Honey
Title: Honey
Rating: G
Pairing: Maddy Shannon/Mark Reynolds
Summary: Everyone had a small crush on her; it was hard not to. Based on a prompt for the Friday One Word Challenge.
Honey
Marcus Reynolds was eager as he stood at the top of the outpost tower. He normally hated being up here. It was the most boring shift in the universe, being stuck up in a tower to keep watch over the perimeter for eight hours. He only had two others up here with him, and thankfully they were friends of his otherwise he would be bored out of his mind as he waited in anticipation, because today was the one exception that no man on base ever complained about being stuck in a tower for.
Hours passed with a slow pace as he waited, studying his watch every few minutes while his friends teased him mercilessly. He tried to ignore their taunts, rolling his eyes as he constantly peeked over the railing. He figured they had no right to tease him because they were doing the same thing. He finally spotted someone on the ground in the distance, close to six o’clock; as usual.
Mark smiled to himself, quickly running his hands through his hair in an attempt to make it more presentable. “I’ll be right back,” he muttered to his friends, hurrying to the ladder and descending down the steps. He reached the ground in record time, shoving his hands into his pockets as he waited; then he changed his mind and crossed them over his chest, and then finally settled for holding them behind his back as he shifted restlessly.
“Make sure you ask her out this time, Reynolds!” Paul called down to him from above.
Mark felt his eyes widen in alarm, because she was already close enough that she had to have heard what his idiot friend had yelled. He grimaced as he saw her head tilt up toward the tower, biting his lip when she was finally in front of him. She smiled at him, a wide smile that lit up her features in the most beautiful way; his mouth went dry and he forgot what he meant to say.
“Hello, Mister Reynolds,” she greeted him kindly.
Mark swallowed slightly. “H-hello Miss Shannon,” he said in return, clearing his throat. He was always nervous around her, ever since the first day he saw her. He had been privileged to speak to her briefly on the day she arrived, had even escorted her and her family to their new house. He had meant to approach her, to introduce himself properly and perhaps get to know her better, but unfortunately he was not the most confident person when it came to her.
Madelyn Shannon was the most amazing person he had ever met. She had entranced him with her shy smile and her kind nature. He tried to work up the nerve to actually have a conversation with her, but unfortunately he was not the only one bewitched by her. She had made herself known to almost every soldier on base one afternoon by delivering freshly baked goods to everyone on duty, the gesture done selflessly and with the brightest smile he had ever seen.
Months passed by since that first batch of cookies, and every soldier knew to expect something different come Friday afternoon. She arrived without fail, her arms weighed down with heavy baskets of miniature pies or little cups of puddings. Last week had been cupcakes.
Mark knew several of his comrades, himself included, donated money to fund her experimentation with recipes. He knew she was reluctant to accept the money, despite the fact that her own funds were quite sparse, although she was unable to return a cent due to the fact that it was all given anonymously.
Everyone had a small crush on her; it was hard not to. She was beautiful; long dark hair that curled into beautiful tendrils, golden skin that was always glowing in the sun, and the most enchanting smile that just portrayed kindness and a genuine thrill for life. She had brown eyes that reflected a certain intelligence in them, warm and inviting to share her secrets and her voice was smooth and caring.
Mark had been falling in love with her from the first moment he saw her. His feelings only continued to grow every time he spoke to her. He was slowly progressing from monotone words to actual sentences on most days. Today would be the day though. He had been building up to this for a long time, and he needed to take the chance or he might lose her forever. He knew others had approached her, but as far as he was aware, she had politely refused any advances, so he figured his own chances were slim.
“How are you today?” he asked her, hoping she could not hear the pang of nervousness in his voice. He swallowed again when she directed her smile at him, wider than before.
“Very good, thank you,” she said, tilting her head curiously. “And you?”
“I’m… good.” he faltered. “What… what amazing recipe did you try today?”
“Just an old bread recipe,” she told him, moving the cloth in the basket aside to show him the small rolls, and the aroma like walking into a bakery that had just pulled a fresh batch of bread out of an oven. He spotted the tub of butter and jams lining the side of the basket, and wondered how she managed to lug around such a heavy thing every week.
Mark looked back up at her, pausing when their eyes connected. He loved her eyes, especially when she looked at him. It made him feel special, like he actually stood a chance with her, because her eyes shifted subtly. Instead of the smooth brown color, like warm amber and sunlight swirled together, it reminded him of…
“Honey,” he whispered unintentionally.
“Excuse me?” she asked curiously.
Mark stared at her in horror, quickly searching his mind for an excuse. He gestured almost desperately to the basket, stammering out, “I just… just wanted to know if you had any honey? For… for the bread?” She smiled and reached inside the basket, presenting him with a small jar of honey.
“It’s my favorite,” she admitted, offering it to him.
Mark barely even glanced at the jar. “Mine too,” He watched in fascination as a blush painted her cheeks red, wondering if he had said something to make that happen or if the cool air of the night was getting to her. “… Do you… I would…” She gazed at him expectantly, and he sighed a bit, his confidence failing him. “Thank you for the bread, Miss Shannon. I better get some of these rolls up to Paul and Tyler before they starve.”
For some reason, he thought she looked a bit disappointed at the change in conversation. She smiled a moment later, helping him prepare a napkin full of rolls. “Have a good evening, Mister Reynolds. I hope you enjoy the bread,” she said in farewell.
Mark watched her begin to walk away with his stomach churning. He lowered his eyes, staring at the dinner rolls and the honey. He smiled to himself; her eyes really did look like golden honey. He paused at the ladder, resting his forehead against the cool metal bars. He was being a coward. The worst she could say was no, and even if she did, he could live with just being a friend to her because that was more than what he was now.
Before he could change his mind, Mark set everything down and ran to catch up to her. She was already halfway to the next tower by the time he reached her, and she turned when she heard his footsteps. He was breathless when he finally came to a stop, staring at her curious face with a newfound determination that he clung to.
“Yes?” she queried.
Mark licked his lips, struggling with himself. “I… I would like to declare my intentions for you Madelyn Shannon,” he said quickly, the words pouring out before he could stop them and find something more elegant to say to her. She frowned at him, confusion written across her features. “I would like to... to court you, because you deserve to have someone treat you as special as you are. I love the sound of your laugh. Every time you smile, it feels like the sun is rising, and your eyes just light up… You are… everything to me and if you would give me the chance Miss Shannon-”
Soft lips pressed against his own before he could finish. His eyes widened as he realized what was happening. She was kissing him. Madelyn Shannon was kissing him. It felt glorious, like every little thing he never realized he always wanted had finally been offered to him. His entire body ignited, and he tried to respond to the kiss once it registered in his mind, but she was already pulling away, a brilliant flush to her cheeks.
“Yes!” she said, biting down on her lips. She stood on the tips of her toes and gave him another kiss, this time pressed to his cheek. “And I like to be called Maddy.”
“Mark…” he choked out in shock.
Maddy smiled beautifully at him. “I have to go Mark,” she said regretfully, shaking the basket in her arms meaningfully. “I’ll see you soon?” He nodded slowly, his heartbeat finally slowing down now that she wasn’t standing so close. He watched her touch her lips briefly as she turned away, the same smile still on her face as she continued with her task.
Mark made his way back to his post slowly, still trying to process what just happened. He licked his own lips, feeling them tingle in remembrance of how it felt to have hers pressed against him. He paused at the base of the ladder, only absently registering the catcalls and whistles from his friends; he smiled when he tasted something sweet on his tongue.
Honey…
The End