Darts

by: Amy

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Willow, Oz and Xander were sitting on a couch in Willow's basement, watching tv. It was a cozy scene, Willow thought sleepily. She was tucked under Oz's arm, leaning against him. Snuggling. Xander lay on the other end of the couch, with his feet on Willow's lap. She smiled wryly.

Oz suddenly lost interest the show on tv as Willow leaned up and kissed him. Their mouths connected sweetly, then with growing ardor. He wrapped his other arm around her shoulders and she cuddled closer as the kiss intensified. She made soft little mewling sounds when Oz reached up to stroke her hair.

Xander turned his attention from the television to the scene that was much more interesting right next to him. He rolled his eyes in disgust.

"Geez, guys, give it a break?" He muttered. He emphasized his words with a soft nudge of his foot against Willow's thighs.

They groaned, but pulled away from each other, flushed. Xander's mouth stretched into a white line and Willow felt a little apprehensive.

"Well," she defended, "Not everyone likes COPS, Xander."

He pretended to pout. "Sure they do. You're just embarrassed to confess your hidden attraction for these law-enforcers."

She giggled nervously. "Nope, I go for guitarists." Willow and Oz shared a special smile. Xander felt like his dinner was going to come up.

"Well!" The couple looked at him. "Why don't we dust off that dart board and play a little? The show's over anyway."

They looked reluctant to rise, but did anyway, joining Xander as he walked over to the wall where the dart board used to hang and pulled down several of the darts. Willow looked at the them, agitated. "Xander, you know I don't like playing darts. I haven't since... Well, you know, since the incident."

Oz looked interested. "What incident?"

"Oh," Xander scoffed. "You mean you don't know? Will, I'm shocked you don't share everything with him."

"It was just..." she mumbled her words, "justathingthathappenedalongtimeagowhen.."

She trailed off and blushed a furious red.

"When she accidentally stabbed her father in the backside with one." He shot something of a triumphant look to Oz. Oz wrinkled his brow in sudden understanding. He shook his head, biting back a laugh at the fact that Willow was oblivious to her best friends jealousy.

He turned to Oz again, holding out the red-feathered darts. He took them slowly, sensing competition. Xander smiled falsely, a smile that almost cracked his face. Oz ventured, "Where's the board?"

Xander looked around for a second, temporarily stumped. His face lit up after a second, and he pulled out a Pin the Tail On the Donkey poster. "This should work. The board was broken in that earthquake last year. You *do* know where to aim, don't you?"

Oz lifted his head in wry acknowledgment.

"Okay then, let's play. Wanna bet on it?" He faced the poster as he spoke, but his snide tone was clear. And Oz knew what the bet was.

"That's okay, thanks."

Xander took careful aim and let the dart go. It sailed through the air to hit the donkey on the upper part of its leg. He grinned, and Oz returned his smile graciously. "Nice shot," he commented.

"Thanks, I do what I can."

Oz's turn. He looked at Willow. "Kiss for good luck, Baby?" She blushed but skittered forward to kiss him lightly on the lips. Xander's face whitened with anger as Oz got into place.

He aimed, let go. It hit the donkey an inch above Xander's dart. Xander flushed and lifted another dart. He aimed, but paused and turned to Willow.

"Kiss for good luck, Wills?"

Willow's eyes widened until they seemed to almost pop out of her skull and she burned a scarlet red. She turned to Oz questioningly. He lifted his shoulders in a "don't mind me" gesture.

Willow moved forward hesitantly and brushed his cheek with her lips, jumping away like she had been burned with something called embarrassment. No one noticed the twitch in Oz's cheek as he was forced to watch. When she got back to him, Oz placed a comforting arm around her shoulders and Xander's narrowed his eyes at the "you poor thing, the worst his over" look that Oz gave her.

Xander's heart pounded at the lingering feel of her lips against his cheek. The imprint seemed scarred on him and his hands shook. He tried to aim carefully.

But the shot went wild. The donkey's nose was now sporting an interesting new nose-ring. Oz snorted softly.

His turn again. He lined up his elbow and wrist, drew back and let her fly. Willow gave him her happy look.

"And I'd say the donkey has a tail!" she exclaimed. "You win. No more darts."

Xander smiled reluctantly at her obvious fear of the game. He turned to Oz, held out his hand. Oz took it in a warm, firm grip and shook it.

"I guess you win," Xander offered with grudging respect.

Oz looked at Willow, who was returning his stare of rapt adoration.

"Thanks," he murmured. "I guess I do."

The End

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