School days [AU]

He smiled a little involuntary at her chuckle, as he nodded while he placed his books in his bag, “Far too obvious,” he assured her as he watched the guy walk up to them. He straightened his back a little as he studied the guy’s face, looking past how cute and lovey dovey he was being with Buffy. It wasnt his place to lay claim on her, he thought that maybe it could turn out to be a good thing, adjusting to see her with someone else instead of imagining being that someone. “Yeah yeah,” he just replied as he decided to rather check if he had left something behind than at how they acted like lovebirds. Buffy’s words made him look up for a second, he shifted between her eyes like he was considering it, before he just looked down and nodded a few times. As they went he turned his eyes to watch Buffy leave, a sour expression on his face that was quickly noticed by no other than Florence Delaney. Her words made him sigh as he pulled his bag over his shoulder, “I’m quite aware,” he answered sourly before making his exit.

Lana stood with open arms as Florence approached her, a rather big smile on her face as she wrapped her arms around her love and indulged in the welcoming kiss. She shook her head at Florence’s words, like it didnt matter to her. “It’s the 21st century. People just have to get over it,” she said with a shrug. Her parents had welcomed Florence with open arms, though Lana was excited to see what would happen once they announced themselves as a couple. She could already imagine Lily clapping her hands with a supportive smile. It was weird that Lana had grown up with caring parents and maintained a good relationship to her sibling, yet still ended up being a bitch to most. Maybe it was just in her genes.

The first week of seeing Virgil pick up Buffy could really make him want to grind his teeth so bad that he was sure they would crack, but he kept reminding himself over and over that he in fact still had no claim over her. His hopes of the dreams stopping with another one in the picture didnt hold as he ended up dreaming about how he could snatch her away from the guy. But her relationship was none of his business and he wouldnt be the guy to ruin that for her, when he still had the belief that they wouldnt work out. He sat in his own thoughts, writing down a couple of notes in silence as Buffy’s question pulled him out of his mind. “Never really cared much for school dances,” he admitted with a sigh as he leaned back in his chair and let the pencil rest on the table. Ever since the incident he hadnt really been going to any parties, even when Vanessa had been trying to convince him. He looked at her for a short bit before looking up at the blackboard, before asking his own question,  “You gonna go with Virgil?”. Dumb question, of course she would be if she was going. He tried not to frown, leaning his head down to his hand as he rubbed his nosebridge. God he hated that guy so much.

Buffy chuckled at his words, but this wasn't just a school dance. It was a halloween party for crying out loud. "I think you should come - It might be a fun time and who knows, you might get to dance with me," she teased, smiling at him. She noticed how he changed a bit, mentioning Virgil but she nodded, humming an agreeing sound. "Yeah, we've even found matching costumes," she smiled, fiddling with her notes and taking a deep breath. How could she convince him to join the party? She looked at him, poking his hand with her pencil. "Psst," she whispered as the teacher went on with his lecture. Her lips curled up in to a smile. "If you come, I'll set you up on a date," she suggested, smiling innocently at him. The teacher finished their lecture off with reminding them to hand in their assignments the week after the halloween party, and then the bell rang. Buffy got up from her seat, Virgil picking her up as per usual and she bid Baal a see you later before heading to the next class. The week leading up to the big party on Friday was nearing it's end.

Buffy was excited, and was getting ready with her roommate. Virgil and her had decided on doing a Suicide Squad costume match; him being the Joker and her of course Harley Quinn. She messed around with the make up, chuckling a bit to herself as she adjusted one of her pony tails. "Verge said he would just meet us at the party, he is working, so he's getting off a little later," she explained, before locking arms with her roommate Nana and walking out the door. Nana had decided to dress somewhat normal, not really caring to dress up. Getting to the dance she looked around, Nana went with her over to the drinks table, getting a few drinks and joining Vanessa and Ethan that stood not far away. Ethan had decided to dress sloppily as Kurt Cobain, trying his best to look the part.

Her tease annoyed him, though he didnt show, as it just poked at the feelings he was trying so hard to hold back. It was easier now when Virgil was there, but he couldnt let himself get tempted, “You should save your moves for your boyfriend,” he remarked instead of having to consider an answer. He was tired of being surrounded by all these couples that just seemed to be all over each other. It was odd that his mother hadnt had her transfer yet, but maybe it was some sort of justice in a twisted way. He nodded at her reply, not really having been too interested in the answer as he could have guessed it - But he just wanted to hear her talk and keep him out of his mind.
He looked back up at the teacher as the lecture went on, his smiles had been rare and short whiled but that was the regret that had started forming inside of him. He had gotten to know her over these lessons they had, the after-class study hours that they had shared. He had realized that his feelings wouldnt ever go away and now she was with someone else. She mentioned a date and he tilted his head to the side to look at her with a slight frown, “Not interested” he simply replied before he went to write his notes for a bit. He sighed after a while before he looked at her. “I’ll go” he finally said, not sure if he would come to regret that as well. Only time could tell.

