An Unexpected Visitor
I Hate To Turn Up Out Of The Blue, Uninvited
But I Couldn't Stay Away, I Couldn't Fight It
Tara sat in front of her mirror, fixing a tie around the collar of her shirt.
Behind her on the bed, Willow lay with a softly-rising chest and spent limbs.
“You can’t ravish me like that and then just leave like I’m a used sock.”
Tara adjusted the tie, straining her neck to try and make it straighter.
“Willow, they’re giving me a regular DJ slot. As magical as your pussy is, I can’t blow work off for it.”
Willow turned herself on her side with the sheet haphazardly strewn around her body.
“You can have more than my pussy…”
Tara arched an eyebrow through the mirror.
“I already have.”
“Any time and any place. I don’t care who’s around,” Willow grinned but soon started to pout, “Can I at least come with you?”
“Yes,” Tara replied as she brushed some blusher onto her cheeks, “You don’t have to ask. You’re always welcome in the booth beside me. I’ll even show you how to spin the decks if you want.”
Willow had a better idea.
“Will you fingerbang me in the alleyway afterward again?”
Tara’s cheeks turned pinker than just the blush application she had applied.
“I certainly need to learn how to channel that post-show energy.”
Willow bit the corner of her lip.
“You channeled it perfectly.”
Tara came to sit on the edge of the bed to pull on her combat boots under her pinstriped skirt.
“We can’t do that. We were lucky we didn’t get caught last time.”
“That’s what makes it fun,” Willow grinned as she reached over and hooked a finger into the waistband of Tara’s skirt.
Tara pulled the zip up on her boot.
“That’s what ends my career.”
Willow snapped her finger out of Tara’s skirt and ran her fingertips over Tara’s sexy fishnet stockings.
“So you want DJ-ing to be a career now?”
“No,” Tara replied, then frowned, “I don’t know. It’s fun right now, that’s all I know. Plus, I just started. It’s not like my books are filled up every weekend for the rest of the year.”
“Would you like that?” Willow questioned softly.
Tara’s eyebrows rose.
“And not have to work the restaurant or the bar during the week? Of course.”
Willow rolled onto her back and lifted her knee provocatively.
“Think my magic pussy could work any favors for you?”
Tara leaned over and pressed a kiss below Willow’s belly button.
“If it could be alert and ready to be eaten when we get home, that would be great.”
Willow let her legs close softly, already feeling a small surge of arousal from Tara’s kiss.
“That is never a problem around you.”
Tara smiled at Willow, then looked down and frowned.
“I’m not feeling the tie.”
She stood up and went to the closet, disrobing her shirt on the way.
“You looked hot,” Willow called out encouragingly.
Tara rolled her eyes over her shoulder.
“You always say that. I could wear a potato sack and you would say that.”
“It would be true,” Willow reasoned, running her palm in circles around the sheet, “Isn’t it better than ‘oh-I-better-not-tell-Tara-I-like-that-top-in-case-it-sounds-gay’?”
“It probably was gay,” Tara said as she looked through her shirts hanging in the closet, “You probably only thought that about the shirts that showed off my boobs.”
“Well I’m only a mere human,” Willow defended, her eyes brightening as Tara pulled on a long-sleeved leatherette crop top, “Ooh, I like a little Tara-tummy on show.”
Tara smoothed out the top and checked herself in the mirror.
“If you’re coming with me, you better get dressed.”
“I already came with you,” Willow replied cockily, “And you came twice.”
Tara bent over the bed and popped a kiss on Willow’s lips.
“And were I not a consummate professional I’d be hopping back in there for number three. But I am, so hop to it.”
She slapped Willow’s behind, who jumped and grinned from ear to ear.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Tara winked and popped another quick kiss on Willow’s lips before leaving to gather all of her equipment.
In the living room, she could hear the slap and tickle going on in Anya’s bedroom but couldn’t exactly complain — she knew Willow and she had breached the walls of their bedroom with their ‘activities’ as well from time to time.
She also couldn’t complain that Xander had started spending half the week here because Willow, too, did the same, although Willow did pay her way.
And Tara was sure Anya had never walked in on Willow sitting around in her underwear eating Lucky Charms with the marshmallows stuck to her chest as Tara had with Xander two nights ago, but she could grit her teeth and bear it to see her friend genuinely happy again.
