#alexkellerchallenge

“Oh I'm ready for you.” He grinned, just as easy and teasing. 

You chuckled and started moving, going through the steps slowly at first to be sure he saw it all. 

His form was good, as always. He was attentive, gaze intent on you, not at all worried about taking instruction from a woman. When he ran through the moves on his own, you stepped around him, watching. 

But he was good. He was gorgeous really, tank top showing off toned shoulders, hair just a little mussed from the activity. 

“Good,” you murmured. “Now let's see you put it in practice.” You stepped across to the other side of the mats, smirking. 

Alex met your smirk with his own, easy and confident. Yet another reason you liked sparring with him - he was always a good challenge. 

The first time, you got him on the mats quickly. His attempt to buck you off just seated you more firmly on him. 

You grinned down at him, privately enjoying the sight of him under you. “Nice try,” you said, amused. 

“Oh just wait.” He grinned back at you, apparently totally undaunted. “Still gettin’ warmed up for you.” 

You fought down the warmth he inspired seemingly effortlessly. You two bantered. It was a thing you did. Not a big deal. 

“Well, unless you plan to spend all afternoon on your back, you better get moving.” You pushed up to your feet and stepped away, giving him a chance to get up and back into position. 

But you caught him licking his lips, eyes on you as he stood. Electricity zinged down your spine, the thrill of possibility. 

Unless you were misreading this…? 

You got caught up in the heat in his eyes, the way he moved. You forgot to check his feet. 

Really, you had nobody but yourself to blame when he swept your legs out, sending your sprawling to the mats. He was on you before you could recover, pinning you down, face close to yours. 

“What was that about spending the afternoon on my back?” He teased, grip firm without hurting you. 

You laughed, a little breathless. “I stand corrected,” you murmured. “Or, well. Y'know.” 

He chuckled, easing his grip on you and backing off slowly. His touch lingered on your skin, and he didn't go far. “One more go?”

“Sure.” You pushed up to your feet again, breathing in deep. One more and then you'd go clear your head. This was training, not flirting. 

Now you just needed to remind your heart (and certain other parts of you) of that fact. 

“You seem distracted,” Alex taunted as the two of you circled slowly, looking for openings. “Am I not entertaining enough for you?” 

You snorted. “Oh, you're a handful,” you agreed, letting your gaze rake over him, just once, slowly. Slowly enough that you were sure he caught it. 

He licked his lips again. “Seems like you're up to the challenge.”

“I do love a good challenge.” You shifted your weight, looking for an opening. 

Alex smiled slowly, shifting his weight. You lunged towards him, not holding back. 

This round lasted longer than the previous two, the two of you trading blows and both trying to get the other down to the mats. You were both sweaty when you stepped back, looking for an opening. You just needed a little–

Alex moved fast, one final flurry of movements that ended with you face-down on the mats, his weight pinning you down. You slapped the mats twice, and he released you, grinning broadly. 

“Well? I pass muster?” 

You laughed a little, sitting up carefully. “Yeah you do,” you agreed, rolling your shoulders. “Damn, Keller.” 

His smile dipped, just a little. “Did I hurt you?” 

“No.” You smiled, softer than you intended. “I'm fine.” 

Alex shuffled forward, one hand on your shoulder, giving you a quick once-over. Then another, slower look, his lips parting just a little. 

“Don't look at me like that,” you whispered, eyes wide and fixed on his lips. 

“Like what?” He leaned in closer, slowly, his hand creeping closer to your collarbone. 

The door hit the wall with a clang, and you both jumped. 

You swallowed, looking back at Alex. Moment of truth. “Let's finish this elsewhere?” 

Alex smiled slowly. “I know a place.” He stood and offered you a hand up, which you took. The two of you passed the group of four with only a nod. 

Alex opened the door to his room, allowing you in first. As soon as the door closed behind him he was on you, fingers curled around your waist, barely any space between the two of you. 

“Tell me this is okay,” he murmured. “Tell me I read this right.” 

“You did,” you reassured him, one hand curling around the nape of his neck. “Now shut up and kiss me.” 

