Faith was banned from the kitchen, instructed to stay on the couch and watch TV while Buffy cooked them dinner. From where Faith sat she could see Buffy standing by the stove stirring the sauce for the spaghetti while she kept opening the oven door to check on the garlic bread. It was a simple meal and it already smelled delicious. It was making Faith's stomach growl and she couldn't stand sitting on the couch and flipping through the TV channels any longer.
"Smells awesome, B," she said with a smile as she walked into the kitchen and grabbed the bottle of wine off the counter. "Ya want a glass?"
"Sure."
"How much longer?"
"Few minutes at most," Buffy replied, not even turning around from the stove. Faith took that opportunity to sneak a crouton from the salad Buffy had bought at the store. "Hey, I saw that!"
"Saw what?" Faith asked, smirking as she walked up behind Buffy and wrapped her arms around her. "So, what's for dessert, baby?"
"Me."
"Mm," Faith moaned softly as she placed a few light kisses along the back of Buffy's neck. "Is that what the whipped cream is for?"
"Maybe," Buffy laughed as she turned off the burner and turned around in Faith's arms, "but dessert will have to wait until later," she continued, giving Faith a quick peck on the lips. "Now let me get the garlic bread out of the oven before it burns."
"Well, I was thinking," Faith said softly as she let go of Buffy, "we could just stay here tonight, turn off the lights, light a few candles, put on some music, y'know all that romantic crap."
"We're not going out?"
"If you want. Doesn't matter to me, B."
She poured them each a glass of wine—a chardonnay that Buffy had picked out—and helped her bring everything over to the table. Before they actually sat down to eat Faith found a couple of candles, lit them, and shut off all the lights. They were quiet for a while as they ate and Faith tried not to inhale her food despite how hungry she was. A thousand different thoughts ran through her mind as she wondered if this was how things were supposed to go, if this was how a first date should be. She knew they'd done everything pretty backwards; at least they had with the whole actually going out on a date thing. She wanted everything to be perfect and was worried about messing it up. It wasn't until Buffy accidentally knocked over her glass of wine as she reached for a piece of the garlic bread that Faith realized it was perfect and she didn't have to worry.
After they'd finished eating, Faith offered to clean up since Buffy had been the one who cooked everything. Buffy shook her head no, offering to dry the dishes. Faith knew if anyone could have seen them it was a picture of domesticated bliss and two months ago she wouldn't have been caught dead in this kind of situation, but now she wouldn't have it any other way. Soon as the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, Faith grabbed onto Buffy and spun her around as she moved to the middle of the living room.
"So, B, tell me," she whispered into her ear as she held her close. "You wanna go out or stay in?"
"Let's...stay in," Buffy said as she pulled back a little so she could look into Faith's eyes. "Tonight is turning out to be just...perfect."
"It really is."
"I can't believe Xander asked you if all we do is have sex," Buffy laughed as she laced her fingers around the back of Faith's neck. "What did you say to him anyway?"
"Nothing. I said nothing."
"Really?"
"I swear," Faith grinned, knowing just how to mess with her. "I told him he might just be right and for him to keep it in his pants 'til he got home and locked himself up in the bathroom."
"God! That's disgusting!"
"Long as he doesn't tell us how good he gave it to himself while he jacked off thinkin' of us—"
"Stop!" Buffy laughed as she cut Faith off before she could say another word. "I don't ever want to...just no."
"I was just fuckin' with ya, B. I told him nothing other than he should mind his own fuckin' business and stay outta his friends sex lives if he wants to be alive to see another day."
Buffy just shook her head, unable to stop laughing as Faith manoeuvred them towards the bedroom, stopping at the table to blow out the candles. Buffy barely managed to grab the can of whipped cream off the counter before Faith swept her off her feet and carried her into the bedroom. Just as they'd reached their destination the intercom buzzer went off and Faith nearly groaned out in frustration. With a heavy sigh, she placed Buffy down gently on the bed and stormed out of the bedroom and over to the intercom near the door.
"What?"
