The Theme: Awkward
Nov. 29th, 2022 04:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
madimpossibledreamerMain Points:
Buffy/Devil May Cry/Resident Evil/Background NCIS Crossover
Chapter Summary: Leon gets to learn about the Scoobies, both the good and the bad.
Word Count: 815
Rating: Teen
Pairing: Leon/Xander
So far, it’s been only just about as awkward as he expected it would be. There’d been a moment where they’d asked casually about his family, but at least they’d backed off immediately when he’d admitted he doesn’t have any.
“My mom died of cancer,” Buffy offers, an olive branch, even if it doesn’t help him feel any less weird about it. He’s probably going to have another nightmare about that again, though Xander’s obvious protective concern, just like the misunderstanding with the zombie movies, is kind of cute. He’d actually half wish for some disease to have taken them instead—not because he’d want them to suffer, but because he’s imagined the blood and fear a thousand times and if it’s that bad just for him, when he hadn’t even been at the scene, it had to have been worse having those as your last moments.
“I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure she was a remarkable woman, and I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet her,” he offers, and while she smiles appreciatively, she quickly changes the subject, though it doesn’t get any less uncomfortable from there.
She had launched into what feels like a half-hour rant about Ada stealing research from a project started by a few former Initiative members that, he’d been slightly horrified to discover halfway through, was the second one she’d hit, which probably meant the presence of the demons when he’d learned about Xander’s heritage was her fault, somehow. This one apparently a branch of the Army led by her ex (and was also former Initiative, which seemed more complicated than he’d want to deal with if it were him) were involved in cleaning up, and they’d asked for Buffy’s help.
He hadn’t gotten in much of a word edgewise, but then, in some way it was a reassurance. He wasn’t actually expected to say anything, under those circumstances.
Xander smiles apologetically, but Leon isn’t actually that upset about it. No one’s bothering to hide what they’re truly like, and it’ll take some getting used to on everyone’s parts, but he really thinks he can do fine.
He’s able to have a short conversation about research with Giles, in which they plan to learn more about how to better organize the Council. It’s nice being seen as the knowledgeable one for once. That’s not the usual state of things, and it’s not like he wants to be thought of as the guy with all the answers. That’s more Hunnigan’s area than his, anyway. But it’s a nice change of pace, especially since, well, some of the most recent changes have involved using him mostly as a weapon, since the changes with the Las Plagas.
He’s introduced to Dawn from afar, and notes that he might have miscalculated, because even while it might be small, and realistically she doesn’t think anything will come of it, she still has the crush. She’s the only one who seems slightly hostile, actually. He does see her smile as he goes and fills up a plate just to give Xander a refill—sure, Redgrave could easily do that for himself, but the sweet smile in response is worth it. Or when Xander purposefully brushes past on the way back to the food, as if to say, ‘hey, I’m glad you’re here’.
But she’s also specifically avoiding talking to him, trying to talk to Xander instead, and he definitely recognizes the look of jealousy when he sees it, the points where she’s trying to take up Redgrave’s time instead and the microexpressions of hurt. From what Xander himself has said, though, the white haired beauty only saw her as a little sister, which definitely makes things a little awkward for probably everyone who happens to be involved.
He doesn’t want to make her feel trapped, but he does murmur, “I meant it, you know,” as he goes by to get to the food. Buffy doesn’t appear to be looking for input or even really an audience, just an opportunity to vent, because the only one really listening is the half-devil, and from what he’d said in the phone call, he’s already heard this particular story.
Her smile is as sharp as a knife. “Oh, I know. Why do you think you’re still able to walk?” She quickly stuffs her mouth with a chicken leg to dissuade from any further conversation.
He’s vaguely impressed. They really could all give professionals a run for their money, but then, they’ve been in the field probably far longer than anyone he’s ever met, so maybe it’s not as surprising as it seems.
Willow quickly loses him in a story about computers, but that’s very familiar territory, given that he knows Hunnigan, and it’s interesting to hear about something she’s passionate about. Glancing over at Xander’s contented smile and relaxed posture, Leon decides he’d consider this mission a success.
