#lancesweets

 During that time you’d become his regular visitor. You brought some of your favorite candy on the first day as a peace offering.

“I didn’t realize you were that into candy.” He spoke.

You just nodded, nibbling on the gummy bears.

“I love Sweets.”

For a moment he paused, because you were still actively eating your treat. You seemed to pay no mind to what you’d just said. He knew it wasn’t a flirtation. But the statement did cause a smile to work its way on his face.

The days felt less like a battle when he wasn’t flinching at every unexpected noise or eyeing every tinted car that happened to drive in his general vicinity. The second week of his temporary sabbatical, you suggested a training exercise.

“A shooting range?”

“Yes. I think even psychologists should know how to shoot. Next week we’re going to do some basic combat training.”

“Why is my leave starting to feel like a boot camp?”

“Because it is. Did you think I would just let you sit around here and watch television.”

“That was the expectation.”

You just wore a blank look and Sweets could only release a sigh of defeat. It’s clear that you were unmoving about the topic. So he got ready and headed to the closest shooting range. He wasn’t really surprised to see the spaces filled with people. This activity was a stress reliever for most.

You helped him get set up, and when he was holding the gun and aiming to shoot, you stepped forward, directly behind him as you made adjustments to his form. He swallowed, more than a little conscious of your hands over his arms, or your front shamelessly pressed to his back.

“Don’t be so stiff. Focus on the target and your body. You want your stance to be strong so the kickback won’t throw you off the first time.”

He hadn’t exactly shot a whole lot of guns in his life, so you understood.

“That’s better.”

You seemed pleased with the adjusted position, and Sweets cleared his throat. With his eyes fixed on the target, he shot three rounds. It was impressive. He didn’t flinch. While he had missed the center target, he’d gotten it fairly close for someone who had next to no experience. Placing the gun down, he slid his ear protectors off.

“That’s not too bad, right?”

He seemed proud of himself and you were too. The general idea wasn’t specifically for him to make each shot. The real test you presented was just for him to get through the door. When you were taken, your captor had sent off multiple shots to intimidate Sweets. He jolted for each one. As any normal person would. After that he’d also become more weary of loud noises. Yet he walked into the building completely neutral. No signs of distress or fear. You realized that at that point he must have finally begun to accept his situation and try to deal with it in his own way.

“That was great.”

His smile was wide, and you took his spot, lifting the gun as you fired off the rest of the clip. Each shot landed perfectly.

“Still not as good as me though.”

“Come on, that's cheating!!”

It was amusing.

You did all you could to encourage him in any way possible. Slowly but surely, he was getting back to his usual over analyzing self. Like today when you both were trying to watch a lifetime movie and he kept explaining the behavior of the stalker.

“It’s no wonder he grew so attached. He was abandoned as an infant. He was unable to form proper bonds so the ones he did obtain were in his mind a..”

He kept rambling on and for a moment you just looked at him. You’ve always been fairly friendly with Sweets. At heart you were protective of all your friends. Yet, you’d never truly been in a setting where it was just the both of you. At least not this frequently. There were certain features that you recently became aware of.

Like his lean stature when you both did that practice combat training. The surprising amount of muscle for someone who isn’t really as physically active in his chosen profession. Maybe the pinkness of his lips that distract you sometimes. As someone with the quirks you have, there are times you tend to become a bit hyper fixated on certain things. Maybe that’s why you moved closer.

“Sweets your lips are a nice shade of pink.”

Any regular person would be way too embarrassed to state such a fact. His ramblings stopped almost immediately and when he turned to you, there was color that was now littered on his cheeks.

“Umm..thank you..”

“Why are you turning red? Are you okay?”

You leaned in to inspect his face and the color seemed to increase.

“We need to call Dr. Brennan, I think there might be something wrong with you.”

You slide your phone out of your pocket, ready to dial her up and Sweets just shook his head, lowering your hand.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He was still relatively red, but he wasn’t showing any issues breathing, and he didn’t appear to be in pain.

“Why did your face turn red?”

Sweets couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You gave me an unexpected compliment. Blushing isn’t exactly voluntary.”

“Blushing? You mean that actually happens. I thought that was just an expression people used.”

He was still smiling.

“I’m assuming the expression came from the physical reaction we have when we’re bashful.”

“That does make more sense.”

You were still eyeing him carefully.

