Marc slept in late on Saturday morning after his Thanksgiving trip. He'd been interrogated the entire visit, and when he wasn't entertaining Cassie's family, he was playing with Elijah. He had been exhausted returning home Friday night and found that he could not keep his eyes open, even as the morning sunlight filtered through the room.

Though Marc's growling stomach and full bladder should have been enough to force him to get up, he felt he could not leave the comfort of his pillow, even if one glance at the other side of the bed showed Cassie was already awake and out of the room. He wasn't sure how she did it. She'd certainly exerted herself more than him over the holiday trip.

He was just about to doze off again when the door opened. Marc shut his eyes, hoping to block out the sound. Thin fingers rustled through his hair until a light shake came at his side.

"What is it?" Marc murmured sleepily.

"You've been sleeping for hours," came the soft voice of his fiancée. "I know you're tired, but Conny has some announcement apparently."

"What?" Marc asked, blinking his eyes and sitting up. Cassie was already dressed for the day and judging by the smeared paint on her arms, he guessed she was busy entertaining Elijah.

"Just put something decent on and come downstairs," she grumbled, tossing a spare pillow at him.

The door shut behind her moments later. Marc slowly sat up, and following Cassie's advice, he put on what would be considered normal clothes for noon and brushed his teeth before heading downstairs. Conny had already gathered everyone in the living room and was pacing nervously, though Marc was not sure why. He knew Conny had been acting a bit off lately, but Marc knew Conny would have talked to him if something was truly troubling him.

"All right. I'm here. What's up?" Marc grumbled, taking a seat next to Cassie. Elijah climbed up onto his lap a moment later, beginning to play with the strings of his hoodie.

"I'm leaving on Monday," Conny announced.

"Huh? What for?" Lillian asked concernedly.

"I'm joining one of the military ranks."

Marc stiffened. What did Conny mean? He was certainly going to stay here and train with the others. They would fight together. Everyone would be staying here for the next few months. If not to train together, to enjoy each other's company before everything went down.

"But why?" Cassie asked.

"I just want to get more involved. This is something I've been thinking about for a while," Conny explained, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

"You can't be serious," Marc breathed, still in shock.

Conny turned, staring at him with those bright green eyes they shared.

"I am," he said.

Marc gently lifted Elijah off of him and stood up, about ready to talk some sense into his  younger brother when Cherie quickly stepped in front of the two of them.

"Conny and I have already talked about this. I agree that this is what he should do if he really feels like this is his calling. You need to respect that decision too, Marc. You're not protecting him on the streets anymore," Cherie warned.

Marc winced, feeling her words sting. It was true he was protective of Conny. If it weren't for Marc's care, they would have both died after losing their parents. It was hard for him to admit that Conny was an adult capable of making his own decisions nowadays. He was surprisingly taken aback by Conny's inability to bring this up to Marc in conversation. What had made it surface out of the blue?

"Can we talk?" Marc asked Conny.

"Do I need to stay in the room to make sure you two don't punch each other?" Cherie asked, eyeing both of them.

"I won't punch Marc. What about you?" Conny asked, his eyes on Marc.

"Fine. I won't punch him. Let's go up to your room," Marc said, marching up the steps toward his brother's bedroom. He couldn't help but feel hurt deep down. Why had Conny told Cherie this first? And judging by Wyatt and Francesco's unfazed expressions, he was willing to bet Conny had shared these thoughts in the time Marc was at Cassie's house.

Marc shut the door abruptly as soon as they entered Conny's bedroom. It looked a bit more dirty than Marc had remembered it. Conny was always one to keep his things in order. He glanced around curiously before staring at his brother.

"Have you gone mad?!" he exclaimed.

"No," Conny said, taking a seat on his bed. "This is just what I decided. This is what I want to do."

"Since when have you wanted to put yourself on the frontlines?!" Marc exclaimed, stepping closer to him angrily.

"I want to be more involved in this rebellion. I care about what happens. I want to be a part of something bigger when this is done. There's a lot you don't know about me," Conny said.

Marc clenched his fists. "I-I don't understand. Why didn't you tell me? You can't be serious."

