A/N: for those reading at ff.net: you may notice i changed the location of this story, i felt i should place it here since it fits better.
Chapter Five: Trust Me
Ron knew he shouldn't be standing there at that moment. It really wasn't a good idea. Not a good idea at all. But he couldn't help himself, not really. Afterall, Xander had told him what time he took his lunch, and Ron was pretty sure that was a silent invitation. So, Ron stood at the gates of the construction site, gripping the shoulder of his bag and watching the men working. Ron had to admit it was a bit difficult to keep from drooling at the sight. He had yet to spot Xander, but the did not deny him a delightful vision in Xander's co-workers.
"Ooohhhh, stalker." A girl's voice interupted his veiwing. Ron jumped and turned to look at the blonde girl standing next to him. Buffy.
"Uh, I wasn't-"
"Oh, I'm so sure. Your here to see Xander, I know you are." Buffy grinned.
"Well, what are you doing here?" Ron countered.
"That's not important." Buffy calmly told him. "What's important is whether your here to see Xander or not!"
"Why would that be-"
"Look there he is!" Buffy interupted. Ron spun around to look, but frowned at the sound of Buffy giggling. "Sorry, couldn't help myself. It's so obvious, you know." Ron gave her a quizzical look. "Oh, come one! You like him! You want to hold him! Squeeze him! Kissssss him!"
"That's not funny." Ron replied, but he couldn't help but smile at the Slayer's antics.
"Of course it is, trust me." Buffy said. She grinned, then grabbed his arm and began pulling him towards the contruction site's entrance. "Come along, British boy. This is no time to be shy! You gotta get in there and win the heart of Xander Harris. Just try to not make a fool of yourself."
"Gee, thanks for the confidance. " Ron said sarcastically. Buffy snickered.
"Oh, hun. It's too bad your gay, or else I would date you myself." Buffy replied. She gave him one more push toward the gate and then, much to his shock, slapped him on the butt. "Have fun, and tell me everything!"
Ron decided at that moment he knew exactly why demons world-wide feared the Slayer. And it had nothing to do with her fighting skills.
***
Xander waved as Ron exited the construction compound. He smiled to himself, before packing up the remainder of his lunch. A snicker to his left caught his attention and he turned to look at his friend. The large man grinned at him and winked. Frowning, Xander gave him a quizzical look that made Stephen sigh dramatically.
"Don't tell me you did not notice that." Stephen demanded.
"Notice what?" Xander asked.
"That guy was totally checking you out." Stephen told him bluntly. Xander choked on the rest of his tea. (Boy, am I spending too much time with Giles if I am drinking tea at work, Xander thought randomly.) "Oh, please, don't tell me your homophobic. That's not cool, man. It's the new ages, man. Get witht he program. And that Ron fella was totally all over you."
"Don't know... Really... Your crazy... Don't know what your... Going on about." Xander sputtered.
"Please." Stephen waved his hand. "He was practically sitting in your lap. Though you sure did look happy att he prospect."
"Did not!" Xander retorted. "I'm straight, buddy. Totally straight. I've got... Anya! Yeah! Anya!"
"Oh, please." Stephen rolled his eyes in a girlish fashion. "Anya is a fuck toy. You need a real relationship, Xander, not a fuck toy. Trust me, a real relationship could do you wonders."
"What are you? Match Maker?!" Xander practically screeched. Stephen grimaced and stood up. "Hey! Where are you going? I'm not done with you!"
"Xander, shut up." Stephen order. "After work, go over to his place, tackle him onto the floor, fuck him untill he can't walk. Trust me, you'll enjoy it. Then afterwards rent a nice movie. You'll thank me, I know you will."
"Your insane." Xander informed him, but Stephen had already returned to his drill. Sighing, Xander looked down at his tea. "This is not a good idea."
***
The Bronze was oddly soothing that night. Though, Ron woudln't be able to make that claim, this being his first time there. The music they were playing was a bit on the depressing side, but Ron figured living on a Hellmouth could do that to a person. He sat at the bar, holding a bottle of water (he had leanred long ago to not trust American alcohol), scanning the crowd with disinterest.
