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You were exiting the mess hall after lunch, stopping as you heard someone call out your name. “(Y/N)!” You turned around to see Killjoy approaching you, holding a rifle bag. You let out a questioning hum in response, “You’re quite the knowledgeable technician, am I right?”
You hummed, giving it some thought. “I suppose so… why?”
“I’ve been making this new laser gun tech that I’m going to be proposing in the mission briefing this Friday.” She said, as you gazed at the rifle bag she held.
“Although… there were a few minor mishaps I simply didn’t have time to fix. New years eve is just around the corner and I won’t be able to fix it since I’ll be out of town. Perhaps you could fix it?”
You were taken aback, “Oh, I see… Though, why not Cypher… or… someone else?”
“Ugh I know…” She sighed, “Everyones busy, and you don’t seem to have any work or… anything, right?”
“None that I can think of.” You spoke.
A smile lit up from Killjoy’s face, “Great! Then you’ll help me fix it.” she handed the rifle bag to you. “Thanks (Y/N).”
A few hours later, you came back to your office, you approached the desk, placing a paper bag of Jett’s kimchi she had given out to some agents.
And there you placed the rifle bag on the desk, you sat as your hands started to unzip the rifle bag, examining the mentioned laser gun Killjoy had given you. It was perfectly defined, the metal structure followed by the crimson laser tubes connected to the gun. It was well made for combat and surely comfortable, however, you’ve notice some segments were a little loose, which might’ve contributed to the weapon’s malfunction.
You gave a final a quick twist, securing the details of the rifle. You looked at it with a smile, feeling happy with the outcome. “There we go. That should do the trick..."
BZZZT.
Your phone buzzed on the desk, the screen lit up with the contact name Gekko on the screen, then a couple of messages, followed by the words: "emergency pls help!!!!!"
You groaned, grabbing the phone with a sigh, picking up the phone. "Hey, whats up?"
"Yo, (Y/N)? Wingman kinda... Broke into your locker again. I tried to stop him, I swear... But you might wanna come and take a look." He says.
You rubbed your temples, "Seriously...?"
There was a moment of silence in the call.
"Well, fine I'll go check it." You say before hanging up the call.
Before you could get up, Clove leaned in the doorway, arms crossed and with the most condescending smirk ever. "Need a hand?"
"I'm good. Just gotta deliver this gun to Killjoy, but before I do that... Gekko called me to check my locker, with the whole Wingman problem and everything."
They hummed, "I can deliver the gun to Killjoy for ya, if you're busy."
You hesitated, looking at the rifle on your desk. "You sure?"
Clove nods, "Pshh. Whats the worst that could happen? I'm just handing it over to Killjoy, am I not?"
Later that evening...
Killjoy was at the shooting range after a brief meeting, then agreeing to introduce her new rifle to Brimstone.
A splash echoed from the shooting range.
"What the...?!" Killjoy muttered.
The rifle shot out water, splashing everywhere. "Oh scheisse..." she says as Brimstone looks at her with slight disappointment.
From a distance, hidden behind a supply crate, Gekko and Clove snickered as they both watched Killjoy get rat out by Brimstone, and (Y/N) was next.
The next day.
You walked into the HQ, hair a mess, shirt half-tucked, slouching into your chair as if you were someone who had just survived a war. Which, to be fair, you sorta did.
Clove approached, arms behind their back. “Why the long face? Yer not hydrated enough?” They snickered.
You rolled your eyes, then the dots connected. Wingman. Gekko. Rifle swap.
"You did that...?"
“Fine,” you said, “Game on. You wanna put up a challenge? Let’s do it.”
Clove leaned forward with an intrigued expression. “Bet. I win? I get to organize yer birthday party next week.”
You paused. “…Fine. But if I win, you do my paperwork. For a whole. Flopping. Month. And you drink Sage’s lemon water, warm . ”
Their face turned in mock horror. “No… not the warm lemon water…”
“Yes. Yes the warm lemon water.”
Clove gritted their teeth, then grinned. “Fine. You’ve got yourself a challenge.”
You leaned in, smirking. “This’ll be easy peasy… lemon squeezy.”
Clove walked away in the most dramatically way possible. "Yer birthday will be the worst, I bet ya!!!”
Two days later on Thursday evening
Clove’s party was all the rage.
