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tesla321Angel/Xander.
This is a slowly unfolding, sweet story, with a very sharply observed Xander.
So, Xander had the advantage of Angel, for once. And so, just for auld lang syne he sat down next to him and said, "You wouldn't be going to Cleveland, would you?"
Angel flinched violently, knocking over the water bottle by his ankle. "Xander?" he asked.
Xander felt the old antagonism burning behind his breastbone. I say, Faster, Pussycat, Kill, Kill. "Yup. You must be getting old." He bent and picked up the water bottle and handed it to Angel.
"Yeah," Angel said. "With every moment. I guess---Spike told you?"
"Oh, yeah, he said you were working for Faith now."
"For now," Angel said. After a moment, he said, "Research."
"Buffy's doing great," Xander said, casually.
"Good," Angel said, not even blinking.