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Story Title: “All Warm and Fuzzy”
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
helenkacan / Helena K.
Pairing: Rupert Giles/Xander Harris
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2,662 words
Time-line: January 31, Post Chosen (comics, WHAT comics?)
Disclaimer: Not mine (through no fault of my own), but Joss started it. I'm just playing around.
Author's Note: Written for the Drunken Giles Ficathon (Dec. 31, 2010 – Jan. 31, 2011)
Prompt 63: Xander: Doesn't eggnog have alcohol in it?
Giles: Only enough to act as a preservative.
Points if this leads to a happy first kiss, somehow. (Exchange from Guys & Dolls)
Summary: Eggnog as a social lubricant between two people, especially when the two in question are Giles and Xander. Also, patience required before we get to the semi-drunken part. And, even then, Giles needs another glass of eggnog while Xander takes a swig of the hard stuff.
Xander glanced around him in the airport, at the hustle and bustle of crowds, feeling as if he'd just travelled back in time. He hadn't been away that long but it was long enough that he'd forgotten what it felt like to be surrounded by a different teeming sea of people, all wearing far too many clothes for one thing. He shivered, knowing that his thin coat would be inadequate against the damp and cold outside. Keeping to the perimeter of the Arrivals Hall while clutching his small duffel bag, he finally made his way to the cabstand and was soon on his way to Council HQ. He appeared absorbed by the snow on the streets for the duration of the drive.
He greeted the front office staff with a jaunty hello that masked the weariness of the many months away spent travelling constantly from one town to the next one. But he was determined to not think about work ... just for a little while, as he spent his vacation (since he'd missed the holidays entirely) in England.
He peeked into the main gymnasium to observe the girls, many of them his he noted with pride, working out. He had a warm feeling inside when he saw them completing several intricate manoeuvres and recalled memories of the days when Buffy was the only one around throwing kicks while his primary function seemed to be playing the role of Puffy Xander. Well, better that than demon magnet any day.
But he continued on, walking past the open door, intent on reaching his destination. According to the schedule that hadn't varied yet, Giles would be alone, absorbed in deep thinking and strategic planning. Xander figured that was as good a cover story for a nap as anything.
He approached the library door and opened it slowly, taking care that it didn't squeak, which it had a habit of doing. As he'd anticipated, Giles was in one of the overly-stuffed chairs, eyes closed, with sock-clad toes stretched toward the cheery fire. But, to his surprise, Giles had not been sleeping and opened his eyes, taking a moment to focus properly before he recognized Xander standing before him.
The smile he gave Xander seemed warm, genuine. “Xander! I didn't expect you'd be here already. Why didn't you call ahead with your schedule? We would have sent a car.”
“Hey, Giles. Couldn't do that, because I flew standby. I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible. Besides, it was just a quick cab ride, nothing like my endless train and bus trips on really hard seats.”
“But you're here now and that's all that matters. Where are you staying?”
Xander looked about him awkwardly. “I – uh – I didn't book a hotel room 'cuz I didn't know exactly when I'd get in. I thought I'd just crash on a spare couch here.”
Giles frowned. “Nonsense. There'll be none of that. I have plenty of room and you're welcome to spend the duration of your stay with me.”
Xander smiled. It felt as if he hadn't smiled since Sunnydale. “If you're willing to put up with me, yeah, thanks.”
He watched as Giles just about rolled his eyes. “I suppose that putting up with the whole lot of you for seven years was a mere fantasy or, worse yet, an aberration.”
Xander shrugged and tugged at his eye-patch nonchalantly. “Nah, I think it really was real, Giles.”
“As is my offer and always shall be.” He stood up, carefully easing his toes into his shoes. “Let me just ring for some tea for you while I clear things up here. And then we'll be off.”
Xander sat down in the chair Giles had vacated, soaking up both its actual and imagined warmth. Now that he was here, waiting was no hardship. Within minutes, he was holding a mug – none of that girly cup and saucer stuff – of tea, adding yet another layer of heat.
He hadn't realized he'd dozed off, mug still in hand, until Giles rested a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently.
