attention on Three. The way he held her hand, dragged her who knows where. They must have been walking for at least twenty minutes or so, but truly, it didn’t feel all that long at all. ]

[ She huffed, though a smile still tugged at the corners of her lips. ]

You’re killin’ me here! How far are you takin’ me?

[ Not as though the distance was any problem for an agent, no less a hike, but didn’t he know how impatient she was?

Trying her hardest to be patient, she focused her

I’m DYING to know what texts between the two of you look like.

I love peeking at Marie’s messages

Ooooh! Is this part of our date!!

[ Not like it was a floor length dress, anyways. The agent tightened the laces on her sneakers and swept a tentacle behind her ear, bright yellow and turning green at the tips. Her voice was a little quieter with her next words. ]

You can, um. Lead the way now. I’m ready.

[ Four sputtered a bit in surprise at the question, giving him a look and a half laugh. ]

Your date includes a hike, and I’m in THIS? If I knew that, I would’ve put shorts on—!

Just kiddin’. Even if Mar had me in frills ‘n lace I would’ve kicked octarian ass. …Don’t tell Octavio I said that.

Hey man I don’t think they liked that

Hm. They keep, uh. Poppin’ up.

They’re outside

Omigosh…who is he…….

[ Squeezing his hand, she caught up to his stride and bumped his shoulder. ]

[ She hurried after him as he pulled her along by the hand, shutting the door with a swift kick before bounding down the sidewalk. Her head was in a daze, light and cloudy, guided by the sun. ]

A hint, at least? You wouldn’t leave your agent in the dark about a mission, would you?

Do I get to know where you’re taking me, or is it a surprise?

[ She allowed him to take her hand, struggling to keep her eyes on his. But the smile on her lips wide and never-ending. ]

Shouldn’t you become possessive over me /after/ the first date?

[ A snicker followed, sweeping her free hand through her tentacles. The other hand squeezed his. ]

[ Stupid. Of course he was. He was waiting on /her,/ after all. She took another second to catch her breath, and hopefully stop tripping pitifully over her words. ]

And there was a little white ribbon on her head, and a little gloss on her lip. Good enough. Right? Right??? ]

Uhh.

[ Now she felt silly, standing in the doorway, all dolled up. It didn’t really feel like her. And—wait. What if this was just a friend date? Fuck, FUCK! ]

I-I’m. Are you ready?

would have been a turn off for her Captain…but if he already somewhat liked her company, then this should be fine.

Her dress was a bit wrinkled, but it was all black and dotted with little sunflowers. She thought a simple pair of sneakers would be fine—yellow went with her tentacles, after all.

her but she never really put into practice, and…there. One glance into the mirror, and the agent decided it was good enough.

Somewhat frazzled and a bit out of breath, she SLAMMED open the door to her bedroom and locked eyes with Three. She’d never been the most elegant of people, which she thought

[ Four was practically sprinting through her room to get ready, hurriedly throwing clothes around an already disorganized space. This dress, those shoes…sure, sure. That would work. Her hands were clammy and shaking as she hastily applied eyeliner, something Marie had tried multiple times to teach

she threaded their fingers together. With a little tug, he was inside her apartment. ]

Make yourself at home, will ya? I can’t be your Valentine lookin’ a hot mess. Gimme ten minutes, TOPS. Okay?

[ His lack of an answer spoke volumes. Or, at least, she hoped it did. Hated the jealousy over an imaginary situation that stirred in the pit of her stomach. ]

It’s not. It’s really well written!

[ And she meant it, sincerely. Her hand, though her hearts were pounding, slipped into Three’s before

just yet, Four cleared her throat and put a hand to her face. You know. To stop him from seeing how red she’s become. ]

Y…you’ve made one of these for all the agents, right? Surely?

[ Her voice grew quiet. So much for the confidence. ]

Or. Or is this just—for me?

[ The grin on her face was evident, even behind hiding the letter, and all too wide. She stole a few glances up at Three as she read it, taking in the rosiness of his cheeks and the softness in his forest green eyes. This…was too good to be true, right? Right?

Not letting go of her cool bravado

down. No, she’s not blushing…that much. ]

[ Eyebrows raise at the envelope, taking it gently in her hands. ]

Woah. Looks fancy.

[ After rubbing sleep out of her eyes, she carefully pries the seal open to take out the letter. It’s on nice paper, smooth and all in pink. Her eyes glance up at his, looking so eager, before she looks back

[ She stifles a laugh. He looks so…earnest, and sincere. Four responds with a little salute. ]

I’m awaiting my orders, Captain.

[ She’s barely up: still in pajamas, tentacles a mess, sleep in her eyes. But she answers the door anyways. ]

…Three? What’re you doin’ here?

to Three. To pretend they didn’t have this silly back and forth. That she could tell him she liked him.

But she knew what he’d say. So, this would do. ]

but you smelled rancid.

[ She pressed her cheek to his shoulder, breathing deeply, then looked up at him. ]

But she was wrong about that. Th…the second thing, I mean. …I like the scent of your cologne.

[ …Ah. Four felt her face warming, but she didn’t want to move. Anything to let her be close