Thrift
by Pares and Te
Steroids.
It's time to look into anabolic steroids.
It's time to get this little girly man pumped up.
Or else look into going into some additional serious debt and get a car that actually runs.
Puffing, sweating and cursing, Blair Sandburg pushes his aging Volvo to the side of the road.
Sunnydale.
That sounds friendly.
Tucking his hair behind his ears, he wipes his grease-stained hands on his jeans.
All he needs is a diner, and a pay phone.
At least the Volvo had made it to the actual destination before giving up the ghost.
He'd just make a credit card call and neglect to mention to Jim that the cell phone battery had died, and ask for Rupert Giles' phone number.
That's what you get for trusting technology. All he'd needed to do was write it down on a scrap of paper, but ohhh, no, 'use the electronic phonebook, Chief, that's what it's for...'
Grover's Diner is an uberclean and bright little burger joint. The kid behind the counter even has a jaunty little white paper cap. He's pallid and freckled and chinless, and he squints at Blair like he's dropped his glasses in the deep fryer.
"Hey there. You guys got a pay phone?"
The boy waves with the limp dishcloth in his hand, and Blair shambles over to the strangely old fashioned pay phone. Hell, it's got a rotary dial...
Will his credit card even work?
The operator puts him through without a problem.
Shit. The answering machine.
And if Jim was out and about, he wouldn't have the phone number on hand anyway, so a cell call was out.
Well, maybe Mr. Giles was listed.
*
It takes Faith about 10 minutes to change out of her slayer gear and get out the door again, but she knows from experience that Buffy could be another half an hour. Faith never quite got that whole makeup as art form thing. What was the point of having it on if no one could tell, anyway?
So it's getting on toward evening, and there's vamp dust under her nails -- painted last night while patrolling the cemetery, and already nicely chipped -- and the dress is somewhere between falling off and hugging her like a fratboy with a crush and Faith is hungry. All over hungry.
Grover's got a nice greasy vibe to it despite being all clean. Like somewhere, deep under all that cleanliness there's a layer of grime an inch thick and invisible truckers bellied -- operative word -- up to the counter chatting up some overblown sweet thing with big hair.
Cletus the slack-jawed local of a fry boy fits the motif, but Faith would've preferred a Flo.
Or one of whatever that was juggling the phone book in the corner.
Hello, little cutie.
Short and squarish with a head full of hair. Nice hair.
Tight little ass, baby dyke boots... Faith checked her watch and her
stomach's needs. Everything said go, and Faith is not a girl to stand on ceremony. Right on up to the pretty thing, slow and easy and she just keeps on flipping pages, doesn't hear her, doesn't sense her until Faith runs one finger right down the back of the baggy plaid shirt.
Except when she sort of yipes at Faith it turns out that the pretty thing is still very pretty, all blue eyes and soft mouth and male.
Thank you, fashion whores, for androgyny.
"Well, you're kind of a surprise, sugar."
*
Blair laughs and drops the phone book, which swings on its little cord with a squeak and knocks him in the thighs.
"Ow. Hey. Surprise?"
He smiles at her, and it's a nice view.
Sulky mouth, big doe eyes, and long dark hair like a curtain of silk. Pretty foxy... for an undergrad.
She doesn't say anything to that, so he sticks his hand out and says, "Blair Sandburg. Did you need the phone?"
She ignores his hand, but smiles. Dimples.
Dimples and a happening body. Ah, thank you Title Nine, thank you for equal time for women's sports...
"I don't need the phone. But you might have what I want."
"Ohhhhh. I don't think so." She's cute, definitely cute, but 10 years at Ranier have taught him to spot, and tactfully avoid, the underage girl in any crowd. "It's flattering, though. Really. How about I treat you to a milk shake? I've been on the road and I could use some dinner."
She raises her eyebrows and cocks her head.
"You've got to be kidding me."
"Look. You're... not gonna be my type for about five years. I'll give you my card, you come back and see me then, and we'll see what we can do."
