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F.B.I. Headquarters, Friday, October 18th1996
“Are you seriously telling me you have never seen Lion King?!” Mulder practically yelled at her in disbelief in their basement office, albeit stifling a laugh threatening to emerge. “Mulder! it’s a cartoon! What, are we twelve now? Should I put my hair in pigtails and bring my lollipop to work?” Scully retorted, trying to concentrate on the unfinished report lying before her. Hearing those particular words Mulder’s mind went wild. Imagining Scully in pigtails, licking a lollipop wearing a nice little outfit. Stressing on the little outfit.
He felt himself blush and quickly banished the thought from his mind. It was too inappropriate to think about Scully in that way, to objectify her without her consent.
Composing himself he just wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, he wouldn’t have been himself if he hadn’t done at least that. “Don’t” Scully raised her finger, pointing at him and scoffed with a little smile at his immaturity. This was their new, ever-slowly changing dynamic. They were both becoming bolder with their comments. Both becoming more flirty and suggestive. That was however the only, small step they took forward. Physically, nothing’s changed. Not even the slightest brush of lips against the other’s mouth when they said their goodbyes, much to their chagrins.
They have just returned from Home, Pennsylvania. It had been been a rough case that had taken its toll on them both. They have seen horrible things that were impossible to comprehend for a normal person. The Peacock family was definitely something. What’s even worse, the remaining family was roaming the USA and God only knows who’s going to suffer because of that. They definitely needed to unwind and relax after the events.
“So Scully” Muldar began “ say.., my place, tonight, 8 p.m? a date with the King” Mulder offered. “I hope by King you don’t mean you, Mulder” She tried to joke and failed at it. “You’re seriously going to make me watch Disney, aren’t you?” she questioned. Mulder just grinned at her, his whole face lighting up at the thought of their little séance this evening. “You better have some beer at your place your majesty” Scully concluded. That was it. It was a date.
Mulder’s place, Friday, October 18th 1996
As the evening approached Scully arrived at his place, 8 p.m. sharp. Before she could even knock on the door, Mulder opened it an unusual glint in his eye, smile gracing his handsome face. “Someone’s in a good mood” Scully commented and then she took a good look at him, head to toe. Mulder’s hair were wet, freshly out of the shower. He wore a loose t-shirt and sweatpants. He looked surprisingly relaxed, and God, did he smell good. “Yes m’lady” Mulder replied “Oh, where are my manners” he laughed and moved aside to let Scully inside. She walked slowly past him, biting back the smile. Here they were, two FBI Agents in their thirties, going to watch a kid’s movie. Of all the things she found hard to believe, this has got to be one of the biggest mysteries. What she’s found even more unbelievable is that Mulder has seen this movie at least once before and was willing to do so again. With her.
As Scully entered Mulder’s living room, she noticed a bowl of popcorn and beers awaiting them at the coffee table. Deciding there’s not much left to do before the show she sat down on his couch and took a bottle to her mouth, taking a small sip. Preparing herself for whatever was going to happen now. Worst case scenario she may have to admit she liked a children’s movie, which isn’t’ actually the worst scenario in the world, come to think of it. She might just enjoy herself.
Mulder sat right beside her, their sides brushing and covered the with a blanket.
“It’s a comfort blanket” he explained at her raised eyebrow. Scully laughed quietly. What the hell did she sign up for? At the same time she couldn’t do anything, but admire Mulder’s dedication and utter preparation for their evening. She found it adorable. Who would have guessed that a grown man, an FBI agent, a tough man who sees gruesome things on a daily basis was such a softie as to watch a sappy cartoon with her. Then again, they do need to unwind somehow, to get the worst of this, and hell, other worlds out of their heads. She shrugged and took a sip from the beer. “Let’s get this party started” she ordered, wanting it all to be over. Mulder pressed play.
… As the wildebeests chased little Simba through the canyon she felt Mulder tense up a little next to her. As a joke she lightheartedly took his hand into her’s to comfort him, not knowing how the story will proceed. Her sudden touch startled Mulder a little, but it was the most welcome warmth. He clasped her hand tightly into his, knowing she might need the comfort soon. Moreover, he just wanted to hold her hand, and any excuse was as good as ever. As Mufasa died, he looked at her and saw her eyes were brimming with tears. She wouldn’t let them flow though. He squeezed her hand in comfort. His finger tracing small circles on her palm. Scully drew the blanket closer to her face, covering them both entirely.
As "Hakuna Matata" song came on, she was smiling, releasing his hand to cover her mouth from giggling as she saw young Simba in his “teenage years” with an awkward mane around his neck.
“So what did you look like during your awkward teenage years Mulder” She asked giggling, looking him into the eyes “Did you have a mane like that? “ Mulder smiled “No, but I had a moustache” he winked. Scully laughed wholeheartedly at his statement. Imagining him with a fine moustache.
