As Spike entered in their room, he was very thankful he had taken as much blood as he had from her earlier. He had lost a lot of blood and had to carry the unconscious slayer back into the village. If he had been weak as he had been this morning, he would have probably had a lot of trouble getting her back but instead it was pretty easy. He was sore from the deep cuts on his arms. He asked the maid for something to sew with. She brought him thick leather strips which was the same thing that his clothes had been sewed in and a big needle. He then asked for a sticky glue-like substance instead. She produced something that reminded him of honey but it seemed to stick once placed. He removed the strips of leather around Buffy’s head and used the sticky glue to carefully glue her still bleeding head together, hoping it would seal nicely. He then tried to spread some on his arms to stop the bleeding there and was grateful to see most of the bleeding on her head and his arms had already stopped.
He sighed pulling off his clothes and then got Buffy undressed and drew them a bath to wash the salt off their bodies. She woke up when the warm water hit her skin and she whispered, “What happened?” Spike whispered, “Shh just enjoy the water.” She lay quietly against his chest and closed her eyes because her head was killing her. She whispered, “How did I hurt my head?” Spike sighed, “The beast threw you against the sand and you hit it on a rock. The bleeding has stopped so hopefully you are healing already.” She nodded and whispered, “How did I get home?” Spike shrugged a little looking a tad embarrassed but was glad Buffy couldn’t see it as he replied, “I carried you home.” Buffy gasped and spoke in utter surprise, “All that way? That had to be a few miles at least.” Spike nodded, “You were unconscious so yeah I carried you a few miles. We are safe though.”
She looked down at the water noticing his arms were covered with deep gashes. She whispered, “You ok?” She lightly used her fingertips to rub over the injuries. She felt him nod and sighed whispering, “It was so perfect too.” Spike smiled into her hair, “It was perfect and will always be completely perfect. The beast didn’t occur until after our lovemaking and sunset so no worries. It was perfect. Thanks for that Buffy.” Buffy frowned, “Why thanks? We have been together lots…” He whispered very softly, “I have dreamed of making love on a beach in the sunlight and then watching the sunset with the one I loved since I was just a teenager. I had only two dreams and you just fulfilled one. Thank you.” Buffy smiled, “You’re welcome. I’ve never done that before.”
Spike smiled and kissed her hair, “That makes it even more special. It was a first for both of us.” She nodded and closed her eyes. After a few more minutes of soaking, he carefully climbed out from behind her and then lifted her from the tub as she held her aching head. He dried her off and then carefully used a cloth to retie the strips around her head to protect it while she was sleeping and then slipped the nightgown over her head. He didn’t bother to get dressed as he helped her to bed. She lay down next to him resting her head against his chest and fell asleep almost immediately. Spike closed his eyes thanking whoever chose to hear him for keeping them safe and for answering a dream.
They were so wrapped up in each other, neither noticed as the door turned into a fair skinned face and had been listening to their conversation. The face said nothing but listened until Buffy had fallen asleep then she disappeared from sight never to be noticed.
The maid brought them breakfast in bed the next day. There was fresh meat and fruits as well as some good juices. Spike even had some as it smelt really good. The hunt had been successful and had brought the villagers enough food for another few months. A hunter had been sent back to the beach to pick up the beast they had killed and it was added to the food supply. It was called something Spike couldn’t translate so he didn’t even bother. Buffy had gone right back to sleep after eating so Spike relaxed and followed her. He was definitely tired after the long walk back to the village. He would never complain but it really took a lot out of him.
Buffy awoke to a new morning. She was starved and figured Spike must be too. She wiggled out of his embrace happy to see a new outfit on the table as well as some fresh food. She nibbled on the cheese and meat and put it on a few of the crackers and munched happily. Her head was feeling so much better and her body wasn’t so sore. She almost felt back to normal. She ate a few more crackers and went over to check to see how Spike was healing. Moving the blanket down she looked at his healing body.
There were a few very light marks from the bruises that covered his body before. The marks on his skin were fading but weren’t gone. She figured that was because he had refused to feed from her. She sighed and thought of how their life had changed. In just a few days, they had gone from using each other to depending on each other. She crawled back into Spike’s arms and smiled at the way he wrapped his arms around her whispering in his sleep, “Slayer.” She gently placed a kiss on his lips and he murmured, “Buffy” as he wrapped his arms tighter around her. She realized at this moment, she had never had someone love her so much.
Riley had pretty much slept on his side of the bed never paying her attention. She was able to sneak in and out of the bed without him even acknowledging her missing. Angel well that was another story. She never got the chance to sleep with him. They had an amazing crush but it never got to grow to be adult love. She never got to lie next to him admiring how he looked as he was sleeping. She never got to share a meal with him or have a real date. She never got to imagine a real life with him either. She frowned as she realized that she was suggesting she could do that with Spike. She wasn’t so sure she would go that far. She brushed a curl out of his face wishing he’d wake up. She was anxious to start their day and wanted to make sure he was ok. Buffy hoped that he would agree to feed from her again. Spike leaned up and kissed her on the lips and she resisted at first, nervous about hurting him but then relaxed and enjoyed it.