Reveal
by DawnBTVS
Chapter 21
[reviews]
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Mutant Enemy, Fox, Joss, etc.
Rating: PG-13 (think Buffy show for violence/subject matter/language)
Time Frame: November, 3rd Week. Sunday.
Pairings: G/J, B/W
A/N: I've hit 21 chapters... wow. I also re-watched the stretch from 3.07 Lover's Walk through 3.16 Doppelgangland. Such a prime area for Wiffy couplage (assuming Will rejected Oz in Amends, which takes a stretch...)
Buffy stood before the front door. A faint knock sounded on the other side. Buffy pulled the door open, not surprised to find Willow on the other side. The redhead was wearing a pair of blue hip hugger jeans and a green sweater. An odd choice considering the balmy weather.
The redhead lifted pained eyes to Buffy's, sniffling slightly. "You promised," Willow said, soft so the wind seemed to visibly carry the words away. Willow clasped her hands together and stepped backwards, stepping over a black duffel bag. "I warned you, Buffy. I told you, verbatim, woe is me... just in Yiddish. What am I supposed to do now?" Willow accused, leveling a dark look at the blonde. Buffy blinked.
"Will, you can move in with us."
Willow let out a sharp laugh. "Move in? You make it all sound predetermined. A way to persuade me to actually step up to something, just to fall back into your arms. Are you really that shallow? I thought this was an equal partner thing. If you wanted me to be submissive, you should've just brought me that gimp costume and stuck me in a trunk."
Buffy bit her trembling lip and tried to steady her breathing, arms hanging limp by her side. "I never wanted you to be hurt. I just wanted to stand by your decision."
"Aww," Willow drawled. "I wish my girlfriend could be that considerate. Oh, wait that's you. All powdered up and with stake in hand you're ready to proclaim to the world that we're lovers, are we? I'm observant, Buffy. You're still terrified of this us."
"I'm not," Buffy hastily interrupted.
Willow shook her head gently. "You are. It's good to be terrified, Buffy. It's clear to everybody that I pressured you. If I never said anything you could be blissfully in Angel's arms, snuggled up against his stout frame, content with the world. Blame me, Buffy. I'm a big girl."
"I thought it over, Willow. There was no corruption and I'm not shallow enough to be with you just because you think you pressured me into it," Buffy pleaded. Buffy lifted her hands, wrapping them around Willow's shoulders in a physical attempt to get the redhead to see the light. "Okay, I'm scared. Scared of losing you, of this not working out and missing you as a best friend."
"Not a lover?" Willow asked, eyebrow arched.
Buffy glared at the redhead, pulling her hands off. "I'm sorry your parents aren't open minded, Will, but stop putting words into my mouth." Buffy glanced over her shoulder to make sure her mother hadn't woken up. The house remained silent as Buffy stepped onto the porch, closing the front door behind her. "Going somewhere?"
Willow shrugged her shoulders, kicking her bag softly. "My aunt lives in Maine."
Buffy felt her blood run cold. Her hands stilled and all the blonde could do was gawk. "Maine? But..."
"New England has a lot of good colleges. Yale, M.I.T., and come on... a chance to pass up Harvard? I need to make something of my life, Buffy. I'm not a Slayer like you. I'm not pigeonholed."
"What about high school? You still have a year and a half, Will."
"High School? There are plenty of good private high schools. If I'm lucky, they'll accept a girl who can't control her witchy powers but has an I.Q. through the roof."
"You can't leave me, Willow," Buffy whimpered, tears brimming. "What about us?"
Willow gave a wry grin. "Can't I? I'm independent of you, Buffy. Remember? Equal partners? That whole fancy idea where the two of us can state an opinion? I don't need someone else ordering me around."
"Will?" Buffy breathed, feeling faint. Willow sighed and rolled her eyes as Buffy took a step back, her vision becoming blurry.
"Just understand that I fully take the blame for everything. I stole you. 'Course your advice led to my parents openly disowning me but in the long run, it'll work out. I'll get to attend Harvard and become rich while you get to save Sunnydale and reign as Slayer under the Watcher's Council." Willow stepped forward, duffel bag now in hand. She bent over forward. "Chin up, Buffy. Maybe the aunt thing won't work out either. If you're lucky, I could wind up with my grandmother in Colorado." Willow softly brushed her lips across Buffy's, lifting her head to plant a harsher kiss on Buffy's forehead. The redhead turned, calmly stepping down the steps, one hand in a pocket, as she made her way down the sidewalk. Buffy crumbled onto her knees, tears spilling freely.
Buffy jerked up with a gasp, fists clenching the sheets. Sweat trickled down the blonde's forehead as Buffy swiveled her head to her right, catching sight of Willow curled facing away, mumbling softly, but evidently not aware or concerned with Buffy's actions. Buffy tugged at her drenched top and sighed, leaning back against the pillow with a frown. Buffy rolled over, pressing herself against Willow, and locking a hand with the redhead's. Willow made a few small protests but stayed asleep as Buffy nuzzled the back of Willow's neck, eyes still open.
