Chapter 20: Snake god Imallir Val
The end of september was fast approaching and much had changed as of late in the Summers household, Faith Summers had been working nonstop every weekday with Spike as he was swamped with orders his inhuman strength and speed just couldn't deal with. Sunnydale was currently undergoing quite the economic boom since demons had become almost extinct in the town and the only ones left were able to help and open buisnesses of their own now without fear of demonic retribution bearing down on them since the Slayers changed the game.
Spike was currently fixing for 200 plus orders and Faith was roped into helping since Ruby was the buisness owner and her favourite was first to answer the call and save her new buisness from bad reviews and failed buisness. Buffy however was dealing with her own buisness expansions in Al-Kufir and also a few security issues which she had let get a bit out of hand.
Buffy had completly changed the landscape of her beautiful desert home with a brand new hospital, irrigation system, resturants and new trade routes which had helped expand the trains routes and triple the towns population almost overnight. something the local buisness owners were extremly happy about as their buisnesses were thriving and the town security was quadrupled in response as Sina and Rhino trained all newcomers between exercising Buffys orders in her absences.
The blonde had unofficially become the towns mayoress and even Jean or the Madame ran all buisness plans and transactions through her before executing any plans for building and expansion. it also helped Buffy that her mining operations had discovered 100's of thousands of tons of new and extremly rare precious minerals that had made her the richest person in this dimension next to a few very powerful people she did not currently know.
Ruby's daughters magicallly shielded the town and charmed every single building and residential house to make sure no domestic terrorist wou,d survive or manage to pull off a direct attack and the security forces were loyal to only Buffy herself .
Dawn was also riding along with her mother in the evenings so she could teach Dawn how to deal with Buisness in Al-Kufir since her and William wanted to move here after Glory was dealt with and had learnt many new things over the last few weeks. Her strength and magical prowess had increased to that of a new Slayer and Buffy had noticed and began to trust her with alot more and it hadn't gone unnoticed by the small brunnette who was only a tiny bit taller than her mother now.
A man had tried to attack Dawn in the Saloon in a drunken rage and before Buffy could react Dawn had already beheaded him with her can sword in whip mode and reformed it before his head had even fallen onto the floor. Ever since many people have kept a respectful distance from her like they did with Faith or Buffy and only a few fools ever tried their luck after being warned about who they were attacking. not that it ever saved them.
Joyce had been aware of her Daughters secret that Dawn was actually their daughter and funny thing was Joyce believed them instantly and it helped Faith was always using magic to heal her constant headaches and also managed to secretly heal her fully without Buffys knowledge after Joyce warned her she had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and didn't know how to tell Buffy.
Faith had secretly brought Ruby to the house without anyone the wiser and Ruby healed her instantly and told Faith she would learn the finer points of higher healing magic as part of her curriculum soon and Joyce couldn't believe how lucky she was as the hospital told her not a week later they must of made a mistake and she had a clean bill of health.
Joyce had told Faith she couldn't believe how lucky her daughter was to have the young women in her life and how proud she was to have her as a daughter in law. only problem was is Faith had no real idea on how to process such information and remained mostly silent as she was being praised.Joyce had asked Faith to bring her sketchbooks and poetry home so she could read them and Faith oblidged but it did confuse Buffy a tad.
At first Buffy was not just confused but wholly perplexed as Faith was close to Joyce but never 'that' close and yet she could sense a change in their relationship as her mother took a sudden deeper interest in Faiths artistic skills and talent. Faith herself had been more than happy to regale her wifes mother with tales from back home and her art classes over a warm meal and even bonded quite a bit with her over certain shared artistic interests and it made the blonde warrior suprisingly happy.
But one day word arrived telepathically from Ruby that Jean had sent her a message, a warning even. "The snake god has arrived, Immalir Val was seeking an audience with the golden haired Queen of Al-Kufir and her warrior wife... the bounty huntress who murdered his child" Something Faith was hot aware she had done but it seemed like if they didn't return home post haste, Jean was about to be in alot of trouble and they couldn't have that.
But one day word arrived telepathically from Ruby that Jean had sent her a message, a warning even. 'The snake god has arrived, Immalir Val was seeking an audience with the golden haired Queen of Al-Kufir and her pwerful warrior wife... the bounty huntress who murdered his child' Something Faith was not aware she had done but it seemed like if they didn't return home post haste, Jean was about to be in alot of trouble and they couldn't have that.
They arrived early in the morning to an almost empty Saloon, only Immalir Val and Jean were waiting for them both. all fully armed and ready but right now the snake god wished to talk. for now at least.
~~*
"Faith and Buffy, you are both quite punctual it seems. also obviously strong, i can sense your considerable strengths from here, who knew the Demon Slayers could be so unfathomably strong... and no longer demonic but... purified! how on Markiss Praval did you manage that?" The snake king hissed through his scaly mouth and sharp looking Black/Red fangs.
His body was strong scaly and muscular with a tall cobra like face, on his dark green scales an aura seemed to shine above them of darkest thickening purple. His hands were human but scaled green with long claws and his robes were of dark heavy leather. he seemed to be weaponless but also they felt his magical aura rise steadily and it forced the smallest hairs all across their bodies to stand on end as they realised the strength of the snake god was dangerously close to theirs.
"Jean... evacuate everyone to the bunkers if you will... we need space for this one big man" Faith spoke in a cold serious tone as her eyes focused only upon the Demon god Immalir Val.
Jean did as he was told and ran to his office and sounded the alarm which alerted the entire town to get to ground and the Snake god just smirked before speaking as he heard the people run and scream outside of the saloon.
