→ 022 ← I can't change

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

[Angel is still -- unfortunately -- still Spike sounding and looking, which is less than a comforting fact. He's also still without Buffy, and across the hall from Spike who is still -- presumably -- still looking the way Angel would prefer to look]

This is bordering on ridiculous.

Spike - your hair is still blonde. Be thankful.

Comments

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

Thank God for small miracles. [long pause] Have a question for you, by the way.

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

Yeah sure, what? [it's amazing how Spike's voice naturally just sounds annoyed even when Angel really isn't...]

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

[oh, he knows. which is why he can brush it off] Mind if I have a smoke? 'Cause, honestly? If I don't? Think I'm liable to have a nicotine fit and go hurt someone, which hey--I can do, given you're the bloke with the chip in his head for a week, not me.

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

Yeah go ahead. It's not my room that will smell like it at least. [sighs and thinks about it] I didn't even realize I had the chip... then again I don't go around hurting people.

Speaking of going around to people -- have you gone out? As me?

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

Brilliant. [have the sound of his zippo flipping opened and closed, and him taking a drag off of said cigarette. hey, at least he was nice enough to ask. go him]

Haven't yet, no. Think I want people seeing this ugly mug? [a pause, and he exhales a lungful of smoke] You?

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

[shrugs] Not yet. I was thinking of visiting Willow -- Buffy went home. I think she's taking it a bit hard.

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

[a long silence] She's gone again?

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

[an equally long silence] Yeah.

I think when the room move happened actually. I was distracted with our situation, I hadn't realized until Willow told me.

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

[quietly] Didn't notice, either.

[and while he may hate Angel for running off with the girl he perceived as his or could-be his ... ] ... tough luck, mate.

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

[it's the second time he's lost her, but this time he had her -- actually felt like he had something so it does hurt a bit more, but he's always known it wouldn't have lasted]

It happens. [sighs] You alright? Other than the annoyance of being me?

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

Was, yeah. Not so sure about now.

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

Want to head down to Death Match and get a drink?

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

Sounds fantastic, honestly. [pause] Am I meeting you down there, or you in your room?

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

You're just across the hall from me, and turns out we don't have an elevator in this tower... so either we try to look like we're not following each other or we just suck it up and go down there together.

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

[makes a vaguely amused noise] Fair enough. [and that in mind, he takes another drag off of his cigarette, before getting up to head out in the hallway]

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

[shuts the journal and exits as well -- shaking his head when he sees Spike -- who is him -- across the hall]

Only three and a half more days at least, it never gets any weirder though.

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

[eyes him for a moment, almost thoughtfully] Don't, no. [pause] Think we're learning anything? Walk a mile in each other's shoes and all that rubbish?

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

[shrugs] I haven't actually gone out... so it's just me and your body and my thoughts. I haven't seen how people react to you. You seem cranky though? I feel itchy a lot, like I don't feel right in my own skin. Which is your skin... but... yeah I don't know.

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

[snorts, amused--he can't help it] Soap and water does wonders for that.

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

[rolls his eyes at him -- yes this is what it looks like when you do it Spike]

Right. Thanks. Real helpful.

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

Sorry. Couldn't help myself. [may or may not be making witty jabs so that he doesn't have to think about Buffy leaving again]

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

[actually doesn't mind being distracted, so it's fine]

I'm sure you couldn't. You should really get that checked on.

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

Better a sarcasm complex than a hero complex like you. [shrugs]

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

[glares] I don't have a hero complex. [lies...]

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

In what universe?

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

In this one?

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

Brilliant answer. Very convincing.

[rescued-apuppy.livejournal.com]

[yeah you get a 'look' for that Spike, but thankfully they've at least made it down the spiral staircase and can head toward the bar]

[fivewordsorless.livejournal.com]

Truth hurts, mate. [takes another drag off of his cigarette, letting the smoke out a sigh through his nose]