New Fic - Neverland

[viximon]

Wonderful update!I hope all goes well on their concert/dinner/date
How can any of them tell the way the other feel. So frustrating. And Buffy being Buffy...

Love the fic, keep it up

[dragonfly]

Hi Heather,

Every update brings these two closer, it's wonderful the way you describe their process of getting together, the angst, and being so nervous, but let confidence take over and go for it. Hurrah!!! for Tara showing up at Will's room and asker out. They kind of asked each other out.

Now, there's date coming, can't wait to read the next chapter. I hope Tara gets inspired to create her pieces after the concert, I'm sure Willow will contribute to that.

Love this story, it gets better and better.
Thank you
Love,
Clau

[guitar_girl]

Hey great update, it was amazing as always. A DATE YAY!!!! Well sort of and Tara thinks she knows oh this is wonderful please update soon.

[wimpy0729]

Hey Heather! Wow, is it really you? I couldn't believe my eyes. When I saw the update, it caused "an involuntary tremble through my muscles and a slight squeak to pass through my pursed lips." Wonder where I heard that very descriptive phrase from, huh. That's just one of hundreds of examples I could use to show the amazing-ness of your writing.

You still boggle my mind, even just describing Tara sleeping or making a cup of coffee, to the inspiration of a song to give Tara the courage to make a bold move of asking Willow for a ... what's that word ... oh yeah, DATE! They're going on a date, oh yeah, going on a date, (and the choir sings HALLELUJAH). I'm doing a happy dance right along with Willow.

Thanks for all your hard work and for sharing your talent with us. Hope all is well with you. On your next update, will you be giving us a view into their dinner and concert, or will you torture us along with more twists and turns that leave our little brains fried and begging on our little kitten paws for them to FINALLY get together? Anything would work for me. Bring on the pain, bring on the turmoil, bring on ... Neverland.

Hugs,
Wimpy

[WillowRulez]

An update! I am just gonna think of it as aan early birthday present!

"You know," she said as she watched Willow try to cool down her scorched tongue with large puffs of air and dual flapping hands, "the thing about hot coffee, is that it's hot."

Very cute! WHy do we do the flapping hands thing? It's not like it helps.

And, Tara thought somewhat bitterly as she stared out the window, a slight chill tickling her exposed skin as she watched the rain fall, it's starting to feel like always will be.

Considering the crappy weather we had here for the last 6 or 7 weeks I can totally understand that. But now it's finally summer! Let's pray it'll last.
You keep mentioning that night and the day in the park. I really am looking forward to getting the whole picture and to understand what happened.
Willow is inspiration! Well, her music taste But I think as much as Willow-thoughts keep Tara from working they also help along.

All of this time she had assumed the CD's passionate lyrics were for Xander, but now...

Yeah, Tara? You wanted to say something?

The redhead fought every urge to bounce, to break into the spazziest of spazzy dances; instead, she just smiled, and nodded her head, worrying briefly that she looked like some kind of maniacal bobble-head doll.

Sometimes I think of Willow as one actually.
I really wish that this "date" will be the big break for them but that would be too easy I guess. It might complicate things if Tara knew before Buffy and Sheila...
Please dont leave us hanging for too long.

[Missocki]

FINALLY!! They're going out. It's about damn time! My Goodness, my heart is just aching for them.

Once again you capture the want that they share for each other and that pang one feels when they are in to somebody and can't own up to those feelings. Beautifully painful.

Can't wait for this date and I sincerely hope nothing happens to keep them from finally hooking up. Seriously, I don't know how much more I can take.


PS- It's simply wonderful to see this epic continuing onward.

[SylverMaki]

Holy Humdrum Malarki! An Update. I can't believe I haven't checked for three days and in that time I missed out on the second the update was up here. It was so so so so amazing of an update too. Did I mention I love you? I love this story, I just want to carry it around with me everywhere and just read snippets that will make my heart warm.

Anyway, thank you thank you thank you for updating. I've been waiting and it was an awesome update. I need to re read the story again so I remember everything because I always forget all the trials it takes to get to the next update. But please don't make me wait too long for another update. I really want to know what happens on the date. I really really want to know what happens when Willow comes out to her mom and Buffy. I really really really want to know if Xander will say I told you so to Buffy for all the years of her being mad at him for being a good friend to Willow.

So let's hop to it. Look forward to more updates to this story and I wouldn't be mad if it never ended, as long as there was always an update to come.

