16508/You can have all the donuts in the world!

You can have all the donuts in the world!
Date of Scene:	24 August 2024
Location:	Donut World, Mid-Island, Staten Island
Synopsis:	Buffy discovers that tasting donuts dipped in malt shakes is a spiritual experience.
Cast of Characters:	Spider-Man, Buffy Summers

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Spider-Man has posed:
Peter Parker stepped into Donut World, the familiar jingle of the doorbell blending with the low hum of conversation, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries. The cozy diner, with its retro booths and bright neon lights, seemed like a perfect spot for a casual meet-up, though he was feeling anything but casual.

He scanned the room, his eyes landing on the quirky assortment of donut-themed decorations that hung from the walls. A quick glance at his phone confirmed that he was on time. He smoothed out his cyan polo shirt, which seemed a bit more vibrant than he remembered. Maybe it was just the light, or maybe it was the nervous energy coursing through him. The alternating bands of white and purple on his shirt suddenly felt like they were shouting for attention, not unlike his inner monologue.

Buffy Summers. The name still echoed in his mind, a peculiar mix of disbelief and excitement. They had met through a texting mishap, he'd mistakenly sent a message about support to the wrong number. What was supposed to be a simple encouragement had turned into an intriguing exchange of messages. They'd then bumped into each other at Sunnydale University, and before he knew it, they were making plans to meet in person. Was this a date? Peter wasn't sure. It felt more like a friendly catch-up, but something about the way they had agreed to meet at Donut World made him wonder if it could be something more.

Peter glanced around the diner again, feeling a bit out of place in his casual blue jeans and polo shirt, especially as he spotted a group of cool, effortlessly stylish college students chatting at a nearby table. He hoped he didn't look too much like he was trying too hard, or worse, like he didn't belong. He let out a quiet sigh, trying to calm his racing thoughts.

The chime of the doorbell pulled him from his reverie.

Buffy Summers has posed:
And right on time walked in Buffy Summers. That had to be a record or something. Most times when she arranged to meet up with someone, she got delayed by some monster or other that wanted her to be branded as unreliable for her entire life. And even if that life was only a handful of years compared to most people, she really didn't want to be That Person.

As she walked in, she was dressed for the warm weather of Auguest. A short skirt that fell just above her knees was lilac in color and matched the top above. The top was had a round neckline and short sleeves. It fit snug but not too tight. The hem barely met the waistband of the skirt, allowing a tiny sliver of skin to show. Nothing too outrageous or daring, just a nice cute outfit that didn't make her melt when she walked outdoors. On her feet were a pair of simple sandals. Her toenails were painted to match the color of the skirt but her fingernails were not, oddly enough.

Upon stepping in the door, she took a deep breath of the surgary goodness that filled the donuty air. Then the quick glance around the room followed. Spotting Peter, she smiled and waved which made her immediately realize how silly that was. Her hair was down around her shoulders.

She walked to close the distance between them. "Not sure what to think of the whole donut motif," she said waving to the room. "But that smell has my mouth watering. Thanks for agreeing to meet me here." Because Willow was...well, not herself right now. To be her companion. And Buffy needed to come to New York to consult some books in the Library here that were not available in Sunnydale. Sadly, they didn't seem to be much use and here she was now with her messenger bag slung over her right shoulder. Sure, there might be a book or two in there she wasn't allowed to check out and thus borrowed but it was for the greater good!

Spider-Man has posed:
Peter watched as Buffy Summers walked into Donut World, and for a moment, he just stood there, slack-jawed. She looked stunning. It wasn't just the outfit, though the lilac skirt and matching top were perfect for the summer heat, but the effortless way she carried herself. The simple sandals and the touch of color on her toenails seemed like a quiet rebellion against the chaos that often surrounded her. And the way her hair framed her face just so? It was like something out of a movie, the kind where the main character is always exactly the right mix of cool and relatable.

As she took in the surroundings and commented on the donut motif, Peter snapped out of his daze, and tried to act normal. He blinked a couple of times, hoping that would make him look less like a deer caught in headlights. "Yeah, the donut thing is... a lot," he said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "But you know, it's kind of grown on me. Like a... well, donut. Bad joke, sorry. I'm really bad at those."

