Chapter 26: Christmas in Sunnydale
The winter month had been rough for Sunnydale with all the flash snow storms which kept piling up, Giles returning only to announce he had to leave again for England and was taking new anti vampire spells across the pond to teach the europeans how to eradicate such evil in a quick and secretive manor. just like he had managed with the vast majority of america and many covens he had managed to befriend on his trip, turns out alot of witches were very anti evil.
Dawn had constantly had to travel between dimensions for the last 20 days as right up until right now on the 24th, as training with Ruby had become a thing she and Persephone not only enjoyed but felt was part of their purpose in this world. They didn't want to be heroes like Buffy and Faith, that was their calling. No, they wanted to be able to protect themselves from said evil and still be able to fund a nice way of life.
Yeah they were begining to build their fortunes but bounty hunting was lucrative in their home dimension, here in Sunnydale they were funded by her mothers and Ruby but Dawn had made it clear she was never going to be stsying here anyway and nothing could bind her to this dimension. No spell could either, The soul binding spell they performed which created their purple rings had actually cursed them in a rather unsuspecting but useful way.
Perseohone could summon Dawn and vice versa as long as the other wanted her to be their with her. but only if they were in seperate dimensions, they realised as Dawn had tried to summon her from the bedroom to the sofa and nothing happened, where as before she was inRubys magic box and found herself feeling lonely until Persephone fell into her lap while chomping on a purple pastry with a book in her hand. much to the shock of everyone, thankfully she was fully clothed.
Now Persephone was always next to Dawn and had a fake ID and new all the perfect spells to deceive anyone or any law enforcement agency she had to, plus she was learning dimensional travel magic with ease, Dawn even taught her basic telekenesis and that was a breakfast game changer. makes turning the kettle on in a groggy state so much easier.
Faith had been the firet to notice the new necklace Persephone was wearing the morning after they had made love in the hotel room and came back to find out both girls had actually slept until mid day and still didn't want to wake up but had to. Dawn told Faith it was a present but Faith knew Rubys magical essence and could tell the small pretty thing had been recently enchanted by extremly powerful magic.
Dawn explained it was like theirs and it would mean Persephone would be her equal and live just as long, she was in for the long haul and much to Faiths shock it seemed her daughters lover was also planning the same. after many physical training session and small bounty hunts that were barely 50 miles away, both girls had began to really make it clear they were forever. Ruby even told both Buffy and Faith they were also soulmates and there was nothing they would have to worry about as long as no one tried to ever come between the two girls.
Faith had even taken Persephone christmas shopping like she had promised and aparently she did not understand shopping nearly as well as her or Buffy but had a keen eye for anything she knew Dawn would like, she did a better job of it then Faith did and Faith thought she knew everything about her daughters style and tastes. The black haired beauty had schooled Faith on everything, her favourite types of shoes, boots and heels to fight in, the way she prefers converse on concrete and grass but in the desert she prefers a leather work boot with adequate ankle support.
She even managed to teach her girlfriends mother what type of cooling pads she prefered when injured because even though they could heal themselves perfectly the body decides nope, you know this pain and so do we so feel it even though it doesnt exist anymore. Also her own mother had no idea Dawn liked Lavender, it kept her calm and smelt nice, she also enjoys mint wifh green tea like her mothers but puts a dollop of honey inside just to sweeten the taste and lets it brew longer, but she hates leaving the spent tea bags inside.
Faith was sent for a loop when she even told her the texture of scarf fabric she preferred and how certain cottom mixes irritated her soft supple skin to the point she would snap and rip it up wifh her immense superhuman strength. Persephone had purchased bags of many things and Faith had wrapped them up but Persephone had actuall6 unwrapped everything and learned how to wrap them herself which didn't even anger Faith when she watched her do so all of a sudden.
"I have to wrap them all myself or she'll know, she has to know i did the wrapping or she'll think i don't love her!" Persephone was panicked but from watching Faith wrap her own for Buffy and Joyce, Willow and tara etc... Persephone had quickly learned every skill she needed to make them perfectly presentable. Faith had moved slowly and with poise, every cute, tie and bend of paper was performed like an overly dramatic showgirl showing off prizes in a 'price is right' episode.
Faith had finished the wrapping and before she walked from the living room of the Summers house on Rovello Drive to the kitchen she stopped st the door frame and turned back to speak to her daughters girlfriend while everyone was still out christmas shooping. "Hey, Perseph... Dawn knows how you feel but i get it... i'm the same with Buffy" she smiled sweetly which wssn#t like Faith at all before she entered the kitchen to find some better and much newer cellotape.
But that was a week before today, todays was christmas eve and Joyce was cleaning up after a particularly large dinner but she was happy Faith had cooked almost everything herself as it gave her alot of time to just catch up with her family and their lives. Dawn had told her the plan with her doppelganger so she wouldn't have to go to school and could train harder for Glory and prepare for her life in Al-Kufir.
She wasn't on board but Buffy was her real mother and it turned out the monks spell had worn off and although left the memories of her make believe life before even existing, no one believed them to be real anymore. turns out since she is stronger then a Slayer now the spell just decided to chuck itself out of the window and let her be, she was now human and had a life to live, to her Glory would either be an annoyance or an obstacle... she just didn't care which anymore.
Persephone had a plan to give her a gift later when they were in bed, which sounder sexy but it wasn't at all since she had her own pendant for Dawn to wear with a completly different enchantment within the form that she would soon reveal when they went to bed. But it turns out grandmothers had a way of taken an interest in the grandaughter life to the point of almost rapid fire questions flying through the air and all of ones vital points in quick succession.
Persephone was 'not' social, she never pretended to be and she even had issues talking to Ruby who was someone who was used to long bouts of silence from Faith so it wasn't uncharted territory for them but for her talkative people confused her deeply. in fact the most she has ever spoken is with Dawn as they were two months into their relationship and discussed everything in length. but both girls outside were usually polite or silent since public wasn't really a big place for personal discussion.
Buffy had rescued Persephone from Joyce and had found Dawn reading the back of a christmas lights box for some reason, it was as if she wasn't even really reading it as the moment her girlfriend turned into the living room she placed them back onto the top of the fireplace and smiled understandingly knowing her grandmother Joyce had most likely quizzed the hell out of her.
