For Saffron, Valentine's Day

[thedemonmagnet]

Usually, Xander didn't really care that much about Valentine's Day. He knew enough by now to be careful what he ate on that day but otherwise, he just kind of left it alone. It was rare that even had someone to celebrate it with and then he tended to screw it up, a particular incident with Cordelia and love spell being the foremost example.

But this Valentine's Day was going to be as awesome as he could make it make it because he'd never had someone like Helen to share it with. And wouldn't you know it, the island was even helping! He'd found the perfect place for dinner on the beach to watch the sunset, complete with rock for a table and chairs. He borrowed a tablecloth from the Club and managed to wrangle some cushions from the clothes box to make the rocks a bit more comfortable, especially Helen's, which looked more like a couch after all the padding he'd draped over it. Candles and dishware were acquired and set up, complete with a vase of candy flowers. While he'd already arranged with Bill for a nice dinner, safely stored in a picnic basket next to the table rock, he'd searched high and low today until he found some bushes in the jungle that were growing an assortment of fancy looking cakes, including what he swore was a fancy green twinkie, and chocolates he'd never be able to afford at home. Those had been gathered for dessert, completing the whole meal.

Xander told Helen he had a surprise for her out on the beach and walked bare foot with her through the sand, getting more and more anxious as they neared the spot he'd been setting up all day. Oh he had one more small surprise up his sleeve but for now...he really hoped she liked this.

Comments

[devilwoman]

Saffron really didn't like the fact that her injuries were putting a serious dampener on Valentine's Day. She hated that she couldn't be with Xander the way she wanted, and not just in terms of lovemaking. Even things like her climbing into his lap or his arms wrapping around her too securely were murder on her still-healing ribs. But the last thing Saffron wanted today was to dwell on the negative of the situation, so she pushed all that aside in favor of enjoying being with the man she loved.

She was barefoot as well, dressed in a simple sundress in green, Xander's favorite color on her. She had her arm looped through his as they walked, leaning on him a little, and when they came upon the setup Xander had clearly put a lot of thought into, Saffron let out a gasp of surprise and delight, ignoring the twinge it brought to her ribs.

"Oh, Xander, this is gorgeous," she gushed, turning and lifting her free hand to his shoulder so she could lift up onto the balls of her feet and kiss him. "You put all this together for me?"

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

As he felt her move to kiss him, Xander wrapped his arms around her waist to support her as he returned the kiss slowly, enjoying the moment. "Of course. I wanted it to be special, just like my Boss Lady." He said with a small bashful smile. He kissed her forehead and then led her to take a seat.

Before sitting down himself, he reached into one of the baskets and pulled out two carefully covered plates. "I can't take credit for this though." He said as he uncovered the artfully cooked fish and vegetables. "This was all Bill. I owe him lots of favors."

[devilwoman]

She sat carefully, squeezing Xander's arm before she released it. He'd gone to so much trouble, taken pains to think of everything, and it was amazing, to say the least. If Saffron hadn't been sure before, she would have known without a doubt now that she had an incredible boyfriend.

"Well, then I owe him also," she commented with a smile as Xander uncovered the dishes, recognizing Bill's handiwork in the well-prepared meals. "I'll have to think of something nice to do for him."

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure we can think of something. Because really, you don't want to see me cook unless you like the taste of charcoal." Xander was seated next to her rather then across the 'table' and it gave him the perfect angle to cut a bit of fish off his plate and offer it to her with a small bashful smile. He hoped she took it as the romantic gesture he wanted it to be rather then catering to her injuries.

[devilwoman]

Saffron found the offered bite incredibly sweet, made even more so by Xander's smile. Every time she thought he couldn't get any more precious to her, something happened to prove her wrong.

She placed light fingers to his hand and took the bite straight off the fork, giving a little hum of pleasure. "Very good," she praised once she'd swallowed, though she'd expected nothing less. "Your turn." She cut a bite of fish from her own plate and held it out to Xander, mirroring his gesture.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

Somehow Xander managed to keep his surprise to just his eyes, since he hadn't expected her to reciprocate the gesture, more from her healing ribs then anything else. Well, his eyes and the flush on his cheeks as he reached forward to lightly take the bite. "Thanks."

