Tonight, Walter's smiling was different. People who'd only
seen him in the hallways or at other official gatherings
were staring in shock. The smile was wide, natural and
genuine as Walter shook hands and made the rounds. His
stern face was transformed by the honest curve of his
lips, and Walter noticed that he was gathering as many
looks of appreciation as he was surprise. He didn't care.
Walter smiled, shaking hands with yet another
representative of holiday cheer. The annual F.B.I.
Christmas/Holiday party for his division was now in full
swing. Food and drink were being consumed at an alarming
rate and to visible effect.
Normally, this only led to the boredom being complicated
by indigestion, but this year's bash was actually fun so
far. This was mostly due to the fact that Kersh had opted
to go to a party with more prestige, leaving just Walter
Skinner to represent the upper echelon. That alone would
have made the evening more special for most of the
attendees, but since it was also Walter's last day at the
bureau, the party had turned into a general
retirement/farewell celebration, too. Add the fact that
the party was being held in a lounge this year, and a good
time was being had by all.
Walter was more relaxed than he'd been in years. He'd kept
the news of his retirement very quiet, informing only
those that had to know, thereby successfully avoiding
gifts, speeches and awkward silences. He'd told only those
people necessary to make it happen. And Kim. Telling Kim
had been difficult, but her relief that he was finally
going to be out from under all the pressure allowed the
news to break with honest well-wishing. He'd written her a
letter of recommendation that should have gotten her a
seat on the Supreme Court, and she'd finally broken
decorum by throwing herself into his arms for a goodbye
hug that had had lasted a full three minutes.
With that pleasant task accomplished, he'd gotten in his
car and arrived at the party in an excellent mood. He was
precisely ten minutes late, just late enough to let things
really get going before making his presence known. Walter
had then ordered a drink, a real one, and began to make
his way around the room.
There had been a moment's pause when he'd announced that
he would be bringing his husbands to the party. Spouses
and dates were always allowed, and Walter had been
officially out at work for the last year, so eyebrows had
raised, but no one had been mean.
Now, as he watched Mulder and Alex dancing with Scully to
"The Time Warp", he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Alex's appearance had been met with a few hostile stares,
but only one person had been stupid enough to actually say
something. That person had last been seen being dragged to
the alley by Kim and Dana Scully. Walter feigned
ignorance. What he didn't know, he wouldn't have to fill
out paperwork on. And he was blissfully, joyously finished
with paperwork.
"Hey, big boy, wanna dance?" A sexy drawl in his ear
brought him out of his musings with a grin. Mulder leaned
over Walter's shoulder, stealing his husband's drink off
the table. He was flushed and sweaty and smiling. Mulder
had left the bureau a good year prior, and had been
pleasantly surprised by the number of people that seemed
genuinely glad to see him. Now, as he took another long
drink of Walter's Wild Turkey and Coke, Mulder was happy
to see that Walter was having a good time.
"Where's Alex?"
"He was talking to Reyes. Her girlfriend had to cancel at
the last minute and she was a little down. He was going to
get a drink, then join us on the floor. Now, wanna dance,
big boy?"
"Sure." Walter allowed himself to be led to the floor,
feeling a faint tightening of his nerves. It was one thing
to be out, another to dance in a room full of fibbies with
your same-sex husband to Robert Plant's cover of "Sea of
Love." Still, Walter now had no reason left to play it
straight, pun intended, so he put his arms around Mulder
and began to slow dance.
It was nice. So nice, he closed his eyes and didn't notice
what was happening with Alex.
Surrounded at the bar by a small but very drunk contingent
and trying desperately to think of a way out without
having to actually fight, Alex was on the receiving end of
some serious anger. It was still all verbal, mostly
because Alex wasn't saying anything, just letting the
homophobes vent their bigotry while he tried to come up
with a plan that didn't involve ruining Walter's party or
breaking promises to his husband.
He'd just decided that a nasty scene was unavoidable, when
salvation came in the form of a gruff voice with an
unmistakable accent.
"Alex! There ya are. Been looking for you." John Doggett
stepped through the circle easily, his reputation and past
experience making a space. He held out his hand, ignoring
the men around him. Alex raised the eyes he'd lowered in
an attempt to keep things peaceful, and the bright green
cast a pointed stare around the circle. Doggett
appreciated the warning but knew what he was doing.
