#dex x reader

The walk to your place was filled with a silent battle in his mind between right and wrong. He knew that technically it was wrong to break into your place but if anything he was being an attentive boyfriend making sure everything was okay.

Dex made his way into your apartment quickly popping the lock. The quiet was intense and the constant pounding of blood in his head was making him nauseous. Everything looked the same minus your absence. Your shoes piled up by the doorway, mail discarded on the kitchen island and your favorite mug sat in the sink. Dex sat down on the chair in your living room, the one that faced your closed bedroom door debating with himself if he would cross that line. He would just take a peak he told himself.

He cautiously pushed your door open taking in the surroundings of the small room. Your bed wasn’t made, the comforter was halfway off and there was a small stuffed dragon tucked off to the side. Your vanity was stacked with makeup, rolls of film and books. It was all very you. Dex laid down on your bed pulling the blanket around him settling into your scent. His headache was slowly leaving him as he drifted off.

When he woke it was dark out. Dex haphazardly made your bed back the way it was and quietly made his way into the night.

~

One time turned into once a week which then turned into anytime he needed to be close to you. He knew where everything was in your room. What color each pair of underwear you had were and if there was a matching bra. What moisturizer you were almost out of and what page in your book you had been stuck on for over a week.

You were out with friends tonight, a bridal shower, you had told him. Your last messages played over and over in his mind until he couldn’t take it anymore and he made his way to your apartment.

He laid in your bed thinking about how it was getting late and you still hadn’t answer his five messages he had sent. He had your location and could see you were still at the bar down the street but he needed to hear your voice or at least read a message from you.

As the clock ticked slower and slower Dex decided he would just go to you. He needed to check and make sure you were okay. He sat up from your bed, bending down to tie his shoes when he noticed the edge of a black metal box. It was new to your room.

He pulled it out observing the sleek metal lock on the front. He shook it softly hearing something heavy inside. He quickly found the key in your bedside table accessing the box easily. He sat it down on your bed and pulled out a thick envelope opening up to find photos.

He quickly flipped through the photos. Each one a different picture of himself. Ones showed him in the coffee shop you both use to frequent, several were of him sitting in the diner he always ate at on Wednesday’s before he met you and developed a new routine. Only one was distinct from the others. It was of him outside his apartment building, keys in hand. His apartment building the thought rolled through his head. A place you had yet to visit with him as he always came back to yours. He held the photo in his hand. Feeling the weight of the paper and emotions of it.

He was too lost in thought to register the sound of your keys in the door or the click of your shoes on the floor.

~

You pushed your bedroom door open only to find Dex sitting on your bed photos in hand. You weren’t shocked he was here as you had suspected that he was entering in regularly as your underwear were disappearing rather fast.

“It’s not what it what it looks like” you said quickly moving to sit down next to him on your bed grabbing his hand.

Dex stared down at you. Your eyes were wide with something he couldn’t quite read. “This is from outside my apartment.” He mumbled.

“Yes but I never entered.” You beamed up at him a wide smile on your face. “I just admired from afar.” You squeezed his hand rubbing your thumb in a small circles.

Dex choked out a laugh shaking his head. “You admired from afar?” He said amused.

“Yes, it’s easy to do so. So many tourists have cameras I blended in but I think I had the best subject even if I am a little biased.” You smiled up at him grasping his hand even tighter.

“Some of these are weeks older than when we first met don’t you think that’s strange?” Dex said incredulously.

You narrowed your eyes at him taking in his words. “You’re sitting on my bed when you weren’t even suppose to be here and yet I’m strange?!” Your voice was high and annoyed.

Dex let out a breathy laugh. “Okay I guess that is fair.”

You leaned your head against his shoulder. “Are you mad at me?” You sighed deeply the threat of tears creeping to your eyes your mood changing instantly.

“Are you mad at me?” He repeated the question back to you. You shook your head no. “Then how can I be mad at you. Besides I think it’s cute.” He said giving your head a kiss pulling you into his lap.

“Really?!” You beamed up at him.

“Yes, really.” He smiled down at you.

“Good because I kinda like that you’ve been sneaking into here. I like the smell of you on my pillow. It makes it easier to sleep at night.” You said shyly a deep blush forming across your face.

“How did you know? Or when did you know?” Dex said his hands rubbing up and down your arms.

“Oh the first time I went to my sisters. I would’ve never left my comforter the way you did. And my pillow smelled like you.” You sighed resting your head into the crook of his neck. Dex went still his hands resting on your arms. You had known since the very first time. And yet you hadn’t said anything just had continued to let him.

