Title: Not So Fragile
Fandom: BtVS
Author: badly_knitted 
Characters: Buffy, Joyce.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 300
Spoilers: Early Season Three.
Summary: Joyce is struggling to adjust to the knowledge that her delicate little girl is the Slayer.
Content Notes: None needed.
Written For: Challenge 411: Amnesty 68, using Challenge 389: Fragile.
Disclaimer: I don’t own BtVS, or the characters.




Looking at her daughter, Joyce just wants to wrap Buffy in her arms, hold her tight, and never let any harm come to her ever again. It’s the way every good mother feels about their children, the natural maternal instinct to protect and defend. Buffy is so vulnerable, a delicate young woman, slender and so fragile…

Only she isn’t.

That’s the hardest part for Joyce, to look at her little girl and see not her child but a young warrior, with physical strength greater than anyone so small should possess. She goes out at night to fight monsters from the realm of nightmares, protecting all the ordinary people, young and old, from creatures they dismiss as myths and fairytales.

Joyce still wants to keep her baby safe. It’s confusing; Buffy isn’t anywhere near as helpless as she appears, and maybe that’s what makes her so good at what she does. Maybe the vampires and demons underestimate her because she doesn’t look threatening.

“You’ll be careful tonight, won’t you?” Joyce wants to be a supportive mom, but she doesn’t know how.

“Mom, I’m the Slayer. I know what I’m doing.” Buffy manages to sound exasperated and appreciative at the same time. “This isn’t my first patrol.”

“Just as long as it’s not your last. Oh God, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“It’s okay, mom, there’s no need to worry. I’ll try not to be too late.”

“Okay, good. Slayer or not, you still need your sleep. You’ve got school tomorrow.”

“I know, and strangely enough, I’m glad to be back learning again. I’m caught up in almost all of my classes. Now, I have to get going.”

“Is there anything you need me to do?”

“Go to bed and stop worrying.”

“No promises, but I’ll try.”


The End