Chapter Text
Mac basically felt his jaw falling to the floor when Riley walked towards him.
She wore a dark blue, almost black dress, knee length and perfectly fitting all of her curves.
Somewhere in the back of his head, he knew that his bow tie had the same color.
But holy shit, she looked amazing.
Her hair was open, her beautiful natural locks on full display, only two small braids in the side of her head holding the hair out of her beautiful face.
“You look stunning,” he finally managed to say, and Riley’s smile made him shiver.
“Thank you. You look very handsome too.” Her hand brushed over his jacket, before she pulled him into a small kiss.
Usually, he needed to lean down when they kissed, due to their height difference. But thanks to the heels she wore, this time, it was only the slightest bit. He was still taller though. And he liked that.
She pulled back before they could get lost in each other.
“Well, we have a wedding to attend. Let’s go.”
The venue was beautiful. Nikki really had taste in that kind of stuff.
It was a Ballroom, with a garden, the decorations a light pink and sage green theme.
Sitting down on their seats, Mac knew exactly, that if later on they’d go talk to Nikki, she would tease him, that she had been right after all about him and Riley.
But he knew he wouldn’t mind. He had found his happiness. He had found love.
He saw Matthew standing in the front, surrounded by his groomsmen, Nikki’s Bridesmaids on the other side.
Mac saw that he was nervous. But Matthew had made the right choice. Nikki was the perfect woman for him.
Finally, the music began, everyone standing up as Nikki walked down the aisle at her fathers side.
Mac couldn’t help but imagine, to be at Matthews place one day, Riley walking towards him in a white dress.
It was ridiculous actually, they were so early in their relationship. They weren’t living together yet, they hadn’t been intimate yet, and they also hadn’t said I love you yet either.
Mac did love Riley. He was head over heels in love with her.
He just didn’t know how to tell her.
But he would find the time to tell her.
Maybe even today?
The ceremony was absolutely amazing, Mac had to admit that he shed a tear during the vows, happy for his two friends.
Later on, during the reception, Riley asked him if he’d like a glass of champagne.
Mac shook his head, “not today, I had enough alcohol yesterday… I need to give my liver a break.”
So, she had only taken a glass for herself, while Mac happily sipped at his alcohol free fruit cocktail.
Riley noted it to herself with a smile. So Mac was a fruity drinks kinda guy. Definitely a plus to her.
The food was fantastic too. Mac’s eyes basically popped out of his head, upon seeing the buffet. He never had the opportunity to try so many different foods before.
Eventually Nikki and Matthew came by, looking after their guests.
They both exchanged congrats.
For the married couple, and for Mac being back in his own body.
Nikki gave him a proud -told you so- glance when he saw Riley holding his hand. He rolled his eyes, but with a smile.
She had been right.
At some point he had to remind her that he was the one who had encouraged her to ask out Matthew.
In the end, Matthew had been quicker and asked her out first, but still. He was at least kind of the reason why they were here today.
Later on, after a few absolutely hilarious funny games and speeches, and the first dance between the newlywed couple, the rest of the couples also danced.
The dance floor was outside, lit up by some soft lights and the moon.
The song playing was slow, Riley’s head tucked into Mac’s shoulder, as he slowly turned to lead them over the dance floor.
It was different.
Different from their dance in the rain and different from their dance at the beach.
But a good difference. It was still perfect.
The song came to an end, and they stilled for a moment, Riley looking at him.
And Mac just knew that this was the moment.
The moment he had to tell her.
“I love you, Riles,” he whispered, so quietly that only she could hear.
He saw it, her eyes widening and her lips parting. He heard it, the small gasp escaping her mouth. He felt it, the goosebumps breaking out on her skin and her heart speeding up in her chest.
She leaned in, kissing him, slowly, unhurried, yet with an insane intensity.
They both couldn’t hear the music starting up again, didn’t even notice the other couples starting to dance again.
It was just them, and the world stopped turning.
She pulled back. “I love you too, Mac.”
Mac smiled, pulling her into another kiss, before starting to sway them to the music again.
He could feel the racing heartbeats in their chest matching up and honestly, it felt magical.