“I think we need to be more honest with each other.” Dex whispered. You stilled in his arms. How honest did he want to get.

“Fine, I know you’ve stolen my underwear.” You said smugly your lips grazing across his throat as you spoke.

Dex groaned deeply he felt like he was going to explode. “Okay well I know you took my fbi shirt from my truck.”

You rolled your eyes at him. “Touché.” You mumbled.

You moved to wrap your arms around his neck. “Do you want to stay the night? Like officially with me?” You laced your fingers through his short blonde hair at the nape of his neck pulling slightly.

Dex gasped at the sensation and then at the question. “Yes please” He said barely said above a whisper.

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

When you’re in a relationship with him, he is super affectionate. Very gentle and soft with you and loves playing with your hair or having you cling to him. He’d want to be touching you constantly. Not even in a sexual way, he just wants to hold on to you.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

We saw the closest thing he had with Ray some similar. I think he’d be civil in the first instance but I can imagine you would have to do a lot of the work in the beginning. He’s also not 100% against situational allies but he’d be a bit reluctant to rely on them fulltime.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Dex is kinda touch starved. At first, he’d be a little awkward but the second you hug him he’d never want to let go, he’d want to sleep cuddling too.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Before you he was completely indifferent. Didn’t care about dating or relationships but now he couldn’t imagine his life without you. Dex is very neat and tidy, I can imagine he is a okay cook. Not on the level of a professional chef but he has a few recipes he can make to an excellent level and a few more he cycles through. He’d probably try make anything though and I like to think his accuracy means he can measure a lot by eye/hand.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

Not. happening.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

He’s committed from the offset. In his mind when you know you know so why wait. He’d probably propose just to keep you in his life as he’d be constantly scared you’d leave and I can bet he’d be like “ok you’ve said yes, let’s get married tomorrow”

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

With you? Very. He’d never ever want to hurt you so treats you as delicately as he can.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

From you, yes. Dex is very clingy and will hug you tight to him.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

It’s Dex. Probably pretty quickly. Especially if he’s been following you or watching you (admiring from afar) for sometime

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

VERY. He trusts you. He does not trust other people not to hit on you. If they do not back down with a glare from him or a pointed arm around your waist, they’ll be lucky to just end up with a knife flying millimetres from their head with a message carved on it warning them away from his girl.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

He's an inexperienced kisser. Sometimes he kisses with his eyes half open to steal little looks at you. He will kiss you EVERYWHERE…eyelids, nose, lips, cheeks anywhere you let him. He loves kisses in his hair and on his hairline and PLEASE kiss his forehead

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

Okay in small doses like with Ray’s kid but I don’t think he’d want his own as that would take your attention away from him.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

With FBI Dex, you both have breakfast together on workdays and cuddle and kiss on days off. With DDBA Dex, if you work he will cling to you until you physically have to peel a six foot man off you. He’ll beg you to quit and promise you he’ll take a big contract for a hit or something so you don’t have to work. (Cause how was he affording rent in New York as a fugitive)

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Cuddling and kissing and just being cosy together

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

At first he’d probably say off the cuff things to you to “test” the waters at first or I can see him accidentally letting something slip like with when he had dinner with Julie. If you react well to it, he’ll drip more and more in. If you’re concerned he’d probably tell you he was joking but with a completely straight face and then laugh to see if you believed him. I think once he knew you weren’t going to bolt he would be more open and tell you honestly things about him.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Depends. In general, I think he’s more methodical most of the time. He’s learnt from his run in with Fisk to be calm and plan ahead. With you he would NEVER get angry

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

This is Benjamin Poindexter we are talking about here. What do you think?

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

The first time you told him you loved him. Or the first time you fell asleep on him accidentally. It was only for ten minutes but you trusting him and being so vulnerable with him? He loved it

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

Extremely. He would protect you like you were the most precious thing in the world because to Dex? You ARE. He would think it was cute if you were protective even if he doesn’t need protecting.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

So much. He’s absolutely terrified of losing you and he loves to treat you which makes for a combination of maximum effort.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

I mean besides the murder (I kid)… It’s not bad per se but he needs a LOT of reassurance that you love him.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Not overly. He does home work outs and likes to look presentable but he’s not going to start crazy diets or going for facials. Unless you want to do a self care day then he will do it for you. He would do anything for you.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Once again, this is DEX we are talking about. Yes.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

He does trick shots for absolutely anything and then will grin at you. Ask him to make tea? He’s throwing the teabag into the cup from across the room. Has to put an old leaflet in the bin? He’ll bounce it off a wall and then look at you like “are you impressed!”

