#pa lore

A kid was dropped off on the steps of a group home. No words were exchanged, no questions asked. Although after talking with the little one, he seemed to have been passed around quite a lot, before ending up at the home. He had no name. The employees at the home could only guess what the boy’s home life had been like. Parents probably died, his caretakers only caring enough to keep him alive, until ultimately giving him up. The kid barely spoke or at least he didn’t like to talk.

The employees didn’t care all that much either. Not even sparing a moment to give him a real name on his official paperwork. Now labeled “Unknown.” The kid was a wildcard, a fighter. Especially hostile when presented with food, he wasn’t above stealing it or fighting for it. He could be extremely violent. The employees had their work cut out for them with this kid. Unknown wasn’t a name that worked out well in conversation however, a few slip ups led to the nickname of Uno and it just so happened to stick. 

Uno had shown up at the group home seemingly just in time.The government had just rolled out a new vaccination program. Offering free vaccinations to low income and poor children and of course the children in the group home were signed up.

Little did anyone know. The UNSC kept the used needles from the program, making a DNA registry of all the children of the outer colonies. Colonies, the planet Harvest, was among. 

Preparation for the SPARTAN II Project had begun. Originally 300 candidates were chosen, but the promised budget was later cut and the number was reduced to 150 and then finally a mere 75 candidates. Uno’s DNA was one of those finalists, that combined with his temperament  and the fact he was an orphan and thus wouldn’t require a flash clone replacement and Uno was taken without much fuss.

Uno’s feisty spirit served him well as a cadet. His quiet but savage nature makes him somewhat unpredictable among his peers. There were a few incidents of fights. Several in-fact, between Uno-086 and Lobo-037. One incident was recorded happening between Uno-086 and Preston-072, thusly Mandarin oranges are no longer allowed in the cafeteria as Preston-072 now has a sizable bite mark on his arm.

Graduation day. The cadets were excited. jittery and intense. It was the day they had been waiting for. Just one more test and they’d be done. They just had to survive. 

After being dismissed by Counselor Price, Penn walked down the halls of the Mother of Invention alone. Swallowing the lump in his throat as his boot falls echoed through the quiet corridors. He’s not sure why everything feels so… Off this time. Like he’s walking into a trap. His body basically buzzing with all the warning signs that something bad is going to happen.

The Spartan tries to shake off the feeling. He’s home after all, nothing bad could happen in these walls. He should be safe here, Virginia is here…His little mousie… Everything should be fine. He lets out a long sigh. It’s probably just his nerves getting the best of him. The adrenaline from the mission has long since worn off leaving his head foggy and his body tired. He’s hungry still, even with the food Virginia had snuck into his medical check up.

Penn thinks briefly about turning around and taking a detour through the Cafeteria, but his orders were to sleep and come back to finish the debrief. He’s a terrible Spartan, but he was at least good at following orders, probably. He however could not bring himself to pass the showers. He’s been on a mission for at least a week… At the very least… Even if the suit underlayer helped keep him dry, it didn’t clean him and a hot shower… Well, he would never pass up the opportunity even if it was against orders.

_______

Virginia steps out of the med-bay a little after the Counselor had left. He had just finished motherfucking the man behind his back with West… He hates this job. Wishes he never got involved. He didn’t want to be a pawn in this wicked game anymore, but he’s a coward and lying has always come easiest to him, and they had him by the balls. This was better than being in prison, and he wasn’t going back there… Even if it meant he had to live with the guilt of hurting… Helping hurt Penn over and over again.

Penn was too precious to be here. He wanted to get him out, needed to get him away from here. But again he’s a coward, and he’s afraid. He wishes he could do something, anything to make it better… But it’s too late. He’s guilty and Penn will never forgive him once he figures it out. If the poor guy ever gets a chance. As it’s going now the poor guy’s going to die here and never know what happened. If he could do anything, he could at least make sure Penn’s not completely alone when that happens.

Virginia’s thoughts are interrupted when he catches a glimpse of familiar camo armor dipping around a corner heading through the door to the communal showers. Penn apparently was going to shower before going to sleep? He was going against orders. It was risky, someone might see him there… Possibly talk to him… Virginia can’t risk that. Nevermind how his face heats up at the thought of Penn being naked and showering in there. Penn was completely his type, no if ands or buts about it. But he can’t love him. Nothing more than a casual fling. Penn deserves more than what Virginia can give him and Virginia doesn’t deserve anything Penn gives.

