Chapter Text
"Willow? Where's my polo cap?"
"Still clipped onto my backpack from our hike yesterday!" The brunette calls from the adjacent room.
Brynlee locates the bag and unclips her cap, putting it on her head to complete her outfit. It's the middle of July in Texas, so she's wearing light basketball shorts and a loose tank top.
Willow is currently battling the humidity that makes it nearly impossible for her to style her curls the way she'd like. Her sundress is cooperating better than her currently-frizzy curls.
The frustration builds up, her thoughts spiraling. "I just want to look pretty for once this summer," Willow mutters defeatedly, the tears she'd been holding back finally spilling over.
Brynlee appears in the doorway instantly, her face softening. "Hey, baby. Hey, hey, what's wrong? Talk to me." She approaches her girlfriend with such gentleness that Willow just starts crying harder.
Brynlee starts taking deep breaths, waiting until Willow is copying her and calming down to ask again. "What happened, my love?"
"I just want my curls to go back to being pretty but the humidity ruins them every time and it's too hot for most products, they just weigh my hair down." Willow lets her girlfriend wipe away her tears, leaning into the gentle touch.
"You're always gorgeous, baby. I know you love your hair down, but maybe you could try some new styles. Maybe braids if you want me to do them before we leave?"
The brunette smiles finally, looking at the other girl. "You can braid?"
Brynlee gasps in mock offense, her hand flying to her chest. "I'm appalled you have such little faith in me. You've met my little sister. Who do you think does her hair?"
"Oliver." Willow deadpans.
"Wowww, I see how it is. I just won't do your hair then." Brynlee turns around as if to leave.
"Wait, no, Bryn, I'm joking. I'd love for you to do my hair."
So Brynlee does Willow's hair in a gorgeous French braid crown circling her head, giving them ten minutes before they have to leave to get to the cinema on time.
"Thank you, darlin'." Willow turns around and kisses Brynlee, standing to get her lemon yellow flats that match her sundress, tying the loose ends of the outfit together in a summery blur inside Brynlee's mind.
Through the mirror, Willow catches her girlfriend's eye. "You're staring, darlin'."
"I can't help it, you're gorgeous." Bryn shoots back instantly.
The movie is something neither of them are interested in, a thing a friend chose for her birthday. They both zone out, Willow losing herself in song lyrics and melodies the way she always does when something is too dull for her.
By the time the group makes it to the restaurant as the sun is setting, Willow's social battery has run out. She jumps at every sudden sound, becomes tense in the crowded restaurant.
Nobody notices until it's too late because Brynlee got stuck on the other side of the group, too far from her girlfriend. Willow stopped being able to breathe several minutes ago, and now her vision is blurring and becoming dark at the edges, every step feeling like a death sentence. The last thing she hears before the darkness takes over is a distorted version of her name.
✮⋆˙
She wakes slowly, her head aching and throat still tight. A voice she recognizes as safe is repeating her name like a lifeline. "Willow? Baby, come on. Wake up. Wake up for me. Please, baby."
"Darlin'?" Willow sits up slowly, her eyes blinking against the harsh restaurant lights.
"Oh, thank goodness. You're awake." Bryn pulls Willow into her arms instantly, relief flooding her voice.
"What happened?" Willow asks, looking at the group gathered around her.
"You passed out shortly after we got inside," Ash says.
"You kinda stopped breathing for a few minutes before you did," Lily adds, helping Willow to her feet.
"Well, way to ruin the day." Willow mutters, stumbling slightly as she stands.
The rest of the night is spent having fun in a quieter way, Brynlee keeping a close eye on her girlfriend the entire time.
By the time the couple get back to their house, the moon is high in the sky and they're both ready to get into bed.
But because the world is cruel, the last person Brynlee wanted to see right now is standing on her porch, grinning like this was entirely normal.
"What do you want, dad?"