Holding Out for a Hero 2/? (Prompt: Argos)

[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 worksafe banner underneath the cut. It is over 1,000 words so it qualifies under the majority decision of that poll. This will also have to count for me this week, I’m horrendously ill and can’t work on my own fic to finish this week’s chapter.

Title: Holding out for a Hero 2/?
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: Argos
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. This Chapter- Xander goes to meet Spike and gets drawn in closer.







Xander made his way along the quiet street. For once things had not gone too bad. After his burger he sneaked home to find his parents passed out and so had a quiet night. The next morning he still had enough money to buy breakfast and school hadn't been too bad. It was well past nine o'clock and he hadn't been home. After school he wandered about and now he made his way to the alley where he had last seen Spike. He leaned on the wall. Several men looked at him, so he'd pad off and then return minutes later to wait again.

Spike slid through the shadows towards his destination. He could see the boy there, underfed, his clothes a little threadbare, shivering in the evening chill, hands shoved into his pockets. But still beautiful. Spike stepped out of the shadows into the pool of light made by the streetlamp overhead. "Hello, Xander."

Xander jumped at the sound of his name. "I didn't see you arrive." He smiled shyly.

Spike grinned mischievously. "Well, I have superhero powers, don't I?"

Xander ducked his head smiling. He shivered a little. The air was chill. He looked up. "Are you fighting monsters tonight?"

Spike shook his head. "Not tonight. Tonight I'm here with you. You look cold. Come with me."

Xander blinked. It took him a few seconds to comprehend that this man had come to be with him. He fell in beside Spike, trotting to keep up. "Where are we going?"

Spike smiled as Xander came along. He hadn't thralled him tonight. The boy was coming on his own. "Someplace warm where we can get you some food, for a start." He saw a diner on the corner. "That will do." He held the door open for Xander to go in.

Xander slipped inside. It was warm and brightly lit and at this time of night, not too busy. He waited for Spike to show him where to sit.

Spike stepped in behind him, gesturing over to one of the booths. A waitress, an apathetic woman snapping her gum, came over to take their orders. Spike looked up at her. "Two of whatever the special is. Coffee for me, chocolate milkshake for my friend." The waitress nodded, and moved off. Spike looked at Xander. "Did you get food like I told you to?"

Xander nodded. "Had double burger, fries and a milk shake and there was enough left for me to have breakfast this morning." Xander slipped out of his worn jacket. The gray shirt he wore was too big and he had to roll back the sleeves. Long since he had learnt to buy clothes too big, so that they lasted longer. Not that he had much choice at the thrift shop. He smiled at Spike. "Thank you for the money."

Spike shrugged. "It was little enough. I want to do more for you." He reached out his hand to touch Xander's cheek, watching for his reaction.

Xander didn't pull away. He smiled and pressed into the touch, starved as he was of any kind of affection.

Spike stroked his cheek and smiled. "What is your dream, Xander?"

Xander looked at him. "I wish my grandmother were still alive. She used to watch out for me, but she died just over two years ago. " He shrugged. "She had a gentle touch, like you. I'd like to go away someplace where they wanted me, where people didn't get dunk and where I wasn't scared all the time."

Spike nodded, his hand moving into Xander's hair. "If I could make that happen, would you come with me?"

Xander looked at him "Do you mean it? You'd take me somewhere where they'd want me?"

Spike nodded. "Yes, yes I would."

Xander's eyes widened. "Not care, you wouldn't put me into care?"

Spike smiled. "No, Xander, I wouldn't. I promise, I'd make sure you'd never have problems again."

Xander nodded eagerly. "Yes I'd come. My mom and dad don't want me, they say I get in the way all the time and I'd be good, no trouble and, and I don't eat much."

Spike kept stroking Xander's hair. "You're a good boy. Far too good to leave with people like your parents."

Xander ducked his head a little. "It wasn't always this bad."

Spike sighed, dropping his hand back to the table as the waitress came back with two plates of food. There was meatloaf, green beans, and mashed potatoes with gravy. Spike gave a winning smile at the waitress as she served them, and even got a smile in return. "Eat up," Spike said. "It's at least a little healthier than fast food."

Xander's eyes widened at the food, it had been a long time since he had such a meal. He began to eat quickly, hoovering the food off his plate.

Spike chuckled. "Slow down, you'll make yourself ill."

Xander looked up guiltily and slowed down, taking the odd sip of his milk shake.

