I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Just FYI, there's no need to be over-worried about the origin of 'dad'. The word dates back to the 1500s and is considered to be of 'baby-talk' origin. 'Da-da-da' is a sound that all babies make and English speakers have given that sound to mean 'father' over the years. Holtz would have recognized the word, but very likely had corrected Connor and had his son call him 'father'. It follows that 'dad' would be an appropriate word to call Angel since it could be considered disrespectful from an older cultural perspective. But of course nowadays it's a term of affection, altering the impact when he uses it on Angel.

Anyway, I'm just glad someone else feels Connor's confusion about what to call these two men.

A great story. Very good.

Love this fic. I like how confused he is, and how he tries to figure out his relationship with the two men using a word. All the philosophical musings seem quite at home in Connors slightly twisted mind (I'll never get the 'sleeping with Cordelia' bit, as long as I live.. and, for that matter, I'll never get Jasmine. It seemed like such a lame idea of Whedons to give her entire responsibility for the wonder of Angel and Darla conceiving a child and the beautiful scene where darla sacrifices herself in order to live. not for some--in my opinion--crappy villain that was only around for three or four episodes and completely ruined Cordelia's wonderful character. Of course, it makes everything worth it, in a way, to see her come back as herself in 'You're Welcome'. but I'm deviating... :P).

HM...interesting...well first off very well written. I also like the seperation of titles with Connor, something I've noticed and contemplated. AAlthough, I'm not sure Connor's hatred for Angel still ran that deep by Apocalypse Nowish I feel that his love of Holtz still did...but that's why it's fanfic. Again LOVE the concept, well written, and very interesting...Write again soon please...maybe something post Origin

You see I can review this for while no I haven't watched it but by reading wikipedia which I admit I have done and other such spoilers I do know things. And well when I learned he had a son I was kinda huh? what the hell? so yeah. Defense!

I liked the talk of the many different meaning of the names as well It's true isn't it? you always call family or friends something based on how you feel for them. And he considered Angel scum for so so long and been manipulated many ways so to think of what to call him... *nods* and I especially liked the end cause yeah bitter they will all eventually whither and die some of them but he unless staked well he has forever and more.