Head over Feet
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Author: Rippertish
Context: This fic is inspired by Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette. I've woven the lyrics into Buffy and Giles' dialogue, using the song to explore their unspoken feelings and the moment they might realise just how head over feet they've fallen for each other. Enjoy!
The day before, Giles had confessed his feelings to Buffy. He hadn't planned on it, but something inside him had finally pushed past all the barriers he'd built, and the words came spilling out before he could stop them. He had told her everything—how his affection for her had grown, quietly, into something deeper and far more complicated than what he had felt for anyone in years. It had been a moment of raw vulnerability, yet of extraordinary bravery, risking not only his heart but their entire bond.
Buffy had been stunned. Her wide eyes and the way she shifted uncomfortably made it clear that this was the last thing she had expected to hear from him. She'd stammered through her response, repeating how surprised she was, almost as if saying it enough times would help her understand it herself. And then, reflexively, she'd told him she didn't feel the same. She had stated her case, explaining how she saw him as her Watcher, her mentor, and a friend, but not in the way he clearly saw her. She had been kind but firm, telling him they should move on—carry on with their lives as Watcher and Slayer, just as they had always done.
Giles had nodded, accepting her words with quiet grace, though he could feel the ache settling in his chest. He had no choice but to respect her wishes, even as it pained him—yet deep down, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that she might feel the same. It was a flicker of hope, something buried beneath her words and her actions, something that had perhaps pushed him to confess in the first place. Still, that night, he feared that things between them might change forever, that she would pull away from him, put distance between them to avoid the awkwardness his confession had created.
But now, the next evening, it was late and she stood in his doorway.
She was hurt—her arm clutched her side, and there was a cut on her forehead, blood trickling down the side of her face—but she said nothing. She lingered in the threshold, her presence quiet, as though she didn't quite know what to say. Giles' heart skipped a beat when he saw her. He hadn't expected her to come. Not after yesterday.
"Buffy…" he said, his voice thick with concern.
Without waiting for a response, he rushed to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to guide her to the couch. She didn't resist, didn't say anything. She sat down heavily, her breathing shallow. Giles knelt in front of her, his hands trembling slightly as he grabbed the first-aid kit, which lay within reach. He dabbed at the cut on her forehead in silence, his focus split between caring for her and the overwhelming relief that she was here at all.
The silence between them was heavy, but Buffy didn't try to break it. Normally, she would downplay her injuries, crack a joke, and brush it all off, but today she was quiet. She simply watched him, letting him work.
Giles was able to feel the tension beneath the surface, but he couldn't quite bring himself to speak either. There was too much unsaid between them now. He could still hear her words from the day before—how she'd gently told him that she didn't see him that way, that it wouldn't work, that they should stay as they were. He had accepted it then, as best he could, and now here she was, sitting in front of him, the space between them somehow both vast and fragile.
He pressed a bandage over the cut on her brow, his fingers working methodically as he tried to steady his own breathing. The stillness was only punctuated by the faint sounds of the room—his shallow breathing, the rustling of medical supplies. He focused on his hands, trying to maintain a professional detachment.
Buffy finally broke the silence after what felt like an eternity. "Usually, I'd deal with this myself," she said quietly, her voice a little rough around the edges.
Giles paused, his hands stilling. There was something in her tone that made him look up, meeting her gaze. She wasn't looking at him as the Slayer, the warrior who could handle anything. She was just… Buffy.
"But I came here," she added, the rest of the sentence left hanging in the air, unfinished.
The words sat between them, cryptic and heavy with unspoken meaning. Giles felt his heart begin to race. He didn't know what she meant by that, but something in her voice made him feel as though this wasn't just about the injury. He looked at her, his breath catching as he waited for her to explain, but she remained quiet.
Then, she touched his wrist, her fingers light but deliberate, stopping him from continuing his work.
"I had no choice but to hear you," she said softly, her eyes finally meeting his, her voice so much quieter than usual but filled with an emotion that he couldn't quite place.
His heart pounded in his chest. Her words sent a jolt through him as he realised she wasn't talking about her injuries anymore—she was talking about yesterday. About his confession.
Giles swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry.
"You stated your case time and again," he replied, his voice just as soft, almost sad. He was reminding her of what she'd said the day before, of how she had repeatedly told him she didn't feel the same way.
