The partnership of Buffy, The Vampire Slayer, and Deadpool, The Merc with a Mouth, was shaping up. A dimly lit Brooklyn bar was alive with the hum of late-night laughter and Rolling Stones blasting on the jukebox. In a corner booth, Buffy Summers, looking every bit the confident, veteran Slayer, settled back against the plush seat across from Wade Wilson. She took a swig of her beer and surveyed the room while the scent of fried food wafted through the dry air.

"You're looking a bit weary there, Slayer," he said. "Your Medicare up to date?"

"You do realize you're the one who looks one bad day away from an all-you-can-eat buffet at the local mortuary, right?"

"Touché," he said, pointing his finger dramatically at her. "But you can see after all these weeks I can take on Draculas like a champ. Just you wait. I'll be your sidekick in this new venture." He took another swig of his beer, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Maybe we could have matching outfits? I could do one of those 'I'm with Summers' shirts. Real fashion statement."

Buffy shook her head, lightly chuckling as she reached for another chicken tender. "As if. We'll keep that little idea tucked away with all your other bad decisions."

"Oh, come on! Think of the merch!" he insisted, waving his hands like a magician revealing a grand illusion. "Just picture the line, where every shirt comes with a built-in pocket for stakes. 'Dracula-busting' made fashionable!"

"Jesus, you're the worst!" She playfully added.

"Exactly! And that's why we're BFF's," he winked, leaning back with a flourish. "So, what's next for you and me? More Draculas to slay? A road trip? Maybe a vampire reality show?"

She shook her head. "Definitely not a reality show. I can't deal with that kind of drama on top of everything else." She paused, glancing at him thoughtfully. "But maybe we could take down more of 'em together. You know, keeping NYC streets clean."

"Now you're talking!" Deadpool exclaimed, raising his beer in toast. "The Draculas won't know what hit 'em!"

Buffy clinked her mug against his. "Wade, you call them Draculas one more time, I'll make sure you're the next one who gets turned."

Deadpool grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief. "But seriously, if I do get turned, you're totally on the hook for finding a cure. Not sure if my regenerative abilities could help me with that particular ailment."

Buffy rolled her eyes again but couldn't help the smile that broke through. "As you wish. Just don't bite off more than you can chew."

"Ah! I see what you did there!"

Suddenly, Buffy's phone pinged. She raised it to her eyes to see what the message was.

"It's my contact in Staten Island. She says there were vamp sightings in New Springville, mostly around the mall. You up for a ferry ride?'

As they continued their banter, the bar faded into the background, and for those moments, they were just two unlikely heroes enjoying a rare night off—before this call to action would drag them back into the fray.