Elliott - Chapter 5/8
“How long does this take?” Ethan asked, dealing the cards again.
Giles sighed. “A few hours. I’m not sure what the definition of ‘few’ is in this instance.”
“What time does the plane get in?”
Giles picked up his cards and thought for a moment. “Seven? Eight? Oh, I can’t remember.”
Ethan arched an eyebrow at him. “You can’t remember?”
“They didn’t tell me, they told Buffy.” Giles said, arranging the cards in his hand. “They said they’d meet us at the house. They don’t have a car at the airport, Buffy dropped them off.”
“I can pick them up.” Ethan stated, placing four cards face down on the table.
Giles stared at him. “Show me the Ace.”
Ethan sighed and picked one card back up. He looked up as Buffy sat down next to Giles, smiling as she glanced at his cards. After all of these years, he still couldn’t read her…she was definitely good at poker, even though she rarely played.
“What time do Willow and Xander get in?”
Buffy rested her hand on Giles’ thigh as she looked at Ethan. “Missing them, are you?”
Ethan rolled his eyes. “I was going to pick them up. I can’t do that if I don’t know what time to be there.”
She smiled softly. “Six.”
Ethan looked at Giles. “Seven or Eight?”
“By the time they get through customs.” He mumbled, sliding a yellow Starburst into the center of the table.
Ethan glanced at his cards and then flicked a yellow in as well, quickly followed by a red. “Betting with bloody lollies…”
Buffy smiled, content to watch them as they waited. She had no interest in the game, really…but it was keeping Giles somewhat occupied. Though she wondered if his head was really in the game. But, then she watched him raise Ethan a green.
Ethan stared at him and then shook his head, folding the hand. Buffy snickered as Giles handed her the green Starburst. Maybe his head was in it a bit more than she realised. Ethan watched them, narrowing his eyes.
“You had nothing, did you?”
Giles grinned and spread his cards out for Ethan to see. “Jack shit, really.”
“Bloody hell.” Ethan muttered, tossing his cards to Giles.
Giles was shuffling the deck when he felt Buffy’s hand gently squeeze his thigh. He looked over at her and then followed her line of vision to see Dr Naylor approaching. He swallowed and inhaled deeply, placing the deck of cards on the table.
“Rupert, Buffy…” Dr Naylor greeted as he reached the table. Then he smiled at Ethan.
Ethan smiled back and extended his hand. “Ethan Rayne, friend of the family.”
Giles rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. Ethan lowered his hand and gestured towards the fourth chair at the table. The doctor sat down and turned his attention to Buffy and Giles.
“Surgery went well. Really well. We did have to go a little higher than we were anticipating, but only because we want good, clean margins. That will give him the best chance. We’ll let his body heal from the operation as much as we can…but, we’ll want to start chemotherapy in two to three weeks, if possible.”
Giles nodded, not surprised but still very concerned. “Everything seems to be moving so quickly.”
“The quicker we move now, the better his odds are…and at the moment, we need to go as quickly as we possibly can.”
Ethan tilted his head slightly, glancing at Buffy and Giles. “Um, sorry…but, is this a terminal prognosis?”
Dr Naylor blew out a soft breath and considered his answer carefully. “I’m hesitant to say ‘terminal’, but I’m not entirely hopeful that it’s not. That is to say…I’d put him at the top end of the percentages of the five-year survival rate. But, that percentage…well, it’s still quite low. A lot of this is going to be up to him as well - his willingness to fight, remaining as positive as he possibly can, adhering to his treatment plan. And that’s going to be difficult - this treatment plan isn’t a walk in the park.”
“Rupert said that it was around 35%?” He exhaled shakily as the doctor nodded. “So, what does that mean exactly? In relation to a five-year survival rate?”
“Say there are a hundred people with this diagnosis…in five years, thirty-five will still be alive.”
Ethan paled. Giles lowered his eyes, having already had this discussion with the doctor. Buffy slid her hand into his, gently squeezing his fingers.
