harlow_buffyverse | Story: Love is Like Starlight (Reply)

Oneshot. Originally written for the IWRY marathon 2024

Paring: Angel/Buffy, Angel & Riley, Angel & Faith, Buffy & Willow & Xander, Willow/Oz (mentioned)
Characters: Angel, Buffy, Faith, Riley, Willow, Xander, Oz (mentioned)
Rating: T
Warnings: Illness/sickfic
Summary: Dr. Buffy Summers is the chief medical officer on a spaceship. When the dashing, handsome, and utterly irritating captain, Angel, suddenly falls ill, it's up to Buffy to treat his illness. Will Buffy be able to cure him? Will the ship catch on fire while Angel is incapacitated? Will Angel and Buffy finally kiss and deal with all those unresolved feelings, or will they drive each other crazy with their constant snark?
There's only one way to find out...
Notes:

Written for the 2024 IWRY marathon!
So. Weird AU. Yes, it's an all human AU. Except it's in space, and it's in the future. This is NOT a crossover with any media outside the Buffyverse, nor is it based on/inspired by whatever is in the comics (I've never read the comics, aside from one or two here and there). I gave the characters jobs on the ship that I thought translated nicely to the skills/interests and/or relationships they had in canon... and what best served my plans with regard to the plot.
This is a rivals to lovers story, so Buffy and Angel are a bit antagonistic at the beginning! Without spoiling anything, though, I can safely say that the ending is fluffy and cute and Bangel.
The fictional illness in this fic is loosely based on some real illnesses, but I have taken some artistic liscence with regard to the science/medical aspect. Um, I mean... ✨futuristic tech and weird, new viruses✨!
Probably not necessary to add 'cause I think most of you probably know this, but I like Riley a bunch and write him pretty much as a sympathetic character, just so you're aware.
Anyway, with that all said, I hope you enjoy! I had so much fun with this one!
Beta read by my wonderful friend fatalfae, who was a major help with getting this to where I wanted it to be!
Finalist for "Most Creative" at the IWRY 2024 Fic Superlatives.

It was just a headache.
Nothing that a few hours of sleep and a couple pain relief tablets wouldn’t take care of. At least, that was what Angel told himself. He was the captain of this starship, and he could do that just fine, headache or not.
Besides, he didn’t fancy a visit to the medical bay. It wasn’t that he had any issues with medical procedures, or anything like that. No, the issue was that he really didn’t care for the chief medical officer.
Dr. Buffy Summers was, to put it mildly, insufferable. If she wasn’t questioning his authority, or getting involved in someone else’s business, she was making snarky comments at him!
Angel didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of coming to her for help.
“You doing okay there, captain?” asked Faith Lehane, the first officer, and Angel’s second in command.
“I’m fine.” Angel gritted his teeth, and glanced back down at the navigation charts. He looked over at her to find that she had raised an eyebrow and was eyeing him suspiciously. “Are you doing alright? It’s been a long day. I think we’re all a little tired.”
“Me? I’m five by five.” Faith said. “You sure you’re alright? You’re looking a little… pale.”

“We live in space. We’re all pale.” Angel said.
“Ooookay.” Faith said. She didn’t look convinced, but she let it drop. “If we’re done here, I’m gonna go get some sleep.”

“Sounds good. I’m going to talk to Finn about a few things, and then I’m going to turn in.” Angel said, turning off the display, and watching as the charts vanished.

Angel found Riley Finn in the security office, going over some files on his tablet. Riley was the chief security officer, and his job was an important one, handling security aboard the ship as well as any combat situations they might find themselves in.
“Captain. You wanted to talk to me about something?” Riley stood up, nearly at attention, a testament to his military background.
“At ease. I wanted to go over the new security system we just installed.” Angel said, as he sat down in one of the chairs across from Riley’s desk.

