estepheia: (Ladykiller)
[personal profile] estepheia
Several weeks ago [livejournal.com profile] anniesj asked for this: Someone write me a lovely little drabble in which Xander comes home from work all zonked out and exhausted, his feet all achy, and Spike rubs them and says dirty things. And then they have a long bath. And some wine. And some drugs. Don't forget the drugs. Drugs good.

I started work on this fic then but never finished it. Now I dug it out again, revamped it and presto! A ficlet. Beta'd by [livejournal.com profile] sangpassionne (Thank you!) - I couldn't fit in the drugs, and the talk is not dirty. It has no layers, no metaphor, no smut. Sorry. But it does have an overabundance of schmoop. I hope it hits the spot. Also, this is for [livejournal.com profile] snoopygirll and [livejournal.com profile] circe_tigana - my belated b-day prezzie for you two. Enjoy.

S/X - PG-15? - post-Destiny - AU - slash

Private

Sometimes Xander misses coming home to a tidy apartment, one that doesn't smell of cigarettes, where he doesn't trip over muddy boots, and where the fridge is stocked with fresh peppers and mushrooms, or a selection of smelly cheeses, instead of half empty Chinese take away boxes and several pickles jars full of blood. At least there's always beer, and often chocolate.

Sometimes Xander misses coming home to Anya, who always greeted him cheerfully, and started talking about her day and asking about his. Nowadays, if he's lucky, he's greeted by the sound of the TV instead of so-called music by the Dead Kennedys or the Ramones. And Spike never asks how Xander's day was. Xander doesn't know if the lack of discernable interest is a guy, a vamp, or a Spike thing. And maybe he doesn't want to.

It's been one of these days. Xander lets himself in and tosses the keys on the kitchen counter, along with a thick stack of mail: junk mail, several bills, a Domino's menu, more bills, and a postcard from Willow, bearing a Cambridge postmark.

It would be an exaggeration to say that he limps inside, but it's close. Xander's been on his feet all day, trying to be everywhere at once. And now his feet hurt like hell.

If Thoth's duplication wand hadn't gone 'kablooey' with the rest of Sunnydale, Xander'd feel sorely tempted to dig it out and just zap himself. With two Xanders to oversee the site and do the paperwork the company he's working for might actually meet the deadline and get the villa for Mr. upstart Hollywood actor built on schedule. Plus this time he wouldn't be in such a rush to get his two halves reintegrated.

"You're late, but I set the Tivo," Spike says by way of greeting. "C'mere."

With a sigh, Xander hangs up his jacket. "How was your day?" he asks, mellowed by the relief that comes from slipping out of his shoes.

"Went to see Angel about that loan and to pass the Martinez case on. Bumped into Eve. She said they could try to 'upgrade' me, like they did with Charles. Apparently they can Johnny Mnemonic all sorts of weird stuff, like cut out people's conscience, reprogram eating disorders, even swap you a fashion sense for Sam Spade 101 with SAP programming thrown in for free - whatever that is."

"And what did Eve want in return?" Xander opens the refrigerator and grabs a bottle of Budweiser, opens it and takes a hefty gulp, before making his way to the sofa.

"That's just the thing. Nothing. Called it a gesture of goodwill."

Xander has never seen Eve, but he dislikes her heartily from Spike's stories alone. Now that antipathy intensifies.

"And? Did you sign the dotted line?" Xander asks, wincing as a stab of worry joins today's aches and woes. He studies Spike's features, wondering if such a change would be noticeable.

Spike makes room on the couch and Xander sinks gratefully into the soft cushions.

"Wouldn't mind knowing a thing or two 'bout bookkeeping," Spike confesses. "But the only way I want to learn about numbers is by opening a little sachet, emptying it into a mug and pouring hot water on it. Not gonna let anyone or anything near my noggin again, that's for sure."

"Instant bookkeeping, huh? Sounds marketable," Xander says, closing his eyes. He just needs to rest his eyes for a moment. "So, what did you tell her?"

"Told her to sod off. The only update I need are a few more inches, and I'm not talking height."

Xander's relief is short lived. Inches? Huh? That gets Xander's full attention and he sits up straight. "Have you been reading porn again?" Lately, Spike has tried very hard to brush up on his rudimentary and sadly neglected computer skills to keep his case files in some semblance of order. The downside is, that Spike spends the time in between clients surfing the Net reading porn.

Spike doesn't answer.

Xander closes his eyes and leans back with a groan, but really he feels like banging his head against something solid. Just what he needs, on top of his achy feet: having to mollycoddle a morose vampire.

"You don't need more inches. You're dick's fine," he says tiredly. And it's true. Just thinking about it sends familiar tingles down his spine and makes his groin go all… groiny.

"Fine? You don't think it needs to be longer? Or thicker?"

Xander sighs, catching on. "Your dick's perfect the way it is. There, I said it. Are you satisfied now?" Xander yawns half-heartedly. Half hard too. But. God, his feet hurt and he's just too tired for Spike's unique brand of verbal foreplay.

