Author: Felidae Silvestris
Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy, that privilege belongs to Joss.
Coupling: Not really any, can be taken as a Fuffy which is how it started out.
The door slammed shut as the blonde Slayer walked into the apartment. The TV was on, but it was otherwise pitch black inside. Buffy stepped toward the couch and leaned on the back of it. Faith lay there, clearly asleep, in front of the TV. Buffy smiled, brushing a brown lock out of the other Slayer's face.
Faith's nose scrunched up and she swatted at Buffy's hand. "Back late, B," she said sleepily, opening her eyes just a smidge.
"Sorry, got held up. Dawn –"
"In bed at about ten-ish … I think. You worry too much."
"She's my sister."
Faith rolled her eyes, now fully awake. "Yeah yeah." She moved to a more upright position and Buffy swung over to sit where Faith's legs had been. "So why do I have to stay home and baby-sit the Brat and you get to do all the Slaying?"
Buffy shrugged. "It's my week to Slay, that's why."
"Uh huh. Been your week for over a month, B." Buffy looked down at her hands, not answering. Faith shifted uncomfortably, biting the inside of her lip. "Somethin' you wanna tell me?"
"I've been thinking … about a lot of … think-able stuff." Faith looked at her expectantly, not saying a word. Buffy shifted, turning more toward Faith, looking at her eyes as she started to speak again. "If … if I asked you to stay, would you?"
"I've been stayin', B."
"No, I mean … in a more than being around 'till you feel like moving on kind of way."
"You mean permanent-like?" Buffy nodded and Faith let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "This isn't just some kind of, keep me around to keep and eye on me kind of thing is it? 'Cause if it is, I gotta tell ya you're wastin' your time."
"It's not that. Nothing like that. It's more of a … a I've gotten used to having you around and want to keep you around kind of a thing."
"You? Wanting to keep me around?" Faith chuckled, turning her head a bit. "Gotta tell ya, B, that's not somethin' that I woulda ever thought I'd be hearin' you say."
"I know, I know. It's just … I need someone around and Dawn needs the stability. You know, with Willow and Giles off in another country getting the new Council set up and everything and Xander off soul-searching or whatever and … and Spike gone …"
"I get it. I do. Now stop before you hurt yourself. I'll stay."
Buffy brightened considerably. "Really?"
Faith grinned her classic "Faith grin." "Really, really." She paused, considering the words that had just popped out of her mouth. "And just so we're clear, you're gonna watch all those movies the Brat's always wantin' to watch. I've seen too many."
Buffy laughed. "Deal." She bounced off the couch and headed toward the short hallway that led to her room. She paused in the doorway and turned back. "And Faith?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. For doing this."
"No prob."