White Orchids: White Orchids
by Lia
Title: White Orchids
Author: Lia Johanas
Diclaimer: Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Century FOX and UPN
Summary: How do you let go of something you’ve had for so long? More important, how do you let go of something you never had?

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Angel dropped to his knees before the grave. He felt the Earth sink beneath his knees, sodden from the afternoon rains. Crimson tears slipped his cheeks, landing on the disheveled grave. Within a few seconds a stake was poised at his back. Angel was unaffected. He set the single red rose that he’d bought on the grave.

“Git that offa there.” The thick caramel stuck in his ears, whirring his brain into action.

Angel wiped at his stained cheeks, “No.”

The stake was thrown toward a tree and the caramel came again, thick and pained, “GIT THAT OFFA THERE!” It was a plea, Angel could tell.

“Why Spike? Why?” Angel still hadn’t seen Spike. If he had, he’d have been speechless.

Spike felt cold tears make their way down his cheeks, not drying due to the balmy weather. In a whisper he finally answered. It was a simple explanation, “She hates roses.”

Angel was surprised at himself as he snatched the rose off the plot and squeezed it until blood slicked his hand. He turned around then, landing on his bottom. The sight before him mistook him. Spike. Dark circles and sunken cheeks, his clothing loose on his shrinking frame. And in his hands were several dozen white orchids. They were moist with now forming dew and the long stems were tied together with twine. Spike stepped around Angel with a slight limp and set the orchids at the foot of the stone. He pressed his lips to the cold stone and whispered. So lightly even Angels vampire hearing didn’t pick it up.

“Difficult pilfer?” Angel asked his voice a strained but conversational tone.

Spike sat, staring at his elder. “She’s to good for stolen flowers. Buffy” he choked on her name, “She was to good for that, still is. I guess.”

Angel looked at the cloud filled sky. Not a star in sight. “Can I ask you a question?”

Spike nodded lightly.

“How am I supposed to let go of someone I’ve had for so long?” Angel said, looking at his hand.

Spike looked at Angel, “More important question; how do I let go of something I never had?

FIN
LENGTH: 360 words


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