Chapter Fourteen: Bridging the Gap
Marie and Agent Four wake up to a phone call that rang five minutes before their intended alarm. The ringing cycled twice before Agent Four finally reached for phone only to realize it was Marie's phone that was ringing. He reached over Marie who physically begged him to answer the call.
"Hello," Marie finally rested, "who is this?"
"Oh, hi Agent Four, I was going to tell her to tell you abou-ah whatever, come by the studio, I need you to pick up something important here. It's for you. Marie can come to, just f.y.i., see ya later," Pearl's voice swiftly enacted.
"Who, and what was it," Marie asked through her pillow.
Agent Four took the pillow away to ensure that she does not suffocate herself before answering, "Pearl wanted me to pick something up at their studio. She never said anything about what it is."
Marie sat up, "I think I know what it is, come on, you drive, you're more awake than I am."
Agent Four swiftly stood up at the foot of the bed and stretched. Both him and Marie changed into their usual casual clothing, and head off without eating breakfast first. Agent Four and Marie were confused as to what object Agent Four is tasked to pick up.
The vehicle was parked behind the studio and a knock came knocking behind Marina and Pearl. Marina approached the door as Pearl lifted open a box to grab the item.
"Good morning you two, I hope you had a wonderful night with the new door," Marina greeted.
"A metal door will most likely not smash onto the floor, thank you Marina," Marie greeted back with a smile.
Pearl came behind Marina with a familiar neon yellow article of clothing.
"So we heard that Agent Four's clothes were ripped," Pearl stated holding up a new Hero Suit.
"Don't do it during work Marie!" Marina teased as she bumped Marie's elbow.
Admittedly, Marie found the joke funny and let out a chuckle.
Pearl held the suit up to Agent Four, who was half awake and did not notice Pearl approaching him. The outline of the suit surrounded Agent Four's silhouette, which suggested a snug fit.
"I told you it would fit Marina!" Pearl announced in excitement.
Marina crossed her arms and chuckled, "I guess I was wrong for the first time!"
Pearl fired back relentlessly, "Weird because the Splatfests say otherwise."
"Pearl," Marina groaned.
"Sorry Reena," Pearl whispered, regretting the comment.
Pearl threw the new hoodie at Agent Four, which just fell onto the ground, which only then did Agent Four noticed and picked it up. All the girls sighed as they watched Agent Four pick up the hoodie like a robot. Marina looked at Marie in a confused manner, however, Marie looked back with a straight face.
"You two really need to sleep earlier," Pearl commented before leaving the backroom.
"Pearl's right you know," Marina added before following closely.
Marie and Agent Four were left alone, as Agent Four held a less than pleasant face. Agent Four looks over at Marie as Marie looks back.
Marie swiftly steals the keys from Agent Four's pocket, "It's probably my turn to drive now."
For a while, Agent Four was only half conscious, only holding on to his new hoodie and answering to basic questions with basic answers. Only half way home did he take close notice of the yellow square that lays on his lap. He continues to inspect it, comparing the hoodie to the original one he was given. To him, it looked the same, the high neck piece, the thick outside layer, and the iconic yellow dye. Upon more inspection, he was reminded that his new hoodie was not modified. He needed those sleeves cut and the neck piece reduced. However, he began to feel that he should keep it the way it is, as Agent Three is the only one he knows has the ability to modify it, and he thinks he has done more harm than good. Agent Four thinks it will hurt Agent Three and their connection even more, if he were to visit. He will not rather pour salt onto the wound.
Marie parked the vehicle in the driveway and exited the vehicle. Agent Four echoed her actions and made his way to the front door. Marie opened the door and immediately rushed to the living room, where the security is alarming to a suspected break in. She disabled the security before Agent Four finally arrived inside. Marie turned around to face Agent Four's unclean face staring back at her like a mirror. She shook her head and looked at both his and her condition, and she was not impressed.
"Who's going to clean first," Marie asked in her most undignified tone.
