Chapter 53: Not Perfect, But Perfect for Her
"So," Xander asked between mouthfuls of pizza, "what's the scoop on our latest hostage?"
It was Sunday, the day after the departure of their Hogwarts guests and two days after the acquisition of their newest hostage Luke Matthews. Willow had really needed to get out of the house because even though it was now a magical mansion of sorts it was still too small when she was mad at Sirius. Hence, why she had invited her two best friends out for pizza – especially since with all the people living at the house they never got to spend much time together.
"Still sleeping," Buffy replied. "Of course, blood loss will do that to ya. But Remus says the man should be fine later today. And then," she cracked her knuckles, "it's time for a game of twenty questions."
"Do you think he was telling the truth? About trying to help us and all that stuff about the wizards working on the Hellmouth before you came here?" Willow asked.
"I don't know," Buffy said after a thoughtful pause. "Some things about his story seemed very genuine but I really can't believe he just happened to come here during our latest crisis without a secret agenda. But one thing's for sure – if that Secretary lady idid/i orchestrate my move to Sunnyhell just because she was tired of sending her agents here, then we are going to have words. And by words I mean my fist in her face."
"Ouch. An angry is not a happy slayer," Xander commented.
"I am just sick and tired of being Fate's plaything, you know?" she asked in exasperation. "I mean it was bad enough with the Slayer deal and, you know, I accepted it. But this is just one more layer of secrecy that really pisses me off. I mean, would it ikill/i people to keep me in the loop?" she asked them with angry eyes.
"Buff, just forget about it," Xander consoled as he rubbed her shoulder. "Besides, it's not like we need any nancy-boy wizards who are useless without their wand anyways."
"True," Buffy snorted. "Then again, not all of them are useless," she commented as he eyes focused on Willow. "Sirius and I spared last night and he did decent for a normal person – apparently he had a lot of pent-up frustration. Are you guys still fighting after what happened at The Bronze?"
Willow shifted guiltily under their gazes. "Well, not fighting per se. More like I'm just ignoring him."
Buffy shrugged. "I get it. I mean, he was kind of intense when Kennedy asked you to dance. But…"
"What?" Willow asked suspiciously.
"It's just; he seemed real distraught by it last night. I feel bad. I mean, don't you think he kind of has a reason to be worried?" Buffy ventured.
"What?" Willow exclaimed after nearly choking on her water. "I would never cheat on him! I don't get why he would be worried!" she fumed out loud.
"Whoa, hold up Will," Xander interrupted her tirade. "I don't think it's about you. I think it's about Kennedy always giving you the 'come hither' eyes."
"Kennedy does inot/i give me 'come hither' eyes," Willow said scornfully. "Listen," she began in a calmer voice. "I like Kennedy, but just as a friend. Me, her, and Amy have kind of started our own coven in the last couple weeks and it's great! I miss being around the Devon Coven and this helps replace them a bit. Besides, Kennedy and I talked about her crush and she swears she's over it and is totally cool with being friends."
Xander and Buffy shared a knowing look; one that Willow found grating on her nerves.
"Sure Will," Buffy agreed. "Just, you know, try to understand where Sirius is coming from."
Willow took another bite of her pizza. "Fine, I'll try," she responded in an annoyed voice. After all, Xander and Buffy were iher/i best friends – since when should they be sticking up for her boyfriend?
"And speaking of romance in the air," Buffy said with a grin aimed at Xander. "How was the good-bye between you and Tonks? Full of smoochie goodness?"
Xander grinned as he leaned back in his chair. "It was nice," he said simply.
"Oooh, details!" Buffy cried and Willow nodded in agreement. After all, there was nothing like ignoring your own love life when you had a chance to listen to someone else's.
After the pizza place they spent time at a movie and by the time Willow, Xander, and Buffy arrived back at the house it was dusk and the stars were just beginning to emerge over the fading light of the setting sun. As soon as they reached the door they were greeted by Dawn who was dressed in a white dress shirt, black tie, and matching black pants.
