First Fic: Beholden (AU)

[AntigoneUnbound]

Hey Mai (is it OK for me to use that?)



Is there anything better than holding the woman you love in the still of the night, moonlight pouring in and making everything magical? If there is, it must be illegal.



I think that one of the things I respond to most in this story is the way that their hearts don't necessarily spend a lot of one-on-one time with their brains. By that, I mean that both of them are so incredibly intelligent, and both of them are so capable of rationalizing the other's actions and words. At the same time, they both have such amazingly strong emotional cores. These people aren't imbalanced b/w head and heart; and they're not luke-warm versions of humanity. They're fully alive in every sense of the word, and right now two of their strongest features are dueling it out, trying to discover if they "should" hope (as if we only hope when it's wise to do so!) or if they should be grateful for what they have. This is just really compelling, and I was so happy to see an update of any length. (C'mon...you know that size doesn't matter!)



Great work!

Mary

[DarkWiccan]

I just found out about this fic...



and it is GREAT!



And may I just add the warm fuzzies to your very sweet note in your first post! Thank you. You are too sweet



But I must say... you are giving me a run for my money with your writing here!



I'm glad that "Heart Rules..." left such an impression on you and extremely impressed that you are able write what I wasn't... (I pulled the fic for personal reasons)



You are truly a consumate writer and I cannot wait to see how this turns out!



Cheers and Hugs

DW

Edited by: DarkWiccan at: 2/19/03 12:56:18 pm

[sheila wt]

In what planet have I been??? I just found this fic and read all the chapters almost without a blink!



Wonderful work, really. The way you describe all those feelings going crazy inside the girls is amazing. It's like we're feeling them too.



I'm completely addicted. And life is so good.

--------------------------
"She had tasted Willow on her tongue, and she had worn Willow on her skin. There wasn't a shower in the world that could have washed that away." (Terra Firma, by Tulipp)

[JennY]

Awwwww! I hope Tara was awake to hear Willow. I wasn't sure how they'd react to one another when they met up again. I almost thought Tara would yell and scream at Will for skipping out on her. I love what you did instead. Tara loves Willow, even if she's not ready to admit it just yet. Hopefully she'll see that they were meant to be together.... soon. lol Great stuff as always!

-----------



JennY





"Alls I know is I'm gettin' straight A's, and that ain't not bad."-- Bart Simpson

[hush30]

Quote:

---

Willow took her wet clothes off and walked the short distance to Tara's drawer in her underwear........

It was sexy. Her heartbeat thumped loudly in her chest. Sexy. Somehow it didn't surprise her thinking about Willow that way.

---

Willow walking around in her underwear How could Tara not find that sexy. Your writing is so wonderfully descriptive and I can just imagine Willow's mini nurse

Tara and mud wrestling bikini clad Tara fantasy ............sorry my mind just wandered off to a very nice place for a minute there but I'm back.



It was sooooo romantic Tara falling asleep in Willow's arms (poor baby was so exhausted worrying about where her Willow was). I think Tara is moving slowly but surely to the realisation that what she feels for Willow is much more than just friendship. I love how you are progressing their relationship and hey I would prefer short updates to no updates at all. Thanks Mai for a very enjoyable update.



Nan

"I think this line's mostly filler" - Willow in OMWF

"I'm not really much for the timber" - Tara

[DreamWalker]

Hi there!



I just HAD to come and tell you how absolutely fabulous this story is, so sorry for the late feedback though. *hangs head in shame*



I remember the first time (out of the many many times) that I read DarkWiccan's The Heart Rules the Mind too, and it has etched such a deep impression in my mind as well. I was oh-so-happy to see how your fic has carried on with that theme, but in your own style, which is unique, and must I say, remarkable.





I love the way how the friendship between Willow and Tara is so strong, even if Tara hasn't realised her feelings for Willow. It really shows how familiar and comfortable they feel around each other. I hope they'll be progress soon though, how 'bout some smoochies?



I was never too good with words, but I just felt compelled to pop-up, show my appreciation and tell you how much impact this fic has made on me. Thank you so much, Cinderlust.

*And pops back down I go~*





Janie



P.S. Mai... Is that a... Japanese name? (Hope you don't mind me calling you that, and apologies if I'm wrong )

[deixs]

No!!! You can't stop there!!!

I want more



Stef

Willow: Hey, clothes!

Tara: Better not get used to 'em.

