Marcus trudged through the empty hall of the dormitory. It seemed that the majority of students were in the main building.
Marcus couldn't care less however, his mind was swirling with frustration and exhaustion. He honestly didn't care much for Kinsley's "care". He knew that she probably believed that she was doing the right thing, so he couldn't judge her too much.
But he could do without her taking Luna. Although he trusted her enough to watch her, Luna was still his, no matter what anyone said.
Upon reaching Kinsley's room, Marcus quickly unlocked the door and slipped inside.
Closing the door behind himself, Marcus began to undress. Stripping himself of his blood-stained clothes, and tossing them to the corner with his bag.
He then grabbed a change of clothes and headed toward the bathroom.
Stepping inside he placed his clothes in the sink and entered the shower.
During his shower, Marcus' mind sped through this morning's events, replaying them on a loop.
He had finally met Mayflower, now known as Paul.
Normally he would've been ecstatic right about now, but he couldn't enjoy it. The argument with Kinsley continued to bite at him, dragging down his mood.
After finishing his shower and cleaning himself up, Marcus switched into his new clothes before pulling his laptop out of his bag.
He placed the laptop on the bed, then reached for his phone to call Dr. Fletcher.
The phone rang for several seconds before she eventually answered.
"Good afternoon Marcus." Dr. Fletcher said, "I'm assuming you're calling about your investigation?" She asked.
Marcus nodded as he sat on Kinsley's bed. "Yeah, I met with Mayflower, and I'm supposed to meet with him again tomorrow." Marcus said with a sigh, "But calling because I want to know if I should send you a typed report or not."
"I would appreciate a report, yes." Dr. Fletcher answered.
Marcus nodded as he opened his laptop, "All alright, I'll send it soon." Marcus then pulled the phone from his ear and hovered his thumb over the hang-up button.
"Marcus." Dr. Fletcher said in a slightly concerned voice.
"Yeah?" He replied, moving his thumb away from the button.
"You sound saddened, may I ask what caused it?" She asked curiously.
Marcus sighed, "It's nothing, I'm just tired."
"Are you lying?" Dr. Fletcher asked coldly.
Marcus felt a shiver run down his spine and radiate through his body. "Y-yea." He stammered, "but it has nothing to do with the mission. He explained.
"Tell me." She responded.
Marcus wasn't afraid of Dr. Fletcher's probing, he was more shocked that she had asked.
Marcus signed as he tried to find the words. "My….. Kinsley," Marcus began, "I've been staying with her while investigating The Kiba group, yesterday it was fine." Marcus said with a small smile, "But today, she got mad when I showed up covered in blood."
Dr. Fletcher was quiet for a moment, "you've been staying with her?" She asked, "Was the housing I provided not sufficient?"
"No." Marcus hurriedly answered, "It was perfect, it's just, that I haven't seen Kinsley since I first met her two months ago, I missed her." Marcus explained, "We've been texting and calling when we could, but well….."
Dr. Fletcher chuckled softly. "I'm only teasing Marcus, as long as it doesn't hinder the investigation it's perfectly fine to stay with her."
A relieved chuckle escaped from Marcus.
"But tell me Marcus, what exactly was the argument about?" She asked.
"Kinsley wanted to know why I showed up in tattered clothes that were covered in blood." Marcus said with a sigh, "And I didn't tell her, so she got mad, and went on about how strange it was or whatever. I only got away because some nosey students were watching our fight, so she just sent me to her room."
"I see." Dr. Fletcher said in a reflective tone, "But Marcus, you do realize it's not normal to walk around in such a questionable state." She explained, "You're drawing attention to yourself."
Marcus sighed, "So what, am I supposed to just carry a change of clothes everywhere I go?"
"Not necessarily, no." Dr. Fletcher answered, "But you should have plans in place for these situations." Dr. Fletcher explained, "especially when returning to areas where you're known."
"What would you suggest?" Marcus asked as he leaned his back against the wall.
"Well, first you should learn to avoid taking serious damage altogether if you can." She began, "Because even if you can heal yourself, you can heal your clothing, also healing drains ether, that same ether you use for fighting."
Marcus nodded, "I understand."
"Secondly, if your clothes are ruined, then having a spare set wouldn't be the worst idea." She explained, "Having a simple shirt and a pair of shorts with you at all times could make quite the difference. That is you could have Luna meet you with new clothes whenever you need them."
Marcus felt that these were good suggestions, he would definitely have to expand on these and find what works. "Thanks, I never really put much thought into it, but you're right."
"I'm not finished." Dr. Fletcher said with a soft laugh. "For my last piece of advice, I suggest you become more open with Kinsley."
"But– "
"I don't mean the organization and its secrets." Dr. Fletcher said, clarifying herself, "I mean with your wellbeing. you don't have to open up right away but talk to her about how you feel, and ask her how she feels. Who knows, it may lead to your relationship from puppy love, to something more… intense."
Marcus' eyes widened.
"Like sex?" He whispered nervously. He had never done it, mostly because he was just a loner, but also because his mother was pretty strict on those sorts of things. "I… I don't think I'm ready for that."
"I meant love…." Dr. Fletcher said with a sigh.
"O-oh." Marcus replied softly, his cheeks and ears red hot, "I knew that."
Dr. Fletcher chuckled. "I'm sure you did, but yes, allowing yourself to open up to Kinsley will open the door to a deeper relationship, similar to that of which you share with Luna."
Marcus nodded.
He remembered what Luna had told him about Dr. Fletcher's suggestions. Looking back on it, Marcus never would've thought Luna would become so close to him, yet now he couldn't imagine what life would be like without her.
"I don't think I ever thanked you for that, for pushing Luna to get closer to me," Marcus said with a small smile.