“And if he’s alive in five years?”
“We’ll cross that bridge the closer we get to it.” Dr Naylor responded quietly. “Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what to expect. All hope is not lost…but it is a bit battered.”
Ethan straightened. “Aren’t you supposed to be all Mr Positivity and grand gesture-like?”
“You’ll find I’m more the down to earth, realistic-type, Mr Rayne.”
“Ethan.”
Dr Naylor smiled and gave him a small nod. “Ethan.”
The doctor looked at Giles and Buffy gently nudged him to get his attention. Giles looked at her and then turned his eyes to the doctor.
“He’ll be in recovery for about an hour or so, but then he’ll be transferred back to his room.”
“Can we stay with him tonight?” Giles asked softly. “Just for tonight. I…don’t want him to be alone this first night.”
“Normally, we’d allow one parent to stay. But, he will be in a private room…so, I don’t see that there would be an issue - so long as you listen to the nurses.”
Buffy and Giles both nodded. Ethan smiled at the doctor.
“Thank you for everything…Dr Naylor.”
“Alan.” The doctor smiled softly as he stood up. “I’m sure I’ll see you again, Ethan.”
Ethan nodded slowly, watching the doctor walk away. “Yep…be seeing you, Alan.”
“Fucking hell…” Giles muttered, shaking his head as Ethan looked at him. “Really?”
“What? He was flirting with me too, you know.”
Giles stared at him. “You really think this was a good time to be flirting with my son’s oncologist?”
Ethan started to speak and then paused, a smile showing in his dark eyes. “He is, isn’t he?”
Giles furrowed his brow. “Well, he’s not a bloody mechanic.”
Ethan shook his head slowly. “No. No, that’s not what I mean, Rupert. Elliott…he’s your son - in your heart, he’s your son.”
Giles’ features softened. “He always has been, Ethan. From the day he was born, I loved him. I didn’t get to see him that often the first couple of years…but, I’ve always loved him.”
“Peter would be proud of you.” Ethan whispered.
Giles didn’t know how to respond. So he didn’t.
He sat back in his chair and exhaled a deep breath. Buffy and Ethan exchanged a soft, sad smile as she leaned her head against Giles’ shoulder.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Elliott opened his eyes and then closed them quickly. “Bright…”
Buffy and Giles both looked at him.
“What’s that?” Giles asked softly.
“Too bright.” Elliott mumbled.
Buffy ran over to the light switch and flicked it off. “Lights are off now, Ellie.”
Elliott opened his eyes slowly and sighed. “I feel weird.”
“It’s the pain meds, Elliott.” Giles explained, taking the boy’s hand into his own. “I don’t like them much myself, but there are times when they’re definitely needed.”
“Mm…guess having your leg cut off is one of those times.” Elliott responded with a drugged chuckle.
He looked down at his legs and saw the distinct lack of shape underneath the blankets where his left leg should be. He swallowed and shook his head slowly.
“Wow…that looks weird.” He looked up and met Giles’ eyes. His own eyes glistened as he smiled sadly. “Guess it’s too late to change my mind now, huh?”
“Oh, Elliott…” Giles whispered, carefully pulling him into a warm hug.
Elliott held on to him as tightly as he could for as long as he could…and then let go, allowing his arms to fall back to his chest. He sighed heavily as he looked from Giles to Buffy.
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
Buffy pulled a chair next to Giles’ and sad down. “Where else would we be, huh?”
“Heaps better places to be than a hospital.” Elliott chuckled, squeezing Buffy’s hand when she curled her fingers around his palm.
“Yeah…but none of those places had you. So…here we are.”
Giles smiled at the interaction between the two of them.
“Oh…Willow and Xander will be in tonight. Ethan’s going to pick them up at the airport.”
Elliott’s eyes brightened. “So, I’ll get to see them tonight?”