"Good evening," she said in a rich voice. "How are you three doing today?"
"Ah, good," Buffy responded after sharing a confused look with Willow and Xander. "Why are you dressed up and talking funny?"
"Didn't ya hear, Buff? Cougars are known to be classy, dressy women. Betcha Dawnie's just dressing the part," Xander cracked with a smile.
"Shut up," Dawn scowled. Then she smoothed her face and smiled again. "I mean, Master Xander, please refrain from acting like an impetuous fool."
"Impetuous?" Xander asked with wide eyes. "Dawn, don't tell me you're reading a dictionary for fun again."
Dawn rolled her eyes and turned to Willow. "Mistress Willow, will you please go upstairs and change into the elegant dress that I have laid on your bed? Then come back here and I will escort you to your destination."
"Elegant dress? Destination? What are you talking about, Dawn?" Willow asked in confusion.
"Mistress Willow, it is a surprise. Now run along," Dawn said with a small grin.
Willow pursed her lips. "Does this have to do with Sirius? Because I'm still not talking to him."
"No one said you had to talk," Dawn frowned. "Now come on," she grabbed her arm and began leading her up the stairs."
"Dawn!" Willow protested.
"Willow, just trust me, okay?" Dawn pleaded.
"Fine," Willow sighed reluctantly. She followed Dawn up the stairs and was surprised to see a gorgeous green gown embedded with dozens of emerald gems. "Oh my gosh," she sighed at the beauty of it.
"Pretty, huh?" Dawn grinned knowingly. "Now put it on."
Silently Willow donned the gown and marveled at how smooth it felt against her skin. The dress was a halter that clasped at the back of her neck and flared out past her hips. She felt like a princess.
Dawn looked at her with an amazed smile. "You look beautiful, Will. Now let me do your hair and make-up. Oh! And there's jewelry too," she added. By the time Dawn was done working on her Willow's hair was swept up, glittering emeralds shaped like raindrops hung from her ears, and a matching emerald bracelet was glittered on her wrist.
"Dawn," Willow breathed softly as she stared into the mirror. "Thank you."
Dawn hugged her from behind. "I like seeing you happy. Now come on, Mistress Willow, off to your destination," she said in a proper voice.
As Dawn led Willow down the stairs and into the backyard, Willow couldn't help but look forward to whatever Sirius was planning. Even though she was mad at him she was already starting to feel the anger melt away.
"My lady, your chariot awaits," Dawn said with a gesture towards Buckbeak; who for his part spread his wings out and bowed with a happy squawk. They followed suit in bowing but then Willow gave Dawn a curious look.
"So I'm flying?"
"Yup," Dawn grinned. "But don't worry, it's not far so your hair won't get messed up." Pulling out a box, Dawn motioned for Willow to step on it to get on Buckbeak.
Shrugging her shoulders as if to say 'what the hell', Willow climbed aboard Buckbeak and sat side-saddle. "Now where-" she began to ask but the hippogriff propelled off the ground. She shrieked as they became airborne and giggled at the absurdity of her riding a hippogriff. They began circling the house and since their spell only worked against outsiders, Willow could see that the Summers' home was now three stories and very large. And, strangely enough, there was something new. On top of the house was a large patio bordered by an iron wrought fence that enclosed numerous potted plants, including several small trees. Numerous strung golden lanterns twinkled in the twilight and Willow could hear soft violin music playing. As Buckbeak drew closer she saw Sirius seated at a table covered with a white tablecloth wearing a formal tux. His hair was tied back and the soft glow of the lanterns highlighted his handsome features.
As Buckbeak descended onto the patio, Sirius' jaw gaped in appreciation as he looked her up and down. Hastily he got up and made his way to help her down. She gave him her hand and he grabbed her waist to make sure to landed softly.
"Willow," he said in a throaty voice as he caressed her cheek. "You look amazingly beautiful tonight."
