A/N: Set after OMWF things are just slightly AU in regards to the time of year, instead of fall we're in summer and Buffy is a little more open to Spike's advances. Otherwise things are pretty much canon.
Huge thanks to my lovely Beta Geliot99
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Fireworks
Buffy blinked dumbly at the backseat and trunk of Xander's car sitting in her driveway. Xander stood by his car wearing a face splitting grin. "Did you rob a fireworks store or something?" She asked.
"It was buy one get one, plus I had a coupon!" He grinned even wider.
Buffy continued to blink, unable to comprehend his excitement. "But why do you need so many fireworks?"
"Because my dear friend Buffy needs a big-time pick-me-up. So we are throwing a 4th of July Beach-Bash!"
"We are?" She asked, a squeak of fear entering her voice, "How, when, where? It's next week and you're hitting me with this now!?"
"This is not a freak out Buffy kind of thing," he said soothingly, "the gang has been working on this since before the song and dance fiasco. Willow and Tara are on food, Anya and I are decorations and entertainment. Even Giles is getting in on the fun. He's bringing the grilling goodness. All you have to do is show up at the beach and have a good time. I promise. Maybe you could even invite a special friend? Ehh? Some fireworks at the fireworks?"
Buffy's heart sped up at the thought. "Is everyone inviting people?"
"Well yeah. I invited a couple of the guys from work. One of them used to do pyrotechnics so he volunteered to shoot off all the fun stuff I bought plus all the stuff he bought too. I think Will said she and Tara invited some of their friends from class."
"Ah huhh…" Her mind was furiously trying to think of someone she could invite. Someone who wasn't currently the only person she could stand to be around.
Shit… shit… shit…
"What about Dawn?" She blurted out.
"Isn't she supposed to be going on that camping trip with Janice's family?"
Buffy resisted the urge to slap herself in the forehead, "Right. I completely forgot. I really need to get a planner or something to keep track of this stuff."
"I'm pretty sure she would have reminded you," he chuckled, "hey, do you mind if I keep this stuff in your shed?" He asked, gesturing toward the absurd number of fireworks.
Buffy shrugged and gave a numb little nod and regretted it almost immediately as Xander went around to the passenger side of the car and hefted a massive box she hadn't noticed before. If Xander's friend also bought an assortment as well then this was bound to be one hell of a fireworks display.
The scent of cigarette smoke drifted towards her on the breeze blowing through the cemetery a moment before the telltale tingle denoting the presence of a vampire hit her. Buffy turned around to see Spike standing there with his trademark smirk.
"Care for some company, Goldilocks?"
Buffy sighed heavily, "What do you want, Spike?"
"Think I found it actually," he said moving a little closer, "what'd you say, give us a kiss?"
The thought of their first kiss flooded her brain. She caught herself gazing intently at his perfectly kissable mouth and forced herself to look away. The act hadn't gone unnoticed and Spike bit his lip in response.
"I'm not kissing you."
"Again, you mean?" He took another step towards her. "The crux of the matter is you rather enjoyed it. You can't deny it, Slayer. I know I got you all hot and bothered."
She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on. He was right. She hated the fact that he was right. And at this particular moment she was just too emotionally exhausted to argue with him about it.
The thought of him pressing into her as they kissed passionately in the alley behind The Bronze had been keeping her up at night. The feel of his hands and lips on her had been electrifying. If she was being even a little bit honest with herself, she had been craving him like a starving animal craves it's next meal.
"God I think I need a drink…" Buffy muttered.
"Can help with that too," he said, holding out his flask.
Buffy took it, giving him a dubious look. "What's in it?"
"Know you don't like bourbon much so I switched to whiskey."
She raised an eyebrow at that, "You just knew I'd accept a drink?"
He shrugged unperturbed, "Hoped, more like," he tilted his head, watching her take a hefty swig and pull a disgusted face, "seems it wasn't such a wild thing to imagine."
She swallowed again, trying to rid her mouth of the taste and narrowed her eyes at him, "I'm not sure if there's much of a difference."
"Bite your tongue, this has far less corn and they're aged very differently. All bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon. Thought you might like this better," Spike huffed as he reached out to take the flask back and she took a second long sip before relinquishing it.
"Sure, totally different… blahh…" she grimaced.
"What seems to be troubling you?" He asked.
Buffy sighed. Of course he would see right through her. "Who says anything is?"
He shrugged, falling into step with her. "Because something is always troubling you these days."
"Aren't you enough?" She smirked as they walked along.
"You flatter me, Slayer, but no. I'm not buying it."
Her stomach roiled at the thought of the party. "The gang is having this big beach-bash for the 4th and I'm kinda stressing about it."