Buffy shook her head, but quickly continued. “It’ll be past visiting hours by the time they’d be able to get here. So, they’ll come by tomorrow morning.”
Elliott looked around the room and exhaled slowly. “It’s quiet in here, innit?”
Giles smiled. “It is, indeed. We’re going to stay with you tonight, though.”
“And tomorrow?”
Giles hesitated, but Buffy didn’t. Hospitals were scary places…especially for children.
“What if we take turns? Giles, me, Ethan, Xander, Willow…someone can stay with you each night? Normally only one person can stay, but they’re letting both of us stay tonight.”
Elliott thought about it for a second and then nodded. “I think I’d like that…if people don’t mind.”
“I’m pretty sure no one would mind, Elliott.” She replied with a smile, reaching out to gently stroke his hair as he yawned. “You go back to sleep. We’ll be here when you wake up.”
Elliott nodded, mumbling a soft ‘I love you’ as he closed his eyes.
Buffy looked over at Giles and watched him watch Elliott. “You okay?”
Giles nodded slowly. “I was just thinking that I’m not sure I would have handled this as well as he has, if it had been me.”
“Maybe not. But, the result would’ve been the same - you’d fight.” She smiled and leaned over to kiss him softly before moving her mouth to his ear, lowering her voice to a whisper. “You’re Rupert fucking Giles. You’d fight.”
He bit his lip gently as she pulled away, his eyes darting to her lips. Clearing his throat, he pushed himself up out of the chair. “Um, tea?”
Knowing that he was needing to put physical distance between them for the moment, she nodded. She watched him leave the room and smiled.
She silently agreed with the physical distance. It was needed…wrong place, wrong time.
* * *
“We’ll get you up tomorrow for a little walk down the hall.” Dr Naylor said, inspecting the surgical site. “Have you used crutches before?”
Elliott nodded. “Yeah, I sprained my ankle pretty bad last year. This is a bit different though…”
“Same concept though.” The doctor smiled and pulled the blanket back over the stump of Elliott’s thigh. “How is your pain at the moment?”
“Actually, not that bad. I thought it would be worse, really. I mean…my leg is gone.”
“The human body is quite miraculous, but don’t be afraid to ask for pain relief. If it hurts, it will slow your healing down…we need you to not slow that down, okay?”
Elliott looked at him curiously. “Why?”
“The quicker you heal, the quicker we move to the next stage.”
“Chemo?” Elliott sighed as the doctor nodded. “I read a little about chemo. Nothing I read made it sound like a lot of fun.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not a picnic…but, it is necessary.” He glanced at the clock. “Dinner should be around soon.”
“Yay…”
Dr Naylor laughed softly and looked at Buffy and Giles. “I’ll ask that two more trays be sent for you.”
“Uh, no…” Elliott responded shaking his head. “They’re going out for dinner.”
Giles opened his mouth but didn’t say anything as Elliott stared at him.
“You two are going to have a nice dinner. Especially since you’re staying here with me tonight. It’s not like I’m going anywhere. I’ll be here when you get back.”
“Elliott…”
Buffy smiled as Elliott gave Giles his own version of Willow’s ‘resolve face’. Giles sighed heavily and rubbed the back of his neck.
“You’ll have the nurse call if you need us?”
“Yeah, Dad. I promise. It’s not like anything is going to happen while I’m eating and watching tv, right?”
“Still…”
“I promise.” He smiled as he recognised the signs of Giles reluctantly agreeing. “Go, have dinner…”
Giles sighed and then leaned down, kissing the top of Elliott’s head. “You have them call me…”
“I will. Go. I love you guys.”
Buffy kissed his cheek, gently ruffling his hair. “Love you.”
As they left the room, Dr Naylor regarded Elliott closely. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. They need some time to talk…I need some time with the tv.”
Dr Naylor chuckled and made some notes in Elliott’s file.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Buffy chewed as she watched Giles push a piece of broccoli around his plate. “Rupert…”
“Hm?” He looked up and gave her a soft smile. “Yes?”
