Walking back to her apartment, Three felt much lighter than she had before. She should make time for friends more often. Of course she would, but so often she felt lethargic or content to do nothing so long as she wasn't out on a mission or running errands. The effort it took to make plans and follow through on them had always deterred her from little get togethers like the one she'd just had. But maybe that should change. Her mood had been drastically improved, and she wouldn't mind feeling so alleviated more often. Strange, she thought, that such an unabashed misanthrope could find herself genuinely looking forward to future social interaction.
But like… it's not as though she were a pathetic shut in. No, she wasn't that bad, right? She should really give herself more credit. Her social life may not be the most extravagant out there, but at the very least it existed. She may not be the most sociable person, but she could hold a conversation with someone without fucking dying. Most of the time.
She supposed these past couple weeks would beg to differ. Between the embarrassing display she had shown after being asked out by Eight, the several road bumps which had occurred over the course of their first date and the rage she had experienced earlier that day towards her aunt. None of these examples spoke to a particularly competent individual, socially, emotionally or otherwise.
Okay while perhaps some credit was due, maybe not that much. She was an awkward, emotionally constipated mess. But that's why she should make more of an effort to spend time with those who care about her dumbass.
The walk back from the train hadn't taken too long. Of course, if not for stupid public super jumping laws, she could get around much faster. But… well… the super jump incident of a couple weeks ago was proof enough as to how much those laws were probably needed. Digressing, at least the walk wasn't too far from the train.
Pretty soon she was back home. The old, humble, little place was a testament to how much money she had to spend. But it wasn't as though she had expensive tastes, so it was fine. She stuck the key into the hole and turned. The door unlocked with a satisfying click, and pretty soon she was back in the familiar, comfortable setting of her home.
Everything was quiet and still. So it'd seem Eight hadn't gotten back yet. Her mind briefly wandered toward checking up on her through text but figured, nah, Eight is responsible and she'll be back when she's back. No need to fret. Though that meant the inkling would have to find something to do until her girlfriend got back. Uuughhh… She should like, find a hobby or some shit. All she really had was video games and watching TV. She wasn't really in the mood to play games, and she had been watching movies nonstop for the past couple weeks.
Well napping was always an option. Though her spirits may have been lifted, going out and meeting up with others still kind of took it out of her. She certainly wouldn't mind a nap. But then Eight would get back with her grand surprise and she wouldn't be awake to hear it. Sure, it could technically wait. But honestly, she found herself curious what the octoling had gotten up to. Especially with Four of all people.
Don't get her wrong, Four was cool and all. Kind of a jackass, though definitely towards the top of Three's list of people she didn't particularly want to strangle. But she hadn't ever considered that she and Eight would be two to spend one on one time together. Cod save Eight's soul, because that girl definitely required an impressive amount of patience.
Damn it, there wasn't anything to do. Well… maybe Eight would be back soon and she could pass the time just chilling out and listening to music.
That being as good an option as any, Three reached to grab her phone. But the jingling of keys outside caught her attention. As well as the distinct voices of a beautiful, sweet, and level-headed octoling as well as a lovable bastard of an inkling. Some higher power had taken notice of her plight and had made Eight's return home rather snappy. Halle-fucking-lujah.
The door opened and Three was met with the unsure faces of her friend and girlfriend.
"Heya Three," Four greeted. Her voice lacked its usual shit-eating-ness. "How are you?"
"Uh." The elder agent shifted her gaze to Eight, who gave her a nervous smile in return. Something was up. "I'm good, I guess. Are you?"
"Yeah, for sure." The yellow inkling replied with an unconvincing thumbs up. "Me and Eight did a thing and then we got ice cream. And then some other stuff happened."
"Well that's vague." Three unenthusiastically observed. Please for the love of it all, there better not be any bomb about to drop and decimate what temporary emotional solace she had only just obtained. The way the two were looking at her told her they had something to say, something which was making them nervous. And she didn't care for that shit at all, no sir. "Can you guys cut the crap and tell me why you're looking at me like you're about to tell me the Easter Sea Bunny isn't real."
Eight couldn't hold back a tiny smirk. "The what?"
Four turned to the octoling with an equal smirk of her own. "Up here, we tell our children a giant monstrous sea bunny gives them eggs full of candy and money. They're always really disappointed when they find out it's fake."
"The surface is so strange…" Eight noted. She looked at Three and flashed a smile. "I have good news and… well, not bad news necessarily. Just, like, moderately off-putting news? Which would you like first?"
Okay, well, may as well keep this emotional high going for as long as possible. Before the universe inevitably snuffed it out with a fearsome vengeance. Because Three just can't have nice things, can she? Ugh. Damn it all.
