![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Hello!
I'm going to ramble just shortly about 'Firefly'. We're finally watching the DVD's the lovely Snow loaned us and wow - i am really, really enjoying this. I adore scifi more than most genre's to begin with, but i really, really enjoy a future-world that isn't all perfect and clean and shiny and *easy* So yay!
And how much do i love Jayne? A lot! Heh.
Also - it's really *autumn* here now. Chilly during the day and downright *cold* at night, and the *light* has changed. It's autumnal ligh - no mistaking. Everything smells as if it's simmered slowly - all the scents seemed to be richer and stronger and spicier. I love it. Plus - flannel sheets and fuzzy socks! Yes!
There have been kerfluffles. I've missed them *all*. Heh. I like it like that.
Now - onto the fic! Of course, many smooches go to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
reremouse, 'cause she tells me when i'm going astray. Thanks, bay-bee!
Previous parts of the story are here.
Under the Mountain:
Xander got home on autopilot - fed the cats, did some dishes - took a shower. He kept glancing at his front door, half expecting a Buffy-style kick to send it flying across his living room. Only it would be a Faith-style kick, with Connor one step behind and somehow - that was worse. At least there had only been one super-powered twenty-something to contend with in Sunnydale. Two would be...too much.
Around seven - too nervous to watch TV but insanely bored at the same time from the circular speculation that was going around and around in his head - he finally sat down at his computer and checked his email.
*Four actual emails versus sixty-seven spams. Not bad.* Xander deleted the stuff in the spam folder and opened the first email. It was from Willow, dated sometime the day before. With a sort of sinking feeling he started to read it. Certain things - jumped right out.
"...called from L.A. and I thought that was kind of weird...why didn't you say you'd seen Spike? Xander, I can't believe...I hope you're okay...talked to Wes...he said everything was all right...I'm so mad at you, mister!...hope you don't mind...gave them your address and number..." Xander stopped reading - closed the email. The ones from Buffy and Dawn stared at him accusingly, as did the one from Giles. Giles.
*Oh crap. I was gonna call and tell you, guys. In a while. If we were... I mean...it's not like we're soul mates or - or...anything. Just - sex. Really excellent sex. And dinner. And that walk in the Japanese garden the other night that was totally illegal but, fuck, I can't think when he does that thing...* Xander jumped a foot when there was a sudden pounding on his door. *Jesus. They're here! Okay. Don't panic - don't panic. Just - act cool. Oh god, I have a hickey the size of a fuckin' grapefruit on my fucking neck.* Xander stared into the framed, original Heavy Metal cell art in the hall, squinting at his blurry reflection in the glass.
*Maybe if I just button up my shirt? Then I look like the fuckin' Unabomber or something. Jesus - I should have combed my hair -*
"Xander! Open this bloody door!"
"Spike?" Xander jogged down the hall to the living room - side-stepped Jerome, who was carrying a catnip impregnated sisal mouse in his teeth - and flung open the door. Spike stalked in, looking more than a little pissed off as well as wind-blown. He immediately lit a cigarette and when he talked, he puffed out smoke with every word.
"Why in hell did I have an associate of Tubic's pounding on my door not one hour ago, telling me that a Slayer and some kind of strange human boy were making noises about me all over town and I'd better get them to back off before something unfortunate happened? Any ideas, Harris?"
"Huh?" Xander blinked - looked away from the dissipating smoke. "Harris?"
"What?"
"You called me Harris. It was - it was something else about six hours ago."
"It was sweetheart and that's not - I mean -"
Xander stepped up close and personal to Spike - got right into his face and his personal space and slipped his hands under the coat - under the black button-up that was, he noticed, done up crookedly. "Yeah. I remember. It was -" Xander pressed his lips to Spikes - tickled gently at the sensitive underside of Spike's upper lip with his tongue until Spike opened his mouth a little. "Like this and...like this..." Xander let both hands slither down to Spike's butt and pulled him close - rolled his hips a little. "And...this -" Nip of teeth to lower lip and Spike made a pleased little sound.
"Sweetheart... Hey!" Spike jerked back and Xander blinked at him. "You're trying to distract me, pet."
"Is it working?"
"Yes. No. What the hell's going on, Xander?"
Xander sighed - half-turned and led an unresisting Spike to the couch where they both flopped down. Spot immediately leaped up onto the back, purring loudly. "Not now, Spot. It's... Well, you know I called Angel, right?"
"Right," Spike said, making a face, and Xander sighed again.
"Well, I guess he's been all - broody. And Faith and Connor were getting kind of sick of it and they decided to call Willow and - Willow gave them my address."
"Bloody bastard can't leave well enough alone, can he? And what do his little minions think they're going to do here - spank me and send me home? I'm bloody well not having it -" Spike ranted on for another minute or two, finishing one cigarette and lighting another. Xander found himself hunching into the couch a little. Abruptly, Spike stopped talking. "Xander? What's wrong then?"
"Huh? Oh, I - it's just -"
"It's not your fault - you do know that, don't you?" Xander shrugged miserably. He really didn't want to explain the complex churn of emotion that he was feeling right then. Protectiveness toward Spike - apprehension about Faith and Connor - guilt over the girls and Giles and a secret smugness that they were all...worried. Smugness that was instantly smothered in guilt for making everyone upset when he'd been doing so good, out here on his own. Living, and not on borrowed time, either.
