Enlightenment Part 4
Title: Enlightenment
Pairing: The only one that matters S/X
Warnings: m/m sex
Disclaimer: None of it belongs to me, I make no money
Rating: NC17
Summary: Our heroes are flung far into the future
Not beta'd
Xan and Wil were waiting for them in their nearest recreation area, Xan spotted straight away that Spike was a little ‘off’ but Xander seemed happy enough so things couldn’t be that black. Xander was still happily chatting about his miraculous repairs and going into great detail with his captive audience. Spike although not scowling was certainly not looking happy.
After they had eaten and Spike’s miserable face was still in evidence Xan decided he’d had enough.
“Spike, will you walk with me? I need some fresh air and Wil and Xan-der are quite happy talking about medicine. There is something I would like you to see and I am quite certain it will be a surprise to you. Wil, Xan-der you will be fine here won’t you?”
“Sure Xan, don’t you be doing anything I wouldn’t now!” The look on Spike’s face was priceless, he was such a grump sometimes Xander thought, but he wouldn’t change him for the world.
“Come here grumpy and give me a kiss, and don’t be gone too long, I still need some TLC.” Spike came willingly to kiss Xander.
“Sorry love, bit o’ fresh air might do me good, and you know perfectly well that Xan is quite safe from my evil clutches, just you make sure Wil is too!”
Xan and Spike took their leave.
They walked in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. After about 10 minutes of weaving in and out of the broad thoroughfares they came into a square that Spike hadn’t been in before. It was one of the nicest Spike had seen since he’d been there, there were trees and fountains, people were strolling around, the architecture was different, the buildings looked older, less steel and glass, more stone and brick.
In the middle of the square was some sort of monument, people stopped occasionally to look at it and read the inscription.
“Spike, sit with me. I know we can converse through thought, but sometimes its refreshing to speak to each other, and I know you are much more used to talking. You are ready to talk to me aren’t you?”
“You’re far too intuitive for such a youngster Xan. Now, where do I start?”
Spike had a lot to say to Xander, but it all really boiled down to just two things and he wasn’t about to beat about the bush.
“Right then luv, never been one to mince me words so, I am William the Bloody and Xander won’t live more than another 100 years. Simple. Your world may never exist. I don’t want to loose my Consort. I think we’re stuffed.”
Xan wasn’t surprised at Spike’s admission, he had for quite some time now realised who Spike and Xander were.
He was beside himself now that Spike had confirmed it, plus if Spike wanted his help in ensuring this came to pass, then surely that would be the pinnacle of his life as a helper. What more could he do? He would help create the world he now lived in.
It wouldn’t matter that nobody knew, he would know, it would be his gift.
“I know who you are, that is why I brought you here. Come Spike, let me show you.”
Xan took Spike’s arm and led him over to the monument so that he could see for himself what it was. It was the oddest thing Spike thought, it appeared to be a gothic style angel the type found in most cemeteries throughout the UK but the thing that made it odd was the fact that it had the face of snarling vampire.
It stood on a plinth and underneath was an inscription “In memory of William the Bloody and Consort Xan. Love lives on”
The words were simple. Spike couldn’t believe that he had been remembered as some kind of hero, that he and Xander were this world’s example of love happiness and goodness. He turned to Xan.
“How did you know, I didn’t want anyone to know, even Xander doesn’t know. How can I tell him? I just can’t!”
“Let me help you Spike, there is a way. We have already helped you, you are no longer leashed, please let me help again. There is a way that Xan-der can be helped. He will have to consent but it can be done. There are many demons and humans who are mated, some choose to live a natural human life span and others opt for longevity. It is devastating to loose one’s mate Spike, be it after 2600 time periods or 26,000, loss is loss whenever it strikes.”
Spike looked at Xan hopefully.
“You better not be putting me on Xan. This is something I want more than anything else - I want Xander with me for as long as I can, I don’t want to turn him, I don’t want him to become like me, I love him as he is, warm, young healthy and human. I’d love him even if he was an old crock cause he’s my Xander an I know I’m bein selfish - I’ve looked like this for over a hundred years, bugger 5,200 time periods to you luv, I want the same for my Xan.”
“He can have that, let me tell you the procedure as we walk back.”
They set off back to Wil and Xander who had been chatting amiably since their respective partners had wandered off.
“Don’t you think it’s odd how alike we all are Wil? Well, me and your Xan could be twins cept for his short hair n mine’s long, but that’s the only difference, same name too. Then there’s you n Spike, well he dyes his hair but now its growing out it’s the same colour as yours plus you’re both called Wil too, it’s just weird!”
“What do you mean Xan-der, he is called Spike.”
“Yeah, but that’s just his nick name, his real name is William - William the Bloody your actual Scourge of Europe, well part of it anyway.”
“Xan-der - is this one of your jokes?”
“Why would I joke? Hey, is there something I don’t know?”
“William the Bloody and Consort Xan are legend. They helped to shape the world we have today, and if it is true that you are they, then ….. I am at a loss for words Xan-der.”
“Hey buddy, now that would be funny if you were a comedian!”
Wil looked at Xander with new eyes.
The man before him was a legend brought to life.
Nobody knew what they looked like and here they were in the flesh and he and his mate were their direct descendants - they had to be, no one could look so alike and not be. Wil felt himself flush with a pride he never knew he had.
“Hey love, what you two been up to - what ya been telling Wil to make him flush up like that pet?”
Two pairs of eyes looked at Spike and Xan, both disbelieving.
“What?”
Xan read both of them, relaying quickly their discovery to Spike.
“You knew Spike? Why wouldn’t you tell me I was a legend?”
“Xan love, it’s not that easy.”
“How long have you known?”
“Kind of since our first day here.”
“And you thought not to tell me why?”
“Look love, can we talk about this just us two? There’s things you don’t know an’ I don’t want it aired in public, kay?”
“No Spike, not really OK. Did you know Xan?”
Xan had the decency to look sheepish.
“I think it is time for Xan and I to have a discussion of our own Xan-der. We will take our leave. Good night.”
“Yeah, night Wil, Xan, see ya later guys.”
When Spike and Xander arrived back at their room Xander was still puzzled as to why Spike had kept this little snippet from him. He wasn’t really mad with him, just curious.
“So come on then love of my life, spill - the jig’s up baby!”
“Oh, love! Come here, let me hold ya. I missed you.” Spike told him. Sometimes he just got the soppiest feelings; he had to touch Xander as a wave of love just washed over him.
“You’re not getting out of it that easy. I’m just interested as to why you wouldn’t tell me that you n me are like - famous.”
Spike sighed. He felt as if he was sighing constantly these days.
“I didn’t want you to know love. Xan told me this tale to distract me when you’d been pulled back to our time. I wasn’t sure that you were the Xan in it, but the more we’ve been together the more certain I got. It was about us an our struggle to find a way to get rid of the chip, an in this tale I didn’t have mine, so that made me somehow think the Xan wasn’t you, cause I still had the chip when he told me. It just got easier an easier to not say anything.”
*I was so pleased when you came back Xan.* he thought.
“Is that all there was to it? Why couldn’t or wouldn’t you tell me then? I don’t understand love.”
Spike seemed to be digging himself in deeper. He didn’t want to tell Xan about his death, shit he didn’t even want to acknowledge that it would happen, but here he was, spade in hand, digging.
“I love you Xander, you know that don’t you? More than anything.”
“Right, now. Stop right there with the scaring me Spike.”
“Sorry love, nothing scary - the Xander in the tale was very, very old, nearly as old as me. And. He wasn’t a vampire. But. He was you love.”
Xander pondered. Spike could see the wheels turning as Xander looked up at him.
“How then? How was I really old - was I like yucky and wrinkly and bent and bald?”
“Apparently not love. You and I were both ‘fair’, in other words we were hot.”
“So, then I was like I am now?” Spike nodded.
“Again with the how?”
“Xan knew who I was before I told him tonight. I had to tell him cause I wanted his help - if he could give it. He bloody can as well! But you need to agree love. I know it’s selfish of me to ask you this and I wanted to ask without you knowing about all the other stuff.”
“Spike, get with the asking, please your making me nervous!”
“Do you want to be young forever Xan? Do you want to be like me but human?”
Xander sat down heavily on their bed.
