Revelations
"There's Pegasus," Willow said tracing the constellation, "the winged horse of Greek mythology. It's said that Pegasus sprung from the blood of Medusa who was slain by the Greek hero Perseus."
Shifting, Spike propped his head against his fist and asked, "The guy that rescued the Andromeda chick?"
"Yup," Willow smiled. "According to myth Pegasus, while drinking from a well, was captured by Bellerophon who managed to slip a golden bridle, a gift from the goddess Athena, over the horses head. After taming Pegasus Bellerophon rode him out to fight the Chimaera, a creature with the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a dragon. After defeating the Chimaera Bellerophon grew proud and offended the gods by attempting to fly Pegasus into Olympus but Zeus sent an insect to sting the horse and Bellerophon was thrown and Pegasus was lifted into the constellations by Zeus."
Tilting his head Spike smiled at the redhead who was so entranced by the stars. In the past Spike couldn't have cared less about the stars or constellations and the very idea that they each had a name and, some, a legend would have utterly baffled to blonde vampire. But lying next to Willow, listening to her tell the myths and knowing that she deeply loved those myths and the stars they pertained to, Spike felt a sudden desire to be one of those constellations – if only to be loved by the woman beside him.
"Show me another one," Spike murmured.
Glancing at him Willow felt her cheeks flush and quickly looked away. He was so close to her and the intensity of those pristine eyes was enough to make her blood boil. Swallowing, Willow let her eyes drift over the sky for a moment before lifting Spikes hand and outlining another constellation. "Orion."
"The bloke with the belt?"
Nodding, Willow closed her hand around Spike's and pointed his finger at the central star of Orion's sword and said, "The star here, see? Well, its not really a star. It's actually the Great Orion Nebula which, if viewed through a telescope, looks like a huge glowing cloud. It's really very beautiful."
Clasping Willow's hand Spike asked, "Tell me about it."
Smiling Willow continued, "Orion's Nebula is thought to be a star formation region more than 1600 light years away. The bright area of the Nebula is actually the glow of luminous newborn stars shining through the surrounding gas cloud. Now, of all the hundreds of stars being born within the Orion Nebula one grouping is the brightest: the Trapezium. It's only made up of a few stars but it outshines all the rest of them combined."
Pressing Willow's hand to his lips Spike shook his head. "It's not near as beautiful as you."
Blushing, the redhead ducked her head. "Spike – "
"It's true," Spike turned her eyes back to his. "You're beautiful, Willow." The redhead's heart fluttered at the sound of her name on his lips. "So much so it takes my breath away."
Giggling, Willow whispered, "Spike you don't breathe."
"You know what I mean," he smirked. "You make my undead heart swell and I swear sometimes I feel it beat when you smile at me. Every morning I wake up and think of you and at night you're all I dream about. When I'm not with you all I want is to touch your hand, to hear you laugh. To just be near you makes this undead life of mine worth living."
Willow was on the verge of tears, her lips parted to words she couldn't find the strength to say. Spike still clung to her hand, his thumb tracing circles atop her palm. Willow was lost in the sensation of Spike's body so close to hers. Starring into the pools of his cerulean eyes Willow felt herself lean towards him, her lips touching his.
It was only a moments touch, their mouths still so close, Spike's look of surprise bringing a smile to Willow's face. Brushing his cheek with her fingertips Willow laced her hand behind Spike's neck and brought his lips back to hers. The kiss was slow and tender, Spikes hand gently pulling the slight redhead against his chest. Parting only slightly Willow rested her forehead against Spike's, their eyes speaking a language known only between the two of them.
Placing a second, lingering kiss on Spike's lips Willow laid down beside him, folding his arms around her. Watching the silver-dotted sky Spike listened as Willow traced the constellations and talked about the stars. For a time the two of them existed in a world of their own, away from the reality and deep in the dream.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Outside of her slumber Willow was vaguely aware of an alarm clock beeping methodically but turning to her side she pulled her sheets over her head and ignored it. Minutes later a suddenly chill raced up her body as her bed sheets were ripped from her body. Gasping, the redhead's eyes flew open and glared at the smiling Slayer before her.
"It's half past one, Wills," Buffy said as she threw open the curtains to Willow's balcony. "You've slept away the first day of summer vacation."
Exams had ended the previous Friday and Willow was, once again, living in her parents house until school started again. Stretching Willow shut off her alarm clock, wondering distantly who had set it, then pushed herself out of bed. Shuffling into the bathroom she splashed her face and brushed her teeth.
Poking her head out of the bathroom Willow asked, "How'd you get in here, Buff?"
The blonde Slayer grinned. "I made a key two years ago. For emergencies," she added.
"Uh-huh."
"Oh," Buffy exclaimed stepping into the bathroom. "Giles wanted to – "
Glancing to Buffy Willow arched an eyebrow. "Giles wanted to what?"
Taking the redheads wrist Buffy pulled her closer and brushed the hair from Willow's neck. "What's this?"
Swallowing Willow shooed away Buffy's hand. "What's what?"
Buffy narrowed her eyes. "Willow there's a bite mark on your neck."
"You're kidding?"
"Don't play Naïve-Girl, Wills. You're no good at it," Buffy stated. "Now where'd it come from."
Sighing Willow lowered her eyes. "Well, a couple of weeks ago Spike…"