"Harder," Spike growled harshly, his eyes glinting with menace and mischief.
"I'm going as hard as I can," Kat bit out. Spike watched her. Her delectable flushed cheeks, her mussed hair, how her chest heaved up and down. He could hear the rapid thump thump thump of her heart and he'd never wanted her more than in this moment.
"Well try harder," he gave her a mocking smile. He enjoyed winding her up. Enjoyed how her eyes would narrow, a bright fire behind them.
"You're a vampire and I'm a human. It feels a little one sided, don't you think?" She huffed, swiping some of her hair away from her face. He never tired of how annoyed she'd get when they trained together.
"Right, just more excuses," he muttered, shaking his head. Her mouth gaped open a little as she stepped closer to him.
"It's not an excuse!" She argued petulantly. He fought to keep a straight face as he rolled his eyes.
"That's all it is with you. Oh, I'm only a human, I'm so weak," he mocked, making his voice obnoxiously higher as he did. He loved pushing her buttons and he always knew just which ones to push.
"I never said I was weak. You're just stupidly strong because you're a vampire," she muttered tensely. He was pretty sure he saw her right eye twitch a little.
"By all means, don't bother to train. Don't even bother patrollin'. Just sit on your arse and look pretty, that's all you're good for anywa-" he started, shutting up abruptly when he got a fist right in his nose, making his head snap to the side.
"Bloody hell," he whispered.
Didn't hurt much, though if he was human it would have caused a little damage. He was more shocked, and mightily turned on, by the anger behind it.
"It didn't even hurt, did it?" She asked dejectedly. When he glanced at her, she was almost pouting as she gave him the sad eyes and it made him feel bad. Wasn't her fault that a human couldn't really do much damage to a master vampire like himself.
"Oh no, it hurt a lot. Think you might've broken my nose," he muttered as he cradled it. She squinted at him, he never was a good liar when it came to her.
"Soddin' fine. No, it barely smarted. But it doesn't matter. Not like you'll be fightin' the big bads with your fists. Be enough to shock 'em before you get your stake in," he explained, not wanting her to feel bad about it. She nodded but he could see she was disappointed. He wasn't sure if he needed to be worried that she wanted to hurt him so badly.
"Look, you're doin' brilliant. You've come a long way, pet. No need to get down in the dumps 'cause of this. Should be proud of yourself. I'm proud of you," he murmured. Always a softie for her. He couldn't help it. She looked at him then, those beautiful ocean blue eyes searching his face like she didn't really believe him. But then her plump lips curled into a smile and he smiled back, unable to help himself. Was just nice to see her smile. She was killing him, she was. Always making him want to grab her and kiss her. He deserved a bloody award for his patience.
It had been two months since the Slayer rose from the grave and things had finally settled down. Buffy ended up confessing to the others about her being in heaven, and with her forgiving them, Kat did too. She'd told Spike that if Buffy could forgive them, then she could. She understood how desperate they'd been at the time. Spike knew if they'd have asked her about the spell a month before, she'd have hopped right on that crazy train. He was just glad everything seemed calmer these days. He hated Kat being so stressed and sad, especially when there wasn't a damn thing he could do to help.
"Alright, well I'm wiped for the day. I need to get home," she murmured as she brushed her hair away from her face again.
"You're sure you don't wanna come?" She added, looking up at him as she moved to grab her jacket.
"The Scooby meetings are enough for me. I'll let you have your little get together Spike free," he smirked as he watched her. The Scooby gang were all meeting up at the Summer's residence but it was for pleasure, not business. Kat had invited him but he'd rather gouge his own eyes out than sit around and listen to them all gossip. Of course, he'd love to spend more time with Kat, but he was sure he'd end up wringing the whelps neck if he had to spend any more time with him. Just 'cause he loved the girl didn't mean he had to be attached to her hip. He was a bit worried about smothering her. His feelings were out on the table and she'd admitted she felt something for him too. He didn't want to push it. Some time apart wouldn't kill him. He was already dead, after all.
She looked a little disappointed, or maybe that was just him projecting. He wasn't really sure. He still found it hard to believe she liked him at all if he was honest. That they were destined for one another. He'd hardly done anything to make him worthy of such a thing and he was half expecting it to all be some kind of cruel cosmic joke.
"I'll walk you back though. And see you tomorrow," he murmured, his eyes never leaving her as she walked towards him. A little smile toyed on her lips then. The idea she wanted to spend time with him was still foreign to him.
"Always the gentleman," she smirked. He snorted at her comment as they left the training room and made their way out of the store.
"Old habits and all that," he shrugged as she locked up the store.
The walk back to her place was like it always was. Peaceful and serene. He liked their little routine of him always walking her home. Not only because of his deep need to protect her, but because he just enjoyed those little moments with her. Even if they were silent, they meant the world to him. Once they reached hers, he felt the heaviness weigh on his chest as it always did when they parted ways. Was stupid really, considering he'd see her the next day. He couldn't help it though. He missed her.
"Thank you, kind sir," she smiled teasingly as she gave him a mock curtsy. He chuckled, licking his lower lip as he gave her a bow.
"Not a problem, m'lady," he replied with a smirk. He took her hand and placed a kiss on it, his eyes glued to hers. He loved it when she smiled shyly and her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink.
"See you tomorrow," she murmured, his hand still holding hers. He was starting to think she'd made it her life's mission to kill him. He'd be patient, of course he would, but he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. Taste her sweet lips once more.
