Chapter Text
The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, spilling across the room in soft, golden streaks. The sunlight danced over the rumpled sheets, casting delicate patterns across the hardwood floor. Marcus lay on his back, one arm draped around Robyn as she rested against him pressing her cheek to his chest. His fingers lazily chased circles along her shoulder with the warmth of her skin grounding him. The quiet between them lingered, and a sense of peace settled upon them. Marcus watched her closely as she began to stir and adjust.
“Morning,” she muttered, her voice low and hoarse.
Marcus smiled. They had spent nights together before—crashed on the couch after a case, Robyn falling asleep with her head on his shoulder—but never like this .
“Morning. I'm sorry, did I wake you?” he asks, his fingers gliding through her hair.
Robyn blinked slowly, sleep clinging to the edges of her mind. She shifted towards him, her body molding naturally into his, as if they’d always been meant to fit this way.
“Yeah, but it’s ok.” She says her voice muffled against his chest.
“Sorry.” Marcus replies, his fingers tracing slow, reassuring circles over her shoulder. “You sleep ok?” he asks. His voice soft, laced with quiet concern.
Robyn relaxed into him a little more.“Better than I have in a very long time.” She replied, her voice teasing yet sincere. “Thanks to you that is.”
The faint ache in her muscles—a quiet reminder of how much they had taken from each other last night.
Marcus chuckled, not needing to ask what she meant. The night before had been pretty intense, and not just on the physical side of things, but within the unspoken connection that settled between them. Funny how one night could change everything, even though they’d been circling this moment for months.
“I guess I wore you out,” he quipped. Marcus’s hands slid lower along her back, a familiar path from hours ago.
Robyn laughed, “Don’t get too cocky, detective.” She says lifting her head towards him as she slides her hands from his waist up.
Marcus locked his eyes with hers. There was a playful glare in her eyes, but also something else, a depth that made his heart skip a beat, like nothing outside the two of them mattered.
“Careful,” he teased, his voice low, as hands slid low onto her waist, his thumbs pressing into the curve of her hips. “You might regret this.”
Robyn’s smile deepened, her gaze never leaving his. “I doubt it.” She murmured
Marcus’s hands slid up her neck cupping her face as he leaned in. His lips brushed against hers—soft but insistent—and Robyn melted into the kiss. She rested her hand on the back of his neck, pulling him closer.
As the space between them quickly vanishes and things start to intensify, the door creaks open and Delilah enters the room.
“Morning, mom I—” Delilah’s voice trailed off as she stepped in the room, taken aback by the intense moment she walked into. “And..Detective Dante?” She raised an eyebrow, expressing a mix of puzzlement and amusement.
“Dee,” Robyn replies, slightly pulling away from Marcus, a mix of embarrassment and annoyance in her voice. “What’s up”
Delilah’s eyes darted between the two of them, a sheepish grin tugging at her lips as she realized her timing was less than ideal. “Sorry to interrupt, I just needed to borrow your hair dryer since mine is.. well, broken.”
“Seriously Dee, how’d you manage to break your hair dryer?” Robyn said, teasing.
Marcus chuckled beside her, clearly amused by the situation.
Delilah crossed her arms, casually leaning against the doorframe. Her eyes widened with mock surprise. “So... it finally happened between you two?” She gestured between Robyn and Marcus, her grin widening. “Took you guys long enough.”
Robyn sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. “Its not—”
“—What it looks like?” Delilah cut in, arching a brow. “Because it looks exactly like what I think it is”
Marcus chuckled, his hand still resting on Robyn’s waist. “She’s got a point babe.”
Robyn shot him a glare, though the hint of a smile tugged at her lips. “You’re not helping.”
Marcus shrugged with amusement. “Just saying.”
Delilah narrowed her eyes at them for a moment, then pushed off the doorframe and walked towards the dresser rifling through the top drawer until she pulled out the hairdryer. “Uh-huh. So, how long has this been going on?”
