a.connor  a.doyle  a.lindsey  a.oz  a.spike  a.wesley  a.xander  a.other  three.somes  het.fic  character.study           
There For You: An LJ Comment fic
by Entrenous
Angel+Connor, gen


It was a dark day, with heavy cloud cover and pelting rain that allowed him to stand under a tree with only an umbrella to shield himself. Otherwise there would have been no chance for Angel to be at a late afternoon funeral.

Connor looked like he had shot up an inch since Angel last saw him. He stood tall while his mother leaned against him as though in shock, his sister at his other side holding his hand so hard that her knuckles went white.

The minister intoned prayers, spoke about how much Larry Reilly had contributed to his community. He told the small crowd, a blur of faces wearing grey and black, how the deceased was a generous friend and colleague, but how most of all, his legacy would exist in the deep love he'd shared with his family.

When the last words had been spoken, and flowers placed on the casket, the attendees began to leave. An uncle, or maybe a neighbor, guided Connor's mother and sister away to the waiting cars. Gradually everyone departed, until Connor was alone at the grave.

"I'm sorry," Angel said as he approached.

Connor nodded, not looking up. "Sometimes, when people have cancer, it lasts and lasts. This was quick. We only found out a week ago. That's probably good in the end, huh?"

Angel cleared his throat. "He loved you very much."

For a moment, Connor said nothing. Then, evenly, "I know."

Angel's jaw tightened. "If there's anything I can do."

"Thanks. But there isn't," Connor answered.

"Something," Angel persisted. "Anything."

Connor looked up, raindrops beaded on his eyelashes. His dark too-new suit was spattered with wet at the shoulders. He gave Angel a strange smile. "But there's no one to kill. No one to save." His eyes returned to the hole in the ground. "No one to punish."

"You'll always have..." He took a step closer. "There are people who are there for you, who love you."

A flash of pink as Connor's tongue licked the rain from his lips. "I'm lucky, really." His voice shook. "Don't think I don't get that."

"Connor --"

Connor laughed, a mirthless sound. "Three fathers. That's a lot more than most people have."

Angel stepped up to him, pulled Connor into an awkward hug. "Connor, I'll never --"

"You'll never what?" Connor whispered. His lips turned up, rosebud red like the flowers on the coffin. "You'll never die?"

Angel felt himself leaning forward. Then he stepped back. "I'll always be there for you," he finished.

"Yeah." Lips pressed together, Connor returned to staring at the grave as Angel forced himself to turn and walk away.

-End

Feedback