Willow/Giles Shippers

Willowy Goodness Awards are open for Nominations!

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:13:57 GMT

I am very excited to announce that the annual Willowy Goodness Awards are open for nominations! We are proud to celebrate excellence in Willow-centric fanfiction.

Please make sure to read the rules before nominating.

X-posted to: btvs_award_info, nha_fic, wg_hairyeyeball, whedonverse_nb, whichwillow, willangelus, willow_giles

Pimping in your own journals and other communities (so long as pimping is allowed) is much appreciated and encouraged.

Ficlet: Dreams Come True

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:27:09 GMT

Title: Dreams Come True
Rating: FRAO
Written for: oreadno1
Prompt: Willow/Giles, post-Chosen. Halloween/Samhain in London, possibly a 'discussion' (or more) of her season 2 Halloween costume?
Word Count: 1209
Disclaimer: These are not my characters. They belong to Joss, Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, WB & Mutant Enemy. This is purely for fun.
Note: This was supposed to be a drabble or a short ficlet, but my muse finally kicked in and made it longer. I guess it's really a short story now. Though there's really not much story to it.

Willow thought about how much it felt like old times as she waited for Giles in the Council library. The library was huge, but Giles had his own private area. He even had an office like he had back at Sunnydale High School. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. It even smelled like the old library; the scent of tea and old leather filled the air.

She sighed. "I really miss that place," she said as she stood and walked around. There was no telling when Giles might get there. Council business always crept up at inconvenient times.

As she waited, she looked through the books. This was Giles' private collection. He only let a few trusted people near these books. Back at Sunnydale High School, these books had been kept off limits to her. Now though, Giles trusted her enough to leave her alone with them.

Willow picked a book at random and opened it. Something fell out and fluttered to the floor. When she bent and picked it up, she realized it was a photo - a photo of her. She blushed as she looked at it. She was wearing the Halloween costume that Buffy had talked her into wearing the year after they'd met. She didn't remember anyone taking a picture. Yet here it was in one of Giles' books. The significance of that didn't hit her until she had replaced the photo and put the book back on the shelf.

"Sorry I'm late."

Willow jumped at the sound of Giles' voice. "Giles, you startled me." She felt her cheeks flush as he stared at her. He was gazing at her in a way that made her stomach do a little flip. She could almost feel his eyes moving over her. "Giles?" she squeaked. Then she looked down and realized she was wearing the costume from the photo.

Giles stepped closer to her. "Did you plan this?"

"What? No. I ..." She covered her bare stomach with her arms. "I didn't wear this in here. I don't know what happened." She suddenly felt like she was the shy girl at school back in Sunnydale. I was amazing how being under his gaze could do that to her. She turned and gestured to the bookshelf. I opened a book, and a photo of me fell out. Then my clothes changed. I didn't do anything."

She pulled the book off the shelf again. Once more a photo fell out. Giles bent and picked it up. They both stared at the picture. It was a photo of Giles in one of his old tweed suits.

Willow stared at it. When she looked up at Giles, he was wearing the tweed suit in from the photo. She knew that he was wearing something completely different only a moment ago, but she couldn't remember what it was.

They stared at each other in silence for a long time. Finally, Giles broke the silence. "I dreamed about you for weeks after you wore that costume."

Willow knew something magical was happening, but she really didn't care. The man she'd had a crush on since she was sixteen was finally noticing her. At that moment nothing else mattered. She stepped closer to him. "I've dreamed about you in that suit for years," she whispered.

Giles took the book from her and tossed the photo and book onto a nearby table. He closed the gap between them. "I've dreamed about you out of that costume for years."

Willow tried to speak, but her mouth had gone dry.

Around them, this corner of the library had been transformed into the old Sunnydale High School library. Willow didn't notice though. She was losing herself in Giles' eyes. When she saw his gaze dart down to look at her lips, she only had a moment to react. Even with that small warning, she still gasped as he pulled her close and kissed her. After a moment's hesitation, she kissed him back and heard him moan in approval.

Giles rubbed his hand over the exposed skin of her back as he kissed her. He moved his other hand to her thigh. Willow moaned and shivered at the sensation. When he ran his hand up her thigh, lifting her skirt, she pulled back a little.

"Table or office?" she asked.

"I've often had fantasies about this table," Giles confessed.

"Me too," Willow said.

With a hand on each hip, he lifted her and sat her on the table. Before he could push her back, she reached out and unhooked his belt and popped open the button. As she slid the zipper down, he leaned in and kissed her again. She closed her eyes at the feel of his lips on hers, but her eyes popped open when she felt his cock brush against her hand. She closed her hand around him as she mumbled against his lips, "no underwear?"

"Never felt the need for it," he whispered, his lips brushing against hers as he spoke. "Are you wearing any?" he asked.

Willow blushed as he pushed back and gazed down at her. He removed her thong and tossed it aside. "You might as well not wear any if that's what you normally wear," he said.

"I don't usually wear that kind," she said. "It was part of the costume."

"Not anymore," he said as he leaned close and rubbed his cock along her folds.

Willow shivered again at the sound of his voice. "Do you know what you do to me?" she asked.

"I have some idea." He gazed into her eyes as he teased her with shallow thrusts that barely entered her.

"Giles," she whimpered. When he just continued with the slow and shallow movements, she reached up and pulled him into a kiss.

As she kissed him, he plunged deep inside her. She broke away from the kiss and gasped. "Giles ... I ... You ..." She gave up. She couldn't form a single coherent thought.

"I know," Giles whispered. He pushed her back and leaned over her, changing the angle of his thrusts. With one hand he pulled her top up and exposed her breasts.

When he leaned down to kiss her once more, she felt the tweed rub against her exposed nipples. She grabbed the edged of the table to steady herself as all the sensations overwhelmed her. She'd had dreams about this, but not one of them compared to what she was feeling at that moment. It was all too much, and she soon felt herself tumbling over the edge. "Giles! Oh goddess."

Not long after, Giles' followed. While she had screamed his name, her name fell from his lips like a prayer. "Willow."

After kissing her and quickly fixing her top, he collapsed into a chair by the table.

It took a moment for Willow to catch her breath. "That was amazing," she said after a few minutes. She slipped off the table and onto Giles' lap. He was holding something in his hand. "What's that?" she asked.

"It was a photo," he said as he handed the paper to her.

She looked at it. It was just a white index card, but written on it was "Happy Halloween! Be seeing you." It was signed "E."

**********

The End

Yet Another Video

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:25 GMT

It seems I've been bitten by the video bug. Here's my new Willow/Rupert video. It's to Aqualung's Strange and Beautiful. I hope you like it!

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:32:14 GMT

I did a series of three videos to the same song. (One each for Buffy, Willow, and Xander.) So, here I give you My Hero Is You for Willow:

</div>

2 fics for you

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:04:18 GMT

Title: A Place in the World
Author: velvet_midnight
Fandom: BtVS
Pairing/Characters: Willow Rosenberg/Rupert Giles
Summary: a moment in time in England. written for 100_situations , table 2, prompt 05. River
Warnings/Spoilers: set post-Grave, pre-s7.

Title: Truth By Delirium
Author: velvet_midnight
Fandom: BtVS
Pairing/Characters: Willow Rosenberg/Rupert Giles
Summary: Willow's tongue is loosened after she gets demon-sick. Giles is there to care for her.

Which Witch Ficathon is taking Sign Ups

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:18:57 GMT

I am very excited to once again bring you a ficathon featuring our favorite witch, Willow Rosenberg. This is our on-going attempt to encourage the writing of more Willow-centric stories. We are open to all pairings (Het, Femslash, Conventional & Unconventional) and gen fics. We even have some Crossover prompts.

Sign Ups begin today at whichwillow

Pimping is loved and encouraged.

Hey all!

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:33:38 GMT

I'm no artist, but I was surfing various moodtheme comms in search of that one perfect theme (lolz), when it occured to me that there isn't a Willow/Giles one. There are plenty of Spike/Buffy & Angel/Buffy ones, & a ton of gen ones, and even a Whedonverse femmeslash one, but none of our favourite non-canon-y couple.

Soooo, I was thinking.... is there anyone with amazing artistic talent who would want to undertake the craziness of creating a W/G moodtheme? As much as I adore my W/T one, oh, what I wouldn't give for some lovely W/G!

Pimp this idea to whomever you think would do it, cos how awesome would that be? =D

Fan Video: The Heart Won't Lie - Rupert/Willow

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:03:27 GMT

Hey all! I seem to be on a video kick. Here is my next video. It's a Rupert/Willow piece set to Vince Gill and Reba McEntire's The Heart Won't Lie.

Hope you enjoy it!

Plot bunny free to good home

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:38:52 GMT

I have a plot bunny for a Giles/Willow story, but I'm not sure I can write it.

