Cuddle Buddies
Outright cuddling isn't usually their style.
Phase one is the typical go to, the "invisible spoon."
After a regular day with regular tasks, a regular and somewhat decent meal, they head off to Faye's room (because she has the good pillows) and hit the thin cushion of her metal bed.
Faye likes the side by the wall because it makes her feel protected and warm. She is always cold at night and always hogs the blanket. Spike complains and talks of buying his own, but never gets to it. Or rather, he would prefer to spend the money on more cigarettes.
She curls on her side, sometimes away from him and sometimes facing him, while he lights his nightly cigarette. The blanket is still somewhat shared. He waits for her to fall asleep, puts out his cigarette and catches a whiff of her shampoo. Coconut.
Spike falls asleep shortly after, tossing only when she finally yanks the blanket from him.
There is no holding of anything here, they appreciate the space. Only the familiar dip in the bed, the shared heat and the soft hums from the other is enough.
Phase two, "Faye's needy drape."
On nights when it is particularly cold, Faye takes a cigarette with Spike and lets him fall asleep first. When he does, he always stays on his back or turns away from her because he knows she likes his back. She inches really close, close enough to leave a chaste kiss somewhere on him and suck up all of his warmth.
He doesn't mind, he supposes he can spare some more.
Nights like that always lead to mornings with her stuck to him like glue, her arm draped tightly across his waist and her body pressed into his skin.
He doesn't mind at all, he's cold.
Phase three, "hugs on high."
After a particularly good romp they are almost possessed by a spirit of clinginess. No matter what very normal or very interesting position they find themselves, they stay together until breathing is possible again.
Spike then becomes very interested in Faye's hands, he takes them in his larger ones and places barley there kisses on her wrist and knuckles. Sometimes he nibbles, which incites that playful giggle he secretly goes crazy for.
Faye rests her head into the nook between his neck and shoulder. That's her favorite place and sometimes Spike will find evidence of her presence there the next day. He knows she does it on purpose, one to annoy him and two, to keep him thinking about it. It works.
When sleep finally approaches, they're all hugs and all high. Like two completely different people. Doesn't really matter the position as long as they don't have to let go.
Until of course it gets too hot, then it's back to phase one. They are human after all.
Phase four, "don't look at me."
When they're mad at each other, but not mad enough for Faye to kick Spike out or for him to want to leave, they stay back-to-back and brood in silence for a couple of minutes before they fall asleep angry or bitter. Sometime through the night their backs touch and by the morning, all is forgiven…sometimes a little too forgiven.
Phase five, "carry me."
It makes sense that, in their newfound whatever, they still seek the comfort that brought them together in the first place.
Nightmares, bad memories, and pitifulness are things they have in common. It's nice to sulk in that with a true friend, a true friend you could literally lean on and give yourself to now and then. Someone who tries to understand.
When she can't use words, and that's most of the time, Spike lets Faye take comfort on his chest and he cradles her the way he knows she's yearning for. It gives her that sense of security and acceptance, even when he doesn't know how long he can hold it out for. But it's never false.
When Spike wakes of from dreams so bad, he can feel Vicious rip through him all over again, Faye hugs his head close to her bosom until his breathing returns to normal. She lets him stay and pretends she doesn't notice the occasional tear seep through her thin shirt.
They go through day as normal as normal can be, but it's the night that lets them be.
Goodnight.
...
Legit, goodnight because I have to be up at 5am...cries.