He grinned, cheeky and a little adoring. “Yes ma'am.” He kissed you passionately, the two of you gravitating closer until there was no space between you. 

Alex would know those earrings anywhere.

They are, without question, his favorite pair of hers. And while a part of him has hoped she would decide to don them after his return home, until this morning the jewelry’d remained sitting in her jewelry box. 

Of course they are his favorite for a very specific reason.

The idea of roleplaying a free use housewife fantasy just scratches a deep seated itch inside the both of them. He's already got plans- one day in the very near future- for how he wants to put a ring on that pretty finger. Take the 'house wife' part out of the fantasy by entrenching it firmly in reality where it belongs.

But right now his thoughts are focused less on the engagement band and more on the pair of earrings dangling with every tilt and move of her head. She's taunting him.

The "rules'' are pretty simple. If she's wearing the earrings, Alex has full rein to treat her to like a personal fuck doll whenever and wherever the mood strikes him and she'll go along with it. When she's done playing, the earrings go back in the jewelry box and their sex life is the same as any other couples.

The second he sees her- having walked from the mutual bedroom to their kitchen where he found her upon waking up- he decides that today will be a lot more fun if he takes a slightly different approach to start.

He gives zero acknowledgement of the dangly jewelry despite the fact that he knows she knows there's no way he didn't see them. Just gives a half-sleepy smile and presses an affectionate peck to her temple while murmuring "Good morning, pumpkin." and it takes everything in him to not crack a grin at the indignant look on her face.

No doubt she expects him to jump the moment she gives the go ahead. To pin her down against the cabinets with one arm, lift her skirt with the other and have his wicked wicked way with her.

Oh no, dear heart.

They sit and have a perfectly normal breakfast. Or at least Alex does. His pumpkin looks wild eyed and a little suspicious at his newfound self control. Clearly not expecting it and doesn't know what to do with herself about it.

"Did you sleep alright last night?" he poses the perfectly innocent question. He's being an asshole- he knows it, but he's having too much fun. He knows damn well she slept fine last night because he wore her ass out. Could barely keep her awake long enough to clean everything up.

"Yes, did you?"

"Like a baby. You seem a little jumpy though this morning- might want to watch the caffeine."

Oh she's watching something but it sure as shit wasn't the coffee.

After collecting the dishes and placing them in the sink, Alex whistled to himself while getting ready for the day. Nothing too exciting- just a few 'Honey Do's, after he put his poor girl out of her misery.

She's finding any reason she can to be in the same room as him and it's adorable. Looking for this, needing to place that- she flits in and around like she's worried he'll forget she's there if not in his line of sight.

Eventually an actual task takes her attention off of Alex and that's when he strikes.

She's bent over in front of the dryer, no doubt fishing some far-flung sock that refused to come along quietly with the rest of the laundry.

Well fuck, he can't refuse a sight like that.

He knows her well enough that as one heavy hand lands to grab her wrist, the other fists the back of her hair with enough force to keep her from banging her head against the dryer in case she startles- which she does.

Huh. He'd of thought for sure that maybe a part of her was playing up the whole 'being bent in half in front of the dryer' thing, but from that reaction he's starting to think she was actually just focused on the laundry for a split second.

He doesn't miss the way she relaxes against his hold now that his little game is up. "What a desperate little thing you are. I haven't even done anything and you're ready to roll on your back for me." 

Now that he knows she's not going to split her head open on the edge of the dryer he releases her hair, his newly freed hand now reaching down to flip her skirt up. 

The sight that greets him is enough to draw a low whistle from the man. "No panties? Naughty girl. Almost like you were expecting to get fucked today." he teases, chuckling to himself as she nods and presses her hips against the stiffening bulge in his pants. "And here I was being a mean, mean man and making my poor girl wait. Surprised you didn't have to clean up your seat after breakfast this morning."

"I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to actually do anything today," she can't help herself but to lightly grouse at him.

"That's the fun of me being in charge of when you get fucked today, pumpkin. I might bend you over every singular solid surface that can hold your weight, or I might make you wait. Choice is all mine."

