Three men. One room. Only one will get out alive... but then only one went in that way.

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

Continued from here.

Spike relaxed just slightly at Wesley's words, although he was still just one rude comment away from launching himself at Angel's throat.

"I don't think I'm ever going to be able to get used to the idea," Angel said. "I know you're upset about what happened, but that doesn't mean you should settle for - "

"You are such an arrogant prick, you know that?" Spike interrupted before Angel could get any further into uncomfortable territory. "I know it's hard to get new thoughts through that thick skull of yours, but one of these centuries you're going to have to face the fact that other people actually like me. Some of them even love me."

"I'm just saying he has a pattern when he's unhappy of getting involved in relationships that can't go anywhere." There was a satisfied gleam in Angel's eyes that Spike didn't like at all.

Comments

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I remember," Angel said dryly. "Must be why I've always liked you so much."

Wesley sighed. "I suppose I should be grateful you're not at each other's throats."

Angel grinned, suddenly and unexpectedly. "Give us a minute."

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

Actually laughing, Spike gave Wesley an encouraging pat on his leg. "This is probably the longest we've talked without actual violence in decades."

"You're a good influence," Angel agreed.

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

"I'm not sure I want to be responsible for your fleeting good behavior," Wesley protested. "If I am, what happens when you stop getting along?"

"I blame him," Angel said, still grinning.

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

"Sounds about right," Spike said, rolling his eyes as he turned to Wesley. "You've got to remember, pet, we've been doing this for more than a century. The clothes change, but the insults stay the same."

Angel gave Spike a slightly strange look at the endearment, but he still nodded. "In his case the clothes haven't changed much."

"And then there's your hair," Spike said with a sigh.

"There's nothing wrong with my hair," Angel replied immediately.

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

"No, of course there's not," Wesley said, then he heard a sound behind him and turned to see Fred in the doorway, one hand held up in a tentative wave.

"Hi," Fred said. "Are we late?"

Wesley and Angel stood up at about the same time. "Not exactly," Wesley said, as she entered the room with Gunn and Lorne behind her and their waitress bringing up the rear. "There was some mix-up about the time."

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

"We wouldn't want to miss out on the festivities," Lorne said. "Especially now that the ghost of Billy Idol is back in his flesh and blood. Well, flesh, anyway; I'm assuming the blood's still pig."

"Yeah, it's good to see you solid, man," Gunn said, extending a hand to Spike as the vampire stood.

"It's even better to be solid," Spike said, shaking Gunn's hand.

"Um, can I get you something to drink?" the waitress asked, looking rather nervous after the previous exchange.

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

"Oh! Something fruity," Fred said, her eyes lighting up. "Maybe a Mai Tai?" She looked suddenly uncertain again. "I mean, if we're actually celebrating? That is why we're here, right?"

Wesley didn't know that he wanted to burst her bubble just yet. "By all means, have a Mai Tai. Lorne?"

"Thanks, honey -- I'll take a Sea Breeze," Lorne said, smiling reassuringly at the waitress, who Wesley really would have thought would have seen more jaw-dropping things in L.A. than a man with green skin and red eyes. And horns.

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

"Beer for me," said Gunn.

Angel shook his head when the waitress looked at him, though he seemed sort of sad about it. As much as he would have liked at least a beer, Spike also declined.

"Would you like something?" the waitress asked Wesley. "And I'll bring in another place setting."