He didn't notice Buffy, Willow, Tara, and Xander enter the building. Nor did he notice the disturbing looked the three girls shared, all before shoving Xander in Ron's direction. And he probably would of ran the other direction if he heard all three girls say "Trust Me!" to Xander, all before darting off to do.. well... Cupid-girl things like spying on them. So, due to the fact that he hardly noticed this, he was a bit shock when Xander bumped into his side.
"Xander!" Ron squeeked. He briefly closed his eyes at the sound of his voice.
"Umm, hey, Ron." Xander said meekly. He shuffled on his feet nervously. "So... What are you doing here?"
"Attempting to submerge myself into the American culture."
"I'll just pretend I understood that." Xander told him. Ron chuckled to himself, standing.
"No offense, I know this place is all popular here and all, but would you like to get out of here? This music is making me want to kill something." Ron said. Xander merely blushed and nodded, making Ron grin. "Maybe they should play more upbeat music? It might help lower the vampire rate."
"Heh, maybe." Xander said lamely. He muttered a curse at his nervousness, then followed Ron out fo the building. He pointedly ignored the three girls giving him thumbs up. They left the alleyway outside the Bronze and soon found themselves walking through one of Sunnydale's parks. "So, uh, what do you think of Sunnydale so far?"
"Well, it's boring to say the least." Ron admitted. He flashed Xander a grin. "But I think I've found a few things I like."
"Oh, yeah?" Xander couldn't help but smile back.
"Yeah." Ron said. They continued on in silence a bit longer, before Xander spoke again.
"So, umm... Did you leave a girlfriend back in England?" Xander asked.
"Uh, well, you see..." Ron trailed off and bit his lip. "Not exactly a girl persay."
"...Boy?" Xander questioned, inwardly noting the hopeful sound in his voice. He blocked out the bombardment fo questions that appeared in his mind, most of them demanding to know why he was acting like a high school boy with a crush around Ron.
"Kinda." Ron said softly. "We never were really dating. At least I don't think. I would think... when you date someone you call them by their first name. He only called me Weasley, though the occasional Weasel was said."
"He doesn't sound very loving." Xander commented.
"Draco Malfoy, loving." Ron laughed stiffly. "I don't think those two things belong in the same paragraph, definitely not in the same sentence.... Enough about me. What about you? Aren't you and that Anya gir-"
"No!" Xander bellowed out. Wincing, Xander stopped walking a moment. He looked around, then spotting a park bench, made his way there. Ron followed. He looked up at the red-head as he sat down. Ron didn't look at him, merely sat. "Sorry..."
"About what?" Ron asked, turning to eye him.
"Yelling like that... It's just... Me and Anya are weird." Xander explained. "We aren't dating, at least to me we aren't. She's only interested in the sex anyway. If I told her there wasn't going to be anymore sex, she would leave and never look back."
"Are you sure?" Ron replied.
"Yeah. Very sure." Xander mumbled. Ron watched uneasily as Xander scuffed his shoe against the ground.
"Well..." Ron said slowly. "Is there anyone else you got your eye on?"
"No!" Xander yelped again. Ron watched, eyes a bit wide as Xander broke into a deep blush.
"Are you okay?" Ron asked, reaching a hand out and resting it on Xander's shoulder. Xander's eyes drifted to the hand and watched as it made small, comforting circles. He then looked up and met Ron's eyes cautiously.
"I'm so fucking confused." Xander admitted. Ron raised an eyebrow.
"About what?" Ron asked, speaking softly.
"You."
"What about me?" Ron continued to rub Xander's shoulder, noticing the comforting effect it was having on the man. Xander made a gesture, indicating them both. Ron blinked, then removed his hand. He looked away and bit his lip. "I'm going to admit something, Xander. It's probably going to be the stupidest thing I've ever done, and I've done a lot of stupid things. But... I like you Xander. I liked you the moment I looked at you. Your just... wonderful. Your funny, friendly, and cute as hell."
"R-"
"I shouldn't of said anything." Ron made to stand, but Xander grabbed his arm gently. He looked over at Xander, who was simply staring at him, mouth slightly parted. Ron looked at him a moment, then suddenly leaned forward and brushed his lips against Xander's. It wasn't really a kiss, but it was enough contact to make both want more. Yet, Ron pulled back, jerked his arm free, and left, all while muttering, "Forgive me."