Robyn sits up slightly, Marcus’s hand slipping from her waist as she adjusted. “Not long.” she replied.
“Not long huh, just casually in bed together after ‘not long?’” You guys work fast.”
Robyn shook her head, biting back a smile. “You done?”
Delilah grinned. “Yeah, yeah sure. Don’t let me stop you from…whatever ‘this’ is.” She said smiling. She turned towards the door, hairdryer in hand. “Oh and for the record—I totally approve, kinda weird but also kinda cute.”
Marcus laughed as Delilah disappeared down the hall. He looked over at Robyn who was shaking her head in disbelief.
“Well,” Marcus said, pulling her back towards him, his hands finding her waist again. “That could’ve gone worse.”
Robyn let out a deep sigh, resting her head against his shoulder. “Yeah, I'm definitely going to be interrogated later.
“No doubt,” Marcus agreed. Lowering his head towards her. “But that's a problem for ‘later’.
Robyn smiled, her eyes drifting closed as Marcus’s hands slid down her back, his arms tightening around her. They sat like that for a moment, wrapped up in each other as the morning light warms the room, the quiet between them comfortable and easy.
“So,” Marcus whispered, his breath warm against her ear. Since we’ve got the room to ourselves now…”
Robyn opened her eyes, her lips forming a slow smile. “You really are cocky huh?”
Marcus grinned. “You say that like it's a bad thing.”
“Mm-hmm,” Robyn murmured, her fingers tracing slow circles on his chest.
Robyn rolled her eyes, but the smile on her lips betrayed her amusement. Marcus’s hand slid back to her waist, pulling her in just a little closer. His gaze dropped to her mouth, hands roaming freely among her body. Robyn’s breath hitched as his fingers brushed along her spine. Marcus leaned in, his lips hovering just over hers. He kissed her–slow and unhurried, like they had all the time in the world. Robyn let out a moan, her body softening beneath his touch. His hand slid higher, fingertips brushing the curve of her ribs as her breath quickened. Just as Robyn begins to deepen the kiss, a sharp knock echoed through the front door.
Marcus groaned, his forehead dropping to her shoulder. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Robyn laughed breathlessly, her fingers still curled into his hair. “Seems like the universe just has it out for us today.”
Another knock, louder this time then the door is forcefully pushed in. Aunt Vi’s voice floated through the door. “So no one heard me knocking?” She says, her arms filled with groceries. “Robyn, are you up? I need to talk to you– right now.”
Marcus sighed, his hand sliding from her waist. “Of course”
Robyn sighed, letting her head fall back against the headboard. Marcus sat up, running a hand over his face as Aunt Vi’s footsteps echoed down the hall.
“You’re not going to hide, are you?” Robyn teased.
Marcus smirked. “Tempting.” He leaned down pressing a quick kiss to her shoulder before reluctantly pulling away.
“Robyn?” Aunt Vi’s voice was getting closer.
“Just a minute!” Robyn called out, sitting up and reaching for the robe hanging at the edge of the bed.
Marcus tugged the sheet over his waist as the door swung open without warning. “Rob—oh” she paused in the doorway, eyes narrowing at the sight of Marcus sitting shirtless in bed. Her brow lifted as she looked between them, lips twitching. “Well..hello to you too detective.”
Robyn rubbed a hand over her face. “Really Auntie?”
“Good Morning Ms Marsette.” Marcus says his hand sliding up to the back of his neck as a sheepish smile tugs at his lips. His fingers rub the tense spot there, a mix of self-consciousness and humor flickering in his eyes.
Aunt Vi’s gaze lingered between them for a second longer. “I’m not even going to ask why the Detective is shirtless in your bed.”
“Probably for the best,” Marcus said, leaning back against the headboard with an easy smile.
“Don’t get cute,”Aunt Vi replied, laughing.
Marcus held up his hands in mock surrender.
Robyn shook her head. “You said you needed to talk?”