Holding out his hand, Doggett mock scolded, "Now, don't
give me that look. I may not be Walter or even Mulder, but
you promised me the next slow dance, and it's just
starting."
Alex took the proffered hand, allowing himself to be
safely led out of the circle. The hostiles were too drunk
to be able to react quickly to this new factor, but
Doggett waited until Alex was past.
"Gentlemen." He nodded at the belligerents and followed
Alex toward the dance floor.
"Thanks." Alex offered it quietly on their way, and
Doggett shrugged, shaking it off.
"No problem. I got nothing but respect for Walter. I trust
him, trust his judgement. He says you're alright, then
you're alright."
They'd reached the dance floor now, and Alex turned to
face him.
"I'm safe now, Walter's right over there."
"Yup. I see him. Now, how does this work? You lead, I
lead, nobody leads...?"
"Huh?" Alex's face showed his confusion, and Doggett
grinned.
"Hate bigots. Like to piss 'em off. Figured tonight's as
good a time as any to learn how to slow dance with another
guy."
Alex studied the eyes across from his own for just a
moment, then laughed out loud and wrapped his arms around
Doggett's neck. Taking the cue, Doggett put a hand on each
of Alex's hips and began to move. After the initial
awkwardness, Doggett relaxed and found he was actually
enjoying it, and secure enough in himself to admit it.
"This is nice."
"Yeah. You're a good dancer."
"You, too. Hey, Walter's gonna be okay that we're dancing,
right?"
Alex smiled softly, easing Doggett's sudden spike of
worry.
"Of course. Well, as long as you don't try to dip me."
Doggett gave a deep chuckle, shaking his head at the
mental image.
"That's okay, I think I'll leave that to your husbands."
"Ohh, double dipping," Alex teased gently, and was
rewarded when Doggett groaned.
"Shut up and dance." Doggett's voice was a growl, but he
was smiling, and Alex subsided happily enough.
As the song ended, they found themselves next to Walter
and Mulder. Walter saw them first and arched an eyebrow.
Doggett met his eyes evenly, and Alex smiled over with shy
flirtation. Walter nudged Mulder, murmuring only for him
to look. Mulder raised his head from its very comfortable
spot on Walter's chest just enough to turn it, allowing
him to look the other way.
A confused but pleased smile broke out on Mulder's
features, and as another slow song started, Doggett went
with an impulse. Returning Alex to Walter, he then nodded
toward Mulder.
"May I?"
Walter smiled again, a touch of knowing evil in this one.
"Pissing off the locals, John?"
"Just the ones with attitude, Walter." The older man
glanced down at Mulder and saw that he was willing. Walter
gallantly handed him over, mentally wishing Doggett luck.
Mulder was in full play mode. Taking Alex into his arms,
Walter could hear Mulder over his shoulder.
"Oh, John! I thought you'd never ask!" Mulder batted
admittedly long lashes, and Doggett rolled his eyes, but
played along.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, we'll always have the basement."
Mulder gave a snort of amusement as Doggett's hands
settled on his hips. Mulder let his own arms drape around
the shorter man's neck, only to see a frown appear on the
stern features. Doggett froze, obviously thinking.
"Huh. Nope. Not right, you're taller. Change." Doggett
decisively put his arms around Mulder's neck. Mulder,
still feeling playful, used his new grip on Doggett's hips
to pull the craggy agent flush against him.
Doggett startled, his eyes finding Mulder's, seeing the
glint of mischief in the hazel depths. Not wanting to give
Mulder the satisfaction of winning, Doggett decided to go
for broke.
To Mulder's delighted wonder and amusement, John Doggett
simply laid his head on Mulder's shoulder, going as soft
and sweet as any girl at her first dance. After a moment,
Mulder eased back a touch, and they began to dance,
acknowledging the truce.
It was odd to be swaying with his head on a cushion of
hard muscle, but not unpleasant. John Doggett might have
had his fair share of insecurities, but none of them
concerned his sexuality or masculinity. As a result, he
was able to notice the differences, appreciate them and
the experience for what it was, without a qualm.
"You smell nice."
"Walter bought if for me. Armani."
