Work Text:
Contrary to what many agents believed, Viper saw everything. Despite being cooped up in her lab or office most of the time, working on experiments or reports, she wasn’t second-in-command for no reason. She was observant. She caught on to many traits of each agent well before Brimstone did, especially when it came to relationships.
When the initial rule of dating being forbidden within the protocol was established, Viper knew it wouldn’t last long. Given the secrecy everyone would live their lives in going forward and the decreased amount of socializing with those outside of work, it was bound to happen eventually.
It started with Killjoy and Raze. The amount of time they spent together increased significantly. The looks they shared across the room when they thought no one was looking were full of longing. Then full of love. It wasn’t long after that Brimstone revoked his initial rule of dating within the protocol, merely reminding everyone of the risks of their jobs and their priorities.
Jett and Phoenix were next, although everyone knew. What started as an inseparable friendship between the two became something more. She’d be lying if she said they weren’t meant for each other.
When Iso started spending less time alone and more time helping Gekko find where Wingman was hiding on base, she figured something must be going on between the two. Especially when she caught Iso smiling at Gekko when he thought no one was looking.
What she didn’t expect was Chamber and Yoru.
It was early one morning, and she was sitting at the table in the kitchen drinking her coffee. Jett and Phoenix sat at the other end, Phoenix asking Jett a multitude of questions while she yawned in response, clearly trying hard to stay awake, while Yoru leaned against the counter and Chamber poured a cup of coffee next to him.
Turning around, Chamber leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Yoru’s cheek before turning to leave the room.
Viper sat up straighter, her eyes moving from Yoru to his friends, then to the hall Chamber had already left down. It was certainly a surprise to start her morning.
She couldn’t help but glare at the empty hallway, mentally picturing Chamber still standing there. It wasn’t that she didn’t like him, per se. She just didn’t trust him. Not in the slightest. And she’d be damned if she let him break Yoru’s heart.
“Viper?”
The sound of Yoru’s voice broke her from her thoughts, her eyes moving to meet his.
“You said you needed us for an assignment today. Did you want to talk now?”
Sighing, Viper stood.
“Right. Meet me in my office in fifteen minutes.”
Yoru nodded, pushing off the counter to move towards Jett, playfully shoving her shoulder.
“Wakey, wakey Jett,” Phoenix teased, “we’ve got work to do.”
“Shut up.” She mumbled, head down on the table.
Picking up her coffee, Viper made her way down the hall, past various rooms, until she reached her office. She had work to do. And she’d certainly be keeping an extra eye on Chamber.
…
It was rare for everyone to have time off together; however, after months of hard work and what felt like non-stop missions, Brimstone decided to give everyone the weekend off, unless an emergency arose, of course.
Despite this, Viper took the time to work uninterrupted as everyone was too busy enjoying their time off to come and bother her. Still, she took a break now and then to walk the halls, poking her head in various common rooms to see what everyone was up to.
A commotion could be heard from down the hall: laughter, yelling, and what was a movie playing that wasn’t being watched. It wouldn’t hurt to pop her head in.
Looking in the room, a movie night was in progress, although only Jett appeared to be watching the screen on the wall.
“Shut up, this is the best part!”
She watched as Jett took one of the many couch cushions strewn along the ground and threw it at Phoenix.
“Oh, you’re going to regret that!”
She rolled her eyes as they continued throwing various pillows at each other, eventually being joined by Gekko while Iso stayed out of the crossfire, staying put in his spot on the sectional. Oh, to be young, she thought.
On the other end, Chamber sat with his legs up, his clothing far more casual than she was used to seeing. She was convinced he didn’t own a comfortable set of clothes, but was clearly proven wrong.
He was clearly uninterested in whatever movie was playing, his eyes moving back and forth from his phone to the chaos that was taking place in front of him. Every now and then he’d catch a rogue pillow and throw it back at Jett’s demand, but otherwise remained uninterested.
More movement caught her eye. She hadn’t even noticed Yoru’s presence but should have assumed he was somewhere. She doubted Chamber would hang out with everyone if he wasn’t present.
Present was an overstatement. Physically, Yoru was there; however, he was sound asleep, pressed closely to Chamber’s side, their legs tangled together under a blanket. Not even the noise or various objects that almost hit him seemed to wake him up.
Viper watched a little longer. She knew Yoru’s abilities made him downright exhausted, so it was no surprise he was starting his weekend off by sleeping.
Chamber’s arm stayed around Yoru’s waist, keeping him close, Yoru’s one arm similarly resting along Chamber's middle while his head rested on his chest. Now and then, he would move ever so slightly, his face scrunching up in annoyance at whatever he appeared to be dreaming about. But Chamber would only pull him closer, leaning down to whisper things she couldn’t hear into Yoru’s hair until he relaxed again.
Moving away, she decided it was time to leave. Everything appeared to be fine.
She intended to keep it that way.
