Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Today was pretty perfect. No useless early morning meetings to attend, no missions to execute, and no annoying dumbasses to ruin Yoru's peace. There was nothing more that Yoru enjoyed than to not be disturbed at whatever he chose to do, whether that was training all day at the Range or sleeping in until three PM and having poptarts for brunch. 

Yeah, he was living pretty good. And, contrary to his own expectations, though he's unused to the structure the Valorant Protocol reintroduced into his life after being on his own for years, he found that he didn't actually dislike it. The facilities were always open for use for early risers and night owls alike, and the base itself was big enough to get lost in should the need to be alone suddenly arose. The freedom was constricted, strictly speaking, but with his powers and skills disappearing was just a thought away should Yoru's desires change on a dime, and he could be back in time for dinner before anyone realized he'd been gone for a few hours.

Speaking of dinner, the communal kitchen was where Yoru was heading to right now. Good food after a great solo session at the Range hit different, as Jett liked to say. As much as he cringed at the slang she used, Yoru was loath to admit that he too had started using it as well.

He outwardly rolled his eyes, as if Jett herself will come swooping in and read his mind, even though only the first half of that sentence was true when it came to Jett’s wind powers. But it didn't take a soothsayer like Fade to detect the undertone of fondness steadily growing present in Yoru's insults, its edges dulled over time with this motley crew that's been haphazardly assembled over the years. Even the hardest of hearts have softened as their inherent humanness, Radiant or otherwise, shone through.

It’s obvious in the way Yoru lingered in the hubs now, instead of retreating to his room, gravitating towards his teammates. To some more than others… “Huh?”

Right before Yoru reached the threshold of the kitchen, a powerful smell wafted through. Clearly, someone was in the kitchen, cooking up something hearty and delicious by the smell of it. His first thought should be Jett – she's the main chef of the group, so her experimenting in the kitchen and spending her free time there was a no-brainer.

But instead, it’s Chamber who came to mind. That distinct garlicky flavor hitting the depths of his nose, that rich aroma. It had his signature touch written all over it. Even more amazing was that the thought didn't fill Yoru with repulsion. His feelings regarding the sentinel had morphed into something complex over time, and Yoru relegated that confusing bundle of emotions to a part of his heart, safe but locked away.

“Hey, Chamber,” it was with this safety net that had Yoru casually walking in, “the hell’re you up to– Uh.”

It certainly was Chamber at the stove, acting and looking exactly like the part of a dutiful partner in his custom-made gold and black apron, of which was currently sending blissful visions of domesticity behind Yoru’s eyes – enjoying it against his will, if that was even possible. But it was the two newcomers that had freshly captured his attention.

“Yowu!” exclaimed the mini Chamber, his little cloth body wiggling in delight.

“H–... hi.” Yoru had no choice but to wave lamely back. For all his bluster and cockiness, it was almost completely pulled back when he encountered children and innocent creatures. A well-kept secret considering he went out of his way to avoid them. They held nothing of value to Yoru the Riftwalker. Besides, it was hard to be harsh to those who didn't deserve it.

Even during their very first encounter, it was hard to deny their innocence. It had been a regular day at HQ, when Cypher had hit the never-before-used proximity alarm: they were under siege, he had announced with unprecedented panic in his voice blaring across all corners of the Protocol. 

They had all trained for this moment. But to have it be so soon, and with new adversaries popping up with every encounter: Legion, Scion, Hourglass, Realm, Atlas, and now this?? 

They had hoped against hope, but it truly was only a matter of time before their only safe haven was compromised. To that end countermeasures were deployed, and each agent took up their stations. Cypher directed snipers to take up their arms, while Brimstone and Viper demanded more information. 

No time for that, just follow my instructions, Cypher had said, and Phoenix would later think back and realize he had been holding back choked laughter, as if he was part of a joke no one else was in.

