Roomies

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Keeping William engaged all day was no problem for Joyce who knew exactly how difficult Buffy could be when she was hurting. She hadn’t wanted to see William bear the brunt of Buffy’s insecurities so she had asked him to help her shift heavy boxes around the gallery and to unpack some of the larger, heavier statues with her before she reopened for business on Monday.
So far it had seemed to be working, William’s mind was too occupied to be considering if Buffy was ready to talk to him yet.

Sitting in the window seat of her sister’s room, the phone pinned to her ear with her shoulder Buffy made idle chit chat with Xander. Hearing his excuse of not being able to hang with her today Buffy smiled. It sounded very much like Xander had a lady friend otherwise occupying him. Congratulating him on his new girlfriend she hung up and reached her hand under the bed, a smile breaking out when she realised that her skates were untouched.

The one place that she was always able to escape hadn’t been denied her. Blissful peace settling over her, she pushed the skates back into her bag and writing a note for whoever would read it she set off for the rink.

Stepping out onto the ice for Buffy was almost the best bit of skating. The rush of freedom she felt as she took that first step, one foot on the ice, the other waiting for the same release. Pushing off into the centre of the rink, she found the beat of the music and began to dance, twisting and jumping in time to the rhythm of the music she was free.
Having gone through her routine numerous times, she began to tire. Spending a few minutes floating lazily round the rink on one foot, she began to make her way to the exit when she noticed someone watching her.

She smiled nervously, glancing up at the big red clock on the hockey score board. No wonder he was free, she had been skating for five hours! Sliding over to him she pirouetted, landing perfectly to stop at the barrier.

Greeting Buffy with a kiss, Spike kept his eyes from roaming over her tight form, the spandex leotard doing nothing for his raging libido, something that had been getting worse since he had first begun to watch her over an hour before.

Allowing Spike to lift her up and over the barrier she relaxed against the wall as he untied her boots, taking them off and massaging her toes, spreading warmth through her entire body in the process. Moving his hands slowly up her feet, past her ankles and kneading her calves he leant forward, whispering in her ear.

Blushing, Buffy pushed him away, pulling him back for one last kiss before pulling on her running shoes and lacing them up.

Walking hand in hand down the street, Buffy and Spike made their way back to her house, each caught up in their own thoughts of one another. Seizing a chance, Spike pulled her arm when he saw that Starbucks was open. Settling themselves into a booth with their drinks he reached out for her hand, flinching when she wrapped it around herself quickly.

“I’m just cold.” She told him softly, hoping he would accept her explanation for what it was. Seeing that he wasn’t about to protest she continued to talk.


“Buffy?” Spike interrupted. She stopped and smiled questioningly. “I love you.” He whispered. “I just want you know that. No matter what you think inside that pretty little head of yours, I’ll always belong to you.” Scooting around the booth to wrap her up in his arms he leant his head against hers, “When you’re ready to let me in, I’ll be here.” Pressing his lips to her hair he left it at that.

He had been warned by Joyce many times during the course of the day that pushing Buffy to talk to him would just make her clam up further. Deciding that he was ready to profess his utter and undying love for her had not been as welcomed as he would have wanted but he knew better than to pressurise Buffy.
Deciding to go for a coffee had been the best plan of the day for everyone apparently because by the time Buffy and Spike had finished their drinks, they were being joined by not only Willow and Oz, but also Xander and his new girlfriend.

Introducing Anya to his friends had not been as daunting as he had been prepared to bet. Gulping down the last of his hot chocolate he beamed at his two best friends. He had been prepared for them to hate her or even be jealous of her, but ready and willing to accept her had been somewhat of a shock. Not that there was anything wrong with Anya but to an unsuspecting stranger she was extremely unfamiliar with a little thing called tact.

Eager to discuss how she and Xander had finally sealed their relationship was something that brought the conversation at the table to a standstill. Spike, who was admiring the chit for her honesty was being dragged out of the booth by Buffy as she waved goodbye to her friends and their partners.

Collapsing against Spike in a fit of giggles, Buffy burst into random fits of laughter all the way home. Muttering something about the expression on Xander’s face in explanation, Spike decided that even lunatic giggling Buffy was better than silent depressed Buffy.

Leaving Buffy telling Dawn about Anya, Spike slipped away to pack his bag. The reality of the fact that it was back to classes in the morning was astonishingly sobering. The happy family life that had been so welcoming was about to fade away for another few weeks.
Shutting his bag with a snap he sank to the floor beside the bed, his head in his hands as he reined in the barrage of emotions that threatened to spill over.
What if she didn’t want to carry on with what they had? What if it had all gone so fast for her that she had simply been swept up in the good times and forgotten to tell him? What if she didn’t want him anymore?