A/N: Same title, same author.
A/N2: Pairings, in the chapter, B/A, obviously, with mentions of W/T, X/A, F/G, and C/D. Also, minor, itsy bitsy mentions of D/A and B/R. Sorry, it all gets sorted out.
Buffy yawned and stretched, hauling herself up out of sleep. She was in her bed, carefully tucked in, with out Angel. The thought made her chest ache and her stomach clench. She glanced at the clock; it was two a.m. She slipped out of bed, slipped into her pajamas, and tip-toed into Angel's room. He was sprawled out on his bed, the bedside lamp on and a book laying open on his bare chest.
She smiled fondly and walked over to him, gently removing the book from his hands. She placed it facedown on the table and was reaching for the light switch when she noticed his eyes were open and he was watching her intently. She bit her lip and hesitantly met her eyes.
Angel reached out and gently took her hand, tugging her down onto the bed next to him before flipping off the bedside light. Buffy sighed and snuggled down against his bare, smooth chest as Angel wrapped his arms around her and lightly stroked her back.
*
It was about noon when Buffy finally woke up. Angel was sitting on his bed, not far from her, shirtless and studying. Buffy reached up and thoughtfully ran her fingertips over the tattoo on his back. He looked up, slightly startled, and smiled when he saw her open although sleepy green eyes. "Afternoon, sleepy head," he said softly.
Buffy yawned and stretched, and Angel quickly looked away from her to avoid watching the way her t-shirt stretched over her skin. "Hi," she murmured, snuggling back under the covers.
He reached over and tugged a lock of bright blonde hair. "Riley called." Buffy groaned and pulled the covers over her head, making Angel laughed. "It's important," her roommate told her, mimicking Riley's whining tone surprisingly well.
Buffy sighed and pushed the covers off of her head. "Anybody else?"
"Will," he replied, "calling to tell me how great Tara was, and how pretty, and how smart, and how funny, and have I seen her *eyes*?"
Buff gave a snort of disgust. "Like he looked at her eyes."
Angel shook his head. "He had to. He went into detail about the color and everything." He shuddered. "Spent the entire time speaking poetically about how great she was."
The blonde laughed. "Oh, God. Does he know she's dating Willow?"
He nodded and stretched out on the bed next to her. "Yeah, but he's determined to win her over." He paused. "I think he's falling. Doesn't take that long for Will to fall in love."
Buffy sighed and cuddled up to his side without a second thought. He wrapped an arm around her waist and held her to him, the two of them escaping reality for the time being. "I hope he doesn't get hurt," she murmured into his chest.
Angel nodded. "Yeah, me too." Then he grinned. "Did you see the look on Doyle's face last night, when Cordy actually spoke to him? It was great."
Buffy stretched against his side. "I think she likes him."
Angel nodded. "I know she does." He lightly rubbed her back through the too-big t-shirt she wore as pajamas, and she sighed and closed her eyes.
Buffy lightly ran her hand across his chest, and felt him still next to her. "Angel?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you love Drusilla?"
There was a long, heavy silence, and Buffy wondered if maybe she couldn't have kept her questions to herself. Then he answered. "No."
"Oh."
"Why ask?"
She shrugged and pressed her face into his chest. "'Cause I'm jealous," she murmured.
Angel laughed, a deep rumble against her cheek. "So am I," he said, wrapping his arm tighter around her waist.
Buffy sat up slightly so that she could see his eyes. "Do you like me?" she asked hopefully.
Angel looked at her with dark, deep eyes, then raised his free hand to caress her face. "You know I do."
Buffy smiled and lay back down on his chest, Riley the farthest thing from her mind. "I'm glad our moms set this up. Mom was telling me how great you were, but I thought she just wanted me out of the house."
Angel laughed. "I used to get the same thing about you," he said calmly. "It's called 'matchmaking,' or 'wouldn't they make a cute couple?' Buffy, will you marry me?"
Buffy sat up straight and stared at his laughing dark eyes. "Holy crap!" she murmured. "I can't believe I missed it!" Her green eyes narrowed. "How long have you known?"
Angel shrugged. "The whole time."
"Why didn't you *tell* me?" Another thoughts occurred to her. "And if you knew what they were planning, why did you move in?"
