Safe

A couple hours later…

Xander’s eyes slowly fluttered closed as his friends talked around him. Angel was the first to notice he had fallen asleep.

“Guys. Guys! Shh. Xander’s asleep again.”

A short, chubby nurse came in to check Xander’s vitals. “I’m sorry but visiting hours ended quite some time ago. Everyone must go now so he can heel properly.” Then as quickly as she came, she left, continuing her rounds.

“Someone should stay with him.” Giles said quietly, rubbing his already clean glasses.

“I will.” Angel said never taking his eyes off of the boy in the bed.

“Ar…Are you sure, Angel? It will be daylight soon. I’m sure Willow or Buffy would gladly stay with him. No need to burden yourself.”

“Xander is NOT a burden. I’m. Staying.” Angel glared at Giles with yellow tinged eyes.

The other occupants of the room looked at each other in confusion. Willow took one look at Angel and knew that Xander would be safe with him. She went to the large hospital windows and closed the thick blinds so the vampire would be safe from the morning sun. Then Willow took her girlfriend’s hand in hers and quietly walked out of the room.

“Come Buffy.” Giles said while gathering his slayer towards the door.

“But…”

“No buts. Xander will be fine. We will come back tomorrow and see how he is doing.” Reaching the door, Giles turned back and glanced wondering at Angel and Xander. With a shrug, he and Buffy left.

*****

Angel sat and watched Xander for hours. Near dawn, he started to moan softly. Angel rubbed circles on his hand, being careful of the IVs, trying to sooth the boy. Xander jerked away from the touch, clinging to the other side of ted aed and started to whimper pitifully. Angel tried again to calm the boy, this time gently laying his hands on his back and whispering his name. Xander curled into a ball and started crying.

“Please. No, Dad. NO. I’ll be good. Please.” He whispered repeatedly.

Angel needed to stop the boy’s nightmare. He did the only thing he could think of, he pinched the crying boy on the arm and yelled his name desperately.

Xander woke with a start.

“Wh…what happened?” He looked up and saw Angel with concern and fear in his eyes.

“Angel?” Xander threw himself into Angel’s arms and burrowed deep into his wide, inviting chest. Loud sobbing erupted, soaking the front of Angel’s black shirt.

“Shhh, baby, its ok. I’m here. You’re safe now. Don’t worry, I’ve got you. I’ll never let you go.” Angel sat next to Xander on the hospital bed and pulled the boy onto his lap. He started a smooth rocking motion, back and forth. He gently pushed Xander’s sweat soaked hair off his forehead as he continued to whisper nonsense words in his ear. Angel took Xander’s face in his hands and kissed away the tears on his battered face. Without thinking, he placed a soft kiss on Xander’s mouth. Xander started to respond as his tongue hesitantly reached out and tasted Angel’s lips. As they kissed, Angel started to move his hands under Xander’s hospital gown, being mindful the recent surgery and stitches.

‘Always knew you were a fag. Never should have had you. Always knew you wa pia piece of shit. So you like it like it up the ass, huh? Well then let me show you how a real man fucks.’

‘No Dad, please. I’m not a fag. I’m sorry. Please.’

‘Don’t lie to me, boy. I saw that blonde fag walking you home yesterday. Lying only makes me have to punish you.’ Strong hands ripped away his shirt.

“NO. Please, Dad, stop. I’m sorry!” Xander pulled away from Angel’s hands and started to cry.

“Fuck, I’m sorry Xander. I shouldn’t have done that. Please…I’m sorry.”

“Oh gods, whats wrong with me?” The trembling boy whispered.

Angel pulled him back into his arms and rocked him gently.

“Nothing, there is nothing wrong with you, Alexander LaVelle Harris. Something very bad happened to you but that doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you. You just need to get better, physically and mentally before you can fully heal. I would like to help you, Xander. I want to help you.”

He pulled out of Angel’s arms slightly and asked in a trembling voice, “Why did you kiss me? Do you want to hurt me like my dad did?”

“I want you, but not like that. Never like that. I will never hurt you. I lo…care for you.”

Xander looked at him with big, watery eyes, “You care for me?”

Angel simply nodded. Xander got a huge smile on his on his badly bruised face.

“I would like you to come back to L.A. with me.”

“Really? Are you sure? I don’t…I don’t want to be a problem.” Xander said hesitantly as he lost his smile.

“You are never a problem.” Angel leaned down and put a light kiss on the top of his nose.

“Ok.” Xander cuddled back into Angel’s chest and promptly fell asleep with a smile on his face.