by Paint the Sky » Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:00 pm
Hey to you all. Chapter 25 for you as promised.
Title: Quiet Saturday Morning’s
Author: Paint the Sky
Rating: PG13 – NC-17
Pairing: W/T
Disclaimer: AU. No spoilers whatsoever. Oh, forgot to add that I don’t own any of the characters in BTVS, I’m only playing with them.
Feedback: Yeah, sure, why not.
Summary: Shy, newly gay Willow Rosenberg and her first venture into love with an equally shy blonde.
Note: This is my first attempt at any kind of fiction since I left school many, many moons ago. After a long time reading the fics on this site and others I thought why the hell not, give it a whirl, try it on for size and all that.
Chapter 25
A nagging in the pit of her stomach awoke Tara from her happy sleep and she groaned as her full bladder protested at the weight pressing against it.
She glanced down to where Willow’s arm lay across her, the elbow being the culprit that was hastening her need to leave her warm bed and traipse to the bathroom.
Willow’s head was cradled between her upper arm and breast, and with every breath hot air bathed her nipple, the gentle current stirring the nub to attention. Tara groaned again, this time from the sensation of tightness that was beginning to awake desires in other regions.
Unfortunately for Tara the urgency of her of bladder had prominence over pleasure and she gently lifted Willow’s arm from her body and carefully slipped from the bed with only a grumble and a snore from the redhead that thankfully wasn’t enough to waken her.
The blonde quickly pulled on the clothes she had discarded earlier and quietly left the room and headed to the bathroom.
Doing what she had to do quickly she hurried back to her room just in time see Salix jump onto the bed and sniff around the strange girl in her Mommy’s bed. She closed the door quietly not wanting to wake Willow, but more so not to disturb the kitten who was very interested in the redhead.
Leaning on the doorframe, Tara watched the scene unfold. She smiled as the kitten got braver and licked at Willow’s face, its little pink tongue extending to fullest extent as it tasted her namesake.
“Mmm, rough,” Willow mumbled and turned her head away and rubbed the side of her face into the pillow.
Tara continued to watch, biting down on her knuckle and half swallowing the laughter that threatened to engulf her, as the kitten now put its paws on Willows head and jumped over it landing on the pillow beside her and began its licking again. From where she stood she could see Willow scrunch up her face as the rough pink tongue went to work. Tara bit down harder on the now painful knuckle, the urge to laugh building by the moment as Willow’s hand came up and batted at the kitten that leapt out of the way at the last moment causing the sleeping redhead to smack her own cheek.
Salix thought this was a great game, and ventured forward again and slowly reached out a paw just as Willow opened her eyes. Catching site of the furry bundle just inches from her face caused the semi-awake redhead to squeal and propel herself backwards in an attempt to evade the clawed foot that was making for her face. The noise frightened the kitten into a leap and mid-air turn followed by a scramble for the safety of the floor.
“Wha...what the hell was that?” she asked in a high pitched tone of Tara who was doubled over with laughter at both the expression on Willow’s face and the aerial acrobatics of the kitten.
Gasping for breath she managed one word, “kitten,” and tried a serious face in the hope it would quell her mirth.
On the bed Willow was breathing hard, her rude and abrupt awakening made her heart beat speedily and her face and upper body were flushed, and the effects of the most basic instinct to flee or fight where still evident as Tara moved to the bed to envelop her in a hug.
Wrapping her arms around the redhead Tara stroked her back with one hand and eased Willow’s head onto her shoulder with the other.
“That probably wasn’t the best way to wake up, was it?” she said, thankful Willow couldn’t see the smirk on her face. She kissed a freckled shoulder as her girlfriend cuddled in and held her tighter.
“It has its compensations,” she enthused as she rubbed her cheek against soft silky hair and slid her hands under Tara’s t-shirt loving how her hands moved over the smooth skin she found there.
“Sorry about that, I thought she was in her carrier,” the blonde explained with a shiver as Willow fingertips traced her spine, “she must’ve opened the catch, she‘s a quick study,” she gasped as the redhead brought her hand round to squeeze her breast, “just like you.”
Tara kissed along Willow’s shoulder, adding small bites as her lips found their way to Willow’s neck, her heartbeat rose as a low moan escaped her lips and warmth spread out though her body. She could feel the strong pulse under her tongue as she alternated between kisses and licks. Willow’s hand was hot against her skin and she felt the fingertips play and tease at her nipple, “Come back to bed, baby, help me get over my trauma.”
“Trauma?” she questioned lifting her head so she could look at Willow.
“Yep, trauma. Wild animal attack equals trauma,” said Willow in all seriousness, though the twinkle in her green eyes said different.
“You’re adorable,” Tara said as fingertips tweaked her nipple making her gasp, “and very insistent, but, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, don’t you think we should talk about things?”
Willow looked at her lover taking in the hue of her skin, and the deepness of blue in her eyes. She felt the heave of her breast and the hardness of her nipple as deep breaths pushed Tara’s flesh into her hand. Her own breathing was shallow, and she was very aware that her nakedness hid nothing of her own desire. She glanced down at her breasts, pale skinned and pink nippled, that ached to be touched. She felt that ache all the way down to the most intimate of places where heat and moisture combined to steam all good sense from her. She knew they needed to talk, but she didn’t want to break the spell their passion, need and love had conjured. Phrases such as ‘too soon’, and ‘should we have waited’ were redundant in light of what they had given to each other. Willow didn’t regret their night, and the way Tara was leaning into her touch and stoking her skin told her that her lover didn’t either. Did she?