So it's up for adoption.

Here's the idea:

Instead of Willow bringing Buffy back in season six, Giles does it. He realized that unless Faith died, no new Slayer would be called. Instead of killing or freeing Faith, he resurrects Buffy.
This causes Giles to fall back into his old habits from his Ripper days.
Willow, who looks up to him as her mentor, realizes she needs to be the responsible one.
Willow saves Giles from the dark magics and possibly saves the wold in the process.

Anyone want to try writing this?

Video: Rupert/Willow - Don't Stand So Close To Me

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:45:43 GMT

Hey guys! I put together my first Rupert/Willow video! I did it to te Police's Don't stand So Close To Me.

I really hope you enjoy it!

Fic: That's The Question (Rupert/Willow - FRM)

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:17:59 GMT

Title: That’s the Question
Author’s Name: The Library Girl (E-Mail: Thelibrarygirl@Yahoo.com)
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rating: FRM
Pairing: Rupert/Willow
Warnings: None
Season: Season four.
Spoilers: None.

Summary: Willow doesn’t want to get up for class.

Author's Notes: Thanks need to be given, and here is where they go. Thanks to Joss for creating characters so fun to watch and
                            to borrow for a bit. Thanks to Tony Head for making Giles so amazing. I tried to fight it, but he was just too
                            remarkable not to fall in love with. Big thank yous to my other half and best friend Ann for all the love and
                            support. I could never write without her help and I would never want to try. I appreciate all her work. Thank
                            you to Jess and Michelle for listening and helping me put this in readable form.

That’s the Question

Willow snuggled under the covers, hanging on to the last seconds of sleep. She wasn’t ready to get up yet, but her mind informed her she had a busy day ahead. She sighed, cursing her over active brain.

“Is something wrong, love?”

She smiled as Rupert rolled over, pulling her against him and kissing her shoulder. She couldn’t believe they’d been together for over two months now. She turned in his arms, snuggling closer against him.

“Nahh,” she replied, leaning in to kiss his neck. “I’m just not ready to get up.”

“Then don’t,” he said, kissing her ear. “Stay here with me.”

She closed her eyes, shivering as his lips trailed down. He paused to suck on her ear lobe before moving on to more interesting territory. As he nipped lightly on her collarbone, she swallowed hard.

“I…but…oh, lord Rupert, do that again.” Her whole body was trembling and she was just giving in to his request to stay in bed when her cursed brain once more informed her of her schedule for the day. “Oh, damn.”

“Did I hurt you?” He looked up, his brow furrowed in concern. “I didn’t bite too hard, did I?”

“No.” She sighed, reaching up to stroke his face. “But I’ve got a biology test in a couple hours.”

“Isn’t that what we were studying?” Rupert asked with a wolfish grin.

“Yes, but I’m on the unit with plant cells,” she said with a laugh.

“I could go get some strawberries from the kitchen if that would help. Possibly some whipped cream?”

She laughed at his eager expression.

“As nice as that sounds, I still have to go back to the dorm to change clothes and get my books.”

“You…you could move some of your things here,” he said quietly. “There’s room in my closet. I could clear you some drawers.”

“I have a lot of things,” she replied distractedly. “Especially books.”

“I was thinking about that,” Rupert replied, his expression slightly nervous.

“About what?”

“Well, you have books that you use all the time for school and I know you’ve acquired some ancient texts and spell books.”

“I did get a great deal when that occult bookstore on Reavers Street closed.”

“I appreciate that you let me borrow them at times,” he said. He looked down at his hands. “I was thinking though that perhaps…well, it might be better to combine our collections.”

Willow looked up at his anxious face and smiled.

“Why Rupert, are you asking my books to move in with you?”

He looked up, his eyes wide and she laughed. He smiled sheepishly and relaxed.

“Well, yes, I believe I am. And...if you were to join them, I wouldn’t be opposed to that either.”

She looked into his eyes, seeing a mixture of love and slight panic that he’d pushed too far, asked too much from her. She reached out and touched his face.

“I would love to move in with you,” she whispered.

His answering grin was positively boyish. She laughed, leaning in to kiss him. He deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking hers, his hands roaming over her skin. When she broke the kiss, they were both breathing hard. He moved forward to kiss her again, but she put her hand up to stop him.

“Biology test, dorm. Remember?” she asked.

He sighed.

“I do. You will be back tonight?”

“I’ll be here at four. But I’ll have to leave early tomorrow as well for my psych test.”

He looked at her, his expression unreadable.

“Your books are moving in this weekend,” he said after a moment. “I’ll have space cleared by then.”

“In a bit of a hurry?” she asked with a grin. “You must really like my books.”

He leaned forward, his face inches from hers.

“It’s their owner that I’m really interested in,” he whispered. “I love her very much and I want her in my life as much as possible.”

“She loves you too,” Willow responded, tears blurring her vision.

Before she could say more, he leaned in and kissed her again, his lips gently loving hers. After a moment, he broke the kiss and smiled at her.

“Shall we pick this up again tonight? Perhaps a candle lit dinner in bed?”

“Wouldn’t that be messy?” she asked with a frown.

“If we’re doing it right,” he responded with a grin.

She laughed as she got out of bed.

“You know what a perfectionist I am,” she said with a smile as she headed for the stairs.

Rupert lay back on the pillows smiling.

The End

Fic: Words of Love (Rupert/Willow - FRM)

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:16:11 GMT

Title: Words of Love
Author’s Name: The Library Girl (E-Mail: Thelibrarygirl@Yahoo.com)
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rating: FRM
Pairing: Rupert/Willow
Warnings: None really.
Season: During season four.

Summary: Rupert is lonely and Willow has a solution to the problem.

Spoilers: Willow and Oz’s relationship.

Disclaimer: This is where I put the statement saying that I do not own Buffy, Giles (Heh! I wish!), Sunnydale, or anything relating
                     to the show. No one is paying me to do this and if you feel the sudden urge to send me gifts, you might want to talk
                     to someone about that. Joss Whedon owns all things Buffy and has not given me permission to use these characters
                     as I have so if you have problems with the story, please send the pretzel bombs to me, not him.

Author's Notes: Thanks need to be given, and here is where they go. Thanks to Joss for creating characters so fun to watch and
                            to borrow for a bit. Thanks to Tony Head for making Giles so amazing. I tried to fight it, but he was just too
                            remarkable not to fall in love with. Big thank yous to my other half and best friend Ann for all the love and
                            support. I could never write without her help and I would never want to try. I appreciate all her work. Thank
                            you to Jess for listening and helping me put this in readable form.

Words of Love

Rupert Giles sat on his couch with his arms folded across his chest. He found himself wondering how far his reason had slipped as he looked into the eyes of Willow Rosenberg.

The day had started normally enough. He’d come back from his morning run, had some toast and tea, read the paper, found a reference to another apocalypse; nothing out of the ordinary. And, as usual, when he’d put out the call for research help, most of his young friends ha found something else to do. Only Willow had the time to devote to bookwork.

They had spent the morning looking for any hint of the impending doom. Just after lunch, Willow had found a whole chapter in one of Rupert’s older texts. He had been relieved, albeit somewhat embarrassed, to find his calculations had been off and they wouldn’t have to face this evil for fifteen more years.

“Hey, in fifteen years, at least we’ll know where to look,” Willow had said with a smile.

Rupert had expected her to leave. The crisis was past and he was sure she had better things to do than spend the afternoon with an old man. He’d been surprised when she sat on his couch instead. She’d relaxed and talked to him about casual things; her grades, her friends, his hobbies, the new exhibit at the museum.

He wondered what was wrong until he’d seen a vague hurt in her eyes and remembered her break up with Oz. Well, that explained a lot. He supposed she didn’t want to be alone anymore than he did. At the next lull in the conversation, he made an attempt at sympathy.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. She looked at him with one raised eyebrow and he felt the need to expound. “For…for what happened with Oz.”

“Thank you.” She sighed and looked at him. “I appreciate that.”

“Are you doing all right?”

“I’m not wonderful.” He could see a sadness in her eyes. “But it’s not like I didn’t see this coming.”

“Oh?”

We’d been drifting apart for a few weeks, but I didn’t want to let it go.” She frowned, looking at the floor. “You must think I’m completely pathetic for staying with someone just because I didn’t want to be alone.”

Rupert snorted. He couldn’t help it, but he regretted it she looked up at him with wide, hurt eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he said gently. “But I very much can understand.”

She looked at him curiously.

“You don’t think I’m lonely?” He asked.

“What about your girlfriend? The one from England?”

“She isn’t my girlfriend,” Rupert said with a sigh. “She’s simply a friend.”

“But Buffy told me she caught you…” Willow trailed off, glancing up at his loft.

