Chapter 12

“I saw kissing--tongue kissing!” Once Buffy opened the door, Dawn was jumping around her. “You came out of his house! Oh my God, I want to know everything!”

“Really? Too bad I’m never talking to you again,” Buffy said casually as she walked past. “I wonder what’s on TV?” With a small smirk, she sat on the sofa and ignored her sister.

“What did I do?”

“Think about it, Dawnie.”

“Okay...” She crossed her arms and was silent for a few minutes. “Can I get a hint?”

“No.”

“Well, it must have something to do with William, right? Oh,” she gasped. “Did he tell you about the funeral?”

“You didn’t even need a hint. Good job.”

“Don’t be mad at me! It was his fault! He-he made me do it!”

“So, if William told you to jump off a cliff, would you?”

“If it saved me from a Buffy beating? Sure.”

“Like I’m really that bad. But Dawn, lying to me is not going to make me happy.”

“You never asked so, technically, I didn’t lie. I just...withheld information.”

“Well, now I’m withholding information from you,” Buffy said before sticking out her tongue. “And here I had all these juicy details...”

“I’m sorry!”

“Good. Be sorry. I like it.”

“Just tell me if you’re back together?” Dawn sighed and sat at a safe distance. “You definitely look back together.”

“And the spying? Not cool either, Dawn.”

“Yesh, can I do anything right?”

“You’re a first-class pest.”

“Oh, well, there’s something,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “If you never forgive me, will I at least get an invite to the wedding?”

“Of course, just so you’re obligated to bring a present--.”

“You think you’re going to marry him!” Dawn clapped her hands and giggled. “That’s wonderful! Let’s go dress shopping--.”

“Dawn! I was just kidding!” Buffy couldn’t help but laugh. “We aren’t getting married--.”

“Not yet, anyway.”

Buffy and her sister exchanged smiles. “God, that would be wonderful, huh?”

“Totally!”

“But it’s not happening anytime soon--hell, we just decided to date a few hours ago--.”

“You’re dating?”

“Dawn--.”

“Just tell me, please?”

“Okay, but from now on, no more secrets. I mean it.”

“None. Zip. No secrets for me.”

Buffy turned off the TV and motioned for Dawn to come closer. “He made me dinner, Dawnie!”

“No!”

“Yes! We sat on the floor and it was just--gah--I’ve got my boyfriend back and it’s such a good feeling...”
***

“Buffy, wake up. Rise and shine, pet.”

Buffy slowly came out of her slumber to the feeling of William’s wandering hands and his whispers in her ear.

“Good morning, gorgeous.”

“Mmmm, nice nickname. It is a good morning.” Not opening her eyes, she stretched her body so it brushed against him. “Happy Birthday. Do you feel older, Mr. Sweet Sixteen?”

“Not really.”

“What time is it?” she asked, shifting slightly from where she was sleeping on her stomach to give William a kiss. “How long until you have to go?”

“Got a few hours. That’s why I woke you.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem,” he chuckled as Buffy scooted herself into his arms. “Couldn’t have you sleeping in until noon.”

“That’d be a waste of time. Precious time that could be used doing...other things, like, uh, watching Saturday morning cartoons and…” she moaned as William kissed her deeply.

“Kissing?” he suggested with a grin.

“Yeah, that’s definitely an option.”

“Need a few more...options?

“No, I can read your mind.”

“Oh? Should I be frightened? Especially since your knee, being where it is...”

“Oh, I won’t do anything like that.” She nudged him between his legs and wasn’t surprised to hear him groan. “Even though your thoughts, they’re dirty William.”

Without denying her words, he pulled the sheet down to expose her breasts. “Buffy, you’re a beautiful vision to wake up next to. I watched you sleep for at least an hour because I couldn’t find it in my heart to wake you. You looked so bloody peaceful...” He touched her bare skin lovingly and gazed into her eyes. “See, those aren’t dirty thoughts, but when I’m pleasantly reminded that you’re naked and I’m naked...”

“Everything goes downhill to dirtiness?”

“Filthy. Impure.” He kissed her temple and ran his fingers along her stomach. “Smutty, even.”

“Oh, now all that makes me want to give you my body on a sliver platter...”

“But you wouldn’t go away empty-handed,” he said with a smirk.

“Is that some kind of pun?”

“Could be.” As their kissing continued, one of his hands traveled lower and lower until it was nestled between her thighs.

“Maybe you should, uh...” she let out a held breath as a finger slipped in her wetness, “condom?”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” she whispered with a nod. “I want you, William. I want you to, ah, make love to me.”
***

Buffy was up early, pacing in front of the window, keeping her eye on William’s house.

“Anxious, much?”

“Shut up, Dawnie.”

“Maybe you should pick him up for a change? Take something from the kitchen and repay him for the breakfast he’s been bringing you daily. I bet if you left now, you could catch him topless,” Dawn sang. “Oh, doesn’t he usually sleep naked?

“That’s a really good idea--Dawn, how would you know that he sleeps naked?”

“Um...”

“Dawn!”

“Well, there was this one time where I walked into your room and--.”

“You have got to be teasing! What did you see?”

“Uh...”

“Dawn!”

“Ok! Let’s just say I got an eyeful. He was all sprawled out and--God, he’s...wow.”

“Hey!”

“I’m not blind! Sure he’s like a brother but he’s really not, and he’s a major hottie.”

“He is, but--.”

“He’s your hottie, I know that. Duh, Buffy. Now go and surprise him.”
***

The moment she rang the doorbell, Buffy felt like running away. I’m so stupid, she thought, and it’s so freaking early...

The door opened a crack and Buffy’s jaw dropped. Dawn’s right, he’s definitely...wow.

“Buffy?” William stepped out a little more, holding a towel loosely at his hips. His hair was wet and water droplets were still clinging to his chest.

“Uh...hi. I...breakfast?” Buffy squeaked, shaking the box of Froot Loops in front of her blushing face.

“You brought me a box of cereal?”

“Yeah and I’m just now realizing how stupid it is to do so,” she said with a nervous laugh. “I didn’t want to interrupt your...shower. I should go back home.”

“No! Wait, come in.” He opened the door and invited her inside. “Please? I’m so happy you showed up, pet.”

“Okay.” She clutched the box of breakfast food and struggled with finding an appropriate place to keep her eyes. “Do you always come to the door in a towel and,” she swallowed, “dripping?”

“Only on special occasions.”

“Do it more often and you’ll be popular with the neighbors in no time.”

“Can I take your coat, love?”

“Um, no. You just use both hands to keep that towel up, mister.”

William continued to smile, “Are my toes that exciting?” He looked down to where her eyes were focused and wiggled his toes.

“Just when I’m trying not to oogle.”

“Oh,” he said with mock disappointment. “I thought they were handsome little devils.”

“William, don’t you think you should run upstairs and get dressed?”

“Sure you don’t want to help me?”

“William.”

“Alright, alright.”
***

Buffy’s heart beat wildly as she listened to William open the wrapper. As she gave him soft kisses and touches, she could vaguely see him putting on the condom. Soon after, Buffy felt his hands back on her body, sending shivers and sparks through her at the same time. Minutes later, they rolled on the bed, letting their bodies comfortably fit together. Taking a deep breath, she straddled his waist and wiggled her hips back. “You’ll have to...”

Nodding, he positioned his erection to her opening and watched in awe Buffy slowly took him inside.

Grimacing, Buffy panted and tried to ignore the pain as his penis stretched her to new limits. “Oh, ow.” Overwhelmed, she lowered her upper body and buried her head in William’s shoulder.

“Buffy?”

“Take over, William.”

Holding her to his chest, he rolled them over and covered her face with kisses. “I need--Buffy...”

“Go, go,” she urged. “I’m okay.”

They gasped in unison as William experimentally thrust his hips. “Buffy,” he moaned, once they were moving in time and at a steady pace. “I...”

“I know,” she answered, pulling him in for a line of kisses. “Love you.”

“Buffy...”

“I love you, William. Just don’t stop, okay?”

“Buffy, I don’t think…”

“Oh,” she said, recognizing that he was about to come.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” She kissed and caressed him until his body recovered from orgasm.

“I’m sorry, Buffy. I just…sorry.” He rolled out of her arms and tossed the used condom away.

“Hey, I didn’t think anything bad happened.” Once he sat up, she crawled to him. “I liked it--.”

“Don’t lie, you didn’t even come. I got too excited and now...I’m taking a shower,” he grumbled, leaving Buffy alone.
***

“Sorry for the peep show.”

“If that was a peep show, I demand my money back.”

“Good morning,” William said, kissing the top of her head before sitting next to her. “Did you find everything okay?”

“Milk in fridge, bowls in cabinet and spoons in drawer.” She slid a full bowl towards him and took bites out of her own. “Not even difficult.”

“You’re up early. Did you sleep alright?”

“Just antsy and overly excited to see you,” she said, playing with her food. “I hope I didn’t--.” Buffy smiled as he kissed her cheek. “Ew,” she giggled. “William, not while you’re chewing.”

