "You going to invite me in?"

    "Um. . . no?"

    "Hey! Spike! Come on in, take a load off!"

    She glarred, "Thank you Doyle."

    He walked inside and shut the door.

    "So what do you want?"

    "When is Xander's birthday?"

    "Huh? June 22nd. Why?"

    "Wanted to get him a prezzie."

    "If you hurt him I'll dust you faster than you can blink."

    "I'd dust myself luv." He assured her then walked out, "Ciao."

    Cordelia looked at Doyle, worried, "Xan is in way over his head."

    "Maybe lass, but it could be a good thing."

    "I'll believe it when I see it."
 
 

    When Spike arrived back at their warehouse, Xander looked from the mortal his roommate had ushured in, to the vampire, "Spike you aren't testing the chip again are you?"

    He grinned, "Happy Birthday."

    Xander looked at his watch. Midnight. "How did you. . .? I mean. . . They never. . ."

    "You're my Xan-pet." Spike grinned, "I got you a prezzie."

    He smiled at his roommate and hugged him, "Thanks pet."

    "Hey! That's your title!"

    "So what is he for?"

    "When I was staying at the crypt, I snuck into Buffy's house."

    "Yeah she told me. You're lucky you didn't get staked."

    "I found some pictures of you and Willow and her."

    Xander get a far away look. "They never took many, I was always the one behind the camera."

    "I can't get my picture taken."

    "The mirror thing, kinda figured that."

    "But I want a picture with you too."

    Xander smiled suddenly, "You hired an artist!"

    "He's going to paint us. Happy birthday."

    The mortal laughed and hugged his roommate close, "Just when I think my day is completely shot you pull something like this and make it all better. You're my best friend Spike."

    "Yeah yeah." He tried to sound tough. "Just don't get used to it."

    The artist set up his canvas, one of those big, over the fireplace portrait kinda deals, and settled them in their poses. Xander sat in a chair, legs spread and arms up around Spike who stood behind him with his arms hanging loosly over Xander's chest.

    Xander began giggling and Spike looked down at him amused, "What's so funny mate?"

    "I don't know, I was just so happy I had to let some of it out."

    "'m glad."

    "Me too. When I first met you a never even for a second thought I'd be living with William the Bloody, sitting in front of a fireplace in a warehouse getting a portrait done."

    "But you are."

    "Mhmm, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

    "Not even Angel?"

    Xander looked up at him with a soft light on his face and Spike couldn't help but smile down at him, "Some things," The mortal smiled, "Are worth more than that kind of love."

    "I'm finished." The artist announced an hour or two later.

    "Let's see it." Spike walked over curious and froze.

    "What?" Xander ran over to him and his mouth fell open.

    The artist had captured their faces during their talk earlier, and Xander was looking up at Spike with unfathomed emotion that the vampire returned in equal amounts. "I. . . I. . ."

    Spike paid the artist and let him go, then stood behind Xander who was still looking at his birthday present in shock. "Pet?"

    "We look so. . . beautiful. . ."

    "Together." Spike finished for him.

    "Spike I. . ."

    ". . . love you."

    "Yeah." Xander replied, still dazed.

    "But I'm 'in love' with you too." He traced the curve of Xander's surprized face and smiled.

    Xander closed his eyes and swayed into the cool touch. "Spike?"

    "yeah pet?"

    "This. . . is this a forever kind of thing? Or are you trying to help me forget Angel?"

    The vampire had never thought his declaration would be taken that way. He pressed his cheek to Xander's and whispered, "I haven't been in love with someone since I was turned. I didn't think that I could love anymore, but then you took me in and even though you didn't trust me, I saw that you did care about me. Didn' take me long to realize I cared about you too.

    When you told me you loved Angel I wanted to curl up and wait for the sun to rise, but I couldn't because that would mean leaving you, so I stuck by your side and tried to get you what you wanted most."

    "I think what I wanted most was with me all the time."

