Chapter 15: Let's Give Them Something to Talk About
"Hey, is Ken back from the store yet?" Faith called out as she came down the stairs.
"I'm here," She heard Kennedy reply from the kitchen.
She entered the room to find the other women fixing their ice cream. She took in their appearances and shook her head. Buffy was in Faith's boxers and tank top, Willow wore an oversized Orange and white football jersey, Kennedy wore a pair of blue PJ bottoms and a white T-shirt, and Dawn wore black boxers and a dark red tank top.
"Whoa, nobody said nothin' about this bein' a slumber party." She snorted. "And how the fuck did all of ya have time to get changed? I wasn't in the shower that long."
"Ken decided to add some alcohol into the mix," Buffy explained, gesturing with her head at the wine coolers sitting on the counter. "We figured it'd be safer for them to stay, so while we went to change Will did her mojo and voila, PJs for her and Ken."
"And where is everyone plannin' to sleep?" She drawled.
Buffy bit her bottom lip and then released it. "I figured on crashing with you in the den so Will and Ken could have the guestroom."
Faith scratched absently at her eyebrow and licked her lips. "Aight, gotta be the oddest way of gettin' into my bed anyone's ever come up with, but whatever floats ya boat."
Buffy yelped, "Faith! That's not... I mean, I wasn't—"
Amused, she drawled, "Chill out, B. I was just fuckin' with ya.
The blonde scrubbed roughly at her flushed face and muttered under her breath, "Not that I would mind."
Dark brown eyes jerked up to look at her, startled. Then Faith chuckled softly and bumped hips with Buffy as she sidled up to the counter where the ice cream was. She noticed that there were two bowls in front of the blonde and couldn't help herself.
"Got a bitch of a cravin' to satisfy, B?"
Huh? Buffy blinked in confusion, and then following the brunette's line of sight, her expression turned sheepish. Oh, yeah. She dug out another large scoop of ice cream and dumped it in one of the bowls before handing it to Faith.
"This one's for you. It's that Ben & Jerry's Half Baked® Dawn said you like."
"Hell yeah," She replied as she immediately spooned up a bite. "This is my favorite."
"Of course it is," Buffy replied dryly as she picked up her own bowl and headed to the living room.
"Hey, what's not to like?" Faith asked, grabbing two wine coolers and following after her. "It's got both vanilla and chocolate ice cream, throw in the fact that it has brownies and cookie dough in it too, and you've got the perfect ice cream."
Buffy sat down on the couch, leaving just a little space between her and the arm of the couch. She glanced over her shoulder at the approaching woman and nodded.
"And more sugar than any one person needs."
Faith set her bowl and the wine coolers on the end table and reached for the button of her pants. "And your point is?"
"You're hyperactive enough without it," Buffy said absently, her forehead wrinkling in confusion as she watched Faith undo her pants. "What are you doing, Faith?"
Lowering the zipper of her jeans, Faith glanced up with a smirk. "You guys are in your PJs, or in your case, mine, so I'm gonna strip down and get comfy too."
"Oh God," She groaned, slapping a hand over her eyes as Faith pushed the tight jeans down her hips. She tried not to think about the smooth skin being uncovered.
"Holy fuck, what are you doing?" Dawn choked out, chuckling as she entered the room.
"Torturin' your sister," She replied, slipping the pants off.
Buffy groaned and removed her hands from her eyes, struggling not to stare at the bare legs inches from her. "Did you have to do that down here?"
"Yeah," She answered simply as she retrieved her bowl.
She chuckled as Buffy rolled her eyes and grumbled as she scooted down to make room for her on the end of the couch. She sat down and squirmed until she was comfortably leaning against the arm of the couch. She couldn't help but smirk as the position pressed Buffy tightly against her side. Their eyes locked and Faith lifted an eyebrow as she scooped up a spoonful of ice cream, this time holding it out to Buffy.
Hazel eyes dropped to look at the offering, considering it seriously. Then she sighed and shook her head as she gave in. She took the spoon into her mouth and licked the ice cream off it, moaning as the rich taste flooded her senses. She winked at Faith and chewed quickly so she could swallow the treat.
"Okay, so it is really good."
She scooped up some of her own and looked questioningly at Faith. When Faith shook her head adamantly, Buffy shrugged and took the bite. Oh well, more FroYo Cherry Garcia® for me.
Willow and Kennedy entered shortly after and glimpsing their closeness and Faith's state of dress, they shared an amused look and decided to sit in the recliners instead of on the couch. Dawn sprawled out on the floor, leaning back against the opposite end of the couch. It was quiet for a little while and then Faith looked up from her bowl.