"See you tomorrow, luv," he replied quietly, giving her hand a small squeeze before he let it go. She flashed him that heart melting smile before she walked up the porch steps and slipped inside. Back to his crypt to sit alone and write more poetry about her then. Seemed to be all he did when he was away from her.
Kat was stuffed. She'd had so much pizza, she was surprised she didn't burst. The guys were hanging out in the living room having just eaten. A movie on in the background that was long forgotten as they talked about anything and everything. It all felt so normal and she loved it. After all the shit that went down with Glory and then Buffy, it was nice to have a normal get together with friends.
"Sooo…" Buffy started as she gave Kat a coy look. She was pretty much back to normal thankfully but Kat blinked dumbly at her.
"So?" She asked, amused.
"You and Spike. How's that going?" She asked with a grin. Kat groaned as Willow, Tara and Anya all gushed at once about wanting to know too.
"Ah, yes. Please tell us about you and the soulless monster you're fated with," Xander muttered with an eye roll. Kat narrowed her eyes at him as Buffy punched him in the arm
"We're just friends, you know this," Kat muttered. Her cheeks were ablaze at being put on the spot like this but she shouldn't have been surprised.
"Have you kissed yet?" Willow asked excitedly as she wriggled in her seat a little. Kat pursed her lips, blush getting deeper.
"Oh my god! You have! Spill!" Buffy squealed. Kat groaned once more as she sunk further into her seat.
"Twice," she relented. Once again, the girls all spoke over themselves as they demanded more details.
"The first time was before the big fight. We weren't sure if we'd make it out or not. The second was after… I was grieving and not in my right mind. I might have come onto him," she admitted sheepishly, grimacing as she remembered her own actions.
"Of course he'd take advantage of you. He has no soul," Xander scoffed.
"What part of me coming onto him didn't you get?" Kat asked him dryly.
"You expect me to believe he didn't take you up on that offer? You're all vulnerable and offering it up on a plate for him, of course he took it," he huffed.
"Actually he didn't. He turned me down. He told me he knew I was only doing it because I was hurting and that if it ever happened it'd be for the right reasons and when I was ready," Kat explained, feeling defensive with Xander's attitude.
"Aw!" The girls chorused together.
"Points for Spike," Buffy smirked at her, making Kat snort. She knew it wasn't easy for Buffy to accept this whole thing with her and Spike. Spike being her former enemy and having no soul and all. But he'd earned her cousins respect along the way and Kat was happy she had her blessing.
"You know what? That's a good idea! Let's make a pros and cons list of dating a soulless monster," Xander grinned, snatching the message pad and pen from the tip of the cupboard.
"You're awfully hung up on the lack of soul," Kat muttered in contempt, glaring at him.
"So! Pros, he's neutered so he can't feed off you," he started, completely ignoring her comment as he started writing.
"Any more pros? No? Of course not," he smirked.
"Xander," Willow admonished softly. Buffy was looking at him like she was about to shove the pen down his throat.
"Cons… where to start. I mean, the big one. No soul," he shrugged, scribbling on the piece of paper.
"I've met enough assholes with a soul to know it's not everything," Kat huffed as she folded her arms over her chest.
"Not having a soul really opens up a lot of windows for bad. I mean, he's gonna be unfaithful, with not having a conscience and all. As soon as he sees someone else he likes he's gonna either leave you in the dirt or just go behind your back," Xander muttered as if he was talking about the weather, the pen scratching rapidly on the paper. Kat felt her chest tighten at his words, her past relationship swimming in the peripheral of her mind. She knew what Xander was doing. Hitting her weak spot. She didn't appreciate it.
"Of course he'd be faithful! He was faithful to Dru and he didn't even have a connection to her like he does with Kat!" Willow frowned.
"She has a point, Xander. It's destiny that they'll get together, that wouldn't happen if he was just going to cheat on her or leave her," Anya said matter of factly.
"Alright, that's enough. I think it's time for everyone to head home so we can go to bed," Buffy said firmly, giving Xander the dirtiest look she could muster.
"I just don't want my friend to get hurt," he muttered with a shrug.
"Good job with that," Buffy replied pointedly as she glanced to Kat who was sitting there silent and tense. He had the good grace to look guilty. After everyone filed out, Buffy sat next to her.
"Don't listen to him. He still sees everything black and white. He can't see that Spike's changed," she murmured softly.
"Do you think he'd cheat on me?" Kat asked quietly. As much as her past was stopping her from moving forward with Spike, she didn't really think he'd do that to her. Willow was right. He'd been faithful to Dru for the longest time and that was without a connection. He was loyal like that.
"No," Buffy replied with no hesitation. Kat glanced to her and saw no deception on her face. She knew if Buffy thought for a minute he would that she'd just tell her, wanting to protect her.
"Honestly, history with Spike aside, I think you'd be happy with him. Not just because it's written in the stars or whatever, but because you care. And so does he. I think you'd be good together. You just need to let him in," Buffy said softly. Kat already had her blessing but the words still took her off guard. She nodded as she looked at her hands, taking it all in. Letting him in all the way was the scary part but she'd be a liar if she said she wasn't feeling more and more like it might be able to happen with each passing day.
"Thanks, Buff," Kat smiled a little.
"It's what I'm here for. Goodnight," Buffy grinned at her, kissing the top of her head as she stood before she made her way upstairs. Kat stayed there for a moment longer before she headed to bed herself. She had a lot to think about.