Chapter 4

“Buffy! Thank the lord!” She was attacked by Giles and pulled into his crushing embrace. “You never called, William, and your phone was not picking up.”

“Sorry, dad. I had the thing turned off. We lost track of time...”

“You both look awful! Have you been out all night?” Giles ignored son’s weak explanations and paid attention to Buffy. “Where were you? You scared us so much, young lady.”

“Giles, I’ll tell you but back up little. Can’t breathe.”

“Oh, sorry. Explain.”

Buffy paused, realizing how very similar Rupert and his son was. “I stayed with a friend…”

William made a grunting noise, walking away and into the back of the house.

‘What’s his deal now,’ Buffy wondered.
***

William grabbed the nearest box of snack food and sat in front of the television, suddenly not so tired.

‘I wonder if dad even knows how to turn this bugger on?’ He brushed dust from the buttons of the TV remote.

‘I don’t wanna get mad at her,’ he thought, shaking his leg and trying to get his mind off of Buffy and her stay with her ex boyfriend.

He watched flipped through the channels until he felt her presence behind him.

“You can take off your grumpy jealous pants now.” Buffy’s eyes widened, “Damn, me and my way with words--you know what I meant, nothing happened with Angel.”

“Sure, nothing did. You always come out of a bloke’s apartment buttoning your blouse.”

Buffy kept her distance, staying behind the couch. He had never turned to face her so she was glaring holes into the back of his head. “Grow up, Spikey. He tried to feel me up and I left. That’s all that happened.”

“That wanker! He--.” Furious, William turned to address Buffy but she was gone. William turned back to the TV and sighed when he heard her bedroom door close.

‘Wanker.’
***

“So, what are you getting Buffy for her birthday?”

“Dad, she’s in the shower. I don’t think you need to whisper.”

“Ah, see, you don’t know about the ears of a teenage girl, unstoppable they are. So?”

“I haven’t the foggiest.”

“You only have two days.”

“I know, I know. You’ve reminded me hourly. You know, dad, I think you’re more excited than she is.”

“Eighteen is an important age, William.”

‘Don’t I know it? She’ll be an adult and then one of my biggest excuses for not shagging her to death will go right out the bloody window.’
***
“Hey, didn’t I just see you making tea? God, Giles you’re a tea making machine.”

“Well if that was a compliment, thank you.”

“Take it any way you’d like,” Buffy said, grinning widely.

“You’re in an awfully good mood. Tea?”

“Birthday happiness.” She looked down, noticing lint on her shirt. She brushed it away. “Giles after these past few months, I never want to see tea ever again. I shall deem myself tea free.”

“Oh?”

Buffy grinned, loving how Giles made faces in reaction to the way she spoke and played with words. “My, what pretty tea cups you have.”

“They’re quite lovely aren’t they?” Giles sat next to her and tipped his cup to admire it. A half grin appeared on his face, “They belonged to William’s mother.”

“Oh?” Buffy hadn’t heard any mention of William’s mother and wasn’t sure if the subject was open to her. “Can you tell me about her? I am missing mom so much lately, especially with my birthday and all.”

“Of course.”
***

“Dad, why are you still here? I thought the opening was at six?”

William was home from his last day of work in England and Buffy searched his face for emotion, as they’d never talked about how he felt about the move. He just looked tired as he set down the bag that held his laptop. She bit her lip watching as he ran his fingers through his hair. He’d bleached it the day before and Buffy had peeked as he walked into the bathroom with a towel around his shoulders and with hands full of Sweet ‘n’ Low.

She stared, in a daze, checking him out from head to toe. He was wearing a purple tie and she silently decided it was her new favorite color. She had rarely seen him is his work clothes; on a typical day he would nearly run past her to change in his room.
‘God, don’t let me drool.’ She held her breath as he wiggled out of his casual suit coat and hung it in the nearest closet.

‘Hell, his ass even looks good in loose pants too.’

“…must go, Buffy. I’ll be back later this evening,” Giles said, touching her shoulder

“Huh?”

Giles laughed and called out to William as he walked out of the house, “Take care of her, son.”
***

“I’m gonna wash up, pet,” William said, wanting to get away from her hungry stare.

“Huh?”

He chuckled as he retreated to his bedroom.
***

William looked down when he was safely behind his closed door and rolled his eyes at the sight of his tented pants.

‘And that, mate, is why you can’t be seen around her wearing trousers.’
***

‘I have no shame.’

Buffy pressed her ear to the bathroom door, gasping and radiating with pride each time she heard William moan her name over the sound of the running shower.
***

Buffy lay on her back, staring at the ceiling of her bedroom.

‘I have to leave here soon.’

Buffy’s eyes filled with tears thinking of how much she’d miss Giles, the shopping, and the English weather.

‘I’ll miss living with William, so, so, much.’

She had a roommate and dorm waiting for her at UC Sunnydale.

‘What can I say? I’m so sorry. I can’t live on campus. Why? Because I am hopelessly in love with my dead mother’s fiancée... I want to live with him and bear many of his children. Yeah, I know, it’s icky, immoral, and just plain bad.’

Legally she was free because it was her birthday. She was an adult now and no longer required a guardian.

Buffy knew William wouldn’t leave her completely. ‘I have no job. I can’t drive. He won’t leave me, he can’t. I need him. He loves me.’
***

“…Happy Birthday, dear Buffy—William, I can’t hear you—Happy Birthday to you!” Giles clapped his hands, grinning ear to ear, wearing a pointy birthday hat.

“Thank you, Giles, you’re really sweet,” Buffy said, kissing him on the cheek.

‘Not fair. I want one, too,’ William pouted.

“Oh, Giles. It’s beautiful,” Buffy cooed, hugging the fuzzy red sweater.

‘Bloody sweater. Sod it all,’ William rolled his eyes, ‘I’m sitting here, jealous of a bloody piece of fabric. The fabric that will surround her, encase her vanilla scented skin...’

“This is from William…”

Buffy’s heart raced as she was handled the pale pink bag.

‘Pretty bag.’ She peered inside and pulled out the jewelry box. Her eyes filled with tears, recognizing it as her mother’s. The box had been hand painted and constructed by Joyce during her college years. It was the piece of work that had received the most praise from her professors, pushing Joyce to declare art as her major.
“Open it,” William softly urged.

“I…I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, touching the necklace that was tucked inside. “Wow, William.”

“Here, love, let’s see how it looks on you.” He moved until he was behind her and she lifted her blonde hair out of the way as he fastened the chain.

Buffy took a deep breath and walked towards the mirror. ‘The jewelry box was from mom,’ she thought, ‘the necklace was from William.’

Turning, she looked at him, her eyes shining. “I love it.” She hoped that her words would also reveal how much she loved him as well.

When William looked away embarrassed, she pounced on him, holding him in a tight hug, not caring that Giles was still in the room. “Love it so much.”
***

Giles cleared his voice a few times, took off his party hat and tapped on William’s shoulder. “William?”

Minutes later the couple separated, with Buffy wiping her eyes and announcing that she was going to bed early. Saying thank you again, she scooped up her gifts and walked out of sight.

“Night, dad. I think I’m gonna call it a day too.”

“William?”

“Yeah?”

“I know that it’s a cliché but I think that Joyce would understand.” He paused to take off his glasses. “But hurt that girl, son...”

William nodded.
***

Buffy lay in bed and twisted to reach underneath the mattress, retrieving her nightly reading material. She had stolen the book from one of Giles’ many shelves and hidden it under her shirt like a five year old. She wanted the book because it reminded her of William, but she was too embarrassed to ask Giles if she could borrow it.

‘I am such a dweeb—the biggest, hell, the queen even. Just call me Buffy, Queen of Dweebonia.’

She snuggled in her covers and began reading where she had last stopped in the book of poetry.
***

William was up early because of his bladder.

‘This is what happens every time dad forces all that fizzy drink in me,’ he grumbled, not happy about having to leave his warm bed.
He had slept soundly, at ease because of Rupert’s words. William was happy to know that his father didn’t think his feelings for Buffy were sick.

‘That’s if I ever grow the balls to do anything about my feelings.’

William walked out of the bathroom and glanced at Buffy’s closed bedroom door. Her light was on.

‘Maybe she fell asleep with the lights on…’ William was standing in the hallway, facing her door, when it opened.
***

“Eep!” Buffy moved quickly to close her robe because her tank top was see-through.

“Sorry, love—eh—I was coming out of the bathroom and--.”

“It’s too early for me to care,” she pointed at her barely opened eyes and messed up hair. “See, I’m sleeping even as we speak.” Walking over to him, she moved her hands, shooing him away. “I need to pee.”
***

Buffy rested her forehead on the closed bathroom door. ‘Well, it’s good to know that looking good in the morning isn’t just a myth.’ She cringed at her own reflection. ‘Great, now I’m wide-awake.’ She opened the door and peeked out, seeing that William had disappeared and that the door to his room was still open.