Agent Four raised his hand in a comedic way, as to tell Marie that he was still alive. He began walking up the stairs, with Marie following close. Agent Four decided to hang his new hoodie in the closet, so he approached the closet and was reminded him of his modified vest. He stopped in front of his mangled top and his mind flew him across memories he did not want to encounter again. Agent Four shook his head and sighed.
Marie quietly peeked her head through the doorway, "You going yet?"
She entered the room and saw Agent Four looking down, "Still feeling guilty?"
Agent Four nodded, finally hanging his hoodie in the closet. Marie crossed her arms and looked down.
"Four, why do you still feel guilty," Marie releasing her curiosity.
"I don't know," Agent Four responded, "I haven't had this happen before. I guess I just feel too guilty to just forget about it. Like, maybe I actually have to fix what I broke."
Marie nodded, catching what Agent Four is throwing in the air. She slowly walked to Agent Four and cupped his face with her hands. Marie caressed and cleaned Agent Four's tentacles before pecking his lips. Agent Four released a smile that showed an ounce of pain behind the squinting eyes.
"I know you will never leave me," Marie placed a finger on Agent Four's mouth, "I know what kind of regret and pain you're talking about."
Agent Four slumped his head down, accepting how predictable he is. Marie kissed his head before using of her hands to leverage his chin to bring him back to eye level. She smiled as she removed lint and other balls of cotton stuck on his sweater, taking good care of his appearance.
"I trust you," whispered Marie, "fix it the way you see fit."
Agent Four smiled before kissing Marie with more than passion. Their mouths locked and the two became one for more than a moment. Ink was mixed, which both knew was a sign to each other of loyalty and trust. Agent Four slowly moved away from Marie, smiling back as he wrapped his arms around her figure. Marie pulled Agent Four to a hug, tightly, resembling the time Agent Four first watched the door to protect Marie.
"I don't want you to live with any regrets," Marie whispered as he adjusted his sweater to be symmetrical.
Marie finally finished, which she chuckled through and smiled, "The only regret I want you to live with is not dating me sooner."
Agent Four giggled at the remark before Marie smiled back with sincere approval, "Go ahead, finish your mission Agent Four."
Marie and Agent Four kissed once more before Agent Four was let go and was given the hanged hoodie. Agent Four was slipped the keys in his pocket before Marie sent him off to fix the damage he caused. Marie hopped that not only Agent Four would be forgiven, but also her, as she knew she muted Agent Three's want to meet Agent Four by not mentioning her existence. She hoped that Agent Three would fix Agent Four's new hoodie to suit him, like the days she once did not want to remember. Agent Four quickly head out to his old apartment where Agent Three lives. He drove while trying to suppress his thoughts, he wanted to arrive safe and alive.
Agent Three sits at the edge of her bed, collecting the small items that might be needed for her next run of Salmon Run. She honestly enjoyed the thrill of fighting enemies and threats much larger than her. Agent Three thought that maybe a shift of Salmon Run would take her mind out of her jealousy and envy. Then, a ringing heard from a box near the door. It was someone trying to communicate to her from the outside of the apartment. She walked over to the box, trying to keep her expectations from exploding beyond her control.
"Hey, its me," a familiar voice rang through the white box, "can we talk?"
Agent Three smiled with glee, but immediately masked a straight face, "Uh, sure, I'll go open the entrance."
Agent Four saw the inkrail ball fill with ink and he was allowed to ride the rail. He turned into a squid and rode the rail up to Agent Three's floor. He morphed back into a humanoid and started cleaning excess amount of ink. Agent Three poked her head out of the doorway, which Agent Four saw. She turned her head to where Agent Four was, and both's eyes connected. Agent Four walked till he was in front of the doorway, where Agent Three was.
"Agent Four," Agent Three smiled, "It's good to see you in a better manner."
"Hey, I don't know how to apologize to you," Agent Four started, "I just didn't know either..."
Agent Three leaned in and took the hoodie that Agent Four held behind him. He was surprised to see Agent Three examining the hoodie, instead of kicking him out or ripping it apart. She did what Pearl did and checked to see if the hoodie would fit Agent Four.
Agent Three nodded in a satisfactory way before laying the hoodie on her arm, "I think we can start with this."