::~::~::
The look on Xander's face was priceless as he was led to the sporty green roadster in the garage. “Whoa, G-Man. Way to go with the wheels.”
Giles sighed. “Xander, will you ever stop calling me that?”
Xander laughed, climbing into the passenger seat. “A little late for that. Call it a learnt response.”
“That can be just as easily unlearnt.”
Xander shook his head. “Nah. All growed up. Done with going to school. Besides, I like knowing such a small thing can annoy you, when you get to worry about keeping the world safe.”
“Your rationale escapes me, but I suppose I am getting weary of objecting.”
Xander nodded smugly. “Knew you'd see it my way, eventually.”
::~::~::
When they arrived and while Xander was busy unpacking his few belongings in the spare room upstairs, Giles was in the kitchen setting the table.
When Xander came in, old habits reasserted themselves so he opened the fridge door to check out its contents. “Hey, Giles. What's this weird yellow stuff in a bowl?”
“Ah, that. It's a variation of my Gran's famous recipe for eggnog. Ever since the holidays, I've been feeling a little out of sorts, so have kept a batch at hand. Call it an indulgence.”
Xander quirked an eyebrow. “Doesn't eggnog have alcohol in it?”
“Only enough to act as a preservative. May I offer you a glass?”
Xander shook his head. “Maybe later. Right now I need some normal food. And when I call English food normal, you know I've had way too many local dishes. Like goats should be scampering and chewing on weird stuff instead of cut up in chunks and put in a stew. And don't get me started on roasted lizard on a stick.” Xander's shudder was palpable.
“Right, then. What about toast and marmalade to start?”
“'Kay. And more tea, please? I'm still feeling cold from the trip over.”
“Not to worry. The kettle's already on. Perhaps after dinner, we can warm you up even more with some of the eggnog.”
::~::~::
As promised, after a hearty dinner that included many mugs of tea, they moved to the lounge where Giles ushered Xander to take a seat on the couch. He then returned with two glasses of eggnog and a bottle of amber rum, setting them down on the table before them.
“There's already a healthy measure of liquor in it, but I dare say you could do with a bit more.” Having said that, Giles poured what appeared to Xander to be a way lot more, stirring it in until the swirls of colour merged into the yellow froth.
Giles repeated the action with his own glass. Then, sitting down next to Xander, he raised his glass in a toast. “To a bloody better new year.”
Xander clinked their glasses together. “No kidding.”
Several glasses later, at which point Xander mentioned that Giles should just bring the bowl with him the next time, they were both feeling considerably warmer. But not so sloshed that they couldn't still carry on a conversation, even though their voices were beginning to slur.
After a large swallow, Xander looked at Giles pointedly. “What was all that earlier about feeling 'out of sorts'? What gives, Giles?”
To Xander's surprise, Giles seemed to look embarrassed, nearly bashful. “Ah, just an old man's foolishness. I'd been wishing for things that couldn't be, that I couldn't have.”
“Oh, come on, Giles. Don't leave me hanging here. Like what things? And don't you have one of those dead-language sayings about liquor helping to spill the beans?”
Giles couldn't help himself and chuckled. “That would be in vino veritas but, as you can see, we haven't been drinking wine. In fact, I doubt there's enough alcohol in the world that would make me divulge my secret.” He paused, before continuing, “Especially to you.”
Having uttered those words, Giles busied himself with ladling out another glass of eggnog for himself which he swallowed in nearly one go, apparently anxious to have something to do to avoid Xander's keen scrutiny.
Of course, Xander wasn't too far gone to pounce on the last three words. He sounded dejected, mumbling, “Why? Am I not good enough for you? Giles?” He lifted his head and looked straight into the other man's clouded eyes.
Giles wiped his hand over his lower face. “Dear Lord. Xander, you're catching me at a vulnerable time. Perhaps I was in error to have invited you to stay here with me. I should put you up in one of our suites at the hotel.”
