Title: A Kinda Miracle – Sort of

Author: Soft Princess ( sofy_slashnuts@hotmail.com )

Feedback : Always! You need to feed me!

Pairing : Spike/Xander friendship (might be preslash or not… you decide)

Rating: PG, for naughty underwear

Spoilers: up to season six Hell’s Bells, taking place sometime after that, no definite settings. Also, references (either direct or not) to season 3 of BtVS, episode Amends.

Disclaimer: Spike and Xander aren’t mine and neither are the concept of the Laundromat, the snow or the Nintendo 64 and the Mario Kart game (the last two my sis owns ‘em…).

Summary: Spike and Xander meet at the Laundromat. What now?

Notes: I was at the Laundromat and there was a snowstorm outside. Not my fault if I got cute images of Spike and Xander in my head, right?

Dedication: To Siege and Mare, the first because she's so overloaded with homework and thesis that she needs a little break and the second to cheer her up. Love you both.

Thanks to Meg for the great beta.

***

Xander sighed. "I hate Laundromat."

"What's that pet?" Spike asked, smirking as he leaned against one of the washing machine.

"Great... just my luck. What are you doing here Spike?" Xander groaned, putting his load down beside the washer, as far from the vampire as possible.

"What? Can't wash my clothes all-proper like? Well, Harris, even vamps have some needs." Spike smiled. "Don't particularly care to start smelling like the city dump mind you."

Xander snickered and shook his head as he unloaded his bag of dirty clothing in the washer.

"So pet, thought you had the big and fancy machines in your apartment, what brings ya here?" Spike raised his eyebrow and looked at Xander from where he stood, his arms crossed on his torso.

Xander groaned again. "Back off fangless."

"Oh, I see!" Spike snickered. "The bint took 'em when she left! Good for you Harris, leave the girl at the altar and she runs off with the major appliances."

Xander sighed and glared at Spike, closing the washer's door with a click. "You're not going to leave me alone, are you?"

Spike shook his head as he approached Xander. "Xander, Xander, Xander," He sneered. "Couldn't care less if you were washing your kit down in the river." He spun around and walked to the sitting area, slumping down on the sofa and snatching up one of the Nintendo 64 control pad. "Wanna play Mario Kart, Harris? Being a kid of the 90's, must be good at that stuff."

Xander gaped at Spike, dumbfounded. "Wha... huh?"

Spike turned to Xander and with a smirk. "See, I can be nice." He nodded and turned back towards to game, flipping the tv and Nintendo on. "Now, ya coming, or I start a single player game?"

Xander shook his head. On one hand, he had Spike, evil menace, very hated vampire, and on the other, he had a video game, with races and cars and Mario, oooh and Toad, he loved Toad, he always picked the funny little mushroom guy when he played Mario Kart. Flipping the washer on, he turned back to Spike, sighing. "You better let me have Toad. I'm not playing if I don't get Toad."

Spike snickered. "That the mushroom guy, yeah? Don't worry, you can have your little vegetable, I get the big bad Bowser."

Xander rolled his eyes, as he sat down on the sofa beside Spike. "Bowser is slow and he can't even take the turns right. Todd is the best." He reached for the other controller. "So, which track are we gonna race? I like the rainbow one..."

Spike shook his head. "Nah kiddo. We're going in my castle."

"Hey, who died and made you king?" Xander turned to Spike, shocked.

Spike chuckled. "No one mate, I declared myself king... See?" He pointed at the tv, where the image of Bowser had just appeared. "I'm the big bad king. And you're nothing but a loser... Shroom-boy."

Xander stared at Spike open mouthed. "I'll show you, King Bloodbreath. When this is over, they’ll be finding pieces of Big, Bad Bowser for weeks."

Spike sneered. "I don't think so mate."

Xander rolled his eyes again and pressed the button to get the race started. "Here we go, bleached fiend, gonna show you what a loser mushroom can do."

