Yamato the Vampire Slayer
Everything's Going My Way...
By the Empress of the Eclipse
Disclaimer - I don't own Buffy, I don't own Digimon.
"You know what this looks like?" Akemi said "The blood that came out of that demon we killed last night."
Matt dropped his fork in his food and stared at Akemi. So did the rest of the band.
"They've probably got one in the kitchen," Akemi continued, apparently missing the pointed stares he was getting "I always knew there was something strange about the head dinner lady. She's probably a squiggly disguised demon. They probably bleed her every day for our dinner."
Matt pushed his food away.
"Thanks to that charming image, I shall never eat food again," he said flatly.
Akemi laughed and laughed harder when he saw the revolted expressions on everyone's faces.
"Akemi, I'm going to kill you," Gendo said "Matt, slay him."
Matt gave him a look. Gendo shrugged. In the few weeks that the band had known about Matt's slaying skills, rules had already been established. Don't take advantage of Matt being a super-hero, don't mention them too often and don't make Matt use his strength to get the lids off all those 'easy-open' jars.
"Akemi, you are the single sickest person alive," Istu said.
"I know!" Akemi said.
"You'll be sorry one day," Toshiki said "You know what makes it worse though?"
"What?" Matt asked.
"He's bloody right," Toshiki said "It really, really does look like blood spilled from demons!"
Matt snorted.
"You know," Akemi said mournfully "I've put myself off my food."
The rest of the band cracked up as Akemi stared sadly at his food.
* * * *
Sora was talking to him but Tai wasn't listening to a word of it. He was staring over at Matt.
Matt was laughing with the band as Akemi pushed his tray away, looking incredibly sad. Matt's eyes were sparkling and he was looking happier than he had for ages.
"Taichi Yagami, are you listening?"
"Huh? Sorry Sora," Tai mumbled.
Sora followed his gaze.
"Matt seems to have cheered up doesn't he?" she said.
"Yeah," Tai said softly "He does."
Matt had cheered up recently. His grades were picking up and so was his attendance. He and the band seemed to have fixed their friendship. Everything seemed to be getting okay.
Except that Matt still avoided the Digidestined. He still avoided his brother. And he hadn't even looked at Tai.
Well, Tai couldn't blame him. After all, Tai had been the one who'd broken off their friendship.
And Matt had kissed him.
Why couldn't Tai stop thinking about that kiss? He'd been kissed by lots of people. That one wasn't very special. Except that it was a guy and that it was Matt, his former best friend who had kissed him. But shouldn't that make him forget it, not remember it so much? He wasn't gay, didn't think of guys in that way. But somehow, he couldn't stop remembering Matt catching him in his arms and kissing him.
He looked at Matt. Matt was nibbling the dessert of the day, some sort of wafer. Tai could see the cross round his neck. As he watched, Matt absently rubbed it, his eyes going dreamy. Tai saw the band exchanging looks. Then Istu, eyes glimmering evilly, emptied a glass of water over Matt's head. Matt yelped indignantly and swiped at Istu, who dodged. The band were all laughing hysterically as Matt, still dripping wet, slowly got to his feet. Istu gulped and fled, Matt chasing him.
Tai sighed. Maybe he'd made a mistake. Maybe Matt had just been depressed, going through an identity crisis or something. And now he seemed to be okay. Maybe Tai had thrown away his friendship for nothing.
Tai sighed. Pushing his tray away, he left the cafeteria. He walked into the bathroom and found Matt banging on the door of one of the cubicles.
"You can't hide in there forever Istu!"
"Yes I can!" Istu yelled back.
Matt hadn't seen Tai enter. He banged again.
"Istu, it you don't open this door, you know what I'll do?"
"Give up and go away?"
"No. I'll a, bang down the door, or b, climb over the top and get you! And since that's cheaper..."
"Wait! We can talk about this!"
Matt crouched down, frowning. The he leaped, grabbing the top of the door. Tai's mouth dropped open as Matt pulled himself in. He heard Istu yelling from inside, followed by several bangs. Then Matt gave a yell of rage.