"To match the suits?"
Mulder chortled, the sound rich in Doggett's ear.
"Something like that."
"It's nice."
"Thanks." The song ended with no further conversation
between them, but the silence was comfortable. When it was
over, John kept a hold on Mulder's hand considerately as
he led Mulder back to Walter.
"Your husband, sir. Thank you for the dance." With a
slight bow, Doggett started to leave. He was stopped by a
large hand settling lightly on his arm.
"Don't I get a dance?" Walter asked softly, his eyes
showing plainly that Doggett's answer would be accepted
either way.
"Do you want one?" Doggett's response was equally quiet,
and Walter's eyes were full of warmth as he nodded.
"I'd like that, Walter." The music gods favored them with
another slow number, and Doggett led Walter out onto the
floor. He didn't hesitate, having learned his lesson with
Mulder, and, as he reached up to put his arms around
Walter's neck, Doggett was struck by the older man's size.
The hands at his waist were large and heavy, and Doggett
was aware of the thick shoulders and the width of the
chest against his own.
"Damn, Walter, I never noticed how big you were before.
You're a large guy."
"I hope that's a compliment and not a reflection on all
the desk duty I've pulled the last few."
"Oh no, you don't." Doggett eased back enough to look up
at Walter sternly. "You are not gonna flirt with me,
Walter Skinner. Now I owed you a dance, fine, it's only
fair, but you try flirting with me and I'll tell your
husbands it's time to take you home. We clear?" Doggett's
voice was still friendly and playful, but there was an
undertone that also said he was serious, and Skinner
nodded his agreement.
"We're clear."
Doggett relaxed, moving back into the dance. With Alex and
Mulder, even though nobody was really leading, Doggett had
felt in charge of their movements. He was the one guiding
them around the floor. Not so now. Walter was dictating
their movements, and Doggett found it easy to follow the
bigger man's lead. Very easy.
He'd been aware of Mulder's cologne in an abstract way, a
pleasant scent, part of the experience. Doggett was aware
of Walter's cologne as an extension of Walter. It seemed
to carry the heat of Walter's body with it, along with
Walter's own clean, masculine scent. He'd complimented
Mulder. To mention anything to Walter would have been too
personal, too intimate.
Doggett was thinking his way through suddenly complicated
thoughts, when Walter's voice reached him, a bit hesitant.
"John? Why was it okay for Alex and Mulder to flirt with
you, but not me?"
"Because I'm not tempted by Alex or Mulder." The words
were out of his mouth before he'd even realized he'd said
them.
Walter watched as Doggett's eyes showed shock at his own
words, bottom lip between his teeth, muscles suddenly
tight. Walter gave him a moment, making no comment, and
then the body in his arms began to relax again.
"Walter, I apologize. I know you're a married man and,
despite what I just said, I wasn't making a pass at you, I
swear."
"I know that, John. You're not that type of man, neither
am I."
"No, you aren't. You were just kidding, like Mulder and
Alex. But I won't lie. It's the truth. Mulder's too high
maintenance to appeal to me and Alex is too complicated.
But you, I understand you. If my door was ever gonna swing
that way, you'd be the first one through."
"If I didn't have Alex and Mulder, I'd knock." It was
honesty returned, and not said out of kindness, Doggett
could see the difference in Walter's eyes. He took another
chorus of the song to examine his feelings.
John Doggett was not a touchy-feely kind of guy. He had no
patience for drama or people who wanted him to get in
touch with his inner child. That didn't mean, however,
that he was in denial about his emotions. It only meant
that he handled them the way he handled everything else in
his life. He examined quickly and thoroughly, determined
if it had value and placed it accordingly. It didn't
matter if he was choosing a new table lamp or wondering if
he was suddenly having feelings for another man, the
process was the same. He allowed about the same amount of
time, then made a decision.
"Walter? Are Alex and Mulder the jealous type?"
"A little, about like any guy, why?"
"Because when this dance is over, I'm leaving. And before
I go, I'd like to kiss you goodbye. Hell, no point in
stopping half-way. But I don't want to cause any trouble."
"I'm pretty sure they'd understand."
"So can I? Kiss you goodbye?"
"I'd like that, John."