The day came and the dance was only less than an hour away from starting. Baal laid on his bed with his arm over his eyes as he wondered if he could make up some reliable excuse that could make him avoid going. He got up and corrected his costume. It was silly but he wasnt really that good with costumes let alone clothes, so it was just some ruined clothes with him finally not wearing the skin cream so the marks on his chest were fully visible between the torn holes in the shirt. When he showed up, Vanessa seemed to be in a great mood, being dressed as Ms. Lovett, “Nice of you to show up,” she said with a smile before she waved him over. She sat back down and leaned back into Ethan’s chest before grabbing a drink. Baal made a short wave of his hand before he sat down to join them. He scratched the side of his neck and sat for a while before he decided to get up and go grab himself a drink.

Buffy almost jumped up from her chair when he said he was going, but kept herself contained with a small squeal, and covering her mouth in excitement. She leaned a bit against him, half of a hug as she smiled. "You won't regret it," she chuckled as the lesson came to an end.

It was hard not getting excited seeing Baal there, she felt herself blushing a bit as she saw the glistening marks in the dark. How was he not showing them off daily, she wondered, but then again he had told her why. She continued her talk with Ethan, them discussing who was the greatest musician within the last decade, and Buffy was fast determined that it was Bowie holding the crown. "You gotta be kidding me, Buffster, it's gotta be Cobain," Ethan argued, pointing down himself as if it would be a convincing argument. Buffy chuckled, shaking her head. Nana was just quiet, but she usually was like that, sipping her drink and bopping her head to the music. "Okay okay, what about Mercury then? I mean, Queen is a legend," she said with a chuckle. "Motorī kurū ga suki," (I prefer Mötley Crüe) Nana mumbled, joining the debate, but not really as she was just making a statement that few people around her would even understand anyways. Buffy felt her phone vibrate as people got up to dance, excusing herself to walk out to one of the hallways.

"Hi Verge," she said in a sweet hum, her face turning a little worried as she frowned. "What do you mean?" she asked, wrapping her free arm around herself. She just listened as she felt her heart sink a little. "Who's that in the background?" she asked, interrupting Virgil as he was speaking.

Vanessa sighed at all of their statements, shaking her head at them with a face full of disbelief. “Y’all crazy. It’s obviously Michael Jackson. How else would the moonwalk have been invented?” She said before she shrugged, “Let’s just look at the musical side of him though, I’m not gonna speak ill of the dead, but if the rumors were true about them kids, I aint approving of that shit,” she said with a dismissive tone. “Besides, Queen, Bowie, Cobain? Only a few bangers that truly stuck into this time, while MJ? Fucking Immortal. Name one song from the King of Pop that doesnt fit into our time,” she argued before turning her eyes around to see who could win the argument. She took a sip of her drink and smiled a little.

Baal watched Buffy leave with her phone and soon Vanessa clapped him on the back - Not that hard for once. “Come on, we’re gonna go dance,” she said, nodding to the others. He shook his head a little, not really that much for dancing. “Next song,” he promised before returning to the table. He leaned back into the chair as he rested his hands on his lap, looking around at the people who were dancing and interacing with each other. He sighed to himself as he sat there for a bit till he realized Buffy hadnt come back yet. He frowned a little as he started tapping his heel to the beat, just trying to focus on the movement instead of his worries.

Ethan shook his head, clearly disagreeing with Vanessa, pulling her closer as he smiled at her teasingly. "Babe, no, Jackson was just a product of childhood labour," he said chuckling. "Wow, I didn't even know you had that in your vocabulary," Florence teased Ethan, messing with his blonde wig, making him frown but he couldn't help but chuckle. "Aight, then, who ya proposing?" he asked confused. "The Beatles of course, they brought rock and roll in to the mainstream," Florence said, popping her chin out at Ethan giggling a bit. She looked to Lana as the music started playing louder, signaling it was about time to hit the dance floor. "Dance with me," she whispered into her girlfriends ear with a smile on her lips. "My god, you guys really are unbearable," Charles groaned, getting sent a waning look from Florence that made him raise his hands. "Where is Virgil anyways - He said he'd show up around now," he added, trying to change the discussion. "Buffy's on the phone with him," Nana just said looking out to the crowd with her monotone expression. Charles shrugged, getting up from his seat, going over to carry Nana out to the dance floor. Ethan grabbed Vanessa's hand, smiling at her as he pulled her with him. Florence joined Lana.

