FIC: A Day in the Life Series, Rupert Giles/Xander Harris, FRT
Title: Caution
Author: Andrea/
silentflux
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Pairing/character: Rupert Giles/Xander Harris
Rating: FRT
Prompt: #9. Police for 60damnprompts
Notes: This was written for the challenge above as well as for my first posting date at summer_of_giles. It's a continuation of my Day in the Life Rupert Giles Series. The challenge table is HERE where it links to the previous fics. Each prompt was written in order. This is the ninth day.
~*~
"Are you sure that was a good idea?" Those questioning words reflected his own conscience even as Giles' spine straightened under the criticism.
"What would you have me do, Xander? Inform the detective that the murderer couldn't have been our slayer or her watcher because a demon did it and then melted into disgusting goo that they can't identify at the crime scene while Jason and Randi's prints and DNA are everywhere?" he answered drily, the stress of the day cutting his words sharp and brisk.
"Well... no? But... God, I hate the police sometimes," Xander sighed in frustration, tugging a hand through his hair as he collapsed onto the couch.
"They are just ill-equipped to understand what we deal with. It's not truly their fault. But I will be calling the Prime Minister if the investigation becomes insistent." Rupert hated to flaunt that type of power, but if the detective was any good, he wouldn't be able to let it go. Only orders would stop someone like that, and even then it wasn't a guarantee. It was exhausting when the normal everyday world collided in such an inconvenient way with the reality of the supernatural.
"The Prime Minister - shit, when did this become my life?" Xander considered, shaking his head.
"I have no idea, but there's nothing to do about it now." Giles stood still for a moment, studying his young compatriot, awkwardly reaching up for his glasses as the memory of the night before slid through his thoughts and stroked along his spine.
"Giles -"
"Did you want some tea? They did wake us up awful early." Rupert couldn't remember the last time he was this flustered by something as simple as a kiss. Of course, that was the problem - it wasn't simple at all.
"Uh - sure," the younger man answered, thrown by the rudeness of the interruption, brow creased as he watched his friend disappear through the doorway to the kitchen. They hadn't really talked at all since the night before. Everything had slotted so wonderfully into place for those few moments against the counter. It had just felt - natural. And Xander couldn't remember the last time something like that had happened for him. But now - now everything was distant and stilted.
Sighing, he stood and followed Giles, standing in the doorway for a moment and just watching the older man move through the familiar routine. Calming himself, putting distance between them. "Giles, do you want to talk about this?"
Rupert froze for just a moment before continuing in his task, responding neutrally, "Talk about what, Xander?" He knew it was the coward's way out to just ignore it, but he wasn't sure he was ready to face what had happened. It had taken the police showing up at the Council's doorstep to bring them back into the same room as he'd been quite happy to not see the younger man until he'd found his equilibrium.
"Really, Giles?" Xander's voice was a lot closer, making the older man's shoulder twitch, but he refused to turn around, finding the tea mugs extremely interesting. "Were you planning to avoid me all day?"
"Of course not," he protested softly.
"That would carry more weight if you'd look at me."
Giles let his head drop for a moment before taking a breath and turning around. He was being ridiculous and he hated it, but he wasn't sure what to do about this. "I just don't know what to do about this," he managed, blue eyes meeting brown.
"So we figure it out. Like usual."
"Usual?"
"Jump in and see what happens?" Xander took another step closer, hand coming up to rest against the side of the older man's neck, feeling each movement and each breath.
"Really, Xander, when have I ever done that?" Giles' lips twitched with a small smile.
"Every day since you met Buffy, Willow and me?"
"Ah yes. Guess that'll do then." Rupert let one of his hands settle on the younger man's hip, pulling him closer, ignoring the cautious voice he'd been listening to all day.
"Good, then." And warm lips slanted over his with a sweetness just as addictive as he remembered.
