Pairing:Spike/Xander
Rating: PG...Possibly R for language
Disclaimer:They arent mine. Wish they were.
Summary: It's the little things that make the difference
The Little Details
by
Magixa
“Explain to me again why I'm doing this?” whined Xander as he stared at the ceiling.
“Because you love me and adore me and want to keep me happy. Now stick a fucking sock in it. I can’t concentrate.”
Xander looked over to Spike. He was seated on the other side of the room, pad and pencil in hand with a very serious expression on his face. If Xander didn’t feel quite so stupid, he would have had a bit of a giggle at Spikes expense. However, it is a bit difficult to tease someone when you’re naked.
“Oh well. How I can resist the dulcet tones of my lover? My goodness! So eloquent.”
Spike threw the pencil he was using on the floor and picked up another one. Xander didn’t even want to know what the pencil had done to be discarded so violently. Whatever it was, Spike must have been happy with the decision since he carried on scrawling over his pad more animatedly than ever.
“Speaking of eloquent, where did you learn that word?”
“I know words Spike. I’m not stupid.”
Spike raised an eyebrow of disbelief but did not say anything.
Xander challenged the stare until his eyeballs began to burn a little.
Stupid vampires and their not needing to blink.
“I heard Giles using it on the phone the other day,” he admitted finally.
“Ah.”
“Why? Did I use it wrong?”
“No luv. You used it perfectly.”
“It means nicely said. Right?”
“That it is petal.”
Xander sniffed and wriggled back against the cushions.
“Why don’t you talk all pretty like that anymore? You used to write poetry and songs. You were raised around women with corsets and guys with waistcoats. Yet now you somehow manage to fit the word “wanker” into conversation at least twice a day.”
Spike leaned back in his chair too, stretching his legs out as if he had circulation problems.
“Maybe there weren’t as many wankers' around in my day.”
“I doubt that. I’ve seen the pictures of those guys. Mutton chops? So not a good look.”
They fell into silence then. The scratching of Spikes’ pencil the only noise between them.
Christ he was bored. It wasn’t like he could do something to keep himself occupied. He had been told not move so getting something to eat was out of the question. And he had repeatedly been told not to talk but that was just unrealistic. His natural urge to fidget and chatter was just too strong.
Therefore, it was only a matter of time before he started humming the theme tune from Titanic.
He was half way through the second chorus when the vampire interrupted him.
“Pet?”
“Hmmm?”
“Stop that.”
“What?”
“That tune you’re humming.”
“Can’t help it. It’s romantic.”
“It is not.”
“Yes it is. You saying that someday I may not stand on the deck of a huge boat with you behind me yelling, “I’m the king of the world”? Don’t steal my dream Spike!”
Spike smirked but kept on drawing.
“There’ve been many circumstances where I’ve been behind you saying that.”
“Not on a boat though,” countered Xander.
“It’s easily arranged.”
“Really?”
“Yep. And if you don’t stop talking I may even rent an iceberg too.”
Xander folded his arms across his bare chest and huffed.
“You’re so mean. Anyone would think you don’t like talking to me.”
He waited for Spike to comfort him and when it didn’t happen, he began to seethe.
Why? Why did he always do this? It was like being in relationship with a statue sometimes. An annoying statue that ate your food, hogged your side of mattress and made you watch Dawson Creek all the time.
In his darker moments, Xander always felt like the one making the effort.
The one going that extra mile.
The one doing things for Spike.
“Do you like talking to me?” he asked finally.
“What?”
The vampires’ eyes never left the page.
“Do you like talking to me?”
“’Course I do.”
“Contain your enthusiasm why don’t you?”
“What’s your problem pet?”
“This, Spike! You always zone out whenever I want to have a conversation. If I bore you say so.”
Hand stilling for once, Spike looked totally perplexed. Like Xander had stood up and started speaking in tongues at him.
“You don’t bore me pet.”
“No? Then why does it seem like it. I mean, look at me! I am lying here naked on a fold out sofa bed in my parents’ basement. And why? For you that’s why. Because you asked me to. And what do I get in return? Nothing. You can’t even be bothered to talk to me.”
Xander stopped, breathing heavily. He was ready for a fight. A big one. The biggest they had ever had.
But Spike just rolled his eyes and ripped the page from the pad.
When he stood up, Xander thought he was going to storm out.
Well that was not going to happen. Not if he had anything to say about it. He would follow Spike if he tried to leave, clothed or not. He didn’t care if his parents or his Uncle Rory saw him arguing naked with a vampire on the front lawn. Some things you just don’t let slide.
But Spike didn’t go.
Instead, he walked over to Xander and flung the page onto his stomach.
“Would I draw this if you bored me so much?”
Still angry, Xander grabbed the page and finally saw the image Spike had created.
The effect hit him like a ton of bricks.
It was him down to the last detail. Every arch and curve of his body drawn with precision. The little scars he had on his belly from slaying. The slight stubble from not shaving that morning. Spike even included the barely there tan lines he had on his arms from working out in the sun.
When the vampire spoke, there was sadness in his voice.
“How can you think you bore me? You fascinate me pet. I look at you and...sometimes it’s as if I can’t stop. And I know this stupid sketch isn’t really what you want but it’s...the best I can do.”
Xander looked at the picture again, seeing clearly the love and concentration that had gone into it. How much of a gift it was. When he lifted his eyes to Spike, it was as if he was trying to take in the picture and the words all at once.
It was a bit overwhelming.
Without saying anything else, he got up, pulled the vampire to him and breathed in his soft, familiar scent.
Spike stood stiffly at first but then seemed to melt into Xanders’ larger frame.
They stayed this way for a while.
Xander feeling his chest expand and retract against Spike's still one.
It should have freaked him out but it never did.
It never did.
“Do you want me to draw you a picture?” he asked quietly into the vampire's neck.
“Sure pet. I love stick figures.”
Xander snorted and felt the relief flood not just his but Spike's body as well.
“I could sing a song for you.”
“Please don’t.”
“What can I do then?”
Spike pulled back slightly and gazed up at Xander with a warm look.
“Just tell me you love me pet. Those are words I never get tired of hearing you say.”
So Xander said the words.
Over and over, for the rest of the night.
The End
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