Chapter Five: Trust Me
Ron knew he shouldn't be standing there at that moment. It really wasn't a good idea. Not a good idea at all. But he couldn't help himself, not really. Afterall, Xander had told him what time he took his lunch, and Ron was pretty sure that was a silent invitation. So, Ron stood at the gates of the construction site, gripping the shoulder of his bag and watching the men working. Ron had to admit it was a bit difficult to keep from drooling at the sight. He had yet to spot Xander, but the did not deny him a delightful vision in Xander's co-workers.
"Ooohhhh, stalker." A girl's voice interupted his veiwing. Ron jumped and turned to look at the blonde girl standing next to him. Buffy.
"Uh, I wasn't-"
"Oh, I'm so sure. Your here to see Xander, I know you are." Buffy grinned.
"Well, what are you doing here?" Ron countered.
"That's not important." Buffy calmly told him. "What's important is whether your here to see Xander or not!"
"Why would that be-"
"Look there he is!" Buffy interupted. Ron spun around to look, but frowned at the sound of Buffy giggling. "Sorry, couldn't help myself. It's so obvious, you know." Ron gave her a quizzical look. "Oh, come one! You like him! You want to hold him! Squeeze him! Kissssss him!"
"That's not funny." Ron replied, but he couldn't help but smile at the Slayer's antics.
"Of course it is, trust me." Buffy said. She grinned, then grabbed his arm and began pulling him towards the contruction site's entrance. "Come along, British boy. This is no time to be shy! You gotta get in there and win the heart of Xander Harris. Just try to not make a fool of yourself."
"Gee, thanks for the confidance. " Ron said sarcastically. Buffy snickered.
"Oh, hun. It's too bad your gay, or else I would date you myself." Buffy replied. She gave him one more push toward the gate and then, much to his shock, slapped him on the butt. "Have fun, and tell me everything!"
Ron decided at that moment he knew exactly why demons world-wide feared the Slayer. And it had nothing to do with her fighting skills.
***
Xander waved as Ron exited the construction compound. He smiled to himself, before packing up the remainder of his lunch. A snicker to his left caught his attention and he turned to look at his friend. The large man grinned at him and winked. Frowning, Xander gave him a quizzical look that made Stephen sigh dramatically.
"Don't tell me you did not notice that." Stephen demanded.
"Notice what?" Xander asked.
"That guy was totally checking you out." Stephen told him bluntly. Xander choked on the rest of his tea. (Boy, am I spending too much time with Giles if I am drinking tea at work, Xander thought randomly.) "Oh, please, don't tell me your homophobic. That's not cool, man. It's the new ages, man. Get witht he program. And that Ron fella was totally all over you."
"Don't know... Really... Your crazy... Don't know what your... Going on about." Xander sputtered.
"Please." Stephen waved his hand. "He was practically sitting in your lap. Though you sure did look happy att he prospect."
"Did not!" Xander retorted. "I'm straight, buddy. Totally straight. I've got... Anya! Yeah! Anya!"
"Oh, please." Stephen rolled his eyes in a girlish fashion. "Anya is a fuck toy. You need a real relationship, Xander, not a fuck toy. Trust me, a real relationship could do you wonders."
"What are you? Match Maker?!" Xander practically screeched. Stephen grimaced and stood up. "Hey! Where are you going? I'm not done with you!"
"Xander, shut up." Stephen order. "After work, go over to his place, tackle him onto the floor, fuck him untill he can't walk. Trust me, you'll enjoy it. Then afterwards rent a nice movie. You'll thank me, I know you will."
"Your insane." Xander informed him, but Stephen had already returned to his drill. Sighing, Xander looked down at his tea. "This is not a good idea."
***
The Bronze was oddly soothing that night. Though, Ron woudln't be able to make that claim, this being his first time there. The music they were playing was a bit on the depressing side, but Ron figured living on a Hellmouth could do that to a person. He sat at the bar, holding a bottle of water (he had leanred long ago to not trust American alcohol), scanning the crowd with disinterest.