"Faith? It's me," Kennedy said, voice rough and sounding as though she'd been crying. "I know you and Buffy were doing the whole date thing tonight, but I..."
Faith sighed and pressed the button to unlock the door downstairs without saying a word. She flipped on the lights and let out another heavy sigh as Buffy walked out the bedroom looking very much the same way Faith felt—frustrated and rather pissed off their night had been interrupted by Kennedy.
"What is she doing here?" Buffy asked as Faith unlocked the door and opened it a little before joining her on the couch. "She better have a damn good reason for showing up here tonight."
"Guess we'll find out, right?"
"I still don't understand why you two are friends."
"Why not?" Faith shrugged. "We kinda just hit it off. Besides, I ain't ever had many friends before."
"You've got all of us now."
"Right. And Kennedy is a part of the whole 'all of us' whether ya like it or not. She's Will's girl."
"And if she wasn't?"
"I'd still be her friend, B. She's alright, y'know? And her bein' Red's girl ain't why we're tight."
Buffy just let out a heavy sigh as she grabbed the remote for the TV and flipped it on. A minute later Kennedy walked into the apartment with a backpack slung over her shoulder, eyes red and puffy and the smell of whiskey so strong Faith could have sworn she'd taken a whiskey bath before she'd come over. Faith motioned for Kennedy to drop her bag and follow her out onto the balcony. Something told her that Kennedy had been through something she didn't want to talk about with Buffy right there.
"Alright, Ken," Faith said as soon as they were outside and the door was shut behind her. "What the hell is going on?"
"Satsu."
"What about her?"
"We fucked. Twice. Will caught us. Threw me outta the house," Kennedy muttered under her breath, her words slightly slurred as she pulled out a crushed pack of cigarettes and shakily lit one. "Got nowhere to go now and I didn't...I really didn't want to ruin your night with Buffy, but I didn't know where else to go."
"What the fuck would ya do that for? Ya stupid or something?"
"It was a mistake! Well, the first time was," Kennedy replied, smirking as she took a long drag of her cigarette. "The second time was when we got caught. We were in the basement. Sparring and drinking. I totally get the whole sexual tension thing between you and Buffy now."
"If Willow kicked ya outta the house, where's Satsu?"
"Fuck if I know," Kennedy shrugged, taking another drag as she leaned against the railing. "Would you mind if I crashed here for a couple days, Faith? I am not trying to cramp your style or anything here, I just...I have nowhere else to go."
"You see that?" Faith said as she pointed inside to a sulking Buffy on the couch. "You've fucking ruined our night and now I gotta deal with B bein' miserable as fuck all night."
"Sorry."
"You can crash here. Take the couch. Just don't fuckin' drink any of my beer."
"With the amount I drank with Satsu earlier, I don't think I could stomach drinking anything else right now."
"Y'know you've really fucked up, don't ya?"
"Yeah, I know. I don't even know if I can fix this or if I even want to try and fix this."
"Sleep on it and figure your shit out when you're sober. Ain't nothin' worse than tryin' to figure your shit out when ya can't even think straight."
"I hear you," Kennedy said with a short laugh and crushed her cigarette out in the dirt in the flowerpot that as far as Faith knew had never had a living plant in its soil. "Seriously though, I'm sorry for fucking up yours and Buffy's night."
"What are friends for, right?" Faith chuckled as she opened the door and waited for Kennedy to go inside first. When she didn't move, Faith grabbed onto her arm and pulled her inside. "Why don't ya go get yourself cleaned up and I'll make ya a cup of coffee or somethin'."
Kennedy just nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. Faith went to fill the kettle and placed it on the stove before joining Buffy on the couch. She took the remote from Buffy's hand and flipped the TV off as she tried to get Buffy to look at her.
"B?"
"What?"
"You okay?"
"Fine," she said coldly. "What is she doing here?"
"Long story. Thinkin' it's best if she tells you what's goin' on."
"I heard. Slayer hearing, remember? It was hard not to listen in. I can't believe she'd do that to Willow!" Buffy was angry, really angry. "I just talked to her this afternoon and everything was fine. She even told me that she and Kennedy were going to work things out. I can't believe she'd do that to her!"