“Oh, sure. Do you have any specific questions?” Riley asked, sitting down as well.
“Mostly, I wanted to discuss educating the crew on how to use it. Lehane mentioned to me that she was having some issues with it earlier.”
Riley nodded. “I could put together a little presentation or something, if you wanted? It’s pretty intuitive to use, but it can be kind of overwhelming at first.” Riley said.
Talk of professional matters turned to more personal conversations.
“I, uh… I wanted to ask your opinion on Dr. Summers.” Angel said.
“I think she’s good at her job. Very professional. What exactly did you want to know?” Riley said.
“I don’t know. She just… irritates me.” Angel shrugged. Riley was the one that Angel always went to when it came time for ‘guy talk’.
“Have you talked to her about it?” Riley asked. “It’s probably just a communication issue. You should talk to her, man.”
“No. I haven’t. Talked to her, I mean.” Angel admitted.
“Well, maybe you should.” Riley shrugged.

“Why would I do something like that?” Angel asked
Riley shrugged. “Just a suggestion. Hey, you look kinda… clammy? Pale? Something like that? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine! Why does everyone keep asking that?” Angel said, shaking his head.
“Have you looked in a mirror lately? You look like death warmed over.” Riley said. “I really think maybe you should go see Dr. Summers. Not about the communication issue. But about the…clamminess thing.”
“I said, I’m fine!” Angel insisted. Though, was it just him, or was the world getting sort of… fuzzy? Angel wasn’t sure. He blinked a few times. Hmm, definitely a little fuzzy. “I just need to sit down… for a minute.”

“You are sitting down.” Riley said.

“Oh. Well, then, I’m definitely fine. I’m just going to… take a little nap, then. Right here.”
“No, no. No napping for you. I’m taking you to the medical bay. You look terrible!”

“This is a mutiny.” Angel grumbled, as Riley helped him to his feet. “You’ll pay for this.”

“Uh huh. You’d be more intimidating if you could stand up on your own.”

“What’s going on?” Buffy asked, watching as Riley Finn hauled in what appeared to be the limp figure of the ship’s captain.
“Not sure. He passed out on me halfway from my office.” Riley said. “Is he… is he gonna be okay?”
Riley looked up at her with the saddest, wettest eyes ever to exist, clearly worried for his friend.
“I’ll need to examine him first.” Buffy said. “Help me get him into bed.”
Riley helped Buffy get Angel into bed. He groaned a little, and Buffy felt that his skin was hot to the touch.
“You should leave.” Buffy told Riley. “I’ll look after him. Go. He might be contagious.”

Angel opened his eyes to see Dr. Summers standing over him with a scanner, waving it over his body. He glanced around, and discovered he was lying on one of the beds in the medical bay. “Wonderful… just when I thought this day couldn’t get any better…”

“Believe me, it wasn’t exactly the highlight of my day when Finn hauled you in here.” Dr. Summers rolled her eyes, and tapped at something on the display screen on the scanner she held.
“What’s going on?” Angel asked, trying to push himself into a seated position.
She gently pushed him back onto his back. “You’re sick.” Dr. Summers said, as she set the scanner down on the bedside table.
“Wow, what an astute observation.” Angel tried to sit up again. “I don’t have time for this. I’m leaving.”
Once again, Dr. Summer stopped him. “You aren’t going anywhere, mister. You’re staying right here!”

“I’ve got work to do! You can’t keep me here!”
“Actually, I can. Can’t have you spreading whatever you have with the rest of the ship.” Dr. Summers gave him an infuriating little smirk.
“You can’t do this to me.” Angel grumbled.
“Oh, but I can! It’s policy.” She informed him, smugly. “Don’t worry. Lehane has already assumed command of the ship, until you’re feeling better.”
Angel breathed out a sigh of relief. At least someone competent was in charge of the ship, for the meantime. Faith could handle things, at least for a little bit. One less thing to worry about…
“Try to relax.” Dr. Summers said, sounding surprisingly genuine. “You’re going to be fine. Everything is going to be okay.”
Angel shut his eyes. Since when were the lights in the medical bay so bright?
A few moments later, he felt a hand on his forehead.
“You’re burning up…” Dr. Summers whispered. The touch was unnecessary– he was sure she had already taken his temperature with her scanner, but not necessarily unpleasant.
“I’m going to take a little bit of your blood, okay? You’re going to feel a little prick.” Angel felt her take hold of his hand, and then a prick as she stuck his finger with a lancet. “There. All done. Not so bad, huh?”
She pressed his finger to something cool and hard, presumably another scanner-type device.
“Great. Can I get back to work now? You’ve done your poking and prodding.”