“Eat.” She ordered, pointing at his plate with her fork.
He dutifully stabbed the broccoli with his fork and popped it into his mouth. She grinned and took a sip of her wine.
“I’m sorry about earlier.” When his brow furrowed in confusion, she continued. “Wrong place, wrong time for me to…turn you on - even though it was completely accidental.”
“Ah…” He shrugged a shoulder and smiled at her. “It’s not as if you have to do a lot. But, yes…wrong place, wrong time. Tomorrow though…we’ll be home…”
“Mm-hm.” She took another sip of wine as he sighed heavily. She lowered her glass and regarded him closely. “What is it?”
“I feel a bit shit thinking about…being with you…while Elliott is in the hospital.”
“Yeah, I get that. So, let’s just see how it plays out tomorrow, okay?”
Giles nodded slowly. “Chemo in two weeks. He’s going to barely be out of the hospital before they pump him full of chemicals…which are going to make him sick.”
“Giles…”
“I promised to protect him.” He whispered, staring at his plate.
“And you are…” She lowered her fork and reached over, taking hold of his hand. “We’re going to help him through this.”
“You, uh…you’ve never watched anyone go through chemo, have you?”
“No. No, I haven’t.” She stared at him for a moment and then bit her lip nervously. “This is going to be bad, isn’t it? Like…worse than just vomiting and losing hair…”
He lifted his eyes slowly. “This is going to be horrible…for him, for us, our friends. Physical sickness, lethargy, weight loss, mood changes, infection, anaemia, hair loss. And sometimes the side effects of chemo are worse than the disease itself.”
“Worse than him dying if he doesn’t have it?”
“I mean long-term effects that…it could cause nerve damage, heart problems, issues with concentration and focus…”
“Oh.” She inhaled deeply and ran her fingers through her hair. “They, uh…don’t really portray that part in the movies, do they?”
“Real life is rarely like the movies, love.”
“And it might not even work.” She whispered, lowering her gaze from his. “There’s a very good chance we’re going to lose him.”
“And that’s something we need to work through - our concerns about his survival. If he were older, I’d suggest we talk to him about those concerns…but, he’s twelve.”
“He’s clever, Giles. And he can read you like a book.” She paused for a moment and then looked back up. “I’m really scared…and all of this is happening so fast. This time last week, I didn’t even know that he was sick. And now…he may be dying, he’s lost a leg, and we’re talking about having a baby.”
“Buffy…”
“I know. I know. This isn’t about us, it’s - ”
“Of course, it’s about us. It’s about all of us. And us talking about having a baby right now is definitely important too.” He exhaled softly, pushing his plate to the side. “I’m terrified, Buffy. The last time I felt this scared was when we were up against Glory.”
“We won that.”
“I lost you.”
“Do you think we’re going to lose him?” She asked quietly. “Honestly?”
“I…vacillate. He’s a Giles. We’re amazing at overcoming odds. But, those odds are nearly always mystical or supernatural. When it comes to…things like this?” He shook his head, willing the tears not to fall. “My brother is dying and I think his son is too. But, I can’t tell him that because he needs to be as positive as he possibly can. Negativity is going to do him harm.”
“So, you’re going to be positive…while leaning towards thinking he’s going to die? How’s that going to work?”
A tear slipped down his cheek as he shrugged a shoulder. “I have no idea, Buffy. But, fuck, I hope I’m wrong this time.”
“Me too.”
* * *
Elliott smiled brightly as Buffy and Giles walked through the door. Giles looked at his eyes and smiled warmly.
“How’s your pain?”
“What pain?” He answered with a soft giggle.
Giles chuckled and glanced at the pain relief pump next to the bed. “I’m glad they brought this in…”
“Yeah, it’s goooood.”
Buffy laughed and kissed Elliott’s cheek. “How was dinner?”
