tamingthemuse | City of Night 5/? (Prompt: Asylum)

Title: City of Night 5/?
Fandom: BtVS/Ats
Prompt: Asylum
Warnings: Slash
Rating: Adults Only
Summary: This is about the period after Dru dumps Spike the second time, and what happens between the dumping and him arriving in Sunnydale with Harmony. I’ve alluded in several other fics about this period, and always meant to get around to writing it. In this chapter, Spike meets with Lindsey at Caritas.
Note: Song Lyrics from ‘I Want You To Want Me’ by Cheap Trick are used. Get off me, it’s in Caritas, you were expecting to escape karaoke?

Previous parts here.

Spike was at Caritas as soon after dark as he could make it there. He started on the ‘special bloody mary’ right away, thinking it was well to be fed before Lindsey arrived. The crowd was lively, and the karaoke singers were enthusiastic if not particularly talented.

Lorne glided up on Spike without warning, as he had before. “Kitten! You’re back. After the crash and burn last time I wasn’t sure I’d see you again.” He flashed a smile at Spike, resting a hand on his shoulder. “So, are you in need of some solace? I’m really good at solace. It’s a specialty of mine.”

Spike had to chuckle at Lorne. There was something utterly disarming about him, and Spike didn’t bristle at the familiarity he took that way he probably would if someone else presumed it. “Not that I’m not flattered and tempted by the offer, but I do have a date. I kinda didn’t take no for an answer, and Lindsey’s meeting me here tonight.”

Lorne’s smile got even bigger. “I knew you two kids would get along. Though I’m still wanting to drag you off and have you all for myself.” He patted Spike’s shoulder. “Drink up, I’ll see you later.” Then Lorne moved away and back into the crowd.

It wasn’t long before the little lawyer entered the club. Spike’s eyes were drawn to him. He moved like a predator, very wary, but graceful. Spike let his eyes wander over him and drink him in as he approached.

Lindsey felt the heat of the scrutiny, and locked eyes on Spike as he moved towards him. He felt a little naked at the vampire’s stare. He gave a little internal shiver, not sure why it affected him so. He settled onto the stool next to Spike. “So. I’m here.”

Spike smiled. “Yes you are.” He pitched his voice low, almost intimate. “Can I get you a drink?”

Lindsey nodded. “A beer.”

Spike gestured over to Sebastian and ordered the beer. “I wasn’t entirely sure you would show up.”

Lindsey took a sip of the beer. “I wasn’t either. I’m still not sure *why* I’m here. I meant what I said the other night.”

Spike smiled, and licked his lips. “You’re curious. That much I can tell. You know you shouldn’t, but deep down you wonder what it might be like. Forbidden fruit and all.”

Lindsey shrugged. It was uncomfortably close to the truth. He took another sip of his beer. “Well, maybe it’s also because you invaded my asylum from work, and I’m not going to be driven off. Which doesn’t explain why you’re doing this.”

Spike chuckled. “Well to begin with, you’re a very pretty piece of work. You’re handsome, you’re talented, and you’ve got fire. That, and you didn’t give in right away.”

Lindsey had to laugh. “You think I’m playing hard to get?”

“Something like that.” Spike’s gaze rested on Lindsey’s lips again. “But mostly it’s the lips. Those are the sexiest lips I’ve seen in a while, and I want to know what they feel like.”

Despite himself, Lindsey had to blush. He didn’t want to respond to the vampire, but dammit if the blond fiend didn’t know how to push all of his buttons. “I don’t think it’s very likely you’re going to find out.”

Spike settled back, sipping his drink. “We’ll see.”

Lorne swung by. “Your turn, Spike.”

Spike looked a little shock. “My turn for what?”

Lorne smiled. “At the mike. You signed up, remember?”

Spike almost growled. He’d forgotten. “Can’t we just skip it?”

Lorne shook his head. “C’mon kitten, be a sport. I want to see you sing.”

Lindsey chuckled. “So do I.”

Spike bristled a little. That sounded like a challenge and Spike didn’t like to back down from a challenge. “Awright. I’m on my way.”

Lorne moved onto the stage to announce him. Spike wasn’t really listening, he was gathering himself. He knew his voice was okay at least. He’d briefly been in bands over the years, mostly to amuse himself. He strode onto the stage and grabbed the mike, getting ready to belt out the chosen tune as the music started.

“I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
I'd love you to love me.
I'm beggin' you to beg me.”

He kept his eyes firmly on Lindsey as he sang, pushing the song at him, almost daring him to feel it. His voice was rough and the need and desire spilled out of him as he sang.

“I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
I'd love you to love me.
I'll shine up the old brown shoes, put on a brand-new shirt.
I'll get home early from work if you say that you love me.”

Lindsey found himself drawn to watching Spike. He did have some talent, too. Less his voice and more his stage presence. There was raw charisma there. He looked around and everyone else seemed to have noticed as well, all eyes were on the vampire as he sang. Also, there was something flattering about having all that intensity focused at him.

Spike kept singing.

“Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'.
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?”

And then back into the repeating lyrics. It was a simple song, easy to remember and very direct. Spike wasn’t much for subtle. He did find, to his surprise, that as he sang, the words rang true. He did want Lindsey to want him. He needed it. Needed the reassurance that there was something about him worth wanting.

Lindsey’s eyes were focused on Spike still, and he could somehow taste the lash of emotion. He could feel the hint of vulnerability and need under the vampire’s bravado. And he knew right then that he was lost. He was an absolute and utter sucker for being needed.

Spike stepped down off the stage to a warm and enthusiastic round of applause and settled back next to Lindsey. “Not too shabby, eh?”

Lindsey smiled. “Pretty good. You have unexpected depths.”

Spike chuckled. “Stick around, there’s more surprises.”

Lindsey leaned back against the bar. “I think I will.”