Pairing: S/W, X/A, B/R
Rating: pg 13
Summary: Bonding and Drinking, ain't it grand! Pure fluff.
Spoilers: A little Season 4, nothing specific, maybe Something Blue
Author's Notes: Spike's chipped and helps the Scoobies, reluctantly of course, for blood and money. He has been staying with Giles, but just moved in his crypt. No Harmony, cause, ewww, and no Tara, not that I hate her, she just doesn't fit in the story.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, I promise!
Feedback: I live for it!
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It was yet another rather boring night on the hellmouth. Buffy and Riley had finished a quick patrol, finding only the standard vampires, newbies at that. It had been a disappointing night. So the gang had congregated in Giles' living room, much to his dismay. Even Spike had decided to make an appearance.
Ever since the bleach blonde had moved out of the apartment, he was quite scarce. It was to be expected really. He hated all of them, and they hated him. Well, most of them did, anyway. He made his usual stops for blood and cigarettes, and then left before most of them even registered he had been there. He helped out when the slayer or the watcher came pounding on his crypt door, with a bit monetary incentive of course.
So there they sat in relative silence. Willow was curled up in a side chair reading another volume of Giles' demonic encyclopedias. Buffy and Riley were together on the couch, alternating between watching whatever cartoon Xander put on the TV and talking softly. Xander was watching an episode of `Underdog' intently, occasionally stuffing some sugary confection in his mouth. Anya was doing her best to sit still. She would play with Xander's hair, glance at the TV, sigh in boredom, and then go back to messing with her boyfriend's hair. Spike was just glowering.
Giles walked in from his kitchen and frowned. The children were sprawled across his room, doing absolutely nothing, on a Friday night. Even Spike was there, so it must be a really slow night. He walked upstairs and grabbed the overnight bag he had packed earlier and then descended the stairs.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat discretely, announcing his presence. "Buffy, I have to go to the airport to pick up Olivia, she arrives in an hour. I won't be back until tomorrow evening, so please lock up when you leave." She nodded her agreement and went back to watching the television. He sighed and walked to the front door.
"Have a nice time Giles," added a sweet voice. He smiled at Willow and left. The front door banging shut seemed to wake Anya from her daydreams.
"Hey, where'd he go?" she demanded. She wanted to leave too, but Xander didn't seem to be moving anytime soon. Willow rolled her eyes.
"He went to meet Olivia at the airport. He'll be back tomorrow."
"Olivia? Oh, that's his orgasm friend, right?" Everyone groaned at her declaration. "It's not fair, Giles gets to go have orgasms, why can't I?"
"An, honey, remember when we had that talk about things you don't say in public," reminded Xander. She glared at him.
"Hey, I'm a thousand year-old ex-demon, don't talk to me like I'm five."
"Anya, he's not trying to be rude," broke in Willow. She really didn't want to hear about any more of her escapades as a vengeance demon. "It's just that nobody really wants to hear about other people having orgasms, k?"
She snorted, "Yeah right, well that's cause you aren't having any."
"Hey!" shouted Buffy, immediately jumping to her best friend's aide, "lay off Anya." Riley, Xander, and Spike wisely chose to remain silent.
Anya rolled her eyes, "Fine, whatever. But I'm bored. If I'm gonna be stuck here instead of having some fun, why don't we do something."
"Oh! We can play a game!" announced Xander. Anya's eyes lit up. She ran her hand slowly up and down his chest.
"What kind of game?" she purred. Xander batted her hand away gently.
"Uh, not that kind of game, hon." Anya pouted. "Let's play Truth or Dare."
Buffy squealed. "Yeah, great idea Xan! Come on everybody, let's sit on the floor. Then we can play." Xander was immediately on the floor, next to the excited Buffy. Anya plopped down next to him, Riley joined Buffy on her other side.
"Come on Wills," Buffy whined when the redhead remained in her chair, "you gotta play."
"Buffy, I hate this game. It's embarrassing and I never have any fun. Can't I just sit out?" she begged.
"Uh uh, it's all or nothing Wills. And if you don't play we're all going to be bored, and it be all your fault." the slayer replied.
"Bloody hell, Slutty. If the chit doesn't want to play, then leave her alone," Spike spoke for the first time.
Buffy glared at him, "It doesn't work like that Spikey, you're playing too," she answered with an mischievous grin.
"Am not!" he yelled.
"Wow, Spike, it's that your best comeback? Probably took you forever to think of that one."
"Buffy," Willow interjected, "leave him alone. I'll play, alright." Buffy nodded eagerly. Willow rose from the overstuffed chair and made her way across the floor. When she passed by Spike, she glanced at him, whispering a `thank you' with a grateful smile. He made no move to acknowledge her. She frowned slightly, but ignored the pain that his ignoring her caused.
