�Am I late?� Willow asked nervously as she glanced down at her watch. �I didn�t mean to be late. Stupid watch must be slow. That�s what you get for having a cheap, old watch, shoddy workmanship and such. I�m so sorry, I was thinking I�d get here ridiculously early and you wouldn�t be ready, and instead I turn up late and you�re all out in the hallway looking for me. Sorry.�
�N-no, Willow you�re on time. I was w-w-worried. It�s dark and, um, there�s v-vampires and things. I was just worried.� Tara explained then gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
�Oh, sorry for making you worry. I�m here though, all in one piece, no encounters with any vamps or monsters or anything of demon origin. Besides, I had a slayer escorting me all the way here and I never go anywhere without my holy water, stake and cross. So, we�re all safe and good and there�s nothing to worry about.�
�Good. Erm, g-good that you�re okay. D-do you want to come in a second? I n-need to get a jacket.�
Willow wordlessly followed Tara into the dorm room and quietly pushed the door closed. Once she was sure that they were safe from the view of any passers by, the redhead took Tara�s left hand and placed a gentle kiss on the back of it. Before the shy wiccan even had time to blush Willow produced a small bunch of lilac and blue flowers from behind her back.
�Flowers for milady.� Willow�s eyes sparkled as she flashed one of her 1000 watt grins.
�Th-thank you Willow, they�re beautiful.� Tara graciously accepted the flowers then put them in her sink while she looked for a vase.
�So are you, beautiful I mean. You look really good. I mean, you always do, but tonight you look extra-specially good. And did I mention beautiful? Very beautiful, with you�re hair all golden and flowing, and your amazing blue eyes, just like an angel, and can I kiss you?�
As Willow had spoken Tara listened almost in disbelief that anyone could be saying these words about her. At the sound of Willow likening her to an angel Tara�s heart skipped a beat. When Willow wrapped her arms around her waist and asked permission to kiss her, Tara was so taken aback that she dropped the vase she�d been holding sending it shattering to the floor.
�Sorry.� Both girls exclaimed at once as they crouched down to pick up the large pieces of glass.
�No, it was my fault, I made you jump. I shouldn�t have sneaked up on you like that, and now I�ve made you break your vase. I�ll buy you a new one, even if it was really expensive, I�ll replace it. U-unless, it had sentimental value? It did, didn�t it? It�s probably a family heirloom or something. God I�m the worst girlfriend ever, only our first date and I broke a family heirloom��
Tara could only think of one way to stop the redhead�s myriad of words, she cupped the girls chin in her gentle hands and slowly brought their lips together in a tender, chaste kiss.
�It w-wasn�t your fault. It wasn�t expensive, and it um, it wasn�t, a f-family heirloom. I, I got it for five dollars at a y-yard sale.� The blonde stroked Willow�s cheeks as she spoke, and then smiled a smile full of love.
�Really? That�s okay then. I mean, not okay that it got broken, but okay �cos it wasn�t expensive or sentimental.�
Tara continued to gently rub her thumbs over Willow�s cheeks as they gazed intently into each other�s eyes, silently communicating on a level that neither girl could comprehend. For a short time they remained, rooted to the spot, barely daring to breathe for fear of ruining the moment.
�Can I kiss you now?� It was an overwhelmed redhead who broke the silence, her voice soft and low.
�I wish you would.� The blonde replied; her voice equally soft and accompanied by a sweet, musical chuckle.
Willow�s hands made their way along Tara�s arms until they covered the blondes own. Their fingers entwined as Willow grudgingly moved Tara�s hands away from her face. The redhead squeezed the taller girl�s hands softly, conveying her reluctance to break the connection for even a second, before letting them go. Her own hands eagerly sought out the blonde�s smooth skin, finding their home buried in the short downy hairs at the back of Tara�s neck.
Blue and green eyes closed as breath mingled and lips touched in sweet slow motion. An adventurous tongue was brought into the mix as it traced the outline of full lips, committing the shape, taste and feel to memory. The tongue was unexpectedly taken captive between gentle teeth, enticing a soft moan from its owner. The teeth then released their captive, as the wiccans explored the familiar warmth of each others mouths at a leisurely pace. Both girls knew that there was all the time in the world. Knew that they had found home and were safe.
For a long moment they remained, crouched among the broken glass, luxuriating in the closeness of one another. After a while Tara�s legs inconveniently developed pins and needles and the blonde lost her balance. In an attempt to steady herself she put her left hand down onto the floor, directly on top of a rather large piece of glass. Tara pulled away from the kiss as she winced at the pain and cradled her injured hand to her chest.
�Are you okay? Oh, there�s blood.� Willow�s voice was full of concern as she took her girlfriend�s hand and inspected the cut. �It doesn�t look like there�s any glass in it, but we should wash it just in case.�
The redhead helped Tara stand up and led her to the sink. She turned on the tap; moved the flowers so that they didn�t get blood on them; then held the wounded hand under the water.
�I don�t think it�s very deep, but you�ll need a band aid.� Willow commented as she examined the now clean cut. �Does it hurt?�
�A little.� Tara nodded, amazed by how maternal the redhead could be.
�Aww, poor baby.� Willow placed a soft kiss just above the cut. �That better?�
�Oh yes.� The blonde grinned.
Willow returned the smile before setting about removing first aid supplies from beneath the sink. She worked efficiently and lovingly; gently rubbing antiseptic cream into the injury before covering the wound with a band aid and finishing up with another kiss to the wounded area.
�There, all done.� The redhead announced triumphantly.
�Th-thank you.�
�I feel like I should give you a sticker and a lolly-pop for being all brave.�
�I�ll s-settle for a, a kiss.� Tara smiled keenly before leaning in for many more kisses.