"To the first question, I thought you probably knew. And to the second, I needed a roommate."
Buffy laid back down against his chest. "Oh."
He lightly ran his hands lightly over her hips, and Buffy pressed against him with a sigh. "I like this," she said softly.
Angel nodded. "So do I."
But inside they were both wondering how long it would last.
*
Buffy woke up three hours later, yawning and rubbing her eyes. Angel wasn't there with her, but that didn't really mean anything. It was only three, so he could've been anywhere. She yawned, stretched, climbed out of bed…and headed for the bathroom. (I'm sure you all know what's coming.)
She opened the door, froze, and stared for a long moment. Angel was in the shower, blood coursing over lean, corded muscles, broad shoulders, and –
She quickly broke off that train of that, clapped a hand over her eyes, and turned to leave – before running full force into the door frame.
Angel swore, got out of the shower, and wrapped a towel around his hips. He tenderly touched her forehead where a red mark was rapidly developing. "Buffy. Are you alright?"
She turned bright red. "I didn't mean to walk in on you in the shower," she muttered, keeping her eyes closed.
He rolled his eyes. "Don't be stupid."
Buffy cracked her eyes open and stared at the smooth, hard planes on his chest, trying very hard to breathe. She winced slightly when he lightly brushed his fingertips over the bump on her forehead, and he murmured "sorry."
There was a scattering of water droplets just below his collarbone, and they were taking all of Buffy's attention. While Angel was checking her face for further injuries, she was trying very hard not to lick those drops away. She lost the fight. She leaned forward and ran her tongue over the smooth, tan skin, and felt him go very still. "Buffy, what are you doing?"
She licked him again, loving the sweet-salty taste of his skin. "Hmmm. You taste good."
Angel let out a long, shaky breath. "Thanks."
She lightly nuzzled his chest. "Mmmm."
Angel made a noise low in his throat, lightly tangling his fingers in her hair. "Buffy," he murmured. He bowed his head and nibbled lightly on her neck.
Buffy tilted her head to the side and moaned low in her throat. How come when Riley did the it was a total turn of, but the instant Angel touched her neck she was wet and ready? She wove her fingers through his hair and pressed close to his nearly naked body.
Angel ran his lips down the side of her neck, running his tongue along her clavicle and pressing a light kiss to the big pulse in her neck. She let out a small, whimpering sound when he pulled away, then sighed as she felt his lips gently settle on hers.
The kiss was long, and tender, and a great many other things, but most of all, it was interrupted. The doorbell rang.
Angel pulled his lips away and savagely growled a few swearwords under his breath. Buffy reluctantly pulled away. "I'll get it." She ran her eyes over his body and sighed remorsefully. "You'd better get dressed."
Angel nodded and rose, walking into his bedroom, while Buffy got up to answer the door. Willow, Anya, Tara, and Faith were standing there, with Cordelia, surprisingly enough. Cordelia grinned at her, brushing back hair that looked shorter. "Hey, Buffy. Thought we'd drop by. Is Angel home?"
Buffy nodded and stepped out of their way, inviting them in with a gesture. "Yeah, he's getting dressed." She felt the blush rise in her cheeks and quickly looked away.
Anya's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Have you two been having sex?" she demanded bluntly.
Cordelia sighed and rolled her eyes heavenward. "She makes me look tactful," the brunette sighed. Then she looked at the blushing blonde. "Well?" she demanded. "Have you?"
"*Cordelia!*" Buffy gasped, desperately wanting to stop blushing.
"I think they had sex," Anya told her.
Willow finally found her voice. "*Anya,* do you *mind?*"
The other woman calmly looked at the redhead. "No, I don't mind. I'm just curious. And I know you two are curious, too."
"Curious about what?" Angel asked as he entered the room.
"We were wondering whether or not you two were having sex yet," Anya informed him calmly.
Angel stared at her for a long moment. "Oh." Then he dug in the fridge for a can of soda.
"Oh?" Buffy demanded incredulously.
He looked at her curiously. "Was I suppose to say something else?"
The blonde simply rolled her eyes.
"I think you're right," Cordelia told Anya.
"Even if they haven't, it's only a matter of time," the other woman replied.