"Worried bout finding just the right outfit for beach blanket bingo, is that it?" He scoffed, taking a drag of his cigarette.
"Not exactly. They're expecting me to bring a date… or I don't know, maybe meet someone there… They're all inviting people… I don't know. I just— I don't want to be bothered with all that, you know?"
He turned his head to gaze at her longingly, "That why you keep pushing me away?"
"Among so many other reasons, Spike. I just— they want me to bounce back. Xander seems to think I just need one good party to snap out of it and I'll be my old happy self again."
He snorted out a cloud of smoke and flicked his cigarette butt away. "Rot. Stupidest thing I've ever heard. After everything you've been through? It's a miracle you're not a gibbering mess in the psych ward. That's not even counting pulling yourself out of your own grave."
Buffy's steps stalled and she just stared at him for a moment before starting up again, "Eh, thanks… I guess…"
He shot her a quizzical glance, "Dunno why you seem so surprised, pet."
She pressed her lips together, "I'm confused. Why do you get to be the insightful-y one?"
He snorted a laugh, "Been round a bit I suppose. Know the look, even if I can't see it in the mirror."
They walk together in relative silence, a sort of familiar comfort settling between the two of them. It was nearly like the night she had come over to his crypt and he had taken her out to Willy's.
That had ended disastrously and he didn't want to repeat the mistake.
"I'm just trying to figure out why you don't just tell your mates that you're not up for it."
She shrugged, "I don't know. I guess because part of me thinks maybe Xander kind of has a point. Like maybe it will help. I've been kind of avoidy with people and maybe forcing myself to go to a party might be a good idea."
"Be sure to tell me just how that brilliant plan works out. You'll be the bird in the corner pettin' the dog and slippin' out early."
Buffy laughed, "I don't think there's going to be a dog."
"A cat then," he rolled his eyes.
"At the beach?"
"Could happen," he shrugged, "suppose this a daylight thing huh? Sand and sun."
Buffy hummed, "Not really so much with the sun. I guess they're sort of setting up for dinner and going all night from the sound of it."
"Yeah?" Hope filling his voice.
Buffy swallowed, "Eh, yeah… you- d-did you want to come?"
A smile tugged at his lips, "Thought I might gate-crash but if I'm invited… just takes all the fun out don't it?"
"So is that a— DUCK!"
He tilted his head quizzically as Buffy's eyes flew wide. She kicked out a leg, catching him on the bicep and knocking him down to the ground just as a flash of steel sliced through the air where his head had been. Buffy blocked the sword's downward trajectory, gripping the demon by the forearms and delivering a kick to its stomach. The demon smashed into the side of a crypt, dropping its sword. Buffy got in three good punches while Spike rolled to retrieve the sword. The demon made an attempt to stop Spike with a kick to the ribs. Despite the blow, Spike still managed to get the sword and hold fast.
Buffy stood back a moment watching. Spike attacked like a jungle cat. He lunged the sword into the demon's side just below the rib cage. He pulled back with a self satisfied expression on his face.
"Were you even aiming?" Buffy asked.
"Oh right, like you know where this guy keeps all his internal bits."
She blinked as the demon clutched it's side, toppled and died. "Ehh… okay…"
"I've seen these things before. Not typically bright."
"And apparently their hearts are where their livers should be."
He shrugged, "We best get this fella out of here."
"Yippee, clean-up. Just what I wanted to do tonight."
"Look on the bright side. At least the company isn't dull," he smirked, "I'll even treat you to another drink when we're finished if you're so inclined."
"You're on mister."
Buffy stood in the center of her bedroom staring down at her bed. She chewed on her lip debating between the three bathing suits laying out for inspection. If she knew it would just be the Scoobies she wouldn't hesitate to go with the more sporty, hot pink set with the floral print top and cute surfer shorts, that was perfect for playing volleyball in. "Party" seemed to call for the super sexy, sparkly green string bikini she had been itching to wear. Then there was the black one-piece with a plunging V-neck and corset style laces running up the very low front and wide side panels.
It wasn't hard for her to imagine which one Spike would like best… and that was the problem.
She let out a loud exasperated groan.
As though summoned by the sound, Dawn poked her head into her room. "Humm, Buffy? Everything alright in here?"
Buffy turned, "Oh ah, yeah. Totally fine. Are you all packed up?"
"Yup! Just put my toothbrush and toothpaste in my bag."
"You got your sleeping bag and everything? Sunblock? Water bottle? Flashlight? Hairbrush? First Aid kit?"
"For the last time. Yes. I packed all that stuff last night. Are you sure you're alright?" Dawn asked, a look of concern clouding her features.
Buffy gestured towards the bed, "This stupid party…"
Dawn raised an eyebrow, "The one three days away?"
