tamingthemuse | Fic: The Boy Next Door: Tears in Heaven, Xander/Spike, BtVS, Prompt

Written for

tamingthemuse prompt of "Hello Darkness".

Title: Tears in Heaven
Series: The Boy Next Door
Pairing: Spike/Xander, mentions of Ethan/Giles
Rating: Mature/Adults Only
Prompt: #56 - St. Peter
Spoilers: None, all human AU
Warnings: Underage, manipulation, dark!fic, daddy!kink, child abuse, overall dirty!bad!wrongness.
Summary: Xander needs some help but Spike decides to help himself to Xander.
Word Count: 976
Author's Note: Title from "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton.

And, due to the LJ Boldthrough, I am sporting a new disclaimer for this fic, thanks to

_sharvie_:

Disclaimer: No childrenz were hurt in teh making of this fanfic! *g*

Previous Parts.

Thanks to

_sharvie_ for the lovely banner beneath the cut.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

The Boy Next Door: Tears in Heaven

Spike sat on the edge of his bed as he slowly stroked the sleeping boy's cheek. He was close to heartbroken that Xander had remained unconscious so long after his procedure. He wanted Xander to wake up and tell him everything was alright, that he could see out of his left eye and the pain was all but gone.

But Spike knew that wasn't going to happen. The doctor who came out to talk to them didn’t sound too convinced that Xander would retain sight in the damaged eye. There was too much fluid pressure on the optic nerve and the doctor was worried about lasting damage. There was so much blood and fluid that the doctor had added a drainage tube that Spike was admonished to take care of to aid in the other boy's recovery.

Trailing his fingertips over the younger boy's sweaty forehead, Spike swept the stray strands from the lax face. If only Xander would wake, maybe then Spike wouldn't have felt so bad.

He should have done something more. He should have forced that bitch to let him in the house to see Xander as soon as he'd heard. He should have known that something was wrong when Xander was late. He should have called the police. He should have…

Spike sighed. He could sit around forever coming up with should haves. None of them would save Xander's eye. They would just have to wait.

Spike kept his vigil, despite his growing angst and worry for his father and Giles. He knew they had left for the Harris' home over an hour ago and he'd just hoped they were careful and safe.

He counted the times Xander's chest rose and fell before counting the freckles scattered across the boy's nose and cheeks.

The blond boy was lost in his thoughts when the hazel eyes slowly blinked open. It wasn't until he heard his name softly whispered by the boy next to him.

Spike smiled down at the startled boy.

"Hey, pet," he greeted softly. "How are you feeling?"

He watched as Xander slowly licked his lips, trying to rid himself of the parched feeling lingering in his mouth.

"My head feels big," the younger boy complained. "Is it big, because it feels big?"

Spike smiled, happy that his boy's sweet spirit and humor remained in place. "No, pet. It looks to be normal sized to me."

"Good," Xander sighed, his eye closing in relief. "What happened, Spike?"

"You don't remember?"

Xander seemed to think hard for a moment before answering. "Not really. I think I remember bits and pieces, but the last thing I really remember is my dad…"

Spike leaned forward, placing a single small kiss on Xander's forehead. "Don't worry about it, pet. I already know."

They laid quietly together, Xander resting and Spike waiting.

"What's wrong with me?" Xander finally whispered.

Taking a deep breath, Spike began to explain. "I found you at your house night before last. Your mum and dad had called you in sick from school and I kinda figured something was wrong so I broke in. I saw you and knew I had to get you help. I brought you here and Da took you to a clinic he knew about. Turns out my Da had some connections with a guy named Lindsey who works for Wolfram and Hart in LA and they have a clinic and we took you there."

Xander lay quietly, listening passively. "And...?" he prompted when Spike didn't continue.

Spike sighed before continuing. "Your dad broke the bone socket directly around your eye. It kept bleeding beneath the skin and leaked into the eye socket. There was a lot of pressure built up, so they drained what they could. There's a little bit of fluid still in there so they put a tiny drainage tube in there so you can't touch it, okay? They put a big patch over the whole eye until it heals completely."

Xander sighed, sounding quiet and impatient. "There's something you're not telling me," he complained.

Spike debated with himself. He wondered how much he should tell the younger boy. In the end, he decided on the truth.

"They don't know if they saved the eye or not."

Silence reigned for several long moments until Xander whispered, "Guess it's a good thing I've got a spare then, huh?"

After a moments shock, Spike laughed, hugging the smiling boy close. Xander might lose his eye, but his boy was still intact.

"You scared me, Xan," Spike whispered into the sweaty sable hair. "You were talking odd when I found you and I was so worried. It turns out your mum was stuffing you with pills because you were crying about the pain. She just about killed you off with those. I was worried you were off the meet St. Peter."

Xander chuckled. "Come on, Spike. After all we've been through, you really think I'd be heading to heaven?"

"There's no other place you could go, pet."

A single shocked hazel eye turned to stare at Spike. As he watched, tears began to well, threatening to spill over.

"Don't cry, Xander, please," Spike whispered as he leaned forward to kiss Xander soft lips. "It's bad for your eye. Besides, there's no tears in heaven."

They kissed lazily for several long moments. Spike pulled away to look down at the boy beneath him, slowly stroking the skin around the left eye not covered with gauze and tape.

"Sleepy," Xander whispered, his uninjured eye closing slowly.

Kissing the slack lips again, Spike smiled. "Go ahead, pet. I'm sure you need your rest. I'm going to stay up and wait for Da and Giles to get home."

"Where did they go?" Xander asked, his words slurring with fatigue.

"To tie up loose ends."

Tbc...