“She did.” Rupert could feel his face redden.

“So you did…that…with a friend?”

“Willow, I don’t expect you to understand.” Rupert tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice. “I am alone here. I accept that a certain…solitude comes with the calling, but some nights it’s almost impossible to bear. Olivia offered me a respite from the pain and I took it. I lost myself for that small time, pretending that I actually meant something to someone.”

He closed his eyes, not wanting to see her pity. He was startled when he felt her fingers gently touch his arm and he turned to look at her, finding himself staring into her eyes. He was caught off guard by the affection he saw there.

“Why would you think you don’t mean something to us?” she asked gently.

“Willow, I…it’s not…that…” He trailed off, turning away from her.

“Giles?” He could hear the concern in her voice and his breath caught in his throat as she took his hand in hers.

“I…you lot have lives now,” he whispered. “And I would wish nothing else for you, but…sometimes when I spend days by myself in this flat I…”

“Resent us?” Willow supplied, squeezing his hand.

“No. I never resent or dislike you.” He looked up at her again. “I just wish…I want something more in my life.”

“Why don’t you?” she asked.

“I’m sorry?”

“Why don’t you get a job or take a class?”

“What if Buffy needed me?” he asked quietly. “I know it happens rarely now, but I would never want to not be here if any of you needed me. I am still a Watcher.”

“So you aren’t allowed a life?” She was frowning at him.

“This is my life, such as it is.” This time he didn’t try to hide his resentment. “It might not be as I wish, but it’s my destiny.

“Giles,” Willow said, stroking the back of his hand. “I’m pretty sure teaching a class won’t interfere with your scared duty. You should get out, make friends, maybe date.”

Rupert laughed. When her frown deepened he sighed.

“And just who would I date?” he asked. “It’s not as if someone my age has an abundance of choices as is. And I would be putting anyone I dated in danger. I’m not sure I could face it if something were to happen. Which means I have to keep my life a secret. What kind of relationship can I have if I have to hide who I am?

Willow was looking at him speculatively.

“So you would have to date someone who already knew our little secret.”

“Ideally, yes,” Rupert said. “But as there isn’t anyone who knows about Buffy…”

“That’s not true,” Willow said, staring at him.

“Just who have you told?” he asked, feeling a touch of alarm.

“Huh? Oh, no! I wasn’t…” She smiled at him. “No, I wasn’t saying I told anyone. I just meant that there are some of us who know.”

“I’m sorry?” He blinked, completely lost. “Who are you referring to?”

“Well…” She trailed off, blushing. After a minute she took a deep breath and turned to look into his eyes. “I was actually thinking about me.”

“Y…I…what?” Rupert was totally nonplussed. There were times he’d been speechless, but they all paled in comparison to this moment.

She laughed, squeezing his hand again.

“Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for,” she said quietly. “But you really are attractive when you stutter.”

“I’m…you…” He was trying to wrap his mind around the situation. Worse, now that the idea was there, he found that he liked it. Could this be more embarrassing? “Willow, I appreciate your concern, but…”

“Is that what you are seeing?” She was looking at him intently and he was slightly unnerved by her directness. She leaned closer and he could feel her breath on his skin. “If you think this is concern, then I really need to work on my pick up techniques.”

Rupert swallowed, trying to banish the images her words were bringing up. She wasn’t really interested, she merely felt sorry for him. She was still holding his hand and had begun to stroke her thumb slowly across his skin. He tried to concentrate on the conversation, but her touch was sending waves of desire through him. He reminded himself how wildly inappropriate this was and gently took his hand from hers.

“Willow, please.” He smiled at her, wanting to reassure her that he wasn’t upset, “I know that you…”

“No, I don’t think you do,” Willow cut him off. “This isn’t pity or concern or any of the other bad things you have running around in your head. This is me being very attracted to you.”

“Willow, I’m much older than you.”

“Your point?”

“I’m sorry?” He blinked at her.

“Do you really think I don’t know how old you are?” She was watching him with a serious look on her face.

“I think you haven’t really thought about it. You’re nineteen. When you’re my age, I’ll be over sixty.”

“And I’m sure you’ll still be sexy,” she said with a smile. “Giles…Rupert, I’m not worried about your age.”

“But you should be. What exactly do we have in common? If we have nothing to talk about, what kind of relationship could we have?”

“What do we have in common? You mean beyond that we are two of the few people who know demons are real and that there’s a Slayer. Or that we both work with the Slayer?”

“So we would always speak of work?” He smiled at her. “Willow, there are so many other things. Books, movies, music, politics.”

“Gi…Rupert, I do read. I enjoy the classics like Shakespeare and Dickens.”

“You do?” Rupert was a bit surprised that he didn’t know this. He narrowed his eyes at her. “ ‘Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up.’ ”

“Why are you quoting James Baldwin at me?” she asked, looking perplexed. “Are you trying to make a point? I’m not grown up enough? I prefer to think of it this way. ‘Love looks not with the eyes, but the mind.’ And my mind loves yours. Of course you are pretty nice on the eyes too.”

In truth Rupert was surprised she’d known the quote was from Baldwin. He was pleased she responded with Shakespeare. After a minute, he smiled.

“ ‘Love is the self-delusion we manufacture to justify the trouble we take to have sex.’ ”

“Rupert, Greenberg was a journalist, not a poet.”

“Journalism can be poetry if it’s done right.”

She made a face at him.

“Fine. ‘Where there is love there is life.’ ”

He blinked. She was quoting Gandhi? Perhaps she was more well read than he’d thought.

“ ‘Love is the flower you've got to let grow.’ ”

She laughed.

“Leave it to you to quote John Lennon. ‘Love is the beauty of the soul.’ ”

“Saint Augustine? Really?”

“Why not? It’s a great quote.”

“I suppose it is.” He smiled at her. “ ‘At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet.’ ”

“And that’s why we’re playing this game?” she asked with a laugh. At his raised eyebrow she sighed. “Well, at least the Plato quote is taking us in the right direction. Okay, you say you’re too old for me. Well, I’m invoking a man who has your first name. ‘A kiss makes the heart young again and wipes out the years.’ ”

He frowned at her.

“Who said that?”

“You mean I picked one you don’t know? I thought I wasn’t well read enough.”

“Willow.”

“Rupert Brooke. World War One British poet. He wrote The Soldier and Heaven.” He still looked confused. “You should look him up. Well, you didn’t know that one, so I get to go again.”

“There are rules now?” he asked with a slight smile.

“There are. ‘Take away love and our earth is a tomb.’ ”

He opened his mouth to say he’d always liked Browning, but she went on.

“ ‘Friendship often ends in love.’ ‘Love is all we have.’ ‘Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.’ ‘To fear love is to fear life.’ ”

“Willow,” He tried to interrupt, but she sped up.

“ ‘It is sad not to love, but it is much sadder not to be able to love.’ ‘Love conquers all.’ ‘If you want to be loved, be lovable.’ ‘Love is the magician that…’ ”

Rupert had moved across the couch until his hip was against hers. He leaned in close, putting himself nose to nose with her. She stopped talking, her eyes going wide.

“ ‘A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.’ ” he whispered as he tilted his head and captured her lips.

He lost himself to the sensations, his mouth gently caressing, lightly tasting. His hand slowly trailed up her back to tangle in her hair. When he broke the kiss a minute later, she looked up at him with a slightly dazed expression.

“Wow,” she gasped.

He chuckled, reaching up to stroke her face. She leaned forward for another kiss, but his guilt got the better of him and he pulled back slightly.

“Willow, we need to talk.”

She smiled, shifting closer to him.

“No talking, kissing.”

He gently took her hand, looking into her eyes.

“Willow, I…it’s just not…”

She brought her fingers to his lips, silencing him.

“Don’t. I’m sure you can think of fifty reasons this won’t work, but I don’t care. I could give you lists of compatibilities, cite mutual respect and affection, and compare interests, but it boils down to this; we could be good together. And…” She paused, looking down at her hands. When she spoke, her voice was just above a whisper. “I think I might be falling in love with you. I have been for a while.”

Rupert was shocked. He’d convinced himself she was just lonely, she felt sorry for him, so many excuses to explain away her actions. In none of his scenarios could she actually care for him. Yet he could see the sincerity of her words in her eyes. He looked at the woman sitting next to him, realizing that he wanted the chance to love her

“Do you think you could take a chance with me?” she whispered.

He wordlessly pulled her to him, his kiss answering her question. She moaned quietly into his mouth and he felt warm desire wash through him. She opened her mouth to him and his tongue sought hers. He was pulling her even closer when she broke the kiss.

“I just thought of another quote for the game,” she said with a mischievous grin.

Rupert blinked, completely lost. She moved closer, leaning in to whisper in his ear.

