Ficlet: Acceptance
Oct. 30th, 2005 01:01 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lonelybritAges ago I promised ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
eloise_bright some fluffy drabbles set in the imperfect!verse post Things Imperfect. Whilst a ficlet did result, the fluff was somewhat lacking. So this is me having a second shot at the light and sunny stuff.
Title: Acceptance
Author: lonelybrit
Rating: U
Content: Angel/Wes, Minty. T’was the very, very early morning before Christmas…
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Notes: Another unofficial look at the imperfect!verse, if it happened I think it would be a little while after Things Imperfect.
“The art of acceptance is the art of making someone who has just done you a small favour wish that he might have done you a greater one.” ~ Russell Lynes
There had been a time when six o’clock in the morning seemed a perfectly humane hour to rise. Although, Angel considered, given that this had been while he was a vampire, perhaps he should be less surprised that the same didn’t apply once his heart restarted beating.
“Oh here we go,” Wesley groaned, a warm tousled shadow on the far pillow. “I’m asleep if she asks.”
The soft, purposeful ‘thump’ that had alerted them blended into the unmistakable patter of approaching feet.
Wesley hitched the sheet more snugly over his shoulder and made a manly attempt at sounding fast asleep.
Angel heard Minty cross the hallway and come to a halt outside their door. In the following silence the first of the birds began what would eventually swell into a full-blown dawn chorus.
He waited.
Silence.
His breathing remained deep, regular.
The silence became suspicious.
Before he could help it Angel let out an involuntary sigh and shifted to try and cocoon himself more firmly in his swathes of duvet-ed warmth.
“Daddy? Angel?” came the instant stage whisper. “Are you awake?”
Oh well.
“Yeah, just about. Hello, Minty.”
Light spilled in from the landing as the door opened. The next moment and Angel’s legs and feet were rudely crushed as Minty unceremoniously scrambled over him and into the cool space between him and Wesley. Wesley rolled over, raising one arm slightly so Minty could take up her usual position of nestled against his side.
“Morning, love.”
Wesley’s eyes shone dully in the semi-dark, Angel could just make out the rueful smile aimed at him over Minty’s bird nest hair. As if just remembering him, Minty half-turned her head and added, ‘Good morning, Angel,’ over her shoulder.
“Morning, Minty.”
Angel kept his distance, feeling utterly separate from the two of them even though Minty’s warmth was already seeping into his own half of the sheets. He understood it, course he did, but it still bruised him a little.
A few years ago it had been so different. Perhaps that was the problem. Back then he’d been the guest, the exciting outsider with his exciting other life who slept in the excitingly rarely used sofa-bed in the TV room. Back then, Minty used to creep in at half-five in the morning just to be sure she wouldn’t miss him having breakfast. She used to watch him making eggs the way he’d made them back in LA. She pestered him 24/7, which left him feeling sleep deprived and oddly special.
And then Angel had stopped being the guest.
“Can we get up now, Daddy?”
“Minty, it’s barely gone six o’clock.”
“But the sun’s up! I can hear the birds singing… Angel used to get up before the birds, didn’t you, Angel?”
Reality snapped back as Angel became acutely aware of two pairs of eyes focussed on him. “Um…”
“See!” said Minty triumphantly, dismissing him now she’d proved her point. She poked Wesley with her fist. “Granddad said he wants me there early, then I can collect the holly with him.”
“I’m sure Granny and Granddad won’t even be up for another hour at least.” Wesley said wearily, his free hand passing over his eyes.
“But-”
“And anyway,” he continued firmly, “the garden centre doesn’t open till eleven.”
Even in the gloom, Angel could see the pout. Minty huffed and lay flat on her back, arms folded across her chest.
“You’re just lazy,” she muttered.
“No, sweetheart, I’m tired. It’s very early in the morning.”
Silence fell and Angel heard Wesley’s breathing begin to deepen once more. Clearly Minty had too, for she abandoned her sulk and piped up with: “Can I pack now?”
“Whuh?”
“We packed your things last night, Minty,” Angel said, gently intervening. He saw the gleam of her eyes as her shadowed face turned towards him. “You just need to add your toothbrush, and then you’ll be all done.”
“Can’t I add it now?”
