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snoggedI'm pleased to bring you the latest chapter of Self-Destruct Button. Enjoy!
Title: Self-Destruct Button (4/?)
Author: snogged
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and many other corporations own the characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel the Series. I don’t.
Pairing: Willow/Spike
Word Count: 1564
Overall Rating/Warnings: FRAO/NC-17 (eventually)
Setting: Buffy – Post “Chosen”/Angel – set shortly after “Damage.”
Summary: Willow gets a party invitation from a certain warlock in Los Angeles.
Beta(s):![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
angelskuuipo and purplefeen. All other mistakes are mine.
A/N: Written forrua1412 who inspired me with her gorgeous artwork.
Banner byrua1412
“I’ll be her date.”
Even those who just recently had their hands chopped off by a psychotic slayer.
---
“Spike?” Willow started, nervously chewing on her bottom lip.
A few moments of silence had passed since Spike had made his declaration. Willow had expected an instant protest from Wesley or Angel, but neither had said a word. Well, Wesley had, but that was only to say goodbye as he wanted to get started on the Cyvus Vail project as soon as possible.
All Angel had done was gotten up from the chair and set the whiskey tumbler on the nightstand next to Spike’s bed.
Clearly, she was going to do all the speaking up around here.
“I appreciate the offer, but do you really think that’s a good idea given your current condition?” Willow continued.
“First, I already told you I was fine. And second, I heard you’re the girl who restored Angel’s soul from a bed just like this one so I wouldn't be calling the kettle black if I were a pot like you, luv,” Spike countered.
Willow blinked twice, reeling from that bit of history coming back to haunt her. It wasn’t that he was wrong or anything. It was more…she just hadn’t expected him to know about it.
“Not an idiot, Red. It was my Dru who put you in that hospital. Whole damn trip out of Sunnydale was her wistfully murmuring about what you’d done to Angelus. Said the stars were punishing her because she let you live.” Spike replied, pursing his lips.
“I see,” Willow replied softly.
“Don’t worry, pet, I’m glad you’re still breathing. You’re one of the better ones, witchy mojo and all. Wouldn’t be much of a world for us to live in, if you and I hadn’t been handling the big guns.”
“Thanks,” Willow said, appreciating the acknowledgment despite the occasional headaches that came from having a bunch of slayers populating the Earth.
Spike nodded, sealing their brief moment of solidarity and letting his eyes linger on her a few moments longer than necessary. It wasn’t really one of those hungry, predatory gazes that she’d seen him flash at Buffy though. It was more of a concerned look, filled with questions she didn’t want to answer right now.
“To be frank, Willow. I think it’s a great idea to have Spike attend the event with you,” Angel replied casually.
Willow jerked her head to the side, making direct eye contact with the brunet. “You do?”
“You need someone at your side at this party and the doctors have assured me that Spike is in full control of his motor skills and he’s merely prolonging his stay here because the hospital has a better television. If he wants to offer, then let him.”
Spike rolled his eyes and started ripping the wrappings off of his hands. “Tosser just doesn’t want to admit that I’ve bested him at being a champion.”
“Not the time, Spike,” Angel hissed. “Unless you want me to place you in that bed permanently.”
“Took you on once, sire. Wouldn’t be hard to do it again. Bet I could even do it with my hands tied behind my soddin’ back,” Spike countered, unceremoniously tossing the bandages to the floor and flexing his fingers.
Angel’s jaw tightened and his fists clenched. Before a fight could start though, Willow stepped towards him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
“No fighting,” Willow said, warning in her tone.
A low growl left Angel’s throat in objection, but he backed down, rolling his shoulders to rid himself of the built-up tension. In turn, Spike settled back into the mound of pillows, a pouting scowl transforming his chiseled features.
“You’re lucky there’s a lady present, mate,” Spike retorted.
Angel opened his mouth to speak, but the only thing Willow heard next was a high-pitched squeal of a teenage girl. Or more specifically, an evil vampire trapped forever inside the body of one.
“Bossy!”
Harmony stepped into the room and marched up to Angel, dressed in a bright orange and pink sundress that made her look like she’d just walked out of a magazine ad for Tropicana.
“I pushed your 2:30 to 3:30, but those Nervis demons showed up all unannounced and stuff and they’re being all twitchy in the lobby.”