“We can talk about things. We can talk about how your kisses drive me wild, we can talk about how your tongue makes me feel,” she whispered into the warm skin beneath Tara’s ear as she placed soft kisses there, “we can even talk about how it felt with you inside me,” she smiled as Tara’s hands moved from her back to claim her breasts.
“Oh, god, when did you get so bold?” groaned Tara as her lover’s words painted pictures in her mind, this side of Willow was making her crazy.
“You make me bold, my love for you makes me bold,” she told her with total conviction, “I never thought I could be, and its kinda scary” she said with an honesty that surprised her enough to cause tears to well up in her eyes. She took a deep breath to steady her emotions, but still the tears came and they spilled out and onto her cheeks. A small sob escaped her lips and she was overcome with the need for comfort from the woman who held her.
She slipped her hand from under Tara’s t-shirt and wrapped both arms around her and held her tightly allowing the tears to come.
Feeling the shift in mood, Tara immediately put her arms around Willow, “Shssh, sweetie, its ok,” she soothed, “I know how you feel. I feel it too. The excitement, the fear, love, want, need. Big emotions Will, and they are scary. If you knew some of things I’ve been thinking about these last few days…” she pushed those images away, now wasn’t the time to dwell on them, “I’ve never felt this way before either, we can experience it all together.”
“I’m such a spazz, trying to be all sexy with the spicy talk, and ending up crying like a baby,” she hiccoughed, “kinda broke the mood huh?”
Tara looked down at the bundle in her arms, green eyes wet with tears and full of apologies looked back at her. Willow looked so small, so unsure of herself that Tara’s heart ached to see it.
“You’re my spazz,” she smiled, her mouth giving that half lift that Willow had come to love, “and the spicy talk was good, it was very good even, no trace of babble at all.”
“Ok, now your just teasing me, that isn’t a nice thing to do to an emotional train wreck, especially one that loves you,” she pouted, then she smiled as Tara’s lips came down to meet hers in a kiss.
The contact was soft, the earlier heat had dissipated with Willow’s tears and they both enjoyed it for what it was, comfort and understanding but most of all love.
“I love you too, Will,” she said as the kiss ended, “and, sweetie, its time to get your train back on track, you have class in two hours.”
“Mmm…I know. Real life had to make an appearance eventually I suppose, stupid classes, I mean is education so important that it has to take me away from a warm bed and a hot babe? It’s not fair I tells ya!” she said and reluctantly unwrapped herself from Tara and stood by the side of the bed scoping out the floor for her clothes.
Surprisingly Willow felt no embarrassment in her nakedness as she gathered her clothes from the floor and sat them on the bed, and even if she did it was too late now as she stood au natural beside the bed. Tara on the other hand had turned away when her girlfriend had bent over to lift her belongings, it had seemed the polite thing to do, and she had stifled a giggle in doing so. She couldn’t help but feel she was in some surreal situation, Willow was certainly more complex than she had first thought. She had gone from vixen to child in a matter of moments, and then standing there in all her naked glory had transcended to all woman. Tara thought she would burst with love. Willow was everything and more, and as she dressed, sniffing at her clothing and scrunching her face as she rated each piece for cleanliness Tara watched every action totally transfixed and highly amused.
Willow pulled on her t-shirt, her head emerging with a smile as she realised how intently she was being watched, “What?” she asked the amused blonde.
“Nothing, just watching, that’s ok, isn’t it?” she said, unsure now if it was ok.
“Funnily enough, it is, and believe me when I say no-one is more surprised than me, but I’ve come a long way in a few hours,” she said by way of explanation, “Um…I could’ve sworn I was wearing panties last night, but I can’t find them,” she continued looking around again.
Tara frowned as she tried to remember what she done with them after she had slowly removed them from Willow’s body. She pictured herself kissing her way down Willow’s torso, and taking the cotton panties with her as she continued her journey down the redhead’s thighs. She remembered pulling them over her ankles and dropping them beside the bed.
“Tara, Tara,” Willow’s voice was accompanied by a clicking of her thumb against her index finger. As she came back to focus she realised that the clicking was a fillip designed to get her attention, “panties, any ideas?”
“Mmm, yeah, plenty,” she murmured, still lost in her remembrance. She looked up into Willow’s face and saw a blush and a smile play there, almost as if her girl had read her mind, “Sorry,” she blushed, and gave her lover an apologetic half smile “um…check under the bed.”
Willow got on her hands and knees and peered under the bed. Lying among various cat toys were her panties. Or rather what was left of them. White cotton lay in shreds, and Tara’s kitten had a guilty look on its face.
“C’mere you,” she said reaching in and scooping the kitten from its hiding place, “Auntie Willow has something to say to you, you panty thief.”
With a mewl of protest and resignation the kitten was placed on the bed beside Tara, “I found my panties, but not before she did, looks like I’m going commando,” she said straightening and dusting her hands off.
“Will, please put your sweats on, I’m not sure how much longer I can resist throwing you on the bed, and removing the little you are wearing,” Tara admitted, after seeing Willow’s ass wave enticingly as she searched for her panties. She blushed at her own directness, but loved the fact she felt comfortable enough to express herself in such a way.
