Work Text:
Enveloped in his circle of comfort and warmth, there was nothing else that William would have any other way. Is what he should be thinking. Afterall, his mother is tucking him into bed. Reassuring him that nothing could ever go wrong. But despite her soothing tone, the list of anxious thoughts swirl in his head like a whirlpool. In a way he can't help it, he wishes he could. But no matter what he tried to think of, the horrid thoughts would not make their exit.
"Okay.. you have your light. Two actually, your fish lamp and the whale night light." Scully begins to list off, gesturing to the lights as he nods.
"You're in your comfy jammies." She pats his shoulder gently at the soft wool which makes him giggle.
"The window is closed shut, so you won't hear the wind or branches scraping against it.” She knocks on it to prove its hardness. He winces at the noise.
"Of course we can't forget about Wilbur! who'll not only keep you company through the night, but also keep you safe."
She tucks in the stuffed whale plush into his arms, to which he nuzzles into its softness and smiles. She smiles back at him.
"And dad is getting water in your favorite cup.. besides all that, is there anything else you need, star?" She settles back and crosses her arms. Hoping that with this list perhaps his mind will calm for the night.
But unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. William immediately sits up and balls his fists at the sheets.
"I need you momma.. and dad.. I don't want to sleep alone, I want to be with you.. why can't I sleep with you forever!?" He exclaims in protest.
Scully sighs and her expression looks defeated, but also mixed with worry. She begins to rub her palms together anxiously as she collects the right words to say.
"Honey.. you've slept with us for a while now.. everyone has to leave the nest some day." She announces softly, beginning to tuck the blanket over him causing the boy to lay back down, however he still seems unsure.
"Plus, you have all this space here! I think it can get pretty cramped with all three of us together huh?" She adds, raising a finger and gesturing towards him.
"No! it's okay if it does.. as long as I'm with you.."
He reaches for her hand and she intertwines them together. Suddenly his expression changes, looking up at her in sorrow.
"Do you.. not want me to sleep with you anymore???"
He barely manages to spit out, his poor little voice starting to crack. Scully can feel the tears beginning to sting at her eyes, she blinks a few times to sweep them away. Her heart felt as heavy as an anvil at his words. For this is the very last thing she'd want him to feel in this vulnerable moment of need.
She pulls him close and kisses him softly on his head, brushing through his hair. Her sighs heave onto his small precious head. She takes a deep breath before speaking.
"William.. I don't mean it like that, of course I don't mind if you sleep with us.. but at some point, well. You can't keep doing it forever. You have to do things on your own, it's scary at first, a lot of things are. But in the end, it may not seem scary afterall."
Scully whispers in love as she caresses his face. The two lock eyes for a silent brief moment. Mother and son. Her star. Who she swore she would never let anything bad happen. But seeing him so desperate like this, could she have failed?
He then breaks the tension.
"I just want the bad dreams to go away... I don't want to dream that you and dad aren't with me anymore.... I don't want that to happen..."
He pleads, before feeling the need to cry. Going into her hug as she embraces him tight, beginning to rock them both slowly.
"I know star, I know. But listen, I promise, whatever happens in those dreams won't happen to us. We're always here for you. No one can or will hurt you, ever. We'll make sure of it."
She means it. Every word, every second of it. Swearing on her life she'd do anything in her power to protect her precious baby. As she sprinkles kisses through his hair again and he nuzzles into her more, not wanting to break their touch. She hums into him, this moment of serenity.
Ironically, breaking this quiet peaceful moment the door swings wide open as footsteps are heard approaching.
"Alright, are we ready to have sweet dreams and!-"
Mulder loudly declares when he suddenly stops at the sight of them curled up on the bed. Scully perks her face up to eye him and gestures at William in her arms. He makes a puzzled expression, taking a spot beside them on the bed awkwardly.
"Hey.. William! I brought you your favorite cup!" Mulder starts off cheerfully, hopefully to lighten the mood.
Wiliam sticks his head out from Scully's arms, eyeing at the cup held high in front of him. Covered in stars, whales, sharks, fish, and of course not forgetting some alien stickers. He could only drink out of this cup, it was like a safe object for him. He smiled shyly and took it from his hands. Beginning to sip down some water. Once finished, he sets it down on the nightstand. As they all sat in a delicate silence.