Angel glanced at her, then at his blushing roommate. "I think I'm gonna go to Will's," he said calmly, heading for the door. He looked at Cordelia and smirked. "Say hi to Doyle when you *don't* see him later." Then he was out the door.
The brunette stared after him for a long moment. "Bastard."
"He's sexy, though," Willow said, looking slyly at Buffy.
"He really is," Anya agreed.
Buffy started to lead them into the living room so that they could all sit around the couch. "Do you guys want anything to drink?"
"I'd like a soda," Tara said in her quiet voice.
"Me, too," Willow added, and the other three agreed.
It was Faith who go right to the point. "So what's up with you and the studmuffin, B? And don't say nothing, 'cause people just don't turn that red over nothing."
"Yeah, like, no kidding," Cordelia put in as Buffy returned to the room with their sodas. "I can tell he *totally* likes you, and you are *way* better for him that Dru. I mean, she's a freaking *psycho*."
"She is a little off," Faith agreed.
"A *little,*" the brunette hissed spitefully, then looked at her soda can. "Don't you have diet?"
"No, Angel hates diet," Buffy told her. The brunette smirked. "What?"
"'Angel hates diet'" Faith mimicked. "Man, B, you're really nuts about this guy, huh?"
Buffy blushed.
"*I* would be," Tara murmured, then blushed at the suspicious look from her girlfriend.
"Total stud," Anya agreed.
"Complete. I mean, have you seen him without his shirt on? *Yum.*" This from Cordelia, who was sprawled out in her chair, sipping her Dr. Pepper and staring into space.
Willow shook her head. "No, but I can make guesses."
"Guesses don't come close to the real thing," Cordelia informed her.
"He sure as hell looks good," Faith said.
Buffy was starting to look like an apple. Faith grinned at her slyly. "Seen the full Monty, yet, B?"
Buffy lifted her chin and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "No. I don't know why you'd think I had."
Faith laughed. Cordelia rolled her eyes.
It was Anya who spoke, using a calm tone. "You blush whenever we mention him. It's obvious you like him, and we're all *dying* for girl talk."
Buffy sighed, then smiled slightly, then sighed again. "I really, *really* like him, but he has a girlfriend, and I have Riley." At this point, Anya and Faith rather pointedly gagged. Buffy ignored them, and continued. "And I've seen, like, ninety nine point nine percent of the Monty."
Anya squealed and leaned forward on the couch.
"When?" Faith demanded.
Buffy smiled rather smugly. "I accidentally walked in on him in the shower." She winced and rubbed the bump on her forehead. "Before I got incredibly embarrassed and ran into the door."
The other women crowed laughter.
"And then?" Cordelia demanded. "He tried to soothe your wounds, right?"
Buffy nodded. "Yeah, and we, uh, kissed."
Anya sighed. "Yum."
"Extreme yum."
"Have you *seen* those shoulders?" Faith asked. "I mean, *damn*."
Anya looked at her. "How was your date with…the guy with the weapony name?"
"Gunn," the wild-child informed her, "and again…*damn*!"
*
Buffy sighed happily and ran her hands through her blonde hair. It had been an afternoon full of girl talk – her stolen kisses with Angel, Xander and Anya's wild courtship, Cordi's unwilling feelings for Doyle, Faith's date with Gunn. All in all, a nice day.
The door opened, and Angel slipped in. "Is it safe?" he asked quietly. "Is evil woman hour over?"
His roommate giggled and went over to him. "Yes," she murmured, before stretching up on her tip-toes and kissing him soundly. He made an appreciative noise in his throat and pulled her close, deepening the kiss. She pulled away reluctantly. "I have to go," she said, lightly running her fingertips over his neck.
Angel nodded. "So do I. Where are you going?" he asked, a horrible though in the back of his mind.
Buffy sighed. "To see Riley."
His stomach tied itself in knots, and his ribcage suddenly felt too tight.
She was still talking, however. "I'm breaking up with him."
And he could breathe again.
"What about you?"
Angel sighed. "Same here, only with Dru, obviously." He kissed her again.
Buffy sighed and ran her hands through his hair, loving the silky feeling of it between her fingers. "Good luck." She gave him another quick kiss before pulling away.
He nodded. "You too."
A/N again: see, I told you it all got sorted out.
