Chapter 57:

Spike arrived back at the Summer's house around eight, not sure what the vibe was going to be. Of late, it had been exhausting and that was without powers that picked up other people's emotions. It wasn't that he didn't understand that Saff needed to be around for Buffy at the moment, and the bit of course, it was just that he wished he could have a little time with his girl.

She stretched herself too thin and he knew if he said he was missing their quality time it would only make her feel worse. Luckily, in the weeks since her big revelation, Buffy did seem to want to stop getting bitten and cope in a more healthy way (it was just a lot easier said than done). As was everything in life he had learned.

He loved Saffron and a big part of his affection was for her innate need to be all-in for those that she cared about. She was loyal to a fault.

She had stuck by Buffy, ensuring that at any time - day or night - her sister could talk to her. Especially if the addiction-like bite of those vampires she paid started calling in her mind. It was an urge. One that she was trying her best to work on.

Spike took a deep breath before he stalked inside. He didn't need to knock anymore as he pretty much permanently lived in the home.

He was interested to note that he could hear singing. A song he knew well. He followed the sound into the kitchen, where his girl was dancing around the kitchen to her own voice.

He smiled, bemused. She was shout-singing now as she washed up in the sink. She paused, sensing something and whipped around, holding out a spatula for a weapon. She relaxed and grinned when she saw Spike chuckling at her.

"One day a giant pancake-demon is gonna be there when I turn around, and I'll be the one laughing - because my spatula will save the day" she smiled, before it faltered slightly.

She felt almost guilty to be in such a good mood when everything felt so fractured. Giles leaving. Willow and Tara. Dawn. Buffy and her secrets.

She paused herself in this thought though. Telling herself she was allowed. She shouldn't make herself stay miserable just because everything felt so tough. If she was happy, she should embrace it. Hold onto it.

And, her good mood was just in time too. Her and Spike had the house to themself for the first time in a long while. Buffy was spending time at Tara's and Dawn was on an overnight trip with school that they had just managed to scrape enough money for her to go to. Spike had provided more than half of the cash and Saff pretended she had a good tip to Buffy who still wasn't comfortable with the way he had made his money.

"Your face is givin' me whiplash, pet, you okay?" He asked, moving in and resting his hands on her lower back. He moved his head back a little to scan her face as her expressions changed as she had a conversation with herself.

"I'm happy"

"Yeah? Your face isn't so sure" He muttered, closing the space between them further and removing a washing up glove from her hand, throwing it away. He clasped her hand to understand. That she was trying to embrace the good and he decided he would try it too. The good mood, mind, despite everything he wanted people to know he was still a little bad.

"Guess what?"

"What's that love?" He kissed her softly, inhaling the smell of her hair. Some days she felt as if he thought he was blessed to be allowed to love her this intimately.

They both thought briefly of the time when they had been pining and Saff had been so confused about her feelings. About how he dreamed and dared to hope to have her beside him. The long days where he imagined her in bed with him. Telling her his most intimate feelings that he has now been able to confess in person.

They adored each other and she made sure that he knew every day that she had a love that rivalled his own for her. She no longer held her affections at a distance. She knew now, more than ever, that life was unbearably short.

Her hand slid up his back as he wound his arms around her, waiting for her to explain what he was supposed to be guessing.

"We have the house to ourselves for the entire night…"

"Mm?" He asked as he moved to kiss her jaw a little as she spoke.

"You know what that means, right?" She smiled, guiding his head softly from her jaw to look at her.

They both shared a knowing look, a sparkle in their eyes. Spike smirked and they both ran off like a shot towards the living room. Saff skidded, almost knocking over and breaking Buffy's new weapon's chest in her excitement.

Saff grabbed a stack of vhs tapes and showed him the re-runs she had found. Time alone meant watching re-runs of shows they liked without interruption. Obviously.

"Passions" Spike grinned, loving the way she got excited for his interests despite her not being entirely convinced by it herself. She leaned over, taking the tape out of the box and putting it in before turning back and sitting beside him.