He gives her a little wave and makes his way past her to the counter, where he knocks on the slick white Formica to get the soda jerk's attention.
He's not really surprised when she takes the stool beside his.
*
And you know, you just don't wear a dress like this when you're trying to get rejected. Faith has a brief but definite moment of wanting to punt Mr. Blair Sandburg right through the door... but she contains herself. Makes a point of watching his ass as he moves toward the counter, making sure it's the kind of look he can feel.
And follows.
"Chocolate," she says, and returns Blair's little smile with one of her own. Damn, he's cute.
He adds the shake to his order and gives her an attentive look that makes Faith want to rip his clothes off with her teeth. Damn but look what slaying a whole nest of vampires did to her.
Gave her something to blame it on.
"So, you got any immoral brothers? Sisters? Aunts?"
"Well, there's my cousin Nathan, but he's in jail."
"Damn. Shame to lock him up if he looks anything like you."
Another smile, and Faith watches him try to decide whether or not to scold her again. He doesn't, and Faith smiles wider. Shifts, twists on the little leather seat and mmms at the feel of the dress' fabric rubbing and brushing against her skin.
Bras were for slaying, panties were for the repressed.
Chances a look at Blair over her shoulder, whose giving her a look more amused than appreciative. Which is just depressing.
"OK, so no family members around, no gettin' nasty with you, can you at least point a girl to where she can get laid?"
Blair laughs so hard he spits a little water. "You know, I think the world is gonna tremble in fear when you hit your sexual peak."
"Tremble with something." Chuckles when she realizes her voice came out half-growl, and Blair still has that look on his face. 'Pretty pretty girl who I will not have.' Sighs again. "Aw, c'mon, help."
"Why don't you just... take care of business?"
"Mmmm. Damn, that sounds nice... Will you watch? I promise, it doesn't count off your nice guy points." Gave her best smile.
*
He hopes he's not actually as flushed as he feels.
It's been a long time since a woman made a play this overt. And let's face it, no one's ever had to try this hard. But this is obviously not a girl who takes no for an answer.
"Look. You live around here, right? I'm sure there's some local hangout... where a woman of your wiles can turn up a nice boy your own age."
"So... I have your blessing to have sex with any other guy I can pry away from the PlayStation, but a fine, mature, nicely hung gentleman like yourself, will not be going down on me in the bathroom stall?"
"Hey. Human beings are sexual animals. But there's free will, and sensuality, and then there are laws about statutory rape. And even if there weren't, it still wouldn't be fair to you."
She tips up an eyebrow and extends her leg... open-toed sandals... her skirt riding... up...
She strokes his jeansclad shin with the toe of her shoe.
"Are you saying you give lousy head?"
Blair sighs.
"Is it me? You prefer Barbie blondes?"
"I'm a man. With a pulse. You fall well within my preference margins, believe me. But you're too young. Okay?"
"Want to see my I.D.?"
"No, I don't-- Come on. What's your name?"
"Faith," she purrs, standing up and leaning against the counter.
"Faith. I'm gonna level with you here. I don't date underage girls."
At her moue of distaste, he rolls his eyes and continues.
"Fine, I don't sleep with underage girls, either. And although you're very cute, and the offer has its share of appeal, it's not gonna happen. Besides, I'm supposed to be meeting someone in... Damn it. Half an hour ago."
*
And, yes, Faith is aware that there's a point when you should just give up, but... frankly, the last time she was rejected she hadn't had breasts. She sighs.
"You know, Giles would be easier to seduce than you are." Which is definitely a thought. Giles had that badass-under-his-clothes thing going on, and you can always trust an older man to know what he's doing. Well, more than the boys her age and Blair's talking.
"... expert on supernatural happenings?"
"Hunh?"
Blair snorts. "I'm guessing your Giles is pretty cute. But is he Rupert Giles, an expert on the supernatural?"
