Title: Respect

Author: Forsaken2003

Pairing: S/X, A/W

Rating: PG13

Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!

Summary: Xander is tired of the way people treat him and decides to do something about it.

Warnings/Spoilers: Beginning of Season 5 No Dawn

Plot Bunny by: Lady Q: BTVS AU: Xander has finally had it. He is tired of the way people keep treating him, tired of the way his friends treat him and most of all he is tired of falling in love with people who can ever love him back or are in love with other people. It is time for him to take control of his life and he is going to do it now.

Beta'd by: Dragonfly_64

Part Four

This time Xander went to get the drinks and appetizers while Spike went and found them a table. Xander hummed happily as he carried the beers through the crowds looking for the bleach blonde hair. When he didn't spot Spike at any of the tables he found a vacant one himself making himself comfortable and sipped on his own beer.

Half an hour later Xander still sat alone and drinking Spike's warming beer. The club became more crowded and the local band playing loudly in the back round.

"Xander, what are you doing here?" Willow asked as she and Buffy made their way through the crowd of people.

"I just came for a beer," He said holding up the bottle. "What about you two? I thought you were doing the girly thing tonight?"

Buffy plopped herself down in one of the chairs and took some of the cooling nachos from the plate. "We got bored."

"Hey, isn't that Spike?" Willow asked from her seat as she looked at the dance floor. "He's really close to that girl." Her head tilted as she watched the couple dance.

"Where?" Xander demanded as his eyes followed where Willow was looking. She wasn't wrong; Spike was up close and very personal with some girl that looked like she was barely out of high school. He stood up and stormed over to the dance floor ignoring his friends' questions.

Spike was just about to lean in to start trailing kisses on the young girls' neck; he was yanked away and was twisted to stare at an angry Xander. "Bloody hell, what the hell do you think you're doing, whelp?"

"I think the real question is what the hell do you think you're doing," Xander eyes were narrowed.

"Just having a bit of a chat with girl," Spike answered nonchalant.

The girl in question could feel the anger boiling from Xander and decided it would be best if she backed away and forget about the blonde. He may be hot but she wasn't about to get in the middle of a lovers' quarrel.

Noticing the attention that was focused on both him and Spike, Xander dragged Spike off the dance floor into a more secluded area.

"What the hell is your problem?" Spike growled at Xander. He may not have his bite but that didn't mean he was going to let Xander push him around.

"I invited you here for a beer. That means that you are supposed to be spending time with me not some floozy." Xander growled right back.

Spike raised an eyebrow, "Floozy?"

"Don't go changing the topic, buddy," Xander ordered and poked Spike's chest.

"Didn't think it was that big of deal, pet," Spike said looking at Xander.

"If I wanted to spend the night alone I wouldn't have asked you here, would I?" Xander shot back.

Spike looked Xander over, just noticing that he was wearing tight blue jeans and nice navy blue button down shirt. "You're awfully dressed up for just going for a beer with a mate." He sniffed and also realised that Xander was wearing cologne. When Xander first showed up at his door, he wasn't wide enough awake to be observant. "And cologne."

Xander blushed, "I just thought it would be a good idea to look nice… you know if case someone took an interest in me."

"Is there someone special you were hoping would take an interest in you?" Spike questioned curiously, as he stepped closer.

"L-like who?" Xander asked nervously. He didn't know why he was so nervous; he wanted Spike to know he was interested, right? That was the whole point of going to the Bronze.

"Like a certain sexy, blonde vampire," Spike replied running a hand down Xander's arm making him shiver.

"Harmony isn't really my type," Xander indicated with a small smirk on his face. If he wanted his plan to work, he had to step up and follow through.

Spike barked out a laugh, "I didn't think she was. I think you learned your lesson dating the cheerleader." He tilted his head looking fondly at Xander. "You gonna tell me the truth, pet?"

"Okay, so I may have a tiny crush on you." Xander admitted trying to sound like it wasn't anything. He had to play it cool. "No big deal."

"It's no big deal though you've got this whole new look going on." Spike enquired with disbelief. He frowned, trying to remember something Xander had said weeks ago. "This have something to do with that mention of a list? The one you said was 'nothing'?"

"The new look has nothing to do with you. Neither does the sudden back bone I grew recently. I was tired of being what everyone expected me to be." Xander explained with slight blush that Spike remembered his slip up. "Yeah, I have taken care of everything on the list but one."

Spike understood; he'd watched as the other white hats treated Xander like he was still the same kid in high school. He'd been downright proud when Xander finally stood up for himself to his friends. He went back to the original conversation, "And what is that pet? Something to do with that little crush you have on me?"

