Summary: B/A fluff. A snowstorm falls on Sunnydale.
Disclaimers: Not mine. If they were the curse would work a little differently, and love _would_ conquer all.
Spoilers: Well, it takes place later in season three so anything up to now is fair game.
Warning: If you’re allergic to sap I would stop here. I blame this story on hearing ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’ too many times while trying to write a happy B/A fic. Also, you’ll have to ignore the fact that they don’t get snow in Sunnydale.
For: Christine, who wanted a happy B/A fic. Sorry, this was the best I could do.

The night was colder than any Angel could ever remember Sunnydale experiencing. He walked quickly through the trees, the frostbitten ground crunching under his feet. Stepping out into the graveyard he stopped, his eyes lighting on the blonde-haired Slayer perched on top of a gravestone, her hat pulled down tightly on her head. She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself, her eyes searching the night for any sign of danger.

He moved forward, stepping into her line of sight, his hands hanging loosely at his sides. Keeping his head down he walked toward her slowly, giving her time to disappear if she wanted to.

"It's freezing." Buffy said, her breath visible in the cold January air. She jumped down from the gravestone, her hands depositing her stakes into her pockets as she stared warily at him.

Angel was silent for a moment, drinking in the sight of her, memorizing every detail of her face. A self-conscious grimace crossed his face as her expression became impatient. Turning his head slightly away from her he forced the words he had come to say through his unwilling lips. "I'm leaving."

"Oh." Buffy breathed, her shoulders sinking as she stared at him, her expression rapidly changing, anger, relief and pain flashing across her face. She nodded slowly, her voice resigned as she questioned him. "When?"

"Soon." Angel replied, his voice low as he tried to hide his pain from her. "Tonight."

Buffy nodded again, her eyes burning into him, the unshed tears making her eyes shine. They stood silently staring at each other, as the wind died down and soft white flakes began to fall from the sky. The flakes clung to their hair and clothes, covering the ground in a white blanket. Breaking eye contact Buffy looked up into the sky, a deep sigh escaping her as she turned her hand upwards, catching the flakes in her hand. She smiled suddenly, her eyes meeting Angel's once again. Her shoulders relaxed as she pulled off her glove and held her hand out to him.

He stared down in confusion at the offered hand, before lifting his eyes to her. Laughing softly she took his hand and pulled him towards the entrance to the graveyard. He followed her uneasily until they were outside the graveyard, then pulled her to a stop, his face perplexed. "What are you doing?"

Her smile wavered, then disappeared completely, replaced by pain. Her eyes were wide as she spoke to him in a wistful voice. "It's snowing. It doesn’t snow in Sunnydale."

"And?" Angel gently asked, his mind racing as he tried to think of a demon associated with snowfall. Unable to think of one, he shrugged his shoulders, waiting for her to elaborate.

"And." Buffy repeated her tone defiant as she stared at him with sad eyes. "You were going to leave, but now it's snowing, so you can't." She smiled weakly, her eyes begging him to go along with her. "It's like magic. We get this one night."

Angel opened his mouth to argue, to tell her that a little snow wouldn't stop him from leaving, but the almost child-like look of hope on her face stopped him. Reaching out he slowly brushed the snow off her coat, smiling slightly as new flakes landed as soon as the old ones were gone. Buffy said nothing, her breath barely audible as she waited to hear his answer. The decision came easily as he smiled at her, his pain hidden from view. He had centuries to mourn his loss, forever to atone for his sins, but only this night to spend with the girl he loved.

Feeling suddenly free, he bent down quickly scooping the wet snow into his hand. Standing up he smiled innocently at her as his hand reached out, dropping the wet snow inside the collar of her jacket. She pulled away with a yelp, her expression changing from surprise to relief then finally to a happy grin as she hopped around trying to dislodge the snow from her jacket.

"You." She sputtered laughter in her voice as she approached him. She moved with the Slayer's quickness, her hands full of snow as she advanced on him, reaching up to cover his face in snow. He caught her hands easily, holding then above her head gently. Staring down at her, he felt the love flare to life between them, it's presence almost visible in the air between them. He felt incapable of moving as her eyes softened and the love he felt for her was reciprocated in her eyes. His gaze drifted to her mouth, the slight parting of her lips as she her breathing shallowed mesmerizing him. He watched the small puffs of white litter the air between them, the evidence of her life. His stomach rolled as he realized there were no answering clouds from him. His gaze faltered and he turned his head away from her, reminded once more of the monster he was. His eyes filled with shame and regret as he released her hands, letting his arms fall limply to his sides.

Buffy's voice was soft as she spoke, "I know there is nothing that I can say to make this better for you. I can tell you that the demon was in control, and it wasn't your fault, but it won't change how you feel." Her voice was pleading as she reached out to cup his face with her hands, turning him to face her. "I'm not asking you to forget. I'm just asking for this night." Her eyes shone with love as she spoke to him. "We can spend it talking if you want. We can cry all night because we can never have the thing we want most. The only thing we can't do is change it." Her lips trembled slightly as a few stray tears fell down her cheek. "I want to hold your hand and walk in the park. I want you to push me on the swing. I want to sip hot chocolate by a fire. I want...I want to make this night everything we'll never have and then keep the memory forever."

