This is a response to the challenge set by Kudagirl. Contains dialogue from "Older and Far Away" and for the purposes of the story, the demon that Buffy gets the sword from does not exist. This is Dawn POV for a lot of it. Thoughts are in italics. Any spelling mistakes in the speech are not actually spelling or grammar mistakes. You'll understand when you get there.

Set more or less in the comics world and building from some encouraging (for Spuffy lovers) scenes between Buffy and Spike recently (hopes to be dashed any second, I’m sure), this doesn’t actually require you to read or like the comics to understand it.
 

Following that kiss of gratitude, Buffy leaves a battered Spike in his crypt alone to recover from Glory’s torture, only to return moments later.

Set in Season 5, picking up immediately after “Intervention”. First in a trilogy of one-shots, the stories can be read on their own, but are meant as a series. The next one is “Cold Light of Day”, followed by “Enough”.

Beta'd by the wonderful SlayerDaniWho.

View the story banner at:
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Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Distribution: No posting elsewhere without express permission please.

Spike has a chance to show Buffy his sincere admiration without creepy stalkerness. Set just after Intervention, before Tough Love.

“Wordlessly she reached for him, like a child reaches in the darkness for comforting arms, desperate for something, anything, to take this terror away.” My version of the evening at the Bronze, at the end of Tabula Rasa.

“You didn’t join the party," Buffy said. "I sent Anya down to tell you.”
    “She did.” Spike shrugged. “Not really the party animal these days.”
    “I’d noticed.” Buffy nodded at his chains.
New Year's Eve, season seven.