“Sorry,” he said after swallowing. “I just had to.” William cupped her face and continued to brush his lips against her. “Come on. Kiss me, Buffy.”

“But, I’m eating and breakfast is a very important meal. The most...”

“Pet...” He turned her head so she was forced to look at him. “I’ll beg.”

“Please do,” she said with a smirk. “Beg me, baby.”

“Buffy,” he said playfully. “Please, my love?”

“Fine, force me why don’t you?” She gave him a quick kiss and licked her lips. “Satisfied?”

“Almost.” He slipped off the barstool to hold her close and kiss her deeply. Once they were panting, he slowly pulled back. “I can’t get enough of you, Buffy. I went all that time without and now...”

“I know,” she snuggled into his arms and inhaled his scent. “God, I feel like a horny teenager. Who cares about Founder’s Day? Let’s just stay here and make out.”

“Please, don’t toy with me.” He groaned, “I know you’re kidding but joking like that will only make me--.”

“Sorry. No more joking, more smoochies.” While they kissed, Buffy stood and let William guide them away from the kitchen. “William,” she gasped as they tumbled onto the sofa and fingers danced up her thigh.

“Sorry,” he said, putting his hand on her knee. “Better?” She nodded as William licked and planted open kisses along her neckline. “Love you, Buffy. Let me show you...”

“Oh,” she moaned as he settled between her legs and rubbed against her crotch. Her breathing instantly became heavy and a wave of warmth spread throughout her body. “Oh, oh.”

William mumbled incoherent words and moaned as Buffy played with his hair. “Please push me away before I do something stupid.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m so close to throwing you over my shoulder and taking you upstairs.”

“That would ruin our Founder’s Day plans.”

“True but it’s tempting, yeah?”

“Oh yeah,” she agreed, giving him a hug.

“But it’s too soon?”

“Yup.”

“Right.”

They continued to lie on the couch with their limbs tangled. “But let’s not get up for awhile? This is nice,” Buffy whispered, enjoying the weight of his body on hers. “I need this.”

“That’s a brilliant idea, sweetheart.” Grinning, he pillowed his head in her cleavage and daringly rested his hand on her breast.

“Comfy?” she asked with a laugh.

“My hands, they have a mind of their own. Forgive them.”

“Cute.” Buffy kissed the top of his head and closed her eyes. “Love you too, William.”
***
 

Chapter 13

“When will you be back?”

“Don’t know; the bus won’t leave until five.”

“Oh.” Buffy watched as William filled his pockets and got ready to leave. He came out of the bathroom fully dressed and she was still wrapped in only a sheet. “I thought you were going to leave earlier so we could celebrate your birthday?”

“We’ll see.”

“William, don’t be this way.”

“I can’t talk now. I’ll be late.”

“Okay.” She pulled on his discarded shirt from the day before and walked to him. “Just so you know, even if you’re upset, I had a great time. I thought you were great.”

“I need to go...”

Stepping on tiptoes, Buffy held his chin in her hands and gently kissed his lips. “I can’t wait for the next time.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, causing her shirt to hike up. "Don’t be disappointed,” she pleaded.

“Buffy...”

“I know you need to go.” Sighing, she brushed her lips against the smooth skin under his ear. “I wish you didn’t have to leave me and I’m still cranky that you were stupid enough to lock the bathroom door. I was going to join you.”

“In the shower?” he croaked. “Seriously?”

“And we didn’t have breakfast either.”

“I messed everything up, didn’t I?”

“No, no,” she frowned. “I was only making it clear that I would give you a fun-filled day if I had the chance.”

“I’ll give you a call around two thirty.”

“I’ll be sure to be in the room.”

“Buffy...I’m still sorry.” He held her close and snuck his hands under her shirt. “It wasn’t how I planned. The timing seemed so...off.”

“But you don’t regret it, right? Would you take it back?”

“No,” he said, looking her in the eyes. “Not at all, Buffy.”

“I was so worried for a minute,” she admitted. “I didn’t want mom to be right. If we were to break up after our first time...”

“That’s crazy.” He ran his fingers in her hair and whispered, “I’m embarrassed. I didn’t think I’d lose control--hell, I didn’t have any bloody control--.”

“Oh, William, it's okay...”

“I hate it, but I truly need to run, Buffy.”

“Alright, have fun and win me some more prizes.”

“Will do, after all you are my muse.” He smiled weakly and kissed her cheek. “I’m heading back as soon as I can get away.”
***

Buffy woke up from a light sleep with a smile on her face. “Hey. Did I snore?”

“You don’t snore.”

“Dawn seems to think differently.”

“You passed out, pet.”

“I didn’t think I’d do that,” she admitted sheepishly. “Maybe I got up too early for my own good. Did you sleep too?”

“No. I watched you.”

“Really?” She yawned and scratched the side of her head. “You must’ve been bored.”

“Not at all, you’re so beautiful. Could watch you for hours and never get tired.”

Buffy felt a familiar tug in her chest. “Look who’s talking. You’re gorgeous.”

“That’s a nice thing to say. I remember when I was just kinda cute.” With hazy eyes, William grinned before nuzzling her stomach with his face. “Always thought you were breathtaking...so lovely. I had a crush on you before I fully knew what the word meant.”

Her eyes stung, touched by his words and soft caresses. “Oh, William...”

“Loved you too and had no idea what it was. I just knew there was something about you--the cute little blonde who wore too much pink...hell, it probably helped that you were the only person that’d talk to me. God, Buffy, just think about it. You’re all my firsts. First friend, first kiss, first love...I could go on and on.” A noise escaped from the back of her throat as he pushed up her shirt and drew circles on her bare skin. “Always thought you’d be my one and only...to know I’m that for you...” He took a deep breath before lightly kissing above her belly button.

“It really boosts the ego, huh?”

“Of course,” he snorted, running his fingers along the band of his pants. “I’m a small step away from becoming conceited.”

“You’re already smug.” Smirking, she ran her fingers through his hair. Deciding he was too far away, she sat up and curled her torso around his head.

“Buffy?”

“Couldn’t reach you,” she explained, pulling off his shirt and dropping it on the floor.

“I thought—you said it was too soon, didn’t you?”

“I changed my mind. It’s stupid to wait any longer—William, honestly I don’t think I can. I want you and, ah, so very badly.”

“We should be upstairs and in my bed,” he whispered.

“I’m comfortable.” She lay back down and smiled once they were face to face. “How about you?”

“Just a little discomfort down south.” William looked her in the eye, asking for silent permission. When she continued to grin, he worked on freeing her from her top. His hands grazed over her bra before he unlatched the tiny hooks in the back. Letting out a quiet moan, he feasted his eyes on her bare chest. “Perfection,” he whispered, taking a minute to decide what he should do first.

“William,” Buffy whined, not liking the gap between them, “William...” With a grunt, she crushed their mouths together. Noises erupted from her throat as his fingers explored her breasts but their mingling lips muffled each sound. “Oh, my God.” Buffy closed her eyes as he made a wet trail down her body.

“I’m not going to rush this. I may keel over in the process, but it’d be a bloody shame to hurry.” As he spoke, William worked on the clasp of her pants. With the zipper down, Buffy raised her hips, letting him slide them off. “Got to make it worth your wait.”

Buffy nodded, beside herself and dizzy with anticipation. Her body was on fire and she longed to have his weight back on top of her. Reaching blindly, she opened the fly of his jeans. “How’s that discomfort now?” Biting her lip, she searched his face before peeling his pants to his knees.
***

Buffy was late and at two thirty in the afternoon, she was running to the hotel room as fast as she could go, weighted down with shopping bags. Once she burst through the door she jumped, seeing William watching television. "William! What are you doing here?”

“You need help, love?” He took her bags and put them at the foot of the bed. “Your mom will have no doubt that you’ve been shopping all weekend, Buffy. Think you got enough?” he asked with a smirk.

“You came back!” Buffy grabbed and hugged him tightly.

“I said I would, didn’t I?”

“I thought you were going to mope and avoid me.” She pressed her cheek against his back and sighed heavily. “I’m so glad you’re here, William.”

“I was coming back, I swear,” he said, confused by her relief. He turned in her arms and Buffy buried her head in his chest. “Buffy?”

“I know what you said, but the way you acted this morning, I wasn’t so sure.”

“Oh, pet, I--.”

“Don’t say you’re sorry anymore, it’s annoying me.” She gave him another squeeze before motioning him to sit. “Let me show you what I bought. How did the writing go?” she asked, while going through the sacks.

“Good, I finished early and claimed to be sick again. I won’t be surprised if my teacher rushes me to the hospital later. She thinks I’m dying.”

“So what’s wrong with you? What big lie did you tell her?”

“Um, a few things, all flu-like symptoms.” William lounged on the bed until a flash of pink caught his eye. “What...oh, those are nice.”

“You think?” Her eyes sparkled as he went through her new underwear. “I hate to break it to you, but they aren’t for you. I don’t think they’d fit you, William.”

