A/N: This ficlet is dedicated to my dear friend Fadwa whose birthday it is today. I hope you like it! x


A siren wakes them up out of their deep sleep sometime after the sun has already gone down. Alicia startles in Will's arms, panic flooding her system as she struggles to remember where she is. Rubbing her eyes groggily, her heart rate slows as Will shifts behind her, a soothing hand on her bare torso.

"We fell asleep," Will whispers hoarsely, and she shivers as his five o'clock shadow tickles her neck.

"How late is it?"

He shifts to look at the clock on his bedside table. "Past midnight."

"Oh god." Alicia shuffles beneath the sheets, tired limbs untangling from Will's warm ones. "I should go," she says regretfully.

They can't be doing this. It's still an affair no matter how easy it is to forget that when she's with him. Will had worn her out earlier, his fingers had been like magic, making her moan and giggle in the same breath. He was good to her; but she wasn't good for him.

"Yeah," he hums in agreement although his hand is still curled protectively around her waist.

Alicia sighs. It's getting harder to tell who she's cheating on when she has to make decisions like this. She turns to get up but his hand holds her back.

"Stay," he pleads. It hurts. Maybe because he has to beg for crumbs from her when she gives herself to everyone else so completely.

Alicia swallows. The unbidden desire to give in to his simple request makes her throat burn.

"I want to stay but I'm being selfish," she whispers, somehow harsh and heartbroken all at once.

"No." He shakes his head. "You're putting yourself first."

"How is that not the same as being selfish?"

"You're doing what's best for you for once. You're self-indulging. That doesn't make you a bad person, Alicia, it makes you human."

"I just-," she starts. The feeling of being in control of her actions is still so foreign that it almost chokes her. "I haven't thought about what I truly want in a long time." She gives him a lopsided smile and a shrug. "I'm sorry I keep holding us back."

"Alicia. There's no need to apologise." His voice is warm and sincere, such a contrast to how Peter used to blow up when all she needed was a little reassurance. "We can figure out whatever this is between us along the way. There is no pressure. I just want you to be happy."

"Okay, then I'll stay." Her cheeks dimple as she gives Will a genuine smile that he returns.

Staying the night is not much but instead of ripping the clothes off Will's body like she did earlier this evening, she simply kisses his lips softly and pulls the bedsheets back over their bodies. It's a different kind of intimacy.

She instinctively snuggles closer to him. His shirt smells like sandalwood and something so uniquely him that she tugs on the fabric to bury her nose in it. Having the assurance that it is okay for her to self-indulge makes her bolder. Will leisurely strokes her back, feeling her relax and melt into him with each breath.

His hand travels up to her cheek and he nudges her, grinning, "so you like the way I smell, huh."

Alicia tenses momentarily like she's been caught and draws back to put some distance between them.

"Sorry," she whispers flustered, but he shakes his head like it's the most endearing thing he's ever witnessed.

"Alicia, please, feel free to smell me whenever you want. I don't mind. If anything, it's flattering."

She worries about what all of this means for them. Staying the night without having sex, wanting to be close to him and finding his smell comforting.

As it is, Will simply tucks her back against him, squashing her fears so confidently. Her head nuzzles his neck as she snuggles further into him. Exhaling. They'll deal with what this means for them tomorrow.

Tonight, she'll simply indulge by being with the man who's always put her first.