“How about Simone De Beavior? ‘Sex is a kind of magic spell; it demands complete abandon.’”

He shivered as her breath ghosted across his skin, setting his blood pounding in his ears. He closed his eyes.

“ ‘Tis no sin loves fruits to taste; to be taken,’ ” he murmured, struggling to recall the quote.

“I’ve always liked Jonson,” she replied, her fingers tracing up his arm.

He opened his eyes as he felt her leave his arms. He frowned as she stood and walked across the room. She stopped, looking back at him.

“Levertov is also good. ‘We plunge towards each other and into that elemental deep fall.’” She gracefully climbed the stairs as he got to his feet, watching, daring to hope. When she reached the top she smiled down at him. “Your turn.”

“I…” He paused, admiring her beauty, unable to think past where he knew this was going. “I am at a loss.”

She laughed, disappearing into the darkness of the loft. He was just following her up when her shirt sailed over the railing, drifting to land on his desk.

“Marge Piercy,” she called down. “ ‘It’s not the sex that gives pleasure but the lover.’ Show me she’s right?”

Rupert didn’t have to be asked twice. He was smiling, truly happy, as he took the stairs two at a time.

The End.

Fic: In The Dark Of The Night (Rupert/Willow - FRM)

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:08:31 GMT

Title: In The Dark of The Night
Author’s Name: Laura Sichrovsky (E-Mail: Laurtew@Yahoo.com)
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rating: FRM
Pairing: Rupert/Willow
Warnings: None really.
Season: After the series ends, so maybe a non-comic book season eight?

Summary: Rupert seldom dreams anymore. So a vivid nightmare bothers him a bit. Especially as it came from a wish he made.

Spoilers: Some mention of seasons one and two and six.

Disclaimer: This is where I put the statement saying that I do not own Buffy, Giles (Heh! I wish!), Sunnydale, or anything relating
                     to the show. No one is paying me to do this and if you feel the sudden urge to send me gifts, you might want to talk
                     to someone about that. Joss Whedon owns all things Buffy and has not given me permission to use these characters
                     as I have so if you have problems with the story, please send the pretzel bombs to me, not him.

Author's Notes: Thanks need to be given, and here is where they go. Thanks to Joss for creating characters so fun to watch and
                            to borrow for a bit. Thanks to Tony Head for making Giles so amazing. I tried to fight it, but he was just too
                            remarkable not to fall for. Big thank yous to my other half and best friend Ann for all the love and support. I
                            could never write without her help and I would never want to try. Thank you to my wonderful betas, Michelle,
                            Jess, and Jen for helping me put this is readable form.

In The Dark of The Night

The night air was cold, a slight breeze caressing his skin. Rupert looked up into the sky. On any other night, he would have been at least slightly awed by the countless stars that dimly lit the darkness as he walked across the Slayer compound. Tonight he barely noticed. He looked around the little village they had built within the walls of the castle, houses for Watchers and Slayers who did not wish to live in the main fortification, outbuildings and an exercise yard. They had come to the middle of nowhere, refugees from a war no one should have had to fight, and now they struggled to build a brave new world. He shoved his hands into his pockets and picked up his pace, approaching one little house set apart from the others.

He stood in front of the door, suddenly unsure of what to do. It was very late and the darkness within told him that she was asleep. Yet he couldn’t shake the empty, forbidding feeling that his dream had left him with. Normally, Rupert gave little credence to his dreams, shunting the darker ones upon waking. But tonight… He hadn’t felt this haunted since just after Xander had rescued him from the mansion; those long, empty nights when he would wake screaming into an unforgiving darkness, unsure where he was and what secrets he’d revealed.

He looked up again, his mind automatically finding constellations in the blackness, grounding himself in those pictures painted by the heavens. He drew in a deep breath, taking comfort in the fact that her house was here. He wasn’t used to being this unnerved by a dream. Most of his dreams these days weren’t this unsettling, this…real. He’d banished those dreams long ago. Perhaps it was all the worse because the dream had played on a wish he’d made. After so many years living on a Hellmouth, he should know better than wishing aloud. But this one had seemed harmless; beneficial really. Who knew that it could play out in such a dark and disturbing way.

And so he’d been tortured by his own mind, once again a victim of his endless guilt. When he’d woken, sitting up in his bed, his whole body trembling, a scream trapped in his throat, he’d gotten up and dressed without really thinking about where he was going. He’d needed to know that she was safe, that it had all been in his head. Now he stood, looking at her house in the moonlight, feeling exceedingly foolish. He pictured her face when he told her that he was sorry to wake her, but he had to be sure a vampire hadn’t gotten her when she was fifteen. He silently chuckled to himself and shook his head.

It was enough to pull him from his panic and with another sigh, he turned to go. He hadn’t even gotten a step when he heard the door open behind him.

“Giles? Is everything okay?”

He turned to face her, noticing how the moonlight robbed her hair of its fiery colour, making it seem almost as black as the night around her. She was pulling her robe closed and looking at him with some concern. He wanted to laugh, to tell her that there was nothing to be worried about, but he couldn’t take his attention from her. After seeing her features distorted into that of a demon, he needed to see her for what she really was, to drink in the soft beauty that was Willow.

Over the years he had known her, she had aged from awkward teen to a graceful woman and while he told himself that he could never notice her in that way, his gaze was drawn to the delicate curves of her body, the lushness of her cleavage, just visible beneath the opening of her robe. He took in the fine lines of her wrists and arms and the mature contours of her face. When he came to her eyes, deep green pools of pure emotion, such a contrast from the cold, yellow eyes of the vampire in his dream, he was pulled from his contemplation by the worry he saw there. He looked at the ground, ashamed of how blatantly he was studying her; more guilty that he was enjoying it so much. He shoved his hands deeper in his pockets, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

“Giles?” Her voice was gentle, soft in the vastness of the night.

“I’m sorry to have bothered you,” he murmured, stepping back, needing to put distance between himself and the emotions she was stirring in him.

“You didn’t, but…What’s wrong?”

He dared to look up at her, thrilling in her concern for him, yet berating himself for being so pleased. He shook his head, preparing to return to his rooms, but she stepped back in silent invitation. They had all learned their lessons from Sunnydale. None of them would verbally invite someone in, especially someone they cared for; it was too easy to be blinded by emotions. Rupert looked at her, wanting to accept, to take comfort in her presence, yet terrified she would see his weakness.

“I…I really should be going,” he said, looking away again. When he turned back, she was still standing, waiting for him to come in. He sighed, telling himself this was a mistake; he walked past her anyway.

The main room of the house was dim, but not dark, illuminated by candles. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed that the candles were on a table next to an overstuffed chair. A book was open draped over one arm of the chair to hold its place and he realized that she had been reading by the candlelight. No wonder the house had seemed dark to him.

Willow crossed around and stood next to the chair, looking at him. He wordlessly pointed to the book and she nodded, smiling.

“Just relaxing.”

“In the dark?” he asked quietly.

“It’s a habit I got from you, you know,” she replied, stepping closer to him. “I remember that when you were studying, you wanted the brightest light possible, like you were trying to chase away the shadows, reinforcing the seriousness of the situation. But when you read for fun, it was always by candlelight, as if you wanted to be as far away from the harsh glare of study as you could.”

“I didn’t think anyone had noticed that,” he said, unable to take his eyes from her.

“Oh, I did. I didn’t get it at the time, but I do now. It’s quiet, peaceful, away from the real world.”

“Quite,” he nodded. “All you need now is a cup of…”

He was cut off as the tea kettle screamed from the kitchen. He turned and looked at her, incredulous. She just smiled back.

“Hey, I learned from the best. Would you like a cup?”

He nodded, watching her as she walked off to the kitchen. The man he had been berated him for even being here, reiterating how foolish he was being, how wrong this was. But the man he was now rejoiced that he had such an influence on this woman and wanted nothing more than to reassure himself with her company. He moved to sit on the small sofa that was across from the chair, settling in and looking around. The room was pure Willow and he felt himself relax as he studied it.

She had decorated in earth tones, warm and inviting with dark wood accents gleaming in the candlelight. In typical Willow fashion, she hadn’t wanted to fuss, purchasing the furniture from a second hand store. It was in good condition and she’d covered it with dark green slip covers. The rest of the look was achieved with swaths of soft material and many well placed plants. It was alive and soothing; all things Willow, and he reveled in it.

Rupert turned as she came back into the room carrying a tea tray. He tried not to notice that her robe had slipped open, displaying her silky pajama pants and the tank top she wore. She set the tray down on the coffee table and settled on the couch next to him, tucking her legs up under her the way he had always remembered her doing. He looked away as he noticed that her tank top was slightly transparent. He wanted to feel ashamed, but all he felt was a warm arousal.