“Okay,” he smirked. “What is for me then?”

“I couldn’t wrap anything, so, just close your eyes.”

“Buffy, this is too much. My arms are going to fall off.”

“You’re just weak, William.” Laughing, she put the last present in his lap. “Happy Birthday!”

“Buffy,” he gasped, seeing the pile of gifts ranging from his favorite movie on videotape to new shirts. “Thank you, pet.”

“I’ve been saving up money for awhile. I had to get everything that I knew you wanted.”

“That does explain the fancy unmentionables. You know, right below the books and above the movies, I’m certain a Buffy fashion show was on my wish list.” Carefully placing his things aside, he peeked at the goodies that Buffy bought herself. He took a deep breath, seeing more lacy undergarments.

“You act like you’ve never seen my underwear before,” Buffy said, taking the bag away. “You’ve even seen me naked; what makes them exciting anymore?”

“Is that a real question?” he asked, looking as if she were crazy. “It’s all thrilling to me. It’s how you wear them; how they make you look and how they’re taken off.” He patted the spot on the bed next to him, motioning her to join him. “I love the presents, Buffy,” William said, once they were sprawled out on the bed.

“You’re welcome.”

“You’ve given me so much already,” he mumbled, tipping her chin up and giving her a kiss. “That’s why I took this morning so badly. I wanted to, ah, give back but--.”

“You shouldn’t have locked yourself in the bathroom. You could’ve done that thing with your finger--I liked that very much--but it doesn’t matter now, let’s move on. We can have dinner and come back to try on clothes. Then, we can try again until we get it right. I’m willing to try over and over until it’s perfect.”

“Over and over?”

“We’ll have all night and tomorrow morning until we check out,” she said innocently. “I’ll be ready if you are...if you think you can last...” His eyes narrowed and before he could say anything, she laughed and hit his arm. “Yesh, William, sensitive much?”

“Why you little--I’ll give you something to giggle about.” With a playful growl, he tickled her sides and brushed kisses on her face.
***

“Don’t,” he croaked as she lightly touched his erection. He crawled to her on all fours and kissed her deeply. Amongst their kissing, they worked together to bat away the leftover clothing.

Buffy squirmed once cold air reached the wetness between her thighs. Not wanting to wait anymore, she pulled him down with all her might, forcing him to squash her underneath his body.

“Buffy...”

“No.” She hugged him with her legs and guided him to her entrance. They caught each other’s eyes and gasped together once their bodies interlocked.

“William,” Buffy hissed as her eyes fluttered. “Oh, William.” Her fingers dug into his back as they panted, not moving and still in shock from the initial pleasure of being intimately connected once again. Her heart burned, her toes curled and she felt like crying. “I...”

“Yes, yes,” he nodded. William shared her expression as he smoothed her hair and kissed her lower lip. With their bodies so close, he barely rocked, slowly moving up and down. “Please don’t cry.”

“Overwhelmed. Sorry.”

“It’s alright,” he said, giving her another kiss and shifting so he could snake a hand between them. His touches coupled with their gentle thrusts made Buffy whimper and tremble. “Come on, come on,” he chanted. “I know you’re close. Let go for me.”

Unable to speak, Buffy gasped as William’s whispers coaxed her to climax. She clung to him and held his head to her chest as he found his own release. “William,” she panted, “that-that...”

“Good?”

“Just a little,” Buffy said with a laugh.

“You lie.” William nuzzled her nipples with his cheek and grinned up at her. “I’d say it was bloody amazing.”

“You would,” she snorted.

“Guess I have to try harder next time.”

“Yup.”

“As you wish.”

“What is that supposed to mean—oh.” Her eyes widened, feeling that he was hard again.

“Like that?”

She hummed and nodded as he slipped in and out of her depths, “Yes, very much.”
***

“How’s yours?” Buffy leaned into William and peeked at his desert.

“You want a taste?”

“Yes, please.” She opened her mouth, letting him spoon-feed her. “Yum. Now your turn.”

“That’s really good.”

They sat side by side in the same booth at a fancy restaurant. They came for dinner but after seeing the prices, they could only afford two pieces of cake.

“We should have desert first from now on,” Buffy announced cheerfully.

“Where are we heading after this?”

“Don’t know, since I spent too much on your presents.”

“We could go to McDonalds and I wouldn’t mind, Buffy.”

“Least you got some first-class birthday cake, right?”

He nodded, wiping his face with a napkin. “Can I have more of yours?”

“Sure,” she said, ready to feed him again.

“I may not even be hungry after this.”

“Especially if you eat mine too.” Buffy laughed, accidentally getting chocolate on his face. “Oops. Let me get that.” Holding his face, she gave his cheek a little lick. “Want more?” she asked innocently as William stared at her.

“Definitely not going to be hungry after this.”

“You saying we should go directly back to the hotel?” She took a bite of cake and licked the spoon suggestively.

“Yes,” he said, clearing his throat when Buffy casually rested her hand on his thigh.

“I totally agree with you, William.”
***
 

Chapter 14

“Bye-bye celibacy,” Buffy hummed as she sprawled out on William’s body. She ran a finger up and down his chest as she listened to him breathe.

“Sure you won’t miss it?”

“You have to ask? Silly, William.”

“Does this mean you’re keeping me around?”

“You’re not going anywhere and if you do, I’m going to be on your heels.” She scooted up and kissed his chin. “We’re meant to be together. I feel so much better now that you’re back.” She smiled as William cupped the back of her head and pulled her in for a longer kiss. “Damn, you’re a great kisser,” she moaned between the tender brushes of his lips.

“Was taught by the best,” he replied with a smirk, leaving more kisses down her neck. “I think we missed the picnic, Buffy.”

“I never liked them much anyway.”

“Hungry? I only have leftovers.”

“Love leftovers.”

“Cold pizza, alright?”

“Sounds yummy.”

“Pet, you’ll have to let me up.”

“No.” Buffy lavished him with more caresses and touches with her mouth. “Busy.”

“Buffy,” he said playfully, sitting up and gasping as Buffy adapted to his new position by wiggling in his lap. “I’m starving. Hook your legs ‘round my waist?”

“Why?” she asked, even though she instantly clung to him.

“We’re going upstairs after a short stop in the kitchen.” Grunting, he stood with Buffy in his arms.
***

“Sorry about my, eh, roaming hands,” Buffy said innocently, letting William get into the elevator first. As the elevator went to the floor of their hotel room, she tried not to laugh at him as his face twisted in discomfort. “Do you have the key? I’ll open the door for you.” Grimacing, William pulled it out of a front pocket in his pants and placed the key in her palm. “On the positive side, I’m not afraid of your penis anymore.”

“Just open the bloody door.”

Buffy swallowed, hoping her comment wasn’t the reason why his blush was becoming shades darker. She wanted to make him laugh but he looked even more troubled after her attempt at making a joke. “William...things just got out of hand,” she said, locking the door behind them. “Maybe I took it a little too far...I’m sorry.”

“You nearly had me wetting myself in a fancy restaurant! One minute you’re playing it innocent and the next, you’re crazy! The things you were doing to that sodding spoon—how did you learn how to do that?”

“What do you mean? Don’t yell at me! I just licked it clean!”

“Yeah and it nearly gave me a heart attack!”

“Maybe you should keep your mind out of the gutter!”

“It’s very difficult with your hands in practically in my pants!”

“Well, fine! See if I ever touch you again!” In a huff, Buffy grabbed her plastic bag of clothes and stomped into the bathroom.
***

“Welcome to my bedroom.” Keeping a tight hold on Buffy, he let her look around the room. “Not much, just a bed and books.”

“It’s nice,” Buffy said as William placed her on the bed. “Take these, they’re cold.” She handed him their drinks and a plastic bag of food. “I think your place needs a woman’s touch.”

“You volunteering?”

“Maybe.” She crawled to the head of the bed and felt William’s eyes on her as she tossed all the pillows but two on the floor. “Are you going to join me?” she asked, sliding under the covers.

“Yeah, yeah.” Snapping out of his daze, he settled next to her. “I used to dream about you being in here with me and now that you are...damn, it’s fucking fantastic.”

“Language, William,” she teased, taking the Coke and slice of pizza he offered her. “We’ll have to kick Dawn out of the house soon so we can reenact some of my fantasies. I have millions to choose from.”

“You were always a naughty one, always keeping me on my toes.”

She smiled from ear to ear while she nibbled on her pizza. “Just around you.”

“Once we’re done eating, I want us to catch up, Buffy. From graduation on, I want to know everything that I missed.”

“Sounds like a game of Twenty Questions is in order. I want you to tell me too.”

“Of course. I’ll be like an open book.”

“I’ll be a happy reader hungry for more and more.” She shot him a flirtatious grin and kissed his shoulder.

“Want more pizza, love?”

“Not really.”

“Buffy...”