"Thanks," she blushed. "It seems I have a fairy godmother because this dress just sort of appeared in my bedroom."
"Indeed?" he asked as his lips twitched. "How… magical," he added with a secretive smile.
"Indeed," she found herself smiling back. Then she remembered how Sirius had been a jerk the other night and frowned. "Hey, don't be all sweet now when you were a jerk on Friday," she reprimanded.
His face fell and Willow felt guilty at the loss of his brilliant white smile. "Willow, I," he sighed. "May we sit first and then I can properly apologize?"
She gave him a considering look. "Alright," she agreed. Mentally, she gave Sirius another point in her book for pulling her chair out for her – it seemed like he was really playing the part of a gentleman today.
Once they were both seated, Sirius clapped his hands regally. "Oh, waitress, please!"
Luna materialized in that quiet way of hers and Willow realized that behind a potted tree was a door that likely led downstairs. Like Dawn, Luna was also dressed in black dress pants, black tie, and a white shirt. Except unlike Dawn, Luna still wore her radish earrings; it amused Willow that the girl never took them off. She wondered if Luna even wore them to bed.
After the girl set down a basket of bread and a plate of oil, she gave them a small smile. "Greetings, Mistress Willow and Mister Sirius. How may we serve you today?"
"Luna, I'll have the lady order first," Sirius said as he waved his hand casually in her direction.
"Er." Willow looked down and realized there was no menu. "What are the options?"
"Oh, anything you like!" Luna said brightly. "Our chefs are quite prepared to bring you anything you desire. Of course, I personally recommend steamed carrots simmered in honey as a side with roasted plimplies stuffed with cabbage."
"Oh," Willow made a face. "Um, that's alright." Willow didn't want to hurt the girl's feelings by being grossed out but Luna really did have the oddest tastes. "Well, could I have chicken marsala with garlic mashed potatoes?"
"Certainly. And for you, sir?"
"I'll have a steak, medium-rare, please."
"Excellent. Enjoy your bread!" Luna waved and left for the stairs as Sirius began pouring two glasses of red wine that he had conjured.
"So," she prompted as he handed her a glass.
Sirius sighed softly and set the glass down. "First off, I know I can be a right idiot at times, Willow. I'm terribly sorry for acting like I didn't trust you the other night."
"Well why did you even act like that in the first place? I mean, that was really ridiculous, Sirius. And it hurt my feelings that you don't trust me," she added in a softer voice.
He took her hand in his own and grey eyes gave her a sorrowful look. "Willow, I am incredibly regretful of how I acted towards you. It's not that I don't trust you; because I do. I just," he paused as he took a deep breath. "You're the first woman I've ever loved and that scares me."
Her face crinkled in confusion. "Scared how?"
Sirius gave her a sheepish smile and shrugged uncomfortably. "I know it sounds stupid; I don't really know how to explain it."
"Try," Willow urged; dying to know what was on his mind.
"Life in Azkaban was hell; absolutely the worst, darkest part of my life. But then suddenly I meet you and then Remus becomes part of my life again and then so does Harry and Tonks, and even my cousin Andromeda through post? It's like my life has completely turned around and I don't trust it. I'm afraid that I'm going to lose it all; that I'm going to lose you." His eyes darkened with worry and she felt his grip on her hand tighten.
"Sirius, you're not going to lose me," Willow told him as she held a hand against his cheek. "I love you; even if you are an idiot sometimes," she added with a smile.
His face brightened. "I love you, too." He delicately pulled her hand off his face and kissed her palm. "I really am sorry."
"Just," she sighed and shrugged. "Just don't do that again, okay? Because we really are just friends. Kennedy, Amy, and I have started our own mini-coven and they've been really supportive in centering myself lately and giving me that taste of the Devon Coven. So I can't have you getting angry whenever I hang out with her, okay?"
"You really think she just wants to be friends?" Sirius asked skeptically.
"Sirius. Look," Willow rolled her eyes slightly. "We discussed it and we're just friends. She knows I love you and I for one would never trade Kennedy for you. I promise," she declared.
