Title: Unexpected Welcomes
Author: NevermindDaria
Disclaimer: The following intellectual property has been, in part, previously claimed by its various owners. All other intellectual property is my own.
Rating: PG13
Summary: Flaming Post-Grave fic: Spike returns from Africa to all-around unexpected welcomes. Xander stops acting like a rancid pile of dung. Dawn finally gets to be a real person. Buffy starts to like breathing again. Part 12 - Helper.
Setting/Spoilers: Set four months after "Grave".
***
Turning the corner onto Revello Drive were two bottle blondes, one of whom seemed to be getting lazy with the hair care.
SPIKE: That's such a great idea, getting paid to hit things.
BUFFY: Yeah, it's working out really well so far. Sure, we haven't actually found people willing to pay yet, but it's amazing how much it's done for Dawn. And Willow.
SPIKE: Red seems like she's getting her head back on straight, all right. Since we've been talking, she's started to, how did she say it, find the fun a bit. I think it must be all this spending time with the Scoobies.
BUFFY: (quietly) And maybe it's partly having someone to talk to who's been there.
SPIKE: (humbly) Yeah. Maybe.
They fell silent for the minute or so it took to reach Buffy's front door.
BUFFY: It might take a minute for me to get what I need. You can hang out in the living room if you want.
As the door opened and Buffy entered her home, her companion stayed on the other side of the threshold, waiting for an invite.
SPIKE: (embarassed) Uh, Buffy...
She turned around, not immediately realizing why he'd be waiting. Upon realization, she blushed, her eyes fixed on the floor.
BUFFY: (quietly) We never revoked your invitation.
Her eyes darted up to meet his, and the gaze they shared was powerful enough to melt many a heart.
SPIKE: (briskly) Well, I'll just be sitting here on the couch, then.
BUFFY: (coyly) Ok. I'll be back down in a minute.
Spike spent the ensuing minutes sitting awkwardly, in much the same manner as he had the first time he'd been allowed in the Summers' home. A long while after she'd first gone upstairs, Buffy came back down to the living room, smiling contentedly from her conversation with Dawn, and clutching something dark and leathery to her chest.
BUFFY: Hey.
Spike stood nervously and moved towards the door.
BUFFY: (equally nervously) Uh, I thought we might sit and talk for a minute before we go out and kill stuff, if that's cool with you.
SPIKE: (sitting back down) Of course.
He left space on the couch for her to sit next to him just in case, although he fully expected her to sit elsewhere.
She surprised him. After sitting down rather close to him, she draped a familiar slab of cow hide across his knee, taking care not to meet his eyes as she did so.
BUFFY: I thought you might like to have it back.
SPIKE: You kept it?
BUFFY: Well, yeah. I mean, Dawn thought up some really creative ways to destroy it, but, uh, when you'd been gone a while, and we didn't think you'd be coming back, we, um, I couldn't get rid of it.
Both occupants of the couch were getting emotional and doing a bad job at hiding it. Buffy had left her hand on the edje of the duster and was absentmindedly fidgeting with it when Spike put his hand gently over hers.
SPIKE: Thank you.
BUFFY: You're welcome. You deserve it, you know.
SPIKE: How can you say that, knowing all I've done?
BUFFY: You deserve it for whatever you did to earn that soul.
***
WILLOW: You didn't!
DAWN: I did!
The girls were sprawled on Xander's couch with a pile of school books, doing a teriffic job of ignoring them, and having a great time girl talking.
DAWN: It was amazing! He's just the greatest guy, Wil. Ah! I have a boyfriend!
WILLOW: (pulling her into a hug) I'm so happy for you, Dawnie.
DAWN: You should meet him. Buffy and Anya and I are planning another girls' night sometime soon - ya wanna come?
WILLOW: (after a moment's thought) Y'know, I think I might.
DAWN: I'm so proud of you. See, life can be good, even when it's not perfect.
WILLOW: (smiling sadly) Tara used to say that. You're starting to remind me a lot of her.
DAWN: Well, she did help raise me.
We will now take a moment in remembrance of a beautiful soul who is no longer with us.
WILLOW: As much as I hate to ruin our beautiful moment, Dawn, there's something that's been bugging me lately. It's about Spike.
Dawn's expression was rather unreadable, but clearly not thrilled.
WILLOW: He and I have been talking a lot, and it's really helping me. Well, both of us. It's nice, you know, having somebody around who understands. And...
DAWN: (cutting in) Are you gonna ask if I've forgiven him? Cuz I have. It's just hard, rebuilding trust.
WILLOW: Tell me about it.
DAWN: It'll get better, I promise. But he and Buffy should work through things first.
WILLOW: (shifting awkwardly into gossip mode) Yeah, speaking of Spike and Buffy...
DAWN: (with a little laugh) Ok, we'll quit with the serious and continue the girltalk. So I was up in my room after Bryan had left, and Buffy brings Spike home...
Willow's eyes bulged.
DAWN: ...for a minute, so she could get something and they could talk before patrolling.