“Keep eating,” she said, getting into his lap. “I just want you close. The closer, the better.” She rested her head on his shoulder and watched his Adam’s apple bob as he chewed. After minutes of sitting, her hands started to roam, reacquainting herself with his body. “There was a time I knew your body more than my own. I could map every freckle and scar...I knew everything you liked and disliked and, ah, not just sex-wise.”

“I doubt I’ve changed much.”

“You must have. I know my tastes have changed some. For example, pink’s not my favorite color anymore. I got tired of it. I like red more.”

“That’s not too extreme of a change, love. But I must say, it’s for the better.”

“But it’s still a change. Tell me one.”

“Alright.” He finished the last of his pizza and brushed off his hands. “I haven’t written a poem since I left.”

“No?” Buffy frowned. “How is that possible? You went to school to do your writing.”

“I wrote other things but not a bit of poetry. I couldn’t.”

“You always told me I was your muse.”

“And it’s true.”

Buffy sighed and stroked his face. “I can’t help it...did you date a lot?”

“No. You want all the facts and figures?”

“Don’t break my heart. It’s fragile, William.”

“Went on quite a few dates but none of them went very far. Most didn’t even end with a kiss. And what you really want to know… I had one—a just one—serious girlfriend for awhile and her name was Dru.”

“What went wrong?”

“Called out Buffy too many times in my sleep. Talked about you too much. It drove her crazy until she left me one day.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Why? Don’t be. I couldn’t fool her or myself. Like you said, we’re meant to be. I always had a majority of my heart saved for you...”

“I dated a lot, but I wouldn’t let anyone close. I was unreasonable and overly critical. I didn’t want anyone new. I didn’t want to find your replacement. I knew you’d be back someday, but I was too stubborn to pick up the phone and ask you to come home.”

“And I was too afraid...knew I couldn’t handle you telling me to go to hell. I would’ve been crushed.”

“I wasn’t too bad, right? I think I warmed up to you pretty fast,” she said, kissing his cheek. “It was so hard not to. You’re irresistible, William.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yup.”

He grinned and kissed her lips. In the midst of their kissing, he uncrossed his legs, stretching them straight ahead and causing Buffy to sit on top of his semi-hard erection. He groaned as Buffy instantly made little movements with her hips. “You drive me crazy.”

“I love you,” she said with shining eyes, “and I plan to say it and show it until I’m blue in the face and can’t move a muscle.”
***

“Buffy? Are you done? I need to use the bathroom.”

“No.”

“Buffy,” William whined from the other side of the door. “You have the key in there. If I go to the lobby, you won’t let me back in. I really don’t want to be locked out.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a personal problem.”

“Buffy, I mean it. Come out or I’m coming in.”

Buffy didn’t respond. She was lying in the tub with bubbles up to her neck; she knew William must’ve heard her run the water for the bath. With her head back, she watched the door, wondering if he’d really open it.

“Buffy!”

“It’s unlocked, you big jerk!” Once the knob was turned, she closed her eyes and pretended that she didn’t care that he was in the bathroom.

“Buffy...”

“What? You’re in, go to the bathroom! But if you stink up the place, I’ll be so mad at you.”

“I won’t...but...”

“What?” Losing her patience, she sat up and glared at him. “Do you need to pee?” When he nodded, she pointed at the toilet. “Go then! I’ve seen you naked before. Pee!”

“I don’t want to! Not with you in here!”

“William, I’m not leaving! Pee in here or use one of the cups!”

“Okay.”

“William!” she yelled once he headed into the other room. “If you go in a cup—I’ll never talk to you again!”

“But you said...”

“Go to the bathroom! Want me to close my eyes? Look, I’ll cover my ears too. Go now.” She peeked open an eye and watched as William grumbled under his breath and quickly pulled down his zipper. “Yesh, William when was the last time you went?”

“I thought you were covering your ears—hey, you’re watching too!”

“I didn’t think you’d be peeing a freaking stream. I got tired of waiting.”

“You won’t have to wait any longer,” he said, buttoning his pants and washing his hands. “I’m getting out of your hair.”

“Good.”

“What a nice end to my bloody birthday!”

Buffy winced as he slammed the door.
***

“I didn’t want to ruin your birthday,” Buffy announced the second she came out of the bathroom. She was wearing her baby-doll style nightgown with a pair of little shorts underneath and if she were listening, she would’ve heard William gasp. His eyes peeked above the book he was reading and quickly swept up and down her body. “I don’t want to fight either,” she said, plopping on the bed and sighing heavily. “I said I was sorry but I’m not really sure what I did wrong. Sure, you got a little...excited but you never told me to stop.”

“It was humiliating. I didn’t have a jacket--.”

“I gave you my purse.”

“Buffy,” he put down his book and laughed. “How is me walking through a fancy restaurant with a pink flowery bag covering my crotch any less embarrassing?”

“Oh. I guess you have a point.”

“And the people who weren’t already staring started to look because you couldn’t stop laughing.”

“Your blush kinda caught people’s attention, too,” she grimaced. “I’m sorry, William. I was just having fun.”

“I know that, but it doesn’t mean I’m ever going somewhere public with you and your randy hands ever again--.”

“You can’t be serious!”

“Buffy--.”

“Mom just gave us permission to go on real dates and you’re going to be driving soon!”

“Buffy--.” When he cut her off again, William growled and grabbed her. “God, pet, shut up. I’m not serious.”

“You were teasing?” she asked sheepishly. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Oh. Good.”

“You should let me finish before you start shouting.” He kept his hold on her and spoke with their faces close together. “I like your outfit. Nice color.”

“I know you like red.”

“You picked it out with me in mind?”

“Duh.”

“I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

“I’m sorry I watched you pee.”

“Forgiven,” he said with a laugh.

“I’m sorry I licked my spoon in a bad way too.”

“No more sorrys, Buffy.”

“You won’t tell me why you hate the way I lick silverware?”

“No,” William said, “but maybe later.”

“Okay. So, we aren’t fighting anymore?”

“I don’t think so.” William kissed her cheek and reclined their bodies back so they were lying on the bed diagonally.

“I hate when we fight.”

“Me too.” William propped up his head with one hand while the other ran over the gauzy fabric of Buffy’s nightgown. “Your mom is going to throw a fit once she sees this. Then, when she’s done yelling at you, she’ll skin me alive.”

“It’s not like I’m going to parade around in it. It’ll be for your eyes only.”

“I like that idea.”

“Thought you would.” Buffy whimpered once his fingers gave her nipples light touches and pinches. “It’ll be hard going back home. I loved this weekend with you. I loved sleeping with you all night.”

“I’m sure we’ll find the opportunity every so often.”

“I hope so. I’ll save all my new underwear for you.”

William grinned and inched up her gown, revealing her stomach. “Buffy, I hope everything goes smoothly this time.” He kissed her stomach and slid off her shorts. “I’ll try to focus more on you.” When he sat up to take off his shirt, Buffy quickly jumped to her knees and helped him.

“We have all night,” she whispered. Buffy kissed him until his mouth felt tingly and before he knew what was happening, she was bending over and unzipping his pants. Once his jeans were open, she came back up for more kisses. They shared moans and gasps as Buffy put her hands in the back of his jeans and pushed them down.

“Buffy,” William said into her mouth as she cupped his backside and gave it a squeeze.

“Mmmm...always wanted to do that.”

With a laugh, he brought her close and guided her down to the bed so she was lying flat on her back. “You want to keep this on? You bought it for tonight, it’d be a pity to take it off already.”

“For now.”

Nodding, William continued to kiss her until the jeans around his knees started to drive him crazy. “Wait, wait,” he panted, rolling away from her to sit and pull the pants off one leg at a time.

“We don’t need to wait.” Buffy crawled to him and got up on her knees once again. She pushed his face into her cleavage and ran her fingers through his hair. “Are they still in the nightstand?”

“Yes, Buffy.” As Buffy stretched and reached for the condom, William ran his palms up and down the back of her thighs.

“Hope we don’t run out.”

“We--.” William stopped talking when Buffy pushed him back. She squinted, trying to read the instructions on the wrapper. “Buffy, I could...”

“No, I want to try.”

He propped back on his elbows and watched in wonder as Buffy touched him softly and took great pains to make sure his erection was carefully covered. After her third time checking for air bubbles, William batted her hands away. “Don’t do that.”

“But--.”

“I swear there aren’t any bloody bubbles. Come here.”

“Can I be on top?”

“Oh, bloody...” He closed his eyes, already feeling like he would explode. “Sure, sure.”

“I liked it before,” she whispered, taking his outreached hand and making her way closer. She bunched her nightgown high and bit her bottom lip as she sunk down on him, taking him deep inside. “Oh...” she said, squeezing his hand and wiggling her hips. “Still...wow but not painful...much.”

“Buffy,” he croaked. “Buffy...”

“Take, uh, take deep breaths. Maybe it’ll help.” She wrapped his arms around her back before melting against him. “Relax, William. Inhale,” she said softly before giving him a kiss, “exhale.”