“Harmony,” Angel said gruffly.
“What?” Harmony asked, arching a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “It’s not like I left them alone. Fred’s being all chatty with them. They, like, commissioned her to make some fancy dog collar for that thing they carry around with them that is totally not a dog. And besides, I never get to come see my Blondie-bear and he’s all injured and stuff.”
“Thought you said it smelt funny in here, Harm,” Spike said, narrowing his eyes.
“It does, but I still care about you. Even if you’re the biggest jerk in the whole freaking world.”
Harmony paused suddenly, her nose wrinkling as she turned around and finally spotted Willow for the first time since coming into the room.
“Oh. My. God. Willow!”
Before Willow could duck or even ask why Harmony was hanging around Wolfram and Hart, her old high school enemy enveloped her in a tight hug that made breathing nearly impossible.
“I thought I heard a heart beat.” Harmony grinned as if she’d just proven that she was the next Sherlock Holmes. Then, her smile changed into a frown of concern and she released her grip on Willow. “Are you still like a lesbian and stuff? I mean, did I just totally turn you on or something because becoming a vampire so did not change my interest in men. I mean, maybe I’d do it with Gwyneth, but you’re so not Paltrow.”
“Still gay, but not turned on,” Willow replied, wincing slightly. She was pretty darn positive that Harmony had left some bruises with that squeeze.
“How is Kennedy then?” Spike asked.
Willow gulped, very aware of the lump growing in her throat. She hadn’t been able to tell Wesley about it before because she hadn’t deemed him worthy of being the first to hear the news and now, she was…. She was about to confide in Harmony, Spike, and Angel.
Goddess, she should have just told Wesley. Or called Buffy the moment she landed, except that she couldn’t have done that because Buffy was in Rome and like the Romans, Buffy was getting her beauty rest right now.
Willow’s breath hitched and she looked down at the linoleum tiles, not daring to meet the eyes of those in the room. When she spoke, her voice was shaking with emotion and uncertainty. “We….”
Every inch of her body was trembling and the tears she still hadn’t shed were quickly coming to the surface, about to fall any second.
“Sit down, pet,” Spike said quietly, patting the space on the bed next to him.
Willow followed the command instantly, collapsing onto the bed in relief.
“She broke up with me.”
“Like recently?” Harmony asked, with all the flair of the world’s biggest bimbo.
“Right before I came here,” Willow answered, picking at the imaginary lint on her pants. “Gave me an ultimatum. It was her or the party.”
“Well, she sounds stupid and jealous. You’re way better off without her,” Harmony replied in a way that sounded almost comforting. “All the magazines say that you need to get rid of the people who drag you down. That’s why I stopped having sex with Spikey. He was an anchor and I needed a kite string.”
Although Willow knew that Harmony meant well, her words brought on a fresh round of tears and she buried her face into her hands.
“Let’s go see those Nervis demons, Harmony,” Angel insisted, his hand encircling the vampire’s wrist.
“I was just trying to help,” Harmony pouted.
“Let’s help by leaving then,” Angel replied.
“Fine,” Harmony replied, wiggling her arm out of his grip. “But you’re not going to hold my hand like a child.”
Once they’d gone, Willow felt a hand drop onto her knee and she lifted her head from her hands to look at Spike. This time, the look he gave her was one she’d seen him give to Buffy after he’d gotten his soul. It was one of comfort, one of solace. It was a look that promised a moment of relief from the agony of living. It was the sort of look a friend gives to another and Spike was basically her friend, wasn’t he? After all, he had agreed to be her pity date to the wizard’s ball.
Taking a deep breath, Willow allowed herself to lie down beside him, let his arms wrap around her in a gentle hug. Let him be the friend she needed while her best friends were passed out cold on the other side of the world.
“She really doesn’t know what she let go,” Spike whispered.
Willow nodded, afraid to admit out loud that he was right as she used the corner of the bed sheet to dry her cheeks.
“On the bright side, you’ll be the first woman in a decade to see me in coat tails. That’ll be a laugh for the ages.”
Willow permitted herself a small smile at the image of Spike in a top hat and a monocle. Unfortunately, that prompted her to think of the one detail she hadn’t really thought of since she’d first gotten the invite. A detail that made her stomach clench. Years of being Buffy’s best friend was still not enough to prepare her for this.
