Chapter Text
Note: beginning is similar to Finding Family.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
XOXOXO
Xander winced slightly as he tried to knot his tie properly over his dress shirt. The bruises Tony had given him as a graduation/going away present overtop of all the injuries he sustained from the actual battle during graduation left him sore and stiff. Thankfully his stepfather had left for the bar and had yet to return. Maybe if he was lucky the bastard will get eaten, but he doubted it.
A tired sigh left him as he looked over his form in the mirror. Larry’s was the last funeral for those that had died during the battle. The battle he had planned and led. The battle to survive the Mayor’s ascension into a pure demon and subsequent plan to turn their class into a buffet. Even with the back up plans and the strength in numbers with the students fighting back, they had lost a good amount of people. Some had completely disappeared, though he wouldn’t be surprised if they showed up later as members of the undead.
Realistically he knew it could have gone a heck of a lot worse. Emotionally he blamed himself for every grave dug as a result of the fight. So many ‘if onlys’ ran through his mind over and over the past week.
It didn’t help that he also felt hurt at the lack of presence from his real father and his half brothers. Sure their attendance would have caused problems and might have gotten them hurt, but they hadn’t even bothered to call. Then again it had been some time since he heard from them. In fact the last call had been from Sam telling him to call his cell instead of his house phone, at least five months ago. At Christmas Dean had sent him some beer, which he pawned off for information and his father had sent a card and money, while Sam had sent him a book on vampire myths. That had entertained the group for days.
Before, he maybe got a couple of calls every few months. Heck, he hadn’t seen any of them since he started high school. Not that he expected more than that. After all he had resulted from a one-night stand neither party expected any consequences from. He supposed he should feel lucky his father and brothers bothered with him at all. His mother sure didn’t and he lived with her. Of course given his extracurricular activities these past three years it was probably better that he hadn’t seen them. Lying always came easier when on the phone than when face to face.
Shaking his head he got rid of all thoughts about the Harris and the Winchesters. He had a funeral to get to then a road trip to start. He had packed the car earlier with the items he wanted to keep, knowing his ‘parents’ would scavenge his room for any sellable items to help fund their addictions.
Just as he turned to head out the door of his room a new presence appeared. Shifting into a defensive pose he took in the cheap suit and bowler hat the man wore.
“Hey kid.” The thick Bronx accent rolled over him.
“Let me guess… Whistler.” Xander frowned.
“Right in one kid.”
“As I’m sure you know Buffy is at home with her mom getting ready to go to LA for the summer.” He pointed out dispassionately, planning to leave.
“I’m not here for the Slayer. I came to talk to you.” The little man held his ground at the fierce glare now directed at him. The others may not consider Harris dangerous but the Balance Demon knew better. He held his hands up. “Look I’m just the messenger kid.”
Huffing Xander managed to relax. It wasn’t Whistler’s fault his bosses sucked. “Ok what’s the what?”
“You gotta leave Sunnydale for good kid. Or everything in this dimension will die.”