[He's not the only one glad that he's alive. It's part of why he's still around anyway, because he promised Buffy that he'd protect Dawn and if Dawn got upset he'd be breaking that promise and he'd...
He doesn't want to hurt Dawn. He's already failed both of them enough.]
Thanks. I guess. This place isn't so bad, though, honestly. Not for me, anyway. Not that I want to stay, I got a promise to keep but... yeah, I'm not exactly struggling.
There's a... kid. Girl by the name of Dawn, about fifteen now. I promised her sister I'd look out for her and I can't exactly do that from here, can I?
[He's not going to go into the whole key business so, Sholmes you get to just imagine Dawn as a regular 15 year old girl and not an immortal blob of energy.]
Well, her sister's the Slayer. I realize you don't got a lot of context for that but it's a bit of a big deal for all of demon-kind. Given that she, you know, slays us by the thousands.
[He blinks at Sholmes for a full two seconds before bursting out into laughter.]
God, no. I've already killed two Slayers. One in the early 1900s and one in the 1980s. Come damn close to killing this one too, on a couple occasions. We teamed up a few years ago against our mutual ex, Angel, when he was all evil again.
I help them because they pay me. And because it's fun, fighting demons, they're a challenge. And because... [The smile fades there and he just stares into the empty city.]
[He chuckles.] Of course not. She was pretty adamant about that much.
[He's still not sure he believes her. The way she is when they fight, he knows she can feel the electricity. But it doesn't matter if she loves him or not. Only she matters.]
But she understood that I loved her. That's more important.
no subject
[He's thoughtful for a moment.]
If you had the choice, would you want to stick around? Or find a new group to stay with?
cw for suicide
[If it were up to him... would he have fallen for Buffy? Would he have broken up with Drusilla? Would Angel and Darla have left them behind?
Would he have succeeded at the top of that tower?]
...
If it were up to me, I'd have died six months ago.
no subject
[His eye widen in surprise for a moment, and then his expression softens to concern.]
Well, for whatever it's worth...I'm glad you're here now, Mr. Spike. Not here here, given the circumstances, but...you know.
no subject
He doesn't want to hurt Dawn. He's already failed both of them enough.]
Thanks. I guess. This place isn't so bad, though, honestly. Not for me, anyway. Not that I want to stay, I got a promise to keep but... yeah, I'm not exactly struggling.
no subject
[A shrug, before he puts the pipe to his mouth again.]
Someone at home waiting for you? With that "promise to keep".
no subject
[He's not going to go into the whole key business so, Sholmes you get to just imagine Dawn as a regular 15 year old girl and not an immortal blob of energy.]
no subject
...
[Sorry, he's just going to look...soft? SPIKE...LOOKING AFTER A GIRL....CUTE.....]
A rather nice favor to do for such an evil vampire, isn't it?
no subject
[Said without any negative tone whatsoever.] Kid's alright. I mean, complete brat, but... she's alright.
But it's not a favor, it's a promise. And a necessary one considering how often she's in mortal peril.
no subject
[A laugh.]
Mortal peril? Dear me. That sounds like quite the exciting babysitting job. They're going after her, specifically?
no subject
no subject
[scary and cool??]
So if she poses a danger to you, this Slayer, are you simply helping her as to not become a target yourself?
1/2
God, no. I've already killed two Slayers. One in the early 1900s and one in the 1980s. Come damn close to killing this one too, on a couple occasions. We teamed up a few years ago against our mutual ex, Angel, when he was all evil again.
I help them because they pay me. And because it's fun, fighting demons, they're a challenge. And because... [The smile fades there and he just stares into the empty city.]
2/2
[There's a hint of melancholy there, maybe a bit of bitterness or resentment, but mainly it's just guilt and self loathing.]
no subject
[Ah.]
[Love, was it?]
[There's something...almost a little bittersweet in his look? But he just nods, understanding.]
...Does she love you back, my dear fellow? I suppose that is the question, here.
no subject
[He's still not sure he believes her. The way she is when they fight, he knows she can feel the electricity. But it doesn't matter if she loves him or not. Only she matters.]
But she understood that I loved her. That's more important.