Outside in the hallway Buffy stood for a bit as she heard Virgil fall over his words. Then she heard a moan on the other end of the phone. It was like everything froze for her. "Well, I guess I know now why you've been working extra," she managed to say before hanging up and turning off her phone. She felt her heart race, her cheeks red under her pale make up and her eyes were trying not to let her tears fall over her cheeks. She stood for a while, gathering herself, putting on her best fake smile as she walked back in to the ball room. She saw Baal sitting alone, grabbing his hand as she just pulled him with her to the dance floor. "Please," she just said, trying so desperately to hide the hurt in her eyes as she started moving to the beat. It was easier just getting her frustrations out this way, but she found herself lock her arms around Baal's neck as she danced. Sometimes it felt like it was just the two of them there, dancing and her just looking in to his eyes.

Vanessa’s jaw could have dropped at Florence’s argument, yet she had to admit to defeat, raising her drink to everyone. “We could argue forever, but what we really should be doing is shaking our bums on the floor,” she said with a big smile. Lana had kept out of the conversation, mostly just touching Florence’s arm in comforting strokes till the banshee turned to her to whisper. She smiled brightly and nodded before Charles commented on them, “Jealousy doesnt suit you Charlie,” Lana teased. Having Florence around really made her more playful and witty than a stone cold bitch. She knew that Charles cared deeply for the both of them even though their lovey dovey behaviour probably made him sick to his stomach. He just had to get used to it. They all went to danxe except Baal who couldnt shake out that Buffy hadnt come back yet.

When he saw her, it was so clear that something was wrong, he hadnt spent all this time with her to be completely oblivious to when she was trying to hide something. He felt her pull and didnt resist as she dragged him to the dance floor. For a while he wasnt sure how to move, but soon his body just started to follow her movements to the rhytmn of the beat. When she locked her arms around his neck he felt his heart beat faster as his hands just seemed to accept her, placing themselves around her waist like it was the most natural movement to him. He shifted between her eyes as he started to feel a little weird, “Your... boyfriend?” He asked rather carefully with his eyes slightly narrowed as he could only begin to imagine the outcome of him arriving to the sight of this.

When she didnt reply but just pulled him closer, he had a feeling that it had something to do with her boyfriend. He felt his anger rise on her behalf but it was also like having her close just kept the lid on the anger, keeping it from boiling over. Her reply made a gulp sound from his throat as the realization kicked in that she wasnt really with Virgil anymore. He just wrapped his arms closer around her as she pulled him in, feeling a buzz wander down his spine as her lips touched his neck. He closed his eyes and moved rather slow with her, knowing that people wouldnt really be caring. When the song ended, he felt courageous as she pulled away, but then he saw the tears in her eyes. His brows frowning with worry as he wanted to reach out and touch her cheek like he had comforted her that night.
She moved away and he felt oddly cold for the first time in his life as he watched her leave. He wasnt sure what to do or how to handle the emotions boiling up in him, but it was like Lana barged in for the first time with a voice of reason, "Go get her! You probably wont get another chance like this, goth prince," she yelled as she swung around with Florence with a big smile on her face. How did everyone seem to know? He looked down at the ground for a bit before he moved off the dancefloor to go find her. She said bathroom, so that was were he checked first. He couldnt find her there and for a second he felt like he was taken back to the night at Lana's. He moved down the hall rather fast, checking each class through the windows in the doors before he got to the outside. He looked around before he spotted the pigtails rather fast. He was relieved to see that she wasnt in danger, but he knew something was wrong. He walked up to her, feeling his own heart ache a little as she seemed so sad, which was unlike her. What he had gathered courage for was now hidden behind his worry that pressed for him to comfort her instead of speaking from the heart. "Should I go kick his ass?" he asked as he sat down next to her, looking at her with sadened eyes.

