Where You Stand

[madimpossibledreamer]

neither of these dorks are as relaxed as they're acting

Main Points:
Buffy/Devil May Cry/Resident Evil/Background NCIS Crossover
Chapter Summary: Leon makes an impression.
Word Count: 635
Rating: Teen
Pairing: Leon/Xander

        “Okay, Miss, Rosenberg, I think I could’ve used a little more of a briefing.  Specifically, I’d like to know the exact order of the ritual shovel speeches, eating, and the point where I can join the super secret Make Xander Happy Club,” Leon announces the second they step inside, and the hush actually lasts until Xander’s laughter breaks the silence.
        Leon catches himself checking for possible exits and improvised weapons and stops himself, because there’s no need—well, probably not, anyway.  Maybe it’s the adrenaline, maybe it’s the fact that the room is too large and too empty for the number of people and amount of food there is in it.  Probably a room more suited to housing at least one of the groups of Slayers than just them.  It’s not clear whether it was just the cleanest room available or whether it’s meant for intimidation purposes—probably both, thinking about it.
        “I thought you’d decided against making a fool of yourself?” he clarifies, still snickering, and yeah, he’s definitely feeling a little more confident, which is great.  He’s even feeling good enough to drop the hand that he’s been clutching like a lifeline to go help himself to a roll.  Not that Leon minds, necessarily; it’s really nice to be holding hands, really, but it’s not as nice to see the guy hurting.
        “Damn, he’s good,” a slightly younger voice that reminds him strongly of Claire says into the quiet, and then an older man that can only be Giles walks forward to shake Leon’s hand.
        “It’s good to finally meet you, Agent Kennedy.  Welcome to the International Slayers’ and Watchers’ Council,” he says, and despite knowing that they’re all here wanting the best for Xander, his mouth goes a little bit dry.
        “Likewise, sir.  It’s good to finally visit.”  Going formal isn’t even really a conscious decision.  It just happens.  He matches the grip, and yeah, it’s definitely stronger than you’d expect from ‘merely a librarian’.
        Giles smirks so quickly it’s clear he hadn’t meant anyone else to see.  “I don’t have any unrealistic expectations, though perhaps someday I’ll have to explain how I earned the nickname ‘Ripper’.”  He lowers his voice, likely as a gesture rather than anything else, given that Xander and Buffy, at least, have enhanced hearing, just like Leon.
        “I look forward to getting to know all of you,” he responds, and the smile says he said the right thing.
        “We don’t actually coordinate our shovel speeches, and I already got mine out of the way,” Willow states from where she’s standing next to the table of food, passing Xander another roll.  “I’d say we’d need a ‘Keep Xander Safe Club’ more, but as you’ve seen he’s a little less destructible.”
        “Still good if we’re both less reckless,” he responds, choking a little as something slams into his back and it’s only his mantra, all day, saying he needs to not go into combat mode that stops him.
        “I just think I’ll keep you guessing,” Buffy decides, though the additional slap on his back might be the only warning she needs, since it’s all he can do to remain standing.
                “I’m good at rolling with the punches,” he responds, because it’s a useful saying that applies here in more ways than one.
        “I just live here,” the ‘younger sister’ tells him with a shrug, although from what he knows, she’s not exactly one to be less protective of Xander, since she at least had a crush, even if she doesn’t have one anymore.  “Come on, you’re probably both starving.”  She pats the spot next to her, and they cluster around one end of the table, intelligently near the food.
        “I’m definitely hungry again,” he admits—well, it’s less of ‘again’ than ‘still hungry since about lunch’, but who’s counting?