She just hoped they never suggested Xander move in because Tara wasn’t sure this place was big enough for the four of them permanently. Xander’s construction job in Sunnydale seemed pretty steady and he was even moving up the ranks already, so he had a good incentive to stay put.
Tara immediately felt guilty for the thought and tried to brush it aside as she went to the hall closet to wheel out her decks. As she brought them out there was a knock on the door and Tara prayed to whatever goddess may exist that it wasn’t another Postmates delivery driver with a cock ring that was most certainly
not discreetly wrapped.
“Coming!” she shouted loudly enough that hopefully Anya would hear and come out if it was for her.
She approached slowly, looking over her shoulder for any movement on Anya’s bedroom door before cautiously turning the handle.
She could never have guessed who would be on the other side.
“Nate!”
Nate beamed as Tara threw herself into his arms. He closed his hands around her and swung her from side to side.
“There’s my Queen of Sex!”
He winced as he set Tara down.
“Sax,” he amended and ran a hand back through his hair, “Jet lag.”
“Oh you’re a real New Yorker now, aren’t you?” Tara teased, lightly punching his arm before grasping it tenderly, “What are you doing here?”
She ushered him in and closed the door behind him.
“Had some business in Tinseltown and thought why not come to visit the best white girl rapper I know,” Nate said in a low drawl, “I, uh, watch your YouTube videos by the way. They’re rad. I’m glad you’re still putting that stellar voice to good use.”
Tara turned her head and smiled bashfully. Nate returned the smile but quickly averted his gaze to his shoes and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
Acting nothing like the cocky persona all of the magazines told of him, he turned his head and looked around.
“Nice place. Great location. And I like that you kept your string lights.”
He gestured towards the fairy lights hanging along the kitchen window.
Tara smiled softly.
“Than—”
Before she could fully answer, Anya ran out of her room wrapped in a blanket.
“Did my whipped cream arrive?” she asked eagerly, then stalled with wide eyes as she took in their guest, “You’re Nate Williamson.”
Nate glanced at Tara and brushed a finger over his eyebrow.
“Uh, yeah.”
“Anya, you know I went to school with Nate,” Tara explained the situation.
Nate bumped Tara’s shoulder.
“Hey, it was more than that.”
Tara smiled.
“Yes, we were in a band together.”
Nate swallowed.
“Right,” he nodded.
Without taking her eyes off of Nate, Anya yanked Tara to the side.
“You didn’t tell me he was coming here!”
“I didn’t know,” Tara answered honestly.
Xander chose that moment to come skidding out of the bedroom wearing only an elephant-themed cock-sock.
Tara looked everywhere but at it.
“Hey Ahn—” he started, then adopted much the same look as Anya as he set eyes on the other man in the room, “You’re Nate Williamson.”
Nate nodded easily given what he was being confronted with.
“Apparently I am.”
Xander squealed and ran back into the bedroom but it was not the last of the Dumbo Dick as he came back with a sharpie and skidded up to Nate.
“Would you sign my chest? It’s Xander. X-A-N-D-E-R.”
“Uhhh…” Nate looked to Tara, whose head was in her hands, but honestly, this wasn’t even the worst autograph request he’d ever gotten, “Sure.”
He scrawled his name and Xander squealed again. Anya came over and repeatedly ran her hand over it, even when Xander slapped her away in case she smudged it.
“I’m…so sorry,” Tara said when she could pull Nate away, “Funnily enough this isn’t even my worst roommate experience.”
“La-La-Land, amirite?” Nate just laughed with a shrug, “It’s, uh, always nice to meet a fan.”
Willow appeared then, dressed in black skinny jeans and a pink and black flannel shirt that hung low on her waist and tight on her shoulders. With matching eye make-up, she was a delightful pop of color.
“What is with all the hoopla—” she asked, her eyes taking several moments to take in the scene before she settled on one person with all of her facial muscles tightening, “Nate.”
Nate took a hand out of his pocket to wave but didn’t quite meet her eye.
“Oh, uh, Willow, right?”
Willow nodded quickly.
“Yeah. Willow,” she confirmed, then cast her eyes at Tara, “Um, baby, do we need to…?”
Tara’s eyes widened, remembering where she was on her way to.
“Yes,” she said and turned to her friend apologetically, “Nate, I’m on my way out to a show.”
Nate gave her a big, real smile.
“Oh, you’re still playing! I heard you quit after the arm thing.”
Tara shook her head.