"Shit happens and sometimes ya make stupid decisions. I know all about that."
"How long is she staying for?"
"Dunno, B. Figure I'll let her crash on the couch 'til Will cools down and she'll go back to the house. I can't just tell her to fuck off. She's piss drunk and upset. If anything happened to her out there off o' me turfin' her cos you're all pouty that our night is ruined, I'd feel guilty about it for fuckin' ever."
"Right. Whatever."
"And y'know somethin', B? Our night ain't ruined. Just got a slight change in plans. Still want to have dessert," Faith said softly, wiggling her eyebrows as she stood up from the couch and pulled Buffy with her. "Only problem now is, we got a listenin' audience so," she leaned in, her breath caressing Buffy's ear and making her shudder, "now ya gotta be quiet. Ain't gotta choice now unless ya get off on other people hearing ya moan and scream my name while I eat ya 'til you can't feel your legs."
She knew the effect the huskiness in her voice had on Buffy. It relaxed her, turned her on to the point where she was almost driving herself crazy just for holding back and trying to resist. Buffy gave her a quick kiss before she went to the bedroom and closed the door behind her. Faith waited by the bathroom door for Kennedy to come out and when she finally did she handed her a few sheets and a pillow.
"Make yourself at home. Don't let anyone in, answer the phone if it rings and ya ain't passed the fuck out, and do not—"
"Drink your beer?" Kennedy cut in as she made her way over to the couch. "Heard you the first time, Faith."
"Nah, I was gonna say don't fucking bother us. I got a date with my girl and a can of whipped cream."
"Kinky," Kennedy laughed as she winked at Faith. "Who knew Buffy had it in her?"
"Life is full of surprises, Ken. Don't ever forget that."
Faith left her with that, sauntering over to the bedroom and walking inside, making sure the door was locked as soon as she'd shut it behind her. She drank in the sight before her, her breath hitching in her chest as she looked over at Buffy laid out on the bed in only a red bra and matching panties. Kennedy being there unexpectedly certainly hadn't jarred the mood completely. Faith could hardly move away from the door as she watched Buffy take the can of whipped cream and spray a line down her stomach. Her mouth was watering at the sight and she stripped out of her clothes, feeling as if she was doing it in slow motion as she made her way over to the bed.
She was so completely absorbed by the sight of Buffy that she hadn't even noticed the candles she'd lit and placed on the dresser and on the bedside tables. She didn't even notice that the small radio was playing quietly until she stood at the foot of the bed and knelt down as she reached forward and took a swipe of the whipped cream off of Buffy's stomach. She licked it from her fingers, making a slow show of it and watching as Buffy's eyes glazed over slightly when she dipped her head down and licked some of the whipped cream from around her bellybutton.
"Never really liked whipped cream," Faith murmured as she took another tentative lick, "but it tastes fuckin' delicious on you."
"Mm-hmm."
Faith smirked before proceeding to lick the rest of it off, grabbing the can before Buffy had a chance to. She shook her head no as she reached for the clasp at the front of Buffy's bra and snapped it open. "If we're gonna do this, B, we're gonna do this my way."
Her heart was hammering in her chest as she sat astride Buffy and pushed aside her bra, exposing rock hard nipples that were just begging for her to suck them. She shook the can before spraying just a little bit on each of the dusty pink nipples and she wiggled her eyebrows as Buffy ran her hands up her thighs and cupped her pussy, teasing her clit with the palm of her hand as she dipped a finger inside her. She leaned forward just a little and stared into Buffy's eyes, trying not to let the feel of Buffy's ministrations on her wet pussy distract her too much.
"Don't make me handcuff ya to the bed, B."
"You wouldn't."
"Oh ya know I would," Faith chuckled softly as she lowered her head down and licked off the whipped cream from Buffy's left nipple. She wrapped her lips around the hard nub, moaning as Buffy rubbed her throbbing clit just once before pulling her hand away.