“Oh, sorry, yeah, sorry,” she apologised and grabbed her sweats and almost fell over putting them on, “better?” she smiled at her blushing girlfriend, “but, just so as you know, I wouldn’t have put up much of a fight.” To be on the safe side she put on her socks and sneakers too.
“Thank you, now what happened to your panties?” she said stroking the kitten who was curled on her lap, purring loudly and revelling in the attention she was getting.
“Freddy Krueger there,” she accused, pointing at the helpless furball,” shredded them beyond repair.”
“Oh, I see, well, on behalf of my kitten, I apologise, she’s a bad kitty and she won’t get any catnip as punishment, how’s that?” she offered and bit her lip so as not to smile too much.
“It’ll do,” she conceded and sat on the bed beside them both, “but its only cos she’s very cute,” she qualified, petting the kitten and smiling as the purring bundle squirmed under her fingers, “just like her Mommy.”
Tara sighed and gave Willow a quick kiss and laid her head on the redheads shoulder, “Will, I wish you didn’t have to go,” she said quietly, as a sudden sadness came over her.
Putting her arm around her Willow sighed too, “I know, but I could come back later tonight if you want. Maybe sleep over again?” she asked shyly, “I liked walking up with you.”
Twisting her head to look at her love, Tara grinned and lifted the kitten from her lap and sat her safely on the bed. She turned and pushed Willow back onto the bed and kissed her. Warm and wet tongues intermingled in her mouth and Willow’s hands wound themselves tightly in her hair. She pulled back slightly and worried Willow’s bottom lip between her teeth, “Bring extra panties, next time it won’t be the kitten that shreds them,” she growled, “now, you better go, or I may not able to let you go.”
“Ok,” Willow squeaked, totally fazed by the image Tara created in her mind, “Uh, you have to let me up so I can be all with the going, even though I’d rather be with all the staying.”
With a final searing kiss that left them both breathless, Tara raised herself up and Willow slid out from below her.
She quickly grabbed her bag and jacket and rushed for the door, turning she saw that Tara was laying on her back, and with one last long look and an utterance of her love for the blonde she opened the door and left the room.
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Stevenson Hall was a buzz of activity when she arrived back, and she groaned at the thought of the bathroom being crowded with assorted females all vying for the showers. There wasn’t going to be much hot water left she surmised as she gathered her towel and shower kit. She smiled thinking a cold shower may not be a bad thing, just what she needed to refocus the grey matter. That’s if there was anything left to focus, Tara’s last comment and kiss had just about sent her brain into meltdown. Damn, that woman was as hot as hell, and all the hotter for thinking she wasn’t.
She pulled some clothes from the closet and laid them on the bed, she also took fresh underwear from a drawer and sat them beside her clothes. With a quick scoot round she picked up what books and folders she needed for the days classes and put them in her book bag. Finally organised she stripped off the musky scented clothing she was wearing and put on her dressing gown and headed for that cold shower that had her name on it.
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Showered and changed Tara stripped the bed and put the sheets into her laundry basket, and busied herself with re-making the bed knowing that later tonight it would be welcoming her lover once again.
Willow’s panties had been retrieved from below the bed, all six pieces which made Tara shake her head at the naughty kitten who had taken up residence on the windowsill to drool over the birds flitting in and out of the bushes below the window.
Switching off the fairy lights Tara gave the room a cursory sweep before she left for morning class.
“See you later Freddy Krueger,” she said brightly to the kitten that was ignoring everything but feathers and beaks, and closed and locked the door.
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The bell above the magic shop door tingled as Tara entered for her evening shift. Anya had replaced the bell on Tuesday morning and it rang out loud and clear in the empty shop.
“Hey Tara, how are you today?” Anya said in her usual tone, tilting her head to one side, her features brightened with a smile she normally reserved for paying customers.
“I’m fine, thank you, how was your day? Busy I hope?” the blonde greeted her with a smile.
“Oh, yes, many purchases were made and dollars exchanged, would you like to see them?” she asked her hand prised above the cash register key that opened the drawer.
“Show me the money!” the blonde Jerry Maguired, and Anya eyed her suspiciously, Tara was never usually this interested in the money.
The drawer opened with a thunk and a ding, and Tara leaned over the counter to admire its contents, “Very nice, very green,” she said with a smile as Anya stood proudly admiring the bills and looking very pleased at Tara’s enthusiasm as her suspicion grew.
“So, boss, what do you want me to do?” Tara asked as she went behind the counter to stow her jacket and bag on a lower shelf.
“You could explain why you’re so damn happy for a start,” she demanded with a knowing look.
“Can’t a girl be in a good mood, it’s Wednesday and it’s one day closer to my date with Willow,” she stated, her blue eyes twinkling as she said her lovers name.
“There’s more to it and you know it Missy, you bounce in like it’s the start of a three day weekend, admire the money, and then try and be all enigmatic. If I didn’t know you better I’d swear you’ve been having many orgasms with that redheaded friend stealer,” she said speculatively.
“She’s not a friend stealer,” deflected Tara, “That’s the second time you’ve called her that. Do you think she’ll take me away from you?” she asked seriously, wondering if behind Anya’s bluster and inappropriateness was the worry that Tara would abandon her.
