Chapter Text
The second Yoru was awake he was ripping back the blank sheets, tugging on the rest of his clothes and going to leave. He was already through part one of the step of getting out of the bed. He had breathed in too much of the hospital like scent for his liking.
Yoru had a specific hatred for the small medical unit at HQ. The only thing that separated it from a hospital was the pale mint green walls and the pot plants everywhere. Sage had seemed to get the memo to not make the whole room white and lifeless.
Bur it still smelled like a hospital, felt like a hospital and altogether was the closest thing to one without actually being it.
Besides, Yoru was fine. Whatever life threatening injuries he had had been healed, although he wasn’t sure if he had died or not. It didn’t matter anyway, he was still breathing and he didn’t fall over that one time (it was many times) when he tried to leave the medical room.
Whilst he was getting dressed, he observed the agents in the room. Across from him Gekko was out of it, his heart rate concerningly slow. Iso was asleep on the floor next to him. That was it mostly. Then he turned around and caught a grin from the one person who he would slap it off of. He glared, pulling on a shirt.
“Bonjour, Yoru.” For once, Chamber looked like shit. He was paler than usual, dark bags under his eyes. His hair was messy and he was shirtless. Yoru looked to the wall as Chamber pulled on his dress shirt. It wasn't that he hadn't seen Chamber shirtless; seen his muscular, broad body and his sculpted golden tattoos. He looked away because he wasn't going to just stare at Chamber.
That and he had filled his 'Chamber quota' for the week a hundred times over. Whether be it missions or the inevitable trip to the medical unit the next day Yoru had seen Chamber every. Single. Fucking. Day. Apparently he and Chamber were two of the most suited for the missions, and Protocol had been running them around everywhere. Yoru could practically see the exhaustion dripping off the both of them. But it meant that he was seeing Chamber every day for hours at a time.
Fuck, he was always so happy too. Even as he had been shot and stabbed and hit with fire or venom or whatever it was, he grinned through the pain or forced a smile after the initial hit. Why waste the time on smiling? Yoru, on the other hand, had a permanent scowl. The same scowl he had at the current moment whilst staring at Chamber.
"Do you know how to not get injured?" He grunted, flicking hair out his eyes before shrugging on a jacket and ignoring the throb in his side where there was a partially healed bullet wound. Chamber raised an eyebrow, mouth raising to a smirk. He was doing up his tie without even looking.
"I could ask you the same thing?" Chamber adjusted his glasses, slid a hand through his hair, fixed his vest and made himself look how he usually did. Yoru was only slightly jealous that the man managed whilst he was looking like shit.
They both went for the door, but Yoru snagged the door handle first and tugged it down. An audible click made him stop. His nose wrinkled and he crossed his arms. Chamber tried the door once before deciding it wasn't going to work.
He glanced at Yoru who was leaning against the wall. His brows were knitted together in concentration as he raised a hand. "Yoru-"
"Shut up." He immediately snapped, knowing Chamber would tell him to not try. The Sentinel rolled his eyes and fished out his phone from his pocket. It pissed him off viscerally that Chamber knew he could be hurt from the Rift, after the had seen Yoru's hand cut into when he snagged a Rift shard on the wrong angle.
Chamber typed quickly on his phone before he frowned uncharacteristically at it, giving Yoru the smallest inch of satisfaction. He grabbed part of the Rift, letting it drop to the floor before it unceremoniously hit the bottom of the door. He closed the Rift.
"What the fuck?" He muttered, as Chamber perched on the bed, looking up at him in curiosity. "My teleport normally goes under." He faked the teleport, letting it disappear with a black and red mark which faded quickly.
Chamber sighed, putting his phone away. "'Wait there.'" He read, confusion littered in his expression. "Sage said to wait here." He explained and Yoru groaned as loud as he could without waking Gekko and Iso.
"Are you kidding me?" He sat on the bed, pulling up his legs to sit cross-legged. He just wanted to sleep for three hours before he was woken up again to sleep on the dropship for another mission. "I was going to sleep."
