Chapter Text
Hey guys, I’m putting the author notes at the front of this chapter for reasons that you will find out as you read!
In this chapter, you will find a song. Yes, there will be song translations in this story. If songs in stories aren’t your thing, don’t worry. The songs in Doubled Agent are mostly symbolic and/or used to help with world building. There won’t be a lot of song translations in this story. Maybe 5 or 6 at the max. (3 of them come from this arc).
Here’s how music works in this book. The start of a song is formatted like this:
~ ~ ~ Song Name featuring Singer 1 and Singer 2 ~ ~ ~
Any of the lyrics that are bolded are sung by the singer whose name is bolded and any underlined lyrics are sung by the underlined singer. If lyrics are both bolded and underlined, both singers are singing.
I do not take full credit for the translation as most of it was done by Caitlin Koi on Youtube. Although a good number of the lines were translated by me, it was mainly by Caitlin Koi.
This is the third Marina chapter in a row so it will be the last Marina chapter for a while. Anyways, I am pretty happy with this one so I hope you enjoy it.
- - -
My eyes slowly flutter awake as the gentle sounds of City of Color seem to float into my room from down the hall. Waking up to the sound of the Squid Sisters isn’t a bad way to start the morning, but why is Pearl playing music so early? So much for sleeping in…
Heading into the hall to investigate, I find that the music is instead emanating from Four’s room. As I inch closer, I can hear the sound of Four singing along. I didn’t realize he enjoyed their music so much.
Opening the door, I am met with the shirtless form of Four dancing while singing into a medicine bottle. Despite the blush quickly spreading across my face, I confront him.
“Four? What are you doing out of bed?”
He jumps in surprise.
“It’s not what it looks like! Oh, it's just you Marina. I was worried that you were Pearl. Did I wake you?”
“That’s not what’s important here. Why aren’t you lying down?! You shouldn’t be standing up in your condition, let alone dancing.”
“That’s just it, I feel completely fine! I think I’m healed!”
“What? That’s impossible, let me see.”
I move closer and inspect the unbandaged wound. It seems to have healed into a massive circle of scar tissue, whose edges appear to burn outwards. Aside from its pinkish coloring, the scar seems to have healed correctly. Reaching out, I poke it with my finger. He flinches in response.
“Ow! …ok, maybe I’m not a hundred percent healed yet. It’s still a bit tender. But hey, at least the medicine worked.”
He flashes a smile.
“That’s… unbelievable. Are you sure you’re ok?”
“I think so? I felt completely fine when I was dancing.”
I giggle, remembering his goofy movements.
“Speaking of, I didn’t realize you liked the Squid Sisters so much. Did their music grow on you?”
“Well, it’s not like I’m IN LOVE with their music. It’s just that their songs have this way of getting stuck in my head. Plus, Sheldon gave me these new speakers so I figured I would test them out.”
I look around his room, noticing the multiple glowing speakers that hang from his ceiling.
“It looks like that’s not all he gave you. What are these?”
I point to the wooden racks hanging from his walls.
“Weapon displays. Sheldon gave them to me as a way to, as he put it, ‘repay me for all that I’ve done for Inkopolis.’ The problem is that I don’t actually have any weapons that I could display aside from a splattershot jr that he gave me.”
“Then it sounds like we have more shopping to do!”
“Marina, I appreciate the sentiment but you’ve bought me more than enough things already. I’ll pay for this with money I earn from battling.”
“Oh! So you’ve decided to become a battler then? That’s great!”
“Yea, I figured that it could be fun. And who knows, it might even help me with finding my sister.”
Suddenly, my stomach grumbles which put the entire conversion on hold. Four and I stare at each other, embarrassment all over my face.
“Maybe I should go make breakfast.”
“Could I help out? I want to know how to make food as good as you do.”
“Oh, uh sure. I guess I could teach you a few things. Wanna learn how to make cinnamon rolls?”
“What are cinnamon rolls?”
“You’ve never had them?”
I shake my head no.
“No way… We’re changing that right now. ”
He grabs me by the hand and pulls me to the kitchen. I put on an apron so I don’t make a mess of my pajamas while Four goes about collecting a handful of ingredients.”
“Alright, here’s a list of what you gotta do.”
“Won’t you be helping out?”
“Only when needed. In my experience, the best teacher is, well, experience.”
I look down at the paper he’s handing me. Some of these instructions sound way more complicated than I can handle. Can I even do this on my own?
“But what if I mess it up?”
“Well, then I’ll be right here to help fix things. Don’t worry, you’ll do great!”
