FIC: ...Stays In Vegas 5/5, Vegas NV series (Giles/Xander, FRAO)
This is it, folks, the last part of the Vegas, NV series. I hope you've enjoyed the ride. Thanks to everyone who stuck around, and encouraged me throughout the writing and posting process. You guys rock! :D
Title: ...Stays In Vegas 5/5
Series: Vegas, NV
Pairing: Giles/Xander
Rating: FRAO
Warnings: none. (shocking, I know)
Note: thanks to lostgirlslair for the beta, and to mireille719 for the encouragement and constant cheerleading.
Written for summer_of_giles.
Previous parts live here. Full header/disclaimer in part 1.
* * *
Part 5: (Difficult) Choices
Rating: FRAO
Word count: 2,302
Prompt: 100 - Writer's Choice
* * *
It was nearly eleven am on Sunday morning when they finally emerged from the bedroom, looking rumpled, but freshly showered. They made it downstairs just in time to run into the swarm of people coming out of the main conference room after the closing ceremonies.
They stood to the side, their arms brushing together as they leaned against the wall. The touch was comfortable and familiar, and Xander sighed softly. He wouldn't think about what had to happen in just a few hours. Nope, he wouldn't.
"There you are!" Xander felt a hand clap on his shoulder, hard enough to make him stumble forward, and wasn't surprised to find Charles there, grinning at him.
"Yes, we were wondering if you two would show up at all this weekend," Wesley added. He was standing next to Rupert, a grin matching Charles' on his face. "Shall we have lunch?"
That was the plan. "Yeah, sure," Xander said, letting Charles and Wesley guide them both down the stairs and into the lobby. "Where are we going?"
"There's this sweet little Italian restaurant we found yesterday," Charles answered him without looking over his shoulder as they navigated the crowd. "You're gonna love it."
Xander glanced at Rupert, found him staring and smiled. "I like Italian."
"I remember," Rupert said.
The restaurant looked eerily familiar when they got there, and it didn't take long for Xander to realize that it was the same restaurant Rupert had taken him to the first time they'd met.
"Table for four," Wesley was saying, but Xander didn't pay any attention to him.
Rupert obviously remembered the place too, because he was smiling and glancing at Xander. Xander felt a warm hand settle on his lower back, guiding him forward. "I quite liked this place two years ago."
"So did I."
"You guys been here before?" Charles asked, sitting down at the table the waitress had shown them to. "We were just walking around yesterday, trying to find someplace to eat that wasn't crowded, and bang there was this place."
Xander picked up the menu, opening it to the entrées, and nodded. "Yeah."
"So, you enjoyed your weekend? Cause I must say, man, you guys looked cozy on Friday."
Xander blushed vividly and looked at Rupert, hiding behind the menu. Rupert laughed, and licked his lips. "Quite."
Wesley picked up the conversation. "I've taken some notes for when the board questions you about the conference, as they undoubtedly will. So that you won't sound as if you did nothing all weekend but have sex with a young American."
This time, it was Rupert's turn to sputter. "Well, thanks," he finally managed when he regained his composure. "That's very nice of you."
Wesley just shrugged.
"Yeah, let me just say this guy's a riot," Charles said, pointing at Wesley. He was smiling and reading the menu at the same time and Xander's gut twisted for a minute.
"You didn't--" But no, Xander knew the answer to that before Charles even looked up at him. No matter how close it seemed he'd gotten with Wesley, Charles wouldn't ever sleep with him. He didn't need to say anything, because Xander could figure it out easily. He'd say something like: "What? you think I'd do that to my girl? You know me better than that, man." And Xander did, know him better. Also, Charles? Not gay. The man had no problem working for a company that seemed to be filled with guys and girls with alternate lifestyles, but he was very much straight and he'd even already bought the ring he was planning on surprising Anne with on her birthday in three months.
"I'm an idiot, don't mind me," Xander finally said. "Sorry."