She moved her leg to rest over his, hooking her leg around him softly. He moved his hand instinctively to rub her thigh slowly.

"Love?" he asked, in case there was something on her mind. He was always concerned. Perceptive to her needs.

"Shh, isn't this the good bit?" She said softly, she was pretty sure she had seen this one and had been surprisingly transfixed to the screen which made him smile softly as he pressed his lips to the top of her head. She was content. Happy by his side.

He closed his eyes slowly, savouring this time with her. This pure intimacy. He could get used to this.

Both of them had become exhausted, it was only now catching up to them now they had a moment to relax.

The wedding was coming up in the next few weeks but luckily Saff wasn't needed for last-minute planning yet. This moment was theirs. With no interruptions from slayers or demons or even lesbian drama.

Saff nestled into Spike's side as he leaned in resting his head against hers. It was just them. Sleepily cuddled together in the warmth of their love. It was cosy, an all-encompassing love. Their hearts and senses were completely entwined. Just like their limbs.

It was a sense of belonging. Of home. The evening was theirs. And nobody could take that away from them.

xoxoxo

Despite their previous indulgence in their love the night previous, the good times in Sunnydale didn't tend to last. Saffron had fallen asleep in her bed, with Spike laying a hand on her chest falling asleep to the thrum of her heart. And just happening to firmly grasp her boob while he was doing so.

When she woke, she was alone in bed. Shrouded by darkness. She opened her eyes, but the scene stayed the same. Black. So she blinked.

Once, twice and then a third time.

The third time telling her something she was dreading. Tendrils of fear clawing at her limbs in a way that inspired that chill that went down your spine. She knew immediately what had happened, but this action confirmed her fears.

No matter how many times she blinked, she couldn't see.

Her eyes were open and yet there was nothing there. Just sunken and black. Not even a blur of light. Just the unending darkness.

Drowning in her own despair. She began to panic. Her fear rising to a peak, making her dizzy with it. It made her shiver with pure fear and it was all hers. It began to make her feel sick.

Suddenly she was moving. Propelling herself from bed. Needing to act, to do something.

"Spike!" She shouted, tumbling to the floor and scrabbling around to try and get her bearings. What she didn't realise was that Spike had left to grab some breakfast risking life and limb for her favourite coffee and breakfast sandwich.

"Spike… I can't-"

"Can't what?" A voice asked as if he were whispering in her ear. Humour in his tone was undeniable. Oleander. Crap she was alone with him and she couldn't see. She waved her hands out wildly, hoping to hit him at least a little despite knowing that it was no use. He laughed, cackling like movie-villain. He wasn't there with her, he was merely viewing the world from her eyes and not allowing her to join him. His power was strengthening just like he had read about. Strengthening from the Hellmouth's touch. Recharging it like a battery.

Do you see yourself? Pathetic!

"Please... I can't- I can't see" She whispered. Suddenly punched in the gut with the realisation that he knew this. That he had caused this.

Well, I suppose not. But you really should get used to it, honey... shall we say it's the trailer before the movie? Perhaps the wine tasting before you buy the bottle

He wasn't there. He was inside her head and she was alone. And she was scared. He enjoyed the way she felt. She had nobody around her that she could take her strength from. She had no way of distracting herself with hope or love or any of these feeble notions she masked her pain with.

She was lost. Her hope dwindling. He didn't enjoy the pause, he could feel her turmoil and of course lapped it up greedily. But he wanted to heat her. Wanted her to speak her anguish. Name it.

Or is that bottles? Plural. We all know how you love to indulge

"What have you done to me?"

She was crawling along her floor, shakily finding the steps that would take her up to the ground level of the house. She clambered up on all fours as he jeered. Her eyes were leaking, she was trying desperately in this moment not to cry. Not to show how scared she was. But she knew he could already feel it, because she could feel him.

Now she couldn't see, she was having trouble knowing where she ended and where he began. She could only feel based on the sense she got from emotions on the air. Dancing through the waves towards her.

All she could do was wait, try and feel her way around the house as he mocked her. Told her all of the things she lacked. Brought up every insecurity. Every horrific memory.

