Making Things Perfect
by Rin
Resolutions
[reviews]
A/N: Sorry for the late update. I've had a busy couple of days. Don't worry, though...the wedding's on its way!!! Hurray!!!
And just for the record, depending on the recipe, Dawn is not cooking the dinner correctly.
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This year, I'm not sure about my resolution. I mean, I already have you, so that's all I'll need. Maybe...hmmm...I guess I'll resolve to love you even more, even though it's entirely impossible at this point. Okay, that'll be it. I resolve to bring you breakfast in bed more often, massage your shoulders and back when you look stressed, learn how to play chess so that you can beat me at a game for once...hmm...I'll even finally teach you how to do laundry properly. How does that sound?" Buffy was a fit of smiles and giggles, as she cuddled on the couch with a vibrant redhead wrapped in her arms. Willow just kept her hand underneath the white tank top that Buffy was wearing, and playfully drew figures with her index finger on the blonde's toned abdomen.
"Well, that's hard to beat...and I'm doing better with the laundry, you know? I haven't shrank anything lately." Willow leaned upwards slightly, and kissed the blonde's shoulder. "Okay...let's see. A new year's resolution...hmmm...oh! Okay, I resolve to not work so much, and rid myself of my workaholic persona. That way, I'll get to work out on the road while you take your next book tour. I'll just fly into the things that are absolutely necessary. I'll work it out with Xander."
"Wills...you don't have to do that. Your work is important, and it can't be easy running the label, and making sure that the Bronze runs smoothly." Buffy started sifting her tiny fingers through auburn locks, and smiled warmly when she heard Willow's sigh of approval. 'She loves it when I play with her hair...'
"No, I want to...and..."
"No, baby. You shouldn't stay away that long from here. Shit could hit the proverbial fan without you around; I've seen you work, and know how much you do. Your employees, bands, and even your bouncers like you. I don't want to take you away from them. Vi even threatened to stake me the first day I came in to bring you lunch after Thanksgiving. She said that I took you away from the office too long, and that it just wasn't as fun. I may want to be greedy and selfish but I can't all the time. I do have to share you sometimes." Willow stopped playing with her lover's stomach, and just snuggled into her warm, inviting body even closer, wrapping her arm entirely around the blonde's waist. Buffy loved it when they had a lazy day to themselves, and New Year's Day was no different.
The night before, they had spent going from place to place, finally ending up at Xander's for the Times Square ball to drop during the countdown. That Dick Clark...he's a winner. Rogue Slayer was one of the acts for Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve Bash, and Faith's presence was greatly missed at the party but they luckily got to hear her sing on live television. First, the two lovers had to attend a few hours at Willow's office party, and then Buffy had to attend her publishing company's party. Fortunately, they didn't stay long because Brie and tea didn't exactly excite either girl. Quentin Travers was even British when it came to ringing in the New Year. When they arrived at Xander's, Jesse was already asleep, and Anya was already half way to drunksville. It wasn't too long after that Buffy started with her own Cave Slayer routine. When Willow thought that her blonde lover was about ready to pounce on her in front of the others, she decided that Buffy had a little too much beer for the evening, and walked the few blocks back to their house, while Dawn and Adam stayed for a little while longer...something about Anya, and ohhh, the game of Life.
When they arrived home, Willow laughed to find Buffy passed out on their bed. When she finished stripping her girlfriend from her jeans and jacket, she went about getting ready for bed herself, glad that she opted to drink lightly for the evening. The hideous hangover that her lover had that morning was nursed to care by her, and now they just enjoyed being in the other's company, while Dawn and Adam watched a movie in her room upstairs. Alone time was something hard to come by with the younger girl in the house. However, Dawn had found a job working as an associate professor at UC Sunnydale, which was a plus. She would start teaching basic ancient language courses in the spring semester, since one of the college's primary professors had died during the break due to some mysterious dog attack.
"Okay, then...I've thought about it." Willow squeezed Buffy tighter around the waist, and relaxed again through a deep sigh. "My resolution will consist of me learning how to do laundry properly as you teach me...I'm going to kiss you more often..."