“It was…interesting. Some kind of meat and gravy thing…with some potato and other veg. I ate it.” He grinned at her, his drug-glazed eyes shining. “How was your dinner?”
“Better than what yours sounded like.”
Elliott’s brow furrowed. “Wait…you actually went to dinner?”
“Uh, yeah…just to Jackson’s, but yeah…”
Elliott rolled his eyes, causing Buffy and Giles to exchange a quick glance. Giles cleared his throat.
“Where did you think we were going?”
Elliott turned his eyes towards Giles and sighed. “You can’t make a baby eating dinner at Jackson’s.”
Giles’ eyes widened. “Ah…um….”
“Dad…you can’t put everything on pause. Not because of this. If anything, you need to get to work because…well, nine months is a long time now.”
Giles’ jaw clenched. Buffy bit her lip as her eyes welled with tears. Elliott’s smile was still present, though suddenly much sadder.
“I know it doesn’t look good. I mean, I’m still going to fight and I’m going to be as positive as I can…but, this is bad, really bad - I see the way the nurses look at me when they come in.”
“What?” Buffy asked. “How do they look at you?”
“Like they feel sorry for me. Heard one of them say that it wasn’t fair.” He shrugged a shoulder and leaned his head back against his pillow. “I guess it’s not fair, but it’s what’s happening. And starting chemo as fast as they are? It doesn’t take a genius to figure this out, you know?”
“No, I suppose it doesn’t.” Giles agreed, sitting down in the chair next to the bed.
“I want to be a brother, Dad. You and Mum want to have a baby. You need to do the things that I don’t want to think about you guys doing so that happens.” He looked directly into Giles’ eyes and smiled. “Like I said…nine months is a long time.”
“Understood.” Giles whispered.
Elliott yawned and closed his eyes. “Ethan said he’d stay with me tomorrow night, so you guys can stay at home…”
“You talked to Ethan about this?” Buffy asked.
Elliott nodded and mumbled incoherently as the drugs pushed him towards sleep. Buffy looked at Giles, Giles watched Elliott drift off.
“I think he’s in the same mindset that you are.” She said quietly.
Giles nodded and then cleared his throat. “We, uh…we should probably try to get some sleep.”
“It’s like 8:30 or something…”
He met her eyes and nodded again. “I think I need to feel you.”
“Giles…”
“Holding me, I mean. Nothing more…well, not here at least.” He swallowed, glancing at the empty bed that had been brought in while they were out. “I’m so fucking tired, Buffy.”
“Okay.” She pulled out the paper bag from her handbag and handed it to him. They had stopped by a supermarket to pick up a few essentials on the way back to the hospital. “Go ahead…I’ll give Ethan a call to see if he can bring by some clothes in the morning.”
He took the bag and gave her a nod. She watched him walk into the bathroom and pulled her phone out of her pocket.
* * *
A nurse walked in a couple of hours later and smiled as she looked at the second bed. The couple who Elliott called Mum and Dad were sleeping, arms around one another - her head tucked under his chin as they faced each other. Her smile faded as she looked at Elliott.
She felt for the boy. She had watched her cousin go through something similar and knew this was not going to be an easy ride - it may not even be a survivable ride.
She glanced back over at the couple when she heard the sheet rustle. She smiled when she saw the man’s eyes watching her.
“Is everything alright?” Giles asked softly.
“Yes, sorry…I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m just checking his vitals.” She replied, just as softly. “Is there anything I can get the two of you?”
“No, thank you…we’re okay.” He answered, idly stroking Buffy’s back with his fingertips.
She stirred against him, nuzzling his chest as her arms tightened their hold. He shifted slightly and smiled as she shifted with him.
The nurse chuckled to herself and quickly finished her task before glancing back at him. “If there’s anything you need, just press the call button.”
Giles gave her a nod of thanks and sighed as she left the room, closing the door behind her. He moved his hand to Buffy’s hip as she pressed against him.
“Buffy, love…” He whispered.
“Mm?” She murmured sleepily, pressing against him again.
