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Eternity is a Long Time
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Lorne listened to the vampire on the stage as he sipped his drink and wished that he had gotten something stronger than a cocktail. He waved to the bartender and a bottle of whiskey was brought to his table immediately.

It wasn't the singing that made Lorne wince. To be honest, the singer was probably the best Caritas had ever had. His frown was caused by what he heard underneath the deep voice.

Pain.

Pain like nothing Lorne had ever experienced before, not with the other heartbroken customers who came in and sobbed out a love song. They, at least, still had their hearts.

The vampire didn't. He had given his heart and gotten nothing in return.

Lorne didn't know how to give advice to mend something that didn't exist.

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I love you, I hate you
I can't get around you

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Lorne had a habit of portraying an image of the situation in his mind, a metaphor of some sort. It helped him to evaluate the emotions and gave him some ideas for his infamously puzzling answers.

He saw an image of a man in a glass tank with water pouring in. The lid of the tank was unlocked and within reach, but the man remained motionless. He made no move to save himself. His eyes were fixed on the door and not on the rising water level. He was staring at the door as if he was waiting for someone to burst through any moment and rescue him. Perhaps was why he wasn't raising his arms to break free. He held the hope that someone would come for him.

No one would come. The man knew this but couldn't help to hope and wait. Waiting for the person to come and rescue him. Waiting for the person who had his heart. Waiting for the person who would never come.

Waiting with so much hope that it would eventually kill him.

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I breathe you, I taste you
I can't live without you

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"Well?" Spike sat down next to Lorne in the booth and nodded his thanks to the waiter for the blood in front of him. He drank half of the glass in one gulp. "Judging by the tears on your face, guess it's not good, huh?"

"Tears?" Lorne finally noticed the wetness on his face. He had been told that this might happen, when empathic demons encountered an emotion so strong, it would affect them as well. But he hadn't really expected it to happen to him, and had disregarded it as a myth. Guess it wasn't one after all.

"Here," Lorne filled the vampire's glass with whiskey. "You'll need this."

"Just tell me." Spike raised a hand to stop the demon from answering, "And no riddles. Can't deal with those right now."

"He's still in mourning." The words tasted like week-old coffee, bitter and stale, when they left his mouth. "He still loves her."

"I know." Half of the alcohol-laced blood was gone with the quiet sentence. "Gonna tell me something I don't know anytime soon?"

"You know that..."

"I'm a bloody convenience to him?" The glass was drained and dropped on the table none-too-gently. "Know that too. Knew that when I came to sodding LA to cheer him up."

Lorne could only sigh.

"Also know that I'm 'suffocating' him." He laughed mirthlessly. "But shouldn't this be about me? Don't tell me you can read him through me."

"I can't, I just read a bit too much the last time he sang here."

"Any chance it has changed then?"

"No."

"Any chance it will change?"

"Most likely not."

"Most likely is pretty much the same as never, right?" Spike winced when Lorne nodded.

No words were spoken as they finished the bottle together.

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I just can't take anymore
This life of solitude

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"So, what should I do?" When the last drop of the amber liquid was gone, Spike spoke up.

"Leave him."

"Thought you don't give direct answers to problems."

"This is different, Spike. Don't you think a century and a half is enough damage? Leave. Him."

"No." He lit a cigarette while straightening up from his previously relaxed position. "At least, not yet."

"Why not?"

"I'm waiting for something." Spike stood up and stretched his legs.

"His love won't come."

"I bloody well know that." He started for the door.

"so what is it then?"

"The day when I stop hoping and save myself." Spike strolled for the exit.

"And if it never comes?" Lorne ran to catch up with the vampire.

"Eternity is a long time." With that, Spike left the bar and the door closed with a soft click.

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I guess that I'm out of the door
And now I'm done with you

~ END ~