All idle chatter ceased once the new couple began approaching the table. Xander’s eyes briefly darted down, noticing the “hands of possessiveness.” Spike had one on Buffy’s hip, and Buffy’s arm wrapped around him so that her hand could rest on Spike’s side.

They were doing the whole couplely embrace thing while walking.

Yep—it’s a relationship all right Xander thought.

“So, who wants a drink?” Xander asked everyone once Buffy and Spike finally made it to their table. “You guys want drinks?” Xander asked the women on either side of them.

“I wouldn’t mind a—”

“Spike, how’s about we get the women folk drinks?” Xander interrupted Willow, quickly getting up from his seat and grabbing Spike by the arm, steering him towards the bar.

Willow, eyes on the guys all the while, asked, “Aren’t you worried?”

“Nah,” Buffy said, watching them as well as they moved through the crowd to the bar. “Spike’s a big boy.” She looked at Willow and Anya, and gave a slight shrug with a hint of a pout. “Okay—maybe just a little.”

“Xander’s just doing the whole big brother thing,” Anya explained. “He wants to make sure that Spike is a proper suitor.”

“I know,” Buffy said with a small smile on her face.

Willow looked at her best friend, a hopeful look on her face. “You happy?”

Buffy looked back at her, a shy smile on her face. “Yeah. I am.”

*~*~*~*

“So…”

Spike raised an eyebrow at that. “Yeah. So…?”

“You and Buff, huh?”

“Yeah,” Spike said with a smile, looking away.

”How long this been going on?” Xander asked in an innocent enough tone, though his body language read “interrogation.”

“Technically today. Officially today.”

Xander frowned slightly, motioning with his hands. “And…unofficially?”

Spike smirked, leaning against the bar. “Not polite to kiss and tell.”

“There’s been more kissing? Or more than what we had to suffer through and witness? No wait—I don’t wanna know.”

“Good. Cause I wasn’t planning on sharing.”

“So you’re like, boyfriend and girlfriend now?” Xander asked, confusion written all over his face.

“Pfft, no,” Spike said with a dismissive hand, turning towards the bar.

“Yuh huh,” Xander said skeptically. “Then what do you call it?”

“Well, she’s my lady now, isn’t she? ‘Girlfriend’ is terribly juvenile.”

“And you’re her…fella?” Xander asked, clearly amused.

“I prefer gentleman caller,” Spike said thoughtfully, not falling for the bait.

Xander patted Spike on the back, turning towards the bar as well. “Well, as long as you come ‘callin’’ correct, it’s fine with me.”

Spike scoffed. “Now there’s a shocker.”

Xander shrugged. “I don’t see why—things are different. You’re all reformed—”

“Evolved,” Spike corrected.

“Whatever. Besides, you’re a lot more…colorful than Angel ever was.”

“Yeah, like that’s a terribly hard feat,” Spike scoffed.

Xander’s expression turned serious. “That, and I don’t see you as the running away type. Like Angel. And Riley. You’re stubborn as hell.”

Spike looked at Xander then, not sure where he was going with this.

“And someone as stubborn as Buffy? Especially now, not being able to admit if and when she needs help…She needs someone like you. You make her happy.”

“Oh?” Spike asked, looking away, attempting to hide how Xander’s honesty was confusing him, yet touching him all the same.

It was weird.

“Yeah, well,” Xander added, feeling uncomfortable as well. “Let’s get those drinks, huh?”

*~*~*~*

“Wow, I never would have guessed.”

“Guessed what, love?” Spike asked her, as they walked towards Revello.

Buffy raised their clasped fingers. “That you’re a total hand holder.”

Spike smiled, bringing their joined hands to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly. “Lot of things you don’t know about me.” His smile turned into a decidedly naughty smirk.

Buffy blushed, smiling as well. “It’s a good thing we’ve got the time to find out.” She turned slightly, placing her free hand on his chest gently.

Spike laughed a little, releasing her hand so that he could wrap an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer, and swooping in to give a quick kiss to her temple as they continued to walk slowly, Buffy leaning against him all the while.

“Yeah pet—we’ve got the time. Lots of exploring to do.”