Xander shook his head, even though his movements were a bit wobbly. “No can do, G-Man. I'm not budging, not when I know you've been having a rough time. And especially not when this is the first time I've felt warm since I came back. And it's not because of the endless cups of tea - speaking of which, I'll need to pee soon, so where's your bathroom - or the hot food, or even the eggnog, even though it's probably got more booze than I've ever drunk in one night.”
After that long rush of words, Xander grabbed a hold of the bottle of rum and took a long gulp directly from its mouth before wiping his lips with the back of his hand. “If that doesn't give me the courage to say this, nothing will.”
Still, he paused, contemplating just how to proceed. “It's because of you. You make me feel warm ... well, hot actually ... and, if there's anything I can do to make you feel better, I'd do it.”
Having said that, he raised shaky fingers, dragging them across Giles's mouth. “You ... uh ... had some eggnog smeared there.” He lifted his fingers to his own lips and licked them clean.
Giles moaned at the sight. Xander's eye sprang open wider as realization kicked in. He let his head drop against the back of the couch and let it rebound another two times for emphasis.
Then Xander raised it, determination – even a blurred variant from all of the alcohol – etched into his features. “You are so busted, mister. I'm here because I missed you and I'm guessing you missed me, too.”
Feeling there had been enough words between them, Xander pulled Giles closer and brushed his lips across the other man's. As a kiss, it wasn't much. But, as a revelation, it was everything. Still, he felt Giles pulling away from him and let him go, reluctantly.
“Xander! I don't know how I could've allowed you to get behind my defences, but I won't ... can't be your little sexual experiment. Or worse ... a pity f-....” Giles bit down on his lip, cutting off the final word, but his meaning was conveyed nonetheless.
Xander was trembling with the urge to stand up and rush out from the room. But he knew that, if he did, things with Giles would never be good again. Besides, he felt too wobbly to stand up. But his voice was firm. “That's where you're wrong, Giles. You're not the sexual experiment, but Cordy and Anya sure were. I didn't have the guts to accept who I was ... what I was. It was bad enough I was a stupid loser – no, don't stop me while I'm channelling my useless excuse for a father – so I couldn't handle something this huge being out in the open.”
He barked out a laugh. “Ha! Out in the open? What I wouldn't have given for you to know how I felt about you then, and how I've always felt about you. So, tell me, Giles. Am I the thing that couldn't be ... that you couldn't have? Because you can.”
Having released the secrets he'd been hiding for so many years gave Xander the courage to reach for Giles again. He whispered, “Please. I'm here already. You gotta let me in.”
And Giles did.
This kiss was sweeter than any rum-soaked eggnog in existence, fuelled by years of denial on both sides. This time, Giles licked Xander's bottom lip before sucking it between his teeth. And Xander's mouth opened impossibly wide, letting Giles in.
Xander heard Giles groan and was relieved that he'd been brave enough to make the first move. He loved the feeling of strength and determination in the shoulders he grasped. Still, he was beginning to wriggle about impatiently and released his hands. “Uh, Giles, not to cut anything short, just I really, really, really have to go. But I'm too dizzy to walk upstairs by myself, if that's where the john is.”
Giles giggled. Honestly, if Xander never heard that sound again, he'd still remember it forever.
“Oh, Xander. You do make me feel happier.”
“Giiiiiiiles. Please. Pee now, happy talk after.”
Giles stood up unsteadily himself, but managed to pull Xander to his feet so they could lurch in tandem up the stairs. Xander pointed shakily to the wall outside the door. “Stay there. I won't be long.” And he wasn't.
When he came back out, after having splashed some cold water on his face, Giles sneaked in a peck to his lips. “My turn now, luv. I won't be long either.” Xander rubbed his lips softly. He liked having the taste of Giles on his skin. As if that didn't make him impossibly hot again. At this rate, he'd be needing a cold shower which was a nasty thought, now that he finally felt warm for the first time since he'd arrived.
A moment later, Giles emerged. The two men contemplated the steep flight of stairs leading to the first level.
“Uh, Giles, I don't think I can. But I really don't want to let go of you, so sending me to bed – alone – would so not be a good thing.”
