Chapter Text
The two pranksters are lazing around in the common room, both slumped on the couch. Kapkan is tapping away on his phone, playing some rhythm game. Bandit has his arm propped up on the couch armrest, his face resting on the palm of his hand. His phone on his free hand, reading the latest news while he tries to keep an eye on Rook who is across from them in the room.
The Frenchman is accompanied by Jäger and Mute. They’re playing a game of chess and Jäger seems to be the referee since he’s sitting in the middle. Rook to his left and Mute to his right. Bandit takes a peek at the board and it looks like Mute is winning so far. The brit knocked out a few of Rook’s pawns, both of his knights and one bishop.
Rook looks tense, he really wants to win this game of chess. He made a bet with the brit and he’s having regrets letting the SAS operator having the choice of how to settle the bet. Betting with Mute out of all people, you’re bound to lose 99% of the time. A game that depends on strategies and tactics? Rook is pretty much screwed, he knows that Mute has the upperhand in this.
The bet consists of: If Rook wins, Mute has to admit to Smoke about having romantic feelings for him. If Mute wins, Rook has to admit to Doc about having a huge crush on him. Yeah it's a pretty childish bet for two grown men they admit but they didn’t care. ‘At least we’re still youthful’ as Rook said. Well it is true, the two of them are the youngest operators in team rainbow.
They would often talk to each other about their love interests in private. They didn’t know anyone else in the base that they could share about their romantic interests. They were like two teenage girls admiring and gossiping about their crushes.
They made this bet to ”push themselves” as Mute said. Both of them seem to not have the courage to ever tell the person how they are feeling. Rook is pretty timid and shy, his mind can be all over the place at times. Afraid that he might say dumb and ridiculous things, he just keeps his mouth zipped most of the time unless necessary. Mute is reserved and quiet, he likes keeping most things to himself and he’s at peace with that.
Bandit nudges Kapkan’s side with his elbow to get the Russian’s attention, Kapkan turns his head to look at the German. Bandit points at the direction where Rook is at by tilting his chin up. Kapkan looks where Bandit pointed at, seeing the Frenchman looking concentrated at the game of chess. It seems that Rook isn’t going anywhere soon. Kapkan lets out a sigh and Bandit grunts, it seems that their plan isn’t happening today perhaps.
A few days ago, Bandit and Kapkan were doing their usual mischievous things in the base. They sneaked up behind Rook in the common room while he was seated on the couch. He was on his phone, it looked like he was texting someone. Both of them saw that the contact name was just a heart emoji, there’s no name next to it. This caught both of their attention. The two looked at each other briefly then they nodded at the same time, agreeing that they will talk about it later.
Both pranksters lightly tapped the Frenchman by his shoulders and yelled “Boo!” Rook let out a shriek, turning his head around swiftly due to the surprise. He saw that it was Bandit and Kapkan, they were snickering and giggling. Rook was embarrassed and flushed. He quickly hides his phone into the pocket of his yoga pants, hoping that the two didn’t see his phone screen when he didn’t notice they were creeping up behind him earlier.
Bandit noticed how Rook was in a hurry to hide his phone. ‘He’s probably hiding something that he clearly doesn’t want others to find out about or see,’ the German ponders. ‘This could be really good teasing material...’ Bandit is grinning internally inside, oh how he can’t wait to find out Rook’s secret.
Kapkan notices the pink flush on Rook’s nose and cheeks, ‘Either we got him really good or he’s keeping something from us,’ the Russian thinks. He’s suspicious but he doesn’t push or tease the Frenchman about it yet.
Rook stands up from the couch, facing the two pranksters proper and leveled now, he crosses his arms on his chest. “Wow, you guys sure got me good,” he says with a monotone voice, letting out a huff at the end. He’s clearly embarrassed, he never knew that a high pitched shriek like that could ever come out of his mouth. He shakes his head at the two pranksters.
Bandit and Kapkan look at each other dumbfoundedly, they can’t help but laugh at the situation. Rook looks ticked off, his brows furrowed and his mouth slightly pouted. He looks like an angry puppy to the two pranksters.
Rook doesn’t want to deal with their nonsense anymore. “Peu importe,” he mutters under his breath as he leaves the common room.
Bandit plops himself down on the couch that Rook was once sitting on, leaving a bit of space for Kapkan as he sits down beside the German. “So... was it just me or did you witness that as well Maxim?” Bandit questions his friend.
“Nope, I can confirm that you’re not seeing things,” he pinches Bandit’s arm to prove his point. Bandit lets out a yelp, “Autsch!” he playfully punches Kapkan by shoulder.
“I think Rook is definitely interested in someone, but the question is... who? And who just puts a heart emoji as the contact name? At least put a nickname! Give us something to work with!”
Kapkan chuckles at Bandits little ramble. “Well let's think this rationally, eh Dom?”
“Yeah we can do that and waste time playing blue’s clues or we can take a sneak peak at his phone while he’s not looking, a quick peek won’t hurt!”
“It's just a suggestion,” Bandit bats his lashes, putting on an innocent look as he smiles at Kapkan.
“I like the sound of the 2nd option.”
That’s how operation ‘snatch ze plate-man's baguette (no, not that kind of bagguete you dirty fuck)’ began.