Spike took his time over his own meal, trying to decide his next move. Was Xander pliable enough, ready enough to try and take him somewhere more private? He watched the young man eat, and reflected on his almost submissive responses so far.

Xander ate his food with the odd shy glance at Spike. At last he finished and settled to sipping his milk shake. He was quiet, wanting to prove to Spike that he was good and was going to be no trouble.

Spike waited til he was finished with his milkshake. "Will your parents notice if you don't come home?" He asked.

Xander gave a bitter laugh. "Notice? I haven't seen them to talk to in over a week. Last night they were passed out on the sofa and still there this morning."

Spike nodded, his expression sympathetic. "You want to come with me tonight? You'll be safe and warm and no one will hurt you."

Xander looked into Spike's face. He'd been told often enough not to go with strangers. But this man was a hero, like in his comic book he was certain he meant him no harm. He nodded. "I'll go with you."

Spike smiled and cupped Xander's cheek again. "Good boy. Come on, let's go." He left a twenty on the table to cover the meal.

Xander struggled into his coat and hurried after Spike. In the doorway he reached and took Spike's hand. It was cold, but it was strong and comforting.

Spike looked down at Xander, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "Good lad."

Xander walked beside him, making no attempt to pull his hand away.

Spike took him down the streets, several blocks away to a motel. He led him back to a room, unlocking the door, gesturing him inside.

Xander looked about him and then went in.

"Is this where you live?"

Spike nodded. "For now. I'm just passing through."

Xander's face fell a little. "Oh."

Spike cupped Xander's chin. "What's the matter?"

"You’re going to go away."

Spike smiled. "You've only known me a little more than a day."

Xander hung his head. He'd hoped, really hoped that the man would take him away. He felt foolish and disappointed. He sighed. "I'm being silly." He mumbled. "Things don't really happen like in the comic books."

Spike caressed Xander's hair. "I promised to take you someplace safe. And I will."

Xander looked up, and hope filled his eyes. "Can I go with you?"

"If I can arrange it."

Xander's face broke into a bright smile that lit up his whole face. Suddenly he threw his arms round Spike's waist and hugged him tight.

Spike smiled, surprised at the sudden move, but he wrapped his arms around Xander and hugged him back.

"Thank you." He mumbled his face buried in Spike's hard torso.

Spike stroked his hair with one hand. "That's a good lad. I promise, I'll keep you safe."

Xander smiled up at him. "I know you will."

Spike leaned down and gently kissed Xander on the forehead.

Xander pressed into the kiss, just as he had all Spike's other touches.

Spike kept stroking Xander's hair. "You're very sweet."

Xander blushed a little and shrugged his thin shoulders.

Spike ran his hands over Xander's arms, slipping off the thin jacket. "First thing, we need to get you some better clothes. If this were England, we could order from Argos. I think we'll have to just find a convenient store somewhere close here, though."

Xander blink his large brown eyes. "You don't have to. I can get my things from home. And the Thrift Shop isn't far."

Spike shook his head. "You need decent clothing."

Xander blushed a little, he'd long since stopped worrying about the taunts of the other kids. "I need sneakers, these let the water in." He showed Spike his worn shoe.

Spike nodded. "We'll get up very early in the morning, before it's light. Go to one of those 24-hour stores, get you a few things for now."

Xander nodded. "I have a bit of money. Before she died my granny opened an account for me and put some money in. I've been very careful, but it's nearly all gone. But I clean cars and mow lawns when I can and get a bit of money that way."

Spike shook his head. "You don't need to touch it. I'll take care of everything."

Xander smiled. "One day I'll be able to pay you back."

Spike stroked his hair. "The only thing you need to do to pay me back is to be happy."

Xander smiled and nuzzled into his hand. He was so starved of affection that he couldn’t help but respond to any gentle touch.

Spike had to stop himself from purring. Xander was perfect for his purposes. So eager, so needy, so trusting. He moved in a little closer, wrapping his other arm around Xander's waist.

Xander nuzzled against him. No one had held him in a long, long time. He leaned into the muscular body, he felt safe, content for he first time in a long while. He closed his eyes and just leaned in.

Spike leaned forward and kissed Xander's forehead softly. "It's awright pet, you're safe here. No one will bother you."

He relaxed into his savior's arms. Despite the horrors of his life, Xander had an innate trust in people and Spike was a hero, he'd look after him and he' d never be afraid again.