"Sooooo... the Abskuli in the room is you murdered my son Faith Lehane...1 month ago at the barren, Scrag Creek, do you deny your crime?" The snake god angrily hissed as he seethed with rage especially as Faith unsheathed her saber and made her way towards him.
"It's Summers by the way, i took my wifes last name and also if your son was on the board under Kima Sala then yes i ripped him in twain because we do not under any circumstances tolerate child killers or cannibals here. he commited the crime, he reaps the reward end of discussion snake boy" Faith saw his club of darkness appear and realised this god was obviously magically adept as well as seeming to be extremly strong.
"We eat children for their souls... the younger the soul the more powerful the essence absorbed as it is closer to pure soul essence and untampered with by the sharpest barbs of our own pitiful existence" The snake god said his words so carelessly that Buffy who was resigned to only watch and help if needed unsheathed her ice machete and her pistol in response.
"We cannot allow you to harm anymore children, we have a duty to our friends and family to put you down. god or no" Buffy kept her distance and aimed her gun in response knowing if he moved she would gun him down and make sure her wife was well away from her line of sight. this was also limit his possible attack patterns as he would be forced into certain manouvers Faith could exploit as she fired upon him.
"Well unfortunately for you ladies once i've bashed your skulls in and raped your corpses how on earth will you stop me as my demonic seed feeds upon the fading essence of your dead wombs! i will have a son returned to me and maybe even enjoy brutalising your daughter... what was the pretty things name... Dawn! oh i can't wait to find and enjoy her as i will with both of you very soon" The snake god laughed so heartily the mood of the room completly changed and Buffy fired at inhuman speeds with he tanked and Faith closed the distance and lunged with deadly accuracy.
He dodged it and managed to swing his club downwards but Faith was way to fast for him and not only dodged it but managed to hook him with her free hand and knock him back a few metres and he slammed against the bar heavily and left a dent in the wood before recovering quickly but Buffy rushed him with a flying kick and then stepped back and fired Faiths rifle into him with 55 blasts in under 18 seconds.
She chucked the rifled back to Faithand she holstered it behind her as the haggered snake god fell behind the bar and remained silent for a few moments before his aura began to rise above the bar and it seemed like a purple miasma was engulfing every sense they possessed.
Immalir Val tore through the bar and began swinging wildly and violently with inhuman, godlike speed whilst Faith blocked every strike with great difficulty but Buffy came around the side and ducked an extremly violent strike and plunged her magical ice machete into his leather booted foot and pinned him in place as his leather boot sprouted the coldest ice and kept him bound.
Buffy god punched back but blocked his left handed etrike but still flew across the floor and landed by the windows, barely escaping a nasty knock as she collapsed forward and missed the portruding woodwork behind her from the oddly shaped Saloon layout.
Faith could feel through their magical Slayer connection she was absoloutly fine apart from the stinging innher wrists and took the opportunity to strike before the snake god could react and release himself from her magical ice machete and thrust at an odd angle as she undercut his defenses and struck true.
The snake god could not have dodged if he tried and the tip penetrated his scales as she screamed a spell which shot millions of microscopic shards of super sharp and fast flowing ice ripping into his rib cage and he horrificall6 screamed as Buffy distant c39 thunder shots constantly unloaded upon the exact same area and he realised he made a fatal mistake in coming here today.
Faith sprung backwards and chanted as thick heavy chains appeared from the floor and forced him to the boards and squeezed him into place and he couldn't escape as his muscles began to break under Faiths angry spell casting.
"Well guess your shitty little son didn't fall to far from the family tree... we are going to enjoy this and funny thing is we already know how to kill you dumbass, do you think Ruby was gonna let you just come here and rape us to death? are you retarded? no seriously how brain damaged are you snake boy!" Faith laughed as she began chanting blue fire spells which came flowing out from the the cold metal chains.
The snake god screamed and refused to beg but scream his hatred for them both "Glorificus will destroy you whores! Ruby may be the reason for my death but she will bend and break before her glorious purpose!! the key will bleed her simpering song as the breaking of dimensions eclipses the gaping maw of hell" The snake god began to rip apart as the chains burnt him away to nothingness. his screams were the only thing left floating throughout the empty somber saloon in the early morning sun peaking through the windows.
"Well that was fucking ominous! do all gods know eachother or is this a god worshiping stronger gods kinda thing... cause we gotta learn the crazy rapist cannibal god hierachy before fighting these lunatics" Buffy winced as she dropped her gun and held onto her wrists which were aching with a horrible constant shooting pain.
"Fuck my wrists are broken or shattered? thank fuck he's dead, thank lesbian jesus Ruby knows shit or we would be screwed right now! i hate gods Faith hate em!" Buffy screamed as Faith rushed ro her side after her chanting had finsihed and began to inspsct her wives injury before healing her. as she began the Saloon doors swung open and Rhino with an entire 30 man army armed to the nines rushed inside.
"Faith, Buffy, area secure?" he asked as Buffy nodded with a pained expression whilst white light sprung from Faiths fingers and onto Buffys bare steadily bruising wrists.the soldiers lowered their weapons and inspected the dented wood of the bar and the burns left behind from Faiths binding and destruction magic and one of em said what he thought out loud before thinking.
"Well... i'm glad i aint fucking dumb enough to fight you boss... how the hell you burn a snake gods body into the floor with... did you chain him up? holy shit... the fuck!" The soldier who was half bear man and 8ft tall had a fearful look in his eyes as he looked back over to Buffy and she smiled sweetly and responded in a soft voice.