“Pshaw!!” she waved away Tara’s question with a flick of her wrist, “That’s idiotic, of course she can’t take you away from me, not when you still owe me labour hours.”
Tara took her hand and pulled her into a hug, “We’ll always be friends Anya and I hope you and Willow will be friends too. You’re both big parts of my life, ok?”
“Hmm. Well, all this touchy feely is nice, and your ample breasts do make a wonderful cushion, but it’s time for work now, so start working off your debt by checking the new stock against the invoices,” and with a slap to the blonde’s ass she extricated herself from Tara’s arms and closed the till drawer to keep the money safe.
“Ample breasts huh? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of batting for my team now,” the blonde teased her friend with a smirk as she gathered up the invoices that were on the counter.
“Oh, no. I tried that once, and as nice as it was, I much prefer the penis,” she said as easily as saying she had once tried tea but much preferred coffee.
Tara almost dropped the invoices at hearing the shop owners revelation, “You’re kidding me, right?” the blonde asked, “You’ve never mentioned it before, and considering some of the things you’ve told me, that’s mild in comparison.”
“No, not kidding, you know I’m always serious about sex. Her name was Sandy, it was only once, well it was six times, but one night, oh, my but that girl had stamina, and surprisingly long fingers…”
“Anya!” Tara interrupted, “You really don’t need to explain, really,” she emphasised with a nod of her head, her eyes wide and her cheeks rosy.
“Ok, but if you need any tips, just ask. Now go. Go work, go, go go,” she waved Tara away and pointed to the stock room.
With a smile she left and went to the stock room mentally scrubbing her brain to get rid of the image of Anya and an unknown girl.
She busied herself checking off the contents of one box after another and the late afternoon turned into early evening without her really noticing the passage of time.
Anya had come in with coffee just after five o’clock, but mercifully had said no more about her brief excursion to girlstown.
At six, Tara heard Anya lock up before she came back to the stockroom with a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“It’s been a long day Tara, and I feel like a drink. Join me?” she asked the blonde with a smile.
“Uh, yeah, ok, just let me finish checking this invoice,” Tara motioned to the box and paper in front of her and she turned back to her work she Anya sigh and pour wine into the glasses she had set on a packing case, “Is everything ok sweetie?” she asked as she ticked off the last three items on the invoice.
Anya took a seat and a mouthful from her glass before answering, “No, I need a penis, I haven’t had sex in six months, and now you’re all with the orgasms and I only have my money to give me pleasure. Don’t get me wrong, I still get a thrill from capitalism, but capitalism doesn’t have a penis, and I want a penis,” she took another drink from her glass and topped it up from the bottle beside her.
Sitting beside Anya she took her glass and placed the bottle on the floor, “You want a penis, huh? Just a penis? Cos I hear you can buy things that do the same job,” she teased nudging Anya with her elbow.
A smile crept across Anya’s face, “I know you lesbians are familiar that with kind of thing, but I want my penis to come with a man attached to it.”
“Well then, we’ll have to find you a man, why you would want one god knows, cos orgasms are so much better when it’s with someone who has the same body parts you do,” Tara told her and held her breath to see if Anya would get her inference.
All day she had been so happy that it was getting harder not tell someone why. She had considered ringing her Mom, but that was a conversation that was better done face to face. Anya was her best friend and deserved the dibs on this, plus, it was better to get this sort of thing over with where Anya was concerned, sex being her area of interest and second favourite topic of conversation. Money being the first.
“Yeah, like you would know,” Anya said looking at her. Tara waited a second, and yup, there it was, realisation on her friend’s face, “Tara, you dirty dog, when, how… I knew I knew, and you wait till now to tell me. Drink up, we have a lot of catching up to do,” Anya told her and Tara rolled her eyes knowing she wasn’t going to get away early tonight.
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“You’re particularly chipper today Red,” said Spike as he sat on the corner of the desk where Willow was typing at demon speed with a goofy grin.
“Ya think, William,” she said looking up briefly at the bleached blonde to enjoy the scowl at hearing his name uttered with sarcasm.
“Now, now, Willow, no need for the W word, but tell me, what’s putting that smile on your face? You look like the cat that got the cream,” he inquired with a raise of his brow, stretching that little scar that made Willow curious as to how he got it.
“Well, Spike, seeing as you asked so nicely,” she beckoned him closer and cupped a hand around his ear, “I got an A on my calculus test, don’t tell anyone, ok, it’s a secret,” she whispered and sniggered as he pulled away huffing his displeasure.
“Very funny Red, teasing poor old Spike. Here I am, being all nice and friendly like and I’m surrounded by mean spirited women who call me William and have no respect for my sensitive side,” he said in a way that almost drew some sympathy from Willow until Jenny came in and told her not to let William manipulate her into taking pity on him.
“Hah! This from the woman that guilt trips me into working for a charity telling me my Masters in Business would be better put to use helping poor people gain internet access, never mind telling me it was a good way to meet women. So far, Red, you’re the only woman that’s come in here that’s remotely interesting, and you bloody well like other women,” he threw his hands up in frustration as Jenny ruffled his hair and rolled her eyes as if to say she’d heard it all before.
