XXX -- accidental voice;

[breakmychest]

[Spike is sick of being in the infirmary. He's not really feeling healthy by any definition of the word, but he didn't get where he is today by letting things like that get in his way.]

Right. Checking myself out, doc!

[He doesn't wait for an answer before swinging his legs out of the bed. He gets hit by a wave of dizziness, but he puts a hand on

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[aboutpower]

[Buffy is knocking on Spike's door. After hearing that network post, she had to go see if he was alright. But it was a little selfish. Some things never change. Whenever Buffy is feeling crappy but isn't really willing to talk about it, she sees Spike. It's been like that for years. Ever since she came back from the dead.. The second time. She's dressed casually, she's not really trying to hide her wounds anymore, as they're all closed up and bandaged. Her left upper arm is wrapped in gauze, and there's a large bandage between her shoulder blades. A long, very slight scratch starting at her collar bone and crossing down, disappearing behind her shirt.]

[breakmychest]

Door's unlocked.

[Spike's made it to his room, but it took a lot out of him. He's collapsed in an armchair by the TV, and he doesn't really have the energy to go get the door. He does pick up the remote and pause the DVD he's watching.]

[aboutpower]

[Buffy walks in, gives him a little hesitant smile, and closes the door behind her.] Sooo, you skipped out early, huh? [She raises her eyebrows in a mock-authoritative gesture, then shrugs.]

Nah, I don't blame you. Anything remotely resembling a hospital makes me all ooglie. Plus? Boring. [Yes, Spike, she is talking a lot without being prompted. You know what this normally means. She crosses her arms and walks over.] How's the post-stakeage treating you? [Awkward smile!]

[breakmychest]

I've been worse. And I'm sure I'll be fine in a few days.

[He smiles when she comes in. Even when he's sore and exhausted, seeing her cheers him up.]

Boring being the key word. Here I've got telly, at least.

[aboutpower]

[Buffy is overcome with the strange want, no, need to hug him. Looking a little dazed, she moves all the way over to him and gracefully climbs into his lap. She wraps her arms around him a little too tightly, and lets out a slow breath as if relieved.]

[breakmychest]

[Well, that was unexpected. And also not surprising in a weird way. Spike honestly can't tell if it's the same compulsion that made him hug Elphaba and Andrew or just the fact that it's Buffy and he can't resist her that makes him wrap his arms around her just as tightly, completely ignoring the fact that her arms are just tight enough for his already aching body to hurt more. It's Buffy. The pleasure outweighs the pain. He rests his head on her shoulder and sighs, not really ready to let her go.]

[aboutpower]

[The need moment came and went. Didn't it? It's hard to tell. She lingers. Tighter still, then.. Oh. Ow. She breathes in a little sharply. The slight pain sort of knocked her out of it. Buffy pulls back, looking very confused.] Um.

[breakmychest]

[Um is right. Spike reluctantly loosens his arms and glances up at her. Did he hurt her? She is still injured, it looks like, and he wasn't exactly holding back. He clears his throat.]

That's been happening a lot. I think I made Andrew's entire year when I ran into him.

[It's an out, if she wants it. This is different, though, of course. Spike's self-aware enough to realise that much. The flood may have made them hug, but Spike would have done it anyway given the chance.]

[aboutpower]

[She blinks and stares at him.] Oh. Is this another flood thing? [Pause.] You hugged Andrew? [LOL FACE.]

[breakmychest]

It could be. [Or it could just be them. Your call, Buffy. Spike's following your lead here.

Spike looks a bit embarrassed.]

Well, he hugged me, and I wasn't exactly the most steady on my feet. Seemed easier than collapsing.

[And also he couldn't resist thanks to the flood.]

Hugged Elphaba too.

[aboutpower]

[Have a snort.] He'll probably write about it in his diary. [And still, she isn't moving.] She doesn't seem the hugging type. Did she bite you?

[breakmychest]

No, actually, she hugged back. [Spike's noticed the lack of moving, though he's not mentioning it. Just in case it turns out to be a fluke. That being said, his arms do creep around her waist. Not really hugging, only barely holding, just... being there.]

[aboutpower]

Huh. [Buffy pondered this for a second, then feeling his arms move around her waist, she stopped.] Am I hurting you?

[breakmychest]

[Spike shakes his head.] I'm all right. [Not that he'd say otherwise if she were hurting him. He likes having her here too much. But it really doesn't hurt anymore to have her on him like this. He's sore, of course, but he was sore before she hugged him too.]

[aboutpower]

[Buffy looked at him.] What does it feel like? [Okay that could be interpreted as something else, so she quickly adds.] Death toll stuff.

[breakmychest]

It's not too bad. First day or so I felt bloody awful, but I've been beaten worse.

[He moved his hand up to rub at his chest, right over his heart.]

Hurts the worst right here. But I'm used to heartache by now.