#densi

***

Kilbride: Where the hell have you two been?

Kensi, calmly: Do you really want to know the answer to thar, Sir?

Kilbride, after a moment of consideration: No, I do not.

Deeks: Plausible deniability. Excellent choice.

Kilbride: This is why I drink at night.

Deeks, helpfully: You should try some melatonin. Maybe a little ashwagandha. I hear it helps with stress.

***

Callen and Sam are at Kensi and Deeks house*

Caleb, sitting next to Sam: Uncle Hamma, I got new Leggos.

Sam, chuckling and then speaking slowly: I love leggos. Also, I’m Uncle Hanna, not Hamma, Caleb.

Caleb, frowning: Dat’s what I said.

Sophia, hanging off Sam’s shoulder: You got ham in you, Uncle Sam? Like a sandwich. *Sam glares at Callen, who is silently laughing*

Callen, breathlessly: I like their version better. Yes, he is made entirely of ham.

Deeks, helpfully: And Swiss cheese.

Kensi: With a little bit of mustard and mayonnaise.

Caleb, looking at Sam and back to the others in concern: Really?

Deeks, nodding: Absolutely, kiddo.

Sam: You are not helping.

Callen, shrugging: To be fair, we weren’t trying.

***

Deeks, walking into the bedroom: The Pastry Twins are officially asleep and mama said she—whoa, what—what are you wearing?

Kensi, lounging on the bed in teal lingerie: Oh, I just found this lying around. I can change if you don’t like it.

Deeks, quickly: No, I uh, I love it. It’s, heh, you look amazing. You just surprised me. *he slides onto the bed next to her* Did I mention how hot you are?

Kensi, tangling a hand in his hair: The twins are finally sleeping through the night, Rosa’s staying with Tay, and your mom’s out of town so I figured we should take advantage of the privacy. *her other hand creeps up his shirt*

Deeks, kissing along her jaw: We’d be fools not to.

***

Sophia, stretching on her tiptoes: I can’t reats it.

Deeks, getting the book she’s aiming for: Here you go, Miss Sophie.

Sophia, offhandedly: Tanks, baby!

Deeks: Baby? I think you mean “daddy”.

Sophia, firmly: Your name is baby. Yes, it is.

Kensi, chuckling: Sweetheart, only mommy calls dad “baby”. That’s my special nickname for him.

Caleb, shaking his head: No, he’s not your baby. Daddy’s my baby.

Sophia, hugging Deeks’ knees: I love you, baby.

Kensi, sighing: I might actually have to call you by your first name for a while.

***

The Healing Powers of Ice Cream

Deeks came home to a fairly quiet house, which wasn’t completely unusual for the summer. What was unusual was Rosa’s car parked in the driveway before five on a weekday

When he walked inside, he found Rosa slumped on the couch, one hand thrown over her forehead. Usually, she had class until four on Thursdays and then either work or study sessions.

“Hey, you’re home early,” he said, setting his work bag to the side before he leaned over the couch to kiss the top of Rosa’s head.

“Hi. My last class was cancelled because the instructor is sick,” she explained. “Mom, Sophie, and Caleb are in your bedroom.”

Deeks paused at the lack of inflection in her voice.

“You doing ok, Rosalie?”

Rosa sighed and slid down a tiny bit more. “I meant to sit down for just a few minutes, but now it’s really hard to get back up,” she admitted.

“Well, I don’t know why,” Deeks teased. “You’re only taking two classes, working, watching the twins so much, and somehow still finding time for a boyfriend and friends.” He nudged her leg and sat next to her.

“It didn’t sound like so much when I was planning everything this spring.” She made a slightly dispirited sound. “I feel like I’m failing at everything.”

“You are definitely not failing.”

“Then why does it feel as if I’m just barely keeping up? All of my friends and classmates are busy too, but they don’t look like they’re going to fall over every day,” she said tightly.

Deeks understood that feeling well enough and now disheartening it could be.

“You wanna get some ice cream? It’ll be good for you to get out of the house for something that isn’t school or work,” he suggested.

“I really should work on my paper.”

“We won’t be gone that long,” Deeks promised.

“Ok. That would be nice,” she agreed softly.

While Rosa grabbed her phone, Deeks popped his head in their bedroom. Kensi was in the middle giving the twins a bath.

“Hey, baby.” She got up and greeted him with a kiss and the twins offered him soapy grins. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Hey Kens, Rosa and I are gonna go out for a little bit for I.C. Are you ok with the kiddos for an hour or so? I know you wanted to work on that presentation tonight.”

“Of course. Is everything ok? Emergency I.C. trips are usually reserved for extreme circumstances,” she joked.

“I think she’s just feeling a little overwhelmed and I thought a break might help. We can wait if you want to come with,” he said.

Kensi’s face softened. “No, you go. I think she could use some one-on-one dad time. We’ll be fine here. Right, guys?” She directed the last part to the twins.

“I made a ducky, mommy,” Caleb responded, showing off a handful of soap suds.

“I’ll make a couple of pizzas for when you get back.”

“Best wife ever,” Deeks told her with a grin. “We’ll bring you back some mint chip.”

“Double scoop for me please.” Leaning in, Kensi kissed him again. “You’re a good dad,” she murmured softly, then gave him as light shove towards the door.

***

***

Caleb, walking up to Deeks: Here you go, daddy!

Deeks, accepting a partially eaten peach: Thank you. Why did you give me this?

Caleb: I don’t want it anymore. You have it.

Deeks, pursing his lips at the chewed at fruit: Yeah, I’m gonna pass. * Sophia comes out of the kitchen, three more peaches in her arms* Whoa, Sophie, what are you doing?

Sophia, carefully laying them on the floor: Dese are yucky too.

Deeks: Did you really have to take a bite out of all of them?

Sophia, shrugging: I just tasting dem, daddy.

Deeks, sighing: You guys are lucky you’re cute.

***

Kensi, storming into the house: This was the most infuriating day ever!

Deeks, calmly: Is this a problem solving, listen and agree whole-heartedly, or help you bury the body kind of day?

Kensi: More like I need ice cream and a hug.