Well, until she says otherwise. Or if she outright safewords. But that is a given.

His pretty girl is getting spoiled though if she's got time to be grumpy about not being bent over to her satisfaction. 

One hand trails over her hip, teasing the exposed skin as he revels in how twitchy she is. 

It takes prep- always does, always will. But they'd been at it for a good amount yesterday and with her presently about to melt into a puddle of desire and neglect after this morning, Alex is mindful but not too apprehensive as he opens his pretty girlfriend up on his fingers.

First one, just to confirm his suspicions- she's primed and wants to go, pressing back against him in anticipation as one becomes two. He knows that two of his is something akin to three of her own, and that finally seems to settle her down as his fingers stroke that spot inside of her that has her grabbing at the dryer for leverage and pushing back against it to press further into him.

"That's it, baby. Nice and fucking wet for me. You know what your job is, hm?" he purrs behind her. 

"Yes," she pants quietly. "Alex, please-"

"You're spoiled, you know that?" he still ends up pressing an affectionate peck to her temple again, pulling out of her warm body to work on freeing himself one handed.

She's all too eager to help get things rolling- standing on her tip toes and arching her back. It makes it easy to slide into her, taking a few shallow, rolling thrusts to work himself all the way inside.

Rewarded with the sound of her pleased moans, Alex is quick to settle into a pace that he knows will get the pair of them rolling their eyes in no time. At this point he knows how to get her going as certainly as he does to get himself off.

"Oh my God- right there," she moans, her own hands scrambling for purchase against the dryer to brace. Alex bands one arm across her waist while the other continues to knead her hip, keeping her close to him as he thrusts.

'Yeah? That's the spot right there pumpkin?" he asks despite knowing the answer. He just likes watching how she'll go from a smart, capable woman to a dumb little cocksleave desperate for his cum with the right kind of prompting.

"Ye-ye-yeah," she confirms as he stays steadfast in his tempo. 

"Fuck,” he groans at the wet heat of her clinging to him like she never wants him to leave her.

Letting go of her hip with one hand but keeping his other banded across her waist, Alex is all too happy to grope at her chest. Fingers plucking at her pebbled nipples- rolling and pinching one before switching to pay attention to the other. Those hitching breaths work in time to his ministrations as he works her up just to pull his hand away from her bust in favor of her clit.

Now that got her attention, each thrust of his hips and slow stroke of his fingers being rewarded with his name a constant chant in her mouth- Alex Alex Alex Alex-

“That good, pumpkin? You gonna- fuck-  make a mess for me? Come on, honey, ask me for it,” he goads.

She’s sputtering and scrambling to get her brain in working order- trying to be a good girl. Fucking adorable.

“Alex- fuck,- hgn- Alex- please! Let me- let me,” her brain struggling to play catch up.

“All ya gotta do is ask, honey. You can do that, can’t you?” Pressing another chase kiss to her temple, the dichotomy is not lost on him paired with the absolute filthy noises coming from where they’re joined. She’s gagging for it- literally can’t get the words out of her mouth in the right order. “Must be fucking you good if you can’t even talk properly,” he teases, a grin escaping him when she shoots him a glare over her shoulder. “I bet the neighbors know my name,” the uppity ones who seem to think they’re above socializing with any of the other tenants in the building- brushing off anyone who tries to get to know them.

God they must fucking hate Alex when he’s home after being sent out on mission.

“Alex please! Let me cum, please!”

His fingers kept up that maddening pace until his ears finally register that she did, in fact, use her words.

And Alex is nothing if not a man of his word.

He knows exactly how to change the quiet strumming of his stroking fingertips from the teasing touches meant to ramp her up, and the ones meant to drag her across the finish line.

Those pretty thighs are trembling as Alex plays her like a fiddle. She cums with a cry, seemingly caught off guard by how intense it is.

It doesn’t take much more to get Alex chasing his own end.

He finishes without much fanfare Pulls out, tucks himself away, pulls her skirt down and kisses her temple again before leaving a shaking mess left to sort out the laundry.

