He was sleeping on the couch, snoring lightly. He'd burrowed himself into one of the plush pillows; for a couch that had underwent as much damage as this one, it was remarkably comfortable.
There was a small squeak and a quick intake of breath, and Dawn held still, waiting to see if he'd wake up. He didn't move, and she let out a relieved sigh, creeping closer.
She reached behind her and pulled it out, leaning over Wesley to get a direct shot at his face, and then sprayed once, twice, three times.
She burst into laughter when he shot up and looked around as though one of those Icky demons had come up and licked his face.
"Sorry! Sorry!" she gasped, holding her stomach for laughter. "Xander dared me too!"
He got up from the couch, and she backed up slowly, seeing his look. "Now, for that," he said slowly, "you're learning Sumerian."
Her eyes widened in shock. "No way!"
"Yes way."
She looked left, then right, and Wesley saw her planning her escape. "You'll have to catch me first!" she yelled gleefully, heading for the front door.
As he made to run after her, he stopped a moment, and then gave a pure and unfettered laugh.
---
It was Friday night, and there were couples everywhere. Wesley was glad he'd had the foresight to make reservations, as they were seated almost immediately. Buffy startled for a moment as he held out her chair for her, but she quickly caught on and smiled.
They made small talk through the first three courses. He bought wine he was old enough to drink, and had to remind himself that she wasn't. They traded stories and small jibes against Angel, reminisced about the days of Sunnydale high, and threw well-meaning barbs back and forth.
"I will say one thing, Wes. Your retorts have gone way up in the snark factor," Buffy said as she sipped the last of her red wine.
"Perhaps Los Angeles has been good for me after all," he said, looking at the dessert menu.
He stopped when he realized the silence had changed. Buffy was gazing at him intently, with a little sadness. "You're leaving, aren't you?" she said quietly.
He nodded, putting the menu aside. "I wanted to say goodbye properly. You've been very good to me during my stay, but there are things, and...people I've left behind that I should deal with. I've put my responsibilities aside long enough."
She leaned back in her chair, playing with her napkin. "Okay."
He blinked, fiddled with his tie. He felt a little lost, as though he was missing something that he never really grasped. "I do wish I could stay."
She smiled, though there was a small downward turn to her mouth. "Wesley, it's fine. I never expected you to stay." She took his hand in hers. "I just...It's been nice having you around. Nice having someone who hasn't judged me--at least, not in three years--and who'll help out without trying to create an apocalypse."
He winced, looked down at his plate and squeezed her hand a bit. "Thank you. I think."
She slipped her hand from his and rested her chin on it. "Though if you really wanted to make it up to me, you could buy me dessert."
He grinned widely. "I've heard good things about the chocolate cherry torte."
Her excited smile was completely worth the two hundred dollars he spent on that meal.
---
Xander gave him a strong handshake and went to put the suitcases into the car. Dawn threw her arms around him and squeezed him tightly, until he almost couldn't breathe. Just before she let go, she whispered in his ear, "I don't hate you for making me learn Sumerian. It makes me feel kind of smart, like I could help out. Thanks." She kissed him on the cheek, then ran upstairs, Xander following her into the house after one last smile.
Buffy walked him to the car. As they got to the driver's side door, he slipped her a piece of paper. "That's my cell number, and my apartment number. Call if you need anything, anything at all."
She nodded, and pulled him into a hug. "I will miss you, you know. For being a stuffy Watcher guy, you've grown to be a pretty cool Rogue Demon Hunter."
He pulled back, askance. "How on earth did you find out about that?"
She grinned. "I have more than one friend in LA, you know."
Wesley shook his head, groaning softly.
"So what will you do when you go back to Los Angeles?" she asked.
"Oh, I don't know. Fight some evil, see about a missing person, have an illicit affair," he smiled.
She nodded seriously. "Of course. I do that every time I go. Plus stop on Melrose."
They laughed together, and he took her in his arms again. He mused, as he always had, how someone so small, who seemed as though she could break beneath his hands, could save the world. A lot.
He kissed the top of her head and they separated, giving quiet goodbyes. He climbed into the car, and she climbed the walkway to her house. Just as he was about to pull onto the main road, he tuned back and waved to her.
She waved back, and then went inside.
He made a left and began the long road home.
FIN
They sat at the counter at four am, drinking Folgers and watching the first beginnings of twilight.
I always think of twilight being at dusk - am I wrong in that?
SA, it's nice. When is it set?
"Sorry! Sorry!" she gasped, holding her stomach for laughter. "Xander dared me too!"
Wouldn't that be 'to'? Because 'too' would mean that Xander dared her as well.
SA, I'm liking it. It explains how Dawn got so good with the books. I love the Xander and Wesley football moments, and the Xander and Dawn teasing.
SA, is that an ode to my chocolate cherry torte?
You've got Dawn's voice down, girl.
One thing:
slowing setting sunlight.
Can I suggest rethinking that one? Sunlight wouldn't set; the light fades because the sun sets.
Nice story!
(one small touch not "the" Tottenham Hotspurs; in the Uk, no article. So it's Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspurs, no "the")
I love it, SA!
The couch, however, had undergone, not underwent. And I think Elena's right both on the twilight and the "too". For "beginnings of twilight," could you use "dawning" ?
Connie, I want more, and I want it *now*. Just so you know.
SA, I like it. Very well fitted into the canon, and well written, too.
"Ah, capitalization in the name of fighting evil. Yay America."
(cough) capitalism, I presume? *g*
Okay, hon, the calendar's yours. I'll pack it tonight. (Sobs)
Also, archive request, blah blah blah, headers, blah blah blah.
Fay, same goes for your Spred.
Mmm, SA, that was very satisfying, a moment of peace.
(I was helping on that with tidbits of info, like Arsenal vs Spurs, in im, typing onehanded because I was on the phone with Roz discussing the finale...)