Buffy pouted and sat down on her bed with a huff. "That's the one."
"Some hunk you're trying to impress?"
"No! Of course not!"
"Ah huhh… yeah okay, sure. So what's with the beach babe debate?"
Buffy buried her face in her hands. The thought of trying to talk to her little sister about all the crazy Spike shaped things rolling around in her head was daunting. Beyond daunting.
Dawn chewed on her bottom lip, "Is this about the Scoobies trying to find you a new boyfriend?"
Buffy looked up at her aghast, "Oh my god… they told you that?"
Dawn shifted the swimwear to the side and sat down next to her, "Not really. I just sort of got the impression that's what they are doing." Her tone was flat with disapproval.
Buffy turned a questioning gaze to her.
Dawn looked uncomfortable, "I guess I just thought you and Spike kinda had something…"
"Spike?" Buffy asked dumbly as though she had never heard the name.
"Ohh come on. He's been completely in love with you for like ever. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if you had feelings for him too."
Buffy's cheeks flushed, "There are no feelings, there is only—"
Dawn seized her sister with a hard piercing gaze. "Don't lie to me. I'm not a little kid. I saw the way Spike stopped you from dancing to death. The way you looked at him and—" she hesitated, "I heard what he sang to you. I didn't really think about it at the time but; Spike knew where you were, didn't he? I'm guessing you must have told him…"
"How did you—" Buffy started but Dawn interrupted her.
"Spike didn't say anything, I swear. I just— no one talks to me about stuff so I just sort of—" she shrugged awkwardly, "I guess I just started kinda watching all of you guys extra close."
Buffy bit the inside of her cheek, eyeing her sister. She was growing up, starting to take on the characteristics that would carry her into adulthood and that realization hit Buffy harder now than it ever did before. She took a deep breath easing the thought from her mind. "Ever think about becoming a detective?"
"I was sort of thinking about going into psychology. Maybe become a psychiatrist or something like that."
"Planning on getting a full scholarship and supporting your unemployable sister?" Buffy huffed as she flopped back onto the bed with her hands over her face. A feeling of sheer inadequacy and failure creeping in.
Dawn flopped back next to her, "You're not unemployable, Buffy… you're just not playing to your strengths."
"Okay miss junior psych major, what's your big idea? What should I do with my life?"
She sat up, shifting herself on the edge of the bed so she could still see Buffy. "I don't know, I just— Look, I know you think you're optionless, but you probably have way more choices than you think you do. You just have to be open to them." She finished quietly. Standing up, she patted Buffy's leg, "Janice and her family should be here soon, I should take my stuff downstairs."
Buffy sat back up, "Oh ah, yeah. Sure, I'll be down. I— Thanks, Dawnie."
Dawn nodded, took a few steps toward the door and paused with her hand on the doorframe, "Oh and, Buffy?"
She was still reeling from the depth of Dawn's words, "Yeah?"
"You should definitely wear the black one."
A large number of people were leaving the beach as Buffy arrived. Most of them seemed to be families with children. She was surprised to find almost everything was already set up for the party. They had a section of beach separated off by a half circle of tiki torches stuck into the sand with a large pile of wood waiting to be turned into a bonfire in the center. Folding tables had been setup at the back of the circle. The tables were adorned with red, white and blue star spangled tablecloths and sparkly star decorations. Anya was busy taping up more of the sparkly stars to the front of them despite the fact that Willow and Tara were already starting to pile them up with picnic fare.
Buffy eyed a fruit kabob with a little American flag stuck to the skewer remembering how Willow had scolded her this morning for snagging a piece of banana saying that they were for the party.
Well it's party time now…
She smirked to herself as she picked one up and started nibbling on an impaled strawberry as she continued to examine the party site.
There was a slightly raised, flattish area that almost overlooked the beach where Xander was helping his friend setup for the fireworks display.
Buffy pulled a bottle of water out of the cooler and proceeded to walk along the beach where some people she didn't recognize were setting up a volleyball net. A frisbee whizzed through the air a few feet away from her, landing in the surf and a beautiful bluish-gray Great Dane bounded after it happily. She watched the dog shake water from its short fur with the frisbee clutched in its teeth and bound back toward its human, someone else Buffy didn't know.
She spotted Giles heading towards the food tables, hefting a bag of charcoal and setting it down next to a portable grill. She walked over, eyeing him suspiciously. "Wow— I didn't think you even owned swimming trunks, but ehh… those really make a statement. You do know what the 4th of July is all about right?"
"I thought it would be rather amusing seeing as I'm likely to be the only Englishman at the party," he replied with a grin, "add a bit of ironic whimsy to the evening."