"Sorry... she wasn't so tough on you, i hope?" Dawn stood next to the fireplace in a long dark blue fluffy sweater and baggy running pants with the absoloutly stupidest pair of christmas themed socks Persephone had ever had the misfortune to see and yet she was enchanting none the less.
"I'm not really the best with people, i guess... you know my family... you know..." Persephone remembered when they shared memories as it wasn't that long ago and although she didn't regret doing it, sharing was new and scary in so many new and weird ways.
"I do, but you're home, ain't that where the heart is?" Dawn blushed and turned away but when she turned back she realised Persephone just looked at her confused and had no clue what she had meant by that and Dawn decided to panic and explain herself with wavy hands and fast but clear speaking. the Summers special.
"It's a saying, Home is where the heart is, think it's a rural english saying but i could be wrong though since us americans all say it alot too... It's basically a way of saying home is what ya love, so i feel at home wherever you are... man that's clichè and corny, i mean..." Dawn was silenced with a peck on the cheek and a hand placed on her neck but a thumb carressing her cheek sweetly.
"It's nice being home, where else would i get to see you all cute and panicky... Buffy kind of does that too, man it's weird how mixed between them you are... you get your elegance from Faith though!" Persephone watched with her usual solemn look artfully drawn upon her face as Dawn chuckled at the idea of her being seen as 'elegant', something she wanted to be but never really believed she was.
"Elegant? man i must be good at faking it cause i fell of our bed pretty hard this morning, did you forget? you healed my booboo and everything dummy!" Dawn sighed and brought Persephone to her and stood peacefully by the fire lightly planting kisses on her neck before you hugging her and enjoying the closeness her presence brought.
"You're always elegant, it's just you have a cute and silly streak... it's one of the things i like most about you, you understand that ya can't know everything and you accept it, proves you're really smart too, no one whose stupid realises they don't know enough or tries to correct their lack of understanding" Persephone had her hands wrapped joyously around her waist and was happy they had a few moments to themselves before they had to do more socialising again.
"Well i still think i'm dumb but, hell i'll take the praise... just hold me until we get found out ok. today's been long" And only a few moments after Dawn had stopped talking Buffy bounded into the room with two large cakes and caught them finding a moments of solace in each other.
"Hey, come pick a cake! if i can't spend time snuggling my wife then you two don't get to make up for it! Now this ones black forest gateu or sommin and the other ones a blueberry cheesecake... i think? i forgot" Buffys bubbly demeanor was a given as Dawn still had constructed memories of her 'before life'. the moments where she didn't exist yet, she hadn't been molded magically into the women she had become, taller and stronger... aged through real world experiences from two dimensions.
Dawn sighed and rolled her eyes but instead of being angry she was some what blissful instead as she let Persephone go from their embrace and held her hand instead but still face the other. Persephones back was still to Buffy as Dawn asked her "Cheesecake or gateu? i'm goint for cheesecake before small mum eats it all to herself" she joked and Buffy stuck her tongue out in a not so silent protest of the obvious truth being told.
Persephone softly gleamed under the low lights of the living room and gently roaring fireplace, "I'll try the gateu, something tells me Buffys gonna be pissed if we take most of her favourite cake away from her, plus... never tried the Gateu before, could be nice" she turned to face Buffy who was happy nodding as if she had made the correct choice and she left to go and cut the cakes, leaving them alone again.
"Well now that ya mothers happy, tonight i have a suprise for you... when we're alone and before you ask i'm 95% sure it is non sexual" she whispered the last part but Dawn who was getting some very dirty ideas in her head, became deflated but still enthusiastic she would be pleasently suprised later.
"Five percent... i'll take those odds" Dawn turned and walked with her lover over to the sofa and they both sat down and snuggled together awaiting the promised cake which Buffy did deliver, with some cute little cake forks placed upon the plates too. persephone was suprised as both mothers and grandmother also entered and even put on the television in the background.
Faith again refused any alcohol from Joyce as she had no interest in drinking whatsoever, Buffy had to actually discuss with her mother yesterday that Faiths history dealing with an alcoholic and abusive mother was the reason she avoided alcohol entirely. well she drank when she came to Sunnydale but her watcher who she adored had just been, slaughtered.
Faith had never drank again after ending up in Al-kufir, she may have been suicidal at times but she refused to die like her mother had, drunk and alone. with no one who loved her and no one to care for her. Joyce understood and had not tried to drink with Faith again after her only daughter had cleared up the situation fully but still drank some wine as Buffy had made it clear Faith didn't care if others drank. she worked for a Saloon owner for years afterall and still took some jobs periodically when her and Buffy got bored.
Some old christmas movie was on and Persephone had decided she didn't really enjoy it where as everyone else seemed entranced by the moving pictures running across the screen. Dawn however was completly out cold and sleeping off her cheesecake, she was laying across Pereephones lap and Faith had covered them both with blankets as her and Buffy were eithee side of them both. Dawn was actually laying across Buffys lap also and Faith was leaning against Persephone who was straight as an arrow, which was funny considering how unbelievably gay she was.
The closeness was nice, something she wasn't used to but appreciated anyway. Dawns home life was close and tight knit, her own mothers had taken to her well and fast but she wasn't sure why since she was so antisocial and a little weird at the best of times. she could be smart and funny, deceptively quick witted but in private she was seemingly cold and more openly awkward but they all knew it was because she didn't have to put on aires. Dawn actually really liked it, she always told her it was as if only they knew who she really was.
Persephone poved that Dawn accepted her for who she was, Dawn was also less emotional and bombastic whenever no one else was around. she had also really become alot more elegant as her life had moved on and her strenght had risen. Persephone was born with power, all her people were from her dimension she was normal and one day she'd not be anymore after a few years with these new enchantments improving her being. but Dawn wasn't, she has been growing her strength and allowing it to become a part of her and she respected that so much.
As Dawn lay sleeping and her mothers watched some stupid movie the young woman couldn't help but feel her heart swell in ways she hadn't been sure she had ever felt before, actually the more she thought about it she was certain of it. Dawn had only been hers for two short months and yet they were in love, deep and passionate love... the type it takes a lifetime to find and only moments to miss entirely.