"Charl... cameras in the back, i expect your review of the fight to be on my desk by tommorow morning and yes... i expect flattery and cool visuals when i read it over ok!" Buffy was begining to feel her wrists again and noticed the bruises were being reversed as Faiths free hand moved to wipe a tear away Buffy herself hadn't noticed was running down her soft cheek.
"Charl, team... go back and grab the CCTV and then i expect a complete sweep of the town, all buisnesses too as we must make sure his minions, if he has any are not hiding anywhere before we let people return to daily life" The soldiers did as they were told and dissapeared into Jeans back room leaving the three friends alone to talk.
"Ladies, what happened here? surely a god didn't just die in Jeans Saloon... how did he bypass the charms and security even? should we triple the watch?" Rhino was worried and his body langauge made it very clear he was certain more trouble would come but the Slayers were not so sure themselves.
"No one who kills a god is gonna end up fighting hia silly little minions, he came alone, he died alone... rapist cunt" Faith seethed under her breath the last two words as she was still enraged ovwr what he had said and implied he would do. even though now he was not of this world she was still pumped with adrenaline and angry thoughts she couldn't seem to get rid of.
"Well Mrs Summers, snake boys dead and we have a breakfast date remember... last night you said you'd feed me pancakes and call me pretty over a romantic breakfast for two? kinda need it now, more than i did 10 minutes ago ya know" Buffy smiled and stared lovingly into her eyes and it visibly calmed Faith considerably as Rhino turned to speak into his walkie talkie.
"Sina, let every out in half hour after we scan the area. Snake Gods dead, Faiths angry, Buffys being healed. oh message Dawn and Ruby everythings fine" Rhino finished talking as his boys came back out with the footage and Rhino came over and put his hand on Faiths shoulder.
"Hey, thanks for not dying... wouldn't wanna be here without you two livening this old dump up. now go get some breakfast, we'll finish up here ok" Rhino commanded his team to search the area and Charl to write up his report after and place it on Buffys desk by 18.00.
They had all quickly exited the Saloon as Faith finally finished up healing Buffys wrists which now looked and felt perfectly fine compared to the bruised floppy broken things they'd been just seconds before. she playfully boxed Faiths hands as she kneeled on the floor and found her healed wrists were back to normal and ready to go againnfor another few rounds but she just sat back on the floor with her legs crossed and sighed heavily.
Faith sat next to her and lay her head on the womans strong shoulders and closed her eyes as Buffy spoke. "We're fucked aren't we... one punch shattered my wrists. Glorificus is stronger, he knew it and Ruby said she doesn't have any known weaknesses..." Buffy was happy as Faith kissed her cheeks and held her close and just kept kissing her more, there was something innocent feeling about it all.
"Yeah, but we'll be stronger and we're already god strength, i'm still stronger too so we can plan, lay traps...bazookas might work to relieve some stress... like with the Judge! you showed me the memories remember? god you look so how carrying a bazooka and you know it" Faith was happy to giggle in a more girly fashion when they were alone and Buffy knew this was 'private' Faith that no one else knew existed but her.
"I'm lucky arent I? without you, i wouldn't be happy... probably be dating some loser or being painfully single, trying to fight a hopeless battle against a god monster i couldn't hope to beat but i have you... you make life worth living! it's like fate or something, like we were always meant to be" Buffy held out her hand and Faith took it and gripped it tight for a few moments before holding it in a softer fashion.
"Maybe it wasn't and we lucked out but it's wonderful being this happy, even though i'm scared shitless of this Glory coming to Sunnydale... rapey snake didn't help but put it all in perspective" Buffy turned and tenderly kissed Faiths nose and then leant her forehead against Faiths and closed her eyes as Faith responded with what they both knew.
"Summer...we have until summer to prepare" Faith spoke softly so that no one except Buffy could possibly hear her speak, not that she needed to but she felt safe with her beautiful blonde wife, she felt she could let herself sound weaker, softer... she could be herself and it was a secret weakness she enjoyed indulging in whenever she could.
"If you die on me Faith i'll never forgive you... i can't keep walking between these worlds without you... you are my other half, you make me who i really am" the petite blonde fell into her arms and enjoyed her warmth, her healing touch.
"I aint going anywhere B, too dumb too die me... should get it tattooed on my ass or sommin, usually what i land on anyway" Faith joked as she leaned over and Slapped her own ass playfully which made Buffy chuckle a bit as her voice echoed a bit through the empty Saloon. they could both hear the sound of their town gaurd working outside and couldn't help but be proud of what they had built together in only two years together.
"We... we can do this! Ruby even said we can hide Dawn here in Al-Kufir and Glory won't ever get her key... we have options... Xander even said he'd build a trebuchet, launching Glory into a volcano could be fun!" Buffys eyes shone as she told Faith her silly idea and she could help but smile back and then kiss hed lips slowly with a deep and loving passion.
"We'll make it plan B, if we can find a volcano that is. but until then, no alarms and no suprises! so get up buttercup, i promised you romance so lets get our town back on track my golden haired queen" Faith stood up and mock bowed as she held out her hand for Buffy to take but rolled her eyes still and was helped to her feet as Faith bowed twice more in jest.
Buffy spanked her ass with extra force but it had the desired effect of making Faith give her those deep dark come hither eyes and she knew her day was going to get alot better once they finished eating and she could drag her wife to their private bedroom and lock the door tight.
"Kinda sucks i'm the queen and you're just the powerful warrior... shouldn't you be my beooved knightess or, i dunno my warrior queen?" Buffy asked with genuine intrigue until Fzith laid iut the obvious for her.
"You own the town B, your one of richest people on this planet, in this dimension... i'm just the sexy dark eyed, mysterious art teacher you keep wrapped around your sexy little finger and bent ovee the dinner table when i've been a bad girl" Faith bit her lip and winked sexily as Buffy was quick to understand when they got home Faith wanted to be receivjng whatever she pitched and her hint was received loud and clear.
