Title: Plus One
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Author: veronyxk84
Pairing: Spuffy
Rating: PG-13
Length: 300 (Google Docs)
Content notes: none
Spoilers/Setting: Set in a post-series, post-comics future. Buffy and Spike own a house in San Francisco.
Summary: Spike brings home a puppy.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created for fun and no profit has been made. All rights belong to the respective owners.
Author notes: I have a 5-year-old dog, so I am well aware of the responsibilities that come with pets. But they always give back so much love and joy, and I wanted to focus on that.

Challenge: #434 - Precious by fan_flashworks
Also for: Sweetheart Bingo by sweetspicybingo (Tumblr)
[squares: #1-sweet talk, #4-kiss me, #7-puppy love]

—

Holding grocery bags in both her hands, Buffy pressed her body weight against the handle and jostled the back door open, trudging in with a huff.
“Hon, I’m home!” she called, setting the bags down on the kitchen table. “I went to the butcher’s to stock up on blood and stopped at the deli on my way back for take-out. Got your favorite: spicy wings.”
She started to pull everything out of the bags and frowned when she didn’t get any answer from Spike. Leaving the bags half unpacked, she peered into the empty living room. “Spike? Are you home?”

“Hello, luv,” he said from behind her, having just emerged from the basement, looking slightly flustered.
“Hey,” she said, twirling around. “What were you doing down there?”
“Nothing. Hanging out in my mancave.”
Right then, a high-pitched barking came from downstairs.
“With… a little friend,” added Spike, wincing.
Buffy pushed him out of the way and ran to the basement, finding a puppy trying clumsily to hop up the stairs.
Spike followed her. “I—I found him during patrol,” he explained, while Buffy picked up the squirming puppy.
“Look at him! He’s so darn precious!” she exclaimed, making a silly voice.

“You’re not mad?” asked Spike.
“Of course not,” she said, caressing the puppy. “Why would I?”
“He peed on the couch and chewed on Vampy Cat.”
“Well, that’s your plush toy, and we’ll talk later about the couch,” she said, shrugging. “Can we keep him?”
Spike smirked. “Huh. Thought I’d have to sweet-talk you into that.”
“Nope. It was puppy love at first sight,” she beamed.
“Should I be jealous?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re still my favorite, Grumpy Pants. Now kiss me,” she said, pulling him to herself.
The puppy barked.
“Hey! Paws off, she’s my girlfriend!” protested Spike.