"No big, man, you didn't even finish the sentence, so we're cool."
"Good, cause I really didn't think that one through."
"We're fine, now choose something so we can eat already." Charles' smile was back and Xander gave a sigh of relief. When he looked at them, Wesley and Rupert looked confused, but thankfully, they didn't say anything, and just picked up their conversation again.
Lunch went by quickly, and they got back to the hotel amidst the easy banter of Wesley and Charles who really seemed to have become really good friends in a short period of time. They all agreed to meet back downstairs in an hour with their luggage, so they could have a drink before they were due to leave, and they went their separate ways at the elevators. Rupert's hand still rested on Xander's lower back, the touch burning through Xander's clothes.
After an interminable elevator ride--the thing insisting on stopping at every floor on the way--Rupert opened the door of the room quickly, and ushered Xander in, before pulling him into his arms as soon as the door was closed. "I'd rather it were not Sunday," he murmured, before pressing his lips against Xander's and kissing him hard. He moaned.
The sound made Xander shiver and he tightened his hold on Rupert. "Stay, please stay," Xander whispered, kissing Rupert back desperately as they both tugged at their clothes and moved to the bed. "Don't go. I want you to stay."
Rupert didn't answer. He helped Xander out of his pants and then pushed him down on the bed. "Hands and knees, please, lad," he whispered, holding on Xander's hips.
Xander complied, and shifted into position, closing his eyes. He needed to calm down. His heart was beating fast and he was panting, unable to find his balance again.
Rupert slid into him easily; almost too easily. Xander wanted to feel the burning and the stretching, but he was still slick and ready from earlier that morning--when they'd been in the shower, and Rupert had slowly prepared him before fucking Xander for long enough that any other place would have run out of hot water--so the movement was smooth; it was familiar and perfect. Xander bit his lip when he realized he was getting mushy again. Last time, he kept repeating in his head, this could be the last time.
Xander pushed back against Rupert, taking him deeper still, and moaned. He clung to the pillow and looked back over his shoulder. "I need to see you."
Rupert understood immediately and nodded, pulling back just long enough for Xander to twist around onto his back. Rupert leaned forward, sliding in without waiting. Wrapping his legs around Rupert's torso, Xander gripped his shoulders, and pulled him closer until their mouths touched. The kiss was strong and deep, and Xander never, ever wanted it to end. Nothing would ever be like this. No one would feel this right.
Xander knew it; he knew it and he wanted to live right here, right now, in this moment for the rest of his life. Screw work and other people, he just wanted Rupert.
They made love for as long as they could, moving in tandem, fingers racking across heated skin, and mouths fused together in desperation. Xander didn't want to let go.
"God, Rupert," he gasped, fingers digging into Rupert's skin.
Rupert trailed his mouth down Xander's jaw to his neck, biting and sucking along the way. "Xander," he whispered with a moan.
Finally, they couldn't hold out any longer, and they came, shuddering together, letting the pleasure wash over them without saying a word. Xander held Rupert too tight for him to move away, so the man had no other choice but to lie down on Xander's stomach, both of them panting harshly.
Xander was sweaty and sore. When he finally let Rupert move out of his arms, Xander stood up from the bed with a wince, and went into the bathroom. He cleaned up with a washcloth quickly; they didn't have time for a shower if they wanted to be on time to meet the other two downstairs. When Xander came back into the room, Rupert was sitting on the edge of the bed, already half dressed, and putting the few things he'd taken out back into his suitcase.
Xander sat down close to him.
"I can't."
"Huh?" Xander frowned, turning to face Rupert. "What?"
"It's--to answer your request, earlier," Rupert whispered. "I can't stay, Xander."
Xander nodded, and got up to his feet. He hadn't been waiting for an answer; he'd knew perfectly well that this was insane, so if he'd thought about it, he would have been expecting that answer. It didn't surprise him, but it still hurt, somewhat. He heard Rupert get up from the bed, and then Rupert's arms were around him, and Xander twisted around until they were face to face.
