Title: Bring Me Into the Light
AUTHOR: Mistress Ace & Em
E-MAIL: rosewood@inreach.com & winter@sapphire-dragon.net
FEEDBACK: Is the butter on our bread. We write because the story begs to be told. Feedback lets us know if we struck a chord with you.
DISTRIBUTION: Our site, for the moment. When we post fully edited chapters, those can be posted elsewhere. RATING: NC-17
CATEGORY: Story: Romance, Angst
SPOILERS: As You Were
PAIRINGS: B/R/Sam, m/f, f/f
DISCLAIMER: Don't own the characters at all. (More's the pity) They belong to the Great God Joss Whedon et al. We are just borrowing them for a little bit. That's all. No BtVS characters were harmed in the writing of this fic. Well, maybe just a little.
SUMMARY: Not back for long enough. Not nearly long enough and there were too many things left up in the air. But isn't that the purpose of fan-fiction?
 

Chapter 41

With a soft sigh, Buffy gave in to what she was - and they were - feeling. Her lovers needed to sleep, but they all needed each other more. None of them knew how long this separation would end up being... and they all feared that it might be permanent. Buffy, herself, most of all because she was being left behind again. Life-or-death situations were easier on her when it was her life on the line rather than the lives of people she loved.

She didn't know how to sit back and let them face danger when she couldn't go.

Long, soft, deep kisses... Reveling in what he had again, in what had come back into his life. Riley's arms tightened around Buffy, molding her body to his and rocking slowly... so slowly.

It wasn't the brightest idea and he was acting possessive which also wasn't the brightest idea but Riley couldn't help it. No telling how long they'd be on mission. It could be a few days or a few weeks. Tracking the Suvolte had been almost a month long endeavor, with lots of lost trails and dead-ends that almost lost their quarry on more than one occasion. He prayed that this one would be quick. Get in, get the job done, get out... and come back to this.

Buffy let herself get swept up in the long, languid kisses... taking comfort in them, in his presence in her life and in her arms. Riley and Sam both. Buffy hadn't forgotten Sam, and had no intention of letting her be sidelined. Her fingers curled around Sam's cheek and her palm moved away from Sam's lips to brush through soft dark hair.

With a smile, Sam dipped her head down to kiss Riley's shoulder, drawing a contented sound from her husband. One last kiss laid gently on Buffy's mouth before he pulled back. Pulled back and rubbed his cheek against Sam's. "Mmmm... I could get used to this."

Sam laughed, leaning forward over his shoulder to kiss Buffy herself. Equally slow and soft, taking her time while Riley relaxed in the cradle of their bodies. He watched them, one hand stroking Sam's hip, the other resting on the curve of Buffy's shoulder. "Yeah, very used to this."

Buffy caught Riley's eyes, hers twinkling at him in humor and love. But more of her attention was on Sam, on kissing her gently, deeply. He wasn't the only one who could get used to this... not at all....

Riley's hands never stopped moving and while they continued to kiss, he followed the line of Buffy's jaw, her throat and then her shoulder with his mouth. No rush here, not now. He savored the taste of her skin, the scent of her, the feel of her body and Sam's.

A shiver interrupted his downward path. Sam had reached between them, fitting her hand neatly around his cock. She stroked it slowly, in time with his careful touches and when Riley heard Buffy's soft moan, he looked down. The back of Sam's hand pressed up against Buffy, rubbing over and over on a sensitive spot.

Buffy shivered, torn between pressing closer and backing slightly away. It felt good... very good... but she didn't want to get too lost, too soon. She wanted to spend as much time as possible enjoying her time with them. And she wanted to be consciously able to do it. But part of her was still in a mindset where she didn't want to spoil Sam's fun by denying her anything.

When their mouths finally parted, Sam titled her head to one side and smiled at Buffy. "Slow... time to go slow. Tell me what you like... or have Riley show me." She wanted to know everything about Buffy, absolutely everything.

If they took this slow and made it last then maybe... just maybe they'd stop worrying about tomorrow. Tomorrow was tomorrow and this... this was now.

