Another Life: Time and time again
by dreamsuntold
Buffy looked... Angel couldn’t place it. She looked content, yet that wasn’t the expression that he had seen in her eyes as they had flashed up at him just before they closed. It was the expression that he had longed for for so long: love, forgiveness, trust. He simply wanted to be a normal person, human and someone Buffy could love physically not just emotionally. If he could he would have taken her right there. But in his 227 years of living, Angel had learned that he couldn’t always get what he wanted in life, even as a vampire. But you couldn’t live life wondering either. With Buffy he always wondered. Yet he knew that he would break her heart again before long. It would be too soon for either of them, but he wasn’t good for her. He was drawn out of his train of thoughts as Buffy's head drooped and a soft snore escaped her.

Angel: And you wondered if I snored.

He smiles down at her, then stiffens as he hears a low growl. Feeling his body tensing, Buffy stirs.

Buffy: (sleepily) What is it?

Angel: Nothing, I’ll take care of it, don’t worry.

Buffy: K.

Angel looked down at her bag, grabbed a stake and some holy water, made sure it was firmly closed, then slinked off. He heard the growl again- it appeared to be coming from his right. He turned sharply in that direction only to be attacked from behind. Whatever it was it was strong. He couldn’t see, there was a blinding light in his eyes, and he was certainly overpowered. There were more than one of them, explaining why he had gotten the direction wrong. But they seemed to be disappearing, and he heard the unmistakable sound of a vampire being dusted.

Buffy: Angel!!!

The blinding light ceased, but all he could see were spots, and the toughest vamp was on top of him. Then it was gone, and all that was left was a smaller, much lighter thing.

Angel: (awkwardly) Hi.

Buffy: Hi.

She remained lying there on top of him, catching her breath and looking embarrassed about the current situation.

Angel: Uh, Buffy?

Buffy: (getting up) Oh, right, sorry.

She blushed, wondering if he had ever felt this- the pounding heart, the blood rushing to her face. She thought he might look cute blushing, but quickly erased the thought from her mind. She had enough distractions as it was, she didn’t need another one.

Angel: I should probably go.

Buffy: Yeah, you should.

Both of them stand there, and she moves in towards him. He catches her in his arms, pulls her closer to him. They stand swaying for a moment and she tilts her head towards his, wanting him, needing him. He bends down as if to comply, but pulls away, realizing exactly where it could lead to.

Buffy: Ang…

It was too late. He was gone.


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