"Don't they look cute?"
"Ahn, they're asleep. They always look cute asleep."
"No, I mean don't they look cute like that? All curled up together. It's kind of sweet."
"Er, sweet?"
"Yeah, sweet. The don't normally get to do that."
"Do what . . . oh no, they aren't . . . I know Willow . . . but Buffy . . ."
"Ssh, Xander, you'll wake them up."
"But-but . . ."
"But what? They love each other and I have no idea why they aren't . . . are you ok? You look sort of red."
"They . . . but . . . they . . ."
"Do you want some water? People in shock always need water."
"But-but . . ."
"Is this a male thing?"
"Uh huh."
"I know men find the idea of two women together exciting."
"You do?"
"Yes. Men are either turned on or disgusted. It's what always happens."
"But they're . . ."
"Xander, I've been avenging women for over a thousand years. I think I know how men think about these things."
"Yeah, but-"
"And they're sweet together. You have to admit that they're sweet together."
"I don't have to admit any such thing. Anya, let's go into the kitchen before they wake up."
"Why?"
"So they don't have to listen to your theories. They'd probably both be embarrassed that we - that you - thought about this."
"You're embarrassed by it."
"No, I just have a healthy respect for my limbs and I don't want Buffy or Willow to wake up and hear us."
"OK. But you owe me."
"I'll make it up to you. Later."
***
"Squoosh up a bit," Buffy said as she tried to sit on the end of the bench in their booth.
The Gang had quickly decreed that they would eat breakfast out, after investigation of the cupboards at Willow's house produced a stale box of Cheerios and half a packet of crackers. Xander would have quite happily finished off the pizza from the previous night but Giles, ever practical, had pointed out that three slices would only just feed the teenager and everyone else was hungry. So instead they were all squashed into a booth at one of the small diners in Sunnydale.
Giles and Willow slid a little further up the bench so that the tall Watcher's frame was pushed firmly against the wall and Buffy managed to fit onto the end of the padded bench.
"There, isn't this nice?" the Slayer grinned at the slightly squashed friends.
"Uh huh," Willow nodded vaguely.
Buffy looked at her but said nothing because at that moment the waitress appeared.
"Can I take your order?" the bottle blonde woman asked perkily.
"Yeah, I'll have the All Day Breakfast with extra bacon, waffles, eggs and toast. And a bowl of . . . Frosted Flakes. And a side of hash browns. And some coffee. Do you want something?" Xander asked his girlfriend.
"Xander you are not going to eat all that, are you?" Anya asked worriedly.
"You think I should have got extra sausage?"
"But you'll get fat. I don't want a fat boyfriend."
"Ahn, shut up and order. I'm not going to get fat."
Anya glared at him but dutifully ordered. The waitress then turned to Giles and her smile widened.
"What can I get you, sugar?" she asked, her voice taking on a distinct Southern accent.
Buffy stifled a giggle at the flush that slowly crept up the English man's face and felt a slight vibration along her arm as Willow, still tightly pressed against her side, did the same.
"I-I-I'll have bacon, eggs, s-sausage and some toast, if it wouldn't be too much trouble," Giles stammered. "And a pot of coffee please."
"You're drinking coffee?" Buffy asked incredulously. "You? In the morning?"
"Yes, Buffy, I'm drinking coffee. Are you going to order or just comment on my drinking habits?"
"You are quite the grumpy bear in the mornings. Ok, ok, I'm ordering. I'll have waffles, cereal and juice please."
"Me too," Willow added.
"Comin' up," the waitress said, still far too cheerfully for the morning.
All the food just fitted on the table and Xander attacked his plates with gusto while Anya looked on, and made disparaging comments.
"Ahn," he said finally, "if you can't say something nice, try not to say anything at all, ok?"
"All right. Just don't come crying to me when you die of a heart attack."
"Believe me, I won't."
"Will, could you pass me the syrup?" Buffy asked.
"Hmm?"
"The syrup. Could you pass it down here?"
"Oh, right, syrup." Willow passed the bottle to her friend, her mind still elsewhere.
"Will? Are you ok?" Buffy asked.
"Mmm."
"Earth to Willow, come in Willow," teased the Slayer.
"Huh? Oh, uh, hi. Did you want something?"
Buffy noted the redness slowly flooding her friend's face. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, just thinking . . . about n-nothing . . . nothing you'd be interested in . . . yeah, just little old me alone in my head. Do you want some syrup?"
"I'm good thanks."
Neither of them noticed the knowing smirk on Anya's face.
*finis*