Author:
Pairing: Angel/Wesley.
Set: Between "Birthday" and "Waiting in the Wings."
Rating: PG.
Wesley held Connor in his arms, feeding him a bottle. Angel and the others had gone out fighting Repizam demons.
Connor's hand curled around a button on Wesley's shirt. Wesley was always amazed at how a child so small would grow up to be fighter, an adult. It'd been a long time since any of them had dealt with children.
When he first met Buffy and her friends, he'd underestimated them, thinking them to be children. True, they were barely adults, but they could hold their own. Connor was still learning to crawl and to hold a bottle.
He lay Connor down in his crib and went back to his research. Too many mangled prophecies about Angel, about Connor. He needed a whole troupe of researchers at his disposal.
Wesley didn't look up when he heard the front door. Clients were few and far between. "How's Connor?" Angel asked, walking into the office to check on his son.
"Sleeping," Wesley answered. He looked up. Angel had a cut on his cheek. "Want me to patch you up."
"Naw." Angel smiled at his son. "Just a scratch." He sat in the chair across from Wesley. "Thanks for taking care of him. You know, you need a break. How about I make you eggs and toast. Like the old days. Maybe Cordy will come down." He paused. "Though I don't think, that's likely. She might be in the shower until next millennium. She was slimed pretty bad and was bent that the Powers didn't warn her."
Wesley grinned, imagining Cordelia's annoyance. "Food would be great."
"Good." Angel got up and went to the kitchen.
Wesley closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair. The prophecies could wait.
He awakened to the rustle of dishes. "Food's here," Angel announced, "and blood for me."
"You're in a good mood." Wesley moved his papers to make way for the plate of hot food. He took a bite. "Been a long time since I've eaten anything but Eggos here."
"Cordy suggested that I hire a cook." Angel placed his feet on the desk. "It's nice, you know. To have just the two of us hanging out. It's been a long time." Wesley nodded. "How's life?" Angel asked. "Seeing anyone?"
Wesley shook his head. "Not since Virginia. Don't really have the time."
"But I bet you like someone." Wesley blushed. "Fred's a nice girl," Angel said. "A little crazy, but really smart and nice. And who wouldn't want those parents as in-laws."
Wesley went along, blushing. It was logical that Angel would think that he was interested in Fred. Why not? They were a perfectly matched pair – brain and brain. And sometimes she did look attractive, but then there was the incident with Billy and that'd changed everything. The ideal of Fred had disappeared, and he found himself longing after the one person – the one vampire – that he'd thought he'd suppressed. "I don't think she's interested in me. Not anymore, and I don't think I am."
"I don't see why she wouldn't be. You're intelligent and incredibly capable. Not to mention attractive." Angel sipped his blood.
"I'll do the dishes." Wesley got up to remove his plate.
Angel grabbed Wesley's wrist and stood up. "Don't worry about it, Wes. And you are valuable, despite what you tell yourself." His eyes met Wesley's.
Amazing what food and compliments could make him feel. And the gaze. Angel's hand strong on his arm. Wesley felt like he was going to melt under the pressure. The plate fell to the table as Wesley moved to kiss Angel – that look.
As their lips touched, Connor started to cry. Wesley pulled back. His spell was broken. "Sorry," he said, his eyes moving to the floor.
"Wes." His hand moved to tip Wesley's chin. "Don't be sorry." He pressed his lips to Wesley's and kissed him. Connor continued to cry.
Cordy stood at the door of the office, coming in to check on the child's cries. "Finally," she said, moving toward the crib. "He's just fine," Cordy stated, lifting him out of the crib.
Angel wrapped his arm around Wesley's waist. "See nothing's wrong. My family's were it should be." He placed a kiss on Wesley's cheek.