"Well... i still think you should be my warrior queen or sexy knight who just so happens to be my one true love or sommin... screw it let's report to Ruby, get Dawn outta the house and skip breakfast in town... i have a better idea when we get hoem anyway" Buffy winked and Faith rushed to open the door for her and as they exited together she linked Buffys arm with hers and exited into the low light of the morning sun and began walking towards Rubys shop.
~~*
"Willow i don't want to hear it, how on earth will that shit work anyway... double dates? i'm married dude, we kinda date alone in private, ya know picnics and stuff, i get to force Faith into a cute summer dress and a floppy hat, how can i get sexy summer dress Faith if you and Tara double date with us?" Buffy let out a sigh of exasperation as her red headed friend was trying to still convince her to double date as she made it clear her and Tara were new to this and Buffy and Faith were experienced and they could learn so much from them.
Faith came back from the back room of the magic box in jeans and a sweatshirt drenched in sweat but with a huge grin upon her face as Dawn and William came stumbling out moments later looking like they'd just experienced a beating from the devil himself.
"Well i enjoyed that, turns out you can beat a mother fucker with another motherfucker! who knew... i should author a combat manual or something" Faith walked behind the counter and gave Ruby a sweaty hug and a kiss on the cheeks before walking over towards the book case searching for something her and Buffy could read later on the porch under the autumn evenings she was coming to enjoy.
Willow saw her opportunity and decided to ask Faith if she wanted to double date, "Hey Faith, Buffy thinks it's a bad idea that we do a double date thing together... what do you think?" Willow kept a nervous smile across her face but Faith didn't look over her shoulder before answering because she knew the look that was on Buffys annoyed face right now without even using their secret Slayer connection.
"My wife told you no, she likes our privacy and so do I Red, we like Tara, wanna see her more and everything but honey we aint doing that ok. i know my wife so don't argue with me, answers a resounding no" Faith began looking over books she liked the look of as Willow began bemoaning the fact they didn't want to double date with them.
Dawn and William helped eachother to the table and Buffy shot a healing field spell in their direction to help fix them both up quicker as Faith had obviously beat both of them silly and the heavy breathing and moaning was making it harder for her to think as Willow moaned on.
"It's just... we're both new to this and you two have been dating in secret for two years secretly then came home and got married also in secret with only family and Ruby..." Willow went white as Faith closed an open book and turned slowly with a stone cold look on her face.
"Ruby is my family, she was at my wedding to give me away and it is private Red... think before you speak please" Faith unballed her fist she hadn't even realised was turning white as she was cutting off the blood flow without thinking and only Buffy had noticed how Faith was genuinely considering punching Willow and that wasn't like her at all, but sne was over protective of Ruby so it all checked out in the end.
Faith pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance as she walked towards the store counter to engage Willow in a quick bout of conversation to make her point clear. so the witch would eventually, hopefully understand their shared point of view and leave them alone to enjoy their marriage in private.
"Look Red... Willow, we understand your new to this and out of the closet but we like our privacy ok, we don't want to share or have you observe us and see what a good bunch of lesbo rug munchers do or act ok! aint no different from dating a guy, do what ya did with Oz ok... well maybe be more open and not so me me me me me... all the damn time" Faith couldn't help gut give Dawn a look as she had snickered at her 'rug munchers' comment and Dawn put her hand over her mouth and tried her hardest to stay quiet even though she really couldn't.
Faith turned back to Willow, "Look double date with Xander and his new black girl, they seem cool but me and B... off limits, what do you think i'm doing right now?" Faiths question threw her off track and Willow gave her a confused look before answering.
"Umm, i don't understand? i don't know..." Willow responded inna confused but truthful tone.
"I'm picking out a book we haven't read yet so when we go home i can grab some blankets and read a hopefully good book with my wife, sometimes we draw together, others we write poetry or Buffy writes and compiles her picture books as she jots down our many days and adventures in this and our home dimension" Faith gave her a softer look as to try and get her point across in a more understanding way.
"We have our life, our hobbiesd you know if Dawn wasn't our daughter and she wasn't in danger me and B would be years older by now and dimensions away from this hell mouth... you and Tara need to spend time together, not learn from us, not mimic what we do together... you gotta find yourselves Red and we can't help you out with that" Faith returned to browsing her books and Buffy continued on the conversation with the powerful young witch.
"Willow we are not trying to push you both away, we just have our own ways and like our privacy... you'll understand after you and Tara fall even deeper in love. I've never been happier, never felt more complete and well me and Faith had alot of problems before and guess what! they were all from this shit hole and we got over ourselves in the long run... hell we ain't even Slayers anymore!" Buffy magically conjured a a strange colored light and it engulfed a map she had been leaning upon with her elbow and a few blue lights appeared in a mix of areas and Willow looked it over and gave Buffy another perplexed look.
"Those lights are good demons, we know em all and they are good hard working people, no red or black though is there... that's because we've slaughtered the bad ones, Vamps can't even enter cemetaries anymore... hell i've sent Giles on an american graveyard road trip with his new witch girlfriend and they are going to destroy vampires in america in a couple of months... what do you think we are doing here Willow?" Buffy watched the lights fade from the map as her spell faded and Willow remained silent.
"We're doing the job unlike anyone has before, once we have destroyed enough evil Ruby will have enough energy to destroy the hellmouth for good and then we just have a super powered God to murder! all you have to do is go enjoy your college life, bring Tara here so we can spend time with her, plus i wanna get Faith in that summer dress i've been fantasising about... in a 'my eyes only' kinda way and we are not sharing that experience" the blonde laughed to herself but Faith turned with her chosen novel and then shocked them both.
