New Fic - Neverland

[db]

Having spent my share of back-woods-hours staring at moths launching themselves at the light over the garage, I can say that you captured that whole bit of imagery in a way that made my tummy actually feel fluttery, which is weird -- and very impressive.

Date.

Oy. They are so very nervous. Which is good... and bad. I feel like the teflon barrier they have built between them over the past three years has become stretched thin-to-breaking. It's nearly translucent now...and very, very fragile.

But, the thing is, I *want*. I want a little thing ....I want a miracle.

I want them to get an answer to a question; I want a moment of clarity; I want an insight; I want a *moment*. I want them to get a hint of re-experiencing their day at the park. I want this to be a first date.

Plus I want the whole freakin' Buffy/Xander/Willow thing to get straightened out.

I'll settle for a bit of reader-y voyeurism.

It makes me feel giddy in anticipation.

It's great to see your update!

happy holidays!

db

[SylverMaki]

Are you kiddding me!!!!!!!! We are on the cusp of the date and you end the update. I'm devestated... I wanted the date to be in the update......wahhhhhhhhhh! Anyway I'm excited to see Willow leave her phone behind which means Buffy will probably call Tara's instead cause Buffy is known for ruining Willow and Tara time. She has the worst timing.

I got to the end of this update and I'm not hanging on a cliff, this isn't a cliff hanger I fell off the cliff and I have to climb my way back until the new update.

Don't make my arm muscles hurt too long. I love love love this fic. You could say I need it. Please update soon, I'm begging, seriously.

[TinyWillow]

So much to say. I think woo! and hoo! for the update and aaargh! for ending before the "date" sums it up. Glad you have not abandoned this fic and praying for an update soonish. Thank you, thank you for updating and for this lovely fic!

[Reallybigpineapple]

Dear Heather!
Thank you so much for returning with an update of the Fanfic of Fanfics! I haven't been on the kitten for months and I suddenly feel like it's about time and hey, presto! The Heather returns. Awesome. I was thinking about Neverland the other day and how sad it was that we would never know how they got together in the end. There was a big rainstorm outside, and hey, I wonder why that made me think of Neverland?
Anyway, seriously, you are an example to us all. Inspired by you, I actually started to work on the last few chapters of me own humble story, to finally get it finished instead of leaving it an untidy loose end. My ramblings are but camel pooh compared to thy splendid oasis, oh great mistress of angst, but still, thy humble servant thanks thee for a well needed kick in the pants.
I tried to resist but I cannot: please, please, please can we have another chapter soonish? Or just sometime? Please don't quit now (whimpers pathetically)

Oh, and I really need some new music to listen too, since I'm in a rut, so downloading The Black Keys as we speak. More please? Thanks oh, guru of music.

And can the date go, if not reasonably well, then at least not Morgan-at-the-partybad? I'm gettng old, I don't think my heart can take it anymore... Which is something one could, say, bear in mind vis-à-vis the swiftness of updates and so forth...

Longwinded much?
Thank you, oh...thou. I bow to thee.

[Zampsa1975]

Excellent update-y goodness... It's good that Willow left her phone at home... no wrong time interruptions from Xander or Buffy...I just hope that Tara will soon be over her Willow loves Xander fixation... soon pleaaase

[sadie]

Awwww! Thanks for updating this!! Like half the Kitten board I've been checking this story regularly!

It's good to see them prepare their date (yes, it IS a date, for more-than-good-friends , and how they're feeling about it -- although that's kind of obvious seeing how in love they are Unfortunately only WE know that!

Also, kind of a meanie update cause I think we were expecting the big date and making out afterwards But good to make us wait and making us look forward to the getting them together a bit longer ...

Thank you again for this amazing story. You're such an excellent writer!

[jay/wt4evr]

They're going on a date they're going on a date they're going on a date and hey, Tara's a bit clueless....Willow & Xander...urgh

[Wicca Ness]

YAY! An update....Cant wait for the next one. i hope its soon. I love this fan fic, one of the very best i've ever read, if not the best!
Ness

[black-eyed girl]

YAY!!! an update for Christmas. As always it was a wonderfully written update. You capture their anxiety perfectly. I love feeling those butterflies in my stomach right along with Tara as she is worrying about her love for Willow.

[JustSkipIt]

Heather - they are torturing themselves. How wonderful to go on a date and how horrific too. I'm totally curious about just what happened that day and especially that night. All I can imagine is that something almost happened and Willow overreacted and Tara said the whole thing about her perfect woman and they've both been acting in response to that garbage ever since. Arggghhh! Thanks for updating.

[Willow~Rosenberg]

Yay!

*dances around happily*

I was so happy that I checked the board today and saw the update. This should be a very interesting night with both of them on edge. All it would take, I think, would be a few comments from Willow implying how she felt for Tara to clue in to it. Tara's so close to figuring it out.

Can't wait to see what happens.

