Prompt: Can you write about Kensi watching Deeks sleep throughout the seasons? Like starting at the first time she did (I'm thinking 2x17 when he got shot) then when they were at stakeouts and finally when they were already in a relationship (and could end with she watching him sleep with their baby in his arms)
February 2011
It's well past midnight when Kensi creeps back into Pacific Beach Medical. Once she flashes her badge at the security guard, no one bats an eye at her late visit; she supposes after all the excitement of the day, most of the staff recognize her.
Hetty had gently "suggested" she go home around six, assuring Kensi that she would look after Deeks. Kensi had left, mostly because she knew a Hetty order couched in friendliness. Besides, she really hadn't eaten much aside from Deeks' purloined jello. At home, she'd eaten, taken a long, hot shower, and then tried to zone out on TV. She'd made it through half an episode of "Hoarders" before she caved and grabbed her keys.
Deeks' room is quiet, other than the noise provided by the monitors when she walks in. The glow from the switched on, but muted TV is the only source of light.
It's enough to highlight Deeks' face and upper body, presumably left uncovered by the last nurse to do rounds. She stares at the swathe of white bandages wrapped around his chest and torso, stained with a dark spot in the center, for several moments.
When she'd left earlier, he'd been exhausted, yet in too much pain to sleep. The thought of him running halfway across the hospital and from what she gathers, a few flights of stairs, to come to her rescue horrifies her. As does the memory of the row of popped stitches and blood his heroics had resulted in.
Without thinking about it too much, she reaches out and brushes his hair back from his forehead. It's a little stiff and matted, but she doesn't pull away. After everything, Kensi can handle a little sweat and grease. Deeks whines softly, a wrinkle forming between his eyebrows as he turns into her touch. She pulls away before he can fully wake and catch her in a moment of vulnerability.
Rubbing her hands over her thighs, she considers leaving. She's done her duty. She's made sure Deeks is as alright as can be expected after his second surgery in as many days. She should feel relieved.
Instead, Kensi takes the hard little chair next to his bed, pulls it right up to the railing, and tugs his blanket over his chest.
March 2012
Deeks yawns beside Kensi, blinking a few times as he reaches for his styrofoam coffee cup. He makes a disappointed sound when he finds it empty, and sticks it back in the cupholder of Kensi's SUV.
Out of the corner of her eye, Kensi sees him try to muffle another yawn as his legs shift restlessly in the footwell. She knows he's been running an undercover op for LAPD while still fulfilling his liaising duties as much as possible. Including tonight's surveillance of a possible killer. So she knows he has to be running on fumes.
"Hey, why don't you rest for a little bit," she suggests on a whim. Deeks turns slowly, much more slowly than normal and squints. "I'll let you know if anything exciting happens.
"No, I'm fine," he says automatically.
"I bet you've barely slept this whole week."
"Aw, is Kensalina worried about me?" He has enough energy to manage a teasing grin.
"Don't bet on it. You're a liability if you're too tired," she explains. Because she never admits that she cares or worries about Deeks. Not useless under the direst of circumstances.
"I've worked under worse conditions," Deeks tells her, interrupting himself with a yawn.
"Ah, and there's my proof. You haven't complained once all night. If you were really ok, you'd be driving me crazy with your whining." She lifts her chin, proud of the point she's made.
"I think I should be offended."
"Just go to sleep."
Deeks look like he's about to argue further (because he seems to know no other way).
"Deeks."
He stops at her soft admonishment, his upper lift shifting into a wry smile.
"Ok," he mutters. "But wake me up the second anything happens." Shifting lower in his seat, which makes Kensi wince in sympathy for his back, and closes his eyes.
Within seconds, his breathing evens out, and his face goes slack.
Smiling to herself, Kensi turns to look out her window again. Every so often, Deeks makes a little shuffling noise, or some other sound.
She finds it oddly comforting.
October 2013
"It's a love story."
Kensi stares at Deeks long after he stops mumbling in his sleep. A part of her is just relieved that he's finally getting some rest. When she'd first seen him, she'd been shocked by his unwashed hair, less than pristine clothes, and most of all, the deep shadows around his speaking of sleepless nights. It kills her to see him this way. To know he's been suffering on his own.
The more selfish part of her is dying to know what Deeks meant by his last mumbled words. Was it just senseless sleep-talk? Or something more?
It doesn't matter either way, Kensi tells herself.
What Deeks needs right now is support from her. Finding out if he feels the same way she does can wait until he's more stable.
Still, she slides closer, until their foreheads are nearly touching, their knees pressed together.
March 2019
"Hey, this is the first time we're sleeping together as a married couple," Deeks whispers below Kensi's ear.
They're pressed chest to chest, Deeks' thigh wedged between her legs with her injured ankle carefully propped up by his.
"It is." Kensi moans softly as he kisses the underside of her chin, but he doesn't go any further. Between their eventful wedding, and celebratory activities, they're both exhausted. "I did expect tonight to go a little differently."
"Ouch." Deeks pulls back, making an exaggerated face.
Kensi playfully pushes at his shoulder. "You know I didn't mean that. Well, not exactly." She gives a half-hearted roll of her hips, a little constrained by their current position. "I was hoping to have a little more stamina. And not a busted-up ankle and hand."
"Hey, we have the rest of forever together." Deeks tips her chin up, kissing her softly. "Plenty of time to do all the sexy things."
"You're ridiculous," Kensi says, even as she rests her head on his chest. "And I love you."
"Love you too," Deeks murmurs back, already half asleep.
July 2023
"Hey Deeks, have you seen my—" Kensi cuts herself off mid-sentence as she walks into the living room to find Deeks on the couch, the twins cradled in each of his arms. All three are passed out.
Kensi creeps closer, a soft smile curving her lips. Sophia and Caleb are snuggled against his chest contentedly while Deeks' head bobs forward, hair flopping in his eyes.
It's adorable.
Pulling out her phone, she makes sure the flash is off before snapping a picture.
Perfection, she thinks as she examines the image.