(A/N):YAY! Angel+Connor softies. Wow I kant believe I just thought that...XD O well!
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Damn, its cold. Connor cursed the plain brown long-sleeved T-shirt he chose to wear. He forgot how cold it was outside-Dormon always kept it warm in the house, which was probably the only good thing about staying there. Angel always had everything cold at the Hyperion...but it was a comfortable cold, which had always been strange to him.
He didnt want to risk going back inside for a hoody, though. It was close to 2am. Los Angeles was an hour away car drive from there...going completely over the speed limit. He didnt have a car and he didnt know how to drive yet-it was something he didnt have a memory of, real or fake, and he was thankful for that. When he first came to L.A. from Quor-toth, all the vehicles and traffic had been a nightmare to even look at. It almost made his skin crawl to think of driving one day.
Ok, car out, he thought, then sighed. That only left one thing.
But it was so cold outside...
He took off in a full run, his inhuman speed thankfully kicking in. He just hoped it would still be night by the time he got there.
There meaning Wolfram & Hart, of course.
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Two freeways, ten main streets, three authority-dodgings, and one weird car ride from a foreign guy later, Connor was jumping from car to car in Downtown Los Angeles, his superhuman abilities still going strong, albeit his body shaking from fatigue. Only a little more than an hour had passed and Connor smirked, proud of the fact that he could keep speed with all automobiles people cherished so much.
But...Wolfram & Hart wasnt exactly downtown...
Ignoring his protesting body, he continued to run, leaping on car after car, grinning slightly as they squeaked and groaned under his jumps. Many even had alarms.
He took a break after a while, coughing as the cold finally reached his throat. It was freezing out and he was getting more tired by the second. Plus, the city was huge. Just the downtown area of L.A. put most major cities to shame.
He looked up, rubbing his neck, while searching for the moon. He loved watching the moon- he never told anybody about that, not even Holtz. In Quar-toth, he never slept during the night- there were too many things stalking and hunting then, so he spent most of that time on the roof while Holtz slept, gazing up at the moon. It wasnt as bright in Los Angeles, but the fact he didnt have as many worries to think about like in Quar-toth made it all the more beautiful.
But he didnt see the moon, just a tall building. Next to another tall building. Next to another...and another...And Connor grinned, an idea forming. He started from the highest, and minutes later, he was running over the rooftops, leaping from one to the next.
And maybe twenty minutes after that, he was on the roof of the building next to Wolfram & Hart. He walked to the stairs and sprinted down, stopping near the fourth floor and jumping the rest of the way, landing like a cat, muscles burning.
Right in front of Eve.
"Hi, Connor!" She chirped, smiling widely.
"..."
"Are you visiting Wolfram & Hart tonight?"
"..."
"You do know office hours are closed, right?"
"I-"
"Oh! But you want to see your father, dont you? Well, c'mon then. Maybe your presence will bring him out of his funk. He seemed down today." She grabbed the boy's arm and quickly dragged him across the street to the main entrance. She unlocked the doors and as they entered, ushering him over to a red-plush seat before finally letting go. "I'll go get him. Stay right there." And she was off.
Connor sunk into the seat, snuggling down deep, allowing a yawn to finally escape. He never liked Eve before, she gave off a weird vibe and her "human" scent seemed almost...false, but he was grateful this time. She had gotten him inside really quickly- it must have been below 30 outside and running made it feel colder. Plus, his adrenaline had faded on that last building, leaving his bones to finally freeze and lock up when he had jumped down. It was just so cold. And now, being inside Wolfram & Hart's warmth (something so ironic), everything was just becoming pleasantly numb. The couch was comfy, too, really comfy.
He curled up, his brain feeling heavy and fuzzy with warmth, and after another minute of appreciating the coziness of the chair, he drifted off to sleep, not caring he was in a place of uneccessary evil.
Because Angel was there.
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Angel had finally decided to call it a night as he walked out of his main office, heading for the elevator. He had wanted to sleep at the Hyperion that night but, knowing it was already past 3 am, he thought otherwise- at the Hyperion, he would sleep comfortably and sleeping comfortably would mean sleeping in late. He couldnt afford doing that now. Managing all of Wolfram & Hart took it out of a person.