Buffy blinked up at Sam for a moment, surprise and confusion flitting across her face. This was a new game... one that she wasn't entirely sure that she knew how to play. She and Riley had never talked a whole lot during sex... and then only soft pleas or endearments or each other's name. She wasn't sure if she knew how to tell Sam what she liked. But... she could try, if it made them happy...

"I..I can try to, if you want," she answered, nodding slowly.

"I want to know you," Sam said quietly, brushing her lips over the tender line of Buffy's cheek. "Want to know what pleases you. If you like soft or hard, where you liked to be kissed and how."

The hesitation was very, very real on Buffy's part. Not mistaking that and Sam wondered if she'd gone too far. If she'd pushed one time too many which she freely admitted to having a problem with. Too easy to say the wrong thing at the wrong time... and not knowing Buffy that well compounded the problem.

Riley considered the possibility that he should step in and decided to let them work it out. What Sam was suggesting sounded like a game and he knew Buffy well enough to understand that bed games and Buffy were not two things that mixed well. What Sam was suggesting sounded like a game but it really wasn't. It was a plea...

Buffy reached up and gently brushed a strand of hair out of Sam's eyes. Her fingertips then slide down over soft skin, lightly caressing Sam's face. She studied her lover carefully, but found none of the usual playfulness and humor. Instead, she found an intent desire, almost pleading, mingled with hesitation and a trace of doubt.

After taking a deep breath and relaxing herself, Buffy found a smile and nodded again. "I want you to know me too, Sammie." She used the nickname deliberately in a soft, reassuring manner. Meant to indicate closeness rather than as a diminutive. "And I want to know what you like. I'm just... not sure how. I've never done anything like this before." Uncertainty crept into Buffy's voice and eyes, but she was willing to try.

For Sam, for Riley, and for herself.

"It's not the easiest thing," Riley said, shifting so Sam and Buffy had more access to each other. "It takes a lot of trust to open yourself up." Gently, he wrapped his hand around Sam's and stopped her. When she let go, Riley slid her hand out from between them and placed it on the curve of Buffy's hip. "Here... just the fingertips."

When Sam complied, trailing the very tips of her fingers over the sensitive skin, Riley nodded. "Good... right like that. Take it slow." His attention turned to Buffy, taking her hand and curving it around Sam's breast. "Here... underneath is very sensitive."

Buffy took a moment to give Riley a grateful smile before she turned her attention to his words and what she was doing. Her fingertips brushed in little swirling patterns over Sam's soft, golden skin, paying special attention to the undersides of her breasts. She moved slowly, unconsciously following her own preferences as she explored. She trusted them to tell her if she was doing something wrong.

He was the only one who knew both of them, knew them inside and out. Riley didn't mind playing guide. "That's it," he encouraged as Sam arched up into Buffy's touch. Watched her head go back and felt her whole body shudder.

Getting onto his back wasn't that hard and Riley grinned as Sam crawled right up on top of him. Even laid down on her side, arm around his neck, curve of her breast and hip fitting into the hollows of his body, one leg slid between his and her foot rubbed along his calf. She was keeping him involved even though her focus was on Buffy. Light strokes along the line of the hip, soft dip over the flat belly. "Yes," Riley prompted as Buffy shivered. "Little lower."

"Mmmm... feels really nice..." Buffy murmured softly as Sam followed Riley's instruction. And it did, it felt very good... soft and slow, stimulating without being rushed at all. Sam was doing so well that Buffy only hoped to be able to do half as well as she continued her own gentle exploration.

Riley kissed Sam's forehead, brushing back a lock of hair with his lips. His hand rose, stroking lightly under the chin and down her throat. "Buffy, kiss here." Fingertips pressed into the hollow at the base and when Buffy obeyed, Sam's soft cry was a reward in and of itself.

"Oh... oh..." Her own mission forgotten, swirling away on a tide of sensation. Buffy's touch, so unlike Riley's... so soft and gentle was sheer bliss. While she admired her husband's strength, she'd missed the delicacy that another woman brought to her bed.

For a moment, Sam let go. Let go of her concerns about coming on too strong or pushing too much and just simply enjoyed herself. Stretched out on top of Riley, her hand drifting lower while Buffy kissed her throat, sucked lightly and generally drove Sam crazy.

