Author: Lucinda

rating: pg

pairing: Willow/Riley #16 on QPC

Fourth in the Willow/Riley 'Words' series

Quickie Challenge:

Disclaimer: I do not hold any legal rights to the show or characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Distribution: WLS, NHA, Quickie Challenge, Yourmission, Bite Me please? anyone else ask first.

set AU season 4. There is no Initiative. Buffy and Riley were NEVER involved.





They settled at a small table at the coffee shop, Riley holding a mug of dark roasted coffee with sugar and a hint of cinnamon, and Willow with a frothy cup of mocha. She wasn't quite certain what to say, how to react. It felt so odd to be here, to be just… sitting somewhere, nobody expecting things from her. No expectations to listen because the material would be tested, no threat of impending doom or demons. No Buffy or Xander wanting her to be happy Willow or at least quiet Willow because she'd just been miserable for too long.

For the moment, it was just… Willow and Riley, sitting down with coffee. There was no pressure, no demands. She felt almost adrift, uncertain how to proceed or what to say. Had she ever just… relaxed over coffee? She'd never gone out for a coffee date with Oz, never had any other boyfriends. Time with Buffy and Xander at the Bronze had generally involved listening to their romantic woes and holding the table while they danced when things were good.

"Are you… this is okay, isn't it? I wouldn't want you to decide I'm being some pushy upper classman." Riley looked serious, making Willow wonder if this was the first time he'd spoken since they'd sat or if she'd missed something.

Her smile was a bit shaky, but she made the effort. "This is okay. It's just… not something I'm used to anymore… or ever, actually. You aren't being pushy, just worried."

Riley wasn't actually supposed to hear the soft whisper that followed. "I'm not really used to people being worried about me."

"You look… well, maybe it's okay to have someone worry about you for a little bit? You're going through a rough time right now…" Riley reached out, his fingers barely touching the back of her hand. "I… I want to help you."

"I think I could use some help right now. Not like school help, but… someone that doesn't expect me to be over everything already. Someone that won't roll their eyes if I'm all weepy or sad, because it still hurts inside. Not just because he's gone, but because of Her, and how he lied, how he just… he was just gone. He didn't even tell me goodbye, didn't even think to let me know that he was okay, just asked Devon to send his stuff. And all of that, it all hurts. It's like I wasn't good enough for him to care." Willow's words felt heavy and painful as they spilled out, barely more than a whisper, but the quiet words felt like they'd dug claws into her throat, ripping as they emerged.

Her vision seemed a little blurry, yet another sign that she was going to be crying, again. It wasn't even mostly from missing Oz now, it was from the horrible events that had led up to it, the way he hadn't even passed on a simple 'I'm okay'. The way she'd been given no voice in the future. Hot tears began to trickle down her cheeks.

"ahh… Tears. I'm not really sure how to help." Riley looked awkward, hesitant. He offered her a napkin, a nervous smile on his face. "Will this help?"

Willow reached out, taking the napkin from Riley's hand. "Thank you." Wiping the tears from her cheeks, Willow took a sip of her mocha. "It does help, a lot."

Riley stayed there, an awkward presence trying his clumsy best to comfort her as she cried. By the time they actually drank their coffee, they were cold. But somehow, even cold with the froth a bit less frothy, it seemed like the best cup that she'd ever had. Maybe it was the company?

End Awkward Words.