Characters: OU! Buffy Summers, AU! Willow Rosenberg
Where: Ast-Tria
When: In the evening, after Willow comes back from Layla's
Summary: Buffy and Willow catch up
Warnings: Sexual orientations mentioned?
Munching on a handful of peanut butter crunch, Buffy used her toes to yank off the worn socks. She really needed to do some laundry, but wasn't that true of every young woman? As Buffy crunched into the light snack, she kicked the socks next to her shoes and plopped down onto the comfortable sofa. Now that the blonde was done with patrolling tonight, she finally got to relax. A sigh of relief escaped her lungs as she leaned against the cushions.
The front door opened and Willow stepped in, having spent the first few nights back with Layla. Willow'd stayed out on the couch, of course. But she wanted to sort of make up the lost time with the pretty redheaded plant goddess. The redheaded witch stepped deeper into the apartment then saw Buffy. "Buffy!" Willow said with a bright smile on her face.
Buffy nearly choked on the dry cereal and clamped her hand down on her chest. After a near death experience, she turned to see Willow had come back to the apartment. "Wil'! Where've you been?" She paused and got up to hug her friend, then added, "I saw some of your stuff and thought I was going crazy. But you're back!"
Willow dropped her bag, rushing over to her friend, glad it was still Buffy and not an alternate one that didn't know her, throwing her arms around the blonde. "I'm just thankful that you're you!" Willow squeezed her tight, then released her enough to meet her friend's gaze. "Oh, I've spent the past few days with Layla."
Buffy was glad to be squished sort of, since if she'd done most the squeezing Willow might have lost her breath. "Oh! Your little watering can friend?" Buffy smiled at Willow and watched her friend's expression. This Willow hadn't had much time with Tara... so it was only fair that she still have someone so pure of heart to rely on. Willow deserved that much. "Tell me everything?" she asked and ushered Willow to the couch for some good gossip.
Willow, from her point in time, hadn't really explained how she'd felt for Tara. It was sort of rushed, due to Oz being the way he was and attacking Tara. The redhead followed the slayer over, sitting down, tucking one leg beneath her. "Yeah. Her. Well, she saw me out by the fountain and we were really happy to see each other." Willow began. She felt kinda awkward, not one hundred percent sure how Buffy felt about the whole 'bisexual' thing.
Buffy listened and heard the shyness still there. Okay, so she didn't want to kiss and tell, but that was normal. And it wasn't as if she herself liked to be forward about her crushes... So the blonde relaxed a little and would see how much Willow was willing to divulge. "I'm glad to see you, too. And it's good to hear you two are doing so well."
Willow leaned over, throwing her arms around her best friend. "I'm sorry I was gone for so long," Willow said softly. "Nothing terrible happened when I was gone, did it?" Willow asked, lifting her head to meet her best friend's gaze.
Buffy wrapped her arms around Willow once again and leaned her head on her shoulder. "I'm still in one piece, so nothing too terrible." Things were getting better, and that's what mattered. "I was almost happy when you got sent home. 'Cause then you wouldn't have to be here."
Willow sighed softly, closing her eyes. "I couldn't go back. Not to the point that I was pulled from. Too much heartache. I'd much rather be here with you," Willow said quietly, stroking Buffy's hair softly.
"I know, you fit in here like a scooby snack in scooby's tummy." She laughed softly, then sighed at the truth of that. They had about as much control here as they would in a box of dog treats. "I'm glad you're back."
Willow chuckled quietly, tightening her arm around Buffy a little, stroking her hair gently. "Ruh-oh, Raggy," Willow giggled, resting her cheek on Buffy's head. "Me too. I was gone for two months, but for me it was ten seconds. Feels weird."
"I know!" Buffy exclaimed and rubbed her friends shoulder blades. "If it happens again, I'll end up with wrinkles. I just know it." She didn't like the thought of losing Willow, even if it was to the folds of safety. But it was true, Sunnydale was more dangerous than a compound ready for war.
"Awww, I'll bring back wrinkle cream, next time I return," Willow replied, running her fingers through the ends of Buffy's hair. "And botox. How's that?" Willow chuckled softly.
Buffy scrunched her forehead a little bit, then smiled. "I've never thought about it. Would you ever use that stuff?"
Willow shook her head slowly. "Nah. I'd rather just age the way I was intended to," Willow replied with a small smile. "Unless I get turned, then I'd only get all forehead-wrinkly when I'd go into Grr-face," Willow added teasingly.
Buffy chuckled and shook her head. The fact that in some universe it had happened was a bitter fact, but it didn't mean she'd let it happen. "Me too, we'll be crusty old women together. And we can have cats. At this rate, it'll just be me and the cats, huh."
"Aww, I'm sure your reality me will grow old with you," Willow said reassuringly, softly kissing the top of Buffy's head. "If I could, I'd make sure you wouldn't be alone, Buf. We can have all sorts of cats."
"The only problem with our perfect old lady-hood is the cat hair," Buffy wrinkled her nose and chuckled at the thought. "Maybe we can have some of those hairless ugly ones," she mused and looked to see what Willow thought of the ridiculous idea.
Willow giggled softly, shaking her head. "Or, yanno, we could get those sticky roller-brushes that pull the cat hair off clothes," Willow giggle, bumping her knee against Buffy's. "Goddess, feels like I haven't seen you in forever."
The idea had it's pros and cons, but the cats would probably be better than trying to date again. It's not like she'd ever had a normal boyfriend (that stuck around). Ever. "Cats with fur it is, then." She nodded and grinned. "I know, well. It has been a while. Just like that though, you're here again. What do you say to a girl's lunch tomorrow?" She asked and tried to stifle a yawn.
Willow nodded and gave Buffy another squeeze. "You got it, dude. Want to make anything special?" She asked, glancing over towards the kitchen before looking back to the Slayer.
Buffy looked at the kitchen with Willow and looked kind of guilty. She hadn't done many dishes, either. "Maybe we can check out that cafe in the plaza. I hear they make fresh loaves of bread..."
"Really?" Willow asked, arching an eyebrow excitedly. "I would kill for a pizza. Or something that resembled a pizza," Willow replied, chuckling softly.
"Mmmm, totally. Cheese, sauce and meat on a twelve inch dough flat. Done." She nodded and knew that if they didn't already make pizza, they might be able to special order it. Buffy smiled and forgot about the chores she had to catch up on. Sleep was calling. "I think I'mma hit the sack though, Melaka's got the night shift this week."
"You do that. I'll clean up a little. Wait till tomorrow morning to unpack," Willow said with a nod and a smile, climbing to her feet slowly, glancing over towards the kitchen. "I'm really not too tired."
Buffy smiled and patted her friend's arm. "I don't want you to do my chores, but you can totally make Zuko do them." She giggled a little then started for the bedroom they shared. "It's my mess, and I can take care of it." But Buffy knew no matter how much she protested, Willow would probably have it spick and span by morning.
Willow shook her head. "I haven't been here for two months. I need to catch up," Willow smiled down at her, reaching out her hand to help her up to her feet.
"Thanks, I guess." Buffy smiled and got to her feet. "Night, Wil'." That sounded kind of weird still, but now that Willow was home things would get back to normal. Like college even. .