They continued to kiss lazily, breathing together and thrusting their hips in time.

“Can we go a little faster?” Buffy asked, grinding against his pelvic bone. “Would you mind?” He shook his head and she grinned. “This feels so good, William. I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” he said, happy that he could answer unlike during their first time. “Are you getting...close?”

“Oh, yeah. Could you...” She took his hand and pressed one of his fingers against her swollen clit. “Touch me, gah, please, touch me.”

“Buffy, I...”

“Oh...oh, oh. William!” Buffy hissed and bucked her hips as her orgasm hit. As her body trembled from the inside out, she muffled her cries in William’s shoulder. Her jerky motions brought him coming after her.

“Shhh, shhh,” William heard as his eyes rolled back. “Love you.” A hand wiped the sweat from his brow and lips brushed against his face. “You were amazing. I’ve never felt anything like that. Thank you.”

“No,” he panted, barely opening his eyes, “it was you.” William hugged Buffy tight, her hair covering the goofy smile on his face.
***
 

Chapter 15

“Mom! I’m home!” Buffy yelled as she pushed open the door. “Mom—wow.” She froze, seeing that the living room was decorated with balloons and streamers.

“Hi, honey. How was your trip?”

“Is all this for William?”

“I figured we could celebrate his birthday tonight since we missed it. Can you help me?”

Buffy put down her suitcase and helped her mother tie a bundle of balloons to the back of a wooden chair. Once she was done, her mom hugged her.

“You never said if you had fun, Buffy. What did you decide about William?”

“Um,” Buffy bit her lip with her chin resting on Joyce’s shoulder. “I think we should go a little slower. We, ah, William and I, need to...”

“Oh, honey, I know how difficult it is to talk about this with your mother. I’ve been thinking a lot this weekend too and I know you’ll make the right decision. You’re a smart girl; I know you won’t have sex until you’re ready and we both know that’s years from now.”

“Exactly,” Buffy said, swallowing. She pulled away from Joyce and looked around the room, needing to avert her eyes from her too-trusting mother.

“You should wrap William’s present before he comes home. I expect him within the hour.”

“Present?”

“Buffy,” Joyce scolded. “You didn’t buy William a gift? Shame on you. I guess if you go now, you can run to the store and get something. Giles will be here for dinner. He has a special surprise for him.”

“Surprise? What? Tell me.”

“I can’t,” Joyce said with a sly grin. “I’ll just say that Rupert is a very kind man.”

“Mom,” Buffy whined. “Tell me!”

“No, run to the store.”

“But--.”

“Go.”
***

Buffy was waiting second in line for the cash register when she saw William walk past the storefront.

“Oh! Wait!” she yelled, even though he couldn’t hear her outside. “Wait!”

Buffy dropped her things on the counter and said sorry to the cashier before running out of the store.

“William!” Her feet slapped against the pavement and seconds later she leapt into William’s arms, knocking his bags to the ground, wrapping her legs around his waist and kissing his face. “You’re early,” she squealed, hugging him tightly.

“The awards ceremony was shorter than expected. Buffy, you’re already shopping?”

“For you,” she grinned and kissed him again.

“Why?”

“Mom doesn’t think I got you a present, she chewed me out and everything.”

“Little does she know—she doesn’t know anything, right?”

“Mom’s throwing you a belated birthday bash. I’d say she doesn’t suspect a thing.”

“Thank God.”

“But she did make me feel so guilty earlier.”

“How so?” William asked, narrowing his eyes and gently lowering Buffy to her feet.

“Mom told that I’m smart and that I always make the right decisions.”

“You are smart--.”

“Do you think she’d be happy with the decisions I made this weekend? Not only did I lie, I stayed in your hotel room and then there was all that other stuff. Sure, I thought they were great, wonderful choices but will mom think the same way? Not so much.”

“Maybe she was intentionally giving you a guilt trip? Maybe she does know but she’s not saying anything,” William said hurriedly with his eyes wide. “She wants us to give ourselves away! That’s probably why she’s giving me a party!”

“Hey, calm down. William, I don’t think she’d do something like that. I’m just saying...you saw how she acted with us kissing; do you think she’d be so calm if she knew what went on this weekend?”

He grimaced, “Buffy, she can’t find out.”

“I know,” she said, giving him a hug. “We’ll just have to keep it a secret.”

“And for a very long time, too. Until she’s old and gray...and preferably hard of hearing.”
***

“Mom! Look who I found!” With one of the suitcases in her hands, Buffy held open the door for William.

Joyce came from the kitchen smiling and with Dawn trailing behind her. “Your teacher called and told me that you were sick off and on all weekend. Are you feeling better? I called the night of your birthday and when you didn’t pick up, I assumed you were sleeping.”

As Mrs. Summers pulled William into her arms, Buffy and William exchanged awkward glances. “I think it was a twenty-four hour bug. I feel fine now, Mrs. Summers.”

“But sick for your birthday? That’s horrible! It was bad enough that you were in Los Angeles.” She patted him on the shoulder and moved back so Dawn could give William a hug too.

“Hey, I don’t remember all this welcoming when I came home,” Buffy said. “The brat didn’t even come downstairs to wave at me.”

“I like William more than I like you.” Dawn stuck out her tongue and Buffy returned the gesture with a roll of her eyes. “I missed him, not you.”

“Missed you too, Dawine.”

“Now that everyone’s home, we can get moving. Buffy and William, you take your bags upstairs and then we’ll go to Rupert’s house.”

“We aren’t eating here? Are we eating out? Do I have time to change? Will the place be fancy?”

“Buffy, we can’t be here for another hour. You look fine in what you’re wearing.”

“But mom!”

“William, tell Buffy that she looks fine.”

He looked from his girlfriend’s defiant stare to his surrogate mother’s frown and sighed, “There’s no place like home.”
***

Buffy and William followed Joyce and Dawn leisurely as they crossed the street. Their arms were hooked and they playfully gave each other kisses each time Mrs. Summers turned her back.

“Giles didn’t tell me anything about buying a new car,” William commented seeing a black car parked in the driveway with temporary tags.

“Maybe someone’s visiting?”

“I don’t know...”

“Or maybe—oh my God! Oh, my, God!”

“What? What?”

“Mom! Did Giles get William a car?”
***

“It’s mine? Seriously?”

“You’ll have to pay for half but yes, it’s yours.”

William stared at the De Soto in a daze. “I can’t even drive.”

“I’ll teach you,” Giles said with a grin. “Joyce and I decided you could handle the responsibility. But William, the car is used so it may require some work.”

“Alright. I…thank you.” William stepped towards Rupert and they struggled, clumsily trying to hug until they settled with patting each other on the shoulder.

“If you’d like, we can take your car tonight. You can sit in the passenger’s seat.”

William grinned, the keys to his new car clutched in his hand.

“Mom?” Buffy said as the girls got into the backseat. “Does this mean that I’m getting a car for my birthday too?”

“Yeah and what about me?” Dawn demanded, elbowing Buffy so she could look at Joyce. “If Buffy gets one, I get one too!”

“Girls, the car is a gift from Rupert to William. I don’t owe either of you a car. William’s just a lucky boy with a very generous uncle.”

“God, can William get any more for his birthday?” Buffy crossed her arms but grinned when he looked at her with excitement in his eyes.
***

“You may have to work more to pay for the car,” Joyce suggested as they sat around the table, about to eat their dinner at William’s favorite restaurant.

“I don’t know. I can put some money now towards what I owe. I got quite a bit of money this morning.”

“You won more? Why didn’t you say anything?” Buffy asked.

“I didn’t want to gloat, pet.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Buffy saw her mother look up once she heard the nickname. “So, eh, what did you win?”

“Another scholarship and it’s a big one.” William beamed as he told them the amount. “There’s a few hundred in spending money, so…”

“It’s up to you, William,” Giles said. “There’s no hurry to pay me back. With all the recognition your writing is getting, have you considered publishing any of it? I have some friends back east that you could run a poem or two by. And then there’s always college—William just think of all the universities that’ll be begging for you to apply.”

“I’m only a freshman. I’ve never thought about the future that much--.”

“When you come to work tomorrow, I’ll show you our collection of college guides and directories.”

William nodded, “I’m sure Buffy would be interested in looking too. Right, love?”

“Sure, I guess it’d be fun to look,” Buffy said with a shrug. “I heard it’s never too early to start looking, so count me in.”
***

“Mom, is he still outside?” Dressed in her pajamas, Buffy came downstairs and plopped on the couch next to Joyce. “We’ll have to drag him in tonight or he’ll sleep out there.” She gave her mom a brush and two hair ties. “Can you French braid the pigtails, please?”

“I think William enjoyed his birthday, don’t you? I feel terrible that I couldn’t make it down to LA to at least see him receive the scholarship.”

“Don’t worry, he totally understands.” Buffy closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of the brush running through her hair.

“This was his first birthday without his mother and I wanted to make it memorable.”

“It was, mom.”

“Because he got a car--.”