"ISTU KATSURAGI! Get your grubby mitts off!"
"Oh please! Isn't it fun?"
"No! Now remove your hands right now!"
"Oh! It's my Alien Hand Syndrome again! My hands won't obey my instructions!"
"Istu, move your hands right now or I'll rip off your arms and use them to play croquet!"
"Aw..."
"Is-tu!"
Tai heard giggles from inside the cubicle. Then Matt opened the door and came out, looking dishevelled. He froze when he saw Tai standing there.
"Tai!" he said "Um, how long have you been there?"
"A while," Tai said. How on Earth had Matt jumped that far? "Not long."
"I was....we were just..."
"Yes," Tai interrupted. He didn't really want to think about what Matt and Istu might have been doing. He noticed that Istu was staring in between them. When he saw Tai was looking at him, he pulled a revolting face. Matt didn't seem to notice but he guessed because he put his elbow firmly back into Istu's shoulder.
"OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
Istu gave a dramatic howl and fell into the cubicle. Matt quickly slammed the door and held it shut with his foot. He was still staring at Tai.
"Matt, I..."
"What?"
"Nothing," Tai said "Forget it."
"Matt is a vampire Slayer!" Istu yelled from the cubicle "He's not crazy and you're just stupid."
Matt swallowed and looked at the floor.
"Whatever," Tai said "See you around."
He left.
"Istu!" Matt hissed.
"What?"
"Oh forget it," Matt said.
Istu shrugged. As far as he was concerned, Tai had shown himself to be a lousy creep who didn't deserve Matt's affections. He could see that Matt hadn't quite got there yet.
"Patrolling tonight?" he asked.
"Nope. It's Ken and Davis's turn. You can do my English assignment."
Istu grinned. The group shared out Matt's homework equally most of the time. Matt did some of it but they were happy to help him out.
"Is anyone else going to join you?" he asked meaningfully.
"Shut up," Matt said. He knew that Istu and the others had cottoned onto his crush on Angel. They were all asking for information on it. Matt was refusing to tell anything. He didn't think it was any of their business.
Besides, things with Angel were complicated. After, Angel was a vampire who'd been in love with the last Slayer.
And one true moment of happiness would make him evil.
So things were difficult on the Angel front.
And then there was his continuing feelings for Tai.
"You know that Tai's never going to feel the same way," Istu said softly, as though reading Matt's thoughts.
"He isn't, is he?" Matt said sadly.
Istu looked at him.
"Come on," he said "Let's go and...and help Akemi do something stupid."
Matt laughed and they left the bathroom together.
* * * *
"Davis!" Matt said in irritation "The idea is to patrol quietly, not to eat popcorn!"
"It's not me, it's Ken!" Davis protested.
Matt glared at them both. Taking the popcorn, he emptied it into the nearest space (which happened to be a grave that a vampire had just vacated) and then threw the container away.
"Watch where you throw popcorn!"
They looked. Spike was glaring at him. Angel was standing behind him looking amused.
"Angel," Matt said, annoyed at his sudden blush "Spike."
Spike gave him a glance and grinned. Matt felt himself flush. Damn that stupid vampire!
"Hey!" Davis said uncertainly. Matt had told them all about Angel and Spike but they were still slightly nervous around them.
Spike waved. Angel just sort of smiled. He was nervous around people as far as Matt could see.
"We've come to help you patrol," Spike said "Um, Boy-Slayer?"
Matt's jaw tensed. He didn't appreciate being called Boy-Slayer.
"Yes?" he said.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to throw popcorn in graves? It's called desecration. Or something."
"Oh shut up," Matt said.
"Vampire!" Ken said helpfully, pointing.
"My turn!" Davis said hopefully.
"You take it in turns to kill vampires?" Spike said, looking disbelieving "That's..."
Matt went over and restrained the vampire. Davis jabbed the stake.
"Yeah!" Davis said "I get to kill the vampire!"
"Terrific," Spike said "Angel, this lot are loopy."
"Oh be quiet Spike," Angel said.
