DISCLAIMER: No.
SUMMARY: B/A through Xander's eyes. Early S2.
WORDCOUNT: 888
NOTES: Backup for the 
THROUGH HIS EYES
by Leni
Xander is surprised that he's the first to see Angel at the Bronze's door. He squints a
little, aware that his sight is not enhanced and that the lighting doesn't help. Black on
black attire, check. Taller than Mike-friendly-bouncer but slimmer than
Gustavo-scowly-bouncer, check. Hand going through his hair, an obvious attempt to tame it
even after the help of massive amounts of gel... Xander sighs. Yes, it's definitely Angel.
The girls still haven't noticed his arrival, they'd be giggling and nudging each other
playfully, generally acting as if he wasn't sitting right in from of them. Instead they're
still going over the Algebra book, Buffy's brow furrowed in confusion while Willow goes
over the equation for the third time. Xander takes another mouthful of his soda. He knows
it's only a matter of time until Buffy's head snaps up in surprise and eagerness, eyes
alight at the prospect of seeing her boyfriend. She never reacts like that when it's him
or Willow, he thinks sullenly, not unless they're carrying chocolate or
mint-chip-cookie-dough-fudge ice cream.
Even now her fingers tap impatiently against the rim of her empty glass. Xander sniggers a
little at the memory of Buffy, vampire slayer extraordinaire, gulping down her two
previous colas for an excuse to buy another drink. Anything to escape the table, Algebra
homework and the glaring Willonator left behind. He chuckles, hiding it behind a sudden
cough. Doesn't Buffy know she was lucky Willow accepted to come study to the Bronze at
all? Xander has known many a free period begging his best friend to let him party while he
subjected himself to the horrors of school.
For a second Xander believes Buffy already sensed Angel, her eyes shift from left to right
and she makes to raise her head. Willow stops her with a single word, a tone that would
have made him wince had it been directed at him. Buffy looks around for a last time and
then concentrates back on her book.
Xander shrugs and decides not to say a word. Every second Angel is away is a second Buffy
is... Buffy is... studying hard. Of course. He chuckles self-deprecatingly. Right. He
leans forward, about to tap Buffy's arm to tell her, but Willow's head snaps around and
fixes him with a look that's mostly reserved for when he's too close to her personal stash
of chocolate. Xander smiles - cute! Think cute! - and retreats back into his seat, nursing
his drink between his hands. Oh well, Buffy and Angel have always managed to find each
other on the most packed nights; surely they'll do it again.
And talking about vampires in the night... He darts a glance at the girls, but both are
focused on x's and y's. At a loss, Xander finally leans back on his seat and contents
himself with watching the vampire.
Xander almost envies how Angel easily makes his way through the throng of bodies in the
club. He remembers resentfully the elbows nudging his ribs and kicks against his shin.
Instead people unconsciously move away from Angel's path, barely touching his leather clad
body. Xander almost pouts into his glass. Not fair.
He also knows when Angel veers on them. Suddenly his steps are more decisive and when
their eyes meet, his narrow for an instant. Xander shrugs, he's in no mood to bother Angel
tonight, he's not that bad a guy after all, hasn't done nothing to merit his sharp tongue.
Besides, Xander considers as he watches the vampire close on them, he's got the feeling
Buffy's PMSing tonight, which wouldn't bode well for anyone attacking her darling
boyfriend. He shakes his head, no, not good at all.
Buffy's head indeed snaps up, the small attention she was focusing on Algebra redoubling
and going to the man walking toward her. She smiles, absently closing her book and pushing
it towards Willow. Xander keeps watching. Of all the things he holds against Angel, this
is the one he's most jealous about, that ability to make Buffy so happy. Does he even know
that his mere name can bring a silly smile to her lips? How can he do it without even
having to be in the same room.
He mutters a 'hi' when the vampire finally sits at their table, watching discontentedly as
Angel nods towards Willow, a smile tugging his lips, and then that smile widens when Buffy
reaches to kiss him. Just on the cheek, but it is enough for Xander. He scowls, only
remembering his earlier musings when Buffy turns to death-glare him. The message is clear,
should he choose to pursue his usual animosity towards Angel there'd be hell to pay. A
Hellmouth worth of it. But he still shrugs insolently, settling for asking if anyone wants
a drink and then storming towards the bar.
He turns around when he hears his name. It's Willow, of course, walking toward him despite
of the elbowing and kicking around them. But beyond her he can still make out Angel's
face, smile firm in place even as he talks to Buffy. The worst part is that Xander knows
they could be talking about a coming Apocalypse and their expressions would remain the
same.
It's not fair, he thinks morosely as he lets Willow lead him away. Not fair at all.
The End
15/11/04
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