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Leon’s mind felt slower than molasses as he fumbled for the keys in his back pocket. It truly was a miracle he had been able to drive home, that mission sucked the life out of him. No matter how many times he had to deal with the equivalent of a comic book supervillan, or a simple virus leak, it never got easier. Even with the very expensive therapy and medication. The keys missed their target once or twice before clicking into the lock. Usually he would try to be more careful, make as little noise as possible this late, but the living room light was on. Not like he expected James to have a healthy sleep schedule while he was away.
The door creaked open and Leon stumbled into the entrance. Shoes were flung off in the vague direction of the rack, keys ripped out of the keyhole, and the door sealed shut again. One, two, three checks of the lock left him satisfied. He took his belt off, placing it and his holster on the small table. A pair of shoes in the corner of his vision caught his attention. Light purple converse, although it was hard to see the color under all of the drawings plastered onto them. Laura must be staying the night. It wasn’t rare, even after moving out she still came over often, but it still stung that his work made him late enough to miss her before she went to bed. Leon rubs at his eyes before moving farther into the nearly silent house.
James was sitting on the couch, laptop precariously resting on his leg. Whatever work was being done had been abandoned as soon as the front door opened. He smiles as Leon shuffles in, closing the laptop and discarding it onto the side table with the stack of books he’d been keeping himself busy with. The couch sinks as Leon drops his full body weight without a second thought. He shimmies closer to James, placing his head on his thigh, before sighing.
“I take that as it was a bad mission?” The blond questions, earning a lazy nod in response. Leon shuts his eyes as he feels sleep attempt to drag him down. He holds it back. The entire ride home all he could think about was hopping in bed, maybe hibernating for a while, ignoring any calls from Hunnigan he physically could, but James was awake. Leon knew they had all the time in the world to talk, or be in each other's presence, yet he clung to the moments of coming home. Being near someone he can comfortably trust with his life after days or even weeks of being on edge. It was a state of euphoria that was hard to describe. A hand runs through Leon’s hair as it has hundreds of times, James falling into his usual rhythm.
Leon feels him shift, clearly reaching into his pocket. The darkness is invaded by what can only be a phone screen before it's quickly shut off. “Happy belated birthday hun, I’m sorry you couldn’t get here earlier to celebrate.” The agent’s brain lags as he opens his eyes, looking up at the other. A groan escapes him at the realization and he sits up, swinging his feet onto the coffee table.
“I…. completely forgot it was my birthday.” A partially muffled laugh escapes him as his hand goes down his face. The jet lag must’ve gotten to him. “Guess that’s what happens when you’ve had so many.” It wasn’t strange for him to make a joke at his age, it’d become more common into his 40’s, but that didn’t stop James’ lighthearted, scolding, expression.
“Well I’m glad you have me here to remind you.” Leon smiles at that, leaning into his husband to wrap an arm around him.
“I truly would be lost without you sweetie.” It was partially true, he did have the tendency to forget things even without a jet lagged brain. James’ obsession with noting everything down on a calendar and being an hour early was truly his saving grace. “Seriously though, I am sorry for being so late. I-”
“Don’t apologize, it's not your fault those people are insane.” James waves it off. “Besides, it's your own birthday. I’ll follow your schedule.” He turns his attention fully to Leon, giving a soft smile. “Do you want to go to bed, or do you want your present?”
Leon perks up, feeling more awake. “Well if I get the option, who could refuse a present.” He stands from the couch, stretching his now aching back. It would feel worse tomorrow, but he couldn’t be bothered to worry about it at the moment. An ice pack and some Tylenol will have him set. “I do need to change out of these jeans though. Damn things are driving me crazy.” He turns to look at James. “Unless the present already includes getting undressed.”
James looks away, poorly hiding the red tint to his face. “No, it doesn’t.” A sharp laugh escapes Leon. He begins heading into the hallway towards the stairs. “Oh, while you’re up there can you grab Laura? She should still be awake.”
“Of course, two insomniacs make another insomniac. Who would’ve thought.” He gets a scoff laugh out of James he faintly hears.
Laura’s bedroom door is shut with no sign of consciousness on the other side. Leon carefully grabs the doorknob, turning it preemptively. It was a similar feeling to when he would check on her as a young kid. She could take care of herself by that age, really had no risk of suffocation or anything of the sort, but his anxiety kept him on a tight schedule every night. The room was still the same shade of bubblegum pink that she’d had in their old apartment, no matter how much she was asked if she wanted a different color. Sometimes he wondered if it was out of stubbornness or a true passion for the paint choice.
She was laying in bed now, clearly locked onto whatever she was watching on her phone. Leon slipped in, standing against the wall near the lightswitch. Her back was to him and she had headphones on, he was sure she could forgive him for a quick scare. He reaches over to the light switch and flicks it a few times. Laura jumps, throwing her headphones off and snapping her head in the direction of her door.
“What the- Dad!” Her expression quickly goes from one of annoyance to surprise as she rolls off the bed, scrambling up to go over and hug him. Leon returns it, ruffling her hair. She lets go, lightly shoving his shoulder. “You gotta stop doing that”, she said with a smile on her face. “James has started messing with the lights to wake me up, you’re a bad influence.”
“Not our fault you sleep like a rock. Maybe I’ll buy you a nice eye mask.” He jokes. The mention of buying seems to light up Laura’s eyes as she turns back to her bed. “Speaking of that;” she rummages around under it before retrieving a sparkly blue bag. “I got something for you.” Leon stops her before she can hand it to him.
“I'm going to get changed but James is waiting downstairs with his present too. I’d be happy if you would join us.” She nods, doing a mock salute.
“Yes sir!” They both exit the room, Laura rushing down the stairs and Leon breaking off to head further down the hall. Alex’s door was wide open and the lights were off. Leon peaked in, seeing the usual empty bed and scattered papers on the desk. It was a shame Alex’s nightshift collided with when he was getting home, but he knew he wouldn’t want them to wait for him. If anything he would feel guiltier. Leon shuts the door, making a mental note to text Alex later. He at least deserved an apology even if he would refuse that it was necessary.
The master bedroom was nearly the same temperature as the arctic. Not that he’s complaining, it was how he preferred to sleep. Especially with a living heater next to him every night. Leon opens the closet, quickly grabbing the first pair of pajama pants in sight. A random shirt was plucked off its hanger and he hastily gets changed, relieved to be out of those mission clothes. Even if they were changed into after a nice shower, a part of him still felt gross. The shirt he had picked was definitely one of James’. A bit too long but easily fixed with a quick knot made with the fabric.
Laura and James were both sitting on the couch now, their respective presents in their grasp. Leon had clearly walked in on some sort of conversation, as Laura was lightly hitting the other with a throw pillow.
“He’ll love it shut up.”
“Love what?” They both jump, sitting up straighter. The pillow is thrown to the side, nearly whacking a lamp off the other side table. Leon chuckles, moving over to sit between the two. The girl tries to escape the expected grasp but is pulled into a side hug. “Now, who wants to go first?”
James has a nervous look in his eyes, clearly dreading something. Laura pipes up. “I’ll be your first victim.” She holds the present in front of him, shaking it slightly. “Although I may not be as rich as you two, I like to think my gift is pretty good.”
Leon rolls his eyes, holding the bag in his lap and digging past the tissue paper. He pulls out a metallic charm, clearly made to attach to a firearm. The charm is in the shape of a rat, or mouse, it's hard to tell. James inhales a sharp breath, fighting back a laugh.
“That’s ironic.” He blurts out, looking at Laura. A moment passes before she reacts, putting both arms up in protest. “Waaait no I didn’t even think about the fact they spread diseases.” She says, panicked. “I meant it like,” a hand drops while the other motions in a circle, clearly struggling to help her remember. “He’s a quick thinker and fast and- and resourceful. I trusted Google, don't blame me.”
Leon smiles, twirling the charm on his pointer finger. “Maybe the irony will help me, like a good luck charm.” He stands up, placing the bag on the coffee table. The holster is right where he left it in the entryway and he takes his pistol out, hooking the charm onto it. He double checks the safety before walking back to his family, holding it aimed to the side. “I think it looks cute.” Laura fistbumps the air, sitting back down, now a bit farther away.
“See, knew it would be good.” She looks back at James, giving a smug expression. He shakes his head with a small smile. Leon puts the gun back in its holster, making sure the charm doesn’t get scratched up. It was honestly surprising that Laura would give him something work related. She would always try to avoid the subject, going for gifts like stuffed animals or fun trinkets, but he was happy either way. Having something to remind him of her would be nice when he’s having a terrible day.
As soon as he sat back down James handed the small box in his hand to him, the look in his eye less pronounced. He had always liked to think he hid his emotions well, but Leon could always read his eyes, and the longer they were together the more he could pin the feelings down. Right now he seemed a bit anxious, maybe some doubt buried in there. There was really nothing that Leon would dislike in a gift, but his mood made him curious. He rips open the wrapping paper on the box and opens the top.
“I don’t know what you’re so worried about, this is adorable.” Inside the box was a crocheted doll, clearly resembling himself. There were some imperfections, sure, but it was cute. Leon picks it up, showing it to Laura. “Did you know he was making this?” She nodded.
“Yeah, he video called me a few months ago asking for help. As if I magically knew how to crochet. We learned together.” A glance was thrown in the blond man's direction. “He is way better than me though.” James scoffs.
