Title: Classical Love
Author: Ophelia
Posted:
Email: opheliafics@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
Category:
Content:
Summary: Angel’s reading and watching a certain seer
Spoilers:
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
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Notes: A short fluffy fic dedicated to my years spent studying English Lit. Credit goes to: Lord Byron, Shakespeare, George Darley, Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, and Robert Herrick
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Thanks/Dedication:She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes…
Angel looked up from the book he was reading to contemplate the woman sitting across from him. Absorbed in the research she was doing on the computer, Cordelia remained oblivious to his stares. He found his eyes drawn to where she was absent-mindedly chewing on the corner of her bottom lip. Grinning, he returned to his book before he got caught.
Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
Oh, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken
Glancing up again, he thought of all they had been through lately and was amazed again that she was still sitting there. She had been angry, hurt, and hostile but she hadn’t left. Turning slightly in her chair, Cordelia leaned over to look more closely at a file sitting next to the keyboard. From behind his book, Angel watched her begin to toy with a strand of her hair that had fallen across her cheek before hastily lowering his eyes once again.
Give me, instead of beauty’s bust,
A tender heart, a loyal mind,
Which with temptation I could trust….
One in whose gentle bosom I
Could pour my secret heart of woes…
A sigh escaping her lips drew his eyes back to her. Her head was now propped up on her hand as her eyes struggled to stay focused on her computer screen. He thought of their conversation right before Darla had come back. She had truly seen the best and worst of him. A tender heart and a loyal mind. He couldn’t think of a better description for his seer. When she cleared her throat, Angel abruptly realized she was looking at him with a raised eyebrow. Coughing, he buried his face back in the book.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
The clanking of the coffee pot drew his attention back to her. He was startled to realize she was staring at him over the rim of her mug. Looking away quickly when their eyes met, she walked quickly back to her desk. Angel toyed with a pen at his desk as he allowed his gaze to remain on her a moment longer. So few people in this world really knew her and that thought had begun to nag at him with increasing insistence. The marvel of her spirit, the beauty of her heart that had made all the difference in his life. How had no one else truly noticed her before? How had a woman like her slipped through life so unappreciated? Returning to his book with an unnecessary sigh, he leaned back in his chair.
A perfect Woman, nobly plann’d
To warm, comfort, and command;
And yet a Spirit still, and bright
With something of angelic light.
Looking up with a grin, Angel watched Cordelia go back into Wesley’s office to find another file. Grabbing a piece of paper, he started writing with an occasional glance at his book.
***
Cordelia walked out of Wesley’s office and was disappointed and a little relieved to see Angel had left the office area. Glancing up, she saw him disappearing into the basement. Walking tiredly back over to her desk, she threw the file down, making a small slip of paper blow onto the floor. Leaning down to pick it up, Cordelia read the familiar writing with a growing smile.
Thou art my life, my love, my heart,
The very eyes of me,
And hast command of every part,
To live and die for thee.
End.