A/N2: Pairings, in the chapter, B/A, obviously, with mentions of W/T, X/A, F/G, and C/D. Also, minor, itsy bitsy mentions of D/A and B/R. Sorry, it all gets sorted out.
Buffy yawned and stretched, hauling herself up out of sleep. She was in her bed, carefully tucked in, with out Angel. The thought made her chest ache and her stomach clench. She glanced at the clock; it was two a.m. She slipped out of bed, slipped into her pajamas, and tip-toed into Angel's room. He was sprawled out on his bed, the bedside lamp on and a book laying open on his bare chest.
She smiled fondly and walked over to him, gently removing the book from his hands. She placed it facedown on the table and was reaching for the light switch when she noticed his eyes were open and he was watching her intently. She bit her lip and hesitantly met her eyes.
Angel reached out and gently took her hand, tugging her down onto the bed next to him before flipping off the bedside light. Buffy sighed and snuggled down against his bare, smooth chest as Angel wrapped his arms around her and lightly stroked her back.
*
It was about noon when Buffy finally woke up. Angel was sitting on his bed, not far from her, shirtless and studying. Buffy reached up and thoughtfully ran her fingertips over the tattoo on his back. He looked up, slightly startled, and smiled when he saw her open although sleepy green eyes. "Afternoon, sleepy head," he said softly.
Buffy yawned and stretched, and Angel quickly looked away from her to avoid watching the way her t-shirt stretched over her skin. "Hi," she murmured, snuggling back under the covers.
He reached over and tugged a lock of bright blonde hair. "Riley called." Buffy groaned and pulled the covers over her head, making Angel laughed. "It's important," her roommate told her, mimicking Riley's whining tone surprisingly well.
Buffy sighed and pushed the covers off of her head. "Anybody else?"
"Will," he replied, "calling to tell me how great Tara was, and how pretty, and how smart, and how funny, and have I seen her *eyes*?"
Buff gave a snort of disgust. "Like he looked at her eyes."
Angel shook his head. "He had to. He went into detail about the color and everything." He shuddered. "Spent the entire time speaking poetically about how great she was."
The blonde laughed. "Oh, God. Does he know she's dating Willow?"
He nodded and stretched out on the bed next to her. "Yeah, but he's determined to win her over." He paused. "I think he's falling. Doesn't take that long for Will to fall in love."
Buffy sighed and cuddled up to his side without a second thought. He wrapped an arm around her waist and held her to him, the two of them escaping reality for the time being. "I hope he doesn't get hurt," she murmured into his chest.
Angel nodded. "Yeah, me too." Then he grinned. "Did you see the look on Doyle's face last night, when Cordy actually spoke to him? It was great."
Buffy stretched against his side. "I think she likes him."
Angel nodded. "I know she does." He lightly rubbed her back through the too-big t-shirt she wore as pajamas, and she sighed and closed her eyes.
Buffy lightly ran her hand across his chest, and felt him still next to her. "Angel?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you love Drusilla?"
There was a long, heavy silence, and Buffy wondered if maybe she couldn't have kept her questions to herself. Then he answered. "No."
"Oh."
"Why ask?"
She shrugged and pressed her face into his chest. "'Cause I'm jealous," she murmured.
Angel laughed, a deep rumble against her cheek. "So am I," he said, wrapping his arm tighter around her waist.
Buffy sat up slightly so that she could see his eyes. "Do you like me?" she asked hopefully.
Angel looked at her with dark, deep eyes, then raised his free hand to caress her face. "You know I do."
Buffy smiled and lay back down on his chest, Riley the farthest thing from her mind. "I'm glad our moms set this up. Mom was telling me how great you were, but I thought she just wanted me out of the house."
Angel laughed. "I used to get the same thing about you," he said calmly. "It's called 'matchmaking,' or 'wouldn't they make a cute couple?' Buffy, will you marry me?"
Buffy sat up straight and stared at his laughing dark eyes. "Holy crap!" she murmured. "I can't believe I missed it!" Her green eyes narrowed. "How long have you known?"
Angel shrugged. "The whole time."
"Why didn't you *tell* me?" Another thoughts occurred to her. "And if you knew what they were planning, why did you move in?"