“The duck you made was cute.” Sounds of disagreement escape her. “No, nooo… I had to put him out of his misery. Did you give him the one of you as well?” James stiffens up slightly and Leon looks over, smiling.
“You made one of yourself?” There’s a clear avoidance of eye contact and Leon chuckles, putting a hand on his thigh and lightly patting it. “C’mon, let me see.” James sighs, getting up and disappearing into the dining room. He comes back a few moments later with a similarly sized doll in hand that shares his appearance. It falls into Leon’s hand and he happily props them up on the coffee table next to each other.
“They were supposed to both be for you but, I wasn’t sure if you’d want one of me.” Leon shook his head. Either out of mock disappointment or bafflement, he didn’t know. Realistically, it could come off as a bit self centered with some, but James was nowhere near that. He was more in the extreme opposite direction.
“You’re something I love, why wouldn’t I want a miniature version?” Laura makes a dramatic sound of disgust as Leon gives him a peck on the cheek. For a moment James’ usual close lipped smile widens, flashing his teeth.
“I’m glad you like them.” There was some pride evident in his voice. “There’s technically a second part to this gift. I left it in the bedroom though, Laura probably doesn’t want to watch us be even more sappy.”
“You’re right, I don’t.” She teases, standing up from the couch. “I know what it is though. I’m sure I’ll get to see it in the morning. For now, I’m going to get in bed. Unlike you guys, I enjoy being asleep before four in the morning.” Her voice is slightly muffled as she enters the hall, and not long after they hear the stairs creaking. Leon looks at James before leaning against him, resting his cheek against his shoulder. The energy boost he’d gotten was diminishing almost comically fast, but he had to make sure to stay conscious. Just for a while longer.
“Do you want me to carry you upstairs?” James partially jokes. A quiet scoff of a laugh comes from Leon. “Sure, if you want us to both go to the hospital.” Both of them sit there for a moment, indulging in the shared silence.
Once they were upstairs, it didn’t take long for Leon to jump into the connected bathroom for a shower. He had already taken one earlier, he knew that he was clean of any virus or germ imaginable, but it never hurt to be cautious. As soon as he looked in the mirror it was obvious he was being perhaps a bit too worried. Half of his skin was rubbed raw to the point of his pale skin looking more like a beet red. It reassured him that there was nothing getting past him, but it hurt like hell. He takes a moment to give his skin a break, grabbing his phone off the counter. The apology to Alex was quickly sent. Hopefully he would be able to see it on his break.
A yawn escapes Leon as he throws on a pair of boxers and a new pair of pants. The light from the bathroom pours into the dimly lit bedroom where James is patiently sitting at the end of the bed, now wearing a tank top and shorts. The lights are quickly switched off before he approaches the bed. There is a small black box in James’ hand. Clearly a ring box.
“Am I getting proposed to for a second time?” Leon jokes, getting an amused head shake in response. The bed makes a sound of protest as he jumps onto it, sitting criss cross in the center. James turns to him, copying his sitting position, and holds the box out towards him. He opens it, revealing two matching rings. One has a red ombre design on it while the other has a similar design in blue. It's clear which one is made for him, so Leon removes the red one.
“A few months ago you told me you felt bad for how much blood had stained your wedding ring over the years, so I.. wanted to get you one that would still look the same even if stained.” The agent was beaming, struggling to hold in his excitement as his leg bounced. He removes his old ring that held the mentioned stains. Silver covered in faint red, it barely held its original color anymore. He slips on the new one. It was comfortable and clearly measured to fit him.
“Two questions. How did you figure out my ring size without measuring, and why is yours blue? I was expecting green.” A nervous hand rubs at the back of James’ neck as he looks down at the box.
“I used pictures on my phone and measured your ring finger from multiple angles to figure it out…” Of course he did. The biggest math nerd on the planet couldn’t refuse getting the chance to do something the hard way. “And the color is- well- this is so corny but I wanted to make a Star Wars reference.” He puts his head in his free hand, letting out a muffled laugh. “Red and blue to represent the sith and jedi, and the force as a whole.” Leon felt like he had the stupidest smile on his face, and he couldn’t be bothered to fix it. He barks out a laugh, resting a hand on James’ shoulder.
“You’re such a dork, I love it.” James removes his face from his hand, revealing a toothy grin as he sits up straighter to put his new ring on. It wasn’t as uncommon as it used to be to see James with a real, full, smile, yet Leon always cherished it. He was even more handsome when he was happy. The agent dove forward as soon as he was done fiddling with the ring, grabbing his face to pull him into a kiss. James jumped slightly, taking a second before his shoulders went slack and he wrapped an arm around the other's waist. A hand rests on Leon’s cheek before James pulls away, letting out a breathless laugh.
“Happy birthday Leon.”