With karmic timing, the music ended. Doggett led Skinner
back to where Mulder and Alex were waiting. When he was in
front of them, Doggett spoke earnestly.
"This time I'm trying not to piss anybody off, so I'm
going to ask. I'd like to kiss Walter goodbye. If there's
a problem with that, I won't. But I'm leaving, it's his
last day, it's Christmas and, to be perfectly frank, I'm
damn curious. Not about Walter, though I guess if I had a
type, he'd be close. No, it's just that after three slow
dances...well, I've never kissed a man, and suddenly I'm
not sure why not. Walter's my friend, I wouldn't do
anything to hurt him. But I'm not looking to get hurt
either. So, permission granted or should I go fuck
myself?"
The three married men had been having a silent but
emphatic conversation with their eyes while he spoke, and
now, with a last look between Mulder and Alex, both men
nodded.
"No tongue." Alex looked like he hadn't meant to say it,
but had been unable to stop himself.
"Hadn't planned on any, so no problem." Doggett's tone was
level, and Alex ghosted a smile, nodding again.
Doggett turned to Walter, tilting his face up slightly.
He'd never had to lift his face for a kiss before, but the
newness was replaced by Walter's mouth coming down on his
own. It wasn't a long kiss, was no more than a brief touch
of Walter's mouth to his own. If he hadn't asked and
Mulder and Alex had seen it, they wouldn't have been the
least upset. It was too innocent, despite the faint tinge
of arousal that pulsed through both men. It had been a
curiosity kiss, nothing more.
"Well?" Leave it to Mulder to ask, not that Doggett could
blame him.
"I'm not ready to switch teams or nothin', but if the
person was right, I'd give it a go." It was true, and
Doggett knew he'd just opened a great big can of worms,
not that it bothered him. He worked for the X-Files, for
crying out loud, there wasn't much he was frightened of or
surprised by, not anymore. Certainly not by the fact that
his hunky ex-boss was attractive and had given him food
for thought.
"Thank you, all of you. If you need me, you know where I
am. Mulder, Alex, good to see you again. Walter, you enjoy
your retirement. You damn well deserve the rest. Happy
Holidays, gentlemen."
With their own good wishes directed toward him, John
Doggett went to find a whiskey sour and a dark corner. He
had some thinking to do.
Mulder looked at Walter, catching the hint of nerves in
his larger partner. Despite the fact that he'd had full
permission and there had been nothing to it, Walter was a
bit unsure. Mulder decided to reassure the man, the best
way he knew how.
"So, how was it?"
"Nice. It wasn't about me, not really, but it was nice."
Walter wouldn't lie to them, never had.
"You know, Alex, I think somebody was flirting."
Walter looked worried for about thirty seconds, then he
saw the wink. Alex caught it, too, and decided to play
along.
"You just might be right, Fox. I mean, we both danced with
him, and we didn't get a kiss. He must have been
flirting."
"What do you think we should do with him? Or rather, to
him?"
Walter liked where this was going, he liked it a lot.
Getting into the spirit of things, he ducked his head,
going to a modified version of parade rest. It looked
perfectly natural on a man like Walter, he could stand
that way anywhere and no one would look twice at him. No
one except Alex and Mulder, both of whom knew that was
Walter's way of saying he wanted to play submissive.
Alex's eyes began to shine as he looked at Walter's
stance, and he moved closer to Walter, not wanting his
words overheard.
"I think we should punish him. What do you think, Fox?"
"Oh, yes. I definitely think he should be punished. But
how? We could tease him all night, that would teach him a
lesson."
Alex frowned, shaking his head. "No, that's too harsh, I
think, although a little teasing is in order. I'm thinking
something a little more physical. Something that we could
all enjoy."
"Oh, something like, say, a spanking?"
Walter blushed at the word, but he inhaled sharply as
well, betraying his arousal. Mulder knew what the word did
to him, knew the mix of feelings it sent surging through
him, and now he said it again.
"Yes. I think our bad boy needs a spanking. Do you agree,
Alex?"
"A nice, long, bare bottom spanking? That kind of
spanking? Or a split spanking, a few here, over his
clothes in the bathroom, the rest at home, naked on the
bed? That would tease him nicely."
"Wicked, as always, but brilliant. I do love the way your
mind works, Alex love."