[devilwoman]

It didn't matter that Xander's reaction was limited to his eyes. Saffron knew him, and she saw it. "I can lift a fork just fine, honey," she said, though it was clear from her affectionate smile that she wasn't offended. And for true, if she'd had to stretch much further she definitely would have felt it.

And speaking of stretching, it was definitely too much of a strain on her ribs for her to lean across and kiss him. So she settled for pressing a kiss to her fingers and then pressing said fingers to Xander's lips, which was much easier to accomplish.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

It may be too much for Helen but her actions only let Xander know what she wanted so he gladly leaned over and gave her a long, slow kiss. He never could have imagined anything like this, not in his wildest dreams, but he was thankful everyday for it. "Love you Boss Lady."

[devilwoman]

Saffron returned Xander's kiss gladly, her hand lifting to caress his cheek, any twinges of pain from her ribs forgotten as she was driven thoroughly to distraction by the feel of his lips on hers.

"I love you too, baby," she replied, and she kept him close for a moment, brushing her thumb over his lips before she kissed him again and released him. "I have something for you, back home. It's only part of what I wanted to give you, but I'll have to owe you on the rest until I'm healed up."

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

"The rest?" Xander asked curiously. While there was one obvious answer, he wasn't sure that's what she meant. Still, the imagines going through his head weren't helping, especially since she did still have a lot of healing to do. "Don't worry. I'm sure it will be worth the wait."

He kissed her once more before sitting back and picking up another bite of fish to offer her. "But for now, eat up. I have something else I want to give you but it can wait till after dinner."

[devilwoman]

"We'll talk about it later," Saffron said with a smile. "I need to get some information from you first anyhow, so I can plan." She'd already been looking forward to it, but even more so now, what with the frustration her current situation was giving her.

"There's more?" she said with surprise after taking the bite from Xander. She offered him another bite as well before continuing to eat, now curious about what else there could be. "You're spoiling me, Xander." And she loved it, of course.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

"Plan?" Xander asked, his eyes widening slightly. What in the world in was she going to do? "What kind of information do you need?"

But then they began to eat and Xander began to relax again. "Of course I am. Isn't that what Valentine's Day is for?" He said with a small grin. "Just wait, you'll see."

[devilwoman]

"Later," Saffron repeated. "After dinner."

She gestured at Xander's plate with her own fork. "Didn't you just tell me to eat up? You don't want your food to get cold." Giving him a playful smirk, she took another bite, and as she did so she reached one leg out and slid her bare foot lightly along his calf.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

Xander laughed as his words were tossed back at him. "Alright, alright." He took a bite of vegetables. "No more talking about later plans will after dinner."

He really should have expected the foot on his leg, he really should have. But he was too busy trying to think of what Helen had in mind for later that it took him by complete surprise to the point he choked on the bit of food he put in his mouth. Coughing, he dropped his fork and reached for his glass of water. When he could breath again, he flushed. "Sorry."

[devilwoman]

"Xander!" Saffron's eyes widened in alarm, her own fork falling to her plate with a clatter as she sprang over to squeeze in right next to him, not caring that her ribs absolutely screamed in protest at the abrupt movement.

She thumped lightly on his back for a moment, relaxing when he recovered enough to take a drink. "Should I warn you next time I'm gonna try and play footsie?" she said lightly, brushing his hair back from his forehead and pressing a kiss to his temple.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

Clearing his throat a little more, Xander gave her an embarrassed smile. "No, just surprised me is all. Next time, just wait till the fork isn't in my mouth. I don't do well with surprises in my mouth." He blinked. "Umm...You know, I'm just going to leave it at that." He smiled and kissed her cheek. "Sorry, want to try that again?"

[devilwoman]

"Sorry, honey," Saffron replied, and she couldn't resist going in for another kiss, this time to the corner of his mouth. "Mmm-hmmm."

