{"id":3489,"date":"2015-07-03T13:06:47","date_gmt":"2015-07-03T12:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=3489"},"modified":"2018-08-01T17:03:40","modified_gmt":"2018-08-01T16:03:40","slug":"bewitched","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/07\/03\/bewitched\/","title":{"rendered":"Bewitched."},"content":{"rendered":"

Title: Bewitched<\/b>
\nAuthor: <\/b>Frazi<\/strong>
\nPosted Here: <\/b>22 Nov 06
\n<\/a>Email<\/b><\/a>
\nRating: <\/b>PG-13
\nCategory: <\/b>Humor
\nContent: <\/b>C\/A
\nSummary: <\/b>Someone’s been decorating Cordelia Chase. But who?!
\nSpoilers: <\/b>Third season, post WITW. I’m sorry if i’ve thrown people out of the arc or sound inaccurate about a detail here and there, its been a while since i’ve seen that episode. Don’t hate me.
\nDisclaimer: <\/b>The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
\nDistribution: <\/b>By all means just tell me where? GTC\/A, Stranger Things, AO is a given.
\nNotes: <\/b>I’m trying to get back to my writing and its harder than i would have thought. CA is forever and will remain my absolute favorite fanfiction genre and I still write it, so I thought I’d post it here no matter if its not up to my usual standard. I just needed this done before i left it as one of my many unfinished stories so don’t hate me if its not my usual snark and bite. I so miss those days. Sigh. Anyway. Have fun.
\nFeedback:<\/b>always appreciated<\/p>\n

\n

Christmas. Bah humbug.<\/em><\/p>\n

Damned commercialized holidays. All of them. I don\u2019t understand why humans put so much effort and importance in the birth of things when everything has to die.<\/p>\n

With my arm propped against the doorway, I watched my family bustle around the hotel lobby arranging and putting up decorations for the coming Christmas. And I, like the Scrooge that I\u2019ve been compared to, stood away from the festivities.<\/p>\n

Their insipid need to stick mistletoe in every compromising corner is a damned nuisance. Reminds me of all the things I\u2019m not getting.<\/p>\n

Like the stolen kisses from Fred as Gunn moves around maneuvering her under a mistletoe sprig every now and then. And I\u2019m not a complete insensitive prick that I would feel jealous of all the festivities surrounding us.<\/p>\n

But yeah. I do feel like a damned idiot standing in the shadows while everyone prepares for the party. As if I needed more humans crowding my hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you hold still?!\u201d<\/p>\n

With a wince I watched the raven-haired slayer try to maneuver over her watcher who just couldn\u2019t seem to keep the ladder steady while she stood there trying to hang holly. Might have something to do with the black miniskirt Wesley was trying to avoid.<\/p>\n

I could imagine the view and the obvious discontentment he must be feeling trying to keep his eyes away. I had to chuckle under my breath as the ladder wobbled again.<\/p>\n

Poor little man.<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel? Would like me to warm some blood for you because I was going to make a round of hot chocolate for everyone. My mother used to say hot chocolate is half the holidays, do you think it could be just the sugar rush, but my mother was more of a coffee sort, so I guess her opinion really doesn\u2019t matter on the subject huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFred?\u201d I smiled at the ranting woman gazing up at me with the Christmas glittering in her eyes. As much as I wanted to share the woman\u2019s joy, I didn\u2019t want to be included.<\/p>\n

Selfishly enough, I wanted to be left alone with my son. What little joy I could feel in this holiday, I didn\u2019t really know what to say to my son about the holiday. I couldn\u2019t explain the spiritual significance and I had no idea what to tell him about Christmas.<\/p>\n

But she could, and she wasn\u2019t here. \u201cI\u2019d love some.\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman\u2019s answering smile was bright and happy. She loved to do things for them. For her, having a family after her time away was therapeutic. But lately I had been imagining wide hazel eyes and smiles that were brighter than most.<\/p>\n

