Title: Gryphon's love.
Timeline: After 'Halloween'.
Summary: Researching for the Slayer who had seen Angel's tattoo, Buffy finds out a very interesting thing about the Gryphon...
"You want what?" Willow asked the blond in front of her in shock.
"I want to find out who was the slayer that saw Angel's tattoo".
"Buffy, I don't think Angel had fallen for any other slayer than you." The redhead reasoned. She really wanted to believe Buffy was the vampire's first love. They looked so perfect to each other… And the way Angel adoringly looked at Buffy… Ah, if Xander looked at her the way Angel looked at the Slayer.
"I know. I know. It's just... You see I'm not sure I'm right for Angel. He's 241 years old and I'm 17".
"You're kidding me, right?" Willow asked surprised "C'mon, Buffy, you two are making the smooches for what? Two weeks? And you already have this 241 year old vampire at your hands".
"Please?" Buffy pleaded "I really wanna know". Willow sighed.
"Angel?" Buffy asked her boyfriend, later that same day, after they stopped the serious smooches Willow mentioned earlier.
"Hmmm?"
"What do you have tattooed at your back?" Angel looked down at her.
"What?"
"What do you...?"
"No, I understood what you said" He interrupted her.
"Why do you want to know?"
"I just do" She replied. "It's a gryphon. Angelus tattooed".
"Oh. Cool" She leaned up and met his lips "Really cool".
"He said it's a gryphon", Buffy said softly at the phone, as Angel slept soundly.
"Are you sure?" Willow asked, knowing how Buffy could distort things.
"It's important for me, Willow" Buffy said honestly. "I said it the way Angel said to me".
Willow believed her. She knew how much her friend was in love with the vampire, and how heartbroken she would be if her worst fears were confirmed: that she was only a crush on Angel's life.
"I'll start it now".
The next morning, Willow was anxiously waiting for Buffy next to the blonde's school-locker, with a paper on her hand. When the slayer stood next to her, the redhead handed her the paper hurriedly.
"Is this the tattoo?" She asked pointing the printed picture on the paper. Buffy looked at it and smiled thankfully.
"It is". Willow let out a sigh. A romantic sigh that made Buffy lift an eyebrow. The redhead turned around the page and pointed Buffy the last line. Buffy read:
Gryphons mate for life. Once they have chosen a mate, they are forever faithful and, if the first mate dies, they will not take another.
Buffy looked up at Willow, with tears in her eyes.
"Angel chose me?" She asked in a tiny childish voice. Willow nodded eagerly.
"I guess so. He completely adores you, you rule him, Buffy. Tell him to die and he will, just to see you happy".
Buffy looked at Willow.
"Come with me. I'll make a surprise to Angel".
That same night, during a very hot smooches session, Angel pulled up Buffy's blouse, only to see a phrase tattooed at the end of her back.
Gryphons mate for life. If the first mate dies, they will not take another.
He raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked:
"When did you make this?"
"This afternoon. Giles knew a demon that can tattoo without pain, and quickly. So, I made it".
"Buffy, a tattoo is for a lifetime." He reasoned.
"Like my love for you". She replied. Angel had no arguments against her.