Disclaimer: I own nothing, except Sophie.
Sophie let out a yawn, and Willow frowned, glancing at the clock.
"It's getting pretty late, maybe I should tell you the rest of the story tomorrow night.."
"No!" Sophie cried. "I can stay awake, please finish the story Mommy Willow, please?"
"You can't leave her hanging now Will" Tara added. "Besides, I want to hear the rest too, please?" Her two favourite girls stared pleadingly with their matching sets of wide blue eyes, and Willow felt herself relenting, though she was not entirely happy about it.
"That is so not fair!" she pouted. "You know I can't resist the eyes! But okay, I'll keep going. A few weeks went by, and Tara and Dark Willow continued to grow closer.."
--
Dark Willow was in the bathtub, preparing for what she hoped was going to be a special night with Tara.
"Well, tonight's the night!" smiled Xander, filing the witch's nails.
"I don't think I can do this.." said Dark Willow nervously.
"This is no time to be a scaredy witch Wills" said Xander, moving around to work on her hair. "You must be bold, daring!"
"Bold, daring!" repeated Dark Willow in mock confidence, climbing out of the tub and slipping on a bath robe.
"There will be romantic music, candlelight, and when the time is right, you confess your love."
"Yes, I, I can.. oh, no I can't.." the witch sighed. Xander couldn't help but smile. This sweet, shy girl was the Willow he knew, his best friend who he'd missed terribly as the years passed by.
"You care for the girl, don't you?"
"More than anything in the world" Dark Willow whispered.
"Then you have to tell her" said Xander, leading her over to the mirror. "Ah, you look so.. so.."
"Stupid" the witch finished, frowning. Xander had put her hair into two little pigtails, tying them up with pink ribbons.
"Not the word I was looking for" the candlestick chuckled, embarrassed. "Maybe the pigtails were a little bit much." No sooner had Dark Willow pulled the ribbons out than Wesley appeared at the door, clearing his throat.
"Mistress Willow, your lady awaits" he announced.
--
Dark Willow finished getting getting ready herself, slipping into a black sequined dress and, despite a few more less than stellar suggestions from Xander, decided to leave her hair down as she usually did. She then walked downstairs, waiting anxiously for Tara to arrive. The blonde soon appeared at the top of the stairs, wearing a beautiful sky-blue ball gown. She smiled at Dark Willow, curtsying when she reached the bottom. The witch hesitated for a moment, but after some gentle encouragement from Xander, smiled and curtsied back. All the servants smiled at each other as the pair headed over to the table that had been specially set up for them. Then, Buffy began to sing, with Dawn beside her looking on.
Buffy: Tale as old as time,
True as it can be.
Barely even friends,
Then somebody bends, unexpectedly.
Tara and Dark Willow ate their dinner in relative silence, shooting each other the occasional smile. Dark Willow was behaving a lot more sophisticated this time, having re-taught herself how to use a knife and fork with some help from Buffy and Xander. When they had both finished, Tara stood up, beckoning for the witch to come dance with her.
Just a little change,
Small to say the least.
Both a little scared,
Neither one prepared,
Tara and The Witch.
When the pair reached the dancefloor, Dark Willow gulped, hesitating, but Tara gently encouraged her, laying the witch's hand in the correct position on her hip and guiding her through some steps.
Ever just the same,
Ever a surprise.
Ever as before,
Ever just as sure,
As the sun will rise.
Xander and Wesley stood at the edge of the floor, smiling as Dark Willow began to get the hang of the dance.
Tale as old as time,
Tune as old as song.
Bittersweet and strange,
Finding you can change,
Learning you were wrong.
Tara lay her head on Dark Willow's shouulder, and the witch tensed for a moment, but soon relaxed, smiling.
Certain as the sun,
Rising in the east.
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme,
Tara and The Witch.
Xander gave Dark Willow a thumbs up, then dimmed the lights as she and Tara continued to dance.
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme,
Tara and The Witch.
Buffy finished her song, then began nudging her little sister back towards the kitchen.
"Off you go Dawnie, it's past your bedtime."
--
"I always loved that part in the movie" Tara sighed.
"What?" Sophie frowned.
"Nothing" Tara said quickly.