^{❛   what ?  no !   ❜    okay, that probably came out harsher and faster than necessary, and buffy was already cringing at her response. but honestly — what was he playing at ?   ❛   i mean, my dating life is tragic. so — no, probably best to not even consider going down that road.   ❜  that sounded… better-ish, but as if in clear betrayal of her words, her stomach chose that very moment to growl loudly, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten all day. she still wasn’t clear as to his reasons behind asking her to dinner, but with a shrug, she conceded.   ❛   but uh, i guess i could eat.   ❜}

_{truth be told, his own dating experiences were bad enough, and usually ended up leading into pain. if not for himself personally, to everyone involved, and it was why he was avoiding it. either way, it didn’t mean he couldn’t be decent — if it meant buying dinner for someone who wanted him dead? well, it was something he would have to do.  ❛ name the place and nothing’s off limits. ❜ he may not need to eat much anymore, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t at least fake it seemly act typical.}