AU Sweater
You are running for your life. The sound of the pursuing vampires closes in on you. It was so peaceful at the hospital (for a change), so much so that you fell asleep. A nap, it seems, you are going to pay for with your life. When you awoke, it was way past curfew. You moved as fast as you could, not fast enough as you soon picked up three hungry male vampires on your trail.
You dart down a residential street, all the lights are out. "Help me!" you call. There is no change, no lights flipping on, no one rushing out of their homes to come to your aid. Maybe it was just the thought of your impending death making you jumpy, but this whole scenario seems...off somehow. You don't have the luxury of pondering this long, however, as the biggest of your vampire following steps out from a hedgerow in front of you. You scream and back up, right into his two compatriots. They take your arms and drag you unwillingly forward. This is it, you realize with a suddenly dry mouth. Goodnight moon, goodnight stars, hello gaping neck wound, plot in Sunnydale Meadows, and eternal demon possession.
You stare transfixed at the smirking face of the vamp you are being pushed toward. You are rather surprised then, when his smirking face dissolves into a flutter of dust. In his place, appears a tall, handsome man in glasses, brandishing the biggest crucifix you ever recall seeing. The two vampires at your arms release you in order to avert the vision of the cross with their hands. You don't need to be told twice. You bound forward and the man steps protectively between you and the cowering creatures.
"The white apartment building with the stairs out front, do you see it?" he says to you over his shoulder in a British accent.
"Yes."
"Right, that's my house. Head for it quickly, GO!" You bolt towards it, followed soon thereafter by the heroic Brit himself. As you reach his door, he hands the crucifix to you as he unlocks it. You brandish it in the air, watching with horror as the vampires near you once more. Your hero gets the door open and, with a hand at your waist, pushes you inside. He closes and locks the door behind you.
"Thank you," you say, looking up into his eyes. They are the strangest color, a subdued green with a large brown patch in the left one. More than the color holds your gaze there, he seems so haunted. A man who has seen more pain than anyone should have ever, and yet it was obvious he still cared so deeply. You are startled from this thought by the sound of the vampires slamming against the other side of the door. You jump into the kind stranger's arms, trembling.
Tentatively, his arms come tighter around you. "Shh, it's all right. They can't come in unless they're invited."
"Are you sure?" your voice is shaky as you look up at him.
He smiles sweetly. "I'm positive." You breathe a little at that and rest your cheek once more against the soft front of his drab colored, nappy sweater.
You feel his cheek rubbing against the top of your head as he cuddles you. "Um, you still feel a little shaky Miss. Why don't we go sit down?"
"Okay," you agree. You exchange introductions as he walks you to his sofa. His name is Rupert Giles and he is the Librarian at the high school. You knew you recognized him. He, and some of his students, have brought injured people to the triage ward you volunteer at. How could you not notice him? Your insides go all gooey every time he's come in. "So, a Librarian huh?"
"Yes," he flashes a shy smile as he helps you to sit down.
"And you're only a superhero in your spare time?"
"I'm hardly that." He smoothes your hair back away from your face. His fingers are soft and warm as they graze your skin.
"I don't just mean me. I volunteer at the hospital. I know you've saved others."
"I don't save nearly enough of them." His expression turns sad, then brightens. "The hospital? Oh yes. You're the pretty little thing they keep up on the fourth floor with the children." Rupert stops dead, blushing as if he was not expecting to so honestly vocalize that particular thought. "I've um, yes I've seen you there before." He'd noticed you? Oh wow. You're trying not to think too deeply on that for fear of causing trembling worse than the encounter with the vampires had produced. "Would you um, would you like a drink?"
You smile a little. "Normally I don't."
Rupert grins back. "Yes, well normally you don't get chased by vampires either I'm sure," he says, finishing the rest of your sentence for you.
"I'd love a drink. Just uh, something mild please?"
"I actually don't think I have anything mild. Times being how they are I um...well, strong is usually preferable. I could mix something in a little soda pop?"
"That'd be fine." He moves into his kitchen.
He brings back a clear fizzy drink. You sip it, and try not to choke. "7up and...vodka?"
"Too strong?"
"No its fine," you lie and drink slowly. "You know I was just..." You suddenly notice something you hadn't before. His sweater has a dark patch on the right shoulder. "What happened here?"
Rupert looks down. "Oh that? Really, it's nothing. Got it on my way home. I've had worse."
"Let me take a look at it."
"Really, it's all right."
"Let me do this for you. I owe you this much. Where's your first aid kit?"
"It's in the kitchen."
"Good. Be right back. Take off your sweater and shirt."
When you emerge, you almost drop the med kit. He looks even better topless than he did in the sweater. You kneel before him and examine the wound. Thankfully, it's nothing serious. A gash, not deep enough for stitches but it had bled a lot. You clean it out with the antiseptic and place a clean gauze bandage over it. "There now. Does that feel okay?"
Rupert takes your hand in his own and kisses it. You feel as if you've known him for years. He's gotten so used to taking care of everything and everyone, he's forgotten how to just let someone take care of him for a change. You know how that is. These "times" he spoke of, here in Sunnydale, have bred those same instincts in you.
Now that your task is done, you allow yourself you take in his shirtless form. He is wearing black pants. His chest is well toned with a soft sprinkle of hair. His skin is scarred in places. Your free hand finds its way to one of the scars, lightly brushing at the smooth skin beneath. Rupert's breath catches under your touch. And at such light contact too. How long has it been since someone luxuriated in the feel of him? Would he let you?
He places his own hand over yours, pinning it against his chest. His other hand slips around the back of your neck. Rupert gently pulls you toward him, his lips hesitantly covering your own. When your tongue licks at the seam of his mouth, he gratefully deepens the kiss. His hands move to your back. He crushes you to his chest and lays back on the sofa.
"If you want to destroy my sweater
Hold this thread as I walk away
Watch me unravel, I'll soon be naked
Lying on the floor, I've come undone"
"The Sweater Song" by Weezer
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| The character of Rupert Giles and the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer were created by Joss Whedon and are © Fox. No infringement is intended and no profits are being made. |