Parts: 31 - Epilogue
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~Part: 31~
They walked quickly to the car, her hand in his, their footsteps echoing loudly in the empty alley. As they rounded the corner and approached Will's car, Willow gasped in surprise when she saw Buffy sitting on top of the car. She sat comfortably on the edge of the hood, tossing a stake gently from one hand to the other.
"Buffy, what's going on," she asked her former friend uncertainly. Without realizing it, she had taken a step forward, putting her body between Will and the Slayer.
"Just stay away from him, Willow. I'll take care of him and then everything can go back to the way it was."
Willow felt Will tense behind her, getting ready to do battle with the Slayer if need be. "Buffy, I don't need you to fight my battles for me. This is *my* life, and I am living it the way *I* want to live it. And I want to be with Will." As she said the words, she realized that they were true. What she felt towards him was more than a sexual attraction. Somewhere along the way, she had fallen in love with him. The unexpected truth hit her hard. But now wasn't the time to ponder it, she realized. Right now she had to make sure Buffy didn't kill Will, or vice versa.
Buffy was looking at her pityingly, sadness and desperation etched onto her young face. "Willow, you don't know why you're saying what you're saying. I'm sure that whatever threat he's holding over your head is just that, an empty threat. Let me take care of this and everything will fix itself." Buffy reached out a hand to her, sliding down off the car and landing on her feet. "We all miss you. I miss you," she added softly.
"I'm sorry, Buffy," Willow whispered, tears shimmering in her eyes. And she was sorry. She was sorry that Buffy couldn't believe in her, couldn't trust her judgment enough to know that just because Willow was with Will, she could still be a good friend. "I know that things between us are bad. But this was your choice, not mine. And killing Will won't make things better between us. In fact, it will make them so very much worse."
Buffy looked at Willow and saw that she meant every word she said. Tears welled in her eyes. Tears of frustration and anger. She gave her friend one last long, searching look, then turned and ran down the street as fast as her feet would take her. She never looked back.
Willow watched Buffy run until she turned the corner and was out of sight. Then she turned and fell into Will's waiting arms. He held her tightly, running his hand through her hair and whispering soothing words into her ear. As the tension left her body, she relaxed completely and just let him comfort her.
Together they made their way back to the car. He settled her into the passenger seat, and then got behind the wheel. As he started the car, she snuggled in next to him, gently resting her head on his shoulder. It just felt so right to be with him like this, she thought. She knew that they still had a long way to go before things between them were good, and even if things ever were good, the two of them would never be a 'normal' couple. But she wanted to see where these new feelings would lead her.
As Will pulled the car into the driveway, he could hear Willow's gentle, rhythmic breathing next to him. Poor thing, he though, she's had more than a couple big revelations today. No wonder she's so exhausted.
He quietly opened her door and picked her up, carrying her into the house and up the stairs to the bedroom. As he laid her down onto the bed, he realized that she was slowly waking up. Her arms, which had been wound around his neck, weren't letting him go. He talked quietly, so as not to disturb her too much, "Willow, pet, you need to get ready for bed. You don't want to sleep in your clothes." He tried to pull away again, but her arms still held him.
"Don't wanna get ready for bed," she told him, her eyes still closed, words slurred by sleep. "I want you," she whispered. The words were said so quietly that he wasn't even sure she was aware she had said them.
Her arms continued to hold him, trying to pull him closer so their lips could meet in a kiss. He knew he was going to hate himself in the morning, but he also knew that if he didn't put a stop to this now, *she* was going to hate him in the morning too. "Not tonight, luv. You're all upset and you don't know what you're doing. If we do this now, you'll hate me in the morning."
"Won't hate you. Could never hate you," she mumbled as she relaxed, falling back deeper into the relief of sleep.
He stood and watched her, watched the easy rise and fall of her chest. The way that the light glinted off her fiery hair. How her lips curved into a gentle smile as she slept. He sighed, realizing that no matter what the consequences were, he could never hurt her again. He wasn't sure if this was love, but whatever it was, it was stronger than any emotion he'd ever felt before.
Deciding that she probably wasn't going to be changing into a nightgown anytime soon, he took off her shoes and socks, then quickly undid the buttons on her shirt and pants, leaving her dressed just in a bra and panties. That would have to do, he decided. He didn't trust himself to undress her further. He pulled the covers over her then scooted in beside her, falling asleep to the rhythm of her steady breathing.
