Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy or Angel. I mean them no harm in writing this story, and I do not mean to infringe on any copyrights.
I walked him back to the mansion as the snow performed its feathery torment on us. Who knows what had caused it - the one evil, or someone in heaven giving us a thumbs-up? I glanced at my companion, who was also gazing with wonder at the sky. He glanced down at me and caught my eye. He gave a slight smile.
As I walked, holding hands with the only man I would ever love, I was wrenched by the reality that we would never really be the same again. I had just seen him at his weakest, about to commit suicide. He was trying to be brave for the first time, but he had always been brave in my eyes. We both loved each other more than we loved ourselves, but there was no escaping the fact that we could never be together. We were like Romeo and Juliet, if not even more tragic. The only thing stopping Romeo and Juliet from being together was their parents, and that could have easily been fixed by running away (okay, in theory anyway). But Angel and I, we were doomed not because of anyone else, but our own natures. Simply the things that we were kept us apart.
I looked up at Angel and he held my gaze, taking my other hand in his so I faced him. Every time we looked into each other's eyes, we were drawn together by a force neither of us wanted to resist, and this time was no exception. Bashfully, and with the hesitancy he had displayed the first time we had kissed, he lifted my chin and slowly came to meet my lips with his. I kissed him very softly, tragically, hoping he could feel all my love through it, because I would not be able to show him in any other tangible way. He relaxed a little, and brought me closer to him. I put a hand around his neck and pulled his head down to my own. He tasted like tears, and something else. Was it hope? We stayed locked in embrace for what seemed like an eternity. When we broke the kiss we stayed together, holding onto each other like a lifeline. I rested my head on his chest and hoped the whole world would be gone when I looked up. I felt him kiss my hair, then his head nuzzled up next to mine. Something cold and wet on my cheek - his tears. He shook slightly as he cried, and I rocked him gently.
Almost inaudible, I heard him whisper, "I love you."
For a long moment I did nothing but hold him. "I love you," I whispered back quietly. We slowly broke away from each other, and I took his hand gently in mine. We continued our stroll down the snow-covered street, walking side by side, but in our own little worlds. I glanced at Angel and when I caught his eye I smiled a small smile full of love, one that was meant just for him. I felt like Pandora. Even with all the evil I battled in this world, I still had hope.
~The End~
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