*

She shouldn't have run. He'd been crying, and was weaker than she'd ever seen anyone. She'd listened as he'd rambled he was a "vile, evil monster" and "so unlovable, didn't deserve you", and finally, "had to be what you wanted me to be..."
Buffy had been so scared and just bolted, like so many times before.

~~ "Isn't this the part where you kick me in the head and run off?" ~~

Buffy walked into the crypt to see Spike pouring himself a glass of blood. His eyes never left hers as she gave him a weak smile. “Hey.”
“Buffy…” He said in amazement. He thought he’d frightened her so much that night she’d never return. Then in the cemetery… when she’d found out about his soul. He winced, remembering how fast she’d run.

~~ "Ask me again why I can never love you." ~~

They stood uncomfortably for minutes. Spike suddenly moved forward, and Buffy noticed his eyes shone with tears. She suddenly threw her arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder. Spike slowly brought his arms to fit around her, and like he remembered, their bodies fit perfectly together.

~~ "You're amazing..." ~~

“I’m so sorry, Spike, I was so horrible, so unfair…” Buffy choked.
Spike pushed her back and held her at arm’s length. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Using you, treating you like dirt, after all you did for me…”
“What?! Buffy, I nearly… I tried to… I almost…”
He struggled to find the words that would fit. He hated himself for what happened. He didn’t understand what happened.

~~ "I'll make you feel it!" ~~

Buffy tried to comfort him, seeing the tears running down his face. “Spike, you were angry, you were hurt, and I had treated you so…”
“No. There is no way you can justify what happened, I was a monster. That’s why I got my soul. I wanted to torture myself and get rid of whatever inside me compelled me to try and hurt you.”
Buffy stared at him and saw the torment behind his blue eyes. “I forgive you.”
She had wanted to say it to calm him but realised how much truth was behind it. Spike had undergone what could have been his final round, all to make sure he couldn’t hurt her anymore, all for his undying love.

~~ "I love you. You know I do." ~~

“I do. I forgive you, Spike.” She leant into kiss him but Spike jerked back.
“I haven’t forgiven myself.”
“Okay.” Maybe he needed to be alone. Buffy started to leave, but then she heard his simple words.
“But I do love you.”
“I love you too.” She whispered, hearing her love and finding herself smiling. Spike stared at her in shock, having heard it too and wondered if he had gone mad.
She turned, still grinning madly. “I love you.” She said, her face glowing. “I never thought it could or would be this simple but I do – I love you, Spike.”
Spike felt incredibly faint. His eyes shone with surprise and joy, but also wariness. Buffy saw it and jumped into his arms, kissing him. “I love you!” She laughed, and suddenly he started laughing too. Spike had never been so happy, not ever, and he kissed her back, hoping to make up for all he'd done wrong.

*

Spike and Buffy burst into the house, laughing and kissing. Spike was carrying Buffy, who smiled at a shocked Xander, confused Willow, stern Giles and smiling Dawn. “Spike! You’re back!” Dawn hugged him as he let Buffy down.
“Buffy? Are you drunk?” Xander hissed, jerking his thumb at Spike.
“I think she is, and Spike, you should leave now.” Giles said coldly. Xander had told him the whole story (as Xander had seen it) and he didn’t like it at all.
“I’m not drunk.” Buffy grinned. “I’m in love.”
Dawn glared at Xander, silently forbidding him to say a word against this. He watched as Buffy kissed Spike and saw how happy she looked. Spike wore the same stupid smile on his face. Xander felt a smile come to his own lips.
He turned and saw Willow was smiling too, touched by the romance between the two.
Giles continued gaping. Dawn punched him on the arm and hissed, "She's happy. And so is he."
"Very well. You have my blessing." Giles mumbled.
Xander grinned. "Mine too, Bleachy."
Willow nodded, smiling. Dawn let out a cheer.
Buffy and Spike continued kissing.

~ The End ~
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