Times Like These

Title: Times Like These
Rating: PG-13
Author: Sxymami0909
Fandom: Angel the Series
Pairing: Angel-Centric implied Angel/Cordelia
Word Count: 445
Prompt: “If there was one thing I could change, I would change…” written for week #29 of Fandon_Fridays



Angel leaned against the wall in the shadows of the Hyperion hotel eyes trained on the brunette in front of him changing his son as she spoke softly to the infant. It was times like these that he couldn’t believe how much Cordelia had grown since he first met her.

Gone was the self-absorbed teenager who lived to make other people’s lives miserable. That girl was replaced by this…amazing, kind-hearted woman who would rather sacrifice her own life than the life of an innocent.

Angel knew she’d never truly been a cruel person. It was all a façade she had put on for the casual observer. A façade that she no longer bothered with and he thanked the powers that be everyday for bringing her into his life.

His own whirlwind of sunshine in the darkest recess of his world; Cordelia was his light. She managed to make him feel like he wasn’t a monster and it was something he’d always be grateful for. She picked up Conner, grinning as his son laughed in her arms.

But even from the distance he could see the dark circles under her eyes, the weariness in her movements. She’d given up so much to be with him on his journey to redemption and even if she didn’t say it, he knew the visions were taking their toll on her.

Because as much as he considered Cordelia Chase to be his equal in every way, sometimes even more of a hero then he was, her body was only human. So much had altered in the years he’d known her, but if there was one thing he could change it would be the pain she felt on a daily basis because of him and his mission.

He knew she wouldn’t give up the visions even if she could, but he would if it would end her pain and suffering. He’d once told her that he didn’t keep her around because of the visions, and that was the truth.

Because somewhere down the line he’d fallen in love with his beautiful seer. Angel shook his head, his lip curling into a small smile as Cordelia talked to Conner about making money for all the stuff he’d eventually need.

It warmed him from the inside out knowing she planned to be around that long. And as he stood there watching the two most important people in his world he couldn’t help the happiness that filled him.

It was times like these that he couldn’t believe how much Cordelia had grown since he first met her, but after the life he’d lived, Angel wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.