…
When Brimstone announced the team headed to Russia for their next mission, she expected to hear some kind of complaint as he read the names.
Viper.
Sova.
Phoenix.
Yoru.
Chamber.
But none came. Her eyes shifted to Chamber and Yoru at the other end of the table in the boardroom. Neither of them seemed phased, merely getting up to get their things ready before they had to leave.
The mission went just as well. She anticipated something going wrong as Yoru and Phoenix tended to go and do what they wanted with little consideration for their plans, but they stuck to it. They all stuck to it. She was pleasantly surprised.
When they were evacuated, they all checked for injuries and with none deemed serious, they took a much-needed rest. So Viper did too.
Sova and Phoenix seemed to be invested in conversation, although she wasn’t sure about what. She could hardly hear over the snowstorm raging outside. Yoru and Chamber, on the other hand, were silent, merely sitting next to each other. Yoru had his jacket wrapped tightly around him, his head resting against the wall, his eyes drifting shut. Chamber’s hand rested on his knee, his thumb moving back and forth slowly.
She supposed things still seemed alright between the two. If the protocol wanted Chamber to live another day, that’s all she could ask for.
…
Viper’s next mission wasn’t as lucky. They were lucky to escape with only their injuries. When they landed back at base, others were quick to come and help with the wounded, although some frantically. Jett appeared to want to punch Phoenix for almost dying, but simultaneously looked on the verge of tears.
Yoru’s groan of pain took her away from her thoughts. Her arm was around his waist to steady him while his lay limply around her shoulders.
“Almost there. Think you can make it inside?”
Yoru scoffed.
“Like I have a choice.”
She smiled slightly. So long as his attitude remained, she knew he’d be fine.
Looking up, her eyes locked with Chamber’s as he calmly made his way towards them. She didn’t know what to expect, how he’d react when he saw Yoru up close. But he remained neutral. In a way, she was grateful.
“Let me help you.” He said, and Viper nodded.
“What, are you worried about me or something?” Yoru teased, wincing as another arm wrapped around his waist to steady him.
“Or something,” Chamber replied.
Although she couldn’t see it, she could feel Yoru rolling his eyes as they made their way inside.
“Asshole,” Yoru muttered, “I can’t wait for Sage to put me on bed rest so I can boss you around.”
“You do that already, mon coeur.”
In that moment, Viper was glad for her mask, hiding any fraction of a smile that threatened to appear at their bickering.
…
Viper would be lying if she said she wasn’t one to eavesdrop. But is it eavesdropping if people are speaking so loudly?
Despite the amount of tech used at headquarters, she was surprised so many rooms had such thin walls. Usually, overhearing training or conversations wasn’t a big deal, but other things she could gladly live without knowing.
Although she usually avoided the other agents' quarters, it was the fastest way to get to Brimstone’s office, and she had reports she wanted off her desk. The sound of laughter, however, stopped her in her tracks.
She had just walked past Chamber’s room; however, the laughter coming from it wasn’t from him, but she could easily discern whose it was.
“So let me get this straight,” Chamber started. “You come to my room.”
“Correct,” Yoru said.
“Sleep in my bed.”
“Mm hm.”
“Take my clothes.”
“Mm hm.”
“Quite literally sleep on top of me.”
“Mm hm.”
“But God forbid I ask you to stop stealing all the covers.”
Yoru’s laughter rang out again, and Viper couldn’t help but stay to listen. It was rare to hear such genuine laughter from him. The fact that it was Chamber making it happen was still lost on her.
Sighing, she continued to walk. She supposed she’d heard enough.
…
It was easy for her to track Chamber down. Along with Killjoy and Cypher, he rarely left his desk in the workshop, often taking notes or working on various projects. When she walked in, she was grateful no one else was there. She was especially grateful Yoru wasn’t present.
Chamber glanced up from his work as she made her way over, an eyebrow slightly raised. She rarely sought him out, and when she did, she kept their conversations brief.
“Viper,” he started, turning to face her, “to what do I owe the pleasure?”
She sighed. Perhaps she was biased in her distrust towards him, but she genuinely couldn’t see what Yoru saw in him. But she’d realized after some time that it didn’t matter. Chamber had managed to prove her wrong.
“I’ll keep this brief for my own sake,” she started, crossing her arms, “I’m glad to see you and Yoru are happy. Well, I’m glad he is happy.”
She waited for some response, but surprisingly, Chamber kept his mouth shut.
“Yoru can take care of himself. I know this. But I swear to God Chamber, if you do anything and I mean anything to hurt him, I will kill you myself. Got it?”
“I know my promises mean nothing to you, but I can assure you I will do no such thing.”
“Good. Because I mean it, Chamber. You’re dead.”
Chamber only nodded, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
“I’ve never doubted your word, Viper.”
She only nodded and left. Not too far down the hall, she passed Yoru, only giving him a small nod. She knew exactly where he was going. This time, she didn’t feel the need to watch over him.