[watty]

Hello update-y twin! How wonderful to see you posting. That was an absolutely lovely update, bringing them 0.000001mm closer to declaring their feelings towards each other. I snickered, truly snickered, at Willow huffing at overeager project managers. Well come on, the world needs us PMs for our organizational prowess, our zealous adhesion to schedules and of course our ability to call a conference call with 12 people just because one manager asked one question that could be answered by one person.

{moving along}

Willow's mind is pulled in a dozen directions this morning isn't it? Residual effects of the dream spilling into her conference call? *snerk* Colleagues and programs and deadlines have nothing over the erotic image of being taken by phantom Tara. hmmm. How much longer can she hold those unrequited feelings? The situation with Buffy and Xander is getting more tangled up for its own good and she really needs to tell everyone the truth.

How many times had she watched the blonde work in the kitchen? She shuffled through her vast mental catalogue. Cutting mangoes, pouring coffee, lifting a wood spoon to her lips to sip the luckiest broth in the world.

If Tara weren't so tired or hopped up on 4 cups of coffee, surely she would have caught what was surely a lustful expression on Willow's face.

Tara quickly mixed the half and half and the coffee with a small spoon, dropped in a cube of brown sugar, and handed the steaming mug to Willow.

I think another reader commented on this sentence, about the familiarity of the action. What I like about this, is the details. It's not just a cube of sugar, it's brown sugar. And the action doesn't impede the flow of the story, it even enhances it. I've read stories where the characters sit down in a restaurant and there's a few paragraphs, or several lines of dialogue, where the wait staff takes their order. In the hands of less skilled writers these scenes are more jarring than informative. I guess what I'm saying is how well this was written.

Their conversation still has too many gaps and stutters. It's natural, of course, because they have so much unspoken between them. I hummed at the parallel between Willow's

fuzzy

dream and how

turned on [Tara] had been when she woke Monday morning.

cripes, I need them to be more than 0.000001mm closer. In my imagination listening to Willow's music brings Tara another notch closer. It's telling how when she woke up from her nap her first thought was of Willow seeing her in a drool-y state -- it's like Willow was in her subconscious all the time and the second she becomes conscious it's Willow, Willow, Willow.

So they're going for pizza and a concert. Knowing how this story is all about fast-paced smoochiness [not] I'm hoping they cover a few more 0.000001mm. May be a slight brushing of fingers? Dare I hope? Yay indeed.
[br]

[DaddyCatALSO]

I've been re-=reading this lately and this chapter is "Wowsome."

But I also am getting concerned baout Tara and the show.. (Maybe she could do acrylic recopies of soem of ehr eprsonal fvaorites witha few private details left out?)

Totally clueless on the music references but context expalins them quite well.

I hope you have Tara and Xander meeting before she knows about Willow; that could be quite comical. Unless Tara gets sent up for aggravted assault. (If thta isn't whree you're going, fine'dandy.)

As I've said, I'm not *trying* to rush anything. "That Chapter" can only be written when you're ready,.

[Kajun]

I saw your name listed in the update thread and immediately lost my breath. But, but, but.. it hasn’t been half a year.. Wha???? Just kidding! What a wonderful surprise! You have really nice bits. Ahem. The bit with the lucky broth and too hot coffee, the bit of Tara finally letting curiosity get the best of her, the blanket of art and scrap books bit, etc. –-you get the picture. Love the song, “Switching Off” (Thanks to TinyAnt for the links) I am blown away by the thought that Tara feels so strongly about what happened between her and Willow in the park, and afterwards, that she would ‘save’ that moment for the last thought of her life. Powerful stuff. The memories it stirred (beautiful imagery) in her were exactly what she needed. It’s a miracle she hasn’t exploded from the stress of keeping this passionate, and growing, love for Willow buried so deep for such a long time.

My favorite part was Tara’s hopeful buzz, thinking, “What if. What if..” and then finally letting herself feel what she truly wanted. Sort of a ‘coming out’ with a twist, eh? I had to read this whole chapter several times to make sure I wasn’t just imagining Real-Tara asked Real-Willow to go to the movies with her. Tara can’t reasonably deny this is a date, given her frame of mind at the time. Just accept it for what it is, please! Willow might need to come up with something erm.. Willow-y to ensure, this time, Tara’s evening at the Fillmore includes a better view than the backs of heads and chandeliers! Hmm.. How strong are her shoulders? I don’t think finishing three paintings in one week will be a problem for Tara after THE DATE!!