‘Smoke break,’ she thought, smiling because she knew him so well.
***

Buffy giggled behind her hand.

“I’ve never had a dream come true, ‘till the day that I found you. Blah-ity blah bla bla bla bl-a. You’ll always be, my baby.” William stopped singing and hummed more lines of the song, deep in thought while he watched the cigarette burn as he rolled it between his fingers.

“I knew it! You are so into S Club 7!”

William turned around quickly, burning himself in the process. “Bloody hell! If you breathe a word of this to anyone I’ll--.”

“Sing again?” Buffy laughed, sitting down next to him on the porch as he sucked on his burnt finger.

“Ha, bloody ha. You’d better watch it, princess, or I’ll--.”

“Oh, oh, I know pick me! You’ll threaten to rip out my intestines and then wear them as a hat. I’m so shaking in my booties.”

“That’s right,” he said, smirking.

“And you said I make you bonkers. I think you come to it naturally, Spikey.” Giggling, she patted his wild hair.

“Bite me, pet.”

“In your dreams.”

William’s voice dropped, “True, each and every night.” At her silence, William cursed himself. “May the awkwardness begin...So sorry, love.”

“It’s okay, I’m getting used to it,” Buffy said, shrugging.

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yup,” she exaggerated the ended making her mouth pop. “Sometimes I wish we’d just stop this. It’s gets annoying because we are always dancing around each other. I want you. You want me. I think we could be really happy together, and when I think that we’re being denied a happy ending, it sucks. A lot.”

“Buffy--.”

“Don’t interrupt me, mister. Anyway, but I think without this,” she wiggled her pointer finger between them, “life would be boring, you know?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“So we live on unhealthy amounts of unresolved sexual tension and awkward moments until one of us explodes, right?”

“That sounds like the plan.”

“Ok, then, I bet you that I’ll last longer than you.”

“You think you can resist my insanely good looks and charm?”

“God, conceited much?”

“You’re on, princess,” he chuckled, amused. “What does the winner get?”

“Oh, I don’t know. We’ll decide when we have to, when you cave into my insanely good looks and charm, okay?”
***

I guess I won.
***

“Ow.”

“You’re still whining over that finger?”

“Yup, it’s a second degree burn.”

“Yeah, sure it is. Let me see.” Buffy carefully held his hand and cooed, “Poor baby, I’ll kiss it and make it all better.”

William held his breath, allowing his head to recall Buffy Fantasy Number 76, one of his favorites, involving Nurse Buffy and lots of boo boos that needed kisses.

“There, better?” She placed a tiny kiss on his red finger. The small contact with her lips left him hard and speechless. “William, do you know how to cook?”

“Huh?”

“I’m so gonna win,” she smiled. “Cook, you know, mix together ingredients and stuff to make yummy edibles?”

“Got ya, pet. Yeah, I know my way around a kitchen.”

“Good, come on, let’s make breakfast. Buffy needs pancakes.”
***

Giles woke up to two distinct peals of laughter. “What are you doing to my kitchen?” He yelled.

“Dad--.”

“Giles, it was all his fault.” Buffy was covered in flour and other various baking ingredients.

William pointed a dirty finger at her. “Is not! She--.”

“I don’t want to hear it. Clean this up. Now.”

Giles walked back to his room mumbling about ‘bloody children’ under his breath and growing more disgusted as their laughter continued.
***

“I don’t see why we have to pack already.”

“Buffy, we’re leaving tomorrow.”

“I know.”

“Now, pet, we can always come back, yeah? For holidays and whatnot.”

“Yeah.”

William didn’t want to leave either but he was moving for her. “Love, can you help me with the boxes in my room?”

“Sure.”
***

“Bye, Giles.”

Rupert’s eyes twinkled as he hugged Buffy and whispered in her ear, “Visit anytime, dear. Take care of our William and make sure he’s well-behaved.”

Buffy nodded in response, pulling back from their embrace.

William was waiting for her in the taxi. She got into the car and waved until Giles was out of sight.

“So William, Wheetabix or those fried onion thingies?”
***

“Whatcha reading?” Buffy leaned over, taking off her headphones, disappointed by the flight’s choice of movie.

“A book.”

“Oh really?” She giggled as William tried to move out of her reach. “Let me see.”

“No.”

“Please? Why are you hiding it? Did you buy one of those seedy romances at the airport?”

“No! Keep it down, people are looking.”

The plane was not completely full and they had the row of seats to themselves. Buffy sipped on her drink, patiently waiting for him to talk about his reading material.

“It’s one of my bloody books, alright?”

“Yours? What’s it about?”

“It’s poetry.”

“Read it to me.”

“Since when are you into poetry, princess?”

“I like poetry, just not writing it. Way too personal. Read.”

“But--.”

“No excuses allowed, mister. Just read quietly,” she whispered, folding up the armrest that separated them. She moved closer to his side and rested her head on his shoulder.

“Your wish is my command.” He cleared his throat and started on the first page.” Effulgent….”
***

“Where are we gonna stay?”

“I talked with Red and she said we can crash at her place for a few. It’ll be cozy though and I’ll probably get the couch.”

Buffy didn’t respond, knowing it would be inappropriate for her to offer him her bed, especially with her in it. “Are you going to get a new car soon since we had to ditch the De Soto?”

“What are your thoughts on a motorbike, pet?”

“Eww, too dangerous.” Buffy recalled her ex-boyfriend’s motorcycle. He’d used the bike and its close seating arrangements as an excuse for constant touching and groping. At the time it had been nice, but just thinking about sitting, arms around William’s muscular body, on an overgrown vibrating machine was just too much. “Way too dangerous. I’ll miss the De Soto.”

William tried to hide his smirk; she had hated his car so much when she first laid eyes on it. “Yeah, we had some good times.”

Buffy suddenly looked out the window, very interested in the bottle-necked California traffic. Her face glowed with a blush, “Yeah, great times.”
***

“Should we have called first? It doesn’t look like she’s home.” Buffy and William tiredly looked at Willow’s dark house, weighed down with luggage.

“Not to worry, love, I’ve a key.”
***

“Mmm, Oz, lower, baby.”

“Eeek!” Buffy dropped her bags. William did the same, covering Buffy’s eyes with his hands and pulling her into his chest.

“Willow!”

“Oh my God! Oh my God! Wait a minute! I’m so sorry!”

Buffy and William were fused together, waiting for the sound of shuffling clothing to end. “Take your time, Willow,” William urged softly.

“Ah, you can open your eyes, now, all dressed. God, I’m so embarrassed.”

“Red, Nice to, er, see you again.”
***
 

Chapter 5

Willow welcomed back them back, her face the color of her flaming red hair. Her lover had been very quiet and only nodded a few times before leaving. Buffy had also excused herself shortly after, claiming to be sleepy.

“I’ve traumatized her!” Willow squeaked.

“Somehow I think she’s seen worse, Red, but I bet she’ll never sit in that chair ever again—hell, neither will I. ”

“Well, I know that I’m traumatized. Kill me now please.”

“Nope, you’re not taking the easy way out. Tell me about him.”

“His name is Oz.”

“Oz, huh? So, he’s the little man behind that bloody curtain?”

“He’s not that short,” Willow insisted, blushing. “He’s in a band. Lead guitar.”

He smirked hearing her sight dreamily. “That explains the blue hair and black nails. Where’d you find him?”

“At work.”

“He sounds like a keeper,” William chuckled.

“Oh, I know you’ve got that stupid musician theory, but he’s different.”

“Hey, ‘players only love you when they’re playing.’”

“Bah, if you don’t be nice, you’re going to have to put on your own sheets.” She pouted, tucking in blankets making his makeshift bed out of the sofa.

“Red, I thought you were...you know?”

“Kinda gay? Yeah, there’s been a slight change in that theory.”

“I see. Well as long as you’re happy, pet.”

“I am.”

“It least one of us is getting some.”

“Ah poor Will.”

“I know.”

“Well on the brighter side, the house sold last week.”

“Oh that’s great. I wasn’t ready to sell another fucking house.”

Willow had been left in charge of the house on Revello Drive. Neither Buffy nor William wanted to keep the house where Joyce had taken her final breaths. All of the Summers’ belongings had been packed by movers and put into storage. “I made a list of places you can check out too.”

He started his new job in a few weeks. His company had been very understanding about his situation and transferred him to the Los Angeles branch. It would only be an hour drive without traffic to Sunndydale and to Buffy. He wanted to stay as close to her as possible and be there when she needed him. “Thanks, pet. You’re a lifesaver.”