Buffy decided that she really enjoyed making Sam react like this. Using her lips and tongue, she licked and sucked and teased at the sensitive skin of Sam's throat. As she grew somewhat more confident, her kisses grew less tentative but no less gentle.

As intent as she was on Sam, though, she couldn't help her own shivers as her lover's fingertips drifted lightly over her stomach. She was mildly ticklish, but that fact simply gave her places that were more sensitive and her body quivered as Sam brushed across them.

"Sam... left thigh... no, your other left," Riley chuckled as Sam tried to follow his direction and misjudged. It wasn't often that Sam lost her sense of coordination like this. Always precise, always controlled... that was Sam. It was... interesting seeing her like this. "Mmmm-hmm, Buffy's ticklish so be careful."

Lush, warm curve under her palm and Sam felt Buffy's pulse jump. Rather than use her fingertips, she caressed with her whole hand. No telling what the reaction of a ticklish Slayer would be.

Lean muscles rippled under Sam's palm and Buffy moaned very softly. She pulled back just barely enough to whisper, "Not too ticklish... just a little. Watch the fingernails and I should be fine." Something she'd learned during tickle-fights with Dawn; fingernails were the real killer. Just the lightest touch of fingernails on skin could make her whole body jump. When used in the right places, it did the same thing to Riley.

Buffy was curious about Sam, but decided that she'd leave the more teasing exploration for another time.

Riley traced his hand down along Sam's shoulder and Buffy followed that line with her kisses. Being a guide was turning out to be a lot more interesting that he'd ever expected. His own desires abated, banked for a later time.

"I'll be careful," Sam said between shivers and soft moans. Buffy was hitting each spot, following Riley's lead and he was a master at playing her. Could send her over the edge with just his kisses and the feel of his broad hands on her skin.

Buffy lifted her head and murmured, "I know you will," into Sam's ear. She dipped her head to place a lingering kiss in the soft spot just below the ear and behind the jaw, then resumed following Riley's guidance. Buffy took careful note of what spots Sam reacted to most, doing her best to remember each of them.

Always a quick study, all Riley had to do was touch a spot and Buffy was there. Kissing and touching with gentle lips and even gentler fingers. Anything physical, Buffy got it right away... he watched her do this.

Well.

Not exactly this.

But he'd watched her with Giles every time the Watcher taught her a new move or a new technique. She would study the move, ask Giles to repeat it and then perform it flawlessly. Flowing from one point to another in the deadly dance that was the Slayer's art. And she did the same thing with him, once they'd gotten past their first awkwardness. All he had to do was show her something once and she'd remembered. Her hands and her mouth always remembered.

Which made her the finest sparring partner he'd ever had and, while she probably didn't believe it, the best lover. Riley dreamed of her for months afterwards. After the pain and the self-loathing faded and after he'd clawed his way back to sanity... he dreamed of her.

Now Sam would dream of her as well.

Riley's hand stopped moving briefly and he appeared to be lost in thought. When her mouth reached the place where his fingers rested on Sam's arm, she lifted up slightly and nipped the tips of his fingers. Caught his look as he blinked at her and then smiled. Her own fingers were still busy, retracing the path back up Sam's arm, over her shoulder and across her throat. Unerringly finding all the special places, just to reassure herself that she could.

"Regaining focus," Riley murmured as his hand moved again, gliding down along an imaginary line that ran from Buffy's ear to the point of her shoulder. Excellent at following orders, whether spoken or not, Sam repeated that line. First with her hand and then with her mouth. Tender kisses, butterfly brushes across the indicated spots.

He watched as Buffy leaned into those touches, her eyes closing and head going back. Captured her mouth with his, felt her open to him and took the silent invitation. His tongue stroking in, then tracing the line of her lips. Not seeking to overwhelm. Just wanting to join in where he could.

Buffy's free hand lifted to curl around Riley's neck as she returned his kiss. Gentle, but she could feel the passion just below the surface and enjoyed it immensely. The faint brush of his fingers made her skin tingle, and tiny shivers moved through her when Sam's mouth followed. A soft moan, though muffled by Riley's mouth on hers, was still loud enough to be heard by all of them when Sam moved her lips to the hollow of Buffy's shoulder.

