Who: Fitz Proudfoot & Alex Vasquez What: Fitz gives Alex some interesting news, and three words are mentioned later... When: Saturday, 25 May 2019 | Evening Where: some beach in San Diego, and Alex's place Warnings: vague/implied mentions of sexy fun times.
Weeks had passed since he had first started thinking about his career and what he really wanted. It had only been a few days since he had finally submitted an application with CREATURE. With BACO having been at the reserve to conduct a review it had been the perfect opportunity to get more in-depth information about what they did and what options were available. Thing was even though he’d talked to Alex about some of this, and other opportunities, he hadn’t yet told his boyfriend about the fact he’d put in an application or that it was his intention to work from the office they had here in San Diego.
It was maybe still kind of a crazy idea. However, he'd thought it over and whether or not he and Alex worked out for the long term he was still happy with the decision of working in San Diego and Alta California. As much as he loved home, and always would, there was something about this territory that just felt right—and the plentiful sunshine didn't hurt none either.
Now he just had to tell Alex.
Speaking of, he and Alex were currently walking along the beach, and while he had been taking in the sight of how the lights sparkled upon the nearby ocean at night his mind was distracted enough that he had completely missed what Alex had just said. "Sorry, darling, what were you saying?"
"I said, it drives me crazy when my boyfriend gets that faraway look on his face and I can just tell he's not listening to a word I'm saying," Alex answered, half-laughing. He stopped right there on the sand and turned, reaching for Fitz's hands with both of his. "It's okay, I'll make you listen to me grumble about my teammates later. Why don't we talk about whatever it is that has you so distracted tonight, instead?"
Fitz chuckled a little, and shook his head as he smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, guess I'm a little more worried about what you'll think than I thought," he apologised, as he let his thumbs rub the back of Alex's hands. "Well, you know how I've been looking at getting back to working with creatures?"
When he saw Alex give a nod he continued on. "I uh finally submitted an application with CREATURE. They do a lot of work but I was definitely interested in the work they do with rescuing and anti-trafficking. And, well, I have an interview with them - this week actually," he explained. He bit his lip for a second before taking a breath. "Specifically with their office here... in San Diego." Fitz looked on nervously waiting to see how his boyfriend would react.
Alex nodded along attentively, though he was a little apprehensive about what Fitz had to say that could make him so nervous. When he got to the end, which was not at all what Alex was expecting, he stared at him, round-eyed. "Here here?" he asked after a short pause, just to be sure he hadn't misheard. "Really?"
Fitz couldn't help but grin—even if Alex hadn't exactly said he was okay with the move yet. "Really really."
They'd talked before about some of the organizations that Fitz was applying to, many of which were in far-flung locations all around the world. Alex had been fully prepared to be supportive if Fitz had said he was moving halfway around the globe, despite his nerves that that would be too long-distance for this relationship to survive the move. He hadn't even considered it was possible that Fitz could move closer to him. That maybe, just maybe, they wouldn't have to be long-distance at all.
His confusion melted into surprised pleasure. "Fitz… do you really think you could work here? Would you move here?" Alex beamed, squeezing his boyfriend's hands tight in his joy at the very idea. "How amazing would that be? So amazing</em>," he answered his own question. "You would love it here. I'm biased, but it really is a great town, baby. And you'd still be close to your family. And me."
A warm burst of relief broke through at Alex's reaction. There'd been a tiny seed of doubt when he first started considering the idea and he couldn't help the thought of his boyfriend maybe not necessarily be enamoured of the idea. "That's uh kind of what I had in mind actually," he said with a bright smile. He laughed as he asked and immediately answered his own question before rambling on. "It's really a kind of selfish plan I had. Cause you see as great as it's been, and we've been managing it, I kind of hate the whole long-distance thing and not getting to see you as often as I'd like. So I had the bright idea I could not only get a job doing what I like here but I could move down here too."
Fitz knew well how crazy an idea it had been when he first mentioned it to his sister. However, the longer he'd thought on it he knew whether the relationship worked out or not that it would still be a good move for him regardless of whatever might happen. "I know it's a kind of crazy move but I promise I've really thought about it before I even put in my application," he said reassuringly. Fitz gave a squeeze to the hands still holding his. "But it would or will be pretty amazing if I get the job. And you know very well that I've pretty much liked everything here the last time I visited, and this time—and I haven't even seen or done everything there's to see and do here yet."