Later they were on their way home, when Riley turned to him. “Mind if I stay at your place again… I really don’t feel like sleeping alone tonight.”
“Of course not, I love having you over,” Mac exclaimed.
Arriving at his place, Mac let Riley have the bathroom, while he quickly went to water his deck plants. He had forgotten that yesterday, and he really didn’t want them to die. He was already not a good cook, he wasn’t gonna be a bad gardener too.
Once he was done with that, he knocked on his bathroom door, waiting for Riley to respond.
“You can come in, I’m just taking my make-up off.”
She was stunning, even without make-up. Mac watched as she wiped over her face with a cleaning pad.
Meanwhile, he brushed the hairspray out of his hair, unwilling to stain his pillowcase.
Riley, now done with cleaning her face, began taking off her jewelry.
Mac found it fascinating, how all of her rings had a specific place on each finger. By now he had it memorized.
She met his eyes in the mirror. “Could you help me with my zipper? It was already a pain in the ass to get it up.”
Mac’s brain short circuited for half a second at her words, then he stepped closer to her.
She pulled her hair to the front, and Mac carefully grabbed the zipper.
A small bit of static electricity snapped between them when his fingers touched her skin, hitched breaths escaping both their throats.
“Sorry,” murmured Mac, slowly pulling down the zipper the rest of the way, not failing to notice her breath changing every time he grazed the skin of her back. The air was loaded with a tension he couldn’t describe.
“All done,” he breathed out then, meeting her eyes in the mirror again.
There was a glint in them. “Don’t you want to take off the rest?”
Mac swallowed trying to compose herself, as her words settled in.
“Riles,” he choked out, “You’re drunk, I don’t think we should,”
She turned before he could continue. “I had one glass of champagne, and that was hours ago, I’m definitely not drunk, I know exactly what I’m doing, MacGyver.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, and she knew he didn’t mean the drunk thing.
Her face softened. “I am. Absolutely.” Carefully she touched his face. “but if you are not, that’s okay,”
“No, no, I want this too,” Mac quickly reassured her, “it’s just…” he nervously licked his lips. “it’s just that I haven’t done this in like 10 years, and even before that I barely had experience, I-… I guess I’m just scared that I’m gonna disappoint you, you know. I really want this, I do… I’m just… nervous.”
Riley gave him a small kiss. “I haven’t done this in a long time either. And just like you I do not have a lot of experience. So, I wont judge, not at all. We can figure this out, together. We’ll just go slow.”
Mac nodded. “Okay, yeah, um…” he lifted his hands, slowly, pushing the straps of her dress off her shoulder. “How about I start with taking that off?”
“Excellent idea, Angus,” Riley whispered in his ear, and Mac couldn't help but gasp at her words.
He slowly took her in as she stood in front of him in just her underwear, the dress pooling at her feet.
He leaned down, kissing her shoulder and neck, the moan that escaped her, hitting him right in the gut, slowly making him a bit more confident.
He led them to his bedroom, laying her down on the bed, hovering over her, kissing her until they both got dizzy.
They took their time, slowly undressing each other, piece for piece, kissing and touching every part of their body’s, slowly exploring, getting to know what they enjoyed.
It was silent in the room, save for their harsh gasps when their body’s finally came together, and they both finally crossed that line after a very long time.
But for both of them it was the first time ever, they truly made love to someone.
Mac woke up from the sun rays in his face the next morning.
Riley was half asleep on his chest.
She stirred, then looked up at him.
“Hey,” Mac murmured, voice rough, tilting her head up with one finger so he could kiss her.
She melted into it, before pulling back. “Not that I have a lot to compare it to, but last night was amazing.”
Mac smiled. “I thought so too.” He rolled her underneath him, kissing her neck again.
Riley gasped. “it was even better than what I imagined.”
Mac pulled back with a smirk. “So you imagined this before?”
Riley rolled her eyes, blushing. “Yes, I did… and don’t try to deny that you did too!”
“Guilty.” Mac sighed, then continued to kiss her, giving in on that arising buzz in his body.
