Without Marcus even noticing it, Lance had driven them into the city and they had reached their destination.
Marcus watched as Felix practically flew out of the van, completely forgetting their bags.
Marcus chuckled at Felix's enthusiasm as he grabbed both their bags for the back seats. He placed one on his back, and the other on his chest.
Luna chuckled as she stared at Marcus. "You look like a soldier with those bags on you." She said teasingly.
Marcus grinned as he opened the door for Luna to exit. "Good, because I'm going to war soon, and the battlefield is at a certain café."
Luna giggled as she hopped down from the van, Marcus followed, feeling a mixture of excitement and anticipation about the upcoming event at the café with Felix.
Inside the hotel, the lobby was wide and spacious, and a blend of modern technology mixed with classic architecture. The smooth marble floor reflects the soft lights humming above.
The receptionist desk was manned by three androids dressed in red uniforms. They had the appearance of a woman, with gray skin and bright blue eyes.
"Great," Marcus mumbled.
Luna chuckled as she grabbed Marcus's hand and gently squeezed it. "Still afraid huh?"
"I'm not afraid." Marcus said defensively, "How many times I gotta tell you?"
Lance led the group towards the counter, where she then exchanged a few words with the android receptionist. After a short discussion, Lance was handed three keycards.
"Two for room 513," Lance said as he handed the boys each their own keycard. "I'm in room 523, just across the hall."
With their cards in hand, the group made their way to the elevator where they rode it up to floor five. During the elevator ride, Lance began to discuss the rules of the "break".
"Look." Lance began with a stern voice, "I'm not asking much for you two, just keep two things in mind, don't come back later than eight, and don't bring anyone back to your hotel room, understood?"
Both Marcus and Felix nodded in understanding.
His expression then softened as he looked down at Luna. "And you, my room is available if you don't want to stay with a duo of rowdy boys."
Luna almost immediately shook her head. "No, I'm satisfied with where I am, thank you," Luna said as she squeezed Marcus's hand.
Lance smirked as the elevator chimed softly as its doors opened.
"Well, as long as you two keep my two rules in mind, you can go nuts," Lance said with a chuckle as he stepped out onto the plush carpeted hallway.
Marcus and Felix closely followed behind him.
Felix was practically bouncing with excitement as they reached their respective room. He quickly swiped the keycard and pushed open the door revealing their room.
It was rather cozy, with two twin-sized beds on the right wall. A thin-screen television on the left wall, a desk in the far upper right corner, and a window on the back wall with a view of the city below.
Marcus, Luna, and Felix stepped into the room with curious gazes, studying everything about it.
"Like I said before." Lance said as he clapped his hands together, "Follow my two rules and if you need me I'll be in the room right across the hallway."
He then gave the two boys a knowing look before turning to leave for his own room, closing the door behind himself.
Once Lance was gone, Felix immediately glanced over at Marcus, "Drop those bags and freshen up, we got a café to catch bro!"
"Alright, alright, I'm going." Marcus said with a chuckle as he set the bags down, "Which one is mine?" Marcus asked as he looked down at a black bag and a neon green bag.
"The black and gray one." Felix answered, "Oh, and you got an organization-issued phone, with about 30 thousand Euros on it, your fingerprint is already logged onto it." Felix added as he walked over to pick up his bag.
Marcus eyes widened in astonishment, "30 thousand?" He asked in disbelief, "Do they expect us to spend that much in six days?"
Felix shook his head no, "Of course not, that's why they put that much money on there, now if you keep asking questions, I am going to abandon you like a lost child!"
"Fine," Marcus said in a drawn-out manner, he pulled out a black shirt and baggy joggers from his bag. "I'll be out in a minute."
Felix watched Marcus enter the small bathroom to change.
Luna climbed up onto one of the twin beds and sat down with her legs crossed, she placed her hands in her lap as she huffed a deep sigh.
Felix turned to look at Luna with a raised eyebrow. "What's up with you?" He asked curiously.
"I'm fine." Luna replied, "But I'm curious, you had ample amounts of time to visit the city on your own, so why didn't you?" She asked.
Felix smirked as he crossed his arms. "Marcus is my brother, we may not be of the same blood, race, or nationality, but we're in this together, what kind of person would I be if I left my brother for such a selfish reason?"
Luna shook her head in disbelief. "You've only known each other for two weeks." She replied with a sigh.
Felix chuckled, "Marcus said the same thing when I told him, but I don't care, he's my brother, whether he likes it or not."
"Is that so?" Luna asked in a curious tone.
Felix nodded as he made his way toward the other bed. "I've always had friends," Felix said as he sat on the bed. "They never lasted though, jealousy played a heavy hand in ending them."
"Explain," Luna demanded.
Felix chuckled. "Everyone envied me, I never managed to hold a genuine relationship with anyone, people only hung around me to gain something, never to just be my friend, you know?"
