Buffy really hadn't said all too much about her previous doomed relationship and all the chaos it had caused which in return led to her arrival in Sunnydale to anyone. Sure, things here and there slipped out every now and then, some things were just easier to put together she supposed, but for the most part she did her best to just focus on the here and now, to shove all of that down and move forward. So, when the time came where she really let herself go back to the mess that it all was and tell the story of what she had gone through and led her here it felt like she'd been hit by a semi by the end of it.
Everything had stemmed from another playful gang up from Willow when it came to teasing her about all things Angel and somehow everything had snowballed from there. Her feelings when it came to him were already a constant back and forth that she couldn't make right sense of and didn't really know what good explaining that to someone else was going to do but at least getting it out there was something she supposed.
Willow had let her get everything she had been burying inside out into the universe, saying very little in the meantime, asking very few questions. The redhead had moved closer to her best friend on the sofa, held her hand, shown her most evil, angry look to sad ones, mourning the moments Buffy had to deal with. Buffy could see the wheels turning in Will's head after and patted her small hand. "And yes, I do know I may not know Angel all so well but I know he is nothing like that," she smiled softly. "You don't have to jump all over me for grouping him in with all men or at least all sleazy men or whatever... I know it's different there."
"So... what's the problem then exactly?" Willow treaded.
Buffy sighed, her head tilting back to her palm, propped up on the edge of the soda. "I don't know. I left and figured I would always just be messed up by the whole thing, that everyone would always be viewed in that sort of light, and kept telling myself and truly feeling I would be just fine if that was just it for me, that I would be peachy being on my own from now on. A little time went by and I did still feel that but I figured maybe well down the line I might have a change of heart, maybe I'd have some destructive relationships to get out all my rebound anger and issues out, maybe go to therapy, I don't know," she laughed. "But I mean I didn't expect to plop down here and pretty much walk into someone like Angel. At first it wasn't so weird, sure he's adorable and sweet, but he's a stranger, I'm busy doing this and that getting set up and whatever. Easy to hold on to that I have zero interest in dating or feelings. But... I don't know," she repeated, shaking her head. "Anytime I even entertain that idea I just feel panic wanting to overtake me. Not about him but me... like I'm sure I am so messed up and I don't want him to have to deal with that or see that in me. I don't want to take out all my bullshit on him. Trust me, he don't deserve any of that."
Willow was quiet again for a moment then smiled softly. "You might be surprised if you take the chance one of these days though. Angel does have some unique coping skills when it comes to difficult situations. And I am pretty sure anyone who's witnessed him looking at you the way he does would shout from the rooftops telling you he wouldn't be that easy to scare off anyway."
OoOoO
"So, we're friends... right?" Buffy prodded.
Angel's eyebrow ticked up as he slid a plate of hot food in front of the pretty blonde. "Well, between the look you've had on your face since getting off the phone and the way in which you just asked that... I don't know if I want to answer that," Angel joked.
Buffy made a face at him before letting out a dramatic sigh. "No," she waved off, "I just had this long weekend ahead all planned out with some fun stuff to try and do. You know summer is coming to an end, everything kind of slowed down and shifted with kids back in school and town just seemed to be quiet all of a sudden and whatever so I was just feelin' a little bored I guess."
"Mmhmm."
"And Willow's apparently not going to be able to come along for one of the days after all and I don't wanna go alone..." she trailed off.
"Which is where I would come in as a substitute for her I'm assuming?"
"Just a little bit?" she playfully winced before filling him on the plan to go to a winery Willow had been talking about forever that had some giant cheese outlet place basically next door, and get to experience a drive in movie in the area as well. As she was closing up explaining the plan and trying to convince him to go, a flash of worry seemed to strike her.
Angel didn't know what exactly brought it on but he was sure how date sounding it all started to be had to at least be part of it and quickly popped into the other side of the booth across from her. "Hey," he let out softly. "I am perfectly fine being friends," he told her, though he couldn't help but feel awkward as the words left him. "And if you need me to tag along I'd be happy to, just let me know when and where I'm going," he told her before holding her gaze a moment then getting back up. "And just for fair warning, these weeks of things seeming all nice and peaceful won't last long. Fall hits and I swear there seems to suddenly be some sort of festival or event filling up every weekend around here. I'm pretty sure Halloween lasts about a month and a half in various celebrations and by the end of it all you will swear to never want to see anything apple or pumpkin flavored again in your life."
Buffy laughed at that, "I don't think that could ever even be possible. As much as I love summer and swimming and the works... I think I am ready for some apple cider days and corn mazes."
"You sure you'd be okay with going though? I mean you don't have to..."
OoOoO
Angel had never been one of those people who believed in ridiculous notions about love at first sight or any nonsense along those lines, but from the moment he laid eyes on Buffy Summer for the first time there wasn't exactly any way he could pretend something about her struck him in some sort of way. He had long since lost count of how many times he had replayed every moment of that night, trying to dissect every second to the next, trying to understand what was going on with him.
He had hoped whatever insanity hit him would straighten itself out and go away but all these months later he was pretty convinced that wasn't going to happen.