Full hand press around Buffy's breast, thumb flicking over the nipple as Riley continued to kiss her. He rocked against Sam's hip, unaware of the unconscious movement. Warmth on his fingers, wet and lush and yes... Sam's mouth right there. Engulfing the nipple as well as his fingers.

Closing her eyes, she concentrated on both of them. The silken texture of Buffy's breast, the rise of the nipple into her kiss and the rougher surface of her husband's fingers. Faint hint of salt on his skin as well as the combination of her own unique taste and Buffy's. It was intoxicating, something Sam never wanted to do without again.

Not ever.

Buffy moaned softly again... the combination of her mouth and his fingers on her breast was heady. Rough and soft, warm and warmer, dry then wet... the sensations were heightened by the initial contrasts, then combined into a feeling that made her whole body tremble.

She tipped her head back and pulled away from the kiss to catch a shuddering breath and whisper their names before she leaned forwards again and caught Riley's lips in a soft kiss again.

The tiny catch in Buffy's voice was enough to send a shiver through Sam. So much love in it, so much need that she wished they could refuse Drum's orders. Simply refuse to leave until their lover could come with them. She didn't want to do this... didn't want to wake up tomorrow morning and see the fear in Buffy's eyes. Or taste it in her kiss.

But refusal wasn't an option. It never was. No matter how bad the scenario, no matter how hopeless the odds, she and Ry never walked away from a challenge. She had her own ghosts to lay to rest, her own friends to avenge... a clinic burnt to the ground, bodies strewn everywhere and the only reason she'd survived was because she could fight. And she fought and fought and fought until she was the only one standing.

Feeling Sam shiver, Buffy pressed closer to her lovers. Pleasure rolled gently over her and she let it. Let them touch and kiss and stroke her body, let them fill her with their presence and their love. It would have to last her for however long they were gone, so she soaked up the attention and emotion while she could. Her hands gently roamed over them, across shoulders and down arms. Exploring gently but staying out of the way too.

Hands and mouths and bodies, warmth everywhere. Riley cradled Buffy against him and Sam on top of him while they each continued to kiss and touch and explore. More... this meant more to him than anything they'd done before. It was sharing and they were all equal.

Not wanting to rush but still needing to feel more, Sam's hand drifted down between Buffy's thighs. She stroked lightly, merely brushing over the light curls and waiting until Buffy opened to her. Which she did with a sigh, one that Riley took in with his next kiss.

Hours, he could do this for hours and hours. Sweet mouth under his, tiny perfect teeth, little tongue that met his own stroke from stroke.

Buffy's eyes drifted half-closed and she sighed softly as Sam's fingers brushed lightly over more intimate flesh. Slow, soft, gentle... enough to satisfy the part of her that wanted more, and not enough to make her feel pushed or rushed in any way. Not teasing, either, which would have quickly driven her insane. Just gentle pleasure.

Her hand skimmed down Sam's arm, down her side and grazed light fingertips over Sam's hip. Buffy let her gentle caresses drift downwards, over Sam's stomach, and dipped into her navel briefly. Taking in soft flesh and full curves - fuller than her own, she thought but wasn't quite sure. Still, it didn't really matter much in the end.

Soft sound as Sam lifted her head, whisper of a voice that sent warm breath over Buffy's breast. "Yes... right there." She moved closer, her hip pressing against Riley's cock, feeling it rub along the taut skin. Hard, he was hard... had been since they'd started this and yet he wasn't pushing for more. He was content with whatever they would give him, even if it was nothing more than the privilege of their company.

She pressed a little harder and felt him shiver. Shiver and groan and buck against her. Looking up, Sam caught the sight of Riley with his head back, bottom lip caught between his teeth as he fought the urge to beg for more.

Soft fingertips in liquid warmth, finding the right spot and getting the same reaction from Buffy. Head back, eyes closed... soft moan filling the room.

Buffy moaned softly again as Sam delved a little deeper. Remembering Sam's plea to know what she liked, Buffy tried to put her desires into words. It was a struggle, and came out somewhat fragmented, but she managed. "Sam... mmmm... little lower, just a bit... touch soft..." She directed Sam to a sensitive place - not nearly as sensitive as her clit, but one that she liked to have touched. One that would fill her with a light pleasure but not overwhelm her.