She knew getting up was like to be a struggle, that her ribs were going to be mighty unhappy at any jostling so soon after being yanked around. So Saffron just stayed where she was and slipped her foot back around Xander's leg, sliding it down his calf.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

Xander leaned into her slightly and give her a proper kiss. It only took a reach of his hand to bring her food closer, even if it was only to be ignored for the moment as both arms went around her waist. "It's okay."

[devilwoman]

Saffron brushed light fingers along Xander's jaw as he kissed her. She rested a hand on his leg, starting at his knee and sliding upward until she stopped close to the bend where leg met hip. As long as she stayed mostly still, her ribs were fine.

"I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to your kisses," she murmured, tracing along them with her index finger. "I just can't get enough."

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

Xander just kept his arms around her waist, letting her set the pace so she didn't hurt herself. Not that he thought she was breakable, he just didn't want to cause her any more pain then needed. "I think I'm just addicted to you." He said before kissing her again, taking his time to make it long and sweet.

[devilwoman]

She let out a soft, muffled hum of pleasure as he kissed her, the hand that wasn't on his leg taking hold of a fistful of his shirt in an effort to keep herself from doing things Saffron knew she wasn't up for, despite wanting them badly.

When the kiss finally ended, her ribs ached a little, but it was well worth it. "Don't you ever go to rehab for it," she replied softly, still so close to him their foreheads were almost touching.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

"Never. I promise." Xander said softly with a small happy sigh.

But then he smiled teasingly. "You know, I won't give you your surprise if you don't eat your dinner."

[devilwoman]

"Oh, yes sir," Saffron teased back, grinning as she pulled back from Xander and got her fork, only to turn back and kiss him again. "Can I help it if you're just so gorram irresistible?"

She relented, though, and resumed eating, feeding Xander as well as herself.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

"You can if you want to know what else I have for you." Xander teased right back before freeing one hand from around her waist so he could reach his own fork.

He ate and fed her in return until the food was gone.

[devilwoman]

Once they were through with the meal, Saffron took a drink of water and turned her attention entirely onto Xander once again. "God, I wish I could have you for dessert," she murmured against his skin before pressing a soft kiss to his jaw.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

His arms went right back around her waist so he could cocked his head to the side to give her room. "And here I went through the effort of gathering desert for you. Do you know how hard it was to find a cupcake bush?" He teased lightly.

[devilwoman]

Saffron kept on with what she was doing, kissing along Xander's jawline and down his neck and nibbling a little at his ear. "A cupcake does sound pretty good," she said softly between kisses.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

Xander hummed happily, getting slowly turned on by her actions. "Let me guess. Your the type that licks all the frosting off before eating it, aren't you?"

[devilwoman]

"Good guess, baby," Saffron said as she worked her way back along his jaw until her lips were a centimeter from his. "I am pretty fond of...licking things." And then, as if to illustrate, she traced the seam of his lips with the tip of her tongue.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

The attention was both hot and oddly soothing and Xander's eyes fell to half closed. They opened fully again as he groaned when her tongue touched his lips. "If I didn't have another surprise for you, I'd be tempted to take you home right now and see just how far the doctors would let me get away with."

[devilwoman]

Saffron bit her lower lip and let out a little groan of frustration and pent-up desire. "Don't say that," she nearly whimpered. "I'm having a hard enough time keeping still like I'm supposed to instead of climbing you like a gorram tree."

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

With a heavy sigh, Xander lightly kissed her and then pulled back, hoping a small bit of distance would help the growing tension...so to speak. "The sooner you get better..." he reminded her, "The sooner we can get to tree climbing."

[devilwoman]

"I know," Saffron replied, reluctantly letting Xander pull away, though not too far. Needing a distraction before she got too frustrated with their situation, she smiled and changed the subject. "So, do I get my surprise now, or do I have to wait until after dessert?"

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

"I think a surprise is just what we need to calm the waters." Xander said, taking advantage of the change of subject.

