Summary: Fairly short and fluffy. A fic watching Buffy and Faiths' relationship turn into something more
Timeline: Set towards the end of season 4, after the body swap, with Faith staying in Sunnydale
Rating: PG-13, mild language, sexual references and such
Pairing: B/F
Disclaimer: These characters all belong to Joss and Mutant Enemy etc etc
Feedback: Yes please. This is my first fic, so I'd love to know whether I should ever write another oneA huge thank you to everyone who reviewed! I wasn't quite expecting such encouraging feedback and it made writing this chapter a pleasure. Final chapter 3 is on its way as we speak. Enjoy!
Chapter 2La foi consiste à croire ce que la raison ne croit pas
-Voltaire, Questions sur L'Encyclopédie
(Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe)
FAITHS POV
I'm not sure what I did to score an invite to the Scoobies video night, but hey. Who am I to say no to free popcorn and some free entertainment? Maybe lame entertainment, but I'm not so choosy these days.
Buffy said that Xander had picked out the movie so my hopes were not high. Some Sci-fi geeksville film that appealed to, like, 1 in 4000 people. I think Willow's friend Tara was coming along too, so more likely it was 'bring-a-friend' night, and Buffy had run out of available choices. But again, I'm not complaining about that. Lately, I got the feeling that Buffy didn't mind our "training" and hanging out time so much either. I wasn't about to jump to conclusions on why though. Buffy and straight went hand in hand.
"How many packets do you think? Two or three?"
Buffy emptied the box of microwave popcorn packets onto the kitchen table, and held up a handful.
"Better go for three" I replied.
No point being hungry if the popcorn's there right? And I was feeling surprisingly hungry, even by my standards, despite having a night off from slaying.
One by one, we emptied popcorn into three big bowls, and headed back into the lounge. Willow was busy handing out blankets and arranging people around the tv. She had given Xander the lazy boy closest to the tv, and had allocated Tara to the empty space on the couch beside her.
When me and B arrived with the food, she tossed a blanket onto the remaining couch.
Huh. Cosy.
Buffy grabbed the popcorn out of my arms, and gave a bowl to Xander, and one to Willow and Tara. Leaving, one bowl, one blanket and one couch for the both of us. Guess she was in a sharing mood. Fine by me.
We sat down on the couch, and Buffy started mucking round with the cushions, trying out a hundred different ways of sitting before she decided she was comfortable. Then she spread the blanket out over the both of us, and made a space for the popcorn in the middle. Ok, that's good. Space apart is good.
With a flourish, Xander produced the video, and everyone leant forward to make out the title. A few seconds later, we were all waiting for someone to recognise what it was we were going to be watching. A few more seconds later, and Xander let out a sigh.
"Doesn't anyone recognise this? It's a classic! Every good boy and girl should have grown up watching this!"
This time, the silence that greeted him was also accompanied by more than a few raised eyebrows.
"Just wait then, my fine uneducated friends. Let the learning begin."
Did I just hear Willow snort?
And with that, he put the video in, adjusted the volume, and ran to turn out the light.
As the video started, I noticed B had put the bowl of popcorn in her lap, and had shifted ever so slightly towards me. Careful Faith.
I know I shouldn't have been encouraging it. But it was so damn hard not to. She hardly ever played up to my flirting, and when she did, it took all I had not to jump her on the spot. I just had to keep reminding myself that she was straight. As in, not interested in girls, or you Faith. She likes dead boys, and beefstick boys and probably a number of other crappy boys. Boys. All boys. Not girls, and especially not girls who tried to kill you, then take over your body. I've realised now that probably doesn't rate very high on the charming meter. It's easier to see that when I look back, but at the time it WHAT? WHAT?!
Nice place to rest your hand B. On my leg. Cause that's not distracting or anything.
Maybe she doesn't realise that's my leg? Or her arm got tired, mid popcorn grab?
Oh, who the hell cares? Don't move Faith.
I slowly dropped my gaze, and looked at Buffys' hand. Sure enough, she was gazing intently at the movie, and had her hand resting up against my leg.
Damn the blanket. If it wasn't in the way, her hand would be actually touching my leg.
I moved my hand across to hers, and touched the bracelet she was wearing.
"Nice bracelet B. Where'd you get it?" I whispered to her.
"I made it a while ago. You never know what some beads, safety pins and elastics will make."
I felt my arm get goose bumps as she whispered back in my ear. I also noticed Willow glance over at us. Xander on the other hand, looked like an earthquake could have struck, and he'd still be waiting for the right moment to pause the tape.
As Buffy turned back to the movie, I realised she had left her hand where it was.
Not wanting to appear totally weird, I started playing with the beads on her bracelet. So what if my fingers brushed against hers? I was just giving my hands something to do.
Quarter of an hour later, I had run out of new ways to play with Buffys' jewellery. I had moved onto her silver ring, and had no new ways to keep myself entertained.
Just do it Faith. Her hand is there. What's the big deal?
As casually as I could, I curled one of my fingers around hers in a 'I-do-this-with-everyone-when-I-watch-movies' kind of way.
So far so good. No violent slaps or cursing.
In fact, I swear she just moved closer. What is happening here? Buffy, leaning her head on my shoulder, with her hand practically wrapped around mine now.
And the popcorn? It had been banished to the far end of the couch for some unknown crime.
More likely this was her usual movie watching style. Or something.
Wow. This was actually turning out to be a nice night. I didn't have a clue what the movie was about, and I had hardly touched the popcorn, but I was enjoying this. It felt like I was with friends. Not just Buffys' friends, but my friends too.
God, emotional much Faith? Remember, this was probably a pity invite.
