Page 78 of Caged
"Talk to you then." He stood, taking a moment to grab his drink and a candy wrapper from beside the computer before leaving the room.
The house was quiet, which wasn't unusual. Rani was working, and Patrick, if he was home, spent most of the time in his room. The rest of the team was off, everyone getting ready for the sting in Colorado Springs tomorrow night. Just the thought made Marshall restless. He wanted this over with. He wanted Larry in custody, though that would bring on a whole new load of stress because it would mean pending court cases and interviews that Danny would have to go through. He wished there was a way for Danny to avoid all of it, but there wasn't if they wanted Larry to pay for what he'd done.
He made his way to his car, thinking about Danny and how huge a part he now played in his life. He was falling for him hard, emotions he never dared hope to have growing stronger every day. He'd just wanted to protect Danny. Help him get on his feet, find his way in life, but now, it was so much more. He wanted to see his smile as he walked through the door, feel his arms around him at night, and hear his laughter throughout the day. He wanted to look into the future and see them together.
Detouring, Marshall pulled into the parking lot of a small florist and went in, inhaling the sweet scent as he looked around at the flower arrangements. Though he liked the daisies, he grabbed a dozen red roses instead. It was probably the first time Danny would get flowers and he wanted him to remember it. He liked being Danny's first at almost everything and bringing him flowers was just another one of those things. Maybe next week he'd get him chocolates. Make a weekly habit out of giving him small gifts.
The house was lit up when he got home, the flicker of the TV showing through the window blinds. Having someone waiting for him touched something deep inside his soul, reminding him just how lonely he'd been just a couple of months before. He liked this new life. The life where Danny was in the house, waiting to welcome him home.
He pushed open the front door and nearly groaned at the smell of a roast or something like it. Danny's cooking was always amazing. Another blessing. Who didn't want a man who could cook like a gourmet chef? "Honey, I'm home," Marshall called as he shut the door.
"Hey." Danny walked into the entry hall and smiled, then noticed the flowers and paused.
"For you." Marshall offered him the roses.
"Thank you, they're beautiful." Danny took them, dipping his nose close as he inhaled deeply. "But why?" His gaze flicked up to meet Marshall's.
"Why not? Can't your boyfriend bring you flowers to show he cares?" Marshall stepped close, sliding one arm around Danny's waist to pull him near.
"I guess so." Danny grinned. "No one's ever given me flowers before."
"I hoped I'd be the first." Marshall dropped a soft kiss on Danny's mouth. "I like being your first."
Danny's breath hitched but Marshall couldn't tell if it was from pleasure or nervousness at his words. He blushed as he smiled. "I cooked dinner."
"I can smell." Marshall patted his stomach. "It smells amazing. Roast?"
"Yeah, it was something new I wanted to try." Danny led him to the kitchen. "Let me put these in a vase, then I'll serve you."
Marshall noticed the small kitchen table was set as if Danny had been waiting for him. The thought warmed his heart. He really could get used to this. "Can I help somehow?"
"No, it's all ready to set on the table. Just have a seat and I'll get it. What do you want to drink?"
"Do we have any more of that cranberry and soda mixture you made the other day?" It was another experimental concoction Danny had tried that ended up being Marshall's new favorite drink.
"I made more today." Danny grinned as he set the vase of flowers on the breakfast bar before he turned and pulled a roast from the oven.
"This looks amazing." He eyed the roast, his mouth watering at sight of the tender meat that was already sliced.
"I hope you like cauliflower." Danny set a bowl of it down beside the roast, a creamy cheese sauce leaked over it.
"You're spoiling me."
Danny grinned. "They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
Marshall reached out, catching Danny's hand in his before he could move away. He looked up, meeting his gaze. "You already have my heart, Danny."
Danny swallowed hard, his cheeks flushed.
"I mean it. I think I'm falling in love with you, if I haven't fallen already. You're all I think about. When I'm not with you, all I think about is getting back to you. I feel panic when I think that you might want to leave here, go out on your own. You've become such a part of my life now I don't want to let you go." He hadn't planned on getting so serious as soon as he got home, but the words just came out.
Danny's eyes widened. "You're serious?"
"About us? Very. I've never felt this way about someone. I know you might not be ready for anything too serious, might want to explore the world a bit before settling down with someone, but I can't stop how I feel. I've never thought about a future with anyone, but with you, it just feels right."
Danny dropped to his knees in front of Marshall. "I don't want anyone else. I'm not sure anyone else could understand me, accept me, or make me feel the way you do. I know I'm broken. I can't give all of myself to you, but I think I love you too. I've never loved anyone before so it's confusing. I feel like I'm holding you back from having more with someone else—"
"I have it all with you. I don't need someone else." Marshall cupped Danny's face. "I know we've hinted at things before. We've talked a little about dating and being together, but I want you to know how serious I am about us. In my mind, I see myself still coming home to you like this ten years from now."