Buffy took a drink of water and chuckled, gesturing to his trunks that were printed all over with little Union Jack flags. "Don't blame me if people start yelling 'The British are coming!'"
Giles rolled his eyes, "As though I've never heard that before."
"I'm just thankful you're wearing a shirt, I don't think my brain could handle that much shock at once," she smirked.
"How very witty you are," he said, tutting.
Buffy turned, taking in the scope of the party guests filtering in and getting into the party spirit. She watched a small group of people head toward the water splashing around the surf with the dog from earlier. They looked like they were all having fun.
As Giles had been adding charcoal to the grill, Buffy was already starting to wonder if Giles was going to be the only Brit there that evening or not. Her mind started to drift toward Spike again as she sipped her water. The thought of him showing up was starting to buzz around in her brain like an annoying fly. It took her a long moment to realize that Giles had been talking to her. "What was that?"
"I was merely asking if you'd like cheese on your hamburger. Are you quite alright?" He asked, looking up from lighting the grill and eyeing her with concern.
Buffy sighed, "Oh ahh yeah, sure. I'm fine. I'm definitely up for some cheeseburger action. Thanks."
"Off with you then, go on, mingle. I'll let you know when it's ready." He answered.
Music had started playing on the portable stereo Xander had brought. A volleyball game was already underway. Tara and Willow were playing with their friends from school. Anya had started chatting with a small group of people, presumably friends of Xander's and their significant others but they could have been people she might have met through The Magic Box. Xander seemed to have finished helping his friend with the firework setup and had sidled up to Anya who kissed him on the cheek.
Other than her friends, Buffy honestly didn't know anyone.
Mingle Buffy, this isn't your first party… No, it's just my first party post deadness…
She sighed, taking several steps toward the group Xander and Anya were talking with and slipping in on Xander's other side.
"Oh hey, Buff, pretty nice turn out right?" Xander asked.
"Great. Lots of people seem to be having fun." She desperately tried to sound like she was one of said people having a good time but fell short. Although from Xander's response it was clear he had missed it completely.
Xander nudged one of the guys with a gentle fist to the shoulder to get his attention, "Travis, this is my friend Buffy I was telling you about. You two should chat it up."
Travis gave Buffy a quick once over that suddenly made her feel like a car put up on the auction block. She glanced back at Xander who was smiling like he had just revealed a great surprise.
Buffy gripped him by the arm. "Xan, can I talk to you for a minute? Over here?" She asked pointedly gesturing toward the bonfire to-be where only a few people were sitting on larger pieces of driftwood.
Xander let himself be tugged along before pulling his arm away. "Ouch? What was that for?"
"For the Stupid-Cupid act! Just— please don't alright?"
Xander gave her a confused expression, "Look, I'm just trying to help. It's alright if you don't like Travis, we invited lots of guys you might hit it off with. But I really think you should give Travis a shot, he's a really great—"
"Xan—"
"I know, things have been a little rough since the whole death thing but I think it would be really good for you if you just—"
"Xander!" She snapped and a couple of people glanced their way. Buffy rolled her eyes and shifted him a little further from the crowd with a tug on his arm. "I appreciate what you're trying to do here but really, I—"
"Just give the party thing a chance. I'm not saying you have to marry any of these guys but—"
"Would you just stop!? I did invite someone! Happy?" She huffed in irritation before she could stop herself. And now she was stuck.
Xander gave her a look of mild shock but quickly tried to cover it with a smile, "I'm sorry, Buff, I didn't know. I didn't see you with anyone so I just thought—"
"He isn't here yet… I eh, I don't know if he is coming for sure actually…" she winced inwardly at the absurdity of it all. Unsure if she was really lying to her best friend to get out of an awkward situation or if she was actually referring to Spike as her date. Neither option was exactly comforting.
What the hell am I doing? Oh god, did I just turn this into a date? Although I guess there's no point worrying about that until he actually shows up… maybe he won't… but I hope he does…
The truth of that thought slammed into her like a well placed kick.
"Just please stop with the matchmaking thing, alright?" She pleaded.
"Sure, I know you can get your own dates, I just wanted you to have a good time…" he dug his toes into the sand bashfully.
Buffy huffed a breath. "Let me worry about that."
"Alright. I'm backing off," he said, raising his hands in supplication. "I hope your mystery guy shows up soon, who knows how long the food is going to last. It's already getting picked over. I eh, I guess I should probably go find Tara and Will, see if they want me to get the desserts out of the cooler in the car yet. I'm kinda looking forward to the red, white and blue Jell-O shots they made," he said with a grin.
Buffy gave a relieved nod. "Go do your thing, party man."