"And you'll never have to, because all I'm offering is a gentle push." She explained, "Luna already liked you she just didn't know it until she experienced it. Just like you don't know what loving another person romantically is, until you–"
"Experience it," Marcus answered, finishing her sentence. "I'll give it a try." He said with a small smile, "But after I get that report to you."
"Way to stay on task Marcus." She said, chuckling softly. "I'll be looking forward to it." She replied, before hanging up the phone.
Marcus smiled to himself as he pocketed his phone. He then reached over to his laptop and logged in.
He quickly began typing a report of today's events regarding Mayflower, who was now known as Paul. He went into details about the conversations held, the car he drove, the place he found him, his associates, the mercenaries and stolen equipment, everything.
By the time he was done, an hour had passed.
Marcus reread his report to ensure nothing was left out, before submitting the report. He then closed his laptop and placed it back into his bag, after which he decided to take a nap.
Today had been a mix of excitement and frustration, and it had taken its toll.
— — —
While Marcus slept, Kinsley had finished the last of her classes and was now walking with Luna to find Kira and Cora.
"I thought we were getting Marcus a gift?" Luna asked curiously as she followed behind Kinsley hand in hand.
"We are." Kinsley replied, "But I just want to check on my friends before I head out." She explained.
Luna sighed but remained silent.
As she and Kinsley walked the halls of the main building, they soon came across a group of girls dressed in shorts and T-shirts.
They all looked to be just as fit and athletic as Kinsley.
"Kins!" One of the girls called out to Kinsley, she was on the shorter side, around 5,5 or 5,4. She had short blue hair and brown eyes. "What are you in a rush for, hun?" She asked, her accent deeply southern.
Kinsley smiled briefly, "Hey Debra, I'm looking for Kira and Cora, have you seen them?"
Debra nodded, "Yep, that was walking around lookin' for you kins." She said with a chuckle, "I told them you'd be at the pitch, now that it's open and all."
Kinsley nodded. "Thanks, Debra, I'll catch you later ya?"
Debra raised an eyebrow, "later?" She asked skeptically. "You ain't coming to practice?"
"Not yet, I promise to take Luna to a shop nearby, then I have to see Marcus."
"Who's Marcus," Debra asked with confusion, she then looked down at Luna, "And who's that little lady?" She asked with a smile.
"Marcus is…. He's my…." Kinsley struggled, her face reddened as her expression grew complex. She then gestured to Luna, "This is his sister, Luna, she's sticking with me for a bit."
Debra nodded as she crossed her arms, "Well, don't be late getting back, can't do it without the second best." Debra said with a wink.
Kinsley smirked, "Don't get lost in the clouds Debra, I'll take your spot soon enough." She said with a challenging grin.
Debra chuckled, "Well, this year's your chance, so shoot for the stars." She then continued on her way to the group she arrived with following behind her.
Kinsley watched them leave for a brief second before turning to continue down the hall.
Luna had a curious expression on her face but remained silent.
Upon stepping outside, Kinsley quickly made her way to the girl's training field. Reaching the pitch, Kinsley spotted Kira and Cora chatting with a few of Kinsley's teammates.
"Eh, that's weird, I've never seen kids miss practice." One of the players said with a head scratch.
Kira sighed, "So you haven't seen her?" She asked.
The player shook her head, "No, if I had to guess she's probably with Debra, rounding up the rest of the team."
Cora, who had been silently standing to the side, looked over at the approaching Kinsley. "There she is." She said softly with a point.
Kira turned to look in the direction Cora was pointing. Upon seeing Kinsley a relieved expression spread across her face. "Kinsley, are you alright?" She asked softly.
Kinsley nodded as she approached Kira. "Yeah I'm fine, I got your text, you wanted to see me?"
Kinsley's teammate raised an eyebrow. "Is everything alright?" She asked, looking over at Kinsley.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Kinsley replied to her teammate.
Kira frowned, "what happened with you and Marcus?" Kira asked bluntly.
Kinsley frowned. "How did you…."
"Who's Marcus?" Kinsley's teammate asked in confusion.
"He's not important," Kira said with a frown, turning her attention back to Kinsley. "What's this about you arguing near the main building entrance?" She asked, "What did he do?"
Luna, who was listening from the side frowned. "Marcus didn't do anything!" She said defensively.
"Who is that?" Kinsley's teammate asked, pointing at Luna.
Kira sighed as she pointed toward the training field. "Could you be a meathead somewhere else, please?" She asked without looking at her.
The player rolled her eyes before stepping away, mumbling under her breath.
Kira then crossed her arms, "Well Kinsley?" She asked impatiently, "I need to know because they're rumors about you arguing with him."
Kinsley groaned. "Nothing bad happened, I was just worried about him, and he got a little defensive about what he's been doing, it's nothing serious."
"Was he cheating?" Kira asked.
Kinsley's face reddened, "how could he cheat if we aren't dating?" She asked, "he was just a little beat up, and I wanted to know what happened."
"Well did he tell you?" Kira asked.
"No, a group of students started watching us, so I just sent him back to my room."
Kira nodded, "are you ok?" She asked.
Kinsley nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Good, because I was worried my favorite love birds were breaking up already." Kira teased as she sighed a breath of relief.
"Seriously?" Kinsley asked, "We could've just called!"
Kira chuckled, "Nope, I had to verify in person."
Kinsley rolled her eyes, "So is that all mum?" She asked sarcastically.
Kira nodded, "Yep, I'll be in the art department if you need anything." She said as she gestured for Cora to follow her. "See you later cutie," Kira said with a quick wave to Luna.
Luna waved at Kira, watching as they left. She then turned her attention to Kinsley. "Can we go to the store now?" She asked.
Kinsley smiled, "Let's go."