Krycek handed Mulder a buff envelope. "Here's everything we've got on him. Need any other info?"
"No." Mulder leaned on the chilly concrete wall and slowly licked his lower lip.
"OK then." Krycek held his arms open.
Mulder just stared. "What?"
"A hug. Give me a hug."
"A hug? What about the blowjobs? The rough fucks up against the wall? The violence and mutilation?"
"Mulder, I know you like those -- so do I -- but just try the hug."
Extreme possibilities. Mulder stepped forward into Krycek's embrace, feeling arms, one warm, one cold, wrap around him. Krycek rocked him back and forth a little and Mulder found himself rubbing little comforting circles on the back of the black leather jacket. Then they stepped back.
"Krycek, you were right. The sex and violence -- it's fun, but it's not fulfilling. I feel so much better about myself and about you. Like warm fires and popcorn. Like puppies and softball games. Like coming home."
"Hugs can change the world, Mulder. It's our last, best hope against the coming invasion."
"Next time I see Skinner, I'll just walk up to him and give him a big hug."
"I'm just on my way over there now. Want to come with?"
"Sure." Mulder put his arm around Krycek's shoulders and they walked out together.
"And after we hug him, we can all watch Titanic. I still cry at the ending."
Mulder smiled. The aliens didn't stand a chance.
FINIS
@ April 24, 2004
:)ehe