    "Hm?"

    "I'm not used to talking seriously."

    "S'ok."

    "I. . . give me a little time? Please?"

    "All you need."

    "I need a cuddle."

    Spike smiled and pulled the covers up around both of them, currling close and spooning Xander against him, "Sleep pet, you've had a long day."

    "Will you be here when I wake up?"

    "Promise."

    "g'night. . . spike. . ."

    "Goodnight pet." Spike held the little human closer and closed his eyes.

<Part 4>
 
 

    //Man I wish they had a support group for this or something! 'Hello, my name is Xander and I'm in love with a blood sucking fiend' 'Hiiii Xaaaaander' And why does my support group sound like Barney?! I must be off my rocker! Where 'is' he?! Sun is rising! Oh God what if he's hurt?! I should go look for him. But he made me promise to stay inside. What's that. . .//

    "Pet? I'm home." Spike found himself with two arms full of Xander Harris and smiled, "Miss me?"

    "You blood sucking son of a bitch!" Xander yelled and hit him in the chest, "Where've you been?! The sun was coming up and I could just 'see' you getting dusted or bursting into flame! Don't scare me like that!"

     Spike was speechless, for a moment all that he could do was hold Xander close and assure him that he was fine.

    "I. . . I know we just started having a real relationship and all but even when you were only a friend I worried about you."

    "I was safe. I wouldn't leave my nummy."

    "I know." His sobs slowed and he blinked up at the blond man, "I just worry."

    "I worry about you too, so we're even."

    "'m sorry."

    Spike grinned and tilted Xander's chin up so their eyes met, "Now do I get a 'welcome home' kiss?"

    "No. I wasted all of my 'kiss' energy worrying." Xander shrugged out of the embrace and walked away, obviously still upset.

    Spike starred only a moment before following him. "Happy birthday."

    "Do we 'have' to go to the party tonight?"

    "It's your party."

    "Can I stay home if I want to?"

    "Nope."

    "Damn."

    "Bet they have prezzies for you."

    Xander rubbed against Spike and smiled shyly, "But I already got what I wanted."

    "Talk like that can be dangerous luv."

    "I mean it."

    Spike held his love closely and for the first time in a long time, he felt like he knew where his eternity would be. He would spend it in Xander's arms, and he would be happy. Happiness was a foreign concept to him until he had been implanted with that chip and made to live with the brown eyed boy. In those few days, he had descovered his feelings for the human boy and they had scared him to moving into his crypt, away from the tempting body that was Xander Harris. His fear of the new feelings wasn't enough to make him leave the boy completely though. When he decided to move to LA; to escape his parents and the slayers and basically everything he knew, Spike had gone with him in a heartbeat.

    "Spike?"

    "Just thinkin' luv."

    "About what?"

    "You."

    Xander pressed a chaste kiss to the cool lips of his beloved. Their physical relationship was slowly building. Kisses and cuddling was the extant of it now, but he knew when he was ready, Spike would be happy to do more. The vampire seemed to sense his fear of intimacy. //Dad really messed me up. How could Spike even care about someone as crazy as I am?//

    "I know that look. Stop thinking about your father."

    "I. . ."

    Spike put a hand over the human's mouth and grinned, "Say the word and I'll bring you his bloody heart. I don't want anyone hurting you ever again."

    That honest declaration brought tears to Xander's eyes and he cried on the blond's shoulder. It felt so good to have someone care!

    Spike couldn't sense the boy's happiness, he only saw the tears, "What? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. Please don't cry."

    Xander smacked him lightly and sobbed, "They're happy tears you idiot!"

    "Oh." He sighed then tensed again, "Wait a minuet! Idiot?!" Firm lips cut off anything he had been ready to say.

    "My idiot."

    "Mmm."

    Xander pulled away and Spike's confused look made him laugh happily, "We have to go now, remember? Party?"

    "Fuck it."

    "But what about my presents?"