“Not here, darling.” His fingers tightened on her hip, stifling her movement.
Buffy opened her eyes, confused at why he was stopping her. Then her eyes widened when she remembered where they were.
“Oh…oh shit, I’m sorry…”
He smiled at her, moving his hand from her hip and tilting her face up with a finger under her chin. “It’s alright.”
She glanced at his lips, sighing softly as he licked his lips. “I really want to kiss you.”
“You’re allowed to kiss me, Buffy.”
She shook her head and looked into his eyes. “Not right now, not in the state I’m in right now.”
He narrowed his eyes as she shifted away from him. “Where are you going?”
She gestured towards the bathroom. “I, uh…need cold water.”
He gave her a nod of understanding and rolled onto his back as she closed the bathroom door behind her. He turned his head towards Elliott and watched him sleep. He didn’t seem to be in pain, but he wasn’t completely at ease either.
He climbed out of the bed and stood by Elliott’s, reaching out to gently brush his fingers across Elliott’s forehead. Elliott relaxed and turned his head towards Giles’ hand. Giles smiled and lovingly stroked Elliott’s hair.
“I love you, Elliott.” He whispered, leaning down to press a kiss to Elliott’s forehead.
He stood there, watching Elliott sleep for long minutes. Then he realised that Buffy was still in the bathroom. He took a deep breath and walked over, pausing for just a moment before pressing his palm against the door.
“Buffy?”
“Yeah?” She answered after a beat.
“Are you…is everything okay?”
The door opened and she looked up at him, shaking her head…her eyes reddened from fresh tears. He pulled her into his arms quickly, holding her tightly against his chest.
“Oh, love…”
Her fingers curled against his back, gripping his shirt as she cried.
It was a long time before they climbed back into the bed. It was even longer before sleep found them again.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ethan sat down on the bed next to Buffy as they watched Elliott laugh and talk with Xander and Willow. She looked over at him and smiled. He noticed quickly that the smile didn’t completely reach her eyes.
“Need to talk?” He asked, folding his hands together on his thigh.
“Probably.” She glanced back at the others and shook her head. “But, not right now.”
Ethan cleared his throat softly. “He knows, you know?”
Buffy furrowed her brow. “Huh?”
“He knows…that he’s probably not going to survive this. But, his positivity isn’t faked. He’s quite the enigma, that boy. Much like his uncle.”
“Don’t I know it…” She mumbled, a smile quirking at her lips.
“It’s okay to acknowledge the truth, Buffy. It’s also possible to not allow that truth to drag you into despair.”
“How?” She looked back at him. “Because I’m struggling with that.”
“Look at him.” He gestured towards Elliott with a tilt of his head. “He just had his leg amputated yesterday…and today he’s laughing and joking with his family. This is only just beginning for him…treasure what you have, accept what may be to come…but, live for now. If you’re despairing for what may come, you’re missing out on what you have now.”
Buffy’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “Well, that’s…insightful.”
“It’s okay to be sad, to be worried…there will be tears and screams and anger, but there’s also love and laughter and happiness. He needs to see that as much as the concern you hold.” He shrugged a shoulder and glanced at the door as Giles walked in. “Rupert taught me that years ago. I think I need to pay it forward to you…and possibly remind him.”
Giles grinned as he handed an apple to Elliott and then spoke briefly to Xander and Willow. He arched an eyebrow as he walked over to the bed he had shared with Buffy.
“You two seem to be in deep conversation. Everything okay?”
Ethan glanced at Buffy and nodded. “Yeah, I think so. Just imparting some wisdom that you gave me years ago.”
Giles handed Buffy a cup of tea and took a sip of his own. “And that would be?”
“Accept the probable future, but don’t let it color your present.”
Giles’ smile faded slowly. He reached out and placed his hand on Ethan’s shoulder, squeezing gently. Ethan stood up and looked into Giles’ eyes.