"B, i can wear a summer dress whenever you want ya know... I would like to dress more femimine for you if you want me too..." Faith said it so nonchalantly Buffy almost couldn't believe whar she had heard at all and had to shake her head in an almost comical double take.
She stuttered "A-Are you serious? really..." Buffys eyes shone with excitement as Faith smiled and nodded.
"Of course, it's a bit late but we can find a pretty summer dress darlin, i've worn dresses before B, i'm a girl remember?" Faith chuckled and playfully picked up Buffys jaw before going back to her book and Dawn was even sitting with her mouth agape as she had also never known her other mother to wear anything femimine in her shared life with them.
"William would you please help my Daughter pick up her jaw from the floor, Anya hasn't hoovered in a few days and Dawn doesn't need to choke to death on a dust bunny" Faith noticed he actually did just as she was told which made Dawn give him a cute but confused look and he agreed with her that death by choking on a dust bunny would be a terrinle way to go.
Dawn gulped and spoke in a subtle but obviously confused tone. "You wear girls clothes? since when? you have like jeans and vests and boots... you have alot of flannel too... you're kinda a butch stereotype but all tall and pretty with an air of mystery... girlyest thing I've seen you do is wear makeup for Buffy" Dawn looked over to William and whispered in his ear in a louder than a whisper tone.
"She wore a suit to their wedding... she's the dude in the marriage" Dawn ducked the book that went flying towards her but managed to get slapped by it as Faith summoned it back directly to her hand and she kinda deserved it for being eo cheeky.
"I am a woman guys, my wife wants pretty and femimine she will get it... no idea if she'll know what to do with me but she adapts well, i'm sure it'll end up favourable for me in the end anyway" Faith bit her lip seductively and Buffy coudln't help but feel a hot flush consume her as her wife flirted so openly with her in front of everyone.
"Well i still think we should double date but it seems like you two have your own plans and i should get back to campus since Taras waiting for me" Willow said her goodbyes and left pretty quickly after being so ardently denied by the Slayer pair.
"Well she is gonna be pissed at us for awhile, but what can ya do... we're private people" Buffy walked over to Ruby and asked her a few questions as she wasn't sure she had said the right things to Willow but she had meant what she said and was sure that was enough but not a hundred percent sure.
Ruby interrupted her before she had the chance to ask anything "You don't have to do something just because she wants to and thinks it's a good idea, she's a little aprehensive of her new relationship and needs time to adjust... she does come from a strict family afterall. It's not your job to fix all her problems Buffy, your own should always take precedent over anyone elses" Ruby noted Xander walk through the door with his lunch pail and covered in saw dust.
"Hey guys, won't be stopping by for long. just wanted to make sure everyones doing well" The muscular man was filthy and Ruby didn't want him walking through her store dirtying up the place so she commanded him to stand still as she worked her magic and he was completly clean in an instant.
"Wow! Rubes you make the dry cleaners look foolish, I should really pop round more often after work, save a fortune in the long run" Xander patted himself down and placed his work pail by the door, a little to the side and out of the way of any possible customer tripping over the hefty thing.
Faith had chosen her and Buffys book for the evening and couldn't wait to go home and start reading but she also didn't want to be rude so she decided to motion to Buffy and told her telepathically they should stay awhile and speak with him a bit before going home.
Buffy agreed and asked Ruby to bring some tea as they all sat around the big table and Xander began asking hows the 'good fight' going without him and the Slayees didn't lie as they told him Sunnydale had never been safer and how soon the whole of America could be vamp free in about 2-3 months as long as Giles and his new girlfriend use Rubys unbreakable holy vamp killing spells.
"Man, kinda think the best thing that ever happened to all of us was you two falling into that other place and sorting out all ya problems... i'm due for a promotion too, life's looking pretty good now i don't have to worry walking home every evening and getting molested by hungry vamps" Xander chuckled as Ruby handed him a cup of strong black coffee and then both her girls some green tea with mint.
"When did you ever get bitten anyway, demons girls usually try and jump your bones, working on the building site inhad to protect him from two different demon girls" Faith reminisced and Xander seemed shy about it, he didn't like how easily he seemed to attracts demon women but tried hisnhardest to play it cool.
"Yeah, i kinda owe ya for that Faith, but enough about my misfortunes in love... heard you two are legit now, all married and stuff, hows that treating ya" Xander asked with a big grin on his face as Buffy who was sitting as close as she possibly could turned to Faith and smiled so sweetly her eyes seemed to shine in the early evening orange light.
"It was the best decision of my life, I've never been happier..." Buffy held Faiths hand to her cheek, her fingers lightly brushing the soft and supple tanned skin of her wifes tender visage. Faith was suprised as Buffy so openly fell into her arms and lay against her breasts as Faith held her tightly and savoured her warmth.
Faith couldn't hide her happiness at the private gesture Buffy had afforded her so publicly, she enjoyed the way Buffy laid claim to her, it was primal and something she could understand simply.
Faith let a wide but handsome smile encroach her lips as the golden evening rays enveloped her wavy brown hair which entrenched her form in a timeless beauty the group couldn't help but juse upon silently themselves and her voice as she spoke gave off an effortlessly femimine tone no one had apart from buffy had ever heard her speak in before.
"Don't fall asleep beautiful, you promised we would read under the stars together. i picked out the perfect book and everything, an english classic just like i know you enjoy" Faith brushed her hair as she seemed to close her eyes and match her breathing to the rhytm of Faiths softly pounding heart.