"Um.. William.. Are you scared.. to sleep?" Mulder begins carefully, practically walking on eggshells to not accidentally pry at something.
All that William responds with is a nod, crawling back into his mother's arms for comfort and curling himself up into a ball. She wraps her arms over him protectively.
Mulder bites his lip, unsure on how to go about this.
"Well.. it's okay to be scared. I used to avoid sleep all the time, because I had really bad dreams too." He starts to reassure him.
Even though it stings to bring up, it's the truth. He thinks maybe if he brings up his own past struggles, it might relate to him more to open up.
"But eventually I learned, dreams can't hurt me. At the moment it seems really scary, but once you find out it won't actually happen.. they start to go away."
Still there was no response from the boy. Mulder glances at Scully for help, stuck on what would be the right thing to say. All she does is smile lightly, raising her eyebrows as she gestures to William in her arms. As if she said, 'don't worry about it. It's William. You wouldn't mess this up.’ With that his puzzled expression begins to soften as he returns a smile back, catching his breath before speaking.
"Sometimes our mind likes to play mean tricks on us, we're allowed to react however we want to. But you can't let it ruin you forever, especially with me and your mom here to help you. You know we'd never let anything happen to you."
He explains profoundly, gently rubbing his back. But William begins to cry softly against her body. They both look at each other with sorrow glistening in their eyes. But perhaps he needs this cry, to simply let everything out.
They stay like that for a bit, Mulder's eyes wander to the walls of his bedroom. They tried to make it as magical for him as they could. Suddenly moving to a new place wasn't easy for them. They were filled with constant anxiety, even fear. So when it came to William's room, they thought it'd be a good idea to decorate it catering to things he started showing interest in. It was like a distraction for them. And boy did it pay off, because everytime they stepped into this room, it was like they were transported to another world.
Makeshift planets hanging from the ceiling, glow in the dark stars scattered all over. While he adored that bit, he and Scully's favorite definitely had to be the various whales and other sea animals they had painted all over. Some were big, small, dull colors or bright. With the waves added as well, it was as if they were swimming throughout his walls. Like they lived in his bedroom. He couldn't help but gaze at the painting of a humpback whale, but she had a baby with her. A calf is what William and Scully would say. He studied the two for a bit, then back at William. Still huddled up. He smiled.
"Hey William.. What do whales do to protect each other? In the pod.. from danger?" A smile was tugged at the end of his lips, as he had a feeling what reaction he'd get from this.
Just as he figured, William immediately perked up from her grasp. Eyes lit up, he could tell his brain had gears turning. His body practically shook from excitement.
"Oh oh! Gray and humpback whales can use their tails and fins to hit them!!! But for blue whales it's hard for them to do it.. so they have to be REALLY fast to swim away!!"
He cheerfully declared, with hands flapping he looked very eager to continue, so Mulder and Scully smiled to urge him on.
"But when in a pod they'll circle around the calves with their head facing in and tail facing out!!"
He gestures with his arms raised wide. Mulder and Scully both awe and in pure amusement.
"That's very interesting honey, they're such smart animals." She states honestly.
A wave of relief rushes through her. Content that this talk of whales seemed to calm down and distract him. She adored when he got like this. So passionate to share a bunch of information on a subject he cares so deeply about. It reminded her of Mulder, because of course it did. But also herself when she was a bit younger. Reading every medical book she could get her hands on. Rambling every detail to Melissa and Charlie over and over. How they dealt with her is unknown, but she's just happy she could be the one listening now.
William collects himself and nods at his mother's words before resuming.
"Mhm.. even orcas can be scared of them sometimes!"
They all laugh.
"Would you think of the three of us as a little pod? Do you think that would make you feel a bit better?" Mulder suggests. Scully eyes him, curious on where he is going with this.
He tilts his head.
"Like.. if we were whales..?"
"Um.. yeah! If we were all whales.. how does that sound?"
William gasps excitedly and raises his arms again in delight.
"Yes!!! That'd be so cool!! We could swim forever and ever and jump out of the water and have so much fun!!" He happily replies.