With a sudden crash, Spike burst through the front door, scaring everyone out of their wits. I felt B almost jump out of her skin beside me. It was around then that I noticed just how close we were sitting. Not to mention Willow and Tara. They were practically sitting in each other's laps when the blonde came crashing in.
When I looked back, I could see they'd moved apart to a respectable distance and looked as guilty as if they'd just been found making out on the teachers' desk. Wait a minute. Making out? Woah. I should have seen that one coming.
"Sorry to bust up your little group quiz night, but can a guy get a hand round here? Preferably a hand attached to the arm of a slayer?"
He sounded out of breath. Or, for someone who didn't breathe, surprisingly tired.
I heard Buffy give a snort of disgust.
"And why would you be needing that Spike?"
She sounded kinda annoyed. More than usual when it came to dealing with Spike. I had a fleeting thought. Was she annoyed Spike was interrupting our 'fast turning into cuddle' time together?
Before I could even process it, I felt myself jumping off the couch and striding over to the vampire.
"Whatcha need Blondie? Anything that involves slaying? Cause I'm itching to get some action tonight."
Shit. That came out wrong.
"You know, slaying action and all. Missing training and slaying in one day can play havoc on a girl."
Spike must have been more worried than I'd given him credit for, cause he didn't even smirk at my ramblings. He just stood there fidgeting.
"Well you see, I got a bit of a problem. Nothing I couldn't usually handle, except for the ah, size, of this particular one."
I stood there, waiting for him to explain a little more. I could almost feel Buffys' glare hitting me in the back.
"Ok. I had this little wager with a Bubrock demon over a game of pool. Kicked his ass actually. So when time came for him to pay up, his friends had come back with a few other friends, and a few more friends. And let's just say we didn't exactly get along. There was an incident with a pool cue, and when I called him Bubs, well, uh, you see.... I sort of need a hand with this group. Think you could help a guy out?"
"For sure. Just point me where the action is. Uh, thanks for the movie night guys. We'll have to do this again soon or whatever."
I glanced over at Buffy as I left, and was surprised at how disappointed she looked.
For a second, I stood there, wanting to apologise for running out on her. I wanted to tell her that this was the best night I've had in weeks, and how I'd like nothing more than to cuddle up on the couch with her all night. How I wanted to cuddle up with her on the couch every night. How I looked forward to training with her and the scoobies each day I got up. I wanted to tell her how much it meant to me that she forgave what I did to her, to everyone she loved, and treated me like a human being again.
But I didn't.
Instead, I turned around to face Spike, who was holding the door open and watching me with a raised eyebrow.
Spike and I had hardly walked two streets when I heard the sound of running footsteps. We both swivelled round on the spot to face the approaching group. From the number of footsteps, I guessed there was about seven or eight of them.
No such luck. As they came round the corner, I saw only four figures. Two vamps, some weird creature covered in fur, and a huge grey demon with three legs.
They let out shouts and growls of anger as they saw Spike, then saw me standing alongside. Spike already had a stake in his hand, so I figured he could take care of the vamps. I crouched down and pulled a knife out of my boot.
I guess going to a friends' house to watch videos and taking a knife hidden in your boot would have seemed weird to most of the population. I happen to know that Xander sleeps with a throwing axe under his pillow.
With a shout, Spike launched himself at the closet vampire, and I straightened up to find myself staring at the furry thing.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you fur coats were out this year?"
I wondered if he even spoke English, cause he paused his growling for a second and stared at me. Your loss buddy. I thrust the knife into his chest and slashed it sideways. He fell to the ground without another noise. Almost too easy.
Spike had just dusted the first vamp as the other one kicked him in the head. I grinned and threw myself at the three-legged one.
"Oh gross. That is just wicked foul."
I had punched him across the face, to find that his skin wasn't just naturally shiny, it was also incredibly slimy.
I backed away a few steps and waited until he lunged for me. Bad move.
A kick to two of his legs, a punch in his stomach (eww) and another swipe at his legs and he was flat on his back.
Didn't any of today's demons bother with a self-defence course?
I leaned over and slit this throat, grimacing as little grey specks flew onto my pants. I turned round to see Spike wearing a similar look of distaste. His leather coat was covered in a fine dust.
"See what a nuisance you vamps are, even after you've been staked?"
He rolled his eyes in reply, and sat down on the sidewalk to empty his boot.
I sat down beside him and concentrated on wiping some grey muck off my pants.
"So, what was up with the group bonding?"
"Yeah well, I'm not one to pass up free food, that's all."
He glanced over at me, then went back to tying up his boot.
"You and the other Slayer looked mighty comfy."
Every reply I could think of suddenly left me for better places. Simply for something to do with my hands, I reached down and scooped up a handful of gravel, and let it slide through my fingers.
"Well well. Struck a nerve have we?"
As usual, in place of witty replies, I could feel myself getting defensive.
"So what? We're finally getting along and suddenly it's not ok?'
"It's fine by me Pet. I just wondered how the other Cub Scout members were with you and their leader shacking up?"
"Wait a second here Deadboy. Me and her? There's no shacking. Of any kind."
"Oh, right then. My bad."
He was silent for a minute.
"But you wish there was."
With a growl of annoyance, I leaped to my feet.
"Dammit! I thought maybe you just looked stupid. There's no me and her. There never was and there never will be. She's straighter than a piece of 2 x 4. And even if she ever was into girls, which she's not, there's no way she'd go for someone like me. All the attention she's been giving me? It's pity. No doubt I'm her latest charity project, and as soon as she gets bored, I'm history, to her and her little group."
Spike was standing now too, with a calm, detached look on his face. Meanwhile, I could feel my eyes starting to water.
I did not need this right now.
With a start, I turned and ran off down the road as fast as I could.
I heard him call out as I reached the end of the street.
"Hey, thanks for the help Slayer!"