A/N: We've finally reached the end, hope you all enjoy it! And I know I say it a lot but thank you guys so much for everything, I want to just take you all and wrap you up in a blanket and just cuddle you to bits!
Also as a head's up I'm working on another bonus chapter/epilogue sort of thing for this story sort of as a gift to all of you for being so sweet to me, look for it to be added here soon! It won't be anything serious, just another huge ball of fluff from me to you, with love.
Anyways, here's the ending, I really poured my heart into this one! Enjoy, you pretty little things you.
Tamora was just leaving her apartment, closing the door shut behind her. She turned to go and suddenly, there he was.
Felix stood with his hand on the doorknob of his apartment, staring at her, openmouthed. They remained frozen for some time, locked in place, simply looking at each other. There was no going back now, this was finally happening.
This was her first time actually seeing him and somehow she wasn't surprised in the least. He was dressed in jeans and a work shirt; his hat and gloves had fallen out of his hand and now lay completely forgotten on the floor. He looked just like she imagined, his eyes were unimaginably big and kind, like the eyes of a little puppy dog. One look in those eyes and she knew he'd follow her to the ends of the earth and she'd never even have to ask.
She was a few inches taller than the handyman, another endearing quality that wound itself around her heart and made her want to hold him close like some well-loved teddy bear. His face was so open and honest; it was like the kindness in him had shaped its features. A charming blush had already begun to spread across his cheeks. He looked so damn adorable with that neatly parted brown hair and those endless blue eyes, she was falling in that moment, hard and fast.
Felix looked at the woman before him, he knew his mouth was hanging open but he couldn't help it. She wore a pair of baggy cargo pants slung low on her hips and a deep olive green sweater that brought out the color of her sharp blue eyes. She was without a doubt the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen in all his days, all long legs and soft curves. The way her short blonde hair fell into her face, covering one eye, was already driving him mad. He wanted nothing more than to sweep it aside and tuck it tenderly behind her ear, to see if it was as soft as it looked.
"You're so beautiful Tammy…" he said it so quietly, he wondered if she even heard him.
A slight blush crept into her cheeks and she struggled to remain aloof.
"Flattery don't charge these batteries, Fix-it."
Turning toward her, he released the doorknob and began closing the distance between them. He was like a man in a trance as he approached her; the look in his eyes had her rooted to the spot. Felix stretched up on his tiptoes and ran his fingers gently along her cheek, tucking her hair behind her ear. Leaning in close, he placed a soft kiss on her cheek before pulling away.
Felix heard her soft gasp of surprise and immediately began babbling an apology, pulling away from her. Seeing her like that, frozen beautifully under his gaze, he'd been unable to help himself.
A fire flared up in her heart, ignited by the spark of his chaste kiss. Calhoun grabbed him roughly by the collar of his shirt and hauled him up toward her; she looked at him fiercely for a moment before crushing their lips together in a searing kiss. Tamora felt him tense for a second before melting into the kiss, their arms winding around one another.
The feel of her lips was maddening and Felix brought a hand to her cheek, tilting his head to get a better angle. Surprised at his own boldness he swept his tongue into her mouth, eliciting a shudder from the tall blonde. She tasted so sweet, felt so perfect in his arms; he never wanted to be without her.
When they finally managed to pull away from one another, Tamora gave a breathy little moan of want. The sound went right through his heart like an arrow. Resting his forehead against hers, they kept their eyes closed, trying to catch their breath.
Felix pulled back, kissing her softly on her forehead before he placed a hand aside her face and looked into her eyes. They were an arresting shade of icy blue, her heated gaze made him shiver a little.
"Jiminy jaminy," he finally managed, face as red as ever. "Hi Tammy."
"Hi Felix." She whispered back with a little smile.
The blonde pulled him into another soft kiss, running her fingers through his hair as she drew him close. She'd never much been one for physical contact but suddenly all she wanted was to have him as close as possible. All that waiting and worrying was finally over, already she felt lighter for it.
Releasing his soft lips, she looked down into his eyes, so bright and full of love, and felt a tightening in her chest. There was no way to describe the feeling that had settled in her heart, landing there softly like a fledgling dove. The word 'love' would not even begin to encompass it; it had the feel of 'home' and 'peace' as well. And something she hadn't truly felt for a long time: 'safe'. That feeling settled in deeper, fluffing its downy feathers and burbling a gentle song. It felt like coming alive again; like living in the dark for so long and stepping into a shaft of sunlight, suddenly dazzled and warm.
It felt so damned good.
Felix cleared this throat, that charming blush still on his face.
"M-maybe we should get out of the hallway?" he offered. "I was just about to make dinner if you want to join me?"
He looked so damn hopeful she couldn't help but smile and nod in agreement. He tugged at her hand to lead her inside but she remained frozen in place. Turning back he found her steadily staring at the ground, clearly struggling with something. There was a beat of delicate silence before she looked back up at him with those bright icy eyes, her hair falling back into her face.