Florence giggled as she moved closer to Lana, kissing her cheek before continuing their dance. "I hope he doesn't waste this - I'm tired of both of them ignoring what they want," Florence said. She watched as Charles swung Nana round, laughing at not only the size difference, but also the fact that the small one of the demons didn't seem to amused. "At least you guys don't have to listen her mumble his name in her sleep," Nana said as they passed by, making Charles laugh as he swung her around more. Ethan couldn't keep his eyes off of Vanessa, and he finally felt like he could show her off a bit. "Maybe we should've coordinated, I would've made a mean Sweeney Todd," he chuckled in a flirty tone.

Buffy was trying to remove her tears as soon as they appeared, feeling the cold against her skin, but she couldn't seem to care. That was when she heard Baal's voice, making her look away at his suggestion, shaking her head. "I think I got a little lost finding my way back," she mumbled, moving to her feet and feeling her body shake at the cold. It was like she was embarrassed to admit what Virgil had done, too hurt to actually say that she was hurting from what he had done. "I shouldn't have danced with you, sorry," she said as she started moving away. Perhaps just going back to her dorm and hiding forever was a plan in it of itself. That was when she saw Virgil running through the garden towards her, reaching out and pulling her in close. "Babe I'm sorry, I-I-," he said, but Buffy shook her head, pushing him away. "Don't touch me," she hissed, but there was more hurt than anger in her voice. Virgil looked briefly at Baal, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the demon's marks, clearly confused and disgusted. "Let's talk about it," he argued, grabbing her arm to pull her closer again, but Buffy struggled, however she couldn't get out of his grip. "Let go of me," Buffy said in a weak voice, feeling the feelings from that last party flash her by. "Not until you speak to me," he argued but she shook her head. "Speak about how you were inches deep in another girl?" Buffy blurted out, tears starting to fall down her cheeks.

Vanessa chuckled at Nana's comment as she shook her head, "Like he probably isnt all the same," she said before she looked at Ethan, blushing a little at his words as she gave him a soft push, "That would have been cute. I'd prefer not to be pushed into an oven after tricking you into believing that your wife had died," she said before she wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled her nose onto his cheek. "Besides, seeing you blonde is a savoury sight," she said before pulling her phone up, "Smileee blondie," she warned him right before she pressed her lips to his cheek in a perfect snapshot. Lana grabbed Florence's hands before she smiled at her, "Let's disappear for a couple of minutes," she said in a hushed tone before she dragged her girlfriend with her.

He looked at her as she got up, sighing deeply as he wanted to reach out and make her sit so they could talk it out. He just wanted to see her smile and be happy like she always seemed to be in class. Her apology made him frown as he got to his feet, it felt more like a stinging pain in his chest than a relief at this point. "Buffy.. I..." he said as he spotted Virgil who came running, his frown deepening, though he knew it was their business. But as he was about to leave, he noticed how she was pulling away while he kept pulling her in. It angered him that he didnt seem to respect her wish to not be close to him. The way Virgil looked at him, couldnt bother him less as he was returning the confusion and disgust with a warning look. There was only enough times that he could see her pull away for him to just pull her back in, especially at her blurt. He moved towards the boyfriend, to grab his arms and tear them off Buffy as he pushed him away from her. "How many times should she ask you to not touch her for you to get it through your skull?" he asked angrily, not caring that he shouldnt be involved because he couldnt begin to fathom how he could have chosen to be with some other girl when he had her.

Ethan chuckled at her comment, shaking his head. "Like I could hurt ya like that," he chuckled, frowning as she called him blondie. However as she kissed his cheek he couldn't help but smile as she took the picture. "I'm so getting revenge later," he whispered warning in her ear, nibbling a bit at her ear to let her know he meant it. Florence blushed a bit at Lana's suggestion, holding her hand a little tighter as they snuck out to one of the girls bathrooms. The banshee quickly entangled herself with her girlfriend, hugging her close as their lips crashed, a faint moan escaping her lips as she knew exactly where this was going.