[dorksrcool]

The first paragraph alone is reason enough to keep coming back for more of this story. Wow.

For some reason it feels like this "date" will be a turning point for them. I hope I'm right.

Thank you so much for updating Heather. I will always be pleasantly surprised when I see this title on the top of the list in DCP.

[GrimCityGirl]

Amazing! update soon! please! long waits kill me lol

[singgirl]

I was thrilled to see an update the other day! I was still thrilled today when I came back to read it again and leave some feedback. I'm excited to see how the "date" goes. The anticipation is killing me, I cannot wait for all the be revealed to our girls about their feelings for each other.

You know, I grew up in a mountain town that had no traffic light for some time. When we finally got one, people got really excited and got a feeling of pride, as if we weren't a tiny town anymore. We always had good radio, and rather than watch moths, we listened to them hitting the neighbor's bug zapper on the portch. You could tell when a bit one hit, they just kept frying. haha oh yes... good times.

[black-eyed girl]

i already left some feedback for this update, but i just keep thinking about it. I wanted to let you know i appreciated the bit about the bruise on Willow's knee. It took me right back to the party and Willow being awestruck by Tara, as well as Willow meeting Anya (hahaha). The last time i read that chapter was probably a year ago or more, but it is still fresh in my mind. I love this story, please keep updating.
Happy Holidays!!

[viximon]

That was so short. You leave me waiting more.
It's so nice they're trying so hard to come in terms with their feelings for each others and all.
Great update. Wanna read Buffy reaction, more Tara/Willow interaction and stuff so please. KEEP IT UP

[pipsberg]

Wow, great update. First, I have to say that, contrary to what many posters have been saying, this is actually a very long update! What a treat. I loved it.

As usual, I loved the detail paid to both Willow and Tara's internal struggles. Seeing the torment, the back and forth, is so reminiscent of first love and insecurity that we have all faced that it is so very easy to feel yourself in the story. I'm really excited to see that they still both think to themselves that they are going on a date, though they think the other one doesn't know this. Pretty damn funny and maddening at the same time! Tara is slowly letting her walls down to at least allow for the possibility that Willow could like her in a romantic way and Willow is starting to throw herself more into the rush of her feelings, anticipating what will happen.

You wrote this update beautifully, and as has always been the case, it flowed from the previous update flawlessly. I can never tell that any time has passed between updates, it's just that easy to pick it up again!

I can't wait to see where the date takes them. I am probably nearly as eager as they are. Okay, maybe not quite that eager, but you know what I mean I feel like I am going on the date too! Wonderful, wonderful job!!!

PS - I love that Willow left her phone at home. That should speak volumes to Tara!!

[IamLoui]

Wow.
I love this story so much it's unhealthy.
My pleasure at seeing an update is all mixed up with sadness, though, because when it has been a long time I can delude myself that the update will come any day now...
But when it's recent like this, I have another slice of the story to savour but I also know I'll have to wait months for more.
I thought it was lovely. Well written, suspenseful, intriguing.
Can't wait to see the date scene.
YOU are the queen of fanfic.

[The Rose24]

Imagine my surprise when I saw an update on this. I really have missed this.

It looks like the ladies are going on an official first date. I can't wait to see how it goes.

[AmbeRocks]

hey there!
must be like a year since i've post here, last time was also in xmas break, i har re-read all the story completely!
and now, i finish my last day of school, hapen to come here, and yay! update!

as usual, it was delightful! but i may re-read it from the start again this year, just for the fun of it.

keep on the good work

jen!

[Renatecs]

Hopefully we'll get another really long update as a Christmas pressie?!??!!!

[Ginner WTluv]

Heather, as always, truly wonderful. Well worth coming out of the woodwork for I am, of course, quite like everyone else here and cannot wait for these two to get their acts together and realise what's going on... or for Willow to FINALLY talk to Buffy, so a step can be taken However, at the same time, subjecting myself to the torture of them being SO close and yet so clueless.... having them almost together, and then wrenched apart by a phone call, a conscience or being woken up, is almost more agonisingly enjoyable than them finally getting together i think So bring forth the teasing hand touches, the shy glances when the other isn't looking and the oh-so-naughty dreams that have us biting ours fists when we find out they are in fact just that, a dream, because i'd rather it go on and be able to enjoy such wonderful writing, than suddenly find this story at its end.

And for now, i'll be eagerly awaiting the next update, whenever it should arrive. Thanks for a brilliant story.

~Jen

[gorn]

Yup, I waited until Christmas to read this update. December was a crazy month, and as the busy days fired past it dawned on me what I should do ... wait until Christmas. A Christmas present to myself. It was the perfect cap on what turned out to be one of the better Christmases I can remember. I'm very glad I saved this update.