She sat down on one of the drift wood logs, and took a long drink of water trying to sort through her wriggling thoughts. She had just started to relax a little when Giles came over, handing her a cheeseburger just the way she liked it with a pile of chips on the side, nearly covering the American flag printed paper plate. She looked up at him with a grateful expression, accepting the plate.
As Giles made his way back over to the grill, the Great Dane came up to her laying his great big head down on her sarong covered knee. He looked up at her with adoration. "Sorry pooch, my burger, not yours," she grinned. However, the dog did not seem to be deterred, he simply laid down in the sand by her feet patiently watching his human playing volleyball.
As the party wound on and the atmosphere grew dimmer they lit the bonfire just as the sun was setting.
The dog started wagging his entire backend frantically as his owner came over to sit on the other side of him next to Buffy. "This big lug hasn't been bothering you has he?" The husky guy with sandy hair, perfectly trimmed beard and glasses asked her.
"Oh ah no, he's been a real sweetheart," Buffy reassured him.
"I'm Rob by the way. This handsome fella is Freddie," he said, taking a moment to rub the friendly animal behind the ears with both hands. Freddie lulled his head in a huge doggie grin, letting his tongue droop out comically. "You're a friend of Tara's right?" Rob asked.
Buffy's heart sank, hoping this wasn't another fumbled attempt at a romantic entanglement. "Yeah, she and Willow actually live with me."
"Ohh you must be Buffy then!" He said enthusiastically.
"The one and only," she murmured, downing the last of her water and sincerely wished it was something else. Something stronger. Maybe from a flask.
Rob nodded at her empty bottle, "I'm going to grab a Snapple, do you want one?"
"There's Snapple? Where?"
"Our contribution, I swear my boyfriend is addicted to the stuff," Rob chuckled, "he's still over playing volleyball."
The tension eased out of Buffy's shoulders, and she gave a little chuckle of her own, "Yeah, I could totally go for a Snapple. Thanks."
Rob stuck out his hand for the empty bottle she was holding, "Here, let me take that for you. I think there's a recycling bin over here."
"Thanks, Rob," Buffy answered.
Freddie plopped his head back down into Buffy's lap, gratefully accepting head scratches. Rob shook his head at the big dog as he returned with the drinks, "He's all heart, just like his namesake."
Buffy tried to think of a "Freddie" he might be referring to and for some strange reason could only come up with Freddie Prince Jr and she didn't think that was right. Her confusion must have shown on her face because Rob chuckled, "Freddie Mercury of course."
Buffy laughed, continuing to pet the dog in question, "Oh well yeah, I probably should have guessed."
Rob twisted open his bottle reading the inside of the cap, "Huh, that's interesting, did you know the human brain weighs about three pounds?"
"I feel like that might have been on a health test once…" she opened her own bottle, "let's see what mine says… huhh… Of the 193 members of the United Nations, Britain has invaded 171 of them."
"Yeah and you lot go on every year with the fireworks and barbecues to celebrate kicking us out. Not sure if it's entirely fair to keep rubbing it in," Spike drawled from where he stood behind her as he shifted her hair off her neck, depositing it over her shoulder.
A shiver ran over her skin and her heart skipped a beat as she turned to see him. He was dressed in his typical black jeans and t-shirt but had forgone his usual leather coat. "You came." An involuntary smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she tried to calm her pounding heart, "I ugh, wasn't sure if you would."
He smiled down at her warmly when she didn't move away from the touch of his fingers as he proceeded to massage her shoulders lightly. "Not sure I would have, had I known Giles was going to make a mockery of Queen and Country. Although I suppose it's better than the three piece wetsuit we were all imagining," Spike muttered, eyeing Giles' swimming trunks incredulously.
Rob shot Spike an approving glance and turned back to Buffy. "This walking dreamsicle the boyfriend then?"
"Been talking bout me have you?" Spike responded before Buffy had a chance to argue. He crouched down to scratch Freddie behind the ears before standing back up, "Knew you'd find the dog."
"Good grief, Spike, what are you doing here?" Came Xander's voice as he strode toward them.
Spike's face split into a wide smile as he turned toward Xander, "Buffy invited me to this little clambake, Harris."
"No she d—" Xander started to speak before he caught sight of Buffy's face, "… did you?"
Buffy's eyes went wide, things had just gone from bad to worse. With a Herculean effort, Buffy stood from her seat next to Rob, took a drink of Snapple and swallowed hard. "You told me to invite someone, so I did," she admitted brazenly, catching Spike's eye briefly before focusing on Xander again. She shifted her stance subconsciously defending herself.
Xander was stunned, "Buffy?"
"I told you I didn't need help finding my own date."