Willow: Yes ma'm

[Ginner WTluv]

Hi. Great update, so good in fact, i can't stop smiling

But like Deb said: I just feel that I should warn you that if Willow gives her that kiss on the forehead and then leaves quietly while Tara is sleeping... you will definitely go to fan fiction hell. Not a threat, just the way things are. It's all true!!! All of it!!! Bwwaahahaha!!! Ahem. You can't just leave it like that!! I'm on the edge of my seat!! *falls off seat* Well... i was anyway. Want more. Lol. Can't wait for the next part.



~ Jen

I'd like to take a moment to talk about something that's happened lately. I'm also in love. It's a very special thing and I'm really rather proud of it. Yes, I'm in love with my own breasts. I feel no personal shame about this; in fact, I think this is the one. It's going to last. ~ Ruth

Edited by: Ginner WTluv at: 2/20/03 4:20:40 pm

[xita]

I'd missed a couple of updates but I am caught up! Sigh, wow, Willow's fantasy had me going for a second and my heart was breaking with hers till of course Tara noticed her. Sigh, it's all so intense and Tara's on the verge of a realization, never leave me and she thinks she's sexy are 2 powerful signs for her. can't wait for more!

-----------------
Baby you make my love come down

Oh you make my love come down

Make it come all the way down -
Evelyn Champagne King

[the cherub]

Hey!



Just read the whole story in one go - it's soo good!!

The notes were just gorgeous!



Hoping for an update soon



Cherub

[cinderlust]

hi kittens! wow. thanks for all the feedback! this is such an amazing board. sorry for the late replies... i've been on an odd lurking pattern for the past few days. dunno what to make of it.



Sonya hi there! and yes, of course i remember your earlier post about avoiding angst! i'm really glad you decided to stick around. thanks for reading



Phoenix errr.. hehe. what can i say... i'm i am. mwahahahahah. ehem. yeah. makes me happy to know you're enjoying the fic



Mary yup. yup. please call me Mai. I seem to recall just grabbing your name and using it without even asking. ::hangs head in shame::

Quote:

---

Is there anything better than holding the woman you love in the still of the night, moonlight pouring in and making everything magical? If there is, it must be illegal.

---

not even anything illegal can surpass that. nuh-uh. unless maybe skinny dipping is in the mix there..



btw, it's safe to say that I look forward to your comments probably as much as people do for an update. this fic has absolutely no plot apart from the obvious... so all i can really do is try to humanize the characters as much as possible. i'm not so sure its working as strongly as the visuals in my head...but your feedback sure makes me feel like i've succeeded somehow. thank you.



and btw, to your last line. yes, indeedy. i shall keep that in mind.



DarkWiccan Woohoo! Wow! You're on this thread! And you like the story! This definitely makes my day... my week, in fact. I didn't even think you'd be interested to read this. Actually, I was hoping you wouldn't find it... I mean, I was really scared of what you'd think about the fic. I'm so glad you think it's great! Thank you.

I adore "Heart Rules the Mind". It left me wanting for so much more. And I meant every word about your writing.



sheila wt hullo. lol. i have to try that - read all the chapters at one go. odd that i haven't. dunno how it flows.

the feelings sure are going crazy with the girls -- it's creating havoc with my moods though. people are starting to think i'm manic depressive or something. ack. i gotta get off the angst and soon. heh. thanks for the feedback!



JennY thanks for sticking by this fic. and yup. Tara just needs that little push in the right direction so she can find herself in Willow's arms. woohoo!



Nan ::reels you back in from the gutter:: i was in an odd mood when i wrote that piece. was going for angst when i was all gutter-minded. heh. i think i'm getting too excited at the prospect of writing the girls' transition from friendship to love... but i'm trying to do it really slowly. it's hard coz i just want them together now. heeehee. thanks for the feedback!



Janie awww.. hey thanks! no worries. i'm just glad you found the fic. (and left feedback, of course ) thanks for dropping by... and pop back in here as often as you like. that'd be nice. and please call me Mai... it's not Japanese (though i did have a job watching and choosing which anime programs to put on air a couple years back...) i've got a long and horrible name which was too difficult to remember for my kindergarten classmates... hence, Mai stuck. oooh. welcome to babblefest.



Stef ehem. sorry for the update delay. although you can give me a pat on my back if you want. i finally finished a script treatment i've been working on for days. ugh. i'm just glad that one's done so i can proceed with this.