The five young adults sat in a circle, waiting for one of them to start the game. Buffy was still glaring at Spike.
"We're waiting Spikey." she drawled.
"Bloody hell! Fine, if it will shut you up, stupid bint," he grumbled. Before he sat down, he made a stop at Giles' liquor cabinet. He reached in, pulling out a bottle of scotch. Satisfied with his selection he took it with him and sat in between Anya and Willow.
"What's that for?" asked Riley, pointing to the bottle.
"Well," replied Spike, "I figured I might be able to stomach this evening a little easier if I were drunk," he finished casually, taking a generous swig. Everyone rolled their eyes at his antics.
"Okay," started Xander, "I'll go first."
"Wait!" interrupted Anya, "I don't know how to play."
"Well," her boyfriend explained, "When it's your turn, someone will ask you truth or dare. If you pick truth, then you have to answer whatever question they ask, and you must not lie. If you pick dare, then you have to do whatever they tell you to, no matter how embarrassing." She nodded.
"Alright, here goes. Umm, Buffy, truth or dare?"
"Truth." Xander thought for a moment.
"What was it like being engaged to our resident fangless vamp, over there?"
Spike made gagging noises as Buffy restrained the urge to hit her friend.
"Harsh Xander. It was awful. We still hated each other, couldn't agree on anything. And Blondie over there is *way* too hands on!"
"You loved every minute of it, Slutty," Spike sneered, "I was the one who was freaking violated here!"
"Uh," mumbled Willow, "did I mention I was sorry about that?"
"Yeah, Wills, it's okay," assured Buffy.
"It is not!" shouted Spike, taking another drink of scotch, "I can still taste the bloody slayer! I feel dirty." he whined.
"Oh get over it," complained Riley. "So, who's next?"
"Ok," began Buffy, "Riley, truth or dare?"
"Umm, dare," he said nervously.
"I dare you to tell everyone your code name in the Initiative." He groaned.
He whispered something no one could understand. Well, almost no one could understand. Spike burst into laughter, "I knew you were a poof!"
"What?!" Xander yelled, upset at being left out.
"Lilac, my code name is lilac," Riley ground out. Everyone smiled, occasionally giggling.
"Well, I think it's cute sweetheart," added Buffy with a kiss on his cheek. He smiled warmly.
"Ugh, I might puke," interrupted Spike.
"Alright Spike," started Riley. "Your turn, truth or dare?"
Spike sighed, took a healthy swig, and replied, "Dare."
"I dare you to say something nice about my girlfriend." Spike growled and Buffy laughed.
"I'm waiting Big Bad," taunted the slayer.
"Fine, slayer, you're resourceful and a worthy opponent, it can be right impressive. There, that's all you get, and you're lucky, I was feeling generous."
"Thanks Spike," Buffy replied genuinely.
"Whatever," he dismissed her. "Nympho, truth or dare?"
"Truth," Anya replied, unafraid.
"So how is Chubs here in the bedroom?"
"Oh!" she replied excitedly, she was beginning to like this game. Xander was busy turning an impressive shade of red while she answered. "He is very good. Gives me many, many orgasms. This is surprising, when I first met him, I didn't think he was particularly extraordinary."
"Hey!" Xander yelled, a bit hurt.
"Oh, don't worry baby. I love you." He smiled a little and moved on. He had yet to say those words to her, but he felt in his heart she was the one for him, tactless and all.
"Ohh, my turn. Xander, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Ok, Xander, do you love me?" she asked bluntly. He was surprised at her question but didn't hesitate.
"Yeah, An. I love you," Anya smiled widely and threw herself in his arms, kissing him wildly. Buffy and Riley grinned at their display, then wrapped each other in their arms, kissing softly.
Willow frowned. Ever since Oz left, she had been feeling left out. Buffy had Riley, Xander had Anya, and even Giles had Olivia. The only other person in the group who was single was Spike, but he couldn't care less. Noticing the love-fest didn't seem close to an end, she quietly got up. When she realized no one noticed her movement, she grabbed her jacket, knowing it was cold outside, and left.
She wasn't mad at her friends for being happy. It was just that they were always together. She was constantly relegated to fifth- wheel. It was beginning to get depressing. She hadn't met anyone new, and she hadn't tried. She was just so tired of being forgotten. They didn't even notice that she left. Even once their make-out session ended they still probably notice her disappearance. Xander would be too busy with Anya, Anya hated her, so she wouldn't care, Buffy would be too wrapped up in Riley, Riley might notice though, and he tried. And Spike, he was probably to busy making faces and gagging noises at the nauseating couples to see she was gone. That's if he cared at all.
She walked slowly, letting her feet take her wherever they pleased. She didn't want to go to the dorm, knowing she'd still be alone, and she didn't really want to walk across town, alone, in the middle of the night, to her parent's house. She saw a bench ahead of her and decided to sit for a little while. Just to think.
