Faith regarded Buffy with a guarded smile for a few seconds before finally relenting and taking a seat next to her. It wasn’t long before Buffy had her opening up a little about some of her travels as she searched out rogue slayers all over the world. There were funny stories, but most of them seemed sad, almost hopeless. It was obvious Faith was trying not to show how much it was all affecting her, but Buffy could tell.

Satsu could also tell, and she listened for as long as she could before closing her eyes and feeling the weight of sleep drag her downwards. A few weeks before and she might have felt differently about Buffy being left alone with Faith – gravitating slowly towards each other on the couch – but she didn’t feel jealousy. She didn’t even feel particularly threatened. In fact, she felt somewhat pleasantly warmed by the presence of them both, knowing how much feeling lay under the surface of all their thoughts about each other.

Maybe it was a slayer thing, or maybe it was just something Satsu couldn’t put her finger on. Whatever it was, she felt a strong connection flowing through them all – she loved Buffy, Faith loved Buffy, and Buffy obviously loved Faith no matter how well she thought she hid it. What Satsu wasn’t certain of was Buffy’s feelings for her. She knew now – given Buffy’s reactions – that it wasn’t just about the sex. Even though that would have been fine in itself. . .it went deeper than that. They connected more than just physically, craved each other on more than just one level.

They all had a lot in common.

“I think your chick’s asleep,” Faith pointed out, nodding her way as Buffy smiled easily over at the bed.

“She’s not really my. . .chick,” Buffy corrected hesitantly, looking back at Faith and suddenly realizing just how close they’d gotten.

Faith also glanced down at the sparse distance between them, but she didn’t say anything about it. Instead she draped her arm over the back of the couch behind Buffy, facing her a little more as they accepted the intimate atmosphere – intimate for them at least.

“You don’t have to pretend with me yunno, B,” Faith encouraged. “I can see she means a lot to you.”

Buffy thought about denying it, but as she took another lingering glance over at the beautiful, courageous girl in her bed she knew she couldn’t.

“She does mean a lot to me,” Buffy confessed, unable to hide her affectionate smile, though a yawn took it from her before it could linger. “But it’s a little complicated.”

“Things are only as complicated as you make them,” Faith offered, her voice lower and huskier now the night was drawing on. “Doesn’t always have to be that way.”

“Does it always have to be that way between us?” Buffy asked without thinking, shocking herself at the chance she was taking.

They rarely, if ever, spoke this way with each other. Usually, fists and fire got in the way of conversation. It felt different, however. As they sat close to one another in the soft light coming from the bedside lamp, the air warm, an embracing post-battle hum trickling through their veins, it was clear that a shift had happened. Maybe there had been one too many fights, misunderstandings and hurtful words. Maybe what had previously only ever lay hidden under the layers they’d created was pushing to the surface.

“We’re a whole new level of complicated, Twinkie,” Faith replied with a calm smile.

Buffy mirrored the smile and subconsciously dipped her head to look up at Faith through her eyelashes. “Ever wonder why that is, Faith?” she urged.

Faith licked her lips and seemed to ponder the question, chocolate brown eyes never leaving Buffy’s.

“Got my theories,” Faith answered, the sexy burr to her voice making Buffy’s spine tingle; scratches of desire searching their way through her resolve.

She looked deep into the eyes that held so much mystery. Their warmth enveloped her in a way that almost shocked Buffy. Faith’s eyes had always held steel barriers within them in the past, but now – peering past the dusky makeup and years of pain – she saw truths within them. She saw a girl that was full of carefully banked emotion. A girl whose temper and heart lay on her sleeve in equal measure. A girl Buffy had always felt for, whether it be anger, disappointment, hope, love.

“Maybe one day we’ll work it out,” Buffy said quietly. Hopefully.

A small, slow nod was Faith’s response, and that was good enough for now. It gave Buffy hope. She wasn’t sure what it was she was hoping for exactly, but she never wanted to slip back into old habits with Faith again. They’d plunged the depths of all that was bad and wrong inside them in their struggle to exist together, and Buffy was tired of it.

She was also tired out from the last week of frantic researching, training, and then fighting. Her eyelids were threatening to end the conversation, and though she fought the need to sleep with all the strength she had left, she knew it was one battle she was going to lose.

From her position in bed, Satsu listened to the soft voices until the soft voices drifted into quietness. Opening her eyes just a crack, she squinted past the lamplight towards the couch. Buffy’s eyes were closed, her face relaxed and content as her head lolled to the side. Faith was looking down at her warmly – an intense tenderness that Satsu had never seen since she’d known her soothing her features.