"I'm liking this plan already..." Buffy looked down, bunching her chin slightly, and saw Willow smiling mischievously. 'Uh-oh...what's going on in that head of hers?'
"And that's not the best part yet. I'm going to start working out with you." She moved her position until she was practically half atop of Buffy, and saw the blonde's eyebrows arched in amusement and curiosity. "Think about it...you, me...sweaty...together, and there's always shower fun to be had afterwards...together."
"Sometimes I think you're insatiable, Willow but that only makes me love you more...because you make me that way, too." Buffy leaned down, and joined Willow's inviting kiss.
"Sappy Buffy...I haven't seen you since last year." Both girls giggled, as Buffy playfully tapped Willow's forearm. "I think we have good resolutions, personally."
"Me, too, and you know, I was thinking..."
"...which could be a dangerous thing."
"Hey!" Buffy's smile gave her away, though, and she pulled her giggling girlfriend's body to straddle her own. Pulling their faces close together, mere centimeters distance from the other's lips, the blonde put on a mischievous smile of her own. "If we want to keep these resolutions, we need to start right away..."
"You wanna get sweaty?" Willow matched the husky tone in her girlfriend's voice, and licked her lips in anticipation. The two were definitely going to start the year off right.
"I was thinking somewhere along those lines, yes...but we have to keep another one of your decrees, as well..." Buffy moved the few centimeters they were apart, and started teasing Willow by barely brushing their lips together, then pulling back, only to kiss her swiftly, and listen to her girlfriend moan when she'd pull away again. She loved provoking the redhead, and always loved hearing the frustrated groans emitting from her. Finally, Buffy kissed her firmly on the mouth, deepening the kiss when she felt Willow wrap her hands within her blonde locks, twisting them through her passion.
"Mmm...more Willow kisses is the best resolution ever, bar none." Buffy smirked sensuously through her lidded eyes, and Willow's grin matched it. Leaning in to kiss her again, the blonde started fiddling with the thin t-shirt that her lover had put on after their shower. It was their day off, and they planned on starting the New Year with a bang. From the feel of it, there was bound to be quite the explosion.
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"Buffy, have you seen my clogs?" Willow was practically tucked under the bed, searching for her shoes but was finding nothing in the assortment. Buffy just watched her girlfriend's butt wiggle to and fro from underneath the moderately sized bed. 'Mmm...maybe I should just...' She moved over, and knelt down next to the half-Willow, rubbing her palms over the jean clad bottom. She felt the bed move up a little, and the little squeak that came from the redhead under the bed, and couldn't help but giggle at her sneak attack.
When Willow wriggled her way out from under the bed, her auburn locks were a static mess, and Buffy immediately went about brushing them down with her hands. However, the redhead's mock stern expression made the blonde pout, and move in to kiss the wrinkles on the bridge of her girlfriend's nose. When she felt her lover's wrinkles submit to the gentle kisses, she moved down slightly, and kissed her sweetly. Pulling back, she wrapped her arms around Willow's waist, and swayed them slowly from side to side.
"I believe that the Dawn monster has taken your clogs." Buffy smiled when she saw Willow's eyes roll in that amused way that meant she would have a hard time being stern once the inevitable denial from her younger sister came forth.
"She's the key. Sometimes, I wish that she were your shoe size; then you'd know what I go through almost everyday. For once, it'd be nice to find the shoes that I want that particular morning." Willow's pout was kissed away by Buffy, and she wrapped her own arms around the blonde, finally letting her move their bodies. "I suppose I should just pick out another pair of shoes, huh?"
