A/N: Why did I watch BTVS? For Spike of course. Why will I watch Angel? For Spike. :) I'm a sucker for the B/S romance (well minus that whole ugliness at the end of Season 6, grrrr argggh). This is my first shot at writing an actual fanfic story, thought I've been reading them for a year now. I'm totally addicted to Spuffy fantasy type fics cuz they rock! Hmmm what else do I have to say? I like chocolate. Wait that's not relevant. I love Spike. Mmm… Spike…. drool…. James Marsters… drool… Okay read on and enjoy!
Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine, blah blah blah. They're property of Mutant Enemy, 20th Century Fox, Joss Whedon, etc etc etc. I just borrowed them for a bit, I'm sure Joss won't mind. Honestly, you can ask him yourself!
Rating: PG-13, no real reason because there's no PG-13 content yet. But I like to use bad words so some might accidentally pop up here and there. Gotta protect the kiddies!
Summary: It's not really "Battle of the Bands" like a contest, but more like two band lead singers that can't stand each other – but then fall hopelessly into the smoochies eventually. Spike, Xander, Wesley (well think a young Wes), and Riley are in a band called Vampires in Love. Andrew's their manager and Spike and Wes are brothers. After struggling they've finally made it into the spotlight and are the hottest thing around. Buffy, Willow, Faith, Tara, and Anya are in a small local Sunnydale band called the Scoobies, and they're still searching for that big break. Of course Dawn and Joyce are around too because they're super cool as well. Oh and hmmm, age-wise. Let's see, they're all in their early 20s or so, either in college or post-college. Well except Wesley, he's about 19. And Dawn's about 17. I think it helps to know the mentality and maturity of the character when trying to form a picture of them, but that's just my opinion.
Dedication: This is for Mars, to the MAXX. (Not the planet, but the sister.) I stuck MGB in here just for you, even though you never really read my stuff. Sniff sniff. J/k! But that's okay because I get to make fun of you, what are little sisters for?! :)
Feedback: Of course! I'm human, aren't I? I mean… please, if you want to. And btw, writing stories isn't my forte, I'm more of a poet/song lyricist so be gentle-ish if you can? Hehehe.
Chapter 1 – Vampires in Love
A roar erupted through the MTV studios in downtown Manhattan as popular and lovable (and sometimes a bit annoying) VJ's Harmony Kendall and Warren Busch took the stage. It was that time again for MTV's "Total Request Live," counting down what teeny boppers thought were the most fabulous videos and music of the moment. Usually it consisted of fairly talented singers with some vanilla songs about love and life and loss, with a dance thrown in for good measure. And then some days, a band would come along with real passion, real talent, and actual lyrics that meant something, and start something comparable to small wave of Beatle-mania but for a new-millennium generation. This week the new "it" band was none other than Vampires in Love.
"Hey everyone, we're coming' at you live from Times Square in the Big Apple! We're counting down your top 10 most requested videos of the day, and later on Reese Witherspoon will be stopping by to tell us about her new movie Legally Blonde 2. But we've got some breaking news for you first!" Warren said.
"Oh my gosh, TRL viewers, have we got like the biggest surprise for you!!! This is like the best thing ever!!!" Harmony chirped into her microphone.
"That's right kids! We have for you today a super duper extra fabulous world premiere video, exclusively from our favorite new rockers, Vampires in Love!!!" Warren exclaimed.
"And ladies, you know how good Spikey looked in that last video," Harmony said, fanning herself with her hand. "I've seen this video and let me tell you… wow… I'm speechless!"
"Harm, is that even possible for you?!" Warren joked.
"You're just jealous of Spikey, Warren! They are so hot! Am I right girls and yeah I know a few of you guys are thinking the same thing!" Harmony bantered, turning and engaging the audience as any good VJ was required to do. The crowd started to shriek and cheer wildly, obviously very taken by the band.
Warren assumed a rather serious face and looked at Harmony. "Yes Harmony, I really am so jealous. Can you blame me? Spike gets to play alongside those superfine hotties Xander, Wes, and Riley," he deadpanned.
"Warren!" Harmony giggled, playfully smacking him in the arm. She put up a hand starting the countdown. "Anyways! Here you go guys. Check it out, coming at you in 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1. It's the new song by Vampires in Love. This is 'Bitten by Love!' Woooohoooo!!!!"
Meanwhile…
Somewhere across the country, well not just somewhere but Sunnydale, CA to be precise, Buffy Summers made a face and said, "Ugh, Dawn! Will you turn that crap off? It's just another boy-band trying to be as good as *NSYNC," she paused and sighed dreamily (hey a girl's got to have her vices), "– which will never happen anyways. And get out, we've got to rehearse!"
