Title: She Was Like…
Summary: One-shot. A short examination of Wesley and Fred's relationship over the years.
Author: RinoaTifa
Disclaimer: I do not own Angel or any of its characters
She was like a dormouse, Wesley decided when the strange young woman called Winifred Burkle returned with them and took residence in their hotel, timid and afraid, and in the beginning he, as a worldly rogue demon hunter, felt obliged to protect her.
She was like a child, taking her first steps into a scary world, and he wanted to be there to hold her hand and help her find her way.
She was like an encyclopaedia of scientific knowledge and he found himself relying on her more and more every day.
She was like a flower that had begun to blossom and he felt proud to have been a part of it.
She was like the kindest, sweetest woman in the world and he marvelled that he hadn't noticed it before.
She was like his best friend's lover, and he kept his distance.
She was like a star and he loved to watch her shine, though knew he couldn't ever tell her that.
She was like a blazing fire, way off in the distance, and he was stuck in the blistering cold, no longer able to feel any of its heat.
She was like spring, in every sense of the word, and he revelled in the new life she brought with her.
She was like his world – everything he had ever wanted, dreamed or fantasised and more – and he had given himself to her completely.
She was like his future, beckoning to him, and he would follow her anywhere.
She was like a paper doll, fragile and breakable and slowly slipping away from him, and in the end he could do nothing but hold her as she died in his arms.