Title: Fascinating New Thing
Author: nina (lilac_1one@hotmail.com)
Pairing: X/Gr, B/R
Rating: R for implied sexual content
Spoilers: None, really.
Distribution: Jen, it's all yours for the finnatics. Saone, you can have it, too, for Impure Things. If anyone else wants it, I'm flattered. Just let me know where you're posting it.
Notes: Yet another Xander/Graham songfic, this time "FNT (Fascinating New Thing)" by Semisonic. It's a companion piece to "Possession" and "The Best Day of My Life."
Notes2: This is for my amazing beta, Otsoko, who is responsible for anything resembling reality here. He wrote the very end, since I couldn't figure it out how to do it. In a million years, I couldn't have come up with man-tool by myself. This is also for Saone, who offers inspiring words (and tantalizing mental pictures) of encouragement. I'd also like to thank everyone who sent me feedback on my previous X/Gr fics. You inspire me to write more, so this is for you.


//Fascinating New Thing, you delight me and I know you're speaking of me. Fascinating New Thing, get beside me. I want you to love me. I'm surprised that you've never been told before that you're lovely and you're perfect and that somebody wants you.//

Xander and Buffy sat in a corner table at the Bronze, checking out the eye candy that flowed by. It was a prime scoping location, with the added benefit of being removed enough that they could talk quietly without the risk of being overheard.

"Where are Willow and Tara? I thought they were gonna be joining us," Xander asked his blonde buddy.

"They bailed. They said they had some spellwork to do. Now, I've seen that look they had, and while it frequently does lead to magic, it's usually the kind that pretty much anyone can do," Buffy giggled.

"Aha," Xander knew he was dense at times, but he was pretty sure he got the picture. "So, see any potential spellmakers for either of us?"

Buffy laughed. "Maybe. I think that guy near the end of the bar was checking me out. Look and see if he still is, please," Buffy bounced a little in her chair, adding on sternly, "*Don't* be obvious!"

Xander casually glanced where Buffy requested, "Which one? There's a few guys there."

"Blue shirt, black jeans."

"Hello, Salty Goodness!" Xander grinned. "I think we have a winner."

"He's looking?" Buffy got excited.

"Oh, yeah. Like you're surprised." Xander answered in his fake sarcastic voice. "Buffy, only blind straight guys don't check you out. I bet practically every male in this place, and probably some of the females, are wishing they were me right now. Too bad you're not my type," Xander grinned, eliciting another chuckle from his friend.

Buffy's expression suddenly got serious, "Okay, there's an open spot next to him. Time to go meet Mr. Hottie. Maybe he's got a friend for you."

"Yeah, that's likely," Xander replied dryly, then softening his tone, added, "And Buf, you may want to chill with the whole woman-on-a-mission attitude. It might scare the poor guy off."

"Point taken, Xand. Now are you gonna back me up or not?" Buffy stood up.

Xander rose and followed Buffy, who was threading her way through the crowd, eyes locked on her target.

Buffy reached the bar and hopped on the stool by Mr. Blue Shirt. He looked over from his conversation with his broad-shouldered buddy to see who was taking the seat next to him, a wide grin spreading across his face when he saw the blonde perched there.

"Hey," he opened, completely forgetting his buddy.

"Hey," she replied. Hazel eyes locked with hazel. Buffy tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and looked down, the smile on her face the mirror of his.

He stuck out his hand, "I'm Riley."

Buffy took Riley's hand, shaking it for a moment longer than necessary. "I'm Buffy."

As she finished the introduction, the band switched to a slow song. "Wanna dance?" Riley offered.

"Love to," Buffy let him take her hand and lead her to the dance floor.

Xander slipped onto the stool vacated by Riley, leaned back on the bar, and watched his blonde friend enter her dance partner's arms. He towered over her and had to hunch down to hear what she was saying. A moment later he pulled her closer; she fit comfortably under his chin. Letting his gaze wander, Xander took in the crowd at the club.

A deep voice at his elbow interrupted his people watching. "See anything worthwhile?" Riley's friend asked.

Xander faced him, quickly taking in the piercing blue eyes that only served to enhance the stunning face and short dark hair of the speaker. "Nope. But I never do here," Xander replied companionably. "How about you?"

"How about me, have I seen anything worthwhile or how about me, am I worthwhile?" the man intentionally misunderstood.

Xander eyed him speculatively. "I meant have you seen anything worthwhile? But feel free to answer either or both."

He deliberately looked Xander over, lingering on his crotch, then met his eyes for just a moment longer than most guys would, "Yes, I think I see something worthwhile. And yeah, I've been told I'm definitely worthwhile."

"Huh," Xander replied. "I never would have pegged you for, uh, you know...my type."

"Why's that?" he queried, a glint of humor in his gorgeous eyes.

"Well, for one, this is the Bronze. All ages, but usually only one orientation. Two, you look...kind of....um...military. And my impression is that the military discourages guys who are . uh .my type from joining up," Xander struggled to explain.

"It *is* 'don't ask, don't tell' for a reason," he pointed out with a knowing smile.

"My bad then," Xander replied, not trying to hide the hunger in his grin.

"So, are we gonna sit here making small talk and dance around the issue? Are you a man of words...or action?" he asked levelly.

"Action is good," Xander answered, cocking his head and giving a slight nod.

He stood up, eyes locked on Xander's, "Well then. I know just the spot." He started to walk away, Xander scrambling after him.

"Where are we going?"

"Out the back door."

