The Power to Protect (II)

[madimpossibledreamer]

Aaand this is all I have about it.  Come back, plotbunny, come back.  And not those dumb ones that keep trying to eat the garden that I have to chase around, though the effect is rather the same.
~Dreamer~

Main Points:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Persona AU (mostly from the previous one, Persona not appearing in this one)
Summary: Someone's returned from said quest.
Word Count: 700
Rating: Gen

           An eyelid opened to find a head of shimmering red hair bending over him, worried.
           "Augh!"  Flailing, under these circumstances, was totally justified.  Totally.  So was backing away.  Really, both were perfectly fine first steps before his sleepy brain had time to comprehend what was going on.
           And then once he did, he took a deep breath and literally face-palmed.  "Oh beautiful witchy friend of mine that I have not seen in forever, have you been getting stalking lessons from one not-to-be-named vampire?  Because that so isn't cool."
           Now said beautiful witchy friend was pouting.  "I was worried about you.  We all were."
           "Willow, I didn't let anyone know I was back yet.  I wasn't quite ready…argh.  I suppose it doesn't really matter now, does it?"  He sighed, sitting up as Willow moved to another spot on his bed.  Which just led to weird flashback moments.  That's right, this was his best friend, and he hadn't seen her in years.  "You know, I kind of want to yell at you for not trusting me when I said I was fine and just needed to work through some issues and get stronger, but I can understand why you didn't.  Unfortunately.  Though hopefully you have brought nummies of the sugary variety."
           He reached out and hugged her, and she hugged back.  He felt a couple tears, but didn't remark on it.  She wouldn't want him to, after all.
           "This is you.  I know the kind of reunion you want, Mr. Xander Harris."
           He grinned.  How he'd missed her.  Well, he hadn't really had the time to think about it, but if he had…he would've.  Too much distraction to focus on studies, so that probably had been a good thing.
           "Ah, normal sweets and my best friend.  I am content with the universe."  He was still smiling, but her smile had slipped just a little.  Why wouldn't you stay, then?
           They weren't ordinary, so they didn't understand.  But that was okay, because that was who they were and he wouldn't have them any other way.
           "You can gossip and tell me all the new news, and I can tell you a little about Japan.  It's cool, if a little weird at times.  And…"  He took a deep breath.  "I’m ready to become a Watcher.  If the position's still open, that is."
           She hadn't been expecting that and scrambled for a reply.  Finally she answered, "I'm sure it is.  I mean, we might have to do a little juggling and stuff, but we'll definitely clear a spot for an original Scooby."  A pause.  "You were in Japan?  We kept looking for you, but…"
           An apologetic smile.  "One of the first things I did was get an anti-scrying thing.  I'm not sure what it was or how it worked, but considering that no one stormed in and burst the door in, I’m going to guess that it worked well.  I know everyone took it badly, but I did leave a note saying I needed to train to become stronger and I was fine."
           She tried to smile understandingly, but she didn't understand.  "This is about Anya, isn't it?"
           He felt a little sorrow, but it wasn't as bad as it had been.  "Yes and no.  I mean, yeah, that was a part of it, but mostly it was how useless I felt during the fight with the First.  I didn't want to be that useless again.  And no, Willow, you can't talk me out of fighting the good fight."
           She closed her mouth, blushing a little.  "S-sorry.  Though we weren't really going to keep you out of harm's way with the Watcher thing."
           "Yeah, I know."  He grinned again, affectionate.  "But I wasn't strong enough.  I wouldn’t necessarily have backup.  I'd get myself or someone else killed.  I'm pretty sure I won't do that now."
           She looked him over.  "This seeming confidence, Sir Xander, suits thee well."
           "Thank ye kindly, lady."  He attempted a bow on the bed, but that wasn't the best idea.  He shouldn't, at least, have tried a fancy bow.  He could have done a bow from the waist. 
           He pretty much flopped.  Willow laughed, though, and that was of the good.