Chapter Text
Run away with me
Lost souls and reverie
Running wild and running free
Two kids, you and me
"Renegades" X Ambassadors
The days that Angel came back as human seemed like a blur to Buffy. After he was feeling better and they spent the night together, fully together, like the old times, it felt like they immediately got swept up in their old responsibilities, which have grown exponentially since the collapse of Sunnydale and the Hellmouth. In the two weeks Buffy spent tending to Angel, he was her only thought. Sure there were plenty of newly activated Slayers that were in need of guidance and training, but Buffy couldn't seem to care. Faith gratefully stepped up and Buffy was pleasantly surprised to see the natural leader in the once troubled girl. Now that Angel was healed and adjusting to human life, Buffy refocused her energy on dealing with the new Slayers. It wasn't just giving them a place to stay and train…no, she felt like a babysitter. Buffy often wondered if she was as whiny and petty at sixteen as these girls. Yep, she probably was. She was prepared to teach them how to fight, how to stake vampires and track demons. She was not prepared to be the mediator during an argument about bathroom usage, or who stole the last of the milk from the fridge.
One evening (or was it morning? Buffy didn't really know anymore) Buffy and Angel were in his office crouched over files of Slayers that hadn't yet made it to Los Angeles, and they were trying to make an efficient plan to get in touch with them. The new methodology Buffy and Giles were using was to get in touch with the newly called Slayers and let them decide what they wanted to do. They could come to LA and attend classes and train, and once they learned enough be deployed to wherever in the world they were needed, or they could stay in their hometowns and continue their calling from there. They had choices now. Something Buffy, Faith, Kendra, and the hundreds of Slayers before them never had. Buffy had already been on a number of overseas flights to find the new Slayers. She and Giles figured that getting in touch personally was the best option to get in contact with a young girl who was probably scared out of her mind. Giles saw his Slayer and her love looking at files and saw Buffy's laptop open to an airline booking site as she planned her next trip. Giles sighed. They looked tired. Yes, he had his reservations about Angel, but in recent years he saw the devotion the vampire – excuse me – ex-vampire showed toward his Slayer. They were utterly committed to each other. Anyone could see that. Now that Angel was human, who was Giles to protest? As Giles looked at the couple, he could literally see the energy of their reunion draining from them. The travel, the overseeing of dozens of Slayers, the stress of securing a living and training space for them, was clearly showing. They needed a break. Giles knew that no one else in the hotel would realize this and be sympathetic to their needs. It was time for them to be selfish for once. Giles walked into the office and tapped on the doorframe with his knuckles. Buffy and Angel looked up from their work at him. Angel looked at him questioningly, and Buffy said, "Hey, everything okay?" Giles stared at them for a moment, an odd feeling in his chest. Despite his feelings about Angel in the past, he was now human. Giles' heart slightly broke at the tired looks on their faces. They now had their whole lives ahead of them. Shouldn't heroes be able to enjoy life for a moment? Giles stepped into the office and cleared his throat. "I think you two should leave." Both Buffy and Angel furrowed their eyebrows at him and looked at the Watcher in question. "Um, what?" Buffy asked. "We can finish up here if you need the space…" "No, that's not what I mean," Giles said, cutting her off. "You both need a break." At their continued blank stares, Giles continued. "Go. Take a week. Or three. Go anywhere but here." Buffy stood up from behind the desk and stared at her Watcher. "Really?" she asked. Giles nodded. "But what about the S-" she started, but Giles cut her off. "We've got it under control, Buffy," he replied. He stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. "You've done beautifully since you were sixteen. You've given your life for this world multiple times. Take some time for yourself." Buffy stared at him, taking in his words. She and Giles may have had a long and complicated history, especially when it came to Angel, but she always knew that he had her back. She choked up at his words. Luckily Angel came forward and clapped Giles on the shoulder. Giles released his hands from Buffy's shoulders and gave Angel a firm handshake. "Thank you," Angel said, looking the Watcher in the eyes. Giles looked at the former vampire who owned the heart of the girl he thought of as a daughter, and knew all was going to be well.