“Not quit, but no, I don’t play shows anymore,” she explained and gestured to the equipment waiting near the door, “I DJ now. I just started really but I’ve done a couple of solo shows and the bar I work at has given me a regular slot.”
Nate surveyed the equipment, impressed.
“That’s so cool,” he breathed and held his hands up, “I’m so sorry, I just barged in. I’ll head out.”
Tara reached out and grasped Nate’s hand. Willow looked away.
“No, please come,” Tara said, squeezing Nate’s hand between both of hers, “I’d love for you to be there. We can have a drink afterward and catch up. Do you have other plans?”
Nate slowly smiled.
“I do have the night off.”
“We’re coming!” Anya announced, readily backed up by a keenly-nodding Xander.
“Not like that you’re not,” Willow said and her face broke out in horror as she finally noticed what Xander was wearing, “Oh my god. OH MY GOD. GET THAT OUT OF HERE. GO! GO! GET!”
She shooed them out like cats and pulled the bedroom door closed firmly behind her.
“God. Boundaries, people!”
Nate laughed and raised his chin slightly.
“Didn’t you date him or something?”
Willow’s brow furrowed.
“What?”
Nate scratched behind his ear and looked at Tara.
“Did you not tell me your friend Willow was dating a Xander when we were in school?”
Willow seemed unsure how to take that she was talked about at all. Tara looked between them slowly.
“No. No, I never said that. Not that they were dating.”
“Oh,” Nate shrugged, “My mistake.”
Willow pushed off the door and came to stand by Tara.
“I’ve never dated anyone but Tara,” she said, linking their fingers and smiling softly, “Thankfully.”
Tara smiled back. Nate looked up toward the ceiling.
“Let me carry this for you,” he said as he walked toward the decks.
“Are you okay?” Tara whispered to Willow.
Willow kissed Tara’s cheek.
“Of course.”
She squeezed their hands together and then broke them to do her part with hauling the equipment.
“You look fly by the way,” Nate commented to Tara as they walked to the car.
Willow didn’t miss his lingering gaze at Tara’s butt, but she honestly couldn’t blame him. That skirt hugged her in all the right places.
She did, however, begrudge him for taking the front seat with Tara and relegating her to the back without even asking. Sure, his legs were long but it wasn’t exactly cozy city back there with all of Tara’s equipment taking up most of the room.
Thankfully the bar was only a couple of blocks away.
Listening to their banter and Tara’s laugh made Willow realize she needed to lose the attitude and be happy for her girlfriend to see her old friend. Tara’s laugh was a swift cure for anything, even irrational jealousy,
Willow dutifully acted as a lackey and in fairness, Nate did carry the heavy stuff up to the hidden platform for Tara. He seemed to get a kick out of seeing her set-up and Willow tried not to be jealous that Tara had told her she’d show her how to play a song.
She reminded herself Tara had a
regular slot now and could show her anytime and smiled proudly. Tara spotted her smile and smiled back over Nate’s shoulder, filling Willow with a warmth in her stomach that traveled up to her heart.
She walked up and put her hand on Tara’s elbow.
“Hey, I’m gonna watch from the pews tonight,” she said, rubbing the back of Tara’s clothed arm, “Make sure the groupies don’t attack.”
“I should warn the manager,” Tara nodded seriously, “Thank you.”
She kissed Willow’s cheek and ran down the back stairs of the platform, leaving Nate and Willow alone.
“Guess I should be freaking out a bit more,” Willow waved her hands awkwardly, “Big superstar in our midst.”
Nate shrugged one shoulder.
“I don’t feel any different. Don’t know why I should be treated any.”
Willow exhaled a soft breath.
“But I’m guessing people do anyway.”
Nate lifted his head and looked at Willow curiously for a moment.
Tara returned then, out of breath from running. She put a hand on Nate’s arm.
“My manager is insisting on getting you a VIP table.”
“Aw, nah,” Nate started to shake his head but when someone passing by to go to the bathroom spotted him and squealed, he quickly acquiesced, “Uh, yeah, okay.”
“I’ll take you,” Tara offered and turned her head to Willow, “Will you find Xander and Anya?”
“They’re invited up there too?” Willow asked dubiously.
“Better to have them in sight,” Tara explained.
“Who’s sight—” Willow started, then groaned, “Me-sight.”
Tara kissed Willow’s ear and whispered quietly.
“You have no idea of the kinds of things I’ll do to make this up to you.”
Willow’s blush was hidden under the fluorescent lights but Tara knew it was there and winked.