Her Giles. As if. "He's definitely Rupert Giles, and he lives about two blocks from here. Finish your burger, I'll walk you over."
"Faith..."
"Look, you're hot, but I will get my hands on something just as cute tonight before I quit. Giles is... ah... he's kind of a teacher around here, and I know him, and these streets aren't safe at night." Easy to get back into Slayer mode, and Faith guesses that makes her mature or something.
"Ah... you want to chaperone me?"
And it's just too much right that moment. Exasperating. Screw secrecy-- if Buffy can have the whole Slayerette crew she can have Blair the Long-Haired Moral Man. Takes the utensils from the next place setting, all three, and bends and twists them into a nice little vaguely sharp ball.
Places it next to his ice water. "Yeah, I'll keep you safe, babe."
*
Blair stares at the tangled fork tines and now-curved butter knives.
And he can feel his palms sweat.
And it's not just fear.
He swallows hard, wipes his hands on his jeans, thinking he probably should have washed the grease off before settling into his burger, but hey, grease was grease and she fucking tied that iced tea spoon into a bow and...
"Uh. Thanks. I think I'll take you up on that offer."
And he picks up his burger and takes a big bite, so he won't have to say anything for a while.
He chews. Really masticates.
chew
Telekinetic?
chew chew
Hopped up on PCP?
chew
Anabolic steroids...?
weak chuckle
Title Nine?
choked off hysterical giggle
Get a grip, Sandburg.
Eventually, he runs out of burger.
Faith, for her part, has lapsed into a parody of SchoolGirl.
She crosses her legs at the ankles and swings her feet demurely. She dimples at him between long, concentrated drags on her shake straw.
She is a determined young woman, that's for sure.
Oh, man.
*
When all else fails, let them know that you could crush them like an egg?
It's a new rule, but one that can certainly work. Heh. Xander might appreciate it. He certainly deserved a repeat performance and mmm. Shake. Good. Real. Creeeeamy.
The first few buttons of Blair's shirt are unbuttoned, dark curls trying to grow free... Faith wants to tug them, find the dark rose nipples buried and protected by all that hair and make them sing.
Crosses her legs at the ankles and squeezes her thighs together in that little subtle way all girls needed to know. She'd teach Buffy how to get through a boring study hall and squeeze oh yeah.
Smiles at Blair who looks somewhere between terrified and... curious.
Fascinated maybe. C'mon baby, take a ride on Supergirl...
He makes the last few bites of his burger very, very small. Rabbit bites that make Faith wish she had thought to bring along one or two toys at least. Nice, slim, long toys designed to make boys twitch and sweat a little like Blair is now. Beautiful.
"Ready to go?"
"What? I... uh... yes. Yeah. Just let me..." Trails off and drops a ten and some change on the counter. "Lead the way, Faith."
Some of that calm smile back all of a sudden, something strong about names and they're out. The sun always seems to set really fucking fast in Sunnydale, like it doesn't want to wait around to see the pre-game show.
Which starts up in earnest before they're even a block from the diner.
Three vamps rushing in from the street side and she shoves Blair back against the furniture store, plate glass making that weird wub-wub sound like she almost pushed too hard. But almost isn't did and she is damned well gonna keep Blair in one piece. Give him a little touch of Slayage.
Jumps up and rips a tree branch free, thick but not too long to use and it's on.
Wide swing to the one coming in on her left, but he ducks it. Faith uses the momentum to get in a good kick to his lowered head, jabs to the right with the branch and gets a lucky break. The vamp in cavariccis impales himself trying to rush her. Good deal.
Fakes a swing at the third vamp, and has that one awful moment where she can feel that one of them has gotten behind her and she won't be fast enough but she works through the moves anyway, using the branch as a half-assed staff and kicking out hard from the side, sending the third vamp flying and she's already waiting for the blow, turning quick as she can and just in time to see Blair brain the vamp with a rock.
Faith gives Blair a grin as she stakes the unconscious vamp, and turns again. Three quick hits with the branch, spin move and quick shot to the back of his knees. Holds him down with her foot and stakes him quick.
