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Title: Mission X (7/?)
Author: snogged
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and Co. own the characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I don’t.
Pairing: Willow/Riley
Word Count: 1804
Overall Rating/Warnings: FRT-13/PG-13 (will be FRAO/NC-17 in later chapters); language, angst, drama, violence, het sex, sexual innuendo.
Setting: AU! Season 6. Parts of this story come from the established canon plot lines and others are my own desire to twist things my way.
Summary: When Riley comes back to Sunnydale, he stays for a reason that’s not Buffy.
Beta: the amazing Gabrielle and the awesome![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
angelskuuipo.
Previous Chapters
Leaning against the empty wall in the Magic Box’s training room, Riley had a world class view of his ex-girlfriend running her fingers over the supple but worn leather of the pommel horse. Her eyes were trained on the handles as if they were adversaries, demons that needed to be choked and strangled, as she wrapped her hands around them and pulled herself into an effortless handstand.
He couldn’t help but admire the way her spine barely curved, the way her arms barely shook as she extended her right arm out to the side and formed an almost perfect ‘L.’ As she continued to maintain her balance, he could hear the soft grunts that he’d once recalled finding cute but now just reminded him of how much work she really had to put into being a Slayer. He’d always wondered why the people who’d gifted her with the powers in the first place hadn’t made it so she could avoid the intense training and exercise regimen. At the same time, however, he was also completely impressed with her work ethic, considering how long she’d been doing the gig for.
“Thanks,” Buffy grimaced; sweat glistening along her hairline as she changed hands and her left arm shot out to the side.
“For?” Riley asked, finding it somewhat awkward to hold a conversation with her while her eyes were directly facing his stomach. It was also a bit strange to be in here while Willow was sitting on the other side of the weapons wall. After the time they’d been spending together, he’d really become used to staying close by.
But going back to Buffy’s sudden display of gratitude, he imagined her answer didn’t involve ‘…for being the new guy in Willow’s life…’ because that was still so fresh and the only other person who knew about it was Tara. Tara never struck him a gossipy girl, just like Buffy had never been one to focus on anything that didn’t involve her in some way.
It had taken some negotiation, but Willow had agreed to let him be the one to talk to Buffy about what was going on between him and Willow. He figured he’d be more able to deal with a potentially violent outburst as his body was trained to be bruised and broken in the line of duty.
Not that he enjoyed getting the prospect of getting the snot beat out of him by a Slayer, but better him than Willow.
Besides, he still had the mission to think about. He couldn’t risk Willow turning to the magical mojo again to heal herself or cause trouble for her friends. Yes, he was well aware that she’d been able to maintain sobriety after what happened with Tara the other day but there was no guarantee that a showdown with Buffy wouldn’t be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Willow had already dealt with the guilt of yanking Buffy out of heaven; she didn’t need to deal with the guilt of ruining whatever chances Buffy might imagine she had at getting back together with Riley.
“For fixing the pipe in the basement,” Buffy said, finally answering his question from before as her left hand slashed through the air to grab the handle and her legs dropped down towards her chin, effortlessly folding herself in half. From there, she dismounted and bounced a little as her feet hit the large, gray mat.
“No problem,” Riley replied. “Figured I needed to earn my keep if I’m gonna be sticking around for awhile.”
Buffy nodded, walking swiftly towards the display of weapons and grabbing two wooden staffs. She threw one to him and smiled a little when he caught it. “It helps, especially since I’m still getting the hang of handling money efficiently. Mom was always…and Giles…”
There was a glimmer of sadness in her eyes, but Riley watched it quickly disappear as she swung her staff through the air and connected with his. The resounding crack shifted him into combat mode and his plans to talk about Willow shifted to the back burner. He was pleased that he could still match her strike for strike, even though it had been awhile since he’d gone toe to toe with a Slayer.
As the minutes ticked on, the dance steps took on a more complicated nature. Buffy was in the mood for a challenge and she expected Riley to keep up with her as the wooden rods arced through the air. Unfortunately for Riley, he couldn’t keep up with the cartwheels, round-offs, and flips that Buffy started using in order to avoid his weapon. All around it was one of the most impressive displays of action that he’d ever recalled seeing from her.
When she finally stopped to catch her breath, he could tell by her facial expression that she had more she wanted to say to him and although they still hadn’t talked about Willow, he was happy to let her get whatever she needed to off her chest.