Xander Harris was quite flabbergasted to see his dear friend in the arms of their one time enemy and said enemy was now married to her and they were quite the happy couple. It made him not feel jealous but wanting, he wanted something like they had for himself, problem was finding someone worth the time and effort.
"It's nice to see you both so happy and close, man it seems like only moments ago you two were at each others throats and now you're married with a kid. time flies when you fall through dimensions i guess" Xander sipped his coffee and enjoyed the relaxing dark roast and thanked Ruby for her taste and choice in coffees as he could feel his energy slowly return to him with every deep mouthful.
Dawn and Spike couldn't help gut sit close but didn't want Xander to know of their relationship so decided to pretend they were not attached, even if they were holding hands under the table away from prying eyes.
"Well i did spend a year or more alone before B fell into my lap... then well, we just clicked and two years going steady and working hard together kind of made us realise we weren't the problem, our circumstances were" Faith looked over to Ruby behind the cash register and then back to Xander.
"The Slayer stuffs messed up big man, but when we stopped playing by the councils rules and both lived our own lives... we found out the hard way how to be ourselves... seems silly now gut i remember how scared i was to show Buffy my interests and hobbies" Faith closed her eyes as Dawn spoke freely.
"Yeah and now you're a world famous bounty hunter and a well respected artist and teacher, Joyce is also displaying some of your works in the gallery down on southside. won't be long till your famous here too" Dawn sipped her tea quietly as Faith gave her a loving motherly look as she had obviously enjoyed Dawns praises quite a bit.
"Well that'd be kind of annoying since we both wanna live in Al-kufir when Glorys dealt with... but Joyce did tell me i had a few very pricey offers and even a meeting with a wealthy art collector. B here thinks i should sell my poetry books too but i don't really have to worry about money here since Rubys my boss, don't really care about being remembered either so... meh" Faith used her free hand to drink her tea as Buffy had completly conked out like a light and was sleeping soundly against her.
"Weird, you could be loaded and have anything you want, become a famous artist and author but you don't feel like it... why wouldn't you? seems like a way to get whatever you want in this life, i'd do it in a heartbeat" Xander admitted and William couldn't help but voice his agreement with him as Faith rolled her eyes but did understand where they were both coming from.
"I own a home, i have more cash money than i know what to do with, didn't expect to live this long either so... yeah, i'm fine as things are plus i'm super hot and mega strong so that's a massive bonus and cause of Rubys enchantments me and Buffy are basicallly immortal like a vamp" Faith said proudly as she put her cup back down and kissed Buffys forehead tenderly.
"Well if you're gonna live forever than leave something behind, you've already bettered the world till that god comes, might as well train hard and paint alot in your free time... lean into it Faith, not everyone is as blessed as you both" Xander finished his coffee and said his goodbyes as he actually revealed he had to get ready for a date later tonight and everyone wished him luck as he picked up his work pail and bid everyone farewell with quite the skip in his step.
Faith pondered what he had said and then after a long silence asked what everyone thought "Do you think he's right? should i? i mean, would it make B happy?" her questions hung in the air for a moment and Ruby simply replied without looking up from her ledger.
"There is nothing wrong with you making money here Faith, i can hire an extra accountant for you if you succeed and i'm sure you can purchase many pretty trinkets for goldielocks there. although i will never understand how she ever made someone of your calibre fall in love with her..." Ruby seemed angry but Faith knew she was only mad because Buffy had clumsily fallen into a bookshelf this morning and destroyed it by accident.
"Ruby please, you're still angry about that bookshelf... i can buy you a new one, a better one... bigger and shiny even" Faith watched Ruby come from behind the desk and walk over to her with a glide in her step which seemed kind of creepy.
"Faith my darling, next time your wife breaks something i just spent two and a half hours organising i will strip her bare ass naked and spank her with a very large paddle... she even bent the pages of a herbology tome which is priceless in our home dimension!" Ruby was visibly red in her human facade of a face and Faithgrabbed hold of her free hand and rubbed it gently as she stared deeply into her eyes.
"I will talk with her about it when we get home, but any spanking is my priviledge... she makes these noises you see..." Faith laughed as Dawn shot up and dissapeared out of the store and into the training room as quick as a flash and even William couldn't believe how quickly she dissapeared.
"Hehe, got her again! But seriously Ruby, she's just clumsy, don't let it get to you to much as i'll end up taking the punishment for her anyway and you know that by now" Faith let her hand go and she sighed wearily and pinched the bridge of her slender nose as she felt a headache coming on.
William shook his head and made it clear him and Dawn were going to the movies later and he'd have her home by 11. Faith nodded in agreement and let him leave without a word shared.
She couldn't help but fall deeper in love as she held her wifes comfortable form wrap around her even tighter as she slept soundly. she spoke softly but asked Ruby something thwt had beennonnher mind for awhile.
"Ruby... why don't you like Buffy? you're always so... antagonistic, towards her" Ruby was placing a price tag on a totem and turned without a single expression onnher fsce but you could tell she was thinking deeply and carefully about her response.
"I don't dislike her, quite the opposite in fact but i do find myself putting up with her as long as you don't become depressed and suicidal again... she fufills her purpose well" Ruby sounded so cold it was almost out of character yet Faith knew it was just how she usually responded in private to her when no one was around.
Faiths fade wore a troubled look. "You... you put up with her... why? she's better than me in every way! i don't deserve her, the fact she even fell in love with someone as useless as I am is a damn miracle in itself" Faith was used to speaking frank with Ruby and Buffy But didn't expect the temperature of the room to decrease so suddenly as Rubys human visage looked across to her with a certain dangerous feeling in her aura.