"Ain't we supposed to be like bashin' Satsu and all our exes or whatever?"
Willow swallowed her ice cream. "Well, we all know about my one big breakup."
"Ya mean with dog-boy?" Faith quipped.
"Yes," She said dryly, having long since resigned herself to Faith's nicknames.
Kennedy took a long pull from her wine cooler and then set it aside as she pushed her chair into a reclining position. She crossed her legs at the ankles and stretched briefly.
"I never had any really serious relationships until Will, so I wasn't heartbroken or devastated when the others ended. It was sort of just like, okay, whatever."
Faith handed Buffy one of the wine coolers she'd brought in and then took the other for herself. After she opened it and took a sip, she looked up to find everyone looking at her. She widened her eyes slightly and shrugged defensively.
"What?"
Buffy pressed closer against her side, gently placing a hand on her thigh. The silky feel of the brunette's warm skin threw her off and then she let out a shuddering breath as she shook her head to clear the haze of lust that was fogging her mind.
"I don't know about them, but I'm a little curious about the one breakup we've seen. I mean, we've all heard about Ronnie, Steve, and Kenny, but..." She trailed off.
"You wanna know about Wood," Faith sighed and smiled weakly as she looked at the others, who nodded in confirmation.
"You don't have to if it's too painful," Willow added. "This is supposed to cheer Buffy up, and I doubt you crying or something will do that."
"Any more at least," Faith quipped.
Buffy smacked Faith in the belly. "I never would've been happy seeing you cry. Even when I was busy committing Hari-kari."
Faith rolled her eyes. "I've realized that by now, B. I was fuckin' with ya."
"Oh," She chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry."
Faith gently bumped her shoulder in acknowledgement. She looked around the room at their friends and sighed. For once she actually felt like it might be safe to open up. She was comfortable, happy, and... She glanced down at where Buffy's body was touching hers. And warm.
Very warm, She mused, shifting slightly. She draped a leg over Buffy's thighs and, ignoring the wide-eyed look she received in response, ate the last bite of her ice cream. She set the bowl aside and leaned her head back against the couch as she swallowed.
"I've sure you've realized by now that Wood was my longest relationship ever," She starts quietly. "He was also my most serious one."
She smiled sadly. "He showed me that not all men are dogs and treated me with more respect than I'd ever been given in my life. And I loved him for it."
Buffy gently squeezed her leg and watched her expression as she spoke. She was fascinated by the difference between her earlier countenance and this one. She'd gone from running to keep from showing others that she was an actual human being, to opening up and talking honestly about matters of the heart. She was starting to realize that the contradictions were part of what attracted her to Faith.
"But, in the end, I just couldn't change enough to be able to fully accept him in my life," She said, wiping away a tear that had escaped her eye. "I enjoy my job, my life, and I while I wanted to have the things he was offerin', I didn't want to give anything up."
"What do you mean?" Willow asked softly.
Faith shrugged. "He wanted to settle down and have a family somewhere away from Slayin' and the Council. We argued about it a few times, and in the end he decided he wanted to find someone who could be what he needed."
"And that led to the destruction of my kitchen, how?" Dawn asked with levity.
Faith narrowed her eyes, trying not to smirk. "You've just been waitin' to ask that, haven't ya?"
"Well, yeah," She answered, shrugging as if it were obvious.
"I kinda flipped like a ghetto bitch."
"Well that's obvious," Kennedy interrupted with a soft laugh. "But I think she meant that she wanted to know why you flipped."
"He told me that I'd never be able to maintain a relationship if I couldn't... get past bein' a Slayer," She answered, her voice wavering. "It just hit me wrong."
Buffy frowned and set her bowl and the wine cooler on the coffee table. Ignoring their audience, she shifted to face Faith and wrapped an arm around the brunette's waist. When Faith looked at her questioningly, she gave her an understanding grin.
"I don't think there is a right way for something like that to hit someone, Faith. I mean, some might say trashing the kitchen was overreacting, but they wouldn't be a Slayer. He basically said you'd never find love if you didn't change who you are."
Faith nodded, smirking slightly. She cautiously curled her arm around Buffy's shoulders and idly glanced around at their friends. Seeing that they maintained indulgent, amused expressions, she relaxed and held Buffy tighter. It was out of character for her, she realized, but she was starting to believe it wouldn't hurt to let that go occasionally.