A plan was taking shape in Willow’s brain, “Spike, how do you feel about blind dates?” she asked hoping that Tara’s friend would agree to the same proposition.
“Blind dates? Why not, it’s not like the girl of my dreams is going to walk in here anyhow,” he said with resignation, “do you have anyone in mind or are you just taking a poll?”
“Well, just gathering an opinion at present, but, I might know someone, or rather someone I know might know someone. Ya got a problem with crazy chicks?” she asked, not even sure herself if she was joking or not remembering how she had seen Anya dancing with the money.
“Ask him about Druscilla,” said Jenny as she headed out of the backroom toward the shop.
“Druscilla?”
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“Did I ever tell you about Olaf?” asked Anya as she opened a second bottle of wine, her words slurring slightly from having drunk all but one glass of the first bottle.
“Ah, no, I think I would’ve remembered a name like Olaf,” Tara said with a weary look at her watch. It was seven fifteen and Anya had been talking about the men in her life for almost an hour. Thankfully for Tara, her interrogation about her own love life had been short and sweet once Anya realised there would be no graphic detail involved, so she had quickly turned the conversation back to men, or the lack thereof.
“Olaf, I think he was Danish or Swedish, something Nordic anyway, but all man if you know what I mean. He could go all night, literally a Viking in the sack, he was a large man, big feet,” she slurped her wine, “and you what they say about big feet?” she giggled and gazed at Tara obviously expecting an answer.
“Um…big shoes?” ventured the blonde, hoping that Anya wouldn’t correct her.
“Hah! Big shoes, that’s funny, but it’s also true, he had to get his shoes specially made. I remember him bitching about the cost on more than one occasion.” Tara smiled and nodded relieved that the expected comment hadn’t been uttered, “I sympathised of course, because that money would’ve been better spent buying me nice gifts, and considering he almost split me in two with his large penis it should have been. But he was all about the shoes, so I dumped him.”
Tara inwardly groaned, but patted Anya’s hand in sympathy “You haven’t had much luck with men, have you? But you know what, maybe there’s someone out there for you that you just haven’t met yet. Someone who can see just how special you are and love you for it,” she said encouragingly.
“You know Tara, I’m glad I’m not a lesbian,” she said and ignored the hurt look on the blonde to continue, “cos if I was I would be kicking myself that Willow got to you first, you’re pretty special yourself Missy. Now how about you drive me home?”
Tara took the glass from her friend and re-corked the bottle and then pulled Anya to her feet and gave her a long warm hug.
“Sure boss, no problem.”
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The library was quiet when Willow arrived after her stint with Jenny and Spike and she immediately sought out the front desk where Faith was sitting looking bored and stamping her forearm with the date stamp.
“You can’t get regular tattoos like normal people?” asked Willow, dumping her bag on the floor and putting her elbows on the table.
“Hey Red, what’s up?” she asked with a smile as she passed the date stamp to her other hand and continued decorating her skin.
“You are, up in my estimation, that is” the redhead said leaning over and placing a quick kiss on the top of Faith’s head.
“Oh, and why would that be. I don’t remember being kind to puppies or helping old ladies cross the road. Hell, I can’t even think the when I last did a charitable act, so do you care to enlighten me or are ya just gonna grin like an idiot until the end of my shift,” she sat back in her chair and threw her feet upon the desk, briefly touching her hair where Willow had kissed her.
“Lets just say I know the truth, and lets just say that I know you lied,” said Willow with a wink and a nod.
“Fuck, Red, are you on drugs or what?” the brunette asked feeling like she was the butt of some practical joke. “Has Buffy put you up to this?”
“What? No, I don’t do drugs, and Buffy didn’t send me, what’s wrong with you, I’m just trying to say that it was nice of you to not kiss and tell,” explained Willow to the librarian who obviously hadn’t a clue why she was there.
“Oooh, kiss and not tell, but you did talk with B, yeah?” she said warily and fixed her deep brown eyes on Willow, curious to know how she felt about things.
“I spoke to her yesterday, she had a lot to say for herself, before she went for an afternoon nap,” the still smiling redhead enlightened her, watching her face for any reaction that would tell her she was getting through.
“Nap huh? Did she say why she was tired?” Faith asked, casually inspecting her fingernails between glances at Willow.
“Oh, yeah, she said she was up all night getting her brains fucked out.”
The noise of the chair tipping over echoed through the corridors and the sight of Faith being dumped on her ass more than made up for the embarrassment she had caused Willow at the Bronze a few nights earlier.
“Holy shit, Red. That wasn’t fair,” she groaned rubbing her aching thigh as she clambered up from the floor, “but, ya know, all the funnier for coming from you.”
“Thanks, you’re not hurt are you?” Willow asked with genuine concern, as Faith lifted her chair from the floor.
“I’m fine, so B told you everything then?”
“Just about, but I did ask for the PG version to save my blushes,” Willow explained, “I also heard that you told Tara that you slept on the couch. That was very unexpected, hence the going up in my estimation. I just wanted you to know that I appreciated you not saying anything.”
Faith just gave a small smile and shrugged her shoulders, “I have my moments, ya know. Look, my shift finishes in half an hour, why don’t we go for a drink. Get to know each other a little better. Whaddya say?”
“Um, I don’t know, I have to meet someone later,” she said hesitantly thinking about Tara, “I shouldn’t.”
