BtVS Double Drabble: Difficult Decision

[bk_forever]

Title: Difficult Decision
Fandom: BtVS
Author: badly_knitted
Characters: Angel, Buffy.
Rating: PG
Challenge: 93: All Or Nothing at drabble_weekly.
Spoilers/Setting: The Prom.
Summary: Angel knows he and Buffy can’t continue the way they are.
Disclaimer: I don’t own BtVS, or the characters. They belong to the amazing Joss Whedon.
A/N: Double drabble.




It wasn’t working, this halfway thing, not for Angel, and he suspected, not really for Buffy either. They could see each other, patrol together, hold hands, train together, even kiss, as long as they didn’t let themselves get carried away, but that was it and it wasn’t enough.


They both wanted more, to experience the heights of passion they’d briefly known on that fateful night so many months ago, but it just wasn’t possible. They could hardly have Willow waiting in the wings every time to curse him again, and nothing short of that would ensure he didn’t revert to the soulless Angelus. One instant of pure happiness… It wasn’t fair, yet he couldn’t honestly say it was unjust. He didn’t deserve that depth of happiness; he deserved to suffer.


But Buffy didn’t.


She’d done nothing wrong, unless you counted falling in love with a vampire, which although not the wisest thing she’d ever done, was still hardly a crime deserving of punishment.


No, if they couldn’t have everything they wanted from each other, best they should have nothing. It would hurt them both less in the long run if they made a clean break and ended this bittersweet torture.



The End

Comments

"The Bangel Temptation"

[vantiri.livejournal.com]

You've done a wonderful job with depicting this temptation, please keep these excellent stories coming!
You really are a quality writer, don't let anyone get you to think otherwise, just let their claims fall to the wayside and keep on going with your excellent writing!
This work is sheer brilliance!
Sincerely one of your hopefully many fans;
Vantiri.

Re: "The Bangel Temptation"

[bk_forever]

Thank you, glad you liked the drabble.

No one criticises my writing though, so I don't need to ignore any such claims.

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

The romance didn't last but the love did.:(

[bk_forever]

Yes, and I wish they could have stayed together =(

Thank you.

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

Doomed romances are always that way.:(

It was unclear in the beginning if Angel was going to be a vampire. I do wonder what Joss Whedon would have done with the character instead.

[bk_forever]

They could actually have stayed together then! Part of me wishes he had been human, but there was so much angst from him being a vampire!

I scored big today at the shops, found Spike and Giles action figures! Yay!

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

There would have been some other source of conflict to keep the storyline interesting.

From a romantic standpoint it was sweet how much Angel was in love with Buffy. He didn't feel complete happiness when he had sex with Darla.

It's not like in real life if you can tell for sure a man really loves a woman to that degree.

Lucky you. Sounds like you had fun!:D

[bk_forever]

Yes, Joss Whedon is good at creating that.

It was very sweet. That kind of love is beautiful.

I did, but I spent way too much money. The action figures weren't cheap, they're in pristine condition still in their unopened packaging. That won't last now I've got them. I sent my friend to the shop later to get the third figure for me, Buffy herself.

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

Joss Whedon would not have wanted to do a series if he hadn't had an issue over creative control for the original movie of Buffy.

I think Joss Whedon only got annoyed with Charisma Carpenter for not telling him earlier about her pregnancy. No wonder I hated the "Connor and Cordy" hook up part.:D

They already did Cordelia pregnant temporarily. A similar thing happened with Holly Marie Combs on Charmed but it was done more organically despite creative differences between the actress and producer Brad Kern.

Yes it was. I never had that. But I've never dated a vampire either.:)

My brother told a friend about me watching Doctor Who and ever since she has given me Doctor Who magazines and a TARDIS mug. I don't expect her to get me stuff. Nice gesture though.

[bk_forever]

The movie was fairly bad, but the series was so good!

I wasn't happy with the latter parts of Cordy's story anyway. I preferred her in the early seasons on Angel.

Neither have I. Not sure I'd want to really...

