Emotional Support (Alex Mahone)
Warnings: spoiler from 4x11, don’t tell me I didn’t warn you, otherwise only an unbearably cute Alex Mahone
[gif’s from here, tysm <3]
It was evening by the time the team came up with a workable, actionable plan to acquire the next data storage. They were well into the end of the meeting when, knowing what we had to do, Sara and I decided to start getting ready for bed. It was a rare day when we didn't plan late into the night, so we wanted to take advantage of any opportunity to get an early rest.
Tancredi retired to the boat, where she and Michael slept, and after a quick shower I started packing upstairs, where Alex and I had our shared bed. There were still traces of a quick dinner resting on the tables, so I started to clean that up. I could see the whole downstairs from up there, so I noticed when the rest of the team started to split up. Alex also got up from the desk at the other end, I thought he was coming up to join me, but he didn't – he sat next to Michael. As he settled in, our eyes met, and he sent a meaningful look in my direction. Frowning, I paused for a moment in mid-motion – I was shaking out the tablecloth – but I didn't want to, and the distance would have made it impossible for me to listen. And though I couldn't understand the words, Mahone's muffled voice reached me and filled me with happiness and calmness. Once again, I realized how much I loved everything about the man with the bright blue eyes sitting downstairs.
"We’re not going to let you down, Michael," I heard a little later, much louder than before. I turned around just the moment when he took his hand off the shoulder of our little group’s leader.
I had just finished wiping the table when the man came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I received a kiss between my neck and shoulder.
"I'm taking a shower," he whispered. "Will you wait me?"
“Of course," I replied just as softly. I got another soft kiss, and he was gone. I smiled.
By the time he was done, I was lying in bed, tucked in, just staring at the slate of the iron building. Nothing disturbed the silence, only soft conversation coming up to me from the boat, where Michael and Sara were settling in, and Glenn was still downstairs fiddling on his laptop. I was pondering the lack of personal space when Alex lifted the duvet and lay close to me.
"What are you thinking about?" he whispered, tapping my nose softly.
"Wondering why Glenn hasn't gone to bed yet," I grinned. I turned towards him and let the policeman lean over me protectively. "What did you say to Mike?" I glanced up at him.
Our friend was struggling with illness, and I knew he and Mahone didn't get along very well. That's why I was so curious to know what he had said to him – especially after the firm look I got.
"I was telling him about a former colleague of mine" he sighed a little. At first he didn't look at me but at his hand instead, which he laid on my stomach, but then his blue eyes locked with mine. Alex could carry the events of the past with him for a long time without telling others; I had never heard that story from him either. I became more and more interested. "About a supervisor, to be precise. He was my first boss at the office. He was also very ill. He was suffering from liver cancer, which came to light in the middle of a major case. He was just like Michael. One in the same." He rolled his eyes as he explained. I put my hand on his arm, stroking him with my fingers almost by reflex while listening intently. "The worst thing for him wasn't the fact that his body was turning on itself, not even the chemo, but the fact that he had to leave the office. He was afraid that if he left, the whole operation would fall apart. The results so far, everything they achieved. Afraid he wouldn't be able to catch the bad guys. Think about it, that investigation had been going on for five years. Undercover agents, everything you can imagine."
I was silent for a while, trying to take in and process what I was hearing. I was overwhelmed by the amount of concern he had for our friend and his former colleague as well, although I had no idea if he was aware of it or if it just came naturally, instinctively.
"It must have been incredibly difficult, for both of you," I finally sighed to break the sad silence. "To go through something like that when you get there, to your first job..." Alex pressed a kiss to my forehead, perhaps signalling that he understood, that he felt cared for. "I feel so sorry for Michael" I continued after a moment of silence.
"If what I said helped him even a little bit, or he understood what I was trying to say, I think it was worth it."
"Of course it was worth it" I looked up at him encouragingly. "It was nice of you to sit down and talk to him. You're wonderful" I blinked, touched.
"I was just trying to cheer him up" he replied shyly.
"That's why I love you so much, see?" I smiled softly. I covered his face with my palm and Mahone leaned his head on it.
After a few seconds, he leaned in closer and this time we finally exchanged a kiss, but not just the usual quick peck. Our tongues played with each other, and we enjoyed every moment when there was no one else. Alex's free hand began to wander my side, and I ran my fingers through his hair. We stayed like that for a long time, enjoying the rare occasion when we could be a real couple.
When I felt him slowly pull away, every nerve in me began to protest.
"I miss you" I whispered immediately as Mahone's lips parted from mine. I kept my eyes closed until I was pleasantly surprised to receive a long kiss on the centre of my forehead. Other than that, my partner said nothing, but I suspected that his thoughts were racing just as fast as mine were.