They spent most of that morning in bed, and neither of them was going to complain about it.
They enjoyed breakfast on the deck a little later, sitting there in silence, enjoying each other's presence.
Eventually, Mac looked up at her. “I know we haven’t been together that long, but I have a thought and I’d like to know what you think about it.”
Riley set her coffee mug down. “Ask away.”
Mac liked his lips nervously. “Would you maybe, but obviously you don’t have to, consider moving in with me? I know it’s a pretty big step…”
Riley opened her mouth, just to close it again, pondering that thought. She knew Mac would accept without holding a grudge if she said no. But did she want that?
She honestly hated her apartment. The neighbors were weird, the traffic unbearable.
But mostly, she loved Mac. And the thought of being with him at all times sounded great.
“I really like that idea,” she finally said, and a grin emerged on Mac’s face.
“Great… um… So when do you want to do it?”
Riley smiled. “How about next week?”
Mac’s eyes widened. “Oh, okay, sure, we can organize that.”
Riley laughed at his surprised expression. Living together would be gold.
2 Weeks later
It had taken a bit longer than originally planned. That was the landlord's fault, but after all things needed to be done the right way.
Mac heaved another packed cardboard box in the bed of his truck.
Riley came out of the apartment complex with another box that Mac immediately snatched from her.
She giggled and pulled him into a kiss, burying her hands in his hair, while he settled on her hips.
Her breath hitched as his thumbs, slipping underneath her top slowly grazed over the skin of her waist.
“Ley?” an unfortunately familiar voice ripped her out of her thoughts.
Billy stood there, staring at them.
“Wh.. what are you doing?” he asked.
Riley rolled her eyes. “Moving in with my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” Billy’s eyes darted between her and Mac. “him?”
Mac put his arm around her hip.
“Yes, him,” Riley smiled coldly. “Do you have a problem with that?”
Billy blinked. “How long has that been going on?”
Mac smirked as Billy’s face fell, when Riley truthfully answered. “3 months.”
Billy almost choked. “3 months and you’re moving in with him, Ley, this is a mistake… what can he even give you, he is a freakin robot.”
“First off,” Mac spoke up, “I’m not a robot anymore… even if I was, she wouldn’t care… and secondly, what I can give her is respect for her boundaries and loyalty… both of these words don’t even exist in your vocabulary, huh?”
Billy stared at them.
Placing her hand on Mac’s chest, Riley spoke up again. “I know what you did Billy. I know that you hooked up with another woman. You cheated on me.”
“It was an accident. I was in a bad mood, cause you wouldn’t sleep with me and then I met her at the bar, we got drunk together and one thing led to another.”
Riley frowned. “and then you did it again and again? Yeah no, you’re just an asshole.”
Billy scoffed. “Wouldn’t have had to do it if it weren’t for you being so prude. I’m a man. I have needs.”
Mac felt his blood starting to boil. “It’s no excuse. Respect is one of the most important things in a relationship and you had none for her.”
“Whatever,” sneered Billy, “I hope you enjoy your sex free life and torturing herself while looking at her, but never getting anything out of it. Soon enough you’ll do the same thing that I did. And Riley will be bored of your lame ass soon enough”
Mac smirked. “She is moving in with me, isn't she? I doubt she is bored”
Coldly smiling, Riley added, “And as for the rest of your assumptions, you’re wrong too… Bomb techs really know how to use their hands… and the rest of him is pretty talented too of you know what I mean…”
Billy’s face shifted to horror, then to embarrassment.
Mac took a step forward, balling his fists staring right into his eyes. “If you ever come close to her again I’ll make you regret ever hurting her… understood?”
Terrified, Billy nodded before staggering off.
Riley snorted, before fully bursting out laughing, resting her face against Mac’s chest, who also couldn’t contain his laughter.
“His face when he realized what you meant,” Mac finally forced out.
Riley, finally calming, gently jabbed him in his side. “and I think you scared him real good… I doubt he’s ever gonna annoy us again.”
“I think so too.”
They finished loading Mac’s truck up with the last few boxes, then making their way home.
Their home.
Mac still couldn’t believe he got that lucky.
