Roses. Sunshine. My lungs fill with unneeded air as I inhale the intoxicating scent. My dreams are playing tricks on me. They usually do. But this time it's not the faces of my victims' past that haunt me. No. Instead of fangs and innocents, there's bright green eyes and soft blonde hair. I don't deserve to know her, much less be granted the privilege of having her pressed against me.

Buffy is innocent and young. Too naive for someone with my experience. Hell. Earth's population is too naive for someone with my experience. But we're past that point. Buffy would hunt me down, not that I would get far. We're bound to end in disaster, but what other choice do we have?

I've already fallen in love with her.

She is everything I never knew I needed and all that I've been missing. Buffy breathes life into this dark and dusty world, and when she's around the future isn't quite so bleak. I've never wanted to do anything for anyone but I would give her the world if I could find a way. Take away all the monsters and demons, myself included, just so she could go a day without sheltering the burden.

Buffy deserves a life of love. Of daylight, and dates with her family. Impossibilities and yet they are all I've been dreaming about. Her touch is becoming more bold with each passing day. When she used to gasp or break out in a blush, it's all too often being left up to me to redirect her attention.

Especially after Dru and Spike and their fucking charade.

Another step towards consciousness and the fire in my belly appears. It's low and spreading, nearly all consuming as images of her beneath me flashes through my mind. Every dip, valley, and curve aligns, and when my lips slot back over her own, my cock swells with longing.

Except Buffy's warm body is missing and it's my own cold dead hand that tugs at the knot on my sweats. All guilt is pushed aside as I grip my rigid flesh, stroking root to tip. My whole body shudders as I repeat the motion, slower this time, determined. It's not often I find myself in this blissful universe, stuck somewhere between dreams and reality.

I don't plan to waste a second of it.

My eyes screw tight as my pace increases, and memories from yesterday surface. Buffy's curious stare. The way her fingertips always find their way to the small patch of hair trailing my abdomen. She's so fucking perfect, and innocent, and so much more than I could every possibly deserve. Not that it matters. Now when I'm so close to tumbling over that blissful edge.

My grip tightens as a bead of moisture collects, aiding my movements. The warmth of my hand, borrowed from the heavy blanket, only aids my fantasy as my grip tightens, swirling and squeezing my sensitive flesh. My lips part but no sound escapes as my hips shift and the heavy comforter slides to the floor.

There's a sound that I should recognize, a noise I've heard thousands of times before. A click and a groan, though the latter may have come from me, but I'm far too gone to care. The world could be on fire, the apocalypse brewing at my feet, and my mission would hold steady.

No. That's a lie. I would care, but only long enough to save her. To climb up Buffy's window and sneak inside her dark room just in the knick of time. Warm lips would press against mine, as she slipped from a peaceful slumber. Words wouldn't be needed as we spent our last night on Earth together, ignoring sacred duties and impossible quests for redemption.

All that would matter is her, afterall she is all that ever has.

Sweat beads on my brow as my body draws tight. The muscles of my abdomen ripple beneath my arms as that elusive pinnacle draws near. A gasp of unnecessary air leaves and my eyes flutter open.

No, it can't be.

My head shakes and I force another unneeded breath as the vision before me comes into focus. Bright green eyes widen and even though the damage has been done, my fingertips grasp for the elusive blankets, tugging them over my waist.

One hand runs over my face, then through my thick hair as I struggle to come up with something to say.

"I ummm… Sorry." Buffy says instead, with only the smallest of stutters. "I cut out of school early. I wanted to see you. But this is me," she says, one hand waving. "And this is me leaving."

I groan. "Wait," I say before I can think better of it. "You don't have to go. I mean, you can, but I don't want you to."

Buffy's dark heels click on the hard concrete floor as her movements come to a halt. Her heart is pounding, and I wouldn't have to be a vampire to notice the small tremble coursing through her.

"Angel…"

Her voice is a question mixed with a warning, but there's no turning back now. To be ashamed isn't part of my nature, but I would walk out into the sunrise before embarrassing her. "Come here."

My command is soft but my timber leaves no question, and when Buffy spins around her teeth bite into her lip as if she's trying to keep from laughing.

"Something funny?" I ask as she hesitates, then takes a step closer, stepping out of her heels.

"Oh, you know," she shrugs, her cheeks staining pink. "Not every day a girl walks in on her boyfriend, doing… that."

My brows raise as her hand reaches out for mine. "Doing what, exactly?"