He did unfortunately have to pull back to the point of getting up to get another basket that was half hidden in the rocks. The basket was placed beside him as he sat back down and he carefully lifted something covered in cloth from it, which he sat in front of Helen. "Here. This is for you."

When the cloth was removed, it was a foot tall doll house carved to look like The Catscratch Club.

[devilwoman]

Saffron waited, patient but eager and unsure of what to expect, and her eyebrows raised curiously as Xander set the cloth-covered object in front of her.

When she pulled it off and revealed what was underneath, her gasp of delight was strong enough to send a stabbing pain right through her ribs, her elation the only thing that kept her from seriously wincing. "Oh, Xander," she gushed, dangerously close to tears - happy ones - as she gazed at his creation. "This is absolutely gorgeous, baby, I love it. How long have you been working on this?"

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

"A while." Aka, since the bomb scare. If anything happened to the club, Xander wanted Helen to have something to remember it by. Something with positive memories associated with it.

There was a hinge in the back wall and he opened it slowly. The walls furnishings, bars and stage were carved into the walls, as well as the stairs connecting the two main levels. "I'm working on the details still, like tables and chairs, But I couldn't wait any longer to give it to you."

[devilwoman]

Saffron looked it over with wide-eyed fascination, taking in every inch of the exquisite and careful detailing. "It's incredible," she said softly, her voice full of awe. "I couldn't imagine a more perfect gift."

She turned back to Xander, then, positively beaming, and took his face in his hands and kissed him. "Xie xie," she said, pulling back to meet his eyes. "Thank you so much."

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

Now he was blushing up a storm, just from the pleasure at how much she enjoyed it. Xander hadn't been sure what the reception would be but this was definitely worth every splinter and nick from his knives. "You're welcome. Happy Valentine's Day, Boss Lady." He said after a soft kiss of his own.

[devilwoman]

Even now, Saffron still loved to make Xander blush, even if she didn't exactly try for it as much as she once did. "Happy Valentine's Day," she replied, immeasurably fond. "Now, about that information I needed from you. I just have one question."

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

"Okay...shoot." Xander asked, cocking his head curiously.

[devilwoman]

Smiling, Saffron took Xander's hands in hers. "What is your biggest fantasy?" she asked. "I want to make it happen. To the best of my ability, at least."

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

Xander blinked in surprise. He wasn't sure what he was expecting her question to be but it wasn't that.

He looked down at the table for a moment as he thought about this, capturing his bottom lip between his teeth. He had a few fantasies sure, but nothing he wanted to act out for fear of embarrassment.

But there was one... "Well...you know the big water fall, here on the island?"

[devilwoman]

She waited, quiet and patient as Xander considered it, then nodded. "Sure," Saffron replied, not entirely sure where he was headed but intrigued nonetheless. "What about it?"

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

"Well..." Xander began, looking down for a moment, "I always thought it would be fun to...you know...behind it. It's kinda private but not and the water creates that really cool lighting effect on the wall..." He looked up bashfully. "I know it's nothing fancy but..."

[devilwoman]

A smile gradually spread across Saffron's face, becoming something radiant. "It doesn't matter that it's not fancy," she assured him fondly, and leaned in to kiss him, slow and sweet. "I think it sounds wonderful. I would love for us to make love behind the big waterfall."

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

Xander's smile became more relieved, very glad when she seemed to genuinely like his idea. He was afraid it would be disappointing. "That's...that would be great!" He pulled her back into his lap carefully as he could kiss properly. "Thank you."

[devilwoman]

It was a risky move, her sitting in his lap, but Saffron didn't much care, the need to be near Xander far outweighing any inevitability of pain.

"I'll snatch up any chance I get to be with you, baby, you should know that by now," she told him tenderly as she cupped his cheek with one hand. "And I definitely appreciate your romantic side." For someone like Saffron, romance hadn't exactly been all that prevalent in her life.

[scoobys-heart.livejournal.com]

Considering the other males Xander had been around in his life, romance had never really been able to compare to broody good looks and epic coolness, especially his own awkward brand of romance. He was just glad she liked it. Very glad. "Happy Valentine's Day."