Aunt Vi’s expression sobered. “We’ll talk later,” her gaze lingered on Robyn for a beat, her expression unreadable. Her eyes flickered toward the hallway as she added, “You two want breakfast? That is unless you have another ‘breakfast date’ planned.” Vi said as she rolled her eyes turning towards the door.
Marcus chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Breakfast sounds good.”
Robyn smiled, her hand brushing over Marcus’s arm. “Yeah. We’ll be down in a minute.”
Aunt Vi’s eyes narrowed knowingly as she backed toward the door. “Mm-hmm. Take your time.” she stopped at the door, her gaze lingering on them with something that looked suspiciously like fondness. “For the record…it’s about time.”
Robyn rolled her eyes, unable to hide the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Marcus grinned back, clearly entertained by Aunt Vi’s interruption.
Just as Aunt Vi disappeared down the hall, Marcus turned towards Robyn with a slow smile.
“Well I'm not going to make anything if you two are just going to lay there.” Aunt Vi shoots, creeping down the hallway.
Marcus’s fingers brushed lightly along her waist as he leaned in closer, his lips grazing her ear. “We really should get up,” he murmured, voice low, a playful glint in his eyes.
Robyn tilted her head back, meeting his gaze with a smile that was both teasing and inviting. “Do we have to?”
Marcus kissed the top of her head, lingering for a moment as if savoring the warmth of the quiet morning before reluctantly getting up. He stretched, his muscles flexing in a slow, fluid motion as he reached for his shirt. Robyn’s eyes followed the movement, unable to resist the way his body shifted with ease and strength as he pulled the shirt over his head. The motion was smooth, deliberate—like he was fully aware of the effect it had on her. Robyn’s gaze lingered a moment longer than necessary, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of him.
“Enjoying the view?” Marcus teased, his eyes sparkling as he caught her gaze lingering on him.
“Can you blame me?” Robyn replied her voice slow and deliberately seductive.
Marcus raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. “You’ve gotta stop looking at me like that.”
Robyn leaned back slightly, her gaze never leaving his. “Or what?” she asked, her tone daring, a challenge hidden beneath the playful edge.
Marcus stood up and took a few slow steps toward her, his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that made her heart race. Without a word, he tugged her closer, his hand sliding along her waist beneath the edge of her robe. He pulled her in just enough to feel the heat of her body against his.
“You know,” Robyn murmured, her voice low and intimate, “we don’t have to rush out there.”
Robyn’s breath hitched slightly as his fingers brushed over her skin. She tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze. “I’m starting to think you might be right,” he replied, his voice teasing yet soft, feeling the weight of the moment stretch between them. Robyn smiled, leaning down to brush her lips against his.
“Careful,” Marcus murmured, his voice dropping even lower, “You’re making it hard to focus.”
“Good.”
He stepped closer, his hand still at her waist, fingers brushing lightly along her skin. Before she could respond, he leaned down, his lips hovering just above hers, warm breath mingling between them. His gaze locked with hers, dark and intense. He closed the small gap between them, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss that deepened quickly, a mix of tenderness and need.
A loud clatter sounded from the kitchen, followed by Aunt Vi’s irritated voice. “Seriously? Who put the sugar on the top of the shelf?
Robyn laughed, resting her forehead against Marcus’s. “Guess that’s our cue.”
Marcus sighed. “Yeah.”
Still, neither of them moved right away. Robyn lingered there, her fingers trailing down his chest. Marcus’s hand curled at her hip, his touch lingering.
“Later?” Marcus said.
Robyn’s eyes darkened. “Count on it.”
With one last lingering kiss, Robyn stood and pulled her robe tighter before heading toward the door. Marcus watched her go, his eyes lingering appreciatively.
“Yeah,” he said to himself with a low smile. “Definitely later.”
