Spike and Buffy's relationship presents an ideal opportunity for a writer to vocalise existential problems -- life and death and love and loss I agree. They're great like that.

I'm so grateful to you for letting me know which details really worked for you. Thank you!

I'll be interested to see if the next chapters match this one in emotional intensity. Ha! Now I'm remembering why I usually stick with one-shots. I certainly hope the rest of its lives up to your expectations!