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

He doesnt like mind games. And he HATES nonchalance. Fisk’s manipulation really messed with his head and he needs to know where he stands with you.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

“It’s your birthday in two weeks.” You tucked your legs up and cosied into him “Would you like to go to that new place? I’ve seen it a lot online and the desserts look amazing.”

Dex shrugged “If you like baby.”

You lifted your head off his bicep which elicited a whine from him at the loss of pressure.

“What do you mean if I like. It’s your birthday Dex, it’s about you”

“Baby.” He made a little grab at your arm to pull you back “I don’t mind. You pick. Please put your head back.”

You were still looking at him “It’s not what I like Dex, it’s what you want to do.” Your voice was confused

I don’t really like my birthday. I’ve not celebrated it since I was about five and even then it was a cake from the staff at the boys home. Will you please lie back down now?”

“Baby.” Your voice cracked and Dex felt like his heart broke more at your little sad voice than anything to do with his shitty childhood. You had these big sad eyes “I want to do something for you, please.”

“If I say yes, will you put your head back on my bicep?”

Dex didn’t care about his birthday. Why would he? He had you. You were his gift, you loving him was all the present he needed. All he cared about was you putting your head back in the empty space it once was and cuddling up to him, looking at him with that soft look

“I’m serious Dex, Please let me do something for you.”

“Baby. Head. Bicep.” Dex said gesturing.

“Alright, alright” Rolling your eyes you settled back against him. “But that wasn’t a no, we’re celebrating.” You said

***

“What do you mean he’s never had a birthday?” Your friend Emily said a few days later

“His parents died when he was a kid, Em. He spent most of his childhood in a boys home and…” you trailed off. “He didn’t have a great upbringing…”

“Shit, they don’t do things like that for kids? That’s brutal.” Emily winced “I thought they’d at least get them something.”

Nodding you agreed “I know. And despite it all he is so thoughtful about me, he remembers everything I tell him, he buys me sunflowers whenever he sees them, he knows I put extra sugar in my cappuccino, he knows every vinyl I have, all my favourites, what I get everywhere…he remembers it all and this is his first birthday we’ve had together and I want it to be special…”

“Okay so what are you getting him?” She leant forwards

“I have a few ideas…”

In reality you had no idea where to get throwing knives.

You considered buying online from a generically named knife store but worried Dex would be in when it arrived and it would draw attention to him, so eventually opted for an army surplus store in town and you dragged your friend to get what you needed.

“It’s a hobby” you explained to your friend, later that day as the bored sales assistant packed up the set of 24 knives, lying smoothly to cover your boyfriends…vigilantism. “He’s into all those action movies, you know John Wick, Jason Bourne and all that. He likes it, helps him unwind”

Your friend rose an eyebrow “Doesn’t he get sick of having to patch up the wall?”

Oh if only she knew

“He’s got good aim” you laughed it off “he played baseball as a kid” you excused your boyfriend’s perfect aim with a casual explanation. It was the truth or at least half of it.

“Lucky. He’ll have to teach George” She said with a laugh

You laughed but for a whole different reason. You could not imagine Dex would like hanging out with Emily’s boyfriend George very much. George was very prim and proper and a stickler for rules but not in the Dex sense of organisation.

“I’ll ask” you said casually “but for now, I have a list!”

***

When Dex awoke on his birthday; he found your side of the bed empty. You’d even tucked a pillow under his arm that was usually thrown over you. Devious.

There was a small note stuck to it which read

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! If this is after 8am, come to the living room”

Dex rose an eyebrow wondering what exactly you’d planned but decided to go with it. He got up, stretched and threw on a tight white vest and a pair of grey sweatpants and headed to the door.

“Baby?” He called as he began to open the door, slowly as he could hear you shuffling around inside.

“SURPRISE!!” You said making a ta-dah! gesture as the door swung open and he took in the room.

You’d decorated

Lettering hung from the wall, slightly squint from where you’d probably pinned it perched on a stool, read “HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEX”

Navy and white balloons were placed everywhere. The floor, taped to the wall, pinned to the ceiling and strewn over a table with several presents

“The colours of my suit, baby? Really?” Dex joked noticing immediately but you could tell he was biting back a smile. “You’re so cute.”

Dex moved over, shoulders relaxing and he leant down and put a kiss in your hair, wrapping you up in his arms and squeezing, picking you up off the ground in a bear hug until you squealed.

“Thank you, darling, you didn’t have to.”

God you fucking loved him in that tight white vest.

“I wanted to! Here!” You took his hand and led him over to the table.