"Oh, sweetheart," Alex said, absolutely beaming. "I would love to show you everything about town." He leaned up to kiss him gently, and let go of his hands to wrap his arms around Fitz's waist, leaning in close against him. "Are you sure it's what you really want? Because, look, as much as I would love to never have to use a Portkey just to see you for a weekend again, I can live with the long-distance thing. I don't want you to miss out on a great opportunity just because it's on the other side of the world from me." He leaned his head on Fitz's shoulder, tipping his chin so he could look up at him seriously. "You're capable of anything you want to do, you know that? I don't want to be a limit for you, Fitz. I want you to chase your dreams wherever they take you. Even if they take you far away from me."
Fitz smiled as he wrapped an arm around Alex's waist. "I'm sure, darling. I've really thought about it, and the work they do is exactly the sort of thing I want to be doing. And, okay, it'd be a long shot so soon after starting out but they work all over the confederation and occasionally help with international cases so there's still that." Reaching up with his free hand he let his fingers brush the side of Alex's head, and leaned in to steal a kiss. "I know, and I love that you believe that. You're not going to be a limit." He let his thumb brush against Alex's jaw a moment. "Thing is as much I don't like thinking about the thought, I've even considered the 'what if' possibility of our relationship not working out, and... okay, honestly I'm hoping that doesn't actually happen but if it did? I still wouldn't regret moving down here for work or to have been closer to you. This is what I want to be doing."
"Okay. As long as you're sure, I'm going to take your word for it." Alex smiled and squeezed his arms around Fitz's waist, and then released him from his hug to take his hand and start walking again. "Tell me all about it. When is your interview? What's the position? Do you want to run some practice questions? We could do that, I'm great at interviewing." He grinned up at him, so wide his eyes crinkled up. "I know it could not work out, or you could get a better offer somewhere else, and I promise I'm not getting my hopes up too high, but I just keep thinking how amazing it would be to have you here."
He leaned in for a long kiss before pulling back and giving him a grin. "I'm sure." Fitz gave a bit of a laugh even as he reached up to nervously scratch the back of his neck. "Ah, funny story about that actually. How do you feel about putting me up for a couple more days? Interview's on Tuesday. But y'know I can always get a hotel room if need be," he replied. "Well, mostly assisting with rescues and what not but I guess to start with there'll prolly be some training?" Fitz couldn't help but chuckle at his boyfriend's enthusiasm. "Okay, I definitely want to say yes, but how about we run those questions a little later?" He smiled softly as he leaned into Alex's side while still holding his hand. He was so glad, and relieved, that Alex was taking the news so well that now he wondered why he'd even bothered keeping quiet about it at all.
"Like I said, it was a completely selfish plan because I kept thinking the same thing, and how great it'd be to not have to wait for weekend visits - not that they haven't been amazing or absolutely worth it when we haven't seen each other in a while," he responded. "Even if you're busy with work, or if I am, it'll be nice knowing I don't have to wait 'forever' to see you again. I mean, I'm probably still going to text and call a ton but I reckon you might just get sick of me with how often I'll try and see you."
Alex shook his head at Fitz. "It's not 'selfish', why do you say that? It's your life, your career. You can make your own decisions about what you do, for whatever reason you want." He paused for a moment to press up onto his toes and kiss Fitz's cheek. "And if I'm one of those reasons, well… that's really flattering."
He smiled and walked on, swinging their joined hands between them. "I'm really happy to have you around, you know that. I don't think I could get sick of you if I tried. And of course I'd love to have you stay with me, it would be silly to get a hotel. You really don't have to go home? You didn't tell me you were taking time off work." Alex looked up at Fitz questioningly. "Is everything okay in the gift shop?"
"Maybe because before I thought about it properly I really was just kind of thinking about myself and how much easier it'd be to see you if I moved down here," he explained. "You are most definitely one of the reasons but I'm glad I at least thought about it a little more rationally rather than just acting on a whim y'know."
