While Buffy was teaching Angel how to grocery shop and Giles was contemplating Willow's observations, Cordelia had convinced Xander to try on some of the clothes in the walk in closet in the bedroom he was using in the Sanctum.
"Walk in closet, that room is bigger than some apartments!" Xander exclaimed when he came out, wearing a pair of trousers and a pullover, both of which he was certain cost more than the money he had saved from part time jobs. The pullover was a very fine cashmere for gods sake! The trousers were linen! Dr. Strange had expensive taste, that was for sure. Cordelia had gone through the closet, found them and told him what they were and that the dark colors would look good on him. "But I like Hawaiian shirts! They're colorful."
"They're a decade out of fashion and were eyesores even then." She retorted. "You have actual money and real clothes, it's time to start getting used to those facts."
"They fit." He checked himself in the mirror. "Dr. Strange was an adult and full grown, I'm not done growing. But the costume was in my size and I was Dr. Strange last night, so maybe the Magic just adjusted for that. But they fit and I guess they look alright."
"They look great, I told you those colors would suit you." Cordelia handed him a pair of shoes. "I'm assuming the shoes are in your size too, but these will go with that outfit."
"Nothing in that closet is going to work for school." He muttered. "I used one of the spells I remember, a teleporting spell, to jump into my old room and grab a few keep sakes. I should go back and get my clothes too, but I didn't have a bag to carry them."
"Those rags you call clothes aren't coming near this closet." Cordelia informed him. "You wear these clothes to meet with Daddy, so he doesn't think you're a beggar. I'll prime the way by using the cover you already suggested, that you inherited it all from a rich uncle and stuff like the watch collection isn't something you have any interest in. I'll tell him you've had it all evaluated for insurance purposes, he'll try to low ball you, but stick to the estimate I gave you. Everything we pulled up on the computer agrees with what I told you about those watches and what they're worth and I know how Daddy does business." She brushed at his shoulders, adjusting the sweater. "Once you have some cash in your hand or rather, a cashier's check that you can open an account with, we can go shopping and get you clothes that will work for school and the Bronze."
"Is this actually my life now?" Xander asked, slipping the shoes on over very fine wool socks. "I thought all I needed to do was guard the Sanctum and understand the Magic knowledge still in my head. And my science grade might improve a little too because some of his medical knowledge seems to be hanging around too. He was a neurosurgeon before the accident ruined his hands. Which is the story I'll tell your Dad, that my uncle lived in New York and was a neurosurgeon before getting into a car accident. Or given his age I could say he was my dead grandpa's half brother and he had no kids of his own, which is why he left everything to me."
"That should work." Cordelia agreed. "And yes, this is your life now, Doofus. Part of the Sanctum's responsibility, from what you've said, involves charity work. Helping keep those charities going financially and that means smoozing rich people for donations. Carreerwise, it works and you need to think about the future. Sure you could live off of all this, but that's not you. It's not me either, I refuse to be a trophy wife. I've got a brain and I'm going to use it. And you've got one too."
Xander gently touched her hand. "You annoy the Hell out of me when you act like an airhead. Why do you do it?"
Cordelia stared at his shoulder, hiding for a moment and then raised her eyes to meet his. "The mask of Queen C, to be the most popular, that's how I have to act. Popular is a shield to get me through High School and away from this town. I've always been certain I would not stay in Sunnydale, maybe on some level I knew what was out there and just wanted to get away from it. Since May I've known for sure what's out there. As of yesterday, it's all changed now and the mask that was smothering me, maybe I don't need it anymore anyway."
"I've been feeling the same way about my own mask. Willow is the closest thing to a sister I have and even she never knew what was under the mask. Until I told her a few things yesterday." He sighed. "Who are we really, Cordy? I'm not the class clown, the King of Nerds, Geeks and Cretins, that's the mask. Who's Alexander Harris?"
"I'm not Queen C, that's the mask. That's other people's expectations. Who's Cordelia Chase?"
"I guess it's time to start figuring it out." Xander squeezed her hand. "Because the world changed yesterday, Cordy and we have to figure out how to live in the new world."
She turned her hand so their palms were facing each other. "It's already a better world."
He laced his fingers through hers. "Want to figure it out together?"
She smiled, her whole face lighting up. "I'm not running away screaming. If this is what's under your mask, I like it."
"I'm not objecting to what I'm seeing under yours either." He smiled back.