"How was that?" Buffy asked, as soon as Spike walked through his flat door.
Spike shrugged off his coat and threw it on the nearest armchair, sighing as he did. "Loaded." He replied honestly, still staring at the armchair.
"I'm kinda surprised you're not bleeding. Or missing a limb." Buffy joked carefully. When it came to her two exes in the same room together, despite the tales told by Spike during his time in LA, Buffy knew that Spike and Angel would come to blows over the smallest thing wherever possible and often over her.
"You implying that I couldn't take him?" Spike said gravely over his shoulder.
"Absolutely not. I'm sure your claim on destruction and injury would far outweigh his." Buffy nodded enthusiastically.
"Damn straight." Spike said, turning to face her. Buffy smiled and reached out her hand to his, leaning her body into his.
"Are you ok?" She looked up at him. "Did he say…"
"He told me you called him. Told him about us." Spike held his breath as Buffy exhaled hers.
"Ok, a bold move I know, but…" She began.
"Do you have any idea what that means to me? That you would… I know what that means for you, Buffy, telling him." Spike said, holding her close.
"I meant it, Spike. When I say I love you, it's not because Angel's not available or that I'm safe in the knowledge I can always change my mind. There is no mind changing, and there's no one else, not for me. Do you believe me now?"
Spike smiled nervously, petrified. "You know, I think I do."
"Good, cos this is where I want to be, ok?" Buffy pouted, like a child who just got what she wanted. Buffy couldn't help but notice that Spike still didn't seem… present, almost distracted. "Was that it? He just came here to confront you? Or did he say anything… else?"
Spike paused for a moment so short, Buffy wasn't sure she saw it or not before he smiled and shrugged, "Nothing I haven't heard before. 'She's too good for you', 'you don't deserve her', the same old ditties." Spike forced a smile.
"You know that's crap, right?" Buffy reassured him. "He, of all people, has no right saying that to you."
"Sure he does." Spike sighed. "He's not entirely wrong, Buffy. Your taste in men remains, as ever, questionable."
"Then quit the questioning. I have this fantasy where you and I are just happy and quiet and together, and there's no questioning, or fearing, or wobbling." Buffy said through a small pout.
"Happy and quiet, eh? Doesn't sound like us, Slayer." Spike said, still holding her close.
"No, and it might never be. But a gal can dream." Buffy smiled, and kissed him.
Spike heard Angel's words going round and round in his mind, Buffy right in front of him, a normal life actually possible. He wanted to tell her, he just needed some time to process first. But whatever was going to happen, he wanted Buffy to have all the information first.