“I also wanted to thank you for not bringing up Spike since you’ve been back in town. I mean, I wouldn’t blame you for rubbing it in my face and all since out of the two of us, you clearly picked the better companion. But…I…I’m not ready for them to know how far I’ve really fallen.” Buffy glanced over at the door that led out to the Magic Box, a forlorn expression on her face.
Riley nodded, swallowing down his disgust that Buffy was still involved with that platinum blond fucktard. It had been bad enough coming home to find out his ex was bumping uglies with the enemy, but the fact that she was still doing it did not sit right with him at all. Still, he figured if he at least seemed like the guy she could trust with this, then maybe she would handle the Willow thing better. “I really don’t know what you see in him, but I won’t say anything.”
Buffy pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, dropped the staff, and crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s complicated.” She paused, clearly thinking about a way she could change the subject. “Speaking of complicated, how are things with Sam? Have you talked to her since she left for Nepal?”
Sam.
Hearing the name of his estranged wife caught him off guard. He’d been so focused on getting an in with Willow that he hadn’t really given much thought to the diamond wedding ring still tucked in the pocket of his black, military-issued fatigues. He also hadn’t given much thought to how quick the line between mission and intimacy had blurred since Willow’s lips had first touched his, since Willow’s body had replaced Sam’s and Buffy’s as the featured attraction of his fantasies.
Shit.
Guilt instantly coiled around his heart, squeezing it like a boa constrictor, as he concentrated on remaining composed and articulate. It wouldn’t do him any good to break down tell Buffy about what he’d been doing with Willow now. Not when the label of ‘cheating bastard’ could be held over his head. He knew how best friends worked after spending a month in Rio de Janeiro with a faction of women training to be Special Ops leaders.
“Haven’t really had the chance to talk to her…with the phone reception being so bad and all,” Riley said, shrugging his shoulders. It wasn’t really a lie. He knew from experience that cellular telephone companies didn’t set up towers in the frozen tundra. But he hadn’t even tried to get in touch with her by any means and if he knew what was good for him, he’d get that fixed. Sam needed to know about Willow before Buffy did, even if there wasn’t much Sam could do to change it if she wanted to.
“Well, I hope you get to soon,” Buffy replied with good grace.
“So do I,” Riley said.
After a moment of silence, Buffy picked her wooden weapon off the floor and twirled it between her fingers like a color guard captain with her flag. “Ready for round two?”
***
Frown lines creased Willow’s forehead as she stared at the pages in front of her. Demons, demons everywhere and there wasn’t a single one to distract her from the sinking feeling in her stomach. Buffy and Riley had been in the training room for a long time. Despite not hearing any screams or guttural moans, she couldn’t escape the irrational fear that Riley was laying on the floor- dead- with a broken neck and any minute, Buffy would come out and do the same to her; because that’s what Buffy did to terrible, horrible, demonic creatures who kissed the same boys she liked.
“You okay, Will?” Xander asked, leaning over her to break off a piece of the Snickers bar that sat, barely eaten, beside her. “Demon hunting got you down?”
Willow shook her head, and contemplated spilling the beans to Xander. He was her best friend, which was a position that hadn’t come easily, especially after the stunt he pulled with her Barbie’s head. But telling him would interfere with her plans to do this slowly because he had the husband’s right to share secrets with Anya and Anya wasn’t known for her secret-keeping skills. “I’m fine, Xander. Except for the fact that I’m suddenly Snickers-less.”
“I only took half,” Xander protested, chuckling as he chomped down on the bit of chocolate he stole. “You only have half a Snickers less than you did before. Guess that makes me the math guy now.”
Willow laughed, her mood instantly brightening. Leave it to Xander to effortlessly distract her from the fact that she could be dead in the next ten minutes. “Says the man who couldn’t pass Calculus without my assistance.”
“And look at where that’s gotten me,” Xander replied, leaning back in his chair and placing his arms behind his head. “I’ve got a decent job working construction, a beautiful wife who keeps me feeling young, a town of vampires and demons to keep me on my toes, and a best friend who lets me eat her chocolate. This is the good life, Willow, better take notes.”
With a sly grin, Willow plucked the remaining chocolate from Xander’s hand and popped into her mouth. Xander’s mouth formed a small ‘o’ of surprise; he was evidently not expecting her to do that. “Guess all I need now is a wife and a construction job.”
“Guess so, grasshopper.”
It was then that she looked up at the clock and sighed, feeling the fear swirl its evil tendrils around her once again. There was still no sign of Buffy or Riley. Xander was inevitably her only hope. But she doubted he’d appreciate the connection to Obi-Wan Kenobi considering the current circumstances.
