018, Ficlet

[zandra-x.livejournal.com]

Title: Close Your Eyes and Think of Me
Author: zandra_x
Rating: PG
Word Count: 359
Prompt: 018, Jenny
Characters/Pairing (if any): Giles

Close Your Eyes and Think of Me

The records albums are spread around him in an arc. He’s on the floor, taking out one after another, studying the song list, judging whether they’ll be suitable for his purpose, then separating the yes from the no. He doesn’t want anything too...too anything. No hard-core rock and roll. No twelve-minute guitar riffs. On the other hand, nothing, at least to start, too mellow. He puts his Dusty Springfields, his Frank Sinatras, his Roberta Flacks in one pile, ready for use.

Vivaldi. To start. Vivaldi’s always the thing. A concerto as she walks through the door. No words to talk over. Background music to take her coat by, offer her a drink to. Perhaps he’s over-thinking this but he wants it to go well. What if she doesn’t like music? No, not possible. No one with eyes that soulful could feel that way. He would never have found her so irresistible if she had that flaw. He’s sure she loves music.

The flowers! Did he put the flowers in the vase? He sighs when he sees them, right where they belong. He mustn’t panic. He has everything planned. A glass of something, then dinner, a bit of conversation, then a slow dance or two. No sense hurrying things.

Now he’s ready. He sits on the couch. The doorbell rings. It’s her. It rings again, and again. He can’t get up. He can’t get to the door. What’s wrong with him?

Giles wakes to the ringing telephone. His whiskey glass has slipped out of his hand, spilling the last mouthful on his shoes. He picks up the receiver. “Hello. Buffy? Yes, yes, I’m fine. I just dozed off on the couch. No, really, fine. What? Yes, I’ll be back in school on Monday. No doubt everybody will pretend that Jennie died in some tragic accident or at the hands of drug fiends. Yes, I know you are; I’m sorry, too. I’m going to bed now. We’ll talk tomorrow. Thank you for calling. It’s very thoughtful of you. Good night.”

After he hangs up he wonders who it’s worse to love: the murdered or the murderer; the dead or the killer.

Comments

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

You know, I didn't really think of that... those who died... how they died... the truth can't get out...

[zandra-x.livejournal.com]

That was Snyder's answer to everything, 'kids on PCP'. 8 ]

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

Really beautiful job with this. I especially like that last line, it is really haunting and I think it raises some really interesting questions. I love how he set the scene for seduction but then it was only a dream.

[zandra-x.livejournal.com]

Thanks. The last line really sort of ties it all together for me. Because Whedonworld is layered, so many ways to look at things. 8 ]

[boy-named-susie.livejournal.com]

Great job depicting Giles' sorrow and fantastic last line.

[zandra-x.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much. 8 ]

[lauratd.livejournal.com]

Not to be redundant, but the last line is brilliant.
Just like Giles to be able to understand Buffy's grief.

[zandra-x.livejournal.com]

Thanks. My Giles, poor man, is always having angsty thoughts. 8 ]

[wereleopard58.livejournal.com]

Very haunting, beautiful

[zandra-x.livejournal.com]

Thanks! 8 ]