Disclaimer: Buffy and Angel are properties of Joss Whedon. I'm just borrowing them for non-profit, entertainment purposes.

Without Goodbye

Do you know what the hardest thing is? That is to say the hardest words in the world, not just in English, but also every other language known to men. From where I'm standing, and who I'm silently watching, it is true.

Sunnydale High has been officially destroyed, and I'm sure that the students are celebrating the end of high school. For all those who survived, there were smiles and satisfactions all around. But for one Buffy Summers, her world is slowly fading. She stood there, near the fire trucks, wondering and scanning the grounds for him. She suddenly froze, feeling him near. She turned around. Angel was standing at a distance, staring at her. They both didn't say anything.

It was then that I realised, they really aren't going to say their goodbyes. It struck me that every time they met; they never said hello or goodbye. I think I finally know. If they said "hello" they knew that sooner or later, they would have to say "goodbye". For a love like theirs, saying those words would be the most difficult. I remembered the time when she was about to drive that sword through his heart. Everything that she was, everything that she had, she had given up. Even Whistler was telling her that she had one more thing to lose. I sighed. Even when he was back, as her lover and her world, she still had to send him into the fiery depths of hell.

The face on her face then, I could never forget. It seemed that she was fading. Her inner energy shattered and broken, she had lost everything to her. Sometimes I don't understand the human emotions. Someone can feel a million different feelings at the same moment, just like then, just like now. In that one split moment that they looked at each other, everything that was needed to be said, they have said through the souls of their eyes. It may be sad for me, but to them, it must have been heartbreaking. Maybe that's why they won't say goodbye, because they might say hello again.

I watched, ever since the dawn of time, the human feelings play out through time, the ups and downs, the hellos and goodbyes, the smiles and tears. But never have I seen a love like theirs. On top of love and passion, there was pain and betrayal. Their complex relationship will bind them together as soulmates forever, but also separate them for the greater good. Or at least, that's what Angel thinks.

Finally, he left. He just turned around and left, leaving her staring after him. I knew, as well as both of them knew, that if he stayed one moment longer, he wouldn't be able to let go, so I guess he finally built up the courage to leave.

I turned around to see Buffy. She just stood there, staring. Suddenly, I realised something. In the sadness of her eyes, there was a glimpse of hope. I smiled. Sure, they will not be together, but it doesn't mean that their love is dead. Their love will be forever after all, I thought to myself.

I decided to go, get out of here before my emotions gets the better of me again. But before I left, I looked at Buffy one more time. Her eyes were still locked in the direction where Angel turned around and left without saying goodbye. There, he walked out of her life forever. Or will he?

I smiled. Maybe it was best for them not to say goodbye…because it may not be the end after all. I guess only time will tell.

Then, with one more look, I teleported out.