Renegotiate

Marcus had barely stepped onto the Dunphy's front porch when he heard the commotion inside.

Through the window, he saw Claire pacing with a tight-lipped expression, Phil looking way too excited, Haley rolling her eyes, and Luke running around like a kid on a sugar rush. Meanwhile, Alex was sitting on the couch, flipping through their project notes, looking completely unbothered.

Yeah… this was about what he expected.

Taking a breath, Marcus knocked.

The door immediately swung open, revealing Phil Dunphy, grinning like they were lifelong friends.

"Hey! You must be Marcus! Come on in, buddy."

"Uh… thanks?" Marcus stepped inside warily, barely making it two steps before Claire appeared, practically shoving Phil aside.

Her eyes immediately narrowed. "So… Marcus."

Marcus blinked. "Uh. Mrs. Dunphy."

Claire crossed her arms, clearly sizing him up. "Alex didn't mention you before yesterday. And now you're suddenly doing a science project at our house?"

Alex groaned from the couch. "Mom—"

Claire held up a hand, still eyeing Marcus. "I'm just saying, it's a little suspicious."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Suspicious… how?"

Phil, completely oblivious to his wife's tone, grinned. "She's just being dramatic! I think it's great that Alex has a guy friend! Or… boyfriend?"

Marcus blinked. "Dude, what?"

Claire snapped her head toward Phil. "Stop talking."

Phil shut his mouth, but the grin remained.

Claire turned back to Marcus, eyes narrowed again. "Just to be clear, this is an actual project, right?"

Marcus held up his notebook. "Yeah. Unless Alex tricked me into some evil scheme, in which case I'd like to renegotiate my contract."

Alex rolled her eyes. "Mom, seriously?"

Claire sighed, rubbing her temple. "Fine. Just… behave." She gave him one last squint before finally stepping aside.

Marcus walked in, smirking slightly as he sat beside Alex on the couch. "Your mom thinks I'm a supervillain."

"She thinks everyone's a supervillain," Alex muttered.

Before they could actually start their project, Haley appeared behind them, arms crossed and smirking.

"So, Alex… inviting boys over now?"

Alex groaned. "Haley, go away."

Haley ignored her, turning to Marcus. "She didn't, like, force you into this, did she?"

Marcus smirked. "Oh yeah, totally. Had me sign a blood oath."

Haley snorted. "You're kinda funny. I like you." She ruffled Alex's hair before sauntering off.

Alex immediately started fixing it, grumbling. "I really hate her."

Marcus just chuckled, twirling a lollipop between his fingers.

Then, before they could get back to work, the front door burst open.

"Okay, let's do this!" Jay's voice boomed as he stepped in, followed by Gloria and Manny.

Marcus blinked as the entire family entered like it was some kind of dramatic sitcom crossover event. "Uh… something happening?"

"Oh, you have no idea," Alex muttered.

And just like that, Marcus found himself in the middle of modern family madness.