Parts 9,10
Part 9:
"Do you think this is a good idea?" Willow nervously chewed her lip as she clutched Tara's hand with her own. "I mean, he's probably sleeping, or...something." She glanced over at Buffy, not particularly wanting to go into details about Xander's family.
The trio of girls stood outside the Harris residence, the late afternoon sun shining brightly down on them. Birds were singing merrily, and children could be heard laughing in the background. Such a light-hearted, happy scene. But it wasn't going to last.
Buffy narrowed her eyes grimly. "Well, then. I guess it's time for his wake-up call." With a toss of her head, she strode up the steps and rapped firmly on the door. Her entire posture screamed irritated impatience as she waited for a response.
Willow and Tara stood -- they weren't hiding, definitely not hiding -- behind Buffy, wincing as loud footsteps clomped their way ever closer. The door was flung open, and a scruffy, unshaven man stuck his head out, glaring at them through watery, bloodshot eyes.
"What!?" the man snarled, his angry expression slowly replaced by a disgusting leer as he looked the girls up and down. "Well, well, what can I do for you?" He lounged against the doorframe, licking his lips as he continued to gaze hungrily at them.
Unconsciously, the witches took a step back, cringing away from those eyes that seemed to crawl along their skin.
Buffy just crossed her arms over her chest, jaw clenched as she glared back, not even fighting the low growl in her throat. Eyes narrowed, she sneered at the disheveled man. "We...talked last night. About Xander? Where is he?"
There was a soft snort as Mr. Harris rolled his eyes. "Oh, yeah. I remember you." He stared hard at her, smirking as he lingered over the curves of her hips and her bare legs. ""Mmm-mm! If I'da known you were so fine, maybe we coulda worked something out." He peered over her shoulder at the other two. "You ain't so bad either. Maybe we can all go inside, have us a nice little...discussion."
Buffy shuddered. "Um, eww? That has *got* to be the grossest thing I've ever heard. Look, we just want to know where Xander is, so just tell us, and we're out of here."
"Hmph. Your loss." He shrugged as he stepped back inside and began to close the door. "I don't know where the little shit is, and I don't really give a fuck. So go annoy someone else." The door slammed shut.
Buffy muttered under her breath as she led the other two away from the house. Shaking herself, she rubbed her hands over her arms. "Gah, I think I need a shower. That was a *seriously* creepy man."
Tara nodded in agreement, taking a deep breath as she continued to clutch at Willow's hand. "He w-was very...icky."
"Yeah. I never liked visiting Xander when he was home. He scared me." Willow held on tight to Tara, casting a last glance at the house her friend had lived in for so long. "I'm...kinda glad Xander finally moved out. I just wish we knew *where* he went!"
With a determined glint in her eyes, Buffy stated "We'll find him. Don't worry about that. I don't give up on my friends. Now...I need ice cream. That guy's attitude left a bad taste in my mouth. C'mon."
~~~~~~~~~~
Alex swallowed hard as his breathing hitched, his eyes fixating on the other man's lips.
A faint hint of sadness flickered across Wil's face when he received no response. "Guess not, huh?" He tried to move away, startled when strong arms gripped him by the waist and pulled him back.
Alex held Wil close to him, not letting him escape. Tugging lightly, he moved the blonde around so he could get a better angle, then bent his head. He stared into clear blue eyes that widened as he drew closer. His lips hovered over Wil's, then his tongue slipped out and passed gently across them.
Wil gasped a wet warmth brushed over his mouth. His eyes drifted closed, and he moaned softly when he felt Alex's lips settle lightly on his. The gentle nibbling that began caused him to hiss in frustration, and he twined his hands around Alex's neck to guide him closer, attempting to deepen the contact.
Alex complied, increasing the pressure and sucking Wil's lower lip into his mouth. He laved it thoroughly, then proceeded to thrust his tongue into the blonde's mouth.
Opening himself eagerly, Wil brought his own tongue into play. The two mobile digits danced over each other, tasting, licking, probing every recess of their joined mouths. Wil wiggled around, turning and straddling Alex's lap, never losing contact with the burning pressure of his lips. His hands gripped the brunette's shoulders, fisting into the fabric covering them. A loud groan escaped him when he felt Alex's hands slide down to cover his ass, kneading firmly.
The sound broke through Alex's haze, and his eyes snapped open. With deep regret, he released the mounds of flesh that he'd just noticed were cupped in his hands. Cradling Wil's head instead, he pulled the vampire away, whimpering as lips clung to his briefly, and a tongue made a last, desperate attempt to engage his once more. Panting harshly, he managed to gasp out, "Wait, wait, slow! We said slow!"