Slow drag over her fingertips over that spot and Sam watched. Watched Buffy as she rested her head on Riley's shoulder. Then watched Riley as he eyed them curiously, apparently there was something about Buffy that he didn't know. And that made Sam smile. She had something that was hers...

Not a competition. This was not a competition but it was nice to know.

Buffy gasped when Sam's fingers first touched the right place. Her body went taut, then relaxed again as a gentle heat began to fill her. Buffy wondered if she glowed visibly sometimes, because of the way it felt, but she kept her eyes closed and just let it fill her. "Mmm...just like that," she murmured.

Turn of her wrist and the contact was better, fuller. Sam kept stroking while she kissed Buffy's shoulder and down along her arm. She smiled when she felt Riley's hand on her back, skimming across her skin. Smiled even more when he murmured, "Promise to show me that later? Please?"

"Mmmm..." Buffy sounded her agreement. "Wonder if Sammie has a place like that," she purred softly. "It's nice... feels good..." Buffy opened her eyes to look at Sam, asking permission to look... or be told, if Sam already knew about it.

The first to respond was Riley, mainly because Sam was quite occupied with the inner curve of Buffy's elbow. "She does... or at least I think she does."

That comment earned him a laugh from Sam, the vibration tickling across Buffy's skin. "I do. Only it's lower... and just inside. Here... I'll show you." She took Buffy's hand and guided it to the spot, dipped her fingers inside and shivered. "Right there."

"Mmmm... makes you feel all warm inside, but in a gentle way rather than overwhelming?" Buffy was curious about how it felt to someone else; she'd never had an opportunity to ask anyone. She watched Sam as her fingertips brushed softly over the place Sam had led her to.

"Yes and no. More like a slow burn. Knowing it wouldn't take much to push it further but not wanting to push... Yes... like that." Sam's breath caught as Buffy followed her instructions. She was good at this, much better than Sam would have ever expected. And eager to learn.

Riley knew that exact spot very, very well. Found it by accident one night and Sam was pretty vocal about it. Woke Graham up in the next tent, which resulted in some minor nudges at mess the next morning as well as a smirk on his buddy's face that just wouldn't go away.

Buffy was quiet for a moment as she took that in. Different for different people, then. Or maybe the difference was in the location... a sensitive spot just inside would be a different kind of feeling than one outside, she presumed. And then she smiled, hearing Sam's encouragement and watching her response. Feeling warm inside that she could make her Sammie feel so good.

"Oh... oh..." Sam's eyes closed slowly, dark lashes fanning over her cheeks. Mouth suddenly dry, she licked at her lips and rocked slowly into Buffy's hand. Everything was connected. When she moved, her hip rubbed against Riley and he moaned. When her fingers glided over Buffy, Sam was rewarded with a breathy cry from her lover.

"I want you two to know... This is driving me crazy... But in a good way." Riley's teeth caught in his bottom lip again as Sam deliberately moved even closer. "God, this is good."

"Crazy is best when reached slowly," Buffy murmured, nodding her agreement with his assessment. This was good. Very good.

As Sam moved closer, Buffy shifted her arm so that as she moved her fingers her arm brushed against Riley's cock from the other side. Deliberately, her motion also changed; fingers sliding into Sam slowly but deeply, moving precisely so that the length of her fingers moved over the spot she'd been rubbing. When she pulled back again, completing the stroke, she went back to rubbing with her fingertips and stayed there for several breaths before dipping inside again.

The slow burn had started, stealing the breath from her lungs. Delicate fingers inside her, searching and finding and slowly driving her out of her mind. It felt incredible, the sensation mounting with every pass.

Tiny whimpers from Sam had Riley chuckling. That was a noise he knew. One that he heard when they took it slow, when he started with his fingers and then finished with his cock. Resting barely inside her and rocking, rocking and not really moving while Sam came undone.

Buffy heard Riley chuckle and looked up at him curiously. "What is it?" she asked softly, curious. She was enjoying the sounds she elicited from Sam, and Riley's chuckles threw her a little bit. Not something she'd expected to hear in this kind of situation.