Mulder and Scully turn to face each other smiling, but a smug look was forming on his face saying, 'see, it worked' which she wanted to laugh at. At least William seemed distracted from being worried about bad dreams.
"I think if I was a whale I wouldn't have to worry about alot.. like not having bad dreams.. cause when they sleep they are half awake too!" He adds in another fun fact.
The pair are amused and awed.
Mulder raises an eyebrow at him.
"So you wouldn't mind eating shrimp all the time?" He questions, sticking his tongue out to poke fun.
William laughs and waves his arms at him in protest.
"They don't eat shrimp dad!! It's krill..!!" He corrects him. Very dedicated to his facts.
"Right right.. krill.. you'd still eat that? They look a little weird.. and small.. how do they get full from that?"
"It's enough for them!! They filter feed!! They have to do that.."
Mulder raises his eyebrows in surprise. Feeling very impressed about learning these things from his son. He couldn't be more proud of him.
"Ohh. Okay okay." He nods along.
Scully couldn't help but laugh and Mulder turned to glare at her playfully.
"Who needs a high-school biology teacher when you have your son?" She snorted and he scoffed sarcastically in response.
"He got that from you."
She playfully swats at him.
"You as well..." She rolls her eyes enthusiastically.
Then William starts to yawn, but forces his eyes to stay open.
"How do you feel now honey? Feeling better about sleeping?" Scully urges on, hoping that he feels comfortable enough to accept sleep at last.
He avoids eye contact and holds onto his whale plush tighter, shaking his head.
"I still want to sleep with you..." He pleads.
Scully looks at Mulder in support, almost defeated but he looks similar. Yet not falling easily into giving up.
"Star.. what did dad say a little bit ago.. what if you were a whale, right..?" Mulder eyes at her curiously, unsure on what she'll bring up.
He nods.
"What about it?" He asks.
"Well.. exactly what he said. Try thinking of that as you fall asleep. You as a whale, or all three of us if that makes you feel better."
It sounded silly, sure, but if that would make him go to sleep in comfort then so be it. She'd rather have that than waking up to his blood curling screams as he begs to know if his parents are okay or not. Shaking her head to get rid of the thought, she pats his pillow and pulls the blanket over him as he settles down against the mattress.
"Could you make a story about it..?" He asks. His little eyes are like pearls, hoping for the answer he craved.
They both look at each other, Mulder immediately smiles which makes her smile, and how could she not give in.
"We'll try!" He chimes gleefully.
"Yayy!! William cheers, kicking his feet under the blanket as Scully tells him to settle down.
Mulder smiles awkwardly and she tries to replicate the same as they both get comfortable on his bed. Mulder lays down propping his head up in front of him while Scully sits against the pillow and wraps an arm around William, who nuzzles into her warm touch.
"Well, one day there was a little whale. Who is a baby whale but his name is little whale." Scully begins softly while William giggles.
"He's a very curious little whale who loves to explore. Sometimes a bit too much.. he likes to swim too far from mama whale.. and it worries her."
"Does he make it back to her?" Replies William in concern.
Her smile softens as she goes to gently poke his nose. He playfully scrunches up his face at the touch.
"Oh yes don't worry, mama whale makes sure of it. She always has her eye on him."
She tickles his shoulder and he giggles again.
"Like you do with me!" William chirped.
Scully grinned.
"Yes! very much so.."
She clears her throat before resuming.
"So on this nice sunny day mama whale and little whale begin their journey through the big ocean in search of..." She pauses, unsure of what whales actually go searching for. But William wastes no time jumping in.
"Feeding grounds!!" He adds happily.
"Yes!! They start swimming towards the feeding grounds together-"
Just as she was about to finish her sentence, Mulder suddenly joins in enthusiastically.
"Hey! Don't forget papa whale, he interrupts the moment by making a giant splash through the water. Making little whale full of energy!" He exclaims raising his arms. William laughs at this more, covering his face.
"Dad!! The male whales don't travel with the calf and mom!!" He corrected, pointing a finger.
"Oh.. umm can this one travel with them though.. he's a lonely whale.." He pleads at William, looking like a sad little puppy.
"If he's lonely he needs to sing a song!! And mama whale needs to like it so they can travel with them!!"
Scully wiggles her eyebrows at Mulder.
"Yeah Mulder.. do you think your whale can really impress mine..?" She smirks.
He scoffs and puts a hand to his chest. "Well of course! What is it that this whale can't do.." He announces proudly.
They both look at him, expecting something. He blinks blankly, eyebrows raised in question.
"Um.. do you want me to-"
"Yes!! You have to actually sing it!!" Replies William happily.
"Oh! well um.." His face falls flat, unsure of what to come up with.
He looks over at Scully in support but she starts giggling, clearly leaving him on his own.
"Come on papa whale you have to sing to impress mama whale!" William urges again.
"Alright alright.. you're not ready for my song.." He clears his throat, eyeing them awkwardly.
Beginning to lower his vocal cords, he tries to replicate whales singing. Or at least what he thinks they sound like.. Because he just sounds like a dying bird. Which does not seem to impress Scully, who's trying to hold her laughter. But William's laughs fill up the room. So much so that Mulder can't hear himself.
"Enough enough!!!" He stops him frantically, waving his hands.
"Did I impress mama whale??" He wiggles his eyebrows, glancing at Scully, who rolls her eyes and scoffs.
"You could have done better.. but for the sake of the journey.. you can travel with us."
Mulder and William turn to face each other, smiles plastered on their faces.
"Yay!!!!"
Scully smiles at them, resuming her narration.
"So the three whales begin their journey through the big and wonderful, but mysterious ocean." She states as William giggles. Then Mulder interrupts once again.
"But- the whales make a quick pit stop, because papa whale saw something in the water.. something... UFO shaped.."
Scully rolls her eyes playfully, knowing very well where this is going.
"Oh! Oh! What is it!? Can little whale explore too?!" William beams at his father.
Mulder awkwardly exchanges a glance at Scully and she nods.
"Little whale follows papa whale to the.. odd structure... but mama whale keeps a VERY close eye on the two.." She makes herself very clear.
Mulder and William snicker at this.
"So papa and little whale swim closely to look at the structure.. but really carefully.."
"What is it!! What could it be!!" William begs, anticipation tugs at him.
Mulder puts a hand on his chin, thinking profoundly.
"Hmm.. papa whale is kinda stumped by this one.. he has to swim around a few times before deciding.. it has to be an unidentified spacecraft from the sky that broke.. and landed in the sea!" He announces excitedly
William gasps loud as his eyes widen in curiosity.
"Woahh.. how far is it from the sea?” The boy asks in wonder.
"No one truly knows... perhaps somewhere beyond our universe.."
"Wow.. that's so cool..!" Replies William.
Just about as Mulder is going to continue his UFO rant Scully clears her throat and gestures to the clock. Letting him know it's getting late and that William should be asleep now. He sheepishly grins and looks over at William again.
"I think it's about time that mama whale tells papa and little whale its time to get moving again.. afterall the feeding grounds won't come to us.." Scully said, crossing her arms. While she was very glad William was into the story and distracted from it, they couldn't be up all night.
Mulder nods.
"She's right little whale, it's best to follow mama."
"Aww.. oh but wait!" William protests, lifting his arms.
They raise their eyebrows, curiosity growing.
"Little whale sees something moving in the UFO ship!!" He states excitedly.
"Oh.. he does??" Mulder asks, interested in what he's about to come up with.
William nods.
"Yes!! Little whale goes to check it out.. and when he does.. he finds out its a little seal!!"
Their eyes widen in surprise as they both look excited for him. Besides whales, he's always had a special place in his heart for seals. In fact that was his nickname as a baby, because he resembled a baby seal so much to them.
"Woah!! Where'd that slippery guy come from!" Mulder plays along delightfully.
William grins before continuing.
"He's little like little whale.. he likes playing with him! Can little seal join the journey too?”
They both turn to Scully with pleading eyes, she can't help but give in and smile.
"Of course, but in the end little seal has to return with his family, he can't live with whales forever." She states.
"Aww okay!" He agrees and nestles into his blanket a bit further.
Scully then clears her throat.