Satsu had looked at Buffy many times that way when Buffy had lay sleeping beside her. She’d also whispered her fingers gently over Buffy’s hair in the way Faith now was, and held her breath and wished with all her heart for her love to be returned. She saw herself in Faith, and found herself willingly wading into the waters of compassion.

Without all the bravado, the tough-talk, brazen leather and language. . .Faith was the perfect picture of serene beauty. The soft tumble of her dark hair in contrast to the lightly tanned sheen of her skin made for a faultless contrast. Eyes that could cut you down with a look one minute, then have you weak at the knees the next. The strength of her features. Bold frame of her body. Distinct air of her presence; powerful, passionate, unashamed. She was stunning in her foreboding disquiet.

Though Satsu would always find Buffy the more attractive of the two, she couldn’t help but allow herself to appreciate Faith in a way she’d never dared to before. If not for the adorable allure of her lover. . .she could very well find herself falling for Faith’s looks, if not her aura of danger. She knew that would come with even more heartache and peril than falling in love with Buffy had brought her – which made Satsu pity Buffy’s already battered heart. Faith was forbidden fruit, for everybody that had ever wanted to reach out and pluck it from the tangled vine.

As Satsu looked on – eyes wishing to close despite her will – Buffy let out a soft snore, causing Faith to smile at her even more fondly. It was the same reaction Satsu always had with that cute little sound.

Buffy remained blissfully unaware of her audience; body relaxing against Faith, and head rolling onto her shoulder. Faith didn’t seem to know quite what to do with Buffy snuggling into her. She stayed stoic and silent, and didn’t flinch when Buffy’s hand roamed over to her thigh.

A faint flutter of jealousy ricocheted around inside Satsu, but it soon diffused to nothing as she noted the serene look on her lover’s face. She couldn’t be jealous; couldn’t deny Buffy any kind of happiness or contentment, no matter how fleeting. They were all slayers. All caught up in the precarious search for peace amongst the burning ruins of battle. And as Faith’s hand tenderly lay upon Buffy’s on her thigh, Satsu had high hopes that Buffy would find her peace.

“Faith,” Satsu spoke softly, so she wouldn’t rouse Buffy.

Faith looked up towards Satsu, a flicker of guilt bruising her features as she removed her hand from the one on her leg.

“It’s ok,” Satsu assured, eyes gentle as they watched Faith struggling with her defenses. “But maybe you could bring her to bed?” she asked with a smile, wanting Buffy to rest as comfortably as she could.

Furrowing her brow, Faith glanced back down at Buffy. She licked her ample lips and assessed the situation. Satsu could tell that Faith was attempting to think of the best way to move Buffy, without waking her and creating awkwardness that would roll back the few good hours they’d spent together. Eventually, with a silent sigh, Faith made her move.

She kept her movements slow and steady; strong arms pulling Buffy closer to her body. There was a whimper from Buffy – a sleepy mumble about soft pillows and marshmallow. Both Faith and Satsu smiled, their eyes snagging each others in the dull light. A knowing look. An exchange.

Once certain that Buffy was still sleeping, Faith walked her easily over to the opposite side of the bed. She had Buffy laid out in her arms, hands at her back and under her legs, touching skin exposed by the shorts Buffy had put on after a brief shower once the battle was done. Faith’s footfalls were quiet and precise as she carried her; Buffy’s arm instinctively wrapping around her for support, head resting against her shoulder.

Dark and light hair tumbled together in stark contrast. A peaceful, sleeping expression and a tight, tempestuous brow reflected the ever present danger in the girls’ relationship with one another. Their feelings bounced haphazardly off one another, never landing clean, never catching a break in the violence.

Satsu pulled back the covers as Faith drew near, studying her deep frown, wishing she could help ease the anguish inside her. She doubted the anguish would ever be tamed for Faith, but Satsu had come to the conclusion that she couldn’t allow Faith to remain in so much pain over Buffy. Loving Buffy was Faith’s crime - just as it was Satsu’s - but Faith had obviously never fully come to terms with it or the hurt it caused her. It was a raging sea inside her, leading her this way and that on its tides; buoying her and drowning her, ripping and pulling.

Laying Buffy gently into the bed next to Satsu, Faith exhaled a long held breath. Her eyes caught Satsu’s and they lingered – the light throwing flecks of gold deep into luxurious brown that poured over Satsu like melted chocolate. It wasn’t until she found herself feeling flushed that Satsu realized Faith’s eyes were lingering for a reason – she was only wearing a small tank top and panties, and the covers were pulled back enough to expose her.