This is chock full of awesome. Top notch storytelling, as always. Also, at the risk of pointing out something you most likely didn’t notice in the first place.. no excuses for my neglecting to leave feedback on 44, just a heartfelt apology.. Sorry. I’m really, really looking forward to the next upDATE. Thanks and take care, Heather.

By the way.. “Pavane” is magnificent as is “untitled 53”
And.. I found this and thought it was rather amusing --and helpful: Just Paint

[histchic]

Heather, so wonderful to see you continuing this saga. Hopefully RL will stay calm, perchance for a few more updates?

I must admit, when I saw that you had updated, I was physically shaking I was so excited. Admittedly, I was hoping this would be the chapter where Willow declares her love and its the big gay happily-ever-after that we all know will happen. Eventually. Right?

I really liked "and for first time in a long time, she let herself feel exactly what it was that she wanted to feel." Thank goodness the second-guessing is overwith, or at least on mute.

As soon as I finished this update, I thought, okay so concert at the Fillmore, romantic situation, Tara getting bold, good so far....what's the catch? As pessimistic as it sounds, this particular fic has been high on the angst and angst usually comes by way of unforeseen variables. This whole time, the pacing has been based on Willow's timeline, her coming out countdown. The only variable she hasn't allowed for is Tara declaring her love first. And that's a rather important variable.

I also think JustSkipIt brought up an excellent point, that whether they realize it or not, they have been dating. Again, playing what if, would things have developed as natuarlly as they have if Buffy hadn't been conveniently spirited away to the East Coast?

Heather, this update is definitely worthy of a pink elephant parade! Can't wait for the next installment!

[dorksrcool]

My lord, it's an update to "Neverland." I can't believe my eyes. Thanks, as always Heather, for giving us kittens something to smile about. It's so nice to be able to just get right back into this story. It's amazing that the story flows so well after such long breaks.

I really like where W/T are going. The way you described Tara listening to that song was so beautiful. I felt like I was listening to it with her. Your ability to "set the scene" is truly remarkable.

"You know," she said as she watched Willow try to cool down her scorched tongue with large puffs of air and dual flapping hands, "the thing about hot coffee, is that it's hot."

Loved this. I laughed so hard when I read it. Tara is a funny girl and I don't think BTVS actually showed very much of that. We got to see little snippets, but you really bring it to the forefront. I like that a lot.

"I always like taking the bus," the blonde explained. "It's fun, seeing how many other people end up at the show, and, if we wanted to drink..."
"Sounds like a safe and fun option," the redhead said with a happy nod. "So..."

Woo hoo! They're going to make out for sure....right?

[Zampsa1975]

Excellent update-y goodness.... It's good to see that Tara is close to finding a big sign that says Willow Loves Tara....

[StaceAngel]

Hey Heather!
This isn't feedback number two, the first post was my girlfriend lol, she forgot i was signed on, she's silly that way!
I haven't left feedback since around chapter twenty something, i've actually lost count... That and i was formerly wired vixen.. anywho, i just wanted to say, like everyone else, this fic is fantastic and despite how agonizing the pace is, i'm sadistic and love it I'm pretty darn excited that they have their first unofficial "date", which is a notch up from unofficial "flirting" But yes! it was really nice seeing this updated and not bumped randomly, it pretty much made the poopy day i was having.

A night at the Filmore should be an interesting one, i assume there will be alcohol seeing as you mentioned it before the end of the last chapter, and we all know alcohol spells fun Mostly i just really hope Willow and Tara do not revert to their former secretive selves, scared of their own actions.

Either way i know the next installment will make a great read as always! Again, assuming the next chapter will be the date ! Stace stop assuming!

Okay, i'll leave now I hope everything is going good, take care!

Stace xXx

[DaddyCatALSO]

All of a sudden i'm afraid Willow 's plan of whom she tells first might fall apart in the "overcoem bye vents"s ense which would, in a way, be disappointing since feeling for ehr struggles over that has beena a major part of the appeal of thsi story.

But I don't think I have to worry. But should eb aniniterestign half a week for ol' Will, head-trip -wise :-). Especiallys ince she's so calm right now.

[Willow~Rosenberg]

You're back! Yay!

Yep, I'm still reading and enjoying every minute of it.