"Buffy! Hey!" Dawn yelled, clamoring for the remote and snatching it from her older sister's grasp. "Do you realize you just turned off Vampires in Love?" she shrieked, snapping the TV back on.
"Vampires in who?"
"Shhhh!!!" Dawn said while flailing her arms wildly at Buffy. "After the video!" she finished, turning and once more becoming transfixed by the TV.
Buffy stared the screen, which featured four cute guys walking along a city street, obviously depressed about love or something. Eh… interesting I guess, she thought as the camera panned upwards to catch the lead singer's startling blue eyes and white blonde hair as he crooned a sad melody.
"I'm bitten by love
Tragic as it seems
You're stuck in my head
I can't force you to leave
I'm bitten by love
Buried by heartaches and screams
I'm bitten by love
Do you know what I mean?"
"I'm bitten by love, and it's killing me…" sang Spike Edwards, lead singer of Vampires in Love, worming his way into the every girl's heart across the world. He cast one last hollow yet soulful glance eat the camera before the video faded to black.
"Oh my God! Aren't they the best?!" Dawn exclaimed, falling backwards on the sofa with her hands to her heart.
"Why were they dressed like freaks?" Buffy mused, noticing the band's costumes for the first time.
"Freaks? Whatever, I think it's very original. Besides, it's their thing, Spike's a vampire, Riley's a soldier, Xander's a pirate and sometimes he's 007, and Wesley always wears a suit – kind of like the Beatles, or a really hot librarian. And he's Spike's little brother."
Buffy raised a disbelieving eyebrow. "Ok, Village People much?"
"No! They're not meaningless disco-pop. Their lyrics have meaning and soul and they really rock! Plus I doubt they're gay. Spike is dating Drusilla Rayne, the soap opera star from 'The Young and the Hopeless.' And I think Xander dated Cordelia Chase, last year's Miss America or something a while back. She dumped him and totally broke his heart, how could she be that stupid to dump Xander Harris? I don't know about Wesley, but I think Riley's engaged to some girl named Sam from his hometown in Iowa. They're high school sweethearts, isn't that the cutest thing ever?!" Dawn spilled out in one breath.
Buffy shot Dawn a "you're a weird little sister" look, quipping "Yeah… too much information."
"What?! I heard about them last year when they were just struggling to make it. Just like you guys! I have a wide variety of musical tastes like Matthew Good Band, they're not even on MTV! They're on Much Music in Canada – well before they broke up. I don't just listen to what MTV tells me to do. Oh shhhh, shhhh be quiet! Commercial's over!"
"Yeah, that's nice. Now get out, the girls are coming over to practice in a few minutes! Go bother someone else."
"But Buffy –"
Buffy folded her arms across her chest and struck an older sister pose once more, "Or you can stay and help set up if you want. Carrying the drums in, hooking up really loud amps, really heavy amps…" Buffy interrupted her sister's whining.
Dawn shot up out of her chair, listening to the silence, "Huh? Did you hear that? I did! Is that Mom calling, yeah I'd better go see what she needs!" Dawn said, scampering out of the room.
Buffy sighed, "Sisters!" She turned her attention back to the TV where Harmony and Warren were gushing over the Vamps' upcoming tour. "They're not that good! Who am I kidding, they are that good. How the hell are the Scoobies ever going to get recognition like that?" Just then the phone rang.
"Hello? Hey Oz! How are the Dingoes doing? You know we're all coming to see you at the Bronze this Saturday. Mmm-hmmm. Wait, the Troika's sick, so what are you guys going to do?" She listened for a moment before continuing. "Oh wow that's awesome, sure we can totally fill in for them! Let me just run it by the guys, well minus Willow because I figure she already knows. Mmm-hmm, that's fine – we can meet tomorrow to discuss the details. Excellent. Thank you guys so much! See you later, bye!"
Finally, things are starting to look up! Buffy thought to herself as she sat on the edge of the sofa. Hey, hey we're the Scoobies! And we're coming to take over! Buffy smiled, watching at a commercial for Vampires in Love's latest album. Today Sunnydale, tomorrow the world!
A/N: Hi, it's me again! Duh. Big surprise. *Hands you a cookie for reading this far.* Thanks for stopping by, y'all come back now, ya hear?! Okay, one last thing – I'm having trouble deciding who I should hook Willow up with. I loved her and Tara as a couple, but I dug her and Oz as a couple too. Sigh… decisions decisions. Any thoughts? If not, that's ok too. *waves g'bye!*
Oh and a cookie for anyone who can figure out why I named the band Vampires in Love. Any guesses?