"Fuck slow," Wil snarled, jerking his head out of its confines and darting back in for another searing kiss.
An all-too-brief kiss it turned out, as Alex twisted his own head away. "Wil, we decided--"
"To hell with what we decided!" Wil tried again, growling when Alex continued to elude his attempts to resume their previous activity.
"Do you really mean that?" came the soft query.
"Yes!" Wil pouted, then sighed, ceasing his efforts. He relaxed, pressing his forehead against Alex's. "No," he murmured, "but it feels so bloody *good*!"
"Yeah, tell me about it," Alex muttered ruefully.
They continued to cling to each other for a while, until Alex's breath eventually evened out. Finally, the brunette gave a weak laugh. Rubbing his hands down Wil's back, he said, "C'mon, why don't we watch some more tv? He nodded toward the show that had been playing unnoticed all the while.
Reluctantly, Wil loosened his grip on Alex's shirt, making as if to shift over to the other end of the couch.
"Hey! Who told you to go anywhere?" Smiling, Alex settled Wil back against his chest, arms draped lightly around his waist.
Wil grinned, managing to sneak in one last, soft kiss before turning to watch the television. "You know," he offered, relishing the feel of warm arms wrapped around him, "I'd say we pretty much established one thing today."
"Really? What's that?"
With a smirk, Wil shifted against the hardness digging into the small of his back. "You gotta admit, pet...we are *definitely* gay!"
~~~~~~~~~~
"You sure 'bout this, luv?" Wil frowned worriedly as Alex pawed through his closet, discarding item after item in an untidy heap on the floor.
"Yeah, I've gotta do this." The response was muffled, only becoming clearer when Alex withdrew his head. As he continued to pick through his clothes, he went on. "I mean, I *lived* there. Probably for a while. Maybe even with my family. I *have* to find out what I can about then. And why the *hell* don't I have any decent clothes!?" He tore at his hair, glaring at the gaudy pile of shirts and pants he'd flung out behind him.
Wil snickered quietly as he too examined the variety of dubious styles and colors displayed. "I get the feeling you didn't have a whole lot of fashion sense, mate."
Alex glared over at him, then smirked. "Yeah, well, since you don't have *any* clothes, guess what you're gonna end up wearing?" He held up a fluorescent orange shirt, waving it meaningfully.
Wil blinked, wincing, then swore softly. Grimacing, he shoved in next to Alex, digging around in what was beginning to seem a futile search for something decent to wear. Eventually, though, they both managed to find some plain-colored pants, and a couple of shirts that weren't quite so likely to blind anyone.
A few more minutes were spent back out in the living room, with Wil lounging on the couch and Alex nervously checking out the window. When it was dark enough, he stepped back, taking a deep breath and wiping suddenly damp hands on the front of his pants. "Sun's down now."
"Guess we should get going, then." Wil stood, map in hand, and walked over to Alex. "We don't *have* to do this, y'know."
Alex slipped an arm around Wil's waist, burying his face in the curve of the blonde's neck. "I know. But...I mean, I should at least *try*. Y-you don't have to come with me, though. If you don't want to."
Wil snorted, hugging Alex close. "Like I'm gonna let you go off by your lonesome. Who knows what kind of trouble you'd get into without me watchin' your back?" He stroked a hand through dark, silky hair, rumbling deep in his throat.
Smiling, Alex relaxed against the trim body. You're purring."
"Hm?" came the distracted response as Wil inhaled deeply, relishing the scent of the human in his arms.
Alex placed a hand on Wil's vibrating chest. "You're purring. I like it." He pressed closer in. "My big kitty cat."
Wil mock-glared at the top of Alex's head. "Kitty cat?" he asked with a curl of his lip.
"Mmm. *Big* kitty cat. Wild cat? A lion...or panther maybe." He kissed the soft, cool skin of Wil's neck, suppressing a chuckle as the purring got even louder. Then he heaved a sigh. "We should go."
They parted slowly, grinning shyly at each other. Hands clasped together, they left the apartment, locking it behind them.
*****
Part 10:
Alex gulped as he looked up at the dark house. "You think anyone's home?"
Wil cocked his head, listening. "Yeah, I can hear two people inside." He glanced at Alex, who was now staring at him in surprise. "What?"
"You can *hear* them?"
"Um, yeah." Wil shrugged bashfully, scuffing his feet.
Alex grinned. "Cool." The grin slipped as he once more turned back to the house.
"We can still leave."
"No. I'm not backing out now." He shuddered briefly. "It's just -- this place makes me feel really uncomfortable."
"Want me to go knock? I can check things out, you can stay off to the side and watch."
Alex wavered, then nodded gratefully. "Thanks," he whispered, giving Wil's hand a last squeeze before letting it go and walking over to the corner of the house.
