Spike placed a shaking hand on the side of his armchair in order to give leverage for standing up, and Buffy watched him intently as he did so. He wouldn't ask for help, she knew that. Damn vampire and his stubbornness; but once he had made it part of the way up, she snaked an arm around his now-bare waist and guided him fully upright.
"Ugh." He groaned as broken ribs grated together painfully and his arm began to protest even the smallest movement. "You might have to keep your arm there, pet. That didn't feel so good. Think m'chest would gladly cave in on me right about now."
"Ouch." She grimaced in sympathy, though having absolutely no objections to keeping her arm in place. Granted, it sucked that Spike was hurt, but it was nice – really nice – for them to be together and touching without bickering or fighting.
"Do you want me to grab you another packet of blood from the fridge?" She suggested, nodding towards the so-called kitchen. Once downstairs, she had absolutely no intentions of leaving his side.
A gentle nod of his head was made and a small smile made it halfway across his face. "Good idea, luv. Fetch two?"
Before she made her way over to the kitchen, she ensured that he was propped up supportively against the heavy chair that had likely been scavenged from a dump at some point.
"You okay?" She asked quietly, meeting his blue-eyed gaze and holding it for a second.
"'m fine, pet." He sighed, annoyed at his own weakness. "Jus' be quick."
She used her Slayer speed to dash over to the fridge and grab two more of the cold packets before joining his side again. In her seconds absence, he had become seemingly even more unsteady on his feet, so Buffy tucked the packets into a pocket and allowed an arm to settle around him once again.
"Ain't never seen the steps look so daunting, pet." He groaned. "Better get this over with."
She waited until he took a step forward before doing the same. His unbroken arm draped across her petite shoulders, giving more support for remaining upright. His fingers gripped her delicate shoulder and allowed her an insight into the pain he was experiencing.
It was slow-going, but they soon made it to the bottom of the wooden staircase. Spike's eyes were tightly closed by the time they reached the bottom, and a light sheen of perspiration glistened across his forehead.
"Bloody 'ell." He winced, coughing deeply. "Glad that's done."
Buffy nodded, squeezing his side slightly in an act of comfort. She then took him over to the king-size bed and pushed back the red plush duvet before allowing him to be seated.
"Thanks." He said honestly, pulling his legs up carefully. "Really glad you're joining me, pet."
She smiled and pulled out one of the packets from her pocket. It had warmed slightly against her leg, but Spike would only enjoy it more.
"Drink up." She nodded, handing him the packet.
He didn't suggest being fed by her again, just held it up to his mouth and had it downed almost automatically. "Feel better already." He chuckled. It was obviously a lie, however, as pigs blood never did have much of a positive effect on healing.
Buffy took the empty bag from him and tossed it onto his bedside table along with the other full one. She then eased her own tired body down onto the bed and found it surprisingly comfortable. Obviously their careless sex had never allowed to be aware of that fact.
"Are you comfortable?" She asked Spike tentatively, watching him try to find a position easy on his damaged body.
"As I can be, pet." He nodded. "'Sides, don't worry about yours truly. Just worry about getting yourself rested up."
Buffy tugged the duvet up to cover both herself and Spike and fluttered her eyes closed. "G'night." She whispered.
"'Night, Buffy." He returned, closing his eyes briefly too. His arm was throbbing painfully and the broken ribs felt like fire beneath the padded bandages. It was very unlikely that he would get much sleep that night, but Buffy's scent was already relaxing him slowly.
Buffy, on the other hand, was asleep within minutes. She didn't snore, but her breathing pattern altered slightly and Spike noticed it instantly, smiling softly in knowing that at least one of them would be getting a good nights sleep.
After another ten minutes, a denim-clad slender leg made its way over to Spike and rested close to his – obviously subconsciously. It was a damned good job that only their legs connected, as if she had bumped his arm or jarred the barely-healing ribs, there would've been hell to pay. Spike would've preferred Buffy to stay awake with him, but, as always, he wanted her to come first. She needed sleep, so she got sleep. Luckily both Slayers and Vampires alike only needed a few hours sleep each night to function adequately, so she would return to the land of the awake in several hours.
God… he thought, She's so beautiful.
However insignificant part he plays, he was very, very glad to be in her life at that moment in time. With closed eyes and his thoughts to occupy him, Spike drifted off to sleep.
When Buffy woke from hr slumber, she half-expected Spike to still be awake, so she was surprised to find him sleeping fairly heavily.
"Ah, Spike…" She spoke softly, brows furrowing, "One day you're going to get yourself killed."
He seemed to stir at the sound of her voice, and after a moment, his eyes opened.
"G'mornin'." He slurred, still drunk on sleep.
"Hello to you too, sleepyhead." She laughed in response. "Sleep well?"
"Pretty much like a rock." He nodded, cracking a smile too. "And you? Get enough beauty sleep?" You sure look beautiful…
Buffy leant her head further back into the pillows. "Very well, thank you. Your bed is amazing."