Buffy felt herself crumble, trying to get away from Virgil, but he had such a hard grip on her, that her skin turned white where he held her. Baal managed to push him off of her, and she felt herself a little breathless as she looked at the tall demon now shielding her from her ex. "He's not worth it, Baal," she pleaded, placing a hand on his arm. Virgil was quick to notice, scoffing as he looked from Baal to Buffy and back to the demon. "Oh, so you are trying to play hero," Virgil said mockingly, spitting at the ground as he took a step closer. Him and Baal were basically head to head as he stared him down. "You think she wants some low life like you? Someone who brutes in the corner and never wants to have fun?" he asked, talking like he was spitting acid. "Cut it off Verge," Buffy said, giving him a glare. Virgil scoffed, shaking his head. "I messed up, aight, sorry - but you haven't exactly been handing out the goods," he said in frustration. Buffy looked away, tugging a bit at Baal's arm, wanting to leave now. "Tell me the truth Buffy, have you been fucking this skinny demon? Is my dick not good enough for you?" he asked, clearly in anger. Buffy felt her cheeks flare up, pulling harder at Baal. Virgil stepped closer, pushing Baal to the side as he grabbed Buffy's chin, running his thumb along her lower lip. "You love screaming my name, just admit it baby girl," he said in a sensual voice, leaning down to kiss her lips. Buffy turned her head, making him just kiss her cheek before she started pushing at him. She didn't want this. She wasn't out for revenge or confrontation, she just wanted to get away. "Tell me, is it because he fucks you better? Nah, if he did that you would've left sooner, you little slut," Virgil said in anger. "Please stop talking," Buffy said in frustration. She didn't like hearing him speak like this. "Let me remind you who you belong to," he said in a sensual tone, licking his lips as he stared at her body in the tight costume. "You're just high on something," Buffy said, looking at him with hurt eyes. She couldn't move, she just froze, feeling like it had been with Will.

"Yeah right," Vanessa said but her cheeks flushed with color. She turned her head to watch Lana and Florence walk off, chuckling a little as she reached out and grabbed Charles' hand, wanting to move around in a circle together. She found it a little odd that they hadnt returned yet but figured that they were probably making out or something in that lane.

He heard her plea but he couldnt help but think what would happen the next time Virgil decided to grab her and he couldnt be there to stop it. He had to make sure she was safe. Virgil's words made him scoff as he shook his head, "Not at all," he assured him, as he watched him spit on the ground before stepping closer. He let him speak, his face seemingly carved in stone as the vile words sure made him feel like the guy was hitting where it hurt. But he was also aware that it was Virgil who had screwed up with Buffy, so he didnt really care much for what the guy had to say. It was more that Buffy tried to shut him up that made him feel like it may had been something they had talked about once. As Buffy tried to tug at his arm to make him follow her, Virgil's words made him grit his teeth as he looked at back at him. He couldnt just ignore how Buffy wanted him to go with her, but it seemed that soon he didnt have to, as Virgil pushed him away. He regained his footing quite fast just to watch the ex try and kiss her, making his blood boil with a rage he wasnt sure he had felt before. Virgil's words just added to it, and a part of him just couldnt contain the anger any longer. And sure as hell it showed as the marks on his body started flaring in the darkness with a slight glow like they were burning under his skin, both hurting and fuelling his anger. He grabbed Virgil by his face before he tore him away from Buffy just to fling him at the bench with such power to his throw. "You speak of me being a lowlife, yet you couldnt even muster being man enough to stick to your girlfriend," he scoffed before he couldnt help but grin, "You're pathetic," he added before shaking his head. It wasnt even worth the fight. He looked at Buffy with serious eyes, "Let's go," he said before he placed a hand on her arm, his touch so light and gentle after seeing how Virgil had touched her.

Virgil was soon flung towards the bench, grimacing as he moved to his feet, only to fall back again because he couldn't stand too well being this disoriented. Buffy felt Baal's hand on her arm, flinching at first as she thought he was going to grab her like Virgil just had. However she looked at him in surprise when she felt his soft and gentle touch, feeling another tear escape her eye, running down her cheek as she nodded at his words. She was quiet, not really wanting to speak when she had so much on her mind. She had instead taken Baal's hand, entangling their fingers just to feel some comfort - that was unless he had pulled away. They reached her dorm, stopping as she shifted her weight to her other leg. Buffy looked up at him, her tears dry and her face just full of hurt. She hadn't started this school to get into trouble, she had started it to learn more and gain friends. But why did it feel like the world was against her. Looking at him hurt her heart, knowing she had just made him fight her battle. It gave her a sour taste in her mouth as she unlocked her door, stepping inside and pulling him with her. She couldn't let go. She wouldn't let go, not even if he wanted to leave. "Stay with me," she pleaded in a broken voice, looking down in shame as she closed the door behind him, locking it for good measure. She then went to the bathroom, one look in the mirror and she started sobbing, covering her mouth as she sat down on the cold tile, hugging herself as she just couldn't hold back anymore. The pain in her chest and knowing that she had trusted Virgil. She had felt something for him, felt a connection, but had that all been a lie? She questioned herself, her motives and how she had acted. Had she not showed him that she cared? Had she not given in every time he wanted her body? She felt dirty, felt like even if she showered a hundred times she would never be clean of his hands and words.

