thedemonmagnet: (hot)
Alexander Lavelle Harris ([personal profile] thedemonmagnet) wrote2009-02-14 09:28 pm

Catcratch Club Opening Night

Xander sat back in the 'backstage' area of the newly opened Catcratch clubbed, arms wrapped tightly around his knees and head buried in them. Why was he doing this? He knew he'd worried the Emcee, the guy kept making puking jokes around him. Xander almost wished he could puke, maybe he'd feel a bit better. Why had he agreed to do this? He hadn't even wanted Buffy and Wills to know about this and now he was stripping in front of a bunch of people that he could actually know this time. Of course, he knew why, he didn't want to let Helen down. It was the white knight in him, unable to not help a lady. Of course, he didn't know about her making him the main male act when there were others who had to be better. Not that he'd paid attention when the others were practicing. He'd been keeping his distance from Dick, Christmas kiss not withstanding.

He listened to the music as each person performed, getting closer and closer to his turn and the tension just kept building his shoulders. He didn't know how he was going to move, much less dance. It took everything he had to just keep breathing.

---

When the first beats of the song started, Xander closed his eyes, took a deep breath and let himself drift down to the place he'd found in Oxnard. A place that disturbed him for the fact that it even existed inside of him but was there all the same and gave him a skill he'd never thought he'd ever have to admit too. When he opened his eyes again, he felt almost like a different person. Normal!Xander had just about checked out.

While most of the other dancers had gone the costume route, Xander had decided to go the other direction. His costume were a loose pair of jeans and a loose hoodie, complete with sneakers. He moved and bent his body, just like he was expected, but the loose clothes kept his body hidden. Like he was hiding. Invisible. But then he began to tug and pulled at the clothes, exposing a bit of hip here, a flash of back there, until finally in one smooth, practiced motion, thehoodie was over his head and his jeans undone. But a t-shirt and the jeans remaining on his hips continue the tease. Somewhere in the song and movement his sneakers are off, the jeans fall down his legs unaided and t-shirt is pulled up and over. It seems almost natural, how they fall around his feet as he never stops moving. Finally, he's all uncovered except for the g-string...and the song is done. A tease from start to finish.

---

Once the song was done, Normal!Xander returned in force almost as soon as the last beat sounded. He bit his lip to stay composed as he gathered his clothes and moved off the stage. He exchanged a quick glance with Helen, saw that she seemed pleased and with a small smile to himself, moved off to find a place he could get dressed in private and then bolted as quickly as he could from the building. He'd meant to watch Helen perform, but at the moment, he couldn't think of anything besides panic. Finally, he stopped by a nearby palm tree, still in full view of the club but at least it wasn't completely obvious that's where he had come from. That is, unless they had just seen him dance. Oh god. He couldn't think about that and breath at the same time.

Why did he think this was a good idea? Why had he let Helen get this secret out of him? Oxnard was one thing. It was a matter of survival in place where he was another face in the crowd so he could get home to his girls. Here? What if Giles saw him? Or Clark? It was bad enough Spike worked with him. Why did the one thing he was good at had to be taking his clothes off? It wasn't like he even liked sex. Faith had terrified of the very word.

He sank down into the sand and just buried his head under his arms, resting against his knees. Why was he doing this? He had a blank slate to work with and this is what he did with it. He had to take a few deep breaths before he hyperventilated.

Find him before, during, or after he dances, just let me know.

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-02-28 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
Oh it clicked. It clicked big time. Xander reached out and caught Clark's elbow, making him stop again. "Clark..." He said though his voice broke on the word slightly. "You can't just drop that on someone and talk about pie."

In all honestly, Xander coudln't think of anything to say to either. He was too busy being shocked. Clark Kent...the guy who hadn't spoken to him for months over a kiss...was jealous of people watching him strip? Mixed signals anyone? And that wasn't even going into his feelings on the subject...which were all jumbled up at the moment as it was.

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-02-28 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Oh boy. It was a good thing Xander's brain had short circuited with the kiss or else he was afraid of what his brain would supply for that thought. "I uh..." He swallowed compulsively, "I'd say you proved it rather well in fact."

[identity profile] smallvilled.livejournal.com 2009-02-28 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
Clark wasn't sure what to say, so when Xander asked him to stop, he did, and kept his hands stuffed in his pockets and watched him carefully. He wasn't sure he had any answers for Xander if he asked. It wasn't exactly something he knew much about other than everything slowly falling into place.

It's not like Clark expected anything from Xander. For all he knew, it was something that was in the past. Maybe Clark had known for a while, but chose not to pay attention to what was going on. Clark had a tendency to do this, and he was aware of it. Still, the last thing he wanted to do was upset Xander.

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-02-28 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
When Clark didn't say anything, Xander felt nervous. "Well...?" He asked. "There has to be more then that. What's going on with you?" He just...didn't know what to think at the moment and some explanation would really hit the spot right about now. "You gotta admit, this is kinda sudden..."
devilwoman: (conversation)

[personal profile] devilwoman 2009-02-28 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
She took hold of his hand and let him pull her up, decidedly more comfortable in her short leather skirt once she was standing. "Not for a bit yet," she replied. "Besides, I had to come make sure my best dancer was okay."

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-03-01 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
Carefully, Xander helped her get some stray sand off her skirt and legs as he hid his red ears. "Thanks Helen...." He said softly while at the same time offering her his arm to escort her back inside. He could stand to at least walk her back in then flee back home.