There was a pause. Ken noticed Spike give Angel a kick on the ankle.
"Angel wants to say something," he announced pointedly.
"Spike!" Angel hissed.
"Well you do."
Angel scowled.
"Matt, can I talk to you please?"
"Um...sure," Matt said "Ken? Davis?"
"I'll walk them home," Spike said.
"See you later," Ken said, waving.
Angel and Matt walked off together.
"What does Angel want?" Davis asked.
"Apart from to shag him senseless?"
Spike grinned, seeing the shocked expressions on Davis and Ken's faces.
"Rather like the two of you want to do to each other!"
He only just managed to stop himself going into hysterics, seeing the expressions on their faces.
"Come on!" he said "Time to get you two home."
Davis and Ken went with him quite meekly, obviously still in shock.
* * * *
Tai lay in bed, tossing and turning. He couldn't sleep.
He kept seeing the expression on Matt's face when he'd seen him in the bathroom.
Did Istu really believe Matt? Or was he just trying to piss Tai off? But...
Tai groaned. There was an easy way to find out wasn't there? If you believed Matt's diary, he went out and wandered round graveyards. So...so he'd probably see Matt there, wouldn't he?
Besides, he wanted air to clear his head.
* * * *
"You wanted to talk to me?" Matt asked eventually.
Angel sighed. He wasn't sure that he did. He knew that he had to say it but...
"Matt," he said gently "I can't help noticing how you feel...about me."
He saw Matt's face go blank and knew that Matt wasn't going to give any information out.
"It's not bad," he said "It's...it's flattering. But...but it can't ever be."
"Did I say anything about anything ever being?" Matt asked, his voice sounding bitter.
Angel sighed.
"I'm sorry Matt," he said "It's just...my curse stops anything like that."
Matt said nothing. Angel thought he saw a glimmer of tears in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said "It's not that you're not attractive or that...that I don't like you. But my curse..."
"Do you like me?"
Angel jumped slightly.
"What?"
"Do you like me?" Matt repeated, staring up at Angel "Do you?"
"I...that's really not an issue," Angel said, blushing.
"But do you?"
Angel thought. He remembered Spike telling him that Matt had been knocked back by the other boy, Tai. Maybe this would help.
"Well...you're very good-looking...and you're clever...and you seem nice...so yes, I suppose I do like you."
Matt looked at him. Then he uncertain put his arms round Angel's neck and kissed him. Angel froze for a second or two, then gently kissed Matt back, letting Matt press himself closer.
Neither of them saw a shocked Tai staring at them in horror.
* * * *
"Right," Spike said "I'm sick of playing nursemaid so you are on your own."
He'd walked Davis home and had now walked Ken half the way home. But he was bored now.
"That's okay," Ken said.
Spike turned to leave.
"Spike."
Spike looked back.
"Did..." Ken seemed to have trouble saying whatever he wanted to say "Did you mean what you said? About...about me and Davis?"
Spike grinned.
"Every word sweetheart," he said "But if he's not interested, I'm quite happy to take his place!"
Ken blushed.
"Why does everyone keep saying that recently?" he asked.
Spike laughed.
"Maybe it's because you're gorgeous," he said "Slightly feminine but still utterly gorgeous."
Ken smiled, looking flattered.
"Do you think that Davis likes me?" he said, sounding hopeful.
"Definitely," Spike said. He patted Ken on the head, then gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"You see," he said "Davis likes you."
He walked off, leaving Ken staring after him, a slightly dreamy expression on his face.
* * * *
Angel drew back from the kiss slowly, staring into Matt's eyes. Matt was panting slightly, his eyes sparkling.
"That...that was..."
Angel reluctantly drew back, releasing Matt from his arms.
"Matt...you know that this can't ever be anything," he said "You understand that."
Matt nodded.
"I know. But...but maybe you could kiss me again?" he said pleadingly "Please?"
Angel stared at him. He wasn't sure quite what to do. Trust Matt to be as stubborn as Spike too.
"Please?" Matt repeated.
Slowly Angel put his arms round Matt and kissed him again, letting Matt slid easily into his arms.