But she wasn\u2019t here.<\/p>\n

I winced as the demon rooted deep in my being went into endless mocking. The big bad vampire. Scourge of Europe pinning away after a crazy half wit human who wanted a big hulking ape like Groosalug!<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n

I noticed Wesley watching me cautiously. It was only when I followed his gaze that I realized my hands were nearly ripping into the timber lining the doorway.<\/p>\n

With a clearing of my throat, I stepped away and shoved my hands into my pockets. \u201cWes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you speak to her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Letting out a lungful of stale breath I frowned. \u201cLeave me be Wes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will not have you skulking about the hotel when there\u2019s fun to be had.\u201d<\/p>\n

I scowled. \u201cGive it a rest Wes. There\u2019s nothing to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s being obstinate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah well, there I agree with you.\u201d Crossing my arms, I proceeded to glare across the festive lobby with disdain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you at least pretend to be smiling, for the sake of your son and Fred? It is their first Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

The watcher sighed and shook his head. \u201cYour gloom and doom will only convince Cordelia that she was right to leave you to your brooding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry if I\u2019m not in the mood to play martyr in this episode.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are rather smashing at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

I pointed a finger at the smirking man. \u201cLast nerve, watcher.\u201d<\/p>\n

He chuckled. \u201cCome on Angel. We\u2019ve been on your nerves a lot longer than this. Why is Christmas such a problem suddenly? Or is it not just the Christmas?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

He blinked. \u201cThe chap is only six months Angel what could he have done.\u201d<\/p>\n

I scratched the bridge of my nose and looked into the open door of the kitchen where Fred was humming, my frown deepening as I remembered the off-key humming I would wake up to once in while before my seer became a princess.<\/p>\n

Before the ape found her. Her damned soul mate.<\/p>\n

But then I guess this was my fault. I was the one who\u2019d gone ahead and been screaming to the world that Buffy had been my soul mate and I was torn in two when I had to leave her behind. I guess the powers that do all shit were having a field day.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t do anything Wesley. I don\u2019t know what to tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChristmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

The watcher flinched and shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t understand you Angel. You won\u2019t speak to her or tell her how you feel, but you expect her to understand. We both know Cordelia is rather thick-skinned when it comes to emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe wasn\u2019t damned thick skinned at the ballet.\u201d Then I nearly bit my tongue. The ballet was an off-topic. Something I didn\u2019t much like discussing.<\/p>\n

Not after having Cordelia’s taste invade my senses every breathing moment and then having to come home and find the Groosalug back so they could fucking comshuck and be happy. And I felt like an asinine fool for going out and getting the damned potion so they could.<\/p>\n

I should have been the one with the fat \u2018L\u2019 pasted on my forehead, not Xander.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut let it be Wes. She\u2019s happy this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about you Angel? Are you happy this way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll manage.\u201d I glared at him. \u201cIf I stop brooding will you get off my back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI shall endeavor to.\u201d Wes grinned and took the tray from Fred as she brought it precariously out of the kitchen. \u201cAngel? Go hold the ladder before Faith falls.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWuss,\u201d muttering under my breath, I walked into the glittering lobby and grabbed the ladder just in time as the slayer slung the holly over the chandelier. But I lost my grip and the ladder tipped sideways. And no. I did not look up her skirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWESLEY!\u201d<\/p>\n

I did catch Faith, even though my eyes were glued to the front door that had just slapped open, the setting sun lighting a fire into every strand of honey blond hair. They don\u2019t call me master for nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay who\u2019s the wise guy!\u201d<\/p>\n

And I would have taken the time to admire the bare shoulder peeking from the festive red sweater or the jolly green skirt that left little room for imagination, but it wasn\u2019t Cordelia\u2019s attire that had suddenly sent the entire lobby into a state of stunned silence.<\/p>\n

It was the dismembered sprig of mistletoe floating a few inches from her crown that caught everyone\u2019s attention. Oh this was just going too far.<\/p>\n