Fitz smiled, and briefly swung their hands up so he could kiss the top of Alex's hand before letting their joint hands go back to swinging between them. "Mmm, I know but I didn't want to presume. Feeling is definitely mutual. Thanks, querido." Fitz shook his head as he smiled. "Nope. I mean, at least not until sometime Wednesday I don't. And I didn't say anything because I wanted to tell you about the job first." He reassuringly rubbed his thumb against the back of Alex's hand. "Hey, don't worry, darling. Everything is fine, and it's not like I left in a hurry without word. I organised the time off the moment I heard I had an interview."
Alex nodded, beaming up at him. "Well, you can see how I live during the week, which you're going to find incredibly boring. Work, gym, band practice, sleep. I'm not sure I can offer you very much entertainment, but maybe I could leave work a little early while you're here." He pulled out his phone as he walked, scrolling through his calendar. "I can try to push a couple meetings to later in the week. I don't know, but I'll figure it out. We could do something fun."
He slid his phone back into his pocket and returned his full attention to Fitz. "Did you tell your family about this interview? Do you think they'll be happy about you maybe moving down here?"
"You say that like my week up in Snowcap is any better," he chuckled. "But hey, if you don't mind the company I could at least join you at the gym?" Fitz smiled in amusement as Alex fished his phone out. He wasn't the least bit surprised that his boyfriend had his calendar set in such detail. "Only if you can though. I know this was a bit of a surprise and totally last minute addition so I don't expect you to go changing your plans just to suit." He gave a nod. "Yeah, I did. They've known I've been looking at different options so... yeah." Fitz thought about it a moment before shrugging his shoulders. "I think so... for the most part? I mean, they'll probably worry a little—maybe not Thorne quite so much—but I'd like to think they'll be happy for me. I know Miko'll just be happy that what I'll be doing is all properly legal and done by the book."
Fitz really was grateful for her help, and for Ethan's, recently even if at the times they'd offered help and advice he hadn't exactly received it entirely graciously. "Y'know if the interview goes well I'm probably gonna have to make another trip down here soon enough to try and find a place to live," he announced. "Which I've got to admit feels a little bit weird in a way since I've only ever lived at home or in a boarding situation like at school and when I was working at Las Animas and UU."
Alex grinned at him. "We'll find you a place," he promised. "Housing is a little tricky in San Diego, unless you're willing to live in the non-magical neighborhoods. I was lucky that Cadabra got me into my apartment the first year I moved down here, otherwise I probably would have been stuck commuting from La Mesa or somewhere. Which isn't a bad place at all, but it's so nice not to have to apparate all the time, and I love La Perla Beach and the Cauldron Hill neighborhood. Being able to walk right down to the boardwalk is amazing. But we can find someplace for you. What are you thinking? An apartment, a house? I can ask Malachi where we should look. He and his wife bought a house a few years ago, so he knows the market more than I do."
"Hmm, yeah, after being back in Snowcap these past few months have got to say the thought of having to commute isn't exactly enticing but that's small towns for you. Still probably wouldn't mind if I need to—it'd just take a bit of getting used to like anything." The more he thought about it though he honestly wasn't too fussed exactly on where his place would be so long as it was close enough to most, if not all, amenities. "That is definitely lucky, and have to say sounds pretty tempting too. I think a house is probably way too much space for just me to move into even if it was a small one. I mean, I live in one now but I'm also sharing it with my dad and brother, and it'd be kind of weird to just have one all to myself. So an apartment would suit—though no offense to yours but preferably one with just a bit more space to it." He smiled at Alex. "Yeah? Well, considering I don't exactly know San Diego at all, or its housing market, I'll definitely take all the help I can get."
"Awesome, I'll call him tomorrow. And I'll talk to Evie, too. She knows everybody in town, I'm sure she can help us find somebody with an apartment to rent. I don't know what your budget is like, maybe you'll have to look a little further outside the town center for someplace bigger than mine for a reasonable price, but that might be good, anyway. You could get a little more room to stretch out, and be closer to the mountains. I know you like mountains." Alex grinned up at Fitz. "Maybe you could find someplace with a yard, and we could host barbecues. My place is not big enough to host parties." He paused, and then laughed, a little embarrassed to have been thinking so far ahead. "But let's make sure you get that job first, before I start making color-coded binders for the apartment search."
Fitz kind of went quiet a little at the mention of what his budget might look like. Honestly, he sometimes forgot that even though the gift shop didn't exactly pay great, and UU had only paid somewhat better, that he had a whole other financial stash as it were that he could delve into. Decades after the fact and he still saw it as his parent's money. 'Uh, thing is depending on the price I could easily afford rent no problems or um buy a place," he admitted, nervously scratching at the back of his neck. "And yeah, I do but I'd like to think I'm flexible enough that I don't have to get a place nearer the mountains—though obviously it'd make it easier for whenever I did want to go hiking." Fitz couldn't help but smile at Alex's use of 'we'. Sure, it was thinking well ahead but he still thought it was rather sweet. "Well, we don't have to completely veto that idea, and as if you haven't already mentally started doing that already," he said, giving Alex a loving but pointed look. "But you're right. Though first, querido, even before the getting the job part, I think we should enjoy the rest of this evening, and tomorrow I will happily take all the practice and help with interview questions."
Alex nodded, not about to comment on what Fitz meant about buying a place here. He seemed almost embarrassed about it, and money was a tough topic sometimes; Alex didn't want to pry if it was something he didn't want to talk about. "Yeah, of course. I'm so happy to help you out, sweetheart." He dropped Fitz's hand to slide his arm around his waist. "It would be amazing if you got this job. But even if you don't, or if you get a better offer from somewhere else -- even if it's far away, like that place in Wales -- we'll make it work, okay? We already know we can handle the long-distance thing. And I'll be here for you, whatever you do, wherever you go." Alex stopped them right there on the sand, tipping up his face to look at Fitz, smiling but serious all the same. "I think you're amazing, Fitz Proudfoot, and any way I can have you, I'm here for it."
Fitz smiled warmly, though there was a hint of laughter in it, because he couldn't get over how thoughtful and willing Alex was about wanting to make this work whatever happened. Enough that even he was almost believing it was possible. One arm slid around Alex's waist while the other reached up so his hand could cup the side of his face. "If anyone's amazing it's you, Alex Vasquez," he said reverently before claiming Alex's lips with his own. His hand was splayed across the small of his back, fingers pressed in against the fabric of his shirt, as he pulled him closer. After a long drawn out moment he finally had to pull back for a little air, and Fitz rested his forehead against Alex's. "Seriously though, I don't know how I deserve you," he murmured, as his thumb brushed over his boyfriend's jaw. "But I'm glad I have you."
Alex swayed into that hot, sweet kiss, his eyes fluttering closed; every one seemed to sweep him off his feet anew, just like the first time, and it only got better with each kiss. He grinned into it, and couldn't stop grinning once Fitz pulled back, keeping his eyes closed and his arms around him. "Mm-hm," he said dreamily into the little space between them. "You definitely have me, baby. Actually, you should take me home and have me now. Or I could have you. Or both. We could just have each other in every way we can dream up. What do you think?" He didn't wait for an answer before he pressed up to kiss him again, deep and demanding.
A bubble of laughter threatened to escape at Alex's words but it was swiftly swallowed up by the kiss. His fingers threaded through Alex's hair while his other hand came around and slid under his shirt with his fingers splayed out and his thumb rubbing over the muscles there as he lost himself in the kiss. It was a long moment before his brain reconnected to the fact that they were out in public, and moaned as he reluctantly pulled back a little. "Definitely home because I don't fancy giving anyone a show." His voice sounding a little rough as he hooked his thumb around the top of his pants and tugged Alex closer—even if he was already pretty close as he possibly could be. "And then... I'm definitely... definitely having... my way with you," he murmured, punctuated with hot kisses.
Alex smiled into every kiss, though eventually he pulled away, cupping his hands around Fitz's jaw to give them both a bit of breathing room. "I think we're in agreement, then," he told him, and closed his eyes, focusing on their destination. Distracted apparating was a recipe for a bad time. Still, just before he took the turn that would carry them both directly into his apartment, he couldn't resist pressing one more soft kiss to his boyfriend's lips. "I love you," he said, half lost into his mouth, and apparated them away right into his bedroom.
For a time Fitz forgot about everything except being in the moment with Alex, and focused on pleasing him with hands, fingers, and lips reverently yet feverishly covering nearly every inch of him at some point or another. It was only later, feeling pleasantly relaxed and dazed, with his head nestled in against Alex's as his fingers idly danced over his stomach that he recalled what Alex had said before they'd apparated.