The music was loud, neon lights flickered as everyone danced the night away. The place was alive, wild, and perfectly chaotic, just how Clove wanted.
You weren’t there for the party... Not really.
You had a mission.
Slipping into the bathroom, you pulled out a small bottle from your pocket. A hot pink hair dye .
Clove’s shampoo bottle stood on the shelf. You poured a careful amount of dye into it, gave it a few shakes and smirked as you muttered to yourself with a smirk. “Payback.”
The next morning
You were already in the mess hall, sitting in the corner, sipping a morning espresso and waiting for the chaos ahead, when you heard footsteps... confident ones.
Clove strutted in like they owned the place.
Vibrant pink hair. Styled. Bouncy. Purposefully tousled like it was right out of a shampoo ad.
They looked good. Too good.
You blinked.
They walked up to you, smug as ever, holding out a McDonald’s bag. “French fry?”
You stared at them. “What the hell…”
Clove grabbed a fry from the box and bit into it slowly, making direct eye contact. “Ya know what they say,” they said with a grin, “ I’m lovin’ it. ”
You growled, burying your face in your hands. “I will end you.”
They raised their pink eyebrows. “Not before I throw ya a Barbie-themed birthday, sugarplum.”
You stared at them, feeling defeated. “I’ll get you so good next time.”
The next day, things seemed quiet... Too quiet. Which should’ve been your first red flag.
You were on your way to training when Breach cornered you before you could enter the locker room, arms crossed, the setting felt rather... awkward .
“Hey… uh,” he began, rubbing his nape. “Look, you’re cool and all, but I’m just… not really looking for anything serious right now.”
You blinked, confused, hesitating before responding. "What?”
“I mean, I’m flattered. You’re a great person. Great person. But like... ya know, the whole thing you said about us getting dinner sometime–"
“Wait, what? I'm sorry?"
“I mean… Clove said you were super into me and were planning to ask me out.”
Your soul left your body, your heart was pounding.
From across the hall, you spotted them... the menacing Clove behind a vending machine, wheezing with laughter, phone clearly out to record your embarrassed face.
“Okay listen, Breach, Clove said that. Not me!" You said as your face turned red from all the embarrassment.
They popped up with their Cheshire grin, smug as ever. “Oi, Breach, they’re blushing! Looks like someone does like ya!”
Breach patted your shoulder awkwardly. “Don’t worry, happens all the time.”
You buried your face in your hands. “I’m going to shave that pink hair off in your sleep.”
“Joke’s on you,” Clove called, twirling their hair, “It's fabulous and you agree."
That evening, you giggled to yourself as you walk in the hallway, walking past Clove leaned against their locker, sipping on an energy drink as they looked at you.
“You know,” you said, arms folded, “those new weapons Chamber’s been making? Surprisingly cheap, isn’t that such a total steal?”
Clove scoffed without hesitation, putting on a sarcastic smile. “Please, like anyones gonna buy it, let alone me.”
You smirked to yourself, already knowing what you have planned.
The next morning, you were already at HQ early, way earlier than usual. You knew Clove doesn’t arrive early, that morning, you logged into Clove’s computer and bought one of Chamber’s newly made Outlaws. Infact, two. But heres the catch—Clove hasn’t payed… and will never.
Just an hour after, you were lounging at the mess hall table, sipping on a well deserved favorite sweet beverage of yours, while keeping your eyes on the front door.
A few minutes later, Clove walked in holding a taco, and an envelope, a fancy looking one, Chamber’s signature elegant wax seal stamped across the front.
You looked up, “Morning.”
Clove narrowed their eyes, “Morning.” They sat across you, opening the enveloped and pulled out the letter.
You took another sip of your drink, watching the emotions across their face go from confusion, then… rage.
“(Y/N)… What is this?” Clove said, their voice tight. They held up the letter with trembling hands.
You tilted your head, playing innocent, “Whats what?” you tried to be casual, though, you looked away as the tiniest smirk crept up on your fave and you couldn’t hold back.
Clove rips open the envelope, eyes scanning through the contents quickly, the surprise grows by the second as they read through the letter. “I owe… Chamber? What? What is this?!” They say through gritted teeth.
‘Thank you for your purchase. We hope you enjoy your dual Outlaw, made with love and precision. Payment of $10.000 pending due within 48 hours or we’ll discuss further terms.’
