Mulder's fingers grazed the soft skin of Scully's back, his touch slow and careful. As her body pressed closer, her leg draped over his, and the warmth between them grew, pulling them deeper into the moment. He felt her breath hitch, the curve of her spine arching into him as his hand gently moved up, daring to cup her breast with a tenderness that felt both natural and electrifying.
But then, in an instant, everything shifted. He felt her body stiffen beneath his touch, the tension rolling through her like a wave. Mulder's breath caught in his throat as his hand froze. The energy in the room, which had been buzzing with desire, was now laden with something heavier, more uncertain.
He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, his brow furrowed with concern. "Scully..." His voice was a soft whisper, filled with care and worry. "Are you okay?"
Scully sat up quickly, her body tense, hands trembling slightly as she tried to process what had just happened. She felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her, and all she could do was stare ahead, unable to meet Mulder's eyes.
Mulder sat up beside her, his heart still racing, but now for a different reason. He could feel her pulling away, both physically and emotionally. His arousal, once a natural part of their shared closeness, now felt like an awkward reminder of how things had shifted. She had noticed. He saw it in the brief flicker of her eyes, and the silence that followed felt heavy between them.
"Scully," Mulder began softly, reaching out to touch her arm, but his voice seemed to snap something in her. She shook her head, her lips parting as if to speak, but the words wouldn't come.
"I'm... I'm sorry," she finally whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes darted to the floor, as though she couldn't bear to look at him. "Mulder, I'm so sorry."
Mulder's heart twisted at the sound of her voice. He immediately shifted closer, trying to reassure her, his own embarrassment forgotten in the face of her distress.
"Hey, no. Scully, you don't have to apologize," he said gently, his hand finding hers, squeezing it softly. "It's alright. We don't have to do anything you're not ready for. We can stop—"
She shook her head again, her breath shaky. "I'm sorry," she repeated, her voice cracking just slightly. She couldn't seem to say anything else, the apology tumbling from her lips as if it was all she could cling to in that moment.
Mulder's hand moved to cup her cheek, tilting her face gently so she would look at him. His eyes were soft, full of concern, not a trace of judgment. "Scully, stop. You don't have to be sorry. We're okay. I'm okay. You're okay."
She blinked, meeting his gaze for just a moment before looking away again, guilt still weighing on her. Mulder could see how hard this was for her, and it broke his heart.
He leaned in, pressing a light kiss to her forehead, his voice a whisper against her skin. "It's okay. I'm here."
Scully pulled away completely, her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap as the tension in the room became palpable. She looked toward the door, and Mulder could tell she was considering leaving, the awkwardness between them now almost unbearable.
"I should go," she said softly, her voice distant as she shifted on the couch, preparing to stand.
Mulder's heart sank. He didn't want her to leave like this, not after everything. He gently placed a hand on her arm, stopping her from rising. "Scully, wait," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You don't have to go. It's late… just stay here tonight."
She hesitated, biting her lip as she looked at him. "Mulder, I don't think—"
"You take the bedroom," he interrupted softly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll sleep on the couch. I just don't want you driving home like this." His hand dropped from her arm, giving her the space to make the decision, but the concern in his eyes was unmistakable.
Scully swallowed, her mind racing. She felt overwhelmed and raw, the intensity of the moment still weighing on her. The thought of staying felt complicated, but she knew Mulder. He wouldn't push her. He'd give her space. And maybe that's what she needed right now—just space, and the reassurance of his presence without any more pressure.
"Okay," she whispered finally, barely audible. She glanced at him, her expression softening just slightly as she saw the relief on his face.
Mulder offered her a small, reassuring smile. "I'll just grab some blankets."
He stood up, giving her room, and as he moved around, Scully sat there for a moment, still catching her breath, trying to process everything.
Later that night, the apartment was quiet, the hum of the city outside barely audible through the windows. Mulder had settled on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, staring at the ceiling as sleep eluded him. His mind was still tangled in the events of the evening, a mixture of concern and guilt swirling in his chest.
Eventually, nature called, and with a sigh, he sat up, rubbing his eyes. The bathroom was through the bedroom, where Scully had retreated earlier. He hesitated at first, not wanting to disturb her, but he couldn't avoid it any longer.
Mulder pushed the bedroom door open gently, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. "Scully, I'm sorry. I'll be quick," he whispered, careful not to disturb her more than necessary.
On his way back from the bathroom, he moved closer, he heard a soft, muffled sound—almost imperceptible at first—but then he realized what it was.
Scully was curled up in the fetal position on his bed, facing him, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly. The dim light from the window revealed the sheen of tears on her face, and it hit him like a punch to the gut.
"Scully?" he said quietly, his voice full of concern as he stepped closer. But as soon as she heard him approach, she shifted, turning away, her back to him now. And, her body folding in tighter as if trying to disappear.
Mulder froze, heart aching, unsure of what to do next. He stood there for a moment, watching her, his mind racing. He wanted to comfort her, to reach out, but the way she turned from him made him pause. She needed space.
Mulder hesitated for a long moment, standing there in the dim light, torn between giving Scully the space she seemed to want and the overwhelming need to comfort her. He couldn't leave her like this, not when she was hurting so much. Slowly, carefully, he moved to the bed, lying down behind her. His body gently curved around hers, his arm draped loosely over her side, not pushing but simply being there, offering warmth and presence.
"Scully," he whispered softly into the space between them, his voice heavy with regret. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you or to bring up whatever memory is haunting you right now." His hand rested lightly against her arm, tentative but steady, as though he was afraid she might pull away again.
For a long moment, there was silence except for the sound of her shaky breathing. Then, suddenly, her shoulders started to tremble more, and the quiet sobs she had been holding back erupted into something deeper. Scully shook beneath his arm, and Mulder's heart broke all over again.
She gasped for breath between her sobs, her voice raw and barely audible as she finally spoke. "It's... it's not you," she choked out, her words broken by the intensity of her crying. "It's me..."
The words seemed to tear out of her, like she was forcing them from a place she had tried to keep buried for too long. Mulder's chest tightened, and he pulled her just a little closer, his hand gently rubbing her arm in soothing circles.
"Scully..." he whispered, his voice filled with quiet pain. He wanted to tell her it wasn't her, that whatever was breaking inside her wasn't something she had to face alone. But for now, he just held her tighter, letting her cry, letting her know he was there, and that he wasn't going anywhere.
"Mulder…" she began, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling with the weight of unspoken emotions.
Mulder lay beside Scully, spooning her gently, letting her tears flow freely against his arm. He felt her body tremble with each sob, his heart aching for her. After a while, he spoke softly, "Would you like to talk about it?"
He felt her shake her head, and the silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken emotions. "If I did anything to cause this, then I am so, so sorry," he said, his voice filled with concern.
At his words, Scully cried harder, her breath hitching as she moved slightly away from him. "I can't tell you," she gasped, her voice thick with emotion. "I just can't. It's not you, it's me."
Mulder tightened his hold on her, trying to offer comfort without pushing. "Scully, please. You don't have to face this alone. I'm here for you, whatever it is."
But she shook her head again, tears spilling down her cheeks. He could feel the weight of her pain, and all he wanted was for her to know she could lean on him, to share whatever burden she was carrying.