Robyn shook her head, but the warmth in her gaze betrayed her amusement. She didn’t bother replying, just slipped her hand into his as they headed downstairs toward the kitchen. The smell of fresh breakfast drifted through the air. Aunt Vi was already at the stove, flipping pancakes with the ease of someone who’d been doing it her whole life. Delilah sat at the table scrolling through her phone with one hand and picking at a slice of toast with the other.
“Morning,” Robyn greeted as they entered the room, her voice light.
Delilah looked up, her eyes immediately narrowing in that suspicious teenage way. “Morning,” she replied slowly, her gaze flicking between Robyn and Marcus’s joined hands.
Aunt Vi turned toward them with a knowing smile. “Well, looks like you two finally decided to join the land of the living.”
Robyn rolled her eyes.
Aunt Vi turned toward them with a knowing smile, setting a plate of pancakes down in front of Marcus. He reached for the syrup as she slid another plate in front of Robyn. “Want some bacon with that?” Aunt vi asks, glancing at Marcus.
Marcus’s mouth curled into an easy smile. “I’m never turning down bacon.” She chuckled as she grabbed a serving tray and handed him a few strips. “Figured.”
“You’re too comfortable,” Delilah commented, arching a brow from across the table.
Marcus shot her a playful look. “Is that a problem?”
Delilah shrugged. “Just saying—it’s new. Weird.”
Robyn gives her daughter a pointed look. “You’ll adjust.”
Delilah smirked. “Maybe,” she glanced down at her phone again.
Aunt Vi’s gaze sharpened as she set down a third plate for Delilah who sat at the table scrolling through her phone.
Delilah looked up from her phone. “So…are we just not gonna talk about this?”
Robyn raised an eyebrow. “Talk about what?”
Delilah’s eyes flicked towards their joined hands. “Seriously?”
Robyn sighed. “Delilah..”
Delilah set her phone down. “I mean, I'm not mad. Just wondering when this became a thing.”
Marcus cut into his pancakes, clearly amused. “You got a problem with it?”
Delilah shrugged. “Nope. Just..processing.”
Aunt Vi smirked as she set the last of the bacon onto a serving tray. “Took you long enough to catch up.”
Delilah’s expression turned sly. “Did you know they were—”
“Eat your breakfast,” Aunt Vi interrupted, handing her a piece of bacon.
Aunt Vi whispered something into Delilah’s ear.
Marcus took a bite of his pancake, then leaned toward Robyn. “I think they’re ganging up on us.”
Robyn smiled. “Yeah, but you can handle it.”
He opened his mouth to respond when his phone buzzed against the table. His gaze sharpened as he saw the number flashing across the screen. “Work.”
He sighed, setting down his fork as he stood. “I should take this.”
Robyn’s expression softened knowingly. “Of course.”
Marcus pressed the phone to his ear as he walked toward the other room. “Dante,” he answered. He listened for a moment, his expression hardening as his cop instincts kicked back in. “I’ll be there in twenty.”
Robyn watched him from across the room. His body language shifted.--shoulders straightening, focus sharpening. The Marcus she woke up with was slipping away, and the detective was stepping in.
He tucked his phone into his pocket and crossed back toward her, brushing his hand along her shoulder as he learned down. “I gotta go.”
Robyn looked up at him, her hand wrapping around his wrist. “Be careful.”
Marcus smiled. “Always.” He kissed her, just a brief press on the lips, then turned toward the door. “Later?” he said faintly. Hinting at their earlier conversation.
“Later.” Robyn replied.
Robyn watched him disappear across the room, that familiar mix of pride and concern settling into her chest. She glanced over at Aunt Vi and Delilah, both watching her with amused expressions.
“What?” Robyn asked, raising an eyebrow.
Delilah smirked. “Yeah, you’re gone for him.”
Aunt Vi chuckled. “Completely gone.”
Robyn shook her head, but the smile pulling at her lips made it hard to deny.
She in fact was gone. And surprisingly. It didn’t scare her as much as it used to.