Chapter Text
It had been an exceptionally long day, today’s mission ending up taking a few more hours to get it done. Rough but you alongside the rest of the Task Force made it through, arriving at base. Feet scraping the floor and heavy shoulders, exhaustion over the floor.
After a well deserving shower with good food, as you'd dreaded, night provided no relief. Spending a little over an hour staring at your dark ceiling before finally drifting off, only to be awoken by a nightmare, based on today’s events, a few hours later. Now it was indecently late, so you found your way to the only place that might comfort you: the kitchen. A cup of tea solved most problems, after all, or that’s what you though. Almost dragging yourself out of bed, with bare socks to keep the quiet, you walked slowly through the empty halls towards your destination.
Entering the kitchen, you’d failed to notice the figure in the corner.
"You alright there?" You heard a deep British voice murmur.
“J-Jesus Christ!" You jumped a little, a hand over your chest, voice a mix of whisper and yelling. “You scared me half to death!”
In a gentle chuckle, Price replied "I’m sorry luv, didn’t mean to startle you like that." His low-pitched voice was almost soothing for you by now, and you felt your body relax slightly. "Nightmare?" He inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes... barely slept at all" You reply, walking to the cabinets to pull out a tea box and a mug. "Thought maybe some tea would help, want some?" offering him in a soft voice.
As it had happened many times before, your voice sent a shiver up and down Price's spine. How could he have become so attracted to someone who was meant to be his subordinate?
"It's awfully late for tea, isn't it?" The gruff voice questioned as heavy boot sounds echoed in the room, his figure stopping nearby the countertop. He was close. Very close. "But if you insist, sure."
Unbeknownst to you, the captain’s mind had been plagued by your image for a couple of weeks now. He wasn’t sure on when it has started, even better, he didn’t even know why, all he knows about his little obsession it´s that he found himself staring at you for too long during trainings. His eyes seemed to betray him in meetings, at small briefings with the guys, or even today, observing your exhausted form on the ride back to base.
"Einstein said that time is relative... so could be either too late or too early” You smiled, mind too tired and words coming out by themselves from your mouth. Taking out another mug, you prepped up the kettle, standing in front of the stove, waiting for the water to boil. "And what has you up this late hm?" You ask, yawning softly.
"Don't try to out-wit a London lad with some fancy philosophy, now" Price teased while his eyes wandered over the features of your face. "And I am up this late because... well... you see...” Because I can’t get you out of my mind darling. Price was embarrassed and found it hard to speak. In all the years he'd been in the SAS, he'd never found himself in this position; a man so taken with a simple question. It rattled him to the core, and it showed on his face.
You let out a groggy laugh, finding his tease and stammer entertaining. "Don’t worry Cap, I ain't questioning ya... I guess we all have our minds filled up" You said, crossing arms over your chest and head leaning back slightly, eyes closed, the ambiance feeling too cozy all of a sudden.
You'd caught him off guard, but Price's years of training had instilled a good habit of always remaining calm during times of distress. "Yes, we do," he murmured, watching idly as your hands crossed over your chest. Why was he so caught up on that gesture? How your small hands would cover your heart?
After a few seconds of silence, the kettle starts to scream, making you open your eyes and carefully removing it from the stove. Filling two mugs with the hot water, you place back down the kettle and wait for the tea to slowly make itself.
"Tea is ready..." You mumble.
As you handed it to him, he felt the brief brush of your fingers. He felt his heart flutter slightly. But it wasn't just because of his secret crush; the action itself felt intimate, too intimate. He wondered what else those hands could do.
"Thanks" he managed, a small smile on his face. Even if his feelings weren't allowed to blossom, there was no reason why you couldn't be close to each other, in a way. He took a sip.
You return the gesture, taking the remaining mug, blowing some steam off before taking a first sip. Welcoming the hot liquid with a deep sigh.
Your soft smile made him grip the mug tighter, mind filled with not-so-proper thoughts for the moment. Oh darling… He took some more sips of tea, allowing his eyes to roam over you. "What was it about? The dream… that kept you up so late?" he finally asked. His tone was gentle, as always with you.
Turning around, you let your hips lean on the kitchen counter, images of the nightmare flashing across your mind.
"Today's...well yesterday’s mission gone rogue..." You chuckle, knowing it was around 3:45 AM by now. "Chopper crashes, we scattered and got out-numbered... by the end I was the only one alive...I guess the grief was too much it woke me up..." you tell with a quiet voice, staring at the wooden floor.
He was slightly taken aback by just how raw and painful the nightmare was on your psyche. He also felt a pang within his own heart after hearing the words “grief” and “I was the only one alive.” It took some courage to admit to the nightmare's severity and its lingering effects on you.
He took a step towards you, leaning his hips on the countertop, imitating your stance. Shoulders brushing together, offering some sort of physical comfort.
A small smile smeared over your face, thanking silently his intentions. "Tried to sleep again but... mind was already on and about all the negative outcomes... so I ended up here, for a cup of tea"
"You are kind of lucky to find anyone else awake right now. I was simply out for a walk." Price said jokingly. But he had, of course, simply been pacing back and forth in his own room with nothing but your name in his mind, unable to gain a drop of sleep.
"Always busy eh Cap?" You giggled, placing down the half-full cup of tea on the counter again.
"I can't help it, luv" He chuckled softly. "I have to be in a state of constant movement and action. Being idle is something I don't handle well." His free hand brushed past your hair in a caress. He wondered what it would feel like to have you in his arms. The thought of holding you in that moment made him almost shiver in desire.
"But right now, my thoughts are elsewhere..." he continued to stroke your hair. "I'd rather be... here..." his voice trailed off as it drops in tone, ending in a low husk.
The silence and small quiet noises could be heard from outside, where the dim lighting from the moon filtered through the kitchen window, making everything now so cozy and relaxing. Price's gentle touches and soothing voice, starting to ease up your mind. Closing your eyes for a second, your head ends up resting on his shoulder, feeling his slow air puffs ruffle your hair strands. "Keep talking... your voice is so relaxing...might doze off" You said.
It was odd how comforting it was to feel you so close to him. He loved your touch, your smell; everything about you felt like it was meant to be.
"Do you want to know what I was thinking about when I was pacing in my room?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle as you leant against him. Without bothering to open your eyes, you hummed in reply.
He ran his hand through your hair, enjoying the feeling. His heart was thundering right now, and he desperately wanted to say what needed to be said. "I was wondering what it would be like to hold you in my arms. To bring you back to my room and spend the night with you." His words caught in his throat, and he cleared his throat for a moment, nervous and unsure how you would respond.
The way his hands scratched your hair almost made you purr, if you could, the sensation slowly making your brain shut down bit by bit.” Thinking about me huh?" you giggled, a slight flush spreading on your cheeks. "I like the sound of that"
Price felt a wave of emotions wash over him when you said that you didn't mind. Could it be? You wouldn't mind a night with him? He wrapped his arms around you, holding you close against himself.
“Do you?”
You nodded against his chest, already falling asleep right there and then.
He chuckled, his turn to blush now, as he looked down to admire your half-awake state. Hoping that the loud beating of his heart goes by unattended. “Darling…” he called you out, making you open your eyes slightly, staring up to him.
Price's breathing increased slightly, face almost as red as a beet root. But there was something about your gaze. Something about your eyes that just made him weak. Why was he so attracted to you? Was it your beauty alone that melted him?
"I... I suppose I could take you back to my quarters for the night," he breathed. "Just... as a comforting measure for your nightmare. Nothing else." He immediately regretted his words, cursing mentally. Why would you say that?! Control yourself God dang it! You scared them, they wouldn’t-
“Ill take it…” You mumbled sleepily, pulling away from his chest, yawning. “Hope you don’t snore…”
He needed a few seconds to react before chuckling nervously, shaking his head. “I-I don’t” He says, trying to calm down the euphoria exploding in his body, traveling through his blood. “C’mon, let’s get you some rest” He grabbed your hand gently, locking your fingers together, his eyes stuck on you, waiting to catch the most subtle indication of discomfort. But he was only met with your drowsy stare.
With a slight smile, Price nodded, ready to take you back to his room. He let out a little laughter when you yawned again. You held his hand, and your touch felt like electricity coursing through his veins. The feeling was almost too much for him to bear, but he managed. Somehow.
"We're almost there," he said softly, opening his room door.
It was dark and quiet. A small light from the table gave out just the slight glow needed for you to see each other. Price brought you inside, and he shut the door behind him. He found himself trembling now, unsure of what to do next.
You, in the other hand, went straight for his bed. Climbing slowly on it, not sure how long you could keep awake.