*** 30 minutes later.

Spike was leading with 3 wins against 2 for Xander. Tension was palpable in the room, even more so now that they were now the only ones left in the Laundromat.

"Come on Toad, come on little guy, you can make it, just one more turn and we're gonna win this race." Xander gritted between his teeth, totally engrossed in what was going on on the tv.

Spike took a look at where Bowser was. He was only one turn away from Todd, but the finish line was coming fast, there was no way he would be able to get pass Xander... or maybe...

"Hey, pet! Look! It's snowing!" Spike exclaimed, pointing at the windows.

Xander's head shot up and his eyes opened wide. "Huh? Wha? Where?" He looked around frantically.

Spike giggled as he sped past Toad to much fanfare and the frantic waving of a checkered flag. "Kidding pet, but look, I won." He grinned.

Xander turned back at him, red-faced. "You cheat!!!" He yelled. "You only did that so you could get pass me and win the game!"

Spike shook his head and smirked. " Did not, it's really snowing out... but I was waiting until the game was finished to tell ya, cause, not nice to interrupt, see?"

Xander rolled his eyes. "Then why did you tell just when I was going to win?"

Spike shrugged. "Guess I wanted to use it to my advantage. Good thing that."

"And Spike, you do know this is California right? It CAN'T be snowi..." Xander gasped, as he turned back to face the windows and saw the thin white sheet lying on every surface. "What the fucking heck?"

"Must be hellmouthy stuff, or summat." Spike shrugged again. "Might wanna call the witch and the slayer so they can get researching... Oh, I forgot, the Slayer and the witch are outta town, guess that doesn't help much."

Xander completely ignored him, looking outside with awe. "Spike, it's snowing. This is Sunnydale, it shouldn't snow in Sunnydale."

Spike rolled his eyes. "I bloody well know this is Sunnydale, but gotta keep in mind that this is still the hellmouth..." He shrugged. "B'sides, didn't you get a snow storm, what... 3 years ago?"

Xander shook his head. "Yeah, on Christmas, but that's cause the Powers called in on a miracle to save the broody master."

Spike's eyes lighten up and he chuckled. "The Broody Master? Talking about my Poofy Sire, aren't you? I think I need to store that one in mind for future reference and all that."

Xander smiled. "Yeah, not as annoying as you, but I'd have gladly kicked his ass a few times."

"Why?" Spike asked, still smiling. "Cause he didn't look at you all proper like?"

Xander stared at Spike for a second. Then, he shook his head, deciding not to argue, and sat back on the sofa. " Time for my revenge," he said, picking up the abandoned controller from the table. "Snow be damned."

As the words left his mouth, all the lights went out suddenly, the washers stopped and silence fell upon the room.

"Bloody Hell! We lost the game!" Spike exclaimed, waving at the tv screen.

"Dammit!" Xander groaned. "I was gonna kick your ass this time."

"Yeah right, like you really could anyway."

"I could kick your ass for real, right now if you want?"

Spike rolled his eyes yet again. "Look pet, don't wanna fight. Power's out, we have a freak snowstorm and my bloody clothes are all wet. They're gonna stink if I leave ‘em there."

Xander sighed. "You're right." He blushed in the darkened room – thinking about what his load of clothes held – as he continued. "Maybe we should... get them out and hang them up to dry."

Spike looked around, his vampire sight cutting through the darkened Laundromat. "Sure thing. There a place for hangers over there." He pointed to a far side of the room and then walked over to his washer.

"What?" Xander asked. "I don't see anything."

"That'd be cause it's dark and you humans can't see in the dark. Bloody mortals." Spike hardened his face as he thought about what exactly he had in that machine. "Well, better get started." He said, opening the door to remove his clothes.

Xander nodded and went to his own washer. Once his eyes had the chance to adjust, he could kinda see where he was going. He took out his clothes and placed them in the cart. "Spike?" He asked, suddenly realizing he was alone beside the washers and that there was no other noise.