Spike saw the redhead leave and frowned. These were her so-called friends and they didn't even care that she left. He didn't know why he cared. He was a vampire, he shouldn't care about humans. But that girl was always so nice to him, even after he tried to kill her, each time she ended up comforting him. She was a special one, of that he was sure. He grabbed his bottle and his discarded duster and followed the witch into the night.
He followed her faint scent. She didn't seem to be headed anywhere in particular. He looked up and saw her huddled on a park bench, lost in thought. Didn't she know how dangerous that was in Sunnydale?
He sat down next to her, not saying anything. She glanced at him, her eyes widening slightly in surprise before dropping to her feet. They sat in silence for a few minutes. She sighed defeated and turned to him.
"Why are you here, Spike?" she asked softly. He grinned, knowing he would win their little battle of wills.
"Figured you might want an escort home. All sorts of nasties out here you know," he replied with a toothy grin. She snorted.
"Yeah right, now tell me why you are *really* here." He frowned in confusion at her sad tone.
"Wasn't lying pet. Besides, it seemed better than spending time with those sodding friends of yours." He took another swallow from the bottle of scotch.
"You know, I think you had the right idea."
"What are you talking about luv?" he asked, confused. She pointed to his bottle.
"Getting drunk, good idea." He raised a quizzical eyebrow and silently offered her the bottle. She took it from him and took a quick drink, grimacing at the taste.
"Hit the spot," she added with a disgusted look on her face. He laughed softly and took the drink back. He knew there was still something bothering her.
"Want to talk about it pet?" She shrugged.
"Don't really feel like discussing my private life in the middle of the park." He took her hand and pulled her up with him and began walking. She looked at him, confused but too tired to care. She followed him since he seemed to know where he was going. She frowned when they stood in a cemetery. He reached a crypt, pushing open the door. After checking for any uninvited guests he ushered her in.
"Uh, Spike, why are we here?" He was picking some things off the floor, with his back to her he answered.
"My place, said you didn't want to talk in public, so we'll talk here."
"Why do you even want to talk to me at all?"
"Why not?" he answered noncommittally.
She sighed, "Never a straight answer."
"You got it ducks," he replied with a smirk. He hopped onto the altar, gesturing for her to sit across from him in the only chair. She did as he suggested. They sat in silence for a while before her quiet voice began.
"I miss feeling like I mattered to someone." She said nothing more.
"I don't get it luv. You do matter, to Slutty, Xapper, and that watcher prat."
"Giles is like a dad to me, but mostly he just wants me there to work `that infernal contraption'. Buffy and I really don't talk anymore, she is with Riley all the time. And Xander, well, he's too busy to god knows what with Anya to care about me. Today was the first time I've seen him in a week. Heck, I live with Buffy and I still never see her."
"Sounds to me like you need a better class of friends."
"It's not that easy Spike. Xander was my only friend, other than Jesse, you never met him, for the longest time. And Buffy doesn't need me. And Xander, well Anya hates me because she thinks I still want Xander, so if she doesn't want him to see me then he won't. I don't make friends that easily Spike. They are all I have, and I'm even losing them."
"You've always got me ducks." She looked at him in amazement. She was surprised to see that he was entirely sincere.
"You don't like any of us Spike," she argued.
"Yeah, I drag people I don't like to my home so they can tell me their problems. I'll admit pet, you lot aren't my favorite people. But you have always treated me well. You never mocked me, or made fun of my condition. Even when I tried to eat you, you went out of your way to make me feel better. Truthfully luv, you amaze me. You're so much better than the rest of them. I don't know why you take their crap anyways. You'd be better off without them."
"Then I'd be alone, though."
"No," he said gently, moving off the altar to kneel in front of her. "You've got me witch. I promise you that. And I'm a vamp of honor." She smiled.
He looked into her beautiful green eyes. He sighed internally. When did he become such a poof. He envisioned writing endless poems about her ethereal beauty. He knew he liked the chit, a lot more than he should. But seeing her so unsure of herself made his heartache. He absently stroked her cheek with his calloused hand.
In a gesture that even took himself by surprise, he leaned closer to her, planting the softest of kisses on her lips. She looked at him stunned. He pulled away slightly, afraid she was going to push him away in disgust. Instead she simply smiled at him, warming his cold, long-dead heart.
Nervously she leaned forward and kissed him, afraid he thought it was a mistake. He pulled her into a standing position, taking her mouth in a fiery kiss. When breathing became a necessity he pulled away. Not wanting to stop touching her he rested his forehead against hers. He smiled down at her and whispered.
"You wanted to matter to someone, well Willow," he purred, "you matter to *me*"
The End