“Wow.”
“Immortality? Wow!”
“Not as such love. You can be hurt, or even die if someone were to shoot you or stab you or stuff, but apparently your DNA can be manipulated so you don’t age, your organs n stuff stay as good as they are now.”
Xander turned wide brown eyes to Spike, his face filled with wonder.
“God Xan, love you so much baby.” Spike had to stay calm and rational and not become lost in Xander. He had to be prepared for Xander to say No. It was a momentous decision to make and he didn’t expect him to just make it on the spur of the moment.
“Think on it love. Please. Take all the time you want - well, within reason, but you have to think of all the consequences if you say Yes.”
Xander nodded his head, still shell shocked.
“Take me to bed love? Hold me?”
“Sure pet. Think you can sleep? Hope you can, hope I can too.”
Spike undressed a compliant Xander, then himself, dimmed the lights and got into bed beside his partner. Wrapping arms around him and pulling him close he kissed the nape of his neck as he always did when they were laid so. Spike could only hope Xander would say yes. It was a selfish hope, but then he was a very selfish vampire.
Sleep didn’t come easily, but come it did.
Spike woke to a burgeoning orgasm, his body enjoying the pleasures before his mind actually caught up and as his eyes shot open he came in the warm wet cavern of Xander’s mouth, little appreciative noises coming from under the bed cover as Spike’s body trembled contentedly.
“Really pet, that was a very, very nice ‘Good Morning’. Would you like me to reciprocate now you’ve got my attention?”
He felt as well as heard the snigger, making his cock jiggle in Xander’s mouth. He gave a last long drawn out suckle to the meat in his mouth and let it go.
“I fancy a ride actually. Wanna be my bareback rider?” Xander snickered bashfully.
“No need to be shy love, you can have me however you want me - just so long as you always want me!”
“Always Spike! Want me to lube you up?”
“I’ve got it baby - you’re always so gentle with me and you take your time, I want you now pet, not prepared to wait, so I’m good.”
Spike grabbed a handful of lube from the pot, turned and knelt on the bed as Xander emerged from under the cover, laying propped up on his elbow watching as Spike did the quickest job of preparing himself he’d ever seen.
Finishing quickly Spike tuned Xander onto his back and kissed him hard and deep leaving him gasping and even harder than he had been. A cursory swipe of his slicked hand over Xander’s throbbing cock had Xander arching up off the bed following the contact of that cool hand. Spike pushed his hips back to the bed and straddled him holding his cock at the base.
“Gonna love this Xan - you ready pet?” and without further warning Spike guided the mushroom head of Xander’s fat cock to his twitching hole and sank down feeling the length filling him. They groaned simultaneously, filler and fill-ee.
From the small tremors running thru Xander Spike knew that this was going to be a quick ride, his boy was just about ready to blow. He grabbed the base of Xander’s cock with his hand to try and stave of his release as he slid up and down that greased pole inside him. It was sublime, rapturous torture.
He looked down at Xander and as their eyes locked their minds opened to each other, emotions spilling out, love, belonging, lust, abject pleasure, trust, anticipation. Spike picked up his rhythm, Xander thrusting up into him as Spike came down, so close now, Spike now took hold of his own cock fisting it in time to their thrusts, both of them could feel the build up in their balls and their minds, the ecstatic feeling of their combined orgasm spilling over as their seed shot out into and onto each other.
Xander’s back bent into a bow as he came, his fingers digging into Spike’s hard muscular thighs, falling back replete onto the bed his eyes focussed on his lover still writhing above him in game face. Xander arched his neck in invitation, Spike accepted his due and bit down over his claim mark causing Xander to shudder once more as a further dry orgasm wracked his body. Spike suckled gently, feeling the intense pleasure it gave him to drink from his Consort, feeling too the second orgasm from his lover. He licked the wound until the blood stopped flowing then kissed his mark. Xander was practically asleep again and Spike didn’t have the heart to disturb him and so levered himself off Xander to collapse as gently as he could next to him.
“You fucked my brain out Spike, gottafineit, mmm, in my dreams baby.”
“Yeah pet, want me to come in there and look too?”
“Mmm, ‘tever sweetheart. Love you.” Spike could tell he was already well out of it, his words starting to slur. Spike pulled the cover over them both and snuggled down into Xander’s warmth.
*Imagine doing that for an eternity.*
*Don’t need to imagine*
Spike sat bolt upright in bed.
“What?” he shouted.
“What ‘what’ - what???” Xander now rudely re-awakened asked.
“Did I hear you right pet? What you were thinking?”
“If I say yes can I go back to sleep?”
“Say what love?”
“Not what, YES. Now lemme sleep Mr Selfish Shagmonster!”
Spike was filled with a sense of what could only be described as utter joy. His Xander had said Yes. He hoped he meant it, Nah, he wouldn’t just say it for the sake of it. He wanted to shake him back to consciousness and make him confirm it. Xander lay fast asleep next to him, smile still on his face.
Yeah, Spike knew. His boy meant it, even if he was half asleep when he thought/said it.
He was gonna get to keep his lover for the next four centuries. Way to go!
He was the man!
Well, technically Xander was ‘The Man’!!! Shit, he was even starting to think like his Consort. Better put a stop to that right smart!
A couple of hours later and they started to re-emerge from their post shag nap. Xander left the safety of Spikes arms to pee and shower. He thought over his decision and smiled happily to himself. Yeah he decided, he had made the right choice.
He knew he would watch his friends get old and die and he knew that would hurt. Hell anyone he got attached to would grow old and die eventually if they were human. But he had Spike, and at pinch Angel but Spike would be his constant, his lifelong companion, his eternal lover. Cool. He would really only miss Willow, yeah and the Buffster, Dawnie and Tara oh and G man. He was a realist. He knew Buffy didn’t have a huge life expectancy, he’d loose touch with them all eventually, he did love them all. But.
Not like he loved Spike.
He wouldn’t want to live if he didn’t have Spike.
He knew that now.
Hell, he’d known it for a long time.
So.
Decision made.
He was going to be an eternal youth.
The smile got wider, practically splitting his face.
Spike roused. Eventually.
He could hear humming coming from the bathroom. Some crappy tune he’d hear Xander hum a hundred times before. He really aught to find out what it was. He hoped that he would change his repertoire over the coming centuries otherwise he might have to invest in ear plugs. No, that was mean. His Xan could hum whatever he wanted.
He was being magnanimous in his post orgasmic haze. Xander had said Yes. Spike would happily hum along with Dolly Parton at the moment, he was on cloud nine.
Suddenly Xander changed his tune - Spike started to snigger then to laugh uproariously as he realised Xander was humming Jolene!
“Git!” he shouted, realising Xander had picked up on his thoughts.
“Sorry, couldn’t resist! You coming in?”
Spike flung the covers off the bed and sauntered into the bathroom.
“Could do with a good hose down pet. Wash me back?”
Xander lathered up and lovingly washed Spike from head to toe. His hair had lost most of the bleach and was now its natural colour except for the ends. It was a lovely dark blonde and curly with it. Spike loved Xander to wash his hair, it was a pure sensual overload. It relaxed him to the point of stupor, he adored it and Xander knew that, which is why he spent a good ten minutes massaging Spike’s scalp, forehead and neck, working fingers thru the soft conditioned hair. It was a pleasure for him too.
“I can tell you’re relaxed baby, am I gonna havta carry you out?”
“No love, I can do it under my own steam, no worries.”
Xander stopped the water. Every time he showered he regretted the fact that it was still water he washed with. He’d have to suggest a sonic shower to Xan and get the boffins to invent it. He was sure it wasn’t beyond their capabilities.
“So then love wanna talk about it? You sure you want to do this? I did take it you meant yes to my proposition. ”
“Yes. Sure. Ohh, you propositioned me!! But I did say Yes. I meant it too. If I talk about it I might persuade myself that I’ve not made the right choice Spike, and I KNOW I’ve made the right one. In the time we’ve been together here I’ve grown to realise that you’re my life. I don’t want to be without you. I don’t want to grow old and feeble and see you still looking like you’re in your twenties. I’m selfish too. Wouldn’t anyone want to be young forever? So, am I doing it for the right reasons? Fuck if I know Spike! I love you. That’s my reason. The only one I need.”
