Work Text:
Every month, there are two notable events that occur within the VALORANT Protocol:
1. The VP gathers for a mandatory meeting between all the agents to discuss relevant information in regards to their recent missions.
2. Yoru's Motorbike Maintenance
Normally for the second event, all the agents of the protocol are able to indulge in their own personal spendings with the regular payments they receive from operations. Whether they choose to spend it on essentials, tech, or trinkets; they had the full right to purchase whatever they wish for, whenever and however. Of course, as long as their spendings did not risk the safety of those around them. Every now and then though, some agents aren't paid enough to buy what they wish for, or overindulge in their payment prior to purchasing what they actually need.
It had appeared this month was one of those months, as a series of knocks tap down your door. On the other side was the voice of someone you were far too familiar with.
"Hey, you in there?"
A heavy Japanese accent clouds his voice, you recognized that this was noneother than Yoru. You were surprised to have heard him at this hour as it had been near midnight, the clock reading 11:44PM. How come he had been awake at this hour?
Despite his oftentimes crude demeanor, the rift-walking agent was very keen on getting enough sleep. Having worked alongside the VP for years, it was no surprise you'd begin to pick up on everybody's habits...or did you just personally feel more fascinated by him & focused on his habits? Perhaps it was the way that Yoru bore such a bold palette for his closet, or it could be how prideful he seemed in his ability to take on fights. Maybe it'd been the fact the protocol recognized him as a 'lone wolf' and yet, he'd consistently perform as a team player, gathering intel for his fellow agents. It'd simply be mere coincidence he'd take fights on alone during their missions.
"...Mhm, anything I can help you with Yoru?" You open the door, head slightly falling short of the blue-haired agent. You found yourself having to look up at him. Sometimes, you'd question as to whether he's grown or you've shrunk. Was he supposed to continue growing at his age?
"Do you have any parts I could borrow for my motorbike? I'm missing a few things for it."
Yoru kept things straightforward and with little awkwardness verbally, though the slight shifting in his feet said otherwise. The agent felt the need to constantly adjust the tips of his gloves and even brush back his hair with his hands, but you hadn't taken note of this. Considering how you, yourself, have always been the kind of person to fidget whilst speaking. It was less about feeling awkward and more to occupy your time, staying still was a difficult task for you after all. You simply assumed that Yoru had been the same.
With a light smile, you nodded. It wasn't unusual for the two of you to borrow parts from each other, both fascinated by the mechanical aspects of things. In this case, the both of you had a fascination of automobiles and transportation.
"I do, but I'm not sure if they're going to be the parts you're looking for. Let's go over to the workshop and see if you find what you need."
...
The two of you walk in silence towards the workshop, south of the island VP sat upon. This was the same location that Yoru's garage was and many of the other agents' own personal workspaces were, including but not limited to Killjoy. Nearing your own workshop, you lightly pry your hands below the metal gate and pull it upwards, opening the room. Though nothing had really changed. It was still as dark as ever due to the time.
Your hand now begin to rummage through the locks of a few closets in the back to reveal the parts available in your arsenal. You didn't know what Yoru needed exactly, so you'd simply aid him by opening all the possibilities. The last bolts pops off, landing on the base of your palm with a handful of other locks. Yoru looked back at you, arching an eyebrow as a sign of asking for permission and you'd silently reply with a nod. Though the gesture was small, you appreciated how he'd been so mindful of things like this.
"How come you dragged your maintenance time to such a late hour anyway?" The question finally made its way from your head and out your mouth, noticing how peculiar it was for him to be up around midnight. He was often times the first to sleep afterall.
"Spent the whole day looking for parts." He continued looking through each closet for the part he needed, treating each part with care knowing how precious they may be. "I tried asking KJ...hell, I even approached Cypher. Didn't know who else to ask other than you now that you've come back from your mission."
You could only silently acknowledge his answer, the room beginning to fill up without sound until Yoru found the part. He begins shutting the door of each closet, cueing you to place the locks back into their respective knobs once more. With your back turned against him, focused on securing each door, you hadn't realized he watched you: pupils gradually dilating.
"Found what you needed?" You turn around, approaching him with a ringlet of keys that'd hang off your index finger. "Best you get the repairs done soon. You don't like sleeping too late, right?"
At first the edge of Yoru's lips twitched by the slightest, something itching to come out. Knowing that the two of you would end your interaction right there had he not said anything. Hands slightly tensing around the mechanical part he obtained, as you begin to turn around and bid him 'goodnight', Yoru squared his shoulders to pep himself, masking his sudden burst of restlessness.
"Would it disturb you..." He didn't want to stammer over his words, simply coming to a brief pause to avoid this. "...if you helped me out with maintenance?"
It catches you off guard momentarily, but you too, prepare to hide your flustered expression with the dimming hour.
"It wouldn't. I'd be more than happy to help."
...
Inside Yoru's garage set his motorbike, lying horizontally on the floor atop a thin protective sheet. Several bolts and tools surround it but always sit a hefty distance away from the actual motorcycle itself, you could tell how much he cherished the bike simply from the relief that settled over his eyes now that his hand held the last part he needed to complete the maintenance.
Similarly to when the both of you approached your workshop, the early half remains without sound. The only things that broke the silence in the air had been Yoru's tinkering that commenced the moment he entered the garage. Though today, his brows were more furrowed that it'd normally be. His hands, usually gloved now remain bare as veins protrude out of his skin tensely. His expression just appeared strange to you, had you just been thinking too much?
'Just what were you thinking about? With an expression as solemn as that, it didn't look like you were just focused on repairing your bike...'
