Projects And Projection

Marcus had been in some weird situations before—reincarnation kind of set a high bar for that—but sitting across from Alex Dunphy while her mother actively monitored his every move from the kitchen? Yeah, this was getting up there.

Claire had not left. She was pretending to wipe down the counters, but she had been wiping the same spot for the past ten minutes, eyes flicking over to him every few seconds.

Marcus, unfazed, unwrapped another lollipop and popped it into his mouth.

Alex, on the other hand, was dying inside. She leaned over and whispered, "She's not going to leave."

"I noticed," Marcus said, voice perfectly calm.

"Don't encourage her," Alex hissed.

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Me? I haven't done anything."

"You exist, that's enough."

Claire cleared her throat loudly. "So, Marcus."

He looked up, lollipop still in his mouth. "Yes, Mrs. Dunphy?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Do your parents know you're here?"

Marcus nodded. "Of course. Told them before I came over."

She hummed, clearly not satisfied. "And they're okay with that?"

"Well, yeah," he said, tilting his head slightly. "It's just a science project."

Claire muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like That's what they all say.

Marcus fought the urge to laugh.

Alex groaned, rubbing her temples. "Mom, can you please stop interrogating my partner? We actually need to work."

Claire held up her hands. "Fine, fine. But just know, Marcus, I've got mom instincts—I'll know if anything weird is going on."

Marcus smirked. "Duly noted."

With one last suspicious glance, Claire finally left the room.

Alex let out a deep sigh of relief. "I hate my life."

Marcus leaned back, unbothered. "I think it's entertaining."

She shot him a look. "Of course you do."

---

A Productive… Sort of Study Session

With Claire no longer breathing down their necks (for now), Alex and Marcus actually got to work.

Marcus quickly proved he was not just coasting along—he worked efficiently, matching Alex's pace without missing a beat. Every time she introduced a new idea, he built on it effortlessly.

After about fifteen minutes, Alex finally leaned back and gave him a scrutinizing look. "Okay. What's your deal?"

Marcus looked up from his notes. "What do you mean?"

"You're actually keeping up with me," she said, narrowing her eyes. "That doesn't happen."

Marcus smirked. "I'm smart."

She scoffed. "Yeah, but how smart? You're not some secret genius, are you?"

Marcus just rolled his lollipop between his teeth and shrugged. "Who knows?"

Alex squinted at him. "You're annoying."

"And yet, you keep talking to me."

She opened her mouth, then closed it, scowling. "I hate that you have a point."

Marcus just grinned.

---

Luke's Random Curiosity

Not long after, Luke reappeared, dragging a chair over and plopping down next to Marcus.

"Whatcha doin'?"

Alex sighed. "Luke, go away."

Luke ignored her, eyes locked on Marcus. "Are you a spy?"

Marcus blinked. "What?"

Luke leaned in. "You have fancy clothes, you have weird reflexes, and you always have candy on you. That's exactly what a spy would do."

Marcus had to fight so hard not to burst out laughing.

Alex, however, did not have that patience. "Luke, that's the dumbest thing you've ever said."

Luke crossed his arms. "You don't know that."

Marcus smirked. "You caught me, Luke. I'm a highly trained operative."

Luke gasped. "I knew it!"

Alex groaned, shoving her notebook in front of her face. "I give up."

Haley, who had been watching from the couch, snorted. "Oh my god, this is amazing."

---

Claire's Return (Because Of Course)

Just as things had settled, Claire returned.

Marcus saw her shadow before she spoke, and—of course—she had that same suspicious mom energy as before.

"So, Marcus," she started, crossing her arms. "What do your parents do?"

Marcus calmly looked up. "My dad owns a Porsche dealership, and my mom's a fashion designer."

Claire's eye twitched. "Of course she is."

Marcus just smiled. "Something wrong?"

"No, no," Claire said, way too quickly. "It's just—you know—I have a daughter, and suddenly there's this well-dressed, smooth-talking boy in my house, and I just think, wow, what a coincidence."

Alex groaned into her hands. "Mom. Stop."

Marcus, meanwhile, just casually unwrapped another lollipop. "You want one?"

Claire blinked. "What?"

Marcus held up the extra lollipop. "You seem tense."

There was a solid ten seconds of silence. Even Haley had stopped texting to watch.

Then, Claire huffed. "I'm watching you."

And with that, she walked off again.

Marcus grinned as he unwrapped the lollipop and popped it into his mouth. "I love this house."

Alex looked like she was debating whether to throw a book at him.