"Well… yeah," Xander said looking bashful. "I was just working my way up to it. Just you know, testing the water."

Spike clued into what was going on, "You figured you'd make this a secret date?" Xander nodded but didn't reply. "You were a little too subtle pet," Spike told him. "Why didn't you tell me you wanted my hot, sexy body?"

"I didn't know if you were actually interested." Xander answered back. "And you do have a hot body." Xander threw caution to the wind and placed a hand on Spike's chest, his fingers stroking one of his nipples.

Spike shuddered, the warmth of Xander's hand seeped through his shirt.

Xander smiled at the reaction he had gotten. "So if I was to ask you out, you'd say yes?"

"You'd have to ask to find out now, won't you?" Spike responded trying to keep some of his big bad personality up. It wasn't completely working though, Xander's heat was too much for him to resist.

Xander weighed his options. Either Spike was playing him and when he asked he'd be shot down and look like a complete idiot or Spike would say yes and he'd be a very happy Scooby. "Would you be interested in going out with a Scooby?" Xander asked, straightening up making himself prepared for any possible rejection or games Spike might decide to play. He tried to believe that he was right about that night Spike was in his basement.

"I'm not gonna do anything stupid," Spike notified Xander. "That means no bowling and no stupid fairs. The only point to go to a fair for vampires is for snacking, and since I can't do that anymore I don't want to be taunted by all the happy meals got it?"

"We can do anything you want to do," Xander offered Spike with a smile. He stroked his hand over Spike's chest again earning him another shudder.

"What are you guys doing?" Willow asked as she and Buffy came up to them. They thought they should following both of them after Xander dragged Spike off the dance floor.

Xander looked between Spike and his friends trying to decide if he should tell them. He wasn't the same insecure boy he was in high school. He had nothing to be ashamed of. "Me and Spike are going to go on a date."

Buffy looked between Xander to Spike back to Xander, "What?"

"Spike and me are going to go on a date," Xander repeated for her.

"With each other?" Buffy asked with pure confusion.

Spike raised an eyebrow, "Got a problem with that slayer?"

"Um…" Buffy continued to look at Xander. "You're gay?"

"Kinda," Xander said with a smile. "The only guy I am remotely interested in is Spike though."

Willow looked at her oldest friend and saw how happy he was. She knew something had been going on with him. "So what do you have planned for your big date?"

Part Five

Xander looked around uncomfortably as he walked into Willy's bar with Spike. He probably should have set some ground rules with the place of their date. Being in a room full of demons was not his ideal first date but he wasn't about to suggest going somewhere else and chance Spike calling the whole thing off.

"So you play poker here ever Thursday?" Xander asked as he followed Spike into the backroom.

"Only when I've got the kittens," Spike told him.

Xander saw three other demons sitting around an old semi unstable poker table. Spike pulled a chair up beside his for Xander. "Clem," Spike nodded to the demon. "This here is Xander."

"Pleased to meet you Xander," Clem replied and shook Xander's hand.

"It's nice to meet you too," Xander answered with a smile and sat down. He set the basket that he was carrying down on his lap, feeling the creatures trying to scratch their way out.

A demon that had three horns on his forehead looked Xander over, "You brought us a snack, vampire." He brought his hand out to grab on to Xander.

Spike hand shot out and grabbed the demon's wrist bending it backwards, "The boy's with me. The only demon that gets to touch him is me, understand, mate?" He snarled and bent the demon's wrist back further hearing bones begin to crack.

The demon hissed in pain and nodded in agreement, "I won't touch your human pet."

"Hey! I'm not his pet… I don't exactly know what I am, but a pet I am definitely not," Xander threw a glare at the demon.

"He didn't mean anything by it, luv," Spike assured Xander. "Did you?"

"N-no," The demon stuttered out. It turned to Xander, "My apologies."

Spike look satisfied and released the demon, "Are we ready for some poker than?"

Xander's complete attention was on Spike. The vampire had won more than half the pots during the night, he could bluff better than Xander ever could. Xander now held a box full of kittens that were all crawling over themselves to get his attention. Absent-mindedly he patted one on the head as Spike went all in.

"Show 'em. boys," Spike told them looking pretty smug at this point.

"I have 2 pair," The one demon that tried having Xander as a snack said and laid its cards down. "Threes and eights."

Clem threw his cards down and reached for the Cheesy Puffs, "I had nothing."

The other demon that sat at the table folded early on in the round, "What did you have, vampire?"