Buffy/Devil May Cry/Resident Evil/Background NCIS Crossover
Chapter Summary: Leon gets to learn about the Scoobies, both the good and the bad.
Word Count: 815
Rating: Teen
Pairing: Leon/Xander
So far, it’s been only just about as awkward as he expected it would be. There’d been a moment where they’d asked casually about his family, but at least they’d backed off immediately when he’d admitted he doesn’t have any.
“My mom died of cancer,” Buffy offers, an olive branch, even if it doesn’t help him feel any less weird about it. He’s probably going to have another nightmare about that again, though Xander’s obvious protective concern, just like the misunderstanding with the zombie movies, is kind of cute. He’d actually half wish for some disease to have taken them instead—not because he’d want them to suffer, but because he’s imagined the blood and fear a thousand times and if it’s that bad just for him, when he hadn’t even been at the scene, it had to have been worse having those as your last moments.
“I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure she was a remarkable woman, and I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet her,” he offers, and while she smiles appreciatively, she quickly changes the subject, though it doesn’t get any less uncomfortable from there.
She had launched into what feels like a half-hour rant about Ada stealing research from a project started by a few former Initiative members that, he’d been slightly horrified to discover halfway through, was the second one she’d hit, which probably meant the presence of the demons when he’d learned about Xander’s heritage was her fault, somehow. This one apparently a branch of the Army led by her ex (and was also former Initiative, which seemed more complicated than he’d want to deal with if it were him) were involved in cleaning up, and they’d asked for Buffy’s help.
He hadn’t gotten in much of a word edgewise, but then, in some way it was a reassurance. He wasn’t actually expected to say anything, under those circumstances.
Xander smiles apologetically, but Leon isn’t actually that upset about it. No one’s bothering to hide what they’re truly like, and it’ll take some getting used to on everyone’s parts, but he really thinks he can do fine.
He’s able to have a short conversation about research with Giles, in which they plan to learn more about how to better organize the Council. It’s nice being seen as the knowledgeable one for once. That’s not the usual state of things, and it’s not like he wants to be thought of as the guy with all the answers. That’s more Hunnigan’s area than his, anyway. But it’s a nice change of pace, especially since, well, some of the most recent changes have involved using him mostly as a weapon, since the changes with the Las Plagas.
He’s introduced to Dawn from afar, and notes that he might have miscalculated, because even while it might be small, and realistically she doesn’t think anything will come of it, she still has the crush. She’s the only one who seems slightly hostile, actually. He does see her smile as he goes and fills up a plate just to give Xander a refill—sure, Redgrave could easily do that for himself, but the sweet smile in response is worth it. Or when Xander purposefully brushes past on the way back to the food, as if to say, ‘hey, I’m glad you’re here’.
But she’s also specifically avoiding talking to him, trying to talk to Xander instead, and he definitely recognizes the look of jealousy when he sees it, the points where she’s trying to take up Redgrave’s time instead and the microexpressions of hurt. From what Xander himself has said, though, the white haired beauty only saw her as a little sister, which definitely makes things a little awkward for probably everyone who happens to be involved.
He doesn’t want to make her feel trapped, but he does murmur, “I meant it, you know,” as he goes by to get to the food. Buffy doesn’t appear to be looking for input or even really an audience, just an opportunity to vent, because the only one really listening is the half-devil, and from what he’d said in the phone call, he’s already heard this particular story.
Her smile is as sharp as a knife. “Oh, I know. Why do you think you’re still able to walk?” She quickly stuffs her mouth with a chicken leg to dissuade from any further conversation.
He’s vaguely impressed. They really could all give professionals a run for their money, but then, they’ve been in the field probably far longer than anyone he’s ever met, so maybe it’s not as surprising as it seems.
Willow quickly loses him in a story about computers, but that’s very familiar territory, given that he knows Hunnigan, and it’s interesting to hear about something she’s passionate about. Glancing over at Xander’s contented smile and relaxed posture, Leon decides he’d consider this mission a success.