She could only faintly hear the sounds of the TV in the other room and she let out a soft sigh as she trailed her lips over to Buffy's other nipple, wasting not a second more as she licked it clean. Before she could grab the can again she found herself being flipped over onto her back with Buffy straddling her waist. She grinned as she stared up at her, watching as Buffy slipped out of her bra and tossed it to the floor rather haphazardly, glancing back quickly to make sure it went to the floor and not towards the candles sitting on top of the dresser.
"Thought you were dessert, B?"
"I don't get some for myself?" Buffy asked, pouting slightly as she fought with Faith for the can. "I want a little taste too."
"You'll get a taste, B, soon as I'm done with you," Faith said and she nearly growled as she flipped them back over and practically tore Buffy's panties off before she straddled her legs. "Fuckin' damn shame we aren't alone right now."
"It really is..."
"I'd take ya hard and fast, B. Then I'd make love to ya all night long, soft and slow, just the way ya like it sometimes."
"I think you like it too," Buffy whispered, her eyes sparkling in the soft glow of the candlelight.
"Damn fucking right I do."
Buffy pulled her down for a searing kiss, one of those that made Faith's toes curl in pleasure and her body buzz immensely. She grabbed the can without breaking from the kiss and Buffy grabbed it at the same time. This time they didn't have any control over their strength and the can exploded, sending the whipped cream flying all over the room.
"Fuck," Faith laughed as she pulled back from the kiss. "Look what you fuckin' did, B."
"Me? You're the one who—"
Faith cut her off with another kiss, tossing the crushed and fragmented can to the floor. They kissed for the longest time, alternating between those searing kisses that left them breathless and the soft, tender ones that made them want more. So much more. Buffy was holding back and Faith knew it was because they weren't entirely alone, but she didn't let it stop her from raining kisses over Buffy's jaw and neck as her hands roamed over her small, pert breasts. Buffy stopped her from going any further and pulled her back in for a kiss as she spread her legs for Faith to lie between them. Hard and fast wouldn't happen, not with a listening audience in the other room, but it didn't matter at all to Faith. All that did matter was being with Buffy in any way that she could.
She broke away from the kiss, just for a moment, to look down at Buffy. She was drunk on lust, on love, on the wine they'd had while they ate dinner, and Faith knew she'd never seen anything more beautiful than the sight before her. They'd come a long way since that first kiss, a very long way, and it hadn't even been two months. It felt like so much longer to her and she knew it didn't matter how long they'd really been together for, all that mattered was the fact they'd gotten over their insecurities, their doubts, and just learned to feel what they felt for each other.
"Always thinking," Buffy said with a smile as she ran her fingers over Faith's brow. "Always, huh?"
"Yeah. Sometimes I can't help it."
"What are you thinking about?"
"Us. You."
"All good thoughts I hope," Buffy smiled again as Faith nodded her head slowly. "I was thinking about us too. About how we were at first and how we are now."
Faith raised an eyebrow, smiling down at her as she laid a light kiss on her lips. "I think we're sharing thoughts now, B."
"You think so?" Buffy laughed as she laced her fingers through her hair at the back of her head. "I don't think that's such a bad thing if we are."
"No, just a little freaky."
"You're a little freaky sometimes."
"B!" Faith chuckled as Buffy rolled them over until she was on top. "Sometimes I don't understand how it got like this between us, then I start thinkin' that it's probably normal for me to be thinkin' like that cos it's us, y'know? We've never done anything normal, ever."
"You say it like it's a bad thing."
"Nah. It's a good thing, baby."
"We seem to have semi-serious talks right when we're..." Buffy trailed off as Faith raised her hips and pulled Buffy down at the same time, grinding their pussies hard together. "Faith..."
"Always so fuckin' wet for me," she murmured into Buffy's neck as they began to grind into each other slowly. "Always so fuckin' ready for me, aren't you?"
"Mm...yeah, always, baby."