Spike's grin widened and laid his cards down face up, "Four aces." The demons groaned as Spike plopped the rest of the kittens in with their friends. "You want to head out, Xan?"

"If you're done," Xander replied not wanting Spike to feel obligated to leave his game. He wasn't having the greatest time but he wasn't about to complain.

"We're done, so gents who are willing to take these off of me?"

Clem stood pulling out a battered wallet, "How many you got?"

Spike did a quick count, "17."

"I've got two hundred bucks," Clem told Spike. "How many can I get?"

Spike swiped up a pure black kitten with piercing green eyes. "I'm in a good mood. You can have all of them but this one for the two hundred."

"Wow, man, really?" Clem asked excitedly. He was handed the basket and Spike snatched the money from his friend's hand. "This is so great!"

"Enjoy them," Spike said with a chuckle. Clem wasn't usually the type of demon Spike would hang out with but he was like one of those puppies that were just so eager to please. He had no doubt if he would have just asked for the cash Clem would have handed it over without question. For the longest time Clem was the only demon that would even acknowledge him and Spike felt loyalty for that. That being the case though there's no way he'd turn down cash. "See you next week."

Xander and Spike walked out of the bar, the kitten curled in Spike's hands. "Why did you give all but one of the kittens away? How are you gonna be able to play next week with just one?"

Spike handed the black fur ball to Xander, "I don't have any kittens."

"What?" Xander looked from his hands to Spike. "I don't get it. What about poker next week?"

"I'll just break into the pet shop next Wednesday," Spike told Xander as they walked through Sunnydale.

"Okay, that makes sense," Xander stated still bewildered. "What doesn't make sense is why I am holding a kitten."

Spike shrugged, "You've been bored out of your bloody skull for the last three hours but didn't complain once. Figured you'd like a pet. Don't say I never gave you anything."

"Wow… a pet on a first date." Xander stated in awe. "That's huge, you know?"

"Is it now?" Spike asked. He knew Xander had always wanted a pet but living in the dank basement really wasn't a place for one.

Xander nuzzled the kitten against his cheek, enjoying the feel of the soft fur. "I love him. What should I name him?"

"Midnight." Spike suggested going for a classic.

"That's boring!" Xander complained. "Come on, Spike, you're more original than that!"

The rest of the way home Spike tried to think of a name for the kitten. For some reason Xander wanted him to name it. "What about Nudd?"

"Nudd? Is that even a word?" Xander asked, never hearing it before.

"Course it is, git," Spike shook his head. Public school really was a waste. "It's meaning is 'a knight.'

Xander grinned and brought the black kitten up close to his face staring into the green eyes. "A knight huh?"

"That's what it means," Spike confirmed.

"I like it," Xander declared and smiled at Spike. "I knew you'd pick a good name!"

Spike couldn't help but smile back. It felt good that Xander had faith in him for such a small thing. "Glad I could help."

They made their way to Xander's front door, the kitten tucked away in his jacket in case pets weren't allowed. "So I'm about to go all girly on you."

"Shouldn't say stuff like that on the hell mouth, luv, might end up happening." Spike informed Xander. He liked the boy; he didn't want to have him losing his manly bits.

Xander looked fearfully for a moment before continuing, "On a scale of one to ten how was the date?"

"It wasn't much of a date," Spike said and continued in a hurry from the hurt expression on Xander's face. "A date usually consists of only two people right? Poker doesn't really count as a date."

"Then why did you ask me to go to the game?" Xander asked with confusion.

"Wanted to spend time with you but I wanted to play a little poker." Spike confessed looking chagrined.

Xander grinned, he was about to open his mouth and as if he could have a good night kiss but that would have been something he'd do before. Now he was confident Xander. Carefully making sure not to flatten Nudd, Xander used his free hand and drew Spike in close.

Spike watched as Xander snaked his hand around his neck and gave a small tug making Spike lean in closer. "Pet?"

"Shh," Xander smiled at Spike before kissing him tenderly on the lips.

"Erm…" Spike blinked owlishly at Xander clearly stunned. "What was that for, pet?"

Xander looked amused before saying, "Cause I like you, you doofus."

"Oh…" Spike obviously surprised of the answer. He thought Xander would have been pissed about him screwing up their date. "You gonna invite me in then?" He asked and leered at Xander.

"I'll make you a deal, Spike," Xander offered. "You take me on a real date, dinner, and a movie whatever as long as it is just you and me and I'll invite you in after."

A smirk played over Spike's face, "in for coffee or something more?"

"I was thinking along of something more." Xander confirmed with his own smirk. "We can have coffee the next morning if you'd like."