"Like it's owner?" He grinned cheekily, taking an experimental breath and wincing at the pain. "Ugh. Not much healing has gone on."
She shrugged, pouting softly too. "You can't expect wonders overnight, Spike."
"As a vampire," He contradicted, "I do expect healing over-night. If only a very, teensy-tiny amount."
"I suppose you're right." She nodded in agreement. "Do you want more blood?"
"Yeah." Spike nodded, missing the tang on his tongue. "That'd be great, thanks, Buff."
She slowly climbed out of the giant bed and raised her hands high above her head before walking. "Yawn," She spoke as she yawned, setting her arms back down.
"Will this stuff still be okay?" She questioned, picking up the full packet of blood and scrunching up her nose.
"It'll be fine." He assured, taking the packet after she passed it between her palms a few times. He moved to prop up slightly against the pillows and hissed at the accompanying pain. "Bollocks." He moaned. A hand covered his ribs lightly and he dropped the blood in an attempt to ease the pain. "A hand would be appreciated too, luv."
"Sorry!" She yelped, slowly pulling up the pillow as he scooted backwards.
Once he was seemingly more comfortable, Buffy lay back down and turned on her side to face Spike. "I don't have plans today." She spoke softly, brushing her fingers through her hair.
"You do now." He grinned, taking the blood up to his fangs and sucking deeply. "If you don't mind, that is?"
"Oh, no." She shook her head. "Not at all, is there anything you need?"
"Nah, nothing. Just your company will be fantastic." He tossed the packet weakly over his side of the bed.
She smiled and reached out, tracing Spike's upper arm with a finger. "I love these arms." She whispered, almost as if tracing the picture of a heart-throb celebrity.
Spike grinned, flexing his muscles in the right arm so that his muscles bulged against his pale skin. "What can I say, pet? I work out."
She laughed and rolled her eyes, shifting her head so that it rested against his shoulder.
"Sit up a sec', pet." He instructed softly, poking her in the back.
She complied and felt his arm pull her closer and then settle around her shoulders, her head falling neatly onto his shoulder again.
"Much better." He smiled. "Could stay like this all day."
"We can." Buffy nodded, "Dawn's at Janet's again tonight."
"How is she? Dawn?" Spike asked softly. "I haven't seen her around for a while."
"She's fine…" Buffy nodded, doubting her words. "A little preoccupied, but she has a lot of tests at school coming up. She's better. Happier."
"I'd like to see her." Spike sighed gently. "I miss her. We used to be good chums. She still likes me, right?"
"Of course she does, Spike." Buffy nodded, "You're her idol. Always."
"Yeah?" Spike questioned, a blush spreading on his cheeks slightly. "That's sweet."
Buffy smiled, happy that Spike was still interested in the well-being of her little sister.
"Hey, Spike?" She asked slowly, lifting her arm up to touch the fingers of the hand that rested close to her shoulder, "What happened when Xander found you?"
"A bloody revelation." Spike spoke honestly. "I never knew Harris could be so bloody nice."
Buffy didn't say anything else, just nodded.
"He found me by Willy's, I'd manage to drag myself from the bar to this little alley, thought I'd be able to straighten up myself a bit before heading home." He paused for a second before continuing, "Got myself punched again a few times, but then the demon backed off when Harris showed up. Anya was with him too, I think she threw her handbag at it. Can't be sure. Anyway… your mate helped me to his car and brought me back here. Anya kissed me on the cheek and apologised that they couldn't stay, apparently Harris had to go visit his parents or somethin'. Can't really remember."
"He doesn't hate you anyway, y'know." Buffy spoke, full of thought. "He's just protective."
"I know, pet." Spike nodded, sighing softly. "I wish I had somebody who cared about me that much." He added sadly.
From Buffy's actions the previous night, he wanted to assume that she cared for him, if only a fraction of the amount.
"I care about you, Spike." She confirmed, squeezing his fingers and letting her other hand trace the thick bandages softly. "Sometimes more than I'd like to admit to myself, but I do. I really do."
"Buffy…" Spike shook his head, "Please don't leave here tonight and then let everything go back to normal."
"What is 'normal', Spike?" She questioned, searching his eyes. "Are either of us normal?"
"No, we're bloody not." He scoffed. "But I couldn't take it, pet. You… I need you. I love you."
"Spike…" Buffy spoke slowly, "I don't love you."
His face dropped and she could tell that tears were threatening to fall.
"Spike." She repeated again, firmer. "Idon't love you, but there's something there. It's unconventional and it's scary and it's something I've never felt with anybody else. It makes me want you." She rolled her eyes at her own lust and sighed, "It makes me want to have sex with you, but it's not love."
"As long as there's something, Buffy." He nodded, shaking his head moments later. "I can survive knowing there's hope."
"C'mere." She growled, low and seductive. "Let me have those lips of yours."
((TBC…))