"My life is in England, love, I can't leave it."
Not even for you, Xander finished in his head, and then buried his face in the crook of Rupert's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Xander," Rupert whispered, holding Xander close. "I wish there was another way, but I..."
"It's okay," Xander said into Rupert's shoulder, hands holding tightly to Rupert's back. "I get it. I just--I just hoped, you know, for about half a second of insanity." He shrugged. "It's not like I would be ready to leave everything behind if you'd done the asking first. I--I'd want to say yes, but everything I know is here, and I love my job, and it's not like I can just--leave everything and go." Then he repeated, looking up at Rupert: "I get it. Doesn't mean I don't hate it, but I get it."
Rupert didn't say anything. He cupped Xander's cheek, and leaned his head to the side, brushing their lips together again. "I will miss you."
"Yeah, I'll miss you too." Emotions sucked. Xander wished he could just not feel anything right then, because feeling his heart tighten, and wishing he was a girl so he could cry without feeling stupid weren't things he particularly liked, ever. He kissed Rupert again, and then pulled back.
Sighing, he picked up his suitcase and slowly started to pack the little things he'd left lying around the room. Going home was definitely the last thing he wanted to do right now, but the weekend was over. As much as he wished it would, it wasn't going to rewind just for him.
* * *
It didn't take them that long to get ready, and they found Wesley and Charles downstairs, chatting as they waited for them. They had their drink, an uncomfortable silence settling over them that Charles and Wesley tried to fill without much success.
They went outside and Wesley hailed a cab.
Xander and Rupert stood facing each other awkwardly. Xander thought he should say something, but all he could think about was the napkin he'd scribbled his phone number and address on while Rupert was paying for their drinks. It was almost literally burning a hole in his pocket.
Rupert looked at Wesley and Charles, who were still talking while they put Rupert's suitcases in the trunk of the cab. Xander watched him until Rupert turned to him again. "I suppose this is goodbye."
"I--yeah," Xander managed, lamely. Took his hand out of his pocket, and looked down at his closed fist. He needed to do this. Now would be a good idea.
"I wish--" Rupert started, but then shook his head.
"Look," Xander said, taking a deep breath. This was probably a stupid idea, but he had to try. He just had to. "I know this--this probably wouldn't work long-distance, but, erm--" Xander shifted on his feet, holding the napkin tightly between his fingers. "Here." He reached out and took Rupert's hand in his, putting napkin into Rupert's palm and watching as fingers closed around it. "Just, if you want, you can give me a call, sometime."
Rupert hands came up, cupping Xander's cheek, and the look on his face was of relief. Xander let out a long sigh, and leaned into the touch. "I'll call you later tonight," Rupert said softly.
Xander had to look away, biting his lip and shuffling his feet. He'd never felt like this, never especially cared to, but oh God, he wanted to try this. Wanted to see if they could try to make something out of this; even if it was going to be done with pretty much a whole country and an ocean between them. It was very nearly overwhelming, and Xander could barely breathe. "I--yeah, I'd like that." He looked up into Rupert's eyes and smiled nervously.
"All right, then," Rupert replied. "I'll talk to you soon."
Just hearing that, Xander felt the tightness ease, and his smile widened. "Yeah, soon."
Xander watched Rupert climb into the cab with a grin on his face and a comfortable ache spread throughout his body. This time, a nice change from two years ago, Xander had hope--small, but definitely there--that it wouldn't be two whole years before he'd feel this again.
He was due some vacation time soon. He'd thought of visiting England one day, when he'd have had enough of just lounging on the familiar beaches for the whole time he was off work--which he knew wasn't likely to be any time soon. He'd needed a reason to get off his ass and do something. He had a pretty good one now.
Xander waved as the cab pulled away. Maybe, just maybe, Rupert would be good and keep his promise. Phone sex was another thing on Xander's list that he'd been hoping to try in the near future.
