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redqueen6238 was out of town before I could do anything about it. Hee! I'm so sneaky. And as usual, I suck with titles and reserve the right to change it when (if) I ever think of a decent one. Also I do plan on finishing New Frontier. Really. I even know how. But I just really felt like writing this today because I'm weak.
Title: California Stars
Summary: AU. Human. We meet William when he's an awkward high school junior...but our William doesn't stay that way for long.
Spike/Buffy, Spike/Drusilla (eventually), Spike/Angel (eventually).
Author's Note: I'm trying sometihng new with this story. Spike is the central character, but it doesn't focus on a single romance. Also, I'm trying not to villianize other characters. I know, marvel at the concept.
Rating: NC-17
The Bronze was bustling, loud music pouring from the speakers, through tightly packed, writhing bodies, and out the door. People greeted friends with cheerful shouts and invitations to join them on the dance floor, and lift a glass to the impending holidays. College students filtered through the crowd easily, tolerant of their younger counterparts, sharing the revelry. A scene repeated in clubs and bars across the state as the month of December wound down and weeks of parties and gifts, Christmas lights and trees, booze and sugar cookies stretched ahead of them.
William watched the warm mass of humanity from the balcony, hiding in the corner, as far away from the dancers and drinkers as possible. The bass from the music throbbed uncomfortably in his head and throughout his body, and it set his teeth on edge. The full Coke sitting on the table before him was altogether unappealing, and the greasy fries cooling and congealing in the dirty basket didn’t even warrant a second glance. The pages of the notebook he brought with him remained empty, and his pen had long since been lost.
William was miserable. Tired. After the last final he just wanted to go home, eat, and go to bed. But Xander insisted that they had to go out and party, dance, mingle. His main point was that a bunch of college girls would be there, and wouldn’t that be fun?
“Xander, there’s not a college girl alive who would give us a second glance.”
Xander snorted, “They’d be lucky to have us.”
Willow agreed that they would be a great catch for any girl with a sad smile that Xander ignored and William hated to see.
“Besides,” Xander continued, “we’re both going out of town for the break. It’ll be our last night to hang out together until next year.”
As soon as they got to the Bronze, Xander and Willow hit the dance floor, their bright, sparkling faces lost in the crowd. William immediately hunted for an empty table, as he was wont to do, and avoided the chaos that always seemed to draw his friends like moths to a flame.
William looked at his watch and sighed. It was still early, technically, and if he tried to escape they would definitely notice and hold him back. He didn’t understand why it was so important to them that he was there to watch them dance, but normally he didn’t mind. His mother thought it was good for him to go out with his friends, and encouraged him to do so as often as possible. She wouldn’t want to see him come home so early…she was concerned.
William wasn’t concerned. William was tired and annoyed, and the hint of temper he kept carefully locked away was frighteningly close to crawling to the surface and…
“Is anybody sitting here?”
He looked up sharply at the perky, smiling voice. His face softened from a glare to almost a smile and to his horror, he felt the hot fingers of a blush crawl up his neck and cheeks. “No…no…not at all…” He said, almost shyly.
“Thanks!” She grabbed the chair and dragged it over to the nearest table, where she plopped down and proceeded to suck down an entire Coke. William watched her for a minute, and then sighed without a hint of surprise.
Without thinking, he grabbed one of the fries and popped it into his mouth, and immediately regretted it. Unmindful of who would see, he grimaced and immediately spit the cold, greasy mess into a napkin.
“So you think I should avoid the fries?”
For the second time in as many minutes, William looked up at the sound of an unfamiliar feminine voice. The girl standing above him was smiling brightly, her long hair framing her face sweetly. Her eyes were sparkling like the blinking Christmas lights hanging from the rafters of the club, and she was already pulling out the third and last chair.
“Do you mind if I sit here?”
His tongue felt thick and dry in his mouth, but he managed to shake his head and say, “No, that’s fine.”
“Thanks.” She sat down and crossed one bare leg over the other, her black skirt riding up her thigh. “It’s crazy down there. I needed a breather.” She reached for the basket of fries then looked up at him, “You don’t mind do you?”
“No.”
“I’m starving.”
“Do you want something less…cold?”
“This is fine.”
William pushed his untouched drink towards her, which she took with a large smile.
“My name is Buffy, by the way.”
“William.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Have I seen you around here before?”
“I don’t go out much…”
“Oh.” She chewed a fry thoughtfully then asked, “What’s your major?”
“My major? Oh, I’m still in high school.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he regretted them. She didn’t need to know that, and now she was probably going to leave and fine somebody more interesting…
“Really? You look older…”
“Oh.”
William felt unbelievably awkward, but the girl—Buffy—continued picking at the fries and sipping her soda happily. “How old are you?”
“17.”
“Senior?”
“Junior.” William cursed his big mouth again and resolved to be more careful in the future.