He pushed the floor number again, growing impatient.
"Angel!" A voice called out from behind him down the hall. He inwardly groaned. Eve. The woman never left; he often wondered where she slept at night...or during the day. Or even if she did sleep.
He didnt turn around, hoping she would take the hint. It was late and she was annoying, probably coming in a close second, next to Lilah. They both had a meddling streak, no doubt in competition somehow.
But she was relentless.
"Angel, I need to speak with you!"
"Not now, Eve."
"But-"
"It's late. Talk to me in the morning." Morning was technically now, though, he grumbled to himself with a tired frown. The elevator finally DINGed and opened.
"Well, I just wanted to remind you that you have a Share-holder's meeting tomorrow in Meeting Room 4 on the 4th floor and-"
"Yes, Eve." He stepped into the elevator and turned, hoping it would close faster.
"And we have to discuss stock issues with the trainees and-"
"Goodnight, Eve."
"And there's a demon client that you have to speak to. He thinks you murdered his cousin and he wants revenge-"
"Eve, enough." The doors were finally closing, thank the Lord.
"And your son's downstairs-"
A hand slammed the door back open. "What!" he shouted, running out, face shocked. "Where! Why!"
"Your son's downstairs. In the lobby. I dont know why," she replied, ticking off each question with her fingers.
He turned away from her, slammed the elevator door open again just as it was closing, and jumped back in, hurriedly pushing the "L" over and over again, glaring at her harshly. "Why didnt you tell me sooner!" He barked out as it closed, not waiting for her answer.
She smiled innocently. "Did I mention I was joking about that cousin thing?"
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Connor was dozing peacefully as the lazy night watchman finally made his floor rounds, catching sight of the sleeping boy rather quickly.
"Hey," the man shook him roughly, "Hey kid, wake up. What the hell are you doing here anyways?"
Connor heard and tried opening his eyes but...he was just so tired. He drifted back off to sleep.
The guard grew angry. He didnt like kids-never had and never would. "What are you, deaf? I said wake the fuck up, dammit!" He yelled, reaching for the boy's shoulder.
But he never made it. There was a vicious snarl to his left, almost monstrous-sounding, and he was suddenly spun around, the front of his blazer gripped tightly, and lifted into the air. He gasped as he saw what- no, who had him. "S-Sir-!"
"Touch my son again and you wont only just lose your job," Angel, game face as fearsome as ever now showing, hissed dangerously. He threw him to the floor and snarled, "Get your things and leave. Youre fired!"
The man litterally scrambled to his feet and ran.
Angel turned towards Connor just as Eve appeared from behind him. She flashed a smile, watching as her boss knelt down beside his sleeping boy. "Remind me not to shake the kid's hand next time-"
"Shut up, Eve!" Angel shouted, reverting back to his human form. "Ive had enough of you!"
He turned back to his son and gently pushed back the boy's hair, trying to wake him. "Connor? Hey kiddo, wake up."
But Connor didnt stir, almost frightening his father. He was breathing- Angel could hear the steady intakes of breath and see the boy's chest rise rhythmically. But he was cold. Angel could feel his body heat...or lack there of. His body temperature was low, very low, not dangerously so, but it wasnt normal enough either for his liking.
"Whats wrong with him?" Angel turned to Eve. "How'd he get here? Who found him?"
"I did. I found him outside. He jumped from the roof of the building next to here so Im guessing he came on his own."
Angel looked back down at his son in shock. "But he lives hours away from here! And thats in a car!"
That would explain, though, why he was so tired and cold. It had to be barely 30 degrees outside in that air. Why wasnt he wearing a jacket? Angel wanted to shake him awake and scold him profusely about that. Didnt Connor know how much he worried about him?
Angel continued to brush his hair from his eyes, hoping he would awaken, but when he got no change, he sighed, scooping the boy effortlessly into his arms before standing up.
"How sweeeeet," Eve cooed, gazing up at him.
"Go home, Eve, if you have one."
And then Connor chose that moment to stir, much to his father's relief.
