She looked at the sights around her, taking in the surrounding beauty. It was a clear, sunny day, and the land stretched out almost as far as the eye could see. To her left, a clean, rolling ocean stretched off into the distance. To her right was yet more of the clean landscape. Birds flew above, sounding their call through an infinate blue sky. It was here that she could almost forget about the world she lived in. Almost. She wondered at the beauty and serenity this place beheld, for a place such as this was all too uncommon these days. She breathed in the air, which smelled of salt water. The smell of clean air and water invigorated her, as she indulged in it.
The only sounds were of the wind, water, and birds overhead...and absent was the usual sounds of machinery flooding her ears. Also, the hazardous clouds of smog didn't linger overhead, blocking out most sunlight in the urban skies. This place was purely paradise. She had heard that much of the earth had once been like this, clean and wonderful, and wondered what it might have been like to live then..in a world where the threat of global disaster didn't always linger in some form. Maybe she'd never know, but she could always wonder...
She looked out to the beach, to its rolling waves and silvery sand, from her place in the grassy landscape. A gasp escaped her throat at the sight of a man walking to the water's edge, stopping to look out over the waves. He seemed out of place on such a bright day, in his black attire. He had a head of dark brown hair, and an aura of mystery about him. Something inside of her felt drawn to him, compelling her to move closer. Her body betreyed her better judgement, and she found herself moving slowly through the field to the beach shore. She couldn't help wondering what it was about this man she felt so drawn to. She stopped as the grass met the shore, and continued to stare on in awe. She noticed his chiseled features, and couldn't help but think of how beautiful he looked under the sun's light.
And she felt a sudden longing sweep through her..longing to know how his body felt against hers, how his lips tasted. There was something so different about him, something she just couldn't place. Just seeing him beneath the sun gave her an odd feeling of joy, of utter happiness for him. She felt almost as if something was emitting off of her towards him, and wondered what it *was* about this man that had her so captivated. He turned around, and for a moment met her gaze, before walking down the beach shore and out of sight. She wondered if she'd ever see him again at any time in the future, and something in her hoped she would. She didn't know how long she'd been standing there, but was suddenly aware of the sun setting over the water. She turned, leaving this place behind her for now, to go back to the city she knew as home.
She dreamt of him that night, in a rare moment when the sound of traffic and machinery didn't invade her sleep. Something about the dream seemed like more of a memory though. In the dream, she felt his skin against hers, on hers. She felt his lips roaming over her bare skin, kissing her everywhere as they went along. She reveled in the feeling of skin against skin, as their naked bodies pressed together. She felt him, hard against her thigh, as he lay over her, awakening feelings she couldn't remember having felt before. Their hands explored each other's bodies, as their lips touched new places. Heat, energy, and emotion seemed to radiate off of them, as if they were one, strong force.
He moved his body down over her, his hardness at her opening, driving her crazy in the nicest way possible. Then he entered her, filling her, until he was entirely inside of her. He waited a moment, then raised himself, and plunged back into her. The thrusts started off slowly, carefully, but became faster, more frantic, as the passion and heat rose in them. She loved the way they felt together, a part of each other, and wished it wouldn't end. Their energies both rose up together as the thrusts continued, and they tensed in each other's arms before exploding together, releasing themselves within each other. Then they fell apart in each other's arms, and she awoke in a sweat..followed by a feeling of utter confusion.
He awoke with a start. He'd been dreaming of her again, as he had most nights since the day he'd heard news of her death. That thought still brought fresh tears to his eyes, though many years had passed. He remembered the day he'd heard the news..Giles had called him up from Sunnydale.
He'd moved away for Buffy's sake, she could never have a chance at a normal, happy life with him around. She'd tried to convince him to stay, but had - in the end - agreed it was for the best. She'd told him the day before he'd left for L.A. that, no matter what happened - no matter who else she loved - she'd always love him more than anyone. Despite this, he'd made her promise that she'd move on..and forget about him.
And she had moved on, as promised. She'd went to college, and had been dating a guy when she died. From what Willow had said, she'd managed to have a good life..something even resembling normal on occasion. He was glad for her, glad she'd had what he could never give her.