...
✸ YORU POV ✸
I can't bring myself to look at them.
A chill lines down my back, hands clenched around the screwdriver's handle. Even though I was the one who invited them to keep me company— no, help me with repairs all I'd been doing was letting them sit next to me in observation. Despite knowing that this was less than ideal, my mouth remain zippered shut. I couldn't bring myself to look at them, nonetheless speak.
Man up. It's pointless to keep them sitting there all night.
I turn my head, prepared to speak only to stop in my tracks. Eyes widening to the sight of your face, far too close for comfort observing my hands that worked with the mechanisms of the motorbike. In that moment, you too shifted your gaze towards me.
"You look like you know what you're doing, do you really need the help of someone amateur like me?" I watch you chuckle lightly, but still attempting to stifle it from being heard. "I'll be more than happy to help you clean up what you don't need. Just let me know how I can help."
There was something so enamoring about the way you carried yourself. It wasn't elegance or anything of the sorts, just raw generosity and the willingness to understand something even I've taken great pride in; the nickname which I've earned myself as a soloist. Another side simply believed I was prying too deep to give myself a reason to be fascinated or easily startled by you. Maybe one day I'd let those thoughts win. Maybe that day could be today.
"...Your company is more than enough. It would be nice everyday was like this." The words came out of my mouth in a mumble before I could even catch myself. By the time I did, you'd already been staring at me with eyes even wider than mine were.
"Hm? Did you say something?" You clearly heard it. You clearly did, so how come you asked that question?
"I—" Now the stuttering began. In my efforts to remain composed, the stumbling of my words seem to become worse, and soon, it'd progress into unintentional aggression. "I said that your company is disturbing me when you're that close, sit further away would you?"
"Huh? Yeah— alright. My bad." Your face visibly sunk; something felt like it'd stabbed my heart.
...くそ.
...
Seating yourself further back in the room, you wanted to confront Yoru on his behavior. It was partially your fault though, as you'd heard what he said and simply wanted to hear it again. Was it all that bad to simply want to hear him give you some form of reassurance or approval?
As Yoru continued to work without a word, the tensions in the air seem to rise. You could only observe him from a distance and cup your face between your hands, elbows propped on your legs. You were conflicted between being angry or saddened.
That's how it remained for most of the repair, both sides wallowing in self deliberation without a sound aside from mechanical workage.
Yoru was almost complete with maintenance. Seeing the parts around him gradually grow lesser, you knew time together would soon be over. Now that you thought about it, this may have been the first time since your initial recruitment into the VP that the two of you have sat in such awkward environment together. Uncomfortable with the atmosphere, you rise from your seated area, prepared to leave now that you felt as if your presence was no longer needed here. Perhaps you were asking for too much to at least have a regular conversation after being away for such a long time.
The finishing touches were being made.
Yoru could hear you beginning to leave, his grip on the tools in his hands tightening to the point it'd redden his palms to an extreme. His innate fear of being vulnerable would result in the instantaneous split between the two of you that he spent so long to develop. His desire to not lose yet another person he values would allow him to drop the tool in his hand, creating a jarring sound of metallic reverberation throughout the garage.
"I'm sorry." The words struggled to come out his mouth, as he'd say this while clamping his teeth shut. He couldn't bring his eyes up to you, and you had been the one initially looking up at him. "I'm sorry that I told you that you'd been disturbing me... even though I was the one who asked for your company."
You didn't want to push at his buttons like you had done earlier, letting out a low sigh and turning around so you could fully face him. Bringing yourself next to him once more and began picking up the extra parts scattered around the motorbike that was clearly no longer being used.
One thing was brought to your attention though: 'company'?
"Thanks for the apology, Yoru." You felt just as uncomfortable with his apology, but it was a good form of discomfort. With the unused tools held in your arms, you now stand up to place them back. "Where should I put these?"
He stood up alongside you, grabbing some of the items in your arms to prevent it from flooding out and began placing them in their rightful areas. It felt as if you were changing the topic, but Yoru didn't want to be left without an answer. He wanted that day to be today, because god knows when you'll be sent to another missions for months.
As he was complete with putting all the parts back, Yoru's hands leaned on the counter and his head turned towards you, but back still facing away.
You observed his expression once more, and he noted the same furrowed eyebrows from when he had just begun repairing his bike. Serious, too serious.
"You know, when you were away for your mission," A bubble seems to rise in his throat, leaving him somewhat constricted. He needed to say this though. "I was bored. I didn't have anyone to chat with about my knife collection, bike, or just anything."
Tilting your head, you didn't know if this was an extension of his apology or something else.
"Well, I'm back now. I won't have another assignment for a little bit, so we can chat whenever you'd like."
Yoru recognized that you hadn't understood what his point was. He was being too roundabout with his confession anyway. He didn't want to say anymore, but clearly he's be stuck at this stage for longer than he wants if nothing is communicated more directly.
"I don't want to just chat."
"What do you mean by that?"
Yoru could barely say anything, but seeing your facial expression change from something entirely neutral to the opposite, with a beet-red face and trembling lips. You were horrified by how slow you were to pick up on his cues, but at the same time he hadn't been clear in the first place. If you were in his shoes though, you probably would have been the same. The longer the two of you stood there trying to find the words to tell each other, he'd begin to mirror your fumbling behavior. He felt just as embarrassed, if not more as he'd been the one to prompt the entire conversation in the first place. His hand struggles, gradually drawing closer to yours before latching but a single finger around it.
.
.
.
"I want to be by your side."