Loving Willow More
by Rin
6
[reviews]
A/N: Does anybody else have to go to the 'holler' for their family reunion? Roughly translated from hillbilly slang, the holler is the middle of nowhere, where gravel roads meet dirt roads but you have to keep going until the dirt road ends, and drive on grass...lol. Makes me so proud I'm from Kentucky.
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A few more loud nights were had in Sunnydale, and then there were a few eerily quiet ones. There were almost no demons out during those nights, and soon, the gang found themselves up against a group of fairytale monsters known as the Gentleman. Not being able to talk during those few days managed to halt the conversation Buffy and Willow wanted to have with their friends and family about their growing relationship. When their voices returned (thanks to Buffy's passing grade in Screaming 101), the two were just clinging to each other, and let the thought pass completely. They were so enraptured in each other that they didn't realize that the people around them were feeling left out completely.
Willow had met with Tara, and when the shy blonde took her hand in the coffee shop, the redhead stared wide-eyed at the affection. It was a bold move, and not one that she wanted from her new friend. Those touches were reserved for Buffy only. Having to let Tara down was hard to do but luckily she wanted to remain friends. She just needed some time. The shy Wicca really was an amazing, kind-hearted woman, and Willow was happy to tell somebody that she was in a relationship.
Buffy went to meet her in the coffee shop, like they had arranged, and overheard the part where her girlfriend was gushing all about her to her new friend. She had never actually met Tara, and Willow had arranged for them to meet them so that her girlfriend could meet the Wicca. When she felt her insides go to mush again, and heard Willow tell Tara how she really was madly in love but if things were different, she wouldn't hesitate to ask the shy girl out on a real date. The other blonde just nodded and smirked thankfully, and Buffy felt a large pang of jealousy run through her entire system. That's what made her declare to the entire shop that Willow was hers. Without warning, the slayer wrapped her arms firmly around her girlfriend's waist, and planted loving kisses all over her cheek.
"Buffy!" Willow was shocked at the display of affection, and her blush was more than evident. She began to think she was radioactive.
"Hey, my Wills." Buffy put emphasis on the possessive words, and the redhead rolled her eyes at her jealous girlfriend.
"Buffy, this is Tara. Tara, this is my girlfriend Buffy." Willow beamed at the thought of saying 'girlfriend Buffy' to another person. It made her all gooey inside, and she had to wrap her own arms around the ones around her waist, as she turned around to smile at the petite blonde. "You're early. I thought we didn't meet for another ten minutes."
"Well, I was going through Willow withdrawals, and thought I'd come meet your friend." Buffy released her hold on the redhead after another tight squeeze, and shook Tara's hand, who was ducking behind her hair nervously. "Nice to finally meet you, Tara."
"Y-y-yes. N-nice to f-finally m-meet you, too." The buxom blonde tried to hide her heartache but it was too hard once she actually met the beautiful slayer. She never could have competed with the petite girl. Buffy was the complete opposite of Tara. "I...uh. I n-need to g-go."
"Okay, are you sure?" Willow stood up, and followed the girl's movements with her eyes. They were hurried, and Tara was obviously trying to escape. "Are you going to be okay? Why not let us walk you..."
"No!" Tara was embarrassed by her outburst. It was just getting harder and harder to hide the emotional breakdown she was about to have. "No." She sighed, and avoided eye contact, as she clutched her bag to her front. "I-I'll call you w-when I'm r-ready."
"Okay." Willow was sad to see a friendship break like that. Tara was a really great person, and she wanted the Wicca in her life...just not how the buxom girl wanted to be. "Be careful..." Tara just nodded, and went along her way. That's when Willow turned to Buffy with her worried expression.
"I know. We'll follow her home to make sure she's safe." Buffy waited for Willow to grab her bag to her shoulder, and then the two clasped hands tightly, making their way to follow the obviously hurt blonde. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"She's a great friend, Buffy. I had no idea she felt like that. I didn't mean to lead her on... I wasn't even aware that I was..." Willow leaned more into Buffy's side, as the two kept their distance behind Tara.
"Well, you're irresistible. It's hard not to fall for you. Once you fall for Willow, you stay fallen, I believe." Buffy was confident in her tone, and as soon as the other blonde was in her dorm, the two embraced fully on the quad. "You're amazing, do you know that?"
