A/N: I was in a fluffy mood...

"Why did you do that?"

"Why are you even asking, Clarry? Why are you ringing me?"

Tim tipped his head back and rolled his eyes to Xander, which he appreciated. When the phone had gone, and Tim had said it was his old home number, Xander's heart had leapt into his throat. But Tim was leaning casually against him, the phone on speaker, and his sister's bitchy tone didn't seem to be affecting him at all.

"You gave me your number."

"Only because you had that meltdown in my insta comments. You were always pissed with me being around when I was at home. I'm not there, and you're still trying to pull me into your drama."

"Drama?! You're the one that was always attention seeking-,"

"And if you really think that, why are you even contacting me? You're miles away from my 'attention seeking' now."

"Dad's pissed. He won't let me go anywhere. He's put me under a fucking curfew. And it's because of you. He's scared I'm gonna go off and decide I'm into girls...or get fucking blue hair, or something. He hasn't shut up about it."

"What exactly do you expect me to do about it?"

There was nothing but spluttering on the other end of the phone for a moment, before her voice came back whinier than ever.

"You could come home. He'd be more reasonable to me if you were here instead of in the city doing God knows what."

"You are something else, Clarry, you know that? You didn't want me there, and now you're a twenty-one-year-old under her father's control, because you're happy enough for him to fund your lifestyle, and you're still managing to blame me. Move out. Whatever. Just don't contact me again."

Tim cut the call, tossing his phone to the other end of the couch and snuggling back against Xander, who wrapped him up in long arms.

"You did good, Angel. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he sighed, "we've never been close, and she's always blamed me, but I realize it's a lot to do with the fact that she's a lot like my dad. Only thinks about things in context to how they affect her. I can do without that in my life."

Xander couldn't help but think Tim was really without family now. His mom hadn't contacted him, and Tim had said he didn't expect she would. But he didn't seem bothered, even if it sat strangely with Xander. He distracted himself from negative thoughts by nipping at Tim's neck and making him squeak adorably.

* * * * *

Xander pulled out one of the new blazers he'd had Tim fitted for. He was happy to try a lot more colors lately, but blue was still his regular choice, and the jacket was slim fit in a royal blue velvet. Tim would look incredible in it, especially since he'd had his hair recolored dark, so the new deep blue was almost a glossy sheen over the top. It made his pale skin even more luminescent and Xander was never happier than with his face burrowed in the smooth skin at the nape of his neck, able to scent the fresh mint of Tim's new favorite shampoo.

"Are you sure: jeans?" Tim asked, worrying his lower lip with small teeth.

"Yup. And this shirt." Xander handed him a crisp white button-down which he shrugged on, still looking reluctant. "You don't like?"

"No, Sir, I do. But is it smart enough?"

"You'll look beautiful, Angel. And don't worry, they'll love you almost as much as I do."

* * * * *

Xander was right about how good Tim looked; the blazer the perfect slim fit against his narrow frame, the white shirt offset against the tan leather belt and indigo wash jeans that hugged his round ass just right. It didn't change how nervous the boy was though, his knee jittering up and down as they waited inside the fashionable restaurant Frankie had secured them a table at for brunch (because he owned it, of course).

Xander placed a hand on his knee, leaning over to nuzzle into his neck, which always calmed them both. He was distracted enough that he didn't even realize someone had approached the table.

"Xanny, darling, it's wonderful to see you."

"Mom!" Xander jumped up, pulled his mother into a hug, kissing her be-pearled ear through her artfully arranged gray hair.

"Let me look at you." She pushed him back, holding his arms as she looked him up and down, her stern face breaking into a warm smile. "You look fabulous darling. Very healthy. Something's obviously agreeing with you about big city life. And may I assume this young man is that something?"

Tim went very pink, his eyes wide as he looked up in awe, finally remembering himself to offer his hand.

"No, no, darling. If you're important enough for Xander to introduce us, you're important enough to get a hug."

She practically pulled Tim out of his seat and he squeaked as he was wrapped up in a powerful hug. Xander watched with pleasure as the tenseness seemed to leach out of him.

When he was finally let go he was breathing heavily from having all the air squeezed out of him.

"It's lovely to meet you, Mrs Miller."

"Well, we're not having that, at all. Call me Evelyn."

Xander's mom sat, and he finally saw his sister, who'd been standing behind her with a wry smile.

"Ariadne, you look incredible."

His sister's sleek dark hair was pulled into a smooth ponytail and her statuesque frame was clad in wine-colored cigarette pants and a simple black sleeveless shirt. She curled her crimson lips and winked at her brother, before pulling Tim into a slightly more gentle hug and bending to kiss his cheek.

"It's wonderful to finally meet you, Tim," she said as she guided him back to his seat.