“Nuh-uh. There will be no working for you, not until you’re better. Understand?”
Angel opened his eyes again, to glare at her retreating form. Her lab coat swished around her legs, just a little, as she walked.
She was rather pretty, he mused, even if she was insufferable and annoying.

Buffy sighed, as she looked at the results of the tests and scans. Her lab was tucked in a small corner of the medical bay, next to her office.
It was clear what the problem was. Angel would likely be fine, but he was going to have an unpleasant few days. She tucked her tablet under one arm, and left the lab, headed towards Angel’s bedside.
She looked down at him. His eyes were closed, and his chest rose and fell at regular intervals. A sheen of sweat coated his forehead. He looked… peaceful, almost. Relaxed. That was good.
“Hey, I uh… well, I know what’s wrong with you.” Buffy said.
Angel opened up his eyes, and stared up at her. He looked irritated. Maybe she’d interrupted his nap.
“Aside from the usual.” Buffy said, rolling her eyes. “You, uh… you didn’t happen to have the gamma pox at some point?”

“Yeah. There was an outbreak on my homeworld. When I was little, back when it was still a new disease. What about it?” Angel said, propping himself up on one elbow.
“Well… the thing about gamma pox is that it likes to come back. And that’s what you’ve got.”
“I’ve got the gamma pox? Seriously?”
“It sorta… hides in your body, then comes back. Generally, when the victim is overworked or stressed or weakened somehow.” Buffy fixed him with a stern look. “Sound familiar?”

“No.” Angel said. “I’m not working too hard, if that’s what you’re implying.”

“You’re a stubborn, stubborn man.” Buffy said, wagging a finger at him.
“At least tell me I’m not going to get that horrible rash again.” Angel visibly shuddered.

“I’m going to give you an antiviral that’ll help mitigate the worst of the symptoms, including the rash. But you’re still going to have a rough few days.” Buffy said.

“Am I contagious?”

“Technically, yes. But I think everyone on the ship is immunized, or has already had it.”
“So I can go?”

“Nope. Sorry, but you need to rest.” Buffy said. “You’re not going to get better until you do. In fact, you’re on bedrest until you’re feeling better.”

Angel groaned.
“Sorry.” Buffy said, patting him on the arm in an attempt at comfort. “You gotta stay here. Just for a bit. I’ll be right back.”
Angel tried to relax. He felt somewhat less achy and sore, now. Dr. Summers had come back, as promised, and shot him full of something. Whatever it was, he’d started to feel better right away. At any rate, some of the headache had left, and his mind had cleared up a little.
With that being said, he still felt pretty terrible.
Dr. Summers had pulled a curtain shut last time she’d left, giving him some privacy, but now it was pulled back again.
“Hey. Feeling any better?” Dr. Summers asked, poking her head inside the curtained-off area.
“What’re you doing?” Angel asked, pushing himself up into something resembling a seated position.
“Just checking up on you. Feeling any better?” Dr. Summers asked.

“A little.” Angel finally admitted.
“That’s good. Like I said, you shouldn’t feel the worst of the effects. You’re still going to be pretty sick, though.”

“Great.” Angel said. Then, begrudgingly, “Thank you, Dr. Summers.”

“Please, don’t mention it. Just doing my job. Oh! And you might as well call me Buffy. Dr. Summers sounds kinda stuffy.” She said, giving him a small smile.

