Here's chapter four! I'll be posting one more chapter today, so keep an eye out for it! *g*

Title: Outside Pride
Author: cordelianne
Chapter: 4/10
Pairing: Spike/Xander
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1,135
Feedback: Comments will be very encouraging. Concrit is very welcome by email.
Disclaimer: Sadly not mine, Joss own them.
Summary: AU set at a summer camp.
The counselors march into the Main Lodge two-by-two, as if the clouds are about to open up and dump down torrents of rain. No such luck.
A/N: Thanks to the completely awesome and wonderful savoytruffle and spookymonkey for their invaluable pre-reading, betaing and support. Any mistakes are mine.

Previous chapters here.



Outside Pride
by Cordelianne

CHAPTER FOUR


The counselors march into the Main Lodge two-by-two, as if the clouds are about to open up and dump down torrents of rain.

No such luck.

Spike scowls at the clear blue sky and heaves another bag of mulch onto the trailer. Sweat rolls down his back and he envies those kids lounging in air conditioned comfort. Course they have to listen to Wilkins extol the virtues of being a good Christian so it’s not all fun and games.

He bends down for more heaving and sees Xander staring at him. The boy looks away quick-like. Spike narrows his eyes and focuses on the mulch.

He can’t help looking over again.

This time Xander smiles and waves. The blonde girl next to him raises her hand in a half-hearted greeting and he stops himself from checking if there’s someone behind him. Kid’s just friendly, that's all. Spike nods and tosses another bag, which feels lighter somehow. Stretching up, he watches them walk into the lodge.

“Pretty girl.” It’s Angel doing his usual sneaking. Bloody stalker.

“I guess.” He turns and takes in the slight flush on Angel’s cheeks. “More your type. Cute little blonde. Probably a cheerleader.”

Angel shifts his weight from leg to leg, makes eye contact. “You know, William …” Spike steels himself. “Your type is some –”

“Save the speech, big guy.” He claps Angel on the shoulder. “We’re in the land of Jesus, nothing’s going to happen.”

He feels the shoulder slump in relief and reminds himself he didn’t lie. Noticing’s not the same as doing.

Spike gestures at bags that still need to be loaded. “Back to the salt mines.”

“I’ll help.” Angel picks one up and tosses it onto the pile.

“Always the hero, aren’t you?” Spike follows suit.

“It’s a burden saving your ass all the time.” Angel’s heaving two bags now.

Spike rolls his eyes and sticks to one. “Careful, don’t get a martyr complex.”

“No worry of that with you around.” Angel’s back to one and they've got a rhythm.

The lift and throw lulls Spike from thoughts of counselors, especially the nice ones. They’re the ones he’s got to watch out for.

***

It's been a hard day's night and maybe he hasn’t been working like a dog, but Spike’s fucking sick of mulch. Wants to dump the whole bloody lot on a bonfire and dance around it and doesn’t give a damn if mulch means less watering of the sodding flowers in the long-term.

Fuck long-term.

He just said that out loud. Spike glances around, cursing the mulch (in his head this time) for risking him a warning, or worse, a prayer session.

A motorcycle roars past on the nearby highway. He stares in the direction of the receding sound and imagines the feel of the wind. If he had the cash for one of those, he could take off. No debt to Angel, or to the church – worse than a bloody bank. With a bike he could hit a big city, lose himself in the crowds.

At least he’s alone now, alone with the mulch. Yeah, life’s just wonderful.

He gets back into a rhythm, spreading and humming. Lyrics in his head. There’s got to be some kind of way out of here, said the joker to the thief.

“Oh wow! That looks great.” It’s Xander, pointing at the mulch-covered flower beds and smiling. Always with the smiling.

“Better do. Don’t fancy startin’ over.” He leans on his rake, turns his attention on the boy.

Xander scuffs his feet in the camp road’s dirt. His eyes fix on Spike’s face then dart away.

“So, um –”

“Making –”

They both stop to let the other speak. Spike waits, Xander waits. Spike glances at the highway, then back. The kid’s still doing that skittering eye thing, but manages, “You first.”

“Making a break for it?” Spike nods to the highway. “Been considering it myself.”

“What? Oh no. I mean, I have thought about hatching a great escape before, but normally just to stock up on Twinkies. They refuse to sell them at the Tuck Shop and really, who doesn’t sell Twinkies? What’s the world coming to, I ask you?”

Spike decides the question is rhetorical.

“So whenever you want to go on a Twinkie run let me know. Or ice cream! I could sneak out for ice cream. I can’t resist Chocolate Brownie – chocolately goodness.”

Spike can’t resist smiling. “Real rebel aren’t ya, mate?”

He’s on the receiving end of an almost blinding smile – one that looks like it’ll bubble over into laughter any second now. “I try.” Xander runs a hand through his hair. “A bunch of us are gonna grab a quick swim before dinner. Quick because the water’s cold. But still, got to get that first swim in. All year long I miss the lake, you know?”

Spike doesn’t know, but finds himself nodding anyway.

Xander’s back to staring at his feet. “So, do you want to join us? If you want, you don’t have to…”

Wasn’t expecting that. “Not really my scene.”

“Oh! Right. Of course. Yeah, I wouldn’t want…” Xander’s backing away. “I’m sure you’re busy. And it’s not, um … Okay. I’m gonna go.” He turns and starts walking away, head down.

Without thinking, Spike calls out, “Xander.” Xander stops, spins around. “If you’re ever craving ice cream, let me know.”

“Really?” Xander’s grinning and is red in the face for some reason. “Sounds good.” He takes off, jogging.

Spike speeds up his mulch spreading. Can’t have Angel asking what slowed him down.

***

The mulch is done – for the day anyway – and Spike finds himself down by the lake without meaning to be. He stops under some trees just before the clearing, tells himself it’s for shade.

Just counselors in the water, no staff. Splashing and laughing as if they haven’t a care in the world.

He spots Xander tossing that red-haired girl into the water. She shrieks and giggles. Another kid tries to do the same to Xander’s blonde friend but she shoves him in instead. Spike nods in appreciation. Tougher than she looks.

The sun reflects on the lake, making the water glitter. Spike might even say it was pretty. If he were into that sort of thing.

He realizes he’s lurking and all but spying on Xander. Not bloody likely. He turns and almost slams right into Angel.

Spike can tell Angel’s flustered. He’s doing that annoying throat-clearing thing.

“Right. I’m off.” Spike steps around Angel, onto the path.

“Yeah, me too. Big campfire tonight.” Angel falls in step beside him.

A loud splash and more laughter from the water.

“Need help?” Spike asks with a sigh.

“Really?” Angel sounds more suspicious than surprised.

Spike shrugs. “Not like I’ve got anything better to do.”



Continues here.