“And…stop feeling guilty for wanting to be wanted…and for wanting to want. You can be concerned and still do things that fill you with joy.”
Giles reddened slightly. “Um…”
“I know you.” Ethan chuckled. “I’ll be here with him tonight, take an evening for yourselves. You both need it, mate. And you need it to be about the two of you…and not about comfort.”
And with that, Ethan patted Giles’ chest and made his way over to the others. Giles chuckled softly and sat down next to Buffy.
“Interestingly, I think he’s right.” She said quietly, resting her hand on his thigh as he wrapped his arm around her.
“Mm…well, as Elliott succinctly put it last night…we can’t make a baby by eating dinner at Jackson’s.” He smiled as he met her eyes. “If you still want, that is.”
“You know all about Slayer biology…how long before my system returns to normal?”
“It already has.” He replied softly, glancing at her lips. “I love you.”
“Stop looking at me like that.” She teased, squeezing his thigh. “And I love you too.”
He leaned into her and kissed her softly, pulling back before either of them took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Willow nudged Xander as she watched them. Xander grinned.
“That’s good to see.” Xander said quietly.
“Yeah, it really is.” Elliott nodded in agreement, exchanging a bright smile with Ethan.
* * *
Giles focused his gaze on Buffy’s hand…her fingers curling in the sheet as he quickened his pace. He leaned down, running his tongue along her spine before placing a hot, open-mouthed kiss at the junction of her neck and shoulder.
“You’re close…” He whispered thickly into her ear. “Let go, Buffy. Come for me…”
He pushed himself up quickly when she moaned his name. His fingers gripped her hips tightly as he pushed harder, lengthening his strokes.
“Oh god…Giles…”
He smiled as she trembled beneath him. Sliding his right hand up her back to rest between her shoulder blades, he pushed her upper body down to the mattress.
“That’s it…” He mumbled, biting his lip as he felt her inner walls quiver around him. “Fuck, Buffy…”
Three more hard strokes and she screamed his name as she came, the sound muffled in the sheets as she pressed her forehead against the mattress. He pulled out of her and gently rolled her onto her back, smiling as her trembling thighs cradled his hips as he pushed his cock back inside.
“Oh…shit…” She whimpered, wrapping her arms around him.
“Okay?” He asked, leaning down to drop a kiss onto her lips.
“Uh-huh…” Her hands slipped across his sweat-slicked back. “How are you still…going?”
“I don’t have much left…” He admitted, lowering his mouth to her shoulder. “I’m…close…”
She curled her legs around him, locking her ankles over his lower back. “Take me again with you…”
“Goddamn, I love you…” He groaned, teeth scraping against her skin as her nails raked across his back.
“Love you…” She moaned, turning her head enough to kiss his neck.
Feeling her body begin to shudder underneath him, he pushed himself up to look down at her…to watch her. He smiled as she threw her head back and screamed his name again, her inner walls convulsing around his thrusting cock for the fourth time.
And then he let go and came deep inside of her, crying out her name as his left hand gripped her thigh tightly. She forced her eyes open and stared up at him, allowing her trembling fingers to lightly stroke his chest. His thrusts slowed until he was gently rocking his hips against her as he softened within her.
He inhaled shakily and brushed her damp hair back from her face. “You are so fucking beautiful.”
“I was thinking the same about you.” She grinned, running her fingers through his hair.
He fought to control his breathing as he slipped from her, sighing as her legs released him from their grip. He carefully shifted to her side and pulled her into his arms.
“Giles?”
“Mm?” He murmured, placing a kiss in her hair as his hands soothed her warm skin.
“That was….all about us.”
He smiled and nodded. “Indeed.”
“Ethan was right. We needed this. And we needed this to be about us.”
“Mm-hm.” He grinned as their eyes met. “Don’t tell him that though, okay? We’ll never hear the end of it.”
She laughed softly and snuggled against him, pressing a soft kiss to his chest.
Chapter 6: Developments
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