"I'm going on Monday," Conny said, standing up suddenly. "You're not going to stop me. You want a life with Cassie, right? Well, I want this. I want to meet new people. I want to aid the rebellion in a different way. I didn't tell you because I knew this was how you would react. So I asked Cherie first. I've already made my decision. You're not stopping me."

"But we're all your family here," Marc begged. "Our parents would be so disappointed if—"

"Don't try to bring them into your argument," Conny interrupted, his voice rising slightly. "Yes, you knew them longer than me, but you didn't understand them at seven years old. I think Mom and Dad would've wanted us to set things right, which is what I'm trying to do."

"But—"

"Marc, stop. I'm not a baby. This is my decision. I know I've been blending into the background lately. You probably don't think this is what I want, but it is."

"What do you mean 'blending in?'" Marc asked curiously.

"You're all too damn busy all the time to pay attention to me," Conny snapped. "That's what I mean. And I'm not upset about Cassie anymore, but I just wish I was friends with all of you like I used to be. We've all grown so occupied with other things and people these days, so I want something to occupy my time too. It just happens to not be in the cabin itself."

Marc froze, letting his shoulders drop. "Conny, that's not true. We all appreciate you here."

"I know that. I know I'm overreacting. I just wish I had more time to spend with all of you. You're always tied up with Cassie, Cassie's always tied up with other things, Lillian is busy with Mitsuki...I just feel alone."

Marc frowned. "Then stay here. We can hang out more. We can all hang out more."

Conny shook his head. "I'm glad I told you at least, but no. I'm going."

Marc sighed. "Can I stop you?"

"No."

"Then...be safe at least," Marc said, leaning forward to grip Conny in a tight hug. He felt Conny tightly return it before Marc released the embrace altogether. "If you need help packing..." Marc's voice trailed off.

Conny chuckled. "You're the last person I'd ask for help packing. Don't stress. I'll be home in a few weeks for the holidays. And then I'll go back, and then we'll undergo the siege. I won't be away for months on end."

"You worry me," Marc grumbled. "Sorry for being an ass."

"It's fine. You're concerned. I get that. I'll be concerned about all of you when I'm away. I hope one day I don't have to feel that way anymore. So...are we good?" Conny asked.

Marc nodded. "Better get packing. I'm sure Cherie will have days' worth of events to celebrate you."

Conny chuckled. "That does sound like her."

...

The next few days left the whole house on edge as Conny packed his things, and, as Marc predicted, Cherie prepared a whole bunch of hearty meals for Conny to enjoy before heading out. When it came to the morning of him leaving, the others met Conny in the front room, watching the morning sun glisten on the powdery snow.

"We'll see you in a few weeks," Lillian promised, hugging Conny tightly. Wyatt, Cherie, and Francesco followed with warm hugs of their own. Mitsuki lingered to the side, giving Conny a quick glance.

"I won't hug you because I know you're still afraid of me," she said, stepping forward. Instead, she patted Conny's shoulder. "Go kick some ass."

"T-thanks," Conny stammered. Marc chuckled and was about to step forward until Cassie did so. She threw her arms around Conny and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Despite Conny's claim he lacked any romantic feelings for Cassie, Marc could see his brother's face light up some. Marc himself crossed his arms, staring at Cassie in jealousy.

"Um...hey? Right here," Marc reminded her.

"Oh, please. I bet you get cheek kisses all the time," Conny teased. "It was just a friendly kiss."

"Stay safe," Cassie said to Conny.

Marc sighed and stepped forward, engulfing his brother in the tightest and longest hug. He feared letting go, knowing that it meant Conny would soon be on his way, but eventually, Conny's arms pulled away, and Marc was forced to let go.

"I love you. I'll see you soon," Marc told him.

Conny nodded. "Love you, too. See all of you soon," he said, stepping out the front porch with Francesco, who would be driving him to the military base.

Cherie was about to weep as soon as the front door shut. Though Marc knew Conny would be home in a few weeks, he felt like his own heart was about to shatter. He returned to the present when Cassie tucked her arm under his.

"Were you jealous?" she teased.

Marc's cheeks went red. "Please...you wouldn't have agreed to marry me if you truly liked Conny."

"True," she said, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

Though irritated, he couldn't deny the fluttering feeling in his chest. Still, he felt it was subdued as he glanced longingly at the door Conny had exited from. He hoped his brother would find what he was looking for.