Buffy's smile was so disarming, and Peter felt a rush of nervous energy. He cleared his throat, trying to regain some composure. "And thanks for meeting me here. I mean, I know it's not exactly a fancy place, but it's one of my favorites. Also, uh, you look amazing. Really. I mean, it's like you walked straight out of a magazine or something, and I'm just here in my 'I hope I don't look too much like I'm trying too hard' polo." He chuckled nervously, gesturing vaguely at his shirt as if it might explain his awkwardness.

As they slid into a booth, Peter's mind raced. Today was his birthday, a detail that seemed to float in the back of his mind like a forgotten afterthought. A quick mental check confirmed it was indeed August 24th. He was spending his birthday in a donut shop with someone he barely knew, but genuinely wanted to get to know better. Life had a funny way of handing him these kinds of moments.

Buffy's bag caught his eye, and he wondered about the contents. Probably not donuts, but who knew? "So, uh, you mentioned Willow. Everything okay there?" Peter asked, trying to steer the conversation toward safer ground. He didn't want to dwell too much on his own awkwardness, or the fact that he felt like he should be swinging through the city rather than sitting in a booth waiting for donuts.

Buffy's presence was already starting to feel familiar, like the comfortable sort of chaos that he'd always managed to make room for in his life. Despite his jitters, he was starting to think that today might turn out to be more than just a chance meeting, or a date. It might be something a little more meaningful, and for a moment, Peter allowed himself to hope that maybe, just maybe, he'd finally get to enjoy a birthday worth remembering.

Buffy Summers has posed:
"Not really, no. Trying to see if I can figure out a way to help her," Buffy admitted. She couldn't really get into that whole 'nope doesn't seem to be possessed after all and apparently just has gone evil and wants to open a door to Hell for everything there to come here' conversation with a new person in her life. Especially one that likely had no idea there was anything weird going on in the world, outside seeing costumed superheroes out there. They fought monsters most people knew existed: thiefs, killers, even alien threats to the planet. But not the things that went bump in the night. Even she fell into a category only some in Mystic circles really knew about.

She pulled out her phone and scanned the code needed to see the menu then started to peruse it even as she continued to chat with her brunch date. Wait? Was this a date? She wasn't thinking of it as a date. It was just getting to hang out with a new friend. Though new friends could sometimes become dates. Just not always. For now, she was firmly in the Not-A-Date category. Because though she had texted him this time, letting him know she was in town on business and was thinking about trying the donut place he recommended if he wanted to join her, she knew she hadn't intended it as a date.

"The shirt doesn't seem try-too-hard. It looks nice on you. And thank you for the compliment. I don't get to dress up too often so wanted to wear something cutesie," she admitted with a little grin.

"Since this is your favorite place for donuts, you can order. Cause ther is no such thing as a bad donut. Although I do want a single Boston Creme at least. Cause those are my favorite."

Spider-Man has posed:
Peter nodded, trying to keep his nerves in check. "I'm sure you'll figure it out," he said, though he could sense there was a lot more to the situation than Buffy was letting on. He admired how she managed to balance the weight of her world with casual conversation about donuts. It was something he wished he could master.

Buffy's phone buzzed as she scanned the menu, and Peter found himself drawn to the way she casually flicked through the options. It was almost mesmerizing, her concentration on something as simple as a donut menu felt oddly endearing. He grinned at her comment about his shirt, feeling a warm flush of satisfaction at her compliment. "Well, I'm glad you think so. I was worried it might make me look like a walking rainbow. But, you know, a rainbow with an unfortunate fashion sense."

Sarah, the waitress with a bright smile and blonde hair tied back in a neat ponytail, approached their booth. "Hi there! Can I get you anything to drink while you decide on your order?"

Peter looked up and was about to suggest a drink when he noticed Buffy's attention was on the menu. "Oh, um, I'll have a strawberry milkshake, please," he said. "And, Buffy, you might want to try one too. They're pretty amazing."

Sarah jotted down his order, what she chose, and nodded. "Sure thing! I'll be right back with those."As Sarah walked away, Peter turned back to Buffy. "Okay, so here's the plan. I'm thinking of going for the grilled cheese sandwich and, of course, a Boston cream donut. Though I might have room for more if I can manage to avoid bursting at the seams." He gave a playful smirk, trying to keep the mood light.

Peter's gaze inadvertently lingered on Buffy's face as she looked up at him, and he found himself momentarily lost in her eyes. He quickly looked away, feeling his cheeks warm. "Anyway, thanks for inviting me," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "It's not every day I get to hang out with someone as cool as you, especially on my birthday. It's turning out to be one of the better ones."