“Oh, c’mon, Blondie won’t mind, just one at the bar on campus,” coaxed Faith with a generous smile as she tidied her desk.
“Ok, just one. I’ll meet you there, I just need to go back to the dorm to drop off my bag, and how did you know it was Tara I’m meeting?” she said picking her stuff up from the floor and giving Faith a smile before she headed through the glass doors and off to Stevenson.
“Lucky guess,” she called as the redhead made her retreat.
Twenty minutes later Willow sat in the student bar nursing a coke and waiting for Faith. Back at the dorm she had grabbed her toothbrush, some sleepwear, and a change of clothes and pushed them into a rucksack that now sat at her feet. A message from Buffy on their machine told her the blonde was staying an extra night at home babysitting the brat.
The bar was busy and most of the booths and tables were occupied with students relaxing and drinking beer. She watched the door most of the time, not wanting to miss the librarian when she arrived. It was almost nine o’clock and she wondered now if she should’ve phoned her girlfriend to let her know what time to expect her. Her belly flip-flopped at the thought of Tara, and at the thought of spending the night with her again.
She pulled her cellphone from her pocket and speed dialled Tara’s number. The phone rang, and rang repeatedly until the machine picked up. Willow frowned wondering why Tara wasn’t home, but as she heard the beep she pushed that thought to the back of her mind.
“Hey, baby, it’s me. I’m at the student bar, just going to have a quick drink with Faith, I should be with you about ten thirty. If you change your mind about me staying, give me a ring. See you later, bye”
As she closed the phone and sat it on the table Faith appeared in the doorway and pointed to the bar giving Willow the universal sign for drink. The redhead waved and nodded to let Faith know she understood.
Willow watched Faith at the bar, and was amused and impressed by the amount of guys that tried to buy her a drink. All of them were waved away with a smile, and when a rather stunning girl with short black hair and a pierced eyebrow put her hand on Faiths back it was shrugged off leaving the girl in no doubt her advances weren’t welcome. The short haired girl backed off sharply and Willow wondered just what the librarian had said.
Faith left the bar with two beers and two shot glasses of something creamy and no doubt lethal Willow though as the brunette took a seat across from her.
“There ya go,” she said pushing a beer and a shot toward her drinking buddy, “shot first and then wash it down with beer.”
She held out her shot glass and waited for Willow to do the same. The redhead looked doubtful but lifted her glass and lightly hit it off Faith’s before tipping both it and head back swallowing the creamy and bitter coffee tasting concoction in one draught. She grimaced as the taste hit the back of her throat and burned a track into her gut. As her gag reflex kicked in she doused it with a mouthful of beer and swallowed it along with her urge to vomit.
“Jeez, what the hell was that? Ugh,” Willow shook her head and took another swig of beer.
“Deep Throat, down the hatch” said Faith and tipped her drink into her mouth and washed it down with a gulp of beer.
Both shot glasses sat empty on the table, and Faith idly pushed them around as she asked Willow just what Buffy had said the day before.
“Mmm, well, she said you weren’t all you seemed,” she took a drink of beer and looked Faith in the eye, “and she said you were nice.” Willow took another drink as Faith considered her next question.
“Nice. There’s that word again. And I try so hard not to be,” she said taken a languorous drink from the bottle in her hand.
Willow took in the self deprecation and said “If it’s any consolation you succeed most of the time.”
Faith laughed off the loaded compliment, taking Willow’s comment for what it was in the overall context of their conversation, “I like you Red, shame you didn’t take me up on my offer of a date. I think we could’ve got along real well once you knew how nice I could be,” she said with a wink and blew her a kiss.
Faith smirked as Willow’s face went red and she spluttered in mid swallow, “I, um, well, maybe, but probably not, you…um…scared me a little,” she said as she wiped her mouth and chin with a napkin she found in her pocket, surprised slightly by her own honesty at what had to be a teasing remark from Faith.
“I got a maybe, that’s it, just a maybe?” she continued to tease the redhead whose face was redder by the minute.
“You know, I’m beginning to regret agreeing to meet you, and yes you got a maybe, and now you have a Buffy,” said Willow, feeling pleased at how she brought up the topic of her best friend, “is she more than a maybe Faith?”
Faith drained her bottle and looked at Willow wondering where the conversation would lead now that that Buffy’s name had come up and Red was being all protective of her.
“Your shout Red, same again?” she asked, “Buy me a drink and I’ll put your mind at rest, but only if you have one too,” it was a bribe and Willow knew it.
“Two Deep Throats and two beers it is, but that’s my limit,” she sighed and headed to the bar.
Faith drummed her fingers on the table casually looking around taking in the scene and avoiding making any eye contact with any of the patrons.
Sister sledge sang out and Willows phone vibrated across the table towards Faith. She scooped it up checking the caller id and flipped it open “Yo! Red’s Escort Service. All kink’s catered for,” she said playfully.
“Hey Faith, can I speak to Willow,” Tara laughed at the funny but predictable librarian.
“Hey, T. How did you know it was me?” the brunette asked cheerfully looking to the bar to see if Willow was on her way back to the table.
“Will called earlier to say she would be with you, so that coupled with your usual sex obsessed comment sorta give me a big clue,” the blonde told her with what she hoped was sarcasm.
