Someone would either have to be really dense or very much blind to not see what the entire settlement of Challenger was witnessing. It had been only a few weeks since their newest arrival, since his date with their beloved Marina. Since then, the whole town has felt a lighter energy, something whimsical and beautiful. It was infectious as to how they carry themselves around each other, because it made the whole town smile.
They knew Sam wanted to really help make an impact when he began volunteering at the schoolhouse, looking after the children during recess and lunch so that the teachers can have a break. The kids knew it would be a great day when their Mr. Sam would come to play games with them, or tell them stories of his time in the UNSC. The town secretly knew what Sam was doing, and they took great amusement in it. Every time Mr. Mitzi would dismiss him for break to volunteer, he would always be at the schoolhouse with something for Marina, whether it was a single flower, or a snack.
The entirety of Challenger rejoiced at how much Marina has blossomed since meeting Sam. They knew of Marina's past, why she came to Challenger, and how much she has suffered. For those that rose early, they would see Marina at the eastern entrance to their settlement with a cup of coffee for Sam. She'd wait there for him to return. Marina also frequented Mitzi's General more often just to see Sam, even if it meant buying a snack there just to be with him. They knew Samuel seemed to be an honest man, and Marina deserved another chance.
Meanwhile the children of the colony were more than ecstatic to see a love story before their very eyes. It became their thing to make love notes for each Sam and Marina, and say it was from the other. While the two were aware of the antics of the children, it amused them to no end, but also caused them to blush wondering if it was that obvious. Sam and Marina became the common gossip among them, and it was the highlight of their day to be with the two of them together.
---
Sam walked through Central Square towards the schoolhouse, and this time in his hands was a bouquet of pink roses and daisies. Sam was amazed how it seems flowers were in bloom, and Yuang just received a shipment of precious flowers from Earth, but was flustered when he gave him a bouquet, free of charge, for the woman he's successfully courting.
"Make her smile, but you don't need me to tell you that since you do it so well." Sam shook his head at what the older man told him. Just as Sam was passing by the park, an ominous voice appeared.
"Hey, Locus, what's troubling you?" He looked around, wondering if someone was talking to him, but the voice was all too familiar.
"We need each other. You need me." Sam shook his head.
"No, you're dead, Felix. I don't need you."
"We're partners. We follow orders. We take shit from no one."
"You abused me and my damage. You took advantage of me."
"Without me, you'd be dead or wasting away like a pathetic coward. C'mon, you are a true soldier."
"No, I am a monster, like you. Now, I am a man, and I have a woman I am going to see."
"You sure you don't want me to hook you up?"
"I don't want a hookup, I want to fall in love." Sam raised his head higher, the sun shining down on him, his heart warming up as he kept walking.
Sam eventually reached the schoolhouse. As he climbed the steps, he heard singing from inside the building.
"...Faithful love is a friend just when hope seems to end..." He smiled, knowing it was another hymn Marina was teaching them. What he didn't think would happen was how his heart started singing along with them, and he began humming. Before he knew it, the bell rang to indicate lunch. He stepped back and away to the gravel, knowing he didn't want to be trampled by exuberant children. The door opened, and there was young Johnson who lit up at the sight of Sam.
"Ms. Marina! You have a visitor! It's Mr. Sam!" He could hear Marina laughing, trying to shoo him away as she came to the door, and lit up. She raced down the stairs to meet him, and gasped at what he had in his hands. She just leapt into his arms, and he held her for the longest time before he presented her the flowers.
"For you, Ms. Marina, as they are as bright and sweet as you, but your beauty will always stand out from any flower in the galaxy." Marina and Sam both giggled incredulously at what he said, but Marina couldn't help but beam at him.
"Thank you, this is lovely." Sam knew this moment would be perfect, where he could take her into his arms, whisper sweet nothings into her ear, and kiss her with all the love he had for her, but there was a gaggle of kids watching them and he knew better. Each kid came running passed them, saying "hi" and "bye" as they ran for the playgrounds and the play field.
"So, Sam, what prompted this beautiful gift?" He soon looked to her again, lifting a corner of his mouth in a mischievous manner.
"That will be revealed tonight, Marina." He teased as he tapped her nose. Sam then reached for her free hand, bent down to one knee, and kissed her knuckles, but then he kissed her wrist, then her forearm before standing up, never once looking away from her. Marina felt the tinge of pink coming on to her cheeks, which made Sam smile in such a way she remembered Mitchell smiling at her.
"Mr. Sam! Play Capture the Flag with us!" Marina nodded as she heard the kids call out to him. Sam nodded in agreement as he ran over to join their game. She proceeded to watch the game, but mainly watched how Sam wrestled and played with the children. Soon enough all of the children stopped what they were doing to join in on the game because of how much they adored the man. Marina was smitten with the view of Samuel surrounded by children, and wondered if he would make a terrific father.
---
"Status report."
"The love between them is definitely growing, but it's not where you want it at yet. Some of his makeup got wiped away due to how he is playing with the children. It's definitely Locus." She could hear her employer thinking from the other end of the line.
"I want to time it just right. I followed the trail to Chorus where I found Felix dead at the bottom of a mountain. I'm en route to Siris as we speak, but I'll make sure you get a nice bonus for making sure Locus doesn't leave, Sissy." The woman nodded.
"As you wish, boss."
"Keep an eye on them, I won't let Locus get away from me again. He needs to pay what he did to my brother and father."
YOU ARE READING
Running From Your Shadows
Fanfiction(Locus x F!OC, I will address Locus primarily as Sam unless its a situation) Finally, after freeing himself from the toxic partnership with Felix, Samuel "Locus" Ortez has been going about the galaxy in search of himself, of redemption, and a new pu...