"Over here pet." Spike called from the rear of the room. "Got the hangers and all that. Just get your load here."

As they started hanging their clothes, both men were very concentrated on their task. Once during the process, they both quickly retrieved an item from their cart and hid it in their pockets. Neither commented on it. 15 minutes later, they returned to their spot, flopping back on the sofa. "So, we got that done... what now?" Xander asked, turning to Spike.

Spike looked thoughtful. "Dunno, guess we should go outside and investigate or whatnot. Isn't that what you white knights do?"

Xander sighed. "Yeah, but I'm the only white knight in Sunnydale at the moment, not counting Anya, cause I'm SO not talking to her at the moment, and I actually wanna enjoy the storm outside. Ya know, sitting on a nice cozy sofa and watching the snow fall and all that. It's said to be romantic or something."

Spike snickered. "You Californian types, got it all wrong. Snow is annoying and it sticks everywhere and when it melts there's water all over the damned place..." Spike tried, but couldn't pull it off. "All right, all right, I love snow, all happy now?"

Xander held up his hands. "Hey, I didn’t say anything, now did I?"

Spike sighed. "True, and I guess I just made a right fool of myself, didn't I?" He smiled shyly.

Xander smiled back, a bit taken aback by Spike's sudden mood. "Yeah. But it's ok, I won't tell anyone. And anyway, I think I kinda like the snow too." His face lit up and he grinned. "Oooh, do you know how to make snow men? I've always wanted to make snow men, but I never had any snow to play with."

Spike snickered. "Sure thing luv, but you're not exactly dressed for the weather , you'll catch a cold or summat." The vampire looked around, but couldn't find anything that would fit the boy and cover him up. Nothing that is, except his own duster. He rolled his eyes. "Here," Spike said, handing his most-prized possession to Xander. "Not like I need it anyway. Bloody fragile humans, gotta keep you warm or you’ll croak…"

Xander stared at Spike for what seemed like hours, open mouthed.

"Oh, if you don't want it, I'll take it back ya know, you can go play with the snow and get all stuffy nosed for all I care, but the Scooby gang will wanna stake me more than they already do if I let ya get sick and all."

Xander closed his mouth and shook his head. "Sorry Spike, thanks. I'm... well, thanks."

Spike looked away, suddenly shy. "Well, better get outside b'fore the kiddies steal the snow away."

Xander nodded, as he slipped the duster on. It fitted perfectly. "This feels amazing Spike. Now I understand why you like it so much."

"All comfy like, yeah?" Spike smiled, proudly.

Xander nodded. "Yeah. And it's warm. And it just wants to be worn, ya know."

"Sure do pet, had it for three decades already."

They smiled at each other, before quickly looking away. Spike cleared his throat, this was getting a bit too comfortable for his taste; he wasn't supposed to like Xander Harris' company for Hell's sake.

"Sod it all." He said aloud, before closing his mouth with a snap.

"What?" Xander asked, turning to the vampire just as they made their way out of the door.

"Nothing, just talking to meself, is all. Sorta like me conscience saying summat and I'm saying Sod it all."

Xander grinned. "You do that too huh? I just did the same, though I didn't talk out loud and what I said was just a plain fuck it." He giggled. "Oh, and I'm going to find out what's making that wet patch in your back pocket, even if I have to tickle you for it."

Spike stared open mouthed at Xander. "You’re not getting’ anywhere near my pockets, boy!" He growled.

Xander smirked. "I wouldn't be so sure if I were you!" He bent over, took a handful of snow and then threw it at Spike. Without warning, Xander lunged forward and tackled Spike down, rolling him in the snow and tickling him.

Spike gave a very un-vampire-like squeal and started laughing out loud as Xander's fingers attacked him. "All right, all right! Stop! I'll bloody show you!" He managed between two fits of giggles.

Xander grinned proudly as he released Spike from his grip. "Promise?"

