A Drabble and Two Ficlets

[shinodabear.livejournal.com]

Schmoop was definitely a challenge. :) Enjoy.

Fandom: Angel
Rating: PG
Pairing: Spike/Angel
Disclaimer: The following is owned by a person that most certainly is not me.


Dizzy

They all think he’s paying attention, looking at the charts, nodding at the good news, and frowning at the bad. They don’t know he’s operating on autopilot. He barely notices when there’s a new speaker. It’s just a subtle change in pitch.

The one thing that he’s focused on is under the table. Hidden from view, their hands rest between their seats, gently held together. He’d deny it until the end of time, but he loved that feeling.

He runs his thumb gently over a knuckle, and Spike smiles.

“What do you think, Angel?”

I think I’m dizzy. “It’s fine.”


Romantic

They’re not romantic. They don’t send flowers, or stay up late at night on the phone with the classic “You hang up first,” “No you hang up first.” They don’t have one-month anniversaries, or date nights. There aren’t white-pickets fences and little children in their future, and definitely no talk of them. They don’t do those sorts of things. They aren't in their vocabulary.

But sometimes. . . just sometimes, Spike is tempted to do something. Nothing radical, of course, just maybe a little Post-It note in a desk drawer, or a quick peck on the cheek in an almost-empty elevator. He feels like sharing this not-quite-love with the rest of the world (or at least the office.) He knows Angel does, too. Otherwise, the vampire wouldn’t reach for his hand when they walk down the hall, only to catch himself and move his hand into his pocket. He wouldn’t watch Spike from across the lab, smile when jokes with Fred, or share his mug of blood.

Someday soon, Spike always tells himself. Someday, he’ll let them in on it. Just a little sign, because he doesn’t think he can hold it all in without it growing into something more.


Movie

He doesn’t remember calling him. He thinks he would’ve remember inviting him. He certainly would remember if Spike had invited himself. Nothing comes to mind, though. He just shows up. The elevator makes its usual noise, and out steps Spike, movie in one hand, popcorn in the other.

“Brought some entertainment,” he says as he makes himself at home.

For a second, Angel thinks about kicking him out. He thinks about launching into a big, long speech about how he just had a very tiring and trying day, and isn’t in the mood for company, but he doesn’t say anything. He just moves over on the couch to avoid being squished and accommodates Spike’s legs on his lap. He doesn’t even comment on the boots, just unlaces them and slips them off to the floor.

“Thanks, mate.”

“What are we watching?” In his mind, he begs for it not to be porn, anything but that. Something light, something that he can smile at.

“A classic.”

“A classic?” Debbie Does Dallas?

The movie starts and, thank the Powers, it’s nothing he’s expecting. Angel sighs with relief and leans further back into the cushions. The Blob is truly a classic. The old one, not any of the remakes. Even he had gone to see it around the time it had come out.

“I heard about your day,” Spike comments ten minutes into the film.

He doesn’t want to talk about it, but can’t find the words to tell Spike to shut up.

“The girl was dead before you even knew about the demon. Autopsy proved that. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You got me for that.”

When Spike moves to lean against him, he doesn’t pull away. He doesn’t jump when an arm curls around his waist, or when a head rests against his shoulder. He just focuses on the steady motion of Spike’s jaw chewing the butter-flavored popcorn, and attempts to lose himself in the movie.

He remembers that he should’ve said something only after the Blob kills its first victim. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” A quick kiss on the corner of his mouth, and he’s back to commenting on the terrible specials effects.

Only Spike really knew how to deal with him. Only Spike. It feels odd to realize it, after all this time. Smiling, he wraps his arm around Spike’s shoulders and grabs a handful of popcorn.