We both stood overlooking the city lights. The sun had practically set but the full moon provided enough light for the both of us. Marcus didn't say anything, just kept looking forward.

I was fidgeting with my hands to calm my racing nerves, when suddenly he spoke.

"They say a single blackbird is enough to ruin the sky," I glanced at him fearfully to see his wistful expression. Was I a blackbird in the Volturi's sky? "But what people don't understand is that the blackbird is a part of the sky, everyone has problems in their lives but the blackbird doesn't define the sky," I nodded in understanding as he finally turned to me. I felt small under his gaze and couldn't bear to look him in the eye.

Marcus stepped closer to me and leaned forward so he could see my eyes. He gently put his hands on my cheeks to force me to look at him.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what to say that would make all this pain you've been carrying disappear. I'm sorry that someone you loved made you believe it's hard to love you." His eyes became glossy as he spoke.

My own eyes were pooling with tears and I gripped onto his hand for dear life. "Y-you're not mad?" The tears were let free when he shook his head. "Absolutely not," he said with desperation.

Marcus took a deep breath in. "What happened to you, Lycoris, was real," he paused as he pulled me into an embrace. "It wasn't your fault. You're not weak, your feelings are valid, the fact that you're standing in front of me proves how strong you are." He had said he didn't know what to but he was saying everything I had been desperate to hear for a long time. He hugged me tighter as he went on, "you're entitled to heal in whatever way you need and in your own time. But I need you to know you are not alone, you don't have to do this by yourself... even if it feels that way." I could tell he was holding back his own sobs, he wanted to be strong for me. Finally he pulled back and intensely stared into my eyes.

"You are necessary in this world. I see you," there were tears in his eyes and his eyebrows were knitted together in distress. I had never felt so loved in my life before, he made me feel okay. I crumpled into a heap on the floor as I began violently sobbing for the first time that day. I didn't need to hold back the tears any longer. He crouched down and held me in his arms. "I love you - I love you so much - thank you - Marcus," I managed out from in between my sobs.

He didn't say anything and simply held me, but it was more than enough.

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We sat there for a while just watching as a million fireflies lit the city in front of us. There were families out for dinner, children running down the street, people were laughing and there was him. His face shone brightly in the moonlight. I had never noticed before just how beautiful he was, how his jaw was finely chiselled as if sculpted by Michelangelo and how his curly hair was neatly tied back. His eyes in their own glory were nothing but fervent. Still they looked like they lacked something, there was a missing light. I realised in that moment, Marcus understood me because he'd been through similar pain. I wondered if he had someone. They were doing everything they could for me, I promised myself that I'd become the light in their life.

I'd love them and cherish them and make sure they knew how worthy of affection they were. Marcus noticed that instead of watching the beautiful scene in front of us I was staring at him. He looked hesitant. I didn't know what he was thinking but still nodded. He moved his face closer to mine and nuzzled into my neck. It tickled, making me laugh.

"I thought you said you wouldn't bite me," I laughed. His embrace tightened, "I won't bite, not today at least," his tone was light, mischievous almost. Marcus was childish at times, but of his brothers he was the most sensitive to human emotion. Although I had fallen in love with all 3 of them when the mate bond clicked, I truly felt enriched love for him today. I moved closer into his chest as he continued hugging me.

"There is a reason I call you tesoro, you are the treasure of a lifetime, you matter. I need you, I love you," the confession caught me off guard. Unlike Aro, Marcus was more shy when it came to expressing his love in such an obvious manner. There was nothing I could say so instead I broke free from his embrace. He resisted slightly but let me go. I turned to face him and gently placed my lips against his.

The action caught him off guard as he fell backwards but caught himself. I gently moved my lips against his almost as if we were stuck in a song. Unlike Aro and Caius he let me take more control, he made sure I was okay, I was comfortable. As we broke apart he looked away, if he had been human I am sure he would've been blushing.