He'd told her, he'd told himself, and anybody else who decided to involve themselves in the weirdness that he was fine being just friends with the girl... and that wasn't a lie, he was very open to just barely knowing one another to this little friendship type thing they had going on and whatever that led to. She had made her disinterest in starting any sort of relationship in any shape or form with anyone long since clear and he respected that, not to mention he was a whole host of issues himself and she had obviously had enough to deal with in the first place.
Even so, nothing seemed to stop her from constantly invading his thoughts, nothing seemed to make his chest stop having that same tugging feeling inside every time she was around.
As he finished getting ready, he was really questioning how smart this whole idea was. He'd hung out with Buffy now many, many times but any time they'd really been on their own had been different and pretty much fleeting. He really didn't want to keep going around in circles about it and wind up stressed out and yet here he was.
OoOoO
Buffy scrunched up her face, turning her head more Angel's way. "Why in the world did you agree to come along then? Or at least not say something before we are mere miles away so maybe then I would have just picked somewhere else to go?"
Angel laughed at her mini episode trying to happen here. "It's not a big deal."
"It is too," she argued. Lord be known the man she invited to come to this little wine testing thing waited until they were just about there to mention he didn't in fact drink at all… you know, as a little "heads up."
"It's fine, Buffy. I promise. All sorts of different people go to these things, sometimes people bring a designated driver if they plan on having a real good time you know, and hell... I know we saw at least two signs already stating this place was kid friendly so it seems they're pretty open to having other types of options available to cater to whoever. Which, I figured anyway and why I didn't think of it as a big deal."
She growled at him anyway, earning a cute little smirk as they finished up the road in silence.
OoOoO
As nervous as she was coming in, it didn't last very long. Angel had been right, he wound up having a perfectly fine time even if he didn't participate in everything being offered. In fact, he seemed to know more about what he was doing than she did, was great with the people there, asked questions while she kept her growing list to herself when it came to the man.
Buffy made sure to pace herself given, well, any number of things... winding up a little too tipsy alone with Angel seemed to be asking for her to make some sort of fool of herself and no one needed any of that. She had to say she had a pretty nice time though her own self, and as they headed over to the large wooden building she linked her arm with his telling him as much.
OoOoO
"This feels like some sort of gift shop, snack food heaven," Buffy whispered pretty much as soon as they walked through the doors and let their eyes wander about. The outside did in fact look like there would be plenty of space and yet it didn't prepare either of them for just how large the shop would be once you actually got inside. Angel was pretty sure someone could spend an entire day in here if they so wanted.
Not exactly in any sort of rush, they walked together to various section of the shop to look around, take up on plenty of samples, picking them each up a small basket once their hands started getting full.
Buffy wound up telling him they needed to split up and go find something for one another plus keep an eye out for something to bring back for Willow. She fought him hard about letting him pay for everything but eventually he gave up and let her at least take care of the gift set they got for Willow and what she'd found specifically for him.
OoOoO
Getting over to the outdoor theater, Angel explained he didn't mind waiting but they were kind enough to let them go ahead and pay for the tickets and find a spot to set up at. Angel asked if she wanted to just stay in the truck or for him to turn it around so they could be in the back, which she debated but finally went with the latter, especially now with all the hoard of food and drinks they had brought with them.
Angel got the bigger items organized then helped her up, taking a seat again and grabbing some chocolate covered pretzels in the process, she let her eyes take in the small area. "I can't remember what in the world we saw, or really much about it to be honest, but I remember going to a drive in once with my mom is this horrible dull green colored car. I thought it was just the coolest thing that night though."
"You don't talk about your family much." Buffy shrugged then said the same about him. Angel sighed, climbing up beside her in the truck bed. "Yeah, well... I don't exactly have a lot of good memories of such people that I want to spend time dwelling on."
Buffy stilled for a moment, her head tilting slightly. "I'm sorry, Angel. I never had a good amount of family around but over time things dwindled down. My dad was pretty great until he wasn't, he and my mom divorced after years of things going downhill and he quickly dropped out of the picture. My mom was really amazing though and I am thankful for that at least."
Angel smiled and pressed her for more stories, happily sitting and listening to her as they waited for more cars to show up as the place technically began to open.
OoOoO
Any and all worries about this little adventure and spending the day with Angel were long gone but there was something extra relaxing about the sun going down, laying on a makeshift pod of blankets and a couple pillows and just laughing at the screen that made their night out come to one hell of a perfect closing.
Not many others showed up but she got a kick out of some teenager boys showing off for a girl in the car beside them until their mom gave up and moved to the complete opposite side of the field.
After it was all over, Angel had stopped for gas and to get them each a new cold drink before they started making their way back to Sunnydale.
Part of her wished she could have bookended the day back at the movie as when Angel was dropping her off, he had walked her to the door and had already told her goodnight and thanked her for the invite and all, and then after getting back down the front steps he'd stopped and turned around. Scratching at the back of his head, he looked at his feet and apologized about the lack of full disclosure from earlier.
"It's okay," she smiled softly.