Spike nuzzled into Xander's hair. "That's a good boy. We need to get ready for bed now. I'm afraid I don't have any pajamas, I don't use them myself, but I have some extra silk boxers." He gently let go of Xander, moving over to the dresser. He pulled out two pairs of silk boxers, one blue, one black, and tossed the black ones to Xander. "You can have the bathroom to undress, and I'll undress out here." It was best to take this slow, no need to give the boy any reason to panic.

Xander blushed a little., and picked up the boxers. "Thanks," he mumbled. He didn't actually have any pajamas so he was used to sleeping in boxers. He moved into the bathroom and closed the door.

Spike skimmed quickly out of his clothes, sliding into the boxers. He turned down both beds, and settled on one but didn't pull up the covers yet. He lounged on it, hands tucked behind his head, and waited for Xander.

Xander stripped slowly, neatly folding his clothes and then getting into the boxers. They were a little too big, so he hitched them up. He opened the bathroom door and saw Spike lay on the bed. He was beautiful. Slender with pale skin and smooth muscles. Xander ducked his head and began to move to the bed, one hand holding up his boxers.

Spike looked at Xander as he emerged from the bathroom, hair a thick mop, eyes down, holding the boxers for dear life. He was too skinny, but he was perfect, long muscles, soft skin. "We need to feed you up, I see."

Xander blushed. He knew he was thin, the gym teacher had commented the few times Xander had taken part. He looked up and gave a little smile. "Don't eat much" he hesitated by the side of the bed as if waiting for Spike to give him permission to go to bed.

Spike nodded. "Get comfortable." He smiled. "We'll get you eating regularly. You need to eat, growing boy and all."

Xander scrambled into bed. It wasn't that easy, one hand holding up the boxers. Finally he made it and pulled the sheet up to his chin.

Spike chuckled a little. "Awright if I put on the telly? I like a little noise while I sleep."

Xander looked at him with large brown eyes and nodded. "I'm used to it being noisy."

Spike smiled slightly and turned on the TV, flipping channels til he hit the Cartoon Network. There was Japanese anime on, robots battling across the screen. He turned the volume way down and switched off the light. "Get some rest. We have a early morning, we have to shop for you before school."

For a while Xander watched the flickering screen, he loved cartoons. He was deathly quiet. He'd learned that being quiet was often his only means of escaping being noticed by his parents. His eyes grew heavy and his eyelids began to droop. He turned on his tummy and he was a restless sleeper. He'd soon kicked down the covers and the boxers rode down over his hips.

Spike wasn't actually asleep. He'd slept most of the day. But he was quiet, watching Xander in the semi-darkness of the room. His eyes traveled down Xander's body, dwelling on the upper curves of his ass as the boxers were riding very low. He longed to just move into the bed and caress that body, but he restrained himself. Not yet. Not just yet.

Comments

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

I absolutely adore your icon!


Gabrielle

[salustra.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I used a base passed around and just did the words myself. The censorship flap drives me mental.

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

I concur. People today are so eager to give up their rights. I can hear Thomas Paine screaming...


Gabrielle

[hawk-soaring.livejournal.com]

Love the slow build-up of this fic. There is an underlying tension that just screams for more! :) Eagerly awaiting....

[salustra.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. We really didn't want to rush into this. Xander's young and he's been very badly treated, and Spike can have patience when he needs to. Besides, he has to fatten the boy up a bit. *evil grin*

[darker-fae.livejournal.com]

Xander is so wonderfully oblivious to the danger he might be in and so starved of affection.

[salustra.livejournal.com]

Just a note- I edited this with 103 fever and chills, I posted with with some errors undetected. I woke up to take more meds and drink water, and checked my e-mail, and corrected several mistakes.

[darker-fae.livejournal.com]

Can I just say that the spelling mistakes are usually mine. I have Ataxia which means my co-ordination is pretty much shot and I hit the wrong keys all the time. It is only because Salustra can understand my particular brand of Typese that we get anything out at all!

[vikingprincess]

oh, man, Xander is going to be a pet before he even realizes the trouble he's in.

[salustra.livejournal.com]

Yes, poor Xander. He's so sweet and yielding and desperate for affection. I love your icon, btw.

[vikingprincess]

Thank you! I wish I could claim to have made it, but I didn't.

[darker-fae.livejournal.com]

He may not even make it as far as being a 'pet'...........

[lilithbint.livejournal.com]

Mmmm...
Spike is just so deliciously sinister.

[salustra.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you like him. I'm having fun writing him like this, fully evil, no artificial restraints.

[darker-fae.livejournal.com]

And Xander just doesn't see it!