________

Penn is standing in one of the shower stalls, one of the larger ones. Letting the hot water pour down over his sore shoulders, the heat sinking into his bones and washing all his aches and pains away. That is until Virginia walks into the communal showers, seemingly looking around for someone. Was he looking for him… No it didn’t seem like it. Rather he was looking to see if there was anyone else present? Then the little mouse does the strangest thing. Once he checks the whole area he goes back to the door and he locks it…

“What are you doing?” Penn can’t help but ask. This is a “communal” shower other people might want to use it. He tilts his head as he watches Virginia head his way.

“I came to give you a hand big guy, figured you’d be more comfortable if no one could just walk in and see your scars.” Virginia lied. He doesn’t want anyone coming in and talking to Penn. No one can know, no one can suspect. Virginia hated using Penn’s scars against him like this, but it was a convenient excuse and he knows Penn is self conscious about them so it works, even if it hurts to say those things to him. Truthfully Virginia thinks Penn is perfect. He loves those scars, loves to touch them, loves how they feel against his skin, but he’s not allowed to love him. He doesn’t deserve Penn. All he does is hurt him.

“Oh… Yeah… I guess you’re right… No one wants to see these.” Penn concedes after a moment of quiet thought. His good hand trailing over his scarred shoulder rubbing at it nervously. His voice sounds humble, like he should have known that, with a slight tone of sadness under it all.

Virginia wanted nothing more than to stab himself in the gut right there, but he wouldn’t, because he’s a coward. All he could do is try to make it better. Cool the wound he had just made, ice it over so Penn would forget about it. Tell a truth to cover up the lies.

“I want to see them. They don’t bother me. I think you're pretty. Fuck anyone that thinks otherwise.” The smile Penn gives him when he says that could put the sunrise to shame he swears to G-d. This man is a light in the darkness, Virginia’s darkness. One he doesn’t deserve as previously mentioned, but he’s also selfish.

“Thank you.” Penn manages to speak though the lump in his throat. He loves Virginia so much but he doesn’t dare say it. Afraid of what might change if he did. His mousie is the one reason he keeps coming back here. Why he tries so hard to get out alive. Why he tries so hard not to get cut from the program, why he wants that AI so badly. He’d be lost without Virginia, he’s sure of it.

Penn’s hands shake as he reaches down to remove Virginia’s helmet. He wants to see his face and like an angel Virginia lets him. The hiss of the suit depressurizing making both of them flinch slightly before Penn pulls it off. Virginia squints a bit as the harsh light and spray of the shower hit his now unshielded eyes.

“Hi.” Penn says as he carefully pushes Virginia’s hair back with his wet fingers. “Do you come here often?” He chuckles a small grin at his jokes spreading across his face with the cheesy pick-up line.

Virginia can’t help but laugh, Penn can always make him laugh. It’s one of the things he loves so much about him. “No, I’m afraid I don’t.” He manages to get out between his giggles before he stops and places his hands over Penn’s chest, shamelessly squeezing his pecks.

“We could fix that though, If you’re feeling up to it, big guy?” Sex, it’s the only thing he can give Penn. The only thing he has that can make things better if only for a moment. At least that’s what he thinks, and he knows Penn won’t turn him down. In a few hours Penn won’t remember a thing… But that’s for future Virginia to worry about. Right now he’ll take what he can get, give what he can give.

Penn’s breath stalls for a moment as he realizes what Virginia wants. He looks at the closed and locked door for a moment then back to Virginia.

“Oh, you little brat.” Penn laughs. “You know I’ll give you whatever you want… All you have to do is ask.” His hands are shaking with excitement as he runs his fingers over Virginia’s shoulders and he’s panting heavily. “Wait…”

Virginia pauses looking up. “What? Is something wrong?”

“Did you bring anything?... Plus I still haven’t… I’m dirty.” Penn steps back into the cascade of water slightly. He hasn’t gotten the chance to wash up yet. He was just soaking in the warmth when Virginia came in.

“OH… Yes, I have stuff, don't worry about that.” Condoms and lube. It’s in his skirt he just has to get it. “I can help you clean up too” The smaller Freelancer offers.