“Thank you love. I promise I’ll look after you n keep ya safe, for as long as I can. Love you too.”
“Think we should get dressed n find our pure counterparts?”
“They are quite pure I s’pose. Really accepting, everything we’ve told em or done, they’ve been OK with. They’re the good guys!”
Still musing over Xan and Wil and their innate goodness Spike dressed. His jeans and T had long ago worn out and he had the standard tunic and pants that everyone wore, but with the one exception. His were black.
Xander had his modelled on Captain Pickard and wore his clothes with pride. Only Spike sniggered at him when he caught him preening in the mirror.
Another breakfast in their usual haunt, Xan and Wil already seated and munching on Tahini and Toast. Some things Xander would never get used to and no bacon was one of them. He had his eggs scrambled, toast juice and coffee.
Spike ordered his blood and toast and sat dipping toasty fingers in his mug. It was all very civilised. They could ‘chat’ whilst eating which they often did, sharing thoughts with each other and of course this morning’s topic was Xander and his willingness to become forever young. Xan went thru the basics with him, assured both Xander and Spike it was a painless procedure and like the broken bone took mere minutes.
There would be no side effects and if he ever required it could be halted and he would age normally from the age he was currently no matter how long he had been that age.
So they were all set.
Spike held Xander’s hand as they walked over to the medical facility. Xan had contacted them earlier and Ben was waiting for them. He was more than happy to see Xander, wary of Spike though, and told Xander it was an honour for him to perform this simple procedure that would give him and his mate all the time they needed to grow as one.
*Poncy bloody speech* Spike thought to himself, but Xander gave him a black look, so possibly he didn’t think it just to himself!
Ben took Xander away to the sterile room and had him lay down. He was covered by a Perspex dome so he was completely enclosed. Ben flicked over his control pad, Xander felt rather than saw a light envelop him, cause duh eyes shut here! But it was a definite feeling, kinda like being on a sun bed but for the shortest time. He heard the dome retract and turned to see Ben smiling at him and telling him it was done. He could still hurt himself and have injuries. He could still die from a fatal injury but if he took care he could possibly live for centuries.
Xander didn’t feel any different.
Not one iota.
Looked the same, felt the same.
Only time would tell.
Ben and Xander made their way back to the others who had waited patiently - some more patiently than others. Spike leaped up as soon as he heard Xander coming. He sounded different. His heart. It had slowed right down, still strong and healthy but very slow, at least half it’s normal speed. Something he would get used to, more recognisable now than before, but then he would know his love’s heartbeat in a room filled with thousands.
“OK pet?”
“Sure thing lovely. Don’t feel any different. Think I should tho. Should we celebrate? Kinda like a birthday don’t you think?”
“What is this? A Birthday? Why celebrate - what is there to rejoice?” Xan said.
“You don’t have birthdays? Oh. My. God! You cannot be serious!!”
“Our unit was birthed at the same time, as are all units. It is not something we remember as we were immature.”
“Oh boy. You have so missed out guys. In our time a birthday’s something to celebrate, you have a party, have your friends over, get gifts, drink beer and eat cake and have fun. Mostly.”
“Oi! If you want a bit of a shindig love then we’ll bloody well have one. We can ask whoever ya want.”
“You sure Spike, I don’t mind really, but it would be a nice thing to do, specially as birthdays seem to be a thing of the past. Hey what should we call it tho cause technically its not a birthday party. Hey - we could have a Live long and prosper party!!!”
“I can’t believe I’m encouraging you to do this. Bloody hell Xan, can’t you think of a better name for it?”
“It’s cool Spike my lifelong love. You’ll see. We can do invites and balloons and cake and dips n stuff, music, and games, don’t have to have presents, it’ll be just cool to have the guys over. Please can we?”
“If that’s what you want love, that’s what you can have. Although I may live to regret this, but please Xan, no games???”
“We’ll see!”
Xan and Wil were bemused, it seemed that once more Spike and Xander were talking about something that was completely alien to them both, but then it was not an unusual occurrence, they were often baffled by their illogical ideas and thoughts.
They had the party, with all the food Xander loved and hats and even some music, and to Spikes utter chagrin games as well. Xander had the best time and constantly told Spike so. Spike put up with it under sufferance, but he was glad Xander was having a good time.
Time passed and before they realised another year had gone by. The time just seemed to slip away from them. The society they lived in now had no cares or worries. Spike and Xander did what ever pleased them with no one to tell them otherwise.
If they wanted to sleep all day they could, if they wanted marathon sex sessions which they frequently did, then who was to stop them?
They did contribute.
Both of them spent a lot of time in the museum adding to the somewhat sketchy bits of information relating to the 20th century. The curator thought they were invaluable and would have been more than happy to keep them there day and night. Spike was more helpful than Xander with his wealth of experience and his vast knowledge.
Xander couldn’t help but be impressed by Spike, he’d never realised how much knowledge he had. It wasn’t to do with being clever, which Xander realised Spike was, but with his knowledge of trivia, snippets of news items, even from just before they got beamed here he knew so much more than Xander. Spike of course told Xander off when he ‘read’ how Xander was feeling, which was a little inadequate. He told him he should never feel like that and when he’d lived over a hundred years he would remember all sorts of rot too.
It cheered Xander slightly, but he was sill in awe.
Xan and Wil were regular visitors to the museum once they knew that was where Spike and Xander spent a lot of their time. Wil especially was interested in their past and was forever asking questions. Xander thought it was wonderful that Wil found his boring and mundane life experiences so interesting.
Books to Wil and Xan were as ancient and obsolete as papyrus was to Spike and Xander, but Spike had a passion for books and would happily read out passages he thought would interest them, explaining in detail what the author meant, or if it was factual he would put his slant on the account.
It was on one of those carefree days when they were all in the library section of the museum that it happened. Spike had found something interesting in a newspaper article that had been scanned and was reading it out to them from the screen.
Xander was flanked by Wil and Xan and they were all leaning towards Spike over the table, shoulders rubbing, lost in the cadence and power of his reading voice. Xander felt it first, the sick feeling in his stomach as he blindly grabbed out at Wil and Xan.
He knew even before he opened his eyes where he would be.
*No! Should have had more time! Too happy - they had to take it away.* Xander felt confusion coming from either side of him, hands reaching to him for reassurance as they had no doubt heard his thoughts. He still felt sick and then a sheer bolt of panic sliced thru him,
*Here love, here, it’s OK.* Came Spike's reassurance.
And then the realisation struck him that if he was back in old Sunnydale why could he still feel Wil and Xan?
”Oh my goodness, what have I done? Xander - there are two of you, and, and two Spikes. No, I swear I did nothing different, I swear!”
Xander opened his eyes to see the stricken face of his Willow, hands covering her mouth in shock.
“I am not Spike, I am Wil. Spike, Xan-der, what is this place? How are we here?”
“We’re here pet cause Red got something wrong. And I think she was a bit too eager to get her Xander back!”
“I do not understand Spike, Xan-der is yours. Why would this red think he is hers?” asked Xan.
“I thought I heard you fangless - so, how come I have to put up with two of you. Hey can I stake one of you?” Buffy said as she came in thru the door.
“I have no fangs as I am not demon, but Spike has fangs. You - you are neither though- not human, not demon - you are unnatural!” Wil said.
“Yeah she’s bloody unnatural alright Wil, definitely not a natural blonde!”
“Ha! Pot and kettle I think bleachy head!”
“Look a little closer Slayer”
“This is a slayer - this female - this is an abomination!”
“Hey Xander, what’s with hurting my feelings? You got a hit on the head again?”
*Please - keep it down all of you, let’s not make this any worse than it already is!* Xander directed his thoughts to those he knew could hear.
The three men looked to him as one, and kept their mouths firmly closed.
“Buff, hey. Allow me to introduce Xan and Wil. They are not part of us - well they are kinda in a way, but Wil - that’s you Willow - you haven’t split us, Xan and Wil are from our future - they are the us’s of their time. They are both human by the way, and they are a couple.”
“More gay-ness, I don’t think I can stand it!”
”Buffy!” said Willow in a hurt tone.
