*****

After Andrew's latest comment that some something couldn't even have been saved by Birdman, Xander gave Andrew a blank look, and shook his head. Putting his coins in the slot of the soda machine, Xander asked, "Which one? Sprite, Coke, what?"

Andrew gazed at the machine. Looking from button to button, but not immediately seeing his choice he said, "Um, I don't see grape. I-I'd like grape."

"It's the bottom option. It's always the bottom option. It's kind of the Soda Button Options law."

Andrew gave a nervous chuckle. "I knew that. I was just testing you."

Xander pushed what looked like the grape option. "Mmhmm, for what? To see if purple is one of those elusive colors that I, a mere mortal, can't see? Or if I could grasp what G-r-a-p-e spells? You forget I've had to make out Buffy's scrawl on post-it notes for years. My eyes have amazing prowess, thank you."

Andrew nodded, his head turning slightly, lips pursing in sympathy. Even though he could read several demon languages, he still couldn't make out if Buffy wrote "Buffy", "Slayer", or "Wonder-nugget" as her signature on those notes.

Xander reached for the can that had clattered down into the small holder in the machine. Pulling it out, he read the words "Diet Coke" and sighed. Squashing the sudden sheepishness down very firmly, Xander said, "Sorry, Andrew. No grapey-goodness for you." Handing over the can, Xander heard Andrew's mumbled, "Amazing prowess, whatever."

"Hrm? What'd you say?"

Andrew beamed a fake smile. "I said that Diet Coke was what I really wanted."

Xander snorted.

Walking down the hallway with bulletin boards scattered over the yellowing walls, smatterings of announcements here and there, Xander heard Andrew snicker.

Following his companion's gaze, Xander saw an eight by ten photo of Buffy set in a frame with the words "Counselor of the month" engraved on a small piece of metal at the top.

Smiling to himself, Xander play-punched Andrew's shoulder. Making fun of Buffy in any form, especially by a former enemy, was not to be taken too lightly. Sometimes, however, small digs against Buffy were part of his and Andrew's relationship, especially since Buffy had thrown out their favorite Playstation game.

Andrew gave Xander an eye-roll, then looked down, shaking his head. He continued forward a few paces before giving his own play-punch to Xander's upper-arm.

Well, this is different, Xander thought. Usually just takes the punches.. Well, gotta get him back. It's part of some man-code, or maybe a summer camp code. Feeling a rush of immaturity with a tinge of giddiness, Xander punched Andrew's shoulder again, only this time with a little more force.

With a spark in his eyes that mirrored Xander's own, Andrew hit back. Their walk slowed and the punches between them continued, and progressed to pinches and then, after Andrew missed Xander's arm and pinched his side, a tickling contest commenced.

Xander managed a quick, double-handed grab on Andrew's waist and the blond man squirmed and squealed, dropping his Diet Coke and nearly falling, but Xander's arms held him upright.

As his grip tightened to take the brunt of Andrew's weight, his internal voice said, "I wouldn't want him to fall, to get hurt." Xander's eyes widened as the thought rattled around his brain, a little too serious for their play. Why wouldn't he want Andrew to fall? Because..

Andrew turned around, still in the circle of Xander's arms, an embarrassed smile already on his lips. But something in Xander's eyes made his smile fade.

Xander was wearing a surprised but intense expression, hands warm and unmoving on the small of his friend's back. Andrew moved his eyes upwards slightly, noticing that a lock of Xander's hair had slid over the brunette's eyes. Itching to do something that would make those eyes return to their natural dancing, Andrew lifted his hand slowly and tucked the strands of hair behind an ear. "Um, thanks for um -"

His words were cut off when Xander's lips descended and fastened on his own. Their joined lips remained still and the kiss was chaste, but with each one's breath against the other's cheek, a sudden passion began steadily growing.

Andrew felt his stomach drop to the floor, and adrenaline run through his veins. He'd thought about Xander's lips before, but only in passing, dismissing the thought with a "Yeah right, phantom Warren is more available", and now..

Here he was, Xander's lips now moving slightly, maybe parting. Andrew couldn't tell. The feel of those lips against his was unbelievable. He felt swept away. The air around them felt charged, and he felt like swooning just like Princess Leia did in Return of the Jedi, when Han Solo kissed her and there was that music playing. Okay, maybe not exactly that kind of swoon, Andrew thought. Maybe I could think of the right one if - Oh! Is that Xander's tongue?

Xander had decided that kissing Andrew was seriously on the good side, and ran his tongue over Andrew's lips in slow movements, tasting as much as was possible. The taste itself was of Bubble Yum and something slightly bitter but wholly Andrew. Diet Coke would have been present, had Andrew actually managed to open it before all this began.

All what began? Xander thought. Is this really the beginning of something? I mean, yeah, I'm sorta friends with the guy, but is there really something more? Maybe.

Xander groaned, and all thoughts turned to Andrew's own questing tongue, timid, so timid, in its exploration. There'd be time for questions and answers later. Right now, there was serious kissage to do.

The end