Chamber chuckled, and it struck Yoru that he was actually indulging in conversation with Chamber. To keep him awake, he guessed, and to keep himself from being bored. And he was getting Stockholm syndrome from being around the man. Even if he was fucking annoying.
"You mean nap for maybe an hour?" Yoru yawned whilst he was talking, and he was sure Chamber noticed because he smiled a little wider. He gave a dry laugh and nodded. He wiped his eyes.
"It'll be two if we get the door open."
As if he summoned it, the door unlocked and open, and Yoru was ready to get angry. But Sage stepped through the door, and Yoru's urge to be mad dissipated. She was just being a spokesperson for Brim, then.
He knew Chamber and Sage were waiting for a snarky comment, but he was so tired that his brain came up empty with things to say. He didn't even realize his hand was bleeding until he looked down.
"Bonjour, Sage." Chamber smiled and Yoru managed to nod his head. Sage did the same, and she looked just as tired. She'd been swapping out with Clove and Skye on missions, but didn't look much better off.
"You two look tired," She observed and Yoru's urge to be a dick was there again. He bit it back. "I promise you can get some rest soon, I'm not sure when but I'm trying to get you a break." Chamber smiled...naturally? It didn't look forced; more somber and rueful. And thankful.
Yoru raised his hand to say something or get their attention, he didn't really know because he needed to crash soon or get caffeine. "Are we going out on another mission soon?" Sage looked to the side, her eyes showing defeat despite not losing anything.
"...Yes. In, five hours." He didn't say anything and neither did Chamber, except Chamber's smile dropped. "I'm sorry." Chamber shrugged and Yoru continued staring. She looked away guiltily again but Chamber asked another question.
"Is that all?"
Sage shook her head. "No." Yoru felt the need to prompt her to continue speaking because she'd just stopped. "You two are getting injured far too much that it's affecting your energy because I need to use your own energy to heal you." Chamber nodded, and Yoru could pretty much see the questions he wanted to ask. "I need you to be more careful from now on, there's too much risk."
"I don't think that's a fair proposal," Chamber started. "You are putting us on a battlefield with a mission. Does it matter how we perform granted we are successful?" Sage considered it for a few seconds.
"I'm worried, is all." Sage sighed. "As long as being hurt like this-" she motioned her hand, "-doesn't bother you then continue what you're doing, but please at least consider."
The door clicked closed behind Sage and Yoru immediately went to leave.
"I'll see you soon, Yoru. Enjoy your nap."
If Yoru weren't so pissed off he might have given Chamber the same sentiment.
Yoru woke up laying like a starfish, spread out on his single bed, leg hanging off the bed. He was only in a t-shirt and boxers, only showering and barely dressing himself before he collapsed. God he was praying someone who could cook was on the mission. It took a second to register the knocking at the door. He tugged on jeans and his vest, and picked up his pre-packed duffel bag with his proper clothes with basic toiletries and snacks.
He opened the door, staring up at Chamber. He smiled down at him. Had he even slept? He looked just as put together as he usually did. "I was starting to think you weren't going to wake up." Yoru started walking, beyond tired as he forced his legs to walk. He was just going to move to the dropship and crash again.
"I wasn't." He said dryly. "People don't function on ten hours of sleep in a week, in case you hadn't noticed." He stalked down the hallway, but Chamber easily matched his pace. Of course he did. He couldn't just fuck off and let Yoru brood in peace. "Have you even slept?" He only asked out of curiosity from the blank look he was giving to the blank space in front of them.
"Here and there." He said dismissively, eyes zoning back in. Yoru looked at him doubtfully. "I'm surprised you care." Yoru almost snorted in surprise at the absurdity of it.
"I don't. You look like you're dead." Yoru deadpanned and Chamber laughed curtly.
"I was shot with a bucky, I probably should be dead."
Yoru let out an exhale that came from him biting back laughter. It had been...mildly amusing when Chamber had used rendezvous right next to Yoru before promptly fucking dying. Chamber looked down at him.
"Was that a laugh from you?" Yoru groaned, wiping a hand down his face.