"Uh-huh." Buffy nodded, and kissed her sweetly again before releasing her to grab another pair of shoes. When Willow finally put on a pair of orange retro shoes, Buffy grabbed the two duffle bags by the door, and shut the light off before heading downstairs with the redhead trailing behind her. When they placed their bags in the trunk of the Jeep, they went back inside to gather Bubbles, who was making the weekend trip with them. Willow felt the need to take a trip to the cabin, and Buffy had decided, wanting to show Dawn and Bubbles the lakeside house. There wasn't much argument from either of them, and the younger girl was already settled into the car, eager to take a vacation. It had been far too long since she had taken a family vacation, and decided that this would be an exciting adventure. The weather was a little chilly, so there would be no swimming in the lake but she knew Willow had a small rowboat, and the place was secluded, which meant lots of rest and relaxation. After almost five years of college nonstop, she felt that she deserved a lot of R & R.
Buffy had been hesitant at first about letting her sister come with them, mostly because she had wanted Willow all to herself, and it would be hard for her to make love to her girlfriend in front of a fire if her sister was in the other room. It wasn't something she was too happy about but the redhead had very convincing ways, and she succumbed in no time. What could she say? She was putty in Willow's hands, and figured that she would let her girlfriend drag her anywhere.
Once everybody was ready, and buckled in, Willow drove the group out to the quiet cabin. As soon as they entered, the two lovers were clung to each other, as they gave Dawn a brief tour. It wasn't that hard, since the cabin wasn't overly large. The young brunette insisted on bringing 'Cabin Fever' to watch but Willow immediately shook her head, remembering how she refused to come to the cabin for months after Buffy had brought it home one evening from the video rental store. Instead, Dawn brought books, a Walkman, CDs, and magazines to keep herself occupied. When the tour was over, Dawn immediately took Bubbles out for a walk around the lake but not without a 'be careful' from her older sister.
As soon as she was out of sight, Buffy practically leaped on top of Willow, knocking them to the ground before crashing their lips together in a long needed kiss. It had been an hour without a kiss, and if the resolution was going to stick, they had to do better than that. Buffy decided that there had to be a Willow kiss at least every other minute if she had any say. She just wanted to ignore the facts that they'd both be returning to work on Monday, and that she'd go long hours without them. 'Oh well...we'll just have to make up for lost time...' The redhead managed to find some control finally, and started to tug at Buffy's shirt, which didn't take long for the blonde to tear over her head, only losing lip contact for a brief moment.
"We...ungh...need to go back to the...mmm...bedroom, Buf...Dawn'll..." Willow was relishing the blonde's lips attacking her neck, and small fingers tugging underneath her 'Harvard' t-shirt her mom had given her that Hanukkah. "Oh...Buffy..." She moved her hands, pulling her girlfriend's head closer to her body, trying to get as much contact as humanly possible. When she felt her t-shirt wrap in a bundle around her neck, she whimpered at the loss of contact until her shirt was thrown to the side, and their lips crashing together in a bruising fashion. Finally, she managed to get Buffy to move with her to the bedroom, and slammed the door closed behind them with her foot, already working on unzipping the blonde's jeans.
"Willow..." The moan of her name caused the redhead to clumsily try to tug the dark blue jeans down Buffy's legs, causing a giggle when the blonde lost her balance, and pulled her down with her. Ignoring the pain from the fall, they latched onto each other again, and tampered with ways until their clothes were successfully removed, no matter paid to the burns or cuts from the scratches or rug. "Bed...now..." On Buffy's squeaked pleasure, they managed to stumble up onto the well-made bed, and immediately rumble the sheets. After a long awaited release, they fell back on the bed, a sweaty, sticky mess, and didn't mind the way their body secretions (both perspiration and results of their pleasure) felt as they clung together, panting heavily to gain some sort of normal breathing pattern again. With heavy, pleasured sighs, the two girls finally noticed that the sun had set, and started giggling at their lack of timekeeping.
"Dawn must've gotten back a while back. Maybe we should've been a little quiet..." Willow wrapped her arms around the blonde's body, as Buffy wrapped her body around the redhead. Sifting her hands through the soft locks, Willow sighed again, completely content with her company. 'It's like seeing paradise for the first time, every time...'
"Yeah...but I can't help it when you do that body roll thing...I lose all coherency, or brain control. I'm completely in your hands at that point."