Now she was walking around with a damned mistletoe. \u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNO! Santa! Of course Cordy. But I guess you can\u2019t really tell considering I have a friggin plant stuck on my head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTechnically Princess its not\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The seer stuck up a hand before the Groosalug could correct her. \u201cI know Groo. Shut up for a second.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, those hazel eyes swept across the lobby, searching and for a moment Angel imagined it was him, but they roved past him and kept looking.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Connor? I need my Connor fix before I kill something and with my new demon like powers everyone knows I can.\u201d Then her eyes snapped back to me like a hawk and narrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel? Have you adopted Faith?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2026no?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her arms crossed; an eyebrow arching as she leveled the full power of her hazel eyes at me. Shrinking slightly under it, I noticed her tapping one foot. \u201cWhy then are you cradling her like a baby?\u201d I only hesitated a moment but her eyes narrowed into slit.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut her down!\u201d<\/p>\n

And no. I did not drop Faith. She slipped.<\/p>\n

With a groan, the fallen woman glared up at me. \u201cWhipped son of a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

But Wesley had wisely stepped forward and helped the caustic slayer to her feet while Cordelia stalked into the hotel, marching straight up the stairs while we stood there staring at each other.<\/p>\n

Groo cleared his throat and gave me a smile. I blame the damned holiday season.<\/p>\n

He jumped when I growled back at him. \u201cFriend Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gunn slapped The Groosalug on his back. \u201cEasy dawg. Angel just hasn\u2019t had his O+ fix. Would you like some hot chocolate? Fred made some.\u201d<\/p>\n

But my mind was no longer on the ape. I watched her descend the stairs cooing to my son, her arms wrapped my child as she nuzzled his soft head, her eyes bright and her smile wide. And it wasn\u2019t long before I was smiling back like the idiot I was where this woman was concerned.<\/p>\n

Staking was too damned good for me. Still smiling at the baby, Cordelia stood in front of me. \u201cSomeone find me a witch doctor and get this jolly holly off me before I break something.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now that I took in the effect, I realized it was rather adorable. It just floated there, bobbing up and down above her head, the berries twinkling as if immensely pleased.<\/p>\n

For a moment, I envied their proximity to my seer. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I think it looks kind of\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d A finger stuck into my face, the red painted nail nearly touching my nose. \u201cIf you say cute, the first word Connor says will be \u2018dork\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stake me now. For a crazy moment, I indulged in the concept that Cordelia would be teaching my child his first words, his first steps. That she\u2019d be around to see him grow. That she\u2019d be with me.<\/p>\n

Not living in a damned urban house married to the ape, and comshucking like rabbits. I scowled at the ape again. Maybe I shouldn\u2019t have bothered with getting my damned soul anchored.<\/p>\n

Angelus would have handled the ape differently.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s stuck!\u201d she muttered, still bouncing the happy child in her arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it’s stuck; it wouldn’t have been above your head in the first place if it wasn’t.\u201d Faith explained sagely as she reclined on the couch.<\/p>\n

Cordelia sighed and looked up at me as if I had all the answers. If only, honey. \u201cWhy is there mistletoe on my head?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know.\u201d It was hard, but I was managing to keep my glare from showing, but my face contorted at an odd angle. \u201cMaybe it’s a Christmas thing. Decorating people, or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Cordy snorted. \u201cSo why aren\u2019t you decorated?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a dork! I want this off okay! I wake up in the morning and find this stuck to my head and Groo there suggested it might be a prank and kissing would make it go away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asshole. \u201cHe would.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019ve been kissing. And kissing so hasn\u2019t help and just so we\u2019re on the same page, Cordelia Chase does not need help in acquiring kissage. Do you KNOW the amount of people looking at me hopefully and then with pity! Do I LOOK like I need pity-smoochies?\u201d<\/p>\n

