Boy of Fact and Fiction [2/?]
Spoilers: IWRY, S5, S6 BtVS. S3 AtS.
Info in previous parts.
5 years earlier
Buffy:
I feel my self practically running out to my car. No matter how bad I feel at this moment. Knowing I'm going to be seeing Angel, that makes my return all the more real. I know I have been putting on false masks for all my friends. Giles seeming to be the only one who knew that something is wrong. Everyone is just so happy to see me alive. Everyone but me.
When Angel called me my heart fluttered in that way that it hasn't fluttered since I last kissed him in the grave yard the day of my moms funeral. In such a dark time it was still him that could become the light in the midst of my darkness. Now in my world of hell he will become my saving grace.
Now I'm on my way to a small city between LA and Sunnydale where we have been on a few occasions in the past. The last time we met there was my birthday. I was still with Riley at the time but it has always been a tradition since I was 16 to be with Angel on my birthday. A tradition I will also never break.
The place is a small cabin out in the middle of the woods, with all the trimmings. A fireplace and hearth. Two floors with three different bedrooms. Everything; even a hot tub in the back galley.
I saw the look in Giles eyes when I told him I was going to see Angel. I know he's confused at my sudden departure. But hey I just got back from what they want to call Hell, and I need someone who can pull me out of my own personal hell. You and I both know only one person can do that. Not Spike. Not Willow. Not Giles. Hell not even Dawn.
As I see dawn quickly approaching on the horizon I hope and pray that Angel made it here before the sun went down. If his voice told m anything he was already half way to his car by the time he got me on the phone. I round the corner onto a dirt, forested path. I smile as I remember on my birthday when Angel and I walked hand in hand through the dark damp forest. It was just after a rain fall so all the branches were wet and sparkly. A beautiful site to behold.
As I snap back to the present I see the log cabin sitting ahead of me. I remember asking Angel where he found a cabin like this. All he would tell me that he had it built soon after coming to the US as a form of retreat. When I asked about the hot tub all he could do was laugh. That is nice you know. Being along with a man that you now you are the only one who can truly make him laugh. It's like we make each other see the light. We make each other laugh. We make each other's souls scream for each other. We know it's wrong, but we can't stop. We need each other to live. We are each other's light at the and of the long and darkened tunnel. If only we weren't always destined to be running the opposite direction of each other.
Sure he's a vampire and I'm the Slayer; but look at it from this Angel. Who knows the darkness better then the Slayer then a vampire and visa versa. I have never really looked at Angel as a vampire the entire time we were together. Sure I might have spouted a few arguments that would bring up the vampirism but I would do that just to irritate him. I knew what could get him riled up. Just like he could with me. We both knew what to day, what to do to make the other jealous. But we also know just what to say, what do to, to make the other feel loved, treasured.
When I drive around to the back of the cabin I see Angel's Plymouth Belvedere. Carefully I remove myself from the confines of my choking seat belt. As I walk toward the house I find myself primping. I haven't bothered to do that since I was brought. But I know why I'm doing it now. I'm doing it cause I'm going to be seeing Angel. Angel deserves primping. I already feel the familiar tingle in my stomach when I approach the house. As I move toward the door I unknowingly run my fingers through my hair hoping to make it look better. Though I know it's already at my best.
Why am I doing this? It's just Angel. Right why don't I keep deluding my self in to believing it's just Angel. I just hope he can work is magic and allow me to forget the heaven I was introduced to. Where I was living happily with my mother again. Where I didn't have to worry about the destruction of the world. Or always having to worry about the upcoming battle. Please Angel…take that away from me!
Angel:
I'm pacing in the cabin when I hear an engine purring outside the cabin. I don't have to look to know its Buffy. That she's finally here. I can't help myself from going to the window and watching as she exits the car. Her long flowing blond hair glowing in the up and coming sun. I surpress a chuckle when I see her running her fingers and tugging a her clothes to straighten them out. Oh what a beautiful site to behold.
I still can't surpress the shock I remember when I heard that Buffy was alive. When Cordelia told me I could feel my second half. I'm just surprised I didn't notice earlier. But after sitting in a nursing home for as long as I did, I think my memories and feelings were beginning to laps.
I couldn't waste anymore time just standing around in shock as the feelings rushed over me like water down a waterfall. I ran into the Hyperion and right to the phone. As I dialed her number I could feel myself taking unnecessary breaths. Before holding them in until I heard her answer the phone.
It was true she is alive. My Buffy is alive. I remember our brief conversation, full of meaning and understanding. It was actually her idea to meet. Of course I could never deny her so I told her to name the time and the place. She chose our cabin out in the middle of the woods.
I was already at the car throwing the phone to Cordy by the time our conversation was over. All I could think of the entire drive to our cabin I thought of Buffy. I thought of a world without Buffy. A world that I had to experience for three months. And believe me three months was definitely long enough.
As I pulled toward the cabin like usual I pulled around back. I took a look around seeing the dark woods around me. And the dark water at the base of the outcropping. Slowly I walked into the cabin looking quietly around the darkness. Sure I already knew there was nobody else here.
As I found my way into the living room I found a piece of wrapping paper stuck to the back of the couch. I chuckled as I remembered as she sat encircled in my arms unwrapping her birthday present.
I gave her a leather bound journal. It tied with two simple leather laces. The paper I had sprayed and antiqued to give it the appearance of crisp old paper. The kind you always find in all the dusty tomes we are always researching. I thought it would be the perfect gift for her. To write her experiences down. I wonder if she uses it.
I certainly remember the look on her face as she read the initial letter I had written on the first page.
Dear Buffy,
I know this is your journal, but I wanted to write this letter to you inside so you will always have it with you. First of all happy birthday. I certainly hope you have many more like it in the future.
Remember our meeting place whenever you need someone to talk to. If ever you need me that is where you will find me. Just remember out little preludes will lead toward the biggest epilogue our lives will take us on.
Right now sure we are at a crossroads but one day our paths will lead us back to each other. One day I will conquer my demons and return back to you. But for now it will be within our own dreams and special days like this.
Yours Always,
Angel
I almost cried when I saw the tears running haplessly down her face. She wrapped her arms tightly around me as hear tears soaked my shirt. Now I'm standing here watching the women who could never die for me. I watched as she got out of her car. I watched as the morning stopped me from meeting her at the door.
I stepped out of range of the light as I stepped back through the kitchen toward the back room the wrapping paper still sliding through my fingers. I grip the door slowly turning the knob. When I opened it I smiled seeing her look up. Her hazel eyes capturing my brown ones in the greatest of entanglements.
"Buffy…" Why is it whenever I see her that's all I can seem to say for like the first five minutes? Is it just me?
"Angel." Buffy smiles up at me. I can tell the smile is genuine as she walks into the cabin. Her eyes catching the moving wrapping paper in my hands. "Hey." She stands facing me as I shut the door my eyes never leaving hers.
"Buffy…" I reach out for her knowing that when I go to touch her my hand will pass through her I just know it. When my hand touches a shoulder I couldn't stop myself from pulling her into my embrace. I could feel her body relax, something was wrong I could just feel it. "Buffy…you're alive"
"You did talk to me on the phone…"
"Yeah but this makes it more real." I run my hands long the side of her face brushing at her hair. Her head leaning into my hands.
"Can we go sit down in the living room I'd like to talk.
***
As you can tell the saga of back story has begun. If you want more feedback is a must.