“Yeah shut it slayer, nothing t’do with you. Personal choice innit.” Spike said as he sidled over to Xander, he felt much better as he touched Xander in the small of the back and he could feel that the contact reassured Xander too.
“One more word from you evil undead and Mr Pointy will be coming over to see you.”
“Stop it, just- Stop it!” Xander shouted.
Tara chose that moment to make her entry into the mêlée. Spike noticed her first and smiled at her. Tara was stunned.
The warmth in his smile took her breath away, but the thing that brought a lump to her throat was the glowing pulsating light surrounding them both. She had seen people’s auras before, Xander’s definitely, but she had never witnessed this combined beauty and strength, it was truly breathtaking.
“Glinda?” Spike said as all eyes turned to Tara.
“Oh, it’s so beautiful, so, so - it dazzles me, so pure, such love, such joy!” As she spoke her hands shaped the air before her.
“You see it too? It is wondrous. It is fitting that it should be so.” Xan said to Tara.
“What? I can’t see anything Tara. Hey is this a witchey thing?” Buffy asked puzzled.
“Is it Xander’s aura, baby?” asked Willow.
“No. Both. They’re joined, combined, one. Xander and Spike.”
Willow looked at them both properly. She’d been so shocked when she saw two Xander’s she hadn’t had chance to notice anything else. But now she did. Xander looked different, he looked more mature she thought, he looked relaxed, happy. He looked like he was in love. And the way he was looking at Spike. No!!! Surely not.
Xander turned his head in Willow’s direction and nodded his head.
Now that was freaky - did he know what she was thinking?
He smiled at her and nodded again. It was very unsettling, he wasn’t the same Xander.
“I’m still me Wil, but with added extras. One of which is my partner, my life partner, Mr William the Bloody. And no, I have not lost my mind, it seems that I’ve actually found it!” he said smiling lovingly at Spike.
“Over my dead body!” Buffy shrieked.
“Oh, could so easily be arranged Slayer.”
“Hey chipped wonder, come and try, get a headache!”
“I am truly happy that we do not have such unpleasant creatures to deal with. Why are you so unkind to Spike?”
“Duh, me Slayer him Evil blood sucking vampire?”
“I have never witnessed Spike take blood - Xan-der gives blood willingly as a Consort should” Wil told then knowledgeably.
“He does what?” screeched Buffy, Mr Pointy raised in her hand as she ran at Spike. Quicker than she thought possible there were three bodies between her and Spike.
“Out of my way - you are dust Spike!”
“Buffy, stop, just stop please. Listen will you, for once in your life listen before you do something stupid!” Xander had started off in a reasonable tone but by the time he finished he was shouting at Buffy. Tara could see the change to their aura, it was taking on a red hue when before it was golden and silver and sparkly, but now it had turned a deep red at the centre the gold turning to orange, like flames with occasional gold sparks.
“B-Buffy, please stop.” Tara stuttered.
“Buffy, let’s listen to what Xander has to say, please, I hate it when we all fight, please Buffy” Willow pleaded.
“OK Wills, but soon as he’s finished Spike will be too!” she stated flatly.
Xander by now had had enough of Buffy’s high handed attitude. Sometimes she could be such a - a jerk! She stuck to her agenda and that was it, something got in her way stake it, but not this time, no sir, not this time.
Willow could see how angry Xander was, she’d only ever seen him this mad once before, it was when Larry had been picking on her, Xander had gotten so mad he’d just punched Larry, it didn’t matter that Xander knew Larry would settle the score with the help of his buddies, what he was doing to Willow was wrong and he had to protect her. Willow had loved Xander even more for that small kindness.
“Right Buffy, this is the way it goes. You listening, cause this is a one time deal. First, you never, ever threaten Spike, you never touch him, I don’t want you to even speak to him unless it’s to say something nice. Got that?”
Buffy was open mouthed. How dare Xander talk to her like that. He just didn’t, Spike must have done something to him. He was gonna be dusty little bits soon enough, then she’d have her Xander back.
Xander sighed in exasperation.
“No Buffy, NO! You’re not listening. Spike loves me, I love him, we love each other. Try to hurt him and I leave. I go away and you will never ever see either of us again. Do you understand?”
It was starting to penetrate Buffy’s one track mind. Xander could see when it finally clicked.
“But Xander, he’s evil, and dead, and, and not a girl!”
“Oh Buffster, he was evil, he’ll always be dead and I hope he’ll always be a guy, cause that’s the package I love. Since we’ve been gone we’ve both changed Buff, can’t you see? We’ve been away about 2 and a half years whereas here it’d been less than a day. Two and a half years is a long time Buff. Very happy years in which we made lots of friends, learnt lots of new things, and even helped out people along the way. I can’t begin to tell you. I thought we had more time, I asked Wills to make sure it was 24 hours - why didn’t you Will?”
Willow was shamefaced.
“I wanted you to be OK, I - when I brought you back first you looked terrible, I was worried, Xander I only wanted what was best for you.”
“When you brought me back before the reason I looked terrible was cause Spike was hundreds of years away from me. Going thru time did something to both of us, bound us in some way, and now I never want to be un-bound. We will be together until we die.”
Xander’s head whipped round to Wil and Xan as he’d caught a stray thread of thought - sorrow.
“What’s to be sad about guys?” Out of the corner of his eye Xander saw Spike shake his head.
“Spike?”
“Does Xan-der not know Spike?”
Spike shook his head. Buffy, Willow and Tara looked completely confused.
“Xan love, they both know how and when - “ Spike looked heartbroken, tears in his eyes.
“Baby, what - don’t, please don’t be upset.” It suddenly dawned on Xander what Wil Xan and Spike all knew.
“Soon?”
“Centuries love, but it hurts.”
“Together?”
Spike shook his head. Suddenly Xander didn’t seem worried.
“Cool. Centuries! Hey, guy’s we have to get the boys back - they’re missing their time, how long we been back here?”
“About half an hour or so” Willow said.
“That’s a day and a half nearly then. Wills, can you send them back to their time?” Willow nodded. Spike and Xander as one held their arms out to Wil and Xan who happily embraced them.
*We will miss you both so much, you have enriched our lives and made us better people. We are saddened to leave you*
*I’ve never been so happy as I have been these past two plus years - 104+ time periods!! You’ve taught me n Xander so much*
*Yeah guys, we love you, you're kind of our kids, you’re part of us. Remember us, cause we’ll never ever forget either of you*
Wil and Xan were now openly crying, but both controlled their sniffles to go down on one knee, they both awkwardly took a hand each of Xander and Spikes and held then to their foreheads.
“Honoured ancestors, we are humbled in your presence.” They said as one.
Now Spike and Xander filled up.
It was awful, knowing that this was the last time they would ever see them. Xander gulped in a breath trying to calm himself as he held his hand up, he looked over at Spike who did the same.
“Live long and prosper”
“You will live long Xan-der, have no fear. Your prosperity is our future. You will do great things, both of you.”
As teary as Willow was at this open display of affection she took a deep breath and told them she was ready.
“You’ll feel sick, but you’ll be OK guys - hey if you ever want to be teachers like J and G you can tell your childer all about your adventures. Love you guys!” As the words left his mouth Xan and Wil vanished.
“I miss them Spike. I miss them already.”
“Me too love.”
“I miss replicators and history and the park, oh god, the rooftop, I miss the rooftop I - oh no, nononono. Spike, how can I be so selfish! If -“
“SOK love. I had two years doing something I never thought I would. I got to love you and I got sunshine. The next time the sun shines on me - well, it’s a long way off love.”
Buffy was making sick faces at how wrapped up in each other Spike and Xander were, ugh, now they were kissing!
Willow was happy she had her friend back, and happy too that he was in love. Tara once again got to see that wondrous aura as the gold and silver pulsated like a living thing.
“So love, what now?”
“Well, we wait till it gets dark and then we go home, have some hot sex and then think about our future”
“Sounds like a plan love.”
*I love you so much Spike. We’ll be Ok, you’ll see. Hey think our super mind reading powers will stay with us?*
*Bloody hope so pet. Love you too. The mind thing will be great for those bloody scoobie meetings. Think I could make you cum by talking dirty direct to your mind?*
*Why don’t we try while we wait for it to get dark?*
“Xander - what are you and Spike grinning about?” Buffy demanded.