In the short time it took Willow to make her way down to the floor, the place was buzzing with news that Nate Williamson was here. Willow knew his popularity had skyrocketed lately, but this was
intense. He was clearly in ‘get any girl in the world’ territory and he still clearly had the hots for
her girl.
Still couldn’t blame him.
She didn’t actually believe he was a threat; Tara was most certainly gay if nothing else and there was a lot more between them than ‘nothing else’ to know she’d never stray.
But it still felt intimidating to think a bona fide rockstar had their eye on your love.
More than that, he clearly at least one point in time had been in love with her.
And again, gosh darn it, Willow still couldn’t blame him.
She’d gone through the exact same process; hit every branch on the way down and sometimes hit Tara with those branches too and yet Tara still chose her. She could imagine it felt unfair. But it wasn’t. Because those branches always belonged to the same roots; hers and Tara’s, forever entwined.
She found Xander and Anya who had somehow acquired t-shirts with Nate on them that Willow could only assume they already owned. Shaking her head, she pushed them towards the roped-off gate where the VIP table was and told them both to behave as she walked in front of them and made them sit as far away as possible at the table.
Tara had already gone back to the DJ platform but Willow was surprised to see a large man standing beside Nate in a black suit and sunglasses.
“Are the Bug race about to take over?” Willow asked in confusion as she approached and backed off when the man tried to pat her down, “Hey! Hands!”
“Hey, hey,” Nate stood up and pushed the man back, “She’s cool, she’s cool.”
“I enjoyed it!” Anya butted in helpfully.
“Sorry,” Nate said with a visible cringe, “I have to call my bodyguard in if, uh, y’know, I’m somewhere…uh, it’s a contract thing. Sorry.”
Willow scowled at the bodyguard and plopped herself down on the semi-circular couch. She couldn’t even enjoy the fact that she was in the VIP section after Handsy McHandserson tried to cop a feel. Though the cushioning was absolutely luxurious; her butt felt like it was being massaged.
A drink was placed in front of her that she hadn’t ordered and when she took a sip was surprised to taste alcohol. She managed not to cough it back up and sat back deeply into that massaging cushioning before it was taken away.
After a few minutes, the overhead lights started to flash above the stage and the curtains were pulled back dramatically.
“Please welcome…DJ TAROT!”
Willow jumped up and started clapping wildly.
“Wooo! Yeah! Go DJ Tarot!!”
Nate gave a slow clap; his large hands making the sound reverberate around the table.
Tara began to play and Willow could feel the music everywhere — whooshing past her face; making her hairs stand on end; deeply vibrating through her bones.
Beside her, Nate was mesmerized.
“She’s amazing.”
“Yes, she is,” Willow answered proudly.
Nate took his phone out to take some pictures and Willow found herself doing the same — whether to one-up him or not, Willow didn’t even know herself but it was a lot easier to take all-encompassing pictures from this vantage point.
The crowd was electric and Willow even heard Anya and Xander murmuring about how good Tara was; somehow pulling their attention away from whatever couple-crush on Nate was going on there. She also heard them discussing how to ask him for a threesome and at that point, she kicked them out back down to the floor.
She may not be sure exactly how she felt about Nate but the guy was clearly bombarded all of the time. He was Tara’s friend and he deserved at least to get to enjoy her show in peace.
This left her alone with Nate (and Shrek-in-a-suit but he did his best to blend into the surroundings).
“When did she get into this?” Nate asked, his voice so awed and low Willow would not have heard it had she not been sitting right beside him.
“When we were in Iceland,” Willow answered, the alcohol loosening her up enough to not be jealous of that look of utter longing on Nate’s face, “We roomed with a girl who invited us to her show, and Tara was just mesmerized. She met another DJ when she started working here and they really showed her the ropes. Good community, the DJs.”
“No doubt,” Nate breathed softly, “Hey, I remember her asking me for tips for an app…I didn’t realize it was this serious though.”
“I think that might have even been before Iceland,” Willow recalled, “Traveling like that, she never got to play music. She missed it. The apps really helped her get her rhythm out.”
Nate smiled softly and Willow let him have the moment.
During the show, Willow and Nate stared at Tara in silence with the same slightly wide-eyed look and small twitch of their lips. But when Tara looked back, her eyes were only for one person. Given the proximity of Willow and Nate’s seat, though, this was hard to tell.