Giles nodded. “Entirely agree with you about the stairs. Too risky. But I think more kissing could easily be on the menu, if you would care to join me in my bed. I don't think I could handle sleeping alone tonight, either.”
Xander's knees sagged in relief. “Oh, merciful Minerva.” At Giles's amused look, Xander explained. “I was getting tired of saying Zeus and Minerva sounds cool.”
Giles coughed discreetly. “I don't think I'll ever understand you, Xander, even if I do finally understand you.”
Xander shrugged. “Likewise, big guy. So, bed? Some time soon?”
“Ah, well, if we're going to be turning in, perhaps you'd like to brush your teeth. There's an extra glass in the cupboard. And we should both take some ASA with water before bed. No use in letting Gran's recipe lead to a hangover.”
“Nah, Giles. No hangover in my tomorrows. Just all warm and fuzzy.”
::~::~::
It was very late ... or very early. Xander couldn't tell, not that it was worth anything. But jet lag had finally caught up with him, leading to stupid insomnia. Still, while he was awake, he could entertain himself by admiring the man sleeping next to him. Correction. Make that yummy, naked sleeping man. And, even better, Xander was naked, too.
Not that one naked man plus another naked man had equalled anything other than two naked men. But the kisses had been languid and tender and had caught Xander by surprise.
He'd become so accustomed to the forthright boldness that Cordy and Anya had shown (and he was so not thinking of Faith, nuh-huh), that he'd never given any thought that kissing could be any different, whether it was with a man or a woman. He figured he'd have a lot of fun relearning stuff, together with Giles.
In the meantime, he was content to lie in bed watching Giles because the good part was that, when Giles opened his eyes, Xander would be the first thing he saw.
Author:
helenkacan / Helena K.Pairing: Rupert Giles/Xander Harris
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2,662 words
Time-line: January 31, Post Chosen (comics, WHAT comics?)
Disclaimer: Not mine (through no fault of my own), but Joss started it. I'm just playing around.
Author's Note: Written for the Drunken Giles Ficathon (Dec. 31, 2010 – Jan. 31, 2011)
Prompt 63: Xander: Doesn't eggnog have alcohol in it?
Giles: Only enough to act as a preservative.
Points if this leads to a happy first kiss, somehow. (Exchange from Guys & Dolls)
Summary: Eggnog as a social lubricant between two people, especially when the two in question are Giles and Xander. Also, patience required before we get to the semi-drunken part. And, even then, Giles needs another glass of eggnog while Xander takes a swig of the hard stuff.
Xander glanced around him in the airport, at the hustle and bustle of crowds, feeling as if he'd just travelled back in time. He hadn't been away that long but it was long enough that he'd forgotten what it felt like to be surrounded by a different teeming sea of people, all wearing far too many clothes for one thing. He shivered, knowing that his thin coat would be inadequate against the damp and cold outside. Keeping to the perimeter of the Arrivals Hall while clutching his small duffel bag, he finally made his way to the cabstand and was soon on his way to Council HQ. He appeared absorbed by the snow on the streets for the duration of the drive.
He greeted the front office staff with a jaunty hello that masked the weariness of the many months away spent travelling constantly from one town to the next one. But he was determined to not think about work ... just for a little while, as he spent his vacation (since he'd missed the holidays entirely) in England.
He peeked into the main gymnasium to observe the girls, many of them his he noted with pride, working out. He had a warm feeling inside when he saw them completing several intricate manoeuvres and recalled memories of the days when Buffy was the only one around throwing kicks while his primary function seemed to be playing the role of Puffy Xander. Well, better that than demon magnet any day.
But he continued on, walking past the open door, intent on reaching his destination. According to the schedule that hadn't varied yet, Giles would be alone, absorbed in deep thinking and strategic planning. Xander figured that was as good a cover story for a nap as anything.
He approached the library door and opened it slowly, taking care that it didn't squeak, which it had a habit of doing. As he'd anticipated, Giles was in one of the overly-stuffed chairs, eyes closed, with sock-clad toes stretched toward the cheery fire. But, to his surprise, Giles had not been sleeping and opened his eyes, taking a moment to focus properly before he recognized Xander standing before him.