Much like breaking the seal on a night out of drinking- now that he’s given into the temptation he just cannot stop the rest of the day. The second his refractory period is up and he feels ready to go another round, he’s seeking her out within the house and can’t wait to climb on top of her.

He may or may not be the reason that lunch burns that day a few hours later. It’s a worthy reason though, and he happily orders takeout as an apology.

"You're an egoist, Alex Keller," he mutters irritated to himself, fastening his pace, almost running, ignoring cold heavy water drops landing on his head.

How long did he knew her? Five years? Or seven? How long does he have this hopeless crush? Five years? Or... Yes, he was done for from day one. She had this certain warmth surrounding her, a serenity that contrasted sharply with the intensity of Alex's work. The world could descend deeper into a chaos, but she remained a constant in his life, a pillar of support, he selfishly was afraid to lose. So Alex Keller, the devoid of fear Echo 3-1, kept his mouth shut, just holding on to her, even as a friend only.

"A coward!" His insults are spilled through gritted teeth. Alex was ready to risk his life again and again, but didn't have the courage to confess his feelings. The stakes seemed too high, his chances - almost non-existent. Why would ever decide, he was the right guy for her after all?

He was almost never there, when something bad happened to her. Alex didn't hold her, when she had to put down her old dog - he was on the other part of globe, fighting. He didn't distract her with a movie night and snacks, when she had to wait for a result of a quite serious medical test - he was sleeping in a transport between two missions. He wasn't even there to cheer her up, after her project, she worked on so hard, got rejected - he has just taken the car to a service station and was walking out of it on his two. She didn't specify in the first place, when would the presentation take place, but Alex feels terrible for not asking her every week, every day, if necessary, when is the D-day for her project. And because of that, he found out the bad news per phone call.

She sounded exhausted. She was never a whiny type, but this time Alex heard tears in her voice. Too much effort was put into this work, too many sleepless nights. It broke his heart to hear her like that, and he panicked.

"...Useless dumbfuck." He stops for a moment, replaying their call in his mind.

For some reason he decided, he needs to make her laugh at any cost. Maybe it was the pain in how her 'hey, can you please talk to me for a few minutes?' sounded. But Alex was lost. At first, he tried his stupid jokes. As many as he could remember. When it didn't help - he switched to imaginary scenarios.

"Hey, you know, what would be funny? If you brought a soldier on your presentation! So that every time, your clients interrupted you or paid more attention to a view outside their windows - the soldier would harshly snap at them. 'Following every single letter of this debriefing could save your life, private!' or something like that..." Alex doesn't really control the words leaving his mouth as long as they make her laugh. And he actually succeeds, because in a few moments she starts to chuckle. So he goes on, telling her, how would her day would go, if she was followed by a military guy in a full gear and a death stare ready for anyone, who is about to cross her path.

"He would scare others off, you know?"

"With his glare or with his guns?"

"With his bizarre hairstyle. You know how your hair start looking after a week of constant sandstorms?"

Her laughter is a light, tinkling melody to his ears, reminiscent of wind chimes on a breezy day - light and refreshing. In reality, its the only thing on his mind every time, he has to endure through another sandstorm on deployment.

"... and at the end of the day he would escort you home and salute you."

"Wait, and a payment? I wonder, how much would it cost to hire such a guy for the day."

"Payment? Don't turn a beautiful act of an altruism into some banal deal! Dunno, maybe a forehead kiss?"

For the next ten minutes they discuss military payment strategies, barely containing laughter. When they say goodbye, a random phrase escapes his lips.

"Love you so much."

She laughs once again. Something deep inside Alex shrinks. He doesn't even hear her saying 'bye' - every other voice around him get silenced by a sinister noise - a symphony of shattered hopes and distant echoes.

He's an egoist to keep her in the dark, not shoving her his true feelings for ages. A coward, who could never open his mouth, even when the moment was right. A fool, who just blurted this confession out of nowhere in the middle of a joke. She didn't understand, he meant it, and Alex can't blame her honestly.