“No,” said Wesley, a peevish note creeping in despite his otherwise dopey voice. “You know you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, otherwise your teeth will rot and fall out.”
“So can I have breakfast now then?”
Even Angel saw that one coming.
“No.”
“But-”
“Minty-”
“Look,” said Angel hurriedly, pushing himself up on his elbows. “I’m awake anyway. I can do breakfast, you get some sleep.”
The sheets shifted as Wesley stared, a bit blearily, at him. “Angel, it’s not even quarter past…”
“It’s not that early,” Angel began, prompting an instant “See!” from Minty. “Really, it’s okay, go back to sleep.”
Wesley held his gaze for a moment, then asked Minty, “How about it? Breakfast now and I’ll come down later.”
To Angel’s slight surprise, Minty agreed without even a hesitation or hint of protest. A few minutes later and he was blinking against the harsh electric light as they made their way downstairs.
Minty was ahead of him and already settling into her usual chair facing the window as Angel stifled a yawn, making for the kitchen doorway.
“Um, toast and honey?” he asked absently, knowing Minty could happily live on the stuff till kingdom come.
“Er…”
And he looked round, puzzled to see an unusual expression on Minty’s face.
“Are you having eggs?”
“Um, I… Yes,” Angel said cautiously. Surely she couldn’t complain about that, he was after all up and about at this frankly insane hour. “That is, well, I… Do you want some?”
Her face instantly transformed into a deceptively heart-warming grin. “Please.”
“You, erm, you like my eggs?” Angel asked, pulling open the fridge door. Minty had announced her distaste for all his breakfast culinary efforts not long after he had moved in.
“I love them.”
He sneaked a peek round the doorframe. Yes, it was still Minty, now tidily pulling her hair back into a loose ponytail. She tucked a few stray copper red strands behind her ears. He supposed the quiet confidence of her poise was something inherited from her mother.
“Oh, well, okay then.”
He lit up the smaller gas ring, a contemplative frown narrowing his eyes. Angel, well, technically Angelus, had seen a good number of the old school powerful lords and aristocrats over the years. They were a unique species that even Darla admired in some respects. There had been an air of undeniable power and class about them. Even grace. The true lord and lady had no need for ruffles and silks, they knew their importance and wore it under their skin even as they mounted the tumbril.
One autumn, he’d seen a lord judge meet for the first time his potential future son-in-law. The young man’s heart had been thundering like that of a hunted animal. Those watching remained still and watchful as he made his bow to his lord. There had followed a moment of granite coldness and complete silence. And then the judge inclined his head in the smallest of nods.
Angel had watched the lady extend one hand with infinite grace as she condescended to the newly accepted individual. Everyone had seen and felt the full honour of their granted favour. They saw the light shining from the man’s eyes as he straightened with new pride.
Angel felt a similar way when Minty graciously reached out her hand to accept his proffered plate of scrambled eggs.
“Do you have pepper in yours?” she said, eyeing his plate with curiosity as he took his own seat.
“Always.” He finished adding it, and then held out the pepper pot. “Do you want to try some? Or, you know, I could maybe add some chives or-”
She held his gaze and then smiled briefly. “Just a little pepper, please.”
Angel was still smiling when the sun finally rose.
Fin.
eloise_bright some fluffy drabbles set in the imperfect!verse post Things Imperfect. Whilst a ficlet did result, the fluff was somewhat lacking. So this is me having a second shot at the light and sunny stuff. Title: Acceptance
Author: lonelybrit
Rating: U
Content: Angel/Wes, Minty. T’was the very, very early morning before Christmas…
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Notes: Another unofficial look at the imperfect!verse, if it happened I think it would be a little while after Things Imperfect.
“The art of acceptance is the art of making someone who has just done you a small favour wish that he might have done you a greater one.” ~ Russell Lynes
There had been a time when six o’clock in the morning seemed a perfectly humane hour to rise. Although, Angel considered, given that this had been while he was a vampire, perhaps he should be less surprised that the same didn’t apply once his heart restarted beating.
“Oh here we go,” Wesley groaned, a warm tousled shadow on the far pillow. “I’m asleep if she asks.”
The soft, purposeful ‘thump’ that had alerted them blended into the unmistakable patter of approaching feet.