Chapter Eight
Title: Mission X (7/?)
Author: snogged
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and Co. own the characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I don’t.
Pairing: Willow/Riley
Word Count: 1804
Overall Rating/Warnings: FRT-13/PG-13 (will be FRAO/NC-17 in later chapters); language, angst, drama, violence, het sex, sexual innuendo.
Setting: AU! Season 6. Parts of this story come from the established canon plot lines and others are my own desire to twist things my way.
Summary: When Riley comes back to Sunnydale, he stays for a reason that’s not Buffy.
Beta: the amazing Gabrielle and the awesome
angelskuuipo.Previous Chapters
Leaning against the empty wall in the Magic Box’s training room, Riley had a world class view of his ex-girlfriend running her fingers over the supple but worn leather of the pommel horse. Her eyes were trained on the handles as if they were adversaries, demons that needed to be choked and strangled, as she wrapped her hands around them and pulled herself into an effortless handstand.
He couldn’t help but admire the way her spine barely curved, the way her arms barely shook as she extended her right arm out to the side and formed an almost perfect ‘L.’ As she continued to maintain her balance, he could hear the soft grunts that he’d once recalled finding cute but now just reminded him of how much work she really had to put into being a Slayer. He’d always wondered why the people who’d gifted her with the powers in the first place hadn’t made it so she could avoid the intense training and exercise regimen. At the same time, however, he was also completely impressed with her work ethic, considering how long she’d been doing the gig for.
“Thanks,” Buffy grimaced; sweat glistening along her hairline as she changed hands and her left arm shot out to the side.
“For?” Riley asked, finding it somewhat awkward to hold a conversation with her while her eyes were directly facing his stomach. It was also a bit strange to be in here while Willow was sitting on the other side of the weapons wall. After the time they’d been spending together, he’d really become used to staying close by.
But going back to Buffy’s sudden display of gratitude, he imagined her answer didn’t involve ‘…for being the new guy in Willow’s life…’ because that was still so fresh and the only other person who knew about it was Tara. Tara never struck him a gossipy girl, just like Buffy had never been one to focus on anything that didn’t involve her in some way.
It had taken some negotiation, but Willow had agreed to let him be the one to talk to Buffy about what was going on between him and Willow. He figured he’d be more able to deal with a potentially violent outburst as his body was trained to be bruised and broken in the line of duty.
Not that he enjoyed getting the prospect of getting the snot beat out of him by a Slayer, but better him than Willow.
Besides, he still had the mission to think about. He couldn’t risk Willow turning to the magical mojo again to heal herself or cause trouble for her friends. Yes, he was well aware that she’d been able to maintain sobriety after what happened with Tara the other day but there was no guarantee that a showdown with Buffy wouldn’t be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Willow had already dealt with the guilt of yanking Buffy out of heaven; she didn’t need to deal with the guilt of ruining whatever chances Buffy might imagine she had at getting back together with Riley.
“For fixing the pipe in the basement,” Buffy said, finally answering his question from before as her left hand slashed through the air to grab the handle and her legs dropped down towards her chin, effortlessly folding herself in half. From there, she dismounted and bounced a little as her feet hit the large, gray mat.
“No problem,” Riley replied. “Figured I needed to earn my keep if I’m gonna be sticking around for awhile.”
Buffy nodded, walking swiftly towards the display of weapons and grabbing two wooden staffs. She threw one to him and smiled a little when he caught it. “It helps, especially since I’m still getting the hang of handling money efficiently. Mom was always…and Giles…”
There was a glimmer of sadness in her eyes, but Riley watched it quickly disappear as she swung her staff through the air and connected with his. The resounding crack shifted him into combat mode and his plans to talk about Willow shifted to the back burner. He was pleased that he could still match her strike for strike, even though it had been awhile since he’d gone toe to toe with a Slayer.
As the minutes ticked on, the dance steps took on a more complicated nature. Buffy was in the mood for a challenge and she expected Riley to keep up with her as the wooden rods arced through the air. Unfortunately for Riley, he couldn’t keep up with the cartwheels, round-offs, and flips that Buffy started using in order to avoid his weapon. All around it was one of the most impressive displays of action that he’d ever recalled seeing from her.
When she finally stopped to catch her breath, he could tell by her facial expression that she had more she wanted to say to him and although they still hadn’t talked about Willow, he was happy to let her get whatever she needed to off her chest.
