Disclaimer: I 100% own the dialogue and story in this fic and I 100% wish I owned the characters. But I don’t * sigh *
Set: Sometime during season 5 when Spike was only just realising his feelings for Buffy. She of course did not reciprocate.
Thankyou: To Katie8287 for the banner :)
The Lyrics and Song Title are by Garth Brooks.
We call them fools
Who have to dance within the flames
Who chance the sorrow and the shame
That always comes with getting burned
But you got to be tough when consumed by desire
'Cause it's not enough just to stand outside the fire
We call them strong
Those who can face this world alone
Who seem to get by on their own
Those who will never take the fall
We call them weak
Who are unable to resist
The slightest chance love might exist
And for that forsake it all
They're so hell bent on giving, walking a wire
Convinced it's not living if you stand outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire
There's this love that is burning
Deep in my soul
Constantly yearning to get out of control
Wanting to fly higher and higher
I can't abide standing outside the fire
When I enter the ugly place that calls itself The Bronze, I don’t know what I’m looking for. Maybe it’s a game of pool with a stranger…maybe it’s those delicious onion thingies that they have at the bar…maybe it’s merely some more bourbon for my flask. But more likely it’s a short, feisty, blonde vampire slayer we all know. I don’t know why I do it to myself. She bloody doesn’t even know that I bloody exist. I’ve always admired the girl, not that it makes any damn difference to her.
I seat myself at the bar and order a drink. Looking around I see the usual crowd. I don’t know when this place became as it is today. It used to be some lame-ass hang out for the high school kiddies…now those kiddies seem to have matured. Only thing is they ain’t found themselves a new stomping ground yet. They are still doing the same old things they did when they were in high school. Tis just sad really.
It isn’t long before I spot Buffy entering the bar with the rest of the Scooby Gang. Tara and Willow are canoodling while Anya yaps poor Xander’s ear off. Bloody hell that woman could talk the paint off the walls! Not that I’m complaining or anything. She’s pretty damn nice. Always treated me real good, not like the others. Anya actually talks to me like I’m someone worth talking to…like I’m somewhat human, not a vampire…not a monster.
“Let’s Dance Xander!” I hear her exclaim in the very high pitched voice she has which somewhat resembles pigs being slaughtered. Mmm…pigs being slaughtered…pig’s blood. What I wouldn’t give for some of that now.
“C’mon Willow, you and I have to dance too!” Tara says, pulling Willow onto the dance floor with Xander and Anya. Buffy watches her friends, looking slightly dejected before going to sit down at a spare table. I watch as she fiddles with the hem of her skirt revealing her long, silky legs. What I wouldn’t give to touch those legs…without being beaten up for it. I shake my head trying to rid myself of those thoughts before I order another drink. I take a swig and continue to watch her. She does not look happy at all. In fact she looks bloody sad. She’s probably still hurt over that damn Riley. I knew that would end. I saw it coming a mile away. Riley was all wrong for her and he knew it. That’s why he did what he did, with those vamps and all. Buffy doesn’t need a hero; she needs someone who’s as messed up as she is. Someone bad…evil…someone like…Oh no, don’t go there.
I can’t help me self, within minutes I’m making my way over to her. As if she’ll be glad to see me. She doesn’t see me approaching so I take the time to admire her. Her long golden hair cascades over her shoulders and she delicately runs her fingers through it. Hell, I wish those fingers were mine.
“Spike.” She mutters, less then enthused by my presence when I finally sit down beside her.
“Hey Buffy.” I reply.
“I don’t have any money, ask Xander.” She utters before turning away.
“Well believe it or not sweet cakes but I don’t need any money. The wad I nicked from that business man earlier should last me at least til tomorrow.”
“Well then what are you doing here?”
“I need a motive?” she gives me the death stare, willing me to leave her alone, but my own will is stronger than hers. “I was around…saw you sitting here and thought I’d keep you company. Do we have to go through this every time?” I ask, remembering the last time I tried to sit with her at the Bronze.
“We wouldn’t have to if you’d stay away from me.”
“Any other options?” she rolls her eyes. “How’s Dawn?” I ask.
“You stay away from her.”
“Hey…I wouldn’t hurt her, I like the gal. She’s a sweet lil’ thing.”
“Stay away from her.” she repeats herself.
“Alright, alright, don’t get your nickers in a knot…or…”
“Eww.”
“Look, I’m bored, you’re bored, what do you say we get the hell outta this joint and go kill something.” She contemplates this invitation for a moment.
“With you? No.”
“Why the hell not?” I snap.
“Because I would rather have spiders run rampant on my face than go anywhere with you.”
“So that’s a yes?” I exclaim, rising from my chair.
“Did you just hear one word I said?” she retorts.
“Yep, now come on!” I say, dragging her to her feet and out the exit of the Bronze with surprisingly little protest.