“Wow, Sherlock Holmes eat your heart out, your girl’s at the bar, I think she’s trying to get me drunk,” Faith teased, “and did you know she has a gutter mouth, you should have heard what she said earlier.”
Tara laughed again, “Gutter mouth huh? What did she say?”
“Here she comes, you can ask her yourself, good talking to ya T, bye,” Faith handed the phone over to Willow simultaneously taking the beers from her, “It’s T for you, and I may have teased a little,” she smiled as Willow scowled at her.
“Hey baby, are you home yet?” Willow asked her as she sat down wondering what the hell Faith had been saying.
“Yeah, just got in and got your message, is Faith playing nice sweetie?” Tara laughed knowing that she would be curious about what the brunette had to say.
“Mmm, that’s debatable,” she answered throwing Faith a look that let her know she was the topic of conversation, in return, Faith stuck out her tongue and then smiled at her, “uh, why did you call, did you change your mind?” Willow tried to sound bright but inwardly worried that Tara didn’t want her to spend the night.
“Never,” said Tara shyly, “I’m looking forward to going to sleep with you, and I can’t wait to wake up with you.”
“Me too, baby,” Willow told her glaring at Faith who was making moon eyes at her and pretending to swoon, “I’ll see you soon, just after I’ve killed Faith and hid her body in the bushes, or maybe your kitten could shred her to pieces.”
“You say the most romantic things sweetie, have fun with Faith and don’t let her get you drunk, see you soon, bye Will.”
“Ok, see you soon, bye baby,” the redhead said sweetly and flipped the phone closed and secured it in her bag.
“See you soon, bye baby,” Faith cooed in an overly girlie voice, “Jeez Red. You got it bad, or judging by that overnight bag, you’ve got it good.”
Willow glanced down at the bag and then back to Faith who was sipping at her beer having downed her shot while Willow had talked to Tara. The redhead lifted her own and gestured cheers, and threw the liquid down in one. Taking her bottle she placed it to her lips and drank down some of the brew. Swallowing hard she sat the bottle back onto the table and leaned forward and beckoned Faith to her crooking her finger and starting to feel the effects of the shots and beer.
“What Tara and I have is not up for discussion, I don’t want you dragging it down to your level, what I will say is this. I love her and I’m in love with her, and how I express that emotion is nothing to do with you. What is to do with me though, is, Buffy. So, tell me Faith, is she just a maybe?” The brunette looked at her, brown eyes wide as she gazed on Willow’s resolve face, and Faith discovered that she needed to take a drink before she could speak.
“Wow, Red, look at you going all Mama Tiger protecting her cubs,” she said impressed at Willow’s speech, “and to answer your question, well, I can’t. What B is or isn’t, well that’s entirely up to her, all I can say is I like her enough not to hurt her. I don’t play with people Red, unless they want to play.”
Faith sat back in her chair and finished her beer in two long swallows, and she picked nervously at the label as she felt Willow’s eyes on her. She relaxed a little as she saw the redhead’s feature soften, and she took a breath before she spoke again.
“I know how people see me, and I know that’s what I want them to see. But, sometimes, when people take time to see what’s under the surface, I let them. And those people, Red, well, those are the people I don’t play with.”
Willow slowly nodded, ruminating on Faiths words and wondering who it was that must have hurt her so deeply that she hid behind the persona she had so artfully created for herself. She gave the brunette a warm smile, and figured if Faith was going to say anything else she would have done so, “Ok, good, I’ll leave my shovel in the shed for now,” she told her and enjoyed the quizzical expression her enigmatic remark elicited from her.
Willow’s beer was almost finished and she decided that she would say goodnight when the amber liquid had been drained, but before she could say anything the girl with the short dark hair approached the table carrying two beers and two shot glasses. The redhead sincerely hoped that the drinks weren’t for them, she was already on the runway preparing for flight.
Willow motioned to Faith who turned to see what was happening and she turned back sharply and muttered a curse under her breath.
“Just go along with it Red, I’ll explain later,” Faith said quickly as the girl arrived at their table and set the drinks down.
“Sorry about earlier at the bar. I didn’t know you were here with someone,” she said giving Willow a look that said what have you got that’s so special, “uh, I’m leaving now so I thought I’d buy you both a drink before I left. I’ll, uh, call you sometime Faith, yeah?”
The brunette just nodded and as she was about to speak to tell the girl again what she had told her at the bar she felt Willow’s hand on hers, and she smiled when the redhead said in all seriousness “She’s off the market.”
Faith just shrugged as the confused girl looked from the brunette to Willow and back to her “My girlfriend’s the possessive type, you better not. She has a shovel.”
The girl was completely thrown by Faith’s explanation and she could only nod before she walked away with one last look at the redhead who gave her a small smile and a wave.
They both watched as the girl exited the bar and then they both laughed which served to establish a truce between them.
They made a toast to shovels and downed the shots, and Willow knew that Buffy would be ok, but as the third shot kicked in she wasn’t so sure about herself. She felt the buzz in her brain, heard a fizzing in her ears and her tongue felt thick in her mouth. She flexed her jaw and opened and closed her lips, stretching and pouting curious at how they had lost some sensation. She tugged her bottom lip, wiggling it back and forth, her eyebrows knitting into a frown.
“You ok?” Faith asked highly amused at the facial gymnastics.
