My Name is Marcus: Sweet Scent

IX. A Reason to Smile

The Slumbering Weald lived up to its name that night, it's peaceful evening stillness broken only by gentle woodland ambience, the occasional breeze, and the sound of four exuberant Pokemon conversing in the meadow by the shrine. Moonbeams seemed to resonate brighter over the ancient wood than anywhere else in Galar as they permeated through the picturesque opening in the jade canopy above, giving forth an otherworldly glow as its white-gold brilliance refracted into a rainbow along the surface of the nearby lake.

While Cinderace and Morpeko chattered away to the young Applin and Eevee in what was more than likely a dramatic and gleeful regaling of their trainers' relationship leading up to this evening, Marcus and Marnie observed as they sat with one another atop a blanket beneath a tree near the ruined shrine. Umbreon slept peacefully at their feet, the canary yellow rings among her ebony fur glowing softly in the night like halos from the moon.

"What do you think they're talking about that's got them so excited?", Marcus pondered.

"Whaddaya think? They're talkin' 'bout us, ya dork", Marnie answered with a gentle titter.

"Really?", Marcus inquired with a curious smirk. "And how do you know that?"

"Ain't it obvious? Cinderace is over there doin' an impression of you", she replied. "See? He's doin' that thing you do when you get all nervous where you start scratchin' the back of your head n' stammerin' n' all."

"I have no idea what you're talking about", Marcus denied jokingly, a slight blush tinting his cheeks - he knew exactly what she was talking about. "I don't do anything like that at all."

"No? That's a shame", Marnie teased with a grin. "I always thought it was kinda cute."

Marcus chuckled and placed a hand on the back of his head - whether this was an intentional response or an instinctively bashful one was unclear.

"By the way", she added, "I didn't say it when we got here, but... thanks for bringin' us all the way out here tonight."

"No problem", Marcus replied with a smile. "Although you might not be thanking me so much when we're taking the tired flight back to Spikemuth later", he chuckled.

"Why?", she asked, raising a brow. "What time is it now?"

Marcus grabbed his phone and clicked it to life. His eyes widened, a short nervous laugh escaping his lungs as he looked at the clock displayed on the device's lock-screen.

3:02 AM

"You don't wanna know..."

"Probably not, huh?", Marnie giggled as she cuddled against Marcus, laying her head against his chest. "It doesn't matter, anyway."

Marcus smiled as he wrapped an arm around Marnie, pulling her closer and holding her tight. His heart was full as they sat together, taking in the evening view as the endless ocean of starlight above cascaded into a heavenly glow upon them. For the first time in his life, he felt complete. It was as if everything he'd ever needed in his life, he had with him in that moment.

"You were right about this place, Marcus", Marnie stated.

Marcus raised a brow. "Hmm? What do you mean?"

She smiled. "Last time we were out this way, you'd said that you thought there was some kinda magic 'bout this place... I think you were onto somethin' there."

"Are you talking about the view, or...?"

"You know what I'm talkin' about, how we seem to come into this place as one thing, and always come out somethin' else?"