"Both literally and physically..." Buffy looked up slightly, and saw the smirk coming from Willow, which made her lean her body up until their lips met intensely again for the seemingly thousandth time that day. Yet, it still wasn't enough for either. They were completely addicted to the other, and it was the sweetest addiction ever.
"Wills..."
"Yeah?" Willow moved into concern mode when she heard the tentative tone in Buffy's voice, so she rubbed the blonde's back lightly to soothe her.
"Do you have any doubts?" Willow moved her head a little back, so that she could see the confusing expression on Buffy's face.
"About..."
"Us...being married to me, in particular?" Buffy held her breath, hoping that she hadn't opened a can of worms, and that she would be rejected. Even after all this time, she still didn't feel like she deserved the happiness that she received with Willow. It was just so surreal, and she couldn't believe that she was getting to live a fantasy life, where the redhead was the fantasy.
"Never. I could never have any doubts about marrying you. What made you..."
"Oh, nothing. I just...it's silly but Xander was talking to me about his wedding, and how he had those jitters. I remember you telling me how he disappeared before the ceremony, and I don't exactly have the best record of not running away when things get too difficult. You have no fears or doubts?? None that I'll run?" Buffy leaned her body up on her elbow slightly, and positioned herself to look directly into Willow's eyes underneath her.
"None. Because you won't run...if anybody should have fears about somebody leaving them, it's me, and hey, newsflash here! I'm not the least bit afraid that you're going to leave. I believe in you. I love you, and nothing is going to stop me from marrying you on the beach in March." Willow moved her hands up again, and started sifting her fingers through blonde locks that were falling from Buffy's face. "What brought this on? Do you want to run? You aren't planning on running are you because..." She was stopped by a set of firm lips pressed against her own, and she had little time to react. When she finally understood that they were silly questions, she cupped Buffy's face, and allowed her girlfriend to deepen the kiss.
"I love you, and no, I would never run. Xander just made me start thinking about all the times that I ever did, and I came to the conclusion that I could and would never run away from you, from this, from us. I just needed you to know that. That's all. Okay?" Buffy gently caressed the redhead's cheek, and Willow moved her face further into the warm palm.
"I love you so much, Buffy, and you didn't have to but thanks for saying it." Willow pulled the blonde into a deep kiss, and rolled their bodies around until she was on top. Looking down with a sexual prowess, she didn't give Buffy time to react before she disappeared under the sheets again, prompting the blonde to grab the wooden headboard immediately upon contact.
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"Buffy? Willow? Are you guys here? It's starting to rain, so I brought Bubbles back in with me." Dawn was yelling when she came into the cabin, and didn't see her sister or the redhead in the living area or kitchen. Since it had been a somewhat lazy day, she figured that since she had stayed out longer than intended, and since the sun had set hours ago, that maybe the two had gone to bed. Still, she needed to let them know that she was okay. Being cautious not to catch them in a passionate act, she listened for a few seconds before knocking. Ever since she had moved back in to the Summers home, she had caught them one too many times, and had seen a few more body parts of both girls than she'd care to have ever. 'At least they have a healthy sex life...mine is nonexistent. All Adam does is studies my naked body...well, I say it's time to study his!!!' Knocking lightly before entering, she discovered that she was correct in both assumptions. The two girls were snuggled tightly together in a seemingly peaceful sleep, if their grins were any indication. Of course, they could also be from the fact that they were naked, and the sheet barely covered them. Their torsos were covered but their legs were jutting out from underneath the sheets in a tangle, and Dawn could only tell whose was whose by the pale and tan complexions. Since the weather was ultimately freezing for California, and moreso because of the breeze from the lake, Dawn moved quietly in, stopping Bubbles with her foot, and wrapped the blankets around the two slumbering lovers.
