Sunnydale, 1998.

You slump against the brick wall in the dark alleyway, letting out a frustrated, shaky groan, shoulders hunched over like the world’s weight is somehow pressing straight down on you. Your fingers press briefly against your stomach, and you grit your teeth. Great. Just… great. Way to spend a Friday night.

“Hey, earth to you,” a familiar voice cuts through the quiet, sharp and teasing, but with an undercurrent of concern. Faith is leaning casually against the opposite wall, arms crossed, face half-lit by a flickering streetlight. Her leather jacket creaks as she shifts, boots scraping the wet concrete.

“You look like you just got hit by a bus… or a really ugly vamp.”

You manage a weak grimace, trying to wave her off. “I’m fine,” you say, though your voice cracks just a little, betraying you. “Just… you know. Girl problems. Timing’s a nightmare. Literally everything hurts tonight.”

Faith snorts, stepping closer, her grin sharp but her eyes catching yours in a way that makes your stomach twist. “Girl problems, huh? You mean that thing that makes walking less… fun?” She gestures vaguely at your posture, one eyebrow raised. “Or is it more like ‘ow, can’t fight vamps right now’ fun?”

You roll your eyes, but the heat in your cheeks says otherwise. “Very funny,” you mutter. “It’s not… it’s not a big deal.”

Faith pauses, tilting her head, her expression softening just enough for a heartbeat before the old guard slides back in. “Yeah? ‘Cause last time I checked, you’re slumping like a corpse in an alley and groaning like… well, like a corpse in an alley. So, if this isn’t a big deal, maybe I’m… missing something?”

You huff, leaning back against the wall, trying to ignore the way her presence makes every twinge in your stomach worse. “You’re missing… nothing,” you say, sharper than intended. “Just—tonight is… inconvenient. Timing, ow… anatomy stuff. I can handle it.”

Faith steps closer, her leather jacket brushing yours in the dim light, the closeness making your chest tighten. “You can handle it?” she echoes, voice low now, teasing gone, replaced by that faint thread of something almost… protective. Almost worried. “Yeah, sure. No biggie. Totally normal to grunt and slump around while the world is filled with vampires. Totally.”

A sudden movement at the far end of the alley snaps both your attention away. Shadows detach themselves from the darkness, snarling teeth glinting under the streetlights. Vampires. Again. And just your luck—more trouble, more blood, more inconvenient timing.

Faith smirks, flexing her fists, and in that familiar thrill-of-the-hunt way, she murmurs, “Vamps and tamps don’t mix, honey. You ready, or am I carrying you through this one?”

You groan again, not entirely from the vampires this time. “Just… hurry up. Before I… pass out or something. Literally, ow…”

Faith rolls her eyes but smirks, leaning in a little closer than necessary. “You mean literally or figuratively?”

And damn it, you think, even as adrenaline spikes, even as the vampires rush closer—it’s so inconvenient how much that question makes your heart thump.