Their grins just got bigger.
Fin.
Pairing: The only one that matters S/X
Warnings: m/m sex
Disclaimer: None of it belongs to me, I make no money
Rating: NC17
Summary: Our heroes are flung far into the future
Not beta'd
Xan and Wil were waiting for them in their nearest recreation area, Xan spotted straight away that Spike was a little ‘off’ but Xander seemed happy enough so things couldn’t be that black. Xander was still happily chatting about his miraculous repairs and going into great detail with his captive audience. Spike although not scowling was certainly not looking happy.
After they had eaten and Spike’s miserable face was still in evidence Xan decided he’d had enough.
“Spike, will you walk with me? I need some fresh air and Wil and Xan-der are quite happy talking about medicine. There is something I would like you to see and I am quite certain it will be a surprise to you. Wil, Xan-der you will be fine here won’t you?”
“Sure Xan, don’t you be doing anything I wouldn’t now!” The look on Spike’s face was priceless, he was such a grump sometimes Xander thought, but he wouldn’t change him for the world.
“Come here grumpy and give me a kiss, and don’t be gone too long, I still need some TLC.” Spike came willingly to kiss Xander.
“Sorry love, bit o’ fresh air might do me good, and you know perfectly well that Xan is quite safe from my evil clutches, just you make sure Wil is too!”
Xan and Spike took their leave.
They walked in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. After about 10 minutes of weaving in and out of the broad thoroughfares they came into a square that Spike hadn’t been in before. It was one of the nicest Spike had seen since he’d been there, there were trees and fountains, people were strolling around, the architecture was different, the buildings looked older, less steel and glass, more stone and brick.
In the middle of the square was some sort of monument, people stopped occasionally to look at it and read the inscription.
“Spike, sit with me. I know we can converse through thought, but sometimes its refreshing to speak to each other, and I know you are much more used to talking. You are ready to talk to me aren’t you?”
“You’re far too intuitive for such a youngster Xan. Now, where do I start?”
Spike had a lot to say to Xander, but it all really boiled down to just two things and he wasn’t about to beat about the bush.
“Right then luv, never been one to mince me words so, I am William the Bloody and Xander won’t live more than another 100 years. Simple. Your world may never exist. I don’t want to loose my Consort. I think we’re stuffed.”
Xan wasn’t surprised at Spike’s admission, he had for quite some time now realised who Spike and Xander were.
He was beside himself now that Spike had confirmed it, plus if Spike wanted his help in ensuring this came to pass, then surely that would be the pinnacle of his life as a helper. What more could he do? He would help create the world he now lived in.
It wouldn’t matter that nobody knew, he would know, it would be his gift.
“I know who you are, that is why I brought you here. Come Spike, let me show you.”
Xan took Spike’s arm and led him over to the monument so that he could see for himself what it was. It was the oddest thing Spike thought, it appeared to be a gothic style angel the type found in most cemeteries throughout the UK but the thing that made it odd was the fact that it had the face of snarling vampire.
It stood on a plinth and underneath was an inscription “In memory of William the Bloody and Consort Xan. Love lives on”
The words were simple. Spike couldn’t believe that he had been remembered as some kind of hero, that he and Xander were this world’s example of love happiness and goodness. He turned to Xan.
“How did you know, I didn’t want anyone to know, even Xander doesn’t know. How can I tell him? I just can’t!”
“Let me help you Spike, there is a way. We have already helped you, you are no longer leashed, please let me help again. There is a way that Xan-der can be helped. He will have to consent but it can be done. There are many demons and humans who are mated, some choose to live a natural human life span and others opt for longevity. It is devastating to loose one’s mate Spike, be it after 2600 time periods or 26,000, loss is loss whenever it strikes.”
Spike looked at Xan hopefully.
“You better not be putting me on Xan. This is something I want more than anything else - I want Xander with me for as long as I can, I don’t want to turn him, I don’t want him to become like me, I love him as he is, warm, young healthy and human. I’d love him even if he was an old crock cause he’s my Xander an I know I’m bein selfish - I’ve looked like this for over a hundred years, bugger 5,200 time periods to you luv, I want the same for my Xan.”
“He can have that, let me tell you the procedure as we walk back.”
They set off back to Wil and Xander who had been chatting amiably since their respective partners had wandered off.
“Don’t you think it’s odd how alike we all are Wil? Well, me and your Xan could be twins cept for his short hair n mine’s long, but that’s the only difference, same name too. Then there’s you n Spike, well he dyes his hair but now its growing out it’s the same colour as yours plus you’re both called Wil too, it’s just weird!”
“What do you mean Xan-der, he is called Spike.”
“Yeah, but that’s just his nick name, his real name is William - William the Bloody your actual Scourge of Europe, well part of it anyway.”
“Xan-der - is this one of your jokes?”
“Why would I joke? Hey, is there something I don’t know?”
“William the Bloody and Consort Xan are legend. They helped to shape the world we have today, and if it is true that you are they, then ….. I am at a loss for words Xan-der.”
“Hey buddy, now that would be funny if you were a comedian!”
Wil looked at Xander with new eyes.
The man before him was a legend brought to life.
Nobody knew what they looked like and here they were in the flesh and he and his mate were their direct descendants - they had to be, no one could look so alike and not be. Wil felt himself flush with a pride he never knew he had.
“Hey love, what you two been up to - what ya been telling Wil to make him flush up like that pet?”
Two pairs of eyes looked at Spike and Xan, both disbelieving.
“What?”
Xan read both of them, relaying quickly their discovery to Spike.
“You knew Spike? Why wouldn’t you tell me I was a legend?”
“Xan love, it’s not that easy.”
“How long have you known?”
“Kind of since our first day here.”
“And you thought not to tell me why?”
“Look love, can we talk about this just us two? There’s things you don’t know an’ I don’t want it aired in public, kay?”
“No Spike, not really OK. Did you know Xan?”
Xan had the decency to look sheepish.
“I think it is time for Xan and I to have a discussion of our own Xan-der. We will take our leave. Good night.”
“Yeah, night Wil, Xan, see ya later guys.”
When Spike and Xander arrived back at their room Xander was still puzzled as to why Spike had kept this little snippet from him. He wasn’t really mad with him, just curious.
“So come on then love of my life, spill - the jig’s up baby!”
“Oh, love! Come here, let me hold ya. I missed you.” Spike told him. Sometimes he just got the soppiest feelings; he had to touch Xander as a wave of love just washed over him.
“You’re not getting out of it that easy. I’m just interested as to why you wouldn’t tell me that you n me are like - famous.”
Spike sighed. He felt as if he was sighing constantly these days.
“I didn’t want you to know love. Xan told me this tale to distract me when you’d been pulled back to our time. I wasn’t sure that you were the Xan in it, but the more we’ve been together the more certain I got. It was about us an our struggle to find a way to get rid of the chip, an in this tale I didn’t have mine, so that made me somehow think the Xan wasn’t you, cause I still had the chip when he told me. It just got easier an easier to not say anything.”
*I was so pleased when you came back Xan.* he thought.
“Is that all there was to it? Why couldn’t or wouldn’t you tell me then? I don’t understand love.”
Spike seemed to be digging himself in deeper. He didn’t want to tell Xan about his death, shit he didn’t even want to acknowledge that it would happen, but here he was, spade in hand, digging.
“I love you Xander, you know that don’t you? More than anything.”
“Right, now. Stop right there with the scaring me Spike.”
“Sorry love, nothing scary - the Xander in the tale was very, very old, nearly as old as me. And. He wasn’t a vampire. But. He was you love.”
Xander pondered. Spike could see the wheels turning as Xander looked up at him.
“How then? How was I really old - was I like yucky and wrinkly and bent and bald?”
“Apparently not love. You and I were both ‘fair’, in other words we were hot.”
“So, then I was like I am now?” Spike nodded.
“Again with the how?”
“Xan knew who I was before I told him tonight. I had to tell him cause I wanted his help - if he could give it. He bloody can as well! But you need to agree love. I know it’s selfish of me to ask you this and I wanted to ask without you knowing about all the other stuff.”
“Spike, get with the asking, please your making me nervous!”
“Do you want to be young forever Xan? Do you want to be like me but human?”
Xander sat down heavily on their bed.
