Title: Snow? What? Where? Author: Margie Rating: NC-17 (for the naughty sex parts) Pairing: X/S Summary: Written for the Batpack Holiday Season Fic Challenge (12/03). Basically had to have one or more of the following: Snow, Presents, Candles, Moonlight, Silk Boxers/Panties in a holiday theme. Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Joss owns it all damn him! Feedback: Yes please! margaritagomez1@msn.com Archive: If you want it just email me to tell me where it's going. It will eventually be on my own website when I get the chance to update (www.angelfire.com/indie/margarks/index.html) Author's Note: This takes place in my Who? What? Huh? Universe. Just a snippet from Spike and Xander's first Christmas together. It would have been probably about a year or so into their relationship. *** Xander was humming contentedly as he finished stringing the lights on the enormous Christmas tree they had bought. It wasn't too tall, the top just barely brushing the ceiling, but it was wide. Man, was it wide. Xander smiled happily as he remembered picking out the tree with Spike. It had taken forever to choose one. He was surprised to find that Spike was even pickier than him when it came to choosing the perfect holiday tree. When he'd asked Spike about it, the vampire had mumbled something that he hadn't been able to hear exactly, but Xander had a feeling it was just another piece to add to the puzzle that made up his love. Just then the door burst open and Spike rushed in, arms full of presents. He dropped the packages on the sofa and took off his duster to shake the snow off. "It's a bloody blizzard out there!" Xander stood and took the coat from Spike's cold fingers. He pushed the vampire toward the kitchen. "There's some hot cider on the stove," he gestured towards the simmering pot. "I'll put your precious duster away," Xander teased. "Best make sure you shake all that bloody snow off, luv. Don't want the leather to get ruined," Spike answered absently while pulling a clean mug out of the cupboard. Xander bit back a laugh. After all the demon slime and dragon fire this duster had been through he didn't think a little snow was going to do it in. After putting the duster in the closet, Xander joined Spike in the kitchen. The fact that Spike had a warm mug of cider waiting for him warmed him more than the drink itself. "So, where have you been all day?" Xander asked, raising an inquiring eyebrow. "You know where, Xan," Spike answered slyly. "Had to pick up all your pressies." Spike had wisely hidden Xander's presents all over Sunnydale, knowing that if he had left them in the apartment Xander would have sniffed them out within hours. Finished with his cider, Spike rinsed the mug out in the sink before placing it in the drainer. He kissed Xander's cheek on the way out the kitchen and then began the arduous task of lugging all of the presents from the couch to under the tree. While Spike was busy arranging the presents in perfect order, Xander set the table. He put out their nice plates and even folded the cloth napkins next to them. He set out the candleholders and dug out brand new red and green candles from a drawer. Satisfied that the plates and silverware were set correctly, Xander pulled the ham from the fridge. It was one of those honeybaked ones that you eat cold, one of Xander's favorites. Next he spooned the mashed potatoes into a serving bowl and brought them to the table as well, with a small boat of gravy. Xander grabbed the breadbasket and filled it with the buns he'd had warming in the oven, before grabbing the butter from the fridge. He set the mixture of peas, corn, and carrots he'd bought next to the mashed potatoes before returning to the refrigerator. Last but not least, Xander pulled out Spike's blood bag and poured it into a mug. He zapped it in the microwave until it was a toasty 98.6 and then poured the whole thing into a wine glass. He poured wine for himself and then called to Spike. "Sweetie? Dinner's ready." "Forgot to light the candles, luv." Spike tsked as he pulled out his lighter. He lit them and then quickly made his way over to the wall switch to turn off the lights. "Love the way you look in candlelight, Xanpet," he murmured quietly as he made his way back to sit across from Xander. "I know you do, Spike. That's why they're on the table." Xander winked at him. They ate in silence for a few minutes, neither feeling the need to fill the conversational void. Xander loved these moments. Loved knowing that they were so comfortable with each other that silence was never awkward. Never *needing* to be broken. "Spike?" "Yes, luv?" "Tell me why that tree was so important to you?" Xander prompted. "I didn't expect you to be so picky. "I'm sorry, Xan." Spike was quick to apologize. "Didn't know I was being such a Christmas Nazi." "No! I mean, you're not. I just wanted to know why it was so important, why you cared so much about getting the perfect tree. It's no big deal. You know, I just like to know everything there is to know about William the Bloody." Xander tried his goofy grin, but Spike's return smile was seriously short on wattage. Spike took a large gulp of his blood before beginning. He finger combed his hair roughly, a gesture that told Xander of his nervousness. "You don't have to tell me. Not if it makes you uncomfortable." Xander gave him an out. "No, pet. I want you to know. Just give me a mo', okay?" Spike composed himself. He hated thinking of the past. Thinking of his days as William the Bloody. The stupid ponce who was always in everybody's way, never wanted, never loved. Spike looked up into Xander's eyes and breathed a deep sigh of contentment. He didn't have to worry about that anymore. Spike knew that Xander loved him deeply, and would love him for as long as they both existed. "My da died when I was pretty young, only about twelve or so, not nearly old enough to be the man of the house. It devastated mum. I don't think I ever remember her being happy again." Spike turned away, staring out the sliding glass doors. The snow had stopped and he could see the moonlight peeking through the clouds. "Christmases were the worst. It's like she didn't want to be reminded that he wasn't there. So everything had to be done exactly as it had when he was still alive. It was almost scary how obsessed she'd become with it." Spike sighed and turned back to his lover. "I guess part of me wanted