It kinda feels like one of those roller coasters, where everything goes topsy-turvy and your stomach turns in the opposite direction, your skin feels like is put on backwards, and your skeleton kinda vibrates and everything keeps moving even after the ride is over and you're standing still.
If anything, Buffy thinks, as she braces herself on hands and knees on the floor, it's a keen reminder of why she doesn't like roller coasters. She gets enough of that out-of-body-adrenalin action in her regular day-to-day, thankyouverymuch.
Quickly as it had all started, Osiris is gone. The storm clouds and lightning evaporate, leaving the living room as normal as it usually is.
Slayer recovery brings her upright again almost instantly—fast enough to see Willow swoon and mumble "S'ok," woozily- but not quickly enough to catch her before she passes out. Willow slumps awkwardly, face first, into Tara's arms. Tara's cheeks are wet and her gaze flickers down to Willow before looking back up to Buffy, dazed and haunted and wild. At that look, the funny amusement park feeling is gone in an instant. Buffy sobers and draws her attention back to Willow.
Xander scrambles past and slides next to Tara, helping her out with Willow's body. Buffy doesn't like how floppy and pale she looks.
"She's alright," Spike says. "Heartbeat's steady." He shrugs at the quizzical looks. "I can smell it." Despite how much that grosses her out, Buffy's shoulders relax and she turns to Giles.
"I'm sorry, Buffy. I've no idea what just happened. But-" he continues quickly, at her and Tara's stricken expression, "Willow seemed to be quite certain. I'm sure when she wakes, she'll be able to explain."
She really hopes Willow didn't do something stupid and self-sacrifical with the god of the dead, because if she did, it'll all be for nothing cause Buffy's gonna kill Will herself.
It's sad that she's actually looking forward to the biggest problem in her life being homework, Buffy thinks as she makes her way to the redhead sitting alone on the bench outside. Sophomore year, new school, new start, new focus. No more vampires. This is Sunnydale and she's ready to put everything else behind her. "Uh, hi! Willow, right?"
God, the poor thing seemed like a strong breeze would knock her over, she was so startled and nervous by the interaction. "Why?! I-I mean, hi! Uh, did you want me to move?"
The unconscious woman in front of her has come a long way from withering under Cordelia's peripheral vision to withstanding dieties. For the thousandth time in the last few weeks, Buffy wants answers. She slides Willow's limp hand into her own and squeezes it; she wants them now.
There's no Blackness this time.
Well, sort of.
She's still unconscious, but it feels different than it had over the summer - not abrupt or frightening, but rather like slowly waking up under soft white sheets. It's still dark, because, Hello, eyes closed! But she feels safe, warm, and loved. A smile pulls at the corner of her mouth at the sense-memory. Someone whispers her name, and the smile widens.
"Tara," she murmurs almost sleepily, burrowing herself deeper into the arms surrounding her.
Willow stops. The arm has hair. Like, a lot of hair. She cracks an eye open. ". . . Xander?"
"Will," he exhales in relief. She dips slightly, and Willow realizes there's more than one body under hers. Another arm, smoother and softer, is gripping her tightly, and she follows it up to meet the very worried gaze of Tara.
"Tara," Willow sighs, eyes fluttering with relief. She was so sure, before the transference. But still, part of her was afraid to wake up again in a world where Tara no longer existed. Tara's face sags in relief at Willow's movement, and Willow grips her arm tighter not wanting to let go.
"Oof," Willow grunts, as Dawn throws herself into them, hugging her tightly. "It's okay, Dawnie, it's okay," Willow says, returning the hug.
"Will," it's Buffy's turn to press, "What the hell just happened?"
For the first time since May, Willow doesn't feel like she's woken from one nightmare into another. Tara is safe. Buffy is alright. She knows what happened. It's all going to be okay. The bright white of their future shines straight ahead.
Willow smiles.