fandomhigh | Library [09/22]

"You know, I didn't think about it like that, but you're absolutely right. If someone comes in here looking for books on something bad, that would be a good sign that something's up."

"Or is about to be," she said with a nod.

"And as the people best equipped to stop bad things when they happen, it's up to us to keep an eye on things," he added.

"Best equipped? Us???" Dawn's eyes widened. "Like...me? Do you know something I don't?"

"You do remember all the things we helped beat this summer, right?" Sam smiled at her. "I'm just saying we know how to stop bad things. We've both had more than our fair share of experience, I think."

"Well, sure," Dawn said with a shrug of her shoulder, "and I guess I do know how. I just don't get to do it much. Or, y'know, ever. Not big on the practical experience."

"I'd be lying if I didn't admit that part of me is glad you haven't seen as much practical experience, because that means you've been safe," he said. "But on the other hand, I know that's because you've gotten left behind as much as I have, and I feel bad about that."

Dawn liked that Sam had been safe, too. "Don't feel bad. Buffy should feel bad, but it's not like you had anything to do with me having to stay home and die of boredom."

"That's true." Sam shifted a little where he was sitting and wondered if that was a good enough segue for him to not look like an idiot. "So. Speaking of staying home and dying of boredom, I, uh, I have something I wanted to ask you about."

"Everything okay?" Dawn asked.

"Oh, yeah, everything's fine. It's nothing major," he said. "At least, I don't think it's major. I mean, it's important but not--" He shook his head to stop himself from babbling more. "Do you remember how, a few weeks ago, you were talking about how you wished you had a reason to put on a skirt and get dressed up and everything?"

"You remember that? Er...I mean, yes?"

"I remember most of the things you say," he explained. "I was wondering if maybe you wanted a reason. Because the Homecoming dance is coming up, and uh, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go. With me," Sam added, just in case that wasn't clear.

"Really?" Dawn squealed a little. She hadn't even had to do the hair flip!

"Yeah, really. I mean, unless you had other plans, or you don't want to do something formal, or..."

"No!" Dawn said immediately, "I don't have other plans and formal's okay and wait, I mean yes, I'll go, and oh my god, are you sure?"

Sam couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, I'm sure. I want to go with you and see you all dressed up, and I apologize in advance for my lack of dancing skills, but...yes, I really want to go with you."

Dawn did a quick Buffy check, then kissed Sam softly. "I really want to go with you, too. And I don't care if you can't dance."

"Good, because I really can't dance." He laughed and leaned in to kiss her back. "You have no idea how happy you just made me."

"You can learn, if you want." She wrapped her arms around Sam's waist and hugged him, cuddling in against his shoulder. "And you made me happy, too, so we're even. I asked my family for advice and got some...interesting answers."

Sam was pretty sure that he could stay with Dawn pressed against him like this for a long time. "What did you ask them for advice about?"

Dawn mumbled something into his shirt.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear that clearly," he said, shifting just enough to get her face away from his shirt.

"I may...haveaskedforadviceabouthowtogetyoutoaskmetoHomecoming."

It took Sam a second before he got what she was saying. "You did? So you really did want me to ask you? What did they say?"

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]

Re: Lunch [09/22]