“Wow.”
“Immortality? Wow!”
“Not as such love. You can be hurt, or even die if someone were to shoot you or stab you or stuff, but apparently your DNA can be manipulated so you don’t age, your organs n stuff stay as good as they are now.”
Xander turned wide brown eyes to Spike, his face filled with wonder.
“God Xan, love you so much baby.” Spike had to stay calm and rational and not become lost in Xander. He had to be prepared for Xander to say No. It was a momentous decision to make and he didn’t expect him to just make it on the spur of the moment.
“Think on it love. Please. Take all the time you want - well, within reason, but you have to think of all the consequences if you say Yes.”
Xander nodded his head, still shell shocked.
“Take me to bed love? Hold me?”
“Sure pet. Think you can sleep? Hope you can, hope I can too.”
Spike undressed a compliant Xander, then himself, dimmed the lights and got into bed beside his partner. Wrapping arms around him and pulling him close he kissed the nape of his neck as he always did when they were laid so. Spike could only hope Xander would say yes. It was a selfish hope, but then he was a very selfish vampire.
Sleep didn’t come easily, but come it did.
Spike woke to a burgeoning orgasm, his body enjoying the pleasures before his mind actually caught up and as his eyes shot open he came in the warm wet cavern of Xander’s mouth, little appreciative noises coming from under the bed cover as Spike’s body trembled contentedly.
“Really pet, that was a very, very nice ‘Good Morning’. Would you like me to reciprocate now you’ve got my attention?”
He felt as well as heard the snigger, making his cock jiggle in Xander’s mouth. He gave a last long drawn out suckle to the meat in his mouth and let it go.
“I fancy a ride actually. Wanna be my bareback rider?” Xander snickered bashfully.
“No need to be shy love, you can have me however you want me - just so long as you always want me!”
“Always Spike! Want me to lube you up?”
“I’ve got it baby - you’re always so gentle with me and you take your time, I want you now pet, not prepared to wait, so I’m good.”
Spike grabbed a handful of lube from the pot, turned and knelt on the bed as Xander emerged from under the cover, laying propped up on his elbow watching as Spike did the quickest job of preparing himself he’d ever seen.
Finishing quickly Spike tuned Xander onto his back and kissed him hard and deep leaving him gasping and even harder than he had been. A cursory swipe of his slicked hand over Xander’s throbbing cock had Xander arching up off the bed following the contact of that cool hand. Spike pushed his hips back to the bed and straddled him holding his cock at the base.
“Gonna love this Xan - you ready pet?” and without further warning Spike guided the mushroom head of Xander’s fat cock to his twitching hole and sank down feeling the length filling him. They groaned simultaneously, filler and fill-ee.
From the small tremors running thru Xander Spike knew that this was going to be a quick ride, his boy was just about ready to blow. He grabbed the base of Xander’s cock with his hand to try and stave of his release as he slid up and down that greased pole inside him. It was sublime, rapturous torture.
He looked down at Xander and as their eyes locked their minds opened to each other, emotions spilling out, love, belonging, lust, abject pleasure, trust, anticipation. Spike picked up his rhythm, Xander thrusting up into him as Spike came down, so close now, Spike now took hold of his own cock fisting it in time to their thrusts, both of them could feel the build up in their balls and their minds, the ecstatic feeling of their combined orgasm spilling over as their seed shot out into and onto each other.
Xander’s back bent into a bow as he came, his fingers digging into Spike’s hard muscular thighs, falling back replete onto the bed his eyes focussed on his lover still writhing above him in game face. Xander arched his neck in invitation, Spike accepted his due and bit down over his claim mark causing Xander to shudder once more as a further dry orgasm wracked his body. Spike suckled gently, feeling the intense pleasure it gave him to drink from his Consort, feeling too the second orgasm from his lover. He licked the wound until the blood stopped flowing then kissed his mark. Xander was practically asleep again and Spike didn’t have the heart to disturb him and so levered himself off Xander to collapse as gently as he could next to him.
“You fucked my brain out Spike, gottafineit, mmm, in my dreams baby.”
“Yeah pet, want me to come in there and look too?”
“Mmm, ‘tever sweetheart. Love you.” Spike could tell he was already well out of it, his words starting to slur. Spike pulled the cover over them both and snuggled down into Xander’s warmth.
*Imagine doing that for an eternity.*
*Don’t need to imagine*
Spike sat bolt upright in bed.
“What?” he shouted.
“What ‘what’ - what???” Xander now rudely re-awakened asked.
“Did I hear you right pet? What you were thinking?”
“If I say yes can I go back to sleep?”
“Say what love?”
“Not what, YES. Now lemme sleep Mr Selfish Shagmonster!”
Spike was filled with a sense of what could only be described as utter joy. His Xander had said Yes. He hoped he meant it, Nah, he wouldn’t just say it for the sake of it. He wanted to shake him back to consciousness and make him confirm it. Xander lay fast asleep next to him, smile still on his face.
Yeah, Spike knew. His boy meant it, even if he was half asleep when he thought/said it.
He was gonna get to keep his lover for the next four centuries. Way to go!
He was the man!
Well, technically Xander was ‘The Man’!!! Shit, he was even starting to think like his Consort. Better put a stop to that right smart!
A couple of hours later and they started to re-emerge from their post shag nap. Xander left the safety of Spikes arms to pee and shower. He thought over his decision and smiled happily to himself. Yeah he decided, he had made the right choice.
He knew he would watch his friends get old and die and he knew that would hurt. Hell anyone he got attached to would grow old and die eventually if they were human. But he had Spike, and at pinch Angel but Spike would be his constant, his lifelong companion, his eternal lover. Cool. He would really only miss Willow, yeah and the Buffster, Dawnie and Tara oh and G man. He was a realist. He knew Buffy didn’t have a huge life expectancy, he’d loose touch with them all eventually, he did love them all. But.
Not like he loved Spike.
He wouldn’t want to live if he didn’t have Spike.
He knew that now.
Hell, he’d known it for a long time.
So.
Decision made.
He was going to be an eternal youth.
The smile got wider, practically splitting his face.
Spike roused. Eventually.
He could hear humming coming from the bathroom. Some crappy tune he’d hear Xander hum a hundred times before. He really aught to find out what it was. He hoped that he would change his repertoire over the coming centuries otherwise he might have to invest in ear plugs. No, that was mean. His Xan could hum whatever he wanted.
He was being magnanimous in his post orgasmic haze. Xander had said Yes. Spike would happily hum along with Dolly Parton at the moment, he was on cloud nine.
Suddenly Xander changed his tune - Spike started to snigger then to laugh uproariously as he realised Xander was humming Jolene!
“Git!” he shouted, realising Xander had picked up on his thoughts.
“Sorry, couldn’t resist! You coming in?”
Spike flung the covers off the bed and sauntered into the bathroom.
“Could do with a good hose down pet. Wash me back?”
Xander lathered up and lovingly washed Spike from head to toe. His hair had lost most of the bleach and was now its natural colour except for the ends. It was a lovely dark blonde and curly with it. Spike loved Xander to wash his hair, it was a pure sensual overload. It relaxed him to the point of stupor, he adored it and Xander knew that, which is why he spent a good ten minutes massaging Spike’s scalp, forehead and neck, working fingers thru the soft conditioned hair. It was a pleasure for him too.
“I can tell you’re relaxed baby, am I gonna havta carry you out?”
“No love, I can do it under my own steam, no worries.”
Xander stopped the water. Every time he showered he regretted the fact that it was still water he washed with. He’d have to suggest a sonic shower to Xan and get the boffins to invent it. He was sure it wasn’t beyond their capabilities.
“So then love wanna talk about it? You sure you want to do this? I did take it you meant yes to my proposition. ”
“Yes. Sure. Ohh, you propositioned me!! But I did say Yes. I meant it too. If I talk about it I might persuade myself that I’ve not made the right choice Spike, and I KNOW I’ve made the right one. In the time we’ve been together here I’ve grown to realise that you’re my life. I don’t want to be without you. I don’t want to grow old and feeble and see you still looking like you’re in your twenties. I’m selfish too. Wouldn’t anyone want to be young forever? So, am I doing it for the right reasons? Fuck if I know Spike! I love you. That’s my reason. The only one I need.”