And now he runs to her place like a dog, running after a car carrying away his favorite person. He is desperate to the point, that he can't even start thinking, what would he tell her, once she opens the door.

So when he sees her tired, yet surprised face, his first phrase comes out as awkward as the confession itself.

"You weren't supposed to laugh."

She looks at him startled and confused for a few painfully long moments. As Alex understands, how puzzling that sounded without the whole context from his mind, he runs his hand through his wet hair and shakes his head.

"Alex? You're ok? I-I wasn't expecting you!" She drags him in her house and takes off his wet jacket, so calmly, as if he hasn't just said some complete nonsense.

And at that moment Alex understands: for two long he stayed in his very own trail of thoughts, his own context. She definitely deserved to know more about what was going on in his head. He no longer had the right to keep everything quiet for years and then dump such strange conversations on her.

So he touches her shoulder softly.

"Hey, don't bother hanging up my jacket. I might need it in a moment, if I sre-"

"Alex, you're scaring me! What is happening, why are like this?" A worry in her voice stings him with guilt. But he proceeds, ignoring raindrops still rolling down his face and under the collar.

"I know, we were playing around on the phone today. And I was incredibly happy to cheer you up. But the last thing I told you... You weren't supposed to laugh. Because I meant it. And before you slap my face for being such a mess - I know, it sounded as a part of a joke. But it wasn't. It wasn't for the last I-don't-even-know-how-many years. And if you give me a chance - I am ready to confess it properly. But if there's no need - I'd better just take my jacket and see myself out."

As he fell silent, the world around them seemed still. His eyes, always so attentive and kind, when she was around, looked deeply worried. Alex felt vulnerable, everything in him screamed to keep her by his side at any cost, to turn this all into yet another joke, so that she calms down and stays his friend at least. But Alex didn't let these feeling get better of him. He waited patiently and obediently, not daring even to breathe in.

She turned away, and hung his jacket on a hanger.

“What's the worst that would happen?” You whispered, elbow resting on his shoulder as you two whispered back and forth. Your lip caught between your teeth as he stared at the ground, shaking his head.

“Someone catches us? A bear mauls us to death? Trying to explain how we both got poison ivy up in our business.” He whispered back, convincing himself that sneaking off from the campsite would be a terrible idea. Especially since his entire family was present, including his neices and nephew's.

“Then we keep it PG. We don't risk Poison ivy burns, or the wildlife catching us with our pants down.” You shrugged, standing from your spot as you started walking toward the cabin his parents owned. Smirking as you heard him softly cuss, jumping up to follow you to the back.

“You're terrible.” Alex sighed, rolling his eyes as you smiled at him. Tilting your head slightly as you studied his features. “Don't look at me like that.”

“Like what?!” You laughed, reaching up to rest your hand on his chest. Rubbing over the fabric slightly with your thumb.

“With the bedroom eyes.” He groaned, laying a hand over yours. Eyes moving over your figure as he actively reminded himself of the time he fell into poison ivy as a child. The discomfort he felt as he swore he'd never let it happen again.

“Well sorry, let me just pop my eyes out and replace them with my campsite eyes.” You teased, any further teasing cut short by his mouth gently finding yours in a loving kiss.

“This is a bad idea.” He mumbled, despite showing no signs that he wanted to stop.

His mouth moving against yours, the feeling of his hands warming your hips as you backed into the wall of the cabin. Your hands cupping either side of his face, holding him in place as he hummed in content.

“This is a terrible idea.” He whispered once again, barely pulling away. Eyes still closed as his moral compass spun out of control.

You both knew this was risky, you both knew this was to a degree disgusting teenager like behaviour. But the feeling of his body pressed against yours under the warm rays of sun; your personal little bubble of paradise wiped all concern from your mind.

“If it's so bad, why does it feel so good?” You taunted. Sliding one hand to the back of his neck; tugging gently on his hair. Eliciting a soft groan as he pulled you back into a deep kiss.

His hands sliding around your hips, cupping your ass as he pulled you flush against his hips. Kiss filling with fervor as he all but begged between kisses to leave the damn bonfire and continue this at home.