"When i was weak, you saved me and my children. you were my only friend and as i grew in strength you never asked anything of me, you served me without question. My children adore you and as my powers grew from hard work anything i ever tried to do to make you happy was rescinded quickly and you always told me you wanted for nothing" Ruby took a step forward and her heel clicked unnaturally loud as it struck the wooden floor beneath her.
"You saved us again and again, you asked for nothing, you cooked for us, asked for nothing. You spent your time with us and accepted our oddities and then she... she came and you barely changed... in fact the sadness inside you grew, i saw how you sacrificed your happiness for us and her and wanted nothing in return" Ruby could see her breath now and she tried to calm her impressive magick before she spoke and the temperature rose again just a tad.
"You were always strong and proud, elegant and deadly... Jean told me you were a golden sun bird midst a flock of sheep, one that shone too bright but you were willing to die... even told me your plan. something i would of never allowed to pass" Ruby didn't recognise the tear that fell down her cheek and contihued to speak coldly.
"She came along and you bent to her without a word, you served her and even promised you would find her a way home... you got on your knees and begged me for help and she made you do that... she made you beg! you received nothing as a reward and you prostrated yourself before me and begged for her..." Ruby was grinding her teeth in anger as she spoke and Faith didn't know how to respond, she could only listen.
"She fell through that portal after a year and you sacrificed everything for her, you belong to us... you are mine and my daughters and such an unremarkable creature like her was the object of your affections! you deserve the best! i only let her live for you Faith! i only do this all for you! i only have this power to make you happy!" Ruby knew she had said too much and could visibly see Faith shaking sljghtly but wether it was fear or anger or something else entirely was unbeknownst to her.
"You are part of us! you are better than anything i have ever seen and i don't understand... why her? she... she's beneath you Faith! you could have any world you want, any man or women and she... you begged me for her, you promised your life, your soul, your service and anything i could think of to just get her home... Do you remember that? you would of been my slave for eternity for a girl you would never see again!" Ruby was pacing now as she finally let her true feelings slip for once.
"Dawn is half of you, she's family but... I... I don't get it! why do you?? why do you sacrifice everything for someone so beneath you!?" Ruby was shocked to see Faith now standing right before her carrying Buffy in her arms, her beautiful golden brown eyes filled with tears as she spoke in a slight whisper.
"The same reason i'm not punching you into the ground for saying such horrible things right now, because i love you both with everything i am..." Faith cleared her throat as she allowed Ruby to clean her eyes with a soft hankerchief she conjured from nowhere.
"Thank you... for your honesty but..." Faith picked her next words carefully but decided upon how she felt would be the best conveyor of her truest feelings.
Faith waited until Ruby stopped wiping her tears away and stepped back and awaited her response. "You have broken my heart... and i am afraid that if I stay here even a minute longer you may step on it... and i love you to much defend myself... Goodnight Ruby" Faith turned to the door and Ruby tried to stop her by magically locking the door but she just blasted the thing off its hinges and left before Ruby could come up with a reasonable counter spell.
"Fucking hell... why did i say that!? why couldn't i just keep my mouth shut!" Ruby moaned to herself as William and Dawn rushed into the shop front and noticed an emotional Ruby swearing like a sailor.
"Did mum blow up the door this time!? Dawn giggled as she knew Ruby would be pissed off but didn't expsct her to magically repair it in seconds and apologise.
"No, i screwed up... Dawn child, don't worry about it. you and William should go and enjoy that movie and here's some cash, don't eat too much though, don't need you becoming diabetic or getting a cavity or something" Ruby handed her a few pristine large Bills and Dawn didn't need to be told twice as her and William took the cash, said goodbye and were gone in moments.
She stood there in the empty shop and collapsed onto the floor and magically locked the door and flipped the sign to closed as she began to sob lightly into her human hands. She had said too much, she had let her actual thoughts out for once and now she was being punishedmfor her honesty.
Faith would forgive her, she knew she would. but she knew it would cause a rift to form between them if she didn't repair it but how could she after what she had said. Buffy was Faiths weakness and knew she would always choose Buffy over her, she would die for that blonde idiot and it hurt to know that she wouldn't even hesitate for a second to do it.
~~*
Faith was almost home before Buffy had awoken and by then she had managed to compose herself and had let Buffy walk the rest of the way to the front door, she could sense the house was empty and she told Buffy how beautiful she was which elicited a deep crimson blush across her cheeks as she looked away to open the front door. Buffy held the door open and Faith passed the fresh hold and as she closed it Faith looked around and took a deep breath in and out.
"If... if i sold my art... and we made enough money, i could buy you a house, somewhere to call our own... away from Al-kufir for holidays and when we need some non desert air filling our lungs ya know" Faith listened to Buffy yawn and try her hardest to stretch and wake up before she answered and she waited patiently as her cute little wife began to awake slowly.
"Nah, you don't need to buy me a house here, we already have a house and i like it very much" Buffy walked off in the direction of the kitchen but stopped at the corner and awaited Faith to follow her and she just stood in place thinking about what to say next and that's when Buffy just beamed her brightest smile and came back towards her with an outstretched hand.
"We have a life back home and friends who love us, we can visit if you want... when you want but... are you worried Ruby might wanna stay here? when everything with Glory is over... cause we can just tie her up and chuck her though the mirror ya know" Buffy took Faiths hand and kissed it with a soft chaste kiss.
"I know you worry about her, but Ruby respects you... hell she loves you, she wouldn't wanna stay here anyway not without you..." Buffy placed Faiths warm slender hand on her cheek and closed her eyes to focus on the closeness.