He was silent for a moment then about broke her heart as he said booze and other harder substances had been something constantly given to him during childhood and while he had long since gotten his life together he didn't always know how to broach that with people, telling her he was happy to spend the day with her he just didn't want to put her in some awkward position about the whole thing. "I promise I have zero issue going to places like that... but I should have said something before, I'm sorry."
Buffy shook her head and went to tell him it was perfectly understandable and all worked out in the end but instead found herself going back down to him and wrapping her arms around him for a quick moment. "I'm glad I got to spend the day with you," she whispered before forcing herself back away.
Angel held a long gaze with her before simply nodding his head and wishing her a good night.
OoOoO
After getting over the hurdle of that first big outing as just the two of them, it really became more like second nature for her to have random days out doing one thing or another every once in awhile or just hanging out at one of their places for an hour or so watching a movie or whatever.
Willow enjoyed whispering in her ear that the two of them were "dating without the actual dating part" which she couldn't really argue too much against, sometimes that was exactly what it felt like. And honestly Willow wasn't the only one who had made similar comments either.
She also couldn't deny the increasing want building inside of her for all those extra parts that would be crossing that thin line of their friendship into something more as the days continued on and the more time they wound up spending together. Day by day it was a little harder to remember a single reason why she wasn't taking one hell of a chance there.
OoOoO
"You do know that it was your idea to come here right?" Angel laughed as Buffy's nails dug into his arm for the countless time since they'd arrived. For someone who claimed to hate being scared she sure had it in her head they were going to drive over three hours to this little haunted corn maze festival thing and have a grand ol' time.
Buffy glared at him then looked over her shoulder and glared at the clown looking man on stilts that was running around scaring people. "That is besides the damn point, Angel!" she shot back, just moments before another costumed man jumped out from behind a pumpkin scarecrow and had her yelping and clinging even harder to him.
Angel laughed again, shaking his head. "Alright, well you just keep that in mind for later when you start looking for someone to mad about for being all the way out here in this mess, huh?"
She growled at him before pointing off to area they'd not yet made it over to yet. "I think over there was where the map was showing some of the games and little rides and stuff."
Angel shrugged and started heading that way and soon found themselves buried knee deep in a playground of corn, jumping on giant pillow mats, buying light up jewelry and headgear, and testing out just about everything they came across.
By the end of the night... which included a haunted house, maze and insane paintball game in the woods she had all but swore off doing any more of these. Especially after being lost at one point, separated from Angel and a clown with a chainsaw nearly trapped her in a maze of metal bars, and then managed to nearly break her ankle as she left, stepping off into a hole. Angel, nearly doubling over in laughter as he tried coming back to find her, had at least carried her through the small bits left and back out the gate.
OoOoO
"I don't think that's going to help calm your nerves much," Angel chuckles as he side eyed her taking in mouthfuls of the coffee she'd traded in her streak of trying to try apple cider at every drink spot they had come across for.
"Hush! I am cold and it's a good temporary fix, plus it smelled too good to pass up."
In a matter of moments, she found herself wrapped up in his leather jacket and being led, with a secondary cup of said coffee ordered up just after she got settled, over to one of the bonfire areas while they waited for the hayride to return, hoping they could get seats on the final trip around before the patch was due to close for the night.
"You're going to wind up dressing up and trick or treating around town, aren't you?"
Buffy smiled slyly and shrugged "It's very possible," she answered, thinking about the costume she'd already picked out and was currently hanging up at the front end of her closet, happy to indulge in the silliness of it all. As it seemed, Sunnydale itself didn't offer too much up for the holiday but she planned to make the most of it all the best she could.
OoOoO
Sadly, two days before Halloween actually came, Buffy found herself sick. She'd been able to dress up with her convinced friends the weekend prior when she caught wind of some local trunk or treats but it wasn't quite the same and she couldn't deny the disappointment that came with it all.
Pouting, she wrapped a blanket around her and shuffled her way to the couch with plans to at least watch some spooky movies but as soon as she got settled, there was a loud knock at the door followed by Angel's voice shouting at her to come to the door. With a noise of frustration, she got back up and made her way to the door, ready to complain at him but the words seemed to fail her at first as she found him all nice and decked out in scrubs on the other side of the door.
His hand reached out a bag toward her once she opened the door, "I made you some special Halloween shaped soup," he told her before lifting up his other hand. "I also have enough candy here to feed a small army I'm sure, if you want me to try and hand some out and keep you included in the day somehow or another a little more."
Holding the warm bag closer, she nodded, then told him to hold on while she went to grab him a bowl to put the candy in. He took a seat by the door out on the porch and she dragged a kitchen chair close enough she could see the groups coming up and let him entertain her in the meantime as well. And in the end, she was pretty sure she enjoyed how everything played out more than than what her original plans entailed, especially as she hadn't expected to spend the evening with Angel in the first place.
And truth be told, that thought had been on her mind quite a bit more the past couple of weeks than she would have liked to admit to. In fact, most days where she would know she wouldn't have a chance to spend much time around him lately seemed a little more dreary. A fact that both terrified her more by the day but through those warm and fuzzies around inside of her as well.