Work Text:
Concerts were always exhausting for Three. She loved her friends dearly but she also loved being able to hear, which in the area she was in wasn’t currently possible. The loud instruments banged as two angelic voices sang in unison. The music ignited a fire in the crowd, making them scream along with the artists.
To anyone else, it was beautiful, amazing even. Not to Three, never to Three. She always told herself one day she’d decline their offer but when Callie’s eyes shined like diamonds at her acceptance she just couldn’t deny it.
That and Marie’s threats.
Her ears twitched at the familiar beginning notes of Tide Goes Out; Marie’s hit single. It was made to promote the Final Fest, and both of them made their own songs which Callie never liked at all. She said it was the main reason why they drifted apart. Music connected them but it also broke them.
Three unplugged her ears when she noticed the familiar pink squid approaching her, her ears winced at the sudden noise. Callie thanked the staff, and rushed towards Three. She had a somber tone to her face. Three swore she briefly saw her eyes glossed but she never questioned it.
Although she wanted to, it probably wasn’t the best time as they were in a crowded area. Rumors could spread easily and that’s the least of what Callie wanted. The pop star sat down next to Three on the leather couches. She wasted no time leaning her head against the agent's shoulder.
Three wrapped a comforting arm around the idol, gently stroking her arm in what she hoped was a soothing manner. She was never one for touch until she met her newfound family. Marie was a tiny bit better at physical contact than Three, she had Callie all her life to mend her untouchable ways. For the agent it was different, the first time Callie gave her a hug she tackled the inkling in reflex, Marie won’t let her live that down.
Now it’s been a couple of years and she’s grown accustomed to Callie’s touch, she craved it even. Fortunately for her, Callie felt the same.
“How are you feeling?” She asked.
The idol grunted in response, snuggling further into her agent's shoulder. Three stiffened at the contact, although they had cuddled many times together it was usually in a private area, not in front of crowd. Personal displays of affection weren’t Callie’s cup of tea. Callie titled her head to look up at Three, studying her face curiously.
Astrid scrunched her nose, unsure why she was receiving such a funky look from the girl. Especially a look that made her stomach churn dangerously.
“What?” She whispered.
Callie placed her chin to rest on her shoulder, still giving her that same look. A look that had meaning to it, a look with something behind it. More than just adoration. Astrid grew increasingly nervous under her gaze, afraid of what she might say. Callie gave her a lopsided grin. Her notorious smile had Three’s hearts racing.
The pop star chuckled lowly, leaning in closer to whisper in her ear.
“We’ve literally made out together and you’re still a gay mess around me?”
Astrid's eyes widened from her remark.
“Callie!” Astrid sputtered, turning her face away from her. Callie cackled wickedly, wrapping her arms around her neck.
“Come onn it’s a bit funny.”
Astrid scoffed “Not to me…”
The agent huffed, crossing her arms like a child.
Callie smiled, placing a hand on her chin “Well, I think it’s cute,” Astrid looked back at Callie. “endearing really.” She finalized, resting her head back on the agent's shoulder.
Once again it left them in the same position they were in before. Three watched as Callie played with her fingers before interlocking them together. Three couldn’t help but wonder if they would always be together but it wasn’t safe to say for sure if they would. Callie lived a life of fame and Three lived her life normally. A life that wasn’t compatible with hers.
A life that would lead her down a dangerous path.
She knew the risks of liking Callie, she knew she should have stopped before they kissed. She felt weak for not stopping but it felt right. Even if it meant she’d get hurt in the process.
Three lifted her head when she noticed the song ended, signaling the end of the concert. Callie squeezed their hands briefly before letting go, she scooted away leaving some space between them.
Astrid's hearts fell.
Marie entered the room with a tired expression. Three knew she was also exhausted herself, secretly the distance was hurting her too. Marie mustered up a small smile toward her cousin, Callie, doing the same. Both waved at each other shyly causing Three to smile as well.
The pop star turned her attention to Astrid, giving her a pointed look. Another look with a different meaning. This time Astrid had a feeling it had to do with work. Her smile dropped slowly, dreading the conversation that was to come.
-
Marie placed the file on the table, scooting her chair out from the table. Astrid bit the inside of her cheek, rubbing her temple anxiously from the information she just received.
“And how long is this mission supposed to be?” Her eyes watched as Marie slid the file towards her.
Hesitantly she opened it.
“We don’t know but you need to leave and fast. Gramps is waiting for you.” Marie instructed.
Astrid paid no attention to her words, continuing to skim over the words. The agent furrowed her eyebrows at what she read.
Metrolink? Forest? 8-balls?
“Five to ten months?! Marie that’s-”
“I know.”
“I’m not doing this Marie.”
“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice.” Marie ordered
Astrid stood up from her chair handing the file back to her. The agent slammed the chair back in, grabbing her coat from the rack. Marie rushed up, grabbing Astrids arm before she could leave.
“Astrid.”
“No.” She shrugged her hand off, putting her arms through the sleeves.
“Astrid if you don’t do this Callie will.” Marie gritted “And we both care about her too much to let that happen.” Astrid froze, her feet stuck to the ground as her mind tried to comprehend the revelation.
“What?”
Marie huffed grabbing the file “I bet you didn’t even read that.” She showed the inkling the page, pointing directly at the words listed. “Agent 1 is the substitute. Meaning she’d be gone, doing cod knows what with gramps. Near the enemy.” Marie shoved the file in her hands once again.
“And you care for her far too much to let that happen.” Marie crossed her arms, unsure of herself. Astrid gripped the file tightly, shaking her head at the pop star.
Astrid glared at Marie knowing exactly that her plan had worked. Three had told Marie she didn’t want to go on long missions anymore but of course that wouldn’t have worked for long.
“You’re a manipulative bitch.” Astrid scoffed “I told you, I told you no and yet you still have to be so persistent-”
“I’m not the one who assigned this mission Three.” Marie spat “Gramps did and I’m sorry that you took this job you signed that contract.” The idol rolled her eyes.
Astrid furrowed her eyebrows, unfortunatly she was right. She did sign the contract, she followed Gramps into the sewer. She had no choice.
Marie sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder “It’s just this one mission, it might not even take long. It’s just information Gramps wants. Next time I’ll do it but just this once…I dont want to lose Callie even more than I already am.” She patted the inklings shoulder before retracting it.
Astrids ears dropped, she did want Callie and Marie to get along like they used to again. Maybe this mission wouldn’t be so bad. It was only a couple of months surely not much would change right? A simple mission too, it would be fine at least she hoped.
“Fine…I’ll do the mission.” Astrid caved.
Marie smirked “Great, I have a couple of more things to go over and then you’ll need to meet Gramps…” Marie walked away, grabbing a ton of papers and looking through them.
Astrid mentally smacked herself at the amounts of paperwork that were set waiting for her. All that was left was for something unexpected to occur which could completely turn her whole life around. She watched as Marie prepared the coffee pot, talking animatedly about her mission which was near a metrolink.
Huh a metrolink…what could possibly go wrong?