He gave Virgil a quick warning glance before he turned to Buffy, letting her entangle her fingers with his if that was what she needed. But he realized at they walked that he hadnt only been doing these things, given her comfort and safety just because she needed it of him. He wanted to give it to her, wanted her to feel like she could always trust him. Looking down at their hands as they walked, he realized yet again how his dreams had been trying to lead him to follow what his heart had been yearning for yet his mind couldnt wrap around. Outside her room he looked at her with sad eyes, wishing he could take the hurt and the pain and bear the burden with her. She didnt deserve to feel this way, to be treated like Virgil had treated her. He could only wonder what would happen if such a guy with a new face would appear in her life. He couldnt let it happen. The possessive feeling he had tried to fight had won, there was no way he could let anyone treat her for less than she was worth.
He nodded at her words with a heavy heart, he hadnt had any plans on leaving if she wasnt going to tell him to. She went to the bathroom and he looked at the door before he pinched his lips and looked away. What could he do to mend her pain? He went over to the door, his hand looming over the handle as he thought about what he was going to do. He shook his head after a bit as he decided to follow his instincts for once and not let his mind think out the solution, stepping into the bathroom before he dropped down on his knees in front of her. He grabbed her arms with same gentle touch as he gently tugged at them to signal her to move them. He cupped her face in his hands as he brushed some tears off her cheeks while he looked into her eyes with a soft look to his. “Let me heal you,” he mumbled, not sure what power in the world had given him the courage, but he leaned forward to gently place his lips over hers. If she felt unclean after what Virgil had done, Baal would do whatever he could to make his touch a mere memory.

Buffy felt everything was wrong, everything she had tried to ignore just flashed against her inner eye. A little voice yelling at her how stupid she was for believing even a single word that Virgil had ever told her. She didn't even hear the door open, it was first when she felt the gentle touch she looked up at him. Her eyes saw a blurry figure, but she knew who it was. It was him. The demon she had gotten closer with during these last few weeks. She felt his gentle touch of her face, leaning her face against his hands, craving his comfort like nothing in this world. His words made her blink a few times, but she couldn't react as he soon pressed his lips against hers. Her body gave in, clutching herself close to the demon that was handing her comfort and the most tender kiss she had ever received. However she soon realized what she was doing, moving out of the kiss, shaking her head. She wanted him, she had always wanted him, but now that she could have him, her heart was too broken. She was afraid he could take those broken pieces and turn them to dust. "I - You deserve better than me," she whispered, wiping the back of her hand against her eyes as she wanted to look at him. Her hand reaching out, touching his cheek. He didn't deserve a stupid human that could barely describe her own feelings. However there was something in her still; her heart beating, her cheeks flushing red as she looked at him. All the things Virgil had said, did Baal believe them to be true? Did he think that she was just a girl jumping from guy to guy like her ex had described? She let her hand fall down to her lap, touching a part of her stocking that had ripped. Her skin felt cold, but it was like she felt numb. "I'm sorry you had to get involved in my mess," she whispered in a defeated tone. God, she was already craving feeling his lips again, hold him close and make him take away her pain. "You were right about one thing," she whispered, on the edge of sobbing once more as she was hurting just thinking about it. "I really don't understand anything," she wept, leaning forward to bury her face in his chest, crying against his shirt.

The kiss was taking his breath away, as it was nothing like his dreams had made them feel. So soft with a firmness to them that made him want to press closer. She moved away and he opened his eyes with his lips sloghtly seperated as he drew in a soft breath with his mouth, even though he felt like gasping. Her words made him close his mouth to swallow as he started shaking his head, “Dont say that,” he begged her in a whisper as he looked at her. He leaned into her hand as she touched him, unable to move out of her touch or reject her like he did before.
Her hand moved off his face and his eyes sadened as she spoke. Couldnt she see that he didnt vare? That he would gladly fight any fight for her as long as she would smile at him with her soft smile. He shook his head as she said he was right. He didnt know what he was right in, but he just knew it was wrong. And then she said it. He felt his eyes sting and as she leaned forward, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, closing his eyes to stop the sting. “I was a fool,” he said in a low tone as he ran his hand down her back. “I was insecure and scared and it got the best of me,” he admitted as he opened his eyes to look down at her. He placed a hand on her cheek, “Please dont shut me out,” he begged as he shifted between her eyes. He wanted to feel her lips, but he didnt want to take advantage of her.

