Title: Absolution
Summary: Set during Surprise Btvs S2
Author: Bashipforever
Pairing: B/A
Prompt: Stages of Love Through the Five Senses: Touch



His fingertips glided over her skin, skirting around the scratch on her shoulder. The silky softness burned against his own cool skin and part of him wanted to bury himself in that warmth. The other part of him knew he’d never be that worthy, that deserving. Touching her was like absolution, something Angel craved and at the same time was certain he’d never reach.

Except in her arms. In her arms, absolution was a possibility. It was something he dared to dream about, hope for and occasionally believe in.

She leaned back against him. He dipped his head slightly, breathing falsely against her neck. He inhaled the scent of her, craving the smell of faith that she carried. His arms went around her and he confessed everything. She turned in his arms, absolving him of his sins with her lips against his and her hands pulling him closer.

He tried to pull away, to show her, tell her he wasn’t worthy of this but she had a way of making his past go away, of making the world go away. With every touch, every kiss, every exhalation of his name she washed his pain away and left peace in her wake.

He had no way to know that it would be watching her sleep, perfect vulnerability and trust softening her features, that would bring him his ultimate redemption and his perfect damnation.