Buffy Summers has posed:
"A shake? With donuts?" Buffy looked from Peter to Sarah and back again. "I've died and gone to heaven. Yes, but make my shake chocolate please. Do you have malt? If so make it a malt, please?" She looked at the menu again. "Ham and cheese sandwich, side of fries. Oh you have onion rings too. Uhm, will you split them with me?" And she didn't even wait for him to say yes. "Onion rings too. Bosten Cream donut for dessert. And we'll see after that cause there are so many kinds of donuts!"

Sarah seemed a tad bemused as she headed off to get their orders. Buffy set her phone down because no longer did she need a menu and it was rude to be looking at a phone while having a conversation with a companion. Or worse, just not having conversation at all while everyone at the table mindlessly scrolled like a pair at a table a distance away.

"It's your birthday?! Why didn't you tell me? We could've done what you wanted today. Do you really want this? Or something else? The sky's the limit! As long as the sky is under fifty bucks," she added with a laugh.

Spider-Man has posed:
Peter's eyes widened as Buffy enthusiastically ordered, a mix of surprise and admiration on his face. He had never seen someone dive into a menu with such gusto, especially not when it involved donuts and shakes. He watched as she rattled off her choices, including a request for onion rings that she didn't even wait for him to confirm. Her excitement was infectious, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Wow, someone's hungry!" he teased, his grin widening. "But onion rings sound great. I'm definitely up for sharing those." He was genuinely charmed by her eagerness and the way she embraced the moment with such vibrant enthusiasm.

Buffy's next comment caught him off guard. Chuckling, and feeling a little bashful, "Nah, this is perfect. Honestly, I've never been one for big birthday plans. But if you're looking to make this day a bit more memorable, I've got a suggestion. If you really want to try heaven, you should dip your donut in the shake. It's a game-changer, trust me."He could see the spark of excitement in Buffy's eyes as she considered the idea, and it made him smile. Her animated and eager demeanor was refreshing, and he was loving every second of it.

When she offered to do something special for his birthday, Peter felt a warm rush of appreciation. "You know," he said, his voice softening with sincerity, "it would be really cool to see New York through a non-native's eyes. I mean, you're already making this day pretty special, but if you're up for it, I'd love to show you around. There's so much to see, and I think you'd get a kick out of some of the spots I've discovered."

He could feel his cheeks warming again, but he pushed through his nerves with a smile. "And hey, if you're up for a bit of adventure, maybe we can make a whole day of it. I promise to keep the tour to under fifty bucks. Unless you really want to push the limit with those donuts." He winked playfully, hoping to lighten the mood further.

Peter leaned back in his seat, feeling a mix of excitement and contentment. Buffy's presence and her apparent willingness to make his birthday special were turning an ordinary day into something extraordinary. He couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the rest of the day, knowing it was going to be one he'd remember for a long time.

Buffy Summers has posed:
"Oh the fifty doesn't include this meal. Which I am now paying for by the way because it is your birthday." Did she say that last word a little too loud? Sadly, Sarah didn't seem to hear it. Nor did the pair in the other booth as that might draw their attention away from their endless scrolling. "So hopefully we should be good. I don't know how much touristy stuff costs in the city. As close as I live, you'd think I'd have seen all those but sadly no. I tend to stick pretty close to Sunnydale most of the time so it is indeed your lucky day!"

Her eyes had indeed shown her curiosity and intrigue at the idea of dipping a donut in a milkshake. She'd never tried that before. And she definitely was going to take the advice.

"Sounds like a plan. We go where you like and explore the city. I don't have to be back to work until around midnight." Which was when she figured as the latest she could start patrol. Because at this point in life, Buffy did work but it was mainly afternoons at the Magic Shop. Today was her day off, thus the trip to the city for research materials.

"You got some spots off the beaten path too or the more well known stuff?" she asked out of curiosity.

Spider-Man has posed:
Peter's face lit up when Buffy offered to pay for the meal. "Oh, you really don't have to," he started, but she was already enthusiastic about it. "Thanks a lot, though."

He chuckled at her comment about her proximity to the city. "It's easy to overlook the cool stuff right in your backyard. I'm glad we're making a day of it. Don't worry about costs; I've got some budget-friendly spots in mind."

Buffy's curiosity about the donut-milkshake combo made Peter smile. "You'll definitely want to try it. It's a pretty great combination."