"Did you mean it?" he asked quietly. "What you said earlier?"
Alex was well and truly spent, and he barely had the energy to open his eyes, much less deny the truth of what he'd said or even pretend not to know what he was talking about. He skated his fingers down Fitz's side, curling in even closer, and nodded against his chest. "Mm-hm," he answered into his warm, sweat-slick skin. "But…" He managed to pry his eyes open and prop himself up on one elbow, looking down at him. "You don't have to… I know I fall too fast. I know it's soon, and you don't have to say anything--"
It was hard determining between what he genuinely felt and what he was feeling from the headiness of sex but somewhere, in what seemed like an incredibly long moment (when it really wasn't), between cuddling Alex and him speaking he'd managed to arrive at an answer. He smiled, shaking his head slightly as his boyfriend started to ramble on, and quickly placed his index finger across Alex's lips. Arching upwards he replaced his finger with his lips for a second before pulling back slightly—"Love you too."—and letting his fingers brush against the side of his face as he kissed Alex again.
Alex's whole face lit up in one of his luminescent smiles, and he laughed in amazed joy. "Really?" he said in the breath between their lips. "Oh. That's… that's amazing." He lowered himself down again to rest his head on Fitz's shoulder, smiling widely into his skin. "I love you," he said, for the novelty and pleasure of saying it out loud.
Fitz loved that smile to pieces, and felt no matter what that it was impossible to be sad or upset when his boyfriend was smiling like that. "Mhmm," he murmured, his fingers brushing along Alex's jaw again before carding through his hair. And there was that warm pleasant feeling around his torso again (that definitely wasn't anything to do with the afterglow of sex at all... except maybe a little) at hearing those words but more clearly this time. "I know it's kind of early, and definitely a little impulsive still, to maybe say it but I thought it over and... thing is I've never felt this way before about any partner of mine. So as impulsive as it might be it just feels right, y'know?" Reaching down with his other hand he took Alex's and threaded his fingers through his. "So yeah... I love you, Alex Vasquez."
Alex was still beaming so hard his face almost hurt, and his stomach fluttered madly at those words. "That's amazing," he said again, and squeezed Fitz's hand. "You're amazing. I feel… really lucky." He squirmed upward to rest his head on the pillow next to Fitz's, eye to eye. "Remind me in the morning, okay? Otherwise I might think I dreamed this." He smiled, shifting in closer, his free hand creeping up to Fitz's chest to press against his warm, solid skin that proved this wasn't just a really nice dream. "Remind me all the time. Haces que mi corazón cante, cariño. Te amo."
Fitz laughed a little as Alex used 'amazing again. Not that he minded in the slightest. Definitely not when his boyfriend looked so indescribably happy. "Mhmm," he murmured in agreement, shifting his arm so Alex could get comfortable. "Promise. From now, to tomorrow morning, and the day after that, and on and on and..." Trailing off as he leant in to kiss the tip of Alex's nose. E você me faz sentir como se estivesse em casa, querido. Eu também te amo."
"I could start now, and in something other than Portuguese. Like..." He trailed off and leaned back in to kiss Alex's cheek before murmuring, "Se agapó." He slowly kissed along Alex's jaw. "Je t'aime." Then his lips found that spot just below his ear and behind his jaw, and whispered, "Dwi'n caru ti."
That spot, as Fitz well knew, turned Alex into a puddle, as if he wasn't one already; the warmth of his lips and the scratch of his stubble on that sensitive spot made him sigh and arch his neck into the kiss. "Guh," he said helplessly. "Baby…" He shivered and pressed close against him. "That's sexy. You're sexy. I want to hear you speak all the languages, only…" He yawned, his arm falling down around Fitz's waist. "You tired me out."
Fitz smirked against Alex's warm skin knowing very well what kissing and nipping there did to his boyfriend. One last kiss and Fitz pulled back enough that he was looking into Alex's eyes once again. "Sorry, darling," he said, with fingers reaching up to brush his boyfriend's hair back before drifting to his shoulder. "Tomorrow then, and you can try tiring me out. Well, after you're done helping my practice for the interview that is." Fitz snuggled a closer closer, and draped his arm over his boyfriend's waist. "Sleep does actually sound pretty good right now."