He sat on the front porch, a cigarette between his lips as he took a drag. He’d been there a couple days now. He’d mostly kept to himself. He wasn’t use to being around people anymore. So he mostly stuck to Buffy’s side while they went on salvage missions and guarded the perimeter. He’d been able to find a couple books about electricity on one of their trips into town, when they found themselves near the public library. He had one of the books open in his lap, careful not to get any of the ashes from his cigarette on the pages.

demonboyliampratt:

Liam squirmed, squealing now. “Stop it! Not fair,” he managed, doing his best to roll away, still giggling.

He laughed, ruffling Liam’s unruly hair as he helped him sit back up. He popped another piece of candy in his mouth, looking out from the porch. This wasn’t so bad after all.

(Source: stevedoregiles)

demonboyliampratt:

Now he was humoring Giles…he didn’t think this’d ever be over. But he nodded in agreement, ready to change the subject. “Hey,” he said suddenly. “If Buffy is B…does that make you G? G. Hi, G.” He was giggling now, a huge grin on his face.

He gave the boy a mock glare. “Definitely your mother’s son.” He said reaching over and tickling the boy, amused by how easily entertained he seemed to be. He didn’t know when the last time he’d laughed this much was.

(Source: stevedoregiles)

demonboyliampratt:

He knew Giles was humoring him…even if, by some miracle, the world went back to normal…people didn’t have kids because some other kid asked them to. He was sharper than people gave him credit for. But he smiled nonetheless. “Thanks anyway.”

He nodded. He tried his best. And who knows for sure what the future would hold, maybe it would happen. But he knew he was getting ahead of himself, he and Buffy hadn’t even slept together yet. “It could happen, you never know.” He said with a small smile. “And maybe, when this is over, we’ll be able to find you a friend your own age.”

(Source: stevedoregiles)

demonboyliampratt:

“Really?” he asked, a huge grin on his face. “You’re actually gonna do it?” He knew it’d take a few years for the baby to grow up, but eventually he’d have a friend He wouldn’t be alone anymore. But thinking back to what the world was like now, his face fell. “No…I mean, you guys could, if you want. But it doesn’t seem fair somehow…you know, to the baby.” He’d grown up with a park, and normal food, and the ability to go outside during the day without running for his life. Any baby born now…they wouldn’t have that. They’d only have this. And Liam wasn’t that selfish.

He gave the boy a sad smile, surprised he’d come to that conclusion on his own, of course, Giles had already known that now wasn’t the time for any new children. Especially babies. Babies are completely dependent on their parents and during a zombie apocalypse that really wasn’t something they should do. “Well, perhaps when this is all over then. If Buffy and I still love each other, and would be willing to sleep together. Maybe…” He shrugged.

(Source: stevedoregiles)

demonboyliampratt:

He shrugged it off. “Just curious.” He kept the desire for another kid around to himself. They obviously couldn’t get one, so what was the point? Besides his parents, Xander and Angel were the only people in love. Unless… “Could you and Buffy have a baby?” he suggested. “I mean, you love each other, right? That’s part of it. And I know the sleeping together’ll suck, but eventually you’ll have a kid. How cool is that?”

He coughed, trying to cover up his distress. “err… I’m not sure, Liam. I mean, we’re physically capable of it I suppose, but… I’m not a young man anymore, and babies are a lot of work…” He saw the look on the boy’s face. He knew how difficult it was growing up alone, not having anyone but adults to talk to. Being isolated from people your own age. “You know what, I’ll talk to Buffy about it. See if we can get you a friend.” He knew now really wasn’t the time for procreation, but he couldn’t outright say no to the look on Liam’s face.

(Source: stevedoregiles)

demonboyliampratt:

Liam nodded, giving Giles a weak smile. “Thanks,” he said quietly, eventually falling silent. It was weird, being the only child around. Everyone was really nice to him, even when he was annoying. But he was lonely. He saw families on tv fight, complain about brothers and sisters…he’d love a sibling. But if it came with the same strings he had, then no way, Jose. “Can Xander and Angel have kids?” he asked. “They love each other, right? And I’m guessing they sleep together in a baby-having way. Plus, they have a dog. They have to have a kid. Kids and dogs go together. It’s like…some kind of rule.”

He shook his head, somewhat baffled by where the question had come from. “No, unfortunately not. In order for one to reproduce they’d need to have a male and a female.” He tried not to complicate things for the boy without getting either vulgar or too scientific. “You see, boys only have half of the parts needed to make a baby. And Girls have the other half. So two boys can’t have a baby, and two girls can’t have a baby, even if they love each other very much.” He explained. “Why are you so interested?”

(Source: stevedoregiles)

demonboyliampratt:

He nodded. “Ok.” He knew he should be able to do better…give him to her for good. But he couldn’t. He was too attached. His teddy bear was the closest thing to a friend he had…the grown ups didn’t count. He’d never been around other kids…not really. And now he might be the only one left.

“And just remember, if you ever need anything from town, just let me know. I’ll try to find something for you.” He said patting Liam’s back softly. He didn’t get a chance to be around children much, and he knew he’d never have any of his own, so getting to be a part of young Liam’s life was somewhat of a blessing. And he felt bad that he hadn’t been there before. Even though he knew Spike had questions, he’d left. Sure he had his own problems to deal with at the time, but he should have considered the other factors.

(Source: stevedoregiles)

demonboyliampratt:

“It’s not the same. It can’t just be any stuffed animal,” he protested. It had to be his teddy bear. He knew it. He’d had it forever…he’d been holding it the night he found out he was the key. He’d had it the night he cried himself to sleep, wishing his dad wasn’t back at the crypt, that both of his parents were home together. And both of those things had worked out somehow. His bear was better than other bears. He’d made Liam feel better…he could do the same for his Aunt Tara. “She needs him more than I do,” he said quietly.

“Maybe you could just lend it to her.” He suggested in a soft voice. He knew what the Liam must be feeling. He’s had a teddy bear of his own when he was younger. His name was Mr. Snuggles and he’d gotten him through the best and worst of times. Such as when his father told him about his destiny when he was ten. When he broke his nose when he was six. Mr. Snuggles had always gotten him through. And he still had him. Somewhere.

(Source: stevedoregiles)

demonboyliampratt:

“I have a teddy bear!” he piped up hopefully, thinking back to his stuffed animal. But he bit his lip again. “But I dunno if I could give him up. Does that make me a bad person?” He felt like a bad person…his aunt was alone. He still had his parents. She needed the bear more than he did.

He smiled softly. “No, that doesn’t make you a bad person. Children shouldn’t have to part with their stuffed animals. I’ll tell you what, next time I’m in town, I’ll make sure to keep my eyes peeled for any stuffed animals. yeah?” He asked, giving the boy’s shoulder a squeeze

(Source: stevedoregiles)