Title: The Quest

Author: Angelee

Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Pairing: Spike/Xander

Summary: Can extreme dislike turn to something else-like love?

Beta: By my sister Anna. All remaining errors are mine-with apologies.

Note: This is a challenge given by Lady Q. Write an AU story with Spike and Xander are knights of the round table. Spike can be human in this AU, but he is the black knight and Xander is the White knight and they can't stand each other. King

Arthur wants them to get along so he can have strong working team. So he sends

them on a quest together and on this quest they fall in love :) You can put

any of your favorite Buffy/Angel characters in this story.

The Quest

“But my Lord…”

King Arthur rubbed his head wearily. “No, Xander. No, but my Lord…”

Xander gave him his best woe-is-me look. “But I hate his very soul, my lord.”

“I know you do, Xander. So does the entire castle. And the whole surrounding villages. You have been bickering at each other for weeks now. Ever since he came here. My Lady Guinevere who has the patience of a saint,” Arthur smiled. “she did after all marry me, is at her wits end with the two of you. She tells me you tried to push him down the stairs.”

“No, my lord. I swear that was but an accident.” Arthur rolled his beautiful blue eyes at him in disbelief. “Truly, my lord. I didn’t even know he was standing there,” Xander said weakly.

“That’s not what William says. He wants to have you flogged.”

“He’d like that, the reprobate,” Xander whispered sarcastically.

“What was that?”

“Nothing my lord. Just talking to myself.”

King Arthur ran his hands over his hair. Sending it into his face. “I’m sure. Then there is what my Lady Willow said last week,” he said, tucking it behind his ears.

Xander looked down at his shoes. “What was that, my lord?”

“You tried to buy a potion from her to make him vanish.”

Xander moaned softly. Didn’t anyone in the castle know how to keep a secret? It’s not like Willow was going to do it anyway. Damn witch. See if he ever shared his sweet biscuits with her again. Or any of the juiciest castle gossip.

“No, my Lord. I only wanted him to vanish from Camelot. I did not want him dead. I’m not that horrid. I wanted him sent to someplace very cold and very far away from me.”

Arthur sighed heavily. “Xander. Xander. Xander. My best childhood friend. What am I to do with you?”

Xander gave him a sheepish grin. “Love me like you always have?” he asked softly. Knowing he may have pushed his King too far. Knowing he had, if the look in Arthur’s blue eyes were any indication.

“Always, my friend. Always. But I cannot allow this bickering to continue. I want you to get along. Make my knights the best in the land, for that you must learn to get along.”

Xander fingered the ties on his shirt. “But I hate him.”

“But why? You don’t even know him.”

Xander pulled one of the ties free and began nibbling on the end. “I hate the look of him. All blond, blue-eyes. Cheekbones you could cut a tough roast on. He’s always smirking at me,” he complained softly. “And making these rude comments.”

“Why do you let it trouble you?”

“It troubles me because he just arrived to Camelot and he thinks he rules the castle.”

Arthur chuckled softly. “You know that’s not the case. Will never be true.”

Xander met the twinkling eyes of his King. “I know. I know. You rule with an iron fist. You and no one else.”

“Yes.”

“For someone made of marshmallow.”

Arthur frowned at him. “What was that?”

Xander looked at him innocently from underneath his thick eyelashes as he continued to nibble on his tie. “Nothing, oh-Lord and Master.”

“I should hope not.” Arthur sat straighter in his chair. “For my sanity and the sanity of my kingdom. You shall do as I ask.” He looked around the empty chamber. No one was about. Just him and his childhood friend. He ran his hands over the gleaming wood of the round table. You will do as I ask. As your King and friend, you will do as I demand.”

“No. Please, Arthur. No. Don’t make me do this,” Xander begged.

“You my friend and Sir William shall go on a quest.”

Xander moaned softly. “Not another quest. Please, Arthur. The last one just about killed me. I still shudder at night thinking about what Lord Giles wanted to do to me.”

Arthur smiled. “He only wanted to make you his courtesan.”

“I didn’t want to be a courtesan. I can barely handle being a Lord in your castle.”

“Chased you through ten different counties, he did.”

Xander nodded. “Yes, and he almost caught me too,” he replied shuddering at the thought. “I would have been chained to his bed for the rest of eternity.

“Would being pamper within an inch of your life be so dreadful?”

“Oh, please. I get treated like something thrown out of the chamber pot every morning. I wouldn’t know what to do if I was ever pampered. My poor heart would fail just at the thought.”

“You are not treated that way,” Arthur told him, his smile deepening. Xander was loved by all for his caring nature. At least until Sir William had come to Camelot and unleashed something within his gentle friend that had nothing to do with gentleness.

“Are. Everyone hates me.”

“Only Lady Buffy hates you. And that was because you stepped on her new gown and ruined it.”

“I told her I’d buy her another.”

“Her father had it especially made.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” Xander replied defensively. “I keep telling everyone it was an accident.”

“We all know you are especially clumsy.”