And Riley couldn’t either.
It had been a while since Riley had moved in, and so far things went amazing.
Aside from a few small disagreements here and there, which were always settled in no time.
Mac had actually learned how to cook.
Of course he wasn’t as good as Bozer, and there still was a fire extinguisher right next to the burners, but he had gotten a lot better.
Right now he was making pasta for dinner, while Riley was working on her laptop on the couch.
He watched her, while roasting onions for the sauce.
He didn’t like them raw, but cooked they were just fine. He remembered with a smile how his mom always had made sure that his onions were thoroughly cooked.
Riley quietly hummed while tapping on her keyboard, and Mac recognized the melody.
It was the song that had played at Nikki’s wedding, when they had danced and first told that they loved each other.
Such a happy moment.
Turning the flame on low, Mac stepped out of the kitchen, pulling his phone out to play the song over the speaker system.
Riley looked up surprised, finding him standing in front of the couch, his hand stretched out for her.
She took it, immediately pulled close to him.
He swayed them through the living room, the notes carrying on.
Just a year ago, this had been a far, far away dream that had never seemed possible.
Now it was the truth.
As the song slowly came to an end, Mac picked her up, twirling her around, before setting her down on the kitchen counter, stepping between her legs.
They both were taking deep breaths after that exercise although it was far away from their limit.
Riley looked at him intensively, then reached over to the burner knob, turning it from low to off.
Mac followed her movements, then locked eyes with her as her intention became clear.
He lifted her up, setting her down on the kitchen island
“We’ll have more space here,” he whispered, voice deep.
Riley sank her hands in his hair, her pinky stroking over the scar on his neck.
“Angus,” she whispered, and Mac sucked in a breath, before leaning in to kiss her.
It started slow, but quickly turned heated, Mac ridding himself of his shirt, letting it drop to the floor, while Riley slowly started to open her buttoned top, baring her neck to Mac.
He didn’t need to be told twice, placing open mouthed, hot kisses on her shoulder and collarbone.
She pulled him closer, rolling her hips into his, needing to feel him and his arousal, as her own sizzled through her body.
They both moaned when their pelvises connected, Mac slamming his mouth on hers again.
They didn’t hear the door opening.
“Hey Mac, Ri… what the hell.”
Both of them scrambled, Riley off the counter, holding the buttons of her top close, Mac grabbing his shirt, holding it in front of his crotch. He was wearing pants, but still Jack did not need to see that.
“Wha… What are you doing here, Jack? And why didn’t you knock?” he asked, still shocked.
Jack’s eyes darted between their faces. “I’ve never knocked at your house before… and I just wanted to say hi, cause I just drove by.”
“Well,” Riley said, her shirt now closed, “from now on maybe you should knock… or maybe announce yourself before coming over.”
“yeah, yeah, I know… sorry I invaded your privacy.” Jack scratched his head, then turned, grinning. “See you tomorrow at the Phoenix. Have fun you two.”
As soon as the door fell close, Mac groaned. “Well, that was embarrassing.”
“At least we still were mostly dressed,” Riley tried to save the situation.
“Still,” Mac murmured, “I did not want him to see us like that.”
He looked down at himself. “I guess I need to take a cold shower.”
Riley stepped a bit closer, placing her hands on his bare chest. “or we could take a hot one together, Angus.”
A grin emerged on his face, before they both vanished into the bathroom.
Later on, they sat on their bed watching a movie on Riley’s laptop, eating the pasta Mac made.
He actually had finished the sauce, even though he would have preferred to stay in bed, but they both were hungry.
Lazily carding his fingers through her hair he eventually fell asleep.
It was hot and dusty around him. The air was sizzling, his mouth dry. The sand scrunched under his boots.
He could feel his sweaty hair sticking out from under his helmet as he walked towards the building.
He somehow recognized all of this.
But he couldn’t let his thoughts distract him. There was a bomb and he needed to disarm it.
He looked up to the other building, knowing that Jack was there, watching over him.
Confidently, he walked towards the building.
He had almost reached the door, when he heard a quiet curse from Jack. He barely had time to hear Jack say that there was a terrorist in sight, before he heard Jacks rifle click and fire.