"Gonna make me breakfast then?" Spike asked with amusement. He had to admit he was enjoying playful Xander.

"You let me know when you want to go out on our date and I'll make sure to have the fridge packed with plasma," Xander promised. He kissed Spike again. "And you'll need all the energy you can get."

Spike's eyes widened as he watched Xander unlock his door and entered his apartment. He tried to follow but the barrier prevented it. "Xan, let me in."

Xander chuckled as he set Nudd down, "Sorry, Spike. Date first, nookie later."

"Bloody tease," Spike growled. "Xanpet?"

"Yes, Spikey?" Xander asked looking like he was having way to must fun with this.

Spike glowered but continued, "Would you like to go out with me on a date tomorrow night?"

"I'd love to, Spike!" Xander accepted with a grin. "I'll stop off at the butchers' tomorrow afternoon for you."

"If you're not going to invite me in can I at least have one more kiss?" Spike asked pouting.

Xander stepped back through the barrier, "How can I say no to that?"

"How can you say no to sex?" Spike shot back and pulled Xander flat against him kissing him thoroughly.

Xander moaned and ran his hands over Spike's body before pulling back. "If I gave it up on the first night you wouldn't respect me in the morning," He teased.

"I respect you, Xan," Spike nudged his forehead against Xander's shoulder. "I'd respect you more if you'd invite me in right now though."

"Patience is a virtue, baby," Xander purred and stepped back. "How about you pick up some Thai food and a movie and we can spend the night in tomorrow night?"

Spike nipped at Xander's lower lip, "You can count on it." He stepped back reluctant to let Xander go. "I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Don't forget we'll have some company," Xander reminded him and looked down at his feet to see Nudd staring up at him.

"We can lock him in the bathroom for the night," Spike replied with a smirk which earned him a hiss from Nudd.

"We want him to like you remember?" Xander raised an eyebrow at Spike. "We'll just have to make sure he's got plenty of food while we are in the bedroom."

Spike looked at the kitten once more realizing that maybe it was a mistake to keep the beast around, "Alright, Xan."

"Great! I'll see you after sunset than," Xander bent down to retrieve Nudd. "I'll make sure I put up my blackout curtains."

"Blackout curtains eh?" Spike looked impressed, "You been planning this long, pet?"

Xander's face held a rosy tint to it, "More like wishful thinking."

"Looks like wishful thinking worked for you," Spike commented. "You sure I can't come in now?"

"No…" Xander falter a little bit. "Tomorrow and if you keep misbehaving, I'm going to change the rules and say you have to wait for the second date."

Spike looked on in horror slowing walking backwards. "That's just evil!"

"I've learned from the best," Xander teased. "Good night, Spike!" When Spike was finally out of sight, Xander closed the door behind him. "Well, Nudd, looks like the Xan-Man is going to be getting some!"

Part Six

Spike stood outside Xander's apartment, he couldn't believe how tense he was. It was only Xander Harris so why did he feel the need to run away? He shook himself when he heard Nudd meowing on the other side of the door.

Xander opened the door a smile on his face, "What are you doing hanging out here?"

"I'm not; I just got here," Spike held up the bags. "I got everything."

"Great," Xander continued to smile. "Why don't you come in?" Xander took the bags from Spike.

Spike smirked bringing back his big bad persona, "Thought you'd never ask, pet." He followed Xander in. Nudd was clawing at his pant leg; he bent down and picked him up. "How's Nudd doing? Not too big of pain is he?"

"Nope in fact he's a big baby." Xander told him with a laugh. "After you left last night and I went to bed, he whined until I let him up on the bed and slept on my shoulder all night."

"We'll just have to toughen the little bugger up," Spike decided as he looked the kitten over. "Knights aren't cuddlers." He followed Xander into the kitchen.

Xander dished out the food before grabbing a bag of pigs' blood from the fridge and tossing it into the microwave. "Toughen him up a bit but I enjoy a good cuddling."

Setting Nudd down on the floor Spike walked up to Xander and wrapped his arms around him. "I happen to be a very good cuddler, luv."

"Really?" Xander sounded interested and played with the hair on the nape of Spike's neck. "Will there be cuddling tonight?"

"We'll see how the evening goes," Spike replied and wiggled his eyebrows.

Grabbing the warm bag of blood from the microwave and pouring it into a mug before passing it to Spike. "We should get this date rolling than."

Half way through Dawn of the Dead Spike subtly extracted Nudd from his lap and set him on the arm of the couch before sliding over into Xander's personal space. "Xan?"