With a grin on his face, and feeling just a little bit less hopeless, Xander clutched the handle of his luggage tightly, and followed Charles to the parking lot. The fun was over, for now.
Time to go back to reality.
The end.
Title: ...Stays In Vegas 5/5
Series: Vegas, NV
Pairing: Giles/Xander
Rating: FRAO
Warnings: none. (shocking, I know)
Note: thanks to lostgirlslair for the beta, and to mireille719 for the encouragement and constant cheerleading.
Written for summer_of_giles.
Previous parts live here. Full header/disclaimer in part 1.
* * *
Part 5: (Difficult) Choices
Rating: FRAO
Word count: 2,302
Prompt: 100 - Writer's Choice
* * *
It was nearly eleven am on Sunday morning when they finally emerged from the bedroom, looking rumpled, but freshly showered. They made it downstairs just in time to run into the swarm of people coming out of the main conference room after the closing ceremonies.
They stood to the side, their arms brushing together as they leaned against the wall. The touch was comfortable and familiar, and Xander sighed softly. He wouldn't think about what had to happen in just a few hours. Nope, he wouldn't.
"There you are!" Xander felt a hand clap on his shoulder, hard enough to make him stumble forward, and wasn't surprised to find Charles there, grinning at him.
"Yes, we were wondering if you two would show up at all this weekend," Wesley added. He was standing next to Rupert, a grin matching Charles' on his face. "Shall we have lunch?"
That was the plan. "Yeah, sure," Xander said, letting Charles and Wesley guide them both down the stairs and into the lobby. "Where are we going?"
"There's this sweet little Italian restaurant we found yesterday," Charles answered him without looking over his shoulder as they navigated the crowd. "You're gonna love it."
Xander glanced at Rupert, found him staring and smiled. "I like Italian."
"I remember," Rupert said.
The restaurant looked eerily familiar when they got there, and it didn't take long for Xander to realize that it was the same restaurant Rupert had taken him to the first time they'd met.
"Table for four," Wesley was saying, but Xander didn't pay any attention to him.
Rupert obviously remembered the place too, because he was smiling and glancing at Xander. Xander felt a warm hand settle on his lower back, guiding him forward. "I quite liked this place two years ago."
"So did I."
"You guys been here before?" Charles asked, sitting down at the table the waitress had shown them to. "We were just walking around yesterday, trying to find someplace to eat that wasn't crowded, and bang there was this place."
Xander picked up the menu, opening it to the entrées, and nodded. "Yeah."
"So, you enjoyed your weekend? Cause I must say, man, you guys looked cozy on Friday."
Xander blushed vividly and looked at Rupert, hiding behind the menu. Rupert laughed, and licked his lips. "Quite."
Wesley picked up the conversation. "I've taken some notes for when the board questions you about the conference, as they undoubtedly will. So that you won't sound as if you did nothing all weekend but have sex with a young American."
This time, it was Rupert's turn to sputter. "Well, thanks," he finally managed when he regained his composure. "That's very nice of you."
Wesley just shrugged.
"Yeah, let me just say this guy's a riot," Charles said, pointing at Wesley. He was smiling and reading the menu at the same time and Xander's gut twisted for a minute.
"You didn't--" But no, Xander knew the answer to that before Charles even looked up at him. No matter how close it seemed he'd gotten with Wesley, Charles wouldn't ever sleep with him. He didn't need to say anything, because Xander could figure it out easily. He'd say something like: "What? you think I'd do that to my girl? You know me better than that, man." And Xander did, know him better. Also, Charles? Not gay. The man had no problem working for a company that seemed to be filled with guys and girls with alternate lifestyles, but he was very much straight and he'd even already bought the ring he was planning on surprising Anne with on her birthday in three months.
"I'm an idiot, don't mind me," Xander finally said. "Sorry."
"No big, man, you didn't even finish the sentence, so we're cool."
"Good, cause I really didn't think that one through."