But beneath those words, there was something gentler, something meant to reassure her. She didn't need to say anything. Everything was all right. He understood. It was his way of letting her know that he wouldn't press her, wouldn't force her to confront feelings she wasn't ready for—or didn't have.
He searched her face, his eyes tracing every small movement, every flicker of emotion. Yesterday, she had been so sure, so certain in her rejection. And yet, here she was, touching him, sitting with him. There was something different now, something fragile and tentative, but it was there.
She broke through his thoughts, with the quietest of admissions.
"I thought about it."
Her words hit him like a wave. This wasn't something she had dismissed or forgotten. She had let it settle in her mind—about him, about his feelings. Giles' heart ached as he waited, barely daring to hope.
Buffy's eyes remained fixed on his hand as she gently guided it down, away from her forehead. Her voice was almost a whisper when she spoke again.
"You treat me like I'm a princess."
Giles stilled, taken aback by the vulnerability in her tone. He had always cared for her, tried to protect her, but hearing her address it now, with such quiet honesty and choice of words, left him momentarily unsure. Was it something she welcomed or something she resented?
Buffy continued, hesitant.
"I'm not used to liking that."
Giles stayed silent, his eyes fixed on her. There was a new softness in her tone, as if she were finally letting herself confess something she had long kept hidden. She was admitting she liked it—the way he treated her. The care, the tenderness—things she wasn't used to appreciating, but somehow, with him, she did.
Another pause, and then Buffy lifted her eyes to meet his. She didn't say anything for a moment, just looked at him, as if trying to find the right words.
"You ask how my day was."
Her voice came out choked, the remark was simple, yet full of meaning. She was acknowledging all the times he had cared for her—not as the Slayer, but as Buffy. He was interested in her well-being, always there for her, even when she had shut herself off from the world, from her friends, from her family. Through it all, he had never left her side.
Giles felt the tightness in his chest grow, his throat closing up as she continued. He had spent so long loving her, so long wondering if she would ever see him as anything more than her Watcher. And now, hearing her say these things, unsure where her words were leading, he didn't know what to feel.
"You've already won me over... in spite of me."
Adrenaline shot through his veins. His mouth gaped open, stunned by the words that had just escaped her lips. He tried to speak, but nothing came out. Buffy—the one who had told him only yesterday that she didn't feel the same, that they couldn't be more than what they were—was now conceding, in her own quiet way, that maybe he had won her heart after all.
Her admission hung in the air, its meaning sinking deep into Giles. He sat frozen, mouth still slightly parted as he tried to process everything she had just said. For so long, he had convinced himself this could never happen, that she could never feel for him what he felt for her. And yet, here she was, telling him the opposite.
Buffy smiled warmly, as though she could sense the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him. Her voice was kind, almost reassuring.
"Don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet."
Giles blinked, her gentle warning washing over him like a soft breeze, its quiet certainty making his heart stutter. He didn't dare move. He was still trying to reconcile the Buffy who had stood in front of him yesterday, so certain in her rejection, with the one sitting before him now.
Buffy shifted slightly, her eyes never leaving his as she leaned in just a little closer. Her hand came to rest on his shoulder. For a moment, she stayed like that, her fingers curling gently over the fabric of his shirt. His breath caught as the unanticipated sensation of her touch spread through him. Then, slowly, she slid her hand down, the warmth of her touch leaving a trail that ended over his heart, her palm pressing gently against his chest.
His pulse quickened instantly, and he swallowed hard, the tension inside him tightening. Her touch was delicate yet assured, and he was acutely aware of how close she was—how dreamlike this moment felt.
Her voice trembled slightly, her hand pressing a little more firmly.
"Don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are."
This was the moment she had been terrified of for so long—admitting that she loved him, not just the Watcher, but all of him.
Giles' breath hitched. The sincerity in her voice, the way her hand rested over his heart—it was almost too much to bear. Her words carried layers of meaning. Beyond confessing her feelings, she was recognising everything he was to her—not the Watcher, but the man with his flaws, his strength, his tenderness. She loved him not despite those things, but because of them. The air between them felt charged, the depth of her confession, combined with the intimacy of her hand on his chest, sent a shiver down his spine. His heart pounded against his chest, and he was certain she could feel it beneath her palm.
