"I love you." Oz whispered. It was mostly into her hair. She was leaning up against him and the sun was shining so brightly. Willow almost missed it. She turned to face him.

"What did you say?" It was sharp. Willow tried to tone it down. "Did you say, what I thought you said? I thought I heard you say . . ."

Oz hugged her. He didn't speak for several seconds. Willow thought he looked shocked but in an understated way. Almost like he didn't realize what he had just said or the importance but then it hit him. He sighed and turned her all the way around to face him.

"I thought I would the moment I saw you. You stood out. I don't know. Then when I became a werewolf, you stood by me. You didn't have to do that. I don't know if I would have done that. . ."

Willow was all earnest. "Yes, you would. I know you would. You're all heart. You took me back after I hurt you. . ."

Oz grinned. "Well by then it was too late. I needed you around. Got used to that smile."

Willow's face lit up. Oz laughed. "Yeah, that's the one. You make me feel special. Actually, you make me feel normal. Which is odd, condidering you're a witch and I'm a werewolf. I like you."

"Like me?" Willow tilted her head. Maybe he hadn't said it. Then he grinned and his green eyes sparkled a bit. "I love you."

"Well, I l-lu. Um."

"That's okay. You don't have to say it. I just thought you'dlike to know that I'm pretty attached to you Willow Rosenberg."

Willow grinned. "Oz, I love you. It just took me a little longer to figure it out. I'm slow."

Oz leaned back. "Well that's okay. I don't like you for your mind anyway."

"What?"

"Well, yeah you're smart, but I love your heart." Oz winked. "Not to mention how incredibly sexy you are."

"I think you've been out in the sun too long." She mumbled, blushing.

Oz kissed her and pulled on her hands. Giving her a sly grin he whispered. "Then come join me in the shade."

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The End

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