do you have any headcanons for being marcus' first serious girlfriend after teresa?
Oh, absolutely, anon!
EASING INTO A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH MARCUS
Marcus has now been hurt not once, but twice—in a way that he fears is beyond repair.
He’d never think of himself as a sensitive person, but after two heartbreaks that had his world feel as if it was shattering around him, he can’t help feeling more guarded than ever.
Marcus goes all in and it just hurts to realize that it’s done nothing but hurt him, now.
So, for months, he’s more quiet than usual. He stays his friendly, outgoing self, but he doesn’t mind spending time alone. Until it starts to drive him crazy.
Marcus has a lot of love to give and no matter how afraid he is of hurting himself again, he knows he’d be willing to at least try.
That’s when he meets you.
He’s running in one of the parks in D.C. when he sees you going for a leisurely walk—and he’s so caught off guard by you that, while not paying any attention, he runs straight into a bench. He catches himself but manages to cut up his shins pretty good.
And, of course, you’re certified in first aid—and hurry over to help once you see the scene from afar.
Marcus would be embarrassed if you weren’t so kind about it. “If I had a dollar for every time I’ve done that,” you tell him while he sits on the bench, you kneeling in front of him to gently take care of his scrapes, “I’d be rich enough to go for runs in my own private park.”
You make Marcus laugh and smile and feel something he hasn’t in a long time. You make him feel more confident and less afraid.
So, he’s not as scared when he asks to make this up to you by taking you to dinner, and he can’t stop smiling the moment you accept without hesitation.
It’s when this dinner leads to dessert and coffee and another walk in the park and another planned date that Marcus realizes... this won’t be so casual.
He knows he has to tell you what’s happened because he doesn’t want his hesitance to look like he doesn’t reciprocate your feelings.
Marcus tells you about everything on your fifth official date. He explains himself, the situations, and assures you that he wants to make this commitment—he just needs to go a little slower, for his own sake.
You instantly agree to go at whatever pace he needs to because you’re willing to do anything to make this work, and Marcus swears he’s never felt his heart grow so much before.
When the first kiss comes around, you let him make the move. When the first time comes around, you let him make the move. When the question of moving in together comes around, you let him decide what and when is the best time.
You do everything you can to make Marcus feel assured and safe in your relationship and that’s what truly makes Marcus realize that he won’t be hurt again—and that he loves you even more than he’d ever loved the rest.