Xander was close to Ariadne, and she'd been aware of Tim's existence for some time, though he appreciated her more restrained style than their mother. He'd known his mother would likely overwhelm Tim – she was a huge presence in everything she did – but that Ariadne would hopefully offset that.

It was proving the case now, as Evelyn peppered Tim with personal questions as they sipped mimosas and waited for their food. Fortunately, her style had never been to actually wait for an answer, so he was able to respond only when he felt comfortable and she was content. Ariadne was far more observant but she was also sensitive and Xander watched her noting the lines of questioning that made Tim uneasy, and helping Xander guide the conversation away.

By the time they'd eaten, Evelyn's questioning had eased somewhat, and Tim was beginning to relax, though the three mimosas he'd consumed alongside his baked eggs and brioche may have had something to do with it.

"Will you stay in New York, now you've finished university?" Evelyn asked, leaning forward.

"Uh, yes, ma'am, I mean, Evelyn."

"You don't plan to go back home? Now where's that accent from...?"

"Mom, a lot of people stay in the city after school," Ariadne intercepted, seeing the minor panic on Tim's face. "Besides, there's Xander."

Xander scowled at her smug expression, but she just laughed, taking Tim's hand.

"Come on darling, guide me to the restrooms."

He knew Ariadne was leaving him to his mother. It was almost a tradition by now, whenever they came to visit him, because Ariadne knew that if Evelyn didn't get opportunity to delve into Xander's personal life in private, she'd be overtaken by her need to know and do it publicly instead. He didn't mind, much. It was just the way of his mother.

"He's wonderful, darling," Evelyn said the moment Tim and Ariadne had left the table, not even out of earshot, and he saw Tim's ears go pink. "Even with that outlandish hair. He seems a very lovely boy."

"He is, Mom."

Xander didn't go into details – he knew she needed to get all her thoughts out, and the less delay, the better.

"He's rather young though?"

"Twenty-three."

"Okay. And you're living together?"

"Yes."

"Rather quick? You can't have known him for very long."

"Perhaps. But I know he's it for me."

That actually seemed to surprise her, and she sat back with a little gasp.

"Mom?"

She had tears in her eyes. "You've, you've never said that about anyone before. I didn't think, with your lifestyle..."

Evelyn did not know anything about his actual lifestyle – Ariadne did but she was even better than Xander at keeping things to herself if necessary – but she always made it clear she felt it was a litany of parties, and selling his body, and a revolving door of sexual partners.

"I know I haven't. I am sure though."

"When I first saw him, I wasn't really sure. The hair, and he looks so boyish and young. But he's very sweet. And, well, you...You're happy. I've never seen you this happy. You shouldn't let him go, you know?"

"I don't plan on it."

"I mean it. Make sure he knows how much he means to you."

Xander looked at his mom, who's glistening tears hadn't faded, and he knew she was thinking of his father. He'd been her one. He remembered how in love they'd always been, until a drunk driver had mounted the curb while he'd been running one evening, killing him instantly. Xander had been thirteen. His mother only forty, and a widow. They'd had seventeen years together, and he knew she wished every day that they'd had longer.

Tim and Ariadne returned from the restrooms, giggling, Tim leaning into her side. Xander was in wonderment of him. His pale face colored just on the apple of his cheeks, his newly dark and glossy hair just swooping to cover one laughing eye, managing to look cute and sexy in the outfit Xander had chosen.

Xander glanced at his mother, just to see that she was looking at Tim too, with an unexpectedly sweet smile on her face. As they slid back into their seats, Xander took a deep breath and opened his mouth, but his mother gestured the waiter over and asked for a refill of their drinks.

"Mom, I don't think-," Ariadne began, but her mother waved her objection away.

"We don't see Xander very often. We should celebrate."

Xander wondered if she knew, if she'd seen it in his eyes. But it didn't matter. She may have prompted what he was thinking – may have been the catalyst – but it was right. It was what he wanted.

"Tim..."

Tim looked down at him, eyes wide at Xander suddenly on one knee. Xander took his hand, tried to ignore his own shaking, but felt calmed when he looked up and saw the absolute love and trust in Tim's eyes when he realized what Xander was doing.

"I love you Tim."

He ignored the absolute silence that seemed to have fallen over all the busy tables surrounding them, running his thumb over Tim's knuckles and taking another breath.

"I love you. And I never want to say, or think, in the future that I didn't get to say you were mine, in every way, for as long as possible."

Xander felt as though he had cotton in his mouth. The words were there, but the fear too.

"I know it's soon. But you're it for me. You're mine, and I'm yours, and I want to make it official, forever. Will you marry me, Tim?"

A/N: I wonder what Tim will say...