Instead of answering, Buffy surprises me, crawling on top of the covers. Warm thighs land against my hips as she settles above me. Our fingers intertwine as she leans forward, pressing her lips to mine. "Guess I should knock next time?"

"No." My chest rumbles, "You're always welcomed here. You know that."

"Well yeah," she says, "But I just meant-"

"I know what you meant. It doesn't matter. Trust me when I say that I would rather have you here."

Her cheeks darken as her eyes lock back onto mine. Sure, we've grown closer over the last few weeks, but this is the closest we've ventured to this conversation. "Talk to me."

Her shoulders shrug as her gaze drifts down to my chest. "I don't know what to say."

"Whatever you want," I whisper, moving to tuck a stray strand of hair back behind her ear. "You know you can tell me anything."

Buffy's eyes roll in the same way they always do when she's embarrassed. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather me come back later?"

A chuckle escapes as my arms wrap around her, pulling her closer. "Now why would I want you to do that?"

With the blanket safely between us, I roll until she's pinned beneath me. My mouth seals around hers, swallowing any argument. Her tongue brushes mine and suddenly words are no longer needed.

"I've missed you," I gasp when she pulls away to catch her breath.

"I was just here yesterday," she says, draping her arms around me and pulling me in for another kiss. Buffy's fingers scratch at my scalp as she matches me move for move. "But for what it's worth, I missed you, too," she says, tracing one of her fingers across my brow. "Hence me ducking out of class and sneaking over here."

"Wasn't this your first day back?" I ask, eyes narrowing. "What did Giles say?"

"He was too busy with Jenny to notice," Buffy says. "Besides, like you said, it's the first day after Christmas Break. I'm not missing much."

"And your mother?" I ask, even though we both know it's futile. "The last thing you need is to get grounded again."

"Mmm." Buffy says, "I seem to remember us managing just fine."

"That's not-"

I'm silenced by Buffy's finger pressing against my lips. "Less talking. More kissing."

Who am I to argue with such a demand?

A whimper, a gasp, a moan. Each noise I pull from her is more beautiful than the last. Her body is a wonderland, and it's times like these when she's safe and pressed against me that I fully understand the draw of eternity.

Because even if we had forever, it would still leave me with an insatiable longing. I could wake up with her in my arms every day for the next five thousand years, and when the end came, I would beg the powers for one more day. Her scent is intoxicating, her kiss divine, and without thinking, my hips arch. I'm hard and aching and even though there's a blanket between us, Buffy's pulse kicks up another notch, and I know she can feel me pressed so intimately against her.

We've done our fair share of exploring. Halloween was quite the adventure. I felt her coming undone for the first time that night. My nakedness, however, is something she has yet to explore, though you couldn't tell by the way her fingertips keep venturing south.

My chest rumbles the second time she trails down my abdomen and I force another unneeded breath. "We should stop," I say, though the words feel foreign and before the last syllable leaves my mouth finds hers again.

My brain ceases to function at the first grip of her hand. Her touch is quick, fleeting and I've almost convinced myself that I've imagined it when she goes in again but the damn blanket between us is twisted. My voice catches, and something akin to a growl escapes when gentle fingertips trail down my shaft.

A sharp hiss leaves just before her name passes over my lips. My eyes slam shut as pleasure engulfs my senses. "Buffy," I warn. Unsure of my ability to stave off her curiosity should she continue further.

"I want-"

"You want what?" I ask, my lips twisting into an unfamiliar smile as emerald eyes lock onto mine. I've faced master vampires, ghouls, and goblins. Demons beyond imagination, but I am powerless against this girl. This woman that is slowly taking my heart and making it hers.

"I want to touch you. The way you were… What you were doing. I want you to show me how."

With great reluctance I tug her hand away and intertwine our fingers as I gather her in my arms.

"Are you sure?" I ask but one of her hands glides down my stomach before I can finish the sentence. Buffy doesn't waste time with the safety of the blanket and instead follows the trail of hair leading down my abdomen until she brushes against the head of my cock. A sharp exhale and my eyes squeeze shut as I desperately grasp at the last remnants of control.

"Is this okay?" Buffy asks, but I can do little more than nod as her fingers tighten and she takes me fully into her palm. "Am I doing it right?"

My chest rumbles as I groan through clenched teeth. "Everything you do is perfect," I say with only a hint of a smile. Afterall, Buffy is still the slayer, a fact that has never been more prominent.

Mischief and mirth twinkle in her eyes, but I can hear what she's not saying, the drum of anxiety coursing through her veins. "Are you sure you want to do this?" I ask again. "You don't have too-"

I force another breath as I swallow down a moan. "You can stop-I mean-if you want too."