"Good news I guess." She answered with a shrug.
Eight clapped her hands together. Her face lit up, and looking at her giddy smile was almost enough to forget there was disconcerting information just over the horizon. "This was the surprise I was talking about. I'll probably have a job soon! Like a real one, with money and stuff."
"Wait for real?" Three returned Eight's grin. "That's great, Eight."
"I know right!" Eight bounced over to Three and wrapped her in a happy embrace. Eight's hugs were always super warm and comfy. Though Three did find her cheeks heating up as she realized they weren't alone in the room. Even more so when Eight gave her a gentle peck on the cheek.
"Uuugh, get a room." Four chimed in from where she stood.
"Fuck off." Three was the best at comebacks.
"Fuck you."
"No, you."
"Okay, children, please." Eight chuckled, her grip on Three loosening but not breaking off completely. "Sorry though, I'm just excited. I finally get to pay for things on my own. And help with rent."
Three's eyes widened a bit at that. "O-oh, Eight you really don't have to do that. It's my house, y'know? Rent is like, expensive and shit, and it wouldn't feel right asking you to…"
She was quieted by an Octarian hand being placed firmly over her argumentative lips. "Three, first off, it's our house now. I've been living here for a while. And that being the case, I feel like I should do my part once I have the income to do so. Take this as you will, but you're kind of poor."
Well she didn't need to be so damn blunt about it, jeez.
"But…"
"Dude," Four spoke up. Her arms were crossed and she had what could almost be called a parental-esque scowl on her face. "I very nearly killed Stephen getting Eight this job, and all she wants to do is help your sorry butt pay rent. Don't argue and just accept that you're going to have some extra spending money from now on."
"Who the hell is Stephen?"
"Nice guy," Eight said. "You've actually met him. Kind of. Anyways, I technically haven't been hired officially yet. But I helped out and he said he'd recommend me to his boss so…"
The inkling felt her chest swell with something. Pride, maybe? Fuzzy romantic feelings were still pretty new to her. "I… That's awesome Eight." Three felt the desire to do something here but… Her eyes flickered nervously over to Four who was staring right back at her with an incredibly smug and punchable look. Like she was just daring her to do it. That bitch. Okay, fine, PDA hasn't ever been her specialty, but Eight deserved it. After giving Four a quick and frustratingly insincere murderous glower, she turned back to Eight. "Er… I'm happy for you. Congrats… on the job thing. I-I guess you could help me out… if you wanted to." Eight nodded, her enthusiasm about paying bills was both bizarre and endearing. Her head bobbing was stopped however by the congratulations kiss Three pressed to her lips. An actual one mind you, not a peck.
The octoling hummed contently, tentacles swaying happily as she apparently cared far less than Three that they had company in the room.
The kiss lasted a few tender seconds and when they separated from one another, both their faces were hot and tinted bright with ink.
"That was so disgustingly sweet, I think I have diabetes." Four groaned.
"I will defenestrate you." Three warned, extending a finger to point menacingly in the younger squid's direction. "Don't try me."
"Ha!" She laughed, "I'm calling your bluff."
Motherfuc— you win this round, Four.
A couple seconds of silence passed before Three remembered the other bit of info she needed to be told. Clearing her throat, she awkwardly pulled away from her girlfriend, who still had a dreamy, starry eyed look all over her face. She almost didn't want to ask, but she knew it was inevitable. "So… what's the other news?"
"Ah…" Eight stopped. Her tentacles ceased their puppy like movement and she began to reach into the pocket of her sweatpants. "So, I uh, ran into your aunt earlier."
Of course it had to be that.
"You what?"
"Yeah," Eight said, pulling out a folded piece of paper. "She gave me this and told me to give it to you."
Three furrowed her brow and glared at the paper. The nerve of that woman, to use Eight as messenger after she'd been explicitly and aggressively told to piss off. She took the paper and turned it around in her hands. She kind of didn't want to unfold it.
"Um… so that letter goes into detail a little bit but…" Eight pulled nervously at the hem of her shirt. She began to sway a bit anxiously, as she prepared to add something, probably equally as infuriating, onto this second bit of news. "I-I don't want to get too into it… Cause I don't know a lot about it, but, um… I think… maybe it has something to do with your mom?"
Three stopped. The paper was held still in her hands.
"What was your mom's name?" Came Four, asking with great hesitation.
"Asami." Three responded, cold. "Why?"
"Maybe you should just read the note." The younger agent suggested.
And so she did. The paper was unfolded and everyone watched with anticipation for Three to find out the purpose of her auntie's visit.
She began to read.