The silence that followed wasn't empty. It was full of release, full of things finally spoken, with Giles quietly absorbing her acceptance in steady, measured breaths. And then, Buffy smiled—a small, almost playful smile that lit up her face.
"I couldn't help it... it's all your fault."
He exhaled shakily, his lips curling into a smile of his own. It was soft at first, barely there, but grew as the warmth of her words sank in. He gave a slight shake of his head, a quiet laugh escaping him, filled with disbelief and something like joy. She was teasing him, yet every bit of it felt like a gift he hadn't known how much he needed.
Buffy's eyes softened as she looked at him, her hand still resting over his heart. Her voice, when she spoke again, was quieter, more introspective.
"Your love is thick and it swallowed me whole."
Giles' smile faltered, her words hitting him all at once, in a sudden and drastic turn. He had always loved her quietly, without ever expecting anything in return. But now, hearing her say that his love had consumed her—that she had felt it just as deeply as he had—was almost more than he could handle. His hand came up instinctively, covering hers, holding it in place over his chest as if he needed the reassurance that this was real, that she was real.
They sat like that for a long moment. His mind was trying to come to terms with everything she had said, everything she was still saying.
She shifted, her body leaning into his as though trying to draw strength from him, her emotions raw and unguarded.
"You're so much braver than I gave you credit for."
Her fingers trembled ever so slightly as she exhaled, trying to steady herself. When she looked up, Giles saw the vulnerability in her eyes—an uncertainty that came from sharing something so intimate, unsure how it would be received. She wasn't talking about the bravery of wielding a sword in battle, but the quiet courage of baring one's heart. She hadn't realised before how much strength it took, until now, as she was doing it herself. The way he had laid himself exposed, with such openness, was something she hadn't expected, and yet, deeply appreciated.
"That's not lip service."
There was a tender conviction in her tone that reassured him. She meant every word.
Her gaze holding his, her hand resting over his racing heart, the intensity of it all. He didn't know how to respond—didn't even know if he could find the words. Buffy was speaking everything he had ever longed to hear. Maybe even more. Yet she didn't seem to realise how deeply her kindness and strength shone through.
Giles broke the silence at last. His breath was shallow, his voice rough with emotion, as if he had been holding it in for too long. When he spoke, the words came slowly, each one filled with awe and reverence.
"You are the bearer of unconditional things."
Buffy's eyes widened slightly, his words catching her off guard. It was the first time someone had framed her life this way—not as a duty, but as an act of unconditional giving. She felt truly seen by Giles—not just for her role as the Slayer but as herself once again, with all her emotional burdens laid bare. For a moment, the weight of what he had said held her in silence.
But then, a softer warmth bloomed in her chest, stirred by the very man in front of her. Her gaze softened, and a small smile curved her lips.
"You held your breath and the door for me."
She glanced briefly toward the door, her smile growing just a little, as if acknowledging a shared understanding between them. Giles chuckled softly, another unspoken gesture of his care for her, his door always unlocked, always open for her to come through. But the deeper meaning behind her words wasn't lost on him. His steady presence had helped her carry those burdens she so often shouldered alone. Her acknowledgement was, warming and humbling him all at once.
"Thanks for your patience."
Buffy's sincerity was clear as she gazed at him. Of all the things she could thank him for, this touched him the most. He had always waited for her, in more ways than she realised. His eyes softened as he gently squeezed her hand, and in that quiet moment, it became clear just how much she appreciated him.
"You're the best listener that I've ever met."
Her voice was filled with gratitude. She knew that Giles had always heard her—not just her words, but everything she didn't say. He had always understood her in ways that no one else ever had. The admiration in her tone was unmistakable, and Giles felt his heart swell with emotion.
"You're my best friend."
A small, affectionate smile tugged at her lips as she said it. It was a common phrase, often thrown around too casually, but in that moment, it landed with an unexpected force. She saw the brief widening of his eyes and knew it had struck him deeply. Giles had always been so much more to her than just a Watcher. He had been her constant, her friend, the one she could always count on.
And then, with a playful glint in her eye, she added, "Best friend with benefits."
The teasing tone of her voice brought a soft laugh to Giles' lips, cutting through the heaviness of the moment. Buffy's expression turned reflective, her smile fading slightly.
"What took me so long?"
Her eyebrows raised with a mix of disbelief and clarity, as if she was realising how blind she had been. Giles simply held her gaze, watching as her thoughts seemed to unfold in front of him.