"Now why would I want to do something like that?"

A rush of courage and the blanket between us is shoved away. Though the reality of our situation seems to strike as Buffy all but freezes, a look of utter shock overtaking her features. "It's okay-"

"No," Buffy says, shaking her head as she pushes me to my back and sits up to study her latest conquest. "I want to do this."

I can't help the smile that escapes. "Okay." My tone is languid but teasing as I cross my arms and slip them behind my head. "If you're sure." My shoulders shrug and I pretend not to notice her anxiety rise once again. Our gazes lock but my girl doesn't back down, straddling my thighs, she uses one of her fingers to trace the underside of my cock.

Every muscle tenses as I struggle to remain still, but some things can't be helped, especially when there's a beautiful blonde in the mix. With a gasp, Buffy pulls back, and my hands landing around her waist are the only thing that keeps her from flying off me completely.

"It moved," she says, a small giggle erupting as our mouths collide.

"It does that," I whisper, though I can't help but chuckle as I smooth stray hairs out of her face. "Here," I say, lying back once again. "Let me show you."

Buffy's eyes roll in a huff of embarrassment, but I press my lips back to hers until she relaxes. Our fingers intertwine as I lean back against the pillows. "Like this," I say, slowly guiding her hand from the head of my cock down to its base. It's just another moment before Buffy's brushing my hand away and taking over the task all on her own. "See," I say once she repeats the motion, swirling her palm with another glance my way. "Nothing to worry about."

I have every intention of letting her explore to her heart's content, though a vampire or man can only handle so much and it isn't long before my hips ignore my command, thrusting into her welcoming palm. One corner of her lip is held between pearly teeth and she's never looked more ravishing.

The blush of a virgin with the intent of a vixen, my life has become the definition of juxtaposition.

My abdominal muscles tighten as the fire inside me builds. "Fuck." The word tumbles out before I have the chance to stop it, but Buffy is clearly pleased with her work.

"Is it bad that I love it when you lose control?" she asks all innocently, as though that wasn't the sexiest sentence ever spoken.

"Oh yeah?"

Another nod. "You're always so calm and collected," she says with a shrug. "Makes me feel all powerful knowing that little old me can make you so crazy."

"You always make me crazy," I say with a sigh. "I'm usually just better at hiding it."

"Well you should stop," she says, and I can't help but lift a brow. "Hiding it, I mean. Nothing like knowing your boyfriend is all hot and bothered to boost a girls' confidence."

"I'll keep that in mind." My fingers are itching to touch her, but that's not what today is about. Besides, there's no way I could handle having her naked in my bed at this very moment. I might go by Angel, but the heavens know I am far from a saint.

Another bead of moisture and Buffy's thumb slides over my weeping tip. The sensation is more than I anticipate, and a moan breaks free. My balls are on fire and despite my centuries' worth of experience, I'm not sure how much restraint is left in me.

"Buffy…" Her name is a warning, a plea and a promise all wrapped into one. The monster in me is second to the slayer, but the man is powerless against this girl, Buffy Summers. She is my equal, my unequivocal match. Perhaps she is my reason for being, the whole point behind meeting Darla in that dark alleyway.

"Angel," she says without missing a beat.

Another groan, hearing my name fall from her lips has become our very own version of foreplay. Buffy knows what she's doing. "You better be careful before this whole thing comes to an early ending."

"Yeah?" she asks, clearly disbelieving. "Well we can't have that," she says, shifting to her knees. "There's something I want to try first."

"What are you doing?" My words fly out in a rush as she takes position. "Buffy. Are you sure-"

Whatever argument I had planned becomes stuck in my throat as her warm tongue darts out.

"You were saying?" she asks, gazing up from hooded eyes. "Did you want me to stop?"

My head shakes from side to side. "Never," I say, another smile tugging at my lips. "Just want to be sure that you know what you're in for."

Buffy's movements come to halt as a look of utter confusion takes hold. "What do you mean?" she asks, and I swear I feel my heart beat as pure panic courses through me.

"Angel, I'm kidding," she says before I can convince my brain to formulate a sentence. "Give me some credit, I may be young, but I am from Los Angeles. No one is that naive at seventeen."

My eyes narrow as she takes hold of me once again. "Your birthday isn't until next week."

"Mmm," she huffs. "Close enough."

"Have you thought of anything that you want?" Buffy's green eyes darken as she glances back down at my cock. "This," she says, then immediately erupts into a giggle. "Just you. You're all that I want."

Another groan. "We'll see about that."