He gives me a reassuring smile. Oh cod. That smile makes me feel like I can do anything, even face down DJ Octavio all by myself.
Ok. I can do this.
Beginning with the instructions, I start combining ingredients to form the dough. However, I keep getting distracted by the sight of my shirtless crush. Cod, why is he still shirtless? He’s going to make me mess up the food.
I notice that he seems deep in thought about something as he watches me. His face is turning yellower and yellower by the second. We lock eyes and his face turns an even darker shade of yellow. Is he ok?
No time to worry about that now, the dough just finished mixing. Checking the sheet of instructions, I’m stumped as to what I’m supposed to do.
“Four, I’m confused. What do you mean by ‘form the rolls’?”
He snaps out of his thoughts, a blush still covering his face.
“Oh, I’ll show you.”
I watch as he grabs a chunk of dough, flattens it into a long yet thick line, and curls it up to look like a tiny mountain. So that’s why they are called rolls… because they are literal rolls of dough!
“There, now you try.”
Four observes as I grab a piece of dough and try to carefully replicate what he did. My roll comes out wider and less even than his, but he still looks at me proudly. Even despite the obvious imperfections, he’s still happy with me…
“Hey, that's great! Now we just need to make about 7 more…”
Four begins helping me out. We continue making more and more rolls until we have a total of 9. Next on the instructions list is baking them for an hour. After placing them into the oven, Four and I talk to pass the time, mainly about all the different kinds of recipes he has memorized and about the kinds of food that I used to eat in Octarian society. Pearl walks while Four is discussing the intricacies of making the perfect smore.
“Hey! You two are having a pajama party in here and I wasn’t invited? What the fuck guys? What gives?”
“Sorry Pearlie, I thought you wanted to sleep in.”
“Nahh, you’re right to assume I wanted to sleep in. Ay Fish, why you walkin’ around? And why aren’t you wearing a-”
She pauses as she sees the scar on Four’s stomach.
“Woah… That’s a nasty mark. It looks all kinds of fucked up.”
“Really? I thought it looked kinda fresh.”
“No dude. It’s like you got this really bad bruise that's covered in scarring.”
Four’s grin drops.
“Well shit.”
“Don’t worry Four, I think it’s cool.”
Pearl turns to me in confusion.
“How the fuck can you call that cool?”
“Well, it might not be pretty to look at. But, it’s like a badge of honor he got from being a hero. That’s very cool!”
“I guess… But for real though. Four, go put a shirt on.”
“But it hurts to have anything rub against my stomach.”
“Don’t be a wuss dude. Besides…”
Pearl leans over and whispers something into his ear. I can only guess at what she says, but whatever it was, it made Four blush. He quickly leaves and Pearl follows. Four comes back first but… isn’t that mine?
“Four, is that my sweater?”
“Is it? I just grabbed the first thing I saw. I can give it back to you if you want. But hey! If we’re sticking with the pajama theme then this is better than anything else I have.”
Pearl suddenly rushes in wearing a set of pink princess pajamas.
“Bring on the food!”
“Sure thing, just give us a second to add the icing first.”
Pulling the fluffy looking rolls out of the oven I begin adding icing to the top of each of the rolls.
“Marina, don’t put any on Pearl’s. Mayo and icing don’t mix well together.”
I blink at him in surprise.
“How do you know that?”
“Well… one day I teased my little brother until he got mad at me… and he got ‘creative’ with his revenge. He asked me to help him bake some donuts but switched out the glazed cream filled donut that I made for myself with one he filled with mayo. Yeah… that kid is a menace.”
- - -
Standing in the music room, Pearl and I had just finished warming up our voices. It had been over a week since Pearl and I had last worked on any music, so protocol called for us to do the proper vocal exercises so that we don’t damage our voices.
“So what kind of music do you guys actually make?”
“Oh ya know. Little bit of pop, some rap, sometimes rock. We’ll pretty much do whatever we’re feelin’.”
“What about country?”
A look of disgust crosses Pearl’s face.
“Fuck no. You’d have to kill me before I sing that garbage.”
Four lets lose a chuckle.
“Aw man, and here I was hoping you’d have a song about trackers and… uh… I don’t know what else they sing about in country music.”
I’m a little bit confused. Isn’t country music the style with all the acoustics and folk singing? In curiosity, I speak up.
“What’s so bad about country music?”
“It’s all horrible. I mean, what’s up with all the twang twang twang twang. Come onnnn, there’s four fucking strings on a guitar; use em all. Ugh. Country music. All they sing about is their pet dying, their wife leaving them, losin’ their farm, or they’re singing about their beat up pick-up truck… Sing about something else man, you’re puttin’ me to fuckin’ sleep.”
