Difference

Title: Difference
Author: xanzpet
Beta: mysterious_daze
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season Two.
Pairing: Xander/Cordelia
Rating: FR-7
Warning(s): None.
Distribution: Please ask first. Please do not screencap this story, save it to hard drives, exchange with others, or translate into other languages without written consent.
Feedback: Con-crit is always welcome; flames are ridiculed and put on display.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, lyrics, etc. are the property of their respective owners. Snippets of dialogue may be incorporated from the original canonical episode(s) and belong to their respective authors/creators. The original characters and plot are the property of the author(s). The author(s) is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended, nor should any be inferred. No profit is being made.

Summary: Xander explains something important about Cordelia to Buffy and Willow.



* * * * *



“When are you guys going to stop making fun of me for dating Cordy?,” Xander demanded with feigned calm.

“Sorry,” Willow said with considerable petulance.

“But never,” Buffy finished, nodding. “Besides, what does it matter what we think? Cordelia doesn’t care.”

“Of course she cares,” he insisted. Noticing his best friend’s nod, he then added, “But not the way Willow thinks.”

The redhead continued to nod for a few seconds. “Wait. Huh?”

“Cordy cares what people think of her, but not in the way you or I do, Will. We want people to like us. Jesse was the same way. Remember how happy all of us were when we realized Buffy wanted to be our friend?”

The witch offered a confused nod, while Buffy served up a pleased, if self-conscious, smile.

“Cordy isn’t like that,” he continued. “She doesn’t care if people like her, but she wants them to respect her; there’s a difference.

"She cares that they realize she’s a decent person, that she has high standards for everyone, including herself, and does the best she can to meet them. We’ve known her our entire lives. Have you ever known her to lie or to take the easy way out of anything?" He shook his head. "No. She’s honest and brave, even when it would be safer for her to lie or run away.”

“So, no, she doesn’t care if people like her, but she does care what they think. At least, about the stuff which really matters. Despite what most people believe, Cordelia is a good person. She has integrity."

He stared hard at both of them, glad when Buffy smiled slowly and a light bulb almost appeared over Willow's head.

“That’s why I love her,” he quietly finished, shrugging.