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Sunset

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Amethyst and amber hues tainted the cloudless azure sky, blending into the pretty portrait of a late summer afternoon. The aroma of flowers danced on the cool breeze raking through the Orchidshine Botanical Garden. It was a quaint little place, boasting a vivid variety of plant and floral life across forty acres of land. The last time she paid this place a visit was on a high school senior field trip. Memories of that day were still fresh in Rosa's mind. Trudging through the thirty minute nature trail, maneuvering over exposed tree roots and quivering gravel. Taking a rest stop under a luscious canopy of wild wisterias. Climbing up the rickety wooden staircase of a seventeenth century ruin which was partially restored and transformed into a rustic gazebo overlooking the entire area. Even the Waterfront was in sight, with a picture perfect view of the horizon where sea met sky.

The main differences between now and then? For one, Rosa's youthful energy had started its inevitable dwindle in her twenties. Racing against her friends in an effort to scale the ruin first was thrilling back then, but a calm stroll in appreciation of the plant life surrounding her was far more interesting now. The overall ambience was different too. Slow paced and serene, unlike the loud ruckus of noisy classmates competing to be heard. Then there was the most noticeable contrast.

"Woah!" Solid yet gentle hands latched onto Rosa's right bicep, preventing her from hitting the ground after nearly tripping over a serpentine root along the path. Luke made sure his best friend was completely steady on her feet, coral eyes roaming her over. It didn't look like she suffered any damage like am ankle sprain or vertigo, "You okay?"

"Yeah, thanks Luke." Loose chocolate tresses swung along with her nod and supportive hands slowly retreated from her arm.

Reminiscing over their high school years one afternoon at the shop was the catalyst that sparked this entire trip. Having left during freshman year, Luke had missed out on several events, the senior's trip to the botanical gardens being one of them. Rosa thought it would be fun to relive the experience once again, this time with her Sherlock by her side.

They were almost to the end of the trail, a light sweat beading on Rosa's skin. Meanwhile, there wasn't even a drop of sweat on Luke's features. Swiping a thin rivulet off her brow with the back of a hand, the chocolate brunette eyed her friend, "What's your secret, Pearce?" She fished a frigid water bottle out of her backpack, "How are you not sweating?"

He laughed, a teasing smile on his lips as muscular arms folded, "Oh, that's because I can control my sweat."

Rosa was unimpressed, taking a quick sip of water, "Liar."

He was pretty athletic after all. A hike like that was probably a simple warm up to the detective.

"We should take a break so you can rest a bit." Glancing around, Luke easily located a large boulder off to the side of the path, walking over to it.

Tucking her bottle back in place, Rosa continued up the densely forested track, "I'm alright. Besides, we're almost there." Thoughts of arriving at their goal pushed Rosa forward and Luke could only follow after his best friend's footsteps.

Magnolias and marigolds, petunias and plumbagos. With access to the Big Data Lab, each flower they spotted along the journey was instantly identifiable. Rosa was particularly fond of the whimsical wisteria tunnel they travelled under, smoothly gliding a raised hand through overhanging periwinkle petals. Luke was also admiring the view, but more so his grinning Watson whose beauty in that moment would rival the most enchanting of florals.

The hiking trail soon came to an end as the remnants of the ruin was up ahead. They couldn't research much in terms of history, but the ruins were actually part of an old fort designed for overlooking the ocean when foreign sea vessels were coming into port back in its day.

Testing out the worn ladder first, Luke hoisted himself up eight weather beaten rungs and made it to the top, watching from above as Rosa carefully took her time climbing. An outstretched right hand captured her tinier one and Luke drew her into the empty gazebo. They settled on a wooden railing with the best view of the horizon. The sun was halfway through retirement, sinking beyond that crisp line into slumber with each passing second.

"Maybe we'll see the green flash." Luke's remark interrupted Rosa from snapping pictures of the glistening ocean below.

She turned to the caramel brunet, curiosity reflected in her eyes, "What's that?"

"They say, when the sun dips below the horizon on a clear day, you'll see a flash of green light just before it disappears." Two pairs of eyes observed the horizon, awaiting the sun's final descent into oblivion.

Rosa switched to video, recording the setting sun about to vanish. The bright yellow sphere began disappearing at a much faster rate. Until…

A surprised gasp left Rosa's lips, "It flashed!"

"Please tell me you caught that on camera!" Luke hovered over his best friend's shoulder and a funny thought popped into his head. What if she didn't hit the record…

Rosa deadpanned.

She didn't hit the record button.

"Well, it'll live on in our memories, at the very least." Luke tried cheering her up as Rosa put the phone away.

"Yeah, I guess so." The budding attorney waltzed to another side of the gazebo, leaning against the railing on propped up arms, chartreuse eyes turning around to meet coral ones, "This was nice. We should do it again."

"Definitely." Luke joined her, settling alongside Rosa on the railing.

A kaleidoscope of colours mesmerized them both as salt-laced breeze ruffled their hair. The duo simply marvelled at the panoramic view in comfortable silence before deciding it was time to head back down the trail.


Writing one-shots be hard!

So this was my Day 6 (Days 1-5 will forever live on in my head xD) submission for Luke Week. I joined a Tears of Themis writing community which also has a Tumblr page (themistypewriter)! Writing about Luke and reading other talented writer's works during this week has made my heart a little softer for this cinnamon roll.

Prompt: Day 6 - School / Sunset / "Please tell me you caught that on camera!"