~*~
Title: War
Author: Andrea/
silentflux
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Pairing/character: Rupert Giles/Xander Harris, Andrew Wells
Rating: FRT
Prompt: #10. Insanity for 60damnprompts
Notes: This was written for the challenge above as well as for my first posting date at summer_of_giles. It's a continuation of my Day in the Life Rupert Giles Series. The challenge table is HERE where it links to the previous fics. Each prompt was written in order. This is the tenth day.
~*~
"Giles! You have to help me!" came the insistent plea as Xander ran into the room, Andrew close on his heels.
"Xander, wha -"
"Give them back! Do it, or you'll find out what a prank war with me is really like!" Andrew yelled, voice and posture exaggerated and desperate. Giles thought it might say something that he didn't even blink at the melodramatics.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Andrew! You've gone off the deep end. You know I wasn't anywhere near your stuff since I've been here!" Xander peeked out from behind Giles' chair, using the Head Watcher like a shield.
"Like that means anything - hello! Magic! You know that thing that your best friend is probably the best ever at!" the Watcher and warlock glared at his fellow Watcher, eyes calculating the risk of dragging Xander from behind their boss.
"But I can't even make a pencil move! How would I do anything?!"
Andrew's eyes narrowed even more on his prey. "I know you had something to do with it!"
"Prove it!" Xander threw back, crossing his fingers that Willow hadn't left any magical footprints behind.
"I will... and you can't hide behind Mr. Giles all day," Andrew muttered, giving him one last evil glare before turning on his heel and going back to his own desk.
Giles waited for the door to slam before turning to look at Xander. "What did you do?" he gave the younger man his most neutral, imploring look.
"Me? Why is it always something I've done? Couldn't Andrew just be cracking up?" Xander asked, almost gleefully.
"Alright. So. What has caused Andrew's behavior then?" Giles inquired solemnly, eyes laughing already.
"Well... several prized possessions may have joined several other prized possessions in a place where Andrew can't locate them unless, you know, a certain witch decides he should," Xander offered, bouncing on his toes, biting his lip to contain his grin.
"Oh, dear Lord," Giles managed, pulling off his glasses and cleaning them as he tried to fight back the full fledged laugh that threatened. Only his job could go from paperwork to apocalypse to pranks and back in a day.
"Well, who knew a Boba Fett figurine would mean that much to the dork. I mean, who would even know that?"
"Indeed." A soft chuckle escaped the Head Watcher as he reached out to stroke his fingers along the younger man's arm before turning back to his work in good humor. "You'd better get a move on if you're planning to escape him all day. And no, you can't stay here. I have work to get done."
Xander pouted, arm tingling from the soft touch. "Are you saying I don't work?"
"Of course not. But I didn't think you'd want to see the projections for the Council's investments for the next year," he responded wryly.
"Ah. Well, maybe I'll go see about the kittens then."
"Good plan."
"Yeah - Andrew would never hurt them. They're too adorable." Xander nodded, evil gleam in his eye as he headed out the back entrance to Giles' office.
"Try not to destroy anything today!" he called after the younger man, laughing softly to himself at Xander's muffled indignation before he settled back into his day's work with renewed good humor. It was insane, but it worked.
~*~
Title: Suspicions
Author: Andrea/
silentflux
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Pairing/character: Rupert Giles/Xander Harris, Buffy Summers
Rating: FRT
Prompt: #11. Impossible for 60damnprompts
Notes: This was written for the challenge above as well as for my first posting date at summer_of_giles. It's a continuation of my Day in the Life Rupert Giles Series. The challenge table is HERE where it links to the previous fics. Each prompt was written in order. This is the eleventh day.
~*~
"Giles, Buffy's on the line for you," Andrew's voice interrupted his thoughts from the speakerphone.
"Thank you, Andrew," he offered before reaching for the phone. "Buffy?"
"Giles! How are you? How's everything in foggy England?" chirped his slayer's voice. "Anything interesting happening?"
"Not particularly," he prevaricated cautiously, recalling the previous night's interesting moments with Xander after dinner, awkwardly trying to decide how to date the younger man before realizing he already was. "Lively as usual, but that's unavoidable given the Academy."
