Angel Fic: A Normal Life (PG)

[what_works]

Fandom: Angel
Title: A Normal Life
Author: Em
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~360
Spoilers: set Season 3 after "Dad"
Character(s): Wesley, Angel, Connor
Prompt: Wesley, Angel, friendship
Summary: Wesley had never much considered being a father.
Dedication: For _shroomy_, angelsgracie, bouncymonkey, clez, fairydarling, faithsqueen, fangirljen, faroutdragon1, kyizi, loriel_eris, malnpudl, roadrunner1896, roniabirk, seamusharper, skroberts, stabbim, and supercheesegirl
Notes: Written as part of the 2005 Gift Fic Project for my flist.
Special thanks to faithsqueen for betaing duties.


A Normal Life


Connor was quiet in Wesley's arms, like he belonged there. It was an odd sensation. Wesley had never much considered being a father. He knew that as long as he was wrapped up in Angel's fight that he wouldn't have time for relationships or anything that should lead to having a child. The longer he fought—and the more he discovered just how necessary it was to fight—the more certain he became that he would never have the kind of things that lead to a normal life.

Which was why it physically hurt to see Angel snatch a bit of normalcy from the smoke of fate.

It was cruel, in a way, to let a vampire have a child a human would never know. So much crueler, though, that the child was possibly the harbinger of something much worse and that—knowing their lives, their luck—this child's life would not be filled with sunny days, ball games, and ice cream cones.

Even so, Connor was beautiful.

"Hey, Connor, you like your Uncle Wes?" Angel's voice curled into a coo every time he laid eyes on his son. Wesley had tried it once, but it sounded too foreign, too innocent.

"I think perhaps he does," Wesley softly said.

Angel smiled, and held his finger out for Connor to grab. "Done a lot of things in my very long life," Angel continued speaking to Connor in a soft voice. "But never been a dad before."

"I'll help you with him in whatever way I can." Wesley looked at Connor as he vowed, as though he were promising Connor help when his father set the curfew too early or grounded him for wrecking the car.

Angel held out his arms and Wesley reluctantly handed over the baby, fussing with Connor's blanket and tucking it in under his arms. His hand lingered over Connor's head, touching an idea that no longer seemed so ethereal.

"Never thought I'd have one." Angel brought Connor to his face. He rubbed their noses together and made more cooing noses unbecoming of a two hundred-year-old vampire.

Wesley smiled easily, crossing his arms over his chest, rubbing his forearms. "Neither did I."



~Comments and feedback are appreciated.

Comments

[lmichelle599.livejournal.com]

Which was why it physically hurt to see Angel snatch a bit of normalcy from the smoke of fate.

Ooh, nice sentence. :-)

[skroberts]

Indeed. ;)

[theemdash]

Thank you. I rather like the imagry of snatched normalcy from the smoke of fate. ;)

[skroberts]

*wibbles*
*clings to Wesley*
What was the last ep I watched? "Forgiving"...
*wibbles and clings to Wesley some more*

*snuggles for Alli*

[theemdash]

Awww.... Wesley and Angel love each other (in a platonic way). Don't worry. *comforts*

[skroberts]

*goes looking for Jell-O*

[roniabirk.livejournal.com]

*sniff* I actually like dad!Angel when Connor was a baby, and poor Wes. Thanks for the gift fic. =)

[theemdash]

I love Baby Connor and Dad Angel.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. :D

[tehshroom.livejournal.com]

Awww, *cuddles them*
Tender and lovely. Thank you. *smooches*

[theemdash]

They are sweet, aren't they? *smooches back*

[angelsgracie.livejournal.com]

AWWWW!! Wesley! *snuggles him*

This was awesome! Thank you!

Merry Christmas

[theemdash]

Yay! So glad you liked it. :D

[emeraldteal.livejournal.com]

Very nice, poignant and bittersweet. *wibbles*

Thanks for sharing! :)

[theemdash]

I'm glad you liked it. I think "bittersweet" pretty much sums up Wes' entire life.

