Feedback
by Skylar
Disclaimer: Joss and company own everything.
Summary: What could've happened if Angel came home when Buffy came to his apartment in WML1.
Spoilers: WML1&2, and probably everything before it.
Rating: Either G or PG, it's mostly comforting fluff.
AN: Let's just pretend that Kendra didn't come to Sunnydale in WML, so Angel got his info from Willy and was able to return home. Person's thoughts are between < >.
Distribution: Want it- take it. Just let me know where it's going.
Feedback: Always a plus.
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Angel sighed heavily as a sudden rush of emotions filled his head. < Why haven't I killed that guy yet? Pretty sure nobody would miss him. > Willy had been somewhat useful though, Angel had to admit that much though. As annoying and irresponsible the snitch was, he had come through with information about the Order of Taraka and just who sent the three after Buffy. < Buffy...I should swing by her house later- see how she's handling things > he promises, slinging his duster over the back of one of his chairs. He turns on the desk lamp in an attempt to return to a rare "normal" evening at home, but suddenly picks up on something. Tossing a glance over his shoulder, he focuses on his bedroom, feeling her presence immensely. "Buffy?" he asks aloud, though only above a whisper for fear of startling her.
There's a slow stirring in the room and he finally comes to the door to see her petite frame curled up on his bed, a cute smile upon her lips. Angel gently sits down on the bed beside her, brushing the back of his hand across her cheek. "Buffy..." he softly whispers as she began to snuggle up to his pillow even tighter. Hearing his soothing voice surrounding her, Buffy slowly awakes. "Angel?" her eyes widened at the sight of him sitting next to her as slowly begins to sit up.
"Buffy- what's wrong? What happened?" he asks noticing her disheartened face. She instantly gives him a hug and they embrace for what seems like forever. He lets her rest on his chest, gently running a hand through her slightly messed hair. "Buffy...tell me..." She sighs and sits indian style on the bed as she starts to explain what just happened.
"...and then Giles kept going on and on about the three assassins and how they won't stop until they've eliminated their target, which just happens to be me- of course. I mean, typical, right? Anyway, he pulled a total freakshow saying how I won't know who they are until they strike- how I won't be able to defeat them- and then he took a page out of your book saying how I needed to head for the hills- and it just got to be to much, ad it scared the daylights out of me so I-"
"You came here," he finished for her.
"Yeah…now I just-- I just thought I needed you to help me cope a little...you weren't home, so I sorta just came in. This is just…the place that I belong. You're not mad, are you?"
"Of course not. I'm just sorry I wasn't here when you came." He grabs her gently and gives her another hug as she smiles a bit too. "Where were you, anyway?"
"I checked into a few of my sources- wanted to find out who sent for our Tarakan friends- why they were after you. Everything points to Spike, Buffy. He's desperate to get you out of his way. He'd have to be to send for these three…" he trails off as he sees her shudder a little at mention of her latest adversaries. "Sorry...Buffy- everything's going to be okay," he tries to assure her.
"I just have no idea what to do now...I'm scared," Buffy finally confesses. Angel places his hand on her shoulder, "Buffy look at me- I'm not about to let anything happen to you." He brushes her hair out from in front of her face, "we'll deal with this." As he brushes his hand across her cheek, and lowers his head down to hers, he kisses her gently. The kiss continues until a small growl is heard from Buffy's stomach.
"I take it you're hungry," Angel smiles down at her.
"A little. I didn't even bother going home after I checked in with Giles- I came right here."
"Well what do you feel like eating?" He sits up off the bed, pulling her along with him up to her feet.
"Angel, that's okay," she says, watching him as he walks ahead of her out of the bedroom. "Really- I can wait until-"
"You probably haven't eaten anything since this morning. Am I right?" She gently nods as he continues. "You've got to eat something."
"Angel I'm fine. You don't have to send out for anything- especially when you can't eat it yourself."
"Who says I'm sending out for anything?" He grabs his duster from the back of his chair, handing it to Buffy.
