He'd decided to keep them as pets, the wolf and the witch. He hadn't planned to actually care for them. But, they amused him, her with her interesting turn of phrase and often hidden wit, him with his depths and silences. As the years passed, their relationship changed from one of fear and degradation to one of survival at any means to finally something almost real.
Their love for each other spilled somewhat over onto him, he who claimed he'd never love anyone, and his treatment of them changed from abuse to something almost caring.
They learned to live with it, accept it, even find pleasure in it.
As long as they had each other.
*****
Willow didn't mind the fact that they didn't celebrate any of the winter holidays, but she missed the candles, both for her own religious traditions and from others. Angelus' use of candles was too irreligious to allow her to light a candle for a spiritual reason without blushing.
As she lay in their bed missing familiar customs, Oz stroked his fingers down her naked back, making her shiver slightly and the metal around her wrists clink. She'd been in the handcuffs for a day now, unsure of why except that it pleased Angelus. The restraints hadn't kept her from fully participating in everything he wanted from her, but they were beginning to chafe.
A kiss on the nape of her neck made her smile and relax into her lover's embrace as they waited for Angelus to return from his hunt.
When he did, he found them curled together in the middle of the bed, Oz spooned against her back, relaxed and content.
He actually liked them like that.
As they greeted him, he tossed Willow a small package.
"What is it?"
"Why don't you open it." He rolled his eyes at her hesitation. "Is it bleeding?" She shook her head. "Then it's unlikely it's something gross."
Sitting up, Willow carefully unfolded the festive paper to reveal a beautiful journal, the cover purple velvet decorated with beads. There was a matching pen.
"I know you get bored sometimes when I'm not here to entertain you."
"Thank you," she replied sincerely.
"You get your present on Christmas, Oz."
Oz simply nodded.
Angelus' smile turned wolfish. "So, what do I get in return?"
Unable to open her arms, Willow opened her legs and Angelus laughed before pouncing on her.
End