(no subject)

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

Faith comes into the bar from upstairs, obviously just out of the shower - all the blood is gone, and her hair is still wet, clinging to her shoulders.

Her expression is completely unreadable as she moves to the bar and acquires two things - coffee, and a room key - before moving to a table.

Comments

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"Faith."

He is simply there, standing next to the table she is approaching.

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

Faith puts the coffee and the key down and moves, silently, to embrace him.

Squeezing pretty tight.

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

He folds her into his embrace like a child far, far younger than she into the arms of her father.

Dream never had a daughter. Faith never had a father. Perhaps it is still close enough.

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

Perhaps it is.

She clings to him, for a moment that turns into several moments, and then pulls back, her expression still blank.

"Hi."

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"Hello, Faith."

He responds, quietly,

"I am pleased to see that you are back. Do you wish to talk about it?"

Where it is everything that has happened to her since this morning.

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

Faith's lips twitch faintly.

"Is there anything you don't know already?"

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"I am told that it is good for mortals to speak of what is wrong. That it provides catharsis."

Death has been trying to convince him to do the same for eons. He offers her a sincere, if small, smile in return.

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"I'm going to sleep alone tonight in a totally undecorated apartment, because apparently I'm a masochist," Faith says, dryly. "Beyond that...well, you know. What point is there in talking?"

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

He can think of any number of logical, well thought out things to say involving the effects of holding things in on mortal minds, how stress tends to build up and cause any of a number of physical issues, or preaching not keeping ones friends and family out.

Instead he gives her another silent hug.

Even Dream can learn, eventually.

[stilljustandrew]

Hey.

*There's an Andrew next to her table.*

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"Hey."

Faith looks at him, with a faint smile. "How's it going?"

[stilljustandrew]

Okay. I'm thinking I want to try heading home again sometime in the next week or two, see if I can work out how to come and go at will.

...How're you doing? You look a little wireder than usual.

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"Oh, well."

Faith laughs, quietly.

"I just got back from a siege that some friends were running on this school that was torturing people. Cuthbert got shot, Mal got blown up, Breck Girl was...in shreds..."

She swallows, and then, more quietly, adds, "And Connor and I just split."

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew gasps.*

Cuthbert and -- are they okay? Did they ...

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"They're going to be. Everybody's gonna be. Uh, don't mention this to the Crowley here, it's a future version of himself."

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew nods. He's had that happen. It's a pain.*


...and Connor?

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

Faith shrugs, slightly.

"I'm mortal. He's not. It...it's better this way. Before it gets too painful."

[theprettiestone.livejournal.com]

"Hey."

Alex's voice is soft as he sits down beside her.

"You okay, dearheart?"

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"Connor and I split up."

Faith is staring at the room key, her expression inscrutable.

"Just now."

[theprettiestone.livejournal.com]

He gently pulls her into a hug, kissing her hair.

"M'sorry, Faith."

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

She shrugs slightly, leaning against him.

"Mutual decision. I'm mortal, he's not...plus, I'm a Slayer, more mortal than most...it was gonna be painful, it's just...easier now than later."

[theprettiestone.livejournal.com]

"I know. Still. I'm sorry you're hurting." Quietly, "I care about you, you know. Don't like seeing you upset."

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"I know. It's very sweet."

She smiles, faintly, and tilts her face up to kiss his cheek.

"Mutual too."

[theprettiestone.livejournal.com]

He smiles a little. "I'd hope so, considering you're going to be Nick's best man..."

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

She chuckles softly, her smile widening.

"I actually bought a dress for that man. He should feel loved."