After what felt like a long time, the door opened somewhere to her left. She wasn't sure where she was. She was starting to become dizzy from trying. Disoriented.

"Saff!?" Dawn shrieked running over to her cousin and trying to help her up.

"Dawn, I can't see" She stated, a lot calmer than she felt - which made Ollie laugh. At her putting on a brave face.

"What?"

"He's taken my sight. Literally. I need you to call into work tell them I can't make it in. Make something up, I don't care what"

Dawn helped seat Saff on what felt like the sofa as she tried to get her bearings. He said it was temporary, but it didn't mean she wasn't scared. She rubbed her eyes, but this didn't do anything.

Dawn spoke on the phone and Saffron could feel Dawn's fear dancing with her own. A well rehearsed choreography. The pair's destinies had been paired before. Now their emotions were spiking at the same time. It was creeping up on them both. The fear that this was the beginning of the end.

She told Anya, after apologising to her once again, to round everyone up and get researching despite Saff's shouts that there was nothing that they needed to do.

In some sense, she had to trust it was temporary. That he was being up front. On the other, she didn't want to be an inconvenience to her friends. She did rely on them more than she wished she did. Which is something that Oleander deliciously held onto as he felt it too.

Spike and Buffy returned at the same time. Saff could only tell because she heared a struggle as if they were both trying to get in the door at the same time.

The familiar sizzling sound continued as Spike stepped into the hallway. Dawn stopped them both and spoke softly, explaining what had happened.

Both her and Oleander felt their emotions harden as they heard what had happened. Fear and anger and horror flashing through them, and by extension Saff, at an alarming rate. White hot and like lightning cracking through her brain.

Aw, they're talking about you. You know they do that a lot don't you?

Everyone walked into the room. She could sense them all that's how she knew. They then announced themselves, with the three people comforting her in turn.

Spike couldn't settle. Saff was trying her best to calm the room (which they all told her to stop doing because she needed all of her strength). So, Buffy began to calm the room. Saff was surprised to note she even extended this to Spike.

Spike had been pacing. Getting more and more agitated despite the assistance. He eventually knelt before her, she was only aware once his hands slid up her thighs. Resting softly so that she could tell that he was there. It was for reassurance, because he knew that the most important thing was that she knew he was with her.

He's so sweet. I don't deserve him, Saffron thought.

Isn't he a darling? You really don't deserve him, Oleander spoke at the same time as her.

"I'm gonna kill him. He'll be as good and dead" Spike promised, his voice barely above a whisper. She could feel his anger seething below the surface. His touch warm with anger but there was a tenderness to his touch. One that was for her only.

Right then, all she wanted to do was collapse into him and say yes. To ask him to take care of her. To ask him to be the knight and her the princess in the tower. She didn't care about being good anymore. In that second. She didn't care for fighting alongside her cousins and her friends.

She just wanted Oleander gone. She wanted Spike to take care of it, like he always promised he would.

And Oleander felt it. And laughed. She shook her head no, quickly. A single tear sliding from her eye. Spike reached and wiped the tear from her eye. The touch of his thumb filled with such promise. Of love, of protection. His hushed assurances were spoken over though. By him.

She could still feel Spike's intentions though, even if it felt as if he was far away from her. She clung to it. He grounded her.

Oh, aren't you getting a taste for blood, sweetness?

"Leave me alone. I-I'm allowed to have thoughts" She said quickly, not knowing what Spike's reaction was, she was too distracted by him, "I'm allowed to second-guess myself, consider the easy way out"

Mm, perhaps. But be careful. Once you get that taste, nothing's ever the same...

xoxoxo

The Scoobies had assembled immediately and began to research. They took it in turns to spend time with Saff but the majority spent time researching. They were in the dining room pouring over books as Saff stayed on the sofa in the living room. She needed a little space, her lack of sight was making her empath senses grow stronger. Even with the ring it was becoming harder to bear.