She was certain she didn't like or understand christmas in the slightest, but she liked this. the moments she was spending with her lover and her family were nice and although new to her she could admit the feelings were enjoyable. she was always careful and controlled where as the girl sleeping on her lap was more carefree and in the moment, something she was learning to try and be within herself.
As the movie moved on and Joyce decided to go for an early night Buffy decided she wanted to watch some Star Trek and that was a whole lot more exciting than the christmas themed happy nonsense they had been watching before. Sci-fi was something she could get behind and it seemed fun and thought provoking, Dawn had said she enjoyed fantasy novels and science fiction sparingly but never had enough time for them anymore between training and school.
She had also said 'I would rather spend my time between your legs than reading or watch sci-fi anyway' and that was quite flattering considering the episodes she was watching were more than enjoyable to say the least. Persephone had decided they would spend time enjoying these types of shows and movies together, as they were now as it was a fun plan she could get behind. good food and great stories was always a good way to spend ones evening after a long day of work and people.
~~*
Dawn had awoken and goneto bed with Persephone to a room she hated and had actually changed alot during her training weeks and school days here, it was no more girly than a soldiers room. she lived a Spartan existence here and it kept her sharp but now she had her own house and was tempted to just open a portal and go home for the night even though she had promised her mothers she wouldn't. plus she was well aware they would feel the magic being summoned, thwt wouldn't end well for her and she knew it.
However Persephone was happy to share the smaller bed and instead of indulging in sex they planned to instead kiss and cuddle hefore sleeping for the night. but before that she had decided earlier that an early present was in order and had not even wrapped this one as it was already in a small handmade black box and as they lay in bed facing one another, she presented the box with a worried, almost nervous expression across her face.
"I... I had this made for you, same place you had mine made in fact... it's a symbol from my homeland, it... well actually it might sound kind of dark really, now i think about it" Persephone motioned t take the box away as if she had regretted her decision but Dawn placed her hand over hers and held it close to her chest.
"My life hasn't exactly been sunshine and roses Persephone, plus i know you had it made because it was meaningful to us... and you specifically" Dawn was about to grin but just licked her lips and breathed in an out before speaking once more, her lover knowing she hadn't finished talking yet as if by instinct.
"I'm a millenia old ball of magical energy thrust into a mortal body and born to be sacrificed for a spiteful god who is not loved through good works but feared and worshipped for her... glory, so yeah... let your given symbol be dark. we're all born of it anyway" Dawns words held alot of meaning she wasn't sure she completly understood but she could fathom their bounty, the way her words bore an unknown weight to them.
"It's a symbol of a man or woman hung upside down, the person protects the soul of their beloved by taking their place when death comes for them... it's an old story and the gender changes from telling to telling as it depends on who the story is told too and how such a tale would and could affect them" Persephone took her hand slowly out of Dawns and showed her the box, a small box her eyes were transfixed upon.
"I had metals from my home and yours and from the mine your mother owns in Al-Kufir, she helped me gather everything after i said it was for a gift for you..." Persephone slowly opened the box and for a moment was taken aback by the strange coloured beauty of a necklace that embodied something of three worlds and not one.
"It's beautiful... i thought the shard locket with an earthy leather holding our love so close to your heart was enough... but now it seems like you might have bested me, in a good way! i love it" Dawn stroked the cold mixed metal that shined a black for the bulk but had somehow finely knitted veins intertwining through every joint, of the upside down hanged woman. it was hauntingly beautiful and she already knew why persephone chose the black metal of Earth, the green of Al-Kufir and she assumed the purple of her own lands.
"You mixed out true colors and bound them through Terran metal... the chain is made of metal running through bound black leather" Dawn looked deep in Persephones oddly beautiful purple eyes which pierced the low light and shone into hers with ephereal beauty afforded to so few in this world and her heart melted into everlasting bliss.
"We... we really are forever aren't we... this is 'really' everything i've ever wanted and it's... it's all mine!" Dawn turned around as quickly as she could and held her head up awkwardly and kept her head slightly raised off their shared pillow to allow Persephone access to her neck so she could place the necklace upon her neck.
"What are you waiting for... i know we have the whole night but... baby... please quickly! it hurts to know your love is not resting peacefully against my skin" Dawn almost jumped out of her skin as Persephone placed the symbol of their love around her neck. But she held fast and was buzzing with happiness as she felt the cold metal find a new home just above her perky breasts.
Persephone watched as Dawn placed her hair back down and then hugged her from behind and kissed her cheek from the back while she wrapped her wanting arms about her form. she then snuggled into her as she had so many nights before and found her eyes closing themselves in search of the wamth in a moment between them both shared in silence to be soon broken with a whisper.
"You are mine... i'll destroy Glory! not my mothers... me... she will have no minions to serve her, no demons to worship her... i will take her immortal life so we can live ours in peace. in summer, that's when it all begins... that's my promise to you Persephone..." Dawn snuggled her but into her lap and got herself prepped for a long snuggly night but Persephone was worried Dawn would actuwlly try to fight Glory and it perturbed her somewhat.
"We can all fight her... but you from a distance, overwhelming her will be our best bet since she's an airhead... idiot, but strong... and if you try to fight her alone i will stop you, also no more sex!... which actually seems like i'm punishing myself honestly, so don't make me do it" Persephone playfully growled and nibbled her ear and kissed her neck which caused her to giggle and then groan in pleasurable throws but no sex tonight was the rule since they were not at home.
"I dunno... seems like you're punishing me alot more... kinda sucks we can't do anything here cause of that stupid promise... it isn't fair either since my mothers fuck here all the time, i know it's happening the moment the spell goes up too... they still think i can't sense it" Dawn rolled her eyes and she sighed heavily as her passionate body ached for hed lovers strong and thorough touch to release the days tension.
"Maybe if you promise me you'll never fight Glory alone, i can't... what was it you said to me, 'get you off' just this once in secret. question is would you prefer my long and powerful tongue or my thick and mucular fingers caressing all of your most sensitive areas" Persephones hand roamed lower but Dawn stopped her and placed her hand against her new necklace.
"I promise, but also as tempting as that is, tonight i'm an angel but when we get home... i swear to any god that will listen, you won't be walking right ever again after i'm done with you... my beautiful, mistress" Dawn who was in her pyjamas was purposefully grinding her ass up against her and knew she was tormenting the poor girl who just wanted to make her cum but she also wanted to not fuck in her grandmothers house, it was weird.