She was going to need a dress.
Chapter 5
Title: Self-Destruct Button (4/?)
Author: snogged
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and many other corporations own the characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel the Series. I don’t.
Pairing: Willow/Spike
Word Count: 1564
Overall Rating/Warnings: FRAO/NC-17 (eventually)
Setting: Buffy – Post “Chosen”/Angel – set shortly after “Damage.”
Summary: Willow gets a party invitation from a certain warlock in Los Angeles.
Beta(s):
angelskuuipo and purplefeen. All other mistakes are mine.A/N: Written for
rua1412 who inspired me with her gorgeous artwork.Banner by
rua1412“I’ll be her date.”
Even those who just recently had their hands chopped off by a psychotic slayer.
---
“Spike?” Willow started, nervously chewing on her bottom lip.
A few moments of silence had passed since Spike had made his declaration. Willow had expected an instant protest from Wesley or Angel, but neither had said a word. Well, Wesley had, but that was only to say goodbye as he wanted to get started on the Cyvus Vail project as soon as possible.
All Angel had done was gotten up from the chair and set the whiskey tumbler on the nightstand next to Spike’s bed.
Clearly, she was going to do all the speaking up around here.
“I appreciate the offer, but do you really think that’s a good idea given your current condition?” Willow continued.
“First, I already told you I was fine. And second, I heard you’re the girl who restored Angel’s soul from a bed just like this one so I wouldn't be calling the kettle black if I were a pot like you, luv,” Spike countered.
Willow blinked twice, reeling from that bit of history coming back to haunt her. It wasn’t that he was wrong or anything. It was more…she just hadn’t expected him to know about it.
“Not an idiot, Red. It was my Dru who put you in that hospital. Whole damn trip out of Sunnydale was her wistfully murmuring about what you’d done to Angelus. Said the stars were punishing her because she let you live.” Spike replied, pursing his lips.
“I see,” Willow replied softly.
“Don’t worry, pet, I’m glad you’re still breathing. You’re one of the better ones, witchy mojo and all. Wouldn’t be much of a world for us to live in, if you and I hadn’t been handling the big guns.”
“Thanks,” Willow said, appreciating the acknowledgment despite the occasional headaches that came from having a bunch of slayers populating the Earth.
Spike nodded, sealing their brief moment of solidarity and letting his eyes linger on her a few moments longer than necessary. It wasn’t really one of those hungry, predatory gazes that she’d seen him flash at Buffy though. It was more of a concerned look, filled with questions she didn’t want to answer right now.
“To be frank, Willow. I think it’s a great idea to have Spike attend the event with you,” Angel replied casually.
Willow jerked her head to the side, making direct eye contact with the brunet. “You do?”
“You need someone at your side at this party and the doctors have assured me that Spike is in full control of his motor skills and he’s merely prolonging his stay here because the hospital has a better television. If he wants to offer, then let him.”
Spike rolled his eyes and started ripping the wrappings off of his hands. “Tosser just doesn’t want to admit that I’ve bested him at being a champion.”
“Not the time, Spike,” Angel hissed. “Unless you want me to place you in that bed permanently.”
“Took you on once, sire. Wouldn’t be hard to do it again. Bet I could even do it with my hands tied behind my soddin’ back,” Spike countered, unceremoniously tossing the bandages to the floor and flexing his fingers.
Angel’s jaw tightened and his fists clenched. Before a fight could start though, Willow stepped towards him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
“No fighting,” Willow said, warning in her tone.
A low growl left Angel’s throat in objection, but he backed down, rolling his shoulders to rid himself of the built-up tension. In turn, Spike settled back into the mound of pillows, a pouting scowl transforming his chiseled features.
“You’re lucky there’s a lady present, mate,” Spike retorted.
Angel opened his mouth to speak, but the only thing Willow heard next was a high-pitched squeal of a teenage girl. Or more specifically, an evil vampire trapped forever inside the body of one.
“Bossy!”
Harmony stepped into the room and marched up to Angel, dressed in a bright orange and pink sundress that made her look like she’d just walked out of a magazine ad for Tropicana.
“I pushed your 2:30 to 3:30, but those Nervis demons showed up all unannounced and stuff and they’re being all twitchy in the lobby.”
“Harmony,” Angel said gruffly.