Plus, Oleander wouldn't leave her alone. He kept whispering things, increasing her insecurity. Her fear. It was almost painful for the others wot be around her because of how acutely they could feel her fear as their own.

Spike had once again braved the sunlight for his girl. He had gone out briefly to beat up every snitch in the area trying to get as much information on Oleander and what he had planned. He had some luck in that he had found a bunch of the Eye's followers that were trying to get to her know she had been weakened by his presence in her mind.

He managed to head them off though. It made him feel as if he was making a difference. More so than he usually did. He stalked inside, slamming the door. Saffron sensed him immediately, a smile on her face at his return. He brought her such joy.

Even in this situation where her fear was shocking everyone in the house, she could smile because of him. Saffron got up from her seat and managed to scramble her way to his side. Sensing him and his emotions closer.

"Five of them, on the door. Lucky Terror had the mind to strengthen the protection spell or you'd all be six feet under" Spike muttered, explaining what had gone on more to his love. He held her hand tight, squeezing to show he was there.

But everyone looked up from their books at the pair as he had made quite a dramatic entrance that Saff had missed.

"Yeah and the estate agent would be vacuuming you out of the carpet" Buffy replied making Spike scowl at her seeing as Saff couldn't see.

"Spike, your face will only stick like that" She murmured as Buffy snorted. She didn't need to be able to see to know what happened. He had been scowling at Buffy again.

The chair creaked as Dawn got up from her seat. She asked Spike to help her with something in the kitchen. Saff sensed Spike's reluctance but he knew how important it was for Dawn to feel included right now. He couldn't sense that Dawn was up to something like she could.

The pair walked away and Buffy looped her arm around her cousin's. Asking if she wanted to sit back in the living room with her. Buffy guided her to the sofa and sat down beside her.

"Saff… I wanna say sorry"

"Hey, don't-"

"You shouldn't have to worry about me, on top of everything else"

"You're my sister. I mean that, no matter what's happening with me - I still care about you. I want to hear it"

She never cared, darling. The Slayer doesn't have time for someone like you...

"You know I feel the same" Buffy nodded as both girls felt the others sincerity. But Buffy couldn't help feeling embarrassed. Ashamed about her decisions. About the way she had acted. About the fact that some small part of her wanted to just leave and do it again. To escape. To feel.

God, this is disgusting... You know that she just wants to be back there. That she would rather a vampire bite her than care about you, why pretend?

"Someone old and stuffy once said, there are no good or bad people only good or bad choices" Saff said slowly, ignoring the voice in her head. She focused on her own intentions. Her own feelings. Which was something she was learning to do each day anyway.

She didn't necessarily agree with her previous statement all of the time, but she felt that this was pretty much her approach to life and the current situation with her cousin. That Buffy's choices didn't make her bad. She was struggling.

"Was it Giles?"

"No, I think it was someone a little older" Saff smiled, her gaze missing Buffy and looking towards the corner of the room. It didn't matter where she looked anyway, she couldn't see anything.

"My point is that you could tell me any ugly thought you've ever had and it wouldn't change that you're my sister. I love you and nothing can change that"

You know she lied to you. You know she wants to give into the darkness herself. Let her… you don't need her. She holds you back…

Saff winced, trying to keep his voice out of her head. He spoke over Buffy's reply.

"You can rely on me, just like I can on you" Buffy nodded, but Saffron couldn't tell. Buffy reached for her hand and squeezed. She just wanted her sister. She had wanted to tell her so desperately. About the pain. The fear. The numbness that she just couldn't escape from. Now that she could speak to her cousin and her friends it was a kind of release. Nothing was instantly better. But a weight had lifted.

"You're a good person, Saff. It was so hard keeping it all from you. You just get on with everything, I didn't want to…" Buffy didn't finish her sentence but Saff could feel it.

"Buff, you'll never be a disappointment to me"

She reached out for Buffy, both wrapped their arms around their sister. They hugged for a while. Needing this, to know that they weren't just alone. Not as isolated as they often felt.