“I also wanted to thank you for not bringing up Spike since you’ve been back in town. I mean, I wouldn’t blame you for rubbing it in my face and all since out of the two of us, you clearly picked the better companion. But…I…I’m not ready for them to know how far I’ve really fallen.” Buffy glanced over at the door that led out to the Magic Box, a forlorn expression on her face.
Riley nodded, swallowing down his disgust that Buffy was still involved with that platinum blond fucktard. It had been bad enough coming home to find out his ex was bumping uglies with the enemy, but the fact that she was still doing it did not sit right with him at all. Still, he figured if he at least seemed like the guy she could trust with this, then maybe she would handle the Willow thing better. “I really don’t know what you see in him, but I won’t say anything.”
Buffy pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, dropped the staff, and crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s complicated.” She paused, clearly thinking about a way she could change the subject. “Speaking of complicated, how are things with Sam? Have you talked to her since she left for Nepal?”
Sam.
Hearing the name of his estranged wife caught him off guard. He’d been so focused on getting an in with Willow that he hadn’t really given much thought to the diamond wedding ring still tucked in the pocket of his black, military-issued fatigues. He also hadn’t given much thought to how quick the line between mission and intimacy had blurred since Willow’s lips had first touched his, since Willow’s body had replaced Sam’s and Buffy’s as the featured attraction of his fantasies.
Shit.
Guilt instantly coiled around his heart, squeezing it like a boa constrictor, as he concentrated on remaining composed and articulate. It wouldn’t do him any good to break down tell Buffy about what he’d been doing with Willow now. Not when the label of ‘cheating bastard’ could be held over his head. He knew how best friends worked after spending a month in Rio de Janeiro with a faction of women training to be Special Ops leaders.
“Haven’t really had the chance to talk to her…with the phone reception being so bad and all,” Riley said, shrugging his shoulders. It wasn’t really a lie. He knew from experience that cellular telephone companies didn’t set up towers in the frozen tundra. But he hadn’t even tried to get in touch with her by any means and if he knew what was good for him, he’d get that fixed. Sam needed to know about Willow before Buffy did, even if there wasn’t much Sam could do to change it if she wanted to.
“Well, I hope you get to soon,” Buffy replied with good grace.
“So do I,” Riley said.
After a moment of silence, Buffy picked her wooden weapon off the floor and twirled it between her fingers like a color guard captain with her flag. “Ready for round two?”
***
Frown lines creased Willow’s forehead as she stared at the pages in front of her. Demons, demons everywhere and there wasn’t a single one to distract her from the sinking feeling in her stomach. Buffy and Riley had been in the training room for a long time. Despite not hearing any screams or guttural moans, she couldn’t escape the irrational fear that Riley was laying on the floor- dead- with a broken neck and any minute, Buffy would come out and do the same to her; because that’s what Buffy did to terrible, horrible, demonic creatures who kissed the same boys she liked.
“You okay, Will?” Xander asked, leaning over her to break off a piece of the Snickers bar that sat, barely eaten, beside her. “Demon hunting got you down?”
Willow shook her head, and contemplated spilling the beans to Xander. He was her best friend, which was a position that hadn’t come easily, especially after the stunt he pulled with her Barbie’s head. But telling him would interfere with her plans to do this slowly because he had the husband’s right to share secrets with Anya and Anya wasn’t known for her secret-keeping skills. “I’m fine, Xander. Except for the fact that I’m suddenly Snickers-less.”
“I only took half,” Xander protested, chuckling as he chomped down on the bit of chocolate he stole. “You only have half a Snickers less than you did before. Guess that makes me the math guy now.”
Willow laughed, her mood instantly brightening. Leave it to Xander to effortlessly distract her from the fact that she could be dead in the next ten minutes. “Says the man who couldn’t pass Calculus without my assistance.”
“And look at where that’s gotten me,” Xander replied, leaning back in his chair and placing his arms behind his head. “I’ve got a decent job working construction, a beautiful wife who keeps me feeling young, a town of vampires and demons to keep me on my toes, and a best friend who lets me eat her chocolate. This is the good life, Willow, better take notes.”
With a sly grin, Willow plucked the remaining chocolate from Xander’s hand and popped into her mouth. Xander’s mouth formed a small ‘o’ of surprise; he was evidently not expecting her to do that. “Guess all I need now is a wife and a construction job.”
“Guess so, grasshopper.”
It was then that she looked up at the clock and sighed, feeling the fear swirl its evil tendrils around her once again. There was still no sign of Buffy or Riley. Xander was inevitably her only hope. But she doubted he’d appreciate the connection to Obi-Wan Kenobi considering the current circumstances.
Chapter Eight