Holding Out for a Hero 1/? (Prompt: Riposte)

[salustra.livejournal.com]

This fic is a co-written one, myself and petxnd, so mods she needs to get credit for this for her awards. She’s also made a lovely banner underneath the cut. It is over 1,000 words so it qualifies under the majority decision of that poll.

Title: Holding out for a Hero 1/?
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: Riposte
Warnings: Pre-slash. This fic will eventually have underage sex, so if that squicks you be warned. Xander is 14, almost 15 in this fic.
Rating: Adults Only (not this chapter but eventually)

Background: This is an AU. Spike and Dru parted ways long ago, and this is Sunnydale the year before Buffy showed up.
Summary: Xander has an abusive home life. His only escape is in the form of a comic book called ‘William the Bloody Avenger’, featuring a leather-clad blonde superhero who rescues people from abusive situations. Then Xander sees his hero in the flesh, and is not sure what to do. 

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Xander clutched his new comic book and padded along the quiet street towards the park bench. 'His' bench, where he sat and read his comic in peace under the street light. Anything was better than going home. Home meant shouting and things being thrown, Xander being pushed shoved and cursed for being in the way. He saw his bench and hurried toward it. He settled himself and caressed his comic lovingly. He had quite a collection about the dark clad, blond-haired super-hero who rescued kids like him. If only it were true. He settled down to read.

He was several pages into it when he heard the sound of steel clanging on steel coming from a nearby alleyway. There was an inhuman bellow, and things spoken in a language he didn't understand. He moved to see what it was, creeping up to the entrance of the alleyway and peering around the corner. Deeper in the alleyway, dimly lit by a yellowing overhead light, were two men fighting. Well, one man and a thing. There was a vaguely humanoid creature, brownish-colored, barely dressed, covered with lumps and bumps. The other was a man, clad in a long black leather duster, with blonde hair that shone in the low light of the alleyway. They were circling each other, both wielding swords, and unleashing occasional volleys of thrusts and parries.

Xander froze as he watched. He looked from his comic to the man in the alley. They were so alike. The hero in the comic wore a long, black coat and had the same white-blond hair. The creature and the man circled each other. The man's movements were quick and fluid, like watching an exotic dance.

Suddenly the man erupted into a blindingly quick flurry of motion, and the creature tried its best to fend him off. But there was a quick riposte after a weak parry, and the man sank his sword through the heart of the monster. It crumpled to the ground, gurgling, and then finally falling silent. The man pulled out his sword, wiping it clean. Then he turned and noticed Xander. Even in the dark he apparently saw him and looked right at him.

Their eyes locked and Xander felt a shiver pass through his body. The man was even more like the comic-book hero than he had thought at first glance. He had pale skin and sharp cheekbones and the same slim, muscular built. Xander told himself to run away, that the man might be dangerous, but his legs wouldn't work. He swallowed as the man walked towards him, his eyes holding Xander's captive.

The man walked right up to him, never breaking eye contact. Xander could feel an electric energy roll over his skin and he shivered. Then the man spoke. His accent was English, lower-class, but his voice was a silken caress. "Hello there, what have we here?"

Xander blinked, suddenly feeling shy. "I'm sorry sir, I, I heard the noise and came to see what it was." He stammered and tried to break eye contact, but found he couldn't. His heart began to beat a little faster.

The man extended his hand, fingers circling Xander wrist gently and pulling it down. "You have that comic book. You read a lot of them?" He smiled and kept looking into Xander's eyes.

"Yes. I, I buy it every week and keep them in a box under my bed." The man's fingers were strong and cold round his wrist; they made Xander think of a steel band encircled there.

The man nodded. "You like the hero?" He stepped forward, forcing Xander to step back, and now Xander was pressed against the wall. He leaned in closer, and Xander could smell him. Whiskey, cigarettes, leather, and something else he couldn't quite place.

There seemed to be a chill roll off the man as he pressed him against the wall. Xander felt apprehensive, but not really afraid. He felt compelled to tell the man the truth. "Yes sir, I do, very much. He rescues people, kids like me and takes them someplace safe."

The man lifted his other hand, stroking down Xander's jawline with one finger. "What's your name, boy?"

Xander leaned unconsciously into the cool touch. "Alexander, Alexander Harris, but everyone calls me Xander."

"Xander. Nice name. How old are you, Xander?"