Angel felt his eyes filling with tears as he watched her struggle for control. He moved slowly towards her, his lips brushing against her cheek, her tears mixing with the snow in his lips. Pulling back to look into her eyes, he pushed all his pain and regret into a ball in the pit of his stomach, only love apparent on his face when he looked at her. A smile spread across his face as he arched his eyebrow, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes a split second before his leg swung around hers and sent her tumbling onto the snow. She landed with a soft thud; her limbs sprawled on the ground. She looked shocked for a moment, before her leg flew out and wrapped around his, sending him awkwardly to the ground beside her. They grinned at each other before Angel flipped over, laying on his back beside her, staring up into the white sky. Buffy's voice was full of wonder as she spoke. "It's coming down so fast. There's almost enough for a snowman already."

Angel laughed; his hand reaching out to hold hers as a memory of a childhood lived long ago beckoned to him. Scrambling to his feet, he pulled a reluctant Buffy behind him, ignoring her sputtering as he searched for the perfect piece of snow. Finding it he released her hand and flung himself backward into the snow. Buffy's smiled at his actions, her expression confused as he started waving his arms and legs through the snow.

Climbing carefully to his feet, he turned back to look at his outline, laughter in his voice as he presented it to Buffy. "A snow angel."

"A snow angel?" She whispered softly, studying the shape on the ground, her smile growing wide with delight. Moving to the clear snow beside the snow angel she dropped to the ground, laughing with abandonment as her arms and legs copied his movements.

Angel's laughter echoed hers, as he pulled her to her feet and she turned and stared down at the two forms lying next to each other. Angel moved to stand behind her, his arms wrapping around her tightly. She leaned back into his chest, a satisfied smile on her face as she considered the angels.

Buffy slipped away from him suddenly, running to the tree at the edge of the park. She was headed back before he could decide to go after her, a twig held triumphantly above her head. She walked back to the snow angels and carefully wrote their names in the snow underneath them. Dropping the stick she turned back to Angel, her face daring him to say anything to ruin the fantasy.

Angel nodded slightly, his hand reaching out for hers and leading her away from their namesakes. They walked slowly down the sidewalk, alone except for the odd person that scurried past, desperate to be inside. Angel barely noticed them go by, unable to imagine ever wanting to be anywhere but exactly where he was. He felt like they had been transported into a world made just for them, just for this night. Slipping his arm around Buffy's shoulder he pulled her close to him, his lips kissing the top of her head as they walked.

"It's cold." Buffy mumbled into his side, her teeth chattering.

Angel's arm tightened around her, immediately chastising himself for keeping her out in this weather. "I'll take you home."

"No." Buffy's voice rang out loudly, and she smiled nervously at him. "What about a movie?"

She stared at him so hopefully that there was no way he could deny her. Nodding his assent they changed direction, heading towards the theater.

Standing just inside the doors, they hesitated, looking at the list of movies playing. "Psycho?" Buffy questioned.

"Please." Angel replied, trying to keep his voice light. "No crazed killers."

"Right." Buffy agreed, her eyes scanning the sign. "Meet Joe Black?"

"What's that about?" Angel inquired, his eyes searching for the movie poster.

"It's about...well, never mind." Buffy muttered, shaking her head in disgust.

"What about this one?" Angel tried to be helpful, pointing to the sign for Babe: pig in the city.

"It's about a pig." Buffy told him, a half-smile forming on her face.

"I like pigs." Angel offered, smiling at her hopefully.

"Me too." Buffy replied, nodding her head in satisfaction as they walked towards the ticket counter.

Buffy waited alone in the theater while Angel stood in line for the popcorn. She leaned her head back against the seat closing her eyes and sighing deeply.

Angel stopped just inside the door to the theater; his eyes fixed on her. He could almost imagine, standing there with his arms full of popcorn and chocolate that they were like any other couple on a date. That this was something that they could do again and again instead of a one-night reprieve from fate.

Shrugging off the melancholy that hovered above him he walked over to her, dropping the chocolate in her lap as he sat down beside her.

Buffy turned to him, her eyes sad although she smiled. Struggling to keep her tone light she whispered to him. "We finally got a normal date."

Angel smile back at her, his hands brushing her hair back from her forehead. He didn't answer her; there wasn't anything he could say that wouldn't bring reality crashing down in them. Instead he put his arm around her and she leaned her head onto his shoulder as the lights dimmed.

Buffy was crying into his shoulder by the time the movie was over, her face shocked as they left the theater. "That was so depressing." She stated firmly. "The first one was light and cheery."

"It had some funny parts." Angel offered, hoping to cheer her.

