Q is for Quiet

The house seemed to be mirroring the famous Christmas poem by Samuel Clemmons…here it was, Christmas Eve, and the house really was entirely silent. They had put Callie to bed hours ago, had already placed all the gifts under the tree…the milk and cookies placed out for 'Santa' had already been eaten by Faith, who had just grinned with a mouthful of chocolate when Buffy had glared at her for not sharing. And now Faith was curled up next to her in bed, turned away from her and deep in sleep…and for once, she wasn't even snoring or talking in her sleep, didn't even seem to be having any active dreams.

It was just after midnight, and the house in the first moments of Christmas was utterly still, utterly peaceful.

And Buffy hated it. Unable to get to sleep, unable to block out a quiet that seemed so utterly loud, she shifted about, annoyed by Faith's ability to sleep undeterred. It was so annoying…

But she had to admit that Faith was adorable asleep… even though her face was turned away, just watching her slender back and shoulders, her spill of dark hair tousled about her pillow, made Buffy's irritation lessen.

Inching closer to her in the bed on sudden impulse, Buffy wrapped her arms around her, nuzzling her face into Faith's shoulder. When Faith didn't stir, Buffy adjusted herself so that her body was pressed against her, beginning to caress her arm. Moving Faith's hair back from her face and shoulder gently, Buffy gave first her shoulder, then her neck, a gentle kiss, wrapping her arms more snugly around her.

"Faith," she whispered, kissing her shoulder again. "Wake up, baby…"

Faith groaned, moving her head slightly, and tried to pull away, but Buffy tightened her arms around her, kissing her just behind her ear.

"Faith…wake up, sweetie…"

Faith moaned again, longer this time, and Buffy felt her stir a little more this time, her voice hoarse with sleep when she spoke.

"Whaddaya want…leave me alone…"

Buffy smiled to herself in victory as she caressed Faith's hair again, running her fingers gently down her arm before kissing her cheek softly.

"Faithy….open your eyes…"

Making another groggy, grumbling noise of protest, Faith opened her eyes into slits, rolling around to face Buffy. Buffy's smile widened as she took in her tousled hair and grouchy, still tired expression…minus the dark hair, she looked so much like Callie then to her.

"What's goin' on…why you makin' me get up…it's not morning…"

Buffy pulled her to a sitting position before hugging her to her side, kissing her this time on her lips.

"I couldn't sleep…I thought maybe we could…you know…"

Faith's eyes narrowed even further, and she sat up a little straighter as she gave Buffy a disbelieving look.

"You woke me up on Christmas Eve 'cause you wanna have SEX?"

"Uh…"Buffy said vaguely, flushing slightly.

"B…you know it's past midnight…and Cal's gonna get us up in another four or five hours…right?" Faith continued in the same tone, and Buffy squirmed a little more.

"Well…yeah…"

"Alright then, just making sure..." Faith finished. Her eyes clearing, beginning to sparkle with much more alert glee, she pulled Buffy closer into a deep kiss. Buffy's immediate moan in response reassured her that the silence wasn't going to last much longer.