Hello! Just a brief note... I've made the decision to imminently move this fic to the M-rated category, due to the somewhat steamier content which will be appearing in the next few chapters. For those of you who've been eagerly awaiting this moment - you're welcome ;) And if it's not your cup of tea, that's fine too. The majority of this fic is still pretty PG, so it'd be a case of literally skipping over the next few chapters (I'll put a warning at the top of each one), so you can still find out the ending of the story.
SO, I'm aware that this upped rating will make my story slightly more tricky to find, as you'll need to allow the M-rating filter in your searches. If you love this story, and haven't already, make sure you follow/add to your favourites, just to make sure you're notified of future updates!
Thank you so much again for reading, and coming along on this journey with me. It really means the world. Please review & let me know what you think!
P.S. Added disclaimer: The duet I reference to in this chapter is Vogliatemi bene` from Puccini's Madame Butterfly. I'd advise listening to it to get a vibe of the scene... it's truly beautiful! Another beautiful aria from the opera is called Un bel di vedremo.
Also, I've used slight artistic licence with the historical timing of this opera... but it's one of my favourites, and thought it'd be a great introduction for Buffy! Attending an opera was a typical pastime for the Victorian upper classes, and the romance of this score especially suits the story - I could just imagine William and Buffy watching it! Anywho, enjoy this slice of Spuffy fluff xoxo
I spun around the room giddily, unable to hide the smile which grew whenever I glimpsed myself in the mirror.
Damn, Buffy. Against all odds, 1880 actually suits you.
It's safe to say, I was very pleased with my efforts tonight. I'd made this special effort with my appearance as, now that William and I were officially 'courting', he'd insisted on taking me on a proper date.
I, Buffy Summers, will officially be making my debut at the Opera!
In my head, going to see an Opera was the epitome of 'posh': a night of ultimate culture and class – so, I had my fingers (and toes) crossed that I could prove myself to William and actually manage to sit through the whole thing...
Also, I guess you could call this the equivalent of Spike taking me to a punk rock gig...?
Either way, I was excited to have a night out, proudly displayed on William's arm as his. I was wearing the most elegant dress I had: a shimmering midnight blue number, with a tight bodice and flowing skirt. My 'golden tresses', as William called them, were piled up on top of my head in an experimental up-do, which had seemingly paid off. A few loose curls framed my face, which I'd transformed with the wave of my mascara wand and a rose-red lipstick (thank God I'd packed the essentials!). Sapphire jewels glinted in my ears, and my neck was, as always, adorned with the golden pendant.
I felt reasonably self-assured as I slowly made my entrance down the spiralling stairs... yet William's literally agape expression when he saw me was enough to make my confidence rocket through the roof. He stared, open-mouthed, before exhaling slowly, his gaze fixed on me with adoration and awe. As I reached the floor, I coyly watched him look me up and down hungrily; the unbridled lust which darkened his eyes sent a pleasurable shiver down my spine.
"My God, Elizabeth... you look..." William was clearly at a loss for words. "You're... you're simply radiant."
"Effulgent, even?" I grinned affectionately.
He chuckled. "That you are, my love."
"My love".
I don't know why, but that pet name spoken in his voice gives me flutters everywhere...
"Truly though, Elizabeth – you look beyond beautiful tonight. Like... like a golden-haired angel adorned by a sky of stars..."
I take it he likes the dress. Duly noted.
It was then rightfully my turn to devour William with my eyes. And oh my Holy freaking Hell did he look gorgeous. Much to my inner-squealing delight, he was wearing a tuxedo: a black tailcoat atop of a navy vest and white shirt, complete with a black bow tie. His blonde curls had been slicked back, and his spectacles had been discarded; his eyes shone an even brighter, vibrant blue.
"And you don't scrub up too badly yourself! Just look at you..." I purred, drinking him in with my desire-cloaked eyes. I walked towards him slowly. "Oh William, you're so handsome."
My sweet prince.
William blushed, ducking his head bashfully. "Thank you, Elizabeth. I endeavour to look my best, only for you. To be worthy..." he trailed off as I reached up, caressing his face.
"William, you're more than worthy." I kissed him gently. I could feel the smile on his lips as he returned my kiss, his finger tenderly tracing along the line of my jaw. I looked up at him, tilting my head to the side curiously. "Where'd your glasses go?"