The letter is a very formal reminder of a weapon purchase, detailed about the ridiculous amount that Clove needs to pay, or else, risk facing consequences from chamber.
You held back the smirk on your face. “Wow… Two of them? Bold.”
Clove stood up, their chair screeched. “I didn’t buy anything! You– did you– how?!”
“I mean,” you said, with a sly smirk and a shrug, “you really shouldn’t keep your passwords taped under your keyboard.”
Clove stared at you, jaw dropped. “You want me to spend ten grand on a weapon I don’t even want!?”
You smiled, “Look on the bright side. They’re really shiny.”
“Ugh.” they groaned, pinching the bridge of their nose. “You’re so dead. Chamber’s gonna kill me.” Clove’s eyes narrowed, clearly displeased.
You tried to keep it together, but suddenly burst out laughing, you just couldn’t hold it anymore. Nearly spilling your drink. “You should’ve seen your facw!”
“Well, I told you it was a good deal wasn’t it? Though, I didn’t think youkd actually buy anything from him.”
Clove looked clearly pissed, their jaw tightens as they read through the letter once more, realizing just how bad this could impact their bank account, especially with the given deadline. They leaned in close, hands on the table. “I swear (Y/N)… You’re gonna pay for this.”
“I’m not.” you said with a smirk, “But you clearly are paying for something.”
They stormed off down the hall, muttering to themselves. “Gotta go talk to some French douchebag, and maybe find a lawyer.”
You was in the training room, minding your own business and practicing, until you heard someone walk in, you turned around to see Raze. “Yo (Y/N), Brim wants to see u in armory. Some’ about… weapon malfunction? No idea.” You sighed, holstering your pistol, “Of course, on my break…” then, you looked at raze, “I’ll be there.”
As you stepped into armory, you walked toward the locker mentioned, reached to open it, then…
BOOM!
The locker exploded in a burst of non-lethal, but extremly aggressive flashbang glitter confetti, a tripwire behind it sending you flying backward into a metal shelf. You landed quite hard, your head slammed against a crate.
Then… you saw the lights flashing, but it suddenly went dark.
Later…
You woke up in the medbay, sore, bruised, and covered in fucking glitter. Sage stood nearby, arms crossed. “You’re lucky, nothing too bad. but you’re on rest duty for the next three days, or until you recover. How are you feeling, (Y/N)?”
Scoffing, you said, “Like i’ve been hit by a thousand trucks.”
Clove opened the door, stormed in behind Sage, still catching their breath. “I…” their face insanely worried. “I didn’t know that was gonna happen. I swear.”
You groan. “Tripwire, Clove. Tripwire.”
“I thought you’d dodge it! You always dodge things!”
Sage interrupts, “Not everyone dodges like phoenix in a rave, clove.”
You slowly sat up. “So… this is your big finale prank, huh?”
Clove looked guilty, more than you’d ever seen them. “I… I didn’t mean to actually hurt you.”
There was a long silence, you could feel the whole weight of this fun prank war crashing down on the both of you.
Then… thats when you smirked, just a little. “Well, congrats. you win.”
Clove blinked, “Wait, what?”
You shrugged weakly. “I mean, I’m in my deathbed, sorta. pretty sure thats worth a victory, ain’t it?”
They stepped closer, “What…? But its not fair, you got hurt.”
You looked up at them with the straightest face you could even put on, then said, “Clove…. I fell for you.”
Clove froze. you held the silence just a little longer.
Then,
“Gotcha.”
Their face fell, their expression shifted, but not humor. “Funny.”
You blinked, surprised at the hurt in their voice?
Clove stepped back. “Cool… Cool beans. Um, yeah, great prank its been so far… I’ll just take my leave now.” they turned around and walked out of the medbay before you could utter another word.
You quickly recovered, grooving in your birthday party, thankful that Clove didn’t end up making your party a Barbie themed one. The party was alive as ever. Your favorite playlist blasted on the speakers, the flashing neon lights reflecting off the messy living room, and a mountain of party poppers. But as the minutes pass by, eventually, people slowly began to leave. Sage and Phoenix were the first to leave, a few others followed, the liveliness of the evenings excitement slowly fading, and the after party didn’t seem far from soon.
Then, the doorbell rang.
You raised an eyebrow. Everyone had already left, so… who?
