#also sleep

“You can carry me to bed next time.” His joke lands in her hair which smells like vanilla and cherries. He buries his nose in it, making her giggle, before leaving a small kiss on the crown of her head like a promise.

“Need to put on pajamas,” she complains against the t-shirt that he knows he’ll have to surrender to her. As much as she loves her satin and flannel pajamas, she refuses to leave any of them at his place. Instead, she always asks for one of his t-shirts. Preferably the one he’s wearing at the time. He doesn’t question it and gives it to her, relishing the moment when her eyes appraise his chest and stomach, sometimes even daring lower. He puts her on the bed and takes off his shirt, much to Scully’s delight.

“You did want my shirt, didn’t you?” She just nods, trying to hide her smile. She snatches it from his outstretched hand and strokes his back in passing as she disappears into the bathroom. Shirtless, but with his jeans still on, Mulder lies on his bed, atop the covers, contemplating. He listens to the now familiar sounds of Scully in his bathroom and still can’t quite believe his luck.

When she returns five minutes later, she’s wearing his t-shirt and an old pair of sweatpants she’s claimed as her own.

“Are you asleep?” she asks, crawling under the comforter, and facing him.

“Just thinking.”

“About what?” He rolls over and turns to her.

“You asked me what I wished for.”

“Don’t tell me,” she says now, putting a hand over her face. “It won’t come true.” He gently removes her hand from her face, finding her cheeks rose-tinted. Earlier, the question was just chit-chat, now it means something more.

“I thought long and hard about what I wanted. There was only one thing I came up with and I think- I think you know what that was.” She observes him with watchful eyes and he’s convinced she can read his mind. He remembers what it was like when he could hear her; her thoughts sounded like whispers in his mind, intercepting his own.

“You said- earlier, I mean- you said you’re fairly happy,” Mulder says. “Does that mean that this – us – is this enough? Are we happy? Are you?”

“Oh, Mulder.” She puts her arms around him and touches her nose to his. “I’m more than happy,” she says, her words landing against his bottom lip. “Are you?”

“More than happy,” he borrows her words and kisses them against her lips. “I was thinking about it. I should have used my wishes for more-” Scully puts a finger on his mouth.

“You freed her, Mulder.”

“How did you know that?”

“Because I know you.” She kisses him softly. “Do you think we can sleep now?”

“Hmm, in a second. Like I said, I was thinking and-” How can he make her understand that he’d do anything in his power to make all her dreams come true? He’s still dreaming about babies – having them with her. He’s looked into adoption again, wondering when to bring it up so as to not open wounds that may not be healed yet. He’s considering asking her to move in. Find a house for them with a study and a library and a big kitchen where he can cook for her.

“And?” she softly presses.

“Just thinking thoughts.”

“I want to hear them.” She taps against his temple. “I like your thoughts.”

“Unless it’s aliens.”

“Mulder, scientifically speaking-” he cuts her off with a big, noisy kiss.

“It wasn’t aliens,” he says. “Thinking about us.”

“We’re good,” she says quietly, emphasizing with a kiss. “And happy.” Another kiss. “Go brush your teeth, lose the pants, and come to bed.”

“You’re so bossy.” He laughs, shucking his jeans on the way to the bathroom.

“And you like it,” she says with a yawn.

When he returns a few moments later, with the words I love you on his lips, Scully is fast asleep. He should have known. He’ll say it tomorrow. Maybe he can mention a house. Or a dog. They could get a plant first, see if they can keep it alive.