Their next date brought them to a cozy Filipino restaurant Mulder had insisted on trying. Scully glanced around the warmly lit space, intrigued by the unfamiliar scents wafting from the open kitchen.
When the waiter brought out their dishes, Mulder couldn't help but grin mischievously as he unveiled his selection: balut.
He gestured to the dish with a playful glint in his eye. "Here, you can truly devour the unborn," he joked.
Scully raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "And test your courage, apparently," she quipped, eyeing the delicacy with equal parts skepticism and amusement.
"Come on, Dana," Mulder teased, picking up his spoon. "I thought you were the brave one between us."
"I am," she shot back, leaning forward to inspect the dish. "But bravery doesn't mean diving headfirst into… this."
Mulder chuckled. "Alright, if you're not up for it, I won't hold it against you. But if I eat this and you don't, I'm never letting you live it down."
Scully rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her laugh. "Fine. One bite. Just to prove I can."
The two shared a moment of laughter, the easy banter and their adventurous spirits making the evening as memorable as ever.
After their dinner at the Filipino restaurant, Mulder walked Scully back to her apartment. The cool night air felt alive with unspoken possibilities as they reached her door.
Scully unlocked it and stepped inside, glancing back at him. "Would you like to come in for a bit?"
"Sure," Mulder said, following her in.
As he looked around, something struck him. "No babysitter tonight?" he asked, setting his jacket over the back of a chair.
Scully hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "Maddie's at my mom's for the night."
Mulder raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression neutral but thoughtful. "She must be over the moon about that."
"She is. My mom spoils her rotten," Scully said with a smile, but she couldn't shake the sudden awareness of how this might come across to him. No babysitter. Maddie at her mom's. A quiet, empty apartment. What if Mulder thought this had all been intentional, a setup for… something more?
She felt a flutter of nerves as the realization settled in, and Mulder, ever perceptive, seemed to notice. His gaze softened as he spoke again, his tone light and reassuring. "Nothing beats a grandma's house. Maddie's lucky to have her."
Scully nodded, grateful for his tact and how he effortlessly steered the moment away from any awkward implications. She headed to the kitchen, needing a second to steady herself. When she returned, she handed Mulder a mug of coffee and joined him on the couch.
Mulder sat beside her, close enough for conversation but respectful of her space. They talked easily, the topics drifting from amusing childhood stories to the quirks of their coworkers.
As the conversation slowed, Mulder found himself studying her. The way her hair framed her face, the soft glow in her eyes, and the gentle curve of her smile—it was all so disarming.
Almost without realizing it, he leaned in.
Scully noticed the shift, her breath catching for just a moment. Her earlier nervousness flickered back to life, but she didn't move away. Instead, she met his gaze, her expression both open and vulnerable.
Mulder hesitated for a second longer, reading her, ensuring she was comfortable. Then he closed the gap. His lips met hers in a tender, exploratory kiss, warm and unhurried.
When they pulled back, they both smiled, though Scully broke the eye contact first. She felt a mix of surprise and relief that Mulder didn't push for more, keeping the moment sweet and unrushed.
Mulder leaned back slightly, taking a steadying breath. He was just as surprised at himself for holding back, given how deeply he felt drawn to her. But something about Scully made him want to do this right, to savor every step.
He smiled at her, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "This was nice," he said softly, his voice warm and sincere.
Scully's cheeks flushed, but she found herself smiling back. Before she could reply, Mulder leaned in again, capturing her lips in another gentle, lingering kiss.
This time, Scully let herself relax completely, noticing something remarkable. There was no pressure behind his kiss—no silent insistence to take things further. It was simply Mulder, showing her exactly how much she meant to him.
When they parted again, Mulder leaned back slightly, his eyes still locked on hers.
"Thanks for the coffee," he said softly, the corners of his mouth quirking into a faint grin.
Scully returned the smile, her cheeks faintly flushed. "Anytime."
After sitting together for a while longer, the conversation slowing to a comfortable quiet, Mulder finally glanced at the clock. "I should probably get going. You must have things you like to do when you have the place to yourself."
Scully tilted her head, intrigued. "Things I like to do?"
Mulder shrugged, standing and grabbing his jacket. "You know—read, listen to music, secretly binge-eat cupcakes… Whatever it is, I'll leave you to it. Enjoy."
He took a step toward the door but hesitated, turning back to her.
Scully had also stood, her expression warm but unreadable. Before he could second-guess himself, Mulder leaned in and kissed her again. This time, it was deeper, more assured, though still not demanding.
When they parted, Scully's lips curved into a soft smile. "Good night, Mulder."
"Good night, Dana." He lingered for just a second longer before finally opening the door and stepping out, leaving Scully with a contented glow as she watched him go.
After Mulder's departure, Scully decided to indulge in a bubble bath. As the warm water enveloped her, she let her thoughts drift to their kisses. They were… unexpected yet perfect. She couldn't help but smile to herself as she replayed the moments in her mind.
After drying off and slipping into comfortable loungewear, she grabbed the phone from the floor beside her couch and hesitated only briefly before dialing Mulder's number.
He picked up on the second ring, his voice soft and curious. "Mulder."
"I just wanted to make sure you made it home safely," she said, her voice steady but tinged with warmth.
"I did," Mulder replied, a smile audible in his tone.
Silence lingered for a moment before Scully spoke again. "Mulder?"
He hummed in response.
"We kissed," she said matter-of-factly.
"We did," Mulder confirmed, his voice amused yet tender.
"We kissed three times," she added.
"Keeping track?" he teased gently.
"No," Scully replied, a faint chuckle escaping her lips. "But I always tell Maddie she needs to do something three times to be sure she's gotten it right."
Mulder laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "You got it right the first time. But, just to be certain we don't lose this skill, we should practice regularly."
Scully smiled, leaning back against the couch. "You didn't push for more," she said after a thoughtful pause.
"Neither did you," Mulder countered, his tone soft but pointed.
"Maybe I'm just stuck up," Scully said, half-joking, though there was a hint of vulnerability in her voice.
"Or maybe you just want to savor what we have right now," Mulder offered gently.
Scully considered his words, her voice quiet but steady. "Is that what you're doing?"
"I think so," Mulder admitted. "You're important to me. Taking it step by step, letting each step happen naturally… I like it."
Scully's heart swelled at his words, her smile returning. "I think I like it too."
"Good," Mulder replied. "Because I think we're onto something here."
Scully chuckled softly. "Good night, Mulder."
"Good night, Dana."
As she hung up, Scully couldn't help but feel that their relationship was unfolding exactly as it should, one step at a time.