For the next few minutes, they sat in silence, making their tea. It took all Rupert’s willpower not to look at her. He jumped when he felt her hand touch his and he looked up into her eyes.

“Are you going to tell me what’s got you so spooked?” Willow asked gently.

“It was nothing, really,” he replied, unable to look away. “Just…just a nightmare.”

Willow frowned, her fingers absently stroking across the back of his hand, sending warm shivers through him.

“But you don’t really have nightmares,” she said, her face troubled. “Not even after Sunnydale. I never understood how you did that. The only time I ever remember you having bad dreams was after Angel.”

He nodded, looking down and stirring his tea, his thoughts as turbulent as the milky swirls in his cup.

“I shouldn’t have bothered you.” His voice was just above a whisper and even he had trouble hearing it.

“You didn’t. I was the one who opened the door.” At his questioning look, she went on. “I heard a noise and I was just seeing what it was. Your back was to me. You’d have never known if I just went inside. I wanted to talk to you.”

Rupert sat, not knowing what to do. He desperately wanted to open up to her, to share the images that haunted him, to take of the comfort she offered. But he had been in the role of mentor so long that he wasn’t sure he could assume any other. He didn’t even know where to begin bringing down the wall he had lived behind for so many years. Again, she lightly stroked the back of his hand, sharing her strength with him.

“Tell me,” she said simply.

He opened his mouth to argue, but need overcame prudence and he found himself telling her how he came to be standing in front of her house at two in the morning.

“You know that I still write in my journal every night,” he began, putting his cup on the table and settling back into the couch. “I know that there really isn’t a point anymore, but it’s a habit. Tonight I was thinking about you and Xander and I found myself writing down a wish. I only want you to be happy. I thought about how you two became a part of this insanity and it occurred to me that you would have been better off if I had insisted you stay out of Buffy’s fight with the Master’s minions. And that was my wish. Perhaps I spent too much time with Anya, but when I went to sleep tonight I dreamed that she granted my wish. Everything changed and I never allowed you into this fight to begin with. It should have been a good thing.”

“But it wasn’t?” Willow asked, her fingers still tracing along the skin of his hand.

“It seems the Hellmouth has its own brand of revenge and no one comes out unscathed. Anya allowed me to go back to that moment where you told me that you needed to help. Instead of asking you to help me with research, I insisted that you and Xander leave the library and never return. You were not to associate with Buffy. I was determined to keep you safe.” He paused, taking his hand from hers and removing his glasses. He took a deep breath, looking across the room at the flickering light of the candle, struggling to keep his emotions in check.

“What happened?” she asked, her voice gentle.

“In my attempts to keep you safe, I didn’t teach you how to protect yourselves or how to avoid demons. When the Kleptes-Virgo went after Xander, he didn’t understand there was any danger. Buffy was so far removed from the two of you and your problems that she wasn’t there to save him and he died.”

“That’s awful!” Willow said, reaching out and touching his shoulder. “I can see why you were upset.”

“That was just the beginning. You’ll remember that when we came across the puppet demon hunter, Xander saved me from having my head cut off. He was dead, and there was no one to help me. Buffy was fighting the monster and I…well, I died.”

“Giles!” Willow seemed genuinely upset. “You actually felt your head being cut off?”

“I was watching from the side, so I was spared that. But I will say that it was rather unnerving to see ones own death.”

“I would think so. Giles, that’s just terrible.”

“The council of course sent Buffy a new Watcher. But he wasn’t very understanding of her special circumstances. In fact he made Wesley look relaxed.”

“Oh, that couldn’t have gone well,” Willow said, moving closer to him.

“It didn’t. He pushed her, trained her, denied her any freedoms in an attempt to break her spirit. Instead he drove her to the edge and she was killed fighting a vampire. The next Slayer was called and Kendra and her Watcher were moved to Sunnydale.”

“Well, that’s good, right?” Willow asked. “I mean, Kendra was a pretty good Slayer.”

“It was Kendra who had to face the Master, not Buffy. And she wasn’t strong enough. He killed her and there was no one to bring her back. The Master rose and took over Sunnydale.”

“Like in that world my vampire double came from?”

“Exactly. And just as in that instance, you were turned.”

“I was a vampire?” Willow’s eyes were wide.

“And a very good one,” Rupert replied, quietly. “I woke up just after you killed Faith. The worst part was watching you bathe in her blood.”

“Okay, officially eeww.” Willow said, making a face. “That was one nasty dream.”

“That wouldn’t be the word I would use,” Rupert answered, replacing his glasses. “It was so real. When I woke up, I wasn’t sure if it had happened or if it was going to happen. I didn’t know where I was or even when I was.”

“That would be frightening,” Willow said. She looked at him and he saw understanding in her eyes. “That’s why you came here. To be sure I wasn’t a vampire.”

“Of course when I saw your house I felt foolish,” he said. “But I couldn’t calm down until I knew that you were safe.”

“And all this because you didn’t learn from Cordelia and you had to go and make a wish.” He could tell from the tone of her voice that she was teasing, but after a moment, her expression became serious. “Why would you ever make a wish like that? Were we really that much trouble that you didn’t want us around?”

“Willow, no,” he said, taking her hand again. “I just…it wasn’t fair what I did to you. I stole your childhood, made you and Xander into soldiers when you should have been simply teenagers.”

“I notice Buffy wasn’t a part of your wish.”

“Buffy has a sacred duty, a destiny. She and I had no choice in this. You and Xander did. Fate didn’t give you this life, I did. All the pain and death and heartache in your life is because of me.”

“Oh Giles, that’s not even true,” Willow said, squeezing his hand. “You were the one who protected us from the monsters under the bed. Okay, this life isn’t the safest, but it was a Hellmouth. Without you, I would have been demon food many times over.”

“Willow, I appreciate that you see it that way, but if it weren’t for me, you would have never gotten involved in magic.”

Rupert looked at the floor, unable to face her, not wanting to see the realization in her eyes. He swallowed hard, her silence making him close his eyes against the knot of fear building in his chest. He had failed her and now she knew it too. When he felt gentle fingers on his face his eyes flew open and he almost fell off the couch as she turned him to look at her.

She was smiling at him, but there were tears in her eyes, making them over bright in the dim light of the candles. She lightly stroked along his chin.

“You are not responsible for what happened at the Magic Box,” she said firmly.

“But if I had…”

“No. There are so many ‘if onlys’ along that road, but ultimately, the only person who could have stopped me, was me. I can’t blame Buffy or Jenny or you, or even Warren. I chose to give in to the anger and grief. I let the darkness take me.”

“You didn’t know what you were doing.” Rupert took her hand once more, holding it in both of his in an attempt to comfort her. “Your world had just come to an end. You lost the person who meant the most to you.”

“That isn’t an excuse. You taught me that.”

“I did?”

“It was after Angel. One of those long sleepless nights where you pretended to read a book and we pretended to believe you.” She smiled sadly at him. “It was my night to Watcher-sit and you were looking at some old boring book. I’m guessing it was boring because sometime around midnight you fell asleep. About fifteen minutes later you woke up screaming.”

“I remember that,” Rupert said, just above a whisper. “I remember waking up and you were standing there. I didn’t know if you were real or…”

“Something Drusilla put in your head. I know. You looked at me with this trapped and panicked expression and asked if I was really there. I sat next to you, just like I am right now and took your hand, hoping to calm you down. I needed to distract you, so I asked you a question. Do you remember?”

“You asked if I could use magic to kill Spike and Drusilla.”

“You told me that maybe you could, but that you wouldn’t. I couldn’t understand that. After what they’d done to you I thought you would want to get them any way possible. You said something to me that I never forgot. There are lines we don’t cross. If we allow our anger to take us there, we become worse than the things we fight. It’s our choices that make us human. When I crossed that line, yes, I was angry and hurt, but I let the power make me worse than Warren. I not only hurt him, but I tried to kill the people I love and I almost destroyed the world. What was worse; three lonely geeks causing localized problems or one angry witch intent on ending life as we know it? You were right and I’ll never forget that.”

“But you wouldn’t have had that power if I hadn’t allowed you to study magic.” Rupert sighed, needing her to understand. “I should have taken the time to instruct you, to show you the dark side to the choices you were making. At the very least I should never have left you after you brought Buffy back. I could see that you were in over your head and I did nothing.”

“You could see that I wouldn’t have listened if you had stayed.” Her voice was so gentle. “I was relying on the magic for everything and that wasn’t your fault. I didn’t get into Wicca because of you. I would have found it all on my own. My mistakes were mine, Giles. I’m just glad I have a friend like you to help me through it all.”

He looked at her, taking in her beauty, the way the candlelight glowed in her hair and brought out the warm colours of her skin. His heart hurt, knowing that he wanted what he could never have and more for understanding what he had done to her. By bringing them into his world, Rupert had separated Xander and Willow from anything resembling a normal life. He had isolated them from friends and family, from normal relationships. With his selfishness, he had doomed them to a sad imitation of his own empty existence.

