A little callback to Praesidium (6x03) and making a little extra moment in Through the Looking Glass (12x17)
As the tears pooling in her mismatched orbs gets heavier and heavier, his heart twists with anguish. Closing his eyes he can feel his own tears begin to bubble to the surface. Why the hell is something always bad happening to them. Always crashing moments of joy in their life. He quickly opens his eyes at the sound of shuffling and watches her get up from her chair.
Taking a few steps towards the doorway, she faces away from him. Everything he said is true and it makes it that much harder for her to breathe. It's coming at her from all sides and she can feel its impact on her body, on her mental health, and at times their relationship. It feels like she's sinking and sinking, trying to break through the surface but it's not happening.
Standing up from his own chair, Deeks takes a few steps in her direction, giving her space but letting her know he's there. It's when her shoulders start to shake that he can't be supportive in silence any longer. "Baby."
She doesn't move. She can't.
"Kens. Baby, look at me."
Wiping snot from her nose, she wills herself to turn around. Her tear-stained eyes immediately meet glistening cerulean blues that almost make the pain disappear altogether.
Stretching out his hand for her to take, she slaps it and his fingers curl around her hand as she goes to pull away. "Come here."
He pulls her towards him, his body meeting hers as they wrap their arms around one another, clinging to each other like lifevests.
"I just want him gone."
His lips find the crown of her head, placing a kiss there as he feels the tension finally release from her body. "Shh. I know baby, but you can't keep everything bottled up. You know that. The harder you fight it, the more it's gonna push back."
"God, I'm so much tougher than this." She pulls back slightly, wiping at her tear-stained cheeks.
"I know you are. You're tougher than me and that's tough."
She looks up at him from under her eyelashes, a hint of a smirk playing at her lips.
His brow furrows at her sudden change in demeanor. "What?"
"Do you know how much of a gut punch it was to me last time we were having a similar conversation in this exact spot?"
"Why?"
"You called me your partner."
"We were partners."
She rolls her eyes at his clear oblivion just as it was six and a half years ago. "Yeah, well, not from where I was standing."
"Come on, baby, give me a break. I was trying to keep my cool."
Her brow furrows. Now she's the one that's confused. "Why?"
"You were crying in my arms and telling me how you feel. On top of all that your boobs were pressing against me and-"
She can't help the laugh from escaping her lips as she playfully shoves his shoulder, stopping him from continuing.
"No, you didn't do that." He shakes his head as a smile spreads to his lips. God if he could make her laugh every minute of every day he would…well, maybe not during sexy time.
She starts to put some space between them but before she can, his hands find her hips, pulling her back to him. "What?"
Leaning forward, he places his forehead against hers and takes a deep breath as they center one another. "I just really want you to be okay. You're my whole world, Kens, and I hate that I can't do anything to fix this for you."
"But you are. You're giving me a space to feel vulnerable and you know how hard that's always been for me. You're looking out for me and my health even if I don't want to hear it."
"Wow."
She pulls back slightly, brow furrowed. "What?"
"I'm a really great husband."
Shaking her head once again, she can't help but fall more in love with him especially with that smirk curling at his lips. Standing up on her tip-toes, she brings her lips to his in confirmation. "You really are."
Before getting too carried away the pair pulls back, her hand finds his jaw, thumb running across his cheek as she wipes away his tear-stained cheek. "I love you."
"I love you more."
"No, I love you more."
"Okay, how about we love each other the same amount."
"Fine."
He nods his head, glad they're on the same page, but he can't not win this argument. "But I still love you more."
She opens her mouth to say something but as soon as she does, the tv clicks on and Nell pops onto the screen. The brunette's brow pinches as she glares at her partner a look telling him that she'll get him some way later.
One thing's for sure, no matter what she may face or who is hunting her, he'll be by her side and that's all she's ever wanted.