"She's about to melt on you, Buffy," he said quietly, kissing her forehead. And as he did, Sam shuddered. Shuddered and rocked up into Buffy's hand and cried out. "Oh yeah... That's it, baby. Come for us."

Pleasure, not the bright hard kind she normally felt. It had crept up slowly, winding its way through her body until this point. When everything devolved down into the sheer feel of those small fingers and the slick slide within her. Sam turned her face towards Buffy, blindly seeking a kiss.

Buffy lifted her head up to Sam's level and caught her lips in a kiss. Gentle, but deep and passionate. As she moved, the angle of her fingers changed and they slid just a little deeper, a little faster. Slick heat and soft flesh and Sam almost writhing as Buffy pressed closer.

Sam felt the world fall away and she went with it. Let Buffy take her there. Lying on top of her husband's strong body, his hand on the small of her back while Buffy's fingers worked magic. One last shudder followed by a long, low moan as she was swept away.

Holding onto Sam was the most natural thing in the world. Giving her an anchor, something to lean against while she had one of those quiet orgasms that he lived for. The strong ones were great and Riley loved them but these... these were special because they were so rare.

A small, thrilled shiver zipped up Buffy's spine as Sam climaxed from her efforts. Softly, gently, like the actions that provoked it. It was a heady sensation, being able to do it, and Buffy was glad that they'd helped her to do accomplish it.

She'd enjoyed all their earlier sessions, most of which had been hot and heavy and passionate. But this... this was different. Gentler. It touched her heart and soul in ways that nothing else could. And somewhere deep down, she wondered what might have been different if she'd been able to be more open with her own gentler side in the past.

Buffy immediately tried to banish that thought, though; it was neither here nor there, and the past was what it was. She was content with the present, or as much as she could be knowing that they had to leave in the morning.

Riley had been right, she'd melted. Like a candle in the warm sun. Sam's bones had turned to water and there was every chance she wasn't going to be moving anytime soon. "Thank you," she breathed against Buffy's mouth. "Thank you, thank you... thank you."

Buffy kissed her Sammie gently and almost purred, "You're welcome, love. You're welcome."

As Sam relaxed, Buffy slowed her hand and then completely stopped. Stayed where she was for a few more minutes, then very gently pulled out and lifted her hand away. With a glimmer in her eyes, she licked her palm slowly, then rubbed her wet, sticky fingertips over Riley's lips.

He sucked them in eagerly, grateful for the taste. Sharp and sweet and God... Sam. Riley turned his head so he could get them all the way in. Laved her fingers with his tongue and hoped the noises he was making weren't too embarrassing.

Soft, sucking sounds and Riley's contented groan that was almost a grunt. Somehow she found enough control to lift her head so she could watch. Riley was sucking hard, pulling on Buffy's fingers, his eyes closed in sheer enjoyment.

Buffy had her eyes closed as well, taking in the sensual tug of his mouth around her fingers. His tongue swept over and between them, catching every possible trace of Sam and savoring it. His eagerness made her glad that she'd decided to offer him this taste of Sam. She'd been aware of his determination not to ask them to stop what they were doing, and had wanted to involve him again. And upon witnessing his reaction, she was very glad she had.

Motor skills were starting to come back on line now and Sam took full advantage of that fact. Her fingers began their gentle pattern again, a long slow stroke followed by a light rub. And Buffy's quiet moan was a reward in and of itself.

"Honey, are you okay?" Sam asked when Riley didn't let go of Buffy's fingers. He nodded, his eyes still closed, lips still sealed around them. Fully into what he was doing, using that singular focus that made him a crack shot and one of the best operatives the brass had ever seen.

"He's fine," Buffy replied for him between shuddering breaths. "Just... focused. You know... how he gets." Or she ought to. Buffy certainly did; it was something that assuredly hadn't changed. Riley could be deliciously single-minded at times. Single-minded about driving her out of her mind, for example.

"Yeah. I know how he gets." Sam's soft laugh almost broke Riley's concentration. Almost. But he found another tiny remnant of her taste and wasn't going to be satisfied until he owned it all. Once that tiny flare of flavor was gone, he released Buffy's fingers. And gasped as Sam rolled over until her stomach pressed against his cock. Sharp reminder of what he really wanted.