Dawn ran in with Spike on her tail as the pair moved back from their emotional hug. The younger girl had made her some food and put a little flower on the tray. She excitedly explained everything that was on there and guided her cousin's hands to the cutlery. Saff smiled and thanked her as Spike sat on the arm of the chair beside her. The young girl often felt helpless and so caring for her cousin was her new project.

Saffron insisted to Dawn that she could find her own bathroom on her own. And, she did. She even managed to figure out where the toilet paper was. But on her way back she fumbled with the door. Snapping the lock and swinging the door almost off its hinges. She overbalanced, tumbling forwards wincing and bracing herself for the hard floor.

She twisted her ankle slightly, but a pair of strong arms swooped in and scooped her up at the last second. She knew this touch immediately. That smell. Him.

"I got you, pet" Spike murmured soothingly, "Right here by your side"

Oleander laughed, her ears began to ring at the sound. It was like a car alarm inside her head.

What would you possibly do if he wasn't there, hm?

"I don't wanna find out" She muttered which made further raucous laughter further perforate her eardrum. Spike's hand was on her shoulder as she spoke, leading her back to the living room. She was too wrapped up in her conversation to remember anyone looking could only see her talking to herself.

Oh, but I think you might learn a lesson from it, dearest… isn't that what you believe? You can take a cutesy little lesson from the hardship, right?

"You don't have to… We don't have to do this. We could walk away from this, not give the Powers what they want"

And miss all of this fun? Why would I possibly want to do that, sweet?

"Because this is all so pointless. We could choose to stop this - go against the prophecy"

This isn't a high school debate, darling...

"We can walk away. You keep your cult, I keep my life. We all live happily ever after"

Ha! And then we make daisy chains and braid each other's pubic hair! Your sarcasm doesn't mask that you believe. That you have a heart full of wishes that you believe may come true. This is real life, baby. It's me or you...

"But why?!" She shrieked, which made Spike tense. His grip on her tightening, wishing this was a battle he could fight rather than her.

It's written. Even if it wasn't by the Powers, I would write it by my own hand. You deserve the pain. The little slice of reality before the end...

"There's no reasoning with you. Y-you're-" She shook her head.

Evil? Ow, word's can hurt you know? You're the guinea pig - my pet. You're gonna be the first to lose all hope. The first of the corrupted to fall back down to Earth

xoxoxo

After several more conversations, much the same as the last, where both tried to make the other see their point of view as the truth, Saffron was interrupted by Willow. With more bad news.

Her friend had been researching as soon as she heard. Saffron had to endure so much, so everyone had rallied around immediately to try and figure out a way to reverse it. And for a reason why he would do this (other than being a dick of course).

"Saff, me and Tara were-"

"Willow and Tara sitting in a tree-" Saffron teased, with a small smile. She was pleased they were working together.

K-i-s-s-i-n-g! Don't encourage them, sweets, their love was the fleeting kind. Youthful and so. totally. over.

"Saffy. Listen, it's not good news" Willow said levelly, sitting down beside her, "We found a ritual. It uses the full-moon and he- he wants to take your eyes"

"What?"

They're quick aren't they? Shame that their lives aren't destined to keep...

"Shut up" She snapped.

"No, Saff you need to-" Willow was desperate for Saff to hear this. It was frightening, but so important for her to actually listen.

"I, uh, was talking to him. I want to hear it - don't sugar coat it"

"There's this ritual that, um, it works by removing the conduit's eyes. The- well, the blood from the gouged eyes is collected and drunk by the person conducting the ritual. It has only been recorded once before and, um, most aren't cruel enough to do it. It was originally for twin souls, it splits them meaning that the weakest will die and the other will absorb their power. Death could take hours…"

Aw don't listen, sweets. You don't have much power so it'll be a quick death

"Oh" was all she managed to say.

"One would bleed to death" Willow stated to make sure Saff had understood, "It would make sense, what with the whole 'shadow self' thing"

That's what he wants to do. He wants to kill her in the worst way possible and make sure that her friends weren't around to help.

How much can you really trust her? You can't see them, how do you know they are even really there?

