Author's note: I do not own NCIS:LA or its characters
"You want to have a movie night?" Rountree asked, grabbing his bag as they packed up for the day. Fatima looked up and paused.
"Um, sure," she said softly.
"We don't have to. It was a suggestion," he said softly.
"It's not that. My place?" she replied, tossing her bag over her shoulder.
"Sure. Pizza or burgers?" Rountree could tell she wasn't very excited, and although she insisted she wanted to, he could tell something was on her mind. He pulled into her parking lot and noticed Ali walking out. He frowned, wondering if that had something to do with it. Once he could no longer see him, he got out and walked to her door. Fatima opened it just as he was about to knock. "I didn't know you had plans with Ali. I told you we-"
"I didn't, okay?! Believe it or not, I'm capable of deciding who I want to hang out with," she snapped.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. The snapping felt familiar. Too familiar. "Start over?" he asked nervously.
"Fine," she said, and closed the door. Rountree took a deep breath and knocked. She opened it immediately.
"I brought pizza," he said sheepishly. Fatima smiled and opened the door.
"Come on in," she said softly. He walked in and helped her set up.
A few hours later, Fatima was snuggled in comfortably on the couch. But not on Rountree like she usually did. Rountree felt very lonely without her head on his chest. He could tell something was very wrong.
"Look," he began softly. "I don't know what's bothering you, and you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but I'm here if you do. Okay?" He hoped she would crawl into his arms and tell him what was wrong, but he knew it wouldn't be so easy.
"You wouldn't understand," she whispered.
"Then explain it to me so I do. It hurts when I see you so upset," he whispered. She looked up and crawled into his arms.
"I'm just confused," she admitted.
"About what?" he asked, pulling her close.
"Akhil. You. Everything," she finally said after a long pause.
"Want to elaborate on that?" he asked.
"Akhil proposed." she blurted out.
"Like for marriage?" Rountree asked.
"Yes, dumbass," she said.
"But… I thought… Was it…" Rountree stumbled over his words. He was jealous. He wanted Fatima to be with him, not Akhil. But he wanted her to be happy more than anything.
"I told him I didn't know, that I need to think about it," she whispered.
"When did he-" Rountree was stunned.
"Last night." Fatima put her head on his chest. She couldn't help the butterflies she got when Rountree ran his hands up and down her back.
"Here's the question. Close your eyes and think about it. Do you see a future with him?" Rountree asked softly, although he dreaded the answer. Fatima was quiet and snuggled into him.
"No," she whispered.
"Then honestly, Fatima, I'd say no. It's up to you, but that's my opinion," he said softly.
"He said that we should only date for marriage, and if I didn't want to be with him forever I shouldn't have said yes to our first date," she said quietly.
"Fatima, that's fucked up on so many levels," Devin said softly.
"I know." Fatima closed her eyes.
"You said you were confused about me. What can I clear up for you?" he asked softly. Fatima was quiet for a minute, then decided to risk it all. She turned over and grabbed his face, then kissed him passionately. Rountree pulled her against him and kissed her, then slid his tongue along her lips. She opened her mouth a little for him, and welcomed it as he swirled his tongue around her mouth.
"Nothing anymore," she whispered once they pulled apart. Rountree cupped her face and smiled softly.
"So is this gonna be a, um, a permanent thing?" he asked shyly.
"I hope so," she whispered, settling down on his lap. She didn't straddle him, but she leaned against the arm of the couch and let her legs tangle with his. They continued to share kisses throughout the movie and smiled. Once it was over, Fatima got up.
"Hey, hey, hey, where you going?" Rountree whined. Fatima smiled.
"I think I have to make a phone call," she replied softly. Rountree smiled and squeezed her hand as she got up. A few minutes later, she came back and wiped a stray tear.
"How'd it go?" Rountree asked. Fatima giggled. She sat next to him and smiled.
"It was kinda pathetic," she said truthfully. Rountree put his arms around her and pulled her close.
"Tell me everything," he whispered. Fatima rested her forehead against the crook of his neck and grinned.
"He was so excited when I answered, and he was like 'Have you made a decision yet?'. I said yes, and that he was a good guy but I didn't want to marry him. He cried and begged, literally begged me to reconsider," she began. Rountree laughed and pulled her against him.
"But you said no, right?" Rountree was teasing her now, he knew she'd said no.
"Of course I did," she reassured him. She kissed his cheek and smiled.
"Here's the question," he murmured. Fatima looked up at him.
"Hm?" she asked softly.
"Do you see a future with me?" he asked. Fatima blushed and snuggled into him
"Yes," she whispered.