“I know. Goodnight.” Willow kissed the top of his head before leaving the living room.
***

Buffy came out of her room and inhaled deeply. “Mmmm, cookies.”

“Hi, Buffy, I made you some, ‘I’m so sorry that you saw me naked and doing nasty things, please forgive me,’ cookies. Want one?”

“No, I want two.” She sat at the kitchen table and hummed. “Everyday should start with cookies…I forgive you, Willow, but God, keep that funny business in your bedroom, okay? I’m so afraid to sit down on any of your furniture.”

Willow blushed.

“Willow, why are you looking like that—eww! I eat on this table!”
***

“What are your plans for today?”

Buffy was sprawled out on Willow’s sofa, staring out into space.

“I didn’t know. Willow mentioned if I got too bored I could go to work with her. Somehow I doubt I’ll ever get that bored.”

“Do you wanna look at the things in storage with me?”

“Storage? Have you decided on a house?”

“Not telling.”

“Spikey’s keeping secrets.”

“Yup. You coming?”

“Of course.”
***

"You have a ton of junk."

"It's not junk." Buffy opened a box and closed it quickly. "Okay, now this is junk.”

"What's in there?" He smirked, trying to look in the box. “You poked in my things, it’s only fair, love.”

“Alright,” she grumbled, crossing her arms. “I wanted to be an ice skater when I was little.”

William picked through the glittery costumes and smiled at the photo albums of Buffy on the ice. “Is this a big secret, you wanting to be a mini Tonya Harding?”

“I don’t tell people now and if they know for some reason, I say that they’re talking about some other Buffy.”

“I heard stories about a certain Buffy...she who had so many trophies and such that her mom feared the shelf in her room would bust.”

“Mom said that?”

“Oh yeah, I know more than you’d think. I know Joyce thought the world of you, even if you frustrated her and weren’t exactly the perfect daughter all the time.” He moved to a new box and ripped off the tape. “She talked about you a lot. I couldn’t shut her up when you got on the honor roll for the first time, it was last year, yeah?”

“Second semester, junior year.”

“Did she tell you about me?”

“Kinda...to be honest, I didn’t listen much. I’d gag after she said most of the things about you.”

“I guess that’s understandable,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “I was the same way when dad tried to date.”

“I wish I would’ve listened, I like learning about you...now.”

“I like learning about you too, kitten.”

“I feel like I’m bugging you, since I’m around you all the time.”

William gave Buffy a sideways glance as she busied her hands. “I enjoy your company, Buffy. But if you have better things to do...”

“I don’t—I mean I like helping you look for a car and a house...I just want to make sure that you don’t mind. I don’t want to crowd you, you know?”

He struggled not to laugh, thinking it would be impossible for her to get too close or to be around him too much. “I’m dreading tomorrow, pet. What am I going to do when you’re playing at the university?”

There was a silence and then Buffy whispered, “I’ll miss you when I’m at the dorms, not just tomorrow, but everyday when I’m at school.”

“Pet...”

“Just say you’ll miss me too and I’ll be happy.”

“You know I’ll miss you.”
***

“You nervous, pet?”

“Very.”

“Come here.”

William hugged Buffy tightly on the morning of her orientation to college. All the freshmen were corralled together and forced to stay in the tiniest dorms overnight. She had never been to the UC Sunnydale campus, except for once on a kindergarten school field trip. All she heard were college horror stories of never finding high school friends, living on nothing but pizza, gaining at least ten pounds, and of evil, unreasonable professors.

“You’ll be great, sweets. You’ll probably just get the campus tour and set up your schedule, that’s all. It’ll be painless.” He comforted her, running his fingers through her hair and inhaling the scent of her shampoo. ‘She smells like sugar cookies. Want to eat her up.’

“Thanks.” She mumbled, pressed against his chest. “I should go, I must look like such a baby.”

“No, you look beautiful.” He spiraled a lock of her hair between two of his fingers. “Stunning...”

“So do you,” she smiled shyly and kissed his cheek.

“Ah, pet, here I’m trying to make you happy and you end up turning the tables on me. Now run along, I’ll get you tomorrow.” William watched until she was out of sight and then walked away with a bounce in his step.

‘She kissed me.’
***

“Hey, you dropped your stake.” Buffy’s victim rubbed where the pencil she’d been carrying had stabbed his hand.

“Xander!”

“Hey, Buffster, long time, no see.”
***

“…so I said, a caveman would so kick the ass of any wussy astronaut.”

Buffy just looked at Xander and smiled. She loved Xander and he’d been her best friend since they started school.

“What? Do I have ketchup on my face again?” Xander asked, his mouth full of food.

“Nope, I just really missed you, Xand.”

“And I missed you. How was the Mother Country?”

“Good. You know, rain and tea.”

“How was what’s-his-face? Do you still want me to beat him up for you?”

“Who?”

“The dreaded Captain Peroxide?”

“Oh, William... He was good, very good. We actually got along, believe it or not.”

“Cool. Have you picked your classes yet?” He pulled out the class listing and flipped through its pages. “We should take a class together like, oh, ‘Comic Books and the Human Mind,’ or maybe...”
***

“What?”

“Hey!”

“Hi, love. You miss me?”

“Yup.”

“So what’re you up to? It’s kind of late.”

“Can’t sleep. The beds are lumpy—make sure I bring my own mattress—the bathroom is big but the shower is icky and my roomies are loud.”

William laughed, “Is that so?”

“Oh, but I’ve a great schedule. I only go on Tuesdays and Thursdays—oh, and Xander’s here too.”

“Xander, he’s…?”

“My best friend, you know—Life Saving Boy?”

“That’s great, pet, that you have someone to talk to.”

“Miss me?”

“Every second and you know it.”

“Aw, my job’s complete then.”

“It is now?” he chuckled.

“Well I should let you sleep. You have a comfy bed and you should use it. Say hi to Willow for me, okay?”

“Okay, goodnight, kitten.”

“Goodnight, William.”
***

Buffy swooned, “He misses me.”

‘ Kitten,’ she died each time he called her that. ‘I miss him and it’s only been fifteen hours.’ She lay on the hard bed and thin pillow, feeling lonely.

‘Oh, my, God! I kissed him today!’ Buffy’s nerves made her forget about the kiss. ‘Sure it was tiny;’ she reasoned, ‘but it involved my lips and William’s skin. He was so sweet trying to make me feel better. I couldn’t resist. It was a nice kiss, a friendly kiss. But he didn’t push me away. A kiss is just a kiss—but I think really kissing William will definitely be a lot more.’
***

William was early because he wanted to see Buffy and take her home. He bought and signed the last of the paperwork for his new place and was excited to finally show it to her. It was in a nice neighborhood between Sunnydale and Los Angeles with a pool and huge backyard surrounded by tall shade trees. He knew Buffy would love it.

She was laughing with a dark-haired girl when he saw her. ‘That bird doesn’t look good enough to talk to my Buffy,’ William thought, taking in the girl’s scantly dressed form and flirty strut.

‘I know those types, the kind of girls that think they’re God’s gift—sod that. I’d rather have the kind of girl that needs to be told that she’s beautiful, the kind of girl that makes even the simplest task look sexy...a girl like my Buffy.’

He smiled seeing Buffy wearing his birthday gift. To him, it meant that she was thinking of him and willing to show around her neck a symbol that she belonged to him. He was standing, propped up one leg and smoking when she saw him.

“Hey, Buffy, you know that guy? He’s totally checking you out. He looks like he’d be a wild ride, you should introduce me.”

“Ah, no, I don’t know him,” Buffy tried to gave William a little smile as she ushered Faith away.

“That’s great. I can have him all to myself.”

“Faith!” Buffy grabbed her shirt, pulling her back. ‘What a skanky ho.’ Faith had gone to many different high schools throughout California. She was a feisty girl who went after what she wanted. ‘Want. Take. Have,’ Faith said over and over.

“What’s the beef, B?”

“N-nothing, we need to go, we’ll be late.”

“B--.”

“Please, Faith?”

“Fine, fine, keep your pants on, girlfriend.”

Buffy breathed a sigh of relief as she steered her horny friend from William.

‘He’s mine.’
***

William couldn’t help but be hurt. Buffy had ignored him. He thought he’d seen her smile in his direction but dismissed it as wishful thinking, believing he was seeing things.

‘She snubbed me,’ he thought, ‘Guess I’m not good enough to meet her friends.’

His feelings were still smarting when he stood with the other parents at the official pickup time. He watched, seeing how happy Buffy looked as she said her goodbyes to the dark-haired girl and a guy he had never seen before. She gave the boy a longer hug and a kiss on the cheek, making William have to force back his growl. He was upset but his jealousy was still fully intact.

