Dance With the Dead (BTVS, Book Six)

chapter 13 - Dead Things

Spike and I were in his crypt again, laying under a rug, looking around at the candles burning on many surfaces, magazines scattered across the floor, having broken some of the furniture around. 

I looked around. "Uh, we missed the bed again."

Spike looked toward the bed. "Lucky for the bed."

I chuckled, lifting myself up on my elbows, looking at the rug covering us. "Is this a new rug?"

"Mm, no," Spike answered. "Just looks different when you're under it."

I laughed a little, looking around. "You know, this place is okay for a hole in the ground. You fixed it up."

"Well, I ate a decorator once," Spike told me. "Maybe something stuck."

I laid my head on my arm, facing him. "I've been thinking about doing something to my room."

Spike moved closer to me. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," I answered. "I think the New Kids on the Block posters are starting to date me."

Spike chuckled. "Well, if you want, I can..."

"What?" I asked when he didn't finish.

Spike smirked, shaking his head. "Just weird that we're having a normal conversation."

"Yeah, it is weird," I agreed. "But it's not bad."

"Not bad?" Spike repeated in amusement, grinning, leaning his forehead against my arm, lifting his head, running his finger up and down my arm. "You were amazing."

I smirked slightly. "You got the job done yourself."

"I was just trying to keep up," Spike told me. "The things you do..."  He smirked. "The way you make it hurt in all the wrong places. I've never been with such an animal." 

I frowned slightly in confusion. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Absolutely," Spike answered. I couldn't help a little blush, looking down. "Say whatever you want, Francis, but I can see that you feel some kind of reconnection to humanity when you're with me."

"Which is ironic to say, given the circumstances," I told him. 

"Funny," Spike told me sarcastically.

I smirked. "I've got to go. Mom and Dawn need me home. Besides you, my family is what makes me feel most connected to any sort of feelings. My friends do, too... but not as much."

"And off she goes," Spike told me. "You really have to leave so soon?"

"I have some time to spare," I answered. "They don't get home for at least half an hour."

Spike smirked, turning away, taking out a pair of handcuffs. "So you have half an hour. Do you trust me?"

I gave him a sarcastic look. "Never."

Spike smiled.

  ••••••  

I got home later that night, walking inside, hearing music from the living room. "I'm home." I put my jacket down, looking into the living room to see that Xander and Dawn were dancing to the music, horrified by the thought that we could be going through another musical. "Is there singing?" I saw that Mom, Anya, Willow and Buffy were sitting on the couch, watching, walking closer. "Are we singing again?"

"Nope, just the dancing," Xander answered.

"We're teaching Dawn perfectly synchronized dance steps for the wedding reception," Mom explained.