His face suddenly lit up. "Would you still like to go on a date with me?" The calm, composed and confident leader of the Volturi was back and the young boy who was with me until just a moment ago disappeared. "Of course, but isn't it kind of late for that?"

"You need not worry about that tesoro," he had a cheeky glint in his eyes that made me nervous.

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Marcus quickly ran into his room taking me with him. I hadn't seen his room yet, and welcomed the opportunity. I was still in my day clothes which meant I didn't have to change. I double checked in the mirror if I looked alright, I was wearing a plain white t-shirt with a pink leather jacket and loose light blue jeans. Marcus disappeared into his walk-in closet as I looked around his room.

It was far more organised than Caius' and more modern than Aro's. It was a room that befitted his personality. There were splashes of various shades of blue here and there. There was a television in the middle of the room. 3 replicas of a couch were placed in front of the TV. Like Aro's room there were 2 doors connected to a bathroom and walk-in closet. What intrigued me the most was that unlike his brothers who both had huge beds fit for royalty occupying their rooms he had a plain piece of furniture that could've been mistaken for a couch.

His bed was very minimalistic and small. There were 2 tall shelves on either side of his bed that was pushed against the wall.

One shelf had books that looked like they were ancient, on the other shelf I saw modern literature I was more versed with. I smiled as I caught a glance of a few Harry Potter books.

Marcus cleared his throat to get my attention, I gasped when I saw him. He was wearing casual clothes that were similar in style to mine. Marcus wore a black denim jacket that was cleanly buttoned up except for the top few buttons, along with black jeans. Underneath he wore what looked like a white t-shirt.

"You look amazing," I gasped, still starstruck. "If only I could look as good as you do," he sighed in amusement.

We were like teenagers sneaking out as we tried our best not to alert the others. Understandably Marcus didn't want the guards to see their proper and dignified leader in human clothes with his mate.

I giggled as we finally made it out of the castle, the sound made Marcus laugh. It was a deep, attractive laugh that made butterflies gather at the pit of my stomach. "Hop on," he said, crouching on one knee. I had always loved getting piggy-back rides, previously it was Emmett who fulfilled that desire. I felt a pang of sadness remembering the Cullens.

"Where are you taking me Marcus?" I asked full with curiosity as I climbed onto his back. Of all the people I had met Marcus was the tallest, he easily towered over me. "You will find out soon my little firefly," I would've found the nickname cringy had anybody else given it to me, but because it was Marcus I knew it would be cherished deeply in my heart.

I had to squeeze my eyes shut against the wind as Marcus zoomed in and out of alleys. I could feel him jump and I assumed we were on the rooftops now. I had been carried by vampires before but Marcus' movements were far more elegant than anybody else I knew.

Before long we slowed to the point where he was just walking whilst giving me a piggy-back ride. "I can get off you know," I said you could practically hear the smile in my voice. "I know," Marcus replied there was an equal amount of happiness in his voice.

We soon crossed a street and found ourselves in the midst of a large crowd. Marcus reluctantly let me down as I felt embarrassed by peoples glances. He had brought me to a street fair.

There were stalls of food and jewellery everywhere around us, ahead I could see a ferris wheel and carousel. The inner child in me was awoken, I wanted to run around and try everything and anything. There was a comfortable aura in the area as we both walked hand in hand with each other. He had forgotten for a little while that he was the king of the Volturi and I had forgotten about the day's events.

We had fun. I ended up getting fairy floss all over my hands and he ended up with a bunch of bags filled with treats and trinkets for later. We both sat in the compartment of the Ferris wheel soaking up each other's company. I knew that as kings they were busy and it would probably be a while before another opportunity presented itself for me to spend time with him.

We laughed together, he told me about Didyme and I told him about the Cullens. A particular story about me and Emmett causing havoc in Carlisle's office brought a smirk on his face. It was probably the most beautiful day of my life. I realised problems would arise but as long as I had them everything would be fine.