Prompt 74 - Confrontations - BtVS

[thismaz]

I've put time stamps on the previous chapters, because I realised that what with being at chapter 13 already, anyone reading would assume a fair amount of time has passed. In fact, it's just over a week.

Title: Confrontations
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 74 - Nowhere
At: tamingthemuse
Rating: Pg
Summary: Part 13 of my pre-season one story which includes Xander, Willow, Jesse, Angel and Spike.
Word Count: 2,220
Previous parts, in reverse order, are here or in my memories.
Disclaimer: here.
Now beta'd by the wonderful laazikaat

I hope this makes sense, I have the killer of all headaches and I'm finding concentration a bit difficult. I am so far behind on my reading, too, but I'll catch up over the holiday.



13. Confrontations

Monday

Angel stood balanced on the ladder mounted on the wall, using an old pillowcase to protect his hair from the rusty underside of the manhole cover that he was holding open with his head, just enough to allow him a view of the house. After two hours of waiting, it was a huge relief when the boy finally appeared in the driveway, cut across the grass and turned towards town. He looked like he was counting some bills, so he was probably heading for the shops. Angel retreated back down into the sewer and ran ahead, so he could see which way the boy went at the end of the street.

*****

It was another bright Saturday morning in Sunnydale and after his early night, make that, whole day doing nothing and early night, Xander had woken up at the ungodly hour of 10.30. He scavenged the makings of a sandwich from the fridge, slapping it all together in a haphazard tower, which he crammed into his mouth. Then he went out.

He'd spent the whole of yesterday afternoon locked in his room, first experimenting, then, when it began to get uncomfortable, thinking about what he'd done and trying to work out what it meant. Leafing through the magazine he'd borrowed from Spike, he had been both repelled and excited by the pictures and the places they took him in his imagination. It had, he thought, been the most amazing day of his life. It was like he was seeing himself, and everyone around him, with new eyes. Especially, he realised, Jesse. Somehow, that wasn't as much of a shock as he thought it should be.

When he eventually gave up trying to sort it all out and fell asleep his dreams were not of the well muscled hunks of the magazine, but of a slimmer young body, wiry and firm, that wore both Jesse's and Spike's faces at different times.

He woke up with the same preoccupations in the forefront of his mind, although less confused, as if the dreams had helped settle some things so he could see more than just the immediate. Once again he raided his mother's purse, knowing that he was exceeding his self imposed limit for his 'weekly allowance', but justifying it with a promise to himself that he'd take less next week. He was going to the supermarket to get in some supplies, then he planned to go around to Spike's place. They'd spend the day talking and laughing and watching TV and maybe Spike would help him sort it all out, a bit more.

As he walked he thought back over the previous week. He felt as if he was walking funny and tried to disguise the fact, but every step he took reminded him. What a strange week it had been, culminating in him, he squirmed even more at the memory, discovering something purely physical, but really amazing. The candle was washed, wrapped in tissues and plastic and hidden safely away in a shoe box under the loose floorboard in his closet, but his thoughts kept returning to it.

Not that he'd say anything. Unless Spike did, first. 'If he asks... what'll I do?' Xander thought. 'Come clean and admit it? Laugh? Pretend I don't understand?' Xander thought about Spike. About Spike, the devil may care, experienced traveller. 'He's got the magazines, he's the one who talked about candles, he must know about it.' He glanced around the street, afraid for a moment that he'd said that out loud, but thankfully there was no one in sight. 'Well, he does know about it, obviously, but has he tried it?' A sudden, and unwelcome thought caused him to stop in his tracks. 'Or is this all a big joke - see if Xander falls for it?' He paused there and considered Spike. 'No. It couldn't be. Sure, Spike told the story as something he'd heard about, but...' Xander's brain shut down at that point. It veered away from thinking further along those lines, not willing to consider the possibility that Spike was just yanking his chain but at the same time, equally unwilling to venture into the territory of 'maybe I shouldn't have done it'. It all felt very weird. But good too. In a very weird way. He gave himself a mental shake and started walking again. Actually doing it hadn't felt bad. Naughty, maybe. Wrong, possibly. But not bad. And it was Spike who told him about it, after all. So that had to mean that Spike had done it too. Didn't it?

Once again his brain stalled under the weight of too many questions that didn't have answers and again he stopped walking. He looked around at the midday sun shining down on concrete, tarmac and sparse, dried up grass. The corner of Wilkins and Ednamay was probably not the best place for thinking such thinky thoughts. Turning right into Wilkins Drive he hurried his steps to the supermarket, where he concentrated on picking out more of the snacks that Spike had liked so much on Tuesday afternoon, some soda for himself and, as an afterthought, a carton of milk.