By this time, Walter was all but panting. His dress slacks
were beginning to stretch tightly, and he was grateful for
the pulsing lights of the dance floor that kept anyone
from seeing anything too closely.
Walter watched as Mulder approached, standing just far
enough away they weren't touching. Alex followed suit on
the other side.
"What do you think, Walter? Do you deserve a spanking?"
This was a trick question. Sometimes Mulder was honestly
curious, though they both knew the spanking was erotic,
not genuinely disciplinary. Other times, it was just part
of the play. Answer wrong, and he might not get spanked by
Mulder, only Alex. Answer right, and he might get a bonus
round applied with a hairbrush. It was an odd little game,
but added to his feeling of submission.
"No, I don't think I deserve one. But I really, really
want one." Gambling on the truth, Walter was relieved to
see Mulder smile approvingly and motion toward the
bathroom.
Walter could feel his husbands looking at his ass as he
walked, and he knew he was swaying his hips, just a bit.
When they got to the bathroom, he was relieved to find it
nearly empty, only one man washing his hands. The man
left, and Mulder took a spot as look-out while Alex
approached.
"Hold onto the sink and bend over."
Walter did so eagerly, knowing they wouldn't have much
time. Games were fun, but neither Mulder nor Alex would
spank him in front of anyone, especially not anyone in
this crowd.
"Look up, into the mirror. I want you to watch." Alex's
eyes were green fire as he gave the order, and Walter
couldn't hold back the groan of need this evoked. He
obeyed, and Alex took his position.
The hand descended fast and hard. Noise wasn't a concern,
the dance floor was just outside and the music was loud.
Still, as the slap echoed around the room, loud as a
gunshot, Walter felt himself blush scarlet.
"Nice color. Can't wait to make your ass match." Mulder
said it from the doorway, though he was still paying close
attention to his guard duties. Walter's nostrils flared,
and the man grinned as he scanned the doorway again.
Alex landed another spank, to the exact same spot. Four
more to that same damn spot, and Walter's hands were
clenching the cold porcelain of the sink like his life
depended on it. Alex switched sides, his hand now finding
the tender undercurve of the left cheek. Six hard spanks,
again, all landed in the same area. Walter's knuckles were
white and his chest was heaving. He ached, his cock
burning almost as hot as his bottom.
"Please?" It was all he said, all he could manage, and
Alex looked to Mulder.
"Should we? I don't think he'll be able to make it to the
car if we don't." Alex tried to appear unaffected, but his
own body was buzzing with lust, and Mulder, too, didn't
think he could wait.
"Hurry." The men moved to the handicapped stall, locking
the door behind them. They knew they were taking a chance,
but no one thought they'd last long. This was just to take
the edge off, and long practice had each of them in place
in a matter of moments.
Alex sat on the toilet, his pants around mid-thigh. Walter
dropped to his knees in front of him, taking the erection
into his mouth at once. Behind him, Mulder was pulling out
a small tube, kept for just such an emergency. He didn't
waste any time, only stretched Walter enough to avoid
injury, then slid into the tight rear. He reached across
Walter's broad back to place a kiss on Alex's open,
panting mouth, then began to move, admiring the warm red
spank spots on Walter's muscled rump.
It didn't take long, and soon Alex was spilling into
Walter's waiting mouth, even as Mulder pulled back on the
broad shoulders to raise Walter up to kneeling. Alex knew
almost as much about sucking cock as he did about
handguns, and it didn't take long for the skilled tongue
to do the trick. Mulder, feeling the body under him clench
and shudder, came almost at the same time.
A long moment for much needed oxygen, and they were
standing, tucking away and zipping up. They emerged,
relieved no one was waiting, and after a quickly shared
kiss, left to say their goodbyes.
As Walter walked toward the door, ass aching and with the
promise of more yet to come, mouth still feeling the
pressure of Alex's cock and his own post-orgasmic rush
making him dizzy, he only had one thought.
This was the best damn office party ever.
THE END.
Dancing
by Raven
Walter Skinner was used to smiling at official functions.
It was a duty, part of the job description, and everyone
accepted that. He would give a small, tight, completely
polite smile, and the recipient knew not to hold it
against the A.D. It didn't mean anything, but it wasn't
rude, either.