Where do I start with this update? First off, loved the interaction between Willow and Tara in the kitchen. I thought it was so funny with Willow getting all embarassed about her dream and then Tara fueling the fire inadvertantlyy with her questions. Nice.

Second, and more important, I think Tara is starting to figure it out. The mix tape that Willow was so worried about giving Tara (if I recall correctly), is now starting to do exactly what Willow hoped it wouldn't- tip Tara off to her feelings. Just the way that Tara analyzed the song showed that Tara was starting to allow herself to have hope that maybe Willow did feel something for her.

Third, a date! Well, sorta... in a sneaky, Tara's still mostly assuming Willow's straight- or is she?- kind of way. Oh, this will be a comedy of errors. I can see it already. Both of them are dancing around this issue now and analyzing each other's moves so closely that it's bound to be a fun read.

I'm wondering if Willow will be able to keep up the facade for another five days to tell Buffy or if she's going to slip up around Tara?

Hmmm, where will you take this from here, I wonder? Great update as usual.

[terra21]

Heather, I hope when I log in to the KB in August of 2012 that Neverland is finished. But until then, I'll wait (patiently) as this beautiful story plays out.

[LittleBit]

OMG I think I've caught the Heather bug as I was so late to reading this update! lol

I know real life can often get crazy, so you're forgiven for the lengthy times between updates ... just so long as you promise me that this story will finish in my lifetime! Besides I rely on the genius of other people to read such great fics. If I could write I would, but alas I'm more of a reader than a writer.

I loved this update ... I like how Tara is now starting to think that it's possible and Willow is starting to chill out a little. As much as I find a wound-up Willow hilarious, it is good to see that she is starting to mellow (if you could call it that). I also liked that we are finally starting to get some information about what happened 3 years ago. Are you going to tell us what happened the morning after, or just leave us continually hanging?

Keep the parts coming because as much as I would love to get to Willow's coming out day, I really am enjoying each part unfold. There have been times when I've really liked the Morgan character, but I also feel a little threatened by her. In terms of how she could "disrupt" the possible relationship between Tara and Willow. However, I will wait with baited breath for the "date" to occur before venturing too far with my thoughts on the character.

And check ... NO MONEY! Just pure enjoyment!

[Meow...?]

Greetings,

I do believe I am what could be considered as a noob, though I am sure my feedback is appreciated none the less.

Your writing is brilliant. I begun reading these stories a few months ago while I was in hospital as a way to pass the time, though I managed to get hooked.

Nothing further to say.. Great work..

[Halo]

What can I say? I think I'll just go to line up with the other kittens and say: I love this story, your writing is amazing!!
I'm really, REALLY, looking forward to the next chapter!
Thanks for this amazing update.

[whatmakesyouhappy]

how exciting an almost but don't want to admit it date! I hope the night can end in date style with a goodbye kiss






______________________________________________
when I do good, I feel good, when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion.Abraham Lincoln

[TinyWillow]

I just wanted to thank you for not abandoning this story and those of us who love your fic! Your writing paints this story so beautifully that I feel that I can see it all so clearly in my mind's eye. Well done!

I hope more updates are coming soon!

[the hero factor]

"you're... bringing.... sexy back?"

"I-" Willow started to explain, her cheeks flushing red. "Yeah, I have no excuse for that..."

Hee! I love that they're both blaming the bad music taste on Buffy. Poor Buffy, she's not even there to defend herself.

I really liked Tara deciding to just let herself feel what she's feeling for Willow, instead of worrying and angsting over it. I'm sure worrying and angsting will return, but it was nice to just see her going with it for a moment. Especially since it resulted in her and Willow talking and going out.

Great update. Can't wait for the next one! Although I have this horrible notion that you'll drag out the intervening hour until the 'date' into an update all it's own just torture us.

[behindhereyes]

Hello Heather

I seldom check in anymore, but right about now I'm very thankful that I did. I just read the last two updates. Amazing as always. I never do a very good job of leaving profound fb, but I have never let that stop me This world you've woven for Willow and Tara,... it's so real... that if I hopped a plane to SF I could look them up. You constantly breathe a refreshing, exciting new life into these very special women. Thank you for that ! It seems as though RL has happily overwhelmed a big bunch of kittens including me, but I still have such fond memories of Cam, Pips, and you from those very late night chats

Heather you rock!

Kim
Behindhereyes

[Fin]

Hi Heather

I just wanted to leave some feedback and say how much I am enjoying this tale, you are very good at drawing the W/T goodness out and I look forward to when alas, they will finally be together
Thanks for sharing this great story,
Cheers Fin

[chance]

Hi there...