They had already been to Ireland after Buffy was resurrected, so they debated where they were going to escape to for a few weeks. Buffy eventually decided on Italy. They flew into Rome and spent two weeks in an apartment by the Spanish Steps. It was summertime, and excruciatingly hot, but they didn't care. They had a balcony overlooking the busy street that they would keep open during the night and let the sounds of busy Rome filter into their bedroom. Sure, they didn't get a lot of sleep back in LA dealing with all the Slayers, but they also didn't get a lot of sleep here. For different reasons. Reasons that were okay. They slept in. They lounged on the balcony. They went to the market and got fresh tomatoes that were still warm from the sun and burrata cheese that was creamy and to die for, and the most amazing balsamic vinegar you could ever imagine and ate it all, washed down with an incredible red Brunello wine. Some days they went sight seeing. Buffy loved the Roman Forum. Angel got moody at certain sites, old memories coming back. Buffy was always there in a heartbeat, dragging him away for a cappuccino and cornetto. After two weeks in Rome, they ventured out to Tuscany for another two weeks. They stayed in a farmhouse in a small village that had it's own olive oil and cheese shop. Farm animals roamed down the streets. This is where the true relaxation began. Outside of the city bustle, the couple could truly appreciate the Italian countryside and all it had to offer. The village they stayed in was welcoming and friendly. An older woman walked over one day while Buffy and Angel were enjoying a latte at a local café, and she insisted they come for dinner that night. Buffy had no idea what she was saying, but Angel conversed with her in Italian easily. After she wandered away, Buffy asked him, "So what was that?" Angel smiled and took a sip of his latte. "She wants us to come to her family dinner tonight." "Really?" Buffy asked, laughing slightly. "Really," Angel replied. "She liked us. Reminded her of her and her husband when they were first married." Buffy smirked and leaned over towards him. "Well, we have a few steps before we get to that stage…" Angel smirked back at her. "We'll get there," he said before pressing his lips against hers, tasting the coffee from her latte. They went back to Rome for a night since their flight back to LA was leaving from there. Buffy didn't want to leave. The past few weeks with Angel were amazing. She thought their time in Ireland was incredible, but this blew all that away. Italy was a beautiful country, and seeing a human Angel enjoying it made it all the more special. Buffy had always loved him with everything she had, but she was falling even more in love with him on this trip…if that was even possible.
They were staying in a fancy hotel in the center of Rome for their last night. Buffy was antsy. There was something she had been thinking about doing and now seemed like a good time. She needed Angel to do something first. Buffy wandered out from the sitting room and into the bedroom where Angel was lounging reading a book. "Angel?" Buffy asked. Angel looked up at her, "Yeah?" "Can you draw something for me?" she asked. Angel put his book down and sat up fully. "What do you want?" he asked her, looking deeply in her eyes, trying to assess what she needed. Buffy looked him over for a moment. She had a rush of gratitude. Floored, and so lucky that he was back. And here. With her. Human. Before she got too teary, she said, "Can you draw me a bird?" Angel raised his eyebrow. Buffy continued, "I've been kind of wanting to get a tattoo…and I've looked up different meanings, and I've always liked the meaning of a sparrow tattoo." Angel gently smiled at her and allowed her to continue. "Sparrows mate for life, and symbolize loyalty. They return to the same home every year and are a symbol of victory or conquered hardship…" Buffy told him. "That's beautiful," Angel told her. "Really?" Buffy asked. She was a little nervous about doing this. Sure, he had a tattoo, but she didn't know how he would feel about her getting one. But then again, she was a grown woman and could make her own decisions. It would just mean more if Angel was the one to draw it. Late at night, Buffy and Angel walked down the streets of Rome, hand in hand, towards their destination. Buffy spotted it first. "Here," she said, pulling Angel towards the sidewalk and into the small shop. Buffy told the artist what she wanted, and gave him the drawing Angel made. He told her it would be a few minutes while he prepared everything. He went into the back room and left Buffy and Angel in the lobby. Buffy watched him disappear into the back room and leaned against Angel's chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple. "I don't want to leave," she whispered. "I know," he whispered back. She turned in his arms, clutching him close. "I'm glad I'm doing this though," she said.
Angel smiled at her and spoke with love in his voice…"Fly on pretty bird…fly on."