It was so mundane, it was shocking how much he was affected by it. Michael couldn't stop thinking about his morning with Nikita and the words she casually threw at him. Maybe it was because it happened in their new apartment; the couple had their own place to call home, and he was overwhelmed by the feeling. Or maybe it was because almost two months had been spent just trying to start to shut down Division. He and the rest of the team were ready to do something more active then set up their operations and track down agents that hadn't returned. His need to hurry and end Division must've had him thinking too much about their future.
After all, there was no doubt that Michael wanted to spend his entire future with Nikita. Buying an apartment together was just one part of the happily ever after they'd soon reach. Though, actually having their own space was complete bliss on its own. No one could interrupt them. The couple could share little moments without prying eyes. And they could be completely comfortable with one another. It quickly made the place feel like home. They had no problem treating it as such as they went about their day, "I'm going shopping with Alex because fuck Division. Also, she offered, and I'm not passing on the chance for an heiress to buy me clothes."
"Good choice," Michael chuckled in response to Nikita's update. That was practically the first thing she said to him that morning as he handed her a cup of coffee. She must've gotten a text while they had taken turns showering and getting ready. He was fine with that. She could do whatever, as long as it made her happy. Cleaning up Division could survive one day without her and Alex. With a kiss goodbye, Nikita began to head out the door. Just before she left, however, Michael called her back, "Hey. While you're out, can you pick me up a couple more suits?"
"Yeah. You're a youth small, right?" Smiling adoringly, Nikita teased. Michael rolled his eyes and tried not to laugh. Laughing only encouraged her. She had always been sarcastic and a little shit. Yet since Percy died and the team had essentially ended their war, she had been something else. It was no doubt the happiness and excitement of nearly being free that made her so rambunctious. That kind of lightheartedness was felt by all the former rogues. Although they knew better than to become too wrapped in excitement they'd forget they still have jobs to do, it felt nice to be happy; it felt nice to know there was an actual end to the storm.
"Spot on. I'll text you my size and what brands I like," Michael hid his returning grin behind a sip of coffee. Nikita caught the expression, however. At least she didn't outwardly gloat about how strongly she affected him. She simply shot him a knowing look. Another thing that had changed, grown, and amplified since the fall of Division was how deeply connected the couple was. Simple expressions and touches said everything for them. Fighting so hard for the future they deserved had given them that gift.
"Kay. But no more just black and gray. I'm not spending the rest of my life with Batman," Agreeing with a kiss, Nikita left Michael standing in their apartment to go shopping with Alex. He should've been able to move on and go about his morning as usual. Except, her words had him stuck in place. They had talked numerous times about spending the rest of their lives together. It wasn't a new concept. But the casualness in which she said it, floored him. Usually, their talks about the future came about in serious discussions- sometimes even arguments. The fact that it was uttered with so much lightness was awe inspiring.
Michael couldn't stop thinking about it as he finally moved from the apartment and headed to Division. There was lightness in his and Nikita's life; they were quickly approaching freedom and happily ever after. Just the thought of it had him enchanted. He was certain Birkhoff and Ryan had important information for him regarding the Dirty Thirty (the thirty agents that didn't accept the recall order and removed their trackers) but he couldn't stop thinking about his girlfriend. It got so bad, that the second he saw Sean, he blurted, "Can I ask you something?"
The agent had to talk to Sean. His rampant thoughts led him to that conclusion. If he wanted to secure his future with Nikita, then he had to talk to her brother. The Seal, however, was wrapped in his own thoughts. He had asked the same question the instant he ran into Michael. Weeks in and out of Division as he reported his latest activities to his superior officers made spending time with Alex difficult. He needed to make up for it. He needed help in knowing how to make it up to her, "How can I show Alex that I want a serious relationship with her?"
"She's met your family. I think that's pretty serious," Michael decided to help the Seal before he focused entirely on himself. Sean seemed far more in distress than he was, and their talk could give him a moment to form the words circling around his head. He only had a loose idea of how he wanted to spend forever with Nikita. He knew it involved them being together, but beyond that it was blurry. He'd need concrete plans if he was going to talk about it. Especially when the one idea that came to mind was so impactful, he wasn't certain if it'd work.