The door swung open before you could even get up and answer it. There, standing in the doorway, was none other than Clove. “I heard there was a party.” Clove said, “Is the fun just beginning or have I missed the whole show?”
You sighed, but there was a small unspoken happiness inside of you. “Late as always. Come on in.”
For a moment, it felt like the night was just beginning again, the energy shifting back to the lively dances it was just an hour ago.
You leaned against the back of the couch, eyeing Clove suspiciously, “So, whats your big plan for tonight, hm? Prank me again? Maybe fill my shampoo with something explosive?”
Clove chuckled, but it was a different one this time, more softer, more… genuine. They leaned in, their fave unreadable, placing their cup down on the wooden coffee table. “Actually… I came to apologize.” They ran a hand through their hair, the pink slowly fading back to their signature black to magenta ombre. Clove still avoiding your gaze.
“Wait… What?”
”I’ve been thinking, I’ve been way too harsh with these pranks, and maybe it’s gone too far. Everyone doesn’t seem to like it, and it doesn’t seem to be benefiting anything to the both of us.” Clove’s voice was quieter now, sounding vulnerable, a side of them you’ve never seen before. “I’m sorry.” They said, their eyes showing sincere guilt.
The air shifted into something heavier. You stood still for a long moment, trying to process what was happening, and trying to make up something to say, but your throat just wouldn’t spit it out.
”Clove…” you started, but your voice cracked slightly.
Their eyes met yours. “I didn’t mean to make you think that I didn’t care. The pranks, the challenges, the bets… I think I’ve been hiding behind all of that because I didn”t admit that… I might actually care about you. A lot. Youse mean more to me.”
You blinked, the last part hit you harder than expected, the tension tightened. “Wait, you–“
Before you could finish your sentence, Clove took a deep breath and stepped closer. “I know I’m can be a wee bum when it comes to shit like this. Maybe I took it too far and I’m sorry that I was immature. But…” Clove looked down, then looked up at you. “I care. I care more than what it seemed like.”
The lively living room, turned into a messy aftermath of an afterparty, with the low volume music playing in the speakers, the flashing neon lights illuminating the room. Empty cups, confetti, and deflated balions littering allover the place. Amidst the chaos, only you and Clove remained, the air thick with tension as the uncomfortable silence continued to get longer and longer, in the most uncomfortable way. Clove, the usual prankster stood quiet, and vulnerable, in a way you’ve never seen before… While, you were processing this moment. If all was confusinf, and somehow, comforting in a way. Everything that happened that night, all led to this.
The only sound in the room was the quiet music playing in the backround. You didn’t know what to say, but before you could think—
“I.. I don’t know, this is stupid but…”
”I love you.”
Clove whispered, so quiet, you almosr thought you imagined it.
And there it was folks, the moment you never thought would come. The truth came out raw, and unfiltered. Your heart paced faster, and you could feel the cold sweat on your back. You inhaled sharply, this wasn’t a game.
”Clove… I-“ You swallowed hard as you shook your head, you didn’t expect them to say that, at least, not like this…
And rhen, without any hesitation or further thinking… You said it.
”I love you too.”
Clove’s face softened, a small genuine smile crept at the corners of their mouth. And as you were about to close the gap between you, Clove leaned in, their face close to yours, you could feel your breaths overlapping. They cupped your cheek gingerly, “May I?” you nodded slightly.
They leaned in and kissed you softly, you gave in and returned the kiss. The kiss said everything unspoken, apology, affection, and what seemed like possibly the beginning of something new.
When you finally pulled away, they whispered with a grin. “Guess I’m not the only one who took this too far.”
You grinned, letting out a breath you didn’t even realize you were holding, at all. “Yeah, but you’re lucky. Otherwise, I’d already shaved your head in your sleep.
Clove’s laugh echoed around the room, “As long as you don’t make me buy useless guns from Chamber anymore. I get it, they’re quite bonnie.”
”Ah yes, they’re quite ‘bonnie’. Which is why you should probably not cancel that purchase.” You said with a grin, then a chuckle came out of your lips.
There was silence, before Clove broke it, “Sorry couldn’t get ya anything. Was in a rush, but I do have a few clips in my bag if you’d like.”
“Thank you, but I think I’ve got everything I need.”
And… Just like that, the night turned into something else, not anything you expected, not a million dollar present, but a relationship so ineffable, its priceless.