Sorry, I wanted to post this Friday but my brother in all his infinite wisdom got in a stupid snowboarding accident and I was at a hospital on top of some mountain here without my computer.
Doyle felt his throat and chest constrict as he entered the Hyperion for the first time. The building itself was hardly something to be confident about. Its history of death and haunting made him and everyone else around Angel wonder why it was he wanted the business to move into the hotel. But it wasn't that which made Doyle uncomfortable with his recent choices.
The last few weeks had been unbearable. Living with Cordelia was awkward enough for him. He still felt pangs of guilt every now and then for her carrying the visions and much worse he was having difficulty not feeling like a creepy stalker every time he saw her step out of the bathroom from a shower.
There were a few times when it seemed like maybe they were making steps forward toward a possible relationship. Nights spent with each other watching movies or even just talking. But for every step closer they seemed to take a step back. He would close himself off when she pushed about his being demon or she would close herself when he pushed about Sunnydale. They hadn't been able to admit how they felt to each other either, too nervous about not knowing how the other felt.
The pattern was driving him insane. To the point that he even looked forward to having Angel and Wesley come around to her place as they set up temporary home for Angel Investigations there. However as happy as he was to welcome the distraction Cordelia seemed just as upset to have them there. He wasn't sure if it was just her not wanting to have a bunch of guys running around, she was used to be with just her and Dennis...and a comatose non-moving Doyle, or if she wanted it to be just her and him. Probably just wishful thinking he thought to himself.
It was after a few passive aggressive statements on her behalf, mostly to Angel or Wesley, but they made Doyle come to his decision. The Hyperion came into play soon after. A little sooner than he had expected, he had to admit, but sooner rather than later would probably be better for everyone.
A few days after Angel announced the hotel would be the new place of operation Doyle had asked if he could take position in one of the rooms to which Angel reluctantly agreed. Either his want for solitude or his curiosity as to why Doyle was moving out of Cordy's place made him hesitate but both Doyle and Angel knew that Angel would not be able to say no.
When explaining the move to Cordy he lied. Sort of. He reasoned that Angel's need to socialize more and open up to others in order to succeed with ultimately becoming human and that Doyle's presence could only help. For the most part this was true. Doyle did truly believe that living there could only help. Visions in the anytime would immediately be dealt with too. But when Doyle thought of the real reason he left he suspected that she knew too. Their living together wasn't really working. Maybe someday, if he was really really lucky and he somehow convinced or, even more likely, tricked her into falling for him they could make it work with all those nights they'd spent happy together but for now it just wouldn't work.
She looked at him differently after he told her. Cordy may not have fully comprehended why he chose to do this but she was acting as if she did. Passively ignoring him and such. At least that meant that she was upset at him for his choice and not at herself. He was worried for a while that maybe she would feel she was to blame for making him move out, but that just wouldn't have been Cordelia. Still in his chair he made his way into the hotel, hoping the change would be good for everyone.
Hmmm I don't think I did a good job on this one. Let me know...