"Holy --"
And she doesn't give him any time to finish before pushing back up against the window and shoving her tongue in his mouth.
*
Thrift. Providence. Prudence.
Adrenaline.
"What?"
She pulls back and licks her lips before giving him a wicked little grin.
He's hard now, has been since she nailed that freaky looking fanged guy and he... exploded.
But that was fear. Had been fear. Originally.
This was... not a good idea.
"Adrenaline," he repeats, and finds he's licking his own lips as well.
She tips her head and lowers her lashes speculatively.
"That was a nice move. With the rock."
"Thrift. Making use of what's on hand. That's... I've gotten pretty good at it. And yet... in Cascade, Mortal Combat isn't usually so..."
"Undead?" Faith finishes for him. "So. I'm a big girl, Blair. Wanna play in my sandbox now that you know I can take care of myself?"
She rocks against him, slowly, an obscenely pleasant grinding of cloth and flesh against cloth and flesh and ohhh, his flesh was enjoying this way too much and he'd just seen her... uh, was kill the word? And her tongue... is in his mouth... again.
That's what you get for standing around with your mouth open, Blair, my friend.
He gives up.
He lets his hands slide into the sleek fall of her hair and draws her up against him, her breasts plush and crushed against his chest, her mouth hot and soft against his.
This girl is all woman. She knows what she wants, and she can very obviously take care of herself.
"You convinced me. Although... maybe we should get somewhere... less full of guys with fangs."
*
And Faith has to snicker at that. "Boy are you ever in the wrong town. But there is one place I can think of..."
Hard not to just throw Blair over her shoulder and run there because Jesus. This has to be a daily slay record for her and her whole body was yelling. Singing. Wanting. Something.
Wants it up against the wall, fast and dirty and twice and they're there.
Not the first time she's broken into a church, but the first time was only a dare. This has purpose. Meaning. Something. Just a little desecration to get the evening going right.
"Oh, man, I can't even count the number of levels this is wrong on."
"Good boy."
Inside and it's dark and incense-y and good in a way Faith doesn't want to examine too closely. Too much like admitting something that she probably should have done the second she got the Call. It just puts too many damned rules on things.
Quick check to make sure they're alone but the thought of getting away from Blair's hot little body and sweet-smelling hair and rock hard cock... too much to even think about doing an actual patrol.
Or anything other than just pressing him to the dark wood of the church's back wall and kissing him again. Soft and hard mouth, sharp little teeth and wicked tongue.
Hands in her hair again, chills to her scalp and her whole body. Moving, roving over her back and down. Tickling her thighs just under the hem of her dress and suddenly it's just not working. She throws them both to the floor, and Blair lands on top. Whoofing loss of air and no time to get it back before Blair is licking her. Short, sharp laps at the corners of her mouth, a collar around her neck and Faith wraps her legs around his waist and humps up and oh God that's his jeans and hot hard cock behind them grinding into her sex.
Blair back up to face her, he's smiling now. Dark, knowing thing like suddenly they're on his turf and he's about to show Faith how it's done.
She darts up and nips him on the chin. "More."
*
More.
More skin, more hot sweet kisses, more of her long legs wrapped around him...
He nods and dips his head to suck at the soft skin beneath the point of her chin. He skims a hand up the outside of her thigh and then leans back on his heels to get enough space to...
Hello... commando?
A girl with no panties... She's a menace to society! Definitely a menace to his composure. Jesus.
And she won't. stop. moving...
He's aching now, and he'd like nothing better than to get out of these jeans and into her...
But.
He hadn't planned on doing Mr. Rupert Giles, no matter how cute Faith thinks he is, and no way no how is he going to ride an 18 year old girl bareback, vampire guys or no vampire guys.
"It's too bad..."
And her lust glazed eyes flutter a little. "Wha....?"
"It's too bad there are no bathroom stalls around here."
