| **** They all were familiar with the pain. In each one it had a different source, and every person could pinpoint the moment things had changed, the night their luck had turned. **** The teller at the bank had given me a weird look after I made my request. She had rung for the manager and the two of them had counted out the stacks of bills, furtively glancing my way. I walked back to my hotel and strode through the cool comfort of the lobby, carrying the heavy leather suitcase that held my most precious possessions. I opened the door to my suite and discarded my clothes, sinking into the comfort of the plush king sized bed. With trembling hands I unlocked the case. I closed my eyes as I took out handfuls of crisp bills and let them drift over my skin. Clouds of currency fell over my naked flesh, sliding across my body. Soon I had a nice warm blanket, covering me, soothing me. The almighty dollar was dependable, reliable. In money I trust. **** The girl was all wrong. That was my first impression when I opened the door and saw her standing outside. She was blonde and thin, but she had huge fake breasts. She was nothing like what I’d wanted, what I needed. “Come on in, pet,” I’d told her, taking her hand and leading her inside the crypt. **** Rack’s hand reached out and pressed against my chest, and the wild searing force of his power sizzled through every nerve in my body. I cried out in exultation, feeling the euphoria fill my veins. It was better than sex, better than anything. I didn’t need love, I didn’t need to be good. I just needed to ride the magick. **** Her large hazel eyes were filled with need. “I’m not asking you to take me to bed, I’m just asking for a little comfort,” she said. “I can’t take any more pain. I need to lean on someone else, just for a while, just until I can catch my breath.” ”You know that there’s nothing I can do,” I said firmly. “I have my own issues to deal with. My life has changed so much since I left here. The things I’ve done, who I am now. You’d never understand.” I pulled my hands out of her grasp and turned to leave. ”I love you, Angel,” she told me. “And I need you so much, more now than I ever did before.” I turned and looked back at her. “I’m sorry,” I said simply. “I just don’t have anything to give.” **** The bot really did look just like her. I’d forgotten how startling the resemblance was. Her eyes opened and she smiled at me. “Hello,” she said warmly. “Hi there,” I replied. She turned her head, taking in her surroundings. “This is your apartment,” she said cheerily. “This is your dwelling, where you live.” She looked at me thoughtfully. “It feels like it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I remember bad demons, and falling.” Her forehead wrinkled as she thought it through. “I got hurt.” “Willow fixed you,” I told her. “Spike had spare parts, and you’re all better now.” She was beautiful and perfect, completely unscathed from her ordeal. Her face lit up. “Is Spike here?” She looked around eagerly. A cold feeling clenched in my gut. “No, we’re all alone.” I reached out my hand and caressed the strands of her hair. “He used to be nice to me,” she said forlornly. “He doesn’t like me anymore.” “Forget about Spike,” I said roughly. “I like you, I want to be with you.” I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tight. She was so soft, so warm. “I love you,” she whispered in my ear. “My good strong carpenter friend.” **** The money alone wasn’t good enough. The war footage on the news wasn’t gory enough. I needed a really amazing orgasm or some bloodshed if I was going to really relax. Preferably both. I thought of the perfect person who could fulfill both needs. I looked through my clothes and there was nothing there I liked, nothing suitable for what I had in mind. I’d pick out an outfit at the sex shop, I decided. And maybe a flail, and a choke collar. I felt better already. **** |
 |
 |
 |
| Bittersweet Symphony |
| Warning: Contains sexual violence, BDSM, f/f sex and implied drug use. |