The Willow and Buffy Song
by Acepilot
Come Sail Your Ships Around Me
[reviews]
"The Willow and Buffy Song"
Acepilot87
Disclaimers: The mighty Joss Whedon created these wonderful characters...I'm just re-writing his work so it comes out like it was meant to. The music is, once again, by Nick Cave - this time we have "The Ship Song" from the album "The Good Son".
Pairing: Buffy and Willow (for real this time)
Rating: PG-15 (Is that a real rating?) for angst. Nothing major.
Feedback: Gotta have it. Post a review, or hit me with an e-mail (batoutofhell25@yahoo.com and acepilot87@hotmail.com)
Distribution: Just tell me where - I don't care. (That wasn't meant to rhyme) Can be found on "I Kind Of Love You"...
Setting/Spoilers: Follows on immediately from "An Interventionist God", so all setting/spoilers warnings for that still apply...
Authors Notes: Well, here's the third chapter...sorry that the last one was kind of lousy, I just wanted to get the base for this settled. Right, here we go.
Dedication: To Kylie and Amanda...because they remind me of Buffy and Willow. They really should get together, but other people are too busy running their lives...
Chapter 3
Come Sail Your Ships Around Me
Acepilot87
Buffy stepped into the darkened auditorium. It was indeed music. She could see the musician on stage...and she was completely shocked at who it was that was playing the piano. Her fingers worked effortlessly on the keys, her red mane flowing around her head. The song was beautiful, and Buffy was instantly caught in it's flow, but she couldn't quite pick what it was.
It didn't really matter though. As captivated as she was by the music, it in no way compared to the way she was captivated by the pianist.
Slowly, cautiously, she walked down the aisle, in between the chairs, towards the stage.
---
Willow was semi-concious of the fact that there may have been someone in the hall with her. She quietly told her subconcious that it was being ridiculous, and that there was no-one in there with her. No-one could have broken her lock...
Which was when her subconcious looked at the clock on the wall.
It had been more than an hour...meaning her spell would have worn off.
She whipped her head around, hands falling from the suddenly forgotten piano to grope for the bag beside her on the floor, which contained her vampire fighting supplies.
She then focussed on who was standing in the aisle.
"Don't stop." The blonde slayer said.
---
"Buffy?" Willow breathed quietly, somewhat disbelieving. "What are you doing here?"
Buffy shrugged. "There was a vamp busting in. I dusted him, and I thought I heard music." She grinned slightly, and Willow realised how long it had been since Buffy genuinely smiled. Around her, anyway. "It turns out I did."
Willow wasn't sure how to respond, so she just settled on an, "Oh, uh, yeah." She found it decidedly strange that she, Willow Rosenberg, the most legendary babbler in Sunnydale history, was at a complete loss for words - whether they made sense or otherwise.
"Do you do this often?" Buffy asked, indicating the piano.
Willow looked at the piano as if wondering what Buffy was talking about, then it struck her. "Oh, play. Uh, every now and then."
Buffy nodded. "Why haven't you played for me before?" the slayer asked.
'I wasn't aware I was playing for you now.' Willow thought, but didn't voice it. "I don't like to play in front of other people."
"Do you sing too?" Buffy asked.
Willow shrugged, for a moment forgetting the tense state that she and Buffy were in. "Occasionaly. I'm no good." Her face flushed red as she realised that she'd just admitted to singing.
Buffy looked up shyly. "I don't suppose..."
Willow shook her head with a little bit of fear in her eyes. "No, no, no, no...I really, really don't sing in front of other people."
Buffy's shoulders slumped...she really wanted to hear Willow sing. She didn't know why...maybe it just had to do with the revelation she'd had tonight - the revelation that, though she valiantly tried to deny, was completely correct and in existence - or maybe it was just in an effort towards rebuilding their friendship. She didn't care.
"Oh well..." Buffy said. "I guess I'll just let you get back to it then." She turned to leave.
Willow suddenly felt pain grab at her chest. "Wait, Buffy..." She called out to the Slayer's retreating back.
Buffy turned around, putting on her puppy-dog eyes, hoping they still effected Willow.
"I won't sing." Willow said.
Buffy shrugged. "That's okay." She said, suddenly completely upbeat. She took a seat in the front row.
---
Willow took a deep breath and turned back to the keyboard. She hadn't played for anyone in...well, she hadn't really played for anyone since she learned how to play, and that someone was her instructor.
But, this was Buffy. And the fact that Buffy hadn't just checked she was alright and left at least suggested that she was willing to work on their friendship. At least, that was what Willow hoped it meant.
'Right, stop thinking Rosenberg. Just play.'
And with that, she gave herself over to her escape...but this time, she brought the person who might still be her best friend along.
/Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history baby
Every time you come around
Come loose your doves upon me
And let your hair hang down
You are a little mystery too me
Every time you call around\
Buffy was completely entranced. She watched Willow move and wondered vaguely if the redhead had any idea how beautiful she looked when she was doing this. There was a strange fluidity and grace that leant itself naturally to the wicca, no matter how much Will herself tried to deny it - and it all seemed to come out as she played.
/We've talked about it all night long
We define our moral ground
But when I crawl into your arms
Then everything - it comes tumbling down\
'No-one is watching, no-one is watching. Just pretend no-one is watching...'
/Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history, baby
Every time you call around\
Buffy wasn't sure when it had happened, but suddenly she was on her feet. Pulled to the stage - pulled to Willow - as if by some invisible magnet.
/Your face has fallen sad now
For you know the time is nigh
When I must remove your wings
And you must try to fly....\
As much as she tried to block out the world beside her and her instrument, Willow became somewhat aware of the fact that Buffy had risen from her seat and was slowly but surely walking up the stage stairs...and towards her.
/Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history baby
Every time you call around\
Buffy crossed the stage not in the huge strides she would prefer to use, but rather in small, careful steps, trying not to startle the red-head.
/Come loose your doves upon me
And let your hair hang down...
You are a little mystery to me...
Every time you call around\
Willow was almost finished the song, a fact for which she was thankful. She could then get out of here and away from Buffy...and away from the strangeness that tinted the air tonight.
But then - it was too late. She could feel Buffy standing right behind her, and as she turned to confront the Slayer, she felt a pair of lips smother her own.
/Come sail your ships around me...
And burn your bridges down...\
For just about one instant, Willow allowed herself to relax into the kiss.
In that one instant, she allowed Buffy to bring her to her feet.
In that one instant, she let Buffy trail her hand through her red hair.
In that one instant, she opened her mouth, allowing Buffy entry, surrendering to the slayer's want.
In that one instant, she felt love pour from Buffy to her.
/But when I crawl into your arms...\
Then that instant ended.
/Then everything comes tumbling down...\
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