“No,” Buffy turned to face her, “even without the car and if he didn’t go to LA, William would’ve had a good time. He likes it here, mom. We’re his family and even if his birthday had sucked, he’d still love us, all of us, even Dawn, who isn’t all that lovable.”

Joyce tried not to smile as she continued to braid Buffy’s hair. “When did you get so grown up?”

“I’m not. But when it comes to William…I just get him, okay?”
***

Buffy knocked on the window and William manually rolled it down. “Can I come in?”

“Sure.” Leaning over, he pulled up the lock on the passenger door. “It’s getting late, isn’t it?”

“Yup, tomorrow’s a school night,” Buffy said, sliding onto the bench seat and closing the door. “I can’t believe you have a car.”

“I know. The seats are real leather and they’re not even torn up. The car’s in great shape—from what I can tell anyway. Giles said it used to belong to a little old lady who babied her.”

“Her?” Buffy laughed.

“Cars are typically called girls,” William said matter-of-factly.

“Are you going to name it?”

“No.” William put his hands on the steering wheel. “Want me to turn it on?”

“As long as you don’t wreck anything.”

“I’ll just turn on the radio.” He turned the key and found a clear station. “Come here.” With a curled hand, he beckoned her forward. “Aren’t bench seats great?” he asked once Buffy was at his side. “This car is going to be bloody fantastic, Buffy. We can come in here to hide from Joyce and when I learn how to drive, we’ll take a trip together. It’ll be like this weekend, only better.”

“I want to learn how to drive too.”

“I’ll teach you, pet.”

Buffy rested her head on his shoulder while she played with the radio. “That’s better. I love this song.” Sighing dreamily, she snuggled into William’s side. “Where would we go?”

“On our trip? Anywhere, Buffy.”

“It wouldn’t have to be someplace far.”

“And to save money, we could sleep in here. The backseat’s gigantic.”

“So, it’d be a road trip?”

“Oh, yes,” William wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled the side of her face, “with the windows down and the radio blasting. The first stop would be getting you a slushy and all that junk food. Then we’d pick a direction and just drive.”

Buffy laughed softly as he brushed her skin with kisses. “You’re getting me excited. You’d better learn how to drive soon, mister.”

“I’ll bug Giles about it first thing after school and then we’ll gang up on him at work.”

“William,” Buffy said, as their kisses grew more heated, “it’s a school night and mom, she’ll be out her any minute. I told her we were moving slower and this,” she moaned as William’s hand slipped up her shirt, “this is not...slow.”

“Okay, okay,” he sighed. “We should go inside.”

“Yeah.”

He turned off the engine and slipped out of the car. He offered Buffy a hand. “All that freedom we had in Los Angeles, it’s long gone, isn’t it?”

“I think so.” Buffy closed the car door and they walked towards the house.

“I’ll miss you tonight.”

Buffy took a deep breath, “I’ll miss you too.”

“Think I could sneak in?”

“In my room?”

“Just for a change,” he shrugged. “Unless you don’t want me in your bed.”

“I do. A lot, but Dawn’s room is just next-door...”

“She’s a heavy sleeper. You planning on making a lot of noise, Buffy?” he asked with a smirk.

Buffy grinned, pushing William inside the house. “I’ll be waiting,” she whispered before running upstairs. “Mom, I finally got him out of the stupid car!”
***
 

Chapter 16

Buffy couldn’t stop smiling. She collapsed for what felt like the hundredth time and forced her breathing to steady. With a groan, she rolled off of William’s body, but scooted close so their shoulders were touching.

“I’m never going to be able to move again.”

“Mission accomplished,” she said, shifting onto her side and combing William’s damp hair with her fingers. “You’re sure sweaty,” she teased. “I don’t remember you being so…moist. Could that be old age settling in?”

“Pft. If I’m old, you’re old.”

“Least you’ve got that same get up and go.”

“Well, that's one thing going for me, right?”

Nodding, Buffy ran her fingers along his neck. Unable to help herself, she leaned forward and pressed kisses on the few freckles that peppered his skin. “We should check on Dawn soon. It’s getting late. We wasted the whole day, William.”

“Wasted? Funny, I can’t think of any place that I’d rather be.”

“My fridge is as barren as yours. If we don’t feed Dawn, she’ll be banging on your front door.”

“We could ignore her.”

“I've tried, but I don’t think it’s possible. The more you ignore her, the louder she gets. If you want to stay here, I can run across the street--.”

“No, we’ll head over there and do something all together. Want to go to the carnival?”

“Will you kiss me on the Ferris wheel?”

William smirked, “Can’t believe you remember that. Of course I’ll kiss you on the Ferris wheel--in fact, there’s no way that you’ll be able to stop me, pet.”
***

“Giles says that I’m a natural,” William said proudly. “I didn’t hit a thing--I wasn’t even close! I avoided all the dumpsters and was careful during my turns...”

Buffy shelved the new stock of books as William talked about driving his car for the first time.

“It was easier than I thought. Today I went around the neighborhoods, but tomorrow I’m heading to the big streets!”

“See? You were nervous about nothing. I told you that you had nothing to worry about.” Buffy patted him on the arm and went to the cash register in the bookstore with William following close behind. “I wish mom would’ve let me ride along--but no, she had to be mean. Do you think that I would’ve distracted you?”

“Nope.” He leaned against the counter and whispered, “Where’s Giles, love?”

“I don’t know; in the back of the store maybe, why do you ask?”

William smirked, “Can you help me find a book, Buffy?”

She narrowed her eyes, “What kind of book?”

Instead of answering, he walked silently around the store, looking down each tall row of reading material. “I think he’s in the storage room.”

“So what?”

“Isn’t he usually back there forever?”

“Sometimes,” Buffy said carefully. “What are you up to?”

“Stop asking so many questions.” William came up to her and grabbed her hand, pulling her into a corner of the room. “You’re wasting precious time.”

Buffy smiled and was taken by surprise as William started to kiss her neck. “Whoa there,” she gasped as a hand slipped into her jeans. “What--are you crazy? There could be customers coming in and--.”

“I thought you were the one for public displays of affection?”

“I know, but this is different--.”

“And it’s not like we can do anything back home. Buffy, I want you so much.”

“William,” she hissed, as his fingers pressed between her legs and rubbed against her underwear. “This is a bad idea.”

"It doesn't have to be, pet."

Buffy groaned, trying to avoid his pleading gaze and the feeling of his erection poking her thigh. "God, what do you want to do exactly? We’re in a bookstore, William. I’ve barely come to terms with your... penis and now you want to do it at work?"

"I want to--."

"William? Can you help me lift some boxes? William?"

"Oh, fuck!" he whispered, hearing Giles' voice. Buffy tried not to laugh as William jumped away and dove behind another row of shelves. "Did he see me?"

"Giles, I'll help you in a minute!" When there wasn’t an answer, Buffy pulled William out of a crouching position. "You can stop hiding. I thought you were okay with just cuddling? You said that if we were able to sleep in the same bed sometimes that you’d be okay with us not having sex at home."

"I am. Are you sure he’s gone?"

"I don't know if I believe you." She searched his eyes and frowned. “I want to talk about this later, alright? But if I stall any longer, Giles is going to come out here and see that,” she pointed as his tented pants, “ and I know how you hate to be embarrassed.”

“Buffy, really--.”

She leaned in for a quick kiss and hummed when their lips stayed together for longer than she had expected. “Save it for later.”
***

“She’s going to freak out.”

“Don't care, I’m staying the night or we’ll go back to my place.”

“So demanding,” Buffy chuckled, kissing William as he propped her against the side of the house. “We need to go inside.”

“In a minute.”

“William,” she hummed, “I thought you were exhausted?”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t kiss you.”

“Oh, continue then.” Buffy tangled her hands in his already-messy hair and groaned as William’s body rubbed against her. “William,” she purred, her arousal mounting. “I mean it. We should go inside or I’ll have to--.”

“Right. Guess my minute’s up. Can’t have you mauling me again.”

“Oh, I think there was some mutual mauling.” Buffy opened the front door and motioned for William to follow her. “Dawn! Home!”

From upstairs they heard a crash and a loud gasp.

“Okay, I wasn’t expecting that.” Buffy and William exchanged concerned glances before heading to the second level. “Dawn?”

“Stay here,” William whispered.

“No way.”

“Buffy--.”

“No. Don’t argue with me. I’m not staying in the hallway. I want to know what’s going on.”

“Alright, just let me go in first.” When Buffy nodded, William took slow steps toward Dawn’s bedroom. “Dawnie? Are you okay, bit?”

“Hey guys! I didn’t hear you come in!”

“Dawn, what was that noise?” Buffy asked. “Did something break?”

“What noise?” Dawn asked innocently as she sat on the edge of her bed. “There wasn’t a noise. And nothing’s broken. So, how was your day? Was the picnic fun? I’ve been here all day. Studying--studying, a lot. My eyes hurt from all the studying that I’ve been doing, let me tell you!”

