Fic: The Boy Next Door: I Must Be Dreaming, Xander/Spike, BtVS, Prompt - Barophobia

[strickens-girl.livejournal.com]

Written for tamingthemuse prompt of "Barophobia - the fear of gravity".

Title: I Must Be Dreaming
Series: The Boy Next Door
Pairing: Spike/Xander, mentions of Ethan/Giles
Rating: Mature/Adults Only
Prompt: #57 - Barophobia
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: 1,123
Author's Note: Title from "I Must Be Dreaming" by Evanescence.

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.






The Boy Next Door: I Must Be Dreaming


Xander sighed as he made his way down the stairs. It had been nearly a week since he woke up at Spike's house, disoriented and in pain. He had spent the week being cared for by the three attentive men who were determined to make sure Xander had a complete recovery.

Reaching up, he adjusted the eyepatch he wore nearly constantly now. He hated it. It made him nervous, always wondering if there was something coming at him and he couldn't see it. He had nightmares that he would have to wear that damn patch forever. Those times, he woke up crying, Spike cuddling him, petting him and crooning to him softly until he would fall back to sleep.

Voices drifted up to him about half way down and Xander smiled. He loved being bathed in the rich, warm sounds of the accented tones of the men in this house. As he moved down toward the lower level, he mis-stepped and tumbled down the remaining stairs.

Picking himself up off the floor, Xander rubbed his wrist, suddenly sore from the fall. Before he could even stand, Spike was there, helping him up, soothing and scolding him at the same time.

"What the bloody hell did you think you were doing, coming down the stairs like that by yourself?" Spike rebuked softly. "You know you're supposed to call me if you need anything, yeah?"

Xander nodded slowly to avoid the inevitable vertigo that came when he moved too quickly.

"I just thought I'd see if I could make it," Xander whispered quietly. "I thought maybe I'd check to see if I've developed barophobia yet."

"What?" Spike asked.

"Barophobia," Giles answered as he rounded the corner. "It's the fear of gravity."

After a moment of silence, laughter erupted. Ethan walked in a moment later, slyly draping his arm around the laughing librarian's shoulders. "I think that sounds like a fabulous excuse to give your mates if that patch doesn't come off before return to school."

Xander just smiled and let Spike lead him into the kitchen, the older boy's warm hand gently pressing in the small of his back. He stumbled a little, but quickly regained his footing. As he sat at the large dining table, Ethan sat a large plate of food before him as Giles poured a large glass of orange juice.

Slowly, Xander began to pick at his food. Nerves made him a little queasy and he could feel the eyes of all three men watching him intently.

"Are the eggs not to your liking, Xander?" Ethan asked quietly over his teacup.

"No," Xander replied, shoving another bite of the delicious food in his mouth. "They're great. I'm just a little...I don't know."

Spike reached over, laying his hand on the boy's thigh and rubbing slowly. "No need to be worried, pet," he purred. "We're just heading to the doc to make sure you're healing up alright. No poking or probing, promise."

"It's not that," Xander mumbled.

"What is then, Xander?" Giles prompted.

"What if he says I have to wear the patch, you know, all the time?"

The three Englishmen stared at each other, all trying to figure out what to say to reassure the boy.

"Well," Ethan started. "You could grow your hair out long. It might give that roguish quality that makes all the girls swoon."

"Certainly," Giles added, smiling. "Perhaps we can even get you a tattoo."

"Yeah," Spike drawled huskily as he squeezed Xander's thigh. "We could dress you all in leather. You'll have everyone lusting after you. On second thought, can we dress you in leather anyway?"

They all laughed and Xander tucked into his food with gusto. He was suddenly feeling much better.

"So, what are we doing again?" he asked around a mouth full of bacon and eggs.

"We're going to L.A. to visit the doctor who performed your procedure," Giles said gently, sipping his tea. "He's going to check to see how well you're healing and determine how soon you can go without the patch."

Xander nodded slowly before looking up again, uncertainty plain on his face. "How am I going to pay for all this?"

The three other men stared at each other for a moment, quiet and still. Xander hated it when they did that odd silent communication thing. He hoped that one day he could do it too.

Finally, Ethan spoke up. "Remember how we told you that your father had an accident at his work? Well, the company is giving him full benefits while he is out on disability and those benefits extend to you as well. So all the doctor's bills are taken care of, alright?"

"I still don't understand what my dad was doing on the site in the middle of the night," Xander pondered. "He's never worked any overtime before - ever."

"We told you, Xander," Giles soothed. "He had requested the extra work the day before. Apparently, he had need of the extra money. The foreman approved it and, unfortunately, your father had a terrible fall from some scaffolding. They say he's going to recover eventually, but he may be permanently disabled. It's just better this way."

Xander was a little confused by the statement but nodded his head. "And my mom?" he asked.

"She's off visiting with your aunt," Spike answered. "Just needed some time away, I guess."

Xander thought hard while he finished his food. It was delicious and filling but, combined with the pain pills he was still taking, he began to feel a little sleepy. Ethan quickly removed the empty plate and glass, placing them in the sink before asking, "Are we ready to go? We're going to have to leave now if we plan to arrive on time."

Everyone stood and made their way to Ethan's car. Spike guided Xander on his way, gently settling the younger boy in the seat next to him in back as Ethan and Giles sat in the front. As they began to pull away and head toward the freeway, Xander felt his eyelids grow heavy. Spike's hand felt soft and warm in his own and slowly his head began to dip. Spike chuckled and Xander let the other boy pulled his sable colored head down to rest on the leather covered shoulder.

Xander sighed as sleep threatened to pull him under. "What if the doctor says my eye is fucked up forever?"

Long, soft finger threaded through his curling locks. "Won't matter, pet. Won't make me love you any less."

Xander smiled wide as he drifted off, sure that he must be dreaming, because he could almost swear that he had heard Spike say he loved him.

Tbc...

Comments

[lilithbint.livejournal.com]

Awwww...
love how tender and caring they are and how quickly Ethan thinks on his feet.

[strickens-girl.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I always loved Ethan. I just wish there was more of him. I'm glad that you enjoy this. *hugs*

[hawk-soaring.livejournal.com]

Awww... Love this.

[strickens-girl.livejournal.com]

Thanks, honey. I'm glad you like. *hugs*

[yanagi-wa.livejournal.com]

I saw Ethan do a quick buck and wing there, deftly dodging Xander's question. See Spike so tender with Xander was great. Excellent chapter.

[strickens-girl.livejournal.com]

Thanks, honey. Glad you enjoyed this. *g*

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Now why don't I believe any of that story they told Xander? Hee, he is not going to be happy, when he discovers the truth. Hopefully by then he'll realise that he is better off where he is and that he doesnt need to repay any debt.
And Spike said he loved him. *grins happily*