Title: I Finally Remembered You. Part 20 – Would You Like to See My Etchings?

Author: Xanfan

Rating: R/NC-17 for other chapters

Pairing: Xander/Angel

Summary: AU futurefic. Slash. Xander, not Buffy, had gone to see Angel in "I Will Remember You" Years later, he finally keeps his promise.

Spoilers: All of BtVS & Ats

Warnings: M/M, mild language, more in future chapters

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.

Words in Italics indicate thoughts.

The next afternoon, Angel heard a tentative knock at his door. He could tell by smell and heartbeat, that it was Xander. He also knew that the boy had stood outside his door for several moments before knocking.

He opened the door, to see Xander shifting restlessly from foot to foot.

How am I supposed to resist pouncing on him when he does adorable stuff like this?

"Hey, Angel."

"Xander."

"Uhm, Willow's flight gets in a couple of hours after sunset. I was wondering if, you know, you might, maybe wantagowithmetotheairporttopickherandKennedyup." Xander finished, in full babble mode.

"Breathe Xander." Angel teased. "Now, if I deciphered that correctly, you want me to go with you to the airport to pick up Willow and her girlfriend?"

"No, I asked if you wanted to go with me to pick up Willow and her girlfriend at the airport." Xander muttered.

"Is there a difference?" Angel was befuddled.

"One implies that I want you to go keep me for company, the other implies that you might want to go keep me company, stand bodyguard after dark, and use your super-strength to help carry the massive amount of luggage that follows Kennedy wherever she goes."

"Wow. That really is a difference." Angel teased, not sure whether to be insulted or not, but, unwilling to miss an opportunity to spend time with Xander. "I'd be happy to come provide muscle for your trip to the airport."

"Thanks. I also thought it would jump start us on our friend thing, you know, with the hanging outage."

"Sounds great."

"So, we probably need to leave about an hour before her plane lands, so about 7:00?"

"That sounds fine." Angel replied, happy that Xander was really making an effort at the friend thing.

Xander stood there for a few more moments, not saying anything.

"Was there something else you wanted to ask me?" Angel questioned.

"Well, I, uh, made this present for Willow. I was kinda hoping you could tell me what you think." Xander said nervously

"I'd love to help anyway I can."

"Cool, it's in my workshop out back, if you want to come take a look."

"Uh, sun's still up" Angel pointed out.

"It's England. It rains. I put up a cover for the walkway. You should be fine."

""Let's go."

Angel did make it to Xander's workshop without any problems. When they got inside, he saw several projects that Xander was working on. He was stunned, at the sheer artistry of some of the woodwork and realized that much of the decorative wood in the main house must have been restored by the boy, no, man.

Xander led him over to a workbench that had something covered in a cloth on it.

"Here it is," Xander said, pulling off the covering.

"It's beautiful." Angel said sincerely.

Xander had made a beautiful picture frame, intricately carving sprites and nymphs and other whimsical creatures into the wood.

"The sprites and stuff kinda remind me of Willow, plus they're all magical and stuff." Xander explained hesitantly.

"It's perfect for her, I'm sure she's going to love it." Angel said sincerely. "Do you have a picture to go in it?"

Xander's face turned sad, "We lost most of our pictures when Sunnydale fell and we really haven't had much time together for picture taking, with Willow going all over the world."

Angel shared the boy's sadness and they stood in silence for a few minutes before he remembered something.

"I actually might have something that could work." Angel offered.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I have some sketches that I did, from back in Sunnydale….and afterwards, from memory."

"I thought only Angelus did the drawing thing." Xander said nervously.

"No, I draw. Just, after Angelus, I wasn't really going around showing them off. Kind of like not wearing the leather pants, I didn't want to make you guys uncomfortable."

The leather pants made me uncomfortable, but not in the way you think. Whoa, were did that thought come from? Bad Xander.

"Sure, I understand," Xander rushed, to get past the naughty thought. "But, I'm not sure Willow wants a sketch of Buffy."

"They'renotjustsketchesofBuffy." Angel muttered.

"What?"

"They're not just sketches of Buffy; I did sketches of all of you. I had a lot of time on my hands back then, at least during the day, and drawing helped me relax." Angel admitted.

"Oh, okay. So, what do you have that might work?"

"Uhm, they are all in my room, bring the frame and glass and we'll see if we have one that fits."

"Cool."

"Is this the cliché, 'come to my room so I can show you my etchings' thing?" Xander teased, as he followed Angel into his room.

"It worked, didn't it?" Angel teased back, enjoying the banter and glad that Xander was comfortable enough to tease about the romance thing.

Xander blushed, "But, I really am here just to look at your sketches."

"If you insist. Here is my book, let me see if I can find something." Angel shuffled through his book for a few moments before he found the perfect drawing. He handed it to Xander.

Xander was in awe, it was beautiful. The sketch was of him and Willow around sophomore or junior year. They were sitting next to each other laughing.

"You're right, it is perfect. Are you sure I can have it?"

"I'm sure. I think it will go perfectly in the frame and I think Willow will love it."

"Thank you….I hate to ask, but do you have anymore of me and Wills….like I said, I lost all my stuff in Sunnydale and I miss having pictures of my friends, especially Willow, during the happier times."

"Why don't I make you a copy of that one? It wouldn't be a problem to re-sketch it and I could probably do that from memory."

"Really? Thanks." Xander said excitedly.

They put the picture for Willow in the frame. It fit perfectly and really worked with the magical theme.

As Angel shuffled around to put his notebook back, a page fell to the floor. Xander leaned down to pick it up.

"Here, you dropped ….." Xander froze, as he stared down at the picture in shock.