[identity profile] strickens-girl.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] tamingthemuse
Written for the [livejournal.com profile] tamingthemuse prompt of "Nurture".


Title: Need vs Neglect
Series: The Boy Next Door
Pairing: Spike/Xander, mentions of Ethan/Giles
Rating: Mature/Adults Only
Prompt: Nurture
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: 777
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in posting an update on this fic. I've been dealing with a bit of post-show depression. Hopefully, I'm back on track.
And, due to the LJ Boldthrough, I am sporting a new disclaimer for this fic, thanks to [livejournal.com profile] _sharvie_:

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

Previous Parts.

Thanks to [livejournal.com profile] _sharvie_ for the lovely banner beneath the cut.




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The Boy Next Door: Need vs. Neglect



Xander stumbled down the stairs, happy to be alone for the moment. Spike had been clingy all night long and he was more than ready for a few minutes alone. That was denied him when he entered the kitchen, only to find his two father figures sitting at the table, seemingly waiting for him.

They stared at him for a long while as he stood in the doorway. Finally, he whispered, "You take care of Spike's problem?"

The two men looked at each other for a long moment before Giles quietly answered, "Yes. Luckily, the authorities had received several complaints about the house in the past and they were more than willing to come out and investigate a party that was out of control."

"And Angel?" Xander whispered.

"Angel will be fine," Ethan answered just as quietly. "He will be in a great deal of pain for a while but he will undoubtedly survive."

Xander breathed a sigh of relief. He may have hated Angel with every fiber of his being but he didn't want him dead. At least not yet.

"Thanks," he sighed as he sank down into one of the empty chairs at the dining table. "I don't know how to thank you guys for all of this."

"This what?" Giles asked.

"Well…" he started. He thought for a moment before smiling slightly. "Everything, I guess."

Ethan and Giles chuckled lightly before Ethan sat a plate full of breakfast food before him as the other man squeezed his shoulder gently.

"We'd do anything for you, Xander. You know that. Just like Spike."

Xander snorted into his orange juice.

"Yeah, anything," he muttered, slamming his glass down a little harder than he intended. "Anything as long as he's not put out or has to go out of his way."

"Xander," Ethan chided tenderly. "You know that Spike cares for you. He just lost his way, that's all."

"Something shinier and newer came along, you mean. I can't compete with someone like Angel."

"You don't have to," a soft baritone rumbled behind the young boy. Xander turned around to see a sleep rumpled Spike leaning against the doorframe, staring at him.

"How long have you been standing there?" the younger boy asked, his temper flaring once again.

"Long enough to hear that Angel's going to be alright, the bloody ponce," Spike explained as he crossed his arms over bare chest. "I thought I might've killed the bugger but in a way I'm glad I didn't. Now I can proceed to try and make his life a living hell. Should be fun."

"Leave it be, Spike," Xander grumbled as he turned back to his meal. "The last thing we need is to hear you talking about Angel all the time again."

The younger boy nearly cringed as he heard the padding of bare feet approaching him from behind. He expected to feel strong, lean fingers on his shoulders, but the touch never came.

"I'm really sorry, Xander," the blond boy whispered. "I never meant to hurt you."

"Well, you did," Xander answered brokenly before shoving a spoonful of scrambled eggs into his mouth to keep himself from crying. He hated feeling like this, sullen and moody. As soon as the eggs were swallowed, his plate was slid away from him and the fork removed from his fingers.

"Hey!" he complained, but before he could snatch the plate back, his lap was filled with a squirming blond boy who was demanding his attention.

Soft lips pressed against his own, asking, not demanding a response. Xander ached with need even though he was reluctant to indulge in it. His body wanted Spike's attention but his mind remembered all the pain the older boy had caused him. He wanted to tell Spike to stop and beg him to never stop.

Finally, he hesitantly acquiesced to Spike's kisses. They were soft and sure, wet and wonderful, just like Xander remembered. He had missed this connection and touch so much that he practically melted in his chair.

Spike nuzzled him, kissing and licking every bit of skin he could find. He whispered between his gentle kisses, "I'll take care of you, I promise."

Xander snorted at the thought. "You're not exactly the nurturing type, Spike."

The blond boy chuckled lightly as he nibbled on the earlobe trapped between his teeth, causing Xander to shiver lightly. "Nature versus nurture, pet. I may not know much about nurturing but I know all about need."

Xander sighed as he surrendered to the kiss. He knew about need too. He just hoped that this time Spike's need wouldn't crush his own nature.

Tbc...

Date: 2007-11-11 07:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] velvetwhip.livejournal.com
Spike had BETTER start doing right by Xander, that's for sure. This was a good beginning to that.

It's great to see more of this! I love this story!!!


Gabrielle

Date: 2007-11-11 11:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thismaz.livejournal.com
The image of a sleep rumpled Spike leaning against the door frame is so pretty.
Interesting that all Spike's overnight reassurances and brooding are interpreted by Xander as Spike being clingy. That boy has some backbone and some pride, which is good to see. So Spike had better come up with more than promises and reassurances, although that was certainly a good start *g*
Nice to see more of this, thanks.

Date: 2007-11-11 12:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sparrow2000.livejournal.com
I really do love how intensely practical Giles and Ethan are in this story.

"I may not know much about nurturing but I know all about need." Hmm, I just hope Spike remembers that it's about Xander's needs, not his own. I do believe Spike knows he fucked up, but I'm not totally convinced that his own selfishness won't hurt Xander again.

Lovely to see more of this, and I can't wait for the next bit.

Date: 2007-11-11 12:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] piksa.livejournal.com
Great to see more this! I've missed this story

Spike better take good care of his boy now! I'm also afraid Angel might come up with something to get back at Spike

Date: 2007-11-11 12:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sevendeadlyfun.livejournal.com
Good to see this back again. I love the characterizations in this chapter. They sound so much like themselves here...it's amazing! Sorry to hear you've been down, and I'm glad you're feeling better. Great work!

Date: 2007-11-11 08:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] blue-icy-rose.livejournal.com
Just read the entire series and yes, Spike best be getting on that whole taking care of Xander thing. I wanted to strangle him in the last few parts. Or at least smack him and order him to stop being a dumbass.

I'm glad that Xander's not just Mister Meek in this series. It makes it much more enjoyable to see this push and pull between Spike and Xander. I'll definitely be looking forward to more of this series. :)

Date: 2007-11-11 11:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hawk-soaring.livejournal.com
Ooh! I adore this fic. So glad to see more of it. And -- yay! The boys seem to be back on track ... hopefully it will last.

Date: 2007-11-12 01:59 am (UTC)
ext_30096: (Default)
From: [identity profile] yanagi-wa.livejournal.com
Spike had better be very careful. Xander could turn on him if he's mishandled. Great chapter.
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