“Something weird is going on.” Buffy’s eyes searched her sister’s room. “You’re hiding something. What is it?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Hey! Don’t go through my things!”

“I’m just checking for boys and,” William squinted into the trashcan, “the cigarette. I didn’t know you smoked.”

“She doesn’t!” Dawn opened her mouth to explain, but closed it quickly, knowing that she wouldn’t win against Buffy. “You smoke?” Buffy screamed. “Since when? That’s disgusting! Smoking is bad!”

“Breathe, love.”

“You have no proof!”

“Here, you go.” Smirking, William picked up a snuffed cigarette. “Found it in the windowsill. That’s strange place to throw your incriminating evidence, bit.”

“You suck,” Dawn pouted. “I just tried it once.”

“By yourself?”

“Yeah...”

“Who gave it to you?”

“Nobody.”

“You bought it? Is there a pack somewhere? Where’s the lighter?”

“Buffy, I’d hate to ruin your interrogation, but...what do I spy with my little eye?” William looked out the window and grinned. “Looks like little sis is following in your footsteps. Dawnie had company.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s a shoe in the bushes. A rather big, teenage-boy-shaped shoe.” He turned and looked at Dawn. “I’m impressed, kitten. How’d he jump out of the window without breaking his neck?”

“You had a boy in your room? Dawn!”

“Here comes round two,” William muttered, heading to the door. “I’ll let you girls duke it out. I’ll intervene when the hair pulling starts, until then, I’m going to watch some TV. ”
***

“You can’t be having withdrawals. It hasn’t even been a full week and you lived just fine before we started doing...stuff.”

“I’m not having bloody withdrawals, Buffy. I thought we could mess around because Giles was busy. I thought wrong, alright? I’m sorry.”

“Don’t get snippy.”

“I’m not getting snippy,” William insisted. They were walking home in the dark after their shift ended at the bookstore. “Don’t you find it frustrating that we can’t kiss or touch each other? It seems like someone is always watching. And I do enjoy it when we can sleep together, but I won’t deny that I think it’d be nice if we could do a bit more than snuggle.”

“Mom warned me about boys like you,” Buffy teased. “They get a bit of sex and that’s all they want. What do you want me to do, try to get mom and Dawn out of the house so we can have our sexcapades?”

“Actually, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Do you think you could get rid of them?”

Buffy laughed and rolled her eyes, “I guess I could try, but--.”

“Please, Buffy?” William stopped her on the sidewalk and hugged her. “You’re so good at that kind of stuff. If we could be alone for a few hours, I’d be so grateful.”

“Hey, you didn’t deny that all you think about is sex,” she pointed out with another laugh as William’s arms tightened around her.

“All I think about is you.”

“All I think about is you too. To be honest, I wish we could do more than snuggle too, but it’s too risky...unless I get them out of the house.”

“So, you’ll try?”

“I will.”
***

“I knew this would happen and you’re only my sister. If I have kids of my own—God, I can’t even imagine it—they’ll be devil children! A bunch of delinquents! And then, if William’s the father...” Buffy trailed off as she paced the room. “They say that the kids are always worse than the parents. I wonder how bad mom was?”

“Are you going to start yelling at me or are you going to keep freaking out?”

“Oh, I’m going to yell,” Buffy promised. “I can’t believe you had a boy up here. I didn’t even think you were seeing anyone.”

“He’s just a friend--.”

“A friend who I don’t know. A friend who you felt you had to hide from me. And a friend who is teaching my baby sister how to smoke—this sounds like a very bad friend!”

“He’s not bad!”

“What’s his name?”

“Connor.”

“Does this Connor have a last name?”

“I won’t let you check his records at school, Buffy.”

“Why not? Is there something that I shouldn’t know about him?”

“He’s a nice guy! Ground me if you want to, but I’m still going to see him!”

“You’re definitely grounded, missy.”

“Fine,” Dawn pouted. “And so you know, I think smoking is gross. It wasn’t my cigarette. I’m trying to help him quit.”

“You should send him to my office--.”

“Over my dead body!”

“That can totally be arranged. I want to meet this guy who’s doing God-only-knows-what to my sister.”

“I can guarantee he’s not doing even half of the stuff that William did to you when you were my age,” Dawn said smugly. “You guys started boinking in freshman year. God, what were you doing by twelfth grade?”

“That’s none of your business!”

“I see the way it is. It’s always ‘do what I say and not what I do’ with you.”

Buffy narrowed her eyes, “Oh, keep it up, I dare you. You’re already in so much trouble.”

“I’m just telling you the truth--.”

“And I’m just going to ground you from everything besides school until you’re forty!”
***

“We’re never having children.”

“Never? Not even one?”

Buffy gave William a funny look and sat next to him on the couch. “Are you saying you want to have kids with me?”

“I doubt they’d be devil children, Buffy.”

“Oh, you heard that?”

“Heard every word. You both weren’t exactly using your inside voices.” He turned off the television and gave her his complete attention. “Does she throw our relationship in your face often?”

“Not usually. It’s funny how some of the guilt is still there, you know? I still feel guilty about the things we did.”

“We weren’t that bad. We didn’t smoke, or drink...much.”

“The drinking was your deal, not mine.”

“It was a few times...”

“Shut up, William.”

“Are we going to feed Dawn or not? Is starving a part of the grounding?”

“I guess not. It just freaks me out that some guy that I’ve never heard of is tiptoeing around my house. At least mom knew you and you never had to break in.”

“But we did have extraordinary circumstances, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Why don’t you invite the little punk over after the grounding? We can meet him and I can play the big bad ‘touch her and die’ role that I learned from Joyce.”

Buffy grinned and knocked into his side playfully, “Why do I have a problem seeing you be a big bag anything?”

“I’m the baddest, princess.”

“Sure, whatever you say, honey.”

“If worst comes to worst, I guess we can have a bloody tag team,” William said with a fake pout. “If I crash and burn, you can take over.”

“Aww,” Buffy cooed, “so pouty. See that lower lip? Gonna get it.” Laughing, she pulled William in for a kiss. “I guess I wouldn’t mind one demon-child.”

“One we could handle,” William agreed, hugging her into his chest.

“What a scary thing to talk about when we just made up, huh?”

“You brought it up.”

“I blame Dawn.”

“Okay, it’s all her fault.”

“That’s right,” she sighed, content in his arms. “But this boy business gives me a really good reason for letting you stay over every once in while. Who needs a guard dog when I have a big bad attack William?”

“And we’ll just forget the fact that I’m a heavy sleeper?”

“It’ll be our secret. I like any excuse that keeps you here with me.”

“We could say that you’re the boss therefore, she has to deal with the decisions that you make. If you want me to sleepover, so be it because technically, you’re her parent...”

“That sounds like it would involve parenting skills. I pass.”

“Alright,” William chuckled, planting a kiss on Buffy’s forehead.
***
 

Chapter 17

“Sure you don’t want to join me?”

“Positive.” William sat on a bench and pulled a notebook from his bag. “Just don’t forget about me while you shop.”

“Yesh, how long can I take at the drug store?”

“I’ve seen your eyes glaze over at the hardware store, pet. It doesn’t matter what kind of store you’re in.”

“Ha ha. I’ll be back as soon as I get mom’s prescription. Need anything?” She took her wallet out of her backpack before dropping it at William’s feet.

“What—don’t leave that with me!”

“Why not?”

He looked at Buffy’s hot pink backpack and wrinkled his nose. “It’s like holding your purse, Buffy.”

“It’s a backpack.”

“It’s a pink backpack with too many key chains and all those girlie patches on it.”

“It’s heavy, William. I’m not asking you to wear it on your back, just keep it at your feet. Do we need anything or not?”

“We?”

“What would ‘we’ need? Gosh, are you dumb today or what?” Rolling her eyes and muttering under her breath, Buffy left William on the bench.
***

Buffy and William walked side-by-side with Dawn trailing behind.

“This is cruel and unusual punishment,” Dawn grumbled. Her arms were crossed and she made a gagging noise each time the couple playfully kissed and touched each other. “I should be at home and learning the error of my ways. God, it’s so embarrassing. What if someone sees me with you guys as you slobber all over each other? It’s bad enough that everyone knows my sister because she’s the counselor, but now she’s macking on the new English teacher!”

“I thought you were our little cheerleader, bit?” William held his hand to the small of Buffy’s back and snuck under shirt to occasionally caress her skin. “Where’d our cupid go? I thought you wanted us to get back together?”

“That was before she got grounded,” Buffy pointed out with a smug grin.

“So, Buffy, if you’re dragging me to the carnival tonight, what’d you do all day? You left the house so early and you returned looking all disheveled. I get in trouble for just talking to a guy and you have a day of boinking and do you get in trouble? Of course not, because you’re old and somehow that makes it all okay—what a load of crap!”