She tried to swallow noiselessly as her body reacted to such an open look of admiration. It probably wasn’t right that Faith was making her feel somewhat aroused given the fact she loved Buffy, and the fact Faith was her supposed rival. Satsu was a sexual person, however. And of course she was also a slayer that had fought hard and long just a few hours before – she was bound to be susceptible to such looks.

Breaking the moment, Faith blinked and pulled her arms out from under Buffy. Leaving Buffy to murmur and snuggle closer to Satsu in search of comfort, Faith straightened up but allowed her gaze to wander over both girls. Her hand swept through her lush hair, eyes catching Satsu’s once more before she turned to leave.

A moment of hesitation stalled Faith, and pushed Satsu into doing something reckless. Something unhindered in its leap into the unknown.

“Stay,” Satsu said a little shakily.

Faith turned her head towards her, the crease in her brow deepening as she gave Satsu a confused look.

Licking her suddenly dry lips, Satsu went with her gut feeling – she went with what Buffy would want if she were able to climb over their history to get to it. She went with what was in Faith’s eyes. She went with the distinct buzz that being around Faith and Buffy gave her, slayer and otherwise.

“There’s plenty of room,” Satsu continued quietly.

Buffy shuffled a little as Satsu moved over and encouraged her to follow. She didn’t wake, and Faith continued to look down at them, her expression now ambiguous in its motionless state.

Flicking her eyes down to the bed and back up to Faith she was sure Faith understood her meaning. She didn’t quite know for certain what she was offering, but it felt right. If Buffy got mad at her for presuming something that wasn’t true, she would deal with the consequences. Satsu was no shrinking violet; she went after what she wanted and walked through life boldly. It was about time Buffy did that with Faith, and if all it took was a small shove, then Satsu was happy to do the shoving. . .as long as that didn’t completely wreck her own timid relationship with Buffy. Something told her – from what she’d seen of them both recently – that her decision was in all their interests. And even if it wasn’t. . .her inner-slayer clearly knew what was right and wrong. It knew what it wanted.

Faith seemed to be flitting between sure and unsure and a now nervous hand rubbed at the back of her neck. She passed her tongue over her bottom lip, her nostrils flaring slightly as she stared down at the bed and its occupants. There was an almost feral look in Faith’s eyes, and Satsu felt her heart rate quickening.

It wasn’t as if she was in any way going to initiate something sexual – she was mostly just offering a moment of closeness, a night in which all that existed was warmth and hope - but her mind was wandering. She couldn’t help herself thinking about Faith naked, aroused, participating in the hot sex she and Buffy shared. That wasn’t what this was about though – mainly – it was about so much more. She hoped Faith understood that too.

“Dunno if that’s such a good idea,” Faith finally said, her voice cracking in its husky quietness.

“Take a chance that it is,” Satsu pursued.

Faith looked away, eyes eating up the space around her as she fought with whatever was kicking and screaming inside her. The quick rising and falling of Faith’s chest indicated the gravity of the decision. It was definitely a risk, but was it one she wanted to take? Did she know Buffy enough to realize she only had one choice?

With a final heavy breath, Faith straightened in her resolve and without ceremony pulled off her tee shirt and began unbuckling and unzipping herself out of her pants.

Satsu watched as Faith slid the tight material down her sleek legs, leaving them to pool at the floor on top of her boots. Her panties matched the bra she’d left on; black, uncomplicated, small. Stood in just her underwear, she regarded Satsu and the silent and sleeping Buffy once more with slight trepidation before gingerly joining them. Her added weight made the bed give a little squeak as she slid in next to Buffy and Satsu threw the covers over her.

Deciding against offering Faith something more comfortable to sleep in, Satsu smiled to herself. Faith had one hell of a body, and she seriously doubted Buffy was going to mind having it pressed up against her.

“She’s gonna kill me,” Faith mumbled as she rested her head down close to Buffy’s. “And then she’ll kill you.”

With a small chuckle, Satsu shook her head. “She needs this.”

Faith’s eyes caught Satsu’s over a sweep of blonde hair, confusion evident as it cut across her brow. Satsu didn’t think she could explain it without sounding somewhat weird. It was just a feeling she had, and since being a slayer she’d learned to listen to those feelings. It wasn’t often that she was wrong, and though Buffy thought she hid all her secrets well, Satsu had been able to learn more about her than most probably did. Scarce yet long nights trying and failing to stop the inevitable plunge into naked and sweaty grasping and groaning had brought them closer together than Satsu had thought possible.