"She lived with my sister for a year, then became her mole. I don't think meeting my family is considered a big deal," Snapping Michael's attention back to the present, Sean reminded him of Alex's previous connection to his family. Although having her spend time with Jill, Sandy, and the rest of his family was amazing and wonderful, it wasn't as big of a deal as it normally would have been. Half the reason the young woman was there was because of Nikita, after all. The Seal needed more to prove that the dates that had been going on were serious. He didn't just want to kiss her and hang out with her. He wanted to be with her.
"Fair point. Why don't you just tell her then?" Shrugging, Michael wondered. Talking to Alex seemed like the easiest solution. The last thing she and Sean needed was miscommunication. But before the Seal could explain himself, agents began to pass them in the hallway. Michael nodded for them to have their conversation in the weapons' locker. The two definitely didn't need to be overheard. Word couldn't get back to Nikita or Alex. Or, worst of all, Birkhoff. No doubt, the nerd would tease them mercilessly about their women troubles.
"Okay. But what if I'm an idiot and can't really talk right around her?" Once they were alone again, Sean explained one reason for his struggle. Being busy with the Navy after reports of him with Oversight, his involvement with Clean Sweep, being an heiress's bodyguard, and some 'secret operation' at an underground bunker wasn't the only thing holding him back; though, his current circumstance was serious. At least he had the President, Vice President, and Kendrick covering for him. Alex was his real concern. He couldn't let their relationship slip from his grasp just as it was starting- just as they had both taken the plunge.
"Alex has always done better with action than words. Give her a meaningful gift, take her somewhere special, always show up whenever she needs you. I think she'll understand," Michael suggested lightly. From what he had noticed over the years, it was the people that always showed up that made their way into Alex's heart. She and Nikita even made up after a terrible fight because of how caring their actions were. The two had screamed horrible words at each other, but they still tried to protect one another. Actions were powerful things to the young woman.
"Cool," Already lost in thought, Sean simply nodded. He trusted Michael's judgement. Not only had he spent more time with Alex than the Seal had, the agent also knew a thing or two about serious relationships; he had been married, and he managed to stay with Nikita after the shit they put each other through. His advice was sound. Sean just had to think about how to apply it to him and Alex. They didn't necessarily have time to go anywhere, and of course he'd always be there for her. So what was the gift he could give her, "A meaningful gift like what? Jewelry?"
Chuckling softly, Michael shook his head. Sean wasn't kidding about his stupidity when it came to Alex. He was acting as though it was his first relationship ever. Although that was ridiculous, it was also very sweet. He cared a lot about her. He really wanted to be in her life. Of anyone, Michael understood that the most. He felt the same about Nikita. Which was why it was so nerve racking to admit the idea that had sprung to mind. He couldn't afford for things to go awry. It had to be perfect, "Yeah. Jewelry's nice. It's gotta be from the heart though, something that you saw and thought of her. You know, like the ring I'm thinking about getting your sister."
"The ring… you want to marry Icky Nikki?" That was the best thing Sean could say. In his defense, he wasn't expecting Michael to admit that he wanted to propose to Nikita. His head was also so wrapped around Alex, he had forgotten the agent had originally wanted to talk to him about something important. Wanting to marry his sister was definitely important. He didn't even think that was in the cards for them. Yes, Michael and Nikita were close. But Sean wasn't aware that they were ready for marriage. He really needed to catch up on the two's history.
"I understand now why she calls you a dumbass," Rolling his eyes, Michael scoffed. That certainly wasn't the reaction he was expecting. Although he too was surprised that he was thinking about marrying Nikita, it just felt right- it felt perfect. Marriage didn't need to proceed a life spent together. But the two were so committed, that it seemed like the next step for them. Sean didn't appear to be on the same page, but that could've been because of Michael's comment. The agent couldn't help but laugh at the Seal's annoyance, "Sometimes, it's easy to forget you two are half-siblings. Then you make the same annoyed expression, like that one."