To Dawn her home wasn't Sunnydale and her false memories were being slowly forgotten as she knew they were not any more real than a Eskimo Leprechaun who devoloped a crack addiction after a few years in vietnam, so she had decided to let those falsehood go and die as her new memories were her real experiences and deserved to be remembered.
Dawns body had also grown unbelievably as she was now tall like Faith and was begining to look less like a high schooler everyday, her muscles were toned and her walk was elegant, when she was at school some people mistook her for a teacher more than once. especially as she dressed well and held herself with a commanding presence rarely seen of someone in her years.
Persephone was also tall but just a little smaller than her now as Dawn was Blossoming into a formidable women of untold beauty, her enchantments would keep her and also Persephone at their bodies physical peak forever and keep them young for an eternity as soon as they were fully grown. with Dawn it seemed like she was destined for strength and beauty beyond compare, she even dressed elegantly now and many times she had been approached by men and women whose interests were obviously sexual but then again so had Persephone, many times.
It had annoyed both of them thoroughly to no end, especially the ones who didn't understand the value of the word 'no' but they were always just slapped or thrown away with magic to immediately destroy the lust in their hungry eyes. Neither of them shared or found it flattering, it was annoying and pathetic but unfortunately people were everywhere and disgustingly annoying.
"Hold me, we have to open presents tommorow and since mums have destroyed all the evil in this town and soon the world... we are probanly gonna have a normal christmas for once!" Dawn closed her eyes for the final time tonight and hadn't even heard Persephone speak but she soon had also fell into a deep slumber.
~~*
Turns out Dawn last night was an idiot... as after the moment they had finished opening presents a weary Willow and Tara who were carrying a bloodied Xander came bounding through the door, screaming that blood thirsry vampire elves had invaded the town and were attacking people left, right and center. loads of people had actually taken to the graveyards as it was common knowledge now that vampires couldn't enter the graveyards of churches around Sunnydale without burning to a crisp.
"So, Dawn you heal Xander, Faith grab our boots and jackets while Persephone you go make teas and coffees for everyone or hell give em some alcohol if it calms their nerves! cause me and my wife are going Vampire elf hunting!" Buffy was so ecstatic about killing a new kind of vamp she had never encountered before she alsp ignored Dawn who was firing healing magic at Xander from her palm while facing her mother and giving her a good seeing too.
"What the hell! mum c'mon, i wanna hunt vamp elves too! i'm Slayer strengthed up and armed to the teeth, plus i rarely get to fight with my threaded cane anymore... everyones so easy to slay now! i wanna have fun too!" Dawn pouted and finished healing Xander, she crossed her arms and like a child stamped her foot in defiance but her lover just found it cute and so did her parents.
Buffy casually glanced over to Faith and she nodded back in understanding, "Ok kid, just stop being a big baby and we'll let ya play whack an elf... summon your weapons dummy and let's go".
Willow told Tara to stay at the house with Xander who was unconcious but healed and breathing well, Persephone smiled at Dawn and asked "Do you need me to come with? or do you need me here?" and Dawn couldn't help but lightly blush as she placed her hand on her new pendant and her eyes glistened in the low misty morning light that drenched itself upon them in the early hours of the christmas morn.
Dawn spoke softly as the others prepared all around them for a freshly born, good old fashioned demon hunt. "I would prefer it if you stayed here where it is warm and safe... even if you are stronger than me. Plus Tara's nice and you can get to know her, she likes magic and good books... and musicals but i dunno if you'll like those yet" Dawn instantly changed into her bounty hunting gear with a flash of sparkling soft light.
"You look perfect, now get to work and we'll hold down the fort here, ok!" Persephone watched as she left the house with leather clad boots and tight black jeans trying her hardest and failing not to get a look at her perfectly formed pear shaped ass. her victorian inspired corset and black leather jacket made her look so much more elegant than she normally would and her new necklace really helped sell the look.
Dawns clothes had blue accents and stitching that seemed to give off not only a calm regal feeling but also a cold buisness like demeanor she knew struck fewr into her pray. the shotgun on her hip and the threaded cane she walked with were not there to finish off the look, they were there because she meant buisness.
Buffy and Faith had a light and dark cowboy thing going where as Dawn went for Upper clash genderbent english gentleman, or bringer of death. People had apparently realised Buffys family was the reason the vamps and demons had been so scarce of late in Sunnydale so they weren't scared of anyone seeing them today but even if they did, it was Sunnydale and the people here had seen Buffy fight vamps and demons for years and knew to keep their mouths shut.
Persephone closed the door and Turned to Xanders unconcious form on the sofa and read his aura, he was well physically and not poisoned or possesed. he was just a little traumatised and the gun Faith had given him had probably saved his life. she took it from him carefully and placed it upon the fireplace and out of his direct line of sight so if he panicked when he awoke they wouldn't have to be ducking shots.
Tara introduced herself as Willows new girlfriend and Persephone extended her a hand as she introduced herself as Dawns soulmate which threw Tara for a loop but also she knew nothing by Buffy or Willow was ever normal so she just accepted what she had heard but what came next shook the girl to her very core.
"Your Aura reads as human tinged with Wiccan magic, i don't like the magic here as it comes from a seed source... the magic we use is internally generated from our bodies so we can do some really cool stuff. do you not get annoyed by the slowness of it all, surely Ruby has been teaching you along with little Red" Persephone realised she may have been too forward bh speaking so casually with this new person as she didn't have a single response to give as she stood frozen and lost for words.
"I apologise for my casual way of speaking, i'm not of this dimension originally so it's all very new and i probably shouldn't have read a humans aura so matter of factly without asking first" Persephone went to leave but Tara asked her something she didn't expect to be asked and it was quite odd to say the least.
"You didn't happen to see any demon in the aura or anything inhuman, did you? just human and Wicca right?" Tara watched as Persephone once again but more thoroughly this time read her aura and her eyes shined with a deep purple colored magic she couldn't quite place. but she accepted it and waited for her response eagerly.
