Chapter Text
That party was the start of their little discussions together. They would often talk to each other when passing through the halls or when they would meet for the arena matches. It was all very sweet and the two seemed to share their love for the smaller things in life, such as reading or what their favourite plants were.
He would regularly come over to see the woman in her lab, bringing offerings of coffee he drank (that wasn’t laced with the chemicals he drank normally) or the butter cookies that Natalie would make for him, always cut with the cute cookie cutters that Renee had purchased for their 2-year anniversary. Cat paws and flowers were the main two that she liked, and it always made Alexander smile whenever he received these cookies. They were something the two of them enjoyed. In return, he learnt about Mary’s son, Newton, and his help in the creation of Pathfinder, and her research. As well as the things she struggled in life.
“Dr Caustic!!”
“Natalie”
“You and Dr Somers are close, non?”
“We are simply work colleagues.”
“that does not look like it here!”
He adjusted his glasses as the woman showed a photo of the two together, holding hands as they walked through the town.
It felt…embarrassing to see the woman he had cared for confront him about his personal life, watching him get more out of his shell as time went on. But then again, it must’ve been payback for when he was watching over her and Renee like a hawk when their relationship first became ‘official’.
“You were spying on me.”
“Non, only keeping a check. You did not respond to my messages and I was worried.”
He looked at the photo again and sighed. It felt…weird to say the least. Seeing him so different when it came to being around Mary, someone who was so chipper and happy.
He simply sighed and handed the phone back. “We were just talking; we went for lunch together.”
Natalie set the usual tub of biscuits on the man’s table, sitting opposite to him with a smile on her face. She clearly had the wrong idea.
“Natalie, we are not…’together’, I hope you understand.”
“you are!! No two people are walking into town with a smile on their face with another person!”
He grumbled, taking one of the biscuits, and ate it with a grumble.
“Oooh Oooh, do take her on a date, she deserves it!”
“a business lunch”
“Dr Caustic, it is a date. I have seen the way you look to her!”
He had to sigh again, looking away.
“Fine. You will help me with this…’date’.”
The way Natalie’s face lit up and she shot over the table to hug him. “I shall get Renee to help!” The way she looked made his miserable cold heart smile. He pat her hand as she hugged him, before nodding.
“Now shoo, I have work to do.”
“Hmph, fine.”
The way that Natalie and Renee had planned the date was simple, Caustic would cook for them both in his apartment. A simple first date idea, He would make something he made for Natalie when she was stuck in her room after the death of her father. She would help him pick out clothes, whilst Renee would help Mary out. He was saying time and time again that he wanted to put the shirt he was comfortable with wearing on, and leave it at that but Natalie protested, handing him a suitable casual blazer and dress shirt get up, and then his favourite watch and glasses. The woman looked more than thrilled when he emerged. She helped him set the table, start work on the soup and make the place look nice.
“I’ll message Renee!”
“…Thank you”
The hesitation in his voice was something, and Natalie caught wind quite quick, setting her hand carefully on his shoulder.
“Dr Caustic? It is okay to feel nervous!”
A grunt.
He clearly was clamming up.
Minutes turned to hours, as Alex sat in his apartment waiting. He knew she was coming, but every time he thought about it, maybe she was too busy. He was so close to giving up and locking himself in his lab for the night, but clearly someone had other ideas. The soft knock at the door skewed his thoughts and he shuffled his way over to the door, looking at himself in the mirror before opening.
“Sorry I’m late, had a few wee things I had to do!”
There she was. His panic seemed to melt away when he saw the woman’s smile. She looked stunning, her hair contrasting with the teal dress she wore.
“…ah…my apologies Dr Somers, please make yourself at home.”
“Call me Mary, love.”
He knew she used love as a term to everyone…but hearing it here made him melt even more. Why was he even worried?
He walked into his place, humming to himself as the woman looked around the apartment.
“Bloody hell, ya got a stunnin’ place Doctor!”
“I did tell you I enjoy the company of plants, I use them to relax, along with reading”
He settled back in the kitchen, carefully stirring the soup and then glancing to the bread that Natalie had left.
“Nice o’the girls to plan this, eh?”
He was in a daze for a second, before snapping out and returned to stirring, with an affirmative grunt.
The soft footsteps of the woman approaching his side with her bag made him look over, seeing her beam at him in return.
“This is the reason it took so bloody long; eejit didn’t think I was old enough to buy wine. I’d take it as a compliment, but he was really insistent on seeing some ID”
She settled a bottle of wine on the counter and laughed, looking at it. He also glanced over, smiling a little. It was an expensive brand, something he would splurge on if he was in the mood. He carefully took out two glasses and set them down.
“What’s for dinner then, master chef?”
“Soup. I made it for Miss Paquette when she was sad.”
He felt a soft thump on his arm, with the woman carefully leaning against him. He tensed up and she clearly noticed, backing away incase he did feel uncomfortable.
“No…stay.”
Mary’s eyes widened and she nodded gently, hooking her arm into his and watched as he continued to stir the soup.
The night was smooth. The two of them are in peace, discussed about their lives and the whole night felt just…safe and warm. Safe and warm enough for the two to be curled into the couch together, blankets over them both as they sat and drank tea whilst watching documentaries. It was safe and warm. Alex felt his heart flutter every time he looked over to see the woman so happy with what was being shown on screen. He carefully brought his hand and snaked it around the other, watching her smile and adjust to cuddle into him.
“Didn’t know ye were such a softie under all that gear”
“It is by choice to look intimidating.”
“Well I’m glad I get to see such a lovely side to ye, all to myself”
He let off a small laugh, staring into his cup as she sipped from her own.
Alexander always wanted to tell the woman how he felt. How he longed to wake up to see her soft face, how he hoped he could see her smile every time either one got back from their respective lab. But he feared those things. He feared the cough that had been kept at bay would break them apart, make him unable to ever see her. He feared falling in love. Yet he was so starved of that love that he wanted to just…love her for a few seconds.
“Alex, love…are you alright?”
He didn’t realise it but there were tears pricking his eyes, and some slipping down his face. He didn’t even notice how much those words were wounding him until she pointed it out.
He flinched, setting the mug down.
“Please…excuse me for a moment…”
His voice was growing raspier, heavier. He felt dizzy. He only just made it to his bedroom before the coughing began, and it grew violent quick. He stabled himself, did anything he could to not make the woman worry. He could only hear the crackling of his throat and lungs as he wheezed and coughed that he couldn’t hear the tap being run from the kitchen, the soft knock on the door and eventually the woman sat behind him, rubbing calming circles into his back.
Rubbing circles into his back.
Somehow…as she did that his coughing fit slowed, calmed to just his throat becoming hoarse. He was in tears, trying to hide the panic by putting his mask on to help him stop the shaky breathing. Alex felt a soft hand to his shoulder, and another to his hand.
“Deep breaths…love, I’m here..”
The pet name.
It made him want to cry more. He took the mask off again after a while, taking the drink from her with a mumble.
“My…apologies” he managed to speak out, sniffling a little. He saw her frown, but then set herself carefully besides him and run a hand through his rather wiry hair.
“Mister Nox, I am NOT leaving this bloody house tonight.”
“I am fine”
“Feck off you are fine, what was that little thing there?”
He chuckled shakily.
“I’ll pack me bag and be back, ya hear me?”
“It is not needed…” he pointed to his wardrobe, to the shirts that Nat had purchased him a while back. They were big enough for her to sleep in.
“You…will be fine with one of them.”
He watched as she fished a shirt out for herself, chuckling a little as she compared the size of the shirt to herself.
“Whod’a thought I’d be sleepin’ next to ya on our first date”
“I did not think so..”
“I’m keepin’ an eye on ya love, can’t have me bloody boyfriend drop dead now can I?”
Boyfriend…
Those words stuck to him the whole time she left to change. He sat in his bed, staring at the window. He looked out and thought about it. She really did want this as well…Alex made himself comfortable as his thoughts stopped when he saw the woman return. She looked beautiful like always, but even more so now. Freckles covered her from head to toe, and she was slender and pale. Her hair always stood out, and now it was tied carefully to avoid any tangling. He watched her flick the light off and turn on a small lamp on her side, and climb in, a book in hand.
He was hesitant, but he carefully snaked his hand into hers, feeling a reassuring squeeze. He watched her set her book down after a while and turn off the light, laying besides him in the complete dark. He felt her shuffle closer, placing her hands on his shoulders.
“I love you…” he murmured
It was silent. He thought to himself that he had ruined it.
“I love you too…now get your arse to sleep”