"Xander -" Spike shifted closer along the couch - pushed Spot's questing nose away and pulled Xander close, cool hand around the back of Xander's neck, fingers kneading gently. "Sweetheart -"
And then someone knocked on the door.
"Oh, god."
"Fucking hell. Breathe, Xander." Spike stood up, hauling Xander with him. Xander stood there, staring at the door - nerving himself to open it. Noticing, in a dazed sort of way, Spike shedding his coat to the back of the couch. Then Spike was standing behind him, arms comfortingly around Xander's ribs. Xander sighed and leaned back.
"This is your house, Xander," Spike whispered, lips just brushing the edge of Xander's ear. "Can tell 'em to piss off any time you want, right?"
"Right." Xander straightened - took a step toward the door and then turned around and snatched the cigarette out of Spike's hand - took a deep drag and coughed, hard. "F-fuck - me -"
Thump thump thump.
"Better save starting new vices for later," Spike said, grinning.
"Yeah - tastes better on you," Xander croaked, letting Spike take the cigarette out of his fingers. He pushed his hair off his face - thought for one moment about going and getting a patch but then decided he didn't care. *This is my house. Right. And Spike'll back me up. On it being my house. Jesus.* Xander strode toward his front door - took the knob in his hand and turned it - opened the door. Faith leaned there, her shoulder against the jamb and her arms crossed. Connor was right behind her, fist raised to knock again.
"Thought you might have fallen on something sharp. Got hurt," Faith said.
"And nice to see you too, Faith. Sort of. And you're here again - why? Wes wasn't really clear." Xander crossed his own arms - stood squarely in the doorway and Faith grinned up at him, dark-red lipstick glinting slickly.
"Wes called? He's such a worry-wart. Me and Connor, we were just getting a little - stir-crazy. We thought a road-trip would be fun."
"I hear Boston's nice this time of year."
"Oh, come on Xander! I thought we were past all this - hostility."
"Oh, I dunno - sometimes hostility's kinda fun." Xander glanced from Faith to Connor and Connor grinned.
"I can do hostile but I'm kinda tired, you know? Seattle's really hilly."
"You wouldn't be tired if you hadn't spent half the day stomping all over the city disturbing people," Spike said from his 'lounging snake' position on the arm of Xander's couch.
"Well, we didn't think we'd find you hanging out at Xander's house," Connor said, and Faith finally put her hand out and lay it flat on Xander's chest. Her nails were short - free of polish and very clean.
"Gonna let us in or what?"
"Or what, if I had any sense," Xander sighed. But he stepped back - ushered them both in with a sweep of his arm and shut the door behind them. Faith strolled up to Spike and stopped a few feet away, head to one side and her hands relaxed - her shoulders back. Connor drifted toward the shelves that were on the left of the door, glancing over the book and comic titles with a restless eye.
"Lookin' better than the last time I saw you, that's for sure," Faith said, and Spike took a long pull of his cigarette - tamped it out in the ashtray Xander had bought.
"Feeling much better, too. What is it you want, exactly?"
"Oh, not much. A house in the country, a 401k, a boss who doesn't brood...all my friends safe."
"We're friends? I didn't know we were friends. When did we become friends?" Xander walked around the end of the couch - settled himself irritably in the middle. Spot immediately slithered from the back to Xander's shoulder to his lap and Xander absently stroked the thick fur along his back.
"Well, we're not best buds or anything," Faith said, shrugging. "But you're one of the good guys, you know? Good guys look out for each other."
"Ex-good guy," Xander muttered, and Spot brrr'd softly, pushing his face into Xander's chest. Something cool touched his jaw and Xander glanced up - looked at Spike, who was looking back, serious and still.
"Never be that, pet." Spike held Xander's gaze for a long moment, and Xander felt a little curl of warmth go through him. Warm and tingle all at the same time - giddy rush of firecracker sparks and hot chocolate. *Oh, man. Love bites for sure.*
"I can't believe you're eating artichoke hearts on your pizza."
"Dude -" Xander chewed - swallowed - wiped his mouth. "Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. It's - amazing." He held up his half-eaten slice, wiggling it enticingly. "It's good. C'mon, Connor - give it a try." Connor recoiled, looking slightly panicked.
"It's weird. Pizza is supposed to be fat and dead animal products," Faith said, waving a slice of her pepperoni-Italian sausage-Canadian bacon-and-extra-cheese (with mushrooms and onions) pizza in the air. Spot and Jerome watched her, heads moving in synchronized, hypnotized circles.
"It's different. Nothing wrong with different." Xander shot Spike a look and Spike grinned back. "Live a little!"
"I've probably lived more than most and even I won't try it," Spike said, snagging the last slice of feta-cheese and anchovy pizza.
"I wouldn't be so judgmental if I were you, goat-cheese-and-fish-boy," Xander said. "And you know you're gonna have to brush the anchovy-breath away before - uh -" Xander felt the blood rushing to his face as Faith and Connor exchanged looks and Spike smirked, his bare foot nudging at Xander's ankle under the table. *Crap. Damnit. No, we will not now discuss my sex life. In any way, shape or form. Nuh-uh.*
"So, you two doin' the nasty?" Faith asked, licking her fingers and Xander felt the blush come back twice as hot.