"B-but Spike? It's Spike! Captain Peroxide!" Xander sputtered. "Spike isn't a date kind of guy, Buffy, he isn't even a—"
"That any way to talk to the bloke who just supplied a case of beer?" Spike cut him off as Xander's face started to turn red. "Why don't you toddle off now, Harris. Think we both know Buffy can handle the likes of me just fine," he grinned, "ain't that right, luv?" He finished by giving Buffy a lust filled smirk.
Buffy swallowed another sip of her drink in an attempt to tamp down the heat rising in her cheeks. The thought of "handling" Spike was making it extremely difficult. Freddie pressed into her leg looking for affection again and the act drew her out of her sexually fueled thoughts.
Buffy cleared her throat, "Did you need something?"
Xander's incredulous gaze shifted from Buffy to Spike and back again, swallowing hard as he tried to find his voice again. "Ahh yeah, I eh, I just wanted to give everyone the heads up that the fireworks should be starting in a few minutes."
"Thanks, Xan," Buffy replied dismissively.
As Xander walked away Rob let out a snort. "My God, and I thought I had it bad when I came out to my parents. Yikes."
The volleyball game broke up and people were just starting to settle in for the fireworks. Several guests piled onto beach blankets and a few pulled out folding camp chairs. The only source of light now was the moon and the bonfire.
A black haired man in pink trunks and a coordinating Hawaiian shirt started towards them and Freddie bolted towards him excitedly.
Rob laughed, "Like he hasn't seen daddy in months, that goofy dog," He shook his head still laughing, "it was nice meeting you both! We're going to have to get Freddie in the car to watch the fireworks or the poor baby will get scared."
"Nice meeting you too!" Buffy called after him.
Spike sat down in the spot Rob vacated, stretching his legs out in front of him. Buffy sighed as she resumed her original seat next to him, facing the opposite direction so they could see each other easily. "Thanks for coming… I eh— I guess you probably want an explanation?" She murmured.
He pursed his lips nodding. "You could say that. Not that I'd complain at a real shot with you. Been hoping for a chance like that for sometime now, but it does seem to have come out of the blue. Fella might think you're just messing about with his heart strings."
She frowned at that. "I invited you, didn't I?"
Spike raised an eyebrow, "You did. Question is why? This a real date or am I just a conveniently handsome deterrent for would be matches and matchmakers alike?" Spike asked, leaning back to read her face better.
The conversation with Dawn flashed through her mind and she readjusted the strap on her sexy black bathing suit. Somehow knowing her sister was in her corner made the whole situation seem much less complicated than she originally thought it was. Spike was far from being the perfect guy, but maybe that was exactly what a Slayer needed in a partner.
"Can it be all of the above?" She countered.
He studied her for a long moment, his gaze burrowing into her. The tension building until she thought she might burst and then his lips were on her's. She gasped into the kiss linking her fingers around the back of his neck to pull him closer. He shifted her onto his lap with his hands around her waist as the first few fireworks boomed and crackled overhead.
Buffy broke the kiss to watch several tendrils of sparkling light dart across the sky. There was something innately magical about being here with him like this. A sense of déjà vu settled in, a half forgotten dream, cementing this as a perfect moment. She looked back to Spike who had turned his face upward as well and ran her fingers over the nape of his neck. He redirected his gaze to her, face full of wonder.
"Buffy—" he rasped.
She hushed him with a finger on his lips, letting her hand drop to his chest as she pressed into him for another kiss. Spike adjusted his hold on her, moving a hand down to her hip, skimming her flesh through the laces on the side of her bathing suit. The feeling of his cool fingers on her burning skin as the fireworks continued was enthralling. With a sudden need to feel more of him, she broke the kiss and stood, tugging him along with her.
As though he were afraid she was going to change her mind, Spike pulled her closer with a hand on the exposed skin of her back. "I love you, Buffy," he whispered feverishly against her neck.
She gasped as his blunt teeth caught on her earring and a particularly loud firework split the sky with color. "God Spike, I think— I think I need you."
Spike growled, a low rumble emerging from his chest as he swooped her into his arms carrying her bridal style. She let out a shriek of laughter as he made his way from the beach to the parking lot.
"Where are you taking me? We're going to miss the fireworks!" She protested halfheartedly, kicking her feet.
Spike chuckled, setting her sandalled feet down on the asphalt, he drew her back in for another kiss. This one more intense, laced with a biting need. She pressed her body against him, feeling his desire for her through his jeans. He let out a groan before releasing the kiss, panting for unneeded breath. "Please tell me you want this as much as I do, Slayer."
A few smaller fireworks exploded and crackled overhead, reflecting in his eyes. She nodded, "God, yes!"
"Come on then, car's this way," he said, gesturing to the left.