She took a deep breath, feeling the solid warmth of the other woman's body all along her side. 'Specially if lettin' go means I get to touch her like this. She bit her bottom lip and glanced down. It ain't gonna be as easy as I thought, tryin' to just be a friend.
"So," Willow said loudly, trying not to smirk as she watched her friends jump. "Anyone else wishing I'd have let Faith smack Satsu around a little longer today?"
Faith stayed silently, happily turning her gaze to the kitten meowing for her attention on the floor. She'd gotten into enough trouble with that issue as it was and she wasn't about to remind the blonde that she was supposed to be upset with her. She released her grip on Buffy briefly as she leaned over to retrieve Cookie, and then she returned to her position. She settled the kitten on her lap, idly tracing her fingers over the soft fur.
"It's okay, Faith. I know I was upset earlier, but I get why you did it," Buffy murmured, just loud enough for Faith to hear her.
She jerked her gaze up from her lap to look at Buffy, and then she nodded in acknowledgement. She turned her attention back to their friends.
"I wish she would have broken the bitch's nose again or gave her a fat lip," Dawn grumbled. "I never did like her and this only made it worse."
"You know, I never did get why you and Faith hated her so much," Buffy added, looking at them with narrowed eyes.
"We never got why you liked her so much, so we're even," Faith snickered.
"Smartass," Buffy muttered. "You probably started it, too."
"No, I really didn't," She laughed.
"She's telling the truth, Buff," Willow added through her laughter.
"Yeah, it started when Faith came into the gym and asked me where you were," Dawn added. "I think she said, 'Where's little miss tight ass?', and then Satsu turned from whatever she was doing and asked what she wanted with you in a snotty tone."
Buffy winced at the thought. She of all people knew just how Faith responded to someone taking an attitude with her. She looked at Faith apologetically.
"Was that before or after the Scythe went missing?"
"It was right after we got it back when I was tryin' to find ya to tell ya me and G-man was headin' back to the states," She muttered.
"Anyway," Dawn continued. "You can guess how Faith reacted, and it just snowballed from there. It became a contest to see who could be the bitchiest Slayer, I guess."
"And I'm sure Faith came out the bitchiest of us all," Kennedy quipped.
"Of course," Faith snickered. "B may be the queen Slayer, but I'm the queen bitch."
"We're well aware of that," Dawn said dryly. "As for me, she just got on my nerves because..." She paused, confused. "I don't think I ever did figure it out, actually."
"It was 'cause she used that attitude of hers on everyone but the second B entered the room, she was all sweetness and light," Faith muttered.
"Why couldn't you guys have told me this before I fell in love?" Buffy grumbled. "You could've saved me some problems, you know."
"We tried," Dawn objected. "You just refused to listen. Then when I noticed that you were happy and she treated you well, I just kept my comments to myself."
"Kept 'em to your self, my ass," Faith grumbled. "I never heard the end of it."
Buffy shook from trying to hold in her laughter and then finally just gave in. I guess this isn't so bad after all, She mused, laying her cheek in the crook of Faith's shoulder. The arm around her shoulders tightened and a warm ball of happiness formed in her belly as her gaze fell on the kitten in Faith's lap.
Chapter 16: Good-bye My Lover
Buffy finished mixing the creamer and sugar into her coffee and blew on it to cool it a little. She inhaled the steam rising from the cup, smiling as the scent of coffee and hazelnut reached her. She took a sip and sighed as she settled down at the breakfast bar. It was seven o'clock, so she knew she had a little time before Faith would be up.
In the two weeks that had passed, Buffy and Faith had gradually grown closer. With Faith on vacation and Giles giving Buffy time off to get her affairs in order, they had a lot of free time on their hands. They'd spent a lot of it just getting to know each other, something they'd never really tried when they were teenagers. They were both determined not to make the same mistakes twice.
Of course, with their growing emotional bond came the increasing need for physical contact. Any time they were in close proximity, their bodies unconsciously reached out for the other, whether it was a hand resting somewhere, a head pillowed on something, or their arms going around each other. It served for embarrassing moments when they realized just what they'd been doing. They both received a lot of teasing from their friends any time they happened to get either Buffy or Faith alone.
On the downside, or on the upside depending on how you looked at it, Buffy had received notification that the divorce proceedings had begun. She didn't know whether to cry or be relieved that Satsu had filed all ready. On one hand, it meant the end of their marriage, and on the other, it meant it would all be over soon. At least she'd had time to get back to a steadier emotional state before she'd gotten the letter.
