A Series of Firsts (A Matthew Gray Gubler FanFiction)

The First Longing

Alex pushed the wisps of hair that had fallen into her face and reached down to pull her key from underneath her front mat. She pushed open the door and reached for the water bottle that she had stashed on the bookcase nearest the front entrance. She unscrewed the cap, taking a long gulp. She pulled the earbuds from her ear and removed her phone from its encasement on her arm. She bent over, stretching out her tired muscles. She stood up, arching her back, almost hearing her muscles groan. She kicked off her shoes and padded down the hall towards her bathroom. She stripped out of her sweaty running clothes and flipped on the shower. The room started to steam up with the running hot water and she pushed the curtain back, climbing in under the hot stream. She allowed the heat to loosen up limbs and rolled her neck in circles, trying to ease the tension in her shoulders. She sighed as her body started to react and calm.

After washing up, she climbed out and pulled on her comfy pajamas. She moved back to the front of her apartment, into her kitchen. Opening the fridge, she grabbed the closest container of chocolate milk and twisted off the small cap. She crossed the small space and flopped down onto her cushy couch. She grabbed the remote and flipped the television on. She needed a distraction and she could run only so many miles. TV was a great second choice as long as she avoided certain shows. She stopped on an episode of Scorpion and stretched out, placing her head in the crook of her arm.

She glanced over at her phone. The screen was dark but she reached out and pushed the small home button, causing the screen to glow. No missed calls. No unread texts. She sighed and allowed the screen to darken again. It had been several days since she had heard from Matthew. He had texted her once, asking her again not to take off, that he just needed some more time. She had only replied with an okay and had let the communication stop. She wanted, badly, to talk to him but knew that if she pushed, or made a step in the wrong direction, she could possibly sabotage what little had been rebuilt. She wasn't sure what he had to do, but she had a sinking suspicion that it had to do with a woman.

Her stomach twisted into a knot at the thought of Matthew and another. The tingle of the simple kiss before he left, still lingered. She wanted to feel his lips against hers again. She wanted to feel his arms around her again. She wanted to have him in her life again. She was trying very hard to be patient with him, she owed him that much, but she was not enjoying the glaring silence. Her eyelids were heavy and she closed them, listening to the murmurings that emanated from the speakers.

A pair of hands covered her eyes. She giggled and tried to turn around.

"No! I don't want you to peak." Matthew's voice sounded from behind her.

"What are you doing?" She leaned back into him, feeling his strong body against her back.

"Hold on. Here, move forward." He pushed her gently, forcing her feet to propel herself.

They walked together, him still behind, his hands still covering her eyes. She felt him nudge her on the right, causing her to turn towards her left. She knew that they had entered her bedroom. He pulled back on his hands, signaling her to stop. She stood erect, her body no longer touching his. He removed his hands and her eyes adjusted to the dim light. Her bedroom was covered in candles. The bed adorned with rose petals. In the center of her bed was a large wrapped package, complete with giant red bow.

She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, "So this is what you've been doing in here for the last hour. What is all of this?"

"Happy anniversary sweetheart," He leaned down and gently kissed her. "Go and open your gift."

"It isn't our anniversary Matthew." She placed her hand on his cheek before turning around and approaching the edge of the bed. She reached forward and grabbed the gift, pulling it towards her. She smiled as she pulled the bow off and shook her head slightly as she torn the paper from the box.