"Yeah, that many slayers and Watchers in the same place? Scary. How's Kennedy handling it with Faith and Robin on their vacation?"
"She's doing remarkably well, with the help of the others. I think it'll probably do her some good in the long run, being in charge like this," Giles told her, knowing she would understand his meaning.
"Yeah. And Xander? How's the homecoming?" Giles stared at his phone suspiciously, not quite knowing what to make of the humor laced in his slayer's tone.
"Well, he's Xander, Buffy. He's doing well with all of the younger slayers. I'm hoping I can convince him to stick around for a while before he disappears again," he answered as honestly and neutrally as possible. He wasn't sure if he was imagining that Buffy's curiosity was a little more pointed than usual. "Haven't you talked to him lately?"
"Well, yeah, but I'm always up for your opinion - you know how he is." Buffy's tone was warm with something that Rupert didn't even want to contemplate.
"Yes, I'm sure we all do. By the way, Buffy, how are the slayers in your area doing? Did you finish your rounds?"
"Yes, Giles - I visited all of them and their Watchers. Everything's peachy - nothing weird. Or weirder, anyways," she chirped, reporting dutifully if not with some exasperation.
"And Dawn? How're her studies going?"
"She's fine - learning everything her big head can absorb so she can be just like her favorite Watcher," his slayer muttered ruefully. "It's getting bad - last week she turned down shopping in Milan!"
"Yes, it's a detriment to Californians everywhere," he answered drily, mouth quirking up in a soft smile he knew she could hear.
"It is! And totally stupid! Doesn't she understand - Milan?!" Buffy sighed regretfully. "There's no way I'm letting her do this during the fashion shows - no studying, I don't care what she says."
"I'm certain she wouldn't pass up anything quite so...involved as fashion shows."
"Well, she'd better not. I guess I'll let you get back to your reports. Tell Xander I said hi?"
"Won't you be talking to him yourself? He does have his cell, I believe."
"Oh! Yeah, I know. I mean... yeah. Ok. Well. I'll talk to you later, Giles!" She rang off without pause, and he listened to empty air for a moment before replacing the handset into its cradle, staring expectantly at it. If he were a more suspicious man, he'd think his Slayer knew something she couldn't possibly.
~*~
Title: Unwinding
Author:
silentflux
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Pairing/character: Rupert Giles/Xander Harris
Rating: FRT
Prompt: #12. Love for 60damnprompts
Notes: This was written for the challenge above as well as for my first posting date at summer_of_giles. It's a continuation of my Day in the Life Rupert Giles Series. The challenge table is HERE where it links to the previous fics. Each prompt was written in order. This is the twelth day.
~*~
Rupert had his apartment to himself - Xander having taken the kittens over to the dorms to bond with some of the younger slayers and to dole out the responsibilities of pet care for when the kittens were older, he suspected.
Sighing, he poured himself three fingers of Scotch and wandered over to his sound system. He preferred vinyl - there was something so much more visceral about the listening experience with records. But he wanted to try out a new album, and those weren't often found on vinyl anymore. Reaching for the CD that he'd had Andrew buy for him, he stripped off the plastic wrapping and slid it into the player.
His lips curved in satisfaction as the first notes, sang by one of the most unmistakable, smoky voices of music filled the room. Turning up the volume, he settled his chair, eyes falling to the fireplace. He studied the glow embers and flames, burning low to combat the coolness of a spring night as the music soaked into him.
Textural and moving, the words and voice spoke to a place in him where he held everything precious. It was where he turned for comfort and strength when nothing else, no one else, could reach him. Memories, emotions - beauty evoked by that amazing voice washed over him, wrapping him in warmth, centering him.
Smiling softly to himself, he sipped his scotch and let the frustrating minutiae of the his day, the rest of the world, fade away. And when he looked up, Xander was there.
~*~
Crossposted with Dreamwidth here: http://silentflux.dreamwidth.org/157747.html
Author: Andrea/
silentflux
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Pairing/character: Rupert Giles/Xander Harris
Rating: FRT
Prompt: #9. Police for 60damnprompts
Notes: This was written for the challenge above as well as for my first posting date at summer_of_giles. It's a continuation of my Day in the Life Rupert Giles Series. The challenge table is HERE where it links to the previous fics. Each prompt was written in order. This is the ninth day.
~*~
"Are you sure that was a good idea?" Those questioning words reflected his own conscience even as Giles' spine straightened under the criticism.
"What would you have me do, Xander? Inform the detective that the murderer couldn't have been our slayer or her watcher because a demon did it and then melted into disgusting goo that they can't identify at the crime scene while Jason and Randi's prints and DNA are everywhere?" he answered drily, the stress of the day cutting his words sharp and brisk.
"Well... no? But... God, I hate the police sometimes," Xander sighed in frustration, tugging a hand through his hair as he collapsed onto the couch.
"They are just ill-equipped to understand what we deal with. It's not truly their fault. But I will be calling the Prime Minister if the investigation becomes insistent." Rupert hated to flaunt that type of power, but if the detective was any good, he wouldn't be able to let it go. Only orders would stop someone like that, and even then it wasn't a guarantee. It was exhausting when the normal everyday world collided in such an inconvenient way with the reality of the supernatural.
"The Prime Minister - shit, when did this become my life?" Xander considered, shaking his head.
"I have no idea, but there's nothing to do about it now." Giles stood still for a moment, studying his young compatriot, awkwardly reaching up for his glasses as the memory of the night before slid through his thoughts and stroked along his spine.
"Giles -"
"Did you want some tea? They did wake us up awful early." Rupert couldn't remember the last time he was this flustered by something as simple as a kiss. Of course, that was the problem - it wasn't simple at all.
"Uh - sure," the younger man answered, thrown by the rudeness of the interruption, brow creased as he watched his friend disappear through the doorway to the kitchen. They hadn't really talked at all since the night before. Everything had slotted so wonderfully into place for those few moments against the counter. It had just felt - natural. And Xander couldn't remember the last time something like that had happened for him. But now - now everything was distant and stilted.
Sighing, he stood and followed Giles, standing in the doorway for a moment and just watching the older man move through the familiar routine. Calming himself, putting distance between them. "Giles, do you want to talk about this?"
Rupert froze for just a moment before continuing in his task, responding neutrally, "Talk about what, Xander?" He knew it was the coward's way out to just ignore it, but he wasn't sure he was ready to face what had happened. It had taken the police showing up at the Council's doorstep to bring them back into the same room as he'd been quite happy to not see the younger man until he'd found his equilibrium.
"Really, Giles?" Xander's voice was a lot closer, making the older man's shoulder twitch, but he refused to turn around, finding the tea mugs extremely interesting. "Were you planning to avoid me all day?"
"Of course not," he protested softly.
"That would carry more weight if you'd look at me."
Giles let his head drop for a moment before taking a breath and turning around. He was being ridiculous and he hated it, but he wasn't sure what to do about this. "I just don't know what to do about this," he managed, blue eyes meeting brown.
"So we figure it out. Like usual."
"Usual?"
"Jump in and see what happens?" Xander took another step closer, hand coming up to rest against the side of the older man's neck, feeling each movement and each breath.
"Really, Xander, when have I ever done that?" Giles' lips twitched with a small smile.
"Every day since you met Buffy, Willow and me?"
"Ah yes. Guess that'll do then." Rupert let one of his hands settle on the younger man's hip, pulling him closer, ignoring the cautious voice he'd been listening to all day.
"Good, then." And warm lips slanted over his with a sweetness just as addictive as he remembered.
~*~
Title: War
Author: Andrea/
silentflux
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Pairing/character: Rupert Giles/Xander Harris, Andrew Wells
Rating: FRT
Prompt: #10. Insanity for 60damnprompts
Notes: This was written for the challenge above as well as for my first posting date at summer_of_giles. It's a continuation of my Day in the Life Rupert Giles Series. The challenge table is HERE where it links to the previous fics. Each prompt was written in order. This is the tenth day.
~*~
"Giles! You have to help me!" came the insistent plea as Xander ran into the room, Andrew close on his heels.
"Xander, wha -"
"Give them back! Do it, or you'll find out what a prank war with me is really like!" Andrew yelled, voice and posture exaggerated and desperate. Giles thought it might say something that he didn't even blink at the melodramatics.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Andrew! You've gone off the deep end. You know I wasn't anywhere near your stuff since I've been here!" Xander peeked out from behind Giles' chair, using the Head Watcher like a shield.
"Like that means anything - hello! Magic! You know that thing that your best friend is probably the best ever at!" the Watcher and warlock glared at his fellow Watcher, eyes calculating the risk of dragging Xander from behind their boss.
"But I can't even make a pencil move! How would I do anything?!"
Andrew's eyes narrowed even more on his prey. "I know you had something to do with it!"
"Prove it!" Xander threw back, crossing his fingers that Willow hadn't left any magical footprints behind.
"I will... and you can't hide behind Mr. Giles all day," Andrew muttered, giving him one last evil glare before turning on his heel and going back to his own desk.
Giles waited for the door to slam before turning to look at Xander. "What did you do?" he gave the younger man his most neutral, imploring look.
"Me? Why is it always something I've done? Couldn't Andrew just be cracking up?" Xander asked, almost gleefully.
"Alright. So. What has caused Andrew's behavior then?" Giles inquired solemnly, eyes laughing already.
"Well... several prized possessions may have joined several other prized possessions in a place where Andrew can't locate them unless, you know, a certain witch decides he should," Xander offered, bouncing on his toes, biting his lip to contain his grin.
"Oh, dear Lord," Giles managed, pulling off his glasses and cleaning them as he tried to fight back the full fledged laugh that threatened. Only his job could go from paperwork to apocalypse to pranks and back in a day.
"Well, who knew a Boba Fett figurine would mean that much to the dork. I mean, who would even know that?"
"Indeed." A soft chuckle escaped the Head Watcher as he reached out to stroke his fingers along the younger man's arm before turning back to his work in good humor. "You'd better get a move on if you're planning to escape him all day. And no, you can't stay here. I have work to get done."
Xander pouted, arm tingling from the soft touch. "Are you saying I don't work?"
"Of course not. But I didn't think you'd want to see the projections for the Council's investments for the next year," he responded wryly.
"Ah. Well, maybe I'll go see about the kittens then."
"Good plan."
"Yeah - Andrew would never hurt them. They're too adorable." Xander nodded, evil gleam in his eye as he headed out the back entrance to Giles' office.
"Try not to destroy anything today!" he called after the younger man, laughing softly to himself at Xander's muffled indignation before he settled back into his day's work with renewed good humor. It was insane, but it worked.
~*~
Title: Suspicions
Author: Andrea/
silentflux
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Pairing/character: Rupert Giles/Xander Harris, Buffy Summers
Rating: FRT
Prompt: #11. Impossible for 60damnprompts
Notes: This was written for the challenge above as well as for my first posting date at summer_of_giles. It's a continuation of my Day in the Life Rupert Giles Series. The challenge table is HERE where it links to the previous fics. Each prompt was written in order. This is the eleventh day.
~*~
"Giles, Buffy's on the line for you," Andrew's voice interrupted his thoughts from the speakerphone.
"Thank you, Andrew," he offered before reaching for the phone. "Buffy?"
"Giles! How are you? How's everything in foggy England?" chirped his slayer's voice. "Anything interesting happening?"
"Not particularly," he prevaricated cautiously, recalling the previous night's interesting moments with Xander after dinner, awkwardly trying to decide how to date the younger man before realizing he already was. "Lively as usual, but that's unavoidable given the Academy."