"A-Angel?" He blinked up at him, dazed. He was still so tired...But he came there to talk to the vampire, not sleep. Well,...it would be nice if he could sleep there. No, it would be nice if he could sleep right where he was at that moment, he realized with a slight blush, ashamed. He didnt want Angel thinking him weak...
But his father only smiled down at him, not moving. "Hey, kiddo."
"See?" Connor grinned up at him sleepily. "I made it here. I came back."
"Yeah, about that. Did you walk the whole way here? Or...Or hitchhike?" He desperately hoped a nice cabby out there had taken pity on the boy...but even that, he didnt like. The cabby was still a stranger...
"No."
Angel sighed in relief.
"I ran."
"You what?"
Connor rubbed his eyes, yawning. "Yeah, it only took me an hour and some. I was taking short-cuts though." His body shivered slightly as it remembered the frosty air.
The immortal sighed heavily, worry edging his voice. "Connor, you shouldnt be out this late, especially around here. Its too dangerous. Plus its cold out. Your freezing." Angel hugged him to his chest and walked away from the couch, wishing at that moment he had the proper body heat to supply to his son. He could protect his kid from demons and ancient evils, sure, but keeping him warm in his arms he would forever fail to do and that pained him greatly. He pushed that in the back of his mind, with his other worries, hoping it'd stay there.
Hold on a second, ...What Connor had said finally sunk in. He looked down at him, shocked. "Wait, it only took you an hour to run all the way here?"
Connor grinned impishly. "Yep, but I was kinda tired already, so I got slow..."
Angel was stunned. His kid had run, in the freezing cold with practically nothing on, straight to the center of L.A., completely avoiding any trouble (Angel hoped), from a house atleast an hour away if you were to drive full speed down the expressway, and he called that slow?
He puffed out his chest somewhat proudly even though the worry was still clearly seen on his face.
Eve just looked at him, knowingly, which he gave a glare back to. But she didnt follow them and he was relieved about that.
"I can walk on my own, you know," Connor protested, his face burning. He wiggled to emphasize his point.
Angel was reluctant to put him down, but kissed his forehead, and did so anyways.
But Connor had only taken a few steps, before his legs trembled violently, and he fell, right into his father's quick and alarmed arms. "Connor!" Angel scooped him up again, holding him tight.
"I-Im just tired. It was a long way here," Connor said, indignantly, but didnt complain as his dad pulled him closer to his chest.
"Im putting you to bed."
"But-"
"No buts. Youre going to bed." Angel strided over to the elevator, while looking down at his son's pouting face.
"Angel," he whined, still trying to win the arguement, but Angel just grinned down at him as he stepped into the elevator.
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There was only one bedroom that he was purely confident with, one that he was sure his son would be safe in, and that was his own room on the 12th floor, seven floors below his main office. Sure, there were other bedrooms littering the area, but Wolfram & Hart had an uncanny knack for its many uninhibated rooms displaying unusual objects of power. And spirits. Spike had told him on many occasions how some of the rooms discreeted strange spiritual energy, even though most of the spirits he couldnt see. Wolfram & Hart had to be, of course, like that- the epitomy of mysterious.
But Angel knew his room was fine. It was the only room he actually felt comfortable in.
He still held Connor in his arms as he opened the door, the boy cuddling up to him even though, Angel knew, he would never admit to it later. Angel smiled at this. The boy tried to act strong, even running all the way there to Los Angeles to prove it, but he still was so small in his father's arms, something he could never change. When all his energy burnt out, he still needed him, Angel was proud for that. And he was happy- he liked being needed by the boy. He had missed so much of the kid's life and he was intent on paying it full by coddling his son relentlessy. Connor needed him and would need him in the future- that, he was sure of, and that was all that mattered in his eyes.
"There we go." Angel lowered him to the bed, then moved to untuck the sheets as his son took off his shoes and socks. "I cant turn the heat up without the whole building feeling it, so I'll just go get you some more covers, ok?"
"Yeah, ok." Connor didnt move.
And by the time Angel had come back, carrying the large comforter, he still hadnt budged.
"Whats wrong?"
"...Where are you going to sleep?"
