Chapter Text
Red sunk into the overstuffed couch next to Liz, careful not to loom too near. This wasn't the first time she had made a late night appearance at his residence, and every time she did, he hoped that it wouldn't be the last. On more than one occasion, she had come when it was already nearing morning and he could tell she hadn't yet slept. Each time, Dembe would dutifully let her in without a word and retrieve Red or wake him up, depending on the time of night.
Few if any words were ever spoken during her visits, and he was careful never to mention or question them outright after the fact. He took her actions at face value, silently appreciating that she had chose to come him at all after the debacle with Tom and Zanetakos.
Tonight she seemed more than just discontent, as was most often the case when she would appear on his couch. He studied her intently, noticing the dark hint of shadow under her eyes and the slight creases that surrounded her mouth. Their last case had been appalling, true, but the bleak sadness in her eyes spoke volumes. He knew there was much more going on than work.
Red leaned back in the couch, focusing his view out the large window that Liz had been staring out since her arrival. He didn't care to push her, but he couldn't think of anything arcane to say to simply distract her either. Instead, he reached out with his right hand, covering her hand in her lap, neither his nor her gaze leaving the window before them.
He heard Liz let out a soft sigh, and felt her hand relax beneath his. At this, he cocked his head in her direction to see her gradually closing her eyes, but he could easily tell she was far from sleep. A tear slipped from the corner of her eye, silently streaking down her face. Unsure of the most appropriate action, Red merely watched as another tear slowly but steadily followed the first, Liz's eyes pinched shut as if to stem the tide of emotions running through her.
She had never cried during her visits before. Often she was upset, occasionally they'd have a drink and, in rare instances, she would even hint at what was bothering her, but never once had she cried. Unable to bear watching the heartbreaking sight before him, Red softly released her hand from his grasp and moved closer to her body.
Her eyes still shut, she felt him move gently, but only noticed the cold air on her now-uncovered hand. The loss of contact made her sink down further into the couch, her shoulders slumping. When she felt his thumb brushing her cheek, she paused before she reacted.
His intimate gesture evoked such soft, tender thoughts about the man next to her, but in the next moment, logic reminded her of the kind of man he really was. She tried in vain to fathom what kind of desperation would lead a normal woman to seek out solace with a monster. She let out a mirthless chuckle while pulling away from his touch.
"Lizzie," he said softly, hand still frozen in the air next to her face. She didn't respond to him, so he moved his hand back to cup the side of her face. Briefly, he thought he could feel her lean into the gesture and he savored the moment. All too soon, she began to pull away again. "Lizzie, look at me," he instructed in a more serious tone.
He saw her eyes open slightly, blankly staring ahead at the window. He took his other hand and gently turned her tear-stained face towards his. His hands framing her face, he once again ran his thumbs over her cheeks, this time with her looking right back at him. She finally blinked, glancing down to her lap.
Her inner monologue was a study in contradictions, she felt an overwhelming desire for the kindness he was showing her and the physical contact between them, but she knew enough about Reddington to stay on guard and wary of his motivations. The need for comfort won out in her mind, and she met his eyes again, finding what could only be categorized as sincere compassion.
"Why did you come here tonight?"
She moved to turn back to the window and he slid his hands down from her face, using one to cover her open palm in her lap. He was surprised to feel her lace their fingers together and grasp on to him firmly. After several minutes of silence, he assumed she wasn't going to answer him and decided to not push her any further tonight. At least he could offer some measure of consolation, as she allowed their hands to remain joined in her lap, him running his thumb lightly over her soft skin.
She slowly turned her head in his direction, meeting his eyes. "I drove around the city for an hour, maybe longer. I just didn't know where to go." He gently squeezed her hand in response. After a few shallow breaths, she continued quietly, "It's like every part of my life that ever felt safe before has been ripped away from me. I feel like I can't even let my guard down in my own house...I have to act like everything's normal." She didn't dare give words to the unsettling doubts about Tom that had fueled her sleeplessness.
"So you decided to come here?" His question could have easily been mocking, but the soothing cadence of his voice said otherwise. Liz meekly smiled at him, enjoying that he seemed a bit surprised and incredulous at her rationale. She nodded slightly and chose not to continue the conversation any further, fearful of saying something she would later regret.
Red let go of her hand again, resting back fully in the couch next to her. He wrapped his arm behind her, his fingers barely touching her shoulder. After a brief moment, Liz leaned into him, her head pressing in against his chest. Red ran his hand up and down her arm, then gently leaned down to kiss the top of her head.
He heard her breathing even out and slow as she fell asleep against him. Leaning his own head over hers, he kissed her again and let his own eyes fall shut.