"I don't feel like it right now. I feel like I've lost another great friend, and all just because I'm in love with you." Willow sighed, and relaxed more into Buffy's embrace. It was one of her favorite places to be...just being held in her girlfriend's arms.
"Wills, you didn't lose anybody. She said she would call, and she will. I remained your friend, even though I wanted to jump your bones every time you were around...which was a lot." Buffy giggled a bit, and kissed Willow's cheek. "It's torture, and the heartbreak is unreal but you said she was strong, so I'm sure she'll get through this. I've never known you to misjudge a person's character before, and this time is no different."
"How do you do that?" Willow mused at her girlfriend, adoring her.
"What?" Buffy just matched her adoring gaze with one of her own. It was one of those intimate moments, where they were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't care where they were. Luckily for them, it was Sunnydale, so there weren't too many students perusing the campus at night.
"Always make me feel great." Willow's smile was beyond words, and Buffy couldn't help but lean in conspiratorially to whisper playfully in her ear.
"Because you are..." With that, she started kissing the side of Willow's neck lightly. The redhead's eyes rolled in the back of her head when Buffy started sucking and nipping at the flesh behind her ear. They were so lost in each other that they weren't prepared when Buffy was flipped on her back with a stake just barely touching her above the heart.
"Shit, B! I thought you was some vamp out for a snack!" Faith's eyes were wide, and frightened at the fact that she had almost stabbed her sister slayer. She unstraddled Buffy, and tucked her stake back in her back pocket. Helping Buffy off the ground, she turned to smirk at Willow. "Well, I guess you were having a snack, just not the kind I thought."
"Faith..." The warning tone in Buffy's voice didn't bother her, so she continued.
"So... you really liked the slayer lovin' enough to try again, huh, Red?" Faith's cocky smirk was too much, and she didn't react in time to Buffy's fist on her jaw, knocking her back a little. "HEY, blondie!"
"Yeah, well... I thought you were out for a snack." Buffy cocked her hip to the side, and stayed in Slayer pose for a moment, waiting for Faith to stop wiping the blood from her mouth. Relaxing again, she grabbed the handkerchief from her back pocket that she carried for these types of occasions. Handing it to Faith, she was surprised that there was no argument. "Sorry, Faith. It's just... we haven't told anybody about us yet. It's not about the crystal, or 'slayer lovin'.' This is about Willow and me starting a serious relationship, and I'm sorry I hit you."
"Yeah, we're cool. Just... I haven't seen you guys in a while, and neither have the others, actually. Xand-man is kinda startin' to be mopey. I'm tired of dealin' with it. We all thought you just didn't need us anymore...what with being all college chicks and shit. At least now, I know that's not the case." Faith took the handkerchief from her healing split lip, and handed it back to Buffy, who just motioned for her to keep it. "That is the case, right? You still need us?"
"Of course we still need you. How could you think that?" Willow finally spoke. They had planned on 'telling' everybody, not get caught making out in the quad. At least it was Faith, and not Xander. They were really going to have to ease him into the whole situation, especially since he still had a jonesing for Buffy.
"Well, I mean, Red...you guys haven't been around much lately. I'm fine...it's the others that seem a little out of sorts with the whole thing. Do what ya gotta, I say...and looks like you've been doin' just that." The cocky smirk returned, and this time Buffy just rolled her eyes amusedly. "Look, I'm gonna finish patrol. I won't say nothin' to the others. It'll be just between us...for now. You can't keep ignorin' 'em like ya have, or somethin' bad might happen again."
"Like what?" Willow was curious. Faith obviously had something in mind based on the tones in her voice.
"Well, last year...when you and I...well, things were a little out of sorts. Nobody was together on anything; we were all on our own teams. It kinda broke lots of bonds between everybody. I'm just sayin'...look, I don't know what I'm sayin'...just... your secrets safe with me." Faith shrugged, and sighed before gathering her senses back, and heading to finish her patrol. Buffy had already patrolled earlier, so she was officially off duty for the night.
"Well... that was..."
"Interesting, I know." Buffy watched the dark slayer walk away, bounce to her stride, and senses on overdrive. It wasn't like Faith to be cryptic. "You want to head back to the dorm?"
