They finally reached the oasis Holly spoke of, with all three men still in sour moods, and much more sober. Nick and Spike only had their arms around each other as they walked while David just moped along sadly, "Oh you three are such sore loser's!" Holly exclaimed as she started setting out their blankets and other picnic accessories.
Buffy and Willow took their time getting a good look around them. In the centre of some random field near Spike's home they stood before a large pond, surrounded by flourishing tree's and plant life. It was completely randomly placed but gorgeous. Buffy took off her shoes and ran down to the bank of the pond, relishing in the cool sand she felt beneath her toes. Up higher on the bank was the largest tree there and from it hung a rope swing from a branch that jutted out across the water.
Suddenly one of Spike's signature roars was heard and Buffy disappeared from Willow's side once more. She screamed and Spike picked her up before tossing her out into the water then laughing when she resurfaced. "You jerk!" She yelled coming out of the water and chasing him, but to no prevail. He simply ran to the base of the big tree and dove happily into the water, leaving a soaking wet and brassed off Buffy behind him.
She huffed, returning to the picnic and stripping out of her wet clothes until the also wet bikini she wore underneath had surfaced. Willow watched Spike swim about and splash in the water. He spent a special amount of time dipping his hair in the water hoping to get girly stench off of him but to no prevail. She looked up at Buffy who now sat beside her on one of the blankets, "How come the other boys are in boxers and he's still in pants?"
Everyone laughed at that, which left Willow confused, but they let Buffy answer, "The only time I've seen him wear underwear under his jeans was on valentine's day."
"I bought those for him!" Nick chimed in, "Thought you'd get a giggle."
Buffy nodded, "They were adorable," She turned to Willow, "White boxers with cute little hearts on them!" They both giggled as Spike approached them soaking wet now and shaking his still shirt hair out like a dog before sitting next to Buffy.
Spike bent forward going through the wagon until he found the bottle, then chugged as opposed to a swig or two. He looked at Buffy, "Do I still smell like girl?" He asked leaning forward and offering his head to smell.
She bent forward and smelt his head before giving a heebie jeebies shiver, "You smell like girl and pond water..."
Spike smiled, "Good I stink, as everyman should. Tomorrow I will go without deodorant and you, Miss Holly will suffer immensely..."
Buffy shook her head, "No you won't..."
Spike looked at her and gave in, "No, I won't..."
An hour later and their food was half gone, as well as the tequila that had tagged along. The girls just giggled watching the boys interact with each other. It was enough entertainment for anyone.
Nick was hanging from the rope in the centre of the pond, David below him and encouraging the larger man to drop. He clung for his life though, "No! It's too far!"
Spike stood on the shore, "It's five feet to the water..." He swayed slightly, after finally reaching the level of intoxication he had been aiming for.
"It's too shallow!" Nick whined even more.
David waded in the water below him, "If-" hiccup, "If I'm swimming and..." He paused a moment before diving. He disappeared for a few moments before resurfacing, "I couldn't find the bottom, mate. Just drop!"
Nick shook his head with a stubborn visage as he hung on for dear life. Spike sighed and walked to the big tree. His first attempt to climb it he fell down into the water and had to swim out, but at least the girls got a laugh. The second try he made it, but visibly swayed as he scooted out onto the branch that the rope hung from. Nick looked up, "Don't you dare shake the tree Billy! Bilbo!" He yelled at the tiny man above him.
Spike merely smiled, his signature trouble following smile before he stood, slowly, and began jumping up and down. Nick hung below and stared swinging back and forth, "Stop it! I'm scared! I'm gonna wee myself! Knock it off."
Spike continued though, "Come on monkey. Monkey likes the water!" He yelled back trying to make the man drop. With every push down, David jumped out of the water, trying to grab Nick's foot. It took a moment but he succeeded and started to climb up the hanging man.
"I'm surprised that tree is taking three full grown men's weight like that." Willow said as they watched.
"No!" Nick yelled kicking at David now that he began sliding down the rope, "Get off of me you kilt wielding Scott!"
Three more good jumps and Nick finally lost his grip, both him and David falling into the water. Spike misjudged the recoil from the branch though and ended up with catastrophic results. Just as he came down from his last jump the branch shot back, passing his feet and shot straight into his groin. All three girls gasped as he landed hard and turned rigid on the branch, "Oi..." He sighed softly his eye's watering before he too fell from the branch and into the water.
Nick and David resurfaced, splashing each other and playing, having missed the action above them. Buffy rushed down to the bank not seeing her fiancé resurfacing, "Where is he!" She yelled and Nick and David looked around.
Across the pond Spike resurfaced in a painful glory and clawed at the steep bank before him. David swam across, grabbing the injured man by the waist and pulling him to the correct side to deposite him on the bank in front of Buffy. She dropped to the ground next to a desperately gasping Spike and rubbed his chest, "Honey, are you okay?"
Spike turned over grabbing his bits and gave out a loud pained moan. Holly was the laughing so hard she could barely breathe, "Oh god! That was... Just... The best thing! The best ever!"
Buffy could do nothing but let him get through the pain. It took 10 minutes before he could speak, "I'm done for today... done... Want. Bed..." He said and Buffy laughed.
David and Nick agreed, retreating from the water and began helping Holly and Willow clean up while Buffy sat and comforted Spike. "We're all ready!" Holly said once they were packed.
Buffy left Spike's side for a moment, "Can you just leave a blanket for us... I think he needs another hour or so before he can start walking..." This caused Holly to crack up again as the incident replayed in her head once more. She nodded and left a blanket for them, as well as the bottle, informing Buffy it would help him. They waved a quick bye and headed back to the house so Willow could pack to go home.
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