Wesley hitched the sheet more snugly over his shoulder and made a manly attempt at sounding fast asleep.
Angel heard Minty cross the hallway and come to a halt outside their door. In the following silence the first of the birds began what would eventually swell into a full-blown dawn chorus.
He waited.
Silence.
His breathing remained deep, regular.
The silence became suspicious.
Before he could help it Angel let out an involuntary sigh and shifted to try and cocoon himself more firmly in his swathes of duvet-ed warmth.
“Daddy? Angel?” came the instant stage whisper. “Are you awake?”
Oh well.
“Yeah, just about. Hello, Minty.”
Light spilled in from the landing as the door opened. The next moment and Angel’s legs and feet were rudely crushed as Minty unceremoniously scrambled over him and into the cool space between him and Wesley. Wesley rolled over, raising one arm slightly so Minty could take up her usual position of nestled against his side.
“Morning, love.”
Wesley’s eyes shone dully in the semi-dark, Angel could just make out the rueful smile aimed at him over Minty’s bird nest hair. As if just remembering him, Minty half-turned her head and added, ‘Good morning, Angel,’ over her shoulder.
“Morning, Minty.”
Angel kept his distance, feeling utterly separate from the two of them even though Minty’s warmth was already seeping into his own half of the sheets. He understood it, course he did, but it still bruised him a little.
A few years ago it had been so different. Perhaps that was the problem. Back then he’d been the guest, the exciting outsider with his exciting other life who slept in the excitingly rarely used sofa-bed in the TV room. Back then, Minty used to creep in at half-five in the morning just to be sure she wouldn’t miss him having breakfast. She used to watch him making eggs the way he’d made them back in LA. She pestered him 24/7, which left him feeling sleep deprived and oddly special.
And then Angel had stopped being the guest.
“Can we get up now, Daddy?”
“Minty, it’s barely gone six o’clock.”
“But the sun’s up! I can hear the birds singing… Angel used to get up before the birds, didn’t you, Angel?”
Reality snapped back as Angel became acutely aware of two pairs of eyes focussed on him. “Um…”
“See!” said Minty triumphantly, dismissing him now she’d proved her point. She poked Wesley with her fist. “Granddad said he wants me there early, then I can collect the holly with him.”
“I’m sure Granny and Granddad won’t even be up for another hour at least.” Wesley said wearily, his free hand passing over his eyes.
“But-”
“And anyway,” he continued firmly, “the garden centre doesn’t open till eleven.”
Even in the gloom, Angel could see the pout. Minty huffed and lay flat on her back, arms folded across her chest.
“You’re just lazy,” she muttered.
“No, sweetheart, I’m tired. It’s very early in the morning.”
Silence fell and Angel heard Wesley’s breathing begin to deepen once more. Clearly Minty had too, for she abandoned her sulk and piped up with: “Can I pack now?”
“Whuh?”
“We packed your things last night, Minty,” Angel said, gently intervening. He saw the gleam of her eyes as her shadowed face turned towards him. “You just need to add your toothbrush, and then you’ll be all done.”
“Can’t I add it now?”
“No,” said Wesley, a peevish note creeping in despite his otherwise dopey voice. “You know you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, otherwise your teeth will rot and fall out.”
“So can I have breakfast now then?”
Even Angel saw that one coming.
“No.”
“But-”
“Minty-”
“Look,” said Angel hurriedly, pushing himself up on his elbows. “I’m awake anyway. I can do breakfast, you get some sleep.”
The sheets shifted as Wesley stared, a bit blearily, at him. “Angel, it’s not even quarter past…”
“It’s not that early,” Angel began, prompting an instant “See!” from Minty. “Really, it’s okay, go back to sleep.”
Wesley held his gaze for a moment, then asked Minty, “How about it? Breakfast now and I’ll come down later.”
To Angel’s slight surprise, Minty agreed without even a hesitation or hint of protest. A few minutes later and he was blinking against the harsh electric light as they made their way downstairs.
Minty was ahead of him and already settling into her usual chair facing the window as Angel stifled a yawn, making for the kitchen doorway.
“Um, toast and honey?” he asked absently, knowing Minty could happily live on the stuff till kingdom come.
“Er…”
And he looked round, puzzled to see an unusual expression on Minty’s face.