‘She’s mine.’
***

Buffy bounced over to greet William, a huge grin on her face. “Hey! I can’t wait to leave! I’ve--.”

“Let me get that.”

“O-okay,” she said, disappointed that William didn’t seem happy to see her. “Aren’t you at least going to say hi to me?”

“Hi, pet.”

She got into the passenger seat of the car and frowned. ‘Did I say something wrong? Why’s he so upset? I missed him so much. All I wanted to do was hug him and hear his voice again and now he won’t even talk to me.’

Buffy was deep in her thoughts and didn’t pay attention to where he was taking her. She was more concerned with forcing her tears to say back. William stopped the car in front of a Spanish style house. It had a tiled roof and a little courtyard surrounding the front door.

“Where are we?”

“My new house.”

“Oh,” she said, a tear sliding from her eye. ‘Not our house, his.’
***

“There are two bedrooms, a master, and a bathroom on each level…”

Buffy continued to pout. ‘He gets the master bedroom—that means no sharing a bathroom like we did at Giles’ house.’

“…office and studio upstairs--.”

“Studio?”

“Yeah, I paint sometimes. Anyways, I want to keep the room empty, a clear space. I’ve already hung some of Joyce’s paintings up there.”

“That sounds nice.”

“It is. There’s a pool out back and a big yard.”

Buffy just nodded and responded equally to his cold descriptions of the house. ‘Good thing he isn’t in real estate.’

“You can have this room.”

She peered inside the empty space. It was on the ground floor, on the opposite side of the master bedroom. ‘He wants to stay away from me.’

Her belongings that she had kept with Willow were on the floor. ‘I guess I’m not staying with Willow anymore. I should be happy; we’ll be alone again.’

Buffy tried to smile but it was too hard.
***

William walked outside to smoke, leaving Buffy alone.

She took a closer look at his decorating skills. She loved the house, especially the Spanish floral patterns of the tile that lined the pool.

‘A pool!’ she would’ve screamed if she weren’t so upset. Buffy wasn’t in the mood to show William that she adored the house and his decorating. He had done very well. The house had a nice mixture of leather and softer fabrics, black and bright colors, metal accents and rich wooden highlights. The house didn’t look like a bachelor’s pad. Looking around her she inferred that William had decorated and chosen the house with someone else’s needs in the back of his mind.

Buffy would’ve sworn it was her and only her, but after today, she wasn’t so sure.
***

“I move in on the 19th. Yeah, I know it’s late. You’d think we’d get more than just a weekend to get settled. I know, Xand, great injustice is afoot.” Buffy laughed and changed her position in her new favorite chair. “I miss that. I demand more Snoopy dancing. Good times, good times. Tomorrow, sure I have nothing better to do…”

William stood in the hallway, watching her. They hadn’t really been on good speaking terms since orientation.

‘Buffy’s doing well without me,’ he thought, ‘always on the phone with that Xander.’

William was managing by locking himself in his office all day. When he ventured out of his hiding place he’d avoid her and watch her from afar. Watching, knowing he would never have her.

‘I was a fool that morning, thinking a peck on the cheek meant something...’
***

Buffy’s sadness turned to anger quickly. She was lost and confused and she didn’t like the feeling. Every time she saw him watching her from the shadows she wanted to hit him and then kiss him. The stalker role was strange but still oddly appealing.

“Just because he’s an idiot, doesn’t mean I don’t still love him, ”Buffy smiled wickedly as she dressed in her new bedroom. “Take this William, I dare you.”

‘Showtime.’
***

William was channel surfing, finding nothing worthy to watch. ‘Need cable. Oh, or maybe a satellite; I heard they have so many bloody channels that--.’ His thoughts were smashed to pieces by Buffy as she strolled into the backyard.

‘Fuck.’

William’s pants were uncomfortable and he had only seen a few minutes of her in the bathing suit. He didn’t know where to focus his eyes, on her full chest, her legs that seemed to have grown overnight, or on her muscled behind that enticed him with its movements.

‘Fuck.’
***

Just walking through the house had made Buffy’s knees weak. She imagined what she was doing to him and the bulge that was probably growing under William’s jeans.

‘I’m bad. Go me.’
***

William sat, his head resting in his hand. He looked at the door to the backyard for minutes, the afternoon sun blinding him.

‘Hey, I’m the Big Bad. I’ve been broody and pathetic—hell, she wants to parade around in near nothing, I should take advantage of her charity.’

William got up and proudly adjusted his pants. “Now where did I put my swimming trunks?”
***

Buffy was lying on her bright pink inflatable lounge chair, eyed closed, when she felt ripples in the water.

“What do you want?” She demanded, never opening her eyes.

“You.”

“Huh?” Before Buffy could take in his bluntness, she was tipped out of her chair. “William! You, you--.”

He scooped her up in his arms with one arm under her knees and the other cradled her shoulders and keeping her above the water. “Shhh, settle down, pet, I’m not gonna drop you.”

She stopped struggling, looking up. “William?” Her mouth went dry realizing she was pushed against his chest.

“Hush.” William bent forward, his face so close to hers, but not touching. A word, a slight twitch and their lips would brush against each other. He stared into her eyes and saw exactly what he had been feeling: confusion, betrayal and hope.

‘Gonna kiss her. Been waiting so long, too bloody long.’ His arms were shaking and his heart wanted to burst out of his chest. He had to put her down in the water because he didn’t want to risk dropping her.

Buffy took the action as another rejection. “No!”

Before William could explain, she was on him. She pressed herself against him, legs wrapped around his waist. Her mouth ravished his, putting all her pent up love and lust into the kiss. She moaned, finally being able to explore his mouth, tongue and teeth.

‘Heaven. I think I am in heaven.’

He eagerly responded to the kiss, returning her moans and pants. He needed help in supporting both of their weight, so he moved to the pool’s edge, resting her back against it. Their kiss wasn’t broken with his movements; instead it was transformed, becoming slower, and deeper. He concentrated on her lower lip, biting and sucking, finally able to get retribution for her many pouts. He moved down, planting open, wet kisses on her neck.

Buffy was bursting. ‘Finally.’ Grabbing fistfuls of his hair, she quivered as he worshipped her neck and shoulders. With each moan he made, she squeezed his waist with her legs. ‘Need him.’

“Buffy!” His erection was slammed between her legs as she grinded against him, “Stop!”

“Can’t,” she whimpered. “I need you, William.”

“Please, not here, love, we need to do this right. I want to make love to you, not fuck you in the pool.”

Buffy grasped his face between the palms of her hands, “Promise you won’t chicken out on me. Promise me you won’t run away from me. Promise, William.”

“I promise, I swear it, Buffy.” He placed a kiss on her lips. “Never going back.”

“You’d better not. Race you back to the house, Spikey!”
***

Chapter 6

As soon as they reached the house, Buffy was pushed against the nearest wall. “Buffy,” William moaned, kissing her again and again, never getting enough of her taste. ‘Knew she’d taste good; just like sugar cookies.’

“William?”

“Hmmm?” Before she could answer, her stomach rumbled loudly. “Hungry?” he asked, laughing and brushing his fingers over her abdomen.

“Very hungry. Neither of us ate lunch, remember?”

‘Be still my heart,’ he thought, taking in how beautiful she looked. Her lips were parted and swollen. Panting, she rested her head back and exposed her neck. “I’ll fix you something,” he said, pushing back a few strands of her wet hair. “Why don’t you take a bath, kitten? I never showed you the master bath, it has a huge tub.”

“You sure?”

I’ll check on you regularly; hell, maybe if you’re lucky, I’ll join you.”

“I’m feeling really lucky, William.”

“So am I.”
***

“Don’t fall asleep!”

“I won’t, I swear,” Buffy said, talking to William as he got their food ready on the other side of the house. “There’s no way I could sleep.” Smiling, she undressed and filled the tub with warm water.

“Love, you want macaroni and cheese or um…macaroni and cheese? Sorry, I guess we need to go to the grocery tomorrow.”

“Macaroni is good, William,” she said, closing her eyes and sliding into the water.

“Alright, it’ll take, ah, three minutes. Can you wait that long?”

“I’ve waited this long haven’t I?”

Minutes later William was propped up against the frame of the door, awestruck by the sight of her.

“Are you going to just stand there?”

“You knew I was here?”

“Yup, could feel you watching me and I could smell the mac and cheese. It’s not very fair that you get to ogle, and I don’t.” She opened her eyes and frowned, “You haven’t gotten out of your swimming suit yet.”

“Sit up, pet.”

“Why?” she asked, propping up on her elbows.

“I’m going to feed you, that’s why,” he said, sitting on the edge of the tub.