"Pretty nasty," Spike murmured, his toes squirreling upward. "Sometimes. Sometimes it's just -" His voice died away to silence, his eyes on Xander - smiling that smile, that made Xander feel...
"Just..." Xander felt Connor and Faith watching him. Watching them. Felt it and just - didn't care. *My house. My...thing. With Spike.* "Just right," Xander finished, and Faith made a small snorting noise.
"And here Angel was sure you'd be all crushed under the weight of guilt and shame," Faith said, and her voice took on the mournful tones of Angel's best brood-voice.
"Crushed by what?" Spike asked, toes wiggling, and Xander let his hand slip down and find them - curl over them and press them into the inside of his thigh.
"By guilt and shame, you evil, horrible thing you."
"I thought Jerome was the evil, horrible thing?"
"Who's Jerome?" Faith asked.
"Spot's evil twin," Xander said, and Spot mewled hopefully, one paw coming up and hooking delicately into Faith's knee. *Like Oliver Twist. He wants some mooore.*
Faith made a 'shoo' gesture and winced as Spot dug in. "I don't actually like cats."
"Hey, why didn't we have to pay a cover charge?" Conner yelled, and Xander grinned at him - handed him the little test-tube looking glass that had a glo-stick-green colored drink in it.
"'Cause I know the person that decides who comes in!" Connor grinned at that - took the drink and sniffed it and then tossed it back. Xander wondered if he'd have vampire-like constitution when it came to alcohol. Spike was over at the bar, yelling at the bartender. Trying to get something that didn't 'look like Vy'sha blood and taste like treacle'. *Good luck with that,* Xander thought, watching him. Spike looked ready to take the bartender's head off.
"Lemme go get Spike before he does some damage and then there's somebody here I want you to meet," Xander yelled. Connor bobbed his head, his eyes wide and shiny in the bobbing, flashing lights. From the 'bar' level it wasn't possible to see details in the heaving mass of dancers down on the floor. Xander was looking forward to the details.
He pushed his way through the crowd and fetched up against Spike, who was yelling something at the bartender. The bartender was looking on the verge of either tears or homicide. "Hey - Spike! Don't make the man's job any harder than it already is, okay?" Xander said, his mouth close to Spike's ear and his hands slipping around Spike's waist, one finger sliding between the buttons of Spike's shirt.
"You know I hate this bloody club, Xander, they've got nothing to drink! Why in hell are we here?"
"I wanted to introduce Connor and Faith to Shi. I think they'd...have fun." Spike turned in Xander's arms - gave him look of wicked glee that made Xander shiver and grin at the same time.
"You, pet, are truly evil. Where is the little degenerate, anyway?"
"He's around - Van said he was on the floor doing his Chinese Opera thing tonight." Xander had told Spike all about his single 'date' with Mrs. Feng's nephew. Spike had managed to talk Xander into demonstrating parts of the bondage costume Shi had had on with lengths of shredded t-shirt and a belt and wow, Xander had had no idea he could be that kinky. He blamed Spike.
After five more minutes of futile haranguing, Spike finally settled - very grumpily - for a Long Island Iced Tea and Xander got four more neon-rainbow shots and a cranberry juice for himself. *And there goes the better part of two good meals at the Coins. Jesus. Shi better show fast or I'm gonna be broke.*
They fought their way back through the crowd to Connor, who was leaning on the rail and watching the seething, leaping, squirming mass of dancers with a bemused expression. Faith was gone.
"Hey! Here!" Xander handed over two of the shots and got the other two into one hand - took a drink of his juice. "Where's Faith?"
"Dancing!" Connor shouted, pointing, and Xander could just see her, sandwiched between a guy in what look like a Navy uniform circa the Village People and a girl in a red leather Devil costume.
"Is that what she's doing?" Xander asked and then squeaked and spun around as strong fingers goosed him. "Hey!"
"Xaander! You came back!"
"Shi! Uh. Hey, yeah! Umm -" Xander took a huge gulp of his cranberry juice, leaning hard into Spike who was looking fairly pissed about the goosing. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Connor gulping down his third drink. He looked at the glasses - shrugged - and lifted the other two out of Xander's hand.
Shi just smiled, resplendent in a scarlet robe that was encrusted with gilt embroidery, beads, sequins and clicking, sparkling, rhinestone fringe. A robe that was open down the front and slipping off one glitter-daubed shoulder. Under it was - ribbon. Black silk ribbon. Lots of it, wound around and around and around a body that seemed to have been carved from the palest ivory. And there was no mistaking the fact that under the makeup - the exquisite arched brows and tiny, scarlet lips that made Shi's already pretty face absolutely doll-perfect - he was all man. Two ribbon ends fluttered from the neat bow that finished off the ribbon-wrapping just - there. Xander imagined if you tugged and undid the bow - the ribbon would just slide right off.
