The rest of the week passed by in a flash, by the time it had reached Sunday Marcus was caught off guard and reeling from the implications.
Lance was standing in their room with his arms crossed and a relaxed, yet stern expression.
"Well boys, today's your last day in the city, you have until five in the afternoon to get any last-minute plans completed." Lance said with a sign as he rotated his neck, "If you run off and do something stupid, or if you're late coming back, I'll make you run back to the complex on foot, you understand?"
Marcus and Felix nodded in unison.
"Any questions?" Lance asked.
"yes sir!" Felix said, raising a hand in the air like a child in kindergarten.
Lance sighed as he reached a hand for his forehead. "Drop the sir crap, Felix, you need to act better, especially since…." Lance trailed off, shaking his head before turning his attention back to Felix, "anyway what's your question?"
Felix grinned mischievously. "Lieutenant, we've met some girls out in the city, and we've been getting to know them this past week, and I was wondering, is it possible if we could keep in contact with them?"
Lance nodded. "Sure, that phone you've been given has all the normal uses of a regular smartphone, the only difference is that we have an AI algorithm on it to watch for sensitive data, so if you don't mind an AI seeing all your messages, you're fine."
"What happens if sensitive data is detected?" Felix asked curiously.
"Then the punishment will be chosen accordingly, from losing your phone privileges to being put to death," Lance answered bluntly.
"I see," Felix answered, his voice shaken as his smile faltered. "But Lieutenant, does sensitive data only relate to the organization, like if I send a picture of my muscles I won't be exposed right?"
"Correct, you can share anything that isn't related to the organization and its duties." Lance answered, "But out of respect for those girls, keep the pictures tame boys."
Felix's smile returned. "Of course sir." Felix said as he stood up from beside Marcus on his bed, "But if you'll excuse me, I need to chat with Kira before I'm confined to that soulless place again."
Marcus chuckled as he stood up from his as well.
"Remember." Lance said in a stern tone, "No horsing around, and be back before five."
"Got it!" Felix called out as he left the Hotel room.
"I understand," Marcus said with a nod as he and Luna exited the hotel room hand in hand.
Lance watched the boys enter the elevator and descend to the lobby with a faint smile on his face. Then with a chuckle, she shook his head as he closed their room door.
Stepping outside Felix immediately began calling Kira, the phone began ringing briefly before a tired voice picked up on the other side.
"Felix?" Kira called out with a yawn, "Why are you calling so early?" She asked curiously, her tone still sluggish, however.
"It's only seven." Felix said with a chuckle, "But we need to talk, and if you can, bring Kinsley because this involves Marcus as well." Felix's tone had turned semi-serious, a first for Kira.
"Is everything ok?" Kira asked urgently, the sound of her bed rustling echoed in the background.
"Yeah." Felix said with a nod of his head, "It's just, that I need to say this to you in person, it's big." Felix said hesitantly.
"Felix, I don't like how you're talking, are you sure everything is ok?" Kira asked the sound of water running sounded in the background.
Felix sighed as he glanced over at Marcus, who gave him a nod.
"We're leaving soon," Felix answered. "In the afternoon soon." He clarified.
Kira fell silent, Marcus could only imagine her expression, it was probably filled with confusion and concern.
"What?" Kira finally answered. "What do you mean you're leaving?"
"Our job." Felix answered, "We were here on a break of sorts, but Kira I want to discuss this in person, so can we?" Felix asked.
"Y-yeah." Kira stammered, "Just send me the location."
"Cool, I'll see you soon," Felix answered before ending the call. He then sighed heavily as he glanced over at Marcus. "You got a spot in mind?" Felix asked with a smile.
Marcus sighed as he placed a hand on his shoulder, Marcus thought long and hard about all the spots they visited throughout the city, until eventually he remembered the very first spot Felix brought him to, the café, where everything started.
"We can do café Blanc," Marcus answered. "End it where it started."
Felix nodded. "Good idea." He replied as he typed in the address and sent it to Kira, "But we aren't ending anything, I'm going to convince her to make it here, what about you?"
Marcus shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know," Marchers answered. "I like Kinsley, I really do, but I don't have experience with relationships, let alone one held together over long distances."
Felix's expression turned perplexed as he pocketed his phone. "We have to try bro," Felix answered, his tone was reassuring, but Marcus couldn't tell if Felix was trying to convince him or himself.
"But it was you who said it was unlikely Felix." Marcus replied, "Girls as beautiful as they are, probably aren't interested in long distance, that's what you said."
"I know what I said!" Felix shouted in an outburst, his emerald green eyes darting around. "I know what I said," he repeated, softer this time.
Marcus could see the frustration and unease that oozed from Felix's actions. It was obvious that his friend was struggling with the idea of losing Kira, his earlier bravado long gone, replaced by a Felix was was uncertain and scared.
