I don't know what dark room I was led into, but it's left me disquieted and confused. I feel like I'm watching these two part ways from a few feet away and mourning the tragedy of their circumstances while fearing the violent emotion fueling this encounter. Their pain. With each other they find torment and succor, pain and pleasure.

I feel a bit numb myself after reading this, like I've been beaten alongside Buffy and Spike. It's almost like looking too closely at something so volatile and nefarious - that dark emotion, that emptiness inside her during Season 6. The hunger that claws, grapples and scratches. Wanting to hurt in order to heal. Physical pain to distract the emotional void. And after the violent physical release, you're left weak and wanting. I can easily imagine Buffy numbly walking home to crawl into her bed, only to repeat this vicious cycle the next day. Frightening and bitter.

What a dark mood you were in tonight. Powerful stuff here.