"To the first question, I thought you probably knew. And to the second, I needed a roommate."
Buffy laid back down against his chest. "Oh."
He lightly ran his hands lightly over her hips, and Buffy pressed against him with a sigh. "I like this," she said softly.
Angel nodded. "So do I."
But inside they were both wondering how long it would last.
*
Buffy woke up three hours later, yawning and rubbing her eyes. Angel wasn't there with her, but that didn't really mean anything. It was only three, so he could've been anywhere. She yawned, stretched, climbed out of bed…and headed for the bathroom. (I'm sure you all know what's coming.)
She opened the door, froze, and stared for a long moment. Angel was in the shower, blood coursing over lean, corded muscles, broad shoulders, and –
She quickly broke off that train of that, clapped a hand over her eyes, and turned to leave – before running full force into the door frame.
Angel swore, got out of the shower, and wrapped a towel around his hips. He tenderly touched her forehead where a red mark was rapidly developing. "Buffy. Are you alright?"
She turned bright red. "I didn't mean to walk in on you in the shower," she muttered, keeping her eyes closed.
He rolled his eyes. "Don't be stupid."
Buffy cracked her eyes open and stared at the smooth, hard planes on his chest, trying very hard to breathe. She winced slightly when he lightly brushed his fingertips over the bump on her forehead, and he murmured "sorry."
There was a scattering of water droplets just below his collarbone, and they were taking all of Buffy's attention. While Angel was checking her face for further injuries, she was trying very hard not to lick those drops away. She lost the fight. She leaned forward and ran her tongue over the smooth, tan skin, and felt him go very still. "Buffy, what are you doing?"
She licked him again, loving the sweet-salty taste of his skin. "Hmmm. You taste good."
Angel let out a long, shaky breath. "Thanks."
She lightly nuzzled his chest. "Mmmm."
Angel made a noise low in his throat, lightly tangling his fingers in her hair. "Buffy," he murmured. He bowed his head and nibbled lightly on her neck.
Buffy tilted her head to the side and moaned low in her throat. How come when Riley did the it was a total turn of, but the instant Angel touched her neck she was wet and ready? She wove her fingers through his hair and pressed close to his nearly naked body.
Angel ran his lips down the side of her neck, running his tongue along her clavicle and pressing a light kiss to the big pulse in her neck. She let out a small, whimpering sound when he pulled away, then sighed as she felt his lips gently settle on hers.
The kiss was long, and tender, and a great many other things, but most of all, it was interrupted. The doorbell rang.
Angel pulled his lips away and savagely growled a few swearwords under his breath. Buffy reluctantly pulled away. "I'll get it." She ran her eyes over his body and sighed remorsefully. "You'd better get dressed."
Angel nodded and rose, walking into his bedroom, while Buffy got up to answer the door. Willow, Anya, Tara, and Faith were standing there, with Cordelia, surprisingly enough. Cordelia grinned at her, brushing back hair that looked shorter. "Hey, Buffy. Thought we'd drop by. Is Angel home?"
Buffy nodded and stepped out of their way, inviting them in with a gesture. "Yeah, he's getting dressed." She felt the blush rise in her cheeks and quickly looked away.
Anya's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Have you two been having sex?" she demanded bluntly.
Cordelia sighed and rolled her eyes heavenward. "She makes me look tactful," the brunette sighed. Then she looked at the blushing blonde. "Well?" she demanded. "Have you?"
"*Cordelia!*" Buffy gasped, desperately wanting to stop blushing.
"I think they had sex," Anya told her.
Willow finally found her voice. "*Anya,* do you *mind?*"
The other woman calmly looked at the redhead. "No, I don't mind. I'm just curious. And I know you two are curious, too."
"Curious about what?" Angel asked as he entered the room.
"We were wondering whether or not you two were having sex yet," Anya informed him calmly.
Angel stared at her for a long moment. "Oh." Then he dug in the fridge for a can of soda.
"Oh?" Buffy demanded incredulously.
He looked at her curiously. "Was I suppose to say something else?"
The blonde simply rolled her eyes.
"I think you're right," Cordelia told Anya.
"Even if they haven't, it's only a matter of time," the other woman replied.