"Yeah, I'd like that." Willow smirked mischievously. All kinds of late night activities came to mind, and when Buffy locked eyes with her... they knew it was going to be another long night.
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"What are you so happy about?" Xander questioned Faith, as she was humming along, walking into Giles's flat. The gang, minus Faith who had been patrolling, and Buffy and Willow who were doing who knows what, were all gathered at the Watcher's doing research on the soldier boys that Buffy and Faith had spotted a few times around the campus, bagging demons and vampires instead of dusting, or killing them. Thus far, they had come up empty.
"Well, let's just say I had an informative night." Faith smirked, as she walked over, and plopped herself down onto Giles's couch, throwing her boots unceremoniously onto the coffee table, earning her a glare from the watcher.
"Does it have anything to do with these demon snatchers in army garb?" Xander threw his book down, headache in tact, and earned a glare from Giles himself for not treating the ancient tome with the proper care. He didn't pay it much mind.
"No, nothin' along those lines. Let's just leave it at fun times, and move on." Faith relaxed more into the couch, and Anya glared at her when she noticed the smug grin she was casting her way.
"What? We've gone over this more than once already; I'm no longer a demon, so stop staring at me with the intent of killing me." When Faith didn't stop grinning, Anya kept going. "Hey! Stop it!"
"What am I doing?" Faith dared her with her eyes but luckily Xander intervened. It seemed that Faith's favorite sport these days was to get Anya riled up, and paranoid. Xander was always on boyfriend duty long hours afterwards, reassuring Anya that there was nothing wrong with her, and that Faith was just picking on her.
"Okay, ladies. On that note, I think it's time we all head back home. I'm getting nowhere tonight." Xander stood up, and stretched his cramped muscles.
"That's about the truth." Faith snickered, and Xander shot her a warning glare. Unfortunately, Anya took the bait again.
"Hey! I'll have you know that Xander gives great orgasms, and he will most definitely be giving one tonight!" Anya grabbed the young man's hand, and stomped out the door with a huff. Faith only snickered as the two left the apartment.
"I don't know why you insist on urging her into her tirades." Giles finished cleaning his glasses, and sighed before placing them back on his face, and sitting in the armchair next to Faith. "Now, about what you said earlier. Am I to assume that you have found some information regarding something prevalent in our research, or were you merely titillating us for your own pleasure?"
"Interesting choice of words there, G." Faith smirked, and Giles thought back to what he said, again cleaning his glasses in a more flustered manner.
"Yes, well... um... answer the question, please?" He returned his glasses, no worse for wear...yet.
"I can't tell you what exactly but there are some interesting developments that have been happening underneath our noses." Faith smirked again; it seemed the smirk was permanently plastered on her face tonight. She loved knowing something that others didn't. It made her feel like she had power over them.
"Well? Care to elaborate?" He started to clean up the evening's research mess, as he paid complete attention to Faith. In his duties with the younger slayer, he found that he gathered more information from her when she believed he wasn't giving her the third degree. Luckily, his training in the watcher's council had prepared him for such a reaction, since the slayers normally tended to have voracious attitudes. Giles was happy that Buffy was quirkier.
"Can't say what exactly because I don't know all the details...yet." Faith added that; she had every intention of finding out details. "Seems like B and Red have been keepin' things to themselves not because they don't need us but because they're... needin' each other more." The smirk was back in place.
"Hmm... how do you figure?" He started placing the books that were null back into their proper places on his shelves.
"Ran into 'em tonight on patrol. Thought B was a vamp... it's how I got this lovely partin' gift." She motioned towards her already healing split lip, and he turned around to nod his assurance that he had noticed it. "We talked, they explained, and everything's five by five."
"Ah, yes." He nodded once, not really understanding but he was used to the expression by now, and knew that it meant something along the lines of 'okay.' "Tell me, did either of them seem disoriented to you?" Faith had to choke back a laugh, remembering that yes, indeed they were quite disoriented. "Really? How so?"
"Umm..." Faith searched her technical liars bank for a good explanation without giving too much away to the man. "There was something else on their minds other than slayin' at the moment, which was why B didn't know what hit her when I knocked her down."
"Hmm... that's odd. Buffy is usually quite good at sensing. I'll have to add more exercises in training." Giles looked thoughtful, making a mental note to do as such.