In response, Four goes over to the wall and picks up a guitar.
“Well then you’re gonna hate this.”
Four sits down on the floor and begins to strum a melancholic chord. Pearl rushes over and gets in his face.
“No.”
Four continues on strumming.
“No!”
A wide grin spreads across Four’s face.
“Wellllll when muh wife done left meee~”
Pearl kicks his shin which proves to be immediately effective. Four is now rolling on the ground in pain as Pearl laughs.
“I said no. Should’ve listened to me ya stinky Fish.”
Turning away from the suffering Inkling, Pearl gives me a signal.
“Alright Marina, bring up Muck Warfare. Let’s get some practice in before we try whatever song you got cookin’.
Oh. I forgot to tell her... it isn’t ready.
“R-right!”
“Yo Four, are you ready for us to rock your world?”
Four sits up from his spot on the ground and watches us with great interest.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Hit it Rina!”
I tap the play button for the practice track. Music suddenly blares overhead.
~ ~ ~ Muck Warfare featuring Pearl and Marina ~ ~ ~
Asking me what they want here.
Giving me a tsunami.
Please give me an apology.
Could've had this, now you owe me.
Should’ve used this~
Should you really be here yearning for me?
Should you be excited to show up in here?
We’ll be deciding if you’re gonna be, in an instant, the guy for me.
Oh no! No! No!
Yes, he showed me the heart.
Ha ha!
Kick! Kick! Kick!
Can’t you feel it now?
Asunder!
Get! Get! Get!
Get a good look at you.
Cha! Cha!
And you didn’t need a minute.
She’ll shout out, shout out.
Fight out, find ‘em.
You and me are goin’ baby!
Got meeee!
It’s got your beeaaat!
You’re my shooow staaar!
Steal my heeaaart!
*Music interlude*
Asking me why am I here?
Giving in to your heart beat.
Please give me an apology.
Didn’t ask twice, watch out for me.
Your gonna lose this~
Should you really be near stirring for me?
Should you be excited all held up in there?
We’ll be aside it if you’re gonna be in the instinct of my woomy.
Oh no! No! No!
Yes he showed me the heart.
Ha ha!
Kick! Kick! Kick!
Can’t you feel it now?
Asunder!
Get! Get! Get!
Get a good look at you.
Cha! Cha!
And you didn’t need a minute.
She’ll shout out, shout out.
Fight out, find ‘em.
You and me are goin’ baby!
Got meeee!
It’s got your beeaaat!
You’re my shooow staaar!
Steal my heeaaart!
~ ~ ~
…
Four doesn’t speak. He doesn’t move. He doesn’t even blink.
“So… what did you think?”
“WHOA!”
Pearl and I are taken aback as he jumps to his feet. His sudden loudness is surprising.
“That was incredible! I can’t even begin to describe how amazing that was.”
“Ay, glad you like it.”
“NO, SERIOUSLY! Do you two even know how amazing you are?”
“Hell yeah we know. But please, go on and flatter us.”
Four’s excitement is immediately replaced by a look of displeasure. He turns away from Pearl and focuses entirely on me.
“Marina, you were fantastic! Like, your voice sounded so beautiful that-well, on a scale of 1 to 10, you’re an 11.”
My face explodes into a blushing frenzy.
“T-thank you Four. I-it means a l-lot to hear you s-say that.”
…
“And?”
“And what Pearl?”
I notice the glint in Four’s eyes as a smirk passes his lips.
“And what about me? Why does she get all the praise?!”
“Because she wasn’t the one who kicked me in the shin.”
Pearl grumbles her response.
“If stopping country music costs me a few compliments, then I’ll kick you in the shin a thousand more times.”
“Please don’t.”
“No promises. Anyways, Marina. Are ya ready to show us the song you made?”
No, I’m not.
“I’m sorry!”
“Huh? Rina, what’s there to be sorry about?”
“Well, I’ve got the track done, I’ve actually had it done for a long time, but the lyrics were causing me some issues. I just- I had no idea what to write about.”
“Oh. Don’t worry about it, I can do that shit for ya!”
“T-thank you, but no. I want to do this on my own.”
Pearl stares at me for a second. She then smiles.
“Well, ok then… what can I do to help you out?”
“Just give me a bit of space. I promise that I can figure this out.”
Nodding, Peal drags Four out of the studio. I watch as they leave with a false smile on my face. Oh brother… What am I going to do? I don’t even know where to start.