“Oh,” she laughed softly, moving closer to him. “It’s good,” she said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “You do wonders with a microwave.”

“Don’t get cheeky, pet.” He smiled, pleasantly surprised that she felt so comfortable with him as she sat naked in the bath. “Are you all washed up? Don’t want you getting all pruney.”

She looked at her hands and then showed him. “I’m okay, but are you saying you wouldn’t want me if I were pruney?”

“No, not at all. I want you any way that I can have you.”

“I’m all squeaky clean, William.”

“Good, get out then so I can take a shower.”

“Alone?”

“Alone.”

Buffy flashed him her deadliest pout, causing William to capture her hand and bring it to his lips. “Wait for me.”
***

‘My room or his?’ Buffy settled on his. William’s bed was bigger and it meant she could lie down and wait to pounce the minute he appeared from the bathroom. Buffy was dressed in her prettiest nightgown as she lay over the covers.

‘Oh.My.God,’ she thought, feeling nervous. ‘I so need to calm down. I feel...bubbly.’

Laughing to herself, she rolled on top of the bed until she was comfortable.
***

William took a quick shower, barely able to control his excitement. ‘Finally.’

He came out of the bathroom a towel loosely around his waist and he used another to dry his hair. “Buffy? Oh,” he whispered, “must be quiet. My girl’s sleeping.”

He knew he should’ve been disappointed but she looked so peaceful, slumbering under his sheets. ‘I’d be a wanker to wake her,’ he thought.

After searching for his rarely used pajama bottoms, he got into the bed. Buffy automatically made her way into his arms, sighing contently.

“Love you, Buffy,” he whispered, kissing her forehead and holding her tight.
***

Buffy woke up the next morning to the feeling of her breast being kneaded through the thin covering of her nightgown. She moaned softly and pushed back against the warm body behind her.

“Morning, princess.”

“Hmmm…morning.”

William was making light brushes against her shoulders with his lips. She moved back again and began to gently move up and down, pressing against his crotch. William lost his ability to speak as she grinded against him and his movements on her breast became more intense. His kisses moved to her ear, where he nibbled on the lobe and licked its outer edge. Taking his hand from her chest, he moved it up her thigh to where her nightgown rode. As he caressed her, he groaned, finding no panty lines.

“Naughty Buffy,” he whispered, kissing her neck.

“Sorry, I fell asleep...”

“That’s…” his hand snaked up her nightgown finding a resting place between her thighs “…alright.” He cupped her mound, not allowing his palm to make contact but still feeling damp heat radiating from her.

“Not fair,” Buffy whined when his hand didn’t move. As a result, she just rubbed against him faster.

William’s breathing was erratic, “Give me a few more seconds and...”

“I want you to come for me, William.”
***

William rolled on his back and Buffy moved to face him, snuggling into his side.

“Looky looky, Spikey wet his pants.” Buffy daringly petted the wet spot on his pants and gasped as her touch made his pants tent again.

“Don’t look so shocked, kitten. You wound me.”

“Sorry, I’ll just have you kiss and make it all better.”

“You better believe it,” he said, and welcomed her warm lips.

Their kiss grew deeper, their tongues entwining; and he was about to pull her on top of him when the phone rang.

“Bloody hell.”

“Don’t. It’s no one important.”

“Could be my job, it starts soon remember? Or your school, your classes are on Monday.”

“Fine. I’ll be making breakfast,” Buffy said, stumbling out of bed.
***

“What?”

“Hey!”

“Red.”

“How was the showing? Doesn’t she love it?”

“Well, actually, I’m not sure…” William suddenly remembered why he was mad at Buffy. “We never talked about it...”

“Will, is something going on? Do you need to talk?”

“No, not now, I need to get off here, but we should get together tomorrow, yeah?”

“Okay, be good, William.”

“Always, pet.”
***

“So, I was going to make something eggy, but we have no eggs.” Buffy turned to greet him, wearing a robe. “So, I’ve decided that one, we’re definitely going shopping; two, no one needs this much tea and Wheetabix; and three, I hope you really, really like macaroni because…hey why are you looking like that?”

“We need to talk.”

‘Oh God, oh God, it’s over already.’

“Okay.” Buffy walked past him as he leaned against the doorframe. He nodded, following her into the living room. “Let’s talk.”
***

Buffy looked terrified and William suddenly felt like a jerk. ‘Maybe I should just let it go…No, I can’t, I have my pride; big bad and all that rot.’

“What I am I to you, Buffy?”

‘Oh no, not Buffy. Don’t call me Buffy. Give me a nickname, any nickname.’

“Um, well I think we are good friends. Ah, good friends who want to…to be more to each other?”

‘You’re my best friend, my crush, and my savior, my love,’ Buffy spewed silently. She was scared to say the words, dreading that he was going to break her heart.

“Do you know why I was upset with you before?”

“No.”

“Well I think we should get what happened straightened out before we—ah—become more to each other, okay?”

“Okay.” Buffy waited.

“You really have no clue, do you, pet?”

“Nope, I thought about it for hours and gave myself unbelievable amounts of stress, but I have no idea.”

“Buffy, I…”

“Don’t get all squeamish now. Tell me what I did.”

“Bossy bint,” he mumbled, feeling embarrassed. “On orientation day, you ignored me. You were ashamed to even hint to that chit that I was your…whatever the hell I am.”

“William--.”

“You could’ve given me a crumb, you know; a grin, little wave, instead of running off like I was some stranger.”

Buffy got up from the couch, moving until she was standing in front of him. She kneeled before him and looked into his eyes. “That’s what made you so cranky?”

“Yes, I--.”

Buffy put a hand on each of his knees and leaned closer to him. “You’re so adorable.”

“Buffy, now, don’t interrupt me—adorable?”

“Yup.” She smiled at him, “That girl I was with, Faith, she’s not good news. She’s the skankiest of the hos.” William nodded, having no idea what the other girl had to do with anything. “She thought I knew you, so she wanted me to introduce you to her. I couldn’t let it happen. You know why?”

“Why?”

“Because I was Cave Buffy, and Cave Buffy didn’t want anyone messing with her man.”

“Her man?”

“Yes, you,” she placed her hands on his chest, “William, are my…whatever and I’m not gonna let anyone, especially Faith, take you away from me.”

“Is that so?” he said with a guilty laugh. “I feel like a bastard.”

“Don’t.” She moved in even closer, until he could see down her robe. “You see, Cave Buffy is really fond of you.” She placed a quick kiss on his Adam’s apple. ‘Been wanting to do that for forever…’

“Only Cave Buffy, pet?”

“All Buffys like their William,” she said, kissing his chin and forehead. “And their Spike. You should’ve talked to me earlier.”

“Sorry, never do that again. I think you missed a spot, love.”

Buffy kissed his lips. “We good?”

“We’re great, brilliant even.”

“Good,” Buffy laughed, kissing him again.
***

“Love, don’t you think we should get dressed today?

“Nope.” Buffy snuggled closer in his embrace. Somehow she had gotten in his lap, their chests were touching and his hands rested on her lower back.

“I really think we need to get food, pet. Don’t want us to starve, yeah?”

“Well, if you put it that way, I guess we should at least take a shower. Your manly scent is kinda turning into BO.”

“Funny, pet.”

“So, since I was cheated last night, are you going to join me in the shower?”

“Well, that depends.” He touched the tip of her nose with his pointer finger. “You would have to stay on your best behavior and resist my sexy bod.” He removed his finger, planting a kiss on her nose, and then resting his forehead against hers. “Which I know would be just…”

“Unbearable.”

“Yeah, especially since I know you’ve held a torch for me ever since you laid those beautiful green eyes on me.”

‘Held a torch? Hell, I literally became a walking flame.’

“Ego, much?” She teased.

“All true, pet and you know it,” William said, his eyes twinkling.

“Sure, I know it, but why are you so sure of yourself?” She wrinkled her eyebrows, thinking that he was hiding something.

“Well, I had ears, pet, I heard you back home, at night, you were--.”

“You spied on me!” Buffy leaned back, horror in her eyes.

“No, Buffy--.”

“Ha! Let me play. Well, Spikey, I had ears too. You took some really long showers and the noises I heard---.”

“Buffy!”

She got up and ran towards the master bath, a red-faced William on her heels.
***

“Hey! No touchy!” Buffy slapped away his wandering hand. She was trying to be good, but if he touched her, all bets were off.

“But, love...” He whined.

“No! You said in and out and off to the store, remember?”

“I’m a liar, you see...”

‘I will not look at his…you know. Nope, can’t—ahhh! Too weak!’ She quickly glanced behind her. “I can see that, you and your little Spikey better stay away,” she said, surprised that her voice wasn’t shaky.

