Chapter Text
It'd been three months since that Saturday. It was small, a usual first date. Marina's eyes dimmed in the warm light of the restaurant, and Niya couldn't keep her eyes off of her, Niya's hand never leaving the small of Marina's back while they walked. The kiss that ended the date, slow but deliberate.
With the passing months, they'd been on countless following dates. Dinners, movies, beaches. Time had passed in the blink of an eye. Nearly every night spent in one of their beds, every practice driven to together, all blended together, shifting in to its own routine.
It was comfortable, it was them. Almost them. Something was missing and they both knew what it was, but neither took that step forward. There wasn't essentially a reason as to why they hadn't officially gotten together. The intent was there, and both of them were secure in it, but it still had yet to happen.
Niya wanted to put an end to that though. She had grown tired of the complication following whatever label it was they had put on things.
"Riri?" Niya called into Marina's apartment as she entered. "Bedroom!" Marina answered. Niya followed the voice, making her way to Marina's bedroom. "you ready?" Niya questioned, a question more for herself than Marina. Tonight was the night she'd ask Marina to be her girlfriend.
"Yeah, almost." Marina smiled at Niya through the mirror before returning to her makeup. "You look beautiful." Niya commented, "Thank you." a small blush blossomed across Marina's cheeks, hidden by the makeup.
A red dress hugged Marina's body accompanied by a leather jacket, she did look beautiful. Niya's outfit was simple, but also held a level to it. A black dress shirt with matching pants. They complemented each other, they always have.
"Okay, I'm ready." Marina announced. Niya nodded and smiled, letting Marina walk in front of her. Niya had kept her plans vague, she'd just told Marina she was taking her on a date, didn't tell her where, or what her plan was.
However, Marina wasn't oblivious, she knew that Niya had something planned for tonight. She promised herself she wouldn't prod though, that she'd let things unfold how Niya had planned for them to.
The car ride was no different than usual. Niya drove with one hand while the other hand remained lazily entangled with Marina's. They arrived at the restaurant. Marina noticed that it was fancier than usual, but didn't say anything, just tucked it away.
Almost immediately after arriving they were seated. Niya pulled Marina's chair out for her before sitting in her own. "You really do look so pretty Marina." Niya smiled. "Thank you Niy." Marina returned the smile, her eyes fixed on Niya's lips.
"Hello ladies, welcome to Velours d'Argent. First time dining with us?" A tall man had asked, snapping the tension. Both Niya and Marina shook their heads no. "Well, my name is Gabriel, and I'll be your waiter tonight. Can I start with getting something for you two to drink?"
Marina hummed, looking at Niya. "I'll just have water." Niya answered, "Me too." Marina followed. The waiter nodded, then walked away. They spent the entirety of dinner talking, they spoke about Unrivaled coming to an end, if they planned to return, travel plans, any and every thing. Niya had paid, but she had yet to leave her seat.
"There's something else I want to do. Up for a little trip?" Niya asked. "With you? Always." Marina laughed. "Good. Let's go." Niya said, standing up. Marina followed. "Okay, but where?" Marina questioned, Niya shot her a look "You'll see. Just be patient."
Marina listened. She didn't ask any questions about where while they were in the car, or when they approached the beach. "Wow." Marina whispered, Niya admired Marina, watching her eyes scale the beach, the way her lips were slightly parted with shock.
Niya parked the car. "Ready, pretty girl?" Marina smiled at the nickname, "Yeah." her voice was low, still shocked at the beauty of what she was seeing. She knew she was bound to see the beach, they were in Miami after all, but somehow it looked even better at night.
Niya opened the car door for Marina, then offered a hand for her to hold. Marina smiled as she took it. Niya led her to the small boardwalk before pointed at Marina's heels. "I'll hold them for you." Niya offered. Marina obliged, handing Niya her heels after taking them off.
They walked the beach for a while before approaching where Niya had been leading them to. It wasn't anything too big, just a blanket laid over the sand and a bottle of wine along with two wine glasses sat on top of it. A few fake candles lined the blanket for light as well.
Niya set Marina's heels down next to the blanket before sitting down with Marina. "Niya, this is beautiful." Marina awed. Niya smiled, "Wine?" she asked, Marina nodded, and watched as Niya poured them both a glass.
Niya watched Marina drink her wine, something about it felt so intimate. Marina caught Niya, and cocked an eye brow at her, resulting in a small laugh from both of them. Then they fell quiet.
Marina inched closer, her body gently pressed against Niya's. Niya trailed mindless patterns into the skin of Marina's thigh. They both watched the water, watched the waves crash, calm but roaring.
Do it. Do it. Do it.
That was all Niya could think of. Like a broken record, it repeated itself over and over again. Finally, she listened. "Marina." She started, her voice low. "Yeah?" Marina answered, voice soft. Niya turned her head to face Marina, Marina did the same.
"This might be overdue, but you still deserve this. I've wanted to ask you this for what feels like forever." Niya watched as Marina's smile grew. "Everything about you is what I want, you're beautiful inside and out." Niya paused, a small laugh escaped. Marina nudged her to continue.
"Marina, will you be my girlfriend?" Niya asked. Marina's smile grew wider than Niya thought was possible "I thought you'd never ask."
"So that's a yes?" Niya questioned. "Obviously." Marina laughed, rolling her eyes. Niya moved the hand she had on Marina's thigh to rest on her waist, gently pulling her closer. Marina leaned into the touch, following Niya's hand.
Niya closed the distance, meeting Marina's lips. The kiss was comforting, it was them. Unhurried, but still calculated. The kiss spoke in a code, displaying the words both of them were too scared to say just yet.