My thoughts are too jumbled up right now. This past week has been so chaotic that putting pen to paper feels impossible. Instead of writing the song, I begin sorting through my thoughts.
The Great Zapfish was stolen again, only this time Callie was taken as well. Four is fighting to get them both back but I’m worried for his safety. His scar, a permanent reminder of the time he nearly died to something I made. He said I’m not to blame… but is that really true?
Pearl and I gained a new roommate in the form of Four, a boy who has quickly learned to accept me for who I am. He’s been nothing but kind to me, even after learning that I am an Octarian. I really do like him.
It doesn’t seem fair that Four knows I’m an Octoling but Peal doesn’t. She’s my best friend… I wish I could tell her but I don’t know if she has any bias against Octarians… it’s too risky to tell her until I know that she won’t shun me. I was lucky that someone as kind as Four was the first person to learn the truth.
Pearl claims I’m more confident in myself… I don’t quite understand what she means yet. Why am I more confident though? What sent me down this path? Was it Four? Maybe.
…
All these thoughts share one commonality, they are all pointing towards Four. Why? I’ve only known him one week, but in that time he’s completely overtaken my thoughts. Cod…I just want to spend time with him, not write this stupid song…
“I’VE GOT IT!”
- - -
It’s done. Every feeling I’ve had over the past week has been projected into this one song. I feel relieved and yet, more than anything, I feel exhausted.
Walking into the game room, Four sits on the couch scrolling through his phone. He looks up and smiles at me. I can’t help but notice that Pearl is nowhere in sight.
“Hey! Did you get it done?”
“Yep. Now all we have to do is try singing through it. Have you seen Pearl?”
“Oh, she went to bed almost an hour ago.”
“Bed? Wait, what time is it?”
“Nearly midnight.”
“Midnight?! But then… why are you awake?”
“I figured you would be hungry. You skipped lunch and dinner so I thought I could make you some food once you were done.”
“Four, that’s sweet… but you didn’t have to stay up for my sake.”
“No, I didn't have to. But, I wanted to. Come on, I’ll make you a grilled cheese.”
Heading into the kitchen, Four lights the stove before putting an uncooked cheese-only sandwich on a pan.
“So what’s the song about?”
I blush. A part of me wants to run away, but no. I must be confident.
“Um, well here’s the thing. I sort of wrote about… you?”
“Me?”
“Y-yeah… I’m sorry if that’s weird…”
“N-no! It’s not weird at all. I’m flattered actually.”
Four hands me the sandwich and a glass of milk. We sit across the table from one another in silence. I don’t know why, but this tastes better than anything I’ve ever eaten. Maybe it’s because I’m so hungry, or maybe it tastes better because I know that he cared enough to stay up late for me.
I watch a movie of emotions play out on Four’s face. From pure elation and joy to total despair, no emotion is left unrepresented. There must be something that he’s conflicted about, but what could have him so on edge?
I’m about to ask him what’s wrong when, all of a sudden, all the conflict is replaced by a mixture of determination and nervousness.
“H-hey Marina. Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
Is this going to be about the song? Or maybe it's about the Octarians? Or what if its-
“You can feel free to say no to what I’m about to ask. And know that I’m not trying to bribe you with grilled cheese or anything. Oh, and that-”
“Four, go ahead and say it.”
“Ok… well, after the Great Zapfish has been rescued…”
He pauses, seemingly unsure of himself. I reach out and place my hand over his in an attempt to comfort him. Despite how brave my actions make me feel, I am still screaming internally.
“It’s just… would you like to maybe go see a movie or get dinner or something? Just the two of us.”
…
What?
WHAAATT?
Immediately, it feels like all three of my hearts are about to burst out of my chest. My face ignites into a blush so powerful that I’m certain Four can feel the heat from across the table. Everything feels like it’s floating, but at the same time, it feels like it’s spinning.
Surely he doesn’t mean- he isn’t actually- is he?
“L-l-like a d-date?”
“Yes-I mean sure! B-but it doesn’t have to be… unless you want it too? But don’t think you have to go or anything because if you don’t want to then that's completely and totally fine too!”
He seems panicked. That makes two of us.
My brain is short circuiting. I want to scream to the top of the world ‘YES!’ but I can barely even control my breathing. The silence between us feels like forever.
…
…
…
Finally, in a voice so quiet that I couldn’t hear it over my own thoughts, I speak.
“...yes please. I would l-love to go on a date with you.”
- - -
-Veckle (11/12/2022)