"You cannot be serious?!" Buffy blurts out. "There is no way I'm going out to any restaurant looking like this." Angel walks behind her, helping her put his coat on. "Buffy, you look great. You look beautiful no matter what." She blushes slightly, knowing that even though if it were coming from any other guy she'd know he was lying, but since it was coming from Angel, she believed every word. "Actually, I thought I'd cook you something." His last remark broke Buffy's peaceful contemplation. "Come again?"
"I was wondering if you'd let me cook for you tonight?"
"You cook?" Buffy couldn't help but let a small laugh escape her lips.
"Just because I can't eat doesn't mean I can't make stuff to eat. I don't have any food in the place now, so we'd have to go shopping for some stuff. If you want to. Might help you get your mind off of things."
"You food shopping, and you cooking- I wouldn't miss it for the world." With that, she casually slipped her arm around his and clasped her hand into his as they walked to the store.
******
"So...what would you like?" Angel asks her as they enter the local grocery store. He grabs a small basket in one hand, his other still locked with Buffy's.
"I guess maybe some chicken- but Angel, you really don't have to-"
"But I'm going to. Besides, I've been meaning to get some food for my place anyway."
"Why? I mean, last time I checked, your diet wasn't too extensive," she tries putting it as gently as possible.
"Well, I figure I should have something in my refrigerator for when you're over." Buffy smiled to herself. Getting to just spend some time relaxing was always welcome, but to be spending it with Angel, plus knowing that Angel had every intention of spending many more nights like this with her, made her heart swim with happiness and contentment.
"So, umm...where would the uh, chicken be?" Angel asks.
"Hmm? Oh," Buffy recollects her thoughts before realizing just what Angel had asked her. "With the rest of the meats- where else?" she laughs.
"Okay...and they would be where…exactly?"
"Right down there," Buffy stretches an arm out, pointing towards the back of the store before giving him a surprised look. "Oh...ohhh," she's finally hit with the reason why Angel had no idea what he was really doing. "Sorry," she nudges him lightly in the side.
"I've never really had to do this before," he explains.
"Well I guess that means I'm navigator for our shopping adventure," she giggles, leading him down the aisle.
"Just try not to get us lost, fearless leader." Angel allows Buffy to drag him through the store, racing up and down aisles, tossing a few assorted foods into the basket he was still carrying. When they reach the fresh produce and vegetables, Angel pulls Buffy to a halt. "Don't you think we should pick up some vegetables?"
"Angel…first rule of food shopping- avoid all things leafy and green."
"Is that right?" he smiles at her. "See I've always thought that you sort of need vegetables for a healthy diet."
"And just how did you come to that well thought out conclusion?" she grins back at him. Seeing his apprehension, she sighs, heading back down another aisle. "Fine, fine. We can get some rice."
"Buffy...rice isn't a vegetable- it's a grain."
"Whatever. Don't get technical, Angel. It's not very becoming," she laughs. The two continue their shopping- Buffy still finds it hard to believe that her and her cradle-robbing creature-of-the-night boyfriend are grocery shopping. < He looks as if he's never even heard of some of this stuff before. > She watches as Angel cranes his head to the side every so often as he inspects some of the things they pass by- a lemon meringue pie, a box of popsicles, a package of frozen waffles. "People actually eat these things? How can they?"
"Simple. They just open their mouths, stick a little bit of food in-"
"Cute." Angel continues his observations of twentieth century foods as Buffy wraps her arm around his waist in a possessive manner, noticing two young girls literally gawking at her mystified boyfriend. Angel turns away from the freezer, slinging his arm over Buffy's shoulders, finally taking notice of the two girls. Giving them a friendly smile, he places a gentle kiss on Buffy's forehead, eliciting a small sigh from her- a loud sigh of disappointment from the other two teenagers.
They arrive at the checkout, both anxious to get back to Angel's apartment, when Buffy becomes aware of the shady, ratfink looking man in the line next to them passing her an awkward glare. One thought kept running through her mind- < You won't know who they are until they strike. > Angel feels her grip unconsciously tighten around him and looks up from paying the cashier to see what was going on. He saw Buffy's panic stricken face- < next time Giles, a little less on the foreboding of doom. > He pulls her closer, trying to soothe her as best he can. "He's okay- trust me."