"Why...?"
"I have some manly pride, you know. I guess I'll just have to go down on you right here on the floor..."
And she makes a happy almost laughing growly sound and he hitches her hips up on his splayed thighs, so close, tauntingly close to his hard, ow, throbbing, yeah, cock...
He presses two fingers in his mouth against his tongue, and her wide dark eyes are glowing, and she's panting a little, although she hadn't been while she was kicking ass and taking names with the three undead kids from before...
"That's... a nice touch," she murmurs, eyes drinking him in as he sucks on his first two fingers.
He grins at her and takes his fingers out and drops his hand down and inches the pads of those two fingers up under the flimsy fabric of her skirt.
His fingertips are cool and wet against her hot belly... and he can feel the fine flutter of muscle there before he takes his hand, pressing lightly, lightly, against her belly, and then her springy hair... and then her mound... and then...
He takes his hand away again.
Her eyebrows tense up and there's a suggestion of pout.
"Relax, there. It's okay." And her pops his first two fingers in his mouth again and she lets her head fall back with a little frustrated/titillated groan.
He chuckles a little and she lifts her head again to meet his eyes and he figures it's probably not wise to tease a lioness.
So he slips his hand up her dress again, and this time, he gently, gently prods past the slick swollen parting of skin and *presses*... and again.
Faith writhes against him, her legs locking around his hips, and she bites her lip with a sexy little whimper.
"That's it. That's it. Let yourself feel it..." And he sets a soft rhythm, letting her rock and wriggle, but never letting her actually shift close enough to increase the pressure... only spread it around.
*
Let her feel it? Is he even listening to the sounds she's making?
And oh, OK, hopes not because... God. Spreading waves of it, breaking like water all over he body, making her toes curl and he's just... Just a little pressure, like something... oh, she can suddenly see Buffy doing this to herself. Just... this. Constant maddening tease. Naked in the bath, one leg thrown over the side and the mouth suddenly on hers is nothing resembling female and that's... just fine.
Interestingly prickly stubble, has to rub against, little circles of feeling. Of what Blair is making her feel, the way the orgasm is like an oasis in the hottest, purest desert you could find. Crystal clear on the horizon and way too far away.
Careful shift above her, around her, jarring spike of need as Blair's fingers slip for a moment and then back into it, the spike integrating into the whole, something, something and the kiss is just... God, perfect part of it all, slow, not too gentle and rolling. Soft sense of round. Curves and softnesses and wet heat. Humid little place between their mouths, sweet sweet and Blair tastes like fries.
Going on forever, and Faith is moaning continuously into Blair's mouth now, writhing a little, trying to get more and also more of just this.
Too sexy lack and when Blair suddenly slips his fingers down and in Faith screams.
One thrust and she's coming, clamping probably much too hard on Blair's fingers and she's yelling his name and arching up and just not there. One instant of pure nothing where it's all OK and then she's back to herself again.
Panting.
*
Blair nods a little and he can smell her, that beautiful estuary smell... that sea salt meets fresh water scent that said, "Come and get it."
She's still flexing, weakly, around his two fingers and he's smiling again, because there's a lot of satisfaction in a job well done.
And if it's not quite the satisfaction his dick had in mind, well, he was completely for equality on all fronts, thumbs up for ERA, but still, still, it was 'ladies first'.
She smiles at him, her soft mouth curly with satisfaction.
"You're even more fun than I thought you'd be..."
"I graciously accept all compliments... but save them for later. Please folks," he murmurs, as he leans forward and scoots her back so her hips met the carpet covering the dusty poured concrete floor of the Church again, "no flash photography," and he flicks his tongue out to slip against the sweat damp skin of her belly, "no autographs until the end of the show..."
Soft kisses, and she's gasping now, his fingers still inside, his mouth against her skin.
"Your fucking mouth--" she mutters, and she sounds nearly angry, but he knows she has nothing on her mind but pleasure.
Lush, fresh girl pleasure.