"I'll be fifteen in a couple of months."

The man tilted his head consideringly. "And you're wondering if I'm him. The man in your comic books."

For the first time Xander broke eye contact looking at the picture of the dark hero. "You look so much like him and, and that thing you were fighting, like one of the monsters in the book." He looked up to see the man smile. He had white, even teeth and pale pink lips. "Are you him?" he whispered.

The man leaned in closer to Xander, whispering in his ear. "Maybe I am, and maybe I'm not. You can call me Spike."

Xander shivered at the closeness of the man. He could feel his hard body pressed against him. "Spike." He breathed the name softly.

Spike caressed Xander's cheek. "I have to go now, Xander. But I will see you later. You want to see me again, don't you?"

Xander felt a moment of panic at the idea of the man leaving. Yes, yes I want to see you very much." He blushed a little.

Spike's hand moved up into Xander's hair. It was gentle, stroking, fingers threading through the thick dark hair. "Things are very bad for you, aren't they?"

Xander frowned a little. He wasn't supposed to talk about what went on at home. He nodded dumbly, tears stinging his eyes as he pushed into the gentle touch.

Spike nodded, his other hand moving to wipe at Xander's tears. "Shh, shhh. I know. I can feel it. It's okay to tell me, I understand." His voice was soothing, almost hypnotic.

Xander hiccuped a little as he forced back the tears. "Dad lost his job three years ago and started drinking. They fight all the time, Mom and Dad. She drinks too now and says she wishes she never had me. Dad gets annoyed and says I’m too noisy and in the way all the time. He hits and shoves me. I’m always hungry and tired and sometimes I have no clean clothes for school. I fall asleep in class and I get into trouble so, sometimes I miss school and just hang out."

Spike nodded, his hand moving around Xander's waist to hold him close. "Oh, Xander. That's dreadful. Some people shouldn't be allowed to have kids."

Xander pressed into the man's side. "Sometimes, I just want it to be quiet, for everyone to stop shouting and telling me I'm in the way, or stupid or slow. Sometime I wish I could go to sleep and not wake up."

Spike nodded, still stroking Xander' hair. "I know what you mean. I wish I could stay with you tonight, Xander. You need a friend. But here." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sheaf of bills, peeling away a few and handing them to Xander. "Get you something to eat."

Xander looked at the money. He was so hungry he hadn't eaten since yesterday morning when he'd found some cold Pizza. He could have used what little money he had but he'd bought his comic book. Carefully he took the money. "Thank you, thank you so much." He looked into the man's eyes.

Spike looked back at him, piercing blue eyes staring into Xander's soft brown ones. "I will meet you here tomorrow night, this same place. You'll be here?"

Xander nodded. "I'll be here, I promise."

Spike smiled, cupping Xander's cheek. "Good lad. See you then." He let go of Xander and stepped back, then moved away, quickly swallowed by the night. What Xander couldn't see was the hungry, wolfish grin on his face as he walked away.

Xander watched his benefactor disappear into the night. He carefully tucked the money into one pocket and his comic in the other. He turned and walked towards the Double-Meat Palace. Thoughts of burgers, fries and a milkshake filled his mind.

 

 

Comments

[hawk-soaring.livejournal.com]

Lovely beginning.... can't wait for more.

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

wolfish grin? Oh my, I do believe the sheep are being led to the slaughter here, but I got no problem with that. Excellent beginning!

[lilithbint.livejournal.com]

Ooooo...
I love your Spike in this...

[vikingprincess]

ooh, I really enjoyed this. But poor, poor Xander! *squishes him*

[yanagi-wa.livejournal.com]

Great beginning, but Wolfish grin? Not good. Really looking forward to the next chapter.

[marie2love.livejournal.com]

I love this beginning. I am not sure if I want Spike to save or eat Xander. maybe both? *grin* Wonderful start.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Very nice start. Looks like Spike has set himself up well. Assuming the comic is part of his cover? And he's certainly lulled Xander into a state of compliance. But hungry and wolfish? Doesn't sound so good for young Xander. *sits back, looking forward to more*

[sunnyd-lite.livejournal.com]

Hmm getting the prey to come to him...neat trick there Spike!

interesting premise, looking forward to more!

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Hmm getting the prey to come to him...neat trick there Spike!

interesting premise, looking forward to more!

<text="smaller">psst--some of your blonds have 'e's on them, that's for females</text>