"Just human, the Wicca is a residue and you have absoloutly zero demonic influence whatsoever, none... but you do need to maybe get some cough medicine soon as you seem to have a sore throat coming along. I'll ask Joyce to grab some, cherry, banana or strawberry?... i tried the last of the blackcurrant yesterday" Persephone smiled as she turned to find Joyce in the kitchen making everyone tea and coffee.
"Are you also suffering from a sore throat?" Tara asked in a mousy voice that barely hid a nervous stutter that didn't seem as strong as it had before, the last time they had met and not talked together she was a wreck of nerves. after she had read her aura it seemed as if she had completly changed but it had nothing to do with Persephone so she just left it alone.
"Nah, i had never tried it before so Dawn just told me to drink the last of the blackcurrant one and it was delicious... i kinda wanna try the cherry one now also to be honest with you" Persephone went to get the cough syrup and two spoon and Joyce happily handed the medicine to her as she returned with a warm smile and the cherry cough syrup in tow.
As they continued to get to know one another Dawn was in the midst of a very weird christmas themed hunt which she knew wasn't normal for Sunnydale anymore but the hellmouth was still active and she nèeded to train and her mothers old Slaying gig could prove to be useful if they both didn't steal all her kills.
~~*
Dawn ducked an icoming christmas vamp punch and launched a flurry of her own quick kicks and punches which landed all except the very last one as Buffy hand had ripped through his back and came out the front as if she was punching wet paper. Dawn groaned heavily as she barely dodged another christmas vamps attack as he swung at her with a sharp looking candy cane made of metal.
They were in an empty main street and the fog was thick and dark so early in the morning but thankfully they all had excellent vision and senses which had saved Dawn mkre than once where as her mother just glided through the battles they had with very little effort. so little effort in fact this was one of the rare times they refused tk use any weapons and just went hand to hand.
Dawn side stepped out of the was as the large female swung her candy cane blade so hard it got stuck in the ground, the only earthy area which actually had some now ruined and once pretty winter flowers there. Dawn sprung off the vamps candy cane blade and delivered such a devistating kick her head crumpled into bone, blood and then nothing but dust within moments.
"Dawn! the map says we got 9 in the coffee shop, 4 in the street and a whole hive popping out of a portal that me and Faith are gonna go close! street and coffee shop are yours" Buffy and Faith disappeared and left her to be surrounded by four very angry and tough looking christmas vamps all in bloody sweaters and she realised whatever dimension they came from, she wanted to make sure she never visited such a creepy looking place.
"Soooo... boys! I got a cute lady back home and you are ruining all my christmas spirit... how can i go home and enjoy christmas when all you creepy ass mother fuckers are looking all bloodstained and christmasy! no consideration for other dimensions holidays i tell you" Dawn took her threaded cane and decided she would whip them all into tiny little pieces.
"Now please form an orderly line so i can hack you to death in an orderly manner" but the Vamps rushed her all at once which was kind of stupid on their part since Dawns Threaded cane changed instantly to a whip as she swung it and removed one half of the leaders brain and the follow ups arm.
She ducked one and the other was primed for an upward thrust and as her electrified whip connected with his balls he barelt had time to accept his death as the whip traveled all the way through his body and to the tip of his scalp. two vamps were now dust and another was screaming in the cold hard concrete but Dawn vaporised him with summoned lightning from her finger tips and he disappeared into a scorched mark on pavement.
"So... this is kind of awkward... i'm gonna just iceicle shard you up, it's for the best really" Dawn summoned long shards of super sharp ice she then plowed into the vamps chest cavity and he vanished into dust where as the ice just slid across the concrete with a horrible cracking sound as it split into a thousand plus pieces.
Dawn turned to the coffee shop and reformed the Threaded cane but place it in her off hand as she took her black and silver sawn off and walked towards the open door and entered it from the cold christmas morning mist. she did mask herself up though with a magic spell as she wasn't sure if they had a cctv system and she disn't need anyone to know she was not only proficient in hand to hand and weapons based combat but also an expert marksman who was about to slaughter nine creepy ass vamps with very little effort.
Dawns new metal mask made her look like a masked vigilante and was also shaped like a demon to strike some fear into her enemies, cute and pretty didn't really do that as well as you'd think it would but after her first three shots tearing through a grand total of 4 vamps she knew five were still to be slaughtered if she wanted to clear out the area and save herself from being a useless bounty huntress in her mothers eyes.
She stepped out of the way of one vamp and as she passed her the threaded cane struck into the vamps head with extreme force and she dusted after collapsing to the floor. Dawn sensed the last four vamps were in the back room which was an office if she remembered from her slight glances of when the door flung open whenever she came and ordered coffee for her or Tara whenever they hung out.
Dawn swung the door open since she knew they were aware she was tearing through the coffee shop with reckless abandon and thats when she spied the four vamps surrounding the coffee shop owners. a family of 5 but she was shocked they actually recognised her all masked up but then again her family was basically the reason evil was almost destroyed in this dimension so a little recognition for her mothers hard work was kinda nice.
"Dawn! oh thank the gods the Slayers daughter has come for us! these assholes appeared out of nowhere and started demanding something called blood dust?..." Before she could finish speaking the vamps were dead as Dawn had blasted them all away in a matter of seconds and came over to untie them without saying a word.
"You didn't need the mask you know, my husband said we didn't need cctv since the demons were all gone now, jackass!" The coffee shop owners wife seemed bitter about thwt one but Dawn had her back before he could say anything and her masked dissolved so she could look him in the eyes.
"We kill demons, we don't deal with much human evil... get some cameras dumbass! the cops deal with all that human evil, not us and anyway we have lives to live... ain't gonna be doing this forever are we" Dawn had untied them all and was about to leave the store as the 2 sons and 1 daughter thanked her and hugged the young women for saving them.
"I gotta get to my mothers and help them close the portal kids, help ya parents close up and next time maybe come to work strapped" Dawn clicked her fingers and muttered a few archaic words and any damage or viscera that had been caused in the last 24 hours was completly fixed. a microwaved undented itself and dinged which caused the kids to jump out of their skins a little but Dawn just gave a soft smile as she bowed and took her leave.