"Well, I'm headed out. Got me a date with some music." Faith stood, and sauntered towards the door.
"Yes, well, anything else I should be aware of from tonight's slaying before you go?" Giles called out to her.
"Ah... nah. There were only about 3 newbies at Restfield, and 2 at Comrey. Other than that, I took out this really nasty guy with shit for brains... and I mean that literally." Faith made a look of disgust, remembering that she needed to shower THAT goo from her new leather jacket as soon as possible.
"Right. Well, I'll see you tomorrow for training then." Giles watched Faith nod and leave, and then he went back to cleaning up from the long night.
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"Oh, good. Cordelia emailed me back...finally." Xander quietly announced to Anya, who was currently asleep in his bed. "Let's see..."
Xander,
Thanks for the condolences. Doyle was a good man. Okay, so he liked to get drunk and party but... he really was a good man. I guess you could say he's like a martyr now...dying for the cause and all. That Anya...she sounds like a handful. How's that coming along? She still driving you crazy with sex?
I found the info you were looking for but it's nothing that's of use. Angel asked around the demon bars, and on the streets but so far, there's nothing regarding any soldier types. We'll keep you posted.
You just need to talk to Buffy and Willow. I'm sure they miss you, too. They're not ignoring you. It's overwhelming at times moving away from everything you know. We all miss you up here.
Fred has been dating Gunn this past month or so, like I mentioned (thank you for not saying anything, by the way). Apparently, she's not happy like I thought she was. The other night, she broke down after having sex with him, and she's been staying in her room all day again. I hate all of this. I wish that stupid crystal thing never happened. Her room is full of all the pictures, and I had no idea that she even kept some of Willow's clothes, which are quite hideous. I don't think she's changed out of that ugly pink sweater for like two days now. It's atrocious. I'll keep you posted on that front, too.
I'm glad that Willow seems happier, though. I hope that these two nerds can work something out because I don't know how much more of this ridiculous sobbing I can take. Now, tell me more about this theory that Willow has a new girlfriend? What did you say her name was again...Tara maybe?
We'll figure something out regarding all of our problems soon enough. I know it's not something we can afford in this line of business but...be patient. Things work out eventually.
Love, Cordelia
Xander smiled at that last part. For some reason, even though their relationship never worked out, the two got over their differences, and parted on a good note. They would always be each other's first love. The rest of the email was somewhat hopeful, and it helped to boost his ego a little regarding his feeling left out lately but it wasn't so hopeful on their soldier boy problem. The two had been emailing, or sometimes even calling when Xander found a free minute away from Anya, since she had moved away from Sunnydale. For that, the young man was happy but there were times when he missed the ex-cheerleader, and the many verbal tiffs that they would have. He smiled in reminiscence, as he turned his computer off, and cuddled up next to Anya on the bed.
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"Mmm...have I told you how much I love it when you do that?" Buffy was still tingling all over. Yet again, Willow had far outdone herself.
"Well, I aim to please." The redhead beamed, and climbed off of her girlfriend's back, plopping down beside her on the bed. The massage that she had just given Buffy was more for her own pleasure; she just couldn't keep her hands off the blonde.
"Well, pleased I am." Buffy arched an eyebrow, as she hummed huskily in the back of her throat. Leaning over, she captured Willow's lips with her own. "I ran into Dr. Walsh the other day."
"Really? What did she say, 'Ms. Summers, I'm not interested in your excuses. I expect results.'" Willow did her best impression, which must have been decent, since Buffy giggled.
"No, nothing like that. More like she knew I was the slayer." Buffy said that last part with a little worry in her tone, which Willow caught immediately.
"How?" They laid on their sides, facing each other, and wrapping their arms loosely around pajama clad waists.
"Well, she just took me into her office, and explained that she had somebody confirm I dusted a vampire. I was trying to do my cover up but the women's glare..." Buffy shivered in memory of the woman's expression.
"I remember." Willow added a small shiver of her own. "Why did she tell you, though? Something doesn't make sense."
"I know it doesn't, or, well...didn't. She wants to study me." Buffy had been thinking a lot about the proposition, and waited until she had thought things through thoroughly before telling her
lover.
