Prompt: I wish that the elephant in the room between Deeks and Kensi - the abuse Kensi heaped on Deeks was discussed especially after she found out about his dad. I would think it would have come up some point at the very least prior to marriage.

A/N: I know this was a topic discussed many times over the years when Kensi tended to express her feelings in a more physical way. I don't know that I would characterize it as "abuse" in most cases, but I do appreciate that Kensi decals with things in a more open and healthy manner. Fair warning, this will probably turn out different from what you expected. I will do my very best to approach the topic as respectfully as possible.

This takes place in season 6 before they start dating.

Kensi walked out of the bathroom and into the living room, running a towel through her wet hair. She smiled at the sight that met her; Deeks was asleep on her couch, just the way she'd left him 20 minutes ago. He looked fairly adorable curled up around a pillow with his hair fluffed out in every direction.

It would be so easy to touch him, brush back the curls that were externally falling into his eyes…other things that they didn't dare talk about in the light of day. Shivering a little, Kensi clenched her fingers together, fighting off any inappropriate urges.

She tossed her soaked towel across the room, where they landed on top of yesterday's socks and an empty ice cream container Deeks hadn't managed to clear.

"Hey, Deeks, wake up," she called out, keeping a few feet of distance from the couch. "We have to be at work in an hour and a half."

He sighed, shifting onto his side, but didn't give any sign of actually getting up. The idea of kissing him awake flitted through her mind. Nothing good ever happened when they crossed those lines. They always regretted it once they were thinking clearly again.

It didn't stop her from wanting Deeks with everything she had, which made it all the more infuriating. Leaning into that annoyance, she punched Deeks' shoulder, just like she'd done dozens of times before. The second she made contact, Deeks rolled out of her reach with a violent jerk of his body. Moving faster than she could follow, he backed into the corner, ending in a defensive position with his arms held wide, legs slightly bent as his eyes darted around the room.

"Wha' happened?" he demanded, chest heaving. Kensi was amazed how quickly he'd gone from dead to the world asleep to high alert. Even more unnerving was the fear in his eyes.

"I punched you," Kensi told him, clamping a hand over her stomach at the sudden sick feeling that filled her. "I was trying to wake you up."

"Oh."

Some of the tension left his body and he nodded, settling a hand on his hip, as he lowered his eyes to the floor. She could almost feel the embarrassment rolling off of him. She took a step closer, wanting to offer some form of comfort, but though better of it, and let her hand fall back to her side.

He looked so vulnerable standing there barefoot, the remnants of sleep still casting shadows around his eyes.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't even think about—"

"No, it's not your fault," Deeks said quickly. He shoved his fingers through his hair and Kensi didn't miss the fine tremble in his hands as he fiddled with a few strands. "I just overreacted. Must have been on edge from yesterday."

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yeah, I'm good. I should get going." He flashed her a smile that didn't reach his eyes and nodded quickly. "I'll see you later."

Kensi watched him pull on his shoes and grab his phone and keys. As he started for the door, she gently brushed his arm, not wanting to startle him.

"Deeks, I really am sorry," she repeated, letting her touch linger for a few extra seconds. His smile more genuine this time as he laid his hand over hers.

"Honestly, Kensi, I think it was just the stress from the last week," he insisted. "I'll be fine."

Kensi wanted to believe him, but she couldn't forget the way he'd flinched, the absolute terror in his eyes when she'd punched him.