Xander had just come through the checkout and picked up the bag of his purchases when a hand gripped his shoulder from behind. Imagining it was Jesse he turned around, a smile already beginning to form, and came face-to-face with a total stranger. No, not a stranger. It was the guy from last week. The guy who'd attacked him and pretended he hadn't.

Xander glanced around wildly, seeing no one he knew, and started to back away. "Hey! Get off me! What you want? Who are you? And get away from me!"

In the well lit shop he didn't look as big or as menacing as he had in the dark street at night, but he was still big - as tall as Xander and broader in the shoulders, and the black on black look he had going with his clothes didn't make for feelings of warm fuzziness. But once he got a few feet of clear space between them, Xander felt able to relax slightly. After all, what could the guy do in the middle of a supermarket, even if it wasn't crowded?

It didn't actually look as if he wanted to do anything because he held his hands up in a placating gesture and didn't come any closer. "I came to warn you," he said. "You're in danger."

Well, that was unexpected. "Yeah, but only from you."

"No, not from me. I only want to help. But you need to listen, it's Spike, he's dangerous."

A shiver of shock passed through Xander and he knew that he'd given himself away, so he went on the offensive. "I don't need to do anything, especially not what you want. No way, no where, no how!"

He paused for breath and regrouped his thoughts. "And what do you know about Spike, anyway?" he continued indignantly. "How do you know I even know him?" Getting no immediate answer to that question he realised that there were actually more immediate concerns than Spike. "And why the hell are you accosting me for a second time with a story like that?" He felt the indignation surge as he spoke and took a deep breath, trying for a more reasonable tone. "You attacked me. And now you want to help? Believe me when I say that 'I really don't care'." He knew he was failing at the reasonable thing, but he continued anyway. "Where do you get off? Spike's never attacked me. So get the fuck away from me! And stay away!" Aware that his voice was rising, he took another look around and saw that they were beginning to attract interested glances from the other shoppers, so he turned on his heel and marched out of the shop, leaving his stalker standing rooted to the spot inside.

Blinking in the bright summer sunshine, clutching his full grocery bag, Xander breathed a sigh of relief that the guy wasn't, apparently, going to try and follow him. He gave one more glance over his shoulder at the shadowed figure behind him, turned back to the street and almost collided with someone coming the other way.

"Hey Xander!" Willow cried. She bounced in front of him, arms swinging, a huge cheerful smile on her face; all of which meant she was feeling guilty about something. Something to do with him. "Watcha doing?" she asked, taking in the grocery bag, "Has your mum got you doing the shopping?" Her voice was slightly incredulous, with reason, Xander reflected.

Shaking off thoughts of the strange guy with the even stranger idea of chat up lines, Xander concentrated on his friend. "Hey, Willow. Good t'see you. How are you? I'm... um... I mean... Sorta. Yeah, it's grocery shopping, as in, lots of grocery goodies." He clamped his mouth shut, before it could betray him. And since the technique had just worked on weird stalker guy, went on the attack before she could dig deeper into why his Mom would suddenly decide to buy actual ingredients. "So, how've you been. Haven't seen you for a while." Bingo! A hit! Her face scrunched and he felt a momentary pang of guilt.

"Er. Yeah. Well. You see. Umm."

Xander took pity "You've been playing on your computer, haven't you?" He looked more closely. "Have you even left the house for the last week? Have you slept?" he asked, taking in the dark lines under her eyes.

Which were totally belied by the sudden, excited grin that flooded her face. "Yes! No! And a bit, yes! It's fantastic Xander! You have to see it..."

Xander laughed at her exuberance. "You've been up all night fuelled on caffeine, haven't you?"

"Yeah. Er. Sort of. I came to buy more soda. I mean, Mom and Dad left me with a full freezer, but I'm out of soda." Her eyes widened. "Hey! Do you want to come back with me?" She even reached out and grabbed his arm, as if she was about to drag him back to her house by main force. "It's really cool stuff, Xander," she explained. "It's got 512 megabytes of Ram and a 500 megabyte hard drive. It's a souped-up PowerMac 7200. 120 megahertz. It goes like you wouldn't believe. Oh, come and see. I'll show you."

"Will. Will. Will! I know, you told me." Even as he gently detached her grip, Xander felt some of her joy in her toy transfer to him and for a moment he almost gave in, but... "I'd love to. Honestly, I would. But, I've got shopping. I really need to get back, you know?"