When she agreed to explore the city, Peter felt a surge of excitement. "Great! I've got a mix of well-known places, and a few hidden gems. We can check out some iconic spots, and some lesser-known ones, too."

Peter had a few places in mind that he'd discovered as Spider-Man, spots that weren't on the usual tourist maps, but had interesting views, or unique features. He'd have to be careful about explaining them, though. For example, the rooftop gardens and alleyways he knew so well. But he was confident he could weave a story about quirky, lesser-known spots that wouldn't seem out of place.

Buffy mentioned she was free until midnight, and Peter admired her commitment. "Midnight shift, huh? We'll make the most of the time we have. I'll show you around and get you back before you turn into a pumpkin."

Peter's heart raced at the thought of spending the day with Buffy. "So, how about we start with the donut-milkshake combo, brunch, and then head out for some sightseeing? I promise not to turn it into a full-blown tour, but I might get a bit excited about showing you around."

Buffy Summers has posed:
"You better get excited or I'm giving you a zero-star review online for your tour guide biz," Buffy quipped even though she was grinning. They were interrupted at the moment as the food came out. Buffy made sure the plate with both fries and onion rings were in the middle of the table while her ham-n-cheese melt remained firmly on her own plate. But priority after those plates were in place? Shake obtained, donut in other hand. Carefully dipping the yeast donut portion into the shake, careful to avoid losing the chocolate icing on the donut and not deep enough to hit the filling. She took the bite with gusto and as she chewed, she rolled her eyes in an obvious expression of loving what she had tasted. Once she chewed and swallowed she murmure, "Oh my God, how have I never tried this before? I mean I dip my fries but never tried a donut." Like it was normal to dip fries in a shake, which it most certainly was not. And to demonstrate, she put down the donut and dipped a fry into the same shake, taking a scoop of ice-creamy goodness and popping it all into her mouth. Lastly, ketchup was added to the side of the plate with the onion rings. Because they didn't go in milkshakes.

"Yeah, I actually work two jobs." Not really a lie, she just only got paid for one. "This is my main job for the graveyard shifts. And my afternoon job is working retail. But a friend owns the shop so it isn't as bad as it sounsd."

Spider-Man has posed:
Peter chuckled at Buffy's playful threat about the zero-star review. "Well, I'll do my best to avoid that, Miss Summers," he said with a grin as Sarah set down their food.

The moment the food arrived, Peter watched as Buffy took charge of organizing the plates. She carefully placed the fries and onion rings in the middle of the table, her ham-and-cheese melt remaining on her own plate. His gaze followed her hands with a mix of admiration and amusement.

When Buffy picked up her donut and dipped it into the shake, Peter found himself captivated by the whole process. She managed the delicate balance of avoiding the icing, not letting the filling get too soggy, and her expression of sheer delight when she tasted it was priceless.

Peter's eyes widened as Buffy rolled her eyes in seeming ecstasy, clearly enjoying the flavor combination. Her reaction made him grin, and he couldn't help but laugh softly. "Glad you're enjoying it," he said, still fascinated by how she approached the donut-and-shake combo like a pro.

Her next move, dipping a fry into the shake, was a revelation. Watching her savor the taste made Peter's own mouth water. He couldn't resist the urge to try it himself but decided to savor his own shake and donut later.

Picking up his grilled cheese sandwich, Peter separated the pieces and watched the cheese stretch between them. He took a hearty bite, the gooey cheese and crispy bread combining perfectly. The simple pleasure of the grilled cheese was a comfort, and he savored every bite.

While he ate, Peter kept an eye on Buffy, who was fully embracing the donut-and-shake adventure. Her enjoyment was infectious, and he found himself appreciating her energy and enthusiasm even more.

Buffy's comment about working two jobs caught Peter's attention. "That's a pretty intense schedule," he said, genuinely impressed. "But it's cool that you get to work with a friend. It must make things a bit more bearable."

He continued to eat, occasionally glancing at the remaining donut on his plate. He was saving it for later, but if Buffy ended up wanting it, he was perfectly fine with that. "There's always more where that came from," he said with a chuckle. "So feel free to steal mine if you're still hungry for more."

Peter was enjoying the laid-back vibe of their brunch, and despite the internal excitement about showing Buffy around the city, he was content to just be in the moment with her. It was shaping up to be a great birthday, and he couldn't wait to see where the day would take them.