She said goodbye and closed the door behind her and made sure it was locked with a quick spell that went unspoken, it was to make sure the poor family were not subject to anymore demony surprises so early this misty christmas morning. The chill didn't go unnoticed as she followed her mothers magical presence and Dawn knew she was currently following the much stronger Faith since her energy far outshone Buffys own and was always easier for her to connect with when she mentally searched for it.
She almost skipped downnthe streets as she felt the demons presences disappear one by one and Faith had managed to close the portal but a dark energy had sprung forth and now she could feel her mothers both fighting for their lives and that wasn't something she had expected to feel. her senses were telling her they were both two stories up just a little ways down a dark wet alleyway which was covered in demon blood her mothers had spilled to protect the town.
Dawn saw that next to the garbage that was piling up on the side of the dank, dreary alleyway there was a fire escape she could sense her mothers had scaled it and were now fighting atop the building. the sounds of grunting and gunfire were pretty damn loud and Dawn used all the speed and strength she had to scale the fire escape as quickly as she possibly could and as her mothers came into view she could see the vampire elf had aparently a giant troll looking big brother who was 12ft high and built like a Mr Olympian candidate before they made steroids illegal.
"Baby! give me cover fire and i'll chop his head off or something!" Buffy watched as Faith jumped to the edge of the roof and fired so hard and faet with her red colored rifle she basically created a heavy wall of magic lava firing upon this seemingly indestructible monster who seemed to be merely stunned. Buffy had her ice machete out and managed to get close enough to bury the blade completly into his leg and it fixed him to the buildings concrete roof but she had to let go as she ducked an enermous demon fist.
Dawn rushed over with her threaded cane realising a bladed weapon was the only chance as he was obviously magic resistant, her mothers were now both showerjng him with a wall of lava bullets and bellowing lightning which was most likely scaring the shit out of people for miles with how violently loud the streams struck and crackled upon impact.
She whipped the beasts neck and caused a laceration that was over an inch deep almost and danced around his fists as both mothers realised what she was up to and continued to use their super human strength and speed to keep the gun fire blinding and subduing him so Dawn could hopefully finish him off. She used her whip which crackled with electricity to cut his hand clean off as she weaved his giant fist and struck on reflex.
Dawn saw him scream and instead of standing there in awe she rushed him and whipped his skull 6 to 7 times and exposed his brain before he managed to try and protect his head with his remaining hand to no avail.The young bounty huntress refused to stop as her mothers stopped firing and rushed over to her as she continued to whip and slash at the giant beasts head which by the time they got next to her to help her half his head was already gone.
Buffy and Faith had to keep their distance as Dawns whip needed to be given a wide berth but she continued until the beast was turned to a large soaking wet pile of bloody dust laying next to Buffys ice machete that was covered in ice shards as the beast exploded her weapons magic into nothing upon his death. Dawns threaded cane relinked itself upin her mental command and she stood back as she caught her breath for a few lengthy moments.
"That last fucker was magic resistant, least we know our kids smart and good at her job eh! B... i didn't even get to use my sword on him, i was gonna switch in and be al
cool like a sexy pirate lady" Faith frowned as she picked up Buffys machete and returned it to her wifes sheath as Buffy double checked the enchanted map to make sure they didn't miss any.
"Coffee shops safe, owners are gonna get some cameras and guns soon if they ain't too stupid... kinda suprised you guys had trouble with the big one though, what would you ever do without me, aren't I amazing" Dawn playfully patted herself on the back and both her mothers rolled their eyes and then confirmed the christmss vamps were now all dead according to the map and there were no demons with murderous intent across the entire town and that was good news.
"Yeah, you're our little hero, so lets go home and rescue your girlfriend from Joyce and Xander, Willow already went back ahead of us after we closed the portal, she wanted to make sure Xander was fine and probably wanted to rescue Tara... girl is shy ya know" Buffy jumped off the roof and landed with ease on the street below but it was weird to see her vanish into the mist with her mother close behind her and landing perfectly with no harm whatsoever.
Dawn sighed and looked back towards where the monster had been slain by her heavy handed swings, she knew Glory would be vastly superior but this was good practice for her and hopefully so would the following months full of bounties and training for the coming battle. she had been worried her mothers may have been overwhelmed but they had the whole thing under control obviously, she had helped though and that was something atleast.
She held onto her new necklace and could feel Persephones essence from it and it lead all the way back to Rovello drive where her heart was currently helping a weary Xander drink a rather Strong glass of eggnog that Joyce was assuring him was good for his constitution. Dawn loved magic and how easily it came to her but their connection was definetly something beyond normal.
She jumped into the mist and landed gracefully a few meters away from her mothers and they walked home laughing and joking about how weird it was to actually get attacked by christmas themed vampires on christmas morning. espedially as Buffys and Faiths last 2 christmases were spent in Al-Kufir and were not a huge celebration, they were more of a gift exchange followed by mind blowing, back breaking sex.
But now they were going home after saving this shit hole again and all of them were happy and in stable relationships, Dawn had never been happier to the point she seemed to forget everything else and hadn't even thought about the now human William at all. she just couldn't wait to go home and snuggle her beautiful lover and eat way too much christmas themed crap and complain hpw her tummy hurts later.
~~*
Persephone was helping Xander up so he could get himself on his feet as he was still a bit droopy as the spells had worked well but he had lost alot of blood and that wasn't as easily fixable without some much more advanced magic and she could tell he was going to be fine but Tara was probably feeding him way too much orange juice. kind of the reason he was being helped up right now and being led to the bathroom, poor guy desperately needed to piss.
"If you need help just scream and i'll rush back up the stairs and carry you down the stairs like a little princess ok!" Persephone left him by the open bathroom door as he retorted with very little energy, his body still in need of some of it's own internal healing.
"Well sweet prince, if i'm not back downstairs in the next 10 minutes send in the cavalry... I'm so goofy right now i just hope i don't drown in the toilet bowel" Xander opened the door and closed it again as Persephone went badk downstairs but was shocked to see the front door wide open and went to close it before noticing Tara and Willow kissing on the front porch as the mist enshrouded all. only a few hazy lights could be seen turning on as people began to awaken and the sunlight still wasn't bright enough to really allow anyone to go about their days without some electrical assistance.
"Guys, you should come back inside since it's a bit too cold ya know... where's my Dawn? is she still fighting?" Persephone could then feel a few seconds before Willow detangled herself from Tara that her lover was currently walking home with her mothers and if made her heart soften as she knew she would soon be home.