The smile he gave Xander seemed warm, genuine. “Xander! I didn't expect you'd be here already. Why didn't you call ahead with your schedule? We would have sent a car.”
“Hey, Giles. Couldn't do that, because I flew standby. I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible. Besides, it was just a quick cab ride, nothing like my endless train and bus trips on really hard seats.”
“But you're here now and that's all that matters. Where are you staying?”
Xander looked about him awkwardly. “I – uh – I didn't book a hotel room 'cuz I didn't know exactly when I'd get in. I thought I'd just crash on a spare couch here.”
Giles frowned. “Nonsense. There'll be none of that. I have plenty of room and you're welcome to spend the duration of your stay with me.”
Xander smiled. It felt as if he hadn't smiled since Sunnydale. “If you're willing to put up with me, yeah, thanks.”
He watched as Giles just about rolled his eyes. “I suppose that putting up with the whole lot of you for seven years was a mere fantasy or, worse yet, an aberration.”
Xander shrugged and tugged at his eye-patch nonchalantly. “Nah, I think it really was real, Giles.”
“As is my offer and always shall be.” He stood up, carefully easing his toes into his shoes. “Let me just ring for some tea for you while I clear things up here. And then we'll be off.”
Xander sat down in the chair Giles had vacated, soaking up both its actual and imagined warmth. Now that he was here, waiting was no hardship. Within minutes, he was holding a mug – none of that girly cup and saucer stuff – of tea, adding yet another layer of heat.
He hadn't realized he'd dozed off, mug still in hand, until Giles rested a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently.
::~::~::
The look on Xander's face was priceless as he was led to the sporty green roadster in the garage. “Whoa, G-Man. Way to go with the wheels.”
Giles sighed. “Xander, will you ever stop calling me that?”
Xander laughed, climbing into the passenger seat. “A little late for that. Call it a learnt response.”
“That can be just as easily unlearnt.”
Xander shook his head. “Nah. All growed up. Done with going to school. Besides, I like knowing such a small thing can annoy you, when you get to worry about keeping the world safe.”
“Your rationale escapes me, but I suppose I am getting weary of objecting.”
Xander nodded smugly. “Knew you'd see it my way, eventually.”
::~::~::
When they arrived and while Xander was busy unpacking his few belongings in the spare room upstairs, Giles was in the kitchen setting the table.
When Xander came in, old habits reasserted themselves so he opened the fridge door to check out its contents. “Hey, Giles. What's this weird yellow stuff in a bowl?”
“Ah, that. It's a variation of my Gran's famous recipe for eggnog. Ever since the holidays, I've been feeling a little out of sorts, so have kept a batch at hand. Call it an indulgence.”
Xander quirked an eyebrow. “Doesn't eggnog have alcohol in it?”
“Only enough to act as a preservative. May I offer you a glass?”
Xander shook his head. “Maybe later. Right now I need some normal food. And when I call English food normal, you know I've had way too many local dishes. Like goats should be scampering and chewing on weird stuff instead of cut up in chunks and put in a stew. And don't get me started on roasted lizard on a stick.” Xander's shudder was palpable.
“Right, then. What about toast and marmalade to start?”
“'Kay. And more tea, please? I'm still feeling cold from the trip over.”
“Not to worry. The kettle's already on. Perhaps after dinner, we can warm you up even more with some of the eggnog.”
::~::~::
As promised, after a hearty dinner that included many mugs of tea, they moved to the lounge where Giles ushered Xander to take a seat on the couch. He then returned with two glasses of eggnog and a bottle of amber rum, setting them down on the table before them.
“There's already a healthy measure of liquor in it, but I dare say you could do with a bit more.” Having said that, Giles poured what appeared to Xander to be a way lot more, stirring it in until the swirls of colour merged into the yellow froth.
Giles repeated the action with his own glass. Then, sitting down next to Xander, he raised his glass in a toast. “To a bloody better new year.”
Xander clinked their glasses together. “No kidding.”