It's a dicey thing doing this on a Christmas, though - stepping into Neverland can take your heart in ten different directions. I think all of us can share the same giddy excitement Willow & Tara are each privately feeling right now, and for me that's an awful nice way to end the night ... but there's always that darker undertow - talk of Xander, unfinished paintings, Willow's pending coming-out. Some chapters in the past have hurt (nothing made me feel more relieved than Willow deciding to leave her phone behind!). Neverland Standard Time being what is, though, there's still ten thousand things that can still go wrong between now and the Filmore, but I feel good right now; like Tara's new-found resolve, I'm happy and content to deal with the now.

The previous update surprised me a bit because I felt like things were suddenly moving too quickly. Yes, I realize that sounds a little funny given that it's taken them 46 chapters to get even this far ... but that's the charm of the story, isn't it? That's why we all keep coming back. I once told Heather this story has an almost James Joyce-like quality to it (an entire novel taking place in the space of a single day), and this update kind of reminds me of that. The space Heather has given herself to get into these characters and their relationship is 46 chapters rich. At the end of the day (like right now, for me) I don't really care where they go, I want to see how they get there. I felt like the previous update was fast-forwarding me there too quickly, but THIS update has put the pacing back in perspective (I actually had a better feeling about the previous update upon re-reading it, but this update confirms it).

Two things I want to add real quick before I fall into bed. 1) I'm genuinely worried about Tara's paintings. 2) I'm looking forward to this date with the same kind of excitement as if I were going on it myself. Cue the moths.

Merry Christmas, Heather.

[WillowRTaraM1]

Woohoo.. more then three years later and Im still bouncy when I see an update

I'm so excited for "the date" Im hoping theres going to be at least one tiny moment between them....

[heirloomtomatoella]

wow - i just found this website this weekend and this thread shortly thereafter....um yeah this is an AMAZING story and i can't wait to read the next installment....i have sat on my couch for the last few days reading and am hoping i don't have to wait too long for the next chapter.

THANK YOU....also...I am loving the musical groups youre writing into the stoeis! thanks for turning me on to them.

heirloomtomatoella

[Renatecs]

Hopefully there will be an update soon...

Your're really leaving us hanging here right before the big date...

R.

[masterjendu]

Sorry about the lateness of my feedback, but I figured that I had some time to mull before the next update! : )

You’ve given us some more wonderful insight into the raving mind of “a deluded fool trapped in an unrequited love affair”, which applies to both of our gals (and probably most of us at one time or another!). I love how Tara flutters from freak-out to calm (and back again) in carefully controlled stages, using the song and Willow’s smile as rudders. And Willow as a partially contained giddy spaz was fantastic!

And how perfect is the rain? There is nothing more romantic than kissing in the rain; probably too much to hope for at this point in the story, but a girl can dream. And maybe both girls can keep Bob Seger’s sentiments in mind; who needs tomorrow!

Thank you for the wonderful update, Heather! I hope life is treating you well.

[Guest]

Heather:

This is an intricately beautiful story. I felt there was maturity without the invocation of intellectual themes and emotional stimulation without an effortful cathartic effect. Content-wise though, the scenes revelled in so much of WT interactions that it became at times difficult not to merge completely with the characters and I think that's what gave a strong foothold to the background. The art-scene (where Tara paints Willow’s eyes) is probably my favourite scene out of all of your chapters. I think it's really well written and I enjoyed the numerous allusions to metaphorical imagery.

What is even more interesting with your story is how the concept of lust takes another form – an unexplored form of love. It only adds to the authenticity of their love. You've treated the characters' emotions profoundly but at times I felt it was maybe too profound. And that is exactly what makes it special – the realistic portrayal of closetedness fighting for outedness versus outedness stalling against a pre-conceived barrier.

I'm desperately hoping for an update, great work.
Vi

[Wills]

This fic is FANTASTIC!!! This was one of the first fics I read on this board and I finally plucked up the courage to leave feedback.

I LOVE the development of all the characters- Buffy's oblivious yet caring demeanor, Dawn's new activist approach to magazine articles, Xander's unwavering support of Willow, Anya's hilarious demeanor (the sex shop scene had me CRYING), and of course WILLOW AND TARA.

Words cannot express my adoration of their story: the "unrequited love", the gradually becoming friends (the cooking scene was so sweet), and of course the unbelievable sense of longing.

I love this story! Please update soon!

[foreverpiper]

So I read this three years ago and I just reread all of it over the course of the past 2 days.

And someone said it above and I have to second the notion that I almost never want them to get together because I love the writing so much! This really is one of my favorites.

The characters you've built up are very impressive, and I'm really excited about the upcoming updates. I believe I'm going to start checking this thread every day now, haha.

The parts I'm most looking forward to are the date (of course), and Willow telling Buffy. I'm also anxious to find out WHEN she'll finally tell Tara, and/or vice versa. ...Then again, that's dumb to say because of course that's what the story is eventually leading to.

But I'd be happy if there were -another- 46 parts until the conclusion.

Thank you for such a wonderful read.