Part 2
The walk back from the park was quiet, as both people were lost in their own private hells. Angel opened the front door to his house, surprising Willow with its size. Angel led Willow into the living room of his new home. She looked around, glad to find it so much cheerier than she had become used to from the vampire. (He's actually decorated with something other than black. I like.)
"Would you like something to drink?" Angel asked as he and Willow went into the living room. "Soda? Tea?"
"Some tea would be nice, Angel. Thanks."
Angel went into the kitchen to start the water boiling for the tea. As he waited, he took the opportunity to finally let some of the emotions he had been feeling out. Angel didn't want to do that in front of Willow, since he knew how she was feeling and didn't want to burden her with his own heartache. Angel could feel his demon fighting for control and it was all Angel could do not to let him out.
(How could she do this? She made me believe her when she said that she loved me. What kind of fool am I?) Angel berated himself for allowing himself the luxury of falling in love with Buffy. (I should have known better. I mean, I finally get some good news but then something worse comes along.) So caught up in his anger, Angel never heard Willow come up behind him until she tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around, not even realizing that he was in his game face until he saw Willow back away. Angel took a couple of unneeded deep breaths to calm himself down.
"I'm sorry Willow," he apologized to the frightened girl. "I didn't hear you come in." Angel finally managed to put his demon back in it cage and return to his human features.
"I called your name, but you must not have heard me," Willow said softly. "I was worried about you."
"I don't want you to worry about me Willow," Angel told her. "You shouldn't have to concern yourself with how I feel, not with everything that you must be going through."
Willow walked over to Angel and hugged his chest tightly. "That's why I need to worry about you. Otherwise, I think I may end up going crazy thinking about tonight. Besides, if I know you as well as I think, you're worrying about me already," she said.
Angel didn't even bother disagreeing with her. He wrapped his arms around Willow and rested his chin on top of her head. (How can she be so supportive of me? She must feel like she's dying inside.) Angel and Willow stood in his kitchen, not moving or talking, until the silence was broken by the tea kettle whistling. They parted and Angel made Willow her tea and led her into a room off the kitchen.
"Angel, this is gorgeous," Willow said as she looked around the room taking in her surroundings. The room had no solid walls except the one attaching it to the house. The other three sides and ceiling were all windows. Angel led Willow over to one of couches in the middle of the room and had her sit down. Willow looked up and saw all the stars in the sky. "I can't believe this room. It's almost like being outside."
Angel smiled, glad that she had liked the room. It was one of the reasons that he had bought the house. "Thanks. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. I thought that maybe Buffy .." Angel broke off his sentence as soon as he realized what he was going to say. (I thought that Buffy and I would be able to make this room our special place. Especially after what I had found out on this trip.) Willow grabbed Angel's hand, knowing what was going on his mind.
"I know Angel," she whispered. "I know. I don't want you to feel that you can't talk to me about what you are feeling. I think that's the only way that we may be able to get through this."
Angel smiled at the girl beside him, amazed at the strength in
her voice. (How can she be that strong, when I know she is dying inside.)
Angel then realized that she was doing for him, exactly the same thing
that he was doing for her. Being there for the other. "Angel?"
Angel could hear the concern in Willow's voice and decided to
tell her what he had discovered. "There's nothing wrong. Giles was right
in assuming that the prophecy was not going to take place for another hundred
years." Willow could tell that there was something else about the trip
and waited for Angel to tell her. "I did receive some good news though,
other than that."
"What was it," she asked softly, gently grabbing his hand again.
"It's about the curse you performed before," he replied. "It turns
out that my soul is permanent. No happiness clause."
"Oh Angel, that's wonderful," she said and then saw the look in
his eyes and realized what he had truly planned with the house.(Oh Goddess,
he was going to make this a home for him and Buffy) Willow's heart ached
for the vampire. Willow wrapped her arms around Angel, holding him tightly
to her.
"And then this happened. Oh Angel I'm so sorry." (As much as it hurts,
I'm glad we found out. Buffy doesn't deserve someone like Angel. Or the
happiness that he could have given her.) Angel returned Willow's hug as
tears streaked his face. Willow maneuvered her body into Angel's lap, offering
him the comfort that he needed and taking the comfort that he offered.
Neither person spoke, not knowing what to say.
The two of them sat there alternately crying and comforting the other
until they fell asleep in each other's arms, only waking before the sun
rose. Angel carried Willow to one of the guest bedrooms. Her breath was
soft against his chest as he cradled her to him. He laid her on the bed,
gently pulling the covers over her. He heard her mumble something under
her breath and he leaned in to hear what she said.
"Angel, stay."
"Why?" he asked.
"Because I don't want to be alone," she said, opening her eyes.
He could see the uncertainty in them and it broke his heart. "And I don't
think you want to really be alone either."
"I don't," Angel said as he tucked Willow in. He then went over
and shut the heavy curtains to block out the sun before returning to the
bed. Willow lifted the covers and waited for Angel to join her. As soon
as he did, she nestled into his chest again, seeking his comfort once more.
(We'll get through this little one and I will make them pay for what they
have done to you. I promise.)
"Goodnight little one."
"Goodnight Angel."