Life is but a Dream (Spike Spiegel x Reader)

Truth and Trust

Spike's side of the bed was empty and cold.

You had recovered pretty well the last couple of weeks, now getting up and walking around on your own. It still ached, but you had managed. Just took some work and determination. Even so, you couldn't remember one thing during your rest. There was no memory of how you got here. You came back into consciousness in the last few weeks, and it made you wonder.

What did you do during that time besides sleep?

It wasn't like you were going to panic if you said something embarrassing. People do crazy stuff when they're in pain. The situation that pertained you to this thought was Spike. And Jet.

Every morning, you felt a soft kiss on your forehead and the sound of the door closing. Then in the middle of the night, the sound of a door closing, a kiss and the weight of Spike laying beside you. During the day, there was little talk. A communication of tracking bounties and where his location was. But that was it.

Jet was a tad different. He checked on you, asked how you were feeling. But when you asked about your beloved, he would shut the conversation down quickly.

"Out, as usual. Speaking of which, let me do a quick check in with him." He would reply with a quick smile and a brisk walk out of the living area.

At first, you didn't mind. In your state, more work had to be put in to keep the Bebop running and the crew alive. But as the days repeated, and the routine continued, you couldn't help but feel...suspicious.

Of yourself, most of all, but of what you said or did. Spike didn't take insults to heart that bad, instead having it bounce back with a fist or a witty comeback. Even if you did, you were still going to feel just as bad. If he was angry with you, you would want to know.

"That's just the way he is, as long as I can remember." Faye shrugged as you confided in her. "We are busy after all."

"Yeah. But I can't help but feel like I did something bad, you know?" You sat in the chair opposite her, watching as she filed her nails meticulously.

"You did get into a fight, that's bad. But not worthy of the silent treatment." Faye assured you. "I'm sure its all fine and dandy. You're probably just overthinking the whole thing."

The footsteps from the kitchen alerted you as you saw Jet ascending the small steps with a mug and donut in hand. "You girls okay this morning?"

"Doing just fine." Faye mumbled.

"I guess you can say so." You replied, rubbing your head.

"Everything okay?" Jet questioned. "If you're hungry, I can grab you a donut, don't even have to get up-"

"Oh no, I'm okay." You reluctantly said. "Just a little worried about Spike, that's all. Haven't seen him at all today. Or much any day for a while."

"Ah, okay." Jet nodded slowly, slowly inching away from the living room and up the steps to the hull. "Well! He's probably just fine. Matter of fact, I'll call him up as soon as I'm up there, I'd have a moment or two. Scout's honor, kid."

You narrowed your eyes. Avoiding the conversation was the last nail in the coffin. "Sounds amazing. Thanks."

You looked back at Faye, with a questioning glint in your eyes. She shared the same expression, pouting her lips as she delved into the same skeptical energy as you. 

- 

The rotating hull was still hard on your legs, giving no mercy. Wincing as you climb from the hull through the entrance to the bridge, your feet planted one by one on the other side. Letting the door shut behind you, you heard the shuffling of Jet's footsteps as he investigated the noise.