“Okay… Buffy.” Angel said.
“Hey! The good news is that since you won’t be spreading it to anyone, you can have visitors! As long as you’re feeling up to it, that is.” Buffy said.
“Right. Thank you.” Angel said. He’d have to get Faith down here, get an update on how the ship was being run… he had a lot of work to do. He could do it from the medical bay, if necessary.
“Okay, then. I’m going to leave you for a bit, alright? Beep me if you need anything.” Buffy said.

“Let me get this straight.” Xander Harris, the chief engineer, was sitting across from Buffy. They were on the observation deck, sitting in their usual corner. “The captain is sick? And that means you get to tell him what to do?”

“I wish.” Buffy rolled her eyes, and next to her, Willow giggled a little. “Nah, I don’t get to make any big decisions. Ooh! I did get to put him on bedrest, though.”

“So, uh, who’s in charge of the ship? Is it Faith?” Willow, the chief science officer asked. She was still in her lab coat, and smelled vaguely of chemicals.
“Yup. She relieved him of command, 'cause he was being a big stubborn dummy as usual.” Buffy said. “He’ll be back in charge once he’s better.”

“So, what’s he like as a patient?” Willow asked.
“Oh, you know. Just like he is normally, except somehow more stubborn.” Buffy rolled her eyes again. “Stubborn, stubborn man… on the plus side, he is kinda cute.”
“Ah-hah, so you admit it. You do have a crush on him. I knew it!” Xander said, maybe a bit louder than he should have– at least, in Buffy’s opinion.
“I do not! Did I say cute? I meant, uh, boring and annoying. And did I mention stubborn?” Buffy blushed furiously.
“Well, Buffy, you gotta admit. He is kinda handsome.” Willow said.
“Well, then, you can date him. 'Cause I’m not interested at all. Nope. Not even a little bit.” Buffy said.

“Please. Oz and I aren’t looking for a third.” Willow said, playfully swatting Buffy. “Besides, you’re the one who’s taking care of him when he’s sick, and that’s all romantic-y.”
“Will. That is no one’s fantasy.” Buffy said.

“Ehhhh, I wouldn’t be sure about that. I think that might be a lot of people’s fantasy.” Xander said.
Buffy and Willow looked at him.
“What? Don’t act like you haven’t seen some of the things that are on the holonet.” Xander said.

Buffy laughed. “Ok, so maybe it’s someone’s fantasy.” She conceded. “But nothing’s gonna happen. He’s my patient. That’s all.”
“Heyyyyy Angel.”
Angel looked up, to see Faith sticking her head through the curtain.
“How’re you feeling?” She asked.

“Five by five.” Angel answered, with a slight smile.
“Cracking jokes, are we? You must be feelin’ better, then.” Faith said. “Don’t worry. I’m doing a great job running the ship without you. I’ve only caught the ship on fire like, twice.”

“What?!” Angel sat up in bed, ignoring his body’s protests.

“Relax, man! I’m just messing with you. You’re wound really tight about this whole thing, huh?” Faith laughed. “You need to chill, man.”
“So no fires, then.” Angel said.

“Nope. No fires. No problems. Everything is fine.” Faith said. “See? It’s going to be okay.”

“You’re probably right.” Angel said, trying to convince himself it was true. He trusted Faith to run things. Still, he couldn’t help but worry– all those niggling whispers in his mind, reminding him of what could potentially go wrong.

“Of course I’m right.” Faith said, affectionately patting him on the hand. “You just relax and spend time with that cute doctor, okay?”

“What? I don’t– she’s not– Faith, what do you mean by that?” Angel stammered.
“Come on, Angel. Everyone on the ship knows you like her. Just ask her out already.” Faith said.
“I-I’m not– I don’t like her, Faith!” Angel protested.
“Sure you don’t.” Faith chuckled. “Tell me how it goes, okay?”
Angel rolled his eyes, as Faith turned to leave.
Before she left, Faith turned around to say, “Uhhh, and try not to die from the gamma pox?”