William looked down at his cock as it curled up towards his belly button. “I’m not little,” he pouted.

‘I can see that, too.’ Buffy closed her eyes, massaging shampoo in her hair.

“Let me help.”

Before Buffy could stop him, she felt his fingers gently scratch and rub her head. “Mmmm.”

“Like that, princess?”

“Hmmm.” She nodded. Buffy drifted off for a few minutes and he brought her back.

“Time to rinse.” He moved her under the spray and turned her until she faced him. “Ah, Vanilla Bean or Sugar Cookies ‘n’ Cream?”

Buffy opened her eyes to see him squinting to read her body wash selections. ‘Wonder if he wears glasses? That would be too cute--.’

“Pet?”

“Um, you choose.”

“Gotta love cookies,” he said squeezing his choice into her pink body sponge.

“William, are you sure you can handle washing me?”

“I hope so.” He looked up and down her body, not sure where to begin. “Give me a foot, love.”
***

‘That was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.’

William had great control as he glided the fluffy sponge over her tan body. He almost cracked twice. He tried to not notice how beautiful her breasts were covered in bubbles or how it would feel to run his fingers through the coarse hairs between her legs. “Love, since you’re done, maybe you should dry off you know…”

“You and Spikey need some private time?”

William looked away, embarrassed. “You know me too well.”

“It’s okay. I need to blow-dry my hair anyway.” She kissed his cheek, stepping out of the shower.

“Don’t have too much fun without me.”
***

“You never told me your schedule, sweets.” William placed a few cans of soup in their grocery cart.

“Oh, I have English 101, Math 100—also known as ‘Math for Dummies’--.”

“You aren’t dumb, sweetheart.”

She smiled and continued her list, “European History Part I, Intro to Black and White Photography and ah, 19th Century Poetry.” She hurried through the last class, jumbling the words together.

William grinned. “What was the last class, pet?”

“Oh, I feel like a dweeb. 19th Century Poetry.”

“You weren’t fibbing when you said you liked poetry?”

“No, I love hearing it, I don’t like to write it, and most of the times I don’t understand it, but hearing it makes me happy. I was kind of hoping you could help me with the class.”

“I’d love to.” He stopped in the isle and kissed the top of her head. ‘This is my girl.’

“Did you ever figure out your major, kitten?”

“I don’t think so. I’m still kind of confused. I was thinking about looking into photography. I really enjoyed it in high school.”

“Oh, right, I remember now. Joyce brought your prints with her sometimes. She would go on and on about her daughter being a photographic genius.”

Buffy grinned at the mention of her mom but then guilt flooded her. ‘I’m going to fuck my mom’s fiancée. I really, really want to fuck my mom’s fiancée.’

William seemed to be reading her mind. He steered their cart to a safe location and hugged her. “Buffy, my love, I have no regrets. None. We need to move on; Joyce shouldn’t haunt us. We’re good together; she would understand and I think she knows how much I love you and she’s smiling up there, with her harp and little cherub friends. I bet they are rooting for us, even.”

Buffy started to cry. ‘He said he loves me.’

William brushed away her tears with his thumb. “Ah, kitten, don’t cry. I didn’t want to upset you.”

“I love you too, William, so much.”
***
 

Chapter 7

William was afraid for a few minutes that they would be kicked out of the grocery store.

He had kissed her and it was their deepest and most passionate lip lock. He was intent on not letting it end until the store manager tapped him on his shoulder. William almost ripped the little bald man’s head off as he claimed that he was receiving customer complaints about their public display of affection.

“Ha! I bet we were the best show those housewives have seen outside of their Soap Operas,” William grumbled as he lit his cigarette.

He had left Buffy inside to pay for their food. He needed a smoke and to hide his hard-on from the nosy customers. She had been so earth-shatteringly beautiful, with weepy eyes while proclaiming her love for him in the grocery store. He hadn’t even realized what he had said, about him loving her, until her eyes widened and for a minute he thought she was mad at him.

He leaned against the De Soto, smiling when she appeared with her stuffed grocery cart. She pushed the cart to the trunk and then jumped in his arms.

“Buffy,” he gasped between kisses.

“Huh?” She struggled to breathe as William pushed his forehead against hers.

“We should go before they call the coppers and before I mount you in the parking lot.”

Buffy looked around, as if she had lost her sense of place. Then she giggled and kissed his cheek. “Let’s go.”
***

They drove through the neighborhood with their hands entwined.

Buffy secretly ooh’ed and aah’ed at the passing scenery. Even though she said nothing, William felt her involuntarily squeeze his hand as she found something new that delighted her.

“So, you like the house and all, sweetheart?”

“Oh yeah it’s perfect. I would’ve told you earlier but you know, you were a big jerk, remember?”

“Jerk, eh? One minute you love me then I’m a jerk,” he laughed, putting his arm around her, pulling her close. “I’m glad you like it, princess. It’s all for you.”
***

“You’re a regular little Mighty Mouse, aren’t you?”

Buffy grabbed as many full plastic bags as she could mange. “Yup, fear me Big Bad, I bet I could snap you like a twig.”

“Try it, love.”

“Maybe later, baby.”

“I get a nickname now?”

“I have many where that came from, sweetie.”

“Be still my heart.”

“I’ll catch you when you swoon, but open the door first.”

“Bossy bint.” William held open the screen door with a leg so Buffy could walk into the house.
***

“Look, a message.” Buffy placed down her groceries on the table and pushed the red button on the answering machine.

-Hey, Buffster, it’s yours truly. This is your friendly reminder that I’ll be picking you up at ten in the morning tomorrow and I have decided that I, as Mover Boy, should be treated to lunch. Please? I’ve been cut off again. Anyway, see, ya.-

“Xander, always thinking about his stomach,” Buffy laughed, shaking her head.

William was putting away the frozen foods, trying not to be jealous. “What’s tomorrow, love?”

“Oh, I’m moving in the dorm tomorrow.”

“You never told me,” he said, not facing her.

“No, I didn’t. Remember, you were still being a jerk.”

“Oh, will you ever forgive me?”

She hugged him from behind, pressing her face into his back and wrapping her arms firmly around his waist. “Of course, I’m sorry that I made you upset. I was just so jealous.”

Enjoying her touch and the cool air coming from the freezer that was still open, he took a deep breath. “Would you mind if I joined you and the boy? You may need extra hands and whatnot.”

“Are you questioning the strength of the Xan Man? He’ll be heartbroken,” she teased, but quickly sobered, feeling his body tense up. “William, I’d love for you to be there,” she whispered, kissing the back of his neck. “I really don’t want to leave you here, all alone in your pretty house. I don’t want to leave you at all.”

“Buffy.” William spun in her arms until he faced her. “I’d love for you to stay here with me but you need to live in those God-awful dorms, pet. It’s the whole college experience and all that rot.”

“Yeah, yeah I know.” She took a finger and outlined a chiseled cheekbone. “Responsibility, blahty blah. I’ll miss you. You’re all I have left.”

“Buffy…” William felt his heart race. ‘I don’t deserve her. She’s so perfect.’ He moved away from her to close the freezer door, and then he picked her up and placed her over his shoulder. “Sod the groceries; I’m taking you to bed.”
***

William laid her lovingly on the bed. ‘It’ll be our bed from now on,’ he thought with a grin. “Sit back and relax, love. Let me have my way with you.” With her eyes shining in anticipation, she stretched out, her head resting on the pillows. “I’ll miss you too, so bloody much,” he whispered, kneeling at her feet.

‘Must treat her like the goddess that she is...’ Taking off her strappy sandals, he admired each of her toes. He took one foot in his strong hands and began to massage the ball, heel and each individual toe.

“Going to map every part of you,” his hands slid up her legs, “I’ll never leave you, kitten.”

He kissed, licked, and explored on his way up her body and smiled when he felt goose bumps forming under his fingertips. “Never. You see, my love, I’m nothing without you. Just a shell of a man.”

Reaching her thighs, Buffy gasped as he unbuttoned her shorts and gently pulled them off her body. She quickly hugged her legs together embarrassed, knowing her thong was soaked.

He smiled, kissing her waiting lips. “Too much. Too much clothing, not enough Buffy.” He attempted to unbutton her shirt but the buttons were too tiny for his shaking fingers.

“Here, let me,” Buffy croaked, surprised that she could speak.

“I can get this part.” With her top off, he reached behind her and without looking, unhooked her bra’s clasp.

“You’re awfully good at that.”

“Years of experience,” he replied with a wink.

Once exposed, Buffy hugged her chest, shielding her breasts from him.

“That’s not nice, love.” Chuckling, he kissed her lips again, moving her arms away. “Let me see you.”