the same thing. I was in charge of the tree every year. She almost never let me keep the first one I picked. She'd always say it was too tall, or too short, didn't have enough needles, too many branches." He shrugged. "Always had to be the perfect tree. Guess it carried over to my unlife, huh?" Spike gave Xander a self- deprecating smile. "Oh, Spike." Xander leaned forward and place his hand atop Spike's in comfort. "I'm sorry." "I know she loved me...before," Spike swallowed the lump in his throat. "But I sometimes thought that all the love she had died the same day da did. She didn't seem...capable...of loving after that." "God, Spike! I'm sure she loved you." Xander squeezed his hand, tears glistening in his eyes. "Oh, she was always polite, and even affectionate. She gave me praise and kisses when warranted. But I never got the feeling..." Spike laughed humorlessly. "That's just it, luv. I never got the feeling. They were just words, just actions. There was never any *feeling* behind any of it. I don't think she had any left to give." Xander couldn't take any more. He stood and walked over to Spike, wrapping the vampire in his arms. They held each other tight for several minutes, Xander murmuring sweet words of love the entire time. He placed gentle kisses all over Spike's head and face, and let his hands caress the cool body. Spike turned his face upward to catch Xander's lips with his own. The kiss was long and sweet, and made Spike ache. When they pulled apart, Xander's arms were still around him, comforting. Spike stared into chocolate brown eyes and whispered, "I get the feeling now, luv." Xander's smile was brilliant. "You should, you big doof. I love you." A chuckle erupted from Spike, making his chest rumble. The sensations it caused in Xander were delicious. Finally unwrapping his arms from around the vampire, he tugged on his hand instead. He led the unresisting man into the bedroom, where Xander began to strip him down. When Spike was finally naked, Xander pushed him down onto the bed. He let Spike lay sprawled while he began to undress himself. He pulled his shirt over his head in one quick movement, and then lowered his trousers. Spike's laughter rang out into the night. Xander would have been embarrassed or angry if the sound itself didn't give him so much joy. When he looked down at himself, Xander could see why Spike was laughing. He was clad only in his black silk boxer shorts. Except they weren't his plain black boxers; these ones had little decorated Christmas trees all over. The one directly above the seam of his crotch was emphasized by the bulge that continued to twitch even as his lover laughed his ass off. Xander gave Spike an exasperated look before pouncing. He landed on top of the vampire, pinning him to the mattress and effectively silencing his laughter with a deep kiss. Spike groaned at the feel of Xander's boxers rubbing against his erection. The smooth silk causing a delicate friction that almost drove him mad. Spike broke the kiss in order to nuzzle Xander's sweet neck. He licked at the pulse point and felt Xander's dick throb in his shorts. Growling, Spike nipped lightly, making sure not to break skin, teasing Xander into a frenzy. "Spike, please," Xander begged, wanting to feel Spike's sharp fangs inside him. "Not yet, luv," Spike whispered back, rolling them over so that he was now on top. The vampire kissed and licked his way down Xander's body until he got to his silk boxers. Then he leered back up at Xander, waggling his eyebrows while he slowly stripped his lover. Xander laughed, then groaned when Spike's cool mouth enveloped his hard staff. Spike spent some time suckling Xander's cock, loving the sounds that escaped Xan's throat. After several minutes, he pulled out the lube from the bedside table and coated his fingers. Slowly he entered Xander, preparing him gently. Spike stretched his lover wide, scissoring his fingers and adding a third while continuing to swallow Xander's cock. Xander squirmed, pushing down towards the invading fingers. "Spike, I'm ready. Make love to me." Xander pulled until the vampire was once again covering him with his hard body. He didn't ignore the small shiver that ran through Spike at his words, either. "Make love to me," Xander repeated, letting all of his emotions show through his eyes. God, he hoped that Spike knew, that Spike felt, how much he loved him. Then Spike was inside him and Xander couldn't think any more. All he could do was feel. Xander felt every smooth thrust, every wet kiss, and every slap of skin on skin. He felt Spike fighting for control, fighting to keep from cumming before his lover. Xander felt the moment Spike morphed into his vampire visage; felt the slight sting as the fangs broke through skin. And then he was cumming. His dick throbbed and pulsed, shooting warm semen onto their bodies. Xander felt Spike suckling his neck, felt his own ass contracting around the vampire's cock. He felt Spike's whole body shudder just before he released his cum into Xander's still spasming tunnel. They lay together, quietly relaxing into a post-orgasmic haze. Spike licked gently at the tiny pinpricks he'd made on Xander's neck, the wound already healing. When Xander drifted slowly off to sleep, Spike pulled gently away. He gave Xander a quick kiss on the cheek before heading for the bathroom to retrieve a washcloth. He made sure to wet the cloth down with warm water then he proceeded to clean up his lover. He did a quick wash himself before returning to bed. When he crawled in, Xander curled his body around him, warming him up. Spike checked the clock on the bedside table and noted it was past midnight. He gave Xander another gentle kiss, this time on the crown of his head. "Happy Christmas, Xan." "Happy Christmas, Spike. Love you," Xander murmured sleepily, snuggling in closer to Spike's body. "I love you, too, Xan," Spike answered. "Now go back to sleep. We can have a romp in the snow tomorrow before the girls get here." "Huh? Snow? What? Where?" Xander was drowsily incoherent. Spike chuckled and couldn't resist capturing Xander's lips with his own. It was a light kiss, their lips barely brushing, but it meant more to him than any kiss his mum, Drusilla, or even Angel had ever given him, because even in sleep Xander put all his feelings behind that kiss. And Spike had no doubts as to what those feelings were, because he felt the same way.