“Thanks, I appreciate that.” Angel said, dryly, as Faith waved and left.
Angel took a minute to think about what Faith had said. Was it true? Did everyone on the ship really think he was attracted to Buffy? Was he attracted to Buffy?
The world was all fuzzy around the edges. Angel thought maybe he was a bit delirious, because he was having trouble seeing straight. He shut his eyes, and resolved to sleep.
Someone was dabbing at his forehead with a damp washcloth. All this advanced technology and damp washcloths still feel good, Angel reflected, as he relaxed into the bed.
“Feel good?” Asked a voice. Buffy’s voice.
“Yes…” Angel murmured, opening his eyes, and looking up to see Buffy looking down at him. Her touches were rather tender, as she gently dabbed at his forehead.
“That’s good.” Buffy said, cupping his cheek in one gloved hand. “This is the worst of it, I promise. Once your fever breaks, you’re going to start feeling better.”

“Don’t…” Angel mumbled, struggling to find the words he wanted.

“Don’t what?” Buffy asked.

“Don’t leave me.” Angel said, forgetting himself for a moment, and reaching up to grab her hand. “Please.”

“Not going anywhere.” Buffy promised, squeezing his hand gently. “I’m staying right here.”
“That’s good…” Angel said, “You’re… nice. I like you…”

“Heh, now I know you’re feeling out of sorts.” Buffy said. “I guess I like you too? Eh… might as well admit it. I do like you. I like you a lot.”
“That’s good to know… Buffy, if I die here…I should tell you…”
“Don’t be a drama queen. You’re not gonna die.” Buffy said. “Tell me later. When you’re all better.”

“Okay…” Angel whispered. “I think I’m going to go to sleep now…”

“That’s good. Get some sleep. Sleep is of the good.” Buffy said.
Angel dreamed about wandering around the ship, desperately looking for a water fountain. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find one, though his throat burned with thirst. He found one, but Faith was guarding it fiercely, drinking up what must’ve been gallons of water.
“Hey, can I get some water?” Angel asked.
Faith growled at him.
“I just want some water.”

Faith growled again.
“Faith, I just want some water!” Angel threw his hands up in frustration, and went to look for another water fountain.
The next water fountain he found was broken, and no water came out of it. Angel absently wondered where the maintenance people were, and why they weren’t fixing it.
He found a third water fountain, but it was being guarded by Riley, who was trying to fill up a comically large water bottle. Angel was about to tackle his friend and fight him, in a territorial dispute over what was apparently the one working water fountain on the ship, but then he woke up, gasping and panting, no water fountains or Riley or Faith in sight.
He was still thirsty, though.
“Buffy?” Angel called out, his voice raspy.
A few moments later, Buffy poked her head through the curtain. “What’s going on?”

“Can I, uh… can I get some water?” Angel asked.

“Sure. Let me get some for you, okay?” Buffy patted him on the arm, almost affectionately.
A few days later, and Angel had finally recovered enough to be released from the medical bay.
“And you promise me that you’re going to rest and take it easy?” Buffy asked, hands on her hips.

“Yes.” Angel said.
“Good. Cause I don’t wanna see you back in here anytime soon.”
“Oh.” Angel said, glancing at his feet. “I… uh, I’m sorry if I was rude. When I came in, I wasn’t feeling very good, and I may have been… less than cordial.”
“That’s not what I meant, but I appreciate the sentiment.” Buffy said, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Oh. What did you mean, then?”

“I was wondering… and maybe this is weird, what with you being technically my boss and all but… I was hoping to see you under… different circumstances.” Buffy said.
“Like… a date?” Angel asked.

“Well, of course, I only meant, if you’re okay with that…” Buffy blushed bright pink. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to… rush into anything, but with everything that’s going on… I just… I’m starting to feel…things…”
“Oh. Well, I’d like that. I’d like that a lot. I’m also starting to feel… things.” Angel smiled. “Can I… can I kiss you, now?”

Buffy smiled. “I was hoping you’d say something like that.”
She leaned up, then, wrapping her arms around his waist, and gently pressing her lips to his.