Complicated discussions.

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

Continued from here.

"I'd imagine that's true," Wesley said. "I would like to point out that there are plenty of people -- with souls -- who do horrible things. Mass murderers, serial killers. The presence of a soul isn't an indication of inherent goodness, and it's not the part of you that prevents you from doing evil. That comes from within." Spontaneously, he moved his hand to Spike's chest, feeling it, cool and strong, beneath his palm.

Comments

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

"But if you helped them, you were good," Wesley said, frustrated by how Spike seemed incapable of grasping this simple fact.

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

"No, I did something good," Spike replied, just as frustrated. "There's a difference."

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

"Weren't you doing it because it was the right thing to do? Because you wanted to help?" Wesley was confused now.

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

"Most of the time," Spike said with a slightly self-conscious half-shrug. "But it didn't change what I was. I thought it did, but..." He shook his head and looked down at his hands for a moment before meeting Wesley's eyes again. "I thought getting the soul would change things, too, but it didn't take anything away. It just added more. All the evil is still in there, and I don't know why you don't see that."

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

"Because I have faith in you," Wesley said, putting his hands over Spike's and squeezing reassuringly. "Because I see how hard you're trying -- and how often you succeed. And I love you."