The vampire tossed the covers on the bed and rearranged them right. "I'll grab the couch until you fall asleep, then I'll probably go in the room down the hall from here." Even before the words left his mouth, he knew he would do no such thing. He didnt feel right leaving his son alone. Even if this WAS the safest room in the building, it was still part of Wolfram & Hart.
"No, I want you to sleep here." Connor finally crawled under the covers, putting a pillow next to him. He only liked sleeping with one, anyways. He frowned as his father moved to the couch, taking off his suit and tie, while untucking his plain black T-shirt. Angel, then, quickly discarded his black work slacks and changed into a pair of grey sweats. He turned to look at the boy and grinned.
"Yeah, I wasnt going to leave the room." He pointed to the couch. "If you need me at all during the night, I'll be right here."
But Connor instantly threw back the covers, climbing out of the bed. He was suppose to tell him something, but if he couldnt tell him, he would atleast show him. It was easier anyways. Words and emotions didnt really go good together in his book.
He grabbed his dad's arm, ignoring the look of confusion on the immortal's face, and lead him over to the bed. "Sit," he commanded softly, pushing him down.
"Connor, I-"
"I dont get you, Angel," he sighed, frustrated. "You can stab monsters and demons and fight all of Wolfram & Hart, then turn around and control the place," he placed his hands on his slender hips, giving his father a look. "But you cant share a huge bed with somebody? What, do you vamp-out in your sleep and bite your pillow or something?"
Angel didnt reply, gaping down at him, shocked.
"Just lay down."
Angel sat, but made no move to turn and straighten out. Connor almost laughed at the face. His father looked so lost at what to do. Connor had to remind himself the vampire probably still had no clue how to handle a teenager, especially if the teenager had been merely a baby half a year ago, then thrown back through a portal as an angry seventeen-year-old turned border-line civil.
But as Angel still looked up at him, unsure as what to do, Connor swung around quickly, hiding the large grin breaking out. He gave a shrug and started to walk to the door. "Fine. I'll just go home then," he sighed airily, hoping his dad wouldnt let him get too far. Walking home would kill him.
And he smirked, knowingly, as strong arms wrapped around his mid-section.
"You cant really think Im going to let you walk out that door...C'mon." Angel lifted him up playfully, spinning him around, before placing him by the edge, nudging him to get in. He grinned as he watched his son bounce his way to the farther end then pat the space beside him.
"You know where you need to be. Right here beside me," the boy rhymed, beaming smugly. "What time do we need to wake up in the morning?" he asked, falling back to look up at the ceiling, his arms folded behind his head, as the vampire climbed in slowly.
Angel grabbed his cell from the bedside table and powered it on, scanning through the menus. "I have a meeting at eight-"
"AM? But thats only like three hours away!"
"Yeah, but," Angel set the alarm on his phone, closed it, then placed it back on the nightstand. "Most meetings only last about two hours so I can get some sleep after until about lunch time...Well, unless something comes up."
"Geez, your life sucks," Connor grinned cheekily, his fingers playing with the tops of the covers. "You can sleep through lunch too, right? Thats what I do..." He trailed off, holding his tongue, not wanting to let his father remember about school. Tomorrow was Monday and he obviously planned on skipping.
"Yeah, that too," Angel smiled, then frowned, turning to look at him. He wanted to avoid the question until morning, but ..."So, what time do I have to take you back?"
"Oh, you know, night-ish..."
"Really?" Angel's eyes widened. "He wont care about you staying here that long? What changed his mind?"
Connor sat up, straightening his pillow, hiding his eyes, and lied right through his teeth. For a good cause, though, or so he made himself believe. "He said he felt kinda embarrassed for what happened. And he's sorry. He was just really mad that I was all up in here- I dont think he likes the place. Plus, he probably felt threatened by you." He turned to look at Angel. "He still believes he's my father, you know..."
Angel turned away, slightly annoyed. He didnt like the fact anybody thought themselves a father to his son, but...he had known what he was getting himself into when agreeing for Wolfram & Hart. It was his part of the deal, after all. "I understand that. When I take you back tomorrow-today, I want to speak to him-maybe work out some kind of deal where I can have visits or pick you up for weekends." He looked at him, still slightly unsure. "Until you're eighteen, ...if thats what you still want."
