Buffy the Vampire Slayer Preferences + imagines/one shots

Spike - Hopeless

Spike's POV 

She walked into the room and the whole place stopped to notice.

And the thing was, she wasn't even trying.

There was something about her that was magnetic. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one who felt it because countless heads swivelled in her direction as she stepped into the club, a self-conscious smile on her face.

When she saw me, her smile turned genuine and I'm not sure I'm willing to admit the reaction it made me have. She beelined for me, stopping a few inches away from me in the crowded room, almost my height in those black heels.

I'm usually forward when I find someone attractive. It usually leads to a few drinks, some indelicate flirting and a usually-forgettable one night stand.

But she's my friend. So, it wasn't that easy. God, I sound like such a poof.

Her perfume hit me like a welcome punch, familiar and tangy. And as she looked up into my eyes, I could see her and me as an elderly couple in love. I know. It would be literally impossible. And, yes, I'm a little bitch. The next best thing popped into my mind's eye before I could stop it - a warm, wrinkled, wise version of her, on the arm of a bleach-blond dope who would still love her as much as I do now.

"Do I have something in my teeth?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and raised an eyebrow. She bared her teeth.

"No?"

"Okay," she said, nodding, as she smoothed her dress over her hips. "Well. Do you have something to say?"

My mouth quirked up into a half smile. "Happy birthday, love."

"Thank -" 

Some idiot stomped past her, jostling her forward into me. I bit back an insult directed at that guy and steadied her when she stumbled into my arms.

She frowned, looking over her shoulder, but he had disappeared. Instead of standing opposite me, like before, she slipped her arm through mine to stand closely next to me. I could smell blood creep into her cheeks. I wondered if it was because she was pushed, or because she was second-guessing if she should be touching me.

I wasn't about to complain. It meant most of the guys looking her way had turned their attention elsewhere, assuming she was already spoken for. I felt proud, manly... hopeless. Like I was living in bloody fantasy land.

She resumed talking like nothing had changed. "Thank you. Is anyone else here yet?"

I swallowed. "There." I said, jerking my head in the direction of her friends, all standing, watching us, by the bar. I think they assumed she'd head straight for them, and not the neutered vamp.

"Oh." she laughed, "Oops. I didn't see."

I think I fell in love with her just a little more.

She dragged me towards them and they enveloped her in hugs. I took a step back.

I watched silently, feeling removed from it all, even if I was close enough to touch her if I reached out. I'll never get used to it. The love she feels for her friends, and the love they give her back, it wasn't something I'd experienced for a long time - if ever. So, when she said:

"Spike, come here."

And tugged on my sleeve, to slot me in between her and Buffy, I felt like I belonged for the first time in decades. Perhaps not with her, but at least by her side.

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