Connor seemed to be imagining that, too, if the direction of his deer-in-the-headlights look was any indication and Xander belatedly realized that the tickling sensation going from his spine right through his breast bone was Spike growling. *Growling. Why would he be...? Is he jealous? Spike's jealous of Shi! No, of me. No way.* Xander glanced over his shoulder and caught the cat's eye gleam of a pair of golden eyes in the strobe from the ceiling and he felt a stupid, giddy grin spread over his face.
*Way.* "Shi, I brought a friend of mine for you to meet! This is Connor!" Shi fluttered absurdly long fake eyelashes - lashes tipped with tiny little crystal drops - and dimpled at Connor, bending a knee and dropping his gaze. Xander saw the raking glance that took in Connor's worn, hip-hugging jeans and thin sweater and then Shi was reaching out a narrow hand to curl it around Connor's arm. Xander knew that the six-inch-long, scarlet and gold nails on the ends of Shi's fingers were fake but for a moment it looked like Connor was pretty sure they were knives. Or claws. Behind him, Spike was snorting quiet laughter.
"Helloooo, Connor. Here, let me finish that." Shi took the last shot from Connor and tipped it up - lovingly fellated the narrow tube, his tongue curling out and around and his long neck undulating as he swallowed. Connor - blinked. "Now - you come with me and tell me all about yourself. I want to know everything." Shi tugged and Connor lurched into a shaky-legged walk. Even in the six-inch heels he wore Shi was a couple inches shorter than Connor and Shi looked demurely up as he drew Connor away. He glanced over his shoulder once and stifled a giggle as Xander mouthed 'virgin'. Then they were gone.
"You're more evil than Darla, pet," Spike said - spun Xander around and pulled him close. "And that little biǎo zi had better keep his hands off you in the future."
"I didn't know you spoke Chinese, Spike," Xander murmured - let his tongue-tip taste smoke and tequila and Triple-sec on Spike's lips.
"Learn something new every day, don't you?"
"Yes, you do." Xander looked at Spike and Spike looked back, tipping his head a little to one side. So much like Spot and Jerome that Xander almost laughed. "You know - I just wanna go home. My chaperone duties are so over."
"Home it is, then." Spike deposited his half-full glass on a nearby table - took Xander's hand in a tight grip and plunged into the crowd. It took five minutes to reach the sidewalk - Xander was happy for it to take five hours.
*Haven't held hands with anybody since... Well, since Anya. It's nice. It's a little...girly. I don't actually care. If the one-hundred and something years old vampire can do it, I can do it.* Once outside Xander stopped to button up his coat. He fished his stripy black and green knit hat out of a pocket and pulled it down tight, grinning when Spike didn't let go and his fingers got tangled in Xander's hair. The SUV Connor and Faith had driven up in was still parked outside Xander's building - they'd taken a taxi to the club, just in case.
"Want to get a cab, pet?"
Xander laced his fingers more securely with Spike's - took a deep breath, pulling chill, salt-tanged air deep into his lungs. Overhead was a sickle moon, diamond bright, and a faint spatter of stars like spilled sugar. "You know...I think I'd like it a lot if you walked me home, Spike."
"Walk you home? Like I was your boyfriend?" Spike asked, edge of laughter in his voice.
"Yup. Exactly like that."
"I reckon I can manage that," Spike said. It was the longest, shortest walk home ever.
ETA:No More Snakes and Ladders has been nominated at the 'Fang Fetish' awards. Thank you all so much!
I'm going to ramble just shortly about 'Firefly'. We're finally watching the DVD's the lovely Snow loaned us and wow - i am really, really enjoying this. I adore scifi more than most genre's to begin with, but i really, really enjoy a future-world that isn't all perfect and clean and shiny and *easy* So yay!
And how much do i love Jayne? A lot! Heh.
Also - it's really *autumn* here now. Chilly during the day and downright *cold* at night, and the *light* has changed. It's autumnal ligh - no mistaking. Everything smells as if it's simmered slowly - all the scents seemed to be richer and stronger and spicier. I love it. Plus - flannel sheets and fuzzy socks! Yes!
There have been kerfluffles. I've missed them *all*. Heh. I like it like that.
Now - onto the fic! Of course, many smooches go to
reremouse, 'cause she tells me when i'm going astray. Thanks, bay-bee!Previous parts of the story are here.
Under the Mountain:
Xander got home on autopilot - fed the cats, did some dishes - took a shower. He kept glancing at his front door, half expecting a Buffy-style kick to send it flying across his living room. Only it would be a Faith-style kick, with Connor one step behind and somehow - that was worse. At least there had only been one super-powered twenty-something to contend with in Sunnydale. Two would be...too much.
Around seven - too nervous to watch TV but insanely bored at the same time from the circular speculation that was going around and around in his head - he finally sat down at his computer and checked his email.
*Four actual emails versus sixty-seven spams. Not bad.* Xander deleted the stuff in the spam folder and opened the first email. It was from Willow, dated sometime the day before. With a sort of sinking feeling he started to read it. Certain things - jumped right out.
"...called from L.A. and I thought that was kind of weird...why didn't you say you'd seen Spike? Xander, I can't believe...I hope you're okay...talked to Wes...he said everything was all right...I'm so mad at you, mister!...hope you don't mind...gave them your address and number..." Xander stopped reading - closed the email. The ones from Buffy and Dawn stared at him accusingly, as did the one from Giles. Giles.