Jen you and debra! i'm gonna start on the next part right after this. in the meantime, *helps you back up on your seat* relax. hehe



xita hullo queen of the board Tara's gonna have that realization soon. yay! even i can't wait. woohoo!



Cherub hi there. glad you found the fic and liked it. i particularly enjoyed writing the notes, so i'm glad you found them gorgeous. thanks for dropping by! will update soon.



okie dokie kittens. i'll be back with an update soonish. thanks again!



Mai

Edited by: cinderlust at: 2/25/03 6:35:42 pm

[hush30]

....struggles against being reeled back in from the gutter. 'But I like it here' And hey it's pretty difficult not to get excited by W/T's transition from friendship to love. You're doing a fabulous job of showing the transition though, very enjoyable.

btw I also really enjoy the romantic stuff too (it was just with Willow in the .......... and the Tara fantasies ........ with the bikini and ......... ). I just love this fic.



Nan

"I think this line's mostly filler" - Willow in OMWF

"I'm not really much for the timber" - Tara

[cinderlust]

hi kittens. I think I fell into the gutter while reeling Nan in. I'm sure you guys wouldn't mind.



enjoy!

Mai

---

Two bodies lay nestled in a sea of sheets, limbs entangled to a semblance of century old roots, entwined as though they would perish if so much as an oxygen molecule created a microscopic distance between the connections. There was comfort in this amalgamation. There was possession in the way fingers curled against each other. There was seduction in the mingled breaths scant centimeters from lips. And there was contentment in this heaven. Seconds stretched to minutes and the latter gave way to hours. The silence barricaded against fear, insecurities, and misunderstandings. Two women remained asleep; unfortunately unknowing of the paradise they’ve created within the darkened room.



“Syrup skateboards created the boat.” Willow eagerly confessed against Tara’s cheek. Instantaneously, the blonde’s eyelids fluttered open and her heart jumpstarted in her chest from an electric shock that began from her nether regions. Willow’s bare knee was wedged against her center, the pressure and the heat from her friend’s exposed skin sent bolt after bolt of energy straight to her heart.



Perhaps it was the fuzziness of her sleep-indulged mind conspiring with each pleasure-overloaded cell in her body that kept her from jumping off the bed at that moment. Perhaps. And she would need to hold on to that for later, but now… Now, Tara Maclay bit her lip to keep from moaning as her hip made minute grinding movements against Willow. Her eyes closed as she felt a surge of wetness escape her lips and soak the thin layer of fabric separating Willow’s thigh from her pulsating need. Willooooooow. Her mind willfully called out. Or moaned. There were consequences for enjoying this, but she couldn’t remember what they were… In fact, she could hardly remember her name. Consequences be damned.



“Lick the sugar off the floorboards?” The redhead questioned the odd request in her dream. But dutifully, like the dedicated naval officer that she was, did as she was asked. Sweetness exploded in her mouth like those starburst commercials as her tongue connected with the floorboard.



Tara’s eyes bulged out of their sockets as she felt Willows tongue lazily trace the contours of her ear. It was absolutely too much for her senses. It was too early in the morning to find yourself being ravaged by your best friend. Something was very, very wrong with that statement. She was sure of it. Something was indeed very, very wrong with this morning. This rabbit hole she seems to have fallen into has scrambled her brain to an unrecognizable mashed potato. Willow’s tongue was now darting in and out of her ear, suggesting a rhythm that her body seemed to recognize. She found herself in one of those “life altering moments” and froze. This was real. She wanted. For the first time in her life, she wanted something so badly. She wanted to take it, grab it, and never let it go. She wanted. Oh goddess, how she wanted. Willow. Willow was against her, tormenting her body to depths of need she never knew she could feel. Willow. Her mind repeated. She wanted Willow.



“Flood!” Willow screamed; her body suddenly lifting off the bed and falling unceremoniously against the floor with a loud thud.

[kukalaka]

Oh my, this is awesome. Thanks a lot.



And, did I say already?

---

"... some nations are afraid of stepping up to the responsibility of imposing the will of the international community"

I guess it's just plain stupid to be afraid of war then.

[the cherub]

a short update yes...but still a much appreciated one!

Tara is finally realising the extent of her feelings for Willow! Woohooo!!



More! More! More!

..please?



Cherub

[JustSkipIt]

Gee. Let me think of the right word: Wow! More soon!

