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Disclaimer: I own nothing. Angel and Riley belongs to Joss Whedon, and CO.
Author's Notes: Riley already knows all about Angel and vice-versa. A lot angsty..... Feedback is greatly appreciated (good or bad)
Leaving her was not the smartest move he ever made, although his thoughts tried to tell him, to earn the right to be with her again, to earn the right to love her the way he had never stopped wanting to. His heart told him differently, there was no need to earn anything she was willingly giving to him. But Angel had made up his mind, and for that the ache in his heart intensified; he walked the campus in search of his love, hoping that by some miracle he could win her heart once again. He'd kept tabs on her, despite their distance and time apart. So he'd known all about Riley; his nightly job, and his relationship with Buffy. A part of him had hated the man, whom had captured Buffy's heart; after he had left. But what did he expect, Angel made it very clear to her that he wanted her to move on, and she did. It was hard for Angel to accept that she was no longer his, just to know that somebody else is holding, kissing her; made him crazy. "Not anymore" he thought, Angel realized he was wrong, as he came in view of her dorm, he took a deep unnecessary breath, and made his way to the door.
A tender laugh, warmed the air; Angel glanced over at the direction of the sound, and found it's owner. The woman he loved more than anything was walking toward her dorm, but she wasn't alone. A man walked with her, his arm planted firmly around her waist, not a friendly hold, but the grasp of a lover; Riley Finn. The two walked slowly toward the door, as if trying to stay together longer, Angel stayed back into the shadows; watching her. Hurt and anger swam though him, as well as peace and understanding. She had finally found a man she could be with. A man who could give her everything he himself could not. It was good. It was what she deserved. Funny how his heart wasn't agreeing.
Angel watched them talk for a while before it led to a passionate kiss between them. More anger flared at him, the look of serenity and lust on her face was enough to unnerve him; Angel watched as the man who held Buffy now, stroke his hand upon the length of her body, pushing his hand through her hair. Riley and Buffy pulled away breathless, smiles on there faces; while Angel stood in the shadows containing the urge to kill. The couple stood in front of the dorm for a minute, before they parted ways. Sighing deeply, Angel turned to leave, she was obviously happy, and there was no need to disrupt that.
"So..your Angel?" It was said bitterly, as Riley walked from behind a tree.
Angel paused for a second and turned toward him.
Riley took a step closer, to look at him, remembering everything Buffy, and Willow had told him about the ensouled vampire. A hostile look in his eyes. "You must get off on watching her don't you?"
Angel fumed. "I was making sure she was okay."
Riley's face suddenly broke into an irrational smile, bitter laughter flying from between his lips. "I think you lost that privilege, the day you tried to kill her, you bastard!!!"
"You don't know what your talking about boy!!!" Angel growled, he turned to leave, before the rage in him got out of control.
"Don't turn your back on me!!! I'm not done talking to you!!!!!" Riley said, grabbing Angel's upper arm.
Angel snapped his head toward him. He grabbed Riley by the collar of his shirt, his game face nearing; until he was assaulted by the scent of Buffy upon him. His demon raged in him, his soul ached with pain and jealousy.
Riley saw the looks that flared in his eyes, and could feel nothing but pity for him. He realized, despite how much he hated this..man before him; if it wasn't for him, he and Buffy wouldn't be together. "Let go of me Angel" He said, peacefully.
Angel let go of him, and bowed his head, he walked to a nearby bench and sat on it.
Riley straightened his wrinkled shirt, and sat down beside him; keeping his distance. "I'm sorry I lashed out at you like that."
Angel lifted his head. "No your not."
Smirking. "Your right." He glanced at Angel. "I can't help but feel such hatred toward you, do you have any idea just how much you put her through?" Seeing the hurt flash in his eyes, gave Riley his answer. "I know you only meant to do what was best for her, and you cared that much about her to leave; I thought it was for the best to, but when she told me about you, she seemed so weak and vulnerable."
"Like she was dying." Angel whispered
"Yeah." Closing his eyes in pain. "She never stopped loving you." Riley whispered. "I know she cares for me, and maybe someday she might love me; but it won't be the same love she has for you." Bitterness creeped back into Riley's voice, in the back of his mind, he knew he would always come second in Buffy's heart. "I don't know what you did to deserve it, but she loves you."
Joy flickered in Angel's eyes, that maybe there was hope that Buffy could be his again, but Riley seemed to be just as he was, not willing to give up. "I don't know what I did either. But I can tell she loves you, the way she looks at you; that look of sincerity, vulnerability, and purity."
Riley smiled for a second. "Yeah, and she looks even more beautiful."
"And the way she smiles....."
"It makes you weak in the knees. The way she touches your face..."
Angel smirked. "Feels like silk on your cheek..." "But behind all that is a fighter, she's strong, and independent"
Riley nodded. "Too independent, and stubborn; you can never reason with her."
"She doesn't listen when she should."
Riley's eyes drifted to Angel. "But when she's sad, hurting, and she' cries....."
"You wanna die."
"A million deaths; just to see her smile again."
The two men glanced toward each other, since they had a lot in common. Buffy. They both wanted to make her happy, and would willing kill or be killed to do so.
Clearing his throat, Angel looked Riley in his eyes. "Do you love her?"
"Yes," He said, with no hesitation.
Angel stood up, and moved away. "Then take care of her, be there for her, don't ever let her doubt that she is loved." Hoping the quiver in his voice wasn't noticed.
Riley stood up and walked toward him, slowly extending a hand. Baffled, Angel reached out with one of his own, and their hands met in a weak handshake. Out of pure respect did this act play out before them, respect that both men loved and cherished Buffy Summers.
The two men began to depart from each other, the handshake ended slowly. Riley stopped. "Maybe you should go see her."
Angel took a moment to think about it, but then decided against it. "No...it's better this way."
"Are you sure?"
Angel nodded, not turning to face Riley. "Just love her." He walked away, until his form blended into the shadows.
Riley stood there for a second before leaving, admiring the strength Angel possessed. And the stupidity, he could never leave Buffy under any circumstances other than she wished. But maybe there was more to Angel than stupidity, that made Angel admirable to him.