“Sorry, habit.”

“My Buffy likes to play hard to get, yeah? So perfect.” Moving left to right; he made the most of his mouth and tongue. He playfully bit the fullness of each breast and also attacked her nipples.

“William!”

“Hey, you’re still up there?”

“Need you. Need you.”

“Need me where, kitten?” he said, looked up mischievously.

“William…”

“Nope, not unless you tell me. I’m busy here.” He licked her nearest nipple with the tip of his tongue, making her squeak. “Now that’s a sound I love to hear.”

“William, go, ah, lower, please.”

“Lower. Okay, will do.”

He moved down to her bellybutton. “Here okay?” Before Buffy could respond, his tongue slid into the little hole. He held his head so his forehead rested against her stomach. On his third lick in the shallow space, he was delighted to feel fingers in his hair.

“Hmmm…lower, again.”

“As you wish.” He was assaulted by the scent of her arousal as he faced her floral thong. “Open up, sweets.” He slipped his hand between her legs, spreading her thighs. He placed a finger on her underwear, pressing against her clothed clit.

Buffy gasped and moaned, “William…”

“I am going to be bald before I get you naked.”

“God, just take them off!” Buffy demanded, giving his hair another yank. As soon as she was free of all her clothing, she announced, “My turn.”

“Something funny, pet?” he asked, as she giggled, pulling his shirt over his head.

“Yup, you were all sexy and seduce-y until you saw all my, er, down there all up close and personal—now you’re out of it, William.”

“I’m not sexy anymore?” William pouted playfully.

“Stop it. You know you’re going to get some. No more pouting, you know what it does to me.”

“I do,” he smirked.

“Now there’s my Big Bad.” Taking a deep breath, she pulled his pants from his hips. “William, do you even own underwear?”

“Nope.”

“Damn, that’s going to make being around you very difficult in the future.”

William kicked his pants away and hovered above her body. “I’ve dreamed about this...so many dreams.”

“Me too.”

“I burn for you, Buffy...have since I first saw you.”

“Want you so much.”

“You have me, kitten”

“Promise, me if we skip the foreplay I get some later.”

“Love, I think the foreplay stared the moment you pranced around in that suit yesterday.”

“Can I be on top?”

William swallowed and nodded, rolling on his back. Looking into his eyes, Buffy sat on him and shimmied her hips up. They both gasped, and William held her hips as she wiggled onto his hard shaft, biting her lower lip.

“Oh, finally.”

Buffy began to move and William set the pace. “Love you.”

“Love you more.”

“Can’t. Not possible.” She rode him until breathing became more difficult. The thrusts were deep and slow, quick and shallow. He never let go of her moving hips and she never stopped staring into his beautiful eyes.

“William! Gonna come, don’t let me stop…”

“I’ll keep you moving. Come with me. Come with me, love—Buffy!”

“Oh—oh, God, William!”
***

William had changed their position somewhere during their second climax. He was on top of her about to slide out of her.

“Don’t leave me.” Buffy moved her legs quickly, keeping him inside and altering his angle.

“Can’t.”

“Hmmm. Life is good,” Buffy announced, feeling that he was hard again.

“Life is perfect.” William kissed her shoulder and then her lips as he began to move.
***

“So, I guess I won.”

“Huh? I thought you were sleeping.”

“I was trying to but then I started thinking about our bet. I think I won.”

“Which bet?”

“You know, Spikey. Don’t play dumb on me now.” She ran a hand down his spine and William shivered. He wasn’t looking at her; his face was buried in her chest. “The ‘Who will explode first?’ bet.”

“I don’t remember exploding.”

“Stop being difficult and let me have my glory. You said that I’d be the first to give in to your handsomeness and charm. Remember? But you came on to me first, in the pool, therefore, I won.”

“Not so fast princess. You kissed me first and you attacked me tonight.”

“Attacked you?”

“Yup, I was defenseless against your horny ways.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“No, I’m tired and I’m not gonna to let you take advantage of my sleepiness and I’m not going to let you demand prizes for a bet you didn’t win.”

“You’re no fun. What if I told you I would want my prize to come in William shaped boxes?”

“Mmmm, that sounds interesting.”

“So, did I win?”

“Will it make you happy?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, then you won,” he said, yawning and snuggling into her cleavage. “Night, kitten.”

“Goodnight.”
***

Chapter 8

William woke up and smiled, finding Buffy sprawled out on top of his body. "Buffy, rise and shine, my love." Whispering, he nudged her and kissed her brow.

"No," she whined, wrapping her arms tightly around him. "I'm still sleeping."

"Buffy," he sang, enjoying the sound of her name coming from his lips. He continued to touch her, replaying the events of their lovemaking. He gasped suddenly remembering that they had not used any form of contraceptive. He shook her lightly, "Buffy. Get up. Bloody hell—now!”

“What?” Buffy rubbed her eyes. "Pinch me," she said, watching him pace along the side of the bed. 'Yum, naked William.' “William, what’s wrong?”

“So you’re up now?”

Buffy was taken aback by his tone. “Yes, I am. Why are you all bad moody now?” She sat up in the bed, not caring that the sheet wasn’t covering her nakedness. “You're making me seasick, stop it. Sit here with me.” She patted near the edge of the wrinkled bed. William sat but kept his distance. "I’m going to kill you; you're scaring me now. What's wrong? Tell me. I am not ready to go through another bad morning after.”

“Buffy, we didn’t use protection, pet.”

“You got any diseases?”

“No, but there are--.”

“Good, neither do I. You can cool down now. I’m on the pill.”

“Thank God—hey, wait a minute, why are--.”

“Stop, don’t go all psycho jealous. I had to use them in the past, now--well before last night—I used them only because they help my skin, okay?”

“Okay.”

“We good?”

“Yeah, sorry that I panicked.”

“Good. Come here.”
***

“I shouldn’t.”

“Yes, you should. Come here.”

“No.”

“Spikey…”

“Don’t you Spikey me.”

“Well, I was hoping you’d spike me.”

William’s eye twitched. 'Be strong, mate.' “Pet, the boy is going to be here in an hour and a half and it takes you nearly two to get primped.”

“Fine. You shower first, I’ll do breakfast.”
***

Buffy was shocked that he believed her. 'He really thought I’d let him shower without me? Silly William.'

“She’s got a way about her. Don’t know what it is. Blahty, blah…”

“William.” Buffy sang his name as she opened the shower curtain.

William clasped his chest. “You trying to kill me, love?”

“No.” Buffy stepped under the water, getting wet. “Want to be with you. Were you singing about me?”

“I wasn’t singing at all.”

She rolled her eyes playfully before kissing him hungrily. Breaking the kiss, she moved him against the wall. Before he could react, she was on her knees, looking up at him. “I’ve never done this before so be nice.”

William gasped as he felt her hand on his semi-hard cock. She gently stroked him up and down, not sure what she wanted to do other than not pull on him too roughly. As she busied her hands, William clutched her hair and made noises that made her smile proudly. ‘I wonder if he’d like this?’ she thought, licking the tip of his cock.

“Oh, God.”

“Should I do it again? Do you like it?” When he nodded frantically, she kissed where she had licked, and then gave him a slower lick using the entire width of her tongue. “I guess that means you like it,” she giggled as he cursed under his breath.

Buffy took as much of him in her mouth as she could manage and moved him in and out, mimicking how he had made love to her the night before.

“Ahhh, Buffy. Love. My love. Move!” He tried to push her back but he was too late. “Buffy?” he said, seconds later. “You okay, kitten? Sorry about that.”

“Sorry? Did I do okay?”

“You were magnificent.” William helped her to her feet and pulled her to his chest. “I just didn’t want you to swallow if you didn’t want to. Some aren’t into it.”

“William?”

“Yeah?”

“Consider me into it.”
***

“Xander?”

“The one and only.”

“She’ll be out in a minute, mate. Come in.”

William offered Xander a drink.

“Nah, I’m okay, man.”

William tried not to cringe. ‘He is not a threat. He is not a threat…’

“So you’re William…”

“Yes.”

“Interesting.”

“What’s interesting?” He frowned, not liking the boy already.

“Nothing.”

“Listen here mate, I--.”

“Hey, guys! Ready to go?”

“He’s coming with us?”

“Yeah, that’s okay, right Xand?” William glared as Buffy batted her eyes at the boy.

“Sure,” Xander shrugged. “The more the merrier.”
***

William held his tongue during the long car ride. ‘Yeah, only a half an hour away from Sunnydale sure, until you’ve got a wanker in the back set who won’t shut up. Now it feels like hours, days even… Did he just touch her?!’

Buffy sat in the back seat with Xander after William had thrown a fit about taking his car instead of Xander’s practical truck. She wanted to make him suffer.

