Snapshots: The Couch

Author's Note: So, these are the memories that Buffy is reliving in terms of Lifetimes Apart though of course they can be read separately. References from season 2 episodes will be used to create a time frame for some of these, because that's when they occurred—in season 2, when Angel and Buffy had a relationship. I'm pretty sure these time frames will be right in terms of where they are in their relationship, but always drop me a pm just in case!

"Hey," said Buffy, as Angel answered the door.

"Hey," he smiled. "What's up?" A shadow crossed his face. "Nothing's wrong, is there? Because-"

Buffy put a hand on his chest, stopping him before he could go on. "Nothing's wrong, I promise. What, do I have to have a bad guy chasing after me to visit my boyfriend?" She grinned flirtatiously.

"Uh, no, I suppose not," Angel smiled shyly, looking down.

A pause.

"But I would like to come in and moan and bitch about my day if that's okay with you," grinned Buffy brightly.

Angel chuckled. "Yeah, sure. Come on in." He opened the door wider with one arm and let Buffy pass under.

"You know, your place is always so tidy," said Buffy, as she took off her coat, "I have no idea how you manage it." She walked over to the couch across from the armchair and dump her things on it, then planted herself across it with a dramatic sigh. "So, how was your day?"

Angel disregarded the question, and instead began to laugh softly under his breath as he settled in the armchair across from him.

Buffy frowned. "What? What's so funny?"

"I just..." another laugh, "It's...the way you make yourself so at home, it's...endearing."

Buffy sat up quickly. "Sorry...I just-"

"No, stay. I like it. It means you're comfortable here."

Buffy blushed. Well, I like that you like it, she thought.

Another pause—not awkward, but comfortable. "So, really. How was your day?"

"The usual."

"What's the usual?"

"Not much, to be honest," joked Angel.

"No, seriously. I wanna know what you do in your spare time."

"It's not very interesting."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Oh please. A little less interesting would be nice today."

"A what happened to you today?"

"Nuh-uh. There's no way I'm going to tell you what happened to me today before you tell me what your day was like."

Angel raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Yes. That is so," said Buffy primly, lifting her head and pursing her lips.

"Fine."

"So...?"

Angel sighed. "You really want to know? My life is extremely boring."

"Seriously? You do know that you're a vampire, right?"

"Exactly. So for about half the day I'm stuck in here, aren't I?"

"Even so. You're not getting out of this, you know!" She wagged her finger at him.

Angel laughed again. "Alright, fine. I spent most of this morning reading, then I slept some until near sunset. I spent a couple hours patrolling after that until I came home about a hour ago, fed, and then you knocked on the door. Detailed enough for you?"

Buffy narrowed her eyes. "What did you read?"

"Les Misérables."

"Mmm. And yes, now I'm satisfied," Buffy nodded once cheerfully.

"So you've read it then?"

Buffy scrunched her nose. "Well, you know...I know the, uh, main theme and I know there's a, uh, Jean somebody-or-other..."

"Let me guess, a few copied english assignments from Willow?"

She frowned. "It was long. I had slaying to do that night."

"That night?"

"Okay, maybe that week. God, please don't tell me that only avid 19th century literature readers turn you on? Because then I think I have to leave, because to be honest, I don't really have the time-"

Angel smirked. "No, it's really a—how would you put this? Non-issue."

Buffy laughed. "Good. I'm glad."

"Am I allowed to ask you about your day now?"

"I suppose so," Buffy sighed. "But there isn't really much in the way of something new. Only some science geeks that tried to create a living, human girl out a bunch of mutilated bodies. I had to save Corde once again. And I'm really wondering why on earth someone want a Frankenstein a a girlfriend. Ugh," Buffy grimaced, scrunching up her nose. "That is just disgusting. Can you imagine making out with the undead?"

"I actually prefer the living."

"Me too. Yeuch."

"Really? I heard a rumor..."

"You know, just because I kill demons and vampires and Frankensteins regularly, does not mean I-"

And suddenly Angel was leaning over her, arms on either side of her head, creating a cage with his arms. "I was under the impression that you actually didn't mind kissing vampires," he said softly, then, looking at Buffy's lips, leaned even closer... "In fact, I was under the impression that you didn't mind it at all."

"Well, I—um...I..."

"Yes?" Leaning even closer.

"Angel?"

"Yes?"

"Please kiss me now." A faint whimper from Buffy.

"Are you sure? Last time I checked, I was quite undead."

"I'm definitely sure."

Angel cocked his head, contemplated her for a bit. "No, no—I wouldn't want to feed the rumors," he smiled.

But Buffy simply put her arms around his neck and pulled him down, kissing him until they both had to pull apart for air (at the very least, Buffy) and they were left gasping.

"Rumours I don't care about," she gasped. "If it meant I would be able to kiss you like this."

Angel smirked. "I'm glad."