In that moment she looked so perfectly fragile.
"I love you." She said it quietly, shyly.
Then she pushed her chin up and that sharp look snapped back into place, as if daring him to laugh. Felix felt his heart blossom for this fierce, beautiful, tigress of a woman.
"I love you too Tammy." He replied, giving her hand a squeeze before kissing her softly.
They parted and without warning she hugged him so fiercely tight that he could barely breathe, his feet leaving the ground for a moment. Tamora buried her face in the soft curve of his neck and he could feel the wetness of her tears. She held him like that for a while, relief and so many other emotions crashing over her. Felix embraced her gently; one hand stroking her soft hair, the other rubbing small soothing circles along her back. If it was what she needed, he'd hold her like this all night if he had to.
Finally she released him, looking a little sheepish, quickly swiping the tears from her face with her sleeve. No one had seen her cry for a long, long time. It was so unlike her, yet who was to say what she was like anymore? After all this her heart felt like a phoenix, shaking off the ashes and stretching its wings. It made her feel raw and new in the most delicious, dizzying way.
"Sorry." She mumbled, giving him a shy little smile.
He would have done anything to have her smile at him like that every single day of his life.
"Nothing to be sorry for, Tammy." He murmured, kissing a stray tear from her cheek. "My Tammy…"
She straightened up and ruffled his hair, regaining her composure, a blush still high in her cheeks.
"Alright, enough with the goo-goo eyes, you said something about dinner?"
He grinned back, eager to please.
"Yes ma'am! Right this way!" he opened the door for her and they went inside, Q-bert immediately coming to greet them.
The bright orange cat wound his way through Felix's legs then continued on to Calhoun's. She scooped up the feline and cuddled him a little, scratching him under the chin.
"How are you, you mangy little thing?" she asked, touching her nose to his and receiving a rumbling purr in answer.
Felix smiled, his gaze soft. She looked so comfortable, so at ease here with him. He hoped he could give her the safe place he knew she longed for; he'd heard that plea in her voice every time they'd spoken.
Walking over, he scratched Q-bert behind the ear and gave Tamora a kiss on the cheek.
"Shall we m'lady?" he gestured to the kitchen and she followed him there, setting Q-bert down gently.
They went about fixing dinner, talking all the while. She had been so quiet before, whenever they chatted it was usually Felix that did most of the talking. Now she couldn't seem to stop, the words just pouring out of her. It was like they'd been there all along just waiting for the right moment to escape, or maybe just for the right person to hear them. Felix was more than happy to listen, still amazed she was really finally here.
After dinner they cleaned up as the handyman floundered for a way to make her stay a little longer. Tamora was like some beautiful mirage he feared would vanish the moment he took his eyes off of her. He offered her a glass of wine and they ended up on the couch, talking quietly for a time.
Tamora shifted a little and something dug into her leg. Fishing around in the side pocket of her cargo pants she produced the novel he had left for her. She'd been carrying it around with her the last few days, like a talisman, wanting to feel closer to him. The blonde looked at it quietly for a moment before Felix took the book gently from her hands. Opening it to the first page he raised his eyebrows questioningly. She gave a little nod and settled closer to him, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Felix began to read, cautiously wrapping his arm around her. He glanced down to gauge her reaction and found her nuzzling comfortably into his chest, her head resting over his heart. Something about her instilled this fierce need in him to protect, to defend. Felix knew she was vulnerable behind that mask she wore, he also knew it was not without good reason. He hugged her a little closer, reading on, for her he would fight any number of demons.
Calhoun drifted off to the sounds of his voice and his heartbeat, their twin melody so soothing she could not resist the siren call of slumber. Felix held her for a while, just looking down at the woman in his arms. In sleep she looked so sweet and peaceful, he simply could not bring himself to wake her. She stirred slightly in his arms and he kissed the top of her head, hugging her close.
"I think I should get you home Tammy, it's late." He admitted reluctantly.
She made a small noise of agreement, kissing him before standing to stretch. As they stepped out into the hallway he found himself wishing she didn't live next door just so the walk could be longer.
Giving him a kiss goodbye, she turned to go into her apartment.
"W-wait!" he grabbed her hand urgently and she turned back towards him, a smile already dancing on her lips.
"Yes Fix-it?"
"Tammy…when can I see you again?"
His eagerness was as plain as the blush on his cheeks.
A smile spread across her face and it struck her that this man could fix damn near anything, including a heart as broken and tattered as hers. She swooped down and kissed him deeply, making him shiver a little with want.
In that kiss was all the answer he'd ever need.
A/N: Well there you go, hope you liked it, if you made it this far I'm guessing you didn't drown in all that fluff up there! Look for the bonus chapter up soon, thank you all again for everything! Love to everyone!