That's so cool! It's great when people are so generous =D

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

If the movie had been successful then we wouldn't have had an amazing series.:)

Me either. I think the idea of shipping Cordy and Angel was okay in theory but it was better when they were just emotionally supportive of each other.

I had a guy sucked the enthusiasm out of our friendship. Close enough.:(

Friends come in many forms and I appreciate those who make an effort and so forth. I treat people how they treat me.

[bk_forever]

'Do unto others' is the rule I live be.

I just can't ship Angel/Cordy, it feels vaguely incestuous to me because I always saw them as a more brother/sister type relationship.

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

Romance can make or break a friendship/TV series.

Even when couples are suitable they are separated by some sort of conflict. That's the way it always goes.

I sound so optimistic, don't I? :D

I do know that I liked Cordelia being Angels moral compass. It was in the beginning and should have stayed that way on the show.

I like when it isn't about sexual tension between the two lead characters.

[bk_forever]

It's true though, TV series work on the assumption that once a couple get together it's no longer interesting and dramatic for viewers. I don't think that's necessarily true.

Too often sexual tension is forced on characters just because the TV execs think that's what everyone wants, but I like friendship between characters. Not that I'm against romance (Jack/Ianto, Buffy/Angel, Willow/Tara), but why can't characters sometimes just be friends?

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

Usually its because writers can't think of anything else. It's rare to see a platonic relationship on TV especially in teen dramas. That's my opinion anyway.

I wonder how long they would have dragged out the "will they, won't they" in "Bones" if Emily Deschanel hadn't gotten pregnant in real life.*shrugs*

I believe sexual tension can't exist without friendship as a foundation. But friendship can work without attraction. Chemistry is whats important. Otherwise it's just tension. I hope I make sense.*tries not to doubt my own theory*

[bk_forever]

Who knos? But the series was just as thrilling and exciting after Bones and Booth got together, proving that it can be done. I just watched the last ever episode last night. I miss the characters already =(

Yeah, I think you're right - you can be physically attracted to a person you don't like, but physical attraction isn't necessary for two people to be friends. The best relationships though have both friendship and physical attraction, if its just physical a couple won't last.

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

I vaguely know how "Bones" ends. I don't want to see it end. I watched earlier episodes randomly. I still can enjoy them since I forget about half the plot in some.:D

Too bad the spinoff "The Finder" wasn't good enough. But at least "Bones" had a very good run.:)

Speaking from personal experience, I'd say that good communication is essential in all relationships. The rest will fall into place if it feels right for both sides.

[bk_forever]

I found the end quite positive and upbeat, so I was fine with it. Fanfic writers can continue writing future stories... It was a good ending for me, it's just that I'll miss watching new episodes every week, knowing there aren't going to be anymore. I'd like to get The Finder on DVD but it's too pricey at present.

Good communication is important in all interactions with other people. It's misunderstandings that cause so many problems in life.

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

They changed the woman from "The Finder" pilot ("Bones" crossover?) for another character who was usually wearing next to nothing. I didn't care for that bit. Sex appeal much?

Although the dynamic and location reminded me of another show "Burn Notice", which I loved. It went for eight seasons.

Miscommunication is my middle name.:D

Now, seriously that is so true. It is considered funny in comedy but in drama, it has consequences. Similar to real life.

[bk_forever]

That's typical of TV executives. Seven-of-nine in Star Trek Voyager annoyed me so much I stopped watching. She was only there for sex appeal.

I still haven't watched Burn Notice, having trouble getting the seventh season on DVD. I've got the rest, but I don't want to watch until I can see it right the way through.

Misunderstandings can be funny, but they can
also have serious consequences.

[fluffybkitty.livejournal.com]

Very poignant.

[bk_forever]

Thank you! There's was a doomed romance. I wish it could have been otherwise.

[owensheart.livejournal.com]

So sad for them and they were such an awesome couple.

Great drabble

[bk_forever]

I know! I was such a B/A shipper =(

Thank you.