"Study you? Like...test stuff study you?" Willow knew it was wishful thinking that it was all a joke but it was the Hellmouth. These things weren't funny.
"No... although, if she's ever asked my opinion on dummies, she knows the answer." Buffy shrugged.
"They give you the wiggins." Willow beamed, proud to know the answer. Her reward was a loving smile, and a quick peck on the lips. "Mmm...much better than a gold star."
"I agree. I might just have to test you later, and see how many gold stars you can earn..." The suggestive tone, and Buffy's leer made Willow's heart beat a little faster, and her eyes dilated.
"Uhh..." She snapped out of her daze, moving her gaze from Buffy's inviting lips. "Walsh! We were talking about Dr. Walsh, and how she wants to make you a lab rat."
"I'm not sure lab rat is the right term, though. She wants to know how I work." Buffy turned around to lay on her back. Willow just followed, turning around on her stomach, propping up on her elbows, and leaning over the blonde.
"Well, I could tell her that." The sexy tone was more fuel to the fire, and it was Buffy's turn to breathe faster.
"Not exactly what she meant...I don't think. If so, then...eww..." Buffy shivered again, not a pretty mental picture.
"Well, what did she say exactly? She wants to study your blood, or maybe endurance?" Willow was still unsure but something sounded fishy. She could also tell from the way Buffy presented the scenario that the blonde was seriously thinking about taking the psychiatrist up on her offer. The redhead knew she had to be wary, super best friend, and loving, supportive girlfriend but that didn't mean she had to let Buffy go into something dangerous.
"Um, I'm not sure exactly. It was all a bunch of medical crap that I didn't understand. From what I gathered, she wants to study what makes a slayer a slayer." Buffy turned her eyes, locking her gaze with Willow's worried ones. "Truth is... that's something I'd like to know myself."
"I know you do but are you sure it's entirely safe?" Willow started running her fingertips through the blonde locks splayed out beside her.
"She said it'd be controlled, whatever that means, and that their number one priority was my safety. I think this is a good opportunity, Wills. She's a world-renowned scientist." Buffy smiled over at Willow again, remembering how excited the redhead was when she explained the good doctor's credibility. "I want to know. Giles and the council only know the why ... I want to know the how and what. I feel like doing this will finally give me insight into what a slayer truly is... what my limits are, how far I can actually jump, just how many grown men I can lift, and bruise their egos..." Willow giggled with her on that one.
"It sounds like you've already made up your mind." The redhead was still wary but knew that once Buffy decided something, it was decided.
"I did but I wanted your opinion. I won't do this if you don't think it's safe." Buffy bit her lip, waiting for the redhead to answer the question. After several seconds of obvious internal babble, her girlfriend finally spoke.
"If you think you'll find answers, then I'm behind you 100% but that doesn't mean I think it's safe. We just don't know enough about this, or what her true intentions actually are. Don't rush into something that you think will cause more problems." Willow kept her feelings known from the expressions that donned her face. Buffy loved that her girlfriend was so protective of her, and completed her in so many ways. Where she was irrational, Willow was rational. Where she was physically strong, Willow was mentally strong. They just fit together, snapped together like Legos.
"Will you be with me? If I do this, will you stay with me when it happens...whatever IT is?" Buffy knew she sounded like a pleading child but she also didn't want to go this trial alone. She needed her Willow.
"Of course. Even if you didn't want me there, I would be there anyways. You can't get rid of me, Slayer." Willow beamed down over Buffy, and was not at all surprised by the gentle kiss that thanked her.
"Alright. Good...I was hoping you'd say that because I really don't like hospitals, and I'm afraid this is going to be like that."
"I remember." Willow smiled sadly, remembering the time Buffy had the fever, and had to kill that invisible monster that sucked children's souls for food.
"I know you do." Buffy smiled at her again, and gave her another gentle kiss. Wrapping her arms around Willow's back, she urged her to lay down with her, which she found no resistance. The two just lie there on top of the covers until Willow finally yawned. That test full of fun prizes would have to wait for another day. "I love you, Willow."
"I love you, too." Willow let Buffy move them under the covers, and lean over to turn the desk lamp off before they cuddled in for the night, and just enjoyed the warmth and comfort. It was the calm before the storm but they had every means to take full advantage and appreciation of it.