Moving back into the living room, she started a fire. It was one thing she'd learned how to do on one of her skiing trips with her friends from college. Now, it came in handy, and she beamed with pride when the fire startled to sizzle. She went into the kitchen, and started preparing some dinner for the three of them, since they opted to eat a light lunch earlier that day, and she figured that the two girls in the other room would wake up from their little nap, and would be extremely hungry after what appeared to be quite the workout. When the water pot was placed on the stove, Dawn dug through the grocery bags they had brought, and dug out the chicken and Bisquick. After that, she went about placing the forgotten items in their appropriate places, and knew from their lack of organization that they had started attacking each other as soon as she walked out of the cabin. Outside, she cringed with the thought of her sister naked and having sex but inside, she was beaming with happiness because their happiness rubbed off on her. Plus, a happy Buffy was much easier to live with, in her opinion.
After she finished making the biscuit dough, she chopped carrots and celery, and wiped her hands off, while she waited for the chicken to finish boiling. She went about gathering the girls discarded clothing, and folding them neatly in a stack that she placed on a nice wooden table along the wall. For the first time, she took a really, intense look at the decoration in the cabin, and noticed that it was really rustic. Having heard several stories from her sister about the place, she agreed that it looked like a real, American cabin from the movies. This made her chuckle, knowing that Willow had no real decorating into the house. She had told Buffy that she didn't want to change anything from the way her dad had it, thinking that it somehow preserved his memory. 'Well, it certainly looks like it...there's nothing quirky about it.'
When she heard the timer in the kitchen go off, she moved back in, and made sure the chicken was cooked all the way through before shredding the breasts into tinier bits, and placed everything back in the pot, adding salt, pepper, and a little onion salt, since they didn't have onions. She wasn't entirely sure how to make Chicken and Dumplings. She was solely guessing but she figured that it couldn't be that hard, since she knew what it was supposed to look like, and what was supposed to go in it, from the cookbook at home. It just sounded good, and appropriate for the Southern feel that the cabin was emanating. Placing a lid back on the large pot, she let it boil, while she sat down, and started thumbing through one of her magazines. Occasionally, she'd get up to stir the concoction, deciding that it was successful so far but the dough balls kept bunching together, and she'd have to separate them.
"Hey Dawn." She turned around from her stirring, and saw Buffy clad in sweats and a t-shirt, scratching her ruffled hair as she yawned her greeting.
"Hey Buff. Good nap?" Dawn smirked knowingly, and couldn't help but laugh when she
saw her sister's admonishing glare. Buffy was too happy, though, and couldn't hold the glare for long, giving into her own satisfied smirk. She moved to sit down at the table, bringing her socked feet on the chair with her, hugging her knees.
"Whatcha makin'?" Buffy sniffed the air, trying to place the smell but it was unfamiliar. She saw the Bisquick on the counter but apparently Dawn had put everything else away; either that, or was being extremely sneaky. Her sister stirred one last time before replacing the lid, and moving over to the table to join her, shirt powdery from her meal preparation.
"Chicken and Dumplings. I don't know why but I remembered seeing the picture in one of mom's cookbooks at home, and thought of it while walking around the lake. It's raining, by the way." Dawn closed her magazine, and pushed it aside on the table.
"Hmm...don't remember ever eating it. What are dumplings?" Buffy was trying to recollect the dish but nothing was coming to mind.
"Um...I think they're the biscuits. Either that, or it's the soupy stuff. I'm not sure, either. I'm actually just guessing here." Dawn shrugged, hoping that Buffy wouldn't give her the speech again.
"Dawn...this isn't another one of your peanut butter quesadilla things, is it?"
"No. I told you, I'm not going to invent that ever again. This time, I at least know what's supposed to go in it, and what it looks like. It's an actual southern food." Dawn gave her pleading look, so that Buffy wouldn't give her the wasting food speech. Luckily, her sister was too preoccupied with a yawning redhead walking into the kitchen at that moment, seemingly mirroring the blonde's earlier entrance. Buffy released her legs, and pulled the still yawning girl onto her lap, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend's body from behind, and resting her chin on the lazy shoulder by a mess of unkempt auburn locks. "Hey, Will."
"Hey, Dawnie. I thought I smelled something cooking. What are you making?" Willow tried to take some of her weight from the blonde's lap but Buffy was having none of it, pulling her back as though her strength was more than one would think just by looking at her.