“I am,” Xander agreed. He frowned at Arthur. “Are you making fun of me?”

Arthur did his best to hide his smile. “Never.”

“You wound me.”

“Ha. Not even Merlin could do that. You give the old coot a run for his coins with your verbal sparing.”

“Merlin has a big mouth.”

“And he loves you too. Xander?” The other man looked at him curiously. “You will do this for me. For the love you have for your best friend and King.”

“Arthur…”

“Please, Xander?”

Xander moaned softly. His head hitting the shiny table with a dull thud. Knowing he was doomed. Listening to Arthur soft laughter and feeling the comforting hand rubbing his back.

***

“Reprobate.”

“Charlatan.”

Xander glared at William. “Am not.”

William glared back from his horse. “Are.”

“Not. If anyone is a charlatan it’s you. I doubt that the blond hair is even real. You probably had Lady Willow whip something up for you. Bet the rest of the hair on your body is as dark as night.”

They’d been at it since leaving the castle two days ago. Arthur seeing them off. The King ignoring the reproachful look Xander gave him as he mounted his horse.

Arguing from the second they’d left their King’s hearing range. All during their meals. Falling asleep with ill words on their lips. Returning to their verbal sparring the minute they woke.

William smirked at him. “Would you like to check?”

“Not on your life. You pervert. I heard what you do when you’re in the stables.”

“I look after my horses. Nothing more.”

“Ha.”

“I do.”

Xander rolled his eyes. “And my grandma’s a saint.”

William pulled back on his horse as if stunned. “You mean she’s not?”

“Ass.”

“King’s pet.”

“Whore.”

William’s brows drew together. “Don’t you have to be female to be a whore?”

“How do I know you’re not? I’ve never seen your privates. Maybe if I asked the stable boy. He should know after all.”

William gave a stuttering breath. “Oh, my Goddess-how I hate you.”

“No more than I hate you. And why do you always wear black? Does your closet hold nothing else?”

William looked down at his clothing. No armor was need on this quest. So he wore casual clothing. Black leather pants, a black billowing shirt tied with strips of black leather ties and soft black suede boots. “I happen to like black. And what about you? You’re all in white. Always white. So very fucking virginal. Could it be perhaps that you are? Never lain with anyone have you?” he taunted.

“I have.”

“Your bleedin’ hand don’t count.”

“I’m not a virgin,” Xander hissed at him.

William eyed him skeptically. “Right,” he scoffed.

“Ass.”

“Did that one already, virginal Xander. Want to try a different one?”

“I really hate you.”

“Did that one too.”

Xander sneered at him. “How about if I count the ways. Haven’t done that. One-You think that you are the goddess’s creation for all mankind. Not to mention who you share your charms with. Be it man or women. Thus you are a whore.” Xander saw the flash of hurt darken the blue eyes looking at him. He ignored it as he went on. “From what I’ve heard you’re not too picky who you lay with. I wouldn’t doubt it you carried some illness not even the mighty Merlin could cure.”

With shout William launched himself Xander. Tumbling them both to the ground. Xander yelped as he hit the ground. His horse was one of the tallest in the castle. Not to mention he had a very angry knight on top of him. William was very heavy.

“Do not think that because you are King Arthur’s friend that it will save you from the thrashing you are about to receive.”

Xander smiled up at him evilly. “Bring it, whore.”

“I’m going to kill you.”

“You can try,” Xander replied, cuffing William soundly across the head.

“Die,” The blond hissed in outrage.

“In your dreams.”

By the time they were done they were both bleeding and bruised. With Xander having the upper hand as he lay panting and winded on top of William. Head resting on the other’s heaving chest.

Slowly Xander register that there were sounds coming from William he’d never heard before. He looked up to see tears streaming down the blond man’s face.

“William?” he called softly. The blond man turned his head away. “Will? Have I hurt you grievously?”

“Yes.”

Xander gasped in shock. “Where? Where?”

William raised a shaking hand and laid it next to where Xander’s head lay. “Here. You have hurt me here.”

“Will?”

“Why do you hate me so? I have done nothing to my knowledge to cause so much malice.”

Xander climbed up William’s body. “I don’t really know. There something about you that brings out the worst in me.” He watched in horror as blue eyes filled with more tears.

“I have done nothing to you,” William whispered softly, heartbrokenly. “Nothing.”

Suddenly Xander wanted to make it right between them. Never wishing to cause such misery. He cupped William’s face in his hands and gently wiped the tears away with his thumbs. “I know,” he whispered softly. “I know. I’m sorry.” Before he realized what he was doing he reached down and gently kissed first one eye they the other. Tasting the salty tears on his tongue.

William gave a shuddering breath. “Why do you hate me so?” he asked brokenly.

Xander nuzzled a sharp cheekbone with his nose. “I truly do not know.”

William sighed unhappily. “It is my true wish that you would come to some conclusion so we may move to something happier. I have never been so hated before in my life, it is truly disconcerting.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean all the hateful words I’ve said.”