He was thinking of a way to apologize to her when she moved closer, touching his face again.

“Giles, it wasn’t your fault. Please stop beating yourself up over what you couldn’t control.”

“But I could have and moreover I should have,” he said, his voice strained. “I took away everything from you and left you with this nightmare.”

“You saved us, protected us, and made us strong.”

“You can’t even have a relationship because of me.”

He hadn’t meant to say anything; it had just slipped out. If he were to be honest with himself, this was what had started it all. The news that he’d heard in the dining hall earlier this week had stirred the embers of guilt in him until they’d erupted into his nightmare tonight.

“So you heard that Kennedy and I aren’t together anymore.” It wasn’t really a question. Willow shifted, putting her hand over his.

“I did hear that she had moved into the main castle,” Rupert said, not able to look at her. “Was it…I mean with the stress and your position here…I can’t help but feel…”

“It just wasn’t working out. Don’t get me wrong. She’s a very nice girl, but it just wasn’t right. We aren’t angry at each other. Everything ended amicably. And it had nothing to do with Slaying or Wicca or any of this.”

“What…that is, if it isn’t too rude of me to ask…how did you decide…” He had no idea how to ask this. Even all these years later there were still uncomfortable parts to their relationship. He’d worked so hard to be an example, a teacher, an adult for them that he had isolated himself, even from the people he loved the most. “If there wasn’t a fight, why…”

“There’s someone else,” Willow said simply.

“Oh Willow, I’m sorry.” He put an arm around her, hoping to give her comfort. “I didn’t think Kennedy would ever cheat on you.”

“She didn’t,” Willow replied softly. “It wasn’t someone else for her.”

Rupert pulled back, looking down at her in shock.

“Oh, no, I didn’t cheat on her either.” Willow smiled at his perplexed expression. “We were getting along fine, but I’ve started to think about someone else and it wasn’t fair to Kennedy to keep being with her when my affections were somewhere else.”

“No, you are right, it wouldn’t be.”

“I never acted on this new attraction. I wouldn’t have done that to her. But if I was thinking about the other person, I wasn’t in love with Kennedy.”

“Are you going to tell this person?”

“I’m thinking about that,” Willow said seriously. “I’m not sure how the person will react.”

“I’m sure she would want to know,” Rupert replied.

“Well, see, there’s the thing,” Willow said, leaning back on the couch and sighing. “It isn’t a she this time.”

“I’m sorry?” Rupert tried not to sound as confused as he felt.

“Turns out I’m more complex than even I thought. I was sure that I was gay after Tara and all, but I guess I don’t fit into a category. I loved Oz and Tara differently, but it felt the same. Does that make sense? I guess I don’t really look at the gender of the person so much as who they are. It wouldn’t have mattered to me if Tara was a man or a woman, I would have loved her anyway.”

“And this new person is?”

“Well, this time it’s a man. Do you think this is going to confuse everyone? I’m really hoping Buffy and Xander will understand.”

“I’m sure they will once you explain it to them,” Rupert replied. He was mentally going over all the new Watcher trainees, wondering which of them had caught her interest. He was also trying to push down his mounting jealousy.

“I’m not sure it matters anyway,” Willow sighed. “I’m pretty sure he’s not interested. But then, really who can blame him when I come off as busy and, well, gay. Then there’s the fact that I know he sees me as a child.”

Rupert blinked. He now knew who she was talking about and was surprised how deeply it hurt. Of course it made sense. It couldn’t be any of the new Watchers. None of them would ever look at Willow as a child. They all saw her as a powerful witch. Not to mention that most of them were her age. No, the only person who would see Willow as a child was the boy who had grown up with her. He would remember her playing with dolls and wearing overalls; his memories of her would overlay who she had grown into.

He wanted to be happy for them. If there were any of this group that deserved to find happiness together it was Willow and Xander. He supposed this was inevitable. She had loved Xander since they were children. If only Rupert hadn’t let himself love her. He could deny his feelings for Willow, but they were still there. Would he be able to look at Xander and not envy him? It was easier when she’d loved a stranger. A part of him began to hurt.

“I’m sure when you tell him, he’ll be able to look past that,” Rupert said, almost choking on the words.

“But I don’t think he’s even attracted to me,” Willow said, staring at him intently. “He hasn’t shown any interest.”

He knew Xander had been wrapped up in his work lately, helping to build the compound and working with the new Slayers. But he also remembered that Xander had definitely noticed Willow in high school. He had vivid images of catching the boy watching her with interest when he thought no one was looking.

“I’m sure he’s attracted to you, Willow. You should tell him how you feel.” He was surprised that those simple words could steal his breath. He wanted her to be happy, so how could he begrudge her the man who could give her that happiness?

“Do you think I should?”

“Absolutely,” Rupert said quietly. “He’d want to know.”

Willow was nodding as she sat in the shadows. After a moment, she shifted and sat up, moving over until her knee was touching his.

“Giles?”

“Hmm?”

“I think I’m falling in love with you.”

It took a moment for the words to sink in and when they did he was sure he’d heard her wrong. He turned and looked at her, seeing a smile playing around her lips and he felt a rush of warmth. He could hear his blood pounding in his ears and he felt a bit dizzy. This couldn’t be happening. She loved Xander, not him. He swallowed hard, trying to get his breath back.

“Giles?” She was looking at him with concern, obviously expecting an answer or at least a reaction.

He realized that his just sitting and staring might be unnerving to her. He tried to say something, but no words came to mind. He swallowed again, struggling to think of some way to make sure of what he’d heard.

“I…I’m…Could you please say that again?” It wasn’t elegant, but it was to the point.

She smiled at him and took his hand.

“I said I think I’m falling in love with you.”

“With me?” Why wasn’t he able to come up with anything better than this? He felt stupid, like he’d been hit on the head yet again. He should be charming her with his eloquence, yet he was lucky to put two syllables together.

“Yes, you.” She was still smiling, her face showing understanding of his shock.

“But…why?” Oh yes, that was much better. Had his brain really deserted him to this extent?

“Mostly, because you’re you,” Willow said, rubbing the back of his hand. “But I’m guessing you want specifics.”

He nodded, knowing he could never find the words to tell her what he needed to hear.

“The first time I walked into the library and saw you, you took my breath away. You are brilliant. I’ve always been impressed by how much you know and how easily you learn things. I can talk to you about anything for hours. Add that to your sexy smile, your beautiful eyes, your amazing voice, and your muscular body that has always distracted me in the best ways and how could I not love you?”

“And what has made you realize this lately?” He asked, impressed with himself for forming a complete thought. “You did after all have a girlfriend.”

“There wasn’t any thing in particular, no blinding flash of realization, per say.” He arched an eyebrow at her and she smiled. “I was attracted to you the day I met you. Of course I’m pretty sure neither of us took that crush seriously, but even then I knew you were something special. Over the years I watched you give up everything you wanted for us and I think I loved you all the more. The summer I stayed with you after Tara died…it was the worst time of my life, but you were there. You kept me safe, even from myself, and you cared for me. By the time I went back to Sunnydale I realized I’d never stopped loving you, but I was still hurting and it just wasn’t the right time. After that, everything feels like a blur. You were running all over the world risking your life to protect the Slayers and the rest of us were just fighting to survive. And then there was Kennedy and settling down here, figuring out our place in the world. About a month ago I was walking across the compound and I saw you out sparring with the Slayers. That was when it clicked into place.”

“What did?” Rupert asked, looking at her in the dimming candlelight.

“You’re in charge now. You don’t have to do that stuff anymore. But there you were, out there with a quarterstaff, just like you were in high school when you were training Buffy. And it hit me that after eight years and so many near death moments, you are still the same man who took my breath away in the high school library. And I still love you.”

Rupert smiled, reaching out to gently stroke her face.

“And I love you.” He saw the surprise flicker across her face. “I have always admired your intelligence and grace. The summer you were in Bath I watched you overcome something devastating and mature into such an amazing woman. After all the time we spent talking and getting to know each other, I couldn’t help but become somewhat enamoured with you.”

“Giles, I was gay.”

“Yes, you were.” He smiled at her confused expression. “You may have been unattainable, but that didn’t mean I could stop my feelings for you from evolving. I’ve always loved you in some form. When you were in school it was the love of a mentor. Recently that love has grown into something…romantic. I tried to tell myself it was inappropriate, but my heart has convinced me otherwise.”

“Even after I tried to kill you?” she asked quietly.

