#reddington

Reddington follows you into the kitchen, watching idly as you resume making your lunch. "you've changed your hair," he leans against the broad doorway, arms crossed. "it looks.. simply breathtaking." he breathes.

you look up, pausing your movements. your lips stretch into a sheepish smile under the heavy weight of his eyes. you swallow, eyes returning to your task at hand. "thank you," you feel your cheeks heat up a little, you can still feel his eyes on you. "it was time for a change, something interesting and new." you shrug in response.

Red smiles, nodding along. "it was absolutely the right decision. you really do look even more radiant since last i saw you." your heart clenches at the kind words, spoken in his usual elegant and well articulated tone.

you glance at the group standing in your living room, gesturing with the butterknife in your hand at the seating. "make yourselves at home, take a seat." you finish cutting your well put together sandwich, setting the plate aside. "does anyone want anything to drink?"

Reddington moves from his position in the doorway, calloused hands stopping yours from opening the cabinets. "please sit, let me get that." he smiles.

"we've intruded, so let me take care of that while you eat your lunch, while it's still fresh." he offers, gently guiding you to the living room. you sit down in your arm chair, and Red hands you your plate along with the squeeze of your shoulder.

you huff out a chuckle, picking up a slice of your sandwich. "well," you nod at the group in front of you. "i'm guessing this isn't merely a social visit," you take a bite, chew, then swallow it down. "who wants to start the show and tell?"

✦◟ 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎...

it's not more than two hours later when the small group finally readies themselves to leave. Reddington insisted on doing the dishes, but you denied him with a smile. the other three are in the hall putting their coats and shoes back on.

you dry the last mug off, setting it back in the cupboard. "i can feel you staring, you know." you huff a laugh, briefly glancing at Red.

who only smiles, leaning against the doorway again. "i can't help it when you look this breathtaking." you can hear the smile in his voice, his low and rumbly tone sweet and almost a little distracted.

you turn, leaning your back against the counter as you meet his eyes. "back to work now, i assume?" your voice is low, your breath even. it's quiet for a second, before Reddington pushes off the doorway and steps closer.

he threads a gentle hand through your hair, combing through the changed strands as his eyes follow the movements. "i hadn't meant for so much time to pass, truly." he mutters, keeping the conversation for just the two of you.

you shake your head, watching him idly. "i know how life can get." you return.

he shakes his head, his eyes meeting yours again. "i know that you know, but i also need you to know that i am sorry." he tucks a strand behind your ears, eyes smoothly darting to the hair, then back to yours.

his eyes flit across your face, such a weighted look in them you can only describe as unwavering affection. it's suffocating, almost. in a way that it makes the air heavy and your breath hitch.

his hand rests on your cheek, his calloused thumb stroking your cheekbone as he simply observes you. you breathe in deeply, leaning into the touch. he doesn't miss the motion, you can see it in his eyes.

you slowly pull his hand away, holding his larger hand with both of yours. your thumb strokes the back of one of his hands. "don't you have places to be?"

Reddington chuckles, leaning in a little as he presses a tender kiss to your cheek. "i won't be long, i promise." he covers your upper hand with his free hand.

you sigh, closing your eyes as you rest your forehead against his. your noses gently bump against each other. "take your time, don't rush. you know where to find me."

he nods, his lips brushing against yours. you tilt your head, closing the minuscule distance as you slot your lips together. you sigh into the kiss, a tender and head-spinning kiss that always lasts shorter than you want it to.

he pulls away, pressing a kiss to your forehead, then one to the back of your hand. "i'll see you soon, if you'll still have me?" he mutters, meeting your eyes again. he's got a genuine look in them, as if he's actually wondering aloud if you still want him around.

you smile, huffing a chuckle. you gently push at his broad chest. "of course i will." you nod to the hall, "now get back to work, don't keep them waiting too long."

Red smiles, kissing the back of your hand one last time before stepping back a little. you follow him to the hall, the other three having already stepped outside with the door on a crack.

you watch as he slips on his shoes and pulls on his coat. you pick up his fedora, brushing it off before setting it atop his head. he adjusts it a little, before giving you another wide smile. "take care, my dear."

you return an equally wide smile, leaning to press a kiss to his cheek. "be safe and come back to me in one piece, Raymond."

he grins, tucking a loose strand behind your ear as he looks over you one more time. he shakes his head, as if in disbelief, then chuckles. a soft, easy sound. "the hair truly was an incredible decision, you look beyond magnificent."

your cheeks are hot to the touch now, warm and glowing at his inability to stop complimenting you. "come on," you swallow, smiling softly. "if you don't stop looking at me like that i might either cry or jump your bones. you've got work to do, no?" you nod behind him, to the door.

Reddington laughs, giving your hand one last squeeze. "i'll see you soon, my dear." he speaks low, slowly stepping backwards to the door.

you nod, offering him small wave. "stay safe, Raymond."

he nods, tipping his hat. "you know i'll always find my way back to you." he grins, before stepping through the door and carefully closing it.

「 ꜜauthors note,, this literally randomly came to me in a dream cause i dyed my hair a day or two ago and have been binging The Blacklist again 🫠. ꜜtaglist,, @moonoverumami @drp3ppy . 」

please send me Red requests! 😁