Chapter 7

Buffy let herself into William’s apartment when he didn’t respond to her knocks. He gave her a key not too long ago, and she decided it was time to take advantage of that. The place was completely dark, so she made her way back to his bedroom, pausing at the sight before her. William was asleep, sprawled out on his bed, shirtless, and with a sheet covering his lower half. She wondered if he was wearing anything underneath, stepping further into the room. She took her shoes off and lay down beside him, gazing at his beautiful features. He looked so peaceful. Buffy knew he would most likely freak to find her this close to him, but she was finding it so hard to care. She rested her head on his chest, touching her lips to his smooth skin. That one gesture caused him to stir, his eyes opening to peer sleepily at her. She held him tighter, burying her face in his shoulder.

“Please, don’t make me go.”

William couldn’t turn her away, not when she was pleading with him like that. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. He pressed his lips to hers in a soft caress, which soon became more intense as Buffy returned the kiss. William pulled her to his chest, kissing her passionately and not giving a fuck about the consequences. He never wanted it to end, but breathing soon became an issue. He released her delectable mouth, pecking her nose, her closed eyelids, and then moving back down to her lips. He knew this was dangerous territory. There was still so much that she didn’t know, but when she kissed him like that, it was hard to remember why he shouldn’t be doing it. She tasted so sweet.

Buffy’s hands roamed down his body, slipping under the sheet to feel that he was definitely not wearing anything underneath.

He gasped at her touch, ripping his mouth away and gently removing her hand from his anatomy. Snogging was one thing, but he wasn’t ready for anything else just yet. Not when he was keeping secrets from her. “There will be time for that later, Buffy. Right now, we need to talk.”

The tone of his voice worried her. “I’m sorry to just show up like this. I know it’s really late, but I needed to see you. I can’t stand you being mad at me.”

William shook his head; giving the hand he was holding a comforting squeeze. “I’m not mad at you, love. There’s something I have to tell you, about my past.”

Her eyes widened, nodding for him to continue.

“I had a visit from a vampire today. Angelus, a bloody sadistic bloke. He was the one who killed Aria, and I just discovered that he is also responsible for the death of your previous Watcher.”

Buffy jerked away from him. “He’s in Sunnydale?”

William nodded. “Yes, and he’s not here alone. These are the most vicious vampires you’ve ever dealt with, Buffy.”

She jumped out of his bed, pacing back and forth. “I always knew he was bound to show up, but I didn’t think it would actually happen. I promised myself I would get vengeance for Merrick’s death if I ever saw that monster again. I’m not letting him get away this time.”

William put his pants on, standing up to join her, and grabbing her shoulders before she could make a hole in his floor. “You’re not ready to face him, pet. He’s very strong, and the women he has with him are as devious as they come. Aria wasn’t the only Slayer he’s killed, Angelus is known for it. He’s obsessed, whenever he hears of a new Slayer; he seeks her out, usually going after her family and friends first, if she has them. Drusilla was about to become a nun when she was human. She wasn’t even a Slayer, but he saw her one night and knew he had to have her. The bastard made her insane by killing everyone she held dear, and then burning her church to the ground. When that wasn’t enough, he turned her into a demon. Darla is his sire, she’s over four hundred, and the most demented bitch you could ever meet. You can’t go after him on your own, let alone all three of them. You’re just not strong enough yet, but with more training…”

“I can’t just sit around and do nothing while he’s in my town, William. Everyone he kills will be my fault because I wasn’t strong enough to stop him, I’ll probably never be strong enough, but I have to do something.”

He kissed her forehead, holding her close. “And you will, sweetheart. We will take him on together, but when the time is right. I guarantee, he won’t know what hit him. They’re all going to get what’s coming to them, I promise you that.”

She smiled, gazing up at him. “Sweetheart? Does this mean you’re not against us being a couple now?”

William didn’t even know he let the endearment slip out, but he wouldn’t take it back for the world, not when it put that gorgeous smile on her face. “Yeah, I guess that’s what it means.”

Buffy kissed his lips tenderly, wrapping her arms back around him.

William held her tighter, thinking about what this would mean for them. For one thing, it meant that he would try even harder to protect her now, but Buffy still didn’t know the entire truth. He feared her reaction once she found out.

“I could stay like this forever.”

He had no arguments with that.

“I was at the Bronze tonight, but it was so boring without you,” she told him. “I thought I felt vampires in the club, and nearly staked Cordelia. I don’t think she’ll ever be my friend now.”

William laughed, knowing she cared less about being friends with that girl.

She looked up at him. “I didn’t see any vamps, so I just took off and patrolled for a bit. You must have done a pretty good job, I didn’t come across anything. It was actually kind of disappointing. Hey, what happened to your hair?”

“You just now noticed it? I’m hurt, Summers.”

Buffy shrugged. “It’s dark in here, and I was a bit preoccupied with the kissing. It looks really good,” she said, running her fingers through his newly bleached hair, surprised by how soft it was.

He felt shivers down his spine, taking her hand in his. “We should be getting some sleep. Are you sure you should be out this late? I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble with your mum.”

She waved her hand in the air. “Mom’s in LA for the weekend, more divorce crap to deal with. I’ll be happy when that’s over. I guess I’ll be staying here tonight, if that’s okay with you.”

William grinned. “You’ll get no complaints from me.” He pulled her down on his bed, deciding it would be best to leave the pants on.

Buffy snuggled up at his side, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

He wrapped his arms around her, touching his lips to the crown of her head. With the thought that his girl was safe for the night, William drifted off into a deep slumber.