He nudges her tensing thighs apart and she sighs...
"Mmm, good boy..."
Let's see how good, Blair thinks.
Every willing woman is a chance to set a new personal best.
And this girl is going to go off like a pipe bomb if he can just figure out--
Her hips snap with his first testing lap, and her pubic bone knocks into his chin.
"Oh shit-- Blair--"
"No, no, it's okay." He has to laugh. "That's actually not the first time that's happened."
She curls up and grabs his free hand, sets it against her hip.
"You can hold on tight as you want."
"Good," he smiles. "Lay down, Faith."
*
And, oh, yeah, she can do it. Lay back on the thin carpeting -- way thicker than her own, though -- and let the man do his thing 'cause his thing is just... *fuck*.... "Just wait 'til I get you on your back."
Grinning wide when there's a distinctly unsmooth hitch in the way he touches her. Just half a heartbeat, but enough to restore a little confidence and then he's fucking her.
Great hands, strong knuckly hands that hit her everywhere but fuck she would kill for his dick. Right now, deep inside and oh. Jesus. He's down again and lapping at her. Licking long straight strokes with the rough part of his tongue, scraping and pressing and moving in rhythm to the steady fuck and --
"Harder --"
Doesn't tease this time, just gives it to her. One more finger inside and stretching and thrusts in again and again and it hits that spot.
That one spot that's like... some kind of freakish there button. Touch me there and I'll echo like a bell, just... just fucking vibrate and his tongue won't quit and she can smell her sweat and sex all twined with the incense and just wants to rut and fucks herself down and down on his fingers.
Let him know what he's getting. What she craves and she wants to try to slow down, keep from hurting him, bruising that incredible mouth that's given up on the fancy stuff and is sucking her. Too soft too soft just right, just a little scratch of the teeth everytime Faith bucks too hard. Punishment and tease, all in one and her back is gonna be one big rugburn and she's twisting on it now.
Moving on it, losing herself to it and she comes again with a long, tenor wail, whipping her head back and forth and bucking like a landed fish and doesn't give herself any time to regroup. Just.
Pounces.
*
Blair blinks up at her flushed, intent, weirdly sweet face and wants to laugh again.
He's giving her that big eyed look, that "hey, don't hit me" look he always uses on Jim, and god it's weird to be with someone who's younger than he is. There's been quite a few older women... very few younger ones.
"I'm ready to *go*," she purrs.
"Um. I'm not."
"Bullshit," she pronounces, and rocks, nicely seated in the saddle of his hips.
Blair clenches his eyes shut.
"I'm not going to do anything without a condom."
"You're such a pussy," Faith sighs.
And Blair laughs out loud.
"You're pretty hard to please, Faith."
"Oh, I don't think so. Now, if you'd just fuck me..." and she pinches his nipple, gives it a hot little twist and his cock sits up and begs but Blair is in. control.
"Look. Come on. Give me break, here. I helped you out. It's all good. I don't have to fuck you--"
"Nobody has to do anything but die, Blair. Jeez, come on, live a little. Fuck me. You know you want to..."
He lifts his head and kisses her, quick sweep of tongue against her smooth teeth.
"You're right. We both know you're right. But it's just not gonna happen."
She frowns at him, then tosses her head, rears back, so he's right there, could be in her if he could just get the zipper down...
"Let me suck you off, then, One good turn deserves another..."
"Jesus!" He bucks a little and she falls forward, her tough little hands squaring on his belly, shoving some of the air right out of him.
Taking a shaky breath, he says, "Look, I'll tell you what... You just... stay... right where you are, and... kiss me. Okay? I swear, I'll come, and we'll be even."
She laughs then and drops her head to brush her lips against his.
"You're the weirdest fuck I've ever had, Mr. Sandburg."
"Yeah, well. It's been a very weird night."
*
God, how middle school. Half-dry hump and both just wanting and not having and Faith just feels so guilty about it. Two mind-blowing orgasms and she makes the guy come in his pants. Her slut reputation will be damaged forever... although the whole church thing probably adds a few points.
