when: 2008-02-18 18:29 what: Fic: Broken Rules, Broken Bones filter: Public tag: fic, giles

Ficlet written for drabble_much prompt 'secret admirer'.

Title: Broken Rules, Broken Bones
Character: Giles (post S2)
Rating: K
Word Count: 200


The words stay visible for a long time as the paper darkens then curls in the fire. Then both are ashes.
For what little it is worth, at least these words won't betray him now.
Secret words. Words of admiration. Words in awe of stealth and speed. Words of speculation about what heightened senses must add to a being. Predatory perfections. Seductive power. Alluring evil and hideous beauty.
Ashen words.
Watchers are forbidden personal diaries. Nothing should be filtered out of the official record by self-censorship or self-indulgence. All observations are relevant and should be provided to the council. There they are poured over, dissected, discussed, preserved for posterity. Everything is to be monitored.
Giles has always known this, but only now does he appreciate why these particular words, apparently trivial, are so vitally important. The facts he did provide for inspection were the poorer half of the story.
It's a lesson learned at too great a price: his lover dead, his slayer gone, his life and work in ruins.
There is no room for esteem of the enemy.
He deliberately uses his broken hand to feed the last pages to the fire.
He won't make the same mistake again.