Genre: Darla/Angel

Rating: R

*Characters belong to Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, etc.

Tell Me How To Love You In Gaelic
by Tara Ann Stridh




"Angel, are you comfortable precious?" Her head tilted slightly to the side as she spoke to him. The blonde-haired woman circled him, her finger tracing around his waist. Around her neck she wore a silver heart-shaped pendent. Her straight hair was styled into two girlish braids. There was no need for him to tug on the chains that bound his wrists above his head because he knew they would not break. He was hers again. Darla wore his black silk shirt, and she savored the smoothness and firmness of his flawless skin. As she stood behind him she rested her head against his shoulder, her hands gliding up his arms. She sighed.
"You can't beat me up now, can you? Or bite me? But I can hurt you." He felt her warm fingertips trace the glorious griffin tattoo upon his right shoulder blade.
"Beautiful A. For adultery and Angelus. Angelus being my personal favorite." The voice of his sire sang into his skin, melodious and loving.
"I remember when you got this. You were still quite young, but a bad, bad boy you were." Her fingers twirled through his dark hair, her teeth biting softly at his earlobe.
"And you will be again."
"No, Darla, I won't. This isn't going to work anymore. Aren't you tired of playing this game?" She stood still for a moment before answering.
"Yes. Yes, I am. I don't care what you are. I just want you back. Angel, I . . ." From behind him he heard her walk to a corner of the deserted room. Then her petite figure stood before him; in her delicate hands she held a worn yet gleaming sword.
Her eyes twinkled as she held the magnificent weapon up to him.
"I'm sure you haven't forgotten this, Angel. I mean, correct me if I'm mistaken, but isn't this what your darling Buffy used to send you to Hell with?" She approached him, her small feet bare, her violet eyes looking into his.
"How did she do it, exactly? Did she kiss you good-bye? Did she whisper tender words in your ear? Or did she just stab you like the monster you are? The beautiful man-monster I know I created." The vampire with the soul closed his eyes, trying to hide his face behind his strong arm.
"Darla, don't."
"You haven't forgotten, have you? Gee, it's funny how you always remember being fucked by someone you love." He looked at her, tasting the hurt within her voice. As they gazed at each other she backed away, pointing the sword at his neck. Slowly Darla allowed the blade to slither down his chest and stomach, his soulful blood seeping through the fine flesh cut.
"I know I haven't forgotten. What it felt like for you to bury that arrow in my body. From behind no less. How courageous of you, Angel.
"I tell myself I forgive you, but I don't know if I really do. I'm back now, aren't I so who gives a shit, right? I do. Did you even care afterwards? Did your little soul even feel tormented for me? Or were you too busy thinking of how you were going to get your dick wet in the slayer's cunt?"
"Yes."
Carefully she edged the tip of the blade down across his crotch, watching him flinch with natural intimidation.
"I did care." Darla tossed the sword on to the floor, the weapon skidding into the wall.
"Then you don't hate me?"
"No. Darla, I want to help you." She laughed.
"You want to save my soul. So you can add me on to your checklist of redemption?"
"I'm not concerned with becoming human anymore. It's not about that. It's not about keeping score."
"Human? What are you talking about, Angelus?" His dark eyes studied her closely, disillusion sweeping on to her elegant face.
"They didn't tell you." Her violet eyes studied him back as she took a step towards him.
"There's a prophecy I'll become human some day."
"Some day? When? Angel." Darla ran to him, embracing his body from behind. Her slender arms hugging his broad body reminded him of Faith. Their touch was a touch of realization. His sire closed her eyes, her forehead leaning against his back.
"Angel, we can run away to Galway. Just us. No one to save. Just us together. Simple. And when you're human I'll be there for you. Waiting for you. I've always been waiting or you, Angel." Her shimmering pale pink lips kissed his tattooed shoulder blade. Angel wished she would look at him; he wanted to look into her face and tell her not to wait for him.
"I'm so stupid. You killed me for this. You were given your soul for this. We are supposed to be together, Angel."
"Darla, I care about you, but I-" Quickly, she twirled to the front of him, pressing her finger to his lips.
"Don't say it. Please. I don't want to weep tonight. Not tonight. Say something sweet to me. Like in the early days."
"Against the wall." She turned her head, looking at the large square package wrapped in purple silk. Angel watched as she walked to it; he had brought it with him. Kneeling beside it Darla picked it up, gently unwrapping the item. Her eyes stared down at the portrait they had had painted of them long ago, the painting she thought she had forever lost.
"You took it."
"After, you know."
"You killed me."
"Yes. I went down there. I was afraid, but I needed your things. I saw that, and I took it. Your black pearl bracelet and other things.
"When I killed you I didn't really think about it. I just did, and I wasn't even sure why I did it."
"You were in love."
"I didn't know that right away. I didn't think I deserved to be in love. I must have drawn twenty pictures of your face, and I kept hearing you say my name in that gentle way only you possess. And I thought maybe I deserved to die, too."
"Never." She stood up, holding the painting in her arms.
"I would never want you to die. I made you. I love you even if you don't love me anymore."
"Darla, I just wanted you to love me with my soul, and you didn't."
"I didn't know how. I was afraid of it." Standing close to him, her hand stroked his face, tears almost in her violet eyes.
"I'm not afraid anymore. I stopped being afraid a long time ago." Angel turned his head, placing his lips into her palm. His lips were tender against her skin. Then his dark, loving eyes looked lonely into hers.
"I'm afraid, Darla."