Riley knew it. I mean, he'd known for a while, but now he really, really did know. He finally saw it.
When he realized it, it cut through him like an axe. Buffy doesn't love me, he thought. Buffy doesn't love me.
And then suddenly he was sombre, trying to be serious about it. He thought about maybe ending it all together. But, no, he loved her. Why should he end it? At least she pretended to love him.
Note: Challenge from Challenge in a Can.
Riley. Sombre. Axe.