[buffyangellvr23.livejournal.com]

Awww....cute and sad at the same time.

[theemdash]

I would agree. Thanks for reading and commenting.

[chlare.livejournal.com]

Aww, that last line. *sad smile*

Which was why it physically hurt to see Angel snatch a bit of normalcy from the smoke of fate.

It was cruel, in a way, to let a vampire have a child a human would never know. So much crueler, though, that the child was possibly the harbinger of something much worse

Wow. You can really feel Wes's pain. This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

[theemdash]

Thank you. I'm glad the pain came through without feeling overdone (it didn't feel over done, right?).

Thanks for reading and commenting. I love comments.

[chlare.livejournal.com]

it didn't feel over done, right?

Not at all. :)

[bouncymonkey.livejournal.com]

Aw! *pets Wes* Knowing what comes next makes this drabble that bit more painful. ::sniffs::

[theemdash]

Yeah... I'm just a bit in love with the pain. Also, Wesley kind of lends himself to the pain.

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Aw, I love it. It's adorable and sweet and poor Wes. I wish he'd got that kind of life in the end. This fic is lovely. *smooch*

[theemdash]

We all wish it could have been better for Wes. *sniffle* I'm glad you liked it.

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry I haven't got round to reading the other fic you wrote at Christmas. I hate that they're sitting there and I've not had the time to read them. Will definately try to R&R as soon as I can.

*smooch*

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

*sniffles and cries*

WESLEY!

[theemdash]

I think that was a good reaction. ;)

Thanks for reading.

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

yeah, i'm kind of predictable where Wesley is involved, but this time I really couldn't think of much to add.

maybe ANGEL! CONNOR!

[theemdash]

*snicker* Well, I'm glad you were pleased by the Wesley. I'm loving writing him.

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

Hmm, is this a recent obsession?

How, oh how, may I tempt you further?

Just pimped you up a little over here (http://karabair.livejournal.com/415138.html)

[theemdash]

I've been an Angel fan since the beginning but hadn't written any fanfic. All my Angel fic was written in December, I just forgot to post this one to comms until now. ;)

Thanks for the pimping!

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

omg, I lied. THAT is the best icon ever.

I'm an editor at watching_daily, so I will be on the lookout should you decide to write more Wes!

[theemdash]

Ooh... How lovely. Thanks! I'll probably write something again soonish...

[roadrunner1896.livejournal.com]

Hey, I found some time to squeeze Wes, Angel and Connor in.

You think I should tell Wesley about Harry? I am not supposed to, but Wes deserves some happiness, too.

Will there be any happy fics in the nearer future or will I just get sadder and sadder if I keep reading them all today (which won't happen anyway, because I might read two maybe three more tops if I don't read anything else)?

Now excuse me, I need to snuggle Wes some.

[theemdash]

Wesley shouldn't know. He has happiness with you, so don't worry about it. Maybe you can have another baby. ;)

If you do read more, the next one is HOT and not sad. I think it's funny, even. The one after it is longer, but very funny. And my brain is cracked.

I'm glad you liked this one. I liked writing a tender moment pre-Sleep Tight and all that mess.

[roadrunner1896.livejournal.com]

There will not be another baby. I don't like babies as long as they are babies. And most of them I don't like as kids and teenagers and adults either. Not gonna happen. You have a baby and tell me the middle name already. :p

Yeah, it is sad to think about what will come after this. I think it is what makes this really sad in the first place.

[midnightzstorm.livejournal.com]

That was so sweet!

[theemdash]

Thanks! I've always loved the Angel, Connor, and Wesley dynamic.

[oncethrown.livejournal.com]

I love the line about Wesley trying to coo at the baby and it sounding too foreign and innocent. perfect.

[theemdash]

Thanks! I had fun getting into Wesley's head for this one.

(Sorry for the horribly late comment back; I do like making sure I reply to all feedback.)