Willow still looked excited, though not quite so scandalized.
DAWN: She came up to talk to me, and I told her all about Bryan, and she seemed really, genuinely happy. But she'd been happier than normal for the past few days. It was like she was high or something. She hasn't been happy-go-lucky in a long time. So, naturally, I worry. I assume demon. But Anya told me something that makes it all make sense.
WILLOW: Yeah, I noticed the peppy Buffy too. I figured she was getting all excited about being an entreprenuer. So, go on.
DAWN: Anya said that Spike's mood had gotten a lot closer to cheerleader recently too.
WILLOW: You don't think...
DAWN: Oh, I do think. I just don't know what I think about it.
WILLOW: (disappointed) Dawnie...
DAWN: No, it's not seething hatred. Nothing like that. I just, well, I don't want her getting hurt again. Whatever happened between them last year really hurt her, and she doesn't deserve that.
WILLOW: Yeah. I think this time around they won't get together for the sake of some weird obsession. It'll be about feelings.
***
Xander was busy putting finishing touches on a weapons rack for the new training room. He was, however, not busy enough not to steal a glance now and then of the beautiful creature running around cleaning up her store.
XANDER: (calling into the next room) Hey, Anya! Can you come here and help me a minute?
Taking a moment first to check her hair in a glass display case window, making sure Xander couldn't see her doing so, Anya went into the training room wearing her salesperson face.
ANYA: What do you need help with?
XANDER: I wasn't sure where you wanted me to put this weapons rack.
ANYA: Oh, good question. What do you think? Over there, maybe?
XANDER: Sounds good. Help me carry?
They awkwardly picked up the large wooden object and carried it to the other side of the room, then hoisted it up onto the wall for Xander to nail it in place. This whole process forced the two to be in quite close proximity to each other. Xander went up on a step ladder so he could see the nail hole better, unwittingly giving Anya a very nice view of his ass that she seemed to enjoy despite herself.
XANDER: It needs to be a little higher. Here, let me help.
He reached down and around her body to get the board into place. She didn't flinch away from him.
The two stood like that until Xander had put several nails on the rack to keep it securely on the wall. When he came down from the step ladder, Anya was right beside him.
XANDER: (quietly) Thank you.
Their eyes met as Anya moved even closer to him.
ANYA: (quietly) You're welcome.
She tilted her head up to kiss him. Jumping, although thankfully not literally, at the chance, Xander gently put his arms around her and went in for the kiss.
***
Aw. Next up, pure fluff.
Author: NevermindDaria
Disclaimer: The following intellectual property has been, in part, previously claimed by its various owners. All other intellectual property is my own.
Rating: PG13
Summary: Flaming Post-Grave fic: Spike returns from Africa to all-around unexpected welcomes. Xander stops acting like a rancid pile of dung. Dawn finally gets to be a real person. Buffy starts to like breathing again. Part 12 - Helper.
Setting/Spoilers: Set four months after "Grave".
***
Turning the corner onto Revello Drive were two bottle blondes, one of whom seemed to be getting lazy with the hair care.
SPIKE: That's such a great idea, getting paid to hit things.
BUFFY: Yeah, it's working out really well so far. Sure, we haven't actually found people willing to pay yet, but it's amazing how much it's done for Dawn. And Willow.
SPIKE: Red seems like she's getting her head back on straight, all right. Since we've been talking, she's started to, how did she say it, find the fun a bit. I think it must be all this spending time with the Scoobies.
BUFFY: (quietly) And maybe it's partly having someone to talk to who's been there.
SPIKE: (humbly) Yeah. Maybe.
They fell silent for the minute or so it took to reach Buffy's front door.
BUFFY: It might take a minute for me to get what I need. You can hang out in the living room if you want.
As the door opened and Buffy entered her home, her companion stayed on the other side of the threshold, waiting for an invite.
SPIKE: (embarassed) Uh, Buffy...
She turned around, not immediately realizing why he'd be waiting. Upon realization, she blushed, her eyes fixed on the floor.
BUFFY: (quietly) We never revoked your invitation.
Her eyes darted up to meet his, and the gaze they shared was powerful enough to melt many a heart.
SPIKE: (briskly) Well, I'll just be sitting here on the couch, then.
BUFFY: (coyly) Ok. I'll be back down in a minute.
Spike spent the ensuing minutes sitting awkwardly, in much the same manner as he had the first time he'd been allowed in the Summers' home. A long while after she'd first gone upstairs, Buffy came back down to the living room, smiling contentedly from her conversation with Dawn, and clutching something dark and leathery to her chest.
BUFFY: Hey.
Spike stood nervously and moved towards the door.
BUFFY: (equally nervously) Uh, I thought we might sit and talk for a minute before we go out and kill stuff, if that's cool with you.
SPIKE: (sitting back down) Of course.
He left space on the couch for her to sit next to him just in case, although he fully expected her to sit elsewhere.