“Virg… You’re still in your armor.” Penn laughs as he turns Virginia around and smacks his ass. Making Virginia blush and yelp in surprise before both of them are laughing again. Penn gives him a small push out of the shower stall. “Fix that first.” He comments with a teasing lilt to his voice. One that made Virginia practically giddy when he heard it.

“Yes, sir.” Virginia gives Penn a mock salute grin on his face as Penn squints his eye at him, before following suit with a grin of his own shaking his head at Virginia’s antics. Virginia heads over towards the armor lockers and quickly sheds his armor locking it away beside Penn’s. He makes a mental note, he’s going to have to come get it later. He pulls a towel and spare clothes also the “other” necessities.

As Virginia gets ready Penn is quick to soap up scrubbing the remains of his mission off of himself. He has a few tender places where he got hit, bumps and bruises but nothing too crazy. He’s relatively unscathed this time around, other than the oxygen deprivation with the bubble shield. But he’s pretty well recovered from that. Soon enough Virginia’s back and he's stolen the scrubber away from him, not that he fought very hard for it.

______

Penn’s closet is always dark and cozy. Stuffed with so many pillows and blankets it was easy to burrow into them and get lost. That’s what Virginia tries to do when Penn’s not here. He tries to disappear. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Right now though he’s curled up with Penn as he sleeps. The Spartan no doubt exhausted and definitely drained, in more ways than one. Virginia just watches him, like the little freak he is.

Watching as the man’s chest rises and falls while slowly trailing his fingers over the vast expanse of scars. He wishes, he prays, he tries to think of ways to get this man away from here. How to keep him safe but nothing he ever comes up with is ever going to work. All the time he has with Penn is limited and he can practically hear it ticking. One of these days, Penn's not going to come back and he’s not sure if he could take that. He’s stuck and helpless, he’s fighting a losing battle here.

Soon enough… Too soon. Penn’s breathing starts to pick up. A nightmare. The Spartan can’t even rest in his sleep. Virginia sits up and starts to shake him awake. “Penn! Penn, wake up!”

Penn startles. His eye snaps open and he inhales sharply grabbing onto Virginia as if trying to catch himself. But, it’s just Virginia… It’s not… it’s not whatever he thought it was… The nightmare fades so fast, it just slips right through his fingers. There’s nothing… It’s always just… Nothing.

“Virg?” He asks confused as his grip softens on the smaller man’s shoulders. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you did I?” Penn sits up in the nest of blankets, his eye scanning over Virginia as if he can see in the dark. Maybe he can… He is a Spartan after all. Virginia doesn’t fight him as he’s pulled into Penn’s lap. Rather he melts in the larger man’s hold and sinks into his chest. Wrapping his arms around Penna holding him like a koala causing Penn to laugh as he pets Virginia’s back. “Taking that answer as a no then?”

“No, M’ fine,” Virginia answers after a minute. Even if Penn had hurt him, he would never admit it. For fear Penn would kick him out of the nest, to protect him.

“How long has it been? I should finish my debrief...” Penn says as he loosens his hold as if he’s getting ready to get up.

Virginia latches on tighter with those words, protective and scared. “No!” He blurts before realizing what he’s done then he stumbles over his words and thoughts. Trying to come up with a way to get him to stay, Just a little bit longer. Shit, he probably fucked that up, Penn was going to be suspicious now. Fuck.

“One more moment, please.” Virginia wanted to cry. He didn’t want him to go. He’s going to get hurt again. He squeezes Penn like if he let go he would die.

His chest tightens when Penn chuckles, completely unaware of what was going to happen. “It’s too late… I’m afraid I have to leave…” Virginia chokes on the words he should say. The warnings fall quiet. Tears ready to fall any moment. Coward. He can’t fix this. Penn was going to leave and when he came back, he wouldn’t be the same. He’d be a hollowed out shell. Virginia would have to listen to all the stories all over again, pretend like it was the first time… Because it was… For Penn it would be the first time… Everytime. “I’ll be back before you know it.” Penn grins. Virginia can hear that adorable smile as he talks.

“Okay.” Virginia lets him go. “I’ll be here when you get back. Just like I always am.” He comments sadly. Penn probably thinks he’s just pouting. As Penn closes the door behind him the words he wanted to say fall from his lips. “I love you.” He had almost said it, almost told him. But almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades and Virginia wanted to swallow a hand grenade right now. It would probably hurt less than this. His tears have started to fall like rain as he sat alone in Penn’s closet, waiting for a newly broken Penn to be dumped back on his doorstep. Starting the cycle of hurt all over again.

His mechanical arm whirred quietly as he adjusted his duffle bag to hang over his shoulder. He didn’t have much, just some clothes, extra combat knives... a few momentos... essentials really…

“U-086 over here please...” 86 turned towards the voice, no one but superiors used his full name so that must be Toll? He made his way over giving the dark skinned man a proper Spartan salute minus the fact he was still holding his duffle bag over his shoulder.

“Yes, sir...Reporting for duty.” He was nervous… Who wouldn’t be? The UNSC hadn’t told him why he was here, just that he was a good fit for this assignment. The man seemed to look him over, appraising him. 86 was used to that, everyone did that especially to Spartans they were assets not people… He was used to it but the way Toll looked at him was different...creepy even, made his anxiety squirm under his skin.

“At ease, soldier...There’s no need for such formality here 086.” Toll gave a friendly smile, but 86 thought it was weird that he actually said the zero instead of just 86. “Welcome to the Mother of Invention or MOI as everyone likes to call her. You’ll be one of our agents from now on, Agent Pennsylvania to be exact. I hope you can get along well with the others… Now if you don’t mind we need to get you properly equipped as one of us… and we have a few evaluations we’d like you to complete so we can match you properly with any assignments we send you on. This way please...” Toll said as he started to walk away.

86 no Agent Pennsylvania, had no trouble keeping up with the man’s pace as he followed along behind him. While at the same time taking in the sights and sounds of his new home.

Toll took him into a showroom of sorts displaying quite a few different prototype MJOLNIR armors. Agent Pennsylvania was a little stunned. How did they have MJOLNIR armors of their own? This project must be bigger than he thought…

“Go ahead and equip whatever you want from this room. Feel free to specialize it to your strong points. I’ll meet you outside when you're done.” With that being said Toll left the door sliding closed automatically behind him as he stepped out.

Pennsylvania all but dropped his duffle bag once his superior was gone. Looking over his options with all the energy of a kid in a candy store. The SPI armor he was currently equipped with was mass produced garbage meant to enhance the efficiency of the suicide soldier he was originally meant to be.

He looked the suits over before settling on a variation of the scout armor. Scout armor has many advantages for someone like him. The wider angle visor would help with his blind spot... Since he only had one eye, it also had enhanced optics… The type of thing every sniper needs... The suit has an anti-tracking system, shroud-induction and has the ability to mask radioactive emissions making him practically invisible to infrared sensors and reactor pings. While also extending the up time of active camouflage... Too bad he didn’t have an active camo unit… Although maybe he could make the photo-reactive coating from the SPI armor work with the Scout armor. It wouldn’t be a full active camo but enough for sort of a phasing out effect probably…

He shed his old SPI armor for the new Scout setup making sure to scavenge the photo-reactive unit to adapt into this suit later. He equipped the chest plate with an extra combat knife, as you can never have too many knives. Next he needed a gun.… Looking them over his eyes landed on an anti-materiel sniper rifle and she practically sang to him like a siren in those old pirate tales… He took it slinging it over his shoulder and into place over the mag strips on the back of the suit. He would definitely customize his colors later, probably jungle camo as it was his favorite pattern.

Right now though it was just plain OD Green. Stepping out of the room suited up with his new gear he found Toll was waiting for him in the hallway. Toll took a moment to study him again, another appraising look before nodding his head.

“As I expected from your file it seemed you leaned towards stealth/recon missions, the anti-materiel sniper is a nice fit also.” Toll adjusted his glasses before writing something down on the clipboard he was carrying. Odd... Who carries a clipboard around this day and age?

Agent Pennsylvania just nodded in response he wasn’t really sure how he was supposed to act with this man yet…

“Alright then let’s get started shall we? I’ll show you to the training room and we will have a look at what you can do. Set up a baseline of sorts for future tests.” Toll started walking as he talked Pennsylvania following close behind. The man showed him around a bit before heading to the training room he knew where the cafeteria, and their rooms were located. Informing him that he would get his very own room, saying that he could go pick a room once they were done with his testing… Pennsylvania was definitely looking forward to that...

Toll led him to the training room. The room was pretty lackluster. A table was set up with a few different pistols… He hates pistols...Something with them just never clicks quite right in his brain. It made them extremely difficult for him to use with his lack of an eye. If this man had read his files as he said he had, he would know this… Unless this was some sort of test… There were three targets on the other side of the room, half torso types.

“Take out the three targets with what you have at your disposal,” was all Toll said as he leaned against the wall to observe clipboard and pen seemingly at the ready.

Pennsylvania just nodded as he stepped over to the table. Pistols all laid out nice and neat separated from their magazines for safety-sake, probably. Pennsylvania picks one of them up pulling the slide backwards to inspect the chamber… Nothing in it… Good. He releases the slide allowing it to snap back and then he holds the pistol in his open hand gauging its weight getting a feel for its distribution before stepping up to the line like a pitcher stepping up to the plate. He grins to himself under his helmet as he whips the pistol...the whole thing...at one of the targets. The barrel of the pistol embeds itself into whatever the targets are made of, sort of like an axe would, but it’s not an axe.

The target doesn't take the impact gracefully, the head breaking off and tumbling back a little while after. Penn pulls his combat knives from the sheaths on his chest plate, he doesn't need to take a moment to gauge their weight though he knew his knives like they were extensions of himself. The knives left his hands in quick succession flying true and sinking nicely into the other two targets clean up to the hilt.

He straightened up and turned to Toll, who looked less than amused... Pennsylvania almost laughed but he caught it in time and stifled it as Toll spoke, "You were supposed to shoot them..."

"You didn't say I had to shoot them. You said to take them out with what I had at my disposal...And that's what I did..." Pennsylvania replied with only a slight hint of sass.

Toll sighed and started writing something on his clipboard, probably something about being unruly... But what could you expect from someone who was raised by ODST... As Toll was writing, Pennsylvania walked up to the targets to pull his knives out of their faces. Yanking one out before happening to look up and see he had a small audience looking down at him from an observation deck of sorts.

He didn't know that was going to be a thing and was now a little embarrassed by his actions. Although it didn't really look like he needed to be... One of his viewers, a smaller one, had a hand pressed against the glass as if trying to get a better look. The other, a bigger guy probably bigger than even him, but it was hard to tell from here, was looking down at him also... Did this PFL have more Spartans? Would he be able to talk to them? Slightly taken aback by the spectators being right there, Pennsylvania did the only thing he could think of at that moment... He gave a little hand wave as if to say Hi, it was an awkward little thing...

As Pennsylvania waved the smaller one pulled away from the glass almost like they had been burnt. Turning their head towards where Toll was standing still writing away... As if to see if he was looking? Were they not supposed to interact with each other? Strange... Pennsylvania almost missed it...but after seeming to decide the coast was clear the smaller one gave a tiny wave back. The bigger one gave him a simple head nod and after that Pennsylvania turned to pull the second knife from the other target's head.

It seemed this Toll character wasn't to be trusted if that reaction was anything to go by... He had felt it when they first met but having his suspicions confirmed made him feel a bit better about it. He sheathed his knives and made his way back over to Toll somewhat at attention but not fully. He wanted to get these tests over with so he could pick a room, hopefully they had nice closets...

_______________________________

"Vermont! Did you see that guy, the one that just got off the Pelican... He had a fucking robotic arm... Do you think he was a Spartan like you? Is he a new Agent maybe? I wonder what stupid shitty state name they'll give him..." Rhodes practically exploded with excitement as soon as the coast was clear. He could practically feel Vermont roll his eyes as the helmet that covered his face rolled and he heard a small sigh.

"Yes, Rhodes I saw him... He was a bit hard to miss... You don't see people wearing SPI armor often... Nor do you see people almost as big as me..." Vermont chuckled lightly... Rhodes was being gay about the new guy he just knew it... "If he is a new Agent they'll probably have him in the training room soon enough... Want to go see?"

"Fuckin' yeah! Let's go..." Another check of their surroundings and Rhodes had a hold of Vermont's hand all but dragging him down the hall towards the observation deck, Vermont allowed it as a small laugh escaped his lips...Rhodes was so cute...

With Vermont in tow it didn't take long to get where they were going, luckily no one else was on deck so they could be secretly gay together while they watched a few people getting the training room ready for testing. Rhodes somehow managed to weasel his way into Vermont's lap even with both of them standing. Vermont just took the time to hold him. His chin resting on the top of his head as they waited for the new guy to show up.

After a little while the guest of honor soon came walking into the training room slightly behind Toll. Rhodes stood back up and moved towards the window to get a better look, Vermont following suit just after. Vermont noted the Scout armor and sniper rifle on the new guy's back, but he didn't see a side arm, just knives...a bit odd...

The guy picked the pistol up from the table but didn't load it, just checked the action and then to his surprise used it to unconventionally take out the target across the room... Rhodes squeaked the sound involuntarily leaving his throat due to his surprise, his hand pressed against the glass, as he elbowed Vermont in the side.

"Did you fucking see that! That was so cool, holy shit!" Rhodes was bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet.

"Yeah... I don't think that's how he was supposed to do it..." Vermont paused as the knives flew to the other targets... He was probably going to have to peel Rhodes off the glass here in a second before he went ass over tin cups into the training room... "He's got a good arm, I'll give him that."

The new Agent went up to retrieve his knives pulling one and then seeming to notice them the man's head tilted slightly as he gave a small awkward looking wave, like he had no idea what he was doing. Rhodes stepped back from the glass and checked to see if Toll saw not wanting to bring more attention to themselves as necessary. Toll wasn't looking and Rhodes relaxed a bit before returning the wave albeit cautiously...Vermont just gave a simple nod it was the polite thing to do after all.

"He's adorable, did you see that? He's like a big puppy..." Rhodes awed.

Vermont sighed... Rhodes was gone... Deep in whatever little place his brain went. "Come on, let's go... Before you get us in trouble..." He drug Rhodes back out into the hallway. It was about lunch time anyway. May as well see if there was anything good...probably not but it wouldn't hurt to check. After lunch Rhodes had to go to a briefing with fire team alpha so they had to separate. Rhodes promised to come by Vermont's room later, some quiet "I love yous" passing between them.

Sneaking back to Vermont's room later Rhodes got caught just outside the room as the new guy stepped out of one of the previously empty rooms. Rhodes tried to be as nonchalant as possible about it, after all this guy was new he didn't know who slept where... It was probably fine...

Rhodes' thoughts were interrupted when the new guy spoke. "What’s it called when a Peeping Tom is skilled in his game?" Rhodes' brain stalled, what the fuck was this? Was this because they got caught watching his training tests... How did he even know it was him? His voice didn't sound angry though actually it sounded kind of kidding... Like a joke? There was a pause as Rhodes was sort of frozen unsure what was going on...

"It's called being at... Peak Performance." The other Agent finally broke the strange silence, erupting into a fit of giggles.

Rhodes couldn't help but laugh too, did this guy seriously just use a joke in order to get his attention? He had no business being that fucking cute... Once the agent sobered up a bit he stepped a bit closer and pulled off his helmet revealing a heavily scared face and an adorable lopsided grin...cute...

"Hey, do you know how much a polar bear weighs?" Pennsylvania tried another one... It seemed like the first one broke the little one... He was pretty sure this was the one that waved at him earlier.

"No, I don't..." the little one replied once he had stopped his own laugh.

Pennsylvania grinned again this time holding his hand out for a handshake... The flesh one, he had his helmet tucked against his side with the mechanical one. "I don't know either but it's enough to break the ice... Haha... Name's Agent Pennsylvania... I guess... What's yours?" Pennsylvania chuckled as he introduced himself.

Was that a pickup line? Did this Agent Pennsylvania just use a pickup line on him Oh my G-d! His brain was broken... Cause he answered almost immediately... "Agent Rhode Island... but...most people just call me Rhodes..." Rhodes took Pennsylvania's hand to shake it; he couldn't help the smile on his face as he did so. This guy was dangerous...

"Oh, can we shorten them? Okay... Then I guess I would just be Penn then? Nice to meet you, Rhodes." Penn tilted his head again. Like he had done earlier, in the training room although now Rhodes knew it was because Penn only had one eye but it didn't make it any less adorable.