Still, when the show was finishing up, Willow caught Tara most definitively meeting her gaze. Willow knew this because only she truly knew the heavy-lidded, lip-parted, tongue-poking look of arousal that Tara gave, particularly when she finished a show.
Willow cleared her throat, hoping her blush would be hidden under the dark lights, and promptly stood.
“Uh, this is her last set. I gotta go, um, just, uh, help her finish up.”
Nate stood and buttoned his jacket.
“Oh, I can—”
“NOPE!” Willow cut him off and ran her hand back over her hair, “Uh, they only let one person up there with her. Safety thing.”
Nate pushed out his lips and nodded, releasing his button as he sat back down. Willow spun on her heels and hurried down to the dance floor, pushing past the people totally entranced waiting for Tara’s last beat to drop. She got bounced around by swaying bodies as they embraced those final notes and reached the base of the DJ platform right as Tara finished and the lights went out dramatically.
Unable to see for a moment, the bouncer started to push Willow away. Shouting was pointless as the music still hung in the air but when red low lighting replaced the light show that had been, Willow gestured to herself dramatically and the bouncer mumbled an apology as he let her up.
The curtains closed across the platform and Willow hurried up the steps to see Tara with her head arched back, downing water from her water bottle. Beads of sweat were falling down her neck as the muscles strained and Willow could see each gulp as it went down.
Tara finished her bottle of water and wiped her arm over her forehead as she straightened up again. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Willow and quickly slapped her water bottle back down. Eyes as wild as the limbs had been on the dance floor, she strode over and pulled Willow in by the collar of her shirt. Kissing her without even the smallest of gaps left for air, her hands slid up to Willow’s cheeks and pummeled their lips together.
She broke for just a moment, looked into Willow’s lusty eyes that she knew was mirrored back, and exhaled sharply.
“Screw it.”
She tugged on Willow’s hand, who could do nothing but obediently follow as they went down the other side of the platform and through the break room to the staff bathroom. Finding it thankfully empty, Tara pulled Willow into one of the stalls. She used one hand to push the lock closed on the door while the other grabbed Willow’s hip and pulled their bodies together.
Willow could smell Tara’s sweat and it instantly invoked a stirring between her legs. She watched Tara’s nostrils flare and was sure her girlfriend could smell her. This was only compounded by Tara’s hand flying to Willow’s belt to snap it open and get her hand under those tight jeans.
Tara didn’t waste a second and Willow didn’t need her to; providing ample slickness to Tara’s questing fingers.
“Ugh.”
Tara answered Willow’s short moan with one of her own as her fingers rolled over Willow’s clit and quickly set a fast pace. Willow bit her lip to stop anything louder escaping but could do nothing to stop the rhythmic banging of her head against the wall as her whole body gave over to Tara’s touch.
Tara attacked Willow’s neck with sucking and nibbles, using her whole body weight to thrust against Willow. She could feel Willow’s heart pounding between them and reached down to tug Willow’s jeans down mid-thigh so she had the room to plunge her fingers inside.
“Uh, yes!” Willow let out a long, loud groan.
“Ssh,” Tara coaxed softly and pressed her lips on Willow’s.
After a moment, the door outside opened.
“Hello?”
Never so quickly had Tara reacted; pulling Willow’s legs up around her waist so her sneakers couldn’t be seen through the space on the door. She cleared her throat to compose herself.
“Uh, hey, Ronan,” she called out to the assistant manager, shooting Willow a look when she tried to continue to rub herself on Tara, “Just had to run to the bathroom before I packed up.”
“Oh, cool, okay,” Ronan called back, “Hey, did you really bring Nate Williamson with you?”
Tara struggled to hold up Willow’s weight and it made her voice quiver.
“He’s, um, an old school friend.”
“So cool,” Ronan breathed, “Hey can you get me an autograph?”
Willow let out a low moan, so low only Tara could conceivably hear her, but Tara still tilted her neck as an offering to muffle her. Willow happily latched on and Tara’s eyes rolled back into her head.
“Yep, sure, I’ll get that for you but um, Ijustneedafewminutesokay?”
“Right! Sorry! Catch you later!” Ronan said before the door shut again.
Tara eased Willow’s legs back down and in a massive show of arm strength, kept up the pace she had set before.
“I’m gonna come,” Willow whispered, not even caring that the upper, exposed, portion of her bare butt was rubbing all over the hopefully recently-cleaned bathroom wall.