She surprised him. After sitting down rather close to him, she draped a familiar slab of cow hide across his knee, taking care not to meet his eyes as she did so.
BUFFY: I thought you might like to have it back.
SPIKE: You kept it?
BUFFY: Well, yeah. I mean, Dawn thought up some really creative ways to destroy it, but, uh, when you'd been gone a while, and we didn't think you'd be coming back, we, um, I couldn't get rid of it.
Both occupants of the couch were getting emotional and doing a bad job at hiding it. Buffy had left her hand on the edje of the duster and was absentmindedly fidgeting with it when Spike put his hand gently over hers.
SPIKE: Thank you.
BUFFY: You're welcome. You deserve it, you know.
SPIKE: How can you say that, knowing all I've done?
BUFFY: You deserve it for whatever you did to earn that soul.
***
WILLOW: You didn't!
DAWN: I did!
The girls were sprawled on Xander's couch with a pile of school books, doing a teriffic job of ignoring them, and having a great time girl talking.
DAWN: It was amazing! He's just the greatest guy, Wil. Ah! I have a boyfriend!
WILLOW: (pulling her into a hug) I'm so happy for you, Dawnie.
DAWN: You should meet him. Buffy and Anya and I are planning another girls' night sometime soon - ya wanna come?
WILLOW: (after a moment's thought) Y'know, I think I might.
DAWN: I'm so proud of you. See, life can be good, even when it's not perfect.
WILLOW: (smiling sadly) Tara used to say that. You're starting to remind me a lot of her.
DAWN: Well, she did help raise me.
We will now take a moment in remembrance of a beautiful soul who is no longer with us.
WILLOW: As much as I hate to ruin our beautiful moment, Dawn, there's something that's been bugging me lately. It's about Spike.
Dawn's expression was rather unreadable, but clearly not thrilled.
WILLOW: He and I have been talking a lot, and it's really helping me. Well, both of us. It's nice, you know, having somebody around who understands. And...
DAWN: (cutting in) Are you gonna ask if I've forgiven him? Cuz I have. It's just hard, rebuilding trust.
WILLOW: Tell me about it.
DAWN: It'll get better, I promise. But he and Buffy should work through things first.
WILLOW: (shifting awkwardly into gossip mode) Yeah, speaking of Spike and Buffy...
DAWN: (with a little laugh) Ok, we'll quit with the serious and continue the girltalk. So I was up in my room after Bryan had left, and Buffy brings Spike home...
Willow's eyes bulged.
DAWN: ...for a minute, so she could get something and they could talk before patrolling.
Willow still looked excited, though not quite so scandalized.
DAWN: She came up to talk to me, and I told her all about Bryan, and she seemed really, genuinely happy. But she'd been happier than normal for the past few days. It was like she was high or something. She hasn't been happy-go-lucky in a long time. So, naturally, I worry. I assume demon. But Anya told me something that makes it all make sense.
WILLOW: Yeah, I noticed the peppy Buffy too. I figured she was getting all excited about being an entreprenuer. So, go on.
DAWN: Anya said that Spike's mood had gotten a lot closer to cheerleader recently too.
WILLOW: You don't think...
DAWN: Oh, I do think. I just don't know what I think about it.
WILLOW: (disappointed) Dawnie...
DAWN: No, it's not seething hatred. Nothing like that. I just, well, I don't want her getting hurt again. Whatever happened between them last year really hurt her, and she doesn't deserve that.
WILLOW: Yeah. I think this time around they won't get together for the sake of some weird obsession. It'll be about feelings.
***
Xander was busy putting finishing touches on a weapons rack for the new training room. He was, however, not busy enough not to steal a glance now and then of the beautiful creature running around cleaning up her store.
XANDER: (calling into the next room) Hey, Anya! Can you come here and help me a minute?
Taking a moment first to check her hair in a glass display case window, making sure Xander couldn't see her doing so, Anya went into the training room wearing her salesperson face.
ANYA: What do you need help with?
XANDER: I wasn't sure where you wanted me to put this weapons rack.
ANYA: Oh, good question. What do you think? Over there, maybe?
XANDER: Sounds good. Help me carry?
They awkwardly picked up the large wooden object and carried it to the other side of the room, then hoisted it up onto the wall for Xander to nail it in place. This whole process forced the two to be in quite close proximity to each other. Xander went up on a step ladder so he could see the nail hole better, unwittingly giving Anya a very nice view of his ass that she seemed to enjoy despite herself.
XANDER: It needs to be a little higher. Here, let me help.
He reached down and around her body to get the board into place. She didn't flinch away from him.
The two stood like that until Xander had put several nails on the rack to keep it securely on the wall. When he came down from the step ladder, Anya was right beside him.
XANDER: (quietly) Thank you.
Their eyes met as Anya moved even closer to him.
ANYA: (quietly) You're welcome.
She tilted her head up to kiss him. Jumping, although thankfully not literally, at the chance, Xander gently put his arms around her and went in for the kiss.
***
Aw. Next up, pure fluff.