    Spike glarred as each of his excuses to make Xander go was flung back at him, "Not fair."

    "All's fair in love and war."

    Spike shivered, "Say that again."

    "War." Xander grinned.

    Spike growled and nipped his ear, "You know what I meant."

    "What? Love? You like hearing me say that, don't you love."

    "Yes." He moaned and pulled away, "But right now I want to take you out on the best birthday outing you've ever had."

    "What about Angel's?"

    "You need something to wear."

    "I have lots of somethings to wear."

    "You need a new something."

    Xander groaned playfully, "What is it about you and clothes?!"

    "I love to take them off you."

    "You have such perfect logic it's scary."

    "And you're telling 'me' this?"
 

    A half hour later Xander was too content to complain about his vampire's fasion sence. How could he complain about anything when he was walking down a dark street holding hands with his beloved on his birthday? It was the best gift he had ever recieved. The knowlege that Spike really cared.

    "You're being quiet luv."

    Xander snuggled up to Spike's side and kissed his bare shoulder warmly, "Just thanking the powers that be."

    "For what?"

    "For you."

    Spike's eyes danced and he brought his lips to Xander's hungrily then looked up as they passed a very bright sign, "Ooh! There it is! Come on!"

    "Wha. . ."

    What it was turned out to be a very large gothic imporium specializing in everything from clothing and jewelry, to tatoo's, piercings, and dye jobs. "H. . . here?"

    "Come on pet, let me make you up special for your b-day."

    Xander could refuse Spike about as well as the vampire could refuse 'him', which was not at all. He followed his excited rommie inside and just about jumped out of his skin when Spike set about finding an outfit for him.

    When Xander emerged from the dressing room he was wearing skin tight, lace up, leather pants that rode low on his hips and knee high boots that could be aptly called 'clonking'; they were huge! Silver buckles ran up the sides and an intricate design traveled up with the buckles. flame and blood. His shirt was silver as his buckles and mesh. It only reached mid abdomine and showed off his belly button quite effectively.

    Spike stared at his pet when he saw him. "Nummy?!"

    "They feel kinda. . . nice." Xander grinned and Spike pounced on him, ravishing his moist lips with a heated and suckling kiss. When they parted Xander grinned broader, "'Very' nice!"

    "I'll say!"

    "I take it this is the one then."

    Spike's voice was raspy when he answered, "Yeah!"

    Xander looked over to the tatoo/piercing/dye section and licked his lips, "Spike. . . you want to try. . ."

    Before he could finish Spike had him over at the chairs.

    A skinny chit with a nose ring and purple hair smiled at them, "What'll it be?"

    Spike looked at Xander, "What do you want nummy?"

    "A lip ring." He murmured shyly, "A hoop. and a belly button ring."

    Spike licked the soon to be pierced lip. "Good choice."

    "Mmm."

    The amused woman finished the request quickly and Xander smiled at Spike, "So?"

    "You look nummy."

    "What do you want me to get?"

    Spike set on Xander's lap and nodded to the girl, "His hair, silver. And a tatoo on our left shoulders. His, a stake, mine a heart that's been staked by it, bleeding. barbs around them both."

    Xander kissed Spike happily. "Are you sure? It's permanent."

    Spike didn't even hesitate, "So are we."

    "Spike." He leaned into the older man's chest and sobbed happy tears.

    "Hey now pet, none of that."

    "It's just. . . I love you so much! I never thought you'd want to stay!"

    "You act like life shouldn't work out for you."

    "It shouldn't! It hasn't!"

    "It will with me." Spike vowed softly.

    "I. . .Spike."

    "Shh, hush now. It's your birthday luv!"
 

    They arrived at Angel's detective agency at ten and Xander looked nervously at Spike.

    The Vampire played his tongue over his nummy's new lip ring and squeezed his hand, "It'll be fine. I'm with you."

    He nodded and knocked on the door, stealing himself for what was to come.
 
 
 

~tbc~