~~~BTVS~~~
Willow smiled softly, glancing over as Buffy wrapped an arm around the redhead's shoulder and rested her head down. Buffy had been acting clingy all day and while Willow was supportive of constant hugs and snuggling, even her snugglemeter was starting to dip towards overload. Willow rested her cheek on Buffy's head. "You worried?" Willow whispered over the talking on the television. Buffy had remained pretty quiet and Willow was confused as to why her shirt had been somewhat wet upon waking but Buffy didn't offer a reason.
"What should I be worried about?" Buffy asked, her gaze intensely focused on the screen.
Willow shut her mind off to the possibilities that ran through. "I don't know. It's just, and don't get me wrong because I enjoy, but you've been tallying up the touchy feely all day like you're trying to break a Guinness record." Buffy remained quiet but tensed against Willow. Willow wrinkled an eyebrow. "Buffy."
"You didn't pressure me, Will."
"Pressure? Are you having doubts? I-I thought that we had been a doubt free zone," Willow babbled, concern making her voice pitch higher with each word.
Buffy lifted her head off Willow's shoulder, offering fearful eyes at the redhead's own worried look. "I... This is an equal partnership. Don't ever think that I lord over you or don't let you have your say. Gag me if needed but if you have an opinion, please, tell me."
Willow's look turned to one of confusion, now lost as to where the conversation was headed. "Usually I'm the one making with the patchwork trail."
"You won't move to Maine. Over my dead body."
Willow furrowed her eyebrows, pressing a hand against Buffy's warm cheek. "I don't even have any relatives east of Cleveland, Buffy." Willow paused, face scrutinized in thought. "Except for Uncle Chester in Florida but running a red light and swerving a cop car doesn't win favors."
"But... colleges like Harvard."
Willow smiled softly as she rubbed her hand over Buffy's cheek while Buffy's other hand gripped the redhead's tightly. Willow wasn't sure what was working Buffy up but was intent on soothing the blonde's fears. "California has good colleges too. Sunnydale High isn't a pinnacle of higher learning, Buffy. Most of the mental aerobics is out of the classroom. For fun."
"You won't go to Maine?"
"No. Brrr," Willow added, shuddering. "Can you imagine the cold?" That got the barest of smiles from Buffy and Willow grinned at the reaction. "Is this about tomorrow?" Willow asked. Buffy's widened eyes gave the answer. "I won't throw away a relationship I fantasized about over my parent's reactions... positive or negative. You'd hurt too much."
Willow grimaced slightly at the pressure in her hand as Buffy lowered her eyes apologetically and loosened her grip. "Dreamscape wigged me."
"Thought you wanted to give me a Gatorade bath," Willow teased lightly.
"You don't have any relatives in Colorado?" Buffy blurted out.
Willow shook her head and pulled her hand away to let it rest on her lap. "Buffy, look at me," Willow ordered quietly, waiting for Buffy's eyes to meet hers. "I won't let anything split us up. If my parents... decide otherwise, I can move in here, right?"
Buffy shrank back slightly, earning a frown from the redhead. "Predetermined," Buffy whispered.
"What's predetermined? Is this one of those prophecy dreams?" Willow asked, concerned that Buffy's nightmare could be reality.
"I don't want you going to your parents thinking, if bad occurs, that I set you up or anything just to get you living with me, Will," Buffy proclaimed in a rush. "I'd never be that low."
"Of course not, Buffy," Willow remarked. "Whatever you had was a nightmare and that evil me wasn't me. It was... evil, had fashion sense, and was probably snarky or something. I love you. Yes, I'm worried that my parents won't exactly be accepting of what we have for each other and I am afraid of what they'll do, but that doesn't mean I'll suddenly flip a switch and stop my feelings."
Buffy nodded her head, suddenly launching herself at the redhead, arms encircling her neck. Willow rested her hands on Buffy's back, rubbing the blonde as Buffy exhaled, her breath cool against Willow's neck. "You were wearing a green cardigan sweater," Buffy mumbled.
Willow pulled back, face to face with Buffy. Buffy's eyes were quietly searching hers as Willow wrinkled her nose. "Cardigan?"
Buffy shrugged. "I love you, Willow," Buffy stated, leaning in. Willow tilted her head, meeting Buffy's lips with her own, soft at first. Buffy gently pushed, growing more aggressive with each second. Willow parted her lips, letting her tongue briefly dance with Buffy's before the kiss broke off. Both girls were slightly flushed. Willow grinned as Buffy stared back, a small smile quirking. "Just a nightmare."
"Just a nightmare," Willow echoed, resting her forehead against Buffy's. "So... your Mom's gone for the day," Willow trailed, lifting an eyebrow as Buffy stared back slightly puzzled. "Any ice cream left?"