"Chicken and Dumplings? It's a..." Dawn had another hopeful look, hoping that Willow wouldn't mind too much.
"Yeah, I know it. Tara used to make it sometimes. Did you get the recipe from home?" Dawn just nodded, surprised that the redhead knew about the food. She didn't even know it, and she was the one making it. "It's raining outside."
"Both of you have said that. I don't hear anything." Buffy listened but couldn't make out the sounds of the rain. "I must be losing my super hearing abilities."
"Yeah...we slipped you something that would make you lose your abilities, and make you have to defeat us using only your wits. No super strength, no super hearing...nothing. It's like a rite of passage..." Dawn was giggling at how Willow was teasing her sister, and Buffy couldn't help but smile, even though she was trying to play angry. It was just too hard to mad around Willow, even if she was only teasing.
"What exactly am I going up against here?" Buffy eyed between the two other girls, and wondered what exactly was going on in their seemingly concentrated minds. Willow was the one to resume the teasing.
"Hmm...I'm thinking you have to go against somebody crazy. Somebody really cruel...who has really big issues because his mother didn't love him enough, maybe." Buffy shifted a little to get more comfortable with Willow on top, and Dawn moved to stir the food again.
"This doesn't exactly seem fair. I'm going to issue a complaint." Everyone giggled, and Buffy turned her head on Willow's shoulder, kissing her neck while Dawn was at the stove.
"I think it's done...I mean, it looks kinda like what's in the book." She stirred again, looking down into the pot. "I think." The uncertainty in the girl's voice made both women tense slightly, remembering all too well the times that Dawn had cooked them all dinner. The young girl made three bowls, and brought them to the table. Buffy made them all drinks, while Willow got the spoons and napkins.
As they sat around the wooden table, the three girls chatted idly, and it was all together comfortable. Bubbles sat in a begging position by Dawn's chair, and she would try to sneak the cocker spaniel a bit of dumpling or chicken when the other two weren't looking. They all spoiled the tan dog but feeding from the table wasn't something Buffy ever allowed; she always said it was annoying to have a panting dog on your leg while you were trying to eat dinner. Dawn didn't care. She braved the odds, and fed the dog anyways.
"Are you excited about school starting this semester, Dawnie?" Willow was inching a spoonful into her mouth, eyes watching the brunette.
"Somehow...that doesn't sound so stressful anymore." Dawn's smile let the other girls know that the young woman would be just fine, and would possibly even enjoy her new job. "Yeah, I think I am. I'm meeting with the dean of the department this week, and then he'll give me my office, and go through all the things I'll need to know in general, and show me the basics about the classes, since they already have the textbooks ordered. I have to make a syllabus, and I picked up copies of the textbooks the other day, since I was already forewarned about that problem. Shouldn't be a big deal but yeah, I'm excited."
"Well, that's great, Dawn! I'm sure you'll be a great teacher. You get your own office, too? That's..." Buffy placed a hand overtop Willow's, realizing the beginnings of a seemingly endless rant of excitement.
"I believe you've made my girlfriend give the squeak of geeker joy there, Dawnie." Buffy arched an eyebrow amusedly at the two.
"What can I say? Summers women have an effect on me like no other..." Willow's fake, far away look earned her a playful slap on the hand by the blonde, and Dawn just sat back, realizing that they truly were a happy family, even with Bubbles still drooling on her bare feet.
"As long as I'm the only Summers girl that has certain effects, then that's okay." Buffy playfully threatened Dawn, and everyone just giggled as they ate the rest of the meal in comfortable, companionable silence. Since the young brunette made the meal, the two lovers volunteered to clean up, while Dawn went to take a quick shower to get warm. As the two were washing dishes, Buffy was washing, and Willow was drying, which the redhead regretted, since the blonde kept splashing water on her.