Silence. Followed by the sound of creaking leather as Spike shifts his weight, bending forward, and then slender fingers clasp Xander's ankles, strong and cool, lifting Xander's feet up, pulling and dragging. Xander is more than happy to play crashtest dummy, lets tugs and nudges ply him until he's lying comfortably on the sofa, back propped up against the armrest, feet resting on Spike's lap. His socks are yanked off. Judging by the soft thud they land somewhere near the bathroom door. And then skilled hands start to rub and knead Xander's feet like Play-Doh. Oh yeah, this is good. Every time he feels those nimble thumbs exert pressure on his instep, Xander releases a low moan, a muffled sound of encouragement.

"Remember the Rossi case? The Italian mamma who's husband I pried off that succubus?" Spike's hands never lose their rhythm.

Talking is too much of an effort, but Xander manages an affirmative sound.

"She called. Said the check's in the mail. And we should stop by the restaurant some time. She'll cook for us."

Food is always good. Italian food is even better. Xander sighs a happy sigh. "I should get you patented," he murmurs.

Spike's only answer is a snort, but the stroking and massages continues.

"'S true," Xander insists, and yawns. He's putty in Spike's hands, all mushy and soft: his mind, heart, and dick. Metaphorically speaking, of course, he amends lazily.

"Hey, no falling asleep there," Spike objects. "Got plans for you."

"What plans?"

"Horizontal plans. The kind where I handcuff you to the bed and bugger you into next week."

Xander affects a whine, but he rubs his toe against the hardness in Spike's pants. "Do I get a bath first?"

"Whatever turns you on." Spike gets up and moments later the sound of running water drifts out of the bathroom, followed by the fresh scent of green tea and tangerines, Xander's favorite bubble bath. Nice.

Before the noise lulls Xander to sleep he has room for one more coherent thought: how lucky he is to have his own private dick.

THE END

Date: 2004-01-03 12:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] anniesj.livejournal.com
Oh, dude. DUDE. It's been weeks since I posted that little request, and you know what? It feels WONDERFUL to have it scratched now, especially in the way you did it. Schmoopy, delicious, and oh, I want Spike to rub my feet. I'll talk about how big and nice his dick is til I'm blue in the face if he'll give me that. ::swoon::

You rock hardcore. That? Awesome. :)

Date: 2004-01-03 01:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Heee. Glad you enjoyed it.
I copied and pasted your request into my file, and then I almost forgot about the story. And a few days ago, when I discovered it was snoopygirll's birthday, I unearthed it. :-)

Seems like ages since I wrote some Spander... Glad I haven't entirely lost my touch. ;-)

Date: 2004-01-03 12:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/wisteria_/
Very charming and clever and ... bwah! The last line is priceless.

Date: 2004-01-03 01:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Thank you, alanna. :-)

Date: 2004-01-03 12:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] astarte99.livejournal.com
: how lucky he is to have his own private dick.

Baahaaaa. That made me burst out into giggles. Yay.

Very cute piece. Poor Xander, with achy feet. I wish that I had my own private Spike around to rub *my* feet and run me bubble baths. Heh.

Date: 2004-01-03 01:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Thank you, Dani.
I have a nice hubby who would run me a bubble bath, but he hasn't learned the art of footrubs. *sigh*

Date: 2004-01-03 02:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] astarte99.livejournal.com
Heh, but there are Mr. Estepheia's and there are Spikes.... *grins*

I have been trying to train my boi in the art of the mind-dissolving footrub, but often easier said than done. *grins* Over the 6 years we have been together he has finally mastered the art of the guh-backrub, now it's just all about trying to expand the repertoire. *smile*

Date: 2004-01-03 12:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] paratti.livejournal.com
Very sweet, and a nice pun at the end.

Date: 2004-01-03 01:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Thank you, Lesley.

Date: 2004-01-03 12:52 pm (UTC)
rahirah: (Default)
From: [personal profile] rahirah
Snort! Love the last line.

Date: 2004-01-03 01:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Thank you, Barb. :-)

Date: 2004-01-03 01:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] flaming-muse.livejournal.com
Oh, so nice! *smooches you*

Date: 2004-01-03 01:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Thank you, Muse. :-) *smooches you back*

Date: 2004-01-03 01:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] saraslash.livejournal.com
Mmmm, delicious! :)

Date: 2004-01-03 02:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Thank you, Sophia.
I like your icon, btw. :-)

Date: 2004-01-03 02:09 pm (UTC)
ext_6368: cherry blossoms on a tree -- with my fandom name "EntreNous" on it (Default)
From: [identity profile] entrenous88.livejournal.com
Xander affects a whine, but he rubs his toe against the hardness in Spike's pants.

Damn. Damn that's hot! No smut indeed! ::snorts::

Great stuff. I love your spike/xander. Love love love. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Thank you!

