**********
Willow slipped into Angel’s study. She and Cordy had spent the
last few hours unpacking everything Willow had brought and evaluating each
outfit to find the perfect outfit. As Cordelia had put it the outfit
that said “stop whatever you’re thinking about and only think about me.”
They had finally concluded on a cute green v-necked T-shirt that hugged
her curves, and revealed just the right amount of cleavage, and a pair
of fairly tight black jeans. She slid into the chair across from
him.
“What has you so engrossed?” she asked. He looked up, and
his eyes nearly popped out of his skull. <Wow, she looks amazing>
he thought. <Stop that. She deserves someone who could offer
her the world, and you know you can’t. You’re just friends>
“Umm…the notes Kate dropped off. If it’s a demon, I want
to get it done with quickly,” he replied. <Because I want to spend
as much time with you as I possibly can while you’re here> he added, mentally.
“Do you think it is?”
“Not really. It doesn’t really sound like something otherworldly.
And Cordy didn’t have a vision. When it’s a demon, she usually has
a vision. But I guess we won’t know for sure until he’s caught.”
“Well, don’t wear yourself out over it. There’s only so
much you can do,” Willow assured him. <And I want to spend some
time with you while I’m here. >
Suddenly, the phone rang. Angel answered it.
“Angel Investigations….Oh, hi Kate….oh really?…..Well, I’m glad
you caught him….okay…..yup, guess I’ll see you around. Bye.”
He hung up.
“It was human,” he told Willow, “and they caught him. So,
I’m not needed at all anymore.”
“Really? Well, I think we should go out then,” Willow suggested,
looking him straight in the eye.
He returned her gaze. The fell into each other’s eyes,
lost in the windows of the soul.
<I love him, > Willow realized, as she looked at him.
It was suddenly clear. She had loved him for a long time. There
was really no one else for her. She wanted him.
<I love her, > Angel realized, as he looked at her. It was
suddenly clear. He had loved her for a long time. There was
really no one else for him. He wanted her.
Cordy burst in right then, and the gaze was interrupted.
“Well, I hate to do this last-minute, but I have a date tonight.
Yes, I know, you’re both just so happy for me. But this means that
you two are on your own for tonight. And don’t wait up, I think I’m
going to be out pretty much all night,” Cordelia grinned. “Tootles,
darlings. I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll all go out tomorrow
night.” And with that, she disappeared out the door.
“So, I guess it’s just you and me tonight,” Willow said, looking up
at Angel shyly.
“I guess it is,” Angel agreed. “To tell you the truth, I’ve been
kind of hoping we’d have some time together, just the two of us.”
<Well, I put that out. Let’s see how she takes it. >
“I’ve been hoping the same thing. So, do you want to go out?
Or should we stay in?” she asked.
<Was there some extra insinuation about staying in? Because
if she’s saying what I think she’s saying…. Oh, boy. > “Well, we
are going out with Cordelia tomorrow, and I don’t know if you’re feeling
tired….”
“Yeah, I think it might be better if we stayed in,” she decided, her
green eyes flashing a little with anticipation.
“Well, let’s move to the living room.” They got up, and Angel
followed Willow to the living room. <She has the cutest little
ass. >
They settled on the couch. Willow moved up close to Angel.
He hesitated for a moment, and then put his arm around her. To his
relief, she snuggled up to him.
**********
“Spike did that?” Willow asked, laughing so hard tears were coming
to her eyes.
“Yeah. But don’t ever tell him I told you,” Angel replied, through
his laughter.
They had been sitting together on the couch for the better part of
six hours, but they hadn’t noticed the time at all. Willow had confided
in Angel about feeling abandoned by Buffy and Xander, about her schoolwork,
about her witchcraft, about almost everything in her life. Angel
in turn had regaled her with stories of his youth in Ireland, about his
time as a vampire, and mostly about the years he had spent with Spike and
Drusilla.
Angel watched as she laughed, her green eyes dancing merrily.
Her hair moved like liquid fire as she shook with laughter. The smile
that lit up her face was the most beautiful thing he had beheld in his
centuries of existence. All he could think about was how much he
wanted to kiss her.
Willow could barely believe that the man she had spent the evening
with was the same broody, ‘cryptic guy’ Angel that she had known back in
Sunnydale. He had shared so much with her, more than he had shared
with anyone in the past century.
“L.A.’s been good for you Angel. I don’t think I’ve laughed this
hard in a long time.”
“What makes you think L.A.’s what’s good for me?” Angel asked, looking
deep in her eyes.
<Oh, boy > Willow thought. <Does that mean that *I’m* good
for him? >
“Well, if it’s not LA, then what is it?” she asked, returning his soulful
gaze.
Angel leaned in, and gently touched her lips with his own. It
was so soft that Willow barely registered the first contact. Then
she responded. She pressed her lips more firmly against his.
They remained locked that way for a few moments, simply enjoying the feel
of the other’s lips. Then Angel allowed his tongue to slip out of
his mouth and lightly run along her lips. Willow opened her lips
in response, and out came her tongue.
Their tongues met, and they began a gentle exploration. They
learned every inch of the other’s mouth, their tongues playing with each
other.
The kiss went on and on. Time stopped for both the instant Angel’s
lips had touched Willow’s. They continued until Willow finally drew
away, needing to take a deep breath.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“I’ll second that,” Angel replied, taking her hand. “Are you
upset with me for doing that, Little One?”
“No, not at all,” she replied. “To be honest, I was kind of hoping
you would.” She looked up at him, shyly.
His face broke into a wide smile at her words. He lifted her
hand to his lips, and kissed her palm. “Willow, I’m so glad to hear
that. But it is getting quite late, and you have traveled quite a
distance today. Perhaps, we should both go to bed, and think over
what happened today?”
She nodded. “I’m feeling really sleepy,” she agreed. He
drew her up into his arms. “Goodnight, sweet Willow.”
“Goodnight Angel.”
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