Evenings Like This

This is what happens when Lídia asks for a fun fic. :)

"Chien!" Angel said triumphantly from his seat on the floor, looking over at Kate with a smug expression.

"What?" she asked, an amused look on her face. "It means dog in French," he explained, carefully putting the Scrabble tiles down and proudly looking at them. "French? I thought you were Irish," she said, trying to contain her laughter. "And besides, it isn’t fair to use a word in another language. How do I know you’re telling the truth?"

Angel looked up indignantly. "First of all, I am Irish. But I decided to learn French because it seemed like an interesting idea at the time. And what is this about not trusting me?" he asked with a scowl. Kate smirked. "Would you like some cheese with that whine?" she asked sweetly, and laughed as his expression darkened. "Well, Miss Know-It-All, if you’re going to be like that, I’m not going to play anymore," Angel said mock-threateningly, a spark of humor showing through his eyes.

Kate laughed again, and slowly pulled herself off the floor and away from the coffee table in her living room. "Very well, be that way," she said dryly. "Spoilsport," he called after her, grinning like a fool. "Hey, while you’re in the kitchen, would you bring the mug I put in your fridge when you come back?" he called out.

"You nag," Kate yelled from the kitchen. "Hag?" he asked furiously, purposely pretending to misunderstand. "Are you calling me a hag?" He heard her microwave ding, and waited for their repartee to continue. He relished these moments. The nights he could spend with Kate, laughing at their banter and enjoying her presence.

He watched as she confidently walked back into her living room, balancing a dish and his mug. She slid the mug across the table at him.

"Yes, you old hag," she said lightly. Angel’s mouth dropped open. "Old?" he asked. "Did you just call me an old hag?" Kate hid her amused smile and nodded, bending over to place her plate on the table. She gave him a critical look. Angling her head, she concluded, "Yes, you are starting to look older. Bags under your eyes, and you’re starting to form wrinkles. You know, you can always borrow some of my revitalizing skin cream if you want…" And that was as far as she got, as a pillow hit her in the face, effectively silencing her for the moment. Grabbing hold of it, she hurdled it back at him, grinning as it hit him solidly in the chest. Not expecting it, Angel fell over backwards. After a moment, he began to chuckle lightly, sitting back up with a sheepish grin. Kate smiled as she listened to him laugh. Nights like this helped her pull through the week.

They’d started getting together after she’d found another job. She was helping out a private investigator, a man who was a good friend of her father’s. He’d offered her the job, saying he could use some help and it would be a load off his shoulders. Realizing it as the gift it was, Kate couldn’t refuse. She’d called Angel that night, and told him the good news. She’d been surprised at how enthusiastic he was. The next evening, he’d shown up at her place- a bottle of wine and a rose in hand. He’d said that they were congratulations presents. Every night since then, he’d show up at her door, carrying some sort of food or beverage item. Tonight had been Chinese take-out for her. She hadn’t been hungry right when he’d arrived, but had run into the kitchen to warm it up during their conversation.

She sat down on her couch, and wasn’t surprised when Angel pulled himself up and joined her. Lazily, she leaned back against him, pillowing her back on his chest. "So, what do you want to watch?" she asked, grabbing for the remote, which was stuck in the cushions behind him. "Well," he said, "I’m not sure what’s on. I’m not big on tv, Kate. Whatever you want to watch is fine. And…are you groping me, Kate?" he asked. She smiled in victory, as she finally was able to pull the remote out, and smacked him lightly on his arm with it. "Grope you, old man? Not likely. I was just trying to get the remote out from behind your massive butt…"

Angel snorted in derision. "Massive butt? First you insult my honesty, then my looks, and now my butt? Aren’t we being the judgmental one tonight?" he asked, trying to sound insulted. It didn’t work. "Honestly," Kate said thoughtfully, "I don’t know why you do have such a big ass. All you drink is blood. Wouldn’t think that would make you gain weight…" She grinned when he put his hand over her mouth. Pursing her lips to give his palm a kiss, she pushed his arm out of the way. "Move it, big boy. I need my nourishment," she said, taking a bite of the food he’d brought her. "Good?" he asked with a grin, as he heard her moan in contentment. "Very much so," she said, and then took another huge bite. "So, what do you want to watch?" he asked, taking the remote from her, and quickly changing channels.

He randomly stopped on a channel, deciding to see what was on. ‘A low-budget movie of the week,’ he thought with a sigh. ‘Well, it’s better than nothing… Oh My God!’ he thought, fumbling for the remote. The sweet and innocent couple on the screen had suddenly started going at it, tearing off each other’s clothes like rabid weasels. Embarrassed beyond belief, he hurriedly turned off the tv. He felt Kate shaking as she fought to keep her laughter from brimming out. "Ah, maybe we should keep the tv off tonight?" he asked desperately. "Okay," Kate said, taking pity on him and successfully containing her mirth. Angel curled his arms around her as best he could, listening to her sounds of satisfaction as she ate. He was thankful for every night they got to spend together. They sat in companionable silence for a long time, both thinking that it was nice to finally let their guards down, and relax with each other. To let the forced facades of nonchalance fall away, and simply be able to be with each other. Finally.