~Part: 32~
It was early morning, and Will was involved in what had become one of his favorite pastimes: Willow-watching. He sat against the headboard, gazing at the beautiful young redhead while she slept, her soft skin seeming to glow under his watchful eyes. Her dreams were troubled, as they often were, and she murmured and thrashed under the covers. He reached out, putting a hand to her shoulder, about to shake her awake, when her frightened words caught his attention.
"No, Buffy," she said quietly. "NO!" She moved again, twisting her small body this way and that. "You can't! I love him," she whispered, her lips slightly open, her words slipping out from between them.
Will sat back, stunned. He sucked in a harsh unnecessary breath, his surprise evident in every line of his face. She could only be talking about him, he knew. This must be a dream about their confrontation last night with Buffy. But she loved him? Could he dare to hope that it was true, and not some cruel trick of her subconscious? He knew that she desired him. She had made that clear last night. But love?
Will knew that his own feelings for her were becoming stronger each and every day. He had tried to fight them but with absolutely no success. So what next? Go for that mythical 'happily ever after' ending? That was a crock and he knew it. Fairy-tales and happy endings were what she deserved, but his life was anything but. He could never give her the life she deserved. But every muscle in his body ached with the need to do just that.
Willow moved again, interrupting his thoughts and drawing his attention back to the redheaded beauty. She was waking up, he saw, stretching her slender body and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Finally she settled on her side, deep green eyes looking up at him.
"Morning," she mumbled uneasily. He had been watching her again. God that made her uncomfortable. Why did he find her so fascinating when she was asleep? Did she drool or something?
Will scooted along the bed, lying down on his side facing her, and staring at her delicate features. "Morning to you too," he answered, his voice serious. He paused for a moment, trying to decide what to say next. "You were having a dream a bit ago," he started.
"I was? Was it the one with the bunnies? I kind of like that one."
"No, luv, it wasn't a happy dream. Umm…I think it was about last night. About our run-in with the Slayer."
Willow looked at him, her eyebrows drawn down in a slight frown as bits and pieces of her dream broke the surface of her consciousness. "Buffy had a stake, and-and she was threatening you, again. Just like before," she told him slowly, as she remembered more and more. "I told her she couldn't kill you," Willow said, her face turning a bright red as she remembered what else she had said in her dream.
"You were talking in your sleep, Red. Do you remember what you said," he asked quietly, willing her to say the words to him.
"N-no, I don't remember," she stammered, afraid to say the words out loud. She tried to look away, anywhere but into those stunning cerulean blue eyes. Eyes she was sure would mock her if they knew her secret.
"Yes you do, luv," he told her gently. His hand reached out, cupping her chin and bringing her face up to his, her soft breath warming his lips. "I can see it in your eyes; I can see it in the blush that is spreading over your body. Say it," he demanded, his voice strong and thick with emotion.
She closed her eyes and said the words, "I love you," her voice the barest whisper of a sound. Three little words that turned her world upside-down.
His fingers stroked her cheek gently, trying to offer her comfort. "Open your eyes," he demanded huskily. Her eyes remained closed, the ginger lashes swept down on her cheek. "Willow, open them. Please."
It was the word 'please' that finally convinced her. Slowly her emerald eyes emerged, shining with unshed tears of pain and embarrassment. But when she looked up into his face, instead of the harsh, mocking look she expected, his features were tender and sweet.
"I love you too," he told her, hoping that the tone of his voice and the look on his face would convince her of the truthfulness of his words. He ran his hand through her fiery tresses, over and over, caressing her face and neck with his cool, soft hand.
Her eyes were uncertain. She didn't believe him. It was too soon, he thought. That was okay. He could convince her with deeds, if she wasn't yet ready to believe his words. His lips moved the extra inch towards her, meeting her yielding lips with a soft, tender kiss. Her mouth opened against his, and his tongue entered, caressing her tongue with soft, sweet movements. He explored every bit of her mouth, his tongue trying to memorize her unique flavor. Finally he pulled away with a soft groan, feeling the need to explain his feelings to her.
