Title: Just A Feeling
Author: Xanfan
Rating: PG - 13
Pairing: X/A
Summary: Inspired by a request from Sasori_san for Autumn with Angel. Angel follows Xander home
one night.
Spoilers: Early Season 1
Warnings: Slash
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective
owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way
associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is
intended.
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Angel followed the boy as he walked home slowly. He was one of the Slayer’s friends and Angel felt he
should watch to make sure the kid got home okay.
He also wondered a bit at the tears he smelled wafting back from the boy.
“Why are you following me?” Xander called back from where he was still walking.
Angel gave up the pretense and caught up to the boy.
“I wanted to make sure you got home okay. It’s dangerous out here at night,” Angel offered.
Xander snorted bitterly at that.
“You’re that creepy, cryptic guy who’s stalking Buffy, right?”
“I’m not stalking her. And I didn’t think I was that cryptic… or creepy,” Angel protested.
“Whatever.”
They walked in silence for a few blocks.
“Why are you crying?” Angel asked in genuine curiosity.
“Not crying.”
“Yes you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
“I can smell your tears.”
“And that’s not creepy?”
Angel would have blushed if he could.
“Yeah, I guess it is kind of creepy,” Angel admitted.
They walked in silence for a few more blocks.
“It was his birthday today,” Xander said out of nowhere.
“Who?”
“Jesse.”
“Who’s Jesse?”
“My best friend since diapers. He died a couple of weeks ago and then I accidentally staked him during
that ‘Harvest’ thing.”
Angel was stunned; Buffy hadn’t mentioned anything about this, not that they really talked, but you’d
think she would have said something.
“Willow forgot.”
“What?” Angel asked in confusion.
“Willow, she forgot Jesse’s birthday was today. He hasn’t been gone that long, how could she forget?”
“Maybe it hurts too much to remember?” Angel offered.
“I thought about that, but she was totally clueless when I hinted about it, no reaction or anything. She’s
really caught up in this whole Buffy thing and finally having a female friend and she just forgot. If
something happens to me, will she forget me too?” Xander said, a touch of hysteria seeping into his
voice.
Angel reached to awkwardly pat the boy on the shoulder and was stunned when the boy allowed it, so
he pulled him lightly into a hug.
“You’re not saying the usual pat phrases like, ‘it’ll be okay’ and that crap.”
“Would it help?” Angel asked.
“Not really,” Xander admitted.
They stood like that for a few moments.
“How come you’re not warm?” Xander asked.
Angel froze. Then just admitted it. “I’m a vampire.”
“Are you going to kill me?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I have a soul.”
“Did Jesse have a soul?”
“No, mine’s a curse; it’s not natural. As a rule, vampires don’t have souls.”
“You’re the exception that proves?”
“I guess.”
“Would Jesse have killed me?”
“Probably.”
“I miss him.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“He loved me, you know. He told me so, a few days before he died.”
“I’m sure he did love you.”
“Sometimes I feel like he’s the only one who did, or ever will.”
“He wasn’t, or at least he won’t be.”
“Ya think?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“How do you know?”
“Just a feeling I’ve got,” Angel assured him.
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