She sobbed against his chest, feeling herself crumble into more pieces the longer she was sitting like this. What would her parents not say? Seeing her crying and to be comforted by a demon no less? As he leaned away, she felt her heart tremble, afraid he was actually going to push her away, but then his hand came. His touch so light that she for a second thought his hand was only hovering above her skin. His beg made her eyes well up, sitting up a bit as she leaned against him. Her lips hovering carefully above his before she pressed their lips together. Hugging herself close, she basically sat in his lap, kissing him as gently as her heart could manage, without getting torn into more pieces. She soon felt her aching heart beat for him, beat for the lips that she had hungered for. The lips she had dreamt about, touching her skin and making her moan, and here she was in reality feeling his lips against hers. After a while she pulled away, slowly and carefully, as she needed to breathe. She touched his cheek, letting her fingers run down his neck to touch the black marks poking out from his collar. She leaned her forehead against his, probably smudging her make up all over his skin, but she couldn't seem to care. Her body was still not relaxing, the thoughts of Virgil showing up and claiming her making her worried as she hugged herself closer to Baal. "I'm scared," she whispered gently, opening her eyes to look into his. "And your lips are covered in my stupid Halloween make up," she mumbled, rubbing her thumb softly against his lips to see if she could remove some of the dark color. Buffy exhaled, swallowing as she couldn't think. She was slowly realizing how cold she was, how her body was shaking from the cold and fear she had just been through. But her cheeks had a faint pink color under her pale make up, a reminder of the kiss they had just shared.

His hands. She could write books about his hands and how they moved over her clothes, what feelings it brought her to feel him tug at her and want her close. Never had she expected them to be doing this; not saying that she had fully accepted them to just be friends, but it had just seemed impossible. He started rubbing at her cold skin, making her close her eyes as she felt herself slowly heat up, however it didn't take away the shivers that sporadicly showed themselves when she least expected it. And his words. How could such a simple promise make her heart beat faster? "I would like that," she whispered, opening her eyes to look at him. She was torn. Torn between her heart hurting so badly and the chance that he could either heal or ruin that aching organ. Buffy touched his face gently, running her thumb over his skin. "But I would need some time," she admitted. She had cared for Virgil, how ever stupid it sounded, she needed to process it all. She needed to work this through and not just toss herself into another relationship like her life depended on it. "These coming weeks I might need a friend more than a boyfriend," she whispered, but she was telling the truth. She couldn't just toss her heart around like that, like she was playing hot potato with her own feelings. She hated saying it like this to Baal, but she had to be real with him. Tell him the truth, because how else could he trust her? Buffy sighed, shaking her head a little. "I'm not saying that I don't like you, because - well, it would just be easier if you felt for yourself," she said, taking his hand and pressing it to her chest. Her heart beating faster just at his touch. "Baal I like you, and my crush never really went away," she confessed, pressing his palm against her chest. "But if I am to give you everything you deserve, I need to heal - even though I really just want to be with you already," she said.

Her reply seemed to only add to the flutter, small tingles inside of him as he looked at her. He could however feel that but long before it came, knowing that it hadnt been the right time. She needed time. He knew that, he had just seen what she had gone through, heard words more vile than any acid could ever be. Virgil hadnt only wounded her pride, he had taken it and dragged it through the mud like it meant nothing to him. But maybe the guy had just liked her as an acessory. He couldnt keep thinking in these ways, it just made him feel like he had to go out and trash the bastard’s face.
He nodded at her words, understanding what she meant by her words, though he couldnt help but feel rejected - He couldnt blame her for what he felt, it was up to her what she wanted and needed from him. Of course she had to reassure him, which he didnt feel like he deserved. Hadnt it been him who had pushed her away over and over? Could he really blame her if she needed time? No, he knew that, he had made this bed for himself and now he had to lay in it. He looked at his hand so close to her heart, feeling it like a drum against his palm. He looked back up at her at her confession, swallowing as he shortly pinched his lips together. Her addition made him nod, the last part sort of flying past him as his eyes quickly avoided hers for a bit while he was thinking. “I’ll be the friend you need,” he said, nodding a few times to himself as he looked at her. It was hurting his heart to even mention being a friend - But it was what it is. He loosened his grip around her a little, just so she could slide a little down his lap because friends werent really supposed to be sitting that close.