William gave him a sad smile. “Yes, you did.”

Xander returned it with a rueful one. “Yes, at the time-I guess I did.”

“I know,” William whispered so softly Xander almost didn’t hear him.

“Would a kiss appease? Perhaps begin the healing?”

William’s eyes looked at him quizzically. “A kiss?”

“A little one.”

“Perhaps,” William replied, lifting his face in offer.

Xander gently kissed his forehead first, before moving all over the pale face. Mindful of the bruises and tiny cuts. “I’m sorry. So sorry,” he whispered woefully. His own eyes filling with tears at the damage his hatred and dislike had caused.

“I’m not a whore.”

Xander kissed a nose. “I know.”

“I’m very picky who I share my body with.”

Xander kissed a cheek. “Hmm.”

“I am.”

“Alright,” Xander replied, kissing the other cheek. “I believe you.”

“I did not lay the stable boy.”

“Alright.”

“I’m not lying,” William said as warm lips met his tenderly, carefully. For a moment they teased each other back and forth.

When Xander pulled away. “Alright.”

“Truth.”

Xander kissed his chin. “I believe you,” he replied before he laid his lips against the beating pulse in William’s neck. Tonguing the area gently before nibbling on the frantically beating pulse with his teeth.

“That feels glorious,” William moaned softly, arching his head back against the soft grass. He didn’t know what felt better Xander’s touch or the warmth of the sun against his skin.

Hands moved over his chest. “William?”

“Hmm?”

“May I?”

William looked down to see Xander’s hand moving uncertainly against the ties holding his shirt closed. “Yes, Oh-Goddess-yes.”

Xander spread the shirt wide allowing the sun and his eyes to heat the pale flesh. A mouth gently teased his nipple before fully taking into his mouth. Suckling on it like a babe seeking its mother’s milk.

William gasped, holding the head close against him. Wishing he had something to give the hungrily seeking mouth.

He loosened his hold as the lips sought the other one. Doing the same to it until William thought he would go half mad at the pleasure.

“Xander. Please, I need….” William stuttered, not sure what he needed, just knowing he needed.

Xander looked up at him, smiling at him cheekily. “I know what you need. Hold still, my love and I shall give it to you in spades.”

Hands frantically untied William’s leggings, exposing him. Before he had a chance for modesty to claim him. Xander took a hold of his organ and began stroking it. Spreading the fluid gathering there.

“Oh, Goddess,” William moaned softly.

“You are so pale. So beautiful.” Xander whispered, before lowering his head and all thoughts left William’s head.

Hours or what felt like hours later, William lay with his head against Xander’s chest listening to the gently beating heart.

“I have never lain with anyone. Until now.”

Xander gently stroked his sweat soaked head. “I know that now.”

“You are the most experienced of the two of us,” William told him, kissing the nearest flesh he could reach.

“Who would spread rumors to the contrary?” Suddenly Xander gave a gasp.

William looked up. “What?” he asked curiously.

“It was the Lady Drusilla. It was she, but why would she hate you with such passion?”

“She came to me one night with the oddest request. One I refused. It was just to sick and deviant. I could not.”

“What did she want?”

“To bite me. To suck the blood at my neck. I could not. Not even for all the pleasures she promised me if I allowed it. She left very angrily after that. Not long afterwards I heard she had taken up with a stable hand. Who two weeks later disappeared.”

Xander gently stroked William’s slender back soothingly. “I had heard of the same rumor from Willow. She says that the Lady Druscilla practices Black Magic and all who fall into her web ill befalls them.” At William’s shudder. “Tis a good thing you denied her or the same thing that happened to the stable hand would have surely befallen you.”

“Yes.”

“King Arthur has banished her to the far reaches of the land. Where she can harm no one. Only her most faithful companions attend her.”

“I am glad,” William replied, stretching in Xander’s arms. Wincing when body parts so recently in use twinged in ache.

Xander kissed the top of his head. “Have I made you sore with my enthusiasm, my love.”

“A little. But tis a good kind of ache. Perhaps later we can do it again,” William asked hopefully.

“Aye. We can. Perhaps you can return the favor I have so gladly given you.”

William looked up to meet Xander’s watching eyes. “Truly.”

“Aye. We are equal in all things. Most especially in the matters of love.”

“Love?”

“Aye. I find that the reason for my earlier distaste in you covered the facts that I found you most appealing. Thus the harsh and regrettable words. For that I most sincerely and humbly apologize.”

William smiled at him. “Accepted,” he replied, climbing on top of the other man, who cupped his face in gentle hands. “Our quest is over. What Arthur set is out to do we have achieved. Us no longer wishing to kill one another. We can return to Camelot.”

“Do you wish to wish to return, now,” Xander asked softly. “We can leave immediately.”

William shook his head. “Nay. Soon, but not just yet. I wish for the moment to enjoy the comfort of your arms and the warmth of the sun on my back. I find it most enjoyable and pleasing.”

Xander pulled him close with a happy sigh. “As you wish my love as you wish.”