I let my eyes run over her for a moment. \u201cNot like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her face lit up with a smile that shamed the sun. \u201cExactly. So whoever did this; it\u2019s not funny.\u201d She glared across the lobby.<\/p>\n

Everyone was silent before Wesley cleared his throat. \u201cUm\u2026we\u2019ve been busy decorating.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lobby! Cordelia we would never\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe there\u2019s a certain someone you need to kiss to make it go away.\u201d All eyes riveted to the specked woman who smiled weakly. \u201cOr not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping forward, in the pretense to soothe my own child, I placed on hand on the small of her back, the other smoothing over my son\u2019s head that seemed perfectly at ease against this woman.<\/p>\n

Of course, it could have something to do with the tiny hand wrapped around one plump breast. I glared down at him, nearly eaten with envy. Lucky rascal. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Cordelia. Wes will find a way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore the party goers arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly. Let me look it up.\u201d Wesley cleared his throat and darted for his little makeshift library.<\/p>\n

Cordelia put Conner against her shoulder, rubbing his back unconsciously as she rocked him. \u201cI\u2019ve kissed everything from here back to my apartment. God! Like first vision day flashback, you remember Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n

She snickered and I couldn\u2019t help smile back at the memory even though I was all kinds of unsettled at the prospect of Cordelia lips kissing everything on the way here. My eyes strayed to the grinning Groosalug and I had merry visions of twisting his head of and shoving it up his\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cOHMIGOD!\u201d<\/p>\n

My head snapped around to meet her eyes. \u201cWhat?\u201d I couldn\u2019t help notice the slight tinge of guilt I felt there as I looked at her beautiful face turned towards me. Like she\u2019d heard me, but it was honest fear I saw there that made me panic.<\/p>\n

Oh no. She had heard me. But then I noticed several people standing at her front door and realized the party goers had started arriving and as luck would have it, the first was the Scooby gang. Oh joy.<\/p>\n

Xander\u2019s eyebrows shot up. \u201cNice mistletoe Chase.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some twenty minutes later most of Sunnydale had arrived, and thanks to Cordelia\u2019s current fiasco, we\u2019d skipped the nervous glances and awkward greetings and now were gathered around the lobby around the whining woman while Fred went about serving eggnog.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you have to be kissed,\u201d Spike repeated for like the hundredth time before muttering under his breath, \u201clucky bitch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what the book says.\u201d Willow told them grimly. \u201cWesley and I found out it\u2019s a bonding charm. Really easy to do as far as charms go ya know, but it\u2019s pretty difficult to counter. So I guess you\u2019ll just have to go through with whatever the castor had in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe book says she has to be kissed?\u201d<\/p>\n

To say I was feeling darkly about this, would be a damned understatement and Buffy\u2019s constant repeating of my damned childe was grating on my patience. I sat there with Connor happily curled in my arm, sleeping soundly.<\/p>\n

I sat there sprawled in the seat, eyes fixed on the ape sitting next to my Seer rubbing her back while murmuring sweet nothings in her ear. Oh how I missed my demon.<\/p>\n

If it had been a few days ago I would have been offering over Xander and Groo and everything male that seemed to want to right Cordelia\u2019s dilemma. In fact, I would have dismembered anyone who would have tried.<\/p>\n

As it were now, I wanted to be as far away from this fiasco as I could manage. \u201cI\u2019m going to put down Connor.\u201d Dragging my eyes away, I quietly made my way up the stairs.<\/p>\n

Cordelia groaned and leaned her head back against the back of the couch. \u201cMy life is over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Groo gently rubbed her shoulder. \u201cDon\u2019t be like that Princess. You\u2019ve kissed everyone, and it hasn\u2019t worked. There must be another way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly the seer sat up, a silent light bulb going off in her head. \u201cNot everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fred grinned widely. \u201cANGEL! Kyrumption! I knew it!\u201d<\/p>\n