"Don't push your luck." Yoru caught his look. "But you teleporting next to me just to fall on your ass and die was pretty damn funny." Chamber rolled his eyes, and Yoru pushed back the thoughts that he was actually enjoying conversations with him. Sleep deprivation did things to a person. Or that's what he continued telling himself.
"I'm so glad it was entertaining. Though I do remember when I was back that you died to Raze's satchel right next to me." Yoru glared momentarily but the way Chamber was...looking at him...made him stop. "I'll make a deal with you, or rather, a bet."
The word made Yoru immediately start paying more attention. Any bet he could have against Chamber would cure his boredom for however long it took. And he would never say no to something he could shove in Chamber's face.
"We're being scheduled on missions for however long, why not have some fun?" Yoru stayed quiet for once whilst he waited for Chamber to say what the stakes where. "Worst injury wins."
Yoru raised an eyebrow. "How is that a bet?" Chamber rolled his eyes with a smile.
"Fine, my proposal is you can have whatever you want from me or I'll do whatever you want if you win."
"Who's judging?"
"You and me. I trust your judgement."
"Restrictions?" Yoru asked and Chamber though about it for a second.
"It had to be seen by the other person and can't be healed until after." Yoru laughed to himself, looking up at Chamber. Chamber only gave him the same look back. He adjusted his tie as he held the door to the roof open with his foot.
"You realize we're going to die?" Chamber nodded. "I have the same stakes as you?" He nodded again. "Alright." Chamber held out his hand and Yoru thought about it. He was bored. This was something to do. Plus he had the chance to win over Chamber and beat him at something which he wasn't going to say no to. He didn't even have to try, either, he was getting hurt pretty badly anyway.
He took Chamber's hand and shook it.
Yoru woke up for the third time feeling exhausted. He didn't raise his head, as every single bit of turbulence vibrated his head, making his teeth click together painfully. He finally put his head up with a groan before jumped.
Phoenix grinned stupidly at him, and he grit his teeth in the energy it took him not to punch him. He was sitting across from him, still smiling at him. He raised his hand and flipped him off. The Brit tapped the table.
"How was your beauty sleep, bruv?" Yoru raised his other hand to flip him off with both hands. He went to thud his head back on the table, ignoring the incoming migraine from skull acting like a blender to his brain.
"Would've been better if you're fuck ass wasn't here." Phoenix laughed, but went to stand up to walk across the room and grab an energy drink from his bag.
"You don't mean that mate, it's sleep deprivation and all that shit." Yoru gave a sarcastic laugh, and kicked him under the table when he sat down. "They haven't given you a break yet?"
"I wouldn't be here if they did, fuck head."
Phoenix hummed as if Yoru had something incredibly intelligent and not given him too much attitude. He heard the opening of the drink as Phoenix slid it across the table at him. He took it with a mumble of 'thanks' before he raised his head to drink. He winced from the migraine hurting him.
When he set the drink down a slight smirk met his face. He saw Phoenix's confusion, but before he could ask he turned around and found Chamber, who was leaning against the wall, staring blankly.
"Chamber!" He called out over the seats. The second Chamber heard it his head snapped up and his eyes readjusted. He smiled immediately and there it was again- the genuine smile. Chamber leaned on his hand, waiting for Yoru to continue.
”Do concussions count?”
Chamber nodded before promptly responding. “Yes, but I believe you’re more than capable of beating that.” Yoru nodded before thudding back down into his seat.
Phoenix was wide eyed staring at them like he couldn’t believe his eyes. Yoru smiled at him, taking the piss.
”What’re you looking at?” Phoenix struggled to talk, stuttering as he motioned between Yoru and Chamber.
”You-? Chamber-?” He tried and Yoru reached across and patted his shoulder.
”It’s okay bud, you got this.” He said sarcastically and Phoenix took a deep breath before he blurted out speaking.
”YOU’RE TALKING TO CHAMBER?” He shouted pretty much as loud as he could. Yoru heard Chamber’s laughter behind him and he almost reached across and slapped Phoenix.