I've been absent from the kitten board for the past four years. I took a leave of absence because real life, as it is known to do, got in the way. That being said, the first W/T fic I read when I started reading again a few months ago was this one. And I had to come out of lurkdom (for this and for Coming Back, actually), to say that I simply think this is the best AU fic (non-Hellmouthy, anyway) that I've ever read. It's beautiful, pitch perfect, and has my eternal admiration.

I'm very much looking forward to the rest of this fic. Thanks for writing it. (It's a huge task that you've undertaken here, and it's amazing that you've gotten this far.)

M.

[masterjendu]

Thank you so much for the beautiful update, Heather. And thank you to TinyAnt for the link. The song is utterly amazing (so much so that I haven’t actually been able to get through the whole thing before I have to ‘switch it off’, but that is just a testament to the power of the song as well as concept of final thoughts).

Now if Tara is completely tapped into what this song is really about (that is: if she realizes that she’d want her dying thought to be of that day in the park with Willow) then, regardless of what Willow is thinking, she totally needed to make her move. I realise there is the ‘What if’, and of course she wants her feelings to be reciprocated, but if you’re that in love… If you would choose a day three years ago to go out on, then it is time dive in, reciprocity be damned. Time to stop wasting time. Time to start making some new memories. And time to start making those memories with Willow. I love that you have chosen this way to spur her
into action.

P.S. Also lovin the idea of Willow's jammy-clad back!!

[writerfreak]

Just in from reading the latest update, yes again, I know I'm a crazed freak psycho fan, but that's okay with me. Anyway, for some odd reason I was scrolling down and happened to read over gorn's post about the ritual, and it struck me immediately that as I was going to leave more feedback again that leaving more than one, in itself, is one of my rituals, it was odd. Along with my need for complete quiet and a candle burning, just one, and no interruptions or I have to start all over to get my head in the proper place. Then of course I scrolled through the other pages looking and I don't remember whos post it was but it was about the music. I never really noticed the musical aspect as more than being there, which strikes me as very odd because I'm an extremely musical person, the freak who has more than 100 ringtones on her phone because she can't stop making them and can't decide on any she wants to keep on a regular basis. Music is my life, so I found it funny that I hadn't noticed it much, and now that I have, I've went through it and found that oddly enough even more, I don't know a lot of what is in it, musically. I was wondering if you had like a set list of lyrics to use or something. Not sure, but I am sure that it is time to end this really long rant and go to sleep. My apologies for rambling, I've been awake for about 36 hours straight with a sick fiancee.
Waiting patiently for the next update......

writerfreak

[WillowRTaraM1]

Well Heather, you still got it as always. The beauty of a story thats as wonderful as yours, truly is hard to describe. All I can say as always is thankyou so much for sharing your vision with us. I always have to lock myself in a room with no distractions so I can get lost in the words whenever you have an update.
I'm happy to report that my life has gone through quite the transformation within the time that this story has been written. I married the woman of my dreams and we now have our first little one on the way! Life is grand, it really is. I guess that I'm just trying to say I understand now more then ever how real life can dominate your world.
I know theyre just fictional but Willow and Tara have had such an impact on my life. Sometimes they seem so far away from me now.... but every time I read your story they come back to life for me in full force and I'm reminded just how much I love them all over again. They are love.. they just are.
Well now that my little babble fest is over.. (Im pregnant.. Im allowed to be emotional LOL) heres wishing you are well and in great spirits!! The day this story ends will be a sad day for me.

Take Care Heather,

still always your loyal reader , Jackie

[Ginner WTluv]

Well, i'm not around much anymore, but now and again i check in to see how the board is doing. Funny how a few months away can make it so you're totally unable to recognise most of the threads on here But imagine my delight when i find Neverland on the first page of the pens with a few more pages added since i was here last. Heather, wonderful as always. This is the most warming, funny, inspiring, cringe-inducing, and utterly.... utterly frustrating story i've ever read It's also, i think, the most enjoyable story i've ever read. So i'll keep on checking, hoping to see another update in the near future. One that could possible include smoochies.... maybe even accidental hand holding at the concert? I find the accidental kind is always the best.... has the ability to make a heart skip a little. But i'm sure whatever you will write will completely surpass expectations. And quite possibly smash them into a kagillion pieces.

Catch you later,
Jen.