William felt Buffy stiffen and before she could growl at Dawn, he beat her to it. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Dawnie?” Buffy and Dawn looked at him strangely, both wondering what he was up to. “It won’t take long, girls. No need to get worked up about it. Come on,” he motioned to Dawn, “let’s take a little walk.”
***

“I dumped her because she was a prude. I know she’ll get desperate and come crawling back on her knees—if you know what I mean.”

William looked up from writing to see Angel snicker with another boy from school. He quickly averted his eyes, hoping that they’d pass by without speaking to him.

“Hey, Will. We haven’t seen you around for awhile.”

With a discreet sigh, he closed the spiral notebook he had been working in. “I’ve been busy.”

“Busy with Buffy? Did you get her to put out yet? She’s one hell of a kisser, but I think she’d make you work just to feel her up.”

“I don’t see why I should tell you, it’s none of your business.”

“He gets this way every time I mention kissing Buffy. You see, I was her first kiss and it pisses William off,” Angel explained to the guy next to him. “He’s jealous that I got to try her out first and who knows, maybe if I’m lucky, I could do her first too.”

“Don’t talk about her like that,” William growled, jumping to his feet.

“Look at him trying to defend his girlfriend as he guards her purse.”

“It’s her backpack, you sod.”

“You wound me. We were best friends once—even though he was more pathetic back in the day. I just used him until somebody better came along.”

Silently, William glared daggers at Angel’s laughing face.

“Can’t believe Buffy actually dates him, bet she’s waiting around for someone better too. Hey man, can you give her my number? She’s a hot little thing and--.”

Seeing red and unable to control his anger, William pulled back his fist before hitting Angel in the face.
***

“Fight! Fight!”

“Bet it’s just a bunch of hoodlums,” Buffy muttered as she searched the shelves in the drug store. She looked left and then right before quickly grabbing a box and tossing it into her grocery basket.

That wasn’t so bad, she thought, ignoring the fact that her heart was pounding as she went to the counter. Now for the hard part…
***

A group huddled around the bench where William had been sitting. With a paper bag hugged to her chest, Buffy looked for him in the crowd.

“You bloody asshole!”

“Oh God,” Buffy gasped, pushing between the bodies that were in her way. “William? William!” She knelt on the ground and winced, seeing Angel straddling him. Both of the boys had bloody faces and they continued to take jabs at each other. “William, stop it!”

Without a second thought, Buffy clenched her teeth and charged at Angel. “Get off my boyfriend!”
***

“You’ve got to stop this.”

“Stop what?” Dawn asked innocently, fluttering her eyelashes.

William narrowed his eyes and fought the need to shake a finger at Buffy’s younger sister. “You were wrong for having that guy in your room and you know it.”

“Why should I let Buffy yell at me when she did the same thing constantly when she was my age?”

“Because she’s your mom--.”

“She is not,” Dawn snapped.

“You know what I mean. And it’s not like you were unreasonably punished, Buffy’s not treating you badly.”

“Says you.”

“Dawn--.”

“What’s it to you if I think Buffy’s a bitch? Why are you acting like some kind of father figure?”

William’s mouth became a thin line and he returned Dawn’s glare. “Something tells me you need another week added to your grounding.”

“What? No!”

“You should apologize to her then; your sister didn’t deserve to be called that.”

“But--.”

“I’m just waiting for you to stomp your feet and scream that you aren’t being treated like an adult.”

“Hey, how’d you know I was about to do that?”

William smirked, “Because Buffy did, remember?”

“Oh my God, she did it all the time,” Dawn said with a laugh. “And then mom would always say if she wanted to be treated like an adult she’d have to act like an—hey! Is this some kind of hidden lecture? Are you teaching me a lesson?”

“You know, most adults get off easier for good behavior.”

“Oh really?”

William nodded and they headed back to where they had left Buffy. “You should be happy that Buffy’s been in your shoes, kitten. Instead of making her upset, you should be working on her sympathies.”

“Are you giving me advice?”

“No, no, you didn’t hear a word from me.”

“I see,” she said slowly. “But you are trying to be some kind of peacemaker, am I right?”

“I’d rather not have my two favorite girls at each other’s throats.”

“Okay, but if I play nice, you’d better make sure the grounding gets cut in, like, half.”

“So, you’ll be on your best behavior?”

“I guess.”

“Even if, for example, I stayed overnight, would you be a brat about it?”

“Are you blackmailing me?”

“No, we’re compromising, Dawnie. We’re making a friendly agreement.”

“That Buffy doesn’t need to know about?” When he didn’t answer, Dawn started to giggle. “You’re heading for trouble if you lie to her. Big, big, nasty, trouble.”

“I’m not completely dumb. I know your sister--.”

“So, you’re pretty much saying if you can see my sister, I can see Connor?”

“Within reason, yes.”

“And if Buffy finds out--.”

“I’m going to tell her.”

“If she’s against it, I’m saying that you promised.”

“Great.”

“Oh, this is a nice friendly agreement,” Dawn said with a wide smile on her face.
***

Buffy took a handful of Angel’s hair between her fingers and pulled until he started to scream. With him distracted, William was able to sit up and get a few punches into his stomach before he got to his feet.

“Buffy, let go,” William said quietly. “He’s had enough.” He pried her fingers open and helped her to her feet. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

“Jerk!” Buffy yelled, kicking Angel in the leg.

“Buffy, come on!”

“It wasn’t that hard.” Shrugging, she put on her backpack and ran to catch up with William as he walked quickly towards their house. “What was that all about?”

“He was being an idiot.”

“So you beat him up?”

“He was asking for it!”

“Hey calm down!” He was almost up the driveway before Buffy pulled him in the other direction. “You can’t see mom like that. She’ll freak out. We need to clean you up.”

“But--.”

“You have a key to Giles’, right?”

“He’s at work.”

“That’s why we need your key.”
***

“You didn’t get hurt at all, did you?”

“No.” Buffy cringed, dabbing the cuts on William’s face with a wet washcloth. “Ow. You’re going to bruise.”

“Yeah, but did you see peaches? He’s got two black eyes and I’m sure that I knocked the wind out of him! You made him nearly bald--.”

“Peaches?”

“Long story.”

“So, what’d he say?” Buffy asked softly as she stood between his knees. William was sitting on the kitchen counter and she looked up at him. “I thought he was your friend.”

“He talks a lot of shit, Buffy.”

“You couldn’t ignore him? We haven’t had to team up and kick butt since middle school.”

“He was pushing me. He brought up Spin the Bottle and wanted to know if you’d put out—he said that you were practically using me as filler until you could find a better guy.”

“You got into a fight over that?”

“Well...yeah! He’s a dick!”

“You should’ve just told him that I was in the store and buying us condoms--.”

“What?”

“It was supposed to be a surprise,” Buffy said. “Mom’s doing a school thing with Dawn on Thursday; they’ll be out of the house from eight to four. I figured one of us could play sick and the other could ditch class that day.”

“That’s great, pet.”

“I know.” She cleaned the last bit of blood off his face and searched his eyes. “Did what he say really bug you that much? I’m not waiting for a better guy, William. I think you’re the greatest to begin with, I love you and as for Angel being nosy...he can guess all he wants about if I’ve put out or not, but only we two will know the truth. That should stay between us, don’t you think?” When William nodded, Buffy smiled and gently kissed his broken lip.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have...”

“It’s okay.” She wanted to hug him, but instead she lifted his shirt. “Any other cuts I need to look at?”

“I’m alright.” He scooted off the counter and pulled her into his arms. “It was nice defending you though. Made me feel...manly and all that.”

“We’ll see how manly you are when you face mom.”

“You had to ruin my moment, yeah?”

“Fighting is bad, William.”

“I know.”

“It doesn’t matter if you know, be ready for a lecture,” she sang before kissing his cheek.

“Maybe she won’t notice?”

Buffy looked at his developing black eye and fat lip. “Ah, let’s just go home,” she said, patting him lovingly on the back.
***

“Hi, Buffy! Did you miss us?”

“She’s perky. What did you do?”

“About that...”

“William’s going to tell you all about the joys of compromising while I get some popcorn! You guys want anything?”
***

“What happened to Mister ‘you’re the adult and she’ll just have to deal with it’?”

“Well, she was being a brat and--.”

“She’s always a brat. It’s a full time job for her. I think she just took a few days off because she was excited to see you.”

“Is it really such a bad idea?”

Buffy sighed and leaned into William’s side. “She can date, that’s fine. She’s always been able to do that. I just don’t want them doing anything in the house...that’s what they made cars for.”

“I said ‘within reason,’ see, that’ll cover us. It’s not like they’re going to get away with sleepovers. That is not ‘within reason’.”

Buffy held back a smile, “You’re really back in the family, aren’t you?” William shot her a funny look, as if it were crazy for her to ask such a question. “You’re wonderful, William. Just...wonderful.”

“Hey! More kissing?” Dawn exclaimed, returning with her hands weighed down with food. “I can’t leave you for more than a few seconds and you’re all over each other! Shesh! Scoot over. This is better,” she said, sitting between William and Buffy. “I’m starving. How about you guys?”
***

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