Part Twenty-Seven

"Look up, Luv," Spike coaxes and waits until the youth lifts his head. Then he shifts to game face and says, "Boo!" He grins as Xander gives a watery chuckle.

"No more hiccups," the vampire says with a smirk.

"N-No. Spike?"

"Yeah, Pet?"

"Don’t wanna do that again," Xander says miserably.

"I know. Done for now," Spike assures him.

Xander shudders and clings tighter to the vampire.

"Sorry I was being a brat, Spike. I just wigged."

"I know Xander. Not mad. Ready to get up?"

"Few more cuddles?" Xander begs.

"Always time for more cuddles," Spike replies and strokes the head settled under his chin. The two lie there like that for another fifteen minutes.

Xander lifts his head off the vampire’s chest. He looks Spike in the eyes as the older man cards his fingers through his hair.

"Whatcha lookin’ at, ya git?" Spike asks, amused.

"You," Xander replies simply. Then he kisses the skin in front of him and lays his head back down on his Mate’s chest.

Spike doesn’t say a word but his heart feels full to bursting.

Xander feels comfortable enough now to show small signs of his feelings for the vampire. It’s a very big step in his healing. If Angel were to glance in right now he would see a dopey grin on Spike’s face.

"Love you too, Pet," he says and prods Xander up. "Need to eat now. Got some things to do today."

"Noooooooo, don’t wanna get up," Xander complains. "Make Deadboy get the groceries. Can’t go out, daytime," he finishes triumphantly.

"Got me sunspray, Whelp. Not to mention LA’s fabulous sewer system. " ‘S how Peaches gets around when sun’s up. Now up!" Spike snarls with exasperation.

A pouting Xander finally stands beside the bed. He sullenly walks over to the dresser for clothes. He opens a drawer and turns to give Spike a puzzled look at the unrelenting black fabrics.

"Poof’s room, Poof’s dresser, Poof’s broody black clothes," the vampire explains.

Xander flushes with embarrassment - he forgot they are in Deadboy’s room.

"Though black might be an improvement on yer sunglasses-required ensembles," Spike points out sardonically.

Xander sticks his tongue out and stomps to the room they are staying in. A smirking Spike follows him. He pulls out his baggiest pair of Khakis, a fluorescent orange t-shirt, a truly hideous purple Hawaiian shirt with pineapple print, plain white tube socks, and a pair of battered sneakers.

Spike looks on, horrified, as Xander dresses. He grabbed clothes for the teen in the dark and can’t believe he packed THAT!

Dressed, a smug Xander looks at the vampire. "Thanks for packing my favorite shirt, Blondie," he grins at the speechless vampire.

"Yer not appearing in public… with me… in that get up??" Spike almost pleads.

Xander sticks out his lower lip, "You said you love me!"

"Do love you, Pet," Spike quickly agrees, stalling the coming tears.

"Then you won’t care what I wear," Xander says with narrowed eyes and walks out of the room.

Spike realizes this is an argument he can only lose and for once, wisely shuts up. He applies his sunspray before following his boy down the stairs.

Angel is sitting at the front desk and looks up as the two walk down to him. He does a double take at Xander’s idea of acceptable clothes and grins but when the young man winks at him he loses it to gut busting laughter. Spike has his hands full and he couldn’t be more pleased. He notes with amusement his grandchilde is growling.

"Shut up, Peaches," he snarls. "Goin’ out for a bit, need to feed my pet… stop laughin’, ya Pillock!"

Angel only laughs harder as Spike yanks Xander out the door to the Hyperion. His grandchilde has a certain reputation in the demon community and the snappily dressed vampire is not exactly happy Harris is dressed like a clown. He hopes the teen gives Spike Hell today. The laughter abruptly stops when he realizes Spike just walked out the front door - into the sunlight! He hastily runs across the floor and cautiously opens the door, looking down. Where he expects to see a pile of dust, he sees nothing. No upset Xander, no ashes of Spike. He looks up and sees a still scowling Spike stalking down the sidewalk with a grinning Xander bouncing along behind. He growls in irritation, he hates mysteries. Those two better have some good answers when they get back.

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