"Mmm hmm." Xander replied his eyes glued to the television screen.

Spike ran a hand up Xander's knee resting it on his warm thigh. "How interested are you in the movie?"

Xander turned the movie off and turned to face Spike, "I've seen it twenty times already so I think we can move on to other parts of the evening."

"About bloody time!" Spike pounced on Xander trailing kisses over his neck.

"You lasted longer than I thought," Xander answered as he pulled Spike closer making them rub against each other.

Spike pulled on Xander's bottom lip with blunt teeth. "Was trying to be polite and wait for you to start us off. If I'd have known you'd be so engrossed in the movie and ignore me was an act, I'd have jumped you sooner."

"I wasn't ignoring you," Xander informed Spike and bucked up against him. "I was just having some fun annoying you."

"Not very nice to tease a horny vampire, Xan." Spike indicated and pulled off his t-shirt tossing it onto the floor.

Xander grinned up at him looking very cheeky, "Not nice but fun all the same." He pulled Spike back down kissing him again.

Spike closed his eyes and continued to rock against Xander. He decided that they both would get some relief before heading to the bedroom for the main event. All his senses were on Xander so when Nudd decided to jump onto Spike's back he had no idea he needed to defend himself. "Son of a bitch!" Spike cried out as Nudd's claws dug into his back.

"Shit." Xander crawled out from under Spike and was able to detach his kitten from Spike's back. "I am so sorry, Spike."

"What the hell is wrong with that beast?" Spike demanded to know placing a hand on his wounds, a small trace of blood could be scented in the air.

Nudd swiped a small paw at Spike from his position in Xander's arm. "I think he thought you were attacking me."

Spike growled at Nudd, which earned him a small hiss in return. He couldn't help but chuckle. "I guess he isn't that big of baby after all."

Xander sighed; Nudd sure did know how to ruin a moment. "I'm sorry, Spike."

Spike knew that the moment was gone. He was still up for a little roll in the hay but Xander wasn't a vampire; a little pain wasn't much foreplay for him. Spike picked up his shirt and pulled it back over his head. "It's fine, pet. I guess it just means we definitely get a second date."

"You don't have to leave," Xander offered not wanting Spike to leave, afraid that he was just being polite and would decide it was a lost cause and he wouldn't want see Xander again. "You still have to prove that you're a good cuddler. Besides we need to teach Nudd that you aren't trying to kill me." He offered with an insecure smile.

"I guess if I'm gonna be hanging around here he's going to have to get use to me touching you." Spike proclaimed, just cuddling hadn't been high on his list of things to do but it was better than going back to his draftee crypt. "Can we move into the bedroom at least?"

Xander helped Spike up and kissed him again, "You betcha. And tomorrow I'll get the girls to cat-sit for me so we can finish our date off properly." He tugged Spike's arm to follow him and Nudd into the bedroom.

"Maybe they can keep him?" Spike suggested.

"Nudd is our kitten. We are not giving him away." Xander said leaving no room for argument.

"Ours?" Spike questioned as he stripped down to black boxers and slid into bed. He watched Xander strip down as well and climb into the bed.

Nudd sat on the bottom of the mattress watching them. He waited until they got comfy before he pounced on both of them and curled into a ball.

"Yeah, ours." Xander answered and patted Nudd's head. "I'm not the one who will be able to teach him how to hunt. He needs a predator type figure after all and who better than you?"

"I guess I could do that. He'll also need to learn that when I am on top of you that doesn't mean he gets to bloody well attack me." Spike said and scratched behind Nudd's ear.

Xander kissed Spike's temple, "So as far as real first dates go, how does this rate?"

Spike smiled at Xander's action. "I say it's one of the best bloody nights I've had in a long time."

"Me, too." Xander agreed he manoeuvred his free hand so he could grasp Spike's. "Goodnight, Spike."

"Night, pet." Spike replied he couldn't believe he was actually lying in Xander's bed cuddling with him and enjoying it. He could see a future with Xander and not just based on sex. "I'm not letting you go, Xan."

Xander squeezed Spike's hand. "Good because I don't want you to let me go." He yawned loudly before laying his head on Spike's shoulder and began to snore loudly.

Smile smiled despite his eardrums ringing. He looked at the cat who decided to stretch out, "You get between me and my nummy again and I'll throw you to the bloody curb."

Nudd blinked at Spike with innocent green eyes before letting out a yawn of his own and purred himself to sleep.

Spike blinked a couple times before he realised that he lost that fight. With a sigh he closed his own eyes and decided he could have it worse than two warm knights.

The End