Several glasses later, at which point Xander mentioned that Giles should just bring the bowl with him the next time, they were both feeling considerably warmer. But not so sloshed that they couldn't still carry on a conversation, even though their voices were beginning to slur.
After a large swallow, Xander looked at Giles pointedly. “What was all that earlier about feeling 'out of sorts'? What gives, Giles?”
To Xander's surprise, Giles seemed to look embarrassed, nearly bashful. “Ah, just an old man's foolishness. I'd been wishing for things that couldn't be, that I couldn't have.”
“Oh, come on, Giles. Don't leave me hanging here. Like what things? And don't you have one of those dead-language sayings about liquor helping to spill the beans?”
Giles couldn't help himself and chuckled. “That would be in vino veritas but, as you can see, we haven't been drinking wine. In fact, I doubt there's enough alcohol in the world that would make me divulge my secret.” He paused, before continuing, “Especially to you.”
Having uttered those words, Giles busied himself with ladling out another glass of eggnog for himself which he swallowed in nearly one go, apparently anxious to have something to do to avoid Xander's keen scrutiny.
Of course, Xander wasn't too far gone to pounce on the last three words. He sounded dejected, mumbling, “Why? Am I not good enough for you? Giles?” He lifted his head and looked straight into the other man's clouded eyes.
Giles wiped his hand over his lower face. “Dear Lord. Xander, you're catching me at a vulnerable time. Perhaps I was in error to have invited you to stay here with me. I should put you up in one of our suites at the hotel.”
Xander shook his head, even though his movements were a bit wobbly. “No can do, G-Man. I'm not budging, not when I know you've been having a rough time. And especially not when this is the first time I've felt warm since I came back. And it's not because of the endless cups of tea - speaking of which, I'll need to pee soon, so where's your bathroom - or the hot food, or even the eggnog, even though it's probably got more booze than I've ever drunk in one night.”
After that long rush of words, Xander grabbed a hold of the bottle of rum and took a long gulp directly from its mouth before wiping his lips with the back of his hand. “If that doesn't give me the courage to say this, nothing will.”
Still, he paused, contemplating just how to proceed. “It's because of you. You make me feel warm ... well, hot actually ... and, if there's anything I can do to make you feel better, I'd do it.”
Having said that, he raised shaky fingers, dragging them across Giles's mouth. “You ... uh ... had some eggnog smeared there.” He lifted his fingers to his own lips and licked them clean.
Giles moaned at the sight. Xander's eye sprang open wider as realization kicked in. He let his head drop against the back of the couch and let it rebound another two times for emphasis.
Then Xander raised it, determination – even a blurred variant from all of the alcohol – etched into his features. “You are so busted, mister. I'm here because I missed you and I'm guessing you missed me, too.”
Feeling there had been enough words between them, Xander pulled Giles closer and brushed his lips across the other man's. As a kiss, it wasn't much. But, as a revelation, it was everything. Still, he felt Giles pulling away from him and let him go, reluctantly.
“Xander! I don't know how I could've allowed you to get behind my defences, but I won't ... can't be your little sexual experiment. Or worse ... a pity f-....” Giles bit down on his lip, cutting off the final word, but his meaning was conveyed nonetheless.
Xander was trembling with the urge to stand up and rush out from the room. But he knew that, if he did, things with Giles would never be good again. Besides, he felt too wobbly to stand up. But his voice was firm. “That's where you're wrong, Giles. You're not the sexual experiment, but Cordy and Anya sure were. I didn't have the guts to accept who I was ... what I was. It was bad enough I was a stupid loser – no, don't stop me while I'm channelling my useless excuse for a father – so I couldn't handle something this huge being out in the open.”
He barked out a laugh. “Ha! Out in the open? What I wouldn't have given for you to know how I felt about you then, and how I've always felt about you. So, tell me, Giles. Am I the thing that couldn't be ... that you couldn't have? Because you can.”
Having released the secrets he'd been hiding for so many years gave Xander the courage to reach for Giles again. He whispered, “Please. I'm here already. You gotta let me in.”