I was almost on the last step, having put Connor down when I noticed the shift in the room. Everyone was standing around uneasily and Cordelia was looking right at me. With a frown, I stepped off the last landing and regarded her cautiously. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYOU did it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Balking, I stared open mouthed at the fiery brunette glaring at me. \u201cME!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes you! You halfwit moron. YOU did it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy the hell would I do something like this?!\u201d I couldn\u2019t believe the gall of the woman.<\/p>\n

Not only had she been parading herself around me with her boyfriend on her heels, she had the audacity to accuse me in public about hexing her and with the damned mistletoe!<\/p>\n

I knew there was no justice in this world. I would have rather been blamed for faking the possession at the ballet rather than hexing my seer so she\u2019d go around kissing half of LA.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know! I have no idea how your puny little mind works Dorkula but I\u2019ve already kissed everything I could think of and you\u2019re left!\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a calming breath more out of habit than necessity, I held up my hands as she stalked over to me her finger poking into my chest. \u201cLook Cordelia, you\u2019re obviously upset and I can understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUNDERSTAND! There\u2019s is a dismembered Christmasy article floating over my head!\u201d<\/p>\n

I could feel the borrowed blood start to simmer under my skin, my brown eyes spark with irritation as I crossed my arms, \u201cMaybe you did it. Although I don\u2019t understand why you\u2019d want to bond with mistletoe. I thought you were popular.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh hell. Maybe that was the wrong thing to say because for a moment I felt myself turn to dust as her glare darkened. \u201cI DID NOT DO THIS! You think I NEED this to have men kiss me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI kissed you,\u201d Groo piped up helpfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d She snapped back before snarling at me and can I just say she\u2019s damned good at it. \u201cCordelia Chase does not need to bond with anything to get kissage okay? Now get rid of it!\u201d<\/p>\n

I held her shoulders, resisting the urge to shake her and spoke calmly. \u201cCordelia. I did not do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProve it!\u201d<\/p>\n

I blinked. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProve it! Kiss me!\u201d<\/p>\n

And I would have, if the audience wasn\u2019t staring at me like I was a damned lecher and if I didn\u2019t know that she\u2019d probably already comshucked with the ape and used up my nice potion. I was such a benevolent fool.<\/p>\n

I really should have walked into the damned sun for being so righteous. Hell I missed my demon.<\/p>\n

An eternity of absolution was welcome over kissing Cordelia Chase at that moment when I\u2019d promised myself I wouldn\u2019t go anywhere near her. Already I couldn\u2019t get any sleep; I was a walking corpse most of the time. Everything seemed to taste and smell of her and my son constantly reminded me of the one human who I wanted to share my unlife with. My humanizing factor. My seer.<\/p>\n

Stepping away from her, I held up my hands as if putting deliberate distance between us. \u201cCordelia why would I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know! Kiss me already!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWHY NOT!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I don\u2019t want to!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAha!\u201d Cordy shouted haughtily, as if she\u2019d just discovered electricity. \u201cI knew you did it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCordy, no I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel, yes you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gunn cut in with a sigh. \u201cMan, just kiss her, prove you didn\u2019t do it, and we can go back to the party and eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

My head shot around to look at Gunn, glaring at him as if he had just ordered me to fornicate with Groo. \u201cGunn,\u201d I hissed pleadingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook Angel.\u201d Wesley interrupted quietly. \u201cIt\u2019s rather unfair for Cordelia to have to walk around for the holidays with a bloody mistletoe stuck to her head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I didn\u2019t bloody put it there!\u201d I resisted the urge to stomp my foot and run out like a bereaved child. What the hell was this suddenly? A conspiracy!?<\/p>\n

\u201cProve it then!\u201d Cordelia stuck her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows challengingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh for fuck\u2019s sake! Fine!\u201d I set my jaw. I might as well have been walking to meet my death.<\/p>\n