"Thanks Will, I mean it. Would you mind looking in on Buffy? I don't want her to be alone right now"

The only person anyone has in this world is themselves, you should know that by now darling

"Just shut up!"

Oo, kitten's nine lives are about to be none. Taken enough chances already, haven't you

"I'm not going to just roll over and play dead for you, Ollie" she began to iron the emotion from her voice. Her voice became firmer.

You just cower in the corner until it's time. Face it, you're going to die when the moon is next full and I'm going to let everyone feel exactly what we do.

The knowledge of it doesn't change the fact. You shall feel the pain. The anger. Feel the fear...

"You're forgetting something though"

Ah, yes and that would be?

"I'm not scared of you" she said firmly. She meant it. She wasn't scared of the man just the way that his mind worked. The way that his hatred fuelled his heart. His action.

He laughed at her, jeering that she sounded like the 'hero' in a particularly cheesy teen drama. But she stood strong. The meaning was there. And soon, it was enough to sever the tie between them. He only came through like a bad radio reception.

But her sight was still lacking.

xoxoxo

Saffron was told that Tara was conducting a spell to return her sight. It took a long while, especially because she felt so lost. But eventually her sight came back. It was blurry to begin with and patchy but eventually her sight was back. It wasn't 20/20, she still needed contacts (which is something she teasingly complained about) but she was so grateful to have her sight back.

She threw herself at her friends, hugging them without embarrassment. To see them again, to feel the care they had for her. The way their friendship even went through the slight fractured nature of their group. Everyone was there (except Giles who, she was sure would call later that day to check if she was okay).

Willow explained that it was easier when she weakened the tie for the moment. The group stayed together for a while. Sharing pizza for their dinner. Talking. It felt nice, to just have the people she cared about around her. With no issues or arguments.

Oleander frowned as her sight returned but ultimately found it humorous how the little group rallied around for nothing. The spell was going to wear off that evening anyway. It was temporary like he had said. But they cast a spell and restored her sight early. He had enjoyed watching her distress and the way it rippled out to the people closest to her at least.

"Well, did everyone enjoy the show?!" He smirked to his followers. Some were allowed popcorn as they watched on the big screen. They now had the video of Saffron falling on loop, sending waves of contagious laughter through the audience every so often.

They all sang their agreement. Their praise for his brilliant plan.

"Hm, they may be relieved now, but we all know what's to come!"

"Splintered! Fractured! Broken!"

The plan was that they must maintain the fractured relationship with her and splinter her support. He was convinced that she needs this love and faith to thrive. She needs the façade that they don't.

"Does everyone have their formal wear ready? That wedding's gonna be a scream" He laughed, echoing off the high ceilings.

"Scream! Scream! Scream!"

"As long as those she is closest to remain fractured long enough. She'll lose it. That pitiful strength she believes she has" He cackled. Sweeping down from the stage and trust falling into the crowd. They chanted and held him up as Saff's form fell to the floor over and over again on the projector screen above.

She knew that he wasn't going to leave her alone. And this was true, he wanted to separate her from her friends or at least make it so that her friends wouldn't be around to support her. He held the glistening orb in his hand as he smiled, knowing that it would only be a matter of time until she joined him. She would come running to him before the month was through.

She was thinking over everything that had been said. Her destiny told in such basic terms it was almost harsher than the looming act. The threat of this hanging over her head. Knowing how she would die. Knowing that if she did, it would truly be the end.

She didn't want to die again. Didn't want to lose anyone else. In a strange way, she didn't even want to lose Oleander.

She hated him. For what he did to her. Those she loved. But she was tired of death. Of horrible choices and the pain that she would be causing if she chose that end. His end.

Her mind spun. Coming to terms with killing another, just to save her own life. It didn't sit right. And yet, she couldn't let him take her. Let him take the world and inflict such misery. Such horror that should never be felt.

She would never want to inflict so much of what they felt on anyone. She couldn't understand why he would.

She saw Buffy leaning in to take a weapon from the chest. Her cousin looked tired too. She would have to patrol though, it was her duty.