The only question was if Sam was going to allow him to be with Buffy again. He'd been really careful about switching back and forth so neither of them felt neglected. But tomorrow was looming in his mind and he wanted one last time. Just in case...

Buffy hesitated for a moment, drawing her hand back from between them. After several long moments of being torn between staying where she was and backing off, Buffy shifted herself a bit backwards. Tonight wasn't about any one of them, but all of them. Together. Even though they weren't taking turns as such, she'd already had Riley once. It would be selfish of her to leave Sam out a second time... it was her turn, for lack of a better word.

"You up to it, Finn?" Sam asked, challenge evident in her eyes and her voice. "It's your second round tonight and I know how long you can last. How about it? Think you can take both of us?" She wanted him and she knew he wanted her but he wanted Buffy too. They could make this work... they could definitely make this work.

"Pretty sure I can... Or I'll die trying." Riley shot back, unwinding his arm from around Buffy's shoulders. He reached down and lifted Sam, whole body lift that a normal human shouldn't have been able to do and set her onto his cock. Watched her smile and shudder, fingers grabbing onto his shoulders. "Buffy, not leaving you out here. Just let me get Sam settled."

"It's okay," Buffy answered softly. "Take your time... whatever..." Without thinking, her answer was flatly accepting; when she'd pulled back to let them be together, she'd unconsciously fallen back into her blindly accepting mindset. They could do whatever they wanted and she wouldn't argue; she felt that she owed it to them for giving her so much.

Part of her mind still hadn't quite grasped the equality issue, and it would be a while before she believed herself worthy of being equal. So she stayed quiet and just watched.

The tone in her voice was noticed immediately, jarring both of them out of this. Sam pulled back from Riley, pulled off of him so she could embrace Buffy. She misjudged the distance, got her legs tangled up in Riley's and ended up sprawled over both of them. The pained groan from her husband confirmed she had caught him in a tender spot but it didn't matter.

Nothing mattered but getting Buffy into her arms. So Sam kept rolling until she was face to face with Buffy and somehow Riley was behind their lover, spooning up against Buffy's back. "You are part of this. Part of us. Don't ever think anything different."

Biting her lip, Buffy nodded and hid her face against Sam's shoulder. She hadn't meant to cause a fuss; it had been the furthest thing from her mind. "I was... just trying to let you have some time... I... I'm sorry." Tears stung her eyes, but she pushed them back and bit her lip again. She was always doing this, and she didn't mean to. Never meant to spoil the mood or make them stop or anything. She just hadn't thought...

"No... Don't cry. It's okay. It's okay." Sam kissed her cheek and then her mouth. Soft and slow while Riley pulled both of them in closer. Pulled them in and kissed Buffy's shoulder.

Not Sam's best move but her heart was in the right place. It wasn't easy to read Buffy. Pretty much impossible most of the time. Riley's hand slid up and down her arm while they kissed. "It's okay. No harm done..." He winced as he shifted his leg, there was going to be a bruise in the morning where Sam kicked him but he'd survive.

"Not crying," Buffy answered very softly. "Just... I'm sorry..." And it was true: she wasn't crying. Not quite, anyway. But she hadn't meant to scare them, or for Riley to get hurt. Buffy was more upset at herself for her own reaction than at them.

"No need to be sorry. I just took it wrong. I do that." Sam laughed and cupped Buffy's cheek. "Ask Ry. I put my foot in it all the time."

"Sometimes more literally than others," a surprisingly good-natured comment from Riley. He kissed Buffy's shoulder one more time before propping himself up on one elbow. "What I was aiming at before Sam dived off was a repeat of earlier. Only with you on my face, Buffy."

"I think I'd like that," Buffy answered softly after a quiet moment. "If… if you're sure you want to..." And why hadn't she thought of that before? Berating herself internally for being an idiot, she decided that she had to be a lot more careful of her reactions to things for a while. Now that she was being looked after, that someone cared to notice. Two someones, even.

"Positive," Riley's broad smile and Sam's quick nod were full confirmation of that fact. He rolled over onto his back, pulling a pillow up under his head while Sam leaned in for another kiss.

*****

 
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