“I’ve never actually seen you with any kind of facial hair” She stated matter of factly, giving Mulder a wicked idea of surprising her at work after the weekend. As the movie proceeded their bodies gravitated towards each other. Her head, as usual, slowly drifted to lay on his shoulder. They really enjoyed their movie nights, the closeness it always enveloped them with, no matter what they were watching.
When Elton John’s “Can you feel the love tonight” came on, Scully felt him put an arm around her, drawing her even closed to him, embracing her. That is actually new, Scully noticed. Was he giving her a sign he wanted to move forward with their relationship, or was it just a friendly, warm move to show her he’s there for her? She was confused. She wanted to move forward. Longed for him; his tender lips, warm body, the smell of his cologne. She inhaled deeply, taking in his scent, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for them, and tried to relax into him, not over thinking what it all might mean.
By the end of the movie she was moved. “Ok, it was a good movie, I’ll give you that” she mumbled into his arm, a little sleepily, not willing to move away from his embrace. Mulder’s face turned toward the crown of her head. The only thing he was able to easily see, due to her practically lying down on him. He squeezed her again and kissed the top of her red head “mmmhm” he mumbled. That’s also new, Scully thought and looked up at him. Mulder turned away, blushing “Sorry”.
It was now or never Scully thought, they were dancing around this for way too long now. She gently took her hand from underneath the blanket and placed it on his jaw, gently turning his head to face her. She scooted up a little on the couch to reach him and gently brushed her lips against his. He stiffened beneath her touch, so she backed away, fearing she might have made the wrong assumption “Sorry” she mumbled looking away and deciding to run away from him. She messed up.
As she was turning Mulder grabbed her by the shoulder, turning her, now pink, face back to him. He looked longingly into her eyes, licking his lips “Nothing to be sorry about” he breathed out and slowly closed the distance between them. But just as his lips were to meet hers he stopped for a moment, their noses brushing almost as in ‘Eskimo kiss. Doing that he gave Scully an out if she so desired, if she changed her mind. She noticed his hesitation and the choice he was giving her. She put her hand on the back of his head, and closed the distance between them. Her palm moved slowly to his face, thumb gently caressing his cheek. Mulder’s hands wandered to her waist, pulling her closer to him. To feel the heat of her body pressed against him. The kiss was slow, delicate but passionate at the same time. It was as if they were discovering themselves anew. Trying out this new territory and how far would the other dare to go.
As they broke for air, their foreheads joined as they were both processing what has just happened between them. “I should go” Scully stated, but not without giving him a last, small peck on the lips. Giving him a sign they were okay, but she just needed some space now. He nodded and released her from his grip. Scully hurriedly gathered her things and left his flat. Leaving him, bewildered, on his couch. Mulder ran his hands down his face, trying to calm down his emotions. What’s just happened? He stood up and cleaned up the empty bottles and bowl. He took a cold shower to clear his head, but his mind kept running.Did they both overstep, will it be awkward? But she kissed him goodbye. Maybe she was still in the high of their initial kiss. But it was her who initiated it so she must’ve felt the same as he.His mind run thousand miles per second.
As he left the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist his phone rang. He picked it up “Hello?” he answered “Hi, It’s me. I just… wanted you to know that I do not regret what happened, I just need to process it, okay? I am not running away” She stated, reassuring his paranoid mind that whatever’s happened today was good. Mulder smiled “ Take your time Scully, I’ll be here, waiting, whenever you’re ready” he said, more sure about their status than he’s been a few moments earlier. “Thanks for the movie, and..everything Mulder. Goodnight” She bid him goodbye “ G’night Scully” he said softly and flopped on the bed.
F.B.I. Headquarters, Monday, October 21st1996
They have not contacted each other throughout the weekend. She was supposed to go over to her mother’s for the weekend and he, well he didn’t have many plans. He went for a jog, watched some TV and met with the Gunmen to hear about their newest conspiracy findings.
Mulder was excited to see her on a Monday morning for two reasons now. First, he wanted to see her badly, every single cell in his body called for her. Second, he had a small surprise for her. He knew she would laugh at it and all the possible uneasiness would disappear. And Boy, was he right.
He sat waiting impatiently for her at his desk. As the door slowly opened he looked up at her, smiling widely “Morning Scully” he greeted her “Morning Mul-….Mulder! What the hell is on your face?” She laughed at him. Scully closed the door and came closer to inspect the growing moustache over his lip. “Thought you might like the awkward, teenage version of me” he joked and she laughed while sitting on the edge of the desk. She took a closer look at the ridiculous growth. “I like all versions of you Mulder, but get that thing off your face… or grow a beard” she suggested lightheartedly.
They were both glad that any unwanted tension was not present. They were who they always were, nothing’s changed except… Scully glanced at the door quickly and brought her lips to his for a chaste kiss “mmm, goodmorning” She repeated her greeting and quickly jumped off the desk, just in case anyone entered and caught them. Mulder’s eyes followed her, smiling sheepishly as she sat opposite him, waiting for him to tell her about their new quest.