Xander planted himself in front of the man just before he exited. "Not that it's not a good idea, but maybe that's not such a good idea. Sunnydale is home to pretty weird...uh...weirdoes after dark."

"Relax, I'm trained as a Marine. I can take care of myself." He pushed past Xander and entered the alley.

"But can I take care of me?" Xander muttered as he followed, surreptitiously checking that the cross around his neck was still in place and his emergency stake was handy but not obvious.

*******************************************

On the dance floor, Buffy and Riley watched their friends cross to the back of the club and then leave.

"What do you think they're up to?" Buffy asked.

"Do you really want an answer?" Riley countered.

Buffy felt her face flush as understanding dawned. Riley saw her embarrassment and pretended he didn't notice. "What are the chances both of our friends would be...into each other?" Riley wondered out loud.

Buffy cringed and turned even brighter red. "Thank you for that visual. I now officially have the wiggens."

Riley was equally mortified. "Oh for a different choice of words," he groaned. His color was a perfect match to Buffy's. He rushed to change the subject, "So, do you like to drive?"

********************************************

//Fascinating New Thing, the scene-makin' want a temporary savior.
Fascinating New Thing, don't betray them by becoming familiar.
I'm surprised that you've never been told before
that you're lovely and you're perfect and that somebody wants you. //

He stood up, tucking in his shirt, then reached over to brush Xander's hair out of his eyes.

"Okay, maybe this wasn't a bad idea," Xander smiled, still leaning against the wall.

He moved his hands to either side of Xander's head, palms flat on the bricks. He leaned into Xander's space. "Yep. Maybe we can try it again sometime."

Xander tilted his head forward to close the gap between them, but the man turned and started for the door, pulling Xander with him as he went. He paused at the entrance, releasing his hold on Xander, and waved him ahead. As they crossed back towards the bar, Buffy caught Xander's eye and quirked her eyebrow. Xander just smiled.

A few minutes later, Buffy and Riley returned to their friends, who seemed to be sitting in silence.

"Uh, Buffy's tired, so I'm just gonna, um, walk her home. You good, Graham?" Riley's attempt at casual failed.

Graham looked at his friend. "Sure, Ri. You make sure she gets home *safe,*" he answered, his expression stoic, his eyes laughing.

"Night, Xander. Nice to meet you, Graham," Buffy said.

"Yeah, you too," Graham replied.

"Bye, guys," Riley tossed over his shoulder as he and Buffy hurried out.

"They totally lack subtlety," Xander commented at their retreating backs.

"Oh, yeah. Not covert at all," Graham agreed.

//I'm surprised that you've never been told before that you're priceless, yeah you're precious even when you're not new. //

"So..." Xander trailed off.

"So?" Graham countered.

"Nice meeting you, but I think I'm going to head out, too," Xander couldn't meet Graham's eyes or he knew he'd lose it.

"I'll walk out with you," Graham answered, struggling not to laugh himself.

They headed out of the club and down the block in silence. After a minute, Xander took Graham's hand. "Game over?"

Graham pulled him to his side and draped his arm over his shoulders, planting a kiss on his neck. "Uh huh," he murmured.

"So," Xander queried, humor evident in his voice, "was anonymous sex in an alley everything you remembered?"

"Not quite," Graham admitted. "I wonder if the bar pick-up thing worked for Buffy and Ri."

Xander's face fell. "Sorry. I really tried, but it's tough to pretend you're a stranger. I really wanted this to work for you." He didn't even attempt to hide his disappointment.

Graham stopped and faced Xander. He focused on his lover's face. "Don't apologize. And who said it didn't work for me? It totally worked for me, but only because it was you. Through the whole thing, I couldn't erase, didn't want to erase, that afterwards, I'd get to go with you back to our apartment. No loneliness. No emptiness. When a quickie in an alley is all you can get, you know it's just a temporary fix and you block out how awful it is after. Tonight, I remembered all that. And I can't even begin to describe how it felt to know that while I got the hot sex, I also got the guy. And I didn't have to deal with all that bad shit. That's why it wasn't everything I remembered, and thank goodness it wasn't."

"Xander, I wouldn't go back to that for anything."

"Yeah?" Xander's response was tentative, as if he couldn't quite believe the words were meant for him.

"Oh yeah," Graham backed it up with a possessive kiss. " And tonight just confirmed something I've been suspecting," he said intensely. "Being with you, no matter what the guise, will *always* be better than doing anything with anyone else, just because it's you."

Xander grinned, trying to hide the fact that he was starting to blush. He laid his palm on Graham's chest. "Ya know," he said teasingly, "We could definitely add this little game to our repertoire. What happened in the alley was . amazing."

"Are you serious?" A smile spread across Graham's usually stoic face.

"You could probably twist my arm," Xander laughed and kissed his lover again, leaving them both breathless.

As they started to walk home, Xander looked over at Graham, a sly smile on his lips, " 'Man-tool'? I can't believe you called it my 'Man-tool'."

Graham grinned back, putting an arm over Xander's shoulder. "It seemed appropriate at the time." He raised an eyebrow. "Besides, how about you? 'Hunk-boy'?"

Xander shrugged, stifling a giggle, "It seemed appropriate at the time. Besides, you seemed to like it when I called you that. A lot."

Graham blushed.

//I'm surprised that you've never been told before
that you're lovely and you're perfect and that somebody wants you.
I'm surprised that you've never been told before
that you're priceless, yeah you're holy even when you are not new. //


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