"Hey Angel?"

"Hmm?"

"I really don't know what I'm doing here."

There's my innocent girl. I can't resist tugging her to me for another quick kiss. "You're going to be the death of me. You know that?"

Buffy smiles as her fingers roam through my hair. "Doesn't count when you don't need to breathe," she says, then slips back to her former position. "Will you tell me if I do something wrong?"

To tell her that's not possible is on the tip of my tongue, but we've done enough talking tonight, so instead I nod my head as my fingers thread through her hair. "Just take it slow," I say, my voice barely more than a whisper. "And I know I keep saying it, but just remember you can stop at any time. Just because we've started this doesn't mean you have to finish."

Another eye roll. "Noted," she says with a small nod of her own. Then without another word I'm transported to heaven as her warm lips seal around me. My fingers grip the sheets as my legs tremble uncontrollably. Buffy's tongue swirls as though she's done this a thousand times, and I have to bite my cheek to keep long buried words from spilling out.

"You're so fucking perfect," I say, instead. Then, "Relax," I say as she attempts to take me deeper. "Don't try to force it, you don't have to-"

My words are struck down once again, when without warning Buffy's throat relaxes and my entire length nearly disappears. Reality fades and the world turns a shade lighter as bright stars dance across my vision. "Yesss," I whisper, "Just like that."

Buffy doesn't pause or wait for further instruction, instead she brings one of her hands to aid in her movements. Just like that I'm an incoherent fool, incapable of forming even the simplest sentence. My thoughts are focused on the power she holds, the kind that being a slayer has nothing to do with.

The whole world outside this small apartment fades as she drives me closer and closer to oblivion. How I have lived without her for over 200 years is a mystery to me, as I don't think I could survive a full week without her presence. Buffy is so much more than Darla could ever hope to be, she is my missing link.

The puzzle piece that completes me.

A vampire and slayer, who would have thought that aligning us together could lead to such passion. But passion is a fleeting, fickle thing, what we share is so much deeper. In nearly three hundred years I've never met someone that understands what I'm saying without speaking.

"Buffy," I warn once that familiar coil turns tighter. But as usual my stubborn girl doesn't listen, relaxing her throat again and taking me deeper. Her movements become a blissful synchrony of insertion and withdrawal and with each second that passes her confidence grows as my hold on reality diminishes.

Sunnydale disappears, every worry and concern, only the guilt of my past lingers. Even that is cast aside as the heaviness inside me lessens.

Fireworks. Explosions. The heat from a volcano, those are the only things that come close to the sensations this girl is causing. "Buffy," I warn again, then groan as my fingers tangle in her hair, forcing her to release me. "You're about to make me come," I say, chest heaving.

Buffy's lips curl into one of my favorite sights. I would do anything to see her smile. "I kinda thought that was the point," she says, eyes twinkling.

An old curse in gaelic comes tumbling out, but Buffy doesn't stop to question it, and she doesn't hold back as one hand moves to cup my aching balls, careening me to a new height that I swear I've never experienced. My fingers thread back in her hair, as I give into the pleasure and thrust against her movements. Buffy is warm and wet, and the closest to heaven that I will ever experience.

"Buffy," I say, but my brain malfunctions and her name comes out in a chant. Over and over I fight to get past the two syllables but it's useless I realize as the fire inside me erupts. White hot pleasure replaces the borrowed blood in my veins and her face is all I can see. My body's movements are beyond my control as I'm flung off that blissful peak.

I allow her to continue while the world rights itself, and the sensations become nearly painful. Buffy has never looked more proud, but there's a vulnerability showing in her eyes, that is reserved for me.

"Was I good?" she asks. "I mean, that's what's supposed to happen. Right?"

"Come here," I say, though my voice is far from steady. Yet, in the blink of an eye, I have her pinned back beneath me as I kiss her with reverence. "You couldn't be more perfect if you tried."

"Yeah, yeah," she says, that innocent blush creeping back.

"I'm serious, Buffy. In all my years, no one has ever made me feel anything close to that."

"Now I know you're lying," she says, eyes narrowing.

My head shakes as my lips land on her collarbone. "I'm not," I promise. "You know you're my everything."

Her head tilts and it's at that moment that I realize my mistake.

"I-I am?"

I will never understand her insecurity. How she could question what she does to me. One day she will accept that we were made for each other. But until then I will be here to remind her, "Always."

OoOoO

The sun has long since set by the time I crawl inside my window. Mom should be sleeping, but I keep my voice low as I dial Willow's number.

"You are not going to believe what happened…"