Didn't plan on continuing, but had this in my head so thought, why not?
Hope you like it. Don't own anything, still just a fan.
The celebration was quiet, but fun. The conversations were light as everyone welcomed the distraction from the normal after-mission silence they usually are in.
"Well, who knew you had a manufacture date, Ethan.", said Luther while getting up;
A collective chuckle was heard from the team;
"Where you going?", Ethan asked,
"I'm gonna call it a night...", he turned towards Ilsa, "...thanks for the time out.", he ended with a smile.
She smiled back at him, "Most welcome, Luther."
"I'm going to catch a shut eye myself...", Benji added while also getting up, "...and it's good to know that you didn't just materialise out of thin air."
Another collective chuckle from the team;
"Thanks, Benji.", came the reply from Ethan.
She couldn't stop herself from looking at him. This was the first time she had seen him so relaxed and calm, and if she wasn't mistaken, happy.
And when his eyes caught hers, the silence was enough for everyone to know, it was time to leave.
"All right.", Luther pointed out before him and Benji started walking away, but after a few steps turned back and gave a stern look to the person sitting in the middle of the two;
"What? I want to watch.", came the reply from Brandt;
Before Luther could give him a word;
"Goodnight, Brandt.", Ethan politely smiled and that was it.
"Okay, okay...", he gave in as he got up and started walking away, "...this is what it comes to, I get it...", he continued to talk, "...I mean, she is prettier than us."
That got a laugh out of her and Ethan.
"Night, guys."
Then a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' was heard from the three men walking away, which caused another round laughter from the two left behind.
After it died, they sat there for a few seconds in silence, not because they didn't know what to say, but because they had so much.
He broke the silence first, "Thank you."
She smiled in return, "So you've said. A few times, actually."
"Never enough."
She ducked her head trying to keep the smile breaking from her face hidden;
"I still don't know how you did it.", he said while closing the distance and came to sit right next to her with their shoulders brushing.
"Well, you're not the only one who has friends in higher offices.", she replied as their eyes met and they realised they were a few inches apart.
"I have to say, I'm impressed."
"I thought you might be."
They leaned in at the same time, till their lips found each other. Neither pushed further and after a few seconds, they gently broke apart, resting their foreheads together.
"You know I've been thinking.", he said as he pulled back to look at her;
"Oh no.", her eyes widened at the statement wondering what he has cooked up in his head.
"Don't worry, its nothing crazy.", he quickly replied at her reaction.
"Ethan, you and I have a slightly different definition of 'crazy'.", she deadpanned at him.
He chuckled knowing she was right, "Yes, but, what I'm thinking, you thought of it first, and yes, its a little crazy, but, that's on you."
She raised her eyebrows, "Well, do tell."
He took her hand in his and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, took a deep breath before speaking,
"Come away with me."
When she didn't reply for a few seconds, which felt like minutes he continued;
"I know it's not the time, with everything going on and we might have a little difficulty in convincing hq...",
"Okay."
"...but I'm sure the team's going to be okay with this, you know...",
"Okay."
"...and we'll make a short trip, we'll be back before anyone even notices..",
"Ethan!.", she finally spoke loud enough to make him listen;
He paused and looked at her, a beautiful smile gracing her face;
"You already agreed, didn't you?"
She let out a small laugh and pulled him closer, hugging him tight;
"Yes, I did, you genius."
He let out a breath that he didn't know he was holding and pulled her closer as humanly possible,
"Okay."