Angel glanced at her, then at his blushing roommate. "I think I'm gonna go to Will's," he said calmly, heading for the door. He looked at Cordelia and smirked. "Say hi to Doyle when you *don't* see him later." Then he was out the door.
The brunette stared after him for a long moment. "Bastard."
"He's sexy, though," Willow said, looking slyly at Buffy.
"He really is," Anya agreed.
Buffy started to lead them into the living room so that they could all sit around the couch. "Do you guys want anything to drink?"
"I'd like a soda," Tara said in her quiet voice.
"Me, too," Willow added, and the other three agreed.
It was Faith who go right to the point. "So what's up with you and the studmuffin, B? And don't say nothing, 'cause people just don't turn that red over nothing."
"Yeah, like, no kidding," Cordelia put in as Buffy returned to the room with their sodas. "I can tell he *totally* likes you, and you are *way* better for him that Dru. I mean, she's a freaking *psycho*."
"She is a little off," Faith agreed.
"A *little,*" the brunette hissed spitefully, then looked at her soda can. "Don't you have diet?"
"No, Angel hates diet," Buffy told her. The brunette smirked. "What?"
"'Angel hates diet'" Faith mimicked. "Man, B, you're really nuts about this guy, huh?"
Buffy blushed.
"*I* would be," Tara murmured, then blushed at the suspicious look from her girlfriend.
"Total stud," Anya agreed.
"Complete. I mean, have you seen him without his shirt on? *Yum.*" This from Cordelia, who was sprawled out in her chair, sipping her Dr. Pepper and staring into space.
Willow shook her head. "No, but I can make guesses."
"Guesses don't come close to the real thing," Cordelia informed her.
"He sure as hell looks good," Faith said.
Buffy was starting to look like an apple. Faith grinned at her slyly. "Seen the full Monty, yet, B?"
Buffy lifted her chin and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "No. I don't know why you'd think I had."
Faith laughed. Cordelia rolled her eyes.
It was Anya who spoke, using a calm tone. "You blush whenever we mention him. It's obvious you like him, and we're all *dying* for girl talk."
Buffy sighed, then smiled slightly, then sighed again. "I really, *really* like him, but he has a girlfriend, and I have Riley." At this point, Anya and Faith rather pointedly gagged. Buffy ignored them, and continued. "And I've seen, like, ninety nine point nine percent of the Monty."
Anya squealed and leaned forward on the couch.
"When?" Faith demanded.
Buffy smiled rather smugly. "I accidentally walked in on him in the shower." She winced and rubbed the bump on her forehead. "Before I got incredibly embarrassed and ran into the door."
The other women crowed laughter.
"And then?" Cordelia demanded. "He tried to soothe your wounds, right?"
Buffy nodded. "Yeah, and we, uh, kissed."
Anya sighed. "Yum."
"Extreme yum."
"Have you *seen* those shoulders?" Faith asked. "I mean, *damn*."
Anya looked at her. "How was your date with…the guy with the weapony name?"
"Gunn," the wild-child informed her, "and again…*damn*!"
*
Buffy sighed happily and ran her hands through her blonde hair. It had been an afternoon full of girl talk – her stolen kisses with Angel, Xander and Anya's wild courtship, Cordi's unwilling feelings for Doyle, Faith's date with Gunn. All in all, a nice day.
The door opened, and Angel slipped in. "Is it safe?" he asked quietly. "Is evil woman hour over?"
His roommate giggled and went over to him. "Yes," she murmured, before stretching up on her tip-toes and kissing him soundly. He made an appreciative noise in his throat and pulled her close, deepening the kiss. She pulled away reluctantly. "I have to go," she said, lightly running her fingertips over his neck.
Angel nodded. "So do I. Where are you going?" he asked, a horrible though in the back of his mind.
Buffy sighed. "To see Riley."
His stomach tied itself in knots, and his ribcage suddenly felt too tight.
She was still talking, however. "I'm breaking up with him."
And he could breathe again.
"What about you?"
Angel sighed. "Same here, only with Dru, obviously." He kissed her again.
Buffy sighed and ran her hands through his hair, loving the silky feeling of it between her fingers. "Good luck." She gave him another quick kiss before pulling away.
He nodded. "You too."
A/N again: see, I told you it all got sorted out.