“Thank you love. I promise I’ll look after you n keep ya safe, for as long as I can. Love you too.”
“Think we should get dressed n find our pure counterparts?”
“They are quite pure I s’pose. Really accepting, everything we’ve told em or done, they’ve been OK with. They’re the good guys!”
Still musing over Xan and Wil and their innate goodness Spike dressed. His jeans and T had long ago worn out and he had the standard tunic and pants that everyone wore, but with the one exception. His were black.
Xander had his modelled on Captain Pickard and wore his clothes with pride. Only Spike sniggered at him when he caught him preening in the mirror.
Another breakfast in their usual haunt, Xan and Wil already seated and munching on Tahini and Toast. Some things Xander would never get used to and no bacon was one of them. He had his eggs scrambled, toast juice and coffee.
Spike ordered his blood and toast and sat dipping toasty fingers in his mug. It was all very civilised. They could ‘chat’ whilst eating which they often did, sharing thoughts with each other and of course this morning’s topic was Xander and his willingness to become forever young. Xan went thru the basics with him, assured both Xander and Spike it was a painless procedure and like the broken bone took mere minutes.
There would be no side effects and if he ever required it could be halted and he would age normally from the age he was currently no matter how long he had been that age.
So they were all set.
Spike held Xander’s hand as they walked over to the medical facility. Xan had contacted them earlier and Ben was waiting for them. He was more than happy to see Xander, wary of Spike though, and told Xander it was an honour for him to perform this simple procedure that would give him and his mate all the time they needed to grow as one.
*Poncy bloody speech* Spike thought to himself, but Xander gave him a black look, so possibly he didn’t think it just to himself!
Ben took Xander away to the sterile room and had him lay down. He was covered by a Perspex dome so he was completely enclosed. Ben flicked over his control pad, Xander felt rather than saw a light envelop him, cause duh eyes shut here! But it was a definite feeling, kinda like being on a sun bed but for the shortest time. He heard the dome retract and turned to see Ben smiling at him and telling him it was done. He could still hurt himself and have injuries. He could still die from a fatal injury but if he took care he could possibly live for centuries.
Xander didn’t feel any different.
Not one iota.
Looked the same, felt the same.
Only time would tell.
Ben and Xander made their way back to the others who had waited patiently - some more patiently than others. Spike leaped up as soon as he heard Xander coming. He sounded different. His heart. It had slowed right down, still strong and healthy but very slow, at least half it’s normal speed. Something he would get used to, more recognisable now than before, but then he would know his love’s heartbeat in a room filled with thousands.
“OK pet?”
“Sure thing lovely. Don’t feel any different. Think I should tho. Should we celebrate? Kinda like a birthday don’t you think?”
“What is this? A Birthday? Why celebrate - what is there to rejoice?” Xan said.
“You don’t have birthdays? Oh. My. God! You cannot be serious!!”
“Our unit was birthed at the same time, as are all units. It is not something we remember as we were immature.”
“Oh boy. You have so missed out guys. In our time a birthday’s something to celebrate, you have a party, have your friends over, get gifts, drink beer and eat cake and have fun. Mostly.”
“Oi! If you want a bit of a shindig love then we’ll bloody well have one. We can ask whoever ya want.”
“You sure Spike, I don’t mind really, but it would be a nice thing to do, specially as birthdays seem to be a thing of the past. Hey what should we call it tho cause technically its not a birthday party. Hey - we could have a Live long and prosper party!!!”
“I can’t believe I’m encouraging you to do this. Bloody hell Xan, can’t you think of a better name for it?”
“It’s cool Spike my lifelong love. You’ll see. We can do invites and balloons and cake and dips n stuff, music, and games, don’t have to have presents, it’ll be just cool to have the guys over. Please can we?”
“If that’s what you want love, that’s what you can have. Although I may live to regret this, but please Xan, no games???”
“We’ll see!”
Xan and Wil were bemused, it seemed that once more Spike and Xander were talking about something that was completely alien to them both, but then it was not an unusual occurrence, they were often baffled by their illogical ideas and thoughts.
They had the party, with all the food Xander loved and hats and even some music, and to Spikes utter chagrin games as well. Xander had the best time and constantly told Spike so. Spike put up with it under sufferance, but he was glad Xander was having a good time.
Time passed and before they realised another year had gone by. The time just seemed to slip away from them. The society they lived in now had no cares or worries. Spike and Xander did what ever pleased them with no one to tell them otherwise.
If they wanted to sleep all day they could, if they wanted marathon sex sessions which they frequently did, then who was to stop them?
They did contribute.
Both of them spent a lot of time in the museum adding to the somewhat sketchy bits of information relating to the 20th century. The curator thought they were invaluable and would have been more than happy to keep them there day and night. Spike was more helpful than Xander with his wealth of experience and his vast knowledge.
Xander couldn’t help but be impressed by Spike, he’d never realised how much knowledge he had. It wasn’t to do with being clever, which Xander realised Spike was, but with his knowledge of trivia, snippets of news items, even from just before they got beamed here he knew so much more than Xander. Spike of course told Xander off when he ‘read’ how Xander was feeling, which was a little inadequate. He told him he should never feel like that and when he’d lived over a hundred years he would remember all sorts of rot too.
It cheered Xander slightly, but he was sill in awe.
Xan and Wil were regular visitors to the museum once they knew that was where Spike and Xander spent a lot of their time. Wil especially was interested in their past and was forever asking questions. Xander thought it was wonderful that Wil found his boring and mundane life experiences so interesting.
Books to Wil and Xan were as ancient and obsolete as papyrus was to Spike and Xander, but Spike had a passion for books and would happily read out passages he thought would interest them, explaining in detail what the author meant, or if it was factual he would put his slant on the account.
It was on one of those carefree days when they were all in the library section of the museum that it happened. Spike had found something interesting in a newspaper article that had been scanned and was reading it out to them from the screen.
Xander was flanked by Wil and Xan and they were all leaning towards Spike over the table, shoulders rubbing, lost in the cadence and power of his reading voice. Xander felt it first, the sick feeling in his stomach as he blindly grabbed out at Wil and Xan.
He knew even before he opened his eyes where he would be.
*No! Should have had more time! Too happy - they had to take it away.* Xander felt confusion coming from either side of him, hands reaching to him for reassurance as they had no doubt heard his thoughts. He still felt sick and then a sheer bolt of panic sliced thru him,
*Here love, here, it’s OK.* Came Spike's reassurance.
And then the realisation struck him that if he was back in old Sunnydale why could he still feel Wil and Xan?
”Oh my goodness, what have I done? Xander - there are two of you, and, and two Spikes. No, I swear I did nothing different, I swear!”
Xander opened his eyes to see the stricken face of his Willow, hands covering her mouth in shock.
“I am not Spike, I am Wil. Spike, Xan-der, what is this place? How are we here?”
“We’re here pet cause Red got something wrong. And I think she was a bit too eager to get her Xander back!”
“I do not understand Spike, Xan-der is yours. Why would this red think he is hers?” asked Xan.
“I thought I heard you fangless - so, how come I have to put up with two of you. Hey can I stake one of you?” Buffy said as she came in thru the door.
“I have no fangs as I am not demon, but Spike has fangs. You - you are neither though- not human, not demon - you are unnatural!” Wil said.
“Yeah she’s bloody unnatural alright Wil, definitely not a natural blonde!”
“Ha! Pot and kettle I think bleachy head!”
“Look a little closer Slayer”
“This is a slayer - this female - this is an abomination!”
“Hey Xander, what’s with hurting my feelings? You got a hit on the head again?”
*Please - keep it down all of you, let’s not make this any worse than it already is!* Xander directed his thoughts to those he knew could hear.
The three men looked to him as one, and kept their mouths firmly closed.
“Buff, hey. Allow me to introduce Xan and Wil. They are not part of us - well they are kinda in a way, but Wil - that’s you Willow - you haven’t split us, Xan and Wil are from our future - they are the us’s of their time. They are both human by the way, and they are a couple.”
“More gay-ness, I don’t think I can stand it!”
”Buffy!” said Willow in a hurt tone.
“Yeah shut it slayer, nothing t’do with you. Personal choice innit.” Spike said as he sidled over to Xander, he felt much better as he touched Xander in the small of the back and he could feel that the contact reassured Xander too.