Luna nodded. "I see, and you think Marcus is different because….?"
Felix smirked as he laid back in his bed with his arms behind his head. "Because he's honest, Marcus will tell you exactly what he's feeling even to his detriment."
Luna's eyes widened as she fell silent, her eyes narrowing as they darted side to side. "That, you're right…" she said almost as if she couldn't believe it herself. "How did I miss that?" Luna said to herself.
"That's a good question." Felix replied, "Because he's done it in front of you a few times, like when we first met in the dorms, or when you guys had that little falling out, it doesn't matter who it is, if Marcus feels a certain way about you, he will tell you."
Luna sighed as she crossed her arms. "Yeah."
Marcus emerged from the bathroom all dressed up and ready to go.
He was dressed in all black with a pair of white shoes and a jacket. His hair was tied back in a large puffball, and he smelled of fresh ocean cologne.
"How do I look?" Marcus asked as he spread his arms out.
Felix chuckled. "Like you'll burn up the moment we step outside, take that jacket off, bro."
Marcus grinned as he took off his jacket. "I guess the jacket is overkill, but I thought it went well with the fit."
Felix laughed as he stood up from his bed. "Save it for Autumn, now let's go," Felix said as he gestured for Marcus and Luna to follow him.
Marcus nodded as he reached out a hand toward Luna. "You coming?" He asked.
Luna nodded as she hopped down from the bed and made her way to his side. She effortlessly slipped her hands into his and interlocked their fingers.
With Luna in hand, Marcus approached his bag and grabbed his organization-issued phone and a few pieces of candy.
"What's the candy for?" Luna asked curiously.
"Light snack, for you of course," Marcus said with a smile.
Luna averted her gaze as she lowered her head. "Stupid." She muttered under her breath.
Marcus chuckled as he began walking towards the exit, attempting to catch up with Felix who was already halfway towards the elevator.
They quickly caught up to him, Felix turned to look at Marcus with a Semi-serious expression. "You got everything you need?" Felix asked as he called the elevator without looking.
Marcus was slightly taken aback by Felix's sudden change in tone but nodded. "Yeah, I have my phone and keycard, you?"
Felix nodded as the elevator chimed and its doors opened. The three of them stepped into the elevator and began to descend to the lobby.
The ride was quiet, with only the soft hum of the elevator filling the air.
"Are you alright Felix?" Marcus asked with a concerned hand placed on his shoulder.
Felix nodded. "Yeah, I'm good, just running a few simulations in my head."
Marcus's eyes widened slightly at the mention of simulations.
Was Felix having night terrors too?
It wouldn't be surprising, they both went through the same simulations, it's only natural for them to share the same symptoms, but Felix was certainly good at hiding it.
"It's best not to think about them," Marcus replied. "I know you said it doesn't bother you, but the more you think about them, the worse it gets, trust me."
"You're right bro," Felix replied. "I'm just trying to prepare myself for the girls we'll come across, how I'd chat them up, what type I'll go for, it's just so much to think about." A grin grew on Felix's face as he licked his lips, his tone becoming slightly eccentric. "You think there will be any tomboys at the café, ohh, or maybe the stern business type."
Felix sighed as he removed his hat from his shoulder. "I should've known," Marcus said with a chuckle. "Don't forget you said you'd help me find one too," Marcus added.
Felix looked back at Marcus and winked. "I got you," Felix said as the elevator chimed, its doors opening to reveal the busy lobby.
Exiting the elevator Marcus and Luna followed behind Felix as he quickly made his way through the lobby.
As they exited the hotel, Marcus felt a tinge of excitement as he fully absorbed the vibrant cityscape. It was a mixture of traditional architecture with a blend of modern technology, with the backdrop of tall skyscrapers in the distance.
The sidewalks were lively with crowded sidewalks and streets dominated by electric double-decker buses.
"Come on." Felix called out to Marcus while walking backward, "café isn't too far from here."
Marcus chuckled as he and Luna began following Felix, their fingers still intertwined.
"You certainly know a lot about this city," Marcus called out to Felix.
"Well duh," Felix said as he shrugged his shoulders. "My favorite team is here, Manchester Urban."
"You're a Man Urban fan?" Marcus asked.
Felix nodded as he turned the corner. "Yeah, I'm surprised you know about them bro, considering you're an American and all."
"I watch a little soccer, or football as you Europeans say, my favorite team is Nashville ST," Marcus replied with a proud smile.
Felix nodded his head with an approving smile. "Good team, I've seen a few of their highlights back when I had a research paper on Messy, I gotta say ASL was good to the old goat."
"Anyway." Felix continued as he gestured toward a small two-story building. "We're here."
The building was charming and elegant, with large windows that allowed for a glimpse into its cozy and modern interior.
"Come on." Felix said as he approached the café, "We got a mission to accomplish."