Archive of Our Own ^beta

She knows it’s Luz's choice to befriend Amity. She can’t stop her from doing it.

But she can’t help but worry.

Some of its concern for Luz. It's been seven years since the famous birthday party and while some of the pain has faded with time it’s still there and Amity’s words still hurt.

Part of her realizes as she gets older that there isn’t anything she could have done differently. It’s not her fault that she was a late bloomer with her magic, and that probably something would have come between them eventually anyway. Sure she was young but she wasn’t entirely oblivious. She knew Amity’s parents didn’t like her for some reason even back then.

She just understands why better now. 

Some part of her knows it's silly. Luz isn’t like the other girls at school. She won’t just drop their friendship because of Amity.

However, having had it happen once before means that some part of her is probably going to always second guess. 

Probably she should just tell Luz. But it’s Luz’s choice to make friends with who she pleases. She can’t stop her.

She just hopes that this doesn’t somehow end in them both getting hurt in the process.

On the one hand it's relieving. Its affirmation. It was never her that caused the problem between her and Amity.

It was Amity’s parents.

Which some part of her already knew. However, knowing the actual instigating factor, of why Amity was forced to cut everything off, is a bit of an eye opener as to just how controlling her former friend’s parents can get.

After agreeing to try and rebuild a sort of relationship with Amity. It feels like it should be easier to see Luz around the other girl. 

It isn’t. 

Despite knowing and starting to see some of how Amity’s changing. Her distancing herself gradually from the appropriate friends her parents had picked out for her. What had gone on for seven years still lingers.

Willow knows how silly it is. Of course Amity won’t repeat the past right? Not on purpose. Amity was being sincere when she said she wanted to fix things between them right? 

It’s not like Willow can’t see with her own eyes what Amity is doing. 

So why can’t this stomach gnawing sensation just go away?

Anxiety. She has anxiety over their friendship. 

Well, crush, is more accurate at this point she supposes.

Amity is not exactly the most subtle about her feelings. And Willow thinks that she should be glad Luz’s too distracted to see it. 

This new wrinkle changes some of the feelings. 

Willow’s still worried about what might happen if history repeats itself with Amity. 

Except now not only does she have to worry about Amity breaking off their friendship. But she also has to worry about her breaking Luz’s heart.

Some part of Willow realizes just like before that it really isn’t her place to worry about the both of them. 

And she really should probably worry about them both. 

Some part of her also realizes that she might be over worrying. That if Amity really is sincere like all the signs point to. That she isn’t going to hurt her again, or hurt Luz. 

However no amount of telling herself that makes it go completely away. Anxiety can be tricky like that. 

At least as she watches Luz and Amity dance against GROM. It appears that this part is sincere. However, she can’t help but still worry about what might happen. 

She just hopes that Amity gets away from her parents. Or at least gets a better support system. Before she ends up in the same situation as they were when they were seven.

Because for all their sakes, despite her anxiety, Willow really does want to repair things fully. And not have to deal with the anxiety when the two are together. Maybe even get a proper friendship again some point down the line.

If she can ever move past the last several years that is.

But she needs to see more proof before she’ll fully believe it. She needs to see Amity doing more.

Amity had been showing signs that she was sincere about wanting to repair things between the two of them. If that was what Willow wanted. 

She had watched Amity start distancing herself from her old group. Hadn’t missed the comment she had made towards Boscha about needing to grow up.

It was nice. And partly thanks to it, slowly some of Willow’s anxiety about the whole situation had been starting to fade.

When Willow starts to finally believe that Amity might really be sincere about fixing things. And maybe she doesn’t have to worry about Luz. Is when Amity decides to team up with them for Grudgby. 

It’s not only the first real stand against Boscha. But it’s the first one that runs the risk of getting back to her parents.

Especially after Amity breaks her leg during the match.

It’s a sign that Amity, regardless of her parents, really does want to make things right again. 

The anxiety doesn’t completely go away. She’s still worried something will go wrong and they’ll be right back where they are.

She’s not sure if any amount of repairing their relationship will fix that. No matter how sincere Amity is being. 