"We're leaving?" Buffy argued.
"Unless you want this to happen in the DeSoto. My chivalry is running low."
An irrational pang of guilt shot through her with the next blast from the fireworks. However misguided they were, her friends had done all of this, at least in part, for her. And here she was, about to run off to have sex with Spike.
He tugged gently on her hand, watching her eyes. "Whatever you choose, as long as you're all in. All mine. I don't tend to do things in halves, pet. We do this, it's official. You and me. Together. Understand?"
Something shattered within her chest, blasted away like one of the rockets streaking across the atmosphere. Her throat had gone incredibly dry. She had known his feelings for her. She had almost expected something like this from him, but then to hear the words actually spoken aloud was quite another story. There was a finality in his tone. If she let this move forward, they would be a couple and she would have to deal with all of the consequences that went along with that. She swallowed painfully as she watched his pleading eyes.
"That car has a big backseat right?" She asked, making her decision.
Spike smiled broadly. "Massive."
"Let's go."
Spike's car was parked at the edge of the parking lot overlooking the beach. She struggled out of her sarong as Spike opened the car door stripping away his t-shirt and taking in the sight of Buffy in the black swimsuit. "You wear this sweet little number for me?"
"I hoped you might show up tonight," she said, slipping into the backseat of the car.
He followed her in, shutting the door behind him. "It's sexy as hell, pet. Unfortunately, it's going to have to go."
Buffy reached for him, gripping his shoulders and crashing into him for another kiss, tasting a hint of cigarettes and alcohol on his tongue as he pressed into her hungrily. Without breaking the kiss, she removed her hands from him, clumsily pulling the straps of her bathing suit down over her shoulders and arms. Spike moved his hands to help her, slipping the garment down over her breast and took a moment to appreciate her body as he continued to push it down over her hips and legs.
Not wanting to be the only one completely exposed, Buffy immediately started on his belt. He wrapped his hands around her, smoothing his fingers over the silky skin of her back and hips as she worked to free him from the confines of his jeans. Her breath hitched at the sight of his erection, heat pooling in her core.
She wrapped an arm around the back of his thigh, her hand splayed across one of his perfectly sculpted ass cheeks. Buffy wrapped the fingers of her free hand around the base of his cock, bringing him to her mouth and licking a line around his tip.
Spike gasped from the warmth of her mouth on his cock, "Oh god, Buffy."
She worked her mouth up and down his length enjoying the way it felt as he filled her mouth and throat. He gripped her shoulders as she struggled to take a breath, working her throat to take him deeper. His cock pulsed within her mouth and she felt herself growing impatient to feel him inside her.
He growled as she pulled back from him, "Bloody hell, woman. Gonna burn me alive, you are."
"You want to rephrase that?" She smirked.
"Cheeky girl."
He held his hands on her hips as Buffy leaned back against the seat spreading her legs to wrap around his waist and he shifted himself on top of her. "I love you, Buffy. God, I want to hear you scream my name," he kissed a path down her sternum, "I want to please you in ways you never dreamed and make you see stars," he murmured as he continued his path over her ribs. He teased a sensitive patch of skin low on her rib cage with his teeth and tongue, that sent an unexpected explosion of sensation through her body making her moan.
"Ohh my god, Spike!" She gasped, writhing with intense pleasure as light from outside broke in fractals across her vision.
"Just like that, Kitten. I want to make you sing."
Buffy dug her fingernails into his scalp as he moved back up to lavish her throat with nips and tender kisses. She shuddered as he rubbed his length, still damp from her mouth, against her inner thigh and pressed himself against her. The anticipation consumed her mind.
She gripped his hair, tilting his head to take his earlobe into her mouth, forcing a gasped curse from his lips as she sucked and bit gently. He moaned against her throat as her other hand continued to move down his body, scraping his back with her nails.
Spike moved his hips, rocking as she started to squirm with need and she wrapped her leg around his waist, digging her heel into his ass to push him into her as his tip butted up against her opening driving her desire higher. Buffy pushed her hips forward to accept him as he met her thrust making her gasp as he sank into her slick heat, splitting her wide to accommodate his girth.
Spike pumped his hips until he was fully embedded in her welcoming slit. "God Buffy…" he murmured into another kiss, "you're a bloody goddess. Gorgeous."
She gasped his name again as he thrust again and again, his forearms bracing on either side of her head. He pulled out almost completely before pushing back into her fully hitting a spot within her that made her scream as stars erupted behind her eyelids. He repeated the movement several more times, adding a twist of his hips as he pushed in. Buffy felt her entire body thrumming with the rhythm of his movements. She was climbing higher and higher with each and every thrust and twist.
