(no subject)

[not_that_spike]

All things considered, that trip through the front door was pretty damn amazing.

He looks happy.

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[andmisterhyde.livejournal.com]

Hyde'd be happy, if he could afford coffee.

The new face is sitting at the bar, carefully counting out a large pile of change, because he is abusing Millitime. His right foot is tapping to some invisible beat that one only assumes is in his head.

[not_that_spike]

He moves over to the bar, looking for a wait-rat, smoking contentedly. The clinking of coins catches his attention.

"New here?"

[andmisterhyde.livejournal.com]

"Yup." It comes out in a sort of exasperated sigh. Hyde looks over his shoulder at Spike and raises an eyebrow, then indicates the pile of change with some disgust. "Does this look like enough to buy a cup of coffee to you?"

[not_that_spike]

Spike looks over at the pile of change and shrugs. "Don't know, but didn't they tell you the first drink is always on the house?"

Looks like Earth money. Smells like Earth money. "And if it isn't and the house doesn't oblige, I'll buy you a cup. No big deal." He extends his hand. "Spike Spiegel."

[andmisterhyde.livejournal.com]

"I already had the first drink, man," Hyde mumbles. Then he smiles and briefly shakes Spike's hand. "I'm Hyde."

[not_that_spike]

"Good to know you."

He takes a look at the kid. Yeah, he looks old enough.

"Smoke?" He offers him a cigarette.

[andmisterhyde.livejournal.com]

Hyde brightens. "Mindreader. Hell yes, thanks." He plucks the cigarette from Spike's hand and puts it between his lips. "Gotta light? Zippo's at home."

[not_that_spike]

He tosses Hyde a pack of matches picked up from a bar called The Raving Lunatic on Titan. Because only crazy people would be at a bar on Titan anyhow.

"Talk to me, Hyde. How'd you end up here?"

[andmisterhyde.livejournal.com]

Hyde reads the pack. "The Raving Lunatic. Good name." He grins at Spike a bit and lights up deftly.

Takes a few good puffs, then exhales a thin stream of smoke straight up into the air, staring at the ceiling. "Well, I walked through the front door. It was supposed to be my friend Forman's basement, but it's obviously not." He looks back at Spike and raises an eyebrow - to punctuate his point.

[not_that_spike]

"Obviously." He nods and flags down a passing wait-rat for two coffees. The wait-rat makes nice and brings cream and sugar, just in case, although Spike drinks his coffee black.

He rests an elbow on the bar and surveys the room. "Damn, it's getting crowded in here. When I first got here, there weren't anywhere near this many people."

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

Val pops over, and plunks a drink in front of Spike. Something that he'd like. "Hey, big brother. You look really happy tonight."

[not_that_spike]

"Hey, little sister, thanks. I am, I am. How about you?"

He looks at the drink: it's something bright green. It looks great.

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

"Doing well. Trying to plot Christmas for people." Her eyes twinkle. "Giving presents is so much fun."

[not_that_spike]

He shrugs. "Yeah? Never did the Christmas thing very much. Tell me what you like best about it."

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

"I just like being able to get people something that I know they'll like." She grins. "Special things, that they'll keep."

[not_that_spike]

"Sure. I can see that about you, Val. You're one of the nicest people I've ever called sister." He gives her a mock punch on the shoulder.

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

Val giggles. "Why do I have a feeling, Spike, that I'm one of the few people you've ever called sister?" Her eyes twinkle, and she flicks his arm with her fingers.

[not_that_spike]

"Because you're really smart?" Grinning, he takes a sip of the green drink. It tastes like winter and spring all rolled together, topped off with a sour-sweet coating.

"Damn, Val. This is the best mixed drink I never ordered."

He thinks Beth would like it if she was there.

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

Val's eyes twinkle. "Awesome. I was just thumbing though my handy bartending guide and found that. Thought you might like it. So, what's making my brother so excited?"

[stbethadettes]

Beth told herself she was just coming in for a glass of water. She got the glass of water, of course, but she also got distracted when she spotted Spike across the room. She watches him for a minute or two, one of those faint smiles on her face.

She finally gulps down the rest of her water, hands the glass to a passing rat, and walks over.

"Hey, handsome. Spare a cigarette?"

[not_that_spike]

He doesn't say a word, but he opens a new pack of smokes and taps the first cigarette forward and holds the box out to her.

Of all the people here, she chose him. That's pretty fucking incredible.

He believes the right word is delighted.

[stbethadettes]

She takes the cigarette, puts it between her lips, and gives him a sweetly expectant look.

[not_that_spike]

He reaches over and plucks the cigarette back from between her lips.

Then he leans forward and kisses her gently.

Then he puts the cigarette back and lights it for her.

[stbethadettes]

She smiles in satisfaction, very pleased by kisses and cigarettes.

"Thanks." When she moves the cigarette away from her mouth again, she leans forward just a little. "I'm going up to your room. Don't rush back on my account."

She can keep herself amused in the meantime.

[not_that_spike]

He simply keeps smiling at her: she's one hell of a person. Brave as anything, smart, self-confident, and she's got a beautiful, beautiful heart.

Not that he says these words aloud. Not his style. But he does reach forward and brush back the hair from her eyes. "See you up there in a bit." His eyes have a glint of smile in them too.

Even the fake one.