*Oh crap. I was gonna call and tell you, guys. In a while. If we were... I mean...it's not like we're soul mates or - or...anything. Just - sex. Really excellent sex. And dinner. And that walk in the Japanese garden the other night that was totally illegal but, fuck, I can't think when he does that thing...* Xander jumped a foot when there was a sudden pounding on his door. *Jesus. They're here! Okay. Don't panic - don't panic. Just - act cool. Oh god, I have a hickey the size of a fuckin' grapefruit on my fucking neck.* Xander stared into the framed, original Heavy Metal cell art in the hall, squinting at his blurry reflection in the glass.
*Maybe if I just button up my shirt? Then I look like the fuckin' Unabomber or something. Jesus - I should have combed my hair -*
"Xander! Open this bloody door!"
"Spike?" Xander jogged down the hall to the living room - side-stepped Jerome, who was carrying a catnip impregnated sisal mouse in his teeth - and flung open the door. Spike stalked in, looking more than a little pissed off as well as wind-blown. He immediately lit a cigarette and when he talked, he puffed out smoke with every word.
"Why in hell did I have an associate of Tubic's pounding on my door not one hour ago, telling me that a Slayer and some kind of strange human boy were making noises about me all over town and I'd better get them to back off before something unfortunate happened? Any ideas, Harris?"
"Huh?" Xander blinked - looked away from the dissipating smoke. "Harris?"
"What?"
"You called me Harris. It was - it was something else about six hours ago."
"It was sweetheart and that's not - I mean -"
Xander stepped up close and personal to Spike - got right into his face and his personal space and slipped his hands under the coat - under the black button-up that was, he noticed, done up crookedly. "Yeah. I remember. It was -" Xander pressed his lips to Spikes - tickled gently at the sensitive underside of Spike's upper lip with his tongue until Spike opened his mouth a little. "Like this and...like this..." Xander let both hands slither down to Spike's butt and pulled him close - rolled his hips a little. "And...this -" Nip of teeth to lower lip and Spike made a pleased little sound.
"Sweetheart... Hey!" Spike jerked back and Xander blinked at him. "You're trying to distract me, pet."
"Is it working?"
"Yes. No. What the hell's going on, Xander?"
Xander sighed - half-turned and led an unresisting Spike to the couch where they both flopped down. Spot immediately leaped up onto the back, purring loudly. "Not now, Spot. It's... Well, you know I called Angel, right?"
"Right," Spike said, making a face, and Xander sighed again.
"Well, I guess he's been all - broody. And Faith and Connor were getting kind of sick of it and they decided to call Willow and - Willow gave them my address."
"Bloody bastard can't leave well enough alone, can he? And what do his little minions think they're going to do here - spank me and send me home? I'm bloody well not having it -" Spike ranted on for another minute or two, finishing one cigarette and lighting another. Xander found himself hunching into the couch a little. Abruptly, Spike stopped talking. "Xander? What's wrong then?"
"Huh? Oh, I - it's just -"
"It's not your fault - you do know that, don't you?" Xander shrugged miserably. He really didn't want to explain the complex churn of emotion that he was feeling right then. Protectiveness toward Spike - apprehension about Faith and Connor - guilt over the girls and Giles and a secret smugness that they were all...worried. Smugness that was instantly smothered in guilt for making everyone upset when he'd been doing so good, out here on his own. Living, and not on borrowed time, either.
"Xander -" Spike shifted closer along the couch - pushed Spot's questing nose away and pulled Xander close, cool hand around the back of Xander's neck, fingers kneading gently. "Sweetheart -"
And then someone knocked on the door.
"Oh, god."
"Fucking hell. Breathe, Xander." Spike stood up, hauling Xander with him. Xander stood there, staring at the door - nerving himself to open it. Noticing, in a dazed sort of way, Spike shedding his coat to the back of the couch. Then Spike was standing behind him, arms comfortingly around Xander's ribs. Xander sighed and leaned back.
"This is your house, Xander," Spike whispered, lips just brushing the edge of Xander's ear. "Can tell 'em to piss off any time you want, right?"
"Right." Xander straightened - took a step toward the door and then turned around and snatched the cigarette out of Spike's hand - took a deep drag and coughed, hard. "F-fuck - me -"
Thump thump thump.
"Better save starting new vices for later," Spike said, grinning.
"Yeah - tastes better on you," Xander croaked, letting Spike take the cigarette out of his fingers. He pushed his hair off his face - thought for one moment about going and getting a patch but then decided he didn't care. *This is my house. Right. And Spike'll back me up. On it being my house. Jesus.* Xander strode toward his front door - took the knob in his hand and turned it - opened the door. Faith leaned there, her shoulder against the jamb and her arms crossed. Connor was right behind her, fist raised to knock again.
"Thought you might have fallen on something sharp. Got hurt," Faith said.
"And nice to see you too, Faith. Sort of. And you're here again - why? Wes wasn't really clear." Xander crossed his own arms - stood squarely in the doorway and Faith grinned up at him, dark-red lipstick glinting slickly.