It had hurt, but reading it hadn't left her in tears like it would have a week ago. She was grateful for that and not just because she hated hurting. There were things that needed to be done and she couldn't do them if she were crying like a baby. Now that the proceedings had started, she needed to get the house ready to be sold.
She took another sip from her coffee and then set the mug on the island. She gazed into the dark red porcelain mug at the steaming light brown liquid inside. She needed to go by the house to see what needed to be gotten rid of, what needed to be packed, and maybe even get a little of it done. She just didn't want to do it alone and she'd been hesitating for the last three days to ask Faith.
Buffy felt a little strange asking her to help pack up the life she'd lived with someone else. It just seemed inappropriate somehow. She could, she knew, get any one of her friends to do it. But her heart was set on having Faith there to help her get through something that was bound to be painful.
"Yo, B! What's with ya?" Faith laughed, snapping her fingers in front of the blonde's face.
She'd entered the kitchen to find her staring into her coffee mug like she was searching for the answers to life's greatest mysteries. As amusing as it was, Faith wanted to find out why Buffy was up this early and she was impatient. Not getting any response, she swooped down to pick up Cookie and then set her on Buffy's shoulder. The reaction wasn't long in coming.
Cookie flexed her paws, digging her nails into the firm surface she was sprawled on. Buffy snapped back from her thoughts and bit her lip, whimpering slightly as the nails pierced her skin. She gently grabbed the kitten and, pausing to loosen the claws from her t-shirt, she then sat Cookie on her lap. Hazel eyes lifted to glare at Faith.
"That was so not funny. You could've caused me to hurt her, Faith!"
Faith's smile faded and she lowered her eyes. "Sorry, B. I was tryin' to get your attention and I didn't really think before I did that."
"It's okay, just don't do it again," She said softly and then turned her attention to the kitten. "How can you stand her, huh? She's such a brat."
Faith snickered. Though she'd given her to Buffy, Cookie had attached herself to the brunette Slayer instead. She figured they'd confused her by sharing a bed her first night there and at first had thought Cookie would eventually start sleeping in Buffy's room, but it hadn't happened yet and they'd resigned themselves to it. Now every morning she woke to find Cookie wrapped around a body part or sprawled on top of her.
"So what's the what?" Faith asked, crossing the room to fix a cup of coffee.
"Um, well, there's something I wanted to ask you," Buffy muttered, keeping her gaze on the purring kitten.
Setting the coffee pot back on the maker, she turned slightly at the odd tone in her voice. She studied the blonde briefly, seeing the uneasiness in her posture. Turning back to the counter, she continued fixing her coffee.
"What can I do for ya, B?"
Buffy took a long drink from her coffee, stalling. Then Faith turned to face her again and she sighed as she realized she wasn't going to get away with it. She set the mug back on the breakfast bar and returned to stroking Cookie's back.
"I was going to head out to the house today," She said quietly.
Faith's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Why?"
Buffy hadn't returned to the house in the time she'd been at Dawn's. She'd had Faith take a couple trips over there to pick up any clothing she'd needed. The blonde sighed and looked up at her.
"I've decided to sell, and I need to start packing up so I can get the house cleared out before I put it on the market." She shrugged and lowered her gaze again. "I was wondering if you'd come with."
"I'm so there," Faith answered quickly. "No way am I lettin' ya go through that shit alone, B. Want me to call the gang and see if they'll come too?"
A slight smile creased her lips and she shook her head. "No, I just want it to be us. I'm probably not going to be fit for company today."
"Aight, that's cool. Want me to fix breakfast before we go?" Faith asked, easily accepting her decision.
Buffy bit her lip, considering the question. She'd fallen in love with Faith's cooking. It was definitely another one of those "mad skills" the brunette liked to brag about. She sighed and her shoulders slumped.
"I just kind of want to get this over with," She murmured dejectedly.
"Aight, we'll grab somethin' from the Waffle House on the way there," Faith replied. "Then you can make it up to me by lettin' me fix lunch."
The blonde's eyes twinkled in response. She wasn't the only one with an affinity for home cooked meals. She'd learned that Faith preferred them since most of her life she'd had to settle for restaurants or microwave dinners when she could even afford to get food. Faith had also explained that when she was on missions she usually ended up with the options of junk food or greasy diners, which the very thought made Buffy's stomach turn in sympathy.
"I suppose I could be bribed to eat your cooking if there's no other option," She sighed aggrievedly, trying not to giggle in response to the good-humored glare she received.