"Buff?" Saff asked as her slightly older cousin walked to the door.

"Yeah, I got it, don't stay out too late, don't go anywhere that requires bite-marks on entry. Thanks Mom" Buffy teased, knowing it wouldn't be jarring to Saff. Humour was a helpful coping mechanism that the sisters shared.

"No, I- I know you'll be safe. I just wanted to thank you. I was scared, earlier, and you- you just knew. I didn't have to say anything - you were just there. Like I should have been with you"

"You played way it cool. Wig-girl was totally me" Buffy said kindly, she definitely had felt Saffron's fear. But she had stayed sat with her regardless. She cared for her sister.

"I was wondering if I could come with you - not because I don't trust you, I really do. I just, I was wondering if-" Saffron was nervous to ask. Asking for help was something she still struggled with despite knowing the ones she loved wanted to be there.

"You want to know about the blocking, right?" Buffy guessed. Feeling that Saff was being sincere, that she trusted her to leave the house without just running to the nearest vampire and collapsing into their arms.

Saffron knew. It was time. She needed to practice her powers. Needed to learn from Buffy about how she could hide her emotions from people. How to block them healthily. So that maybe Saffron could learn to block Oleander. Or at least be able to match his power.

They went on patrol together. Buffy was pleased of the company, especially when she really did feel like she needed to go to that place. With those vampires. She hated that she couldn't just quit, that the feeling would always call to her. But she was determined to try and keep away. To try and cope in a healthier way. With her family and friends by her side. They began to practice, both their strength and other powers. Both making up for lost time together, the way they used to be growing up.

They would continue to to this when they could. When they weren't working or distracted by outside threat. Buffy and Saff decided to trust the other. Wholeheartedly. To lean on each other because of how distant they had felt recently. It wasn't always easy and they didn't always get on but they did work together. On their powers. On their friendship. They didn't want to lose the other, their sister.

On that night, after Buffy and Saff patrolled, Saff came home to music playing softly in her basement. Candlelight. Fresh flowers cut from the garden.

It was him. She had come home to him. It was bliss. As if they were a long-married couple on an anniversary or valentines day. Or, like it was today, just because. They could imagine that they didn't have to worry about constant threat to their lives. As if they could relax over an evening meal and discuss their mundane lives. The worst thing that could have happened being an embarrassing faux-pas at their respective jobs.

But, this would never be their lives. They didn't really want it to be. Their love deserved a story. One so large, so epic, that they could never be called insignificant. Their love was just too important.

Either way, so long as they were together. So long as their affection was shared. They would be okay.

She sat beside him in bed as he gently laid her back. They both slid into the bed more comfortably. Lying facing the other. She felt free by his side. In this moment where it was only her and him. Nobody else around. Nobody in her head.

She pressed a kiss against his temple. Then his cheek. His nose. She scattered such loving kisses across his skin. He leaned further into her, enjoying the affection she lay upon him so readily. How different things were since the beginning of their relationship. How secure both now felt.

She cupped his cheek. The other hand gliding softly over the metal of the necklace he now always wore. To have her with him no matter what.

Being able to see him again, truly, it was a dream. She whispered such soft assurances. Of love and faith and promise. That she would be his. That she would not ever leave his side. Despite any of Oleander's intentions, Saffron felt closer to those she held dear.

Spike, especially.

They held each other, mostly in a comfortable silence. A dreamy awe. They had the other, for always. An eternity of love would be too short to cover what they had in a second of being together.

Faces lit by the glow of candlelight. A safety, a sense of home that felt so right. They held each other close. Laying back in bed. They barely spoke, except from hushed whispers of affection. Of love.

It was tender and intimate. Dreamy kisses and a softness people often wouldn't associate with them as a couple. But when they were together, the entire world paused. It was just them against it all.

Hearts and minds connected. Bodies and souls. She saw his, no matter how many people liked to remind her he didn't have one. She felt it and that was good enough for the both of them.

They laid together, skin against skin. Sometimes their lips against the other. Hands running over the others body in a silent adoration. It was bliss.