What followed was red. And orange. A fireball, the building blowing up, debris flying everywhere, the heat, the pressure, sending him flying backwards. He could see himself in slow-motion, limbs flailing, the ground coming closer, as his ears rang from the blast.
And still, he heard it, the crack vibrating through his spine when his body connected with the hard ground.
And then he remembered.
He couldn’t breathe.
The blue of the sky was glowing from the fire, ash and dust settling everywhere and again he couldn’t feel anything.
No, no, no. He couldn’t do this again.
He had just gotten all he ever wanted and now it was gone, he was here again, living through his worst nightmare.
He tried to move, but he was numb, his body limp.
He tried to scream and cry, but not a sound came past his lips, his lungs struggling, his oxygen going out.
He felt tears slipping out of his eyes. Everything he had been through was starting all over again...
Petite arms wrapped around him, tucking his head in her chest as another whimper escaped him. “No, no… I can’t do this again, please.”
Riley’s heart ached. Whatever he was dreaming, had shook him up real bad.
“Shhh, Mac, it’s okay, you’re here, you’re safe. No one can hurt you.”
Finally he opened his eyes and Riley’s heart almost broke at the pain, the desperation, the panic inside them.
He choked on a sob, crying out her name. “Riles!”
She tucked his head under her head again, gently swaying him, rubbing her hands over his back, whispering, until eventually he calmed down.
He pulled back, almost ashamed. “I’m sorry Riles, I didn’t mean to wake you… I had a bad dream, i… I was back at the accident site and felt like it was all starting over again… you know, in the mechanical body I couldn’t dream, but now I can, and while I actually like that, it also means that the PTSD nightmares are incoming and…”
“Mac, baby,” Riley interrupted him, “You don’t need to apologize. I understand. And I’ll always be here for you, I love you, Mac, no matter what.”
He swallowed and nodded, before leaning in, kissing her. “I love you too, Riles.”
She placed her hand on his chest, feeling that his heart was still racing.
“Let’s sit on the deck a bit, okay?” she suggested.
He nodded, then took her hand.
They tucked themselves into one deck chair together, Mac covering them with a blanket.
Riley cuddled herself in his chest, happy when his heartbeat finally calmed, and he lifted her up a bit with every breath.
“Thank you,” Mac finally murmured “for being here, Riles,” and Riley snuggled in deeper.
8 Months later
Mac really couldn’t believe that they were actually doing this. Riley had remembered his wishes back from when they had discussed what he’d want to do once he was back in his own body.
And she had remembered him saying that he wanted to sleep outside one night, watching the stars.
Now he found himself in Montana in the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
A so-called dark sky park where stars were incredibly well visible.
Riley had surprised him with this.
And everyone had helped, even Matty and Russ, making him believe it was a mission, until a minute ago when they had arrived at a cozy cabin surrounded by beautiful nature.
Mac was still in shock, staring at Riley.
She grinned. “surprise baby. Since our one year anniversary is coming up in a week, I thought I’d plan something for us.”
Mac blinked, then took a few steps forward, pulling her into a kiss. “thank you Riles, really, this is absolutely amazing, I can’t believe it, thank you!”
Riley grinned proudly. “I’m happy you like it.”
Mac pulled back. “like? I freaking love it, Riles!”
She blushed as he kissed her again, then squeaked when he picked her up, twirling her around.
She caught him eying the lake, then he grinned down at her. “Are you thinking what I am thinking?”
She simply snorted, then started taking off her shirt.
Seconds later, they jumped into the water in just their underwear.
Riley tried to escape, because it was cold, but Mac held her back. “Just give it a minute, then you’ll be used to it.”
Riley made a whiny sound, but stayed, clinging onto Mac, because he was warm.
Eventually she did get used to it, letting go of him and swimming a few rounds.
Mac let himself float a bit, watching her in awe.
Little did she know about the jewelry box, safely hidden in the depths of his bag… But she would know about it soon enough .
He had asked Jack, Elwood and Diane, and he had been so nervous. But they all had happily said yes, and Mac was beyond relieved.
He had read another of his mothers letters, titled “If you want to ask your love to marry you.”
It had also contained his mothers ring, which had stunned him. He had thought about buying or making one, but this was so much better.
His mother wrote that he didn’t have to use it, but he wanted to. It was special to him, and so was Riley.
He had asked his Dad if he was okay with it. It was not their engagement ring, just one they both had made together one day, but still.
His dad had just smiled and told him he had been there when Ellen had sealed the letter with the ring inside.
And that he was proud of him, for finding such an amazing woman and wanting to take that step.
So now, he was here at this beautiful park, with this amazing woman, and he couldn’t wait to ask her to marry him…
At night they sat outside, sharing a recliner watching the stars.
Mac turned to her. “You know, in a few days, our anniversary actually, it’s a new moon, which means we’ll be able to see the stars even better.”
“That's great,” Riley grinned, then handed him the plate of fries they shared.
Mac looked at her before taking one, and slowly licked it, just like he had done on the mission in Paris.
Riley burst out laughing, and Mac popped the fry in his mouth, before pulling Riley closer.
She cupped his face kissing him, enjoying his taste, of him and fries and no trace of spearmint gum, and cigarettes which he both hated too.
Mac eventually pulled back. “I’m trying to eat here…” he paused a bit as she climbed into his lap straddling him with a suggestive smile.
A grin emerged on his face as he set the plate down on the table.
“But today I’ll have dessert first.”
The next few days were wonderful, filled with amazing hikes through the nature, swims in the lake, sleeping in late and waking up in each other's arms. This morning, Riley got woken up by Mac setting down a wooden tablet onto the bed, filled with waffles, cupcakes, bacon, eggs, freshly pressed orange juice and cut up fruits.
He leaned down to kiss her. “Happy anniversary, Riles.”
She slung her arms around his Neck. “Mac this is amazing! Thank you! And happy anniversary to you too.”
Riley’s eyes lit up when she saw that the cupcakes were the same ones that Mac had made for their first date at the beach.
Mac grinned. “Would you believe me if I told you that I made these to get this exact look out of you?”
Riley didn’t answer. Instead, she took a big bite of the cupcake, leaving some of the frosting in the corner of her mouth.
Mac leaned down, kissing it away, letting his tongue run over her lips.
It was still just as amazing as the first time. He couldn’t get enough from it.
Eventually, they settled down, enjoying their breakfast.
The day was lazy, filled with cuddles and kisses.
As the evening came closer, Mac felt his internal nervousness rise.
Riley noticed it, but he told her he was just excited.
They laid on a blanket outside in the dark, only lit up by a few candles and the beautiful night sky.
The Milky way was visible here, and from time to time a shooting star flew by.
Eventually, Mac sat up a bit. “Sometimes, I can’t believe this is really true… when I first woke up in that hospital, I thought my life was over… that I would rot away in a bed forever, all alone.”
Riley sat up too, cupping his face. “I can’t believe this is true either… I’m a black woman with a criminal record… I thought I’d never get a job or anyone who’d genuinely want me for who I am.”
Mac smiled. “But we’re here now… and I couldn’t be happier, cause I had you for a year now. And I want you forever.”
He shifted, so he knelt in front of her with one leg. Riley gasped, her eyes widening, as he pulled a small box out of his pocket, revealing a beautiful ring.
“Riley Davis. Ever since I met you, you enchanted my life. You made it so much better, every aspect of it. I never met anyone else who was as beautiful, -inside and outside- as you. I love you, more than anything else, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So, will you marry me?”
His voice trembled.
“Yes!” Riley immediately answered, tears in her eyes. “Yes, Mac absolutely. Oh God, Mac, I love you.”
With a grin, mixed between relief and excitement, he pulled her into a kiss.
Eventually separating, Mac took the ring out of the box, sliding it on her finger.
A small jolt of electricity snapped between them as he did, and Riley giggeld, before pulling him closer for another kiss, gently stroking over the scar on his neck, while whispering against his lips.
“I guess I truly was struck by your electric love”
⚡️The End ⚡️