“Well, there is that,” Rupert replied with a grin. At her frown he continued. “Willow, you lived through something no one should have to, losing someone so dear to you. You didn’t choose the best way to deal with it, but in the end you conquered your darker impulses. I have watched you work so hard to make amends and if I didn’t hold a grudge when Angel tried to kill me what makes you think I would hate you?”

She just looked at him, her eyes dark in the candlelight and he wondered if he’d said the wrong thing. Before he could ask, she was leaning forward and then she was kissing him.

This moment was everything Rupert had ever wanted. He loved her deeply, but he’d never dared hope that she would return that love. When she said the words, he’d thought he was hallucinating. He wanted to believe her; his doubts ate him whole, but in the end, his love for her overcame his fears and he took her in his arms.

His mouth caressed hers, as he lost himself in her kiss. The scent of her, the intoxicating taste of her mouth, filled his senses, causing a shiver to run through his body. She felt so wonderful in his arms; he’d dreamed of this for so long, never had he thought she would be his.

He gently ran his tongue across her lips and she opened her mouth to him, her tongue seeking his. He sucked her lower lip in, nipping it slightly and she moaned into his mouth. This was almost too much to bear. It was every amazing dream he’d ever had; the woman he loved was in his arms, kissing him passionately and moaning at his touch. He wasn’t sure how this had happened, but he silently thanked every god he’d ever heard of for it.

His whole body began to react to her as he pulled her against himself, his hands going to her hair, tangling in the silky strands. Her tongue found his again and the kiss became something powerful and desperate. His lips massaged her mouth as his tongue rocked against hers. He broke the kiss with a gasp as her hand inadvertently brushed against his erection.

He looked down at her with wide eyes, his body trembling. She smiled at him, leaning closer, her mouth finding his throat. Rupert closed his eyes, as she kissed and nibbled along the sensitive skin on his neck. He felt her delicate fingers run across his hip and his breathing became more erratic. His better angels were telling him that he should end this here and now before he found himself shagging her on her couch, but his body begged him for just a few more minutes of paradise. Before he could collect his thoughts further, he felt her hand move lower and all thought ceased as his head dropped back and he groaned loudly.

His body was on fire, he wanted her so desperately. He shifted, pinning her against the couch, his hips moving under her touch, breathless moans pulled from his lips. He pulled back, bringing her with him. The next minute she was sitting in his lap, his mouth finding her neck, his hands moving to her chest.

Willow gasped, shifting her hips so they brushed across Rupert’s and the realization of what he was doing broke through the hormonal haze of his brain. He moved away from where he was nibbling on her jaw and gently lifted her from his lap to the couch next to him. She was looking at him in complete confusion.

“Willow.” He looked at her and when he saw the worry on her face he reached out and lightly touched her cheek. He was sure she hadn’t really thought this through. It was one thing for her to admit her attraction for him, but acting on it was something else entirely. Touching him, kissing him, she would see how old and used he was and he wasn’t sure he could emotionally survive her changing her mind. He wanted to voice his fears, but all that came out was, “Isn’t this rather sudden?”

Willow was looking at him, her face a study in disbelief. Suddenly she broke out laughing.

“I’m sorry,” she said, trying to stifle her giggles. “It just struck me as an odd thing to say after eight years of foreplay.”

“Willow, I would have never pursued this when you were in school.” He needed her to know that he wasn’t that man.

“I know.” Her voice was gentle and he forced himself to relax. “I was talking about from my side.”

“I just…I don’t want to rush you into anything you aren’t ready for.”

She reached out and took his hand, looking into his eyes.

“Rupert,” His eyes widened at the rush of desire he felt at hearing her call him by his name. A part of him could imagine her saying it in the throes of passion and he had to force himself to pay attention to what she was saying. “I want this. I want you.”

She was looking at him, her eyes sparkling in the dim light, her voice so calm and sure. She knew him better than anyone had for a long time and he swallowed back his fears, trusting that she could love him as much as he loved her. He stood, turning to face her.

“Perhaps we should move this somewhere more comfortable?” he suggested casually.

Willow stood, stretching and he found he couldn’t take his eyes off her chest. Her laugh made him blush.

“See something you like?” she asked playfully.

“Well…it’s just…” He swallowed hard. “Yes, very much.”

“Good.” She was still grinning at him. “I’d really like you to take a much closer look.”

He looked at her standing there, smiling and happy to be with him, and something shifted inside him. All his years of being alone, of having to put what he wanted aside for the good of the world; all the hurt, fear, and loneliness that he carried every day seemed to dissolve. In her eyes he saw acceptance, want, love and he felt happiness building inside him. With a wicked grin, he stepped forward, easily sweeping her up in his arms.

“You know I’ve always enjoyed research,” he whispered, his lips against her ear. He was gratified to feel her trembling in his arms.

“You’ve always been good at it too,” she replied, her voice heavy with double meaning.

“And I’m extremely thorough,” he said, moving towards her bedroom. “I wouldn’t want to miss anything. This could take the rest of the night.”

“I certainly hope so,” Willow murmured, her lips against his as he kissed her deeply and carried her down the hall.

The End

Fic: Lovers Retreat 2/2 (Giles/Willow, Giles/Willow/Spike) NC-17

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:41:28 GMT

Title: Lovers Retreat
Author: Elisabeth
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Giles/Willow, Giles/Willow/Spike
Word Count: 5,312 (this chapter)
Summary: What if it had been Giles with Willow in Lovers Walk getting captured by Spike?
Timeline: Season 3, Episode: "Lovers Walk"
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership over these characters. I am merely borrowing them from Joss et al.
Distribution: summer_of_giles, my site/LJ, Hairy Eyeball, the usual lists, anyone with previous permission. Anyone else - just ask.
Feedback: Yes please! It makes me happy and keeps me writing.
Thanks to kallie_kat for the beta.
Author's Note: Written for summer_of_giles. Plot chosen from list of prompts here.

(Re)read Part 1 here.

Lovers Retreat Part 2

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:47:35 GMT

Title: 5 Kisses Willow Rosenberg Never Had (And One She Did)
Author: velvet_midnight
Pairing/Characters: Willow; Willow/a lot of people
Summary: pretty self-explanatory...

Fic: Keys to Heaven

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:29:10 GMT

Title: Keys to Heaven
Rating: FRT
Pairings: mostly genfic, but there is some Giles/Willow
Summary: After the final battle with The First, Rupert Giles faces something worse than any demon: a human determined to save the world at any cost.
Timeline: Post-chosen

Read the story here.

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:50:44 GMT

Title: First Kink
Author: velvet_midnight
Summary: Willow finds herself dreaming about the people she knows. One person, specifically
Notes: written for the 100_situationstable, prompt 014: Table

Fic: Lovers Retreat 1/2 (Giles/Willow, Giles/Willow/Spike) NC-17 overall

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:09:59 GMT

Title: Lovers Retreat
Author: Elisabeth
Rating: NC-17 overall
Pairing: Giles/Willow, Giles/Willow/Spike (eventually)
Word Count: 2,400 (this chapter)
Summary: What if it had been Giles with Willow in Lovers Walk getting captured by Spike?
Timeline: Season 3, Episode: "Lovers Walk"
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership over these characters. I am merely borrowing them from Joss et al.
Distribution: summer_of_giles, my site/LJ, Hairy Eyeball, the usual lists, anyone with previous permission. Anyone else - just ask.
Feedback: Yes please! It makes me happy and keeps me writing.
Thanks to kallie_kat for the beta.
Author's Note: Written for summer_of_giles. Plot chosen from list of prompts here.

Lovers Retreat

Cos I'm just on a W/G roll lately...

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:41:52 GMT

Mini-meta over at my journal on why I love them. Spoilers up to the first ep of s7. =)

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:25:14 GMT

Title: Storyteller
author: velvet_midnight
Summary: Willow asks for a bedtime story of sorts

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:26:09 GMT

Title: Need
Author:

velvet_midnight
Notes: written for 100_situations, table two. Prompt 010: Cry
Summary: Willow's going through a tough time. All she really needs is Giles.
Spoilers: middle s6, Tabula Rasa & Wrecked

fic

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:45:05 GMT

Title: Disease
Fandom: BtVS
Pairing/Character: Willow Rosenberg/Rupert Giles
Notes: written for table two at </a></font></b></a>100_situations. prompt 001: Disease

109 Multi- Fandom Icons

Fri, 30 May 2008 23:32:00 GMT

[22] Ats/Btvs (Spangel, spuffy, Spike, Willow, Willow/Giles)

[4] Pysch

[49] Queer as Folk and Gale Harold (Brian, Brian/Justin, Brian/Mikey, Gale Harold) *Warning: Curse word in this batch.*

[16] Supernatural

[10] Torchwood (Jack, Tosh, Ianto/Tosh)

[6] Random

~Comment and credit to atvamps_art .
~Do not alter or hotlink icons.