Moving your hips forward, you moaned softly into his mouth. Breath catching in your throat as you felt him pulling you closer, urging your actions on. Riling you up in return, until a small voice ruined the moment.

“Gross!” Pulling apart quickly, faces flushed from both your prior activities and being caught by Alex’s young nephew. “Everyone’s looking for you guys. It's time to eat.”

“Okay, bud. We’ll be over there soon.” Alex sighed, shuffling to stand behind you with an arm around your middle. Pressing his face against your shoulder as the boy immediately ran back to the group, explaining in great detail what he just saw.

“This was by far the stupidest thing we’ve ever done.” Alex groaned, voice muffled by your shirt. Pulling back slightly to readjust before walking back out to where his family sat.

Walking back toward the picnic tables, you called over your shoulder. “You wanted this as much as I did.”

Sitting down at the picnic table, you smiled at the small baby in Ellie's arms. Wiggling your fingers, and chuckling at the squealing laughter you caused.

“So, I'm going to be the cool Auntie sooner than later?” Ellie teased, watching in amusement as your expression fell and cheeks lit up in a deep blush.

“I told you it was a terrible idea!” You heard Alex argue from somewhere behind you.

Taglist: @bloodonmyhands-1221 @v1naco @bowtruckleninja

The trembling in your hand reared its ugly head the moment you were safely tucked into the helicopter at exfil and the rampant wind beating against everything through the open doors before they could fully close it as you all headed back to base. You shared your left shoulder with Price and based on his movements was talking to Laswell with updates…his deep gruffy words unregistered half due to the lack of hearing you had from multiple explosions, you would say if asked, but really it was because your mind was focusing on the tremble. He was preoccupied enough not to notice you taking your left hand and hiding it under your leg. The last thing you wanted right now was any attention or concern thrown your way, there were greater issues at hand.  

The mission played back in your mind as nothing that was too out of sort for you and the team. You got there, you did your job, no one got badly injured or left behind or…DEAD. Your focus snapped to Soap directly in front of you. Did he just make one of his terrible jokes again? You hear him talking but you don't register his words but he has this specific smirk and glint in his eyes he has when he’s about to snicker to the groans of all. Confirmation of Ghost’s disapproving headshakes confirms it and you force a small smile before leaning your head back against the seat and closing your eyes. 

Thoughts return to the mission as you feel your hand trembled more under you despite the weight of your thigh. You left the building with the intel you were assigned to grab, for technology being in the advanced state it was in you couldn't help to chuckle that you were exiting with a floppy disk and overcoms questioned if Laswell had the appropriate ancient technology to read it. You were granted a humorous quip back from the lady as well as a few chuckles from the masked skeleton himself in the room but the serious faces and tones returned as you made your way out of the building.

The tapping on your free shoulder had you turn your head and open your eyes to connect to Gaz who was a few seats down from you. You leaned to meet him in the middle of the empty seat between you and listened, squeezing your arm and shaking hand behind your back to hide it. You looked up and at his eyes nodding confirmation of what he said before straightening and returning to the previous position. You had five minutes to figure out how to hide your ailment from the others leaving the helicopter and to somewhere safe on base where you could be left alone but  the first explosion filled your head instead.

It's funny how you didn't register that there was one until you were already on the ground, already finding your breath with hands quickly working over your own body for injury identifiers before they found your assault rifle and yourself quickly on your feet to limited cover. Your eyes sought the source of the explosion and the reassurance of your teammates well being all awhile the ringing in your ears screamed at you. You pressed your radio to spit out your call sign and that you were OK, better to interrupt what you couldn't hear to make sure the team didn't worry about your silence. The vibrations and piles of dust clouds alerted you to a second explosion as it came rolling towards you.