Buffy smiled. "Are we thinking romance movie?" she teased, a slight blush rising.
Willow shrugged. "We-we kissed. I'm not saying we should jump into the fire from the pan but... refinement could be nice."
"Refinement? I thought I did good for a first timer."
"I'm a first timer too," Willow said. "And it was, very. But you know me and very good is never the top standard for me," Willow remarked, blushing.
Buffy nodded her head. "Perfection is an impossible standard but... a challenge is a challenge." Buffy eased herself off the couch and headed towards the kitchen as Willow scoured through the movie choices.
~~~BTVS~~~
Buffy glanced around the cemetery, stake in hand, patiently waiting the arising of another newly turned vampire. Angel was standing by her side, arms folded, and looking stoic as usual but ready to fight. "What happened to the nights where vampires rose early?"
"My rising took two days," Angel replied, eyes scanning the darkened surroundings.
Buffy quirked an eyebrow, now staring at the vampire. "Admiring the ornate coffin door?"
"Sometimes I wonder if I was."
"Sorry," Buffy apologized. "Stop that," Buffy stated as Angel turned his eyes away from the blonde's sharp look. "I know I'm edgy. Will's gonna talk to her parents tomorrow."
Angel nodded his head in understanding. "Did you tell your mother?"
"Mom caught on and gave us a healthy Mom speech. She accepts although it'll be that elephant in the room issue that all of us ignore."
"I'm... Let Willow know I hope it goes well. For her sake."
"Acknowledged," Buffy said. "Thanks for joining. With the public becoming aware, it seems that half the town's left and the other half has decided to become Batman with rifles."
"Giles told me you have backup."
"Yeah. The title of Slayer seems to have been combined with babysitter now. You've seen Faith?"
Angel regarded Buffy and smiled softly. "Leather, Boston accent, and Thelma attitude?"
"Knows how to endear herself." Buffy scowled down at the undisturbed dirt, kicking it softly with the toe of her boot. "Stupid vampire. Rise! This is your time to lurch out and growl and do nasty stuff before your permanent death. Can't you do something?" Buffy asked, gesturing at Angel towards the grave.
Angel smirked and shook his head. "I don't have that power, Buffy. Besides, you don't get irritated enough and it's fun."
"Take joy in my being irritated than because this is the starting point. This could be my last chance to sleep with Willow in case... and this undead's sucking minutes."
"Have you found out where most of them are located?"
Buffy glanced from the grave to Angel and nodded. "Jenny found most have centralized on the outskirts of the town, somewhere on a bluff overlooking everything." A hand finally penetrated the dirt, its fingers clawing down as the body began to push its way up. Buffy folded her arms, giving Angel an annoyed look. "Your kind should have collars that turn on at my whim. You might want to lay low over the coming weeks so you don't get shot after going vampy if fighting something."
"Your turf," Angel commented, stepping back as the vampire stumbled to his feet, looking around, confused, before registering Buffy standing before him.
"It's not nice to keep appointments delayed."
"Who are you?" the vampire asked, still trying to get his bearings. He lifted a hand, gently testing a finger against his fang.
Buffy gave him an incredulous look. "Slayer."
The vampire looked at Angel, clearly not getting any meaning from the one word answer. "So you're a rock groupie?"
"No!" Buffy yelled, exasperated. She lifted her stake, ire in her eyes. "Stake plus you equals quick death."
"Huh... Are you famous or something 'cause I'm drawing a blank here."
Buffy rolled her eyes and glanced at Angel. "Can't you hold him or make him fight? I should be done with the staking but it feels weird not having him charge ready to chug me."
Angel stepped forward as the vampire sized him. "Hey, man. I don't wanna fight her."
"You're a vampire. Where's the blood lust? Craving to kill? Come on, you're gonna give us a bad name."
The vampire stared at Angel and nodded, turning his attention to Buffy. "So, you want me to charge at you?"
"Duh!"
"Arms raised, fangs bared or just like zombie, lumbering?"
Buffy pressed a palm against her forehead in astonishment that this vampire was doing this to her. "Doesn't matter."
"I don't wanna eat you. Now, my stock broker? I'd like to eat him."
Buffy seized the moment. "Okay, I'm the ornery stock broker guy. Don't I look yummy?"
The vampire gave Angel a skeptical look and tilted his head at Buffy. Buffy's face grew weary and the vampire ran a tongue over his fangs. "Arms up like this and—" but the vampire's words got cut off. Buffy pulled her arm back, stake in hand as the vampire exploded into ash.
She turned to Angel with a glare. "I..." Buffy threw her arms up in disgust, already trudging away from the grave.
Angel smirked, following. "He didn't know you."
"Rub it in, vamp boy."
"Touchy, huh?"
Buffy glanced at him. "Having your reputation called into question? Kinda touches a button."
TBC