She'd died in battle, which was no surprise, at the hands - or rather, teeth - of a Master vampire. Her death had brought much pain to them all, but they'd moved on over time. For him it wasn't so easy. Time didn't heal all for someone doomed to live through all eternity, but he'd lived on anyway.
Whistler had found him, not long ago, waiting for the sun to rise. He'd fought evil for about half a century after her death, even killing the vampire that had claimed her life. But when his need to vent his anger and pain over her death had died down, he'd lost all purpose and will to go on. So Whistler had done the most painful thing possible...he'd made him human. The annoying demon knew he'd never have the strength to kill himself like this, simply waiting for the sunrise was no longer an option on death.
So here he was...a human of about one year. And the reason he was still here? He knew he'd die one day, so when he did didn't really matter..as long as he knew he didn't have to live on with that empty feeling that had clouded his heart forever. For now he was just moving through the days, waiting until death finally came to meet him..again.
She walked through the crowded supermarket a week later, occasionally picking up items off the shelves. She'd had a stressful week, and was just glad to get away from work for just a little while..even if it was just by grocery shopping. She sighed, wishing she could somehow just break away from it all..wishing she could find some kind of peace. She became lost in thought, and the world around her seemed to slip away until she became aware of another's presence in front of her. She looked up to see...*him* there. The one she'd seen, and dreamed about. She'd dreamed of him for the past few nights, but something about them seemed more like long forgotten memories. Her gaze went up to meet his, and she could've sworn she felt her heart skip a beat as she looked into his soulful brown eyes..felt herself being drawn into them. As she looked into those eyes, she almost felt a gentle sort of saddness coming from them..a saddness she wished - almost longingly - that she could replace with happiness. "Angel." she heard herself utter the name, without knowing why. Then she snapped out of the daze she'd been in, quickly regaining her senses. She uttered another quick apology, and quickly moved past him. As she left, she was unable to resist throwing one last glance his way.
He stood still, stunned. In all his years of regained humanity, never once had he ever felt this human. His heart felt as if it had just reawakened after being dormant for far too long. He shook his head, clearing the thoughts away, and continued on through the store.
And another stood at a distance, watching these events and emotions unfold. An immortal - with history's ugliest hat - was deep in thought. 'Soon...' he reassured himself, knowing what they soon would.
She could be found on the beach shore that night, watching the tide. The water sparkled with the moon's light upon it, like a vision of heaven, of utter peace and serenity. Nowhere were the sounds of the city, of machines and transportation, to corrupt this almost-silence. What more could she want in life than this serenity? Her heart knew, but she pushed the feeling away. She walked to the shoreline and let the waves dance gently over her feet, gracing them with the water's purity. She became lost in this paradise of peaceful thoughts, but the silence was broken by the sound of footsteps moving over the shore behind her. She turned to catch a glimpse...and saw him again. He was at a distance, but it was him nonetheless. What was it that seemed to keep bringing them back together? Destiny? Fate? ...Love? No, it was coincidence. She didn't even know this man, but she was already captivated by him. Her heart told her to not let whatever this was - or might be - slip away, but her logic told of reality. She didn't even know him, or anything about him, but she couldn't help but feel...
He turned his gaze out towards the water, but his eyes caught another sight. *Her*. And there was the feeling again..that feeling of aliveness that seemed to enrich his soul and fill him with some kind of hope. But hope of what? He didn't know her, and that reality would always intrude his thoughts. But what if he did? he wondered briefly. Would she feel the same way about him? But there was reality again. She probably wouldn't, and never could. But then, why did her gaze seem to be locked on him..as his was on her? Maybe... he wondered for a brief, fleeting moment, but quickly pushed it away. It was probably nothing anyway, these feelings. But hadn't the last time he'd told himself that been when he'd fallen in love with Buffy? And if he did truly feel this, how could he ever love anyone after Buffy? Wouldn't it be unfair to her, and to what they'd had? And didn't *true* love only come once in one's life? But the feeling remained, despite his rational mind's reasoning. What *was* this? Despite all of his protests, his heart already knew. And - deep down - he knew he couldn't stop this strong feeling from within once it had begun. He could only let it run its course.