Flood
by Valyssia
13.4 Epilogue: The Seeds of Life
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Four
(somewhere in time)
After the Flood
The air smelled sweet. Buffy took a deep breath, savoring the scents. She didn't recognize where she was at first. The colors were all too bright. The rich green of the lawn that stretched in front of her looked like something from a children's program. As she scanned the yard, a girl with long, fiery red hair caught her eye. She followed her, picking up the pace, while restraining herself enough not to come off like a crazy stalker. Willow?
Willow sat down in the courtyard on a concrete bench, placing her book bag on the ground.
As Buffy slowly approached the redhead, Willow opened her bag and pulled out a sack lunch. Wow! She was so beautiful. She is so beautiful.
Looking up, Willow's brow furrowed with uncertainty. "Do you need something?"
Smiling brightly, Buffy considered how to answer. A dozen or more questionable things flitted across her mind before she finally chuckled and held out her hand, announcing cheerfully, "How 'bout we start with, 'Hi, my name's Buffy'?"
She grinned and subtly shook her head when Willow eyed her suspiciously.
Dropping her hand back to her side, Buffy added, "As first greetings go, it's the most approved—two out of three people polled prefer it." An amused smile warmed her features just before she prompted, "And you're Willow, right?"
Willow grew extremely anxious. After setting her lunch aside, she stammered, "That's right. Should I—do I know you?"
Buffy remarked honestly, "Technically" — taking in the drab plaid jumper the redhead wore — "not in the strictest of senses."
When the redhead glanced down, sneaking a peek at her cleavage, Buffy bit back a laugh. That's right, Will, they're called 'breasts.' If you only knew what you were gonna do to them you'd—well, I'm not sure how that'd go, but it'd probably be really colorful.
Buffy started, "Look, Will—" falling short as she thought better of the nickname. "It's alright if I call you that?"
Willow hurriedly rattled off, "Yeah—I mean, I guess, it's just that—well, weren't you with Cordelia earlier?" As she fell silent, her brow creased, reflecting the epitome of confusion.
After wiping the silly grin off her face, Buffy began to rummage through her purse. When she located a hair-tie, she set her purse next to Willow's untouched lunch and replied, "I guess you could say that, but I'd rather be with you."
An expression passed over Willow's face that suggested the blonde had lost her mind.
Buffy put her hands up and said reassuringly, "I won't do anything mean, 'kay? Don't wig out," and stepped around behind the bench.
Willow turned nervously, peering over her shoulder, and asked, "Wig?"
"Yes, 'wig.' Don't do it," Buffy replied patently, "There's just something I wanna do. I've wanted to do it" — gently turning Willow's head forward, she began to run her fingers through the long red hair — "well, realistically for only a few hours, but trust me when I say it feels like years." Will got her hair cut before I really got to play with it much. I always felt like I missed something. I hope I don't totally freak her out, but I just can't resist.
Buffy could feel her friend bristling under the touch. As she started to French braid the long locks of red hair, she whispered, "Just relax. It'll be okay. Promise." Amazed her words had any effect, she watched amusedly as Cordelia rounded the shrubberies with her entourage.
When the redhead tensed again, Buffy whispered, "Relax," and made eye contact with the brunette. Her eyes narrowed at the snotty looks she was inspiring. When Cordy opened her mouth to speak, Buffy cut her off by growling, "Just go, Cordy," in a low dangerous voice. Holding the braid in her left hand, she placed the right on Willow's shoulder to calm her and whispered, "Ignore her, 'kay?"
"Gladly," Cordelia snapped. Adding as she turned her nose up and stalked off, "Nice of you to show your true 'loser face' before I wasted my time."
When Cordelia was finally out of earshot, Willow sputtered, "But why?"
Returning to braiding her friend's hair, Buffy responded frankly, "Because I like you more." She didn't have to see to know. She could feel the warmth of the smile even standing behind her friend. That's right, Will. I'd choose you over a thousand girls like Cordy. They could line you all up in a row and when I finally got to you I'd take your hand and lead you away without a second thought. Hopefully they'd be nice and put you early in the line, though. 'Cause having to look at a thousand Cordy-clones—it'd be seriously disturbing.
When she finished the braid, Buffy quickly bound it with the hair-tie. Before stepping around to face the redhead, she gently ran her hand down her back.
Willow was beaming when Buffy came around to face her. Her expression transformed to awe and she stuttered, "I-I can't believe—"
"Believe it," Buffy stated firmly. "Grab you stuff" — she held her hand out — "and walk with me," making a 'come hither' gesture. She accepted her purse when it was offered and took her friend's hand, leading her toward the front of the school.
As they reached the edge of school property, Willow tensed and sputtered, "But! But, Buffy, w-we can't—we can't leave the school without permission."
Giving the redhead a sideways glance, Buffy offered patiently, "Do you trust me?"
"I dunno—I mean, I suppose—but we'll get in trouble."
"Trust me enough to step off the curb," Buffy said in a pleading tone, "Just for a second, 'kay? I swear I'm not trying to get you in trouble." I think I get this. If I'm right— She stepped off the curb to encourage Willow by taking the risk first. Turning back, she took both of her friend's hands and said, "See, nothing bad happening."
"But we'll get in trouble. Please, come back," Willow begged.
After releasing her friend's hands Buffy took a step back and teased, "Come get me."
Mortified, Willow gasped, "Buffy!"
Feeling horrible for scaring her friend, Buffy inched back to the curb and offered her hands. "Please trust me, Will. Just one foot. I have a feeling about this."
Giving the blonde a baffled look, Willow accepted the hands. Her eyes clenched shut and she slowly extended her toe down toward the street.
Buffy watched in amazement as the ball of redhead's foot met the tarmac. She does trust me. No clue why. It must be some fragment—something left over.
Suddenly aware they were moving very fast, she protectively wrapped her arms around her friend. Shutting her eyes tight against the barrage of sensation, she offered reassuringly, "I gotcha."
They came to a halt and Buffy opened her eyes. The Willow that faced her was four years older. She blinked to try and clear the confusion and the redhead gave her a gentle kiss. She remembers! Tears welled up in Buffy's eyes as they kissed. It was as though all of her prayers had been answered in a single act.
When the contact abated, Buffy's eyes fluttered open again. She looked around. They were standing alone on the beach. Waves gently lapped at the shore. She took a deep breath enjoying the salt air.
"Let me try?"
Buffy heard the words and registered them. She was moving again, but this time Willow was guiding them. Buffy walked along casually next to her partner as though they were simply walking down a corridor. Her senses reeled as the scenery whipped past. It was like being in a car without the confining cage. As the world rushed past, she had a hard time not flinching at the things that brushed by.
They came to a stop in front of their home and Willow led her to the door.
Still perplexed by what was happening, Buffy turned to make eye contact with her lover. The face that peered back had aged again. Willow was in her early thirties. She had a refined appearance, tempered by wisdom. Buffy blinked, wondering if she would change again.
"I am what you want me to be," Willow explained patiently, "You see what you expect to. We can go anywhere. Be anything. Those are the rules. Right now what I want is to go to bed." Reaching for the doorknob, she opened the door and stepped inside.
After shutting the door behind them, Buffy asked "You're tired?" and dutifully followed.
Glancing over her shoulder, Willow smirked and replied, "Not at all."
A bright smile lit Buffy's face. There was a bounce in her step as she made her way up the stairs, following her witch.
Terminus