Free Date Night by Eliza Lentzski

you'll show me yours?” she challenged.
    Buffy's jaw dropped. “I, uh…that's not what I…”
    The dark haired girl released an easy laugh that rattled through Buffy's laptop speakers. “I know, Princess. I'm just pullin' your leg.”
    The blonde moved some files around on her computer desktop and her silver cuff knocked against the laptop's keyboard. When Faith had unexpectedly showed up at her front doorstep on Christmas Eve, she'd also brought along an unexpected gift. The bracelet itself was nothing out of the ordinary - a solid silver cuff that fit snugly around her wrist.
    There was no design on the bracelet; it had just a smooth, polished surface. On the inside was an engraving, however. Ever since she'd received the gift, Buffy had worn the accessory everyday, even when her outfit didn't warrant any jewelry. The Californian had called to thank her sister-Slayer for the present as soon as she opened the gift, much to Faith's embarrassment. The brunette had tried to pawn it off as not being a big deal, but the cuff was just another example of how thoughtful the Boston slayer had become since her wilder, youthful days.
    “So any big plans for New Years?” Buffy chatted easily. “It feels so weird talking to you when it's so late here, but only like dinner time where you are.”
    Faith shrugged nonchalantly. “No big plans,” she admitted. “Probably will do a quick patrol on the Southside and then watch some re-runs of Mr. Bean on Public TV.”
    Buffy giggled. “ Mr. Bean ? Isn't he that English guy that doesn't talk? He just makes weird noises?”
    The Boston girl grinned. “Heck yeah. That dude is cool as shit. Used to watch marathons of that show when I was little. It's kinda tradition now to watch him on New Years.”
    “You're not at all what I expected, Faith Lehane,” Buffy said, shaking her head and smiling.
    “You keep sayin' that, B.” Faith leaned forward in her desk chair and peered into the webcam. She raised an eyebrow at her sister-Slayer. “What did you think I normally do on New Years Eve? Drink until my liver gives up? Pass out in strangers' beds?”
    The blonde slayer made a face. “Stop it,” she chastised. “I'm not trying to start a fight. But you know how you portray yourself. Am I entirely to blame that I always assume the worst when it comes to you?”
    The Boston girl laughed and leaned back. “Okay, you got me there.”
    Buffy's mouth twisted. “Why do you always brag about stuff like that anyway?” she asked.
    Faith sighed. “I've actually been thinking about that a lot lately,” she revealed. “I think maybe…maybe I was just always trying to impress you.”
    The blonde raised an eyebrow. “And you thought telling me about your alcohol-inspired sexual conquests would impress me?”
    “I was young and naïve, B,” the formerly rogue woman admitted with a shrug. “I didn't know how else to get on your radar. I never really had girl friends growing up, ya know? Just hung out with dudes who were into that kinda braggart stuff.”
    Buffy nodded knowingly. “But why would you want to be on my radar in the first place?” she asked.
    Faith grinned cheekily. “Well, you are the Chosen One,” she teased.
    The blonde slayer made a face. “And you're a dork.”
    “What are you guys doing for New Years?” the Boston girl asked, changing what was quickly becoming an uncomfortable subject for her. She didn't like to dwell much on she and Buffy's complicated past. “Big blow-out in Scotland tonight?”
    Buffy wrinkled her nose. “Actually, there's a big party going on right now,” she admitted. “A bunch of the girls wanted a big party to celebrate the end of their first year as slayers. I think Dawn's taking full advantage of the legal drinking age over here, too.”
    Faith looked mildly surprised. “Then why aren't you out there livin' it up, too?”
    The Californian gave her sister-Slayer a shy smile. “Because I wanted to talk to you?”
    Faith felt her heart