---

"War may be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary it is always evil." - President Jimmy Carter after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize

[famer]

Mmmmm, flood indeed.



I have no doubt that Tara has developed an instantaneous uniform/naval officer fetish. Or is that me?



You're aptly named cinderlust [unless you're referring to lusting for cinders -- which is an unusual but, overall, a harmless fet, I suppose.]



Please update immediately. Tara and I are hanging in the balance - and it's not as pleasant as it sounds.

Edited by: famer at: 3/3/03 6:41:03 am

[willntlover]

Flood



DAmn now that is a very interesting update



-Will

"I think finding her soulmate would have made Tara a more confident and secure person" -Amber Benson

[Stroke of Luck]

YAY that was good! Short but really good!



I wonder where willow saw the flood or maybe she touched the flood?



Can´t wait to see what will happens next.



Great update want to more!



Cu

SoL/Natti



Man sieht nur mit dem Herzen gut, das Wesentliche ist für die Augen unsichtbar - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

[AntigoneUnbound]

Mai--Holy moley, that was hot! I love your internal dialogue, Mai; Tara's ruminations to the effect of putting consequences on an emotional charge card (i.e., she'll think about it and "pay" for it later) are just so true to life in those moments when our bodies and souls give the orders and our minds come tumbling after.



So, at the risk of being all domineering and large with the butch, I have to request once again that you stop all other activities and get your tookas back to the computer.



Loving this!

Mary

[Big Dummy]

I'm gonna second Antigone's" request/demand here, cause that was just too cruel. I imagine I feel about reaching the end of that post the same way that Tara feels about Willow waking up and removing her appendage. Coitus interruptus indeed.

[JennY]

What a way to wake up in the mornin! WOW. Lucky Tara. Great stuff as usual... but are they gonna talk soon???? lol I need kissage! Thanks for the great update.

-----------



JennY





"Alls I know is I'm gettin' straight A's, and that ain't not bad."-- Bart Simpson

[ukxenafan]

ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto!



Loved the way this story is going - Willow's confusion about her attraction (it was supposed to be something that kind of crept up on her wasn't it??) Then those wonderful noted from Tara. These last couple of very short updates have really started to heat up!



So as the others said, hope you have an empty diary this week cos you need to get typing girl!!

[TromDeGrey]

Um, you know... HOLY CRAP!! Update soon?

"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it."

Chinese Proverb

[Ginner WTluv]

*runs around squealing* More, more, more!!!!!!!!!!! *backflips and lands on butt* Ow.... i should have listened to my mother and stopped doing those *limps away*



~ Jen

I'd like to take a moment to talk about something that's happened lately. I'm also in love. It's a very special thing and I'm really rather proud of it. Yes, I'm in love with my own breasts. I feel no personal shame about this; in fact, I think this is the one. It's going to last. ~ Ruth

[greenwitch]

hey there,



sorry i haven't posted before, but i find your fic amazing!



that last update was totally hilarious (and hot)!





greenwitch

[hush30]

Mai I really appreciate the company



Wonderful update btw. Is Willow all right? She has really crazy dreams sometimes and it's such a shame she wasn't aware of the effect her dream induced actions were having on Tara (all in good time though). I wonder if Tara will start to feel a little

self-conscious and a little guilty around Willow (after she finds out whether Willow is okay of course...ouch)?



Loved it and can't wait for the next one!



Nan

"I think this line's mostly filler" - Willow in OMWF

"I'm not really much for the timber" - Tara

[Velaingie]

Hey,

Loved the last updates. Loved the part when Willow caught Tara looking at her when she changed her clothes.

But very mean to ended like that, now that was just and also

But I could quickly read the last part, and yes, Tara realise she has feelings for Willow. Yipee!!!

Now I’m very happy

Can't wait for the next updates

Bye

Velaingie

[nothingman]

Ahhh Cinder what are you doing to me??? Wow, those were excellent updates. Oooo Ooo please... lots of updates as soon as you have time?? Finals are coming up in a week and I need something yummy to distract myself with... too much animal cognition on the brain right now Thanks for writing such a great story!! You Rock!

-------------------------------


Willow: You two are the two who are the two. I'm the other one. (The Yoko Factor)

Edited by: nothingman  at: 3/6/03 10:40:22 pm

[Grimlock72]

Heh... 'Flood!' sounds about right though.... : -->



Grimmy

"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine