Chapter Text
A year and 3 months, 456 days to be exactly. 456 days since Fez was locked up, 456 days since the worst day of their lives when they were torn apart and a new reality emerged.
Lexi’s world shifted on its axis that day but she couldn’t help but think it could have been far worse, Ash could have lost his life that day, Fez could have lost his life, even Faye who she had formed an unlikely friendship with could have been hurt. But somehow, by some miracle, they were all still here. Fez had said it was Gods doing and while Lexi was still not a believer by any means, she did find herself agreeing with him on that one.
It doesn’t mean that it was easy to be apart for so long; not being able to hold each other’s hands for longer than a few fleeting seconds, reducing their hours long phone calls down to twenty minutes per week, split between her and Ash, their cheeks pressed together as they spoke via Lexi’s phone, writing letters and poems and sending him photos, reassuring him that she was okay, that they were okay.
It was so typical of Fez and so fucking endearing to her that despite the fact that he was the one who was in prison, he was worrying about her, about Ash more than himself. He was so selfless, and he couldn’t even see it.
Fez had tried to push her away in the first few months, refusing to see her or talk to her until Ash of all people had talked some sense into his older brother. She hadn’t expected that from Ash, seeing as before he seemed to tolerate her at best. But she supposed basically living with somebody for just over a year was sure to break the ice.
Ash had hated the idea of Lexi moving in, of her involving herself in their business, he didn’t think he needed anyone, other than Fez of course.
It beat being alone, or that’s what he told himself, choosing to ignore that soft part of him that enjoyed her company, the part nobody but Fez ever saw.
He thought he had killed that weakness, the part of his heart that couldn’t sleep if Fez wasn’t home, that woke up in the middle of the night, the sound of bullets ricocheting past his head, the sight of his brother bleeding out in the hallway haunting him in his nightmares.
The part of him that liked watching Fez’s favourite films with Lexi when they were both missing him just that extra bit, who appreciated that she made him breakfast every morning without fail, the way she would pull a blanket over him if he fell asleep on the couch watching forensic files and would always leave him the blue jolly ranchers because she knew they were his favourite. He also didn’t hate the fact that she would sleep over most nights, how her light snoring helped him sleep better knowing somebody else was there.
He kept waiting for her to leave.
But she stayed.
Fez wasn’t even fucking here and she still stuck around, no matter how much he yelled at her or swore or left his stuff everywhere, four months in and he figured if she wanted to, she would have left by now so he started being less of an asshole.
Lexi stayed for him.
For the first time in his life, he had someone other than his brother, who was there for him.
He realised he loved Lexi like a sister when they were at the store one night, working late and some bitch ass college guy had tried to hit on her, snaking his arm around her, touching on her and trying to get her number despite her protests. Ash had seen red, red like he had seen when Custer had tried trapping them, like when he had seen Mouse’s hand reaching to his gun that night, when that old perv had come staking out their house, his hand straying to his box of fruit loops, almost forgetting that his gun was gone.
He walked out from his spot in the cooler, making sure he kept his face hard, threatening, and it seemed to work, the guy backing off and saying some shit under his breath. Ash had turned to Lexi then, asking her if she was okay, in a roundabout kind of way. She thanked him, saying how relieved she was that he was there with her, and stood up for her.
He didn’t think anyone else had ever been glad for his presence before, and it made him act up, do something stupid which he’d drag himself for later. He hugged her for the first time, it was quick and not particularly long and he didn’t look at her after, choosing to slink back into the freezer but he looked back after a while and caught her smiling in his direction. He didn’t think he would ever have a sister but here she was.
Fez was coming home today. The first thought on her mind as she woke up, he would be free – well under certain conditions, strictly legal from now on but most importantly free.
Lexi stared up at the ceiling, not quite believing that the day had finally come. She would be able to hold him, he would be in front of her with no glass between them, she could finally make good on his promise to kiss her. She had grumbled when she had tried to during one of their visits and he had gently rebuffed her, insisting that when they kissed for the first time, he didn’t want it to be when he was in jail. Joking about how the orange jumpsuit clashed with his hair, drawing a smile out of her due to his attempt at cheering her up.
As Lexi made breakfast, stirring her coffee and making Ash a smoothie, he would never admit it but she knew he loved them so she’d make it and slide it across the counter now and then. She was biting her lip, thinking if things would be different now Fez was out, would he resent the fact that she had basically taken over his place? Her creamer and hummus in the fridge, her skincare routine taking space on his sink in the bathroom, some of her clothes bundled in his small wardrobe. Would he find her too much? Before he went to prison, they had just about confessed their feelings for each other, not even ‘official’ yet.
“Why do you have that look on your face Lex?” Ash asked, taking a sip of his drink, “huh? Oh nothing, just…thinking” Ash raises an eyebrow at her response and sighs.
“Fez told me you do that overthinking shit, and I can tell you’re doing it right now, cut it out – whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not worth giving a fuck about”. That was probably one of the longest sentences Ash had said to her and so painfully endearing, she never thought he’d be comforting her, albeit in his own way. She just touches his shoulder as she passes by, smiling at him as she eats the last of her pop tart, grabs her keys and puts her sneakers on. “let’s get going!” she can detect the excitement in Ash’s demeanour, his brother was coming home.
Lexi’s heart is racing as they pull up to the grey building, parking the car and getting out, she felt jittery, like she wanted to bounce around, even Ash was feeling it, not being to stand still as they watched the heavy gates open with a buzz. They see him and Lexi immediately starts tearing up, Ash’s eyes suspiciously wet too before he rubs his forearm over them roughly.
A few more steps, a few more then Lexi is basically running to meet him, and it’s just before she’s about to barrel right into his body that she stops, suddenly shy at her effusive greeting, he doesn’t let her second guess herself for long though before he’s pulling her into him, holding her snugly against his chest and burying his face in her hair.
“Fucking missed you Lexi Howard” and she’s about to say something about how he saw her just last week, but he’s kissing her and she’s pretty sure she’s crying a little still but it’s perfect. Who knew everything could align just by the press of his lips against hers, the feeling of his hands on the sliver of her waist making her feel warm. They rest their foreheads as Lexi breaks the kiss, exhaling and he kisses her cheek quickly.
Fez turns a little, holding on to Lexi, calling out for Ash and he walks over, slowly and Lexi watches as Ash holds his brother tightly, how their foreheads touch and they have a hushed conversation, the exchange not making its way to her ears, this is just for them.
As they get into the car, heading back home they talk about everything and nothing, words flowing easily and Lexi puts on her car playlist, a mix of songs which make her happy, with a few of Ash’s choices sprinkled in. Fez raises his eyebrows a little at some of them and she laughingly explains how Ash had basically hijacked her Spotify at this point, and he looks in wonder between them both.
Ash is smiling, honest to god smiling at her and Lexi just beams back in the rearview mirror, Fez is looking between them, two of the most important people in his life who have formed their own bond.
This moment is everything and nothing, a small moment he would treasure, he had promised them a good life, and he reckoned that this was as good a start as any.