There is still some anxiety as she looks at Luz and Amity. And wonders what might happen when Amity’s parents find out about their daughter’s developing feelings for a human.

She still has anxiety over the developing relationship. Even if Luz is still completely oblivious to the other girls feelings at this point it seems.

However at least for now she is starting to feel less anxious that she might lose both of them if Amity starts falling to her parents' pressure. The Grudgby match showed her a bit too much how loyal Luz could be to her friends.

And she appreciates that. 

It’s the first real major shift in the group dynamic. Amity is of course laid up for most of it with a broken leg.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t have some repercussions.

Amity’s family is rich and powerful. And in favor of the Emperor. And even though he ‘technically’ pardoned her all things considered. It's highly likely that Amity’s parents might not like the idea of her continuing to associate with Luz and everyone else. 

It brings the anxiety all the way back up to the surface. 

The next few weeks are going to be telling. If Amity’s parents fall where Willow expects. Then Amity is going to have a choice to make and it won’t be easy. 

And Willow guesses after that she will know if all of this has been warranted or not.

Amity shows up at her front door one evening after school. Willow can tell her Dads are wary. Hell she’s still wary.

But there’s a boiling rainstorm on the horizon. And regardless of why Amity’s here with a duffle bag, regardless of their history, sending her home isn’t an option. 

It’s only after some dinner Amity gives her some explanation.

“Mother and father gave an ultimatum.”

“I kind of guessed that. What are you going to do now?”

Amity bites her lip for a second. “I’m not sure. I can’t go back. I refuse to go back and be mother’s plaything.”

“...this isn’t just about Luz is it.”

Amity’s eyes snap up in her surprise.

“You’re not exactly subtle with your feelings Amity. Even if Luz hasn’t figured it out yet.”

Amity let out a small huff at that. “It’s about everything. The hair dye, the expectations, the people Mother wants me to be around.”

Willow’s face scrunches up in confusion. “The hair dye?”

“Mother wanted me to match Ed and Em.”

Oh.

Well that certainly wouldn’t have been the reason Willow would have guessed for Amity having green hair. But it isn’t too surprising considering how Amity’s parents can get. 

“I mean none of that’s really new.” Willow begins. Still not entirely sure what the final snapping point was.

“She was trying to betrothe me to another family.” Well that wasn’t entirely a surprise considering everything. “Another family’s son.”

Ah. That explains it. 

“So what now?”

They both know Amity can’t stay here forever. Even if things get less tense. This might last a few days at most before Amity’s parents come knocking.

“I’m not sure. I’m not going back. I can’t go back. Not unless Mother stops treating me like a doll.” Amity lets out an annoyed huff. “Go to the Owl House maybe. At least there no one can get in trouble for me being there.”

Or at least no one will care as much.

“You could try applying to be emancipated.”

Lilith no longer being in a coven means that’s an avenue shot even if the two had been closer.

“Yeah like that will go well.” Amity said with a snort. Though Willow can tell she’s at least considering it. 

After a slight pause between the two Amity says. “Thanks for not pulling Luz away from me when we first started becoming friends.”

“You knew.” Willow said in surprise. She hadn’t realized that her anxiety had been that blatant.

Amity just shrugs. “Doesn’t take a genius to realize what happened between us might cause problems elsewhere.”

“I gotta admit for a while there was a lot of anxiety about you two.”

“And now?”

“It’s still kind of there? But not as bad. The last few weeks have kind of helped with all of that.” 

Amity looks guilty but doesn’t say anything.

“Look Amity. I know that there were reasons that everything happened. But you’ve got to understand it’s not going to just disappear overnight.”

Willow’s not sure if it will ever go fully away if she’s being honest with herself.

“And I realize that and I accept that. But just thanks for being willing to give me and everything else a second chance.”

“You’re welcome.”

It’s a lot easier to do when you know the motives of your friends Willow has got to admit. 

Maybe the anxiety and worries won’t ever go away. But in the end she realizes that her, Luz, and Amity will be alright. 

Lingering problems or not.