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Title: The Real Ones 61/100 TtH Prompt: #68 Hero Summary: Cameron explains the shift in his world view. The Real Ones “I think one of your boys wants to talk to you,” Faith said, as she pulled away. “Thanks, Faith,” Buffy said, wiping at her cheeks. She smiled and nodded, before looking at the figure approaching behind Buffy. “Take care of her,” she said with a slight warning edge to her voice before walking away. An arm draped itself across her shoulders and Buffy breathed in Cameron’s spicy scent. She slipped her arm around his waist and leaned in, accepting the strength and comfort he offered. They stood like that for a while as they watched the sun slowly start to sink into the horizon. “I’ve been thinking back to when we first met and you saying I had a hero worship thing with the original team,” he said suddenly. “Yeah? So?” “They aren’t the real heroes. Not that they aren’t,” he hastily added. “But they’re the wrong ones to look up to.” She craned her neck around to look up at him. “What do you mean?” “Most of us enter the military hoping to do some good in the world, and if we get medals along the way it’s a bonus. If we die in the line of duty we get a military funeral. People know about what we do… well, not all of it, but they know we’re here to help keep them safe.” He looked down at her, his blue eyes serious. “But it’s different for the slayers and watchers. You do your work in secret, saving the world without anyone knowing, without any hope or thought of receiving recognition. Whether you were born into it, chosen, or just decided to help, it’s because you know it needs to be done. Every day you fight and make tough decisions. You guys are the real heroes in this world.” Buffy made a move as if to protest, but then smiled sadly instead. “Thanks for everything – you know, being there, coming here… that.” “I won’t say that coming here was a pleasure, ‘cause funerals aren’t, but it was a privilege to be here,” he said softly. “The rest is pure pleasure.” Her smile became more genuine and it nearly reached her eyes. “Let’s go home.” “That sounds like a plan,” he said, leading her away from the grave. “You realize you have one of those ‘heroes’ on your team and I think I also said you should never work with your heroes,” she reminded him. “Lucky for me I got to know her before I learned of her hero status. Just makes her a friend to me, even though she’s still a hero.” “Sounds like she’s lucky, too.” “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” he said with a grin as the rest of the team came into view. Previous Chapter Buffygate Menu Next Chapter |