"I don't know how it happened," he started, mesmerized by her eyes. "And I certainly didn't plan it. I don't know why I suggested our 'arrangement' in the first place, but I think it was meant to punish you. But then slowly, bit by bit, I started to fall. By the time I realized what was happening it was too late. God, I fought against it," he admitted with a humorless laugh. "Imagine, I set this up to punish you, and end up punishing myself even more. I was pathetic."
Hope was beginning to build in her eyes, as her hand reached out to capture his own. She kissed his palm, laying his hand on her cheek, cradling it with her own. "I think maybe Buffy was right all along," she confessed.
"The Slayer? Hell, why bring her into this? Here we were having a nice conversation about-"
She put her fingers against his lips, stilling their movement for the moment. He opened his mouth, capturing her finger and using his tongue to tickle it and his teeth to keep it captive. She smiled, a soft, gentle smile that melted his unbeating heart. God, she was beautiful.
"Shhh. What I meant was, I think Buffy was right when she said I agreed to this 'arrangement' for reasons other than just to help them. She claimed that I accepted your proposal because I had feelings for you. I didn't want to believe it then, but looking back now, I think maybe she was closer to the truth than I wanted to admit. I *did* have feelings for you, even back then, and they've only gotten stronger."
She stopped for a minute, lowering her head again in embarrassment. But Will would not let her get away that easily. Again he brought her eyes back to his own and the encouragement and affection she saw there gave her the strength to continue.
"I thought that if you knew, if you knew how I felt, that either you'd pity me, or you'd take advantage of me. Not-you know, the sex thing. 'Cuz we did that. I mean, you'd try to make me betray my friends."
He had the good grace to look slightly ashamed as he replied. "I don't blame you for thinking that. Hell, that's just the kind of thing I usually would do, if I thought I had a chance. Got my reputation as an evil demon to maintain, you know," he gave her a cocky grin. "But I couldn't do it to you. Never to you," he repeated softly.
Her eyes still contained some doubt and he couldn't blame her. He was asking her to take a lot just on faith. But he'd convince her of his feelings, even if it took him a lifetime.
~Part: 33~
He set about convincing her of his love the only way he knew how. His mouth swooped down and captured hers in a sweet kiss, his lips teasing hers, his teeth nibbling at her lower lip. As she gasped in pleasure, he pushed his tongue into her mouth, drowning in the wonderful taste that was all Willow. He ran his tongue over her smooth teeth and her gums, tickling and teasing them. His hands wrapped themselves in her soft silky tresses, marveling at the feel and the amazing scent of wildflowers after a summer storm.
Willow ran her hands down his chest, exploring the curves of his body. She had seen it so many times but never had the opportunity to touch it. Now she made up for lost time. Her fingers brushed softly over his nipples, running rings around the taught nubs that sprung up beneath her questing fingers. Then she went lower, tracing every one of his ribs, until she reached his navel. Her fingers flitted around it in a circular pattern until finally she reached his bellybutton, stroking it gently. Will groaned in response to her actions and she felt his erection swell between them.
Gently pushing Willow onto her back, Will slid down her body, coming to rest with his chin on her belly. He licked her bellybutton with his cool tongue, causing Willow to start in surprise. Before she could say anything, his tongue had moved on and was going further down, finally stopping at the entrance to her cunt. He breathed deeply, inhaling and savoring her. Finally, sensing her impatience, he licked her lower lips, flicking his tongue in in a random pattern. Sometimes he would lick lightly, teasingly. Other times he would point his tongue and thrust as deeply as he could. Then, when she was relaxed and unsuspecting, he would capture her clit and gently graze it with his teeth. When he did that she would tense, whimpering in pleasure and frustration.
He knew she was ready, but he wanted to be sure that her mind was just as ready as her body. Stopping suddenly, he looked down into her eyes. "Are you sure about this, luv?"
She smiled, one of the most breathtaking smiles he had ever seen. Her eyes were twinkling like a thousand emeralds, love and delight fighting for dominance.
"I'm positive. Positive that if you don't make love to me soon, I'll exploded," she added with a happy giggle.
He smiled back, his brilliant blue eyes shining with the intensity of his feelings. He took his erection in hand and guided it towards her entrance. Finally, feeling that every moment in his life had lead up to this, he entered her slowly, letting her juices ease his way. He looked up as he heard her groan, but the look in her eyes and the smile on her face reassured him that the groans were of a passionate nature and had nothing to do with pain.