* * * *
Tai ran. He ran as fast as he could until somehow he ended up sitting alone in the park.
Matt had been kissing someone. He had been kissing some guy, some guy that Tai didn't even know. In a graveyard. He was kissing him.
"This isn't happening," he whispered out loud "This really can't be happening."
Matt was kissing somebody? In the graveyard? But...but Matt was his.
"You know, the park isn't really a safe place to be sitting."
Tai looked round. A man with platinum blonde hair was staring at him.
"Just go away," he said miserably "I'm okay."
"No you're not," the bloke said "And it's not safe. Unpleasant....people linger around."
"What, like vampires?" Tai said bitterly "Yeah, I know about those."
He expected the man to laugh and say he was drunk. To his surprise, the man sighed.
"Ah. You must be one of Matt's friends."
"You know Matt?" Tai said.
"Yup."
"Who are you?"
"My name's Spike. You?"
"Tai."
"Oh YOU'RE the famous Tai!" Spike said. He gave Tai an oddly examining look "You are not nearly as cute as he seems to think."
"WHAT?" Tai yelled "What the FUCK would you know about it you...you jerk!"
Spike shrugged. He sat down next to Tai and continued looking at Tai scrutinisingly. Tai sighed and drooped.
"How did you know about me?" he asked flatly.
"I read his diary."
Tai gaped at him.
"He doesn't know that," Spike said cheerily "So what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
"Liar."
Tai scowled.
"Just....oh Matt was kissing some guy in the graveyard," he snapped.
"WHAT?" Spike squawked "That wasn't part of the plan! He was supposed to be telling him that a relationship was OFF the cards, not snogging his face off!"
Tai turned away.
"And you're jealous?" Spike said.
"No!" Tai snapped "I couldn't care less! I think it's gross! Kissing other guys...it's sick!"
Spike raised an eyebrow. Could that boy sound any less convincing?
"Really?"
"Yes! It's wrong...and gross...and just..."
Spike grabbed him and kissed him passionately on the lips. He felt Tai freeze, then struggle. Spike hung on very gently, not releasing him. After a moment, he felt the boy uncertainly stop struggling and relax. Then he drew back.
"Wrong and gross my arse," he whispered, staring into Tai's eyes.
"I...I..."
Tai seemed to have got stuck. He was gaping at Spike, completely confused.
"What's wrong pet?" Spike said. He was vaguely considering screwing this one. He wasn't cute like Matt and Ken were cute but there was something that grew on you. And it seemed like Matt was pretty busy with Angel.
"You liked it didn't you?" he continued.
"Yes," Tai admitted, looking miserable.
"Then what's your problem?" Spike asked.
"Because...because I've never thought about anyone like that!" Tai wailed "And Matt...Matt started all of this and now he's making out with someone else!"
He started to cry. Spike mentally swore. What on Earth did you do with crying people?
"Okay," he said after moment, patting Tai on the shoulder "Okay, don't cry. Don't cry. It's okay. Really."
Tai shoved him away.
"Oh just leave me alone!" he cried "I don't care. If Matt wants this...this guy, I don't care! Why should I care? He's welcome to him! We're not even friends any more! You...you can tell Matt that I don't care because I fucking don't!"
He ran away. Spike stared after him, then sighed. He knew that he'd better follow Tai, make sure he got home okay.
"Blasted brat," he muttered "Buffy's friends - morons that they are - were never like this!"
Scrambling up, he slowly began walking in the direction that Tai had gone.
* * * *
Matt lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
He and Angel had kissed. He and Angel had kissed.
'But nothing can ever happen' a voice in his mind said 'You know that. Nothing can ever happen'
'But why not?'
'Cause screwing him makes him evil, you idiot!'
'But maybe not. I mean, just because...well, you're never going to make him that happy!'
Matt sighed and pushed it all out of his head. At least he hadn't been thinking about Tai. In fact, Tai had practically gone out of his head.
For a while at least.
Matt snuggled down, closing his eyes. Finally...finally....things seemed to be going his way.