Outside of the car the fireworks continued, the muffled explosions and crackling sounds only highlighting the tension growing within each of their bodies, nearing release. Buffy could feel her muscles clench almost painfully. Her breaths became erratic. "Spike! I— God!"
"What do you need, kitten?" He growled into her ear.
Buffy struggled for breath, his question slipping through her mind along with her ability to answer. She gripped the back of his head desperately pulling him to her for another kiss.
As though it had been his cue, Spike brought a hand to her breast rolling the tip between his fingers. Her screams mingled with the sound of several fireworks going off at once as she broke with the intense pressure of the orgasm. Spike continued to pump into her as she clenched around him and dug her nails into his back.
"That's it, beautiful, leave your mark. I'm yours. All yours. God, I'm yours, Buffy."
She gripped his hips as she bit down on Spike's shoulder, the sensation wracking her body and her mind going blank in sheer bliss. The bite sent Spike over the edge, spilling into her with a deep growling moan. The intensity of his release sent her quivering with another orgasm before she had even started to come down, making her scream yet again. Buffy gasped for breath as she wrapped her legs around him even tighter to still his movements, overstimulation clouding what was left of her mind.
The light from the fireworks continued to play over the interior of the car while they kissed tenderly, still joined together. Buffy cupped his jaw, panting for breath, "Holy shit, god Spike, I didn't even know sex could be like that."
He smirked, "Lot more where that came from, I promise. You're incredible, Slayer. Bloody perfection," Spike breathed in adoration.
"You're so full of it," she giggled.
Spike gave her a very serious look, moving a strand of damp hair from her forehead with his thumb, "I mean it, you're amazing. Could spend the next century hearing you scream my name and it wouldn't be enough."
A sharp pang ran through her as a loud firework lit up the sky, breaking the moment. She cleared her throat, "What do you say we try to watch the rest of the fireworks together?"
He grinned, pecking her on the lips, "Whatever the lady likes." Spike pushed back from her to tug his jeans on properly and handed Buffy his shirt, "Unless you want to put your suit back on, makes no difference to me."
She eyed it and nodded. "Thanks, did uh, did you see my sarong?"
Spike twisted around to pick it off the floor of the car, and wiggled his eyebrows at her, "What do I get if I hand it over?"
"A reprieve from getting your ass kicked," she smirked.
He gave a sigh as he handed it to her, "Gonna have to work on your pillow talk, pet."
"Oh please, you like it," she answered, tying it around her waist over his shirt.
He chuckled as they exited the car. The night air was a mild shock on Buffy's sweat dampened skin and she was thankful she had opted for the shirt. She took a deep breath, wrapping her arms around herself and watched as Spike pulled his coat out of the front seat of the car fishing for a cigarette and his lighter.
"You're not cold are you?" He asked, lighting the cigarette between his lips and taking a drag.
She dropped her hands to her side as he strode toward her, the light from the fireworks reflecting off his pale skin. "No, I'm okay." She was starting to worry about what her friends were going to say. It wasn't regret for the choice she had made, but rather a tangible dread that was already settling into her stomach at the thought of having to deal with their various reactions.
Spike held the cigarette between his lips as he wrapped the coat around her shoulders. "That better?" he asked, taking a drag of the cigarette and leaning back against the car.
Buffy smiled, adjusting the oversized coat around her shoulders, "Thanks, it got chilly."
He took a final hit of his cigarette, grinding the butt beneath his boot and held a hand out to her as though he were asking her to dance.
She took his hand, allowing him to turn her as he pulled her in so that her back was pressed snugly against his bare chest. He rested more heavily against the hood of the car, comfortably wrapping his arms around her as a giant red firework bloomed across the sky followed by a brilliant blue one.
She leaned her head back, relaxing into him and watching the fireworks glinting off the water as they continued to burst through the atmosphere. "Some show isn't it?" She murmured, "Seems to be going on forever."
He held her a little tighter as the heavens turned a brilliant green, "Bit excessive though, ain't it?"
She slapped his arm playfully, "You're a dope," she giggled, "but seriously they mean well."
"And you're worried bout what they're gonna say about us being an item."
"Am I that obvious?"
"I just know you," he paused, "think about it this way, pet, what's the point of living in the land of the free if you can't love who you want? Point of fact, are you even really free if you're worrying about what others think. It's Independence Day after all ain't it?"
She swallowed hard. He had a point. A good point.
She turned herself around to snake her arms around his neck, pressing into him, "Let freedom ring," she said with a smile.
Spike wove the fingers of one hand into her hair, pulling her in for a long kiss. Cheers could be heard from the beach as the finale began. The sky erupted into a deafening cacophony of sound and blinding color.
They deepened the kiss, melting together and finding freedom in each other.