Chapter Text
“What? I’m serious... never ever?” Faith asked incredulously. “Come on, all this time and not even once?”
Buffy chuckled.
“How many times do I have to say it, I have never... ever... thought about getting a tattoo.” she said slowly.
Faith shook her head sadly like it was some sort of tragedy.
“You’re missing out B, you just didn’t know the best artists before, now you do.” she grinned, leaving Buffy to almost swoon at those goddamn dimples. “You know, all that bare skin is like a blank canvas for me.” she trailed a finger down Buffy's forearm to her wrist. Buffy fought the urge to gasp at the light touch. Seriously, was she that touch starved that she got turned on by...
She forced her mind to think about the shop's orders and accounts. There had been far too many dreams and indecent thoughts about the brunette currently sharing Buffy's sofa.
Thankfully, she was saved by the bell as the pizza delivery guy arrived with their food.
Faith threw her head back dramatically.
“Finally, I thought I was going to have to chew on my own arm.”
Buffy flung a cushion at the brunette's face.
“You are ridiculous!” she said, grabbing the bills Faith had left to cover the food.
Eating together had become a comfortable habit they had fallen into. Especially since Kennedy and Willow had started spending time together (as they called it!) after work.
Most evenings either Buffy or Faith sent the other a message with an emoji of their desired food. It was nice, better than nice. They were... friends.
Pizza demolished, bellies full, they both sat curled up at each end of the sofa watching tonight's movie.
It was Buffy's night to pick, and she had chosen one of her usual chick flicks 27 Dresses.
Faith had inwardly rolled her eyes about a million times already and they were only halfway through. Usually, if someone suggested this sort of film, she would quash the idea like a bug. For some reason, she found herself willing to tolerate anything, just to have the blonde's company.
Just doing this, the two of them, legs tucked under the same blanket, a habit Buffy had started a couple of weeks ago, their socked feet casually pressed together. Somehow, that contact seemed more intimate than the times Faith had been bared naked with other women.
“I saw one of your clients today...” Buffy exclaimed, out of the blue.
“Oh yeah, I would have guessed a lot of my customers make their way to you guys for a sugar hit.” Faith replied, a little confused at the heightened tone Buffy had used.
“No, well yeah, they do.” Buffy felt her cheeks heat. She shouldn’t have even brought this up. Faith was going to think she was crazy. “This was, uh, she was blonde, pretty...”
Faith knew exactly who Buffy was talking about.
“Vic yeah.” she replied, giving no further details.
“I, um, I saw her once before I think, at your...”
Faith inwardly groaned.
“Yeah, we have, had a thing.”
“You’re not seeing her anymore?” Buffy said, her voice carrying a forced lightness.
“Trying not to...” Faith looked at Buffy's confused expression, realising she needed to give more. “We split a long time ago, but sometimes I make bad choices when I’m drunk, and they’re usually named Vic.” she shrugged.
“Oh...” Buffy said quietly.
“Yeah, I should know better. You know, she moved here when she found out I had bought the studio. That’s some crazy shit.”
“And now you’re drawing on her?”
Faith laughed.
“You make me sound like a kid with crayons. She’s getting ink yes, but with Kennedy, not me. Taking advantage of her apprenticeship rates. Hey, why you asking? She wasn’t rude, was she?”
“Hmm, oh no. I just...” It was Buffy's turn to shrug.
When she didn’t elaborate, Faith chuckled.
“I guess we’re going to get to watch some walks of shame from those side doors huh?”
Buffy felt her face go scarlet.
“Oh, I don’t, I mean I had a boyfriend but...”
“Oh yeah, I saw him through your window, a real-life GI Joe type, that guys built. You think you’re finished for good?”
“Riley, he, we just didn’t work. We wanted different things and when I didn’t agree with his plans, he got mad.”
Faith's hand was suddenly over her own, gripping tightly.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” the brunette asked, an edge to her voice.
“No.” Buffy said softly, shaking her head. “He would never do that.”
Faith scoffed, still holding Buffy’s hand, gentler now.
“You never know, people can change... when they don’t get what they want from you.”
Buffy knew from how Faith said it, that she was speaking from experience. But she didn’t press it.
Faith checked her phone, before pushing back the blanket, getting up.
“I should head out, it’s getting late, and I’m beat.”
Buffy nodded, disappointed.
“See you soon B.”
“Maybe we could talk about something that doesn’t involve your bakery and tattoo artists. You haven’t even asked how I got on at Science Fair.” Dawn grouched; her arms crossed angrily.
Joyce chuckled lightly.
“Dawn honey, we only see Buffy once or twice a week these days with everyone being so busy. It’s ok that she wants to tell us what’s happening, the shops very important to your sister.” And I’m sure she was going to ask you all about your project, isn’t that right Buffy.”
Buffy felt her mother's foot giving her a prompting kick under the table.
“Yes, of course, so how did it go?”
Dawn shook her head but proceeded to talk anyway.
“Well, it was tough competition, but I...”
She faded Dawns voice out as she thought back to what her sister had said before. She had been talking to her family about Faith.
A lot.
She never did that with Riley, obviously they met him, he had been her boyfriend whilst she was still living at home. But she had never, bigged him up to her family.
Yet today, she had been doing exactly that with Faith.
She felt her mother's sharp kick to her shin once more as Dawn continued.
“So, even despite that, I was happy enough to come second.”
“Second! That’s terrific. Well done.”
“Yeah well, I don’t expect you to understand it. Riley would have got it. He was super smart. Haven’t you got back together with him yet?”
“No. Dawn, that’s not going to happen.” Buffy said, more placatingly than she felt since Dawn had raised this question every week since the Buffy had split with Riley.
“Whatever, he probably has someone else now anyway. You will just be alone with your stupid shop. Can I go to my room?” she asked, already standing from her seat.
Giles nodded, “Off you go.”
They all flinched at the slam of the bedroom door seconds later.
“She’s pulling out the extra mean little sister these days.” Buffy said, unable to hide her hurt.
“It’s not you. We found out she’s being bullied at school. Trust me, she’s taking it out on all of us. We are working with the school, but it doesn’t seem to be stopping. She’s having a tough time so we’re trying to go easy on her.”
Buffy nodded.
“I’d better be going.”
“Let me sort some leftovers for you.” Joyce said, getting up from the table.
“Would there be enough for two, so I can give some to Faith?”
Joyce gave a weird knowing smile, before nodding in affirmation.