“What?” Harmony asked, arching a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “It’s not like I left them alone. Fred’s being all chatty with them. They, like, commissioned her to make some fancy dog collar for that thing they carry around with them that is totally not a dog. And besides, I never get to come see my Blondie-bear and he’s all injured and stuff.”
“Thought you said it smelt funny in here, Harm,” Spike said, narrowing his eyes.
“It does, but I still care about you. Even if you’re the biggest jerk in the whole freaking world.”
Harmony paused suddenly, her nose wrinkling as she turned around and finally spotted Willow for the first time since coming into the room.
“Oh. My. God. Willow!”
Before Willow could duck or even ask why Harmony was hanging around Wolfram and Hart, her old high school enemy enveloped her in a tight hug that made breathing nearly impossible.
“I thought I heard a heart beat.” Harmony grinned as if she’d just proven that she was the next Sherlock Holmes. Then, her smile changed into a frown of concern and she released her grip on Willow. “Are you still like a lesbian and stuff? I mean, did I just totally turn you on or something because becoming a vampire so did not change my interest in men. I mean, maybe I’d do it with Gwyneth, but you’re so not Paltrow.”
“Still gay, but not turned on,” Willow replied, wincing slightly. She was pretty darn positive that Harmony had left some bruises with that squeeze.
“How is Kennedy then?” Spike asked.
Willow gulped, very aware of the lump growing in her throat. She hadn’t been able to tell Wesley about it before because she hadn’t deemed him worthy of being the first to hear the news and now, she was…. She was about to confide in Harmony, Spike, and Angel.
Goddess, she should have just told Wesley. Or called Buffy the moment she landed, except that she couldn’t have done that because Buffy was in Rome and like the Romans, Buffy was getting her beauty rest right now.
Willow’s breath hitched and she looked down at the linoleum tiles, not daring to meet the eyes of those in the room. When she spoke, her voice was shaking with emotion and uncertainty. “We….”
Every inch of her body was trembling and the tears she still hadn’t shed were quickly coming to the surface, about to fall any second.
“Sit down, pet,” Spike said quietly, patting the space on the bed next to him.
Willow followed the command instantly, collapsing onto the bed in relief.
“She broke up with me.”
“Like recently?” Harmony asked, with all the flair of the world’s biggest bimbo.
“Right before I came here,” Willow answered, picking at the imaginary lint on her pants. “Gave me an ultimatum. It was her or the party.”
“Well, she sounds stupid and jealous. You’re way better off without her,” Harmony replied in a way that sounded almost comforting. “All the magazines say that you need to get rid of the people who drag you down. That’s why I stopped having sex with Spikey. He was an anchor and I needed a kite string.”
Although Willow knew that Harmony meant well, her words brought on a fresh round of tears and she buried her face into her hands.
“Let’s go see those Nervis demons, Harmony,” Angel insisted, his hand encircling the vampire’s wrist.
“I was just trying to help,” Harmony pouted.
“Let’s help by leaving then,” Angel replied.
“Fine,” Harmony replied, wiggling her arm out of his grip. “But you’re not going to hold my hand like a child.”
Once they’d gone, Willow felt a hand drop onto her knee and she lifted her head from her hands to look at Spike. This time, the look he gave her was one she’d seen him give to Buffy after he’d gotten his soul. It was one of comfort, one of solace. It was a look that promised a moment of relief from the agony of living. It was the sort of look a friend gives to another and Spike was basically her friend, wasn’t he? After all, he had agreed to be her pity date to the wizard’s ball.
Taking a deep breath, Willow allowed herself to lie down beside him, let his arms wrap around her in a gentle hug. Let him be the friend she needed while her best friends were passed out cold on the other side of the world.
“She really doesn’t know what she let go,” Spike whispered.
Willow nodded, afraid to admit out loud that he was right as she used the corner of the bed sheet to dry her cheeks.
“On the bright side, you’ll be the first woman in a decade to see me in coat tails. That’ll be a laugh for the ages.”
Willow permitted herself a small smile at the image of Spike in a top hat and a monocle. Unfortunately, that prompted her to think of the one detail she hadn’t really thought of since she’d first gotten the invite. A detail that made her stomach clench. Years of being Buffy’s best friend was still not enough to prepare her for this.
She was going to need a dress.
Chapter 5