//------------------------------// // Not So Hidden Feelings // Story: My number one dark knight // by Angelus Alvus //------------------------------// Spike had taken the food he had bought from the Cove and walked straight to Bella Noche’s home. The short travel had been uneventful, expect for the thoughts he had about his earlier talk with Ifrit. While he was glad to put behind him the past animosity he had with the changeling, he was doubtful he could even talk with others about the subjects he had discussed with him. He knew he could trust Bella Noche, but Ifrit had indeed hurt her when they were younger. So, the drake decided to wait a bit more before he could bring up the subject that Ifrit may not be an obnoxious guy anymore. Once Spike arrived, he looked around if there wasn’t anyone near and then he moved a loose stone from the floor to reveal a hole in it and inside of it there was a key. The drake had been told about the secret hiding place of the key in case of emergencies and, for the young dragon this was one. Sort of. Hecate was at work and Bella Noche was on her bed, resting. He didn’t want to force his friend to get up to answer the door. He opened the door, looked around once more and placed the key back to its original place. He got into the house and locked it form inside and resisted the urge to sprint to her bedroom. He didn’t want to cause a ruckus. If she were sleeping, he would simply to lave the snacks there alongside a note. In front of her room he knocked the door and asked, “Bella? Are you awake?” He beamed when he heard the reply from the other side, “Spike? Please come in!” The dragon opened the door and saw his friend lying of her bed, covered with a green blanket. Her bedroom had a two chairs next to a quite big desk, which had a candle, books and pencils over it. There was also a bedside table, a wardrobe and a few pictures hanging on the walls. There was a picture with Spike and her playing under the rain, when they were eight years old. The drake smiled at the memory he had had a lot of fun with his friend, too bad both of them got a cold on soon after that. “Hey, Spike,” she then coughed a couple of times before continuing, “How are you doing?” He turned his friend and asked, “I’m doing great,” but his face showed concern as he walked next to her and sit on the edge of the bed, next to her, “But, more importantly, how are YOU?” She sat down on the bed as well and made a silly pouting face as she said, “It’s just this stupid changeling flu that is taking so long to go away. You are so lucky for being immune!” She then stretched her tongue to mock him a little bit. Spike laughed and replied, “Yup. You must be feeling much better.” Her face softened and smiled back, “Yeah. My throat is better, but I still have a fever and this cough won’t let go.” She coughed a few more of times then looked at her friend holding a paper bag. “What is that?” Spike remembered of the snacks and replied opening the bag and picking one of the apples covered in chocolate and honey. “I’ve brought this to you.” Then he swelled his chest and changed the tone of his voice to sound more adult, “You need to eat well to recover faster! So, gobble up!” She giggled before she replied, “Oh, really? A responsible adult would offer me a more healthy food, you know.” Then she saw the apple very near of her face. She looked at Spike’s emerald green eyes and almost felt lost in them until she remembered the snack in front of her and opened her mouth to bit it. She chewed a few times and displayed a satisfied grin. She loved this candy. The changeling stared back at Spike who was now showing a concerned expression, “Are you feeling well? You face got much redder suddenly. Where is the thermometer?” Bella Noche realizing that she was actually blushing and Spike obliviousness only made it much more embarrassing. “No, no. I’m okay, really.” The drake tilted his head, not convinced, “You sure?” “Yes!” she quickly replied, using her own magic to levitate the apple out of Spike’s hand and be able to eat it herself. The drake was a bit confused, but he paid no mind to it. He was glad that his friend was eating the food he had brought. He found it fascinating to see her eating well. He couldn’t wait for her to get well so they could have fun together again soon. Once she finished the apples, Bella Noche let out a sigh saying, “I feel full.” Spike chuckled and noticed that there were a few crumbles next to her mouth. He got a bit closer and used his claws to gently wipe them from her face. This caught her by surprise and made her blush even harder. This time Spike notice what her reaction actually was and he blushed as well, embarrassed. “Ah…I’m sorry, Bella.” She didn’t reply. Their eyes simply locked on each other and both didn’t know what to say. ‘Has she always been this beautiful?’ Spike thought. Part of his mind was screaming, saying that she was his best friend, while other wanted them to become something more. There was something in Bella Noche’s chest that ached, that longed, for some time now, as well. She didn’t think. She simply leaned forward and kissed Spike on the mouth. The dragon was startled at first. This was a whole new sensation for him. That had been their very first kiss. When they broke the kiss, they were both panting. Bella didn’t know what came over her. ‘When did I become so bold?’ she wondered. “Spike, I’m sorry…I don’t know what came over me.” she tried to apologize, hoping that he wasn’t mad. “I…uh…” Spike wasn’t even sure what to say, “It was sweet…that the taste that is…”, then he quickly added in his head, ‘DUMB! DUMB! DUMB, SPIKE!’ “Ah…” she said remembering that she had just eating a very sweet food. “I’m sorry…” “Don’t be! I mean, I liked it. I mean…geez!” Spike scratched the side of his head trying to think of the right words as he blushed as well. He gathered all the courage to be able to blurt, “I like you very much, Bella.” ‘Why does this have to be so awkward?’ he said in his mind. She tried to look away, before saying, “I like you too Spike. I’m sorry for kissing you so suddenly. It’s just…” Spike then placed his right hand under her chin and carefully turned her head so their eyes could meet. “I’ve also been thinking about this lately. I mean, we’ve been friends since, like forever and I’ve been struggling with these feelings. Do you think, we should give it a chance. Us, I mean.” “Do you really mean that?” She asked, hopeful. Spike pushed aside his uncertainty. He truly cared for her and he loved her very much, “With all my heart.” Then, this time, Spike was the one to kiss her and they remained like that for a few minutes. Both of them wanted that moment to last forever.