“Are you having eggs?”
“Um, I… Yes,” Angel said cautiously. Surely she couldn’t complain about that, he was after all up and about at this frankly insane hour. “That is, well, I… Do you want some?”
Her face instantly transformed into a deceptively heart-warming grin. “Please.”
“You, erm, you like my eggs?” Angel asked, pulling open the fridge door. Minty had announced her distaste for all his breakfast culinary efforts not long after he had moved in.
“I love them.”
He sneaked a peek round the doorframe. Yes, it was still Minty, now tidily pulling her hair back into a loose ponytail. She tucked a few stray copper red strands behind her ears. He supposed the quiet confidence of her poise was something inherited from her mother.
“Oh, well, okay then.”
He lit up the smaller gas ring, a contemplative frown narrowing his eyes. Angel, well, technically Angelus, had seen a good number of the old school powerful lords and aristocrats over the years. They were a unique species that even Darla admired in some respects. There had been an air of undeniable power and class about them. Even grace. The true lord and lady had no need for ruffles and silks, they knew their importance and wore it under their skin even as they mounted the tumbril.
One autumn, he’d seen a lord judge meet for the first time his potential future son-in-law. The young man’s heart had been thundering like that of a hunted animal. Those watching remained still and watchful as he made his bow to his lord. There had followed a moment of granite coldness and complete silence. And then the judge inclined his head in the smallest of nods.
Angel had watched the lady extend one hand with infinite grace as she condescended to the newly accepted individual. Everyone had seen and felt the full honour of their granted favour. They saw the light shining from the man’s eyes as he straightened with new pride.
Angel felt a similar way when Minty graciously reached out her hand to accept his proffered plate of scrambled eggs.
“Do you have pepper in yours?” she said, eyeing his plate with curiosity as he took his own seat.
“Always.” He finished adding it, and then held out the pepper pot. “Do you want to try some? Or, you know, I could maybe add some chives or-”
She held his gaze and then smiled briefly. “Just a little pepper, please.”
Angel was still smiling when the sun finally rose.
Fin.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-10-29 05:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-29 05:30 pm (UTC)Angel kept his distance, feeling utterly separate from the two of them even though Minty’s warmth was already seeping into his own half of the sheets.
Lovely exploration of Minty's acceptance of Angel as more than just the guest. She is such a minx, you know. I pity Wesley when Roger and his grandaughter gang up on him. Formidable combination.
And Angel was just perfect in this; loving them, but somehow on the outside. The about-face over the eggs made me giggle, and smile wistfully. Lovely!
no subject
Date: 2005-10-29 06:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-29 06:28 pm (UTC)Fantastic, sweet.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 12:19 am (UTC)How old is Minty now? I can't remember.
I'm always so happy to see more of this. I love it so much.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 08:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 08:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 11:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 11:16 am (UTC)*hugs* Glad you enjoyed it!
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 11:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 11:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 11:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 11:24 am (UTC)I did actually think about that quite a bit, part of me was curious as to what would happen if Roger had influenced her some way. But no, Minty simply is the only child very used to be the only person in her father's world. Angel being given the cold shoulder is solely due to Minty. I think, in an odd way, Roger would be a little uncomfortable if Minty ever did voice discontent over Angel.
As to how old Minty is... erm, I'm not quite sure, LOL! Certainly less than ten years old, I think...
Thank you! I'm really glad you've enjoyed this verse =)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 11:25 am (UTC)Thank you for commenting!
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 11:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 02:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 02:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 02:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 04:13 pm (UTC)Aww. Poor Angel.
She pestered him 24/7, which left him feeling sleep deprived and oddly special.
This is a wonderful 'verse. :) Very sweet and cuddly. :)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 04:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-01 05:47 am (UTC)He sneaked a peek round the doorframe. Yes, it was still Minty,
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I loved the little remembrance he had as well; shows he thinks so highly of Minty too.
Yay for more imperfect!verse ;)
no subject
Date: 2005-11-01 05:09 pm (UTC)And yes, Angel does think very highly of Minty, though, quite rightly, I think he's a little cautious of her too, LOL!
no subject
Date: 2005-11-03 01:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-03 10:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-21 08:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-22 04:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-29 11:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-30 03:31 pm (UTC)