ACCEPTANCE



Spike watched Willow laughed as she skated into Buffy and Xander. He couldn't believe he was sitting at a skating rink. Him. William the Bloody. He'd be laughed at everywhere. He watched Willow. She was laughing. Her face flushed, her hair mussed from her skating and falling. He saw her look at him and wink.

They had been dating for two weeks. Two weeks. That was longer than their affair had been. In all that time, she never allowed more than a kiss even though he could smell her arousal. Every night they had been together. Sometimes, all they had done was sit and talk. He told her things about his past. She told him about her dreams. He had never enjoyed someone so much. Just talking to her. Just seeing her. She made him happy.

She loved him. She truly did love him. He had to accept that. He could see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice. She sparkled when he was around her. She didn't know that he believed her yet. He almost hated to tell her, scared that they might not have this closeness afterwards. He knew his fears were ungrounded. He was just scared.

Willow skated over to Spike.

"C'mon old man. Get that cute ass out here." She pulled him onto the rink. He groaned as she pulled him around.

"I hate skating luv."

"I know. I hate bowling. You made me bowl last night." She responded, smiling at him.

"If I let you pick tomorrow, could we leave?" He looked at her hopefully.

"No. Besides, the others are here. Aren't you enjoying their company?"

"You imp. I don't like them. I love you. I will put up with them for you, but that doesn't mean I want them to come on our dates with us."

"Quit grumbling. You do sound like an old man." Willow said smiling.

He waited until she was unaware then he pulled her to him. He kissed her breathless in the middle of the rink.

She pulled back smiling. "What was that for? Not that I'm complaining..."

He shrugged and started to skate away. "Just cause you love me." he said over his shoulder.

Willow froze, her eyes wide. He'd admitted it. She hurried after him. He knew that she loved him. Her game was over.
 

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