Leaning over her, he kissed her again as he slid his cock the rest of the way home. She sighed into his mouth as she felt his full length inside her. Then he pulled back and entered her again and again, setting up a steady rhythm.
Willow felt her orgasm starting to build within her. Her body was responding eagerly to Will's steady thrusts and to the attentions of his hands, which had returned to resume their teasing exploration of her breasts. Finally she was there, and as she plunged over the edge and gave in to her orgasm, she moaned his name.
Hearing her voice call out to him in passion was enough to bring Will along as well. He thrust one last time, holding himself into her as his cock exploded and spilled his seed deep inside her.
Weak with spent passion, they fell asleep nestled in each other's arms.
~Epilogue~
About 9 months later…
Willow awoke the way she did most mornings, to the feeling of her lover's lips on hers. It really wasn't fair that she needed more sleep than he did, she thought. But then again, it certainly *was* a pleasant way to wake up.
She opened her sleepy eyes, gazing up into the blue orbs above her.
"Happy anniversary, luv," the blond vampire told her, immediately sweeping the cobwebs from her mind.
"Um…did you say anniversary?"
He sighed, looking at her with mock incredulity. "You mean you *forgot* what today was," he teased her. "And they say men are bad about remembering these things! I think you women are giving us a bad reputation solely in order to distract us from your own forgetfulness."
His face turned serious as he grabbed her hands, holding them in his own. "A year ago tonight, we made an agreement. Well, really I forced you into an agreement," he added truthfully. "You promised to stay with me for a year, and now that year is up. I think it's been a pretty good year myself, but now it's over. Your commitment to me is at an end."
Willow looked at him uneasily. What was he getting at? Was he trying to get rid of her? The last year had been the most wonderful of her life and she never wanted it to end. But what was he thinking, she wondered.
Seeing the confusion in her eyes, he plunged ahead before she could speak. "What I'm trying to say is, you're free to make whatever decision you want about your future. You can go free, or you can stay with me."
"You-you want me with you still, don't you," she asked uncertainly.
"Hell yes. Life without you, well, it wasn't worth living. But a year ago, I didn't really give you a choice. Now I want to give you that choice."
He looked deep into her eyes, his hand brushing her fiery hair out of her face. "Willow, will you please stay with me?"
She smiled and his heart lurched inside him. He knew what her answer would be before she even voiced the words. "You are *so* stuck with me. Forever," she told him, and then squealed as he hugged her to him with all his might.
But that nagging word 'forever' taunted him, echoing through his mind. A melancholy look settled on his chiseled features as he released her slender body. "You will leave me though, pet. You'll have to some day, whether you want to or not."
She looked back at him, knowing where this discussion was heading. She told him before that she would not let him turn her. He respected her decision but still wasn't happy about it. "I have a plan," she told him, a mischievous smile on her lips.
"Well luv, what's the plan?" Will sat back against the headboard and pulled Willow up to sit on his lap. She leaned back against his cool chest, grabbing his hands and pulling them around her waist. Then she turned her head and looked up at him and explained her idea.
"You see," she started softly, "there are an infinite number of things in this world that we don't know about. There are demons, vampires, werewolves, and witches, just to name a few. And there are curses and spells to do just about everything that anyone could ever imagine doing. There was even a curse to bring a soul back into a demon," she reminded him.
"As much as I love listening to the sound of your beautiful voice, luv, I just don't see what you're getting at," he told her.
"Okay, here's my idea. There are tons of things and places and curses and ideas out there that we probably don't know about, right? So we chase after them. We travel the world over, looking for anything that will make me immortal. Or at least long-lived. We hunt down every lead, look into every spell, and talk to any demon that has an idea. It might not be easy, and it probably won't be quick, but that's okay, because we have each other and lots of time. And in the end, we'll find what we're looking for, I just know it."
She watched the idea grow in his mind, hoping that he would indulge her in this. She just knew that if they searched long enough, they would find some curse or spell that would let them be together forever. It was out there, just waiting for them to find it.
"So what do you think," she asked, looking up at him anxiously.
"I think that there's no other way I'd rather spend the next 20 or 30 years of my life," he told her with a grin.
So search they did, and over the next ten years Willow saw more of the world than she ever knew existed. Then one day, one quiet Thursday in a small town in southern Italy, they found the answers that they were seeking.
And they lived happily every after.
The end.