He didn't notice Buffy, Willow, Tara, and Xander enter the building. Nor did he notice the disturbing looked the three girls shared, all before shoving Xander in Ron's direction. And he probably would of ran the other direction if he heard all three girls say "Trust Me!" to Xander, all before darting off to do.. well... Cupid-girl things like spying on them. So, due to the fact that he hardly noticed this, he was a bit shock when Xander bumped into his side.
"Xander!" Ron squeeked. He briefly closed his eyes at the sound of his voice.
"Umm, hey, Ron." Xander said meekly. He shuffled on his feet nervously. "So... What are you doing here?"
"Attempting to submerge myself into the American culture."
"I'll just pretend I understood that." Xander told him. Ron chuckled to himself, standing.
"No offense, I know this place is all popular here and all, but would you like to get out of here? This music is making me want to kill something." Ron said. Xander merely blushed and nodded, making Ron grin. "Maybe they should play more upbeat music? It might help lower the vampire rate."
"Heh, maybe." Xander said lamely. He muttered a curse at his nervousness, then followed Ron out fo the building. He pointedly ignored the three girls giving him thumbs up. They left the alleyway outside the Bronze and soon found themselves walking through one of Sunnydale's parks. "So, uh, what do you think of Sunnydale so far?"
"Well, it's boring to say the least." Ron admitted. He flashed Xander a grin. "But I think I've found a few things I like."
"Oh, yeah?" Xander couldn't help but smile back.
"Yeah." Ron said. They continued on in silence a bit longer, before Xander spoke again.
"So, umm... Did you leave a girlfriend back in England?" Xander asked.
"Uh, well, you see..." Ron trailed off and bit his lip. "Not exactly a girl persay."
"...Boy?" Xander questioned, inwardly noting the hopeful sound in his voice. He blocked out the bombardment fo questions that appeared in his mind, most of them demanding to know why he was acting like a high school boy with a crush around Ron.
"Kinda." Ron said softly. "We never were really dating. At least I don't think. I would think... when you date someone you call them by their first name. He only called me Weasley, though the occasional Weasel was said."
"He doesn't sound very loving." Xander commented.
"Draco Malfoy, loving." Ron laughed stiffly. "I don't think those two things belong in the same paragraph, definitely not in the same sentence.... Enough about me. What about you? Aren't you and that Anya gir-"
"No!" Xander bellowed out. Wincing, Xander stopped walking a moment. He looked around, then spotting a park bench, made his way there. Ron followed. He looked up at the red-head as he sat down. Ron didn't look at him, merely sat. "Sorry..."
"About what?" Ron asked, turning to eye him.
"Yelling like that... It's just... Me and Anya are weird." Xander explained. "We aren't dating, at least to me we aren't. She's only interested in the sex anyway. If I told her there wasn't going to be anymore sex, she would leave and never look back."
"Are you sure?" Ron replied.
"Yeah. Very sure." Xander mumbled. Ron watched uneasily as Xander scuffed his shoe against the ground.
"Well..." Ron said slowly. "Is there anyone else you got your eye on?"
"No!" Xander yelped again. Ron watched, eyes a bit wide as Xander broke into a deep blush.
"Are you okay?" Ron asked, reaching a hand out and resting it on Xander's shoulder. Xander's eyes drifted to the hand and watched as it made small, comforting circles. He then looked up and met Ron's eyes cautiously.
"I'm so fucking confused." Xander admitted. Ron raised an eyebrow.
"About what?" Ron asked, speaking softly.
"You."
"What about me?" Ron continued to rub Xander's shoulder, noticing the comforting effect it was having on the man. Xander made a gesture, indicating them both. Ron blinked, then removed his hand. He looked away and bit his lip. "I'm going to admit something, Xander. It's probably going to be the stupidest thing I've ever done, and I've done a lot of stupid things. But... I like you Xander. I liked you the moment I looked at you. Your just... wonderful. Your funny, friendly, and cute as hell."
"R-"
"I shouldn't of said anything." Ron made to stand, but Xander grabbed his arm gently. He looked over at Xander, who was simply staring at him, mouth slightly parted. Ron looked at him a moment, then suddenly leaned forward and brushed his lips against Xander's. It wasn't really a kiss, but it was enough contact to make both want more. Yet, Ron pulled back, jerked his arm free, and left, all while muttering, "Forgive me."