Chamber had been the quickest to jump into action. Having his guns always readily available gave him an advantage to his battle readiness. Looking down the sights of Tour De Force, Chamber followed Cypher's directions, swinging his gun up to the sky.

There! A spot of color in the blue cloudless sky. “I see the hostiles,” he reported, holding his trigger finger even before Cypher urged him to wait. 

Everyone holds their breath, waiting, watching. The spots of color drift closer, and closer, and closer, until…

“.......Cypher,” Chamber dropped his gun, at a loss for words. “What is the meaning of this.”

Cypher was too busy howling with laughter. Chamber extended his hand out to the ‘hostiles,’ who drifted peaceably into his palm, their descent cushioned by the bundle of pale blue and white balloons tied at their waists.

“...What are you?”

For lack of a better term, they were dolls. Little dolls, two of them, that resembled Chamber and Yoru. It would be enough to end it there, to conclude that this had to be an aggravating and expensive prank courtesy of Cypher – who was still wheezing with laughter over the base-wide intercom.

“Chemba!” The Chamber doll exclaimed happily in a voice that sounded like one of Killjoy’s Animal Crossing characters. Beside him, the Yoru doll had his back turned to coolly stare over his shoulder at the crowd.

Before anyone could get another word in, Viper marched her way to the front, levelling a gun at the dolls in Chamber’s palm. “Who are you and who sent you?”

Chamber-doll pointed upwards. “Bloons!”

Yoru-doll just scoffed.

The scene was so ridiculous, especially since the point of Viper's gun was aimed between the dolls rather than at any one of them, their cuteness reaching deep within her to stay her hand. And Cypher was STILL laughing. 

At this point the gravity of the situation had greatly diminished, and the rest of the agents crowded around the newly acquired pair.

“We got mini buddies???” Phoenix whooped. “Which one of y'all wants to go on my gun!”

“They look like one of those Pickle things Gekko plays.”

“It's Pikmin, Reyna,” Gekko corrected. “And whoah, you're kinda right!”

“Aww, Yoru looks like a downright cutie like this!” teased Skye. “Betcha you’d love to be buried in my garden woulda, ay, lil’ flower boy?” 

“If no one will silence Cypher, I will,” Sova says gravely, which no one noticed.

Chamber stayed silent, absorbing the situation. Chamber-doll bathed in the attention, while Yoru-doll huffed and stomped his feet at any comment he didn't like. Through it all, there was a closeness between the pair that Chamber could sense. It was in the way Yoru-doll blushed at Chamber-doll’s smirk, and how despite his standoffishness he clutched onto Chamber's index finger to hide from everyone's praise, only loosening his grip when Chamber-doll soothed him. 

The warmth that coursed through the dolls permeated his hand, and Chamber knew they're alive with emotion, with feelings.

With love, he watched in fascination as his thumb brushed over Yoru-doll’s brow, little pleased hums acting like vibrations not dissimilar to a cat’s purrs. That same vibration occured when Chamber-doll rubbed his cheek against Yoru-doll’s. It was in their eyes that sparkled in unison when they spotted Omen and chirped out, “Kibby, kibby!!!!”

Omen, for his part, did not look surprised by the turn of events. Then again, he didn't look much of anything at any time. “I am not a cat. I am Omen.”

“Play play kitty, play play kitty!” They were not deterred, jumping with unrestrained glee.

“...How do they know I have a cat.” Why that was Omen’s only burning question, Chamber did not know.

Yoru had not been present during the reveal, listening to second-hand accounts of his ‘ultra cute but still crabby counterpart’ (there were too many people he suspected of spreading that moniker because it seemed to be too seamlessly adopted by everyone. His first suspect was Phoenix, in collaboration with Jett) but he had been quickly caught up to the situation. Chamber and his mini me were always together and nothing much had changed, except now people were actually responding to his flirtations. It likely helped that the ones they were responding to was the miniature version and not the human original, but Chamber seemed to be okay with the arrangement as long as he got some sort of acknowledgement. Yoru-doll stuck to Chamber-doll wherever he may be, and for good reason. Separating the two resulted in a temper even more foul than the ones he gave enemies. Or worse, a crying spell.