"It was bleak." Buffy muttered dejectedly, tucking herself into the crook of his arm.

Angel felt himself grinning as he looked down at her, squeezing her shoulder tightly as they headed back outside.

Sunnydale was silent now; the roads piled high with snow. They walked down the middle of the street, their footprints the only marks on the snow covered ground. They didn't speak as they entered the park, Angel releasing her hand as he walked over to the swings and wiped one clean for her.

She smiled self-consciously as she walked over to him, sitting gingerly down on the swing. Angel moved around behind her, pushing her slowly at first, then higher as she threw her head back, her laughter ringing out loudly.

They stayed in the park for hours, sitting side by side on the swings, having snowball fights, and staring at each other, neither of them paying any attention to the reality that waited for them in the morning.

"A snowman." Buffy stated her eyes bright as she looked at Angel. "We have to make a snowman."

Angel shook his head fondly, his smile tender as he took in her chattering teeth. "How about some Hot Chocolate?"

"Snowman first, then Hot Chocolate." Buffy compromised, blowing on her hands to warm them up.

Angel nodded, knowing he couldn't budge her. He grabbed her hand as they walked out of the park; Buffy listing all the things they needed to buy to decorate the snowman. Angel barely listened to her words, content just to hear the excitement in her voice as she spoke. They found an all-night convenience store and tumbled inside, Buffy quickly collecting everything she wanted, as Angel found the Hot Chocolate.

They headed towards the mansion without talking about it, their hands swinging jointly as they walked. Buffy broke free of him as they neared the mansion, her eyes scouting out the area. She set to work on the snowman with military precision, her eyes scanning the yard for the best position. They worked in silence for over an hour, the only words spoken by Buffy as she told him what to do.

The snowman had three perfectly round portions by the time she stopped, her eyes staring critically at it.

"Buffy, it's fine." Angel repeated himself for what felt like the hundredth time as Buffy moved towards the snowman, carefully fixing any imperfection only she could see. "Buffy." Angel pleaded with her, his eyes begging her to be finished.

She pursed her lips silently, then sighed, her face relaxing as she turned to him with a sheepish grin. "Sorry. I got a little carried away."

Angel grinned wryly at her, shaking his head as he held out a carrot. "He still needs a face."

Buffy took the carrot from his outstretched hand, her eyes gleaming as she turned back towards the snowman. Angel looked at her face as she held the carrot up to different spots, trying to decide where to put it. Laughing fondly he slipped away from her, heading into the destroyed garden. His hands searched through the snow until he found two perfect black rocks.

Moving quickly he headed back to Buffy, arriving just in time to see her place a red licorice smile on the snowman. He walked up behind her, his face solemn as he bowed slightly to the snowman. Holding the rocks in his palm, he held his hand out to Buffy, grinning at her exclamation of delight. Picking the stones from his hands she placed them on the snowman's face, laughing softly as she whispered. "He can see."

"A masterpiece." Angel pronounced, pulling Buffy to him and hugging her. Feeling her shiver in his arms he released her, staring down at her, her face glowing in the moonlight. "Let's go inside."

Buffy nodded her agreement, her shoulders slumping slightly. Angel smiled reassuringly, knowing that she was as unwilling as him to have the night end. Searching his mind for a way to make her laugh again, he grinned at her as an idea came to him. Turning slightly away from her, he spoke over his shoulder. "Piggyback?"

She stared at him without speaking, the look on her face making him worry that reality had returned, but she finally grinned, letting out a wild yell as she flung herself onto his back. Her arms and legs holding him tightly, he headed into the mansion. Buffy giggling helplessly as they entered the living room, both of them totally forgetting every bad memory the place held for them.

He dropped her unceremoniously on the couch, laughing at her look of outrage as he walked over to the fireplace and coaxed the embers still burning to life. Half-turning he saw Buffy shrugging out of her coat, her teeth chattering loudly. Grabbing a blanket he walked over to her, placing it around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head as he closed it around her.

Buffy was quiet as he found a pot and filled it with water, placing it in the fire to warm. When the hot chocolate was ready he carried the steaming cup over to her. She took it from him gratefully her hands wrapping tightly around the cup. Moving over slightly she motioned for him to sit beside her.

They sat silently, the crackling of the fire the only noise in the room. Buffy sat her hot chocolate on the floor and moved closer to Angel, pulling the blanket around to cover them both. Leaning her head on his shoulder she sighed in contentment. Angel pulled her closer, his face buried in her hair.

"Angel." She whispered softly, her voice muffled into his shoulder.

"Hmm?" He murmured, kissing the top of her head.

"It was perfect." She breathed sleepily, nuzzling closer to him as her breathing slowed.

His arms tightened around her as his eyes welled with tears. Holding her close as she drifted off to sleep he answered quietly, his voice seeming to echo through the room. "Yes. It was."

~thus ends the sap.

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B/A Fic // Andrea Fic