I don't own BTVS. However, this is almost completely AU and belongs to my imagination.
This will probably be the last OS for a while, because I'm kind of running out of inspiration... So make sure to leave a few words about your impressions, I'm sure it'll help my writer's block...
She loved the ocean. The overwhelming sensation of freedom it gave her. How it made her feel small and vulnerable. She loved its relaxing effect. She could just sit on the sand and stare at the horizon for hours without moving. It helped her thinking. Her thoughts were always clearer after she'd spent time on the beach. It was her little secret. No one knew about it. Not that she was big on sharing anyway. But this was just one thing she really wanted to keep to herself.
Things had changed radically for her during the past few weeks. She had come into town not knowing if it was the best decision. But people had welcomed her. Well, sort of. It wasn't like they were all best-friends and everything, but they weren't hostile and that was quite a big surprise. She had expected fights, insults, glares, whispers and gossips about her, but none of this had happened. Things were different. Just like her.
The Final Battle had been won. People had died. And for the first time of her life, she had felt truly sorry about that. She didn't know them for long, but somehow she had felt the hurt and pain just like the rest of the gang. She hadn't said a word about it, because she wasn't sure they would have understood. Instead, she had come here, to her favorite spot, and she had cried.
She had rarely cried in her entire life. But she had rarely felt so human and alive too. Seeing those people die had just reminded her that, Slayer or not, she was still mortal. It could have been her. She had faced death many times before without truly realizing what it meant. But that was the past. Now she knew.
She narrowed her eyes as she looked directly at the sun disappearing behind the surface of the ocean. Someone was coming. She could clearly hear the faint sound of steps on the sand thanks to her supernatural abilities. She didn't move. Maybe the person was just seeking isolation, just like her. She closed her eyes and waited. A small smile spread across her face as she felt a tingle creeping up her neck. A few seconds later, a woman sat down beside her. Neither of them spoke for a while.
Only when she felt the last ray of sun on her face did she open her eyes and asked :
"How did you find me ?"
"Followed my instinct."
"Your instinct brought you here ?"
"At first, yes. It wasn't hard to guess anyway. Whenever you come back to the house, you smell like salt and your hair is a mess. Then I just… felt you, I guess."
She raised a perfect eyebrow but didn't reply.
"You've been here for a few hours already."
"I like it here."
"I can understand why. It's a nice spot."
Finally, she looked at her. The wind was blowing and made her hair looked like a mess, but she was as beautiful as ever.
"How are you feeling ?"
"Do you care ?"
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't."
"Well… I'm okay. I feel… tired. I'm glad it's all over."
"For now. It's over for now. But you and I both know this'll never end."
"I don't want to think about it."
The sound of the waves crashing a few meters from their feet was like a melody she couldn't get tired of. She took a deep breath of salty air and whispered :
"There's something I'd like to say to you but I'm not sure you're ready to hear it."
"Go ahead."
"I'm sorry. I really am. I know you forbid me years ago to apologize, but I have to. I need to move on, Buffy. And I just can't do that if you don't let me tell you how sorry I am."
Surprisingly, the blond Slayer answered in a soft tone :
"I know you are. You didn't even have to say it, Faith. I can see it every time I look in your eyes."
"Do you think you'll be able to forgive me one day ?"
"Sometimes I wonder if I haven't already forgiven you. You've changed, Faith. Everybody can tell. And when I look at you, I see you as the person you are now. I no longer see the traitor, the murderer."
"That's a good sign, I guess."
The air was getting colder now that the sun was set, and unconsciously Faith moved closer to Buffy. Their arms were brushing against each other and the warmth of their bodies was electrifying. It was a feeling they had grown used to during the past few days. Whenever they were close, every sense seemed to be heightened. And just like that, they began to spend a little more time together than before. Since the closure of the Hellmouth in Sunnydale, they hadn't even fought once. For the first time since their first meeting many years ago, things were simple and peaceful between them.
Buffy let her head rest on Faith's right shoulder for a few seconds and then asked :
"Is it okay for me to do that ?"
"Sure. It's not like I've pushed you away or anything. Yet."