Yoru winced at the thought. There was a kernel of truth to his inconsolability, but no one had survived long enough to experience it. Luckily it seems that Yoru-doll was in his normal mood; that was, broody and aloof while the dual Chambers carried on.

“What’re you fools making?” Yoru approached the stovetop. “Is it loser soup?”

He caught Yoru-doll’s eye and felt accomplished when he received a rare smirk of victory, granting him a little high five at the verbal burn. So that was what it felt like. He understood now why people felt such a need to goad him into a reaction. Didn't mean he would give them any mercy. 

Chamber briefly looked away from his concoction to raise an unimpressed eyebrow. “It is not soup. It is actually,” he thought for a moment, “‘winner winner chicken dinner.’ I believe that is the phrase Jett taught me.”

“Never say that again,” Yoru gagged. Yoru-doll stuck his tongue out. “Remind me to kill Jett.”

“Reminder set,” Chamber played along, smiling faintly at the theatrics. Chamber's been offering him more of his true smile lately, and Yoru couldn't stop the sight from making him feel like a million bucks.

“Technically it is not chicken dinner either,” Chamber interrupted his internal battle. “In fact, it is not that at all, it is actually… Well, I'll let them explain.”

He motioned to the two little ones. It's now Yoru's turn to raise his eyebrows. “What's gotten into them? Can they even eat?”

Chamber shrugged. “I have no idea. That's why I made a small batch of–”

“Lobbie!” Chamber-doll nearly vibrated with excitement.

“‘Lobbie’?”

“Short for lobster,” Chamber explained quickly. A bit too quickly. 

“Uh huh. And why is that?”

“‘Cause Yowu said share food!”

“Really now?” Oh now this was intriguing. Yoru knelt down to Chamber-doll face to face. “Why the ever-living hell would I wanna– I mean, mini me wanna share food with you?”

Chamber-doll tottered forward, delighted that he could touch his favorite human. Yoru let him lay over his nose. It was like being hugged by a soft blanket, or a fuzzy animal.

It was at this time Yoru-doll butted in. Literally, shoving Chamber-doll out of the way. Beady little eyes groused under a furrowed brow. “Chemba annoying!”

Yoru snorted amusedly. “Well that's not surprising.”

“I am not annoying–”

“Yowu no like meeeee,” Chamber-doll suddenly burst into crocodile tears right as their human counterparts geared up to start another argument. Before either of the two could salvage or, more likely, make the situation worse–

“‘toopid!”

As if on cue, Yoru-doll smacked him on the head. Like a switch, he stopped crying. Yoru-doll folded his arms, stern and unmoving, as if ready to deliver a lecture. “Chemba annoying,” he repeated, turning his back dramatically. “But!” He turned back around. “He also kind, ‘n smart, ‘n goody. He goody to Yowu.”

A sparkle, that same awed sparkle Chamber-doll got when he gazed upon Yoru-doll manifested through his tears. He moved forward, pushing his luck, “Reallllly goody?”

Yoru-doll rolled his eyes, but held out his stubby little hands. Chamber-doll took them, ecstatic. “Me guess. He realllll goody. Goody goody in his heart.”

“We goody goody boys!”

“Yeah. We goody goody boys.”

Somehow, despite their cloth composition, it's undeniable that they put their faces together in a reassuring kiss. It's hardly intimate, but still Yoru… had to look away. Something in his heart told him to shy away from the spectacle, and urged him into the orbit of another. 

Chamber slid up to him, putting a light arm on his shoulder. He smiled at Yoru, calm and reassuring. As overbearing and creepy as the man could be, perhaps he too was softened by the sight. And somehow, Yoru was okay with that.

“If you're making lobster, then I want a share,” Yoru finally broke the comfortable silence, and the commanding tone he injected into his words came out muted.

Chamber’s lips twitched with skepticism. “Last time I insisted that you try lobster, you gave your share to Breach and lied right to my face that you enjoyed it.”

“I did enjoy it. Through Breach.”

“That man does not know dirt from crushed Oreos!”

“I sure as hell enjoyed the way your face scrunched up like the prissy rich bitch you are.”

Yoru finally let out the laugh he was holding in. He expected the soured pout on Chamber's expression – but what he didn't expect was how fast it melted away into fondness, too tender to be just a mere tolerance. “As long as you enjoyed it, then I'm happy,” he said, a simple but powerful sentiment.

Damn him and his smooth talking, Yoru thought, knowing that it wasn't just his words that had him tripping over himself.

“Lobbie?”

A tug at Chamber's shirt sleeve hid it once again. “Ah yes, it's almost done,” he smiled down at Yoru-doll.

“With butt butt sauce?” 

“Yes, with butt butt sa– wait, with what?”

Chamber did a double take. First at Yoru-doll, then at Yoru. Whose expression was suddenly set in stone, too immovable to be natural.

“Care to explain?” Chamber took a stab, and was rewarded for his risky move by Yoru's cheeks abruptly setting aflame. “Is he talking about the butter sauce?”

Yoru nodded, wordless, lips pursed and gaze directed to his feet. Chamber took pity on him. “I suppose there is some kernel of truth hidden within ourselves that our little buddies freely express. The words of our childhood cling to our consciousness. After all, I myself have always loved ‘lobbie’ since I was a child.”

Chamber puttered back to the stove to tend to the dish. Yoru found himself bereft, missing something intangible that Chamber had given him.

“Just a moment more, little ones,” came the gentle sing-song of his accent, punctuated by delicate humming. It disarmed him, humbled his status to that of a regular man. One who was looking for love and connection, in all forms of life. “Why don't you help Mr. Yoru set the table, hm?”

The pair eagerly launched themselves onto Yoru's shoulder, sliding down Yoru's arms as he gathered up saucers for plates and sheared down wooden chopsticks to size with his knife. He folded napkins into cranes, earning him coos of wonderment. Tiny kisses of gratitude graced his knuckles, flooring him with affection.

Like a master chef, Chamber carried the sizzling pan of lobster over to the table, carefully spooning out…

“I couldn't find good quality lobster on such short notice,” he admitted quite remorsefully, “so I had to settle for shrimp that I found in the freezer.”

It would be heartbreaking to disappoint them after building up all that hype, but… “I get the feeling they don't really care about the difference,” observed Yoru as they emitted twin squees of delight and bounced towards their filled plates.

One prawn was clearly enough for the both of them given their sizes. Chamber-doll couldn't hold his chopsticks the right way no matter how much the Yorus taught him, so Yoru-doll had to feed him. “Conniving bastard,” Yoru rolled his eyes at Chamber-doll and his waggling eyebrows, unable to deny the charm he held even in this form. 

Their giggles were infectious, their joy evident. “F’ankies,” Chamber-doll yawned, tummy filled with food and adoration.

“‘hank yew,” Yoru-doll blinked slowly, equally drowsy. The pair dozed off, cuddled inside Yoru’s warm cupped hands.

“So what I'm gathering,” Yoru spoke, catching Chamber’s attention, voice low and amused, “is that mini me thinks you're annoying, your mini felt offended enough to bawl his eyes out, and then mini me felt bad enough to bully you into making something for the both of them?” He snorted softly. “That's impressive for a guy who's only four inches tall and built like a marshmallow.”

Chamber leaned back into his chair. “Somehow, this one is even more devilish in his plans. He's done this same song and dance at least four times now in my presence. I really shouldn't be entertaining such theatrics, especially repeated ones with no finesse. But…”

“You do,” said Yoru, without accusation.

“I do,” said Chamber, without pain.

They shared a smile. It held no hostility, playful or vindictive. For once, there was no need to one up the other. Then, Chamber got up.

He returned with a (human-sized) plate of still-warm shrimp. The butter sauce was drizzled tastefully across the prawns, and the smell was heavenly. “This for yourself? Did you not sample this before serving it or something?” Yoru asked incredulously.

“Of course I did. What kind of third-rate chef do you think I am? And this is no mere sample,” he said. “It's for you.”

Yoru opened his mouth. Then closed it again. “Oh.” The sudden lump in his throat at the thoughtful gesture choked off his fighting words.

“I know you rolled out of bed and lost track of time in the Range, going balistique with your Sheriff,” he continued. “I also know that your usual meals leave much to be desired."

"Great to hear you're keeping such a close eye on me," Yoru drawled sarcastically, despite his heart traitorously fluttering at having tabs kept on his eating habits. At some point he stopped feeling annoyed and started feeling cared for.

“You should be thanking me. Having at least one proper meal a day saves you from Sage’s wrath.”

“...You're right about that. But it's gonna have to wait. My hands are full, and it seems like it's gonna stay that way for a while,” Yoru motioned to the sleeping figures still in his hands.

“Then how about I feed you?”

Chamber pulled his chair next to a slack-jawed Yoru, holding up a fork filled with delectable shrimp. “It is a French custom to feed your table partner lobster.”

That was actual bullshit. It had to have been. Yoru didn't know much about France, but he knew Chamber lied through his smile, as cunning as a grinning cat. It should set off alarm bells in Yoru's head, should have him be leery. But even if it was a lie…

Yoru knew there was more to him than that. His lies, his fake smile, it all hid something deeper, something more meaningful that Chamber didn't want the world to see, lest he be taken advantage of his kindness.

And he held kindness close to his heart. Yoru knew for certain, because he was the same. I see through you, he wanted to say. Your secrets, your innermost desire to trust someone that won't turn out to backstab you. He wanted to be wary, and he had every right to be. Somewhere along the line it had turned sympathetic. Relatable. Familiar. And remarkably, he didn't hate it.

But he didn't say any of those things. All he did was roll his eyes, and said, “This isn't lobster,” and he ate the shrimp.

Chapter Text

“Look alive, everyone,” Viper called out to the rest of the squad in the dropship. “We’ll be hitting the ground in two minutes. Remember: we're defending the sites. Whatever you do,” her stare turned hard, “Don't. Get. Baited.”

______

So as it turned out. Yoru got baited.

It was bound to happen, he rationalized. Sitting for long periods of time waiting for something to happen just wasn't Yoru's style. Sure, a duelist like him would be needed when the firefight eventually would ensue, but the longer the waiting game dragged out, the antsier he'd get. The more mistakes he'd be willing to make just to get any action.

Their enemies could bet on that, consistently. Smokes dropped at choke points, not their own, and after hours of nothing Yoru's blood was quick to run wild with anticipation. 

Despite Viper telling him to stay put hissing in his ear Yoru crept forward, his back sticking to corners. It was a sore point Yoru hated to have as a weakness, but his impatience was a demon far stronger than his drive to survive. Curiosity killing the cat was his motto, it seemed. It was a miracle he's lived for this long on his own.

But he was not on his own, not anymore. And perhaps joining a group like Valorant had made him even more reckless, his teammates knowing his nature and preemptively reacting to his moves before he even thought of going through with them, getting in position to cover his impudent back.

The first one to act was the victor. In business, in poker, in strategy. And in Connect Four, Phoenix’s chipper voice interjected. Squishing that voice in a trained movement, Yoru readied his gun, rehearsed his argument to Viper, and jumped into the smoke to meet–

No one.