"To live with you? Of course. But," Connor shook his head, sighing. There was no way Dormon would even talk to the man again. "Visits are out. He wont see the point of them. He thinks you're a complete stranger to me." He looked at his dad curiously. "Why are you even doing this the legal way? Why not just erase their memories of all this like you did with me?"
"I've already searched for ways to. That one used on you was a one-time-only kind of deal. Wolfram & Hart has no other known techniques stored away like that." He had even been desperate enough to consult Lilah, which he didnt want to add to his son, but even she, with her many years at the law firm, had no idea of any other way. And there was no record of any demon with a memory-wipe skill available. That was a low-grade hope, but he had still searched for it anyways. He really couldnt worry about all the other people Connor had come in contact with throughout the months who would remember him, but he atleast had to be fair to the family his son stayed with.
Sadly.
"I just...I just want to do all this the honest wa-"
"Yeah, thats so like you," Connor cut in, laughing, but the smile didnt exactly reach his eyes.
"Plus, I want you to be happy. Taking you away and leaving would mean us running and you hiding for the rest of your life. I dont want that, Connor. I dont want that to be your life..."
Connor knew that. He knew he wanted to finally live with his real father, and thought up all the ways that could be a reality. There were only two that were possible, though. Run and hide or wait a year- hiding held the promise of them together now, while waiting, which he didnt like doing, meant staying away for a year to live with a family that wasnt his. That wasnt Angel. But...
He unconsciously felt for the scratch on his cheek, the bleeding long ago having stopped. He didnt want to leave her-that lady calling herself his mother. She was so nice and didnt deserve the life she was given. Dormon was always drunk and she was always crying. If he left her...
Connor stared off into space, absently rubbing his cheek, not noticing his father watching the action intently.
Angel grabbed his hand suddenly, startling him.
"Whats that?"
"W-What?"
Angel let the hand go and peered at his son's cheek. His gaze sharpened. "You have a cut. How did that happen?" Angel hadnt noticed it before and he was sure it hadnt been there earlier that day. It was slender and thin, slightly deep, like it had been done by a razor or a very sharp piece of glass. And it was almost fully closed up, due to Connor's quick healing abilities, another sign, though, that it was fairly new.
But Connor merely shook his concerned touch off, looking embarrassed. "Probably got it on the way here. Its nothing, quit mothering me." So many lies already. He never liked lies- they showed weakness. It meant you were afraid and had something to hide. Plus, he didnt feel too comfortable already lying to Angel. He, however, subconciously shrugged away those thoughts, tucking himself deeper into the covers. He didnt want Angel to worry, anyways. "Arent you tired yet?"
Angel looked at him steadily, before taking the hint, and layed back down himself, staring up at the ceiling. "Sorry, its just...I-Im just ...not sure on..." He stuttered, trailing off, then reached up to scratch the side of his face. "Im still new at this...parenting thing, so I-"
"Geez, Angel, youre embarrassing me, just stop talking! Three hours right? Its probably less now. Youre gonna be so dead tomorrow and I dont mean that literally, which is true anyways." Connor grinned, rolling to his side to face him. "Just relax."
And Angel did, closing his eyes after a while and trying to steady his quivering unbeating heart. The truth was he didnt want to sleep. He was so tired but...this was a moment he didnt want sleep to take away from him. He wanted to know so many things and ask so many questions. Sleep would only hinder that. And...
Sleep would also destroy his dream.
So many nights, while Connor was a still a baby, only half a year ago, Angel had slept next to his son's crib, lulled by the little laughs and infant gurgles he heard. It was something he had gotten used to. It was also one of the things he secretly enjoyed, and had only realized that when it was taken away from him. It was a precious dream to have that back, and in some mixed-up way, he had gotten it again.
But as soon as he closed his eyes, he knew he wouldnt win the battle. Sleep's claim was becoming far too strong. He felt Connor's gaze still on him.
A few minutes later, he was almost sacked out, until the bed shifted. And a weight fell onto his chest.
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Senses suddenly alert, his eyes snapped open, only to beg witness, though, to what his senses already told him.
Connor.
Connor's dark head of hair was resting on his chest, his left arm slung over the vampire's lower stomach.