I stepped in front of her, and for a moment, I stared right into her eyes. Moving in just a fraction of an inch, I lowered my voice to a whisper, so only she could hear me. \u201cI knew it wouldn\u2019t last anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her pretty hazel eyes blinked with bewilderment. \u201cWha-\u201d But I didn\u2019t let her continue when I grabbed her wrist and dragged her against me, my mouth covering her lips. For about the first two seconds, we were both frozen, our lips touching. Like back in the dressing room at the ballet. And I could hear her heart catch in her chest.<\/p>\n

Fucking hell. She tasted like nothing I\u2019d had before and I\u2019d had plenty.<\/p>\n

I knew more than I knew death that if I kissed her for a second longer I would never stop again. But when I made a move to pull back, she had grabbed me round the neck, and her mouth pressed hard against mine, merging, melding with a hunger I didn\u2019t know she could have for me.<\/p>\n

Her lips were incredibly soft, and the kiss was both gentle and furious. Like she hated how well we kissed. And for that moment I didn\u2019t give a damn that the Hyperion Lobby was filled with people who would probably have collective cows when this was over. But for the moment I didn\u2019t care who saw as my hand slid up her back, and she pulled herself closer in response.<\/p>\n

Hades, I loved this woman. How could I want to keep her away from me? Mind already shot to hell, my tongue slid over her bottom lip, commanding entry, and she obliged, emitting a soft moan as I explored her mouth with a possessiveness that I\u2019d promised never to relive.<\/p>\n

And I knew the revisiting taste of Cordelia would keep me reeling for years. I conceded that for this kiss, if I had to stay at a distance, I would take this kiss as a last offering. The vague remembrance, that she needed to breathe, flirted across my enamored mind, but it was banished when she cradled the back of my neck and ran her fingers through my hair.<\/p>\n

And then it was over.<\/p>\n

Cordelia had stepped away, peeling herself out of my arms, breathing raggedly. Her wide caramel eyes watching me with growing fear.<\/p>\n

Yeah baby. This is why I would have never done it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mistletoe! It\u2019s gone!\u201d Fred cried suddenly, if not awkwardly.<\/p>\n

And then all eyes were on me.<\/p>\n

I winced. Fuck.<\/p>\n

But Cordelia wasn\u2019t even thinking about the mistletoe. She was staring at me, the fear giving way to fury and then without another word, she turned and stormed into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Dammit! I allowed her exactly ten seconds before I took off after her.<\/p>\n

Buffy cleared her throat. \u201cSo who\u2019s spiking the punch?\u201d<\/p>\n

The bleach blond vampire snickered. \u201cDon\u2019t look at me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDammit Cordelia, I swear I didn\u2019t bewitch that mistletoe.\u201d I caught her arm but she was almost heading for the back door when I spun her around. \u201cYou think I wanted to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

But I was cut off because she had just slapped me and I stood there like a guppy, my mouth hanging open. \u201cWha\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow dare you!\u201d She screeched, her fists clenched by her sides almost like she\u2019d hit me again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t do it Cordelia, I swear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not talking about the mistletoe!\u201d She shoved me and I stumbled back for a moment more in surprise than the force of her attack.<\/p>\n

And my response was as original and charismatic as always. \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah oh! What the hell was that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Rubbing the back of my neck I cleared my throat. \u201cI just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just what Angel! Decided to give Cordy one last thrill!? Decided I needed one last kiss before you go back to being the cold bastard that you pretend to be!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCold!?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd after you practically pushed me towards Groo. Going out and buying that potion! You wanted me gone! Why!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have thought that was obvious,\u201d I muttered, my eyes cast low on my feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvidently.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is so not the time to be cheeky Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Running a hand through my hair, I decided I owed her at least that much. \u201cI couldn\u2019t do it anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo what exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPut myself through this damned torture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGod Angel,\u201d she rubbed her temples wearily, \u201ccan you please stop your evasive martyr dance and tell me already?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry?\u201d For a moment I thought she\u2019d fall off her feet, but she seemed to grab a nearby counter and hung on.<\/p>\n