Buffy reached over and before Faith could react, she nabbed the last bite of the brunette's waffles. She chewed her ill-gotten food happily, ignoring the indignant protest she received. Then she glanced around the kitchen and sighed.
"Guess it's time to get to work, huh?" Faith questioned quietly.
"Yeah, why don't you get the boxes from the car while I clean up this mess?" She asked, gesturing at the Styrofoam trays their breakfast had come in.
She waited until Faith left the room to get the boxes they'd gotten on the way there and then looked around. Her gaze fell on the table and she frowned at the recent memories. Then she shook her head and gathered their trash. The sooner they got this over and done with, the sooner she could say good-bye to this part of her life.
"Yo, B," Faith shouted from the master bathroom.
"What?" She asked, crossing the bedroom to poke her head inside.
"What are we supposed to do 'bout the furniture?" The brunette asked, jerking her thumb over her shoulder at the tall, light colored oak cabinet by the garden tub.
Buffy sighed and tucked her hands in her back pockets, leaning her shoulder against the doorjamb. She regarded the piece of furniture seriously and then shrugged.
"Just leave it. I'm going to try to sell the house as furnished."
Faith's eyebrows furrowed and she asked, "Couldn't ya use this stuff somewhere else?"
"Satsu and I picked most of this out together," Buffy explained quietly.
"Ah, I get ya," Faith said, nodding slightly. "Don't want the reminders, right?"
"Right," She answered dryly. "There are enough of those without keeping any of this."
Faith absently fidgeted with her belt buckle as she glanced around. Then she nudged the box by her foot and looked up at her.
"I think I got everything in here packed away. Wanna check to make sure?"
The blonde glanced at the two medium sized boxes and then shook her head. "No, that seems about right for this room. We'll do a quick run-through when we're finished to make sure we have everything before we leave."
"Aight," Faith muttered as she stepped around the boxes towards the doorway.
She paused as she looked around the bedroom, noticing that nothing had been touched in this room yet. She turned a questioning gaze on Buffy and sighed when she noticed the swollen, reddened eyes. She held out a hand for Buffy's and then tugged her close, linking their fingers. She cupped the back of the blonde's neck and kneaded it gently.
"Wanna tell me about it while I help ya pack up this room?"
Buffy closed her eyes briefly and sighed. Then she reopened her eyes and looked up at Faith.
"I can't ask you to do that. It wouldn't be right."
Faith smiled knowingly and shook her head. "I'm your friend, B. That's what I'm here for."
She released Buffy's hand and moved to the bed, grabbing a few flattened boxes. She assembled them and then searched out the packaging tape, quickly fixing them so they could hold stuff. She set a box on the bed and opened the nightstand drawers. Then she began emptying them and setting the items out on the mattress so Buffy could sort through them before they packed the boxes.
"Better start talkin', B."
Buffy reached out and grabbed a picture frame, turning it over in her hand. She studied the image, a melancholy smile creasing her lips. It was taken shortly after they'd first started dating. Buffy was leaning against a tree with her arms wrapped around Satsu's waist and her chin propped on her shoulder, and both were smiling with genuine happiness at the camera.
"You know, after the first time I slept with her I freaked out," She murmured quietly, gaining a snort in response. She smiled wryly. "Yeah, I guess it isn't really a surprise."
Faith carefully kept her gaze on what she was doing. Buffy needed to get this out and she didn't want anything to distract her in case it made her close off. She'd tried to get Buffy to do this a few times, but the blonde had shut her down each time. She was glad they'd gotten somewhere finally, even if it did mean having to hear about Satsu.
"She was so understanding about it, too," Buffy mused. "I guess that's part of why I didn't listen to what everyone said about her. She never once showed that side to me until now."
She sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Then when we went on that mission in Florida, we finally got together after two years of dancing around the subject. By the time I realized I was in love, I was so gone there wasn't any doubt in my mind about us 'cause she was so patient and gentle."
Tears blurred her gaze and she set the picture aside, wrapping her arms around her waist. She squeezed her eyes shut and choked out, "God, it hurts so fucking much. I thought it was getting easier, but it hasn't."
Faith sat down next to her and pulled her into her arms. The blonde buried her face in her chest and Faith gently rocked her, leaning her chin on Buffy's head. The deceptively strong body shook from the sobs and Faith tightened her hold.
"Sayin' good-bye's never easy," She murmured and closed her eyes as tears filled them, her heart breaking when the sobs grew louder.