( Find the icons under the cut! )

Giles h/c ficathon needs more Willow sign-ups!

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:45:17 GMT

Hey all,

antennapedia and I are running a Giles Hurt/Comfort Ficathon at the moment and we have a sad dearth of Willow sign-ups! There are lots of prompts to choose from - in addition to the ones listed under Willow, you could also choose a wild card prompt and write G/W for it. It'll be a fun week (posting is spread over April 27th to May 4th), but it'll be even more fun if we have more Giles/Willow love!

Stacy

Fic: Eye-Catching and/or Fuzzy

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:41:05 GMT

Title: Eye-Catching and/or Fuzzy
Author: digopheliadug
Pairing: Willow/Giles
Rating: PG
Summary: Rupert Giles in Sunnydale High's new librarian, and he's brought a lot of books with him that need to be cataloged. Model student Willow Rosenberg offers to assist with this project.

Eye-Catching and/or Fuzzy

Principal Flutie had assigned a student to assist Rupert in settling into the Sunnydale High School library, inserting his own volumes into the collection and familiarizing himself with what the school already owned.

“One of our finest students,” the principal had said. “Volunteered to help out, just loves the library. She was sad to see Mrs. Webber retire, but I’m sure you two will get along.”

And here she was. It was a month before the beginning of term, a boiling California late July, and Rupert was sweating in a tweed suit but refusing to relax in his new role as librarian. He wondered whether he was overdoing it all, both hiding his true purpose as a watcher and attempting to erase his rebellious past in the guise of a stereotypical uptight Englishman.

He inserted a finger under his collar, trying not to suffer in the heat, not looking up when he heard footsteps, and the library doors swinging open. Willow Rosenberg, he remembered being told, was the student’s name. He assumed she was bright, from Flutie’s glowing commentary, but hoped that she wasn’t so inquisitive that she wouldn’t accept the explanation he’d concocted to account for the extensive occult library he’d had shipped from Council headquarters in London: personal interest, a research project he hoped to undertake in his spare time while in Sunnydale. In fact, this was not entirely untrue.

As he finished making notes about the book he’d been skimming, he looked up. He’d noticed in the week he’d been there that California girls all seemed to dress like streetwalkers. Of course, Londoners weren’t much better, and considering the unrelenting heat and sunshine, Californians had a better excuse. By comparison to many others he’d seen, this girl looked positively demure. She wore a pink sundress – short, but not indecent – printed with flowers, and entirely the wrong color for her hair and complexion. It left her little white arms bare, and exposed her legs from just above the knee down to her feet in their orange rubber flip-flops, her toenails painted a cheerful yellow. She looked at him, eyes wide, worrying her lower lip between her teeth.

“Hello, I’m Rupert Giles. You’re Miss Rosenberg?” he asked.

“Hi Mr. Giles. Yeah, um, Miss Rosenberg. Willow. Is me,” she said, looking down at her painted toenails and blushing.

He glanced again, and noticed that the biggest toe on each foot had a smiley face painted on it. Californians, he thought. Still, he smiled at her and watched her blush even redder. Then she smiled back, a shy smile, but absolutely charming.

“I’m, uh, just here to help you out,” she said.

“Have a seat,” he replied, “and we’ll get started on these books. We can work for a bit, and then perhaps you can tell me about Sunnydale’s existing collection. I’ve already had a bit of a look.”

She sat, and they worked all morning.

* * *

They spent longer at the task than Rupert had anticipated. The collection he had imported was very large, and he also had to account for the filing system at Sunnydale High School being different than the system used by the Council of Watchers. He either had to separate the collection, or reorganize the entire library. He chose the former, but it was still a major task. The other factor which contributed to the extended duration of the project was that Miss Rosenberg (or Willow, as she had finally insisted he call her) had told him that all of the new books had to be added into the electronic system. He was fully prepared to add them all to the card catalog, but all of the books in the existing library were also indexed on the library’s computers and their loan was recorded electronically as well. Willow had promised to show him how to check books out to the students who came for them, but first she was assisting him by adding the books he’d brought from London to the computer’s database.

She seemed to have accepted his explanation regarding his interest in demon myths and his upcoming research project, and in fact she had offered to assist him with it. He politely declined her offer, because when term began and the Slayer arrived, he wouldn’t want Willow involved, and thereby injured. He declined her politely, but regretfully. He’d come to enjoy Willow’s company a great deal. After the first few days she began staying afternoons as well as mornings to assist him, and they had lunch together, eating outside in the courtyard to be, as he insisted, well away from any books. Willow laughed at him for being so protective of them, but he knew she understood. He respected her intellect, even admitting that she knew many things (mostly related to the dreaded computer) that he did not, and he enjoyed spirited discussions with her once she had mostly overcome her shyness towards him.

These discussions with Willow over sandwiches and tea engendered his respect, but also sparked his desire, though he tried to repress it. One side of him was engaged by her lively intelligence and thirsty curiosity. But the side of himself he thought of as “Ripper” was more interested in her physical charms: the long silky hair, the milk pale flesh exposed in her little outfits… And oh, those little outfits. Completely ridiculous, and wrong for her, but they didn’t keep her from being beautiful. Her lack of interest in fashion, choosing as she tended to the eye-catching and/or fuzzy, was refreshing. It differentiated her in Rupert’s eyes from other girls her age. Not that the clothing was adult or sophisticated, because it certainly wasn’t. It just made it seem somehow that Willow was above caring about this sort of thing.

And Rupert wanted her.

* * *

She was wearing purple shorts and a violently teal sleeveless button-down the day that Rupert first let himself be ruled by his attraction to her. He’d been prudently keeping his distance, though still being friendly, and Willow hadn’t seemed to notice anything amiss. But that day she was showing him how to use the computer check-out system to lend out the books to students. She stood at the counter near the entrance to the library, and Rupert was behind her, looking over her shoulder at the computer. He watched as she double-clicked a picture on the screen, which started the requisite program. The program window came up, and she half-turned, her right hand still on the mouse, to face Rupert.

“You see the search box in the top left corner?” she asked. “Just type in the numeric code that we’ve written into the inside front cover of the books. For those older volumes we didn’t want to write in, I’ve put in keywords for the author, or title if there wasn’t an author, so you can type that. Here, let’s try – “

She paused as Rupert raised a hand and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry, Willow, please continue.”

She blushed and turned, flustered, to face the screen. As she stumblingly continued to explain the program, he moved in closer behind her, peering over her shoulder.

“Like this?” he asked, brushing his arm against her waist as he reached past her to take the mouse and click on something she’d been explaining in the program.

“Yeah! Cool, okay, so you’ve got this computer thing. I’m gonna, um, go to the bathroom.”

* * *

The day he kissed her, Willow was wearing a lime green dress with strappy bits that didn’t really cover her shoulders, and a ridiculous purple hat. She and Rupert were in the stacks shelving books, and she was standing on her tiptoes, trying to reach the top shelf, a heavy book in her hand, and the strap of her dress falling down her right shoulder. He took the book from her and put it into its place on the shelf. She turned to thank him, and he replaced the strap on her shoulder, letting his hand linger there.

“Thanks,” she said, and he kissed her.

* * *

Three days later and the day Willow kissed him, she was wearing a lavender blouse and a white skirt, which would have been reasonable-looking if it weren’t for the embroidered ducks. It was a week before the beginning of term, and looked to be the last day of their library organizational project. They straightened up, shelving the last of the books, and then Rupert went into his new office to make tea for the two of them. Willow followed him in, and stood shyly, waiting for him to put the kettle on. As he turned back from putting it on the stove, she took his hand. She kissed him as the kettle heated, until it boiled. They drank their tea, and she kissed him again before she went home.

* * *

With a week left before the beginning of term and all the organizing done, Rupert had a bit of leisure time. The next time he and Willow kissed, it was in his flat. He turned to her where she sat next to him on the sofa, and kissed her without haste. Or, it began without haste. By the time they came up for air, the two of them were slightly horizontal. His hair was mussed, and the top two buttons of his shirt undone. Willow’s skirt was a bit disarranged, and she was smiling widely.

* * *

He told her on the first day of term when she came to the library that he couldn’t do it anymore. She looked at him with wide shining eyes, but didn't cry. She nodded.

Honestly, he would’ve kept on. He trusted Willow to be discreet. But he had met the Slayer that morning, and knew he had a job to do, and Willow couldn’t be a part of that.

* * *

When Buffy brought Willow and her friend Xander to the library the next day to explain to them what was happening, Rupert discovered that Willow had become a part of the fight anyway, in spite of his efforts. He was upset to see her in danger when he’d tried to keep her out of it.

But perhaps there was a bright side. When Willow wanted to help save her friend, Rupert asked her to stay in the library and help him research.