[identity profile] fangyandgrr.livejournal.com 2009-03-01 09:08 am (UTC)(link)
"I could prove it again, just in case," Spike offered, arching an eyebrow. "Wouldn't want there to be any doubt or anything...got to have you doubt-free and all."

[identity profile] smallvilled.livejournal.com 2009-03-01 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Clark shrugged. "Not so sudden," he replied, "more like bubbling beneath the surface." He glanced at the floor, toeing at the sand, and tried to figure out what to say. "Not sure what to say." His brow furrowed. "I just." He sighed. "I care a lot about you, that's all I know."

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-03-01 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"I uh...no I think I get your point." It wasn't that Xander didn't want Spike to kiss him again...it was that he did. And tonight was already weird enough thanks without dealing with realizations and come ons that could possibly be nothing. Because come on! It was Spike.

Though it had been a nice kiss from Xander's limited experience.

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-03-01 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Clark didn't know what to say and neither did Xander. This was just...complicated and sudden and what a way to cap an already really weird night.

Xander didn't look up from the sand as he thought about what to say, bottom lip tucked between his teeth. "Were you ever going to tell me?" He finally asked softly.

[identity profile] smallvilled.livejournal.com 2009-03-01 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Clark took a deep breath. "I dunno," he said softly. "It's sort of a..." He looked up at the sky. "That whole month when..." He cleared his throat. "I missed you." He shook his head. "More than I think I realized and it all sort of... Clicked into place when we started talking again," he said softly. He hesitated, for a moment, before taking a step forward and placing a hand on the side of Xander's cheek, using his thumb to brush against the skin. It was a soft touch, gentle. "I didn't want to upset you or..." He pulled away. What else could he add?

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-03-02 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
"You didn't want to upset me so you waited until one of the weirdest nights of my life to tell me." Xander couldn't help a small laugh. Not at Clark, just as the situation in general. Why couldn't his life be normal, just for once? It would be a nice change.

The touch surprised him, and Xander could only stare at Clark during it, still not even knowing where his mind was at. But he did have one more question. "So...what do we do now?"

[identity profile] smallvilled.livejournal.com 2009-03-02 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't know," he said with a shrug. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, his brow furrowing, wondering if maybe he'd just made an ass out of himself. He cleared his throat again and looked around. "We could go for that walk," he answered quietly.
not_the_s: (Kon: Pink Shirt)

[personal profile] not_the_s 2009-03-02 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm not comparing you to anyone. He's just the only other one I knew up there really that I could name by, well, name. Look, if it makes a difference, I don't particularly care." Kon grinned. "I just know where not to bring Cassie for a date."

[identity profile] fangyandgrr.livejournal.com 2009-03-03 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Good, then." Spike sat back and took a deep breath. "You going to keep being an idiot about this whole thing?"

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-03-04 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Okay." Xander said instantly. He needed a walk. He need to think about this. It was just....so much all at once.

But he could sense that Clark was worried so he reached out and squeezed his forearm reassuringly for a moment. Nothing was wrong, he just needed to think.

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-03-04 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
Xander couldn't help a small startled laugh. "I'm not making any promises. I mean, this is me we're talking about. But I'm on the road to not being so wigged out by this." And he was amazed at the fact that he was.

Not to mention he was still reeling from Spike kissing him but that was another story.

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-03-04 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
Sitting back against the tree with a sigh, Xander rubbed a hand over his ace. "Sorry. I'm just feel so on edge about this." Then he chuckled. "Yeah, I'd go the dinner and a movie route over here. Or well, maybe downstairs is nice. I never got the chance to look."
not_the_s: (Kon: Lying on the Couch)

[personal profile] not_the_s 2009-03-05 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hey, man. It's fine. At least for me. I'm not going to vouch for anyone else. Best thing to do? Not think about it. The more you think about it, the worse it's going to seem." And really, stripping wasn't that horrible. Not by far.

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-03-08 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
"Easier said then done you know." Xander sighed and stretched as he prepared to get up. "I think I need a walk, then I'll go home. Sleeping on it sounds like the best plan at the moment." And he really hoped he didn't have to face Clark tonight. That would just top everything tonight.

[identity profile] fangyandgrr.livejournal.com 2009-03-08 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
Spike nodded. "Right then. That's something, anyway." He smirked and stretched, getting to his feet. "I'm going back in. You coming?" He held a hand out to Xander, eyebrow arched inquisitively.

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-03-08 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
Xander took the hand to help himself to his feet, but shook his head. "No, I think I'm done with the Catscratch for the night. I think I'm going to take a walk down to the beach, then head home." Because curling up in bed sounded like a fantastic idea.

[identity profile] fangyandgrr.livejournal.com 2009-03-08 08:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Suit yourself," Spike said, helping him up and letting his grip on Xander's hand linger a second or two more than necessary. "See you round, Harris." He winked and turned to head back toward the club.

[identity profile] scoobys-heart.livejournal.com 2009-03-08 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
It was a while before Xander moved from that spot, glancing between his hand and the vampire's lingering back. Said hand then went up to touch his lips...until he realized what he was doing and he jerked it down and into his pocket, before setting off for that walk down the beach. He needed some head clearing and he needed it /fast/.
not_the_s: (Kon: Red Shirt - Hanging)

[personal profile] not_the_s 2009-03-08 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I know." There were lots of things that were easy to not think about. And then there was the stuff that was almost impossible to ignore. And still, he tried. "Right. Well, you know where I am if you need..." Kon shrugged and left the offer open-ended.

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