“Do you want to dance, William?”
He hoped fervently than in the dim light she would not be able to see his scarlet stained skin. “I…um…I don’t…I really don’t dance…”
“It’s not that hard,” she said playfully. “I could show you.”
“No…I…” William fumbled nervously for excuses, though it was more out of habit than anything. He wanted to dance with her. Very much so. Finally he grabbed one, desperate. “The music’s too fast.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the song changed, and a slow melody drifted around them.
“Well then, this should be suitable.”
“I don’t want to go down there….the floor is too crowded.”
“You keep this up, and I’ll think you don’t want to dance with me.” To illustrate what a disappointment this would be, she stuck out her lower lip and pouted prettily.
“No…no…I’m sure you’re great to dance with…”
She stood up and casually wrapped her warm hand around his cool fingers. He didn’t protest as she pulled him to his feet. “We can dance right here.”
William didn’t know where to put his hands, didn’t know how to move, which way to go, how close to stand. Patiently, with a serious expression, she placed his hands on her body, stepped close to his, and slowly began to sway. He picked up the rhythm naturally. He couldn’t think though, not with her warm, tight body pressed next to his. Her breasts were smashed into his chest, her hair tickling his nose, her check resting against his shoulder.
He felt like the center of the world, though when he pulled his eyes away from her, he noticed nobody was even paying them attention. He didn’t recognize the song playing, but he desperately wanted to sear it to his mind and remember it forever. Overwhelmed, flustered, his mind was spinning. Girls didn’t even notice him most of the time, yet this beautiful girl…no, woman. She was older than him, and though she flirted playfully like a girl his age, she wasn’t a child. So what was she doing dancing with him?
The music stopped and she moved to step away. His arms tightened around her reflexively, and an awkward moment passed as he tried to force himself to let her go.
“My friends are over there,” she said. An excuse, an apology, an escape route, William didn’t know.
“Right…Of course.” He stepped back and smiled shyly, unsure of what to say next.
“Maybe I’ll see you around?”
“Yeah…I’ll…um…be around.”
She paused as she walked by and leaned in, kissing his cheek. “Thanks.” Her breath felt like a brand against his skin. It was all he could feel for the rest of the night.
redqueen6238 was out of town before I could do anything about it. Hee! I'm so sneaky. And as usual, I suck with titles and reserve the right to change it when (if) I ever think of a decent one. Also I do plan on finishing New Frontier. Really. I even know how. But I just really felt like writing this today because I'm weak. Title: California Stars
Summary: AU. Human. We meet William when he's an awkward high school junior...but our William doesn't stay that way for long.
Spike/Buffy, Spike/Drusilla (eventually), Spike/Angel (eventually).
Author's Note: I'm trying sometihng new with this story. Spike is the central character, but it doesn't focus on a single romance. Also, I'm trying not to villianize other characters. I know, marvel at the concept.
Rating: NC-17
The Bronze was bustling, loud music pouring from the speakers, through tightly packed, writhing bodies, and out the door. People greeted friends with cheerful shouts and invitations to join them on the dance floor, and lift a glass to the impending holidays. College students filtered through the crowd easily, tolerant of their younger counterparts, sharing the revelry. A scene repeated in clubs and bars across the state as the month of December wound down and weeks of parties and gifts, Christmas lights and trees, booze and sugar cookies stretched ahead of them.
William watched the warm mass of humanity from the balcony, hiding in the corner, as far away from the dancers and drinkers as possible. The bass from the music throbbed uncomfortably in his head and throughout his body, and it set his teeth on edge. The full Coke sitting on the table before him was altogether unappealing, and the greasy fries cooling and congealing in the dirty basket didn’t even warrant a second glance. The pages of the notebook he brought with him remained empty, and his pen had long since been lost.
William was miserable. Tired. After the last final he just wanted to go home, eat, and go to bed. But Xander insisted that they had to go out and party, dance, mingle. His main point was that a bunch of college girls would be there, and wouldn’t that be fun?
“Xander, there’s not a college girl alive who would give us a second glance.”
Xander snorted, “They’d be lucky to have us.”
Willow agreed that they would be a great catch for any girl with a sad smile that Xander ignored and William hated to see.
“Besides,” Xander continued, “we’re both going out of town for the break. It’ll be our last night to hang out together until next year.”
As soon as they got to the Bronze, Xander and Willow hit the dance floor, their bright, sparkling faces lost in the crowd. William immediately hunted for an empty table, as he was wont to do, and avoided the chaos that always seemed to draw his friends like moths to a flame.
William looked at his watch and sighed. It was still early, technically, and if he tried to escape they would definitely notice and hold him back. He didn’t understand why it was so important to them that he was there to watch them dance, but normally he didn’t mind. His mother thought it was good for him to go out with his friends, and encouraged him to do so as often as possible. She wouldn’t want to see him come home so early…she was concerned.