"Yeah, they should be on their way home any second now, Come honey we should go inside before we catch a cold" Willow took hold of Taras hand and they both rushed inside and Persephone closed the door behind them as she could feel Dawn would soon be home and now the witches were back she could maybe get some free time to grab a drink for herself and then Dawn who was probably famished after fighting.
She knew they had to wait to eat as Joyce was currently cooking in the kitchen so she would go grab a drink but first she needed to make sure someone could help Xander if he needed it. especially as he was still so wobbly on his feet and although healed, definetly needed some assitance before he actually did fall down the toilet and drown in piss water.
"Hey Red, Xanders upstairs and might need some help staying upright. can you manage that while i grab something to drink quickly?" Persephone smiled softly as Willow let her eyes move to the upstairs and back down to Tara and Persephone.
"Yeah, we'll both make sure he hasn't killed himself by bashing his head on the sink or something. Xanders always been a little clumsy around, well most things... yeah, well we better..." Willow walked towards the stairs leading to the 2nd floor and heard the toilet seat go down with quite a thud and Tara rushed behind her at quite a steady pace.
Both women were now talking to Xander through the door who was trying to convince them both of his weelbeing and to 'give him enough time to pull his jeans up' before the two very gay witches saw something that would shock them for life. Willow had just laughed and said she was Bi, you could tell she was about to say like 'Buffy' but there was ho question she wasn't even a little straight anymore and had no interest in anyone who wasn't named Faith.
Willow had then thought of saying Faith was also Bi, alas she remembered that the only person Faith had ever shown any actual interest in was Buffy herself. Xander was waiting behind the door for an end to the 'i'm Bi like...' to actually have an end but she just seemed to go blank and carry on the conversation in a completly different way, which actually eased some of the awkwardness she was currently feeling at speaking so openly about her love of both sexes in front of her brand new and very cute girlfriend.
Persephone stopped listening to the upstairs chatter and walked towards the kitchen where there was a fridge with chilled Nuka colas that the Bounty huntresses kept in this dimension when they needed a quick sugary pick me up that actually tasted good, food here wasn't exactly their thing or Persephones but they all knew spells to ourify the food to their new pallete.
Ruby was actually a godsend and their magical lessons which she had recently joined in on for the last month were going extremly well, Ruby herself had even commented on their bond in private and notified both of them how their aptitude for magic seemed to be well above her own or even Buffy and Faiths. The lessons had to be advanced considerably and the Enchantress even had to learn more thsn she ever had before, thankfully the new trade routes running through Al-kufir had made the aquisition of magical tomes and scrolls alot bloody easier.
Persephone actually wondered for a moment where Ruby was as it wasn't something she would expect her to miss, her newly humanised form which was now permament allowed her to mingle in ways she never had before. Her illusion spells could lose potency and fail at the wrong time for a myriad of factors that were alot of the time out of her control completly. Now she was an advanced human, magically enhanced and a permament menber of a superior human race that she and her daughter modeled after Faith herself.
They all looked like family, in fact Ruby seemed to have purposefully modeled her new permament form on Faith hereelf with some minor tweaks here and there, she was slightly taller at 6ft 3 inches which was gargantuan for most women but she was also perfectly proportioned and also thin but muscular with a massive rack. The word Xander used was cougar and he said he was young looking at that, Faith had just laughed and brushed the whole thing off.
But now as she grabbed a cola for her and Dawn she realised Ruby was pretty much Faiths mother and only Family at this point, both women had seemed to accept it almost naturally and Faith had actually once almost called her 'mother' without thinking and had to catch herself in the moment but everyone knew what she was about to say instantly. Ruby had worn an unending smile on her face ever since, it had become infectious whenever she was around.
She had added a few white streaks into her hair to look older but still youthful or atleast that's how it seemed to everyone who knew her. Joyce had almost mentioned how Rubys magical transformation was strange but understandable as both women were extremly close and Faith herself had spent over a year with Ruby and her family on a rather regular basis and all of them adored her instantly. the fact they changed their race permamently and decided to model themselves after her with slightly different feautres, eye color, height and hair style was a testament to how much they all deeply love and respect the women.
Joyce was cooking away and she actually asked Persephone a question pertinent to what she was thinking, "Hey, do you think Rubys coming today, i mean she's from another dimension like you so christmas must be somewhat odd and Buffy didn't say she was or wasn't so..." Joyce hadn't even turned away from inspecting her work and then piling up even more as she awaited an answer from the jet black haired beauty standing by the ope fride with her hands full of nuka cola.
She closed the fridge door and answered best she could "Dawn and Faith didn't say, Buffy might know when she gets back which according to Willow would be very soon. kinda why i'm grabbing Dawn something to drink..." Persephone coukd sense Dawn approaching slowly from the end of Rovello drive and Joyce just continued cooking away and going through a mountain of meal prep as she had to feed two hungry Ex-Slayers who made bears seem food shy compared to how they both like to eat.
"I will ask them when they return, plus Dawn will like it if you wait at the door for her or on the porch... she's a Summers afterall, we like 'acts of service' and a bit of old fashioned romance... aparently we're also very flexible sexually" Joyces overtly obvious drop at her own sexual proclivities didn't suprise Persephone and she never acknowledged it as she wanted to rush out to greet her lover as quickly as she could.
"Sounds great to me, i'll tell Buffy to come and help you out when they arrive back home" Persephone rushed towards the door with Nuka Colas in hand and she opened the door and looked out into the early morning mist. The low lights turning on as children awake to open their presents was something the young women found oddly magical, they used to sacrifice meat and honeys cheese bread to the gods when she was a child, this was alot nicer and they didn't have to worry about a vengeful god not blessing them for the coming harvest.
She left the front door slightly ajar as she stood upon the front porch as a light breeze seemed to wish to make her hair float in the breeze as she felt her lovers presence come bounding down the road and after a few moments she could hear the hurried steps.
Buffy and Faith had stayed walking at their own pace and Dawn was now way ahead of them both and she could hear the married couple chuckle as they knew Dawn couldn't wait to get home and see her lover standing there waiting for her on the front porch. waiting for her with a drink in hand and that was how she knew, everything was going to be ok and that her life was being built up from the ashes of her broken past.
