[How dare you make such a good point when he's here minding his own business, trying and failing to waste away gracefully like a 20th Century noble with consumption. But he is finding that having Spike here with him is far preferrable to the alternative...and when he feels his hand being squeezed, he tries to return it, weak however it is.

He huffs, dropping his head back against the pillows again.]

You're right about that, cowboy...

[Sparkling closes his eyes, not noticing a few of the carnations around his throat curling in on themselves a little. Withering.]

You know, it's funny. I hadn't realized it until...until I came to this apartment for the first time, and spent my first night alone. And it hit me that...the worst part about being here was how alone I was.

Even having so many new friends...like you, and Vicious. I really knew no one. I...had no one.

I- am...lonely.

[The flowers shrivel even faster.]

I don't know what I would do if I didn't have folks willing to stick their noses into other peoples' business.

[Die, probably.]