"Well... to be perfectly honest, I actually only require them for reading. But, as I tend to read so often, I simply find it suitable to wear them indefinitely, whilst also..." he blushed again, "I feel far more comfortable hiding my face behind a pair of spectacles... especially in social situations."
I felt my heart break a little at his words.
Who'd ever have guessed that Spike, of all people,used to lack this much confidence?
Maybe that's where the extremity of his boldness, his brashness and his cocksure swagger comes from. From years of feeling rejected and repressed, hiding behind his glasses, too soft and too shy to be heard.
I cupped his dear face in my hands. "Well, I very much adore seeing your face. Why, William? Why can't you see how beautiful you are?" I bemoaned with mock despair, my smiling eyes never leaving his.
His blush deepened, yet joyous bubbles of laughter rose in his throat. "You are too kind to me, Elizabeth... really." He lovingly kissed my cheek, and then my lips. "And it is this incessant love and kindness which you have blessed me with, which has given me the courage to abandon my spectacles, once and for all! Well, for tonight, at least..." he grinned boyishly.
"Well, I'm glad I could be of assistance!"
"Shall we?" William chivalrously offered me his arm. "The carriage should be waiting outside."
Okay... now I definitely feel like a Disney Princess.
"Yay, this is so exciting!" I exclaimed giddily, clutching onto his arm with both hands as we ventured outside. William smiled fondly at my child-like excitement. "Where precisely are we going again?"
"The Royal Opera House – it is truly the finest in London," William told me proudly, as he opened the carriage door for me, offering his hand to help me in. I lifted up my long skirts, and attempted to enter the 'vehicle' as gracefully as possible.
"That's so cool, William... and this'll be my first ever opera, so I don't even know what to expect!"
"Ah, darling, in that case, I am most glad that we are going to see one of Puccini's most renowned works: Madama Butterfly."
"Butterfly? Sounds cute..."
William chuckled. "Well, in my humble opinion, if this particular opera doesn't leave a positive impression on you, then none will!"
"...It's not sad, is it? Like, will I cry?" I asked suspiciously.
"That, I cannot confirm nor deny," William replied mysteriously.
I sighed. "Okay... but if I cry, I'm holding you solely accountable!"
I did cry. I wept, in fact.
The building itself was truly magnificent; I'd never been anywhere so regal in my life. I felt small and insignificant in comparison to its grandeur, as we made our way to our seats and looked down in awe at the gold-gilded stage.
Despite feeling somewhat perturbed that the whole thing was in Italian and there weren't any subtitles (it's 1880 Buffy, what did you expect?)... I surprisingly got a grasp of the plot very quickly. Well, with the helpful aid of William who would lean over to whisper a brief lowdown in my ear every time I shot him a confused look.
My initial reaction was something along the lines of: oh God, this is very dramatic – and why are their voices so loud?! Yet, as time ticked by, I found myself becoming immersed by the swelling beauty of the music, the passion and power of their voices, and the ridiculous, heart-breaking storyline. I was particularly transfixed by the love duet near the end of the first Act, and found myself gripping onto William's hand tightly throughout the whole song. Occasionally, he would lean in and whisper the poetic translation of the lyrics for me; I shivered at the delicious warm tickle of his breath against my ear, and the transcendent beauty of his words.
Also, Spike can speak Italian...? Is there nothing the man can't do?
"My Butterfly, I've caught you; quivering, I press you to me. You're mine – yes, for life."
I squeezed his hand tighter, feeling my eyes well up with tears as their voices soared and the poignant meaning of their words seeped into my heart.
"Lovely night – what a lot of stars." William whispered, his thumb stroking my palm. "Never have I seen them so beautiful."
The orchestra swelled in heart wrenching crescendo, as the two singers' voices entwined in a divine declaration of love.
"Every spark twinkles and shines with the brilliance of an eye. Cast all sad fears out your heart."
I rested my head on William's shoulder, feeling my tears start to fall. His hand reached up to tenderly stroke my hair.
"Be mine... come, come, you're mine. Oh come, see all things sleep.
The sky is smiling... oh lovely night!
In an ecstasy of love."