"Wes called? He's such a worry-wart. Me and Connor, we were just getting a little - stir-crazy. We thought a road-trip would be fun."
"I hear Boston's nice this time of year."
"Oh, come on Xander! I thought we were past all this - hostility."
"Oh, I dunno - sometimes hostility's kinda fun." Xander glanced from Faith to Connor and Connor grinned.
"I can do hostile but I'm kinda tired, you know? Seattle's really hilly."
"You wouldn't be tired if you hadn't spent half the day stomping all over the city disturbing people," Spike said from his 'lounging snake' position on the arm of Xander's couch.
"Well, we didn't think we'd find you hanging out at Xander's house," Connor said, and Faith finally put her hand out and lay it flat on Xander's chest. Her nails were short - free of polish and very clean.
"Gonna let us in or what?"
"Or what, if I had any sense," Xander sighed. But he stepped back - ushered them both in with a sweep of his arm and shut the door behind them. Faith strolled up to Spike and stopped a few feet away, head to one side and her hands relaxed - her shoulders back. Connor drifted toward the shelves that were on the left of the door, glancing over the book and comic titles with a restless eye.
"Lookin' better than the last time I saw you, that's for sure," Faith said, and Spike took a long pull of his cigarette - tamped it out in the ashtray Xander had bought.
"Feeling much better, too. What is it you want, exactly?"
"Oh, not much. A house in the country, a 401k, a boss who doesn't brood...all my friends safe."
"We're friends? I didn't know we were friends. When did we become friends?" Xander walked around the end of the couch - settled himself irritably in the middle. Spot immediately slithered from the back to Xander's shoulder to his lap and Xander absently stroked the thick fur along his back.
"Well, we're not best buds or anything," Faith said, shrugging. "But you're one of the good guys, you know? Good guys look out for each other."
"Ex-good guy," Xander muttered, and Spot brrr'd softly, pushing his face into Xander's chest. Something cool touched his jaw and Xander glanced up - looked at Spike, who was looking back, serious and still.
"Never be that, pet." Spike held Xander's gaze for a long moment, and Xander felt a little curl of warmth go through him. Warm and tingle all at the same time - giddy rush of firecracker sparks and hot chocolate. *Oh, man. Love bites for sure.*
"I can't believe you're eating artichoke hearts on your pizza."
"Dude -" Xander chewed - swallowed - wiped his mouth. "Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. It's - amazing." He held up his half-eaten slice, wiggling it enticingly. "It's good. C'mon, Connor - give it a try." Connor recoiled, looking slightly panicked.
"It's weird. Pizza is supposed to be fat and dead animal products," Faith said, waving a slice of her pepperoni-Italian sausage-Canadian bacon-and-extra-cheese (with mushrooms and onions) pizza in the air. Spot and Jerome watched her, heads moving in synchronized, hypnotized circles.
"It's different. Nothing wrong with different." Xander shot Spike a look and Spike grinned back. "Live a little!"
"I've probably lived more than most and even I won't try it," Spike said, snagging the last slice of feta-cheese and anchovy pizza.
"I wouldn't be so judgmental if I were you, goat-cheese-and-fish-boy," Xander said. "And you know you're gonna have to brush the anchovy-breath away before - uh -" Xander felt the blood rushing to his face as Faith and Connor exchanged looks and Spike smirked, his bare foot nudging at Xander's ankle under the table. *Crap. Damnit. No, we will not now discuss my sex life. In any way, shape or form. Nuh-uh.*
"So, you two doin' the nasty?" Faith asked, licking her fingers and Xander felt the blush come back twice as hot.
"Pretty nasty," Spike murmured, his toes squirreling upward. "Sometimes. Sometimes it's just -" His voice died away to silence, his eyes on Xander - smiling that smile, that made Xander feel...
"Just..." Xander felt Connor and Faith watching him. Watching them. Felt it and just - didn't care. *My house. My...thing. With Spike.* "Just right," Xander finished, and Faith made a small snorting noise.
"And here Angel was sure you'd be all crushed under the weight of guilt and shame," Faith said, and her voice took on the mournful tones of Angel's best brood-voice.
"Crushed by what?" Spike asked, toes wiggling, and Xander let his hand slip down and find them - curl over them and press them into the inside of his thigh.
"By guilt and shame, you evil, horrible thing you."
"I thought Jerome was the evil, horrible thing?"
"Who's Jerome?" Faith asked.
"Spot's evil twin," Xander said, and Spot mewled hopefully, one paw coming up and hooking delicately into Faith's knee. *Like Oliver Twist. He wants some mooore.*
Faith made a 'shoo' gesture and winced as Spot dug in. "I don't actually like cats."
"Hey, why didn't we have to pay a cover charge?" Conner yelled, and Xander grinned at him - handed him the little test-tube looking glass that had a glo-stick-green colored drink in it.
"'Cause I know the person that decides who comes in!" Connor grinned at that - took the drink and sniffed it and then tossed it back. Xander wondered if he'd have vampire-like constitution when it came to alcohol. Spike was over at the bar, yelling at the bartender. Trying to get something that didn't 'look like Vy'sha blood and taste like treacle'. *Good luck with that,* Xander thought, watching him. Spike looked ready to take the bartender's head off.
