Work Text:
It was the end of the work day, and Scully and Mulder were in the basement office, tying up loose ends and clearing the space. It had been a casual day, full of paperwork more than anything else. Scully loved the excitement of her job, chasing leads and doing autopsies and uncovering lies and false alibis and conspiracies, but sometimes it was nice to have a calm day like this one. No mediocre motel rooms or long plane flights or suspects to run after.
She had said her goodbye and was heading to the door when Mulder called her name.
“Scully, wait!”
She turned around. He was leaning against the front of his desk, wearing slacks, a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a dark green tie, with a lopsided grin on his face. She smiled back at him.
“Yes?”
She supposed Mulder had always smiled at her like this, all sweet and kind and loveable. But it felt different now, since their relationship had… progressed. It had felt so natural, so easy, the first time they had kissed. Like it was something they should’ve been doing for as long as they knew each other. She had worried it would be awkward to start dating, especially since they worked together so closely, but instead, it just felt right. As if it was the direction their relationship was supposed to head in.
“I have to drive a case file up to the field office in Philadelphia this weekend,” Mulder said, “and I was wondering if you would like to come along?”
Scully took a second to think the offer over. It wasn’t too far of a drive, and she didn’t have any plans. Plus it would be nice to spend time together outside of work. “Sure. Why not?”
“Really?” He looked excited, like he hadn’t expected her to agree.
“Of course. That’s what a girlfriend is for, right?”
Mulder blinked and looked up at her. “Girlfriend?”
Scully felt her face start to flush. She hadn’t thought it over before she said it, the words had just tumbled out of her mouth. “I’m sorry, I know we haven’t talked about it before, but—”
She couldn’t finish her sentence before Mulder was across the room and right in front of her, interrupting her by pulling her into a tight hug. His arms were wrapped around her, holding her so closely her face was pushed into the crook of his neck. It was a surprise, but a good one, warm and safe and comfortable.
“Don’t say you’re sorry,” he replied, voice muffled through her hair. “I love it.” He released her from the hug just enough to look her in the eyes. He was beaming, the happiest she had ever seen him, just because of one little word. She grinned back at him shyly. Being with Mulder felt like being a teenager with a crush in all of the best ways, feelings she didn’t think she would ever experience again. The nervousness, the excitement, the sparks, the way she never seemed to stop thinking about him. Seeing him react like this was all the proof she needed to know he felt the same way.
“I love it too,” Scully whispered, staring back at him. He leaned forward again to press gentle kisses against her forehead, nose, cheeks, so softly she couldn’t help but giggle at the sensation.
“Girlfriend,” he echoed in a murmur against her skin, more to himself than to her. Like he was testing the word out loud. He finally stepped away from her, sliding his hands into hers and interlocking their fingers as he did. “I like the sound of that.”
Scully nodded, squeezing his hands for a beat.
He paused to just look at her softly for a moment before clearing his throat and continuing, “I’ll see you this weekend, then.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’ll pick you up in the morning.” Mulder grinned coyly as he added, “That’s what a boyfriend’s for, right?”