The End of Part 7.
Everything's Going My Way...
By the Empress of the Eclipse
Disclaimer - I don't own Buffy, I don't own Digimon.
"You know what this looks like?" Akemi said "The blood that came out of that demon we killed last night."
Matt dropped his fork in his food and stared at Akemi. So did the rest of the band.
"They've probably got one in the kitchen," Akemi continued, apparently missing the pointed stares he was getting "I always knew there was something strange about the head dinner lady. She's probably a squiggly disguised demon. They probably bleed her every day for our dinner."
Matt pushed his food away.
"Thanks to that charming image, I shall never eat food again," he said flatly.
Akemi laughed and laughed harder when he saw the revolted expressions on everyone's faces.
"Akemi, I'm going to kill you," Gendo said "Matt, slay him."
Matt gave him a look. Gendo shrugged. In the few weeks that the band had known about Matt's slaying skills, rules had already been established. Don't take advantage of Matt being a super-hero, don't mention them too often and don't make Matt use his strength to get the lids off all those 'easy-open' jars.
"Akemi, you are the single sickest person alive," Istu said.
"I know!" Akemi said.
"You'll be sorry one day," Toshiki said "You know what makes it worse though?"
"What?" Matt asked.
"He's bloody right," Toshiki said "It really, really does look like blood spilled from demons!"
Matt snorted.
"You know," Akemi said mournfully "I've put myself off my food."
The rest of the band cracked up as Akemi stared sadly at his food.
* * * *
Sora was talking to him but Tai wasn't listening to a word of it. He was staring over at Matt.
Matt was laughing with the band as Akemi pushed his tray away, looking incredibly sad. Matt's eyes were sparkling and he was looking happier than he had for ages.
"Taichi Yagami, are you listening?"
"Huh? Sorry Sora," Tai mumbled.
Sora followed his gaze.
"Matt seems to have cheered up doesn't he?" she said.
"Yeah," Tai said softly "He does."
Matt had cheered up recently. His grades were picking up and so was his attendance. He and the band seemed to have fixed their friendship. Everything seemed to be getting okay.
Except that Matt still avoided the Digidestined. He still avoided his brother. And he hadn't even looked at Tai.
Well, Tai couldn't blame him. After all, Tai had been the one who'd broken off their friendship.
And Matt had kissed him.
Why couldn't Tai stop thinking about that kiss? He'd been kissed by lots of people. That one wasn't very special. Except that it was a guy and that it was Matt, his former best friend who had kissed him. But shouldn't that make him forget it, not remember it so much? He wasn't gay, didn't think of guys in that way. But somehow, he couldn't stop remembering Matt catching him in his arms and kissing him.
He looked at Matt. Matt was nibbling the dessert of the day, some sort of wafer. Tai could see the cross round his neck. As he watched, Matt absently rubbed it, his eyes going dreamy. Tai saw the band exchanging looks. Then Istu, eyes glimmering evilly, emptied a glass of water over Matt's head. Matt yelped indignantly and swiped at Istu, who dodged. The band were all laughing hysterically as Matt, still dripping wet, slowly got to his feet. Istu gulped and fled, Matt chasing him.
Tai sighed. Maybe he'd made a mistake. Maybe Matt had just been depressed, going through an identity crisis or something. And now he seemed to be okay. Maybe Tai had thrown away his friendship for nothing.
Tai sighed. Pushing his tray away, he left the cafeteria. He walked into the bathroom and found Matt banging on the door of one of the cubicles.
"You can't hide in there forever Istu!"
"Yes I can!" Istu yelled back.
Matt hadn't seen Tai enter. He banged again.
"Istu, it you don't open this door, you know what I'll do?"
"Give up and go away?"
"No. I'll a, bang down the door, or b, climb over the top and get you! And since that's cheaper..."
"Wait! We can talk about this!"
Matt crouched down, frowning. The he leaped, grabbing the top of the door. Tai's mouth dropped open as Matt pulled himself in. He heard Istu yelling from inside, followed by several bangs. Then Matt gave a yell of rage.