’Isn’t this what all the good daddies do, chauffer around their princess and her little friends?’ William tried to block out the boy and his weird conversations about cheese and superheroes. ‘Why is this guy her best friend?’

He looked at her reflection through the rearview mirror and softened as she giggled and made witty comments.

‘He makes her laugh, that’s why.’ William sighed and turned up his music up a little louder.
***

Buffy was happy to see that her dorm room was bigger than she thought it would be. It had a bathroom and two separate rooms, a tiny kitchen area and a living room. Since the bedroom doors were always closed and locked she couldn’t tell if her roommate had shown up yet.

“I think making Obi Wan,” he made air quotation franticly, “’dreamy,’ totally ruined the character. I mean, because of Ewan McCheeseburger, no one respects Obi Wan for his cool mind reading-mind controlling powers. Now it’s all, ” Xander’s hand gestures were accompanied by a his screechy girl imitation, “oooh, Obi Wan, what a hottie!”

“Oh, don’t you insult Ewan. He’s a great Obi, right, William?”

Before William could roll his eyes and respond, Xander continued, his mouth full. “See, you totally just proved my point. There is no Obi! Obi sounds like a flavor of that gross organic drink stuff...”

’Good lord, to be able to have a drink…’


“William?” Buffy touched his arm, getting his immediate attention.

“Yes?”

“You want to get another load of stuff? Xander can stay and continue to stuff himself with pizza.”

“Sure. Thought you’d never ask.”
***

“Thank you for not killing him.”

Buffy pressed up against William’s side as they walked the campus hand in hand. Since it was the university-wide Move In Day, the campus was packed with people. William had complained the loudest at how far away they had to park but as they made the long trip to his car, he didn’t feel like complaining. ‘Me and my Buffy walking all couple-like.’

“Don’t you think the campus is pretty?”

“It’s gorgeous, gorgeous.”

“I like it here, I think. It hasn’t been a full day or anything and I haven’t even seen my roommate, but things feel so different.”

“They are and they will be. University life is different, pet. You have more freedoms and all that, but more importantly, you can safely become the center of your own universe. Nobody will think you’re too conceited; they will be too worried about their own lives to even care about you and what you’re up to. Majors, love lives, partying, and sleeping are on their minds. Not you…”

“Not me, even just a little? Do you think I’ll be invisible?”

“Hush, pet. Hear my point.” He stopped in the middle of the courtyard, facing her as people walked around them. “See these people? They wouldn’t care if you are with a guy twice your age, kitten—that’s the beauty of university life, pet. We have it on our side.”

“Really?” she asked; her eyes dazzling.

“Really.” He kissed her, among the students-to-be, weepy parents and cranky professors who passed them by, proving his point.
***

“We should get back to the whelp, pet.”

“Why do you call him that?”

“Because it suits him.”

“That’s not nice…Hey! Gimme! Give me more!”

“I’m not a nice man, remember? Hey, no biting!”

“Give me more!”

“Ow!”

“More!”

“Fine, you…you--.”

Buffy grabbed the ice cream from him. They were sitting in the De Soto after stopping for a quick snack on their way back to campus. William insisted on spoon-feeding Buffy the ice cream that they were sharing.

“You’re stalling.”

“No.”

She laughed as William took back the dessert and innocently missed her mouth, dropping ice cream down her shirt.

“Ice cream can be deadly, love. You know, very sticky. Let me clean it up.”

Grinning, Buffy watched as he lapped the melted ice cream that had puddled in her cleavage.

“Vanilla and Buffy, my favorites…”
***

“Hey, Xand, we brought presents!” Buffy shook around the bag of food and stopped in the doorway when she saw Xander sitting on the floor, next to a girl with dirty-blonde hair.

“Love, move. Heavy stuff here.”

“Sorry,” Buffy said, holding the door open for William before heading over to Xander, whose face was an unnatural shade of red.

“Um, this is Anya Jenkins.”

“Hey, you’re Buffy, right? My name’s Anya and I’ll be your roommate. I would hug you but I don’t know you that well yet. Your friend, Xander and I were just discussing--.”

“I’m sure Buffy doesn’t what to be bothered by our boring conversation,” Xander said, laughing nervously.

“But I--.”

“No, Anya really, she doesn’t need to know.”

“Well, fine. Be that way. So, Buffy, let’s sit down and do the rituals that all roommates do.”

“Rituals?”

“You know, label shelves, decide bathroom schedules, and oh, we can draw one of those funny lines down the center of the dorm that separates our territories.”

“Well, um, I was moving my stuff--.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Those two men can help you. That’s what they’re here for anyway.”

Buffy looked at William and Xander and mouthed, ‘Help me.’

“That’s fine pet; we’ll manage. Right, whelp?”

“That is right, Captain Peroxide.”

’Great, they’re going to kill each other and I’m stuck with this Anya girl.’

“So, Buffy, is that attractive blonde man giving you adequate orgasms?”
***

“Is it bad if I don’t want to go back? Ever?”

“Nope, that Anya’s scary.”

“Oh, you have no idea.”

“Yeah, I do. The boy looked like he was seconds from pissing in his pants for the rest of the day.”

Buffy giggled and snuggled closer to him. “Thank you for helping me. Sorry you had to miss Passions.”

“I’d rather watch it with you anyway.”

“I like when you record it, we can fast-forward through all the boring parts—like every part that doesn’t have Ethan in it.”

“Oh, I remember, the yummy one. Don’t you think I’m yummier now?”

“William, I’ve always thought you were yummy, I just know it firsthand now.”
***

Buffy climbed in bed after watching Passions. She wanted to stay with William for as long as possible until school started on Monday.

’Too soon. We’ve finally gotten together and we can’t even enjoy the house together. Oh, and the pool; he so owes me pool sex.’

“God, long day,” she mumbled, getting comfortable in their bed.

’Hmmm, ours.’

She hoped she wouldn’t fall asleep before William was off the phone with Willow.
***

“Hey, sweets, you sleeping?”

“Nope, not anymore. Just a power nap.”

“I love those.”

“Yeah, yay power nap.”

“Tomorrow night, Willow wants us to go out with her and the tinman.” William undressed and got in bed next to her, curving along her body. “Um, do you want to tell Red about us?”

“Do you?”

“Asked you first, kitten.” He stroked her breast through the sheet while nuzzling her hair.

Buffy sighed. “It’s only been our first full day together… Keeping our relationship a secret is appealing, but I want everyone to know that I’m happy and that you’re the cause of it. But I also don’t want her to freak out, you know?”

“Dad reacted nicely.” He rolled her on her back and started to lick and play with her hard nipples.

“B-but Willow saw mom and you together more…you know, as a couple. I don’t want to wig her out.” Buffy arched towards William’s mouth. “Maybe we should wait?”

“’We’ll wait and I’ll hint around and see how she responds.”

“That sounds like a good plan.” Buffy gasped, feeling a draft against the wetness between her legs. “Did you want to tell her before we talked?”

“I wanted to.” His hand made circles in her damp public hair, teasing her.

“Why?” Buffy struggled to keep the conversation going. ‘Love how he can keep a talking during this…love his voice…love his hand.’

“Well, I want to tell everyone that you’re mine.” He gently caressed her wet opening, not entering her. “You are mine, aren’t you, my Buffy?” He slid two fingers inside, not moving them, waiting for an answer.

“Yours, William.” Buffy shifted her hips, trying to get him to move his fingers.

“No more talking for you, pet, for now, anyway.” He moved to her ear and whispered, applying pressure to her already swollen clit. “I’m not going to move them, my love. I want to see you grind them. Use them. Make yourself come, Buffy.”

“Oh.” Was all she could mange as she got into position. She spread her legs wider and wiggled on his fingers, pushing him deeper. She could barely breathe. Buffy grasped onto his hair, and kissed him deeply before she began to rock.
***

’God, she’s so wet.’ William kissed her as he pushed only the head of his stiff cock into her heat, causing Buffy to scream into his mouth.

“Feel so good.” Her voice was strained when the kiss broke. She pressed their foreheads together and William controlled their movements.

Shallow thrusts. In. Out. In deeper. Out. In. Out. In to the hilt.

“Will-!” She never finished because he pulled out again and slammed back in. She had to gain control, had to stop his maddening movements. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she pulled him down so his body was flush with hers. His thrusting stopped and they kissed, both moaning in unison.

“Buffy, oh God, so brilliant...” He babbled into her shoulder as she dug her nails into his back. They each came as he slowly moved into her. Him first, then she followed.

“I love you,” she whispered, once she had recovered from her high.

“And I love you. Sleep tight, love, I’ll be here to bash in the head of any bed buggies.”
***
 

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