I shrugged my hands already evasively in my pockets. \u201cI love you. And shit Cordy, I\u2019ve tried not to, really, I have. Ever since the ballet, I\u2019d go through the day, ignoring the fact that you\u2019re cooing over that ape of a boyfriend.<\/p>\n

Concentrating on my work, I\u2019d be doing fine, and then I\u2019d be sitting at your desk remembering that thing you do when you sneeze and you wrinkle your nose right afterwards and it would all fall apart. I know it would be hopeless, that I\u2019d get over it. The taste of you. The way you felt in my arms.\u201d<\/p>\n

I shook my head with a bitter laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cDammit Cordy if you knew, the many times I just want to wrap you in my arms and keep you close. When the damned need is like necessity. And back there, I didn\u2019t want to kiss you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She listened. Very quietly she stayed there while I finished my lamenting rant.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

I couldn\u2019t stop the small, dry laugh. \u201cYou can only say \u2018kiss me\u2019 so many times before you get your wish. You don\u2019t need mistletoe to get your kissage remember?\u201d She hadn\u2019t looked at me yet and I winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is where you tell me you hate me and call me a dork.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never hated you,\u201d she whispered, shaking her head sadly. \u201cBut you are a dork.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate you now.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a flinch, I nodded. \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to know why I hate you, Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot particularly, no.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her hazel eyes lifted, defiant and accusing. \u201cBecause you\u2019re an arrogant butthole who thinks you decide what I want. I decide. Okay?\u201d Her finger poked right in the middle of my pectorals and I winced.<\/p>\n

How does she always find that spot?<\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia Chase does not need anyone ruining her life. I\u2019m perfectly capable of ruining it for myself; I don\u2019t need you to add to my stupidity. So don\u2019t stand there telling me you HAD to kiss me buster because I know you wanted to. I am a hottie and you wanted me the moment you saw me in that bikini and don\u2019t you dare deny it.\u201d<\/p>\n

My mouth twitched and it only seemed to make her glare harder.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t smirk at me! You think I LIKED being pushed away! So I was confused! And I had every right to be, not like you said anything to me and what with the stupid mistletoe trick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh shut up already and kiss me!\u201d Her hands curled into my black sweater and yanked me against her, her hands greedily reaching for my neck and I smiled against her mouth before she took away all mirth and reason and replaced it with honey dukes and caramel desire.<\/p>\n

My mouth came down hard on her. Hungry and insistent. Filled with longing and love and desire. The same fire that had burnt in my belly for days. Hands and lips kissing and touching every inch of skin we could reach before I lifted her onto the hard polished surface of the counter and climbed up after her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel? Cordy? The tree\u2019s up!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dragging my mouth away, I looked down into her eyes, my body humming with that odd purr she could call out of these dead bones while she grinned up at me as if I\u2019d given her the world. \u201cThe tree is up.\u201d<\/p>\n

She chuckled, her fingers still playing in my hair. \u201cSo I hear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Her finger pressed against my mouth gently. \u201cI\u2019ll break it to him. Gently. But I have a feeling he knows.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cConsidering you\u2019ve been growling at him all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

I had the decency to smile sheepishly. \u201cOh.\u201d See what I mean? original and charismatic. She has that effect on me.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Angel. I want to celebrate Christmas with my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

She pushed and after several tries and stolen kisses I finally let her up, my arm wrapping around her shoulders possessively as I kissed her temple.<\/p>\n

Somehow, I didn\u2019t think my son would have problems understanding the importance of Christmas now and I had a feeling \u2013 neither would I.<\/p>\n

That night Cordelia Chase was tucking in a yawning Connor while the vampire turned down the sheets of the bed. Giving the baby a conspiring wink she whispered softly. \u201cBewitching that mistletoe was so the best idea I\u2019ve ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel looked up and blinked. \u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing.\u201d Grinning at the smiling baby she shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just talking to your son.\u201d<\/p>\n

~*~<\/b><\/p>\n

Frazi<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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