"You...You looked...I-I dunno..." the boy stammered quietly, feeling awkward. He tried again. "Is this ok?"
Angel nodded at first, not trusting his own voice and thankful he didnt have a heartbeat to give away his overwhelment, but as Connor started to shift around restlessly, he grew bold. Well, as bold as was possible for a man with a teenager he had no clue how to act with.
"Are-Are you comfortable?"
"Hmm?"
Angel hesitantly placed his hand atop his son's, holding it. "Get more comfortable."
Connor gazed up at him, unsure, then suddenly smiled, face reddening, and lifted himself up.
To place himself right alongside his father, his head nestled snuggly in the crook of the older man's neck. He moved Angel's left arm out from under him and wrapped it around his middle as he breathed in deeply, cherishing all the memories that assaulted his mind.
"I remember this. Thats how I knew it was you when I first came here. I smelt like you for the longest time in Quor-toth...and I didnt care. You smell nice," he commented sleepily.
Wide awake now, Angel smiled and tightened his hold. "What do I smell like?" Each person had their own scent, but most people had a redolence that was affected by their surroundings. Connor smelt of forests and valley breezes, along with a small dose of ocean air, which shouldnt be right since Connor had only been to see the ocean once in all his life and that was with Fred and Gunn a while back. Angel didnt understand how he got that scent.
Though Darla liked the ocean...
"You smell...safe," Connor yawned, closing his eyes. "Safe and...musky. Spices."
Angel laughed, inside grinning proudly. Connor felt safe with him. That was one of the greatest achievements any father could make. But what made him happy was that Connor had said those words outloud. He stroked the boy's dark hair lovingly, smiling widely as his son let him.
"How does he do it?" Lilah's words suddenly popped into his head, and the vampire smiled, already knowing the answer.
"Angel?" Connor asked quietly after a while. "Tell me some stuff."
"Like what?"
"I dunno." Connor breathed in his father's scent again, gaining more comfort. "About you. I dont really know anything about you. I never asked before or cared. I wanna know now. Tell me about you."
"Well...what do you want to know?" He hesitated, understanding his son didnt know all the evil things he had done in his past-no, what Angelus did. The subject could get really touchy and he feared his son's look of disgust, but...whatever Connor asked of him, he would give.
Connor frowned in thought, hugging tighter. "How bout...Well, whats your real name? Its not "Angel", is it?"
"No, its Liam," Angel replied, looking again at the ceiling.
"Where were you born?"
"Galway. A very classy town in Ireland."
"Ireland? Thats why...you named me Connor," the boy said slowly. "Youre Irish...When?"
"What?"
"When were you born?"
"1727."
"Wow. Thats a long time did you...you know..."
"1753. I got really drunk. Id advise you never to do it."
"What, get bitten?" Connor laughed quietly, not entirely finding it funny.
"No, drink. Youre too young, anyways."
"Oh...Yeah, I never will." He hastily changed the subject, not liking the direction. "So that makes you like...26? Youre only 10 years older than me. Well, 9 actually. Youre closer to a big brother than a dad."
"No, Im your father, and if you want to be all technical, Im 261 years older than you."
"What about your father- your family?" Connor looked up questionably as he felt the man tense from under him. Angel didnt reply, turning away. "Im sorry. You probably miss them-"
Angel barked out a laugh, turning to look at him again. His face was rueful but his eyes held no joy, the dark brown turning a cold black. This was one thing he had never planned on telling another soul, especially not his own son, but Connor had asked and Angel promised to never hold anything back from his boy again. "My "family"... My "family" was nothing, Connor. I wont ever miss them. I wont ever miss a woman who left me for money and I wont ever miss a man who beat me viciously every time he saw fit. And I definately wont ever miss a family I delivered straight to hell myself."
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(A/N): Had 2 get this out, sorry it took so long. And sorry bout the age thingy. I kno Connor was spose 2 be 16 in the end of season 3 but...I remember hearing Angel say he was 18 in season 4, so...I dunno, I opted 4 the middle sumwhere. 18, I think, is 2 old, tho. I SAW MY PRESENTS! ANGEL SEASON 3! Not any others, but I'll just get em later XD YAY! SEASON 3! R&R if u wanna.