William wasn’t concerned. William was tired and annoyed, and the hint of temper he kept carefully locked away was frighteningly close to crawling to the surface and…
“Is anybody sitting here?”
He looked up sharply at the perky, smiling voice. His face softened from a glare to almost a smile and to his horror, he felt the hot fingers of a blush crawl up his neck and cheeks. “No…no…not at all…” He said, almost shyly.
“Thanks!” She grabbed the chair and dragged it over to the nearest table, where she plopped down and proceeded to suck down an entire Coke. William watched her for a minute, and then sighed without a hint of surprise.
Without thinking, he grabbed one of the fries and popped it into his mouth, and immediately regretted it. Unmindful of who would see, he grimaced and immediately spit the cold, greasy mess into a napkin.
“So you think I should avoid the fries?”
For the second time in as many minutes, William looked up at the sound of an unfamiliar feminine voice. The girl standing above him was smiling brightly, her long hair framing her face sweetly. Her eyes were sparkling like the blinking Christmas lights hanging from the rafters of the club, and she was already pulling out the third and last chair.
“Do you mind if I sit here?”
His tongue felt thick and dry in his mouth, but he managed to shake his head and say, “No, that’s fine.”
“Thanks.” She sat down and crossed one bare leg over the other, her black skirt riding up her thigh. “It’s crazy down there. I needed a breather.” She reached for the basket of fries then looked up at him, “You don’t mind do you?”
“No.”
“I’m starving.”
“Do you want something less…cold?”
“This is fine.”
William pushed his untouched drink towards her, which she took with a large smile.
“My name is Buffy, by the way.”
“William.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Have I seen you around here before?”
“I don’t go out much…”
“Oh.” She chewed a fry thoughtfully then asked, “What’s your major?”
“My major? Oh, I’m still in high school.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he regretted them. She didn’t need to know that, and now she was probably going to leave and fine somebody more interesting…
“Really? You look older…”
“Oh.”
William felt unbelievably awkward, but the girl—Buffy—continued picking at the fries and sipping her soda happily. “How old are you?”
“17.”
“Senior?”
“Junior.” William cursed his big mouth again and resolved to be more careful in the future.
“Do you want to dance, William?”
He hoped fervently than in the dim light she would not be able to see his scarlet stained skin. “I…um…I don’t…I really don’t dance…”
“It’s not that hard,” she said playfully. “I could show you.”
“No…I…” William fumbled nervously for excuses, though it was more out of habit than anything. He wanted to dance with her. Very much so. Finally he grabbed one, desperate. “The music’s too fast.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the song changed, and a slow melody drifted around them.
“Well then, this should be suitable.”
“I don’t want to go down there….the floor is too crowded.”
“You keep this up, and I’ll think you don’t want to dance with me.” To illustrate what a disappointment this would be, she stuck out her lower lip and pouted prettily.
“No…no…I’m sure you’re great to dance with…”
She stood up and casually wrapped her warm hand around his cool fingers. He didn’t protest as she pulled him to his feet. “We can dance right here.”
William didn’t know where to put his hands, didn’t know how to move, which way to go, how close to stand. Patiently, with a serious expression, she placed his hands on her body, stepped close to his, and slowly began to sway. He picked up the rhythm naturally. He couldn’t think though, not with her warm, tight body pressed next to his. Her breasts were smashed into his chest, her hair tickling his nose, her check resting against his shoulder.
He felt like the center of the world, though when he pulled his eyes away from her, he noticed nobody was even paying them attention. He didn’t recognize the song playing, but he desperately wanted to sear it to his mind and remember it forever. Overwhelmed, flustered, his mind was spinning. Girls didn’t even notice him most of the time, yet this beautiful girl…no, woman. She was older than him, and though she flirted playfully like a girl his age, she wasn’t a child. So what was she doing dancing with him?
The music stopped and she moved to step away. His arms tightened around her reflexively, and an awkward moment passed as he tried to force himself to let her go.
“My friends are over there,” she said. An excuse, an apology, an escape route, William didn’t know.
“Right…Of course.” He stepped back and smiled shyly, unsure of what to say next.
“Maybe I’ll see you around?”
“Yeah…I’ll…um…be around.”
She paused as she walked by and leaned in, kissing his cheek. “Thanks.” Her breath felt like a brand against his skin. It was all he could feel for the rest of the night.
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From:
no subject
So I gather you're going to to go more along the route of outgrowing relationships, instead of bashing one to get to the next. Can't wait to watch William grow up and follow his... erm... heart?!
Good start.
From:
no subject
From:
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I love the idea of just focusing on a specific character, instead of a pairing. *wishes you good luck in writing it*
From:
New Story.
From: (Anonymous)
GO P!
Love.
Cyberwitch
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