"She never really had much care for you though... does she..." Faith was shocked to see her wife not even react and was now certain she knew Buffy had been fully aware of Buffys disdain for her the entire time.
"She did threaten to kill me once or twice if i ever hurt you, but she doesn't have to care for me... she's a good women and i am certain of that and she idolises you... she definetly has good taste" Buffy opened her eyes and fluttered them open to focus her tired eyes as she was barely awake at this point still. she had almost forgotten how great it was to get some real good napping in before their evening reading.
"I don't deserve that kind of praise, if you had made me aware of these things i could of fixed them with some time and effort... maybe" Faiths voice was slightly hoarse while Buffys was all cute and sleepy but her focus was almost there and she was fully awake in only a few minutes.
"Why do you always put yourself down like that, mum told me about your offers and how many people are interested in your art pieces... if you sent your poetry books into a publisher and the illustrations as well... you would be famous, your art and prose are an amazing combination" Buffy grabbed her hand and walked her over to the living room sofa and they sat themselves down and snuggled in close.
"William has almost read your complete collection, he even enjoyed my travel journals and told me he adored my photography and literature skills, i could probably sell them as a sci-fi adventure novel.. but none of that matters anyway" Buffy took head and laid it lovingly upon her shoulder.
"I have you... we're alive and strong... and i feel safe, loved... we could make money here and back home, we're pretty talented ya know, but i don't need money when i have you..." Buffy suddenly panicked and shot up right as a terrible thought entered the forefront of her mind and made Faith give her a confused look.
Buffys voice shuddered as she asked "This isn't... you still want me? right?" Her voice was trembling and her hand was begining to shake uncontrollably which Faith decided to still with her own war,th and closeness.
"You are the only reason i still live dumbass, i just... we have until summer and i have a suspicion we are gonna smash that god cunt through dimensions anyway. I'm just scared for our future in the usual way and that Ruby will never accept you" Faith noticed Buffys shaking stop and a wonderful smile appear as she brushed her own hair behind her ear.
"So... i don't care if she accepts me, she can despise me... i don't live for her, i like her... i respect her even. but she'll get over it eventually. she's family Faith, she's our daughters godmother and gaurdian and a fine women. i can behave myself and even keep my tongue... when you need me too" Buffy leaned forward and lightly kissed the tip of her nose.
"It... hurts, i love and adore you, you are my wife but Ruby, she's like my sister and a mother all in one... i want her to feel like i do. i want her to love you but she thinks... she thinks..." Faith failed to speak Rubys words but Buffy picked up where she left off.
"What? that i'm worthless, beneath you... she can't understand what you see in me. well i don't give a damn, you are my other half, my missing piece and i belong to you and would die without your love" Buffy giggled and slapped her cheek.
"God damn it i do sound extra and melodramatic! but it's true... sappy and loser'ish but i mean every word" She slapped her knees and stood up like a rocket.
"What we need is an early night and maybe a bit of old fashioned wife on wife action! But um... before that, Rubys birthday present was made like 2 days ago, Jeans letter he dumped in the interdimensional postbox was adamant about that this morning so Ruby will have to get over her Buffy hate sooner or later cause i've outdone myself" Buffy began to walk upstairs and stopped just before she got out of sight and leaned back to give Faith a come hither look.
Faith sighed and let her emotions go for the moment and just chuckled to herself as she rose to meet her wife standing with a certain elegance at the top of the stairs and awaiting her to fly away to bed. "If only Ruby could see you as i do, she would understand why i adore you so much". Faith began her slow trek up the suprisingly sturdy steps not once looking away from her lovers seductive visage for even a second.
"Still so romantic even after you put a ring on me... and to think, i was the one who laid claim with a ring and a ribbon first and here you are now taking me to bed and seducing me... all the while worried about our family and it's infighting" Buffy held her hand out and directed her to their shared room and before she opened the door the petite blonde pushed her against the weak wood of the door and planted a deeply passionate kiss on her taller muse.
"I knew you were the best thing to ever happen to me the moment i woke up in your... our bed in Al-kufir. i fell so hard for you and everyday i feel even more in love than the last" Buffy threw the door open with a quick hand and carried her much taller lover to bed and kissed her even more fervently upon it. she tripped and landed above Faith with a pleasent thud, one that probably would of hurt normal women but Super powers rocked hard.
"Hold me like you did back then, before we had this god bearing down upon us... before we were blessed with our silly little Dawn... just me and you alone and exploring our feelings much more than we get chance to do so now". Buffy waved her hand and the door to the bedroom locked behind them.
Faith chuckled heartily whilst Buffy slowly helped her undress and her wandering hands and sudden alert eyes mademit very clear Faith wasn't going to get any sleep tonight and she had to remind her... "Baby, you asked me to hold you like i used to, we weren't shagging like rabbits back then. we were all snuggly and cuddly, plus you were the big spoon i think" Faith helped Buffy strip and opened the bed covers for her wife to join her underneath.
Buffy huffed in a cute manor but was convinced and snuggled up behind Faiths bare naked form, the covers came over them both and she played her role of big spoon well as she whispered loving words and sweet somethings of future promises into her ears as they both began to drift off into a peaceful sleep. one that made them forget for but a single moment, the future awaiting them, the fight ahead and the troubles they could soon face if unprepared.
Yet Faith worried more of her breaking heart, Rubys words of how she really felt about her beloved blonde goddess and faithfully doting young wife. she wandered her sweet dreams in search of an answer for all but found soloutions for none.
Future Faith would have to traverse those problems while present Faith would sleep soundly for the love of another who soothed her worried mind into the sweet emptiness of a gentle autumn sleep.