Willow's face crumpled slightly. "Oh yeah. Sorry. I guess it's not really your thing is it?"

Xander gave her a one armed hug. "No, but it's your thing. And you love it and you're happy. That's good, yeah?"

Willow still looked doubtful. "Where's Jesse?" she asked. "I've been a bad friend. I've been so caught up with my stuff and I haven't been hanging with you both. I'm sorry. I should do better."

"Willow, slow down. It's okay. Really. I don't know. I haven't seen Jesse much either. He's still busy following Cordelia around." He laughed indulgently. "I don't think he'll ever pick up the nerve to actually talk to her. But he's fine. Trust me."

"Oh my god! Does that mean you have been all alone? I am a bad friend! You've been deserted by both of us..." She cocked her head, obviously trying to work out how much time had passed. "Hasn't Cordelia gone to Paris yet?"

"She's going in two weeks. Jesse will be back to normal then. And don't worry about me. I haven't been alone. I'm having fun. It's the vacation. Of course I'm having fun. I met someone and I've been hanging out with him."

Willow's brief frown, at his admission that he had met someone, cleared. "Oh, I thought for a minute that you had met someone, female someone." She suddenly turned stern "D'you have a girlfriend, Xander Harris? Have you been holding out on me?"

Xander couldn't help it; he laughed out loud. "No. I haven't got a girlfriend. Who could replace my Willow?" He tightened his arm around her shoulders, which threatened to send the bag in his other arm flying. "I met a guy at the movies and he likes the stuff I like and we've been hanging out, is all."

"Oh! Okay! Well, that's good. Do I know him? Is he from school? What's his name?" She pulled away so she could look up into his face.

"No, you don't know him and no, he's not from school. He's English and just visiting town for a while. But he's got cable and we've been watching British sci-fi and comedy shows on TV and it's been fun. Yeah?"

"Okay, so are we okay?"

Suddenly Xander wanted nothing more than to spend time with the familiar Willow-shaped things in life, but he could tell she was on the verge of crashing and he didn't want to be responsible for keeping her awake any longer. If she didn't get some sleep soon, she'd turn cranky and cranky Willow was not someone you wanted to be in the same room with, as he knew from experience. So instead of giving in to the impulse, he laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We're fine! We're great! And you really need to go to bed, instead of drinking more soda." He wrapped his arm around her neck and steered her away from the supermarket. "Come on. Let's get you home. I'll come round and hang out with you tomorrow. But right now, it's at least two days past your bed time. And I have to get this shopping back." He gave her a gentle squeeze to emphasise his point. "A good day's sleep, then you can wake up, fresh as a... a daisy and the power thingy will still be there. It's going nowhere, but you will be, if you don't sleep. Probably to bizzaroland, with the crazy people."

By the time they reached her house she had surrendered to his persuasions and was actually stumbling, his arm around her holding her up, as much as it directed her steps. He saw her through the front door on the promise that she would be good, drink some milk and go upstairs to lie down, then he turned away and headed to Spike's cottage, thanking goodness he hadn't actually bought the ice-cream, as he'd originally intended.

Continued here.

Comments

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Angel is so very too late. Wonder what's going through his mind? It's so interesting to me how Angelus is so smooth and can seduce and manipulate so easily, but Angel is awkward and trips over his own tongue.

Flying under the Willow radar. At least Xander knows she cares about him but I think she's too late as well. Spike's opened exciting new doors and Xander's lost to them until he's explored them a little more thoroughly. You are a master of subtle characterization and the slow build.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

I know, Angel was so gauche, while Angelus was so smooth. It's interesting. I wonder if its because, even after 100 years with a soul, he still doesn't feel comfortable with sincerity?
You are a master of subtle characterization and the slow build
Wow, thank you. The slow build, yes, it comes from allowing the prompt to drive the story. The characterisation, I always feel I need to work on more, so it is always lovely to hear that it is working for the reader.
Have a lovely Christmas (sorry, can't get my British tongue around the American 'Happy Holiday' *g*) and a great New Year.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

I think the Happy Holiday has more to do with an attempt not to offend anyone. :) As a Christian, I'm very pleased to hear a Merry Christmas. :)

May you and yours have a joyful Yuletide.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

And now that it is Christmas Day, here's wishing a very Merry Christmas, to you and all you care for.