Tara curled her fingers and Willow plated her mouth of Tara’s neck; biting down to release the energy that would have bubbled out a lot more vocally otherwise.
Tara exhaled and began to slow her hand, pulling out and just letting it rest on top of Willow for a few moments. She kissed Willow on the lips and then down her jaw, falling off gently.
When everything was still, Tara tidied up Willow’s jeans and left the stall to wash her hands. It was dark and dingy in there but she was able to make sure her clothing was straight and that her hair hadn’t moved out of place.
Willow came out tying her belt and kissed Tara’s cheek.
“I approve of your wind-down methods.”
Tara smoothed out her eyebrows and caught Willow’s eye through the mirror.
“That’s the last time.”
“Uh-huh,” Willow replied, grinning.
Tara passed by to get to the door and smacked her ass on the way.
Willow blushed, seen easier under the brighter lights of the hall leading back to the stage.
“Hey, um, you go hang out with Nate. I’ll pack up your stuff.”
Tara shook her head.
“No, I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not, I’m offering,” Willow smiled, then winked, “Kinda owe you one.”
“There’s definitely no ‘owing’ involved,” Tara replied insistently.
“No, I know,” Willow said with an easy smile, “But I want to. It’ll only take 10 minutes. Don’t worry, I know what not to touch.”
Tara rubbed Willow’s arm and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you.”
Willow brushed her fingers on Tara’s arm and walked up the platform from the back stairs while Tara slipped back onto the floor to go find Nate.
Even she had never been in the VIP section before. The bar provided bottle service but she’d never been trained in it. Even just collecting the glasses apparently required more skill than collecting them from any other table as only senior servers were sent up here.
Nate stood as she walked over and threw his arms around her.
“Girl, where were you hiding those skills?!”
Tara smiled bashfully.
“I wasn’t really. It just sort of happened. I’m still a newbie.”
“You don’t sound like it,” Nate effused as they sat down, “Shit, I’ve paid thousands of dollars to go to shows with a lot less beat than you just produced.”
Tara’s eyebrow arched softly.
“T-thousands?”
Nate waved off a hand.
“I shouldn’t be surprised. You always came out with the best stuff. I remember we’d be rehearsing and you’d just come out with this killer line,” he put his hand on his heart and pushed himself back like he’d been shot, “We could have been anything.”
He shook his head and cleared his throat.
“You. You could have been anything.”
“I’m everything I ever wanted and a lot more I didn’t even know about,” Tara smiled easily, patting Nate’s knee, “And you, Mister Superstar. I see you everywhere these days. Can’t turn on the radio without hearing your name. How’d you do it?”
“Wish I knew,” Nate scratched behind his ear, “Right time, right place?”
“Not to mention raw talent and devilish good looks,” Tara grinned and nudged Nate’s shoulder, “You should tell me when you’re going to be in an article or something instead of just sending me funny memes.”
“I thought you liked my funny memes,” Nate replied, faux-wounded.
“I do,” Tara laughed, “You’re just a very dear friend and I don’t want to lose you to the craziness going on in both of our lives.”
Nate nodded slowly.
“I get ya. And you too, miss. L.A.’s hottest new DJ and I don’t know a thing.”
“Hardly,” Tara shook her head, “Newest, maybe.”
Nate winked.
“I know what I’m talking about.”
They both laughed and as they were doing so, Trina, the manager approached with a wide smile.
“I hope everything has been to your liking this evening,” she said and while she was always a cheery person, Tara found that smile slightly scary.
“Just great,” Nate said with a charming drawl.
Trina clasped her hands in front of her.
“I know you’re on personal time but word has spread around of your presence and we wondered if you’d play a song for us?”
Tara’s eyes widened. She never knew her boss to be inappropriate. She sat up a little straighter.
“Y-you see, Nate’s my friend. I-I didn’t invite him here—”
“It’s okay,” Nate interjected quickly, saving Tara any animosity with her boss, “I’d be happy to.”
He cast his smile over to Tara.
“But only if we can have an Insect Reflection reunion.”
Tara’s brow rose. Nate offered his hand and Tara could only accept. Trina beamed.
“Excellent. The stage is all set up.”
Tara suddenly remembered Willow and while Trina gushed to Nate about his gay following, Tara walked ahead and saw Willow stacking everything by the door out to the parking lot.
“Thank you so much, darling,” she said as she placed a hand on Willow’s back.
Willow looked up and smiled.