"You seriously want to marry Nikita? Have you guys even talked about marriage?" Sean tried to school his features as he asked. Maybe it was a little too late, but he needed to catch up on Michael's and Nikita's relationship. All of a sudden, he felt as though the two were moving far too fast. They had just ended a war, they had just signed up to shut down Division, they had just delayed getting pardons and going home. Yet, the couple were going to get a jump on their futures by getting married. The Seal couldn't make sense of it.
"Yeah. Well, not marriage specifically. But we talk about spending the rest of our lives together, and living as one big happy family," Michael tried to explain to Sean. He and Nikita weren't going to get married immediately. He had to buy the ring and ask her first. There were also other things to take care of before they would rush to the altar. Division had to be gone for good, their identities had to be reinstated, and she had to be home with her family. He wanted her to have everyone she loved in her life before they settled into their forever together.
"So that's your intentions with my sister? To start a family?" Missing Michael's meaning entirely, Sean crossed his arms and glared. He was fairly certain that he had suddenly been possessed by the spirit of his father. Those kinds of questions were exactly what he used to ask the boys Nikita and Jill brought home, which was why Nikita stopped bringing boys home. It was absolutely stupid to be grilling Michael about the engagement. He should've just been happy that his sister would be so happy. But he couldn't stop himself from being excessively protective.
Incredulously, Michael stared at Sean. He had only wanted to talk to him about marrying Nikita so he could have her family's input on what to do next. It was important that they continued to be involved, even if she was separated from them for the time being. He hadn't expected to be interrogated like they were in highschool and he was taking her on their first date. They were adults. She could make her own decisions. And she definitely wouldn't like her little brother impeding on her choices, "My intentions? What the hell?"
"Aren't you significantly older than Nikita?" Even Sean didn't know why he kept being so protective of his sister. He had never had a problem with hers and Michael's relationship before- other than the two times he had walked in on them. He, Jill, and Sandy had continued to live their lives after her 'death'; she could live hers as well. He had been able to rationalize that after the initial shock of discovering her relationship with Michael (and her raging a war). However, something about his sister getting married was different. He was beginning to feel as he did when he first heard about Daniel. Nikita easily had him completely out of her life.
"It's the same age difference as you and Alex," Michael fired back instantly. He had to get Sean out of his head. Not only was thinking too much causing communication issues between him and Alex, but it was about to start a problem between him and his sister. There was nothing for the Seal to worry about. Nikita wasn't going anywhere, Alex was committed to wherever their relationship was going, everyone would be home soon, and Michael wouldn't betray his trust. Whether Sean believed it or not, he could put faith in the positive outcome. He didn't always have to be on the attack, "The protective little brother act isn't a good look on you."
"I'm the man of the house. I have to make sure she finds someone who won't break her heart. If they do, I'll kill them," Despite the joke about his role in the family, Sean was completely serious about what he'd do to Michael if he ever hurt Nikita. He doubted his sister's boyfriend- future husband- would ever hurt her. He had risked his life for her; he had shown how willing he was to fight for her. Nikita's heart was safe with Michael. Sean had to battle with himself to see reason. Those two getting married was a great thing. It would mean happiness.
"Well then, Man of the House. Can I have Nikita's hand in marriage? Even though, if she found out we were doing this, she'd kick both our asses," Michael relented, grinning softly and extended his hand to his future brother-in-law. He understood where Sean was coming from. Their family had suffered through a lot of pain and loss. They didn't need to face any more. But he would never make Nikita go through more heartache. That would break his heart as well. And if he ever broke that promise, then her brother had every right to kill him.
"Of course you can marry her. And don't worry. I'll ask Alex to protect us," Beating away the last remnants of doubt, Sean shook Michael's hand. Bright smiles and laughter floated around the room at the thoughts of the future they had discussed. Michael and Nikita were going to get married. Once Division was officially over and they could ride off into the sunset, they'd do so in marital bliss. And Alex and Sean could have their own serious relationship, one built off of always being there for one another. It seemed so perfect. Nothing could ruin it for them.