Re: the 'ship stuff - I really, really doubt we're going to get anything definitive in either comic (unless you count the Joss being a secret Spuffel 'shipper panel). I don't know if Brian is so invested in B/A. He just takes that scene with the kiss in EoD and Spike's 'No you don't but thanks for saying it' literally, which I think a lot of men do.

I think it's deeper than that. In Brian universe Spike is a lone wolf who can't pine for a woman. So he has to downplay BtVS stuff and reduce Buffy to a silly, cruel girl who coudn't appreciate Big Damn Hero.

And of course we know by now what he thinks of Spike haters.

Oh, yes - that's what makes their decorations of their place with Brian quotes particularly ironic. :)))