"Lemme go get Spike before he does some damage and then there's somebody here I want you to meet," Xander yelled. Connor bobbed his head, his eyes wide and shiny in the bobbing, flashing lights. From the 'bar' level it wasn't possible to see details in the heaving mass of dancers down on the floor. Xander was looking forward to the details.
He pushed his way through the crowd and fetched up against Spike, who was yelling something at the bartender. The bartender was looking on the verge of either tears or homicide. "Hey - Spike! Don't make the man's job any harder than it already is, okay?" Xander said, his mouth close to Spike's ear and his hands slipping around Spike's waist, one finger sliding between the buttons of Spike's shirt.
"You know I hate this bloody club, Xander, they've got nothing to drink! Why in hell are we here?"
"I wanted to introduce Connor and Faith to Shi. I think they'd...have fun." Spike turned in Xander's arms - gave him look of wicked glee that made Xander shiver and grin at the same time.
"You, pet, are truly evil. Where is the little degenerate, anyway?"
"He's around - Van said he was on the floor doing his Chinese Opera thing tonight." Xander had told Spike all about his single 'date' with Mrs. Feng's nephew. Spike had managed to talk Xander into demonstrating parts of the bondage costume Shi had had on with lengths of shredded t-shirt and a belt and wow, Xander had had no idea he could be that kinky. He blamed Spike.
After five more minutes of futile haranguing, Spike finally settled - very grumpily - for a Long Island Iced Tea and Xander got four more neon-rainbow shots and a cranberry juice for himself. *And there goes the better part of two good meals at the Coins. Jesus. Shi better show fast or I'm gonna be broke.*
They fought their way back through the crowd to Connor, who was leaning on the rail and watching the seething, leaping, squirming mass of dancers with a bemused expression. Faith was gone.
"Hey! Here!" Xander handed over two of the shots and got the other two into one hand - took a drink of his juice. "Where's Faith?"
"Dancing!" Connor shouted, pointing, and Xander could just see her, sandwiched between a guy in what look like a Navy uniform circa the Village People and a girl in a red leather Devil costume.
"Is that what she's doing?" Xander asked and then squeaked and spun around as strong fingers goosed him. "Hey!"
"Xaander! You came back!"
"Shi! Uh. Hey, yeah! Umm -" Xander took a huge gulp of his cranberry juice, leaning hard into Spike who was looking fairly pissed about the goosing. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Connor gulping down his third drink. He looked at the glasses - shrugged - and lifted the other two out of Xander's hand.
Shi just smiled, resplendent in a scarlet robe that was encrusted with gilt embroidery, beads, sequins and clicking, sparkling, rhinestone fringe. A robe that was open down the front and slipping off one glitter-daubed shoulder. Under it was - ribbon. Black silk ribbon. Lots of it, wound around and around and around a body that seemed to have been carved from the palest ivory. And there was no mistaking the fact that under the makeup - the exquisite arched brows and tiny, scarlet lips that made Shi's already pretty face absolutely doll-perfect - he was all man. Two ribbon ends fluttered from the neat bow that finished off the ribbon-wrapping just - there. Xander imagined if you tugged and undid the bow - the ribbon would just slide right off.
Connor seemed to be imagining that, too, if the direction of his deer-in-the-headlights look was any indication and Xander belatedly realized that the tickling sensation going from his spine right through his breast bone was Spike growling. *Growling. Why would he be...? Is he jealous? Spike's jealous of Shi! No, of me. No way.* Xander glanced over his shoulder and caught the cat's eye gleam of a pair of golden eyes in the strobe from the ceiling and he felt a stupid, giddy grin spread over his face.
*Way.* "Shi, I brought a friend of mine for you to meet! This is Connor!" Shi fluttered absurdly long fake eyelashes - lashes tipped with tiny little crystal drops - and dimpled at Connor, bending a knee and dropping his gaze. Xander saw the raking glance that took in Connor's worn, hip-hugging jeans and thin sweater and then Shi was reaching out a narrow hand to curl it around Connor's arm. Xander knew that the six-inch-long, scarlet and gold nails on the ends of Shi's fingers were fake but for a moment it looked like Connor was pretty sure they were knives. Or claws. Behind him, Spike was snorting quiet laughter.
"Helloooo, Connor. Here, let me finish that." Shi took the last shot from Connor and tipped it up - lovingly fellated the narrow tube, his tongue curling out and around and his long neck undulating as he swallowed. Connor - blinked. "Now - you come with me and tell me all about yourself. I want to know everything." Shi tugged and Connor lurched into a shaky-legged walk. Even in the six-inch heels he wore Shi was a couple inches shorter than Connor and Shi looked demurely up as he drew Connor away. He glanced over his shoulder once and stifled a giggle as Xander mouthed 'virgin'. Then they were gone.
"You're more evil than Darla, pet," Spike said - spun Xander around and pulled him close. "And that little biǎo zi had better keep his hands off you in the future."
"I didn't know you spoke Chinese, Spike," Xander murmured - let his tongue-tip taste smoke and tequila and Triple-sec on Spike's lips.
"Learn something new every day, don't you?"