The jerk of the helicopter was like a pop of a gun alerting the racers that the race did start.  You were up and outta there, stuffing your hand in your pant pocket in hope it looked natural enough.  You yelled “Gotta go when you gotta go” to some quirk Soap made and beelined it to the female only barracks shower room.  You had your own bathroom in your own private room but being with the 141 there was no privacy as there were countless times people invaded your space on your invitation, whether it was to joke around or come up with shenanigans to play on others.  You plopped down on the end of the bench and took your foreign hand out, watching it shake without your choice as if it was a weird science experiment.  You just wanted to shout at it to stop but your eyes were transfixed on this new weird experience.  

After the second explosion you and Ghost took point looking for any snipers or enemies about to surround you but there was nothing...absolutely nothing.  All was dead quiet besides the ringing in your ears and you both worked your way to the others and to the exfil without an incident.  It was strangely quiet, it was unnerving…troubling.  Why was it so quiet and yet those explosions went off?  Why was it a ghost town answered back at you but the feeling of eyes still upon you. A shiver ran from your trembling hand throughout your body and you jerked when you were brought back to present and your eyes fixed on the eyes that were actually on you, ones that seemed unfamiliar that shouldn’t ever, not with the long nights you spent staring at them in the confines of each other when you could.  

Alex raised both hands up defensively “Woah there, just me here”. His brows came together when you hid your hand and still had that unfamiliar look towards him even after he said your name.  

“How long have you been standing there”? You finally breathed out, looking down towards the ground and away as if ashamed from the spell that came over your mind body and soul that was now very clearly not hidden. Alex inches closer and kneels down on his leg, propping his elbow on his bent leg as he softly but firmly pried your arm up,  his fingers rubbing circles on your wrist as he looked at it twitching between the two of you.  “I don’t know why it’s doing that, why I’m doing that” you whisper in confession.  Alex wasn’t on the mission, he was at HQ with Laswell relaying information you were sure of, having only returned from his own mission minutes before you and the team took off. You had glanced and made eye contact with him prior to departing, his smirk hidden behind his mustache evident to only your trained eyes having known it so well even before you two became a pair. 

You focused on the rubbing of your wrist from his fingers instead of the shakes and closed your eyes as you tried to prevent any tears from falling.  A ping of guilt hit your stomach that he would be concerning himself with this issue now and you shook your head as you whispered “You’re not supposed to be in here”.  

Alex half smirks as he tilts his head, cupping your chin level with his, rubbing your jawline as you opened your teary eyes towards him “You had me chasing you across the landing field, knew something was up when I didn’t get your attention fast enough, or at all”.  Your face scrunched as you looked at him in confusion as to why and were about to ask  but then as quickly as a light switch goes off  your free hand went to the pocket with the floppy disk, the whole reason for the mission. Your mind was so wrapped up with hiding away you didn’t even think about that.  But you knew that wasn’t the only reason, anything he could do to make sure he could check on you and to see you.  You pulled the messenger/retriever act to do the same for him long before you two were officially an item.  The glance over to calm nerves and the unknowns imagined in the back of each other's mind when apart on different missions.  You let out a chuckle as you shake your head and Alex tightened slightly his hold on your wrist to look at him again, which you did.  

“You’re terrible at hiding things…” he said as he leaned forward, his mustache tickling your trembling hand as he kissed the top of your hand, “...keeping surprises…”  dragging his lips to the back of each knuckle to give the same treatment before turning your hand over and kissing the palm of your hand “...playing hide and seek”.  You had reached up with your other hand, fingers roaming through his brown hair on his head by the time he kissed the pulsing part of your wrist.  It was true, case in point, especially when it came to surprises that you knew others would like…Christmas and birthdays were terrible times and often you already had them open their presents long before.  If you were in the right mind set you may have countered his last comment, you knew how to hide well, it was just when you did the hide and seek you wanted him to find you faster…for things.  