She felt his grip loosen, and she could feel it pull at her heart strings. She didn’t want to move away, she wanted to stay close to him, feel his touch and make her heart beat faster because of it. However she had to stay true to her words. She moved, that small distance between them felt like years separating them to her. She reached out, holding his hand as she just needed to feel him. “I think I need to remove this stupid make up,” she said, letting go of his hand as she moved to her feet. She reached up over the sink, grabbing some wet wipes as she started to remove whatever make up she hadn’t cried off already. Once that was done, she took down her pigtails, one at a time before brushing out her hair. She blushed a bit, thinking she might need a little help getting out of her costume, seeing as it was sitting rather snug on her body. “Could you, uhh, maybe help with my shirt? I don’t want to rip it,” she said, turning her back to Baal as she grabbed the front of the shirt rather carefully, and with his help moved the shirt up and over her head. As it was gone she felt like she could breathe again, using the shirt to cover her half barren chest. She looked at him briefly, sending him a sad smile as she passed him and walked in to the room she shared with Nana. She grabbed one of her pyjama tips, sliding it on as she then went to fight the tight shorts she was wearing. Finally getting them open and sliding them down her legs, taking the stockings off in the same movement. She then grabbed a pair of pyjama shorts before looking at the bed a bit hesitantly. She turned her face to look at Baal, walking over and taking his hand. She still needed him close for when the nightmares would happen. Her hands were shaking a bit as she helped him out of the torn shirt. She couldn’t help but let her eyes linger on the dark marks that she found so beautiful before walking over to the bed. Laying down and gesturing for him to join her. If he joined her she would cuddle close to him, resting her head against his bare chest, breathing in his calming scent. “Goodnight,” she whispered in a sweet voice, her hands feasting agains his stomach.

Was there anything such as a mixed nightmare? Where two horrible things happen all at once, and all you are left with is screaming and flailing? Whenever she awoke, panting in fear, she would look around in panic until she felt his arms, his touch. For every nightmare, he was there, comforting her, touch her cheek gently until she had calmed down. Hugging her closer and letting her know that the danger was no more. He was there. When the sun was rising she nuzzled her head against his chest, feeling her body wake without a scream or a toss. Buffy breathed in his scent, sending calming vibes through her. She knew she had said friends. She knew she had broken her own heart a little bit more just by saying that, but her heart needed to heal. She crawled up on the pillow, looking at Baal as he slept. His features relaxed, his eyes moving a bit as he seemed to be in a dream. How she hoped he was having a pleasant one, he deserved it after all he had done for her. Her eyes glanced to his lips, touching her own as she thought about how they had felt. How they had seemed to heal her as he had begged him to. She wanted to feel them again, but the wound in her chest was so open an raw that she couldn’t force herself to it.

“Good morning love birds,” Nana just said, sitting calmly in her bed and reading a book for one of her classes. Buffy blushed, sitting up as she looked at her roommate. “We’re friends,” Buffy mumbled. Nana sighed, closing her book as she looked into the room. “Keep telling yourself that and you’ll rip both of your hearts out by the root,” Nana said, a faint melancholic sound over her voice. Buffy looked down at Baal, feeling her broken heart beat for him, begging her to lean down and wake him with a kiss, but her own pride wouldn’t allow it. “Suit yourself, I’m going out to see if the others ended in a dumpster last night,” Nana said, moving to her feet and slipping on her large combat boots. “By the way, whatever he did to Virgil was pretty cool,” she said, popping an unlit cigarette between her teeth before moving outside.

Buffy knew Nana was right, she knew she couldn’t keep calling them friends when what she really wanted was him and his lips. A few weeks passed, and the buzz about what had happened to Virgil and Buffy seemed to have died down. Buffy was sitting in the garden next to Florence. “You can’t possibly wait any longer,” the banshee remarked, as she rested her head in Lana’s lap, smiling up at her girlfriend. They had made it official, and though both families were in chock at first, they quickly saw the opportunity to join their families. “Easy for you to say,” Buffy mumbled, rolling an apple between her palms. “Hey, Simon was a nice guy, he just wasn’t ... you know ... female,” Florence said, chuckling a bit and then sighed. Luckily she had remained pretty good friends with the military guy, Hell he had even approved of Lana. “Tall handsome demon at four o’clock,” Ethan mumbled. “It’s more like five o’clock,” Nana said casually, looking up at Buffy before she nodded.

Buffy got up from the grass, walking across the field to greet Baal in a friendly hug. “I need to speak with you,” she whispered in a pleading tone. It was far from the angry and demanding tone she had used back at Lana’s party. She nodded towards the lake, perhaps they could walk there beside it.