"We're fine, now choose something so we can eat already." Charles' smile was back and Xander gave a sigh of relief. When he looked at them, Wesley and Rupert looked confused, but thankfully, they didn't say anything, and just picked up their conversation again.
Lunch went by quickly, and they got back to the hotel amidst the easy banter of Wesley and Charles who really seemed to have become really good friends in a short period of time. They all agreed to meet back downstairs in an hour with their luggage, so they could have a drink before they were due to leave, and they went their separate ways at the elevators. Rupert's hand still rested on Xander's lower back, the touch burning through Xander's clothes.
After an interminable elevator ride--the thing insisting on stopping at every floor on the way--Rupert opened the door of the room quickly, and ushered Xander in, before pulling him into his arms as soon as the door was closed. "I'd rather it were not Sunday," he murmured, before pressing his lips against Xander's and kissing him hard. He moaned.
The sound made Xander shiver and he tightened his hold on Rupert. "Stay, please stay," Xander whispered, kissing Rupert back desperately as they both tugged at their clothes and moved to the bed. "Don't go. I want you to stay."
Rupert didn't answer. He helped Xander out of his pants and then pushed him down on the bed. "Hands and knees, please, lad," he whispered, holding on Xander's hips.
Xander complied, and shifted into position, closing his eyes. He needed to calm down. His heart was beating fast and he was panting, unable to find his balance again.
Rupert slid into him easily; almost too easily. Xander wanted to feel the burning and the stretching, but he was still slick and ready from earlier that morning--when they'd been in the shower, and Rupert had slowly prepared him before fucking Xander for long enough that any other place would have run out of hot water--so the movement was smooth; it was familiar and perfect. Xander bit his lip when he realized he was getting mushy again. Last time, he kept repeating in his head, this could be the last time.
Xander pushed back against Rupert, taking him deeper still, and moaned. He clung to the pillow and looked back over his shoulder. "I need to see you."
Rupert understood immediately and nodded, pulling back just long enough for Xander to twist around onto his back. Rupert leaned forward, sliding in without waiting. Wrapping his legs around Rupert's torso, Xander gripped his shoulders, and pulled him closer until their mouths touched. The kiss was strong and deep, and Xander never, ever wanted it to end. Nothing would ever be like this. No one would feel this right.
Xander knew it; he knew it and he wanted to live right here, right now, in this moment for the rest of his life. Screw work and other people, he just wanted Rupert.
They made love for as long as they could, moving in tandem, fingers racking across heated skin, and mouths fused together in desperation. Xander didn't want to let go.
"God, Rupert," he gasped, fingers digging into Rupert's skin.
Rupert trailed his mouth down Xander's jaw to his neck, biting and sucking along the way. "Xander," he whispered with a moan.
Finally, they couldn't hold out any longer, and they came, shuddering together, letting the pleasure wash over them without saying a word. Xander held Rupert too tight for him to move away, so the man had no other choice but to lie down on Xander's stomach, both of them panting harshly.
Xander was sweaty and sore. When he finally let Rupert move out of his arms, Xander stood up from the bed with a wince, and went into the bathroom. He cleaned up with a washcloth quickly; they didn't have time for a shower if they wanted to be on time to meet the other two downstairs. When Xander came back into the room, Rupert was sitting on the edge of the bed, already half dressed, and putting the few things he'd taken out back into his suitcase.
Xander sat down close to him.
"I can't."
"Huh?" Xander frowned, turning to face Rupert. "What?"
"It's--to answer your request, earlier," Rupert whispered. "I can't stay, Xander."
Xander nodded, and got up to his feet. He hadn't been waiting for an answer; he'd knew perfectly well that this was insane, so if he'd thought about it, he would have been expecting that answer. It didn't surprise him, but it still hurt, somewhat. He heard Rupert get up from the bed, and then Rupert's arms were around him, and Xander twisted around until they were face to face.
"My life is in England, love, I can't leave it."