"ISTU KATSURAGI! Get your grubby mitts off!"
"Oh please! Isn't it fun?"
"No! Now remove your hands right now!"
"Oh! It's my Alien Hand Syndrome again! My hands won't obey my instructions!"
"Istu, move your hands right now or I'll rip off your arms and use them to play croquet!"
"Aw..."
"Is-tu!"
Tai heard giggles from inside the cubicle. Then Matt opened the door and came out, looking dishevelled. He froze when he saw Tai standing there.
"Tai!" he said "Um, how long have you been there?"
"A while," Tai said. How on Earth had Matt jumped that far? "Not long."
"I was....we were just..."
"Yes," Tai interrupted. He didn't really want to think about what Matt and Istu might have been doing. He noticed that Istu was staring in between them. When he saw Tai was looking at him, he pulled a revolting face. Matt didn't seem to notice but he guessed because he put his elbow firmly back into Istu's shoulder.
"OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
Istu gave a dramatic howl and fell into the cubicle. Matt quickly slammed the door and held it shut with his foot. He was still staring at Tai.
"Matt, I..."
"What?"
"Nothing," Tai said "Forget it."
"Matt is a vampire Slayer!" Istu yelled from the cubicle "He's not crazy and you're just stupid."
Matt swallowed and looked at the floor.
"Whatever," Tai said "See you around."
He left.
"Istu!" Matt hissed.
"What?"
"Oh forget it," Matt said.
Istu shrugged. As far as he was concerned, Tai had shown himself to be a lousy creep who didn't deserve Matt's affections. He could see that Matt hadn't quite got there yet.
"Patrolling tonight?" he asked.
"Nope. It's Ken and Davis's turn. You can do my English assignment."
Istu grinned. The group shared out Matt's homework equally most of the time. Matt did some of it but they were happy to help him out.
"Is anyone else going to join you?" he asked meaningfully.
"Shut up," Matt said. He knew that Istu and the others had cottoned onto his crush on Angel. They were all asking for information on it. Matt was refusing to tell anything. He didn't think it was any of their business.
Besides, things with Angel were complicated. After, Angel was a vampire who'd been in love with the last Slayer.
And one true moment of happiness would make him evil.
So things were difficult on the Angel front.
And then there was his continuing feelings for Tai.
"You know that Tai's never going to feel the same way," Istu said softly, as though reading Matt's thoughts.
"He isn't, is he?" Matt said sadly.
Istu looked at him.
"Come on," he said "Let's go and...and help Akemi do something stupid."
Matt laughed and they left the bathroom together.
* * * *
"Davis!" Matt said in irritation "The idea is to patrol quietly, not to eat popcorn!"
"It's not me, it's Ken!" Davis protested.
Matt glared at them both. Taking the popcorn, he emptied it into the nearest space (which happened to be a grave that a vampire had just vacated) and then threw the container away.
"Watch where you throw popcorn!"
They looked. Spike was glaring at him. Angel was standing behind him looking amused.
"Angel," Matt said, annoyed at his sudden blush "Spike."
Spike gave him a glance and grinned. Matt felt himself flush. Damn that stupid vampire!
"Hey!" Davis said uncertainly. Matt had told them all about Angel and Spike but they were still slightly nervous around them.
Spike waved. Angel just sort of smiled. He was nervous around people as far as Matt could see.
"We've come to help you patrol," Spike said "Um, Boy-Slayer?"
Matt's jaw tensed. He didn't appreciate being called Boy-Slayer.
"Yes?" he said.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to throw popcorn in graves? It's called desecration. Or something."
"Oh shut up," Matt said.
"Vampire!" Ken said helpfully, pointing.
"My turn!" Davis said hopefully.
"You take it in turns to kill vampires?" Spike said, looking disbelieving "That's..."
Matt went over and restrained the vampire. Davis jabbed the stake.
"Yeah!" Davis said "I get to kill the vampire!"
"Terrific," Spike said "Angel, this lot are loopy."
"Oh be quiet Spike," Angel said.
There was a pause. Ken noticed Spike give Angel a kick on the ankle.