“Good workout,” she said before eyeing the conversation behind her, “What’s up?”
“They’ve roped Nate into playing a song, which I’m very uncomfortable about but he says it’s cool,” Tara replied, folding her arms lightly over her chest, “As long as I sing too.”
Willow smiled softly.
“Insect Reflection reunion.”
“Hell yeah,” Nate overheard and held his hand out for a high five.
Willow returned it and kissed Tara’s cheek.
“Guess I’ll be watching from the crowd.”
She gave Tara an encouraging wink and held her hand until she had to part to go out to the floor. She ordered a cherry coke and enjoyed it, not even missing the alcohol from earlier.
No wonder so many stars were alcoholics if they were laden with the stuff before they were even legal. Then again, she was one to talk after various drunken nights notched up on her scorecard all over the world.
She pushed to the front of the crowd, knowing they would go wild once they heard what was happening. She felt a little smug, in the know.
Sure enough, when Trina came on the PA to announce a special performance, there were squeals, and Willow was jostled for her top spot, not that she’d yield it. She held her shoulders firm so she could watch the show from her favorite stool at the bar.
The curtain parted and Nate was standing at one microphone with a guitar someone had given him while Tara stood at another microphone on the other side and ever-so-slightly in the shadows.
Her voice, however, was everywhere. Low and evocative, Willow got a shudder right from the first line.
Hush, shush, quiet down
Tilt those lips, no need to frown
Covert, furtive, underground
It don’t matter, I’ll still drown
In you
Oh, in youTara offered Willow a crooked smile, who blushed to her toes considering what they’d just done.
She remembered Tara playing this song for her the first time and how it had shot right to her anxieties about coming out. Now, she was still happy to be Tara’s secret boo. As long as it was only against bathroom doors or alleyway walls.
Willow felt her cheeks start to flame a brighter red as Tara continued the song. She remembered the first time and being so upset at how dirty it was and though it was not the ode to cunnilingus that Willow had heard since she very much enjoyed the sultriness of the words pouring from Tara’s lips for her.
Because if nothing else, Willow LOVED that those words were written for her and couldn’t imagine ever not. Couldn't imagine the person she had been. When this moment could be anything but deep, erotic joy.
Once they finished up, Willow and Tara were sharing beaming, secret smiles and while the crowd had whooped and hollered, there was now a loud chant for Nate’s number one hit, Flower Girl.
Tara quietly walked off stage and Nate ran his hand back through his hair. Someone brought out a stool and Nate sat, somewhat awkwardly. He rested his hand over the strings and closed his eyes. A spotlight came upon him and he continued to keep his eyes closed as he began to play.
Violet, violet, violet, Vi…
I guess I'll never be your guy
It’s time for me to say goodbye
Because you’re notWillow wasn’t sure whether or not to bristle. This song was so obviously written about Tara and it felt so uncomfortable to just be sitting here listening to this man pour his heart out over her seemingly oblivious girlfriend.
Tara jumped down onto the floor and cozied up next to Willow. Tara rested her head on Willow’s shoulder and took her hand to squeeze.
At that moment, Willow knew that Tara knew.
Willow didn’t need any more to be said.
They listened to the performance more than the song itself and sneaked away to load up the car with Tara’s equipment. Willow offered to drive it home, so Tara gave her the keys and went back to find Nate, who was signing autographs at the door. Tara noted Ronan was excitedly procuring his own autograph and selfie and so she didn’t approach until everyone had dispersed.
“You can split, man,” Nate said to his bodyguard when he spotted Tara coming toward him, “We’re cool.”
The bodyguard nodded once silently and left. Nate smiled at Tara and put an arm around her shoulders.
“I don’t play for free for just anyone’s boss, you know.”
“Oh Nate, I’m so sorry,” Tara replied, shaking her head, “That was so inappropriate.”
“It’s cool. I always like to please the fans. Not to mention my best girl,” he squeezed Tara’s shoulder and paused as they walked back onto the street, “Hey Tara…”
He looked at her for a long moment, then shook his head and became unusually coy. Tara put a hand on his chest and patted it.
“It’s been so nice to see you,” she said sincerely, “I always knew you’d make it big but I had no idea it would be so soon.”
Nate waved a hand bashfully.
“Hey, I, uh, owe you some cash. Album sale stuff. Do you have an accountant or anything my people can deal with?”
“Your ‘people’,” Tara grinned.