When everybody was done with their tasks, the three gathered around the fire that Dawn had created. Sipping on hot cocoa, they chatted about everything and nothing, sharing stories, plans, and even pet peeves. Once the fire started to die down a little, the three hauled off to bed, ready to get a good night's rest, hoping that the rain would let up by tomorrow, so they could take a quiet row in the lake.
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"Willow...can I talk to you about somethin'?" Faith peeked her head into the redhead's office, and was tentative about just walking in until Willow motioned her. Shutting the door, she joined her friend on the couch.
"What is it? Is everything all right?" It was her first day of work of the new year, and things were hectic as usual at the label. As soon as she walked in, it was like she hadn't been gone a day. She was immediately drowned in work, and all she could think of was the weekend, and the perfect vacation her little nontraditional family had shared. The cabin was always fun but it seemed so much better with family. She never remembered it being so magickal, as though some unseen force was making things so pleasant. Being there just with Buffy was always memorable but she couldn't shake the feeling that having Dawn, and even Bubbles there, it had been the best trip the cabin had ever experienced. Willow remembered the short trips with her father, and even then, something was missing, some element to the many adventures. Now, she understood what she had been missing all those years, and that was family. For the first time, the cabin had experienced a happy family within its walls, not a father who took his daughter there to make up for things, and would only pass her off to her friends to play, while he kept working. No, Willow Rosenberg had finally come home, after unknowing years of searching for it.
"Actually, I need some advice, Red." Faith felt vulnerable, and she didn't like it one bit. She trusted Willow but she still had a hard time trusting herself, so the usual defenses were brought up again, and hid behind familiar nicknames.
"Sure. What is it, Faith?" Willow's face scrunched up, concerned by the frightened look on the buxom brunette's.
"I have a problem, and I'm not sure how to handle this...I wouldn't normally ask but I'm not like I used to be, ya know?" Willow nodded, letting Faith continue. "Well, ya see...it's kinda ironic, really...I had two girls ask me out within two days."
"Well, that's not new for you. You have people flocking to you like crazy. It's part of being famous, Faith. I thought we'd already gone over..."
"No. I mean, girls I know...and you know 'em, too. Quite intimately, actually." Willow was confused, and Faith sighed, running her hand through her hair in frustration.
"Do you like either of them? I mean, are you attracted to them?" Faith noticed the confusion, and knew that it was now or never.
"Darla and Ken." The names were just floating there, and then Willow remembered a conversation regarding another former bad girl gone good (which still confused her). That's when the redhead smiled, and it was Faith's turn to be confused. "Come on...give me somethin' here...ya gotta admit the irony here."
"Well, irony's kind of ironic that way. Look, do you like either of them?" Faith groaned, unsure of what she felt. The only thing she had ever been certain about was her unrequited love for the redhead currently next to her.
"I don't know." Faith was vulnerable again, and groaned, letting her head fall into Willow's lap, as the redhead looked down in shock. The brunette was a little too close to parts that were solely reserved for a certain blonde but she understood that it was solely to hide embarrassment.
"Well, Faith...people don't always know until they get to know a person. I know that you and Kennedy have been hanging out but I had no idea that she liked you. It seems like something she'd mention to me. I knew about Darla, though. She actually came to talk to me about it, just like you're doing right now. It's nothing to be ashamed of; you're just not used to dating. I've heard all your stories. Just let me ask you this..." Faith came up from the girl's lap, and looked at her with hopeful eyes, wanting any kind of advice at this point. She just didn't want to go back to the love 'em and leave 'em routine she was so familiar with; loving Willow had changed her whole perspective on life and love. "Would you ever consider dating them? Like...could you possibly see yourself being more intimate than just friend with either of them?"
"Well...yeah. Both actually...but I mean...man, it's hard. They're so different. Kennedy still has a little bit of innocence in her because she's younger but Darla is an old soul, who has seen and done her share of horrible things. They're so different."
