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The cruellest irony in the world is that pain brings people closer
Buffy sat curled up in Angels lap, his kiss still warm on her lips. She absently stroked his thigh, her lower arm brushing against his groin. Buffy could still feel his erection, amazed that just one kiss could elicit such a reaction in him, after so long, after nearly two years since they had last been together as boyfriend and girlfriend. At least thats what she remembered.
He still remembered all the fevered kisses, gentle caresses and sensual embraces. He remembered the day that wasnt, even through the whole Darla catastrophe, he never once wavered in his feelings for Buffy. He loved Buffy and he needed to be here for her, to comfort her in her pain. To help her through even a little of the pain at the loss of her mother, even though her mother and frowned upon their relationship, encouraged him to leave her, and ultimately hated what he was. But he never held a thing against Joyce, he knew that she was just a mother protecting her daughter, a woman protecting someone she loved. And he had always known in his heart that she was right about what she had told him right before Buffys Prom, and thats why hed left. But hed come back, knowing she needed him, even if it was only for one night.
"Do you have to go yet?" Buffy asked quietly, already knowing the answer.
"Another minute" Buffy frowned, her face flickering with recognition.
"Promise me that one day youll come back to me, I dont want to leave it a year again. Promise me that one day youll come back and love me and kiss me again."
"Ive never stopped loving you Buffy."
"Promise me?" She pleaded desperately.
"I promise you," Angel said solemnly "That one day Ill love you and kiss you and never let you go."
"Dont break this promise Angel, make it one that youll keep." She begged of him, turning round in his embrace to face him once again.
"I promise." he whispered huskily as he bent his lips toward hers for a last kiss, confirming his promise with lips forming a gentle caress.
Buffy sighed, emotions - new and those which she though were buried deep within her heart, were all bubbling to the surface, a thousand memories of Angels lips pressed against hers, his body against hers, her love for him that had never lessend, although it had been buried. Sad and happy memories of her relationship with her mom, the two of them laughing together, crying at sappy movies together, worrying about each other. A single tear coursed down Buffys face as she wondered if everyone that she would ever love would be taken away from her; Riley, her dad, her mom, even Angel had left her although he always be there for her when she really, really needed him.
Angel softly drew his lips away from Buffys, tenderly brushing the lone tear off her left cheek "Shh, dont cry. Whats the matter?"
"Everybody leaves me Angel, and youre the only one whos ever come back, the only one who really loves me." She whispered, beginning to sob.
"Thats not true Buffy, of course I love you, I never loved anything else, but everyone who knows you loves you, your friends, Giles, Dawn... they all love you and theyre not gonna leave, not for a long time yet. And me, Ill be with you forever." Buffy smiled at his declaration and settled down against his chest.
Within minutes Angel was shifting uncomfortably, unwilling to say anything to Buffy, but fearful of the lightening sky. "You have to go now." She observed as she stood up. Angel followed her up quickly, glancing at the sky as he did so. "Are you sure... I mean I can stay if you..."
Buffy smiled, looking down at her feet, shaking her head "Forever can wait."
"Are you sure?"
//Heaven can wait.
And all I've got is time until the end of time.
I won't look back.
I won't look back.
Let the altars shine.//
Buffy looked up at him and nodded, giving him a sad sweet smile, "You get to say goodbye this time."
"I dont wanna leave you again, are you sure your ok?"
"Im fine. You have to go, you have a life in L.A now, you have friends that need you." Slowly she began walking toward where his car was parked
"I dont like leaving you in this state." Angel said, arriving at his car, Buffy at his side
"Im fine, you just being here has helped, tomorrows gonna happen, just like next week will, and the next week, and like forever will happen ."
"So youre gonna be ok?"
Buffy nodded
"Id better go then, but Ill be back one day, I promise."
"Before the end of forever?"
"Before the end of forever." he confirmed.
"Goodbye Buffy." He whispered, placing a final, bittersweet kiss on her lips.
"Bye Angel." She whispered back as she watched him enter his car and drive off.
Forever would have to wait.
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