"Angel wants to say something," he announced pointedly.
"Spike!" Angel hissed.
"Well you do."
Angel scowled.
"Matt, can I talk to you please?"
"Um...sure," Matt said "Ken? Davis?"
"I'll walk them home," Spike said.
"See you later," Ken said, waving.
Angel and Matt walked off together.
"What does Angel want?" Davis asked.
"Apart from to shag him senseless?"
Spike grinned, seeing the shocked expressions on Davis and Ken's faces.
"Rather like the two of you want to do to each other!"
He only just managed to stop himself going into hysterics, seeing the expressions on their faces.
"Come on!" he said "Time to get you two home."
Davis and Ken went with him quite meekly, obviously still in shock.
* * * *
Tai lay in bed, tossing and turning. He couldn't sleep.
He kept seeing the expression on Matt's face when he'd seen him in the bathroom.
Did Istu really believe Matt? Or was he just trying to piss Tai off? But...
Tai groaned. There was an easy way to find out wasn't there? If you believed Matt's diary, he went out and wandered round graveyards. So...so he'd probably see Matt there, wouldn't he?
Besides, he wanted air to clear his head.
* * * *
"You wanted to talk to me?" Matt asked eventually.
Angel sighed. He wasn't sure that he did. He knew that he had to say it but...
"Matt," he said gently "I can't help noticing how you feel...about me."
He saw Matt's face go blank and knew that Matt wasn't going to give any information out.
"It's not bad," he said "It's...it's flattering. But...but it can't ever be."
"Did I say anything about anything ever being?" Matt asked, his voice sounding bitter.
Angel sighed.
"I'm sorry Matt," he said "It's just...my curse stops anything like that."
Matt said nothing. Angel thought he saw a glimmer of tears in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said "It's not that you're not attractive or that...that I don't like you. But my curse..."
"Do you like me?"
Angel jumped slightly.
"What?"
"Do you like me?" Matt repeated, staring up at Angel "Do you?"
"I...that's really not an issue," Angel said, blushing.
"But do you?"
Angel thought. He remembered Spike telling him that Matt had been knocked back by the other boy, Tai. Maybe this would help.
"Well...you're very good-looking...and you're clever...and you seem nice...so yes, I suppose I do like you."
Matt looked at him. Then he uncertain put his arms round Angel's neck and kissed him. Angel froze for a second or two, then gently kissed Matt back, letting Matt press himself closer.
Neither of them saw a shocked Tai staring at them in horror.
* * * *
"Right," Spike said "I'm sick of playing nursemaid so you are on your own."
He'd walked Davis home and had now walked Ken half the way home. But he was bored now.
"That's okay," Ken said.
Spike turned to leave.
"Spike."
Spike looked back.
"Did..." Ken seemed to have trouble saying whatever he wanted to say "Did you mean what you said? About...about me and Davis?"
Spike grinned.
"Every word sweetheart," he said "But if he's not interested, I'm quite happy to take his place!"
Ken blushed.
"Why does everyone keep saying that recently?" he asked.
Spike laughed.
"Maybe it's because you're gorgeous," he said "Slightly feminine but still utterly gorgeous."
Ken smiled, looking flattered.
"Do you think that Davis likes me?" he said, sounding hopeful.
"Definitely," Spike said. He patted Ken on the head, then gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"You see," he said "Davis likes you."
He walked off, leaving Ken staring after him, a slightly dreamy expression on his face.
* * * *
Angel drew back from the kiss slowly, staring into Matt's eyes. Matt was panting slightly, his eyes sparkling.
"That...that was..."
Angel reluctantly drew back, releasing Matt from his arms.
"Matt...you know that this can't ever be anything," he said "You understand that."
Matt nodded.
"I know. But...but maybe you could kiss me again?" he said pleadingly "Please?"
Angel stared at him. He wasn't sure quite what to do. Trust Matt to be as stubborn as Spike too.
"Please?" Matt repeated.
Slowly Angel put his arms round Matt and kissed him again, letting Matt slid easily into his arms.
