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Crinkles

A Mentalist Fanfic

Most women worried at the first appearance of fine lines. They'd go overboard with creams and lotions, hoping to make the marks disappear.

Teresa Lisbon, from what he could observe, didn't care about the creases. She wasn't bothered by the everyday ones or those earned simply by living. And he found both her attitude and the crinkles endearing.

The light wrinkles came out at her dimples, smile widening at another wild strategy he'd cooked up. Same location and between her brows too as her words are swallowed by a sudden, deep yawn.

Laughing made them wink out near her eyes. So did her tears, her sorrow reflected back when his own frown furrowed.

Concentrating brought them to her forehead. It didn't matter if she was puzzling out an aspect of a case or deciding what color paint would be best in the living room.

If he was being particularly irritating, they seemed to make her scowl much more intense.

Red peppers, fruit peel or dijon mustard and the slight impressions showed, a telltale sign of her dislike. They peeked out near her nose moments before she covered a sneeze.

Right now though, those adorable wrinkles were etched on her in sleep. Lids pressed tight as she fights against a dream.

He shifts on the mattress so he can brush her cheek, offering a quiet 'shhh.' His palm is at her shoulder, rubbing gently. The contact works as if by magic; his wife stills and then relaxes. She subconsciously reaches for him in the aftermath, small hands and murmuring lips.

He enfolds her easily. A little shiver travels up his spine when she sighs into his chest.

Yes, he loved all of her wrinkles and he was sure there would be many more.