Date: 2004-01-03 04:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
You call that smut? A little toe poking? *snort*

You know, there is a place in my brain where Spike sets up this detective agency and Xander sticks to construction at first, but gradually starts scoobying again, and then they save lots of people, possibly with Harmony as their secretary, who gets cursed with visions from the powers that be. :-)

Re: Thank you!

Date: 2004-01-03 04:45 pm (UTC)
ext_6368: cherry blossoms on a tree -- with my fandom name "EntreNous" on it (Default)
From: [identity profile] entrenous88.livejournal.com
Well, it was hot toe poking! Hot hot hot! I like the kinky pre-show.

You know, there is a place in my brain where Spike sets up this detective agency and Xander sticks to construction at first, but gradually starts scoobying again, and then they save lots of people, possibly with Harmony as their secretary, who gets cursed with visions from the powers that be. :-)
Oh, that's a really really good place in your brain! Go there! I'll do the dishes and watch the kids.

::prods you over towards detective!Spike/construction!Xander yumminess::

And you know what? I was saying to someone just the other day that my OT3 that includes a woman (because I have an m/m/m OT3 as well) is anya/spike/xander -- and I'm pretty sure that it's all because of "Let's Talk About Sex". So there. :P

Re: Thank you!

Date: 2004-01-06 07:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lumenara.livejournal.com
That is indeed a really, really good place in your brain. Please go there immediately. Almost said "head on over" in honor of your last line. I am massively amused at the places that could go. ("I'm nothing like Angel!...")

Re: Thank you!

Date: 2004-01-06 07:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
I am massively amused at the places that could go. ("I'm nothing like Angel!...")
That's so true, one of the reasons why the whole set up is so tempting... Well, let me first see what ME are doing next. :-)

And thanks for the vote of confidence. :-)

Date: 2004-01-03 02:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fitofpique.livejournal.com
Lovely! And just what I needed, though a footrub and a bath wouldn't go amiss either.

Thanks, sweetie!

Date: 2004-01-03 04:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Thank you, Fit. :-)
Actually, I could do with a footrub as well. *sigh*

Date: 2004-01-03 02:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] xanpet2000.livejournal.com
Very nice! Just what I needed to get my head in gear for the start of term. *g*

Happy New Year and thanks for this little gem.

Xanpet.

Date: 2004-01-03 04:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Happy New Year, Anne,
glad you liked this. :-) Haven't written S/X in ages, felt good to think along those lines again...

Date: 2004-01-03 04:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mahaliem.livejournal.com
This was lovely. Your tired Xander just seemed so sexy to me.

Thank you, Mahaliem

Date: 2004-01-03 04:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
tired = sexy? really?

that's kinda... odd.

Re: Thank you, Mahaliem

Date: 2004-01-03 06:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mahaliem.livejournal.com
It is odd. I'm not even sure why it seemed sexy, either, despite rereading the story a couple of times and trying to pinpoint exactly what appealed to me. Maybe it was just Xander with his defenses down.

Re: Thank you, Mahaliem

Date: 2004-01-06 07:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Xander with his defenses down - yeah not something you see every day. :-)

Date: 2004-01-03 05:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] drc1.livejournal.com
Aw, that was lovely! Very nice shmoop.:-)

Date: 2004-01-05 05:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Thanks. :-)
BtW, we plan on being in Berlin some time towards the end of February. For a whole weekend. Yay!

Squeeee!

Date: 2004-01-05 05:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] drc1.livejournal.com
Because we are going to meet, right?:-)

Re: Squeeee!

Date: 2004-01-06 07:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
You betcha!

Date: 2004-01-03 05:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brwnsugar.livejournal.com
Very cute. Lovely piece! Made my otherwise dreary day.

Date: 2004-01-04 04:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Thank you. :-)

Date: 2004-01-03 05:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] othercat.livejournal.com
*Runs screaming into the night because of the last line*<--Which is the traditional applause of a horrible pun.

Cute! Schmoopy! Spike trying to improve his computer skillz, and reading porn instead!

Date: 2004-01-04 04:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
The pun is rather horrible, isn't it? *preens*

Date: 2004-01-03 08:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snoopygirll.livejournal.com
He's putty in Spike's hands, all mushy and soft: his mind, heart, and dick.

*happy sigh* Oh how I love schmoopy Spander. Spike massaging Xander's feet is sexy, Spike looking after Xander is sexy, even their work-talk is sexy because they care about each other and then there's the sexy toe-poking. *happy happy sigh*

Thank you for writing this, you really are the sweetest. *hugs you tight*

Date: 2004-01-04 04:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
*hugs you back*

Date: 2004-01-16 10:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] circe-tigana.livejournal.com
Heee. I just remembered I'd been saving this for a treat. It was awesome. Thank you very much, Steph :)

There really is nothing quite like mollycoddling a morose vampire.

Date: 2004-01-18 12:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estepheia.livejournal.com
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

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