* * * *
Tai ran. He ran as fast as he could until somehow he ended up sitting alone in the park.
Matt had been kissing someone. He had been kissing some guy, some guy that Tai didn't even know. In a graveyard. He was kissing him.
"This isn't happening," he whispered out loud "This really can't be happening."
Matt was kissing somebody? In the graveyard? But...but Matt was his.
"You know, the park isn't really a safe place to be sitting."
Tai looked round. A man with platinum blonde hair was staring at him.
"Just go away," he said miserably "I'm okay."
"No you're not," the bloke said "And it's not safe. Unpleasant....people linger around."
"What, like vampires?" Tai said bitterly "Yeah, I know about those."
He expected the man to laugh and say he was drunk. To his surprise, the man sighed.
"Ah. You must be one of Matt's friends."
"You know Matt?" Tai said.
"Yup."
"Who are you?"
"My name's Spike. You?"
"Tai."
"Oh YOU'RE the famous Tai!" Spike said. He gave Tai an oddly examining look "You are not nearly as cute as he seems to think."
"WHAT?" Tai yelled "What the FUCK would you know about it you...you jerk!"
Spike shrugged. He sat down next to Tai and continued looking at Tai scrutinisingly. Tai sighed and drooped.
"How did you know about me?" he asked flatly.
"I read his diary."
Tai gaped at him.
"He doesn't know that," Spike said cheerily "So what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
"Liar."
Tai scowled.
"Just....oh Matt was kissing some guy in the graveyard," he snapped.
"WHAT?" Spike squawked "That wasn't part of the plan! He was supposed to be telling him that a relationship was OFF the cards, not snogging his face off!"
Tai turned away.
"And you're jealous?" Spike said.
"No!" Tai snapped "I couldn't care less! I think it's gross! Kissing other guys...it's sick!"
Spike raised an eyebrow. Could that boy sound any less convincing?
"Really?"
"Yes! It's wrong...and gross...and just..."
Spike grabbed him and kissed him passionately on the lips. He felt Tai freeze, then struggle. Spike hung on very gently, not releasing him. After a moment, he felt the boy uncertainly stop struggling and relax. Then he drew back.
"Wrong and gross my arse," he whispered, staring into Tai's eyes.
"I...I..."
Tai seemed to have got stuck. He was gaping at Spike, completely confused.
"What's wrong pet?" Spike said. He was vaguely considering screwing this one. He wasn't cute like Matt and Ken were cute but there was something that grew on you. And it seemed like Matt was pretty busy with Angel.
"You liked it didn't you?" he continued.
"Yes," Tai admitted, looking miserable.
"Then what's your problem?" Spike asked.
"Because...because I've never thought about anyone like that!" Tai wailed "And Matt...Matt started all of this and now he's making out with someone else!"
He started to cry. Spike mentally swore. What on Earth did you do with crying people?
"Okay," he said after moment, patting Tai on the shoulder "Okay, don't cry. Don't cry. It's okay. Really."
Tai shoved him away.
"Oh just leave me alone!" he cried "I don't care. If Matt wants this...this guy, I don't care! Why should I care? He's welcome to him! We're not even friends any more! You...you can tell Matt that I don't care because I fucking don't!"
He ran away. Spike stared after him, then sighed. He knew that he'd better follow Tai, make sure he got home okay.
"Blasted brat," he muttered "Buffy's friends - morons that they are - were never like this!"
Scrambling up, he slowly began walking in the direction that Tai had gone.
* * * *
Matt lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
He and Angel had kissed. He and Angel had kissed.
'But nothing can ever happen' a voice in his mind said 'You know that. Nothing can ever happen'
'But why not?'
'Cause screwing him makes him evil, you idiot!'
'But maybe not. I mean, just because...well, you're never going to make him that happy!'
Matt sighed and pushed it all out of his head. At least he hadn't been thinking about Tai. In fact, Tai had practically gone out of his head.
For a while at least.
Matt snuggled down, closing his eyes. Finally...finally....things seemed to be going his way.
The End of Part 7.