Alex stopped and looked up, both of you staring at each other until both your lips met each others, consuming the time there until you both needed to break for air  “Now” he said, standing up and holding your hand in his “let's get out of here before I get in trouble for being in here, this disk burns a hole in our pockets, and before the rest of the team barges in”.  You faintly pick up on muffled talks outside of the door and you squeeze his hand tighter, banging your head on his shoulder as he leads you out.  You can’t face them, partly embarrassment but also shielding them from having to see you like this,  and you position yourself so you can’t see them. But they’re all there, you can see their feet on the ground huddle around you when you open your eyes to the ground after pressing over the doorframe into the hallway.  The trembling in your hand now infecting your entire body.  Several pats on the back and shoulder are felt and you hear Price’s gruff but concerned voice boom about med bay “Already on our way there Capt”.  

It wasn’t until you both took several steps away from your 141 did you freeze and in doing so freezing Alex who looked back at you.  You looked back at the group and found Price’s blue eyes softening when you made contact but lost when you said out loud, merely a meek to yourself “Someone was there watching us Capt.”

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“How was work?” Your husband called from the kitchen, peeking his head around the corner when you didn’t respond. Blue eyes filled with worry as you bit your lip. From the moment you woke up (late, you might add) to now it felt as though the cosmic laws were your enemy. That Murphy’s Law chose you as it’s lucky contestant.

Mouth opening and closing, silent pleas escaping as you pitifully shrugged. Closing your mouth into a soft pout. Pulling your eyes up, you fought back the tears that were forming. The day weighing heavily on your soul.

"Hey, hey." His tone soft, as he crossed the room to stand in front of you. His touch gentle as he placed his palms over your shoulders. The warmth comforting as he quietly asked "what's going on inside that beautiful brain of yours, hm?"

Breath hitching, you lowered your gaze to meet his. The details blurring through the unshed tears as you slowly lifted your arms, finger tips grazing his sides. A soft huff as he pulled you in tight, both of you ignoring how sensitive his stomach was.

Eyes closing firmly, you let your cheek fall against his chest. A sob finally escaping your lips as he protectively cupped the back of your head. Humming softly as you felt every emotion from the day.

Resting his chin atop your head, he stayed silent. Softly rubbing one hand along your back as the other continued holding you close. His heart silently breaking at the sound of your pain.

After some time, your sobs dissipated into soft sniffles. The steady beating of his heart beneath your cheek grounding you; silencing the emotions and noise within your head. The feeling of his hand rubbing lazy circles across your back calming the nerves that were once screaming beneath your skin.

“Once you’re ready, I am here if you want to talk about what you were thinking about when you got home.” He offered, pressing a loving kiss to your hair as he continued to hold you. Mindlessly rocking your bodies back and forth.

Opening and closing your mouth, words escaping you as you merely shook your head. Pressing your face back into the soft fabric of his shirt as you grabbed fistfuls of the fabric from his back. Holding him tight, as though he would disappear if you let go.

“I’m thinking of trying out a new soup recipe later on. It has those drop dumplings in it, the flour ones that never get enough credit.” Alex hummed. “My sister sent it to me, jokes on her though. I’m not a catering service and the soup will be all mine.”

You couldn’t help the small smile that crept across your face at the mention of the Keller siblings disputes. Shuffling your feet forward, you silently asked to curl up on the couch. Keeping a firm grip on his shirt, not letting him get too far away.

“You’re more than welcome to the soup if you want some. Unless it tastes terrible, then I’m not exposing you to my failed science experiment.” He continued, head leaning against the cushions as he pulled your legs to lay across his lap. “What happened today?”

You knew he was testing the waters, gauging your reaction and continuing to offer an ear for any venting you may find beneficial. Never once would he push you to talk about anything you weren’t ready to discuss.

“Please don’t make me answer that.” You sighed, head resting against his chest as you pulled his arm close. Tracing your fingers mindlessly over the lines that covered his skin. “Just keep talking; about anything. How’s Neko been?”

If there was anything Alex Keller couldn’t shut up about, it was you and his cat.

“She’s good, has a spotty haircut that she’s less than impressed about. Didn’t clean her back well enough and got some mats that were easier to trim out than try to brush.” He started, setting the scene of him and his sister wrestling the small animal to groom her. Giving you a much needed distraction. A small, sad smile crossed your face as you snuggled deeper into his chest.

If this lasts forever, you’ll be just fine.

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