But that was a bunch of memories only her and Dawn had ever seen during their bonding ceremony, a time that was becoming a great comfort for her as of late as she realised this was real and not some amazing fantasy the world had lain upon her wanting lap. and as she saw her beloved soulmate rush up the garden path and she outstretched her arms to receive her, she felt her heart swell in such a wondrous way all the pains of life just seemed to momentarily melt away.
Dawn sprang into her arms and with a massive smile upon her petite little lips which soon connected with Persephones in such a hungry, lustful lip lock she couldn't help but swoon and lose her breath a little.
"Did ya miss me? sorry it took so long, those vampire christmas elves were massive!" Dawn pulled back alittle and looked her deep in the eyes and although Persephone was almost swept off her feet she caught her breath and seemed almost drunk off her lovers presence.
"More than anything... this world is weird though, you have holiday themed evil. isn't that weird... oh it's Pomegranite, your favorite" she handed Dawn the Cola and Dawn happily received it in her left hand but didn't drink it at first as she wanted to kiss Persephone again and the girl was all the more happy to let her without a moments notice.
"Oh cool, you're trying the cherry flavor... Faith loves the cherry flavor and perfume... and oils, i kinda think mum just likes cherry themed stuff. well apart from Mon cheri, their chocolate treats with liquer in em and they taste like ass" Dawn could hear her mothers walking up the garden path and Faith answering her without a single question being asked.
"Mon cheri is dog shit, but i had to teleport to england yesterday to get my wonderful wife a whole bunch of cholates like mint Aeros and chocolate oranges, there's also some in your stockings girls so eat em before B does cause i had to hide em for ya" Faith bit her lip playfully as Buffy slapped and groped her ass as they walked arm in arm.
"What d'ya mean there's more english chocolate in the house! do ya know how hard it is to get that stuff... and i thought you loved me..." Buffy gave her the patented and always ready 'puppy dog' eyes but Faith just pulled out a Cadburys flake from her long leather jackets inside pocket and handed it over to her wife who now had stars in her eyes.
"Well, ya thought correctly! see what you darling mother has to put up with little firecracker. guilt trippin and a wife who would be diabetic if she wasn't a super powered Angel goddess..." Faith looked her wife up and down with a perplexed look drawn across her features and then as quickly as the look appeared it was replaced with acceptance and an elbow shrug.
"Well we aren't exactly Slayers anymore, Angel Goddesses might be a little pretentious though? Nephilim would be the correct term, but B's way to small for that and i'm the only giant here" Faith was rambling on as Persephone and Dawn just listened as the two women tried to come up with a new name for one another but landed on just being bounty huntresses, since Holy Slayer and Nephilim didn't really work for them and they really did love the job that brought them together.
Persephone spoke softly but with a deep understanding of them both from her shared memories with Dawn, "I guess if you both just wanna be known as bounty huntresses or hunters... could be unisex i dunno, then that's for the best" Persephone paused for a moment as she searched for the right words to speak.
"Thank you for falling through those portals, if you never came to Al-Kufir... well, i don't want to even think about it" She took Dawn by the hand and rushed into the house as she changed the subject and wanted to try this 'English chocolate' Buffy loved so much and both Slayers were standing alone on the front porch with the door wide open and the morning fog lightening as the morning moved on but was still thicker than any fog they had both ever seen before.
"We never did find out why those portals opened so perfectly and we fell through them, Giles and Ruby said someone most likely wanted all this to happen but... why would they want us to be happy and content, doing our job?" Buffy questioned it out loud for the first time in years gut Faith seemed to have a theory she didn't expect to hear.
"Maybe someone or the powers that be saw how our lives would of turned out if you killed me on that roof... we both, back then were going down dark paths and our morals were just all messed up... maybe the big guys upstairs saw what would happen and saved us from ourselves?" Faith had obviously thought about why she fell through that portal alot more than Buffy had and it showed.
"I never want to think of a life without you... I, if that's true... i owe them more than i can ever pay back, do ya think the powers that be would take an I.O.U or is that taking the piss?" Buffy tried to do an english accent at the end there and she sucked at it but Faith couldn't help but chuckle and then raise her warm hand to caress Buffys blushing and beautiful cheek.
"My love... i have considered everything about that night on the roof and hell i even thought shit like i died and how many times have i cried in you arms... i've never been so happy and i certainly don't deserve any of this but... even if this is all a dream and we're dead or i am. best last moments i could of ever hoped for baby" Faith kissed Buffy just to feel her again and she felt real in all the ways she always had and it gave the strong women hope, hope this was all real.
Buffy smiled softly as she made sure no one was listening to them and she whispered so only Faith could hear her "We aren't dead... i had Ruby check, Giles check and i even teleported to a dude in India that Giles knew when you were with mum at the art gallery... we're alive and this is our life" Buffy grinned and pulled Faith in close and kneaded her thick muscular ass cheeks and felt the heat rise between them.
She bit her lips and kissed Faiths long alabaster colored neck before speaking again "You're really my wife, we are a loving family and after we've dealt with Glory... Faith... i 'WILL' be putting a baby inside you. i have a sexy plan planned and everything" Buffy tried to walk to the door but Faith spun her around and began making out with her up against the wall inbetween the window and door.
"Well B, whoever gets filled up first, after we save Dawn! you better be ready. cause I will not be going easy on you baby" Faith growled and purred in Buffys wanting lips and as she seperated from her the breath had been taken out of her lungs and she realised how desperate she was for Faiths entire body right now ans yet she had to behave and stay composed until they were back in their home dimension.
"Faith... when we get home... claim me! make me beg..." Her whispers and lusty, heavy voice would have made Faith take her right then if ajoyce hadn't appeared at the door and tutted as she saw her Daughter and her Daughters wife heavily petting each other on the front porch.
"Ladies please, it might be misty but that's no excuse to start screwing around on my front porch, now get inside and Buffy... i need help in the kitchen. Faith, help out Willow and Tara with Xander, he looks terrible" Jouce dissapeared into the house and Buffy and Faith followed after her, both sighing as their fun was being interrupted.
Christmas was going to be long but at the same time, they knew they were going to enjoy the family time together.