When Faith had herself settled on her side next to Buffy, Satsu shuffled around until she was also comfortable; trying to keep her injured leg from throbbing by lying on her side facing the two slayers, resting on her good leg. Buffy mumbled and turned her back a little to Faith so she was facing Satsu more. Her hand traveled to Satsu’s thigh, just above her bandage, as she found the natural comfort zone; head dipping almost under Satsu’s chin towards her upper chest.

It took a minute or two for Buffy to sink back into full sleep, and Satsu heard Faith take a shaky breath once the snoring resumed.

“Don’t worry,” Satsu reassured.

She stroked her fingers lightly across Buffy’s back over the small tee shirt she was wearing. Her body was urging her to forget that it was hurting - at least long enough to take care of the post slaying hornies – as the back of her knuckles glanced over Faith’s stomach. She pushed the urge aside, although it was difficult with two gorgeous girls in bed with her.

“Don’t worry?” Faith asked, giving a grunt to emphasize how crazy she obviously thought that idea was. “I’m seriously headed for a world of pain when she wakes up. I should go.”

Faith sighed, but she didn’t move.

“She’d want you to stay,” Satsu said quietly over Buffy. “If she didn’t, she’d be awake by now and your ass would be hittin’ the floor. Buff’s not that much of a heavy sleeper.”

She gave Faith a wink and grinned at the slightly stricken expression the info gave her. It wasn’t as if Satsu believed Buffy was awake and knew exactly what was happening, but even as exhausted as she was she had to be aware of the extra body now in her bed. Just how aware, and how bothered by it she was, Satsu couldn’t know for sure – but she could guess.

“I dunno,” Faith said, breathing out heavily as she rested her head on her elbow, now looking down on Buffy.

With a soft sigh Buffy appeared to push back against Faith under the covers, causing Faith to clench her jaw and raise an eyebrow.

“Maybe it’s worth gettin’ knocked on my ass for though,” she muttered as Satsu gave her a knowing grin.

They shared a moment of silence as Satsu’s hand kept up its slow rhythm over Buffy’s back. The fact she was also - quite by accident - rubbing the back of her hand over Faith’s stomach didn’t go mentioned by either girl, though the subtle tensing of Faith’s muscles now and then told Satsu more than Faith obviously planned on. She didn’t mind; Faith’s skin was hot and soft, and there was the added bonus that Faith wasn’t telling her to stop at least.

“You’re in love with her aren’t you,” Satsu stated, her voice a quiet whisper as she watched Faith watching Buffy.

Faith blinked, her eyes flicking to the door past the bottom of the bed in panic. She was probably looking for a quick escape, but Satsu knew she wouldn’t run. Not now.

Glancing back to Buffy’s relaxed face, listening to the sound of her steady breathing, Faith seemed to sense defeat.

“It’s not like I ever wanted to be,” Faith admitted, barely audible as her voice took on a quiet burr.

She held Satsu’s brown eyes with her own and nodded slowly.

“Totally understand that.” Nodding along with her, Satsu continued, “I guess it’s just something about her.”

They both looked down at the very peaceful and tightly snuggled girl in question.

“You ever tell her?” Satsu asked, knowing the answer but keen to hear from Faith why she’d never taken the plunge and said anything.

“Fuck no!” Faith answered - a whispered shout.

Satsu held in the chuckle that threatened to spill out at the intense expression afflicting Faith’s features.

“Why?” she pushed, wondering just how far Faith would open up.

Faith gave her a puzzled look and rubbed at her brow just above an expressively arched eyebrow.

“You not caught up on all your Faith and Buffy history?” she questioned. “Too busy fightin’ to. . .”

Satsu interrupted. “Maybe if you’d tried. . .”

“Maybe if I hadn’t always been too fucked up to.”

Satsu nodded in understanding as Faith furrowed her brow indignantly.

It was probably time to stop pushing Faith and let the night wrap its arms around them all – embracing them in their twisted and tangled feelings and needs. She didn’t want to piss Faith off too much, and certainly didn’t want to chase her out.

Feeling her eyes growing heavy now the conversation seemed to be over, Satsu closed them and rested her head close to Buffy’s. She felt Faith shifting down into the mattress, and smiled when a warm stomach pressed closer to the back of her hand, and therefore closer to Buffy.

This was Satsu’s gift to Buffy. This was how much she loved her.