“Sorry the wrapping is bad” you apologised and Dex couldn’t help but fall in love with you all over again. He couldn’t care less about the wrapping. The thought that you, his North Star, his soulmate loved him so much you’d go to this effort for him was more important than any pristine wrapping

“Do you want to open your main present first or last?”

Dex’s eyebrows rose “Main present?” He said confused.

You nodded “like the most significant one.” You explained

“Last.” Dex decided then wondered if maybe that was a mistake, he didn’t know how to do this. What if he’d fucked up your lovely plan and youd hate him. He shot a glance at you to make sure you weren’t mad or upset and found you were still staring at him, but you were beaming.

Dex loved it when you beamed especially when it was a smile he’d put there.

“Okay. I’ll start with this one?”

The first present he opened was new thigh and shoulder holsters. Dex had loved it, they were leather, high quality and when he’d tried them on right there in the kitchen they’d fit him perfectly.

The next was the full set of throwing knives. Double sided and perfect for curved for his throws when he’d ricochet them.

You apologised for the holsters coming before the knives worrying that the former had ruined the surprise of the latter and in response, Dex had gotten up and dip kissed you showing you it was a silly thing to worry about.

“Thank you baby. I’m going to use them next time I got track down some of those AVTF pricks”

Giggling as he set you upright, you pressed up and stole another peck

“Good”

That caused another lip twitch from Dex, he loved how you were into his methods and supported him.

You passed him another present. “This might help you send a message”

Dex’s eyebrows raised not entirely sure what you meant by that. Cautiously, he unwrapped the next present and was surprised to see an engraving set. On the box it stated it was suitable for engraving on all materials.

You were grinning at your own pun.

“Send a message? A pun” Dex laughed “Really?”

“I mean you can engrave little bullseye symbols on them. I could have asked the guy in the shop to do it but, well firstly I didn’t want to risk the attention and secondly, I figured you’d like to do it yourself. It’ll help you relax” you laughed which made Dex kiss you again for your thoughtfulness.

The gift that followed was a dart board. Mostly a joke but you’d teased he had to let you win at least once.

Dex had said he’d try teach you to better your aim which you both knew was an impossible task even for Bullseye. Your aim was dreadful so he conceded and said fine he’d let you win. Once. Only if you gave him a little kiss. Which you happily obliged with.

The next present was a set of vinyls. Mostly 80s rock; the Smiths, Radiohead, the Cure, the Stone Roses, all bands you enjoyed too, and now he could mix them into a rotation with yours which had recently Fleetwood Mac, Olivia Dean and Olivia Rodrigo. Dex loved it. It was another sign of your life and his being intertwined; sharing playlists, your vinyls mixed into his. If you sorted them in a certain order, they’d be completely jumbled unable to tell what was yours and what was his.

To Dex; this was intentional and one of the best gifts you’d given him. A further blending of your lives. It was even better than the time you’d added him to your Spotify so he could listen to a podcast you’d told him about and put on white noise before bed.

This was physical.

“And…This is the main one” Your voice snapped him back to the moment and he noticed you, holding out a shoebox sized present a little cautious and took it from you carefully.

“It’s homemade. Well sort of. I mean…” you looked nervous which Dex couldn’t help but love you for. How could you be nervous to give him a gift when you’d already given him so much and even just given him enough by loving him.

Carefully he took it from you and began to unwrap it, being met with a shoebox and when he lifted the lid, his breath caught.

Tapes. Each labelled and personalised.

And on top of the tapes, a cassette player with one already in.

“Can…can I?”

Was all Dex could manage, his throat a little heavy at the sheer thought you’d put into him and you nodded and then instantly bit your thumb. Cute

Dex put the headphones on over his ears and pressed play and was met with…your voice

‘Hi baby… I know you don’t have the tapes from Dr Mercer anymore so I made you new ones and they’re all for different things; for when you’re happy, when you’re sad, when you’re stressed…when you’re angry, when you’re bored… and so on….oh! And it’s not including this one, obviously… I should have said that earlier…this one is just meant to just say happy birthday my sweet baby, and I love you. I love you Dex. So much. Oh and obviously I’ll make you more. I’ll make you one for every week if you want it. I love you. I know I said that, but I do, love you, Dex… forever’

As the tape ended, Dex didn’t even take off the headphones before he’d pulled you into a kiss.

“Thank you baby,” he muttered “You’re incredible. Amazing, god I love you so much.”

You giggled as he planted kiss after kiss on you. Eyelids, nose, cheeks, lips, forehead.

“So you like them?”

“I love them. I love you.” He told you again

“Mmmhm Happy birthday baby.” You murmured