And here’s the final part! Part 1 | Part 2 or find me on AO3, link in the notes
Summary: When Ressler’s apartment burns down, Liz insists there’s nowhere for him to go but her place- at least until he gets back on his feet. Turns out though, for all the million reasons there are to leave, he’s waiting for just one to stay.
Or, a love story in three parts.
The feelings he tries to keep robbed of a name bubble at the surface, threatening to overwhelm him at any moment. It might not have been so bad if spending their Christmas break together hadn’t changed something fundamental in their relationship. The razor thin boundary that had protected them for so long hadn’t just been crossed; it had been mercilessly dashed and now he isn’t sure if he hasn’t just always felt this way.
The new year approaches and he’s desperate to start it off on a note that won’t end everything he and Liz had worked so hard to build. His relationship with her is the most important one he has and if he ever did anything to risk it…He can’t even contemplate it.
He’s all set with his convictions and determinations until New Year’s Eve actually comes upon them and he gets stuck with an overly aggressive cold that knocks him right out. His head feels like it’s just full of drills and hammers and his sinuses are so clogged he fantasizes about cutting them right out of his face if it would give him even an ounce of relief.
The taskforce had planned to clock in the new year together but by the end of the workday, Ressler can’t stand to be in a suit for a split second longer and he just wants to lie on his bed like a corpse and press something near freezing to his forehead.
Liz keeps giving him concerned glances and it’s not like he’s trying to worry her, but he’s pretty sure he looks like death and the way his friends are avoiding him like the plague, he’s sure they notice. Liz waits until the clock hits five on the dot and then gets right in his face, “Come on soldier, we’re going home.”
“No it’s fine I’ll take a cab.” He tries to wave her off, “You need to stay for the party.”
“Ressler.” She says in that way where she wants him to know how annoying he’s being, “I’m taking you home, let’s go.”
His head hurts too much for him to fight her off and he lets her lead him to the car where he collapses into it with so much relief he know he’s pissed Liz off. And right on cue, “I don’t know why you came in today.” She berates him and he waves a hand.
“Ok. Maybe I’m not perfect. But I’m functional.”
She glares at him and he refuses to back down. She sighs. He grins. It’s a small victory but he’ll take what he can get. “You make me want to throw you out into traffic.” She deadpans.
“You could.” He offers, “But you’d just jump in after me.”
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