Title: Author: tjwiltshire
Email: toniiwiltshire@gmail.comRating: G
Disclaimer: A vague disclaimer is no-one's friend. I'm sure that's been said a thousand times but I still chuckled to myself anyways. Characters belong to Mutant Enemy/Joss Whedon, I just put the words together
Minor spoilers from "Family".
Feedback: Sure
Summary: Just something that I wrote late on a Sunday night. Tara reflecting on how her life has changed post-Willow. Based on a poem which I made a post about here:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10309***
Tara knelt alongside some of the wild flowers that were growing, carefully setting down her books to avoid crushing any. Her hand breezed over a few of the flowers, the light magic within her calling the flowers out of the earth. She willed the handful of flowers to remain airborne for a moment while she tugged her hair free from the hairband and ran her fingers through it. Gently, she plucked the flowers from the air and assembled them into what she was sure looked like a carefully considered arrangement. Twisting the hairband around the stems, her eyes scanned over the flowers to ensure they remained intact. She smiled, murmuring a soft thank you to the earth. Gathering up her things and placing the handmade bouquet on top, she made her way to the Magic Box.
Until recently, she would have kept her head down whilst walking, but over the course of the summer, Tara was surprised to realise that she was squaring her shoulders a little more and holding her head high as she strolled through life. Tara felt a grin spread across her face as she thought about the cause of her confidence boost.
Willow.
Willow, who had stood up for her against her family even after the awry spell she had cast.
Willow, who had held her all that night, through the tears and details of the abuse Tara had suffered as a child; finally being able to talk about her home life having lifted a weight off the brunette’s shoulders.
Tara no longer hid her face behind her hair. She had even noticed a reduction in the frequency with which she stuttered. All of these changes made Tara feel less transparent. Until recently, she had found comfort in blending into her surroundings, going unnoticed. Not anymore. She had purpose. She mattered.
She pushed the door to the Magic Box, the left side of her lips turning up into her signature half smile as she laid eyes on her redhead. Willow looked up at the sound of the bell and her face split into a grin when she saw who had come in. Tara’s eyes creased affectionately and she gave Willow a little wave as she got the flowers some water. The redhead patted the space on the bench next to her, her tongue cheekily poking out between her teeth. Tara said a soft hello to everyone else and moved quickly to the offered seat. Willow’s hand immediately found her girlfriend’s thigh and gave it a quick squeeze. Tara placed the flowers on the table. Willow was unable to hide her smile at her girlfriend’s close relationship with nature.
Oblivious to the redhead’s musings, Tara quickly kissed Willow’s cheek, her mouth lingering by her ear.
“Stay with me?” she murmured.
Willow turned her head slightly, kissing the brunette’s nose and smiling reassuringly.
“Always,” she whispered, placing a quick kiss on her girlfriend’s lips to seal the promise before turning back to the table, which had books scattered over it in what seemed like random disarray.
Tara smiled again and tucked some hair behind her ear. She watched as Willow concentrated on the text in front of her, and joined their hands together. She sent a silent prayer of thanks that this beautiful, smart and kind redhead was in her life. Then she made a promise to herself:
She would never become a ghost again.