They became a tangles mess of bodies, limbs and sheets, rolling and fighting for the top position. Their bodies were slick with a sheen of perspiration and their hands clung to each other, nails dug into skin as they reached the peak of their orgasm together. Faith rolled off of Buffy, smiling contentedly and trying to catch her breath. Until she looked over at the wall that was covered in whipped cream, that is—at that point she couldn't help but start laughing even as she gasped for breath at the same time. Buffy turned to look at the same wall and giggled as she curled up next to Faith and laid her head down on her shoulder.
"We should probably clean that up," Buffy whispered as she laid a few light kisses along Faith's neck and shoulder. "I really can't move right now."
"Me neither," Faith replied as she trailed her fingers lightly over Buffy's arm that was draped over her stomach. "Ya want me to go grab the bottle of wine and we'll finish it off?"
"Not yet. Comfy."
Faith just closed her eyes and smiled as she felt Buffy's fingers trail a blazing path across her stomach and to her right nipple. With one soft, nearly feather-light touch, it grew hard and made that delicious ache between her legs come back. She loved how her body reacted to Buffy and she loved the way her soft touches made her feel. It was like electricity flowing between them with just a touch and it gave off such an intoxicating high that she didn't know how she'd gone so long without knowing just how it felt to be touched by someone so lovingly.
Love certainly didn't scare her anymore. She cherished it, craved it, held onto it with all that she had and wanted more. It got her thinking about the effects from the barrier spell and wondering if it weren't for that, would they even be where they were at the moment? Would they have found something within each other so soon or would it have taken a lot longer? Whatever the answer was, she wasn't sure and didn't really care since all that mattered to her was the fact that there she was, lying in bed with Buffy and basking in the afterglow with Buffy teasing her fingers over her nipple.
"Aside from Kennedy showing up, tonight has been amazing," Buffy whispered as she lifted her head to look up at Faith. "If I didn't feel so happy and relaxed right now, I don't know, I'd probably go out there and kick Kennedy out."
Faith laughed softly as she kissed the top of Buffy's head. "Definitely has been one hell of a night, B. Sure beats being out on patrol cos all I wanna do when we are is bring ya back home and..." she trailed off as she turned on her side and ran her hand up the length of Buffy's upper body.
"You're insatiable, Faith."
"Good thing you are too."
"Willow told me earlier how we are a perfect match for each other and she told me I should have done this with you years ago and saved myself all the grief and heartbreak I've had since then."
"She's a wise woman."
"I should probably call her, find out how she's doing. After what Kennedy just put her through...I don't even want to know how badly she's taking this."
"Sure she's fine, B."
"You didn't see how she reacted after Warren killed Tara. She's barely recovered since then and she doesn't have her magic under complete control yet."
Buffy untangled herself from Faith and the covers and grabbed her clothes. Faith groaned softly as she sat up in bed and watched her as she got dressed. "B, what are you doing?"
"You don't know what it was like before and right now she needs her friends. She needs me. God, I should have called her before," Buffy said as she shook her head and grabbed the brush off the dresser and ran it quickly through her hair.
"Buffy...I'm sure she's fine. If she wasn't, don't you think you would've known by now?"
Buffy ignored her as she blew out the candles and flipped on the bedside light. She grabbed Faith's clothes and tossed them towards her as she made her way to the door. Faith could only close her eyes and try to keep her cool as Buffy walked out of the bedroom and quickly shut the door behind her. Despite how 'perfect' their night had been going, one little thing had turned it all around and made it one big mess with a side helping of almost perfect. She pushed down her anger and disappointment and pulled on her clothes reluctantly, listening to Buffy and Kennedy talking in the living room.
Buffy had a few choice words with her before she stormed out of the apartment. Faith walked out of the bedroom, headed straight for the fridge, and pulled out a bottle of beer. She walked out to the balcony, needing the fresh air, and didn't even say a word to Kennedy as she followed her out there. When Kennedy offered her a cigarette she took one and lit it, instantly feeling rather light-headed as the nicotine rushed through her body.
"Shit, I knew I should've gone somewhere else," Kennedy said quietly after a few long minutes of silence between them. "I really didn't mean to fuck up your night with Buffy."
