Thanks for your reviews to the previous chapter. I'm glad you liked it.
This one is T-Rated. Humor/Fluff
Still own nothing and unbetaed.
Birthdays didn't matter to him. There was nothing to celebrate anymore. He rubbed his palm over his sleep driven face before catching a glimpse to his watch on the night stand. 6 a.m. Stretching out on the mattress, he rolled out of bed, sitting on the edge and clearing his dry throat. He missed these old days of his former life. He would get up and find his wife in the kitchen along with his daughter, wearing those ridiculous birthday hats while they waited for him. He was used to look forward to this day but time had changed drastically. Lizzie was with him because she had to, not because she wanted to and he took the blame.
This year's birthday was even worse because he pulled the only good person he knew into the darkness.
A shattering noise coming from the kitchen got his attention back. He took his gun from under the pillow and tiptoed out of his room. Lizzie's bedroom door was open, her bed neatly made so he lowered his gun and walked casually towards the kitchen. They were currently settled in Sweden, living safely in the woods but he would never let his guard down, especially not while Lizzie was with him.
He found the door locked and knocked once. "Lizzie? Are you alright?"
"Yeah!"
He heard another glass hitting the floor and pursed his lips in recognition. "Can I help you?"
"Ah, no! Don't bother. Grab a drink or go for a walk. I'll be fine."
"It's 6 in the morning.", he answered wryly.
"Then take a walk!"
Even it he couldn't see her, she was annoyed. He saw how she rolled her eyes at his former reply in his mind. What was she doing in there? Lizzie rarely prepared breakfast. Part of it because he was up before her and because she was a terrible chef. He offered to teach her but she politely refused.
He leaned against the doorframe and listened for a moment while watching his bare feet. She was disrupting his morning routine, the only routine left in his life. He needed a cup of tea, the newspaper and scrambled eggs.
"Lizzie? I won't go away until I've had my tea! Unlock the door!", he demanded.
"Don't be a killjoy. Go, take a shower!" She rummaged through the cupboards and added softly. "A long shower. Preferably about 15 minutes."
He groaned but left for the bathroom. Without being presumptuous, he suspected that she knew about his birthday. Of course she did since it was written in his file but was she doing something for him?
He slid out of his pants and shirt and turned on the shower. He valued a shower almost as much as his tea. Also, it helped him to focus. Lizzie had changed. Well, not her persona, just her behavior around him. He had never seen her smile so openly around him and she was quite grabby recently. Not that he minded, it delighted him that she felt good despite the trouble they were in and he loved telling her story after story. Truth to be told, he struggled at first to have someone with him. He wasn't a loner anymore.
Their life was domestic if they weren't chasing other criminals and their relationship solid and all that happened since she became a fugitive. It was the worst that happened to her but it benefitted their partnership positively.
With only a towel around his waist, he padded back into his room, changing into a pair of dark jeans and a black button down. They had to lie low for a while, allowing him to wear casual clothes rather than his suits and Lizzie seemed to be quite fond of him when he dressed down.
After he shaved he assumed that she must have finished whatever she did. The scent of coffee and bacon was heavy as he came near the kitchen. "Lizzie?"
The door swung open and Lizzie smiled brightly. She usually wasn't a morning person but she looked absolutely radiating. Her hair was bound in a ponytail, a white towel hung over her shoulder and she was smiling. He'd never tire of seeing that smile.
"Come in.", she said, opening the door wider and pointed to table that was filled with eggs, bacon, tea and his newspaper.
Saying he was a little overwhelmed would have been an understatement. Her gesture warmed his heart and for a moment his fingernails dug into his palm, realising that he wasn't dreaming, he moved past her, his irises waving a quick glimpse in her direction as he went.
"This is, I don't know what to say."
"Better don't say anything, yet. Sit down and close your eyes!"
He raised an eyebrow but complied as she mirrored his glance while cleaning her hands with the towel. She opened the fridge and he fought against the urge to sneak a peek.
"Don't look, Red!"
Female intuition or she knew him. He hoped for the latter one. Keeping his eyes closed, he hummed in agreement. Soon, he felt her presence beside him, her thighs touching the back of his hand which was placed on his quadricep. "So, what now?", he asked nonchalantly.
"Open your mouth!"
"I might be old but I can very well still eat on my own."
He hadn't expect her to laugh at this but she did and padded his shoulder. "I haven't thought of that but will you please do it? I swear you won't regret it."
Sighting, he obliged and felt how she held a fork directly in front of his lips. He smelled once, then twice and couldn't help the small hum that came out of his mouth. He would recognize the sweet scent anywhere and before she could say anything, he leaned forward, catching the fork in between his lips, before releasing it accompanied with a moan.
"Mhmm, Pecan Pie... How did you keep it so fresh. The delivery must have taken quite some time."
"I made it myself." She grinned widely as he opened his eyes and swallowed.
"You're bluffing! He'd never give you the recipe."
"But he did." Her smile widened if possible, showing off her adorable dimples. She handed him the plate and planted a chaste kiss on to his cheek. "Happy Birthday, Red!"
He tilted his head and laced their fingers together, giving her hand a soft squeeze. He took another bite and distracted himself. Otherwise he would have started to weep. She baked a pie in the middle of the night, she must have spent days planning this and she kissed him. "Thank you!", he replied hoarsely.
"You're welcome!"
She poured him tea as he was still seemingly occupied with his plate. She planned this for weeks and finding something for Raymond Reddington was by far not easy but he was obviously touched and therefore she considered her task a success.
They enjoyed breakfast and had a comfortable conversation. It wouldn't always be like this and that made him cherish these moments even more. Only him and her. This was his real safe place. "Now spill! Was I right and it has something to do with his eggs?"
"Can't tell.", she answered and sipped her coffee.
"Why not?"
Circling the mug between her hands, she shrugged. "You didn't ask me how I convinced your friend to share his recipe."
"How did you do it?"
"It was so easy. He was all in when I told him I wouldn't give it to you!
He threw his head back and groaned. "So unfair!"
Fin.
A/N: Feel free to tell me what you think! :)
