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Valorant Legion, Kingdom Industries, and ATLAS had put together a sort of gala to promote themselves. Rightfully all of their agents had been invited to attend with the more reluctant having their arms politely twisted. It was all a publicity stunt. Wealthy fans, investors, and anyone who could afford to pull together some coins were permitted to attend. All of the agents were dressed to the nines. Female agents either wore something cultural or something classy with small bits of flare. The male agents were decorated in various suits with adornments to personalize them. Vincent was in a crisp black suit with a rich gold undershirt. His signature color scheme stayed consistent with his outfit, gold cufflinks and all. Of course if this was just some glorified meet and greet it wouldn’t garner the attention their employers had hoped so there was a gimmick; It was a masquerade. Everyone wore masks that concealed most of if not all of their entire face. It gave a sense of mystery as well as hooked people due to the chance of dancing the night away with their favorite member of Valorant.
I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
Of course he was entirely against being here and would rather prefer not to be. Vincent hated such stunts, such gimmicks. It was demeaning to be flaunted around like a cut of meat to starving dogs, all of them hoping to just get a taste of him. He took some solace in the fact other agents shared his thoughts but none of them could act against their generous funders. The only thing that made this night worth it was that he had a rendezvous with a particular person scheduled. The event gave the perfect cover for such a meeting and would allow the two to enjoy themselves under the guise of forming business relations. If either of them were discovered the scandal would not only destroy their social lives but would destroy them. Two agents from different earths meeting on a moonlit night to dance was absurd, but was exactly what was happening.
Chamber had met the other agent by chance almost a year ago. The other man was trying to infiltrate one of Omega Earth’s secure facilities that Chamber had been stationed on temporarily. Bumping into each other led to a fight that left both bruised and broken as well as wanting answers. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you looked at it, the Alpha agent would escape with Vincent not knowing his name or face. If it was the last time the two would meet then the risk happening tonight would have never occurred. Not even a month later he had been deployed to siphon more Radianite from the other earth. Out of the corner of his eye he had spotted him. A shimmer and change of face alerted the sharp shooter to who one of his enemies was. He gave chase of course and managed to corner the other man. Everything was perfect. Chamber had the advantage with the chameleon being out of ammo and hurting. Despite the end seeming straight forward he couldn’t bring himself to pull the trigger. He wanted answers about the radiants abilities, he needed them even. Even if it didn’t progress his life’s work he was still entirely too curious about the other man’s talents to toss them away so easily. So, instead of shooting him, he teleported away back to his team to help assist in planting the spike. That mission ended up being a wash as they had to swiftly return to their home, but it had cemented a connection. Over time the two would keep bumping into each other on missions until they finally would meet on equal terms without conflict.
And I know it’s true that visions are seldom all they seem
Things eventually would blossom between the two. At first it was strictly to use the Alpha agent for the skill set he provided. Chamber had even tempted him to help with some of his business ventures, using the chameleon-like powers to make himself seem more credible with investors or customers by snagging the faces of notable people. Despite his best efforts the time the two spent together became more valued than it should have been. They started growing close and over time became something, exactly what that was neither would say. That is what had led to this moment. Multiple times the two had met with the other wearing someone else’s face so that they could share experiences and have dates. What was different tonight was that the masks allowed the two of them to come as they were, no disguises shared between them. So there Vincent Fabron stood, eyes scanning the room looking for his lover’s eyes in the sea of masks.
But if I know you, I know what you’ll do
You’ll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream
Finally catching them he perked up. It took every bone in his body to not show his change in demeanor as excitement bubbled through him. Excusing himself politely he did his best to make his way to them, giving no inclination as to who he was or his purpose. His love seemed to notice and found a small space out of the main area of the room away from the clusters of people littering the hall. Upon coming together he once again had to hold back the urge to grab the other man right there and shower him in affection. Any slip up may be noticed, even with the masks, so he had to keep up the act regardless of his true feelings or desires. Taking the other man’s hand he gave him a smile as he usually did with guests. His love’s hand gripped his own firmly and warmly, making it painful to pull away.
“Would you care for a dance?” he knew the other man would accept, it was one of his favorite things after all. The music wasn’t what he preferred. It was more fanciful to fit the gimmick rather than proper music to dance to. Either way he would still enjoy the time spent with his partner.
But if I know you, I know what you’ll do
You’ll love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream
Taking the other man’s hand, his arm finding his waist, they moved along the room. Others danced similarly while some only watched as they went by. For once not a single eye was on the two. The sea of masks disguised them well, making them practically nobodies compared to the other guests. As the music trailed on, they spent the night dancing and chatting away as if who they were and what they pledged allegiance to didn’t matter. Perhaps in another life at another time things would be different. Maybe they could be born to the same world and have their fated meeting not be cursed by a cosmic divide. Right now their ill fated union didn’t matter. All that mattered was the time spent together, both ignoring the inevitable disaster that would befall them one day.
I know you
I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you
That gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
And I know it’s true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you
I know what you’ll do
You’ll love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream