Trust

Main Points:
Buffy/Yakuza AU
Chapter Summary: A conversation between father and son.
Word Count: 190
Rating: Gen

         “Did you make with the smoochies?”  It’s still quiet, but the word are entirely that of Old Xander.  He’d been quietly waiting in a doorway.  In the dark.
         Despite himself, Rupert finds himself blushing.  “Wh-what…” he stammers.
         There’s a grin, quicksilver and dangerous.  “Y’kinda…Yer tone.  Ya weren’t too subtle.”  The voice is still quiet, and he shrinks back a little after he speaks, because he sees the hurt in Rupert’s eyes that he wasn’t able to protect his boy.
         “I suppose not,” he responds with a smile.  Perhaps this will be a good thing, after all, because Xander doesn’t feel like an empty shell anymore.  “I’m glad you’re all right,” he continues, and watches as the lingering, careful tension drains.
         “I hope I can make you proud, Oton,” Xander states, and it’s not the same smile he’d had before but it’s real, and the fond teasing tone in his voice is also real.
         Giles can’t help but clean his glasses, hoping that the boy doesn’t notice the wetness gathering in his eyes.  “You already do,” he whispers, and pretends not to notice Xander’s eye gets a little more moist too.