The Truth is He Loves Her

The last couple of days had been rough for them both.  Actually, it felt like hell.  What with the Order of Taraka breathing down Buffy's neck and being trapped in that dingy sunlit room.  His fate seemed like it was going to have a toasty end.  Just as the room began to completely fill with sunlight, a sudden doomed feeling overwhelmed him, but even more so was the worry that filled his heart when he realized he would not be able to save Buffy from that strong Taraka girl.  And then Willy pulled him out of there.  And the girl - Kendra, turned out to be another slayer. 



It was no surprise when Buffy asked him if she could just sleep over.  He simply nodded and let her continue wrapping his hand with gauze.  The rest of the night was pleasantly spent in silence and cuddling on the bed, under his silky red sheets.



The following morning, a tea kettle could be heard singing loudly in the background.  Angel ignored it though; just for this moment, as he caressed Buffy's rosy cheeks.  They were warm from the slight fever she developed over the night. 



Standing up, he noticed the sheets covering her had slipped down to her waist.  Gently, he pulled them back up to just below her chin.  He needed to keep her warm - he needed to keep her safe.



Almost as quickly as he left, he returned with Irish Breakfast tea just the way she likes it - lots of sugar and some milk.  He set it down on the end table, so he could wake her.  She uttered a fitful groan and opened her eyes when she let out a cute, tiny sneeze.  "Bless you." He smiled.  "Here," he said, helping her into a slight sitting position and grabbed the mug.  "Drink this Buffy."



"Mmm, thank you." She said softly, taking the tea from his hands. 



She sighed and sipped.  "The rest of me feels hot, but my feet are cold."



"I'll warm them for you."



Angel sat on the edge of the bed and lifted the bottom end of the sheets.  He took off her socks with his good hand.  Then he started massaging her feet.



Buffy had a serene expression on her face to match the pleased sigh.  The second his hands touched her feet, she could feel the warmth shooting through her blood.  The tingling was from more than just the warmth, she knew.  He continued on the other foot for a good ten minutes before he stopped, standing on his feet.  She let out a small whine at the loss of contact. 



"I'll be back." He promised.  "I'm making you soup..." He walked backwards, just nearly bumping into the lamp.  "Need to keep the fever down.  The water's probably boiling.  It needs more salt."  The truth was he felt that tingling feeling in his blood too.  It was getting so strong that he had to break the connection.  He was afraid of doing something impulsive, something he didn't think she would be ready for.  Then he'd just scare her away when all he wants is to keep her close. 



Angel went over to the kitchen nook where a pot of boiling water was nearly boiling over and added some salt.  He watched Buffy staring at him with such an innocent face.  She sneezed again.  He smiled.  This was like one of those romantic paintings of a beautiful kitchen that looks like it's been well used by a family - a husband and wife with a sweet faced girl.  The oven warm with cookies inside.  He smiled more, thinking, "A nice painting this would make."





The Request
Timeline: BtVS - s2
Prompts: a painting, socks, salt