“She’s got jokes, she’s got jokes,” Nate puffed out a breath and laughed.
“Honestly?” Tara raised one shoulder and dropped it, “Willow helps me with all my tax stuff. Have ‘your people’ contact her.”
Nate smiled somewhat sadly.
“She’s who you wrote all those songs about, isn’t she?”
Tara nodded.
“Every word.”
Nate sighed and took Tara’s hand to twirl her in the street.
“Then she’s a damn good muse,” he said and winked, “And you scratch as good as anyone I’ve heard.”
Tara looked down at the ground.
“I’ve barely started.”
“You’re
good DJ Tarot,” Nate replied emphatically, “You always knew how to carry people away with that beat.”
Tara faked falling backward.
“And you always knew how to make the girls swoon.”
“Not all of ‘em,” Nate muttered and realized they were standing outside of Tara’s apartment, “I’m in the studio first thing so I guess I better go get some sleep.”
“Since when are you sensible?” Tara asked with a sideways grin.
Nate stretched his arms above his head and let them drop.
“Since it paid off my parents’ mortgage.”
Tara shook her head, smiling.
“That’s incredible.”
“Yes, it is,” Nate agreed and pulled Tara into a hug, “Let’s not leave it so long next time, yeah?”
“Definitely not,” Tara agreed.
They parted and smiled and Nate looked to the right, making Tara look too and noticing for the first time that Anya and Xander had been creeping behind them.
“Hey, you two!” Nate called out jovially, “I’m playing The Hollywood Bowl this summer. I’ll get you a couple of tickets.”
They looked at each other and joined both sets of hands, squealing. Nate cocked an eyebrow at Tara.
“They’re not going to tie me up or anything are they?”
“Not without your consent,” Tara shook her head seriously.
Nate chuckled and briefly put his hand behind Tara’s head, pulling her into her chest. He kissed the top of her head.
“Keep kicking ass, kid.”
“Keep being a superstar, superstar,” Tara returned and Nate smiled.
“I’ll make sure you get in safe.”
“Such a gentleman,” Tara teased as she got her keys out and let herself into the apartment, “Bye.”
Tara ushered Xander and Anya in without incident and waved goodbye to Nate, whose big hand waved back before slapping back against his jeans to fish out his phone and call a Lyft.
Disturbingly for Tara, Anya and Xander ran into her bedroom as soon as they were in the door, making Tara quickly find Willow in their room to be as far away as possible. Tara spotted Willow standing over the bed and came over, closing her arms around her and letting them both fall into the bed.
Willow giggled and turned around to face Tara.
“Good night?”
Tara nuzzled Willow’s nose.
“Especially in the restroom.”
Willow blushed.
“Need some relief?”
Tara shook her head, eyes lidded.
“I’m thinking a slow, morning roll in the hay after a very well-earned night’s sleep.”
“I’m thinking that’s good thinking,” Willow kissed Tara softly, “I’m really glad you got to see your friend.”
Tara’s eyes conveyed something her words couldn’t.
“And I’m really glad I have the world’s best girlfriend.”
They kissed for another few minutes until they were too tired to continue and went to get ready for bed. As they settled in, something became very obvious.
Tara cringed.
“We’re going to need earplugs.”
Willow produced two pairs from her nightstand. Tara smiled.
“Always prepared.”
She took the set and popped them in her ears.
“And still close enough to hear you snore.”
“Pfft,” Willow returned as she put her arm around Tara’s waist, “Close enough to hear me wrangle an army of vegetables maybe.”
“Has Colonel Carrot been making an appearance lately?” Tara asked softly as she closed her eyes.
“Only when Major Mushroom can’t keep them in line,” Willow murmured in reply, “Night, baby.”
Tara took in a slow inhale as she succumbed to sleep.
“Goodnight, Willow. I love you.”
- good thing that the wet spots have already dried apparantly... 
Colour me intrigued about which combination(s) Willow has in mind. Maybe her "Ew!" exclamation to Buffy's error about her intentions the night before was too much protest of that lady... 
I do not think I left any on this series yet, so I shall start with this chapter. 
I was not expecting that and now am stuck with the imagery. Somehow this is worse than the first time in the 'male' showers in Army barracks post transitioning. This is self-inflicted on my brain, whereas, the latter I have no option and do what Tara did here every time.
Great ending to the chapter.
It's coming, I promise!
)
I had a friend who would do this whenever he entered my old apartment. Definitely fits Anya.
