Chapter Text
“Sunrise or sunset?”
“Hmm” Marcus rubbed the back of his neck as he thought. “Sunrise. City or country?”
The two of you had been at this for a few hours. Stuck in a car overnight on a stake out, what had started as quizzing each other on their past devolved into a quick-fire game of ‘This or That?’ You had gotten to know Marcus fairly well since he came to the unit six months ago, broken-hearted but hard at work. You quickly came to admire him. Smart, charismatic, funny… and very handsome you had to admit.
“City. Nothing is more relaxing than the sound of a busy city. Breakfast or dinner?”
“Breakfas—” Marcus stretched and yawned his way through his answer.
“Speaking of breakfast, it’s almost 5 am and the relief team should be here any minute.” You elbowed Marcus playfully in the side. “What do you say to a post work adventure?”
Marcus smiled and raised an eyebrow, “… what are you up to?”
“That’s the catch. No questions. So, are you in?” You replied with a conspiratorial smile.
“Is this the part where you drive out of the city and murder me?” Marcus asked with a laugh as you handed him a cup of coffee and got back into the car.
“Can’t exactly murder you in downtown Washington, can I?” You replied with a wink and started the car. “We’re almost there.”
Five minutes later you were parking the car as a hint of orange crept into the sky, beckoning Marcus to follow.
“I figured since you’re still new to the area, I’d bring you to my favorite thing about DC.” With an excited grin on your face, you reached for Marcus’ free hand, tugging him along with you up the short walk to a very large white structure, as you rounded the corner it dawned on Marcus where you had brought him.
“The National Mall” Marcus said with a smile.
“You haven’t seen beauty until you’ve watched the sunrise from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.” It dawned on you that you still held Marcus’ hand as the two of you climbed the stairs, you gave it a light squeeze and took a seat halfway up the steps.
“You didn’t have to do this…” Marcus said with a small smile as he sat next to you and sipped his coffee.
“For once, let someone make a fuss over you Marcus. You deserve it.” Your arm brushed his as you leaned back, staring out as the sun started to peek out behind the Washington Monument, the brilliant colors of the sunrise glinting off the Reflecting Pool.
Marcus smiled as he watched you, the tranquil joy you got from watching the colors of the sunrise painting the Washington sky. He couldn’t help but think of your words, over you wanting to make a fuss over him. His heart had skipped hearing that, hope building in his chest. Marcus had been wrestling with whether or not he should ask you to coffee, his luck in love holding him back.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” You said, stirring Marcus from his thoughts.
“It really is…” He replied, his eyes only leaving you once you turned to him.
“What’s going on up there?” You said softly, reaching out and lightly touching his temple. Your stomach fluttered when he leaned into your touch, a content smile on his face.
“Maybe it’s nice to be fussed over” Marcus admitted.
“Victory tastes so sweet” You said with a grin, letting yourself have the luxury of brushing your thumb over Marcus’ cheekbone before dropping your hand and reaching for your coffee. “Does this mean you’ll let me treat you to another adventure sometime?”
“On one condition…” he said, mustering up his courage.
“What’s that, Agent Pike?”
“Let me take you to dinner tonight?” Marcus asked, his heart racing.
You smiled softly, reaching back out for his hand, lacing your fingers together. “I’d really like that Marcus.”
Leaning softly against your shoulder he looked back over the Reflecting Pool at the rising sun Marcus smiled to himself. “You were right, you know?”
“That’s a long list sir, I’ll need it narrowed down.” You said with a laugh.
“The sunrise here really is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen…” Marcus paused and looked tenderly into your eyes. “One of them.”