She felt Buffy's elbow make contact with her ribs, but it was just a soft blow and it didn't even hurt. Slowly, as to not scare the older Slayer, she put her right arm around Buffy's waist and moved even closer to her.
"It feels good."
Faith wasn't sure if these were her words or Buffy's so she didn't say anything. Yes, it felt strangely good and natural. But she didn't want to question it. It was one of the biggest changes that had operated during her time in jail. She didn't want to read too much into things.
However, when she felt Buffy's hand resting on her thigh, she stiffened a bit.
"Buffy ?"
"Does that bother you ?"
She thought about it for a micro second and whispered :
"… No."
It seemed like an eternity had passed before Buffy spoke again, raising her head to look at the brunette.
"Why does it feel so good to be here with you, Faith ?"
"I don't know."
"Don't you want to know why ?"
"Not really."
Buffy apparently settled with this answer because her head fell back onto Faith's shoulder. The wind was blowing harder now, and the two Slayers shivered.
"Maybe we should go."
"Maybe."
But none of them moved. They couldn't break the moment they were sharing. Buffy lifted her head once again, and her eyes met Faith's.
"I'm sorry too."
"You don't have to be sorry for anything, B. I fucked up, not you."
"I let you down. I should've helped you but I was too wrapped up around my own head that I didn't bother to look at you properly. I'm sorry I failed you, Faith."
Acting on an impulse, Faith closed the gap between them and slowly placed a soft kiss on Buffy's lips. When she pulled back and realized what she had just done, she tried to get up but a firm hand maintained her on the sand.
"Faith, wait. Don't leave."
So she sat back but refused to look at Buffy. She could feel the other Sslayer's gaze upon her; it was like a burn. She held her breath when the blond took her hand in hers and kissed it gently.
"Don't be afraid, Faith. Look at me."
She didn't know why she obeyed, but Faith turned her head to the right side and her eyes fell upon Buffy's lips.
"Kiss me, Faith."
"Buffy, don't…"
"Just do it, okay ? I need to know…"
"Know what ?"
"If this is real. Don't tell me you haven't noticed the change in our relationship."
Faith didn't answer but her mind was screaming a loud 'yes'. Of course, she had felt the change. The looks exchanged, each day a bit longer than the previous. The multiple laughs shared. The spark in the eyes. The fact that she wasn't annoyed by Buffy's presence on the beach when all that she wanted was to be alone. The dynamic in their relationship had changed, and she wasn't sure she was ready to confront Buffy about it.
"I've noticed."
Buffy's right hand rested on her knee now, and she was slowly tracing circles with her thumb. Faith watched, mesmerized by the simple move and the feeling it gave her.
"I've been thinking about it. I've been thinking about you. What is it about you, Faith, that makes me want to be close to you all the time ?"
"Well… I'm hot."
They laughed quietly and it relieved some of the tension.
"Yes, you are. But I'm not talking about a physical attraction. Not only."
"It's our connection, Buffy. It changed. It developed into something more. Stronger."
Finally, Faith turned her head to meet Buffy's eyes. They were greener than ever, shinning with a spark she had never seen before. At least, never seen directed to her. But she would recognize it in anyone's eyes. This was lust.
"Buffy…" She whispered.
"Kiss me."
And she did. There was no way she'd let Buffy ask for a kiss one more time. As soon as their lips met, it felt like the sun was shining again. Everything was warm and Faith feared for a second that she would melt down, before any rational thought left her mind. She had no control over her body, and her hands were all over Buffy. The blond Slayer didn't seem to mind since her own hands were pressing on Faith's neck and pulling her as close as possible.
The kiss ended eventually, and Faith let her forehead rest against Buffy's.
"God…"
"You read my mind…"
"Can I…"
"Yeah."
And they kissed again, but it was even more passionate than the first one, if possible.
It was long after nightfall when they finally left the beach, hand in hand, with red cheeks and messy hair, because of the wind among other things.
I know, a bit different from the previous chapters. I was afraid of not being able to write it but the idea got stuck in my head and I had to try. So here it is. I hope you liked it anyway.
OTH-FOQ