“You’re cute when you blush.”

Sweets laughed, placing a hand over his face. It’s clear that you understand very little of what you’re doing.

He realized through all those days that the care you showed really did help him through it all. There wasn’t much he could truly say to express his gratitude. When the day came for him to return to work, you sent him an encouraging text and offered to stop by and bring him some lunch.

Currently, you were in the Jeffersonian chatting with your colleagues. Everyone was discussing Sweets return. Clearly very much excited and relieved.

“I bet you he missed us.” Booth boasted. Camile laughs.

“More like you missed him.” She poked.

Of course he would never admit that.

“What about you (Y/N), you missed the guy?” Hodgins asks with a playful grin.

“No.”

Your blank reply caught everyone’s attention.

“Really, not even a little?” Angela pressed.

“Why would I miss him when I saw him everyday?”

Now they seem invested.

“So you visited him everyday on his leave?” Angela asks.

“I did.”

Smiles are exchanged around the room.

“Does that have some kind of significance?” Brennan inquires.

“Of course not Bones, none at all.” Booth says, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Why are you making that face?” You question.

“No reason.”

He’s still doing that weird thing with his face and you just walk away. Angela and Camile laugh.

“It’ll take her years to figure it all out.”

You didn’t pay much mind to that. When you finally made it to Sweets’s office, he was grinning, staring at the food.

“Thanks for lunch.”

You nod, heading to his desk to begin to lay everything out.

Sweets just watched you from his spot.

Obviously a lot had changed over a period of a month. While he knew you were fairly oblivious, he knew to some extent that you understood how attraction worked. So all he had to do was be extremely clear when he finally decided to admit his own.

“I appreciate everything that you did while I was out. You didn’t have to keep checking in on me.”

“I know. I was making sure your recovery was going smoothly.”

Sweets chuckles under his breath, running a hand over his tie as you both stand in his office. He expects a straightforward reply.

“Of course.”

Seeing him look so at ease, it was quite literally a gift. When you stopped by to drop him lunch, it was just a check to ensure he was settled back into the office. He looks calm. It’s assuring. Placing the last box down on his desk, you finally turn to face him.

“That…that wasn’t the only reason I stopped by often.”

Full transparency might be the way to go.

Now that your back isn’t hiding your expressions, he sees the way you appear nervous.

“Your safety, it means a lot to me. Possibly slightly more than any of the other members of this team.”

It took a lot to admit that, and you expect him to do some deep analysis on why that is. Yet when you finally will yourself to fully look at him, the care of his gaze provides warmth.

“I have to admit I hoped there was an ulterior motive.”

He moves closer, and you subconsciously freeze up. This situation isn’t very common for you.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

He’s so close.

Around anyone else you would retract, or maybe physically move them. The last thing you feel is discomfort.

“No..”

He wears a smile.

“That’s good.”

You swallow, because the slow approach is driving you crazy. You reach for him, grabbing the front of his suit as you pull him in. A startled sound escapes him right before his lips press so desperately against yours. The unplanned actions have caused him to tumble back onto the couch.

There’s nothing but a groan in response before you both seem to just fall back into rhythm with the kiss. His hands reach down to grab your thighs as he pulls you further on top of him. Your grip on his clothing has loosened significantly, because you're enjoying the feel of muscle under his suit. You hum in appreciation.

Sweets is more than willing to accommodate your eagerness. Your hands feel like they are mapping everywhere. His own fingers grab a hand full of your ass. The action makes you grind into him. He lets out a deep guttural sound and you’re a bit taken aback when he straightens, taking you with him. You’re upright for maybe a few seconds, but then your back meets the cushions of the couch.

He’d switched positions.

You’re still very much breathless and the adjusted positions do not help.

“Dr..Dr. Sweets we should…”

He smirks and you swallow at the mischievous glint in his eyes. He pins your hands softly above your head and your eyes widen slightly.

“It isn’t a good idea for us to continue this here.”

You mean to question why. The last thing you want to do is to stop making out. Especially since you’ve just recently realized the appeal. His hips press to your own and you jolt at the stiffness in his pants.

“Do you understand?”

You nod, licking your lips.

“Take me back to your house.”

It’s a demand and he can’t help but laugh. It’s clear that your straightforward personality would forever be his biggest amusement.

“I suppose I can add another day to my leave.”