"How do you know?" she asks, alarm still sounding in her shaky voice. "Oh- right. Enhanced senses- smell, insight-"
"Plus a bad taste in sources. Buffy...that's only Willy. He may look swarmy, but- actually, he pretty much is, but more often than not, he's fairly reliable."
"He's one of your sources about the Order of Taraka?"
"Yeah." Just then, Willy notices Angel standing behind the slayer.
"Angel! How uh- how ya doin' buddy?" he nervously asks. "I see you and the lovely slayer are fairing pretty- pretty well. Good to see- good to se- see. So you know what- I'll see you both around-" he quickly tosses some money at his cashier, grabs his few bags, and takes off running out of the store.
"He sure disappeared fast," Buffy laughs, her sense of dread gone.
"I wonder why?" Angel picks up their two bags of food as he and Buffy begin their short walk back to the apartment. "Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I slammed him through his bar counter and told him that if he was lying to me I'd make a pincushion out of him."
******
Angel smiles warmly, his beautiful brown orbs burning into Buffy's as he looks up at her clicking the phone off and setting it onto the counter- chuckling to himself as he puts the finishing touches on her plate, setting it down on the table. "What did Giles have to say?"
"The usual- 'Be careful. Stay on your guard.' Blah, blah, blah. He did mention one thing that made total sense, though," she says as she takes the seat Angel pulled out for her.
"And what was that?" he asks, pushing in her seat.
" 'Going to Angel's was a smart move. You shouldn't be alone.' "
"You're right- it makes total sense," he leans in to give her a soft kiss before she starts eating.
"So what do you think?"
"Angel, this is delicious." She takes another bite of the chicken and rice platter he had prepared for her, smiling to herself. "I just feel so bad that you can't enjoy it."
"It's okay. I already...fed...earlier today. Besides- I'm just enjoying watching you," his trademark half-smile beamed up at her. Within a short while, Buffy finishes her plate and helps Angel clean up the dishes and pots he used, giggling and playing around the whole time, throwing suds at each other.
They finally finish cleaning up and decide to call it a night. "You are staying here for the night, aren't you?" Angel asks, hoping the answer would be yes.
"Well since mom's out of town, we probably shouldn't waste a perfectly good evening to relax together," she grins, as she stands up on tiptoe to give him a sweet kiss. "Thank you, Angel," she says as they enter the bedroom.
"For what?" he walks over to his closet to remove an extra pillow and a few blankets.
"Just for everything. For letting me stay here, for always being here for me-"
"You never have to thank me, Buffy-" he reaches out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, "ever." Buffy leans her face into his comforting touch, taking the other hand he offered to her leading her over to the bed. "You take the bed- get some sleep."
"No- where are you going to-"
"I'll be right down here next to you on the floor," he waved his blanket in front of her. "Good night, Buffy," he whispered, laying his head down upon his pillow and pulling his blanket up around him.
"Night, Angel." Buffy turned under the covers onto her left side, hugging Angel's pillows closer to her. After a few moments, she shyly whispered over the side of the bed. "Angel?"
"Hmm?" He couldn't help but smile, the memories of the similar situation they had shared not too long before playing out in his mind. "I can't say that it's been a long time since anyone's been in the position to let me know if I snore- you'd be the best judge on that if that's what you want to ask me," he gave a short chuckle.
"Well for the record- you don't," she giggled. "But...do you think you could...would you...sleep up here...in bed with me?" Angel's unbeating heart nearly broke at the precious urging in Buffy's voice. Wordlessly, he got up from off the floor, bringing his blanket up with him as he climbed into the bed. Pulling the sheets and blanket up over them, he laid back down, only an inch or two away from Buffy. Sensing his slight uneasiness at the situation, Buffy took it upon herself to snuggle up next to him, laying her head on his chest, slinging her arm across his waist. Angel instinctively pulled her closer to him in their embrace, snaking his arm around her waist, using the other to gently massage her back. As she begins to drift off to sleep from Angel's soothing caresses, Buffy asks him one final question. "Angel?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you a coverhog?"
The End
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