"Yes, you do." Xander looked at Spike and Spike looked back, tipping his head a little to one side. So much like Spot and Jerome that Xander almost laughed. "You know - I just wanna go home. My chaperone duties are so over."
"Home it is, then." Spike deposited his half-full glass on a nearby table - took Xander's hand in a tight grip and plunged into the crowd. It took five minutes to reach the sidewalk - Xander was happy for it to take five hours.
*Haven't held hands with anybody since... Well, since Anya. It's nice. It's a little...girly. I don't actually care. If the one-hundred and something years old vampire can do it, I can do it.* Once outside Xander stopped to button up his coat. He fished his stripy black and green knit hat out of a pocket and pulled it down tight, grinning when Spike didn't let go and his fingers got tangled in Xander's hair. The SUV Connor and Faith had driven up in was still parked outside Xander's building - they'd taken a taxi to the club, just in case.
"Want to get a cab, pet?"
Xander laced his fingers more securely with Spike's - took a deep breath, pulling chill, salt-tanged air deep into his lungs. Overhead was a sickle moon, diamond bright, and a faint spatter of stars like spilled sugar. "You know...I think I'd like it a lot if you walked me home, Spike."
"Walk you home? Like I was your boyfriend?" Spike asked, edge of laughter in his voice.
"Yup. Exactly like that."
"I reckon I can manage that," Spike said. It was the longest, shortest walk home ever.
ETA:No More Snakes and Ladders has been nominated at the 'Fang Fetish' awards. Thank you all so much!
no subject
Such good stuff!
*rubs hands gleefully in anticpation of more tabiqui stories*
no subject
*melts*
I love your writing. You always make me feel so.... mixeduphappyhurtylovehatesweetgoodbadeverything.
no subject
The entire chapter was great but I can't help but just aww over that last bit!! SO CUTE!!
no subject
Thank you so much, bay-bee!
*bounces away*
no subject
Thank you!
:)
no subject
Thank you so much! And wow, lovely, thanks for following the rec and then commenting!
I loved writing Babylon - glad you enjoyed it!
My memories aren't really sorted as to 'my fic', 'other fic' but you can go find titles on my website.
Have fun! And thank you so much, again!
:)
*no, not published, but working on a couple of original fics that i hope will be some day*
no subject
Spike and Xander. What can I say about your boys, because, invariably, you take them and make them your very own every single damn time. They're just wonderful.
Loved the test tube drinks, so cool.
If it weren't against my religion, I'd create an altar to you and worship at it everytime you posted a fic. But, umm, Jesus sort of frowns on that, so I'll just do it in my mind. You so rock.
no subject
".....You know...I think I'd like it a lot if you walked me home, Spike."
"Walk you home? Like I was your boyfriend?" Spike asked, edge of laughter in his voice.
"Yup. Exactly like that."
"I reckon I can manage that," Spike said. It was the longest, shortest walk home ever."
I loved this bit. So smushy and girly... I re-read it several times. It just makes me smile.. and giggle a bit too.
Thanks for sharing!!
no subject
And oh my god with Shi and Conner!!! That whole scene was just absolutely perfect. With Xander mouthing virgin at the end. Like Shi wouldn't know. Mmmm...mmmm..mmmmm...that boy is gonna get broke in the right way. Hmmmm...I wouldn't mind seeing that in print.
no subject
:)
*bounce*
Connor will go home with fun, fun stories to tell!
Heh.
I'd make the baby Je-bus cry!
*snerk*
*ahem*
No need to worship - just send pressies.
no subject
*smooch*
Heeeeee. Yup, girly and smushy but - who cares! Sometimes you just need some schmoop.
:)
no subject
Thank you, bay-bee!
I lurve cats but man, they are so *pushy*. Heh.
Connor is so *not* going home a virgin. Heeeeeeee. But that's...private. You know.
:)
no subject
Glad you're enjoying "Firefly"!
Julia, off into the hell that is Walmart!
no subject
*hugs you*
Horrible Walmart! Ack!
no subject
no subject
What a great way to spend a rainy afternoon, with Spike and Xander! I'm sooo curious to see what happens next and Shi--on my goodness, did that boy ever make me happy! Wonderful description my darling!
You're brilliant, amazing and you make me happier than anyone in the whole world--(don't tell Mr. Roxy!)
no subject
*heeeee*
I'm so very glad you're enjoying this! I love to make my worlds - even little worlds-in-worlds where there's already a city *Seattle*, there is also a Mrs. Feng and a club for her nephew and caretakers at the Arboretum who like to spoil cats.
And you went back to re-read, yay!
*is giddy*
Well, when it comes to that sort of choice - housework or reading...well...housework is *never* done, so...
:)
Thank you again!
no subject
You make me all warm and fuzzy inside.
:)
*smooch*
Thank you thank you thank you! I'm so excited you read it!!
You really liked it? Really?
*bounce*
Tell me more!
No, that's okay.
*ahem*
Luff you too! Muchly!
:)
no subject
no subject
Heh.
:)
no subject
*ahem*
And damn LJ! I'm not getting your posts! Checking my lj entry ever two minutes is *not good*!!
*smooshes you*
no subject
no subject
*stomps in circles*
no subject
no subject