Thank you, God, wherever you are.
But, whatever, because Faith thinks she'd maybe need a crowbar to get that dick out of Blair's pants and that would probably have just killed the mood. So they're out here again, and Giles' condo complex thingie is right around the corner and she's still got plenty of time to meet B at the Bronze.
B is for Bronze Buffy Babe. Giggles a little. God damn but a good fuck makes things all right.
Hums a little and ignores Blair's little chuckle. She supposes he has a right to walk around just knowing he's good.
Gooses him on the ass just on general principles and earns an arm around the waist. Just this random little sweetness that makes her feel so warm she has to shiver. Tighter hold and a look she chooses not to see in the dimness.
Silent for the last few hundred yards, and comfortable.
One last kiss just outside Giles' little courtyard and then to the door. Gives Giles a wink and a wave and motors on.
Good, weird night.
*
Standing in the doorway is a tall, tweedy, sedate looking man. One look and Blair can tell this guy's a bookworm to the bone.
And then a second glance shows the man's wary posture, and his broad, straight shoulders.
Bookworm with a blackbelt, maybe.
"So. You're Rupert Giles. Blair Sandburg. It's an honor to meet you. I read your article in Plantagenet--"
"Mr. Sandburg. I was... concerned when you didn't arrive at 5:30."
"Sorry I didn't call. My car died... and uh... there were... other things." He makes a vague gesture with his hand and Giles nods, staring past him to follow Faith's lone form as she makes her way to the Bronze.
It's astonishingly hard not to give in to the impulse to turn around and watch her walk away as well. At least his shirt tails are long enough to cover any embarrassing... stains.
"I can imagine. Well, I'm glad you've arrived safely. Please, won't you come in? Would you care for tea?"
"Tea would be good."
Giles nods at a fine boned red haired boy, who moves to the kitchen.
"Ah, how rude of me. This is Oz. Oz, this is Professor Blair Sandburg--"
And Oz lifts his head, large brown eyes mild. Sandburg sends a smile his way, and the boy doesn't quite return it. Instead his eyes widen a fraction, and Blair sees his nostrils flare.
And in that moment, Blair and Oz stare at one another, and they each know the other knows...
Blair finds himself taking a few steps toward the kitchen bar, about to open his mouth and speak, but Oz just nods gravely, bows his head a moment to fill the tea kettle at the tap, and lifts his eyes again.
"It's cool. That's... Faith."
And his voice is slightly raspy, and yet Blair feels as if he's been granted a brand of Red Haired Boy non-papal indulgence.
"Okay.... Uh. Thanks."
"Not a problem. Giles? I'm meeting Will in ten." And he sets the kettle on the stove and wanders outside without another word.
Blair turns to find Giles' eyes on him, some light, focused color he can't quite make out, and knows he's being measured.
"Look, Mr. Giles, I've had... a very weird night. But maybe you can tell me... is there something in the water here? Genetic testing in this town? Because... I don't mind telling you, I'm getting a freaky vibe."
"Faith is--"
"Some kind of wonder woman. And that Oz guy... does he have heightened senses or what?"
Giles eyebrows climb a bit and he almost smiles.
"One might say that."
"Okay. Okay then. And might one also say that this is some kind of engineered colony of Nietzchean supermen, or what?"
"That, I can safely assure you, is not the case, Mr. Sandburg."
"Uh, just Blair is fine."
"Blair it is, then."
"So..."
"You have questions."
"Yes. Yes I do."
"Well, I'll see what I can tell you. But I must ask for your silence on any of the matters we discuss here."
"That I can guarantee."
The kettle whistles and that comfortable, shrill sound relaxes Blair.
He drops down on a chair without waiting for an invitation.
"I'll take your word, Mr.-- Blair. I've done some research. I believe you're trustworthy."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now... Irish Breakfast or Earl Gray?"
END
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