"Yeah, yeah." Spike rolled his eyes, sitting down and brushing the snow off of him. Suddenly, he lunged at Xander and it was the human's turn to be pinned down and tickled. "But not before I find out what's in YOUR back pocket luv." The vampire grinned evilly, one hand sneaking in the duster and around Xander to grab the piece of clothing that was poking out.

Xander grabbed Spike's arm and held it. "Oh no! Leave that there, fangless and... what the fuck are you doing?" He squealed and writhed as Spike's fingers pinched his ass.

Spike grinned. "Nothing luv, just wanted something and had to do everything for it, ya know how that goes like, yeah?" He said, as he took his hand out and...

Started to laugh.

"What the bloody hell is this thing pet?"

"Underwear." Xander replied, blushing furiously as Spike held his very private underwear up and held it at arm's length to get a good view.

"Ya sure that ya fit in there? That's not just small, it's...right tiny."

Xander grabbed the g-string out of Spike's hands and hid it in a pocket. "Anya gave them to me a while back. And yes, they fit just fine, it's flexible."

"Like ya, heh?" Spike couldn't stop laughing. "All flexible like. Oh and I love the finishing touches. Ya know, the transparent look and all those red kisses. Soooo romantic."

Xander groaned. "Now, show me what you got in your back pocket Spike. You hafta keep up your end of the bargain." He grinned again. "Or I'll be forced to tickle you again."

Spike rolled his eyes. "Sure pet. Here." He said fishing a leopard g-string out of his pocket. "Not as bad as yours, is it? And it's fancier."

Xander took the underwear in his hand and started laughing... and laughed some more... and laughed again, until he was rolling on the floor, laughing his ass off. "Oh fuck Spike... you wear leopard g-strings?"

Spike sighed and shook his head. "Sure do pet... but remember, I know your dirty secret too, won't hesitate to use it against ya. Evil here, remember?"

"Huh, yeah... true. Mmm, what do you say I give you your leopard back and we don't ever talk about this ever again?"

"Sure thing." Spike agreed, as he pocketed the underwear. "Now, I believe we were here to make some snow men or summat. Guess I could try making a snow vamp." He grinned. "Come on pet, we'll get a nice corner of snow and I'll show you how it works."

*** Two hours later.

Spike and Xander ran to the Laundromat’s door. "I won!" Xander screamed as he tapped on the door and stopped, out of breath.

Spike smiled. "S'cause I let you win, ducks."

"Suuuuure, Spike, you can tell yourself that." Xander smiled back at the vampire, just as Spike leaned back against the door.

They stood there for a few moments, as Xander caught his breath. Neither of them spoke, they just looked in each other's eyes and smiled.

"That was a great night." Xander's voice finally broke the comfortable silence between them.

Spike nodded. "Yeah, it was. But if you ever tell anyone that..."

"That you made a snow vamp and had a snow ball fight with me? I won't." Xander promised, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. "Don't worry about it. Your secret is safe with me. And anyway, if I told anyone, they'd stake you... or something and then who could I blackmail about leopard underwear?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "Thought you said we weren't bringing that up again."

"Yeah," Xander agreed. "But I kinda like the thought that I might have something to blackmail you on so that maybe this won't be the last night we spend having fun." He blushed. "Really changed my opinion of you tonight, bleached menace. You're an ok kinda guy."

Spike smiled lightly. "So are you, Harris."

They both smiled, before opening the door and stepping in, just as all the lights came back on. "Well, guess the night ends here, right?" Xander asked, turning back at Spike.

"Yeah, gonna get the clothes and then it's back home... sweet homey like crypt."

Xander nodded. "Yeah." They both gathered their things in silence and left the Laundromat, walking together down the snowed in streets of Sunnydale.

The End

Author's Note: (*flashback to season 3 Amends, they're walking down the streets much like Buffy and Angel did in that episode, just with laundry bags under their arms *giggle*)