Title: Sorry
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rating: PG
Length: 512 words
Content notes: Not my usual style, but I like it. Present tense, no names mentioned. Maybe a little sparse?
Author notes:
Summary: Xander apologises to Buffy



“Um, okay… What for?”

“For, well, you know.” A hot blush sails up his face as it twists around to avoid the words he didn’t want to say.

“Actually, not so much,” she muses. “Can I, I don’t know, buy a vowel?”

He shifts uncomfortably, as if the words have snuck down into his pants and were prodding him with their sharp edges. “That … thing. You know, when I, uh…”

She considers her friend for a moment, and tries to think what might be causing him so much pain. “Can I at least get a time frame here?”

“The zoo!” he blurts out, and suddenly the words seem to have settled down because he sags like a burst balloon.

She blinks, and offers her own blush to the conversation. “Oh.” She checks out the floor to see if it has anything to add to the conversation. It doesn’t. Neither does the wall. “Look, it was a real long time ago; months, even.”

He dares a look into her eyes. “I’m still sorry,” he whispers.

Maybe her bottom lip will have something for her, so she gives it a nibble. “Why?” His next look is confused, so she clarifies, “Why did you do it?”

She knows she’s going to get an answer when his eyes drift away and he gains a pensive look.

“You smelt so good, you know? Like the best thing ever. And you have a strength that’s almost visible sometimes. I wanted that. No: I needed that. I needed you by my side, and under my arm, and running with me, and killing things with me. And I wanted you to recognise my strength. I wanted you to want to run with me, and the only way I could get that was to -” The words catch in his throat as another wave of blood rushes over his face.

She clears her throat and her eyes skitter over the room, looking for somewhere safe. There’s still no such thing, so she drags them back to the boy in front of her. “Yeah, uh, we can leave the rest of that, okay?”

He wraps his arms around his waist, and tries to fold himself inwards, away from her eyes. “I lied when I said I didn’t remember,” he whispers.

A smirk and a frown flit across her face in tandem. “Yeah, I kind of got that one. Which, have to say, I didn’t really mind. If you’d forgotten, then I could, too. Made it easier, you know?”

He dares another look through dark eyelashes. “Can you…”

“Long time ago,” she smiles softly. She looks around, and plies her lip again for advice. She looks back at him, serious expression in place. “I’m glad you apologised, though. It does mean something.” She rolls her eyes, and then her shoulder. “I’m pretty sure there’s something frothy and way too sweet calling my name, and it’s your treat.”

He straightens and flashes his blinding smile. He approaches her and, after a moment’s hesitation, drops his arm around her shoulder. “Chocolate sprinkles?”

“Duh!”