This week, the challenge is "Out Loud". Accidental declarations of love - or confessions that love is not returned? Something said in the heat of passion that would have been better unsaid, or that has been a long time coming? Confessions of crushes, overheard secrets, and sweet nothings - everything's fodder for this challenge.
AtS – Season 5 Post Destiny – Spike/Angel, Wesley
1. Intimacy Issues
"Really now, Spike. Don't you have anyone else you can bother?" Wes looks at the recently recorporealized vampire with disdain. "I've little enough time to work on these translations without having you not breathing over my shoulder."
"Sorry mate. Seems you're my victim by default." Spike grouses. "Everyone else has a life... and their own apartment."
Reluctantly looking up from his books Wes feels a momentary twinge of…empathy for the morose blond. "If you wish, I can intimate your need for a place of your own to Angel. Perhaps a calm suggestion would go a long way…"
"Yeah, right. You intimate to Angel all you like. Angel and me have never been intimate," Spike sighs, his eyes glazing over with a far away look. "… except for that one time…"
That catches Wes' attention. "You and Angel were intimate?" he murmurs, almost too low to be caught by preternatural hearing. "Pray tell?"
The vampire snaps back to himself, personal shields strongly in place. "That's not what I meant, Percy, and you know it. Spend twenty years with a bloke and you're forced into some tight spots. Doesn't mean we were shaggin' or nothing." Yeah, Spike. You keep tellin' yourself that.
BtVS – Season 5 – Intervention – Buffy, Xander/Spike
2. Mmmm, Spike!
Buffy is furious. How dare they even think of her and Spike in that way? Her, sex and Spike? Totally un-mixy. Even if he does look damned fine coming and going.
"No one is judging you," Xander soothes. "It's understandable. Spike is strong and mysterious and sort of compact but well-muscled."
"I am not having sex with Spike," she insists, vehemently. "But I'm starting to think that you might be."
And isn't that a thought for the ages? Buffy's mind goes to a happy place. Light and dark, broad and slender… limbs entwined in passion. Maybe there should be oil.
BtVS – Season 3 – The Prom – Giles/Wesley
3. Dancing Around the
Truth
Giles watches Wesley staring at Cordelia across the decorated gymnasium, the longing palpable on the younger Watcher's innocent face.
"Mr. Giles, I'd like your opinion. While the last thing I want to do is model bad behavior in front of impressionable youth, I wonder if asking Miss Chase to dance would…"
"For God's sake, man," he spat, unable to control his temper any longer. "She's eighteen, and you have the emotional maturity of a blueberry scone. Just have at it, would you, and stop fluttering about." Giles turns and walks away, immediately sorry for the hurt that flashes across Wesley's face.
"Right, then. Thanks for that."
No sooner does Wesley head for the girl in question before Giles berates himself for his rash remark. Truth is, he's jealous. He knows the man doesn't stand a chance with a vacuous twit like Cordelia Chase. What Wesley needs is a firm hand to guide him… Giles' hand. And now he's blown any chance to make the overtures that should be made.
Wesley moves around the floor, stiff limbed and uncomfortable with his arms tentatively holding the girl. Cordelia looks bored. Giles wishes he could step up to the couple and cut in.
AtS – Season 2 – Dear Boy – Lorne/Angel
4. In Search Of…
Angel apologizes to the crowd for his not-so-delightful rendition of Everybody Wang Chung Tonight and heads directly for Lorne. "Tell me about Darla," he demands.
"Whoa! Give me a sec. You are sending out some family-sized vibes," the green-skinned demon chortled. "My fillings are still humming." He holds up his glass for the bartender to top off. The upcoming conversation doesn't promise to herald moonlight and roses.
"I saw lots of things, Angel-pie. You are at a crucial junction, big guy."
"So, talk."
"So, no."
"What do you mean, no? You won't tell me anything?" The vampire was just this side of begging; his desperation to find Darla is the driving force of his unlife.
"I tell you you're headed into trouble with a capital troub. Let her go, bro. That way lies badness." Don't ask me for more, bucko. It's not worth it.
"What do you care?" Angel is this close to begging. "You got murderous demons in here. You give them free advice, but you won't help me."
"Hey, I set people on their paths, okay? And this is way off your path, sweetie. Go home." Better yet, stay here… with me.
Leaning in closer, Angel pushes once more. "Tell me where Darla is."
"I know you're not gonna start anything in here. You're a good boy," Lorne sighs, getting up. "Have a drink before you go. It's on me."
Lorne watches the vampire storm off in a snit, knowing he'll continue to chase after Darla until it destroys him.
Oh, he tried. He really did. The Powers That Be will probably come down hard on his green ass for trying to manipulate their champion with his gift. If only Angel would look at him instead of chasing after Darla - he was trying to be subtle, see?
BtVS – Season 1 – Teacher's Pet – Xander, Willow – Xander/Angel
5. Behind
Closed Doors
Xander's tired of his masculinity being made fun of. Blayne is just the final straw to his fragile ego, or he'd never have thought to use his two best gal-pals that way. No sooner does he take his arm from Buffy's shoulders does she drift away… heading towards another guy.
"Who's that?" he asks Willow. Sweet Willow who would never abandon him to go chasing after some other guy.
"That must be Angel, I think."
"That weird guy that warned her about all the vampires?"
"That's him, I'll bet you." The redhead smiles, sensing a bit of the green-eyed monster in her friend.
"Well, he's buff!" Xander whines. "She never said anything about him being buff!"
"You think he's buff?" Willow's eyebrows creep up towards her hairline.
"He's a very attractive man! How come that never came up?"
Willow says nothing, feeling bad that Buffy doesn't return Xander's obvious feelings for her.
Gods, it's just too much. The way he's looking at the Buffster. The longing, the angst, the puppy dog eyes. If only he'd look at me. I could do adoring. Xander sighs, firmly closing the closet door in his mind. No way he'll ever do anything about it.
BtVS – Season 4 – Family – Tara/Willow
6. Happy Birthday,
Baby
Willow leads her girl onto the dance floor and they begin to sway gently to the music. She rests her hands on Tara's waist. Tara's hands hold onto the red head's shoulders.
"Good birthday, baby?"
"Mmm, best birthday."
Willow sighs. "I still can't believe you didn't tell me about your family and all that." Looking into Tara's sweet face she can't believe this girl wasn't pampered from the day she was born.
"I was just afraid if you saw the kind of people I came from, you wouldn't wanna be anywhere near me," Tara admits.
"See… that's where you're a dummy. I think about… what you grew up with, and…" Willow paused, brushing a stray lock of hair behind Tara's ear. "…then I look at what you are. It makes me proud. It makes me love you more."
Tears form in Tara's eyes. The tenderness she feels comes close to unmaking her. "Every time I – even when I'm at my worst… you always make me feel special." At Willow's tender smile, she asks: "How do you do that?"
"Magic."
The two young women hold onto each other, resting their heads on each other's shoulders, continuing to sway to the music.
