(no subject)

[not_that_spike]

Spike's definitely out of his comfort zone: gun under virtual lock and key (which means no clip loaded), lighter tucked away safely, and... he has no fucking idea what to expect.

No one's ever asked him for this kind of favor before, and it makes him nervous as hell. He's no good at it and he knows it, but he owes it to her to try. He sits at his usual table, glass of iced coffee already halfway drained. He hopes he doesn't need anything else.

At least he might learn a thing or two.

Or not.

He'll see how it goes. And remember never to make offhand comments again, because sometimes people take them seriously.

Comments

[not_that_spike]

Spike watches her for a little bit, then gives her a small grin. "Glad you're happy. Glad you're back. Glad you're not Bound. Glad you have a good family."

He's happy for her for all those things.

"You coming back again soon, or did you come here to check up on me and say goodbye?"

[forbiddensailor.livejournal.com]

Hotaru's smile gets that 'oops' look. "I'll definitely be back." She holds the face, then adds, "My parents grounded me because I ran away to come here, and I think they'll be... upset with me when I get back."

She bites her bottom lip, "So... maybe not tomorrow... but...." She lowers her voice, "I'll sneak back when I can."

[not_that_spike]

"Want me to write you a hall pass?" Reaching out, he squeezes her shoulder. "Don't get yourself in trouble by staying here with me, imoutosan. Hell, I'm just glad to see you again."

He gives a small nod to the door. "If you have to go, just say so. I'll always be glad to see you, whenever."

[forbiddensailor.livejournal.com]

She smiles widely at the thought of Spike-oniisan writing an excuse note to Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama.

She raises her chin a little, "I'm a big girl," she says with a mild sense of self-irony. "They just need to accept me as I am.

"But yes," she says, "I'll need to go back pretty soon..."

[not_that_spike]

"Anyone you want me to talk to for you? Until you can come back again, that is? Want me to tell Ed I saw you, or do you want to tell her yourself?" Seems the least he can do for her.

"Or... if Beth and I make it out there again before you get back, you want me to bring you any souvenirs?"

Ed likes piyokos.

[forbiddensailor.livejournal.com]

"Oh yes!" she clasps her hands, "Please tell Ed that I've come back if you see her, and Ein.

"I'd love something from the future...

"Like... a windchime? Or something I can hang back up in my room back home."

Something that I can look at to think of you.

[not_that_spike]

"Sure, Hotaru. Sure."

He doubts there's much left on Earth in the way of tourist trade, but they'll find out. Hell, if he can take Beth to her tropical island he can bring back shells and they can make a damn wind chime.

Together.

He can't guarantee it will balance, though.

He gives her a genuine smile. He didn't even realized how much he missed her.

[forbiddensailor.livejournal.com]

Hotaru beams once more. "I'll bring something from my Japan for you next time I come, too," she nods.

"And a picture, of my family back home."

[not_that_spike]

He puts his hands together, a prayerful gesture, and nods to her.

"Doumo arigatou, bibishii-imoutosan." His Japanese is rusty as hell, but he bets she gest the gist of it.

[forbiddensailor.livejournal.com]

"Hai hai," She tilts her head to the side happily.

...."Oh!" They're looking for me in the woods...

She grins, "I should go!"

She leaps and hugs him again, then stands back. "See you soon!"

[not_that_spike]

"Catch you later."

He watches as she stands back, smiling.

You take care. Don't go fucking disappearing on me again.

Yeah.

That especially.

[forbiddensailor.livejournal.com]

She smiles widely, and runs off to the front door.

It takes her a moment to pull it open, (as if it's heavier than when she arrived), but she does, leaning back with her weight. Then she waves back to Spike. She steps through, and the door shuts behind her.

(and when she arrives at the other side of the portal, all three of them are surrounding it, staring at the place she had pointed to before she fell in, in puzzlement.

She fell to the ground ungracefully, and they immediately swarmed over her with hugs and demands.

"I'll tell you about everything," she said. "It was there.")