"Yes, I said that." Felix said, taking a deep breath as he covered his face with his hands, "But I was lying to myself, Marcus." Felix admitted. "I was trying not to get attached, but I guess I failed huh?" Felix said with a chuckle, he wasn't laughing with joy, but with disappointment.
Besides the simulations, this was the first time Marcus had seen Felix actually become emotional.
It was a shock to see someone he associated with the pinnacle of calm and relaxed, become everything but.
"You really like this girl, don't you?" Marcus asked, reaching out a hand to place on his shoulder.
Felix nodded. "Yes, I do Marcus."
"I do." He repeated again.
Marcus took a moment to reflect on his own feelings for Kinsley. His weren't as strong as Felix's were, but it was because Marcus barely knew what to look for, all he knew was that he liked Kinsley and that he wanted to know more about her.
He wanted to experience what Felix was feeling, the intense emotions that made you lash out and lie to yourself to repress them.
"Let's do it, Felix." Marcus said with a grin, "Let's convince them together."
Felix's shoulders relaxed as he looked up to Marcus. "Thank you, bro." He said, a wave of relief washing over him. "I appreciate this." He said, his voice steadier.
The two friends walked together side by side, with Luna between them.
As they walked through the calm sidewalks, the city seemed to slowly come to life as the sun rose higher in the sky, casting long shadows on the pavement.
They reached the café that started it all, a quaint and atmospheric place that held a cozy ambiance and smelled of freshly ground coffee and baked goods.
They entered the café and immediately noticed Kira and Kinsley sitting at the same table they were when Felix and Marcus first arrived. Their faces are a mixture of concern and fear.
They both looked as if they had rushed out of bed and quickly got dressed, both having a bad case of bedhead and wrinkled clothing that didn't match.
"Hey," Felix said calmly, sliding into a seat beside Kira. "Glad you made it."
Kira nodded. "Yes, but Felix what's going on, what's this about you leaving?"
Felix glanced over at Marcus, who gave him a quick nod. "It's our job." Marcus answered, speaking up for Felix, "This break was temporary, and we don't know when we'll get another one."
"Your jobs?" Kira asked. "I don't understand, you don't work in Manchester?"
"Not exactly." Felix chimed in. "But we can't go into detail about what we do, I hope you understand."
Kira narrowed her eyes. "So what? Are you just leaving, I don't understand."
Felix took a deep breath as he leaned closer towards Kira. "My job requires me to leave, but we can still call and text, so I'm hoping that you're interested in long-distance. At least until I can visit again."
"Long distance?" Kira asked in disbelief, "You can't be serious."
Felix looked hurt by her response but continued. "I'm not asking for us to be exclusive or anything, I just want to maintain what we have, at least until I can figure out a stable schedule."
"Felix," Kira said with a sigh. "I-I can't agree to that, it would be like I'm dating my phone, not to mention the school and the projects I'm working on, and we'd barely have time to talk."
Felix's eyes began to water as his hands began trembling. "Kira I just, please just give it a chance, that's all I ask, just a chance, if it doesn't work out then so be it. But please don't let it end here."
Kira's eyes filled with sympathy as she shook her head. "I'm sorry Felix, I appreciate your honesty, but I can't imagine long distance, that takes a commitment that I'm not willing to give a man I just met."
Felix's face fell into despair as he dropped his head, he looked down at his trembling hands, tears dropping onto them like a tap dripping water into a sink. "I thought….. maybe…." Felix's words fell to a whisper as he began mumbling incoherently.
Kira reached for a handout, squeezing his arm gently in an attempt to provide comfort. "I like you Felix, I really do, but I know myself, and I'm not ready for something as complex as long distance."
Kira continued to comfort Felix, gently rubbing his arm as he quietly mumbled to himself.
Marcus had unknowingly been squeezing Luna during the entire interaction, causing her to hit the side of his face with her small hand.
"Marcus you're hurting me." She whispered.
"S-sorry." Marcus stammered as he immediately released Luna.
Marcus glanced over at Felix, who looked up to him with red-rimmed eyes, and tear-streaked cheeks.
Marcus bit his bottom lip as he glanced over at Kinsley, who had been watching the interaction unfold, the same as him.
Kinsley realized Marcus was looking at her, and returned his gaze, causing Marcus to shake his head.
He wasn't even going to try.
"Well," Marcus said softly as he helped Luna out of his lap. "Still got a few hours left, wanna play some games?"
"Marcus wait," Kinsley called out to him as he stood up from his seat.
Marcus paused, a lump forming in his throat as his heart began pounding. He slowly turned to face Kinsley with a concerned expression, "Look, I won't ask." Marcus said with a feigned smile, "Save us both the trouble."