Buffy's lips curved into a small, contented smile as she looked at him.
"I've never felt this healthy before."
Her mind flashed briefly to her past relationships—the chaos of her love for Angel, the heartbreak with Riley. She had never felt like this before—grounded, secure, whole. With Giles, everything felt steady. There was no fear, no uncertainty, just a quiet sense of belonging. This was what a healthy relationship felt like, she realised.
"I've never wanted something rational."
Their love was something that made sense, something that felt real and stable. It wasn't driven by chaos or desperation—it was something that had grown over time, rooted in respect and trust.
Buffy's voice grew firmer, her conviction clear as she spoke, her eyes locked on his.
"I am aware now."
There was no more uncertainty in her gaze, no more hesitation. She was fully committed to her feelings for him.
She raised her hand to cup his face with affection, her fingers brushing gently along his jaw. "I am aware now," she repeated, softer this time.
Her final whispered words brought everything full circle.
"You've already won me over in spite of me."
In that moment, it felt as though all the vulnerable honesty, all the unguarded confessions they had shared, had led them here—where words had served their purpose.
Giles remained kneeling in front of her, his eyes searching hers, his breath shallow and uneven. His hand slid up to cover hers, the warmth of her touch grounding him, giving him the courage to move closer. Slowly, he leaned in, unhurried, as though savouring every second.
Their lips met in the softest of touches, tentative at first—delicate, careful, as if he feared she might pull away. Giles lingered, brushing her lips gently, reverently, as though he couldn't quite believe this was real. Buffy's breath hitched, her hand slipping from his face to the back of his neck, pulling him closer, encouraging him.
He deepened the kiss, still tender but with more confidence, his hand sliding to cradle her face. His thumb brushed lightly over her cheek, and she sighed into his mouth, her body softening against him. A shiver ran down her spine as his tongue touched hers, and she leaned in, craving more.
What had started as gentle became gradually intense. He pressed more firmly into the kiss, his hand sliding to the nape of her neck, angling her head to deepen their connection. She let out a soft moan, her fingers tangling in his hair, her body seeking him out.
Still on his knees, Giles moved closer, pressing against her legs as the kiss grew more urgent. Buffy straightened, her knees framing his chest as she gripped his shoulders, pulling him in, eager to eliminate the space between them.
Their tongues moved together in a rhythm that had waited years to be discovered. Heat simmered between them, the tension erupting after so long. He groaned softly against her lips, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her toward him. She arched into him, her fingers threading through his hair as she matched his intensity.
His hands roamed her back, pulling her flush against him as the kiss consumed them both. She gasped into his mouth, her breath ragged as she clung to him, the world narrowing to just him—his hands, his lips, the way his body melded perfectly with hers.
When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other's as they struggled to catch their breath. Buffy's chest rose and fell in time with his, her lips still tingling, her fingers still tangled in his hair.
Giles' hand slipped gently to her waist before he pulled back slightly, his eyes bright with something playful, something suggestive. A slow, teasing smile crept across his lips as he echoed her earlier words, his tone rich with British charm.
"Best friends with benefits, you said?"
Buffy's eyes widened for a second, then she let out a soft, surprised laugh, softly tugging at his hair, her lips curling into a grin that matched his.
The tension melted into laughter, the moment lightening. Beneath it, something had shifted—they both knew it. This wasn't just the familiar Slayer-Watcher partnership any longer. Their eyes met, and without needing any more heartfelt words, it was clear.
Together, they would let themselves fall madly—Head over feet.
The End
Rippertish
HEAD OVER FEET (Alanis Morissette)
Lyrics
I had no choice but to hear you
You stated your case time and again
I thought about it
You treat me like I'm a princess
I'm not used to liking that
You ask how my day was
You've already won me over in spite of me
Don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault
Your love is thick and it swallowed me whole
You're so much braver than I gave you credit for
That's not lip service
You've already won me over in spite of me
And don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet
And don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault
You are the bearer of unconditional things
You held your breath and the door for me
Thanks for your patience
You're the best listener that I've ever met
You're my best friend
Best friend with benefits
What took me so long?
I've never felt this healthy before
I've never wanted something rational
I am aware now
I am aware now
You've already won me over in spite of me
Don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet
And don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault
You've already won me over in spite of me
And don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet
And don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault