Shhhh.

“Miks ?”

No response. You and Iso exchanged a look. He shrugged and you sighed. Miks was in his own bubble as usual when it came to music.

“Miks,” you said a bit more sternly.

Iso sat down next to him, curious. You didn’t know how or where he found these gong and singing bowl, but there he was, sampling every and each sounds these instruments could make.

At one in the morning.

“Adrijan Vidović.”

Miks jumped, his own name terrifying him. Iso shivered. They exchanged a look. A supplication for help in the Controller’s eyes, sympathy and slight amusement in the Duelist’s. Miks gulped, then looked up at your irritated facial expression.

“Yes, ljubavi* ?”

“Go to bed this instant or suffer the consequences.”

Iso raised his hand like a diligent student. Rubbing your temples with exhaustion but remaining fondness, you nodded at home.

“Yes Zhao Yu, you may speak.”

“Can I participate in the distribution of the consequences ?”

The absolute betrayal marked on Miks’ face would make you laugh if you weren’t so tired. Iso’s eagerness almost triggered a cuteness aggression, though.

“You absolute traitor !” Miks hissed.

“You didn’t complain last time,” Iso shrugged.

“That’s—”

“Boys !”

They jumped at your firm tone and immediately stood up and hurried towards the bed. You reached out your hand, snapping your fingers. With a pout, Miks handed you the instruments and his computer. You locked them in a closet and hid the key to be sure he wouldn’t get up some time in the night and work until lunch.

You then joined them in bed, a relieved and satisfied sigh escaping you as the cover finally fell on you.

“You better sleep now.”

Gulping at the threat, your two boyfriends nodded and pressed a goodnight kiss on each of your cheeks.

“So...no consequences distribution ?”

“Alright agents !” you clapped your hands and each of your teammates present in the VLT/R turned around to look at you. Your chin was up, your posture upright and your smile brighter than a flash-bang. “We’re gonna beat these Omega bastards and these K-SEC assholes with all our badassery and our love for our Earth ! Yes, Yoru ! That’s also include you ! We need your kick ass moves on the field, grumpy cat !”

A few laughs echoed in the aircraft while the Japanese duelist only rolled his eyes and said nothing, used to your antics. But nothing seemed to dim your light. Iso loved to bask in it. It was his way of recharging or having enough energy for the incoming operation. When the airplane finally arrived at its destination, you enthusiastically jumped on your feet, grabbed your weapons and friendly pat on Jett’s shoulder and winked at her.

“Hey, if I have more kills than you, you’ll bake those cookies you made last week. Deal ?”

The Korean duelist smiled with a challenged scoff.

“Deal. But, if I do have more kills than you, you’ll tell me the secret ingredient of your salted caramel milkshake.”

“You’re still on that ?” you chuckled.

“It’s delicious, alright !”

Iso internally agreed. Your milkshakes were indeed delicious. Another thing Iso used as a charger for his motivation was your interactions with other agents. You always brought light in conversations and rooms, and cheered up your interlocutor in a smooth and wholesome way. Even someone as closed off as Yoru appreciated your presence and liked spending time with you. Iso did absolutely not feel envious of these moments you spent with the Japanese duelist. You also spent time with Iso, after all. Even if it was only for training your aim with the best shooter of the Protocol, Iso cherished these moments and the happy squeals you let out every times you managed to shot the target’s center.

“Iso ? Are you alright ?”

Iso snapped out of his reverie and looked at you. You returned his stare with a bit of worry. He took a deep breath then shook his head.

“I’m alright. Just getting focused.”

You nodded and smiled at him. “Time to get deadly, handsome !”

You were already off the plane when his blush widely spread on his face and ears. He ignored Yoru’s mocking and knowing scoff behind him and jumped off the aircraft, following your lead. When he joined you, a bloody bath was already at your feet, several lifeless corpses — sometimes butchered to no recognition — leading to your position. You were repeatedly stabbing Brimstone’s counterpart with a cold efficiency that did things to his stomach. Your facial expression was uncannily blank, focused on the task at hands while speckled of blood sprayed on your face.

Iso found himself having thought he was very ashamed off at this moment.

What really ended him was when your eyes finally raised to look at him. The shiver that ran down his spine was far from being from fear. He wasn’t used go these kind of physiological reactions. And that head tilt you did made his legs weak.

“Iso ?” you said with a flat voice.

He nodded, feeling suddenly incapable of uttering any word. You took a deep breath and your regular personality, breaking out of your focus.

“You’re as red as a poppy ! Do you have a fever ?”

“...”

“Let’s get you to the aircraft !” you grabbed his wrist and dragged him behind you. “Let’s get you to the VLT/R. Once we’re back at HQ, you’re going to Sage’s office ! Non-negotiable.”

Iso cleared his throat and finally found the strength to speak.

“What about your deal with Jett ?”

You stopped in your tracks and looked over your shoulder to look at him, then on the lifeless corpses of your targets. You let out a light hum and looked back at him, a light confident smile illuminating your face.

“I have nothing to worry about.”

“Aren’t you adorable with those tears in your eyes ?” you smiled.

Liu Xiao had never felt this humiliated in his life. He was used to be in controlled of everything, used to the predictability and the easiness and boredom of people’s pattern and then be in total glee when the person he chose to be his target fell into the rhythm he nailed into them. He had to expect that it would happen someday : the exception that would put him down in a place he esteemed himself too great to be in. There you were, in all your glory, looking down on him with great satisfaction and amusement.

“Are you having fun ?” he seethed, his darkest glare focused on you and your brightest smile.

All you did was condescendingly pat his cheek as he couldn’t move from the chair you had him sit on. You didn’t need to use your powers to have him at your mercy. Heck, Liu Xiao didn’t even know if you even had an ability. The plan was to get rid of his boredom by having his fun with you by manipulating you into spitting the information he wanted. You smoothly reversed the dynamic and smoothly played with a needle on the skin of his throat. You already played with his glasses and his hat while comfortably sat on his lap. What would you next use to entertain yourself ? You were too unpredictable and have managed the frustrating yet admiring fit of making him spill confidential information that he didn’t share with his closest allies.

“You wanted something from me, didn’t you ?” you hummed. “You don’t want it anymore ?”

His fists clenched in frustration, but he kept himself quiet, his pride still too big to let him admit defeat. You nodded with approval, your grin stretching even wider.

Vax’ildan woke up with a loud gasp, surprise and adrenaline high in his vein. Images of his vision were still deeply graved in his retinas. He cast a long glance at you, still in disbelief of what he just saw. There was no way what he just experienced was a simple a dream. His eyes traveled on your sleeping form at his side and lingered on your lower belly. The Matron of Crows just showed him an image of you carrying two children in your belly. Something in his heart told him that these were two girls. Two healthy little girls.

“Vax ?” you sleepily called him. His erratic breathing somehow managed to disturb your deep slumber. “Is everything alright ?”

Vax’ildan calmed himself down before pressing a long reassuring peck on your forehead.

“Everything perfect, love. Go back to sleep.”

He didn’t have the heart to talk to you about it at that moment. He himself wasn’t sure of what he had just experienced.

The next few days just convinced him that you were expecting. Your mood swing were worrying him, your food combination were fascinating and the sudden dip in your stamina was noticeable even by your party members.

“Is everything alright ?” Pike once asked you.

“Peachy !” you had answered with a thumb up.

As for Vax’ildan, his visions kept increasing. Each night, his dreams drew more detailed. He was now certain that you were expecting of two little girls who would later adorably look like him. He was so giddy that he couldn’t hide it from you for too long.

“Alright Vax,” you cornered him before bed time. “What’s going on ? These past few days you’ve been looking like Grog when he found a cave filled with barrels of mead.”

He blushed then decided that it was finally time to tell you. He gently grabbed you by the shoulders and sat you down.

“I...what I’m going to tell you will sound crazy.”

You blinked, feeling how nervous he suddenly was.

“How crazy ?”

“We’re having twin daughters,” he finally dropped. “The Matron keeps showing them to me.”

You remained silent for a few seconds. Vax’ildan admired how wide your eyes could get.

“You’re pregnant ?” you squealed. “I sea-horsed you ?”

“What ? No ! You are pregnant.” he pointed at your lower belly and your eyes followed his finger with bewilderment.

“Oh.”

That simple sound from you increased his level of cortisol. He didn’t know what going through your head. Now, he was scared.

“Do you...regret-”

“No ! No regrets !” you cut him off. “I was just wondering if they were going to inherit your ears. We also have to decide their name, who their godparents are going to be, their clothes, their-”

He cut you off with a searing kiss. When he pulled away, he was gently smiling down at you.

“Love, we have all the time in the world.”

You returned his smile then nodded, reassured.

“Yeah. All the time in the world,” you repeated before smirking with mischief. “I can’t wait to tell Vex she’s going to be an auntie !”

The second your eyes opened, you were engulfed in a warm and bone breaking embrace. You recognized that sweet scent that reminded of boba tea. You were a little dizzy, the exact sensations after a resurrection from Sage.

“Iso,” you heard Sage’s voice. “They just woke up, you should let them breathe.”

Despite her words, he didn't let you go. It took you a few more seconds to realize that you were in the aircraft and on his lap. His breathing was shallow and his shoulders were shaking. You had never seen him in this state. Him who was always so calm and collected was at the verge of a panic attack. The sight of you dying by the merciless hands of his counterpart did something to him. There was no doubt that it would soon be the source of numerous nightmares. It wasn’t him who put a bullet between your eyes, but that individual was wearing his face. And despite knowing that it wasn’t his fault, guilt was eating him alive.

“...err...”

“I’m so sorry,” he murmured in mandarin in your ear. “I’m so sorry I didn't protect you.”

You took a grand inspiration and cast a confused look at Sage who responded with a worried and tight smile. You tapped Iso’s shoulder blade to get his attention but he was in his own bubble.

“I’m so sorr–”

He let out a yelp when you pinched his cheek and finally looked at you. His face was puffy and his eyes red because of tears. Without a word, you cupped his face and bring yours closer.

“I swear if you two start making out...”

You cast a glare at Yoru and flipped him off. He rolled his eyes and offered you his middle finger as well. You returned your focus to Iso who was still staring at you with big teary eyes.

“Worrywart,” you said with a horse voice. You didn't hesitate and flicked his forehead. “You’re grinding my bones, babe. And I need a nap. Do you mind being my pillow ?”

He shook his head, holding you with less strength and a remaining firmness.

“You just woke up. It might not be safe.”

You looked at Sage and she nodded.

“I’ll always come back to you, silly.”

His hand squeezed your shoulder, as if to be sure you were still there.

“You promise ?”

“Duh. I can’t go to sleep for eternity with Sage nearby, remember ?”

Miks never expected his first time at your home to be without even warning you, but there he was, waiting for you to open your door.

You had been eerily quiet these past few days, not going to the training grounds or attending the meetings. The other agents barely saw you at the cafeteria from time and they all agreed to say that you looked exhausted and not in your best mood. Miks had suspected that you were in this state because of a mission gone wrong. Knowing how you had the sad tendency of blaming yourself, he wasn't surprised that you've decided to isolate yourself from other agents for some times. He even step back to give you the space you wanted. What caught him off-guard on the other hand was when he learned from Sage's mouth that you decided to take some days-off for an undetermined amount of time. He had to harass Brimstone into giving him your address and there he was, in front of your front door.

He rang the bell and knocked again. He waited thirty more seconds before your opened it, dressed of a long hoodie he was sure used to be his.

“Guess who brought ice creams ?” he grinned. You blinked once. Twice. Then reached for his face to be sure you weren't hallucinating. “Can I...come in ?”

Tears appeared in your eyes and his face immediately dropped. He took you in his arms without hesitation, holding you tightly. Without a word he guided you inside.

“I’m here, ljubavi*. Let it all out,” he murmured and let himself slid down against the wall while keeping you in his embrace.

“I’m so sorry,” you sniffled. “I’m a mess and...and I didn't say goodbye. I ran away like a coward. I’m the worst.”

“No,” he calmly shook his head. “I am the one who should be sorry. I should've been a safer place to you. Otherwise, you wouldn't have isolate yourself so much. You’re not the worst in anything, you’re just carrying too much on your shoulders. Let me have some of the weight too.”

He kept cuddling you while rocking you from side to side, murmuring Croatian words that weren't understood by your ears but accepted gladly by your heart.

“You don’t think I’m a dead weight for you or the protocol ?” you said with a tired voice.

“Never. If anything, you’re a source of strength. You help me move forward and encourage me to be my best self.”

You stayed quiet for a quite some times, letting his words comfort you. You then, lift you head up to look at him.

“How did you...find my address ?”

“Brimstone gave it to me,” he smiled maliciously.

“That easily ?”

“No. I locked him in his office and forced him to listen to Levan Polka for two hours,” he let out a chuckle and shrugged when your eyes widened in shock. “Worth it. Let’s have some ice cream and a movie night, shall we ? Go sit in your couch, I’ll bring us spoons.”

Before you could even protest, he cast you a stern look. You sighed, wiped a few other tears then complied. He returned from the kitchen in less than a minute, moving into your home as if it was his. He gave you the spoon and casually sat down next to you with a serious look.

“Ljubavi*, I need you to promise me something.”

You tilted your head, curious. “Hm ?”

“Please don’t ever hesitate to come to me when your mood is down,” he lifted his pinky finger, his tone begging.

You looked down at your ice cream bucket, frowning. You realized how loved you were by him. He showed it through his words and actions. Hell, he even tortured Brimstone to get to you. So you lifted your pinky finger, and linked it around his. Satisfied, Miks pulled you in a long kiss.

The relief he was emanating almost made you cry again, but he put a spoon of ice cream in your mouth.

“Let’s spend those days-off together, okay. I don’t give you a choice anyway.”

Liu Xiao was someone who was used to have everything he wanted with a snap of his fingers. He possessed a greed carefully hidden beneath his charisma and charming smiles. He had a thirst for everything beautiful, anything that he could admire without the risk of getting bored.

“You’re staring.”

And there you were, casually sat at a coffee-bookshop as if your gaze weren't the most beautiful piece of jewelry one could lay there eyes on.

“I was just wondering if the book you were reading was interesting,” he smoothly said.

Yet you seemed skeptical, and skepticism added a glint in your eyes that was oh-so-stunning.

“Truly fascinating,” he murmured to himself as he sat down in the chair in front of you.

“I didn't say anything...”

“Have you ever been told that you have the most beautiful eyes–”

“Yes,” you said blankly. “It is getting kinda predictable.”

Liu Xiao has never seen someone so unimpressed by him. He just laughed. And you just looked at him with a boredom that was increasing each second.

“I’ve never seen this shade or this hue,” he said. “I apologize for being curious.”

You rolled your eyes and closed your book. “In that case, I apologize for not being interested in continuing this conversation with you.”

Seeing you running like a headless chicken around the base was as adorable as it was worrying. Miks hasn't seen you rest or just relax in days, and he had also noticed the size of the dark circles beneath your eyes increasing. The second you landed after a morning mission, you immediately ran to fulfill your duty. Even Sage couldn't stop you.

“Babe ?” Miks once called you. “Why don’t you–”

“Not now, Adrijan,” you shook your head without even glancing at him. “Those scans and analysis won’t read themselves out loud.”

It became even more worrying when he saw your coffee consumption increasing.

“I don’t think that’s good for your heart,” he had sighed.

“It’s good at keeping me awake,” you had shrugged.

Seeing you withering away was too painful. So with the guidance of Viper who started to be deeply annoyed at your stubbornness, he started to help you lift your burden by running analysis you were in charge to run and writing reports you didn't write yet. After Miks experienced what you imposed yourself to go through, he was even more convinced that you needed some down time.

Once he was done he joined you in your room. He was absolutely not surprised to see you hunching over your laptop, at the brink of falling into a light slumber. He gently walked in your direction and pressed a hand on your forehead.

“Yeah, you’re done here,” he shook his head with a sigh.

“No I’m not,” you yawned. “I have to–”

“Taken care of by me and Viper,” he cut you off. “It’s bedtime for you. I missed our cuddle time.”

You sleepily blinked at him, the information slowly getting to you before your eyes widened like plates. He used that instant to safeguard your work on your laptop before closing it and putting it aside.

“You WHAT ?”

“Yeah. And it was a pain in the ass.”

“So it means that I can work for the next analysis a few days early–”

You were cut off by him pinning you against your bed pillows by your shoulders. The look he cast you was the firmest you’ve ever seen on his face.

“Adrijan ?”

“Or you could just rest for once,” he said sternly.

His eyes narrowed, as if silently challenging you to dare to work again.

“...or I could rest,” you complied.

His smile returned, almost giving you a whiplash, and he let himself fall beside you.

“I missed us, you know.”

“Sorry,” you yawned.

Vyse eyed the chair you pulled for her. If she had eyelids, she would have blinked several times in bafflement. If she could blush, her face would have been as red as a poppy flower. It was your first date and you didn't make things in moderation. You invited her outside of the headquarters in your own home and you had made dinner for her as she took a well-deserved nap because of the mission she had in the morning. You had let her write her report in your room, and when she came out, she discovered that you had prepared the table with candles and rose petals.

“I...uh...made dinner,” you said with a shy smile.

The last time she had seen such setting was in her own mind as she was reading a romance novel. Before she started dating you, she would've never thought that someone would do something like that for her. But there you were, being the enamored partner that you were.

“I didn’t take you for the kind to make such surprise.” Her voice had a slight huff but there was something so fond in her voice. “These candles are such a fire hazard, though.”

“It’s fine. I have two fire extinguishers.”

You spend dinner making small talk and laughing together. It was so rare that she felt so light, Vyse was grateful. Her mind was out of her research or her responsibility in the protocol.

“How did you convince Brimstone and Viper to take me out of the headquarters ?” she asked.

“Blackmailing.”

You said it so casually she had to remind herself that you were Cypher and Fade’s equal in the art of blackmailing.

“And they were fine with that ?” She tilted her head.

“Of course not,” you shrugged before standing up and cleared the table. “Wanna watch a movie ?”

Used to your habit of suddenly changing topic, Vyse cast a glance at your couch and was surprised to discover a heavy and comfy-looking blanket and fluffy cushions. She looked back at you and had a small chuckle.

“Smooth.”

“How about Indiana Jones ?”

To answer to your proposal, she sat down on the couch and pat the space beside her. She was glad she couldn’t blush when you sat down next to her with ease as if it was your birth right. She was glad you couldn't hear how fast her heart beat when you wrapped your blanket around the both of you and pulled her close.

Letting out a last moan, you finally let yourself fall against Grog’s torso as exhaustion dawned on you. You were all sweaty and in serious need of a bath, but you didn't trust yourself to not fall asleep and drown in the water.

“He got enough of your attention, don’t you think ?” Pike praised you, kissing your shoulder blade. “Isn’t it my turn ?”

“Let me breathe a little !” you huffed.

How someone so sweet and gentle could turn into a sadist once in the sheets would always evade you. Grog, despite his size and strength was gentler than one would expect. You were still surprised of how careful he was when he handled you. In fact, he was so gentle that Pike encouraged him to add more strength in his thrusts. She clearly was the devil on his shoulder.

“You want some water ?” Grog asked gently while patting your back.

You lazily nodded against his chest, trying to catch your breath. There was something cute about Grog taking care of you after bed activities. And his facial expression was so earnest and yearning, as if you were his top priority. When you sat up on his hips and took the cup of water he gave you, you couldn't help but stare at him, admire him.

“Do you want me to take care of this marks ?” You will be too sore later if I don’t.”

And there was Pike, casually pointing at your rear as if she wasn't partly responsible for its impending soreness.

“And whose fault is that ?” you grunted.

You finished your cup and patted Grog’s chest. Pike only laughed at your grumpy tone.

“Help me out, big guy ?”

Grog smiled down at you, he helped you lay down on your stomach on his lap. You were already feeling that impending soreness that Pike was already erasing with her healing ability. You let out a relieved sigh.

“Too tired ?” Grog asked you.

“I’m exhausted, big guy,” you hummed. “No more thrusting for today.”

Unfortunately for you, your relief was short-lived. These two, despite being besties, always fought for your attention. And it seemed that Pike was tired of you giving it to Grog. Or Grog smiling smugly at her. She not so casually rolled you on your back on pulled you towards the edge of the bed. Soon enough, her face was between your leg.

“Why are you this insatiable ?” You grunted.

Behind you, Grog smirked down at her, adding gas to the fire.