"Okay," he agreed. "I promise I'll be better around her."
"Thank you," Willow said as she leaned across the table and kissed him. His hand cupped the side of her face and she shivered at his touch; goddess how Willow had missed him in just the last two days. As she settled back into her chair, still holding hands with him, she smiled as she took a sip of her wine.
"So, have you spoken to Harry, yet?" she asked.
"Yes," he smiled. "He called on me in the mirror today to tell you thank you for the cookies – apparently everyone in Gryffindor loved them."
Willow laughed. "Nothing like emotional baking to make friends," she joked.
"Trust me, Harry loves you. Although," he added thoughtfully, "he did have a funny reaction when I asked him if he wanted to speak to you through the mirror. His face got all red and he began babbling incoherently. In between babbles I coerced him to tell me what happened the last time he saw you in the mirror," Sirius raised his eyebrows expectantly.
"Oh?" Willow squeaked.
"Tsk tsk, Willow. And to think we thought that Dawn was the cougar in this house, but here you are the one flashing teenagers," he winked.
Willow clapped her hands to her face to hide herself from Sirius. "He told you?" came her muffled reply.
"Not quite, but you just confirmed it," Sirius laughed.
"Oh my goddess, that was so embarrassing," Willow moaned. "Those boys wouldn't look me in the eye the first week they were here!"
"Willow," he chuckled. "It's alright. All that did was just give me extra 'cool' points with the boys for bagging the hottest chick here," he joked as she gave him a dirty look.
"Sirius Black, you should be ashamed of yourself," she chided as she smacked his hand resting the table.
"Alright, I'm sorry!" he said as his laughter subsided. "Still though, that was bloody hilarious."
"I bet," Willow rolled her eyes. "By the way, don't think I didn't spot the similarities between Harry soaking Dawnie and you splashing me back at the cabin, mister."
"Hey!" Sirius threw up his hands. "I in no way told Harry about that; although I got to say that I am proud of m'boy. He might turn into a ladies man just yet!"
"You are such a bad influence," Willow groaned but her eyes sparkled with mirth. "Speaking of which, you think Harry likes Dawnie? Or even Luna; they were dancing together at The Bronze."
Sirius shrugged. "Not sure. The boy doesn't like talking about girls much; he gets very uncomfortable. But for his health I hope he would avoid the sister of a slayer. Poor boy already has enough near-death experiences as it is."
Just then Luna brought out their dinners. As Willow smelled the heavenly scent her mouth began watering. "Wow, my compliments to the chef," she told Luna. "Wait, who is the chef? I hope not Dawn because she likes to experiment in the kitchen too much for my taste."
"Oh no, Dawn got banned from the kitchen after she spilled the milk earlier. No, Remus and Anya are cooking tonight. Although," she said thoughtfully, "I have yet to see them do much cooking. Every time I walk in their lips are pressed together, which cannot be very productive."
Sirius and Willow snickered at that; Willow was happy that Anya and Sirius' friend were enjoying each other's company. "Well, tell them I said thanks, okay Luna?"
"Sure," she smiled and waltzed away – literally, in fact.
"Thank you, for this," Willow said as she waved her hand at their surroundings.
His look turned serious as he gave her a deep look. "Of course, Willow. I'd do anything for you," he said in a way that made her heart flip.
"Now," he grinned as he stood up and held out a hand. "Would my lady care to dance before we dine?"
Willow knew she had a silly smile on her face as she nodded. "Why, of course, good sir," she answered as she took his hand.
Yes, Sirius' actions Friday night proved that he wasn't perfect, but that was alright… because Willow was starting to believe that maybe Sirius was just perfect for her.
A/N
*Pimplies: A kind of fish, shaped like a ball with two long, rubbery legs and webbed feet. If you happen to spot a plimpy with its legs tied in a knot, you will know that merpeople are around (/bestiary/bestiary_)