"Yeah, that many slayers and Watchers in the same place? Scary. How's Kennedy handling it with Faith and Robin on their vacation?"
"She's doing remarkably well, with the help of the others. I think it'll probably do her some good in the long run, being in charge like this," Giles told her, knowing she would understand his meaning.
"Yeah. And Xander? How's the homecoming?" Giles stared at his phone suspiciously, not quite knowing what to make of the humor laced in his slayer's tone.
"Well, he's Xander, Buffy. He's doing well with all of the younger slayers. I'm hoping I can convince him to stick around for a while before he disappears again," he answered as honestly and neutrally as possible. He wasn't sure if he was imagining that Buffy's curiosity was a little more pointed than usual. "Haven't you talked to him lately?"
"Well, yeah, but I'm always up for your opinion - you know how he is." Buffy's tone was warm with something that Rupert didn't even want to contemplate.
"Yes, I'm sure we all do. By the way, Buffy, how are the slayers in your area doing? Did you finish your rounds?"
"Yes, Giles - I visited all of them and their Watchers. Everything's peachy - nothing weird. Or weirder, anyways," she chirped, reporting dutifully if not with some exasperation.
"And Dawn? How're her studies going?"
"She's fine - learning everything her big head can absorb so she can be just like her favorite Watcher," his slayer muttered ruefully. "It's getting bad - last week she turned down shopping in Milan!"
"Yes, it's a detriment to Californians everywhere," he answered drily, mouth quirking up in a soft smile he knew she could hear.
"It is! And totally stupid! Doesn't she understand - Milan?!" Buffy sighed regretfully. "There's no way I'm letting her do this during the fashion shows - no studying, I don't care what she says."
"I'm certain she wouldn't pass up anything quite so...involved as fashion shows."
"Well, she'd better not. I guess I'll let you get back to your reports. Tell Xander I said hi?"
"Won't you be talking to him yourself? He does have his cell, I believe."
"Oh! Yeah, I know. I mean... yeah. Ok. Well. I'll talk to you later, Giles!" She rang off without pause, and he listened to empty air for a moment before replacing the handset into its cradle, staring expectantly at it. If he were a more suspicious man, he'd think his Slayer knew something she couldn't possibly.
~*~
Title: Unwinding
Author:
silentflux
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Pairing/character: Rupert Giles/Xander Harris
Rating: FRT
Prompt: #12. Love for 60damnprompts
Notes: This was written for the challenge above as well as for my first posting date at summer_of_giles. It's a continuation of my Day in the Life Rupert Giles Series. The challenge table is HERE where it links to the previous fics. Each prompt was written in order. This is the twelth day.
~*~
Rupert had his apartment to himself - Xander having taken the kittens over to the dorms to bond with some of the younger slayers and to dole out the responsibilities of pet care for when the kittens were older, he suspected.
Sighing, he poured himself three fingers of Scotch and wandered over to his sound system. He preferred vinyl - there was something so much more visceral about the listening experience with records. But he wanted to try out a new album, and those weren't often found on vinyl anymore. Reaching for the CD that he'd had Andrew buy for him, he stripped off the plastic wrapping and slid it into the player.
His lips curved in satisfaction as the first notes, sang by one of the most unmistakable, smoky voices of music filled the room. Turning up the volume, he settled his chair, eyes falling to the fireplace. He studied the glow embers and flames, burning low to combat the coolness of a spring night as the music soaked into him.
Textural and moving, the words and voice spoke to a place in him where he held everything precious. It was where he turned for comfort and strength when nothing else, no one else, could reach him. Memories, emotions - beauty evoked by that amazing voice washed over him, wrapping him in warmth, centering him.
Smiling softly to himself, he sipped his scotch and let the frustrating minutiae of the his day, the rest of the world, fade away. And when he looked up, Xander was there.
~*~
Crossposted with Dreamwidth here: http://silentflux.dreamwidth.org/157747.html