”…I’m not a three year old I can talk to people I don’t like.”
Phoenix shook his head motioning violently with his hands. “Nonono! But you didn’t swear or belittle him or nuthin’!” Yoru stared at him for a few seconds.
”It’s because I’m around the fuck head so much.” Yoru sighed, wiping his eyes. “Can you let me sleep or are you going to scream at me more?”
Phoenix rolled his eyed and left to talk to someone else, while Yoru rolled up his jacket to sleep on.
He only slept for a few hours, not that it felt like it, before he was woken up by Chamber by a sharp knock on the table.
”We’re almost there, I’ve been told to wake you up.” Yoru dragged himself up, feeling his weary bones crack and click into place. He nodded slowly, walking to the lockers to open his, accidentally fumbling with the door and letting it slam against the locker next to his.
”Fuck.” He mumbled, grabbing his stuff and moved to the bathroom to change. He was so tired he wasn’t even sure how well he would do. But then again, reassurance kicked in that his adrenaline and the instinct fear in the back of his head would bring him back to life.
He finished changing in the bathroom, wearing his usual blue themed outfit with his hair fixed and scowl put on. He went to the kitchen to make coffee, surprise making him pause for a second.
There was large coffee mug, with his name on a post it note stuck to it. Who had made it?
Well, the kettle was still slightly hot, meaning Phoenix hadn’t done it, he would’ve used his hand to heat water as there wasn’t a microwave either. The handwriting was too good to be his anyway.
He picked up the coffee and took a sip. No one in protocol made coffee that well. But most people in Protocol also knew he preferred coffee. So only one person could have made it.
It only took a minute to find who he was looking for when he walked back into the small seated area. He slid into the seat across from Chamber.
”Why?” He said immediately and Chamber looked up from a book, his own coffee. “You weren’t asked to wake me up, where you?”
Chamber clicked his book closed, sipping his coffee whilst he started thinking. “You aren’t looking awfully good I thought the coffee might do you some good.” Yoru nodded, eyes narrowing. Not a single inch of his body was inclined to trust the Sentinel.
”Thanks…” he said dryly. “You didn’t answer my other question.” Chamber hummed, cocking his head to the side. Yoru held his gaze, dark eyes not breaking from his, even when Chamber chuckled.
”Last I checked this wasn’t an interrogation.” Yoru scoffed, but deep down he knew he wasn't entitled to any answer from Chamber. But still, he was curious so he tried for the answer. Chamber knew he wasn’t going to drop it too, because he sighed lightly. “Well, I need you awake go be part of our bet, no? And I’m sure you don’t want Phoenix waking you up again?”
So Chamber had been watching them. Yoru was unsure how he felt about it, a few emotions flipping through his head. He pushed them back and rolled his eyes. He leant against the wall.
”You aren’t tired?” Chamber’s smile dropped for a fraction of a second. Was he surprised that Yoru had asked? Satisfaction flooded him that he had somehow surprised a man who prided himself on being able to predict most things.
“What do you think I am?” Chamber chuckled. “Of course I’m tired. Why do you ask?” Yoru gestured his hands vaguely around Chamber’s face.
”You don’t exactly…look tired.” Yoru mumbled; a clear example of how tired he was. He could barely articulate himself properly.
“Would you like to take a guess at how much coffee I have had?”
Yoru gave dry chuckle. “I’m already going to guess it’s an inhumane amount that only a pompous asshole such as yourself can handle.” Chamber laughed louder than a small chuckle for once.
“I don’t know how you guessed.”he said flatly and Yoru (he swore it was because he was tired) laughed far louder than he had been. Now he was sure Chamber was shocked.
”What?” Yoru said after he had briefly recovered and regret at letting himself laugh that loud set in. He covered his mouth as he wiped his hand down his mouth.
Instead, Chamber smiled. “Nothing, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh before, is all.” Yoru went to stand, sliding to the end of the seats.
“Yeah well, first and last time.” Yoru grumbled. “Thanks for the coffee asshole.”