“Uh, I think I might be drunk now. Oh God, Tara’s gonna kill me. She told me not to let you get me drunk, now I bet I won’t get any smoochies,” she almost cried at the thought, “Can you walk me to Fischer, tell her it wasn’t my fault?” she pleaded.
“Sure Red, my fault, whatever you say. C’mon grab your stuff and I’ll take you to T’s.”
Ten minutes later a drunk Willow and a nervous Faith knocked on Tara’s door.
“Stand up straight Red,” Faith ordered as she heard footsteps get nearer to the door.
Willow did as she was told just as the door opened and the wide smile on Tara’s face slid away as Faith said “My fault, don’t be too hard on her. Ah, bye, T, see ya Red.”
With that Faith made a hasty exit and Willow could only wave not daring to turn round as the brunettes footsteps faded into the distance.
“Hi honey, I’m home,” she greeted Tara, a goofy grin plastered on her face, “I’m a little squiffy, sorry.”
“Get in here and lie down before you fall down,” Tara said taking her bag from her and helping her to the bed.
“Are you mad at me, baby? I didn’t mean too, honest. I just don’t hold my liquor to well,” it was said in a soft voice full of contrition and worry that Tara would be annoyed at her.
“No, Will, I’m not mad, c’mon lie down and I’ll get you some water, it’ll help stave off a hangover,” she said with compassion remembering her own recent morning after.
Willow lay down, propped up on the pillows that had been arranged for her and Tara removed her sneakers and placed them under the bed and fetched a bottle of water for her girl.
Getting on to the bed from the opposite side Tara sat with her back against the headboard and Willow scooted up to rest her head against the blonde nuzzling in when she felt an arm wrap around and rub her shoulder.
“You had a good time then with Faith?” Tara asked her with a smile glad to have her girl’s body against her.
“Yeah, it was interesting. She’s a lot nicer than I thought,” Willow told her, “She likes Buffy, I think it’ll be ok.”
“No shovel treatment for Faith then, that’s good,” she placed a loving kiss on the top of Willow’s head and gave her a squeeze.
The redhead gave a soft laugh, “Nope, I told her the shovel stays in the shed. So how was your day baby? How come you got home so late?,” she asked looking up at Tara.
“I drove Anya home and stayed for a while listening to her wild and vivid tales of former lovers. I never knew she felt so lonely, she needs a man in her life,” the blonde told her.
“Spike needs a girlfriend, and he doesn’t mind crazy chicks or blind dates. How does Anya feel about blind dates, cos, you know, it could be a solution,” Willow suggested and lifted her head up again to look at her girlfriend who was smiling back at her.
“That’s a great idea sweetie, I’ll ask her tomorrow, now are you going to drink that water before you dehydrate anymore?”
“Yes ma’am,” Willow said and pushed up to semi sitting position and unscrewed the cap and sipped at the water a little before swallowing down half the bottle in long mouthfuls.
She placed the cap back on the bottle and snuggled back into Tara’s waiting arms. Willow lay quietly for a few minutes just enjoying the feeling of being in her lover’s arms. The gentle undulation of Tara’s chest beneath her head lulled the buzz in her brain and her thoughts began to focus on her relationship with the blonde.
Tara wondered if Willow had fallen asleep, silence being somewhat unusual if she was awake and not being kissed, “Will?” she questioned softly, “Are you asleep?”
“No, still awake. Tara, you know when I came over last night, well, I just wanted to let you know that I didn’t come here to seduce you, and this morning when you said we should talk, well I got all scared that we had made a mistake, we haven’t made a mistake, have we?” she asked in a voice that was full of apprehension, both because of the answer Tara might give her and because she might make Tara think she had some regret.
“It didn’t feel like a mistake to me, maybe some people would’ve waited longer, and others may not have waited as long. The heart knows what it wants. Do you feel now we should’ve waited?” Tara held her breath after speaking, if Willow said yes to her question she didn’t know what she would do. She felt responsible for moving their relationship on, she had asked Willow to touch her and not to stop and as much as she sure it was what they both wanted, her lover’s question was stirring doubts within her.
“No, we haven’t made a mistake, my heart knew what I wanted before I did. I think it wanted you the first time I saw you, and when I dreamed of making love with you I think it already knew I loved you.” Tears welled up as she spoke, and her throat tightened with emotion that made the words sound choked, “I’m in love with you Tara, and my heart knew it all along.”
“I love you too Will,” Tara said with a sob and pulled her lover up to face her and covered her lips with her own in a long wet tear stained kiss.
TBC
People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built. Eleanor Roosevelt
but at least, it enhances the notion of two people with different capabilities interacting together. Makes it sound more mundane and so much more human at the same time - the four mindsets presented with their wants, needs and vulnerabilities add to this element.
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for delivery... And Yay for W/T sweet & loving smutty goodness...
Hi PTS,
Oh My , That was such a yummie and very mean update ..LOLNo, not really..well yes actually it was but still
I loved the mutual worry that they both have, but more so that the hesitation is due to the fact they are worried for the other.
.I love your treatment of these two as a couple and I like everyone else found this update delightful.. 
. I am again thrilled by the romantic element here and the way you have writen it 
.You are very good at showing emotions here and again I found myself with the flippins as well. 
..The kitty bit in the morning was cute and very funny... 
