The library door swung shut and footsteps, fast and eager, pattered
down the hallway, Bronzeward-bound. Giles spared a moment to luxuriate
in the sudden silence that spilled back into the room, rushing to fill
each Buffy, Xander and Willow shaped hole, and then began to tidy up.
Crumbs were swept off the table into the empty donut box, sprinkles and
sugar like rainbow snow, clinging stickily to his hands, books were
sorted, stacked, carried and re-shelved, notes carefully scanned before
he tore them up into pieces small enough to confound the patience of a
curious cleaner...it didnât take long, and as the coda to a successful
night of research it beat the hell out of tending wounds.
When the door swung open again, he didnât turn. He knew who it was.
“I forgot something.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“And what might that be?”
In the past itâd been a pencil, a coat; once, least believable of all,
a homework assignment.
Tonight, finally, he got a truthful answer.
“Forgot to do this.”
The kiss was gritted teeth-determined and missed its target, mostly
because at the last second Xander lost his nerve, so his lips brushed
the corner of Gilesâ mouth in an oddly endearing way.
Giles stood still and waited.
“This would be the part where you freak out,” Xander said. His face was
starting to squinch in preparation for Gilesâ reaction but he hadnât
stepped back and his hands were still resting on Gilesâ shoulders,
heavier than heâd expected, as though Xander were falling forward while
standing still.
“I did. Three weeks ago. Now Iâve moved on and Iâm merely impatient.”
“What?”
Giles wanted very much to remove his glasses and let reality blur just
a little in the hope - always vain - that if he couldnât see it, it
couldnât see him. As that would have meant shrugging off Xanderâs
hands, he did without the respite.
“If you want to jerk off in semi-public places - though the stacks are
so little used, perhaps thatâs not a fair description - you should keep
your eyes open.”
“You...watched me?”
Xander could barely say the words, which emerged in a strangled yelp.
His hands dropped away and he hugged himself with them, taking a step
back. Giles didnât move.
“No.” Giles hesitated and then shrugged mentally. Might as well get all
the embarrassment over in one go. “I, ah, heard you.”
“Thatâs - kill me, Giles, kill me now.”
Xander went to a chair and sat down in it, suddenly, as if his legs had
stopped being supportive and gone on strike. He sank his head into his
hands and muttered something Giles had to strain to hear.
“No. Whom would I tell?”
“Then we can just forget about it?” Xander twisted his head, showing
Giles a flushed face and imploring eyes. “Please?”
“I havenât been able to for the last three weeks,” Giles said
deliberately, “so I donât think I can say ‘yesâ to that.”
Xander straightened, a skim of bravado settling over his face. “Look,
Giles, maybe Iâm over reacting. You know what itâs like; you remember -”
“Letâs stick with ‘knowâ, shall we?” Giles murmured.
“- and if I promise never to do it again-”
“I assume weâre talking about the location, not the act itself?”
“What? Oh...yeah.” Xander tried a chuckle. “So I stick to the bathroom
from now on, and we donât mention it.”
Giles walked over and tapped Xanderâs mouth with his finger,
effectively rendering him dumb. “I heard you,
Xander,” he said softly. “Not just the grunts and gasps, the slide of
your hand...I heard a name. My name. Itâs why I went to you, itâs why I
listened.” He smiled. “Itâs why, when you left, I found the exact place
youâd chosen and followed your example.”
“You -”
Giles slipped his hand underneath Xanderâs chin and applied a slight
upward pressure that brought Xander to his feet. “It was a good place,
Xander. You chose it well. I think itâs suitable for more than the
limited use you put it to, but I could be wrong. Am I?”
He waited for Xanderâs slow headshake and then kissed him just to
make sure. When Xanderâs lips parted, eagerly yielding, he let himself
believe what heâd spent three weeks hoping for was true.
9/10/04
Return to Home
Send Feedback
Vaping has emerged as a popular alternative to traditional smoking, offering a variety of flavors and a smoother experience. Alongside vaping, nicotine pouches provide a discreet and convenient option for those seeking a nicotine boost without smoke. Discover the best nicotine pouches that ensure a satisfying experience, allowing you to enjoy your nicotine in a modern way.