Wil straightened, marching up the steps and rapping loudly on the door. He waited, pasting on a smile when the door creaked open.
"Yeah?" A frizzy haired, exhausted looking woman peered out at him.
"Hi, I'm a friend of Alexander's, and I--"
"He don't live here no more."
"Um, yeah, I know, I was just--"
"Who's at the door, woman!?" The shout echoed through the house, then the woman was shoved aside, a scruffy man taking her place. "What do you want?"
Wil forced himself not to cringe under the derisive glare. "Yeah, I'm a friend of Alexander's, I was wondering--"
"Look, how many times I gotta go through this?" He took a menacing step forward, poking a finger into Wil's chest. "That useless bastard doesn't live here! And good riddance. He was the most worthless excuse for a child it was my misfortune to produce. So stop fucking annoying us about him!"
The door slammed shut, leaving Wil standing in shock. He looked over at Alex, biting his lip when he saw how the brunette was hugging himself, tears shining in his eyes. Wil growled, then raised a fist and banged on the door again.
"What!?" came the snarl when it was wrenched open again.
"Forgot somethin', mate." Wil drew his fist back, then let fly, clipping the man solidly under the chin and sending him crashing back to land unconscious on the floor inside the house. Wil glared at the still form, then wheeled around and hurried over to Alex. He pulled the human close, gently stroking him until his agitated quivering stopped.
"He...he...they..." Alex stared at the still-open door, eyes wide with betrayal.
"Forget 'em, pet. Again. They ain't worth it." He pressed several kisses to Alex's face, licking at the wetness seeping from the dark eyes.
Alex clung to Wil, breath still hiccuping softly. Finally, he calmed, sighing when Wil pulled away slightly.
Wil brushed a hand down Alex's cheek. "C'mon, luv. Let's go home.
Alex stepped inside the apartment, immediately feeling a profound sense of relief. They stopped in the middle of the living room, staring through the open doorway to the bedroom at the hideously colored pile of clothing.
Wil cleared his throat. "Think we could do a spot of shopping?"
Alex wrinkled his nose. "Definitely. And then maybe a ritual burning afterwards." With a shudder, he crept over to the bedroom, gingerly closing the door. "What about money, though? I don't remember seeing much in either of our wallets." He tried not to lick his lips when Wil got that cute little wrinkle between his eyebrows as he thought. //Oooh, wanna nibble that. lick, and suck, and...// He cut that off, not wanting to embarrass himself, and assumed an expression of nonchalance.
"You know, I think..." Wil walked over to the table where the phone was located, sifting through the drawer. "Yes!" He turned, flourishing what was obviously a checkbook. He tossed it to Alex, who caught it easily.
"Hey, cool. Hope I kept it balanced." He flipped it open, checking the balance. "Woah." He sat abruptly in a chair, gaping.
Wil leaned over his shoulder to get a better look. "Wow, you're rich!"
"Well, not rich, but certainly not ad off. A few thousand dollars might not last long, but we'll be ok for a little while. And we can afford a minor shopping spree, which is definitely of the good."
"W-we? But...it's your money," Wil stated quietly.
Alex frowned, turning and pulling Wil over the back of the chair so the vampire toppled into his lap. "*Ours*. We're in this as a team, got it? We share."
Wil laid his head on Alex's chest, listening to the steady 'thump, thump' of his heartbeat. "Got it." Then he lifted his eyes, opening them wide and adding a pout. "Shopping? Clothes?"
"Yeah, yeah. Up." They clambered to their feet and back out into the hallway, where they paused. "Um, where to?"
Wil shrugged helplessly. "I dunno. Ask Mellie."
Alex hesitated, then smiled in agreement. They moved down to her apartment, and Alex knocked lightly.
The door opened, and cheerful eyes twinkled up at them. "Well, hello boys! Fancy you stopping by for a visit. Did you get a chance to eat some of that pie I dropped off yesterday?"
Alex nodded vigorously. "We wondered where it came from -- didn't think I'd made it! It was delicious."
"Oh, good. So...what can I do for you lovelies?"
Wil spoke up. "We need to do a bit of shopping, pick out some new clothes and whatnot. Any suggestions where would be good?"
Mellie tapped a finger against her chin. "Now that you mention it, I need a few things myself, and there's one of those 24-hour Wal-Marts not too far away. If you give me a couple of minutes to get myself together, I can give you a ride over."
"Sure, if it's not too much trouble or anything."
"Pish." Mellie waved her hand. "You boys just hold on, I'll be back in a jiff."
The door closed again, and Wil and Alex leaned back against the wall to wait.
Part 11
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