"Get gone," Buffy told the bully who didn't wait around to be asked twice. He scurried away as Buffy took the can from the collection slot. "Ooh. Diet," she grinned while Xander just stood and gaped at her.
"Do you know what you just did?" he asked aghast.
"Saved a dollar?"
"Larry was about to pummel me."
"Oh, that. Forget about it," she waved off Xander's gratitude, glad to be of service.
"I will," Xander snapped as he fumed over what she had done. "Maybe in fifteen, twenty years from now. When my rep for being a sissy-man finally fades."
"Xander…" Buffy leaned back in surprise and wondered what she had done wrong. "A black eye heals, Buffy. But cowardice has a nearly unlimited shelf-life," Xander informed her. "…But thanks. Thanks for your help." He spun on his heels and stomped away from her, hands in his pockets and hunched over.
"I think I just violated the guy code. Big time," Buffy stated as Willow and her shared a knowing look.
Willow sighed, "Poor Xander. Boys are so fragile."
http://www.tthfanfic.org/Story-19567-1/