A/N: A little fic featuring rare duo of Deeks and Rountree as well as the twins.
Deeks read the last few paragraphs on the lease in front of him, underlining a word or sentence occasionally. When he was done, he straightened the papers and handed them back to Rountree who say across from him.
“I’d ask about specifics on the sections I marked. They’re a little vague and leaning in the landlords favor for my taste. Otherwise, it looks like a good deal to me,” Deeks told him.
“Awesome. Thanks for looking this over for me,” Rountree said gratefully. “My last lease was a lot less complicated than this one. Of course, the apartment was also a lot less nice too.”
“No problem, man. Anytime I can help a friend from getting into an unfavorable legal agreement, I’m going to do it.”
As he spoke, Sophia ran over from where she’d been playing in the yard. Caleb wasn’t far behind. She held out her clenched fist in his direction.
“Hi. What did you bring me?” he asked pleasantly, but with slight apprehension. Last time Caleb had excitedly offered him a dead wasp.
“Fower,” Sophia informed him, opening her hand to reveal a crushed weed. “Pity?”
“Very pretty. But I, uh, see a little green around your mouth too. You been eating grass again?”
“Eat fower,” Caleb piped up.
“Ah, you’re eating the flowers. Fantastic.” He pulled them in close to his chest, one in each arm. “Flowers and grass are not food.”
“Yucky?” Sophia asked, pulling a soggy, half-chewed leaf out of her mouth. Deeks accepted it with a grimace.
“Yeah, they’re yucky for Sophia’s tummy. Don’t eat, ok?”
“Ok!” Caleb agreed. Then they were off and running again.
“So is it worth it?” Rountree wondered. Deeks turned back to face him, taking a stab at what he was referencing.
“The apartment? It seems like a good deal.”
Rountree laughed. “No, I mean this.” He gestured to the house, the yard, the twins trying to chase around a ball. “Was giving up NCIS worth this?”
“A thousand percent yes,” Deeks said emphatically and without any hesitation.
“You never regret it. Ever.” Rountree said. “Not the sleepless nights, the kids bringing home colds every other week and eating grass, or spending all day in court and then coming home to just as much work. None of that gets to you?”
Deeks smiled softly. He could see where Rountree’s thoughts were coming from, probably fueled in part from his experience taking care of Jordyn. Even if Rountree didn’t regret the part he’d played in her life, it had to weigh on him. That kind of responsibility always did.
“I’ve wanted this so much, Devin. Maybe not when I was your age, but once Kensi and I got together, I started to see the potential for a life that didn’t revolve around my work or the stress of that job.” Deeks explained. He shook his head, trying to place when that shift had happened. He couldn’t anymore. He just knew at some point he wanted a family with Kensi more than just about anything.
“I’m married to the most amazing woman in the world, I get to help people without nearly dying every day, and I’ve got three fantastic kids. That’s everything. It’s worth every sleepless minute and every diaper change. Every moment spent worrying about Rosa becoming a young adult. It’s even worth it when Kensi and I barely get any time to ourselves.” He glanced at the twins, now chasing an unsuspecting butterfly. “It’s worth it.”
“Huh.” Rountree tracked the twins for a few moments. “I wonder when I’ll get to that point.”
“Hey, it’s ok if you don’t,” Deeks said. “Not everyone wants or needs the same things out of life. And maybe you won’t know for five or ten years.”
“Hopefully I get there a little sooner than that,” Rountree said wryly. “You’re a lucky guy, Deeks.”