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

I really adore this. By saving Xander, Angel has really set himself up for a fall here because Xander will NEVER see him as anything but the bad guy. I adore my woobie, but he is a little closed-minded. And I can't wait to see Spike's reaction to Angel getting more hands on with the boy. Oh yeah. **sits back and waits for next part*

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Xander is not going to believe anything Angel says about Spike. And in his defence, he does have what he believes is good evidence for his attitude. *g*
With being on holiday for a week now, I might even try and get the next part posted early *pauses, thinks* On the other hand, this is me, so probably not.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year.
Disclaimer: sorry, I can't get my British tongue to shape the American 'Happy Holiday' *g*

[blue-icy-rose.livejournal.com]

Oh Angel, you blew that one. *sigh* Thinking back on it, Angel really didn't have any subtlety in the first season, did he? This fits so well with his character. Just trying to help and all he manages to do is alienate Xander.

I'm glad that Xander and Willow got to talk, even if it just might be too late for things to go back to the way they were. But at the very least, Xander knows that Willow is still thinking of him and he managed to make her realize that they hadn't seen each other in a long time. (This was also such a great nod to the fact that Willow turned out to have an addictive personality - first hacking and then BAM! Magic in the later seasons.)

Now, the question is, is Xander going to tell Spike about his encounter with Angel? (Though, Spike'll be able to figure it out because of that smelling thing vamps have going for them.) And how is Spike going to react to that one? Can't wait to find out!

Hope you have a very merry Christmas! :D

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Heee, no, Angel and subtlety? Different planets. Angel and suave? Different universes. *g*
even if it just might be too late for things to go back to the way they were
I really wasn't thinking too clearly on Saturday, when I wrote this. Now that I have a clearer head, and a bit of time, maybe I should go back and give this chapter a little tweak because the way I see it, Xander doesn't really think there is anything wrong with his friendships with Jesse and Willow, he just thinks they have a couple of obsessions and he has a new friend, for a while. But I also have a huge amount of catching up to do, so it won't be today.
is Xander going to tell Spike about his encounter with Angel?
Ah, well, that depends if he thinks about it, I guess. *g* We'll both have to wait and see.
Thank you for the lovely comment.
I hope you are having a lovely Christmas, too.

[laazikaat.livejournal.com]

Nice encounter with Angel, very very true to canon Angel, who had hopeless people skills.

So unlike Spike, who could charm the knickers off a slayer when he put his mind to it.

You have all four characterizations captured beautifully( including Xander and Willow here)

Have a lovely Christmas

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I am feeling happier with writing Angel, with each chapter of this. Which is a huge relief.
I hope you are having a truly wonderful Christmas, too.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Ah... Xander lying to Willow. Hmm... (Loved the bit about the ice cream at the end. Don't know why; it just struck me somehow.)

So, Spike is finding Xander very malleable, which we knew he would, but more than that, Xander's eagerness was just so ripe early on because of his hurt over Willow and Jesse. This will just be tender for an already sparking small fire. *g*

Poor Angel. He really wants to do the right thing (though whether for the right reasons, who knows?). I laughed out loud at the vision of him protecting his hair. Xander's counter-attack on Angel was comical and very believable, but I sense something will have to give there soon. Will wait to see what you do with the next prompt. *bites nails*

Very well executed, hon.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Very well executed, hon.
Thank you, you are too kind. I have gone back and edited it a bit, to knock some of the rough edges off.
Angel and his hair was something I really couldn't resist. Angel trying to warn Xander... well, that was never going to work. I think his motives were right. It's what underlies his motives that I worry about. *g* The thing he really doesn't want to face.
The next chapter will be up in a moment and is the last of the 'set-up'. Hopefully the pace will pick up after that.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

The thing he really doesn't want to face. There is always that with Angel (probably with the rest of us, too).

Angel trying to warn Xander... well, that was never going to work *laughs* No, not in this story you've got going!

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

not in this story you've got going!
*g* Very true. I've read some good Xangle, but I'm not up to writing it.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

I feel that way about many stories!

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*grins* I imagine that's true of all of us, too.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Indeed, I'm sure it is. :)

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

Hee, loved the bit with Angel protecting his hair with the pillowcase - hee!

Nice to see the conversations we had the other week coming to fruition - Angel really has blown it in a big way.

Nice meeting with Willow, the characterisation is so true to the character.

Very nicely done, love. Going off to read the next one now.

Squints and watches Xander walk away - yep, he's walking a bit funny,. *g*

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Hee, I couldn't resist the idea that even when doing something like spying, Angel would have to do something to avoid getting dirt in his hair. Now that he has rediscovered his self-respect, he is going to be very jealous of it.
And I'm so pleased Willow sounds like Willow. Thank you.
And thanks too for the conversation. It gave me a shape for this confrontation.
*watches Xander too* Yeah, he is, isn't he? *g*