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

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

Wesley's belief in his words was clear in his eyes, and Spike couldn't look away. He turned his hands in Wesley's to hold onto them, too overwhelmed by gratitude shadowed by a fear that he couldn't live up to those expectations to speak. "I love you, too," he said softly when he trusted that his voice wouldn't shake. "But I still think you're fooling yourself."

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

"Then, with all due respect, you're wrong." Wesley smiled hopefully. "You'll have to trust that I know what I'm talking about." Of course, he was still utterly convinced that in the long run Spike would need things he couldn't provide, but he was too selfish to let Spike go.

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

"I trust you," Spike said. Even though he was having trouble reconciling Wesley and Buffy's view of him with what he actually was, he knew that much.

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

Unsure if that was really true, Wesley said, "I want you to." His head was aching again -- had been the whole time, actually, and he'd just been ignoring it. Letting go of only one of Spike's hands, he turned and picked up one of the water bottles from the bedside table and took a quick drink.

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

Spike looked away as Wesley drank, not wanting to think about his mouth or the movements of his neck as he swallowed. "I do. I can't tell you how important that is to me."

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

Wesley put the bottle back. "Are you sure it's important enough that the other things don't matter?"

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

"What do you mean?" Spike asked, glancing over. "There's nothing that's a problem. Not with you."

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

"Well there certainly aren't any with you," Wesley said, frowning.

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

Spike wondered how Wesley could point out flaws in him one minute and not admit that they exist the next. "Right, I'm a bleeding paragon of perfection. I was just trying to be modest for a change."

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

Taking a chance, Wesley leaned over and kissed Spike's shoulder quickly. "You're perfect to me. That's what matters."