"S'okay, Ken. Plenty of other nights ahead of us to be alone together. Pretty fucked up, though, considering this was supposed to be our 'first' date and all."
"I'm really sorry, Faith. I fucked up with Willow and I came here thinking that..." she sighed as she shook her head and took a long drag of her cigarette. "I shouldn't have even come here."
"Ya needed a friend and that's what I am, right? Doesn't matter what else was goin' on, friends are supposed to be there for each other, right?"
"Then why did Buffy call me a cunt and take off?"
"She didn't call you a cunt."
"You didn't see the look in her eyes. Just knew she was really saying that instead of calling me a whore and a loser for cheating on her best friend with the new girl."
"Why'd you do something so stupid like that anyway? Hope Satsu was fuckin' worth it, Ken."
Kennedy just frowned as she leaned against the railing and fought back the tears. "That's the thing," she said as she hiccupped, trying to stop herself from losing it completely. "Satsu was worth it and I'm not just saying that because the sex was amazing. I don't know, Faith. Maybe it's a Slayer thing?"
"Could be. Couldn't tell ya."
"But you're with Buffy. Isn't it more...intense than anyone else you've ever been with?"
"Figure it's more intense cos it's Buffy, not cos of the whole Slayer thing."
"Oh."
"Yeah. Oh. But you know the Slayer thing could factor into it. I mean hell, ya do know what it's like bein' a Slayer and havin' the stamina we got. Hard to find an equal match," Faith chuckled and shook her head when she realized just how that sounded. "Didn't mean it like that, though, cos it's more than just fuckin' all night long with Buffy."
"Believe me, I do get what you're saying. With Satsu it was just...wow and then some. Not that it isn't with Will, but sometimes it's just...not enough. You know?"
"Yeah, I know."
"Is that selfish?"
"Nah," Faith said as she shook her head. "If it ain't doin' it for ya and ya ain't happy, why stick around, right?"
"I really didn't want to hurt her," Kennedy said quietly. Faith noticed the tears had started to fall and Kennedy wasn't doing a thing to stop them. "God, I'm such a screw-up. Maybe Willow was right. Maybe you and I are friends because we're so much alike. Only now you're all..." she paused for a moment and shook her head. "You are all reformed and shit now. You're different now. You're a better person now."
"Ain't that much different now than I used to be, Ken, and ya shoulda just told her it was over before ya went and made Satsu your little fuck toy."
"I need a do-over," Kennedy laughed dryly.
"No do-overs in life, unfortunately. If there was, don't ya think I would've taken up on that about a dozen times or more?" Faith sighed and crushed out her cigarette. She licked over her lips, cringing slightly at the bitter taste the cigarette had left in her mouth. "Look, Ken, you can't take back what you did to her. Cheatin' sucks, yeah, but finding out the one you're with has cheated on ya sucks even more, and ya always turn around and say stuff like 'it just happened' and all that."
"But it—"
"Yeah it just happened, I get it. Got all worked up sparring," Faith said and she chuckled softly as she watched Kennedy try to wipe away the tears as they fell. "So, tell me somethin'," she said as she leaned back against the railing, "what are you gonna do now?"
"Well, I can't apologize to Will. She doesn't even want to see me much less listen to anything I have to say right now. And I can't apologize to you and Buffy either."
"Doesn't matter about us, Ken. Buffy is gonna be pissed, yeah I'll give you that much, but let me worry about her, okay?" Faith said and she put her arm loosely around Kennedy's shoulders. "As for Will, don't know what I can tell ya. Give her a couple days to cool off and try to talk to her then. You can stay here and crash on the couch long as ya need to. Buffy ain't gonna like it, but like I said, let me worry about that."
"Thanks."
Faith just shrugged and headed back inside while Kennedy stayed out on the balcony and lit yet another cigarette. She finished her beer and grabbed another out of the fridge, her stomach protesting against her as she cracked it open and downed most of it in one go. She grabbed a few towels and went to the bedroom, where she began trying to clean up the whipped cream from the walls and the floor, shaking her head and laughing to herself at the mess and the very recent memories of just how that happened. She'd barely finished when she turned to find Kennedy standing in the doorway of the bedroom with a smirk on her face.