"Back on track with no sunken UFOS as a distraction now.. the three whales and even a little seal in tow make their way through the giant ocean to the feeding grounds." She continues her narration.
William laughs.
"Little whale and little seal love playing!! They spin around in circles, making bubbles and even jump out of the water!" Announces William cheerfully, he seems very glad that he added a seal to the story.
"Papa whale joins in too, he impresses them with his really big waves that he makes. Because he's really cool like that." Mulder eyes at him, putting a hand to his chest proudly.
William giggles at this, his father joins him as well.
Scully rolls her eyes playfully at her cheeky boys.
"Mama whale has not one.. not two.. but it seems like three rambunctious ones she needs to keep an eye out for.."
She eyes and grins at Mulder.
"Hey!" Mulder retorts, but she just gives a cheeky grin back.
William laughs at the sight of his parents being silly. He then covers his mouth as he begins to yawn. They notice this, realizing they have to end the story soon.
"William.. It seems like the journey for the three whales and the seal, is coming to an end soon. At last they finally made it to the feeding grounds, and they all lived happily ever-"
"No!!!!!" William abruptly cuts them. But the pair's expressions suddenly drop to confusion.
"It can't end like that.. the danger hasn't happened yet!!!." He directly states.
"Danger????" Mulder and Scully both question in unison, since now this makes them both confused.
William simply nods.
"There has to be danger! Then they can be happy!" The boy demands with his arms raised.
Scully can't help but worry.
"But.. William.. wouldn't the danger make you scared? Right before you fall asleep??" Scully asks, concern ringing throughout her tone. She gently places a hand on his shoulder. William hides himself into his blanket and doesn't know how to respond. Leaving Mulder looking at Scully in concern. He raises his eyebrows and leans in closer to him.
"Bud.. you want the danger to happen because.. you're still scared right?"
He peeks out of his blanket a little and nods slowly.
"Mhm... and I want mama and papa whale to protect little whale.. cause thats what you're doing to me too..." William whispered cautiously, the blanket still covering part of his face.
Mulder and Scully can't help but look at each other sadly, their hearts wanting to break at his small pleading voice. They give him reassuring smiles in return and he slowly starts to beam based on their reactions.
"Don't worry hon, papa whale and mama whale will make sure nothing happens to little whale."
Scully encourages, patting his shoulder in comfort. William's expression changes to joy as he comes out of his cocoon of blankets.
"Yay!!!" He cheers.
She clears her throat again.
"As the whales make their way through the open waters, they suddenly hear something. Something big, something quickly approaching them.. it's.. it seems to be.. um..."
She gets stuck, not remembering a predator for humpback whales, until William leans in to remind her.
"Pssst.. orcas! They work in pods to hunt the whales!" He whispers in her ear.
"Oh! Um, alright!..."
She tries to match his enthusiasm, but is still unsure on how to go with this without accidentally scaring Will, Mulder notices and helps.
"These uh-orcas.. approach the three whales rather quickly..." He blurts out and drags the last word, also feeling a bit anxious on how this will go.
"Don't forget seal!" William reminds.
"Oh.. yes and seal! Mama and Papa whale protect the seal as well! As I was saying... At their quick entrance mama and papa whale use their big bodies to face their tails outward, shielding the orcas away from the little whale and seal.."
Mulder states, gesturing with his hands trying to replicate the scene. Which makes William's eyes grow wide with anticipation.
Scully grins at this, remembering William's information before finding her words.
"Mama and Papa whale use their big firm fins to thrash against the naughty orcas!" She adds excitedly, making William giggle.
"The orcas still try to bite, charge and jump at them! But they're no match for mama and papa whale!!" The boy pitches in, his mind very vividly picturing the action packed scene playing out.
Mulder and Scully chuckle and smile at each other.
"Nope.. they don't stand a chance.." Mulder says and winks at her. She grins and even blushes.
"With mama and papa whale's strength and smarts combined, they eventually wear out the orcas. Making them give up, to the point where they realize perhaps little whale and seal aren't worth their time." She states, relieved the 'danger' part of the story is coming to a close faster than she thought.
Though Mulder adds one last final bit.
"And papa whale gives one final lunge at the orcas.. reminding them they're not to be dealt with!"
Scully and William join in laughter.
"Yayyy!! You saved little whale and seal!!" He cheers and starts clapping.
The pair smile proudly and hold William close. Fulfilled they were able to accomplish this for him.
"Anything for our little whale." Scully whispers and kisses William's forehead as he giggles at the touch while Mulder beams at them in delight. She then continues the story.
"With the danger long gone, the three whales and seal resume their final part of the journey. Through the calm waters they enjoy each other's company. Little whale and seal love to play around with eachother.. which makes papa and mama whale very happy."
"But then.. little whale sees two seals swimming to them.. its papa and mama seal!"
"Oh!?" Scully and Mulder exclaim in unison.
"Looks like little seal's family found him! Isn't that great?" Says Mulder, hooking an arm around William and looking at him hopefully.
Before William speaks, he hesitates. Looking at his blanket instead of his eyes.
"Yes.. but little whale will miss little seal.." His voice is low to a whisper.
"And that's okay! Little seal will also miss him." Mulder reassures, holding him close. Scully nods in response, lifting a hand to William's shoulder as well.
"While it may hurt to part, it doesn't mean it's forever. You never know.. even though the ocean is big.. they still managed to find one another in the beginning, who's to say they won't again?" She adds, which makes William beams delightfully in aspiration.
"Yeah they did!!."
He stops before continuing, thinking of how little seal would probably feel at this moment.
"I'm happy for little seal.. he's able to be with his papa and mama.. just like little whale!"
He trails off, settling into his blanket and yawning. Mulder and Scully glance at each other, knowing he'll fall into slumber soon.
"With the little seal reunited with his family, it doesn't take long for the three whales to arrive safely at the feeding grounds, where they all swam and lived happily ever after." She finally finishes her narration, and can't help but grin proudly.
William smiles at this, even though his eyes are getting drowsy, he still has one more request.
"Can mama whale sing little whale a song..?" He whispers groggy, right on the verge of sleep.
She laughs lightly and tucks him into his blanket further, kissing his forehead gently.
"Of course, my star."
For a brief moment in silence Scully sits back and closes her eyes. Thinking of a favorite song of his. Once she remembers, She smiles to herself. Then begins humming to the tune of Baby Mine from Dumbo. Slowly being entranced by the song, she rocks back and forth gently into the rhythm of it. Mulder can't help but join her, gently swaying his body as well. William smiles faintly at the comforting sight. Burying into the soft fluff of his whale plush as his eyes give up on staying awake. Sleep slowly begins to take over him, he imagines little whale swimming slowly under mama whales fin. As the vibration and spell of her song is enough to cast him away to slumber. Not far from them, papa whale has his eyes on both of them. Making sure they were never to part.
Her hands softly glide through William's hair, she reaches the end of the piece and can't help but let a tear slip out. Knowing how much emotion the song holds within her. She leans down to pepper his fragile head with kisses, caressing his face gently. Even patting the whale plush beside him. Grateful that at least his beloved stuffed toy can provide a comforting safe presence for him.
"Sleep soundly my love.. may the whales guide you to the stars of sweet dreams."
She whispers, wiping her face of tears and pulling away.
Mulder exchanges a soft smile with her, rubbing her back soothingly in reassurance. He leans into comb through his hair as well. Leaving a kiss on his cheek.
"Don't worry bud, the whales, and even aliens will make sure you have nothing but sweet dreams." He softly states.
Scully couldn't help but quietly laugh at that, which made Mulder give her a goofy grin. He gestures at her to slowly get up from the bed. Turning his big lamp off, with only the fish lamp and whale night light illuminating his room.
As Scully reaches his door with Mulder already out into the hallway, she can't help but stand there for a brief moment. Watching his little body rise up and down soundly. The mural of whales swimming on his walls makes her plead that with the story perhaps his imagination will soothe him. Her heart seems to bang against the surface of her chest. Hoping that this night, just one night, he can sleep carefreely without horrid dreams taunting him. Her thoughts begin to over clutter her mind rapidly, thinking what he could have possibly been exposed to feel so scared. She can't help but feel as if she did something wrong.
Just before her cloud of anxiety bursts, a soft gentle touch reaches out to land in her palm. Giving her a reassuring squeeze. She looks over teary eyed at Mulder, who greets her with a sorrowful smile.
"Hey Scully, he's going to be just fine alright?" He states, attempting to comfort her.
She sniffles, nodding to reply and traces his hand back to soothe herself.
"I know I just... I can't help but feel awful Mulder.. god.. he's too young to deal with such vivid nightmares.. he doesn't deserve this I don't- I don't know what it could be.. did we say something without thinking or maybe he accidentally saw something from the TV??? I don't know.. I don't know and I feel horrible I just-"
Before continuing to endlessly ramble, he stops her there and takes her hand gently. Raising it to her face to caress slowly.
"Hey.. breathe and think for a moment.. alright?"
She nods against him and takes a few deep breaths, making him smile.
"There you go.. good.. now listen to me as best as you can, please." He firmly but lovingly states.
She nods again and squeezes his hand, signaling him to continue. However her eyes are shut.
"It's only reasonable that you'd jump to think that... It's just instinct. But you gotta remember, kids just have this rational fear of losing their parents, being apart from the one they love, it's normal Scully."
He begins, though she doesn't respond. Only the sounds of her heavy breathing are heard.
"But every kid is different, some might take the fear more extreme than others, and that's just what happened to William. But with our reassurance and presence, I know he's going to be just fine. I feel it in my heart, Scully."
She still can't find the words to say something, but she smiles and squeezes his hand again which makes him laugh lightly.
"After what happened with Sam, the next few months I was so sure they were after my parents next, it had me terrified. I couldn't sleep in my own room or at all, I'd wake up in front of my mom's bedroom door. They called me crazy and dismissed it... that's not the point though, and I'd never bring that energy onto William. We're giving him a comfortable, calm space and that's what matters."
He expresses, thinking that maybe by relating to his own experiences perhaps that could get her to see the bigger picture.
Her heart sinks every time he brings up parts of his childhood. Wishing she was there to soothe his ills away. She thanks whoever was out there that destined them to be together. That every day she is able to spend time with their son. A lifetime she'd never want to change.
She finally has the strength to look at him. His eyes shining back at her with nothing but love and adoration, he smiles.
"I was similar... with my mom... after dad passed.. My anxiety got so bad. I thought, what if she was going to join him way sooner? I had to call her every night before bed, and every morning, she had to reassure me constantly for months before I settled down.. and I wasn't even a child."
She croaks out. Mulder traces over her cheek soothingly.
"See? It's just a fear we have, because we're human and it's completely normal. The storm will pass Scully, and he'll be more than okay." He whispers.
He then embraces her close and sets a soft kiss on her head right before where her hair parts. Sighing in content at the touch. Sitting in the comfortable silence for a brief moment. She raises her arms to lightly trace over Mulder's features gently as he did to her. He can't help but smile widely at the feeling. She then pulls away and turns to face William again. Buried in his soft space surrounded by comfort and love. He's fine, he's going to be just fine.
"Mama and Papa whale will always protect you, our little whale."
She whispers, before taking Mulder's hand as they quietly close his door halfway before walking out.
Six thirty in the morning. Drowned in the spell of slumber, Scully certainly couldn't be aware enough to hear a pair of rumbling footsteps quickly approaching. Suddenly, hands begin to shake her.
"Momma Momma wake up!!!!."
William excitedly repeats. Though she groans and hardly moves. But this doesn't make him give up. He shakes her again.
“Momma please wake up pleasee!! I had a dream!!!"
Her groggy state is immediately forgotten as she perks her head up quickly and turns the lamp on, glaring at William in concern.
"What??? Are you- are you okay?? How bad was it hon what happened-"
"I dreamed that you, me, and dad were whales and we swam through the all of the ocean fighting orcas and playing with seals!!!" He exclaimed, raising his arms in nothing but pure excitement.
Her eyes widen and she almost wants to laugh at herself with how wrong her assumption was. She places a palm to her forehead.
"Thank you whales... may you live longer than I do...."
Though it may be silly, she's always held a great sense of gratitude for whales since that moment and onwards.