Chapter Text
Markus was eating breakfast when the doorbell rang.
When he opens the front door, North stands there and grabs for Markus’ shoulders, shaking them.
“What the hell Markus Manfred?! You stupid lovable idiot!”
Getting a bit dizzy, Markus stops North from shaking him and asks “What are you talking about?”
“This!”
North holds up her phone that shows a video from a news station and presses play.
“This is just in, a brave act from a young man. Markus Manfred saves a life during police shooting.
Yesterday, a police shooting occurred in Parkinson Street. Four policemen were in pursuit of the wanted criminals from the deadly police chase the other day. One of the criminals escaped the building from the alleyway, wielding a gun. Two more policemen came to the scene, but the criminal started to shoot. Within the crossfire, a civilian was shot in the leg and was unable to move, exposed to the shooter.
That was when Manfred saw the injured man. Instead of running to safety like everybody else, he dragged him to safety behind a car.”
The video switched to a hospital room, where the injured civilian was laying on a bed.
“He pulled me to safety,” said the person “He saved my life.”
“Despite the fact that in the past, reporters had trouble contacting Manfred on public matters, hopefully, we can get insight soon on why he saved the civilian's life.”
The video ends and North gives him a scolding look.
“You could have been killed! And you didn’t tell us about it. Did you forgot or something?”
Markus gives North an apologetic face.
“I was framing my paintings for the gallery?”
North pinches the bridge of her nose, closes her eyes, and gives out a long weary sigh.
“Uh. I made muffins?” Markus says, trying to appease her.
North rolls her eyes.
“Only you Markus. Only you would do that.”
North looks up at him with a fond smile.
“I forgive you Markus for now, but Simon is out for your ass.”
Markus tenses at that. The only person who is scarier than North is Simon in his mother hen mode.
“Is he really that angry with me?”
“Josh is the only one who is holding back Simon from coming to get you. They sent me instead.”
“How merciful of them.”
“Yes, very. Now you mention muffins?”
“They’re the banana nut.”
“Markus, your officially forgiven.”
Both enter the kitchen and North goes straight to the dining table where the muffins are placed on a plate.
Markus pours another cup of coffee for North and sets it down in front of her. They eat in comfortable silence until Markus’ phone rings.
“Do you think it’s the reporters or Simon?” North asks.
“I really hope it's neither.”
North laughs and stifles her giggles and Markus glares at her as the call goes to voicemail.
“Uh, hello? This is the girl who bumped into you a couple days back. Um,” the voice gives an awkward cough “I would like to take on your offer for room boarding. If you could please call me back as soon as possible and we can talk about living arrangements.”
The voicemail ends and North gives him a questioning look that turns into a teasing one.
“Who was that Mr. Supposedly-Single?”
Markus blushes a little bit and clears his throat.
“North it’s not like. I just happen to offer someone a place to stay for a while until they can find somewhere else.”
“Why does it feel like I’m missing some important details.”
“North.”
“Spill the beans Markus and tell me who is this mystery-soon-to-be-girlfriend.”
“North, I’m not interested in her.”
“Hm, whatever you say. She sounds a little awkward, but pretty nice.”
Markus gives her a stare which North matches.
North raises an eyebrow and says, “Tell me now unless you want me to bring Simon’s nagging to the table. I’m pretty sure Josh would join too.”
“Fine. You win.”
North gives him a victorious smile and waits for him to continue.
“Remember a couple days ago when Josh asks me to teach children art? After the class, I bumped into the girl and made her drop her laptop. I apologized and she started to cry. Then I try to comfort her with hugging and got her to calm down.”
“Way to swoon a girl.”
“North not now.”
“Right. Right. I’m listening.”
“Anyway I offered her if I could replace the laptop and she refused. Then I asked her if there was another reason why she was upset. You know the news of from the mayor that he decided to construct a new mall? Yeah, apparently her apartment building is in the planned construction site and that the people living there are evicted. So I offered her a place to stay.”
“In your studio?” North asks.
“Yes.”
“As much I feel sorry for the poor girl. Did you just offer your home to a stranger?”
“When you put it that way, yes.”
“Markus you can’t just offer your house to a stranger! For all you know, she could be a serial killer!”
“She didn’t seem to have bad intentions.”
North runs a hand through her hair and lets out a frustrated sigh.
“Markus this is uncharacteristic of you. You’re usually very careful.”
“North, she needed a place to stay. Just like how Carl took me in all those years ago.”
North’s face softens.
“Fine. But I’m keeping an eye out. And please be careful.”
“Don’t worry, I will.”
-This is a time skip-
Kara fidgets in her seat, waiting for Markus. People in the plaza walk from place to place, their voices mixing and buzzing from various conversations.
Alice doesn’t get out of school in a few hours so that they have a few hours until they figure things out. Kara chooses this place because it’s public and police stations are near in case anything happens to her.
“Hello.”
Kara looks up and sees Markus standing at her table. He’s wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, covering his noticeable features.
Kara gets up and extends her hand.
“Hello, my name is Kara.”
“I’m Markus.”
They shake hands and stand there awkwardly for a few moments.
“Do you want to sit down or...” Markus says.
“Uh, yes. Lets... let's do that.”
Both take their seats.
“Thank you for coming on such a short notice,” Kara begins.
“No problem. When do you want me to pick up your belongings?”
“Whenever you're available. Preferably today or tomorrow.”
“Got it. I have a pick-up truck that you could use.”
Kara worries her bottom lip. Now here comes the hard part.
“There something else I want to tell you. I have a daughter living with me.”
“She can come too.”
“Really?”
Kara stares at him critically.
“Don’t worry I won’t do anything to you or your daughter. You have my word,” Markus says reassuringly.
“I hope so. I saw you on the news.”
“Oh yeah. That.”
“What’s wrong? You did save a man.”
“It’s not that. I just don’t like it when the media makes a big deal of it. Anyone would do the same thing if they were in my position.”
Before Kara could respond, a woman approaches their table.
“Are you Markus Manfred?” the woman asks studying him “You are! Tell me. What went through your head when you saved that man? Were you scared for your life?”
The cameraman behind her starts recording. Hearing her exclamation, the customers around her start to notice Markus.
“Oh my gosh, it’s Markus Manfred!”
“Didn’t he save the man yesterday?”
“He is practically a hero.”
The murmurs start to increase in volume and people pull out their phones to take pictures.
“Shit,” Markus mutters under his breath.
Markus looks at Kara and takes her hand and starts to run.
Kara hesitates as Markus pulls her through the crowd.
“What are you doing?” Kara asks.
“We have to go before we get swarmed!” Markus says, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease.
“Wait! Come back, Mr. Manfred! We have so many questions!” the reporter screams, running after them.
Kara and Markus run out of the plaza and into the city crowd.
“Here,” Markus says, pulling Kara into an alleyway and behind a large dumpster.
“Wha-”
“Shh,” Markus whispers.
They stay quiet and hear a hurried clacking of heels outside of the alleyway.
“Where did he go? Ugh! Damn it, we were so close!” the reporter screeches.
The sounds of footsteps of the reporter and cameraman gradually decrease, leaving Markus and Kara alone in the alleyway.
“Okay, it’s safe now,” Markus says, standing up.
“Does this always happen?” Kara asks.
“Very often,” Markus lets out a sigh.
“What now? I don’t think we can talk in public.”
“Did you drive here?” Markus asks.
“No, I don’t have a car,” Kara replies.
Markus considers their options and comes to a conclusion.
“How about seeing your new living space?”