And Giles did.
This kiss was sweeter than any rum-soaked eggnog in existence, fuelled by years of denial on both sides. This time, Giles licked Xander's bottom lip before sucking it between his teeth. And Xander's mouth opened impossibly wide, letting Giles in.
Xander heard Giles groan and was relieved that he'd been brave enough to make the first move. He loved the feeling of strength and determination in the shoulders he grasped. Still, he was beginning to wriggle about impatiently and released his hands. “Uh, Giles, not to cut anything short, just I really, really, really have to go. But I'm too dizzy to walk upstairs by myself, if that's where the john is.”
Giles giggled. Honestly, if Xander never heard that sound again, he'd still remember it forever.
“Oh, Xander. You do make me feel happier.”
“Giiiiiiiles. Please. Pee now, happy talk after.”
Giles stood up unsteadily himself, but managed to pull Xander to his feet so they could lurch in tandem up the stairs. Xander pointed shakily to the wall outside the door. “Stay there. I won't be long.” And he wasn't.
When he came back out, after having splashed some cold water on his face, Giles sneaked in a peck to his lips. “My turn now, luv. I won't be long either.” Xander rubbed his lips softly. He liked having the taste of Giles on his skin. As if that didn't make him impossibly hot again. At this rate, he'd be needing a cold shower which was a nasty thought, now that he finally felt warm for the first time since he'd arrived.
A moment later, Giles emerged. The two men contemplated the steep flight of stairs leading to the first level.
“Uh, Giles, I don't think I can. But I really don't want to let go of you, so sending me to bed – alone – would so not be a good thing.”
Giles nodded. “Entirely agree with you about the stairs. Too risky. But I think more kissing could easily be on the menu, if you would care to join me in my bed. I don't think I could handle sleeping alone tonight, either.”
Xander's knees sagged in relief. “Oh, merciful Minerva.” At Giles's amused look, Xander explained. “I was getting tired of saying Zeus and Minerva sounds cool.”
Giles coughed discreetly. “I don't think I'll ever understand you, Xander, even if I do finally understand you.”
Xander shrugged. “Likewise, big guy. So, bed? Some time soon?”
“Ah, well, if we're going to be turning in, perhaps you'd like to brush your teeth. There's an extra glass in the cupboard. And we should both take some ASA with water before bed. No use in letting Gran's recipe lead to a hangover.”
“Nah, Giles. No hangover in my tomorrows. Just all warm and fuzzy.”
::~::~::
It was very late ... or very early. Xander couldn't tell, not that it was worth anything. But jet lag had finally caught up with him, leading to stupid insomnia. Still, while he was awake, he could entertain himself by admiring the man sleeping next to him. Correction. Make that yummy, naked sleeping man. And, even better, Xander was naked, too.
Not that one naked man plus another naked man had equalled anything other than two naked men. But the kisses had been languid and tender and had caught Xander by surprise.
He'd become so accustomed to the forthright boldness that Cordy and Anya had shown (and he was so not thinking of Faith, nuh-huh), that he'd never given any thought that kissing could be any different, whether it was with a man or a woman. He figured he'd have a lot of fun relearning stuff, together with Giles.
In the meantime, he was content to lie in bed watching Giles because the good part was that, when Giles opened his eyes, Xander would be the first thing he saw.
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::jumps up and down::
Thank you! Just the response I was going for.
[Actually, this was supposed to have a much more traumatic start but last week's horrifying news from Uganda made me change my mind.]
It's been years since I got Giles drunk, so I was really happy to participate this year.
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According to the schedule that hadn't varied yet, Giles would be alone, absorbed in deep thinking and strategic planning. Xander figured that was as good a cover story for a nap as anything.
lol.
And I loved Giles' sports car.
S.
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Well, you know, occasionally we MUST use our characters' predictabilty and other traits to our own advantage. "My name is Xander Harris and I approve of this message." LOL, indeed.
And, hey, I just had to give Giles a new car. Now he has a bf to match!
Happy you enjoyed my little bit of G/X sweetness. Thank you.