"Well...don't make a concrete decision yet. Maybe...tell them that you're not ready for a serious relationship yet but you'd like to go out with them sometime. Just let them both know up front that you'll be seeing other people, and leave out the part where you're just undecided. That way you're not leading them into something you're not ready for, and you get to see which one you fit better with; if you fit with them at all." Willow could tell it was killing Faith, since the brunette had never had a serious dating experience, and she was willing to see her through every step. "I'll be here for you the entire time, and if you even need, Buffy and I can double date with you. That's only if you think it won't make you uncomfortable. If so, then I'll only be a phone call away, as long as you let me know when it is."
"I don't know, Red...it's just so..."
"New, I know, and don't worry. I might not be familiar with the old Faith but this new you...you would be a great girlfriend." She laid her hand on the brunette's knee for emphasis, and to make sure that her words registered. "I mean it, Faith. I want to see you happy, and I hate to see you brood all the time. If things were different..."
"It's okay, Willow. I know. Thanks."
"Listen, how about calling one of them...the one you think you'll like the most, and bring them to the Bronze this Saturday. One of the new acts is playing, and I want you to check them out anyways." Faith nodded absentmindedly, and then the final part sunk in completely.
"Wait...huh? Why would you want me to check 'em out? Don't you have...I don't know...people that do that?" Faith's curious face was evident, and Willow couldn't help but smile at how much she had seen the brunette change since their first meeting over a year ago.
"Well, Faith...you have an ear for jazz. I just want your opinion on them. So, tell me...which one do you think you'll ask out first?" Willow nudged Faith in the side slightly, teasing her a little, and Faith finally relaxed on the couch, sighing as she leant back into the cushions.
"I'm not sure. I mean...I know Kennedy a little better. We've hung out but Darla...I've only had drinks with her once night when I recognized her, and we just ended up talking." Willow leaned back into the cushions, too, and rested her head with her elbow on the back, listening intently. "What do you think? I mean...are you okay with this? They're both your exes...that makes it kinda ironic...me being in love with you but your exes asking me out."
"Well...Kennedy and I were together about maybe 2 years. When I paid attention, and it wasn't about sex...hmm...the friendship was nice. She does still have that innocence you're talking about but she's been through more than first recognized. She's more the spoiled brat type. On the other hand, Darla...well, our relationship was nothing but sex." Faith arched an eyebrow, learning something new about the seemingly shy at times redhead. It was hard to picture Willow as promiscuous. Even seeing her with Fred in that tape, it seemed as though they had been in love, and it wasn't all about the kinky sex. "Okay...I know. I was numb to emotion. I just wanted to feel something, and I did try to make a relationship with some of them, even if they were twisted like the month I was with Darla. She's just...hmm...where Ken's the spoiled brat, Darla's kind of like the wild child that goes after what she wants, and isn't satisfied until she's there. She's more the seductive type. Kennedy's sweet compared to her."
"Well...who would have thought that you were a sex fiend? This is news..."
"Faith...please. I told you. After Tara died, I just couldn't feel anything...like I was dead inside, and my relationship with Kennedy isn't one of my better points. I really hurt her, and I'll never be able to forgive myself for the way I treated her. She really loved me, and I just ignored her unless I wanted something like sex." Willow's eyes were pleading, and Faith understood, as she gazed into the green depths that let the brunette know that it really was a tough time for her friend. "It wasn't until I met Buffy four years after Tara's death that I came back to myself. All the bad things that I've ever done...the way I treated Ken...I'll always regret them. The guilt will always be there but I'm happy now. More than I've ever been."
"You really are, Will." Faith sighed, and her sad gaze showed that she was happy for her happiness, too. "Kennedy."
"Huh?"
"Kennedy. I've lived the bad girl thing my whole life. I think I'm going to try out some of that innocence, see what that does for me. If not, there's always Darla. Either way, I figure I'm not doing bad for myself. Thanks, Willow." Faith half grinned through sad eyes, and Willow nodded, her expression somewhat the same. With that, things were settled, and the brunette left the office, leaving a stressed Willow to finish her work for the day, so that she could get back to start working on that New Year's resolution. Besides, it was laundry day, and she figured that it wouldn't hurt to have a little fun on the spin cycle, while she learned how to do laundry properly, and kissed Buffy over and over and over...