"Take it your little date with your blonde Slayer and a can of whipped cream didn't go over too well, huh?"
"Shut up," Faith chuckled as she tossed the towels into the linen box by the door. "Got a little outta hand."
"You realize Will was going on and on the other night about how fucking perfect you two are for each other?" Kennedy asked as she followed her to the couch and they both sat down. "Kinda makes me a little jealous that you two got something so great together."
"Didn't start out so great, at least not way back in the beginning."
Kennedy shrugged, propping her feet up on the coffee table and closing her eyes as she leaned her head back. "But its great now, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Faith replied with a smile as she thought about just how great things really were. She forced out the thoughts that now she had something great, something bad was going to happen. "It is, but it ain't like I'm gonna run out and buy her an engagement ring and ask her to marry me or anything. Still kinda new to this whole relationship thing."
"You can't be doing too badly if you and Buffy are still together though, right?"
Faith nodded and grabbed the remote for the TV and flipped it on. "Sometimes I don't even know why she's stuck with me this long. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm good enough for her either."
"Maybe the sex is too great for her to give you up just yet?"
"Great, amazing, mind-blowing sex is just an added bonus."
Kennedy laughed for a moment then broke down into tears. Faith wasn't sure how to comfort her or if she even needed to be comforted. She'd screwed up. Big time. And she knew it too. The only thing Faith knew what to do was sit there and listen and if she was done talking, she'd sit there and offer up a shoulder to cry on whether Kennedy took her up on that offer or not. She wasn't even sure if Buffy would be back that night and the way she figured it, she'd probably spend the night at the house trying to comfort Willow and help her nurse her broken heart, ease the pain in ways only a best friend could.
She stayed there with Kennedy until the tears stopped and she curled up on the far end of the couch and fell asleep. Faith flipped off the TV and all the lights but the one over the stove and made her way to the bedroom. Her heart felt a little heavy and she felt out of place. She knew why too. She was so used to having Buffy around every night that when she wasn't there she felt almost empty inside. If these sharp pangs in her heart from missing Buffy were the downside to love, then she'd take it, because the upside was just off the charts. She laid down on the bed and inhaled deeply, smelling nothing but Buffy all over the sheets and the pillow.
She was a complete mess, just another fool in love, and she absolutely loved that feeling. It made her feel so much more than she'd ever thought was possible to feel. It made her feel happier than she'd ever felt in her life. It made her feel like she was worth something in life instead of just another worthless, psychotic murderer. It made her wonder how she ever was worthy of knowing this kind of love with Buffy. All the wrong she'd done in life—especially to Buffy and her friends—hadn't been completely forgotten, but she had been forgiven. If she hadn't, she wouldn't be there in Cleveland with them, fighting the good fight—whatever fight would come next, she didn't know yet. Evil was still looming, but it was as if it'd taken a vacation. For now.
She wasn't sure how long she'd been lying there in bed when she felt Buffy come back inside the apartment. She couldn't wipe the smile off of her face as Buffy quietly came into the bedroom and locked the door behind her. Even in the darkness she could see that Buffy was clearly upset and exhausted, so she said not a word to her as she watched her strip out of her clothes slowly. She held out her arms a little as Buffy crawled onto the bed and they shared a short, sweet kiss as Buffy laid there in her arms and let out a weary sigh. She could feel the heaviness Buffy felt, how it tugged at her very soul, and she ran her hand soothingly down her back as Buffy shifted, trying to get a little more comfortable before she laid her head down on Faith's shoulder and let out yet another weary sigh.
Whether it was evil or drama within their little family, it never seemed to stop. Always something else about to happen or happening and there was never a damn thing Faith or anyone else could do to stop it. She knew the drama was just beginning between Willow and Kennedy and she couldn't help but feel a little afraid of what would end up happening if the two of them couldn't work things out. She tried to take her mind off of things, eventually falling asleep with Buffy securely held in her arms.