"Marcus no." Kinsley said softly, "I-I, can we talk outside?" Kinsley stammered over her words as she stole glances at Felix and Kira.
Oh shit, Marcus thought, she's trying to expose him outside!
"Kinsley please." Marcus pleaded, "You really don't have to."
Kinsley stood up from her seat, her expression a mixture of fear and determination. "Please, Marcus." Kinsley said with a sigh, "It'll just be a moment." She insisted, her tone soft but firm.
Marcus felt a sense of dread as his heart began pounding. Sweat dripped down his forehead as his hands began trembling.
"O-ok." Marcus stammered, he looked down at Luna and gave her a reassuring nod before lifting her into his chair. "Uhm, watch Felix for me please." He said with a nervous smile, before joining Kinsley outside the café.
The warm morning air hit Marcus as they stepped outside. A stark contrast to the chilled atmosphere of the café.
Kinsley guided Marcus to one of the tables outside the café and sat him down, she then sat across from him and glanced out onto the busy city streets.
"I don't believe in giving up on things I care about." Kinsely began, her voice trembling slightly. "I know we just met, but I…. I think you're…. You're cool Marcus." Kinsley stammered as she fumbled with her fingers.
Marcus nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. "I think you're cool too," Marcus replied nervously.
He wasn't quite sure where this going, was she rejecting him, or was she giving him advice?
"Long distance is hard, I won't deny that, and Kira was right about it basically like being with your phone unless you're willing to drop a thousand on a mixed reality headset."
Marcus nodded once more, curious as to where this was going.
"I-I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm willing to try Marcus, I know I'm not small and petite like most girls, and you probably think I'm stupid and grumpy, and…. am I rambling?" She asked herself. "Shit, I'm totally rambling, I'm sorry Marcus," Kinsley said with a sigh as she covered her face.
Marcus was dumbfounded.
There was no way this could be happening, but then what could it be? Marcus asked himself.
Deciding would be better to ask, Marcus decided to do just that. "Are you saying you like me too?" Marcus asked curiously.
Kinsley looked at Marcus with a perplexed expression, she stared at him intensely before smiling, she then laughed as she nodded her head.
"Yes, Marcus." Kinsley admitted, "I do, at least I think I do, so even though you have to go, I was wondering if maybe I could get your information?" Kinsley asked hesitantly.
Marcus smiled as he nodded his head rapidly. "Y-yeah." He stammered, "I mean, it's what you want right."
Kinsley nodded as he reached into her pocket to retrieve her phone, she then reached it out towards Marcus with a warm smile on her face as tears of joy rolled welled up in her eyes.
Marcus couldn't help but laugh and chuckle, his happiness was overwhelming and he didn't know how to express it. He reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone, he then held it near Kinsley's phone, and after a brief moment, a notification popped up on both their phones.
Both parties accepted the notification, and their information was exchanged.
Both Marcus and Kinsley sat there giggling and smiling, neither party knew how to respond after confirming their intentions to stay in contact.
Suddenly, Felix, Kira, and Luna emerged from the café. Felix looked completely devastated and drained, his eyes burning red and his shoulders slumped. Luna was beside him with a neutral expression, and Kira looked rather drained herself.
"You two look happy." Kira said with a small smile, "All good news I hope."
Kinsley turned around to look at Kira with a genuine smile. "Yeah, yeah we're going to work it out." She answered.
Kira glanced at Marcus and nodded her head in approval. "Good, because believe it or not you two are like peas on a pod." Kira said with a chuckle, "Did I say it right Marcus?"
Marcus nodded, "couldn't have said it better myself."
Felix, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke up. "I'm going back to the hotel, I need to lay down for a bit bro." His tone was emotionless and dead.
Marcus's smile quickly faded as he nodded in understanding. "R-right, I'll come with you."
"It's cool bro," Felix said blankly as he stepped away. "Enjoy your time with Kinsley."
Luna, looked slightly conflicted as she looked between Felix and Marcus.
Marcus noticed her predicament and called her name. "Luna." He said softly.
Luna turned to look at Marcus curiously.
"Can you take care of him for me? I'll be back soon." Marcus said with a warm smile.
Luna nodded as she quickly chased after Felix, slowing down only once she matched his pace.
Marcus watched them for a second before finally turning his gaze back to Kira. "So what are you going to do?" Marcus asked.
Kira shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, but I need to be alone for a minute too."
Soon Marcus and Kinsley were left alone, with a few hours to kill before Marcus had to go back to the hotel.
"Do… you want to go to the park?" Kinsley asked casually, "Just the two of us?"
Marcus nodded. "I don't see why not." He said with a smile, "But are you sure you're fine like that?"
Kinsley shrugged her shoulders. "I don't care what anyone thinks but you." She said with a giggle.
"Then let's go," Marcus said with a grin as he reached out a hand to Kinsley.