“One more word from you evil undead and Mr Pointy will be coming over to see you.”
“Stop it, just- Stop it!” Xander shouted.
Tara chose that moment to make her entry into the mêlée. Spike noticed her first and smiled at her. Tara was stunned.
The warmth in his smile took her breath away, but the thing that brought a lump to her throat was the glowing pulsating light surrounding them both. She had seen people’s auras before, Xander’s definitely, but she had never witnessed this combined beauty and strength, it was truly breathtaking.
“Glinda?” Spike said as all eyes turned to Tara.
“Oh, it’s so beautiful, so, so - it dazzles me, so pure, such love, such joy!” As she spoke her hands shaped the air before her.
“You see it too? It is wondrous. It is fitting that it should be so.” Xan said to Tara.
“What? I can’t see anything Tara. Hey is this a witchey thing?” Buffy asked puzzled.
“Is it Xander’s aura, baby?” asked Willow.
“No. Both. They’re joined, combined, one. Xander and Spike.”
Willow looked at them both properly. She’d been so shocked when she saw two Xander’s she hadn’t had chance to notice anything else. But now she did. Xander looked different, he looked more mature she thought, he looked relaxed, happy. He looked like he was in love. And the way he was looking at Spike. No!!! Surely not.
Xander turned his head in Willow’s direction and nodded his head.
Now that was freaky - did he know what she was thinking?
He smiled at her and nodded again. It was very unsettling, he wasn’t the same Xander.
“I’m still me Wil, but with added extras. One of which is my partner, my life partner, Mr William the Bloody. And no, I have not lost my mind, it seems that I’ve actually found it!” he said smiling lovingly at Spike.
“Over my dead body!” Buffy shrieked.
“Oh, could so easily be arranged Slayer.”
“Hey chipped wonder, come and try, get a headache!”
“I am truly happy that we do not have such unpleasant creatures to deal with. Why are you so unkind to Spike?”
“Duh, me Slayer him Evil blood sucking vampire?”
“I have never witnessed Spike take blood - Xan-der gives blood willingly as a Consort should” Wil told then knowledgeably.
“He does what?” screeched Buffy, Mr Pointy raised in her hand as she ran at Spike. Quicker than she thought possible there were three bodies between her and Spike.
“Out of my way - you are dust Spike!”
“Buffy, stop, just stop please. Listen will you, for once in your life listen before you do something stupid!” Xander had started off in a reasonable tone but by the time he finished he was shouting at Buffy. Tara could see the change to their aura, it was taking on a red hue when before it was golden and silver and sparkly, but now it had turned a deep red at the centre the gold turning to orange, like flames with occasional gold sparks.
“B-Buffy, please stop.” Tara stuttered.
“Buffy, let’s listen to what Xander has to say, please, I hate it when we all fight, please Buffy” Willow pleaded.
“OK Wills, but soon as he’s finished Spike will be too!” she stated flatly.
Xander by now had had enough of Buffy’s high handed attitude. Sometimes she could be such a - a jerk! She stuck to her agenda and that was it, something got in her way stake it, but not this time, no sir, not this time.
Willow could see how angry Xander was, she’d only ever seen him this mad once before, it was when Larry had been picking on her, Xander had gotten so mad he’d just punched Larry, it didn’t matter that Xander knew Larry would settle the score with the help of his buddies, what he was doing to Willow was wrong and he had to protect her. Willow had loved Xander even more for that small kindness.
“Right Buffy, this is the way it goes. You listening, cause this is a one time deal. First, you never, ever threaten Spike, you never touch him, I don’t want you to even speak to him unless it’s to say something nice. Got that?”
Buffy was open mouthed. How dare Xander talk to her like that. He just didn’t, Spike must have done something to him. He was gonna be dusty little bits soon enough, then she’d have her Xander back.
Xander sighed in exasperation.
“No Buffy, NO! You’re not listening. Spike loves me, I love him, we love each other. Try to hurt him and I leave. I go away and you will never ever see either of us again. Do you understand?”
It was starting to penetrate Buffy’s one track mind. Xander could see when it finally clicked.
“But Xander, he’s evil, and dead, and, and not a girl!”
“Oh Buffster, he was evil, he’ll always be dead and I hope he’ll always be a guy, cause that’s the package I love. Since we’ve been gone we’ve both changed Buff, can’t you see? We’ve been away about 2 and a half years whereas here it’d been less than a day. Two and a half years is a long time Buff. Very happy years in which we made lots of friends, learnt lots of new things, and even helped out people along the way. I can’t begin to tell you. I thought we had more time, I asked Wills to make sure it was 24 hours - why didn’t you Will?”
Willow was shamefaced.
“I wanted you to be OK, I - when I brought you back first you looked terrible, I was worried, Xander I only wanted what was best for you.”
“When you brought me back before the reason I looked terrible was cause Spike was hundreds of years away from me. Going thru time did something to both of us, bound us in some way, and now I never want to be un-bound. We will be together until we die.”
Xander’s head whipped round to Wil and Xan as he’d caught a stray thread of thought - sorrow.
“What’s to be sad about guys?” Out of the corner of his eye Xander saw Spike shake his head.
“Spike?”
“Does Xan-der not know Spike?”
Spike shook his head. Buffy, Willow and Tara looked completely confused.
“Xan love, they both know how and when - “ Spike looked heartbroken, tears in his eyes.
“Baby, what - don’t, please don’t be upset.” It suddenly dawned on Xander what Wil Xan and Spike all knew.
“Soon?”
“Centuries love, but it hurts.”
“Together?”
Spike shook his head. Suddenly Xander didn’t seem worried.
“Cool. Centuries! Hey, guy’s we have to get the boys back - they’re missing their time, how long we been back here?”
“About half an hour or so” Willow said.
“That’s a day and a half nearly then. Wills, can you send them back to their time?” Willow nodded. Spike and Xander as one held their arms out to Wil and Xan who happily embraced them.
*We will miss you both so much, you have enriched our lives and made us better people. We are saddened to leave you*
*I’ve never been so happy as I have been these past two plus years - 104+ time periods!! You’ve taught me n Xander so much*
*Yeah guys, we love you, you're kind of our kids, you’re part of us. Remember us, cause we’ll never ever forget either of you*
Wil and Xan were now openly crying, but both controlled their sniffles to go down on one knee, they both awkwardly took a hand each of Xander and Spikes and held then to their foreheads.
“Honoured ancestors, we are humbled in your presence.” They said as one.
Now Spike and Xander filled up.
It was awful, knowing that this was the last time they would ever see them. Xander gulped in a breath trying to calm himself as he held his hand up, he looked over at Spike who did the same.
“Live long and prosper”
“You will live long Xan-der, have no fear. Your prosperity is our future. You will do great things, both of you.”
As teary as Willow was at this open display of affection she took a deep breath and told them she was ready.
“You’ll feel sick, but you’ll be OK guys - hey if you ever want to be teachers like J and G you can tell your childer all about your adventures. Love you guys!” As the words left his mouth Xan and Wil vanished.
“I miss them Spike. I miss them already.”
“Me too love.”
“I miss replicators and history and the park, oh god, the rooftop, I miss the rooftop I - oh no, nononono. Spike, how can I be so selfish! If -“
“SOK love. I had two years doing something I never thought I would. I got to love you and I got sunshine. The next time the sun shines on me - well, it’s a long way off love.”
Buffy was making sick faces at how wrapped up in each other Spike and Xander were, ugh, now they were kissing!
Willow was happy she had her friend back, and happy too that he was in love. Tara once again got to see that wondrous aura as the gold and silver pulsated like a living thing.
“So love, what now?”
“Well, we wait till it gets dark and then we go home, have some hot sex and then think about our future”
“Sounds like a plan love.”
*I love you so much Spike. We’ll be Ok, you’ll see. Hey think our super mind reading powers will stay with us?*
*Bloody hope so pet. Love you too. The mind thing will be great for those bloody scoobie meetings. Think I could make you cum by talking dirty direct to your mind?*
*Why don’t we try while we wait for it to get dark?*
“Xander - what are you and Spike grinning about?” Buffy demanded.
Their grins just got bigger.
Fin.