Not even for you, Xander finished in his head, and then buried his face in the crook of Rupert's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Xander," Rupert whispered, holding Xander close. "I wish there was another way, but I..."
"It's okay," Xander said into Rupert's shoulder, hands holding tightly to Rupert's back. "I get it. I just--I just hoped, you know, for about half a second of insanity." He shrugged. "It's not like I would be ready to leave everything behind if you'd done the asking first. I--I'd want to say yes, but everything I know is here, and I love my job, and it's not like I can just--leave everything and go." Then he repeated, looking up at Rupert: "I get it. Doesn't mean I don't hate it, but I get it."
Rupert didn't say anything. He cupped Xander's cheek, and leaned his head to the side, brushing their lips together again. "I will miss you."
"Yeah, I'll miss you too." Emotions sucked. Xander wished he could just not feel anything right then, because feeling his heart tighten, and wishing he was a girl so he could cry without feeling stupid weren't things he particularly liked, ever. He kissed Rupert again, and then pulled back.
Sighing, he picked up his suitcase and slowly started to pack the little things he'd left lying around the room. Going home was definitely the last thing he wanted to do right now, but the weekend was over. As much as he wished it would, it wasn't going to rewind just for him.
* * *
It didn't take them that long to get ready, and they found Wesley and Charles downstairs, chatting as they waited for them. They had their drink, an uncomfortable silence settling over them that Charles and Wesley tried to fill without much success.
They went outside and Wesley hailed a cab.
Xander and Rupert stood facing each other awkwardly. Xander thought he should say something, but all he could think about was the napkin he'd scribbled his phone number and address on while Rupert was paying for their drinks. It was almost literally burning a hole in his pocket.
Rupert looked at Wesley and Charles, who were still talking while they put Rupert's suitcases in the trunk of the cab. Xander watched him until Rupert turned to him again. "I suppose this is goodbye."
"I--yeah," Xander managed, lamely. Took his hand out of his pocket, and looked down at his closed fist. He needed to do this. Now would be a good idea.
"I wish--" Rupert started, but then shook his head.
"Look," Xander said, taking a deep breath. This was probably a stupid idea, but he had to try. He just had to. "I know this--this probably wouldn't work long-distance, but, erm--" Xander shifted on his feet, holding the napkin tightly between his fingers. "Here." He reached out and took Rupert's hand in his, putting napkin into Rupert's palm and watching as fingers closed around it. "Just, if you want, you can give me a call, sometime."
Rupert hands came up, cupping Xander's cheek, and the look on his face was of relief. Xander let out a long sigh, and leaned into the touch. "I'll call you later tonight," Rupert said softly.
Xander had to look away, biting his lip and shuffling his feet. He'd never felt like this, never especially cared to, but oh God, he wanted to try this. Wanted to see if they could try to make something out of this; even if it was going to be done with pretty much a whole country and an ocean between them. It was very nearly overwhelming, and Xander could barely breathe. "I--yeah, I'd like that." He looked up into Rupert's eyes and smiled nervously.
"All right, then," Rupert replied. "I'll talk to you soon."
Just hearing that, Xander felt the tightness ease, and his smile widened. "Yeah, soon."
Xander watched Rupert climb into the cab with a grin on his face and a comfortable ache spread throughout his body. This time, a nice change from two years ago, Xander had hope--small, but definitely there--that it wouldn't be two whole years before he'd feel this again.
He was due some vacation time soon. He'd thought of visiting England one day, when he'd have had enough of just lounging on the familiar beaches for the whole time he was off work--which he knew wasn't likely to be any time soon. He'd needed a reason to get off his ass and do something. He had a pretty good one now.
Xander waved as the cab pulled away. Maybe, just maybe, Rupert would be good and keep his promise. Phone sex was another thing on Xander's list that he'd been hoping to try in the near future.
With a grin on his face, and feeling just a little bit less hopeless, Xander clutched the handle of his luggage tightly, and followed Charles to the parking lot. The fun was over, for now.
Time to go back to reality.
The end.