Buffy the Vampire Slayer Preferences + imagines/one shots

Tillow - Apart

"Hi Sweetie." Tara says softly, dropping her bag to give Willow a quick hug.

Willow hugs her back tightly and takes the opportunity to whisper into her hair, "I missed you."

It feels like the understatement of the year. She never knew she could miss someone that much, especially when she was only gone a week to see her cousins in the next state over. Not to mention the fact this... thing between them hasn't been going on very long and yet, Willow aches for her in a way she's never felt before.

Tara's smiling when she pulls away and they stare at each other for a moment before Willow springs into action. 

"I-I brought you some cookies because I didn't know if you'd have eaten and I know long train rides can take it out of you." she pulls out a packet of chocolate chip cookies from her pocket, because she knows they are Tara's favourite, and picks up her bag with the other hand.

"Thank you," she replies, "But you don't have to carry my bag."

"No, I want to!" Willow smiles back and they fall into step as they walk down the platform, "Anyway, you pack light."

Willow knows it's a small gesture but she wants to show Tara how much she's missed her. She's never been great at saying what she feels, especially if she aims to convey it in a filler-free, coherent sentence, so maybe she can show her instead.

"How was your aunt's house?" 

"Painful," Tara replies but she doesn't look sad, "I'm glad to be back. With you."

Willow's stomach flips. She grips the bag a little tighter and focuses very hard on walking in a straight line.

"Me too. It's a shame we couldn't phone..." she can't help saying, although she understands why Tara thought it would be better not to. Especially if Aunt Maclay is as nosy as Tara makes her out to be. 

She doesn't reply. 

Willow searches for something to say. "I don't think I have much to update you on. Except that I finally nailed that locator spell."

"You did?" Tara turns to her, eyes wide, "I'm so proud!"

Willow beams, "And I only caused two minor explosions!"

Tara laughs and Willow is so grateful to have her back.

Soon, they are climbing the stairs up to Tara's dorm. Tara wrestles the bag out of Willow's grip when she sees her struggling. 

"Hey! I was being chivalrous!" Willow weakly protests and Tara rolls her eyes playfully.

"My witch in shining armour." she mutters and Willow quite likes the sound of being hers.

As soon as they are through the door - bags discarded and coats shrugged off - Willow backs Tara up against the door and tucks her hair behind her ear. She had had the intention of kissing her face until she couldn't breathe, but here in the moment, nerves get to her again. It's like the first time she dared kiss her, all thumping heart and sweaty palms. But Tara's trying not to grin and her eyes are practically sparkling and she smells so nice...

"Hi." Willow says quietly.

Tara blushes and looks away for a second, before her gaze lands on Willow's lips.

And that's the nudge Willow needs to press forward and kiss her girl. Up until now their kisses have been chaste and innocent, but maybe it was the week apart, maybe it's how much they've missed each other, but Willow can taste strawberry on her lips. 

Tara's bright pink when they reluctantly pull away, and she can guess that she looks just as flushed. Willow reaches out to wipe a bit of smudged lipgloss from Tara's chin and Tara takes her hand to kiss the back of it. 

"I missed you." Willow says.

"I missed you too."