This Place and Time

That night Xander made his way to Angel's mansion. He wasn't quite sure why he was visiting again. When he had told Angel that he would come by that night, he had basically lied. But for some reason he was compelled to stand by what he said. He really did want Angel as a friend.

Deep down he also wanted Angel to forgive him. Something that he tried hard not to accept. He said he was sorry but not for the right things, not for what he really had done and really felt guilty for.

Xander walked up to the door and knocked three times. After a few moments of waiting Angel finally answered.

"Xander," Angel had stated.

"Oh, hey Angel," Xander was still nervous.

"Can I help you?"

Angel knew why Xander was there. The boy had told him he'd come by earlier that day. But Angel had come to the conclusion that he had simply been lying. 'Just really bizarre', Angel thought.

Xander was too nervous to stare him directly in the eyes. So he stared at his feet hoping not meet Angel's gaze. "I told you that I'd come by didn't I? So, uh, how you doing? Should I leave? I mean, I can understand if this is a bit awkward. You might want your privacy."
Angel could tell Xander was nervous. He felt the same way. But Angel had to give this a shot.

"Oh, no. You don't have to. Come on in. "Angel led Xander into the main room, where he seated himself on a chair while Xander sat across from him. There was a long moment of silence; Xander was staring at his feet wondering how many different knots he could tie his shoe laces in. This really couldn't get any more uncomfortable than it already was.

"So Xander, how have you been?" Angel asked trying to break some of the tension.

"Oh, uh, same old same old I guess," Xander said.

Angel couldn't help but smile at his nervousness. True Angel himself was also uncomfortable by the situation but Xander made a spectacle of himself while showing his discomfort. Soon though, Angel broke his amusing thought as he stared at Xander for a moment before breaking yet another uncomfortable silence.

"So how was your day Xander, did you have a good holiday with your family?" Angel needed to ask, he knew something had to be up. Despite the fact that Xander had wanted to forget the past and start new, he knew there was no reason for Xander to be visiting him when he could be with his family at this moment.

"Oh yeah we had a real nice day, watching your parents get piss drunk and fight for hours makes for one happy holiday."

Angel immediately regretted his question. This had to be a painful subject for the boy, so he decided to drop it and move on to something a bit more pleasant.

"Did you visit Willow and Buffy today?"

"Well after about an hour of cleaning broken beer bottles off the floor I headed to Will’s. We spent most the day together, exchanged gifts. Can you believe she gave Looney Toon underwear? It was a gag gift but god, its embarrassing receiving underwear from your best friend. Especially cartoon underwear. I mean, can you imagine me wearing them?"

Angel smirked. He tried to imagine the scene Xander just painted for him and he shifted slightly in his seat. But soon it passed and Xander spoke again.

"So how was your day Deadb.......Sorry. I mean Angel."

"It was....quiet. I went out to grab some supplies and came back here for a silent evening."

"Oh..." Xander immediately thought Angel was trying to give him a hint to leave.

"But this is fine. I mean no one should be alone on Christmas right?" Angel gave a slight smirk in Xander's direction.

Xander looked up at Angel and immediately blushed realizing that Angel was quoting him from earlier in the day. "Oh, uh, yeah." He said shyly.
A moment of silence passed over them as Angel stared at Xander thinking for a few moments. 'He really isn't that bad. Hopefully we will be able to carry longer conversations.'
Then Angel thought of something, "You know when I went into town today I actually bought some stuff to eat. Human food. You hungry?"

Xander's head shot up from the floor immediately, "You cook?" He didn't know Angel knew how to cook. He just figured being on a liquid diet that Angel wouldn't know the first thing about cooking. He was pleasantly surprised.

"Yeah, it helps me pass the time. And I guess to a lesser extent helps me think."

"Oh. Sure. I can go for something." Xander was a bit starved. He hadn't eaten anything decent all day. He and Willow had lunch earlier, but that was some seven hours ago.
"Um it doesn't look like you have much in the way of a stove to make anything." Xander stated.

"Well I have an electric skillet, helps me warm up my blood to just the right temperature."

Xander got a look of disgust on his face. He really didn't want to know how undead vampires prepared their meals.

Angel frowned, "What you'd rather me drink it cold? Or not drink blood at all?"

Xander looked down at his feet again, a bit embarrassed. "Oh, uh, sorry I didn't mean to offend you."

Angel smirked again. Xander was really trying not to get him mad. Angel couldn't help but admire the boy for sticking by his word.

"Its fine just sit there, I'll be back in a minute."

When Angel returned he had everything ready to start making dinner. He set the things down on a counter and plugged the utensils in. Angel was making some sort of pasta Xander had noticed.

During the time Angel was cooking he and Xander shared companionable silence. It was nice, both Xander and Angel thought.

When Angel finished he grabbed a plate and a fork and handed it to Xander, who was still seated in the chair across from Angel's.

"What about you?" Xander asked.
"Oh I'm fine. Just need to heat up some blood."

Xander didn't give it a second thought and just started digging in. Angel was amazed by the fact that Xander didn't give that look of disgust when he mentioned he was off to heat up his blood. 'He really is sticking to his word'. No matter how many times Angel told himself this, he still couldn't believe it.

When he was done heating his blood he went back to his seat and started drinking. Xander still didn't get that look of disgust and him and Angel began to talk. They shared a few stories that had happened to them over the course of the last few years. Some where funny others serious, but in the end they opened up a little more with every tale. They spent the next few hours just talking.

By the time Xander was ready to make his way home that night, all awkwardness between him and Angel had passed.

"Well, this was fun Angel but I should really be heading home now."

"Oh, OK." Angel had escorted Xander to the door to see him off.

"Well bye Angel, I'll see you for patrol tomorrow?"

"Yeah, sure."

Then Xander walked away. Angel shut the door behind him and thought for a second. This was interesting. He was starting to actually like Xander, which sent a shiver up his spine. Not in his 250 odd years did he ever think anything this weird would happen.

For a few moments he stood silent with his back to the door, when he realized something seemed odd. 'What time is it?' Angel immediately looked at his watch.

"Shit!"

It was 2:30 A.M. and Xander was walking home by himself. No telling how many fledges were out there looking for a meal. He cursed himself again and ran out the door to catch up with Xander.

"XANDER."

Angel yelled as he saw Xander making his way down the street. When he caught up he grabbed Xander's shoulder and turned him around.

"Oh hey Angel," Xander said a little bit surprised that Angel was there. "Something wrong?"

"Yes, there is", Xander looked puzzled. "You walked to my place?" Xander nodded.
"Well it's late and there is no telling how many vamps could be out here looking to score a meal. So I'll walk you home."

Xander looked a bit stunned. He really hadn't expected Angel to think about that, his safety. Soon Xander replaced his stunned expression with a smile. Maybe things weren't as bad off as he thought they were. This could really work.

"Come on then," Xander said. He and Angel walked to Xander's in silence. It was a comfortable and safe silent, neither willing to talk. Because they both knew that things were different now.

TBC