This is my first foray into the Buffy/Angel fandom. Hope you enjoy the drabble.
Of course, I don't need to tell you that I don't own anything or make any money from it.
Watching Her Die
"And you will always remember what it is like to watch her die."
The first nightmare took Angel off guard. Usually he didn't dream when he slept, but every sunrise brought images of Buffy collapsing to the ground, blood pouring from grievous wounds. Each time he saw her fall, he sunk to his knees and pulled her into his lap. Buffy's lips moved, trying to speak, but blood pooled in her mouth, muffling her words. Angel brushed her hair away and shushed the slayer. Blood stained his pale skin as he struggled to cover her wounds, panic rising as her life blood continued to pour between his fingers. The blonde was fading and there was nothing he could do.
The scent of the blood in the air sat heavily on his tongue, tickling the vampire's desire to feed. An idea solidified from the chaos. Angel leaned close over Buffy's shaking form, teeth elongating and lips brushing her pale neck. Turning her would mean he never had to lose her. They could be together forever. But Angel pulled back before he could bite.
It would be so easy to pass on his immortality, save her from the impending death, but he knew it wouldn't be Buffy in the end. She would be a twisted, monstrous thing wearing the slayer's face. No matter what, he would lose her.
Buffy whimpered and stiffened before going completely boneless. Her eyes slipped closed and the vampire knew he was too late. Nothing would bring the love of his unlife back. Angel roared his grief and anger to the sky while cradling her limp form.
He sat up in bed, gasping for breath he didn't need and trying to wipe blood from his hands. Only slowly did the brunet realize it was just another dream. Every time he slept, the story repeated itself and Buffy would die in his arms or by his hands. No matter what he did, the blonde would bleed out or he would stake her after sireing her.
Angel didn't usually put much stock by dreams and visions, but every time he kissed the slayer, he had to push away the certainty she would eventually die. After months of the same torture every time he closed his eyes, the vampire began to wonder if he couldn't divert her fate. Without him, Buffy would be free to concentrate on slaying and her family. She could be normal, go to college, and date humans. If he left, she would be in less danger.
Old age would eventually catch up with the slayer, but by then she would have lived a full life. Angel thought he could live with that when he finally decided to leave Sunnydale. It didn't matter how much his unbeating heart wanted to break as long as it meant Buffy was alive. That was the only consolation he had as he turned away from the young woman harshly illuminated by flames and flashing lights.