“Huh?” Yoru didn't let his guard down. Just because no one was in the smoke didn't mean it wasn't being used, whether as a decoy or a bait and switch. Great, more situations he had to navigate with patience. Ugh, Phoenix’s worst traits really were rubbing off on him… Silencing his footfalls, Yoru picked his way out of the smoke, certain he'd get jumped on the other side–

Annnd nothing.

Oh come on! Yoru raged on the inside, sneer marred with disgust. Fakeouts were the worst. Never mind that his whole shtick was faking out the enemy so he could shoot them down in the middle of their blunder; it was cooler when he did it. “My site’s a flop,” he commed to the team. “Probably just a loner, a decoy or scout. Think I'm gonna rotate to you guys.”

“No Gen Z slang for mission comms, for god’s sake–”

Before Yoru could hear the rest of Viper's complaint, the world turned on its head.

One minute he was standing, the next he was tumbling. A thin force slammed into his waist. The walls and ground blurred into nauseating patterns, and he couldn't tell which way was up or down. He'd blindly spray, but his gun got knocked away in the commotion.

“Gotcha, ye bastard.”

Clove towered over him, slim hands locking down his upper arms to the cold hard ground. The shine of amusement danced in their eyes, but it was tainted with savagery. Definitely Omega Clove.

“Not so imposing without yer gun, aye?” They cracked their neck, lips stretching to show sharp teeth. “Think I'll nab your eyeliner too. Or maybe your jacket? I already stole Deadlock’s. Yours can be part of my collection.”

They pulled back, ready to land a fist into Yoru's face–

“No touchy my Yowu!” came a tinny, angry voice. Followed by:

Blam!

The telltale song of Tour De Force.

It blasted close, so close to Yoru's ear. But he didn't flinch, even if he was confused. Because no matter how far the shot came from, it always hit its mark.

And it did, right in the center of Omega Clove’s forehead. They bowled over onto their back with a surprised grunt, enough for Yoru to clamber to his feet and send the finishing shot through their chest for good measure. 

He passed his gaze around. “Ch… Chamber…?” The site was empty, save for him and the dead Omega Clove. Then where had…?

Something familiar clambered up onto Yoru’s shoulder. “Yowu!” Chamber-doll chirped in relief.

“Wh–! You–?” Yoru immediately scooped him up. “You're not supposed to be here! I'm on a goddamn mission! This is dangerous! How did you even sneak into the dropship??”

“Pocket,” he pointed to Yoru's many jacket pockets. “Comfy for sleepy time.”

Strike on Yoru for not double-checking his pockets before the mission. He always counted on his comb, eyeliner, and knife to be there, but he never anticipated little stowaways.

“Yowu okay? He not hurty?”

“Yes, I'm fine,” aside from the sudden onset of a Chamber-induced headache. Puppet or otherwise. “I should be the one asking you that…”

Immediate needs addressed, Chamber-doll disregarded the rest of Yoru's concerns, preferring to sink into the warmth of his cupped hands. He put on that oh-so-satisfied smirk after a job well done, usually after one-upping Yoru, perfectly replicated from his human counterpart. “Meeeee did goody?”

It was, however, hard to deny his invaluable help. “Yes,” Yoru sighed through his teeth. “You did goody– good. You did good. I’d be a goner if you hadn't stepped in, so, thanks.”

Yoru stepped over Omega Clove's body, noting the fingernail-sized dent right in the middle of their forehead. Clearly not deep enough to kill, but still a sizable force. So a mini version of Tour De Force could do that…

“C'mon, let's regroup with the others.” Letting Chamber-doll jump into his pocket once more, Yoru picked up his gun and made his way over to the second site, heart bleeding with unease. Surely they’d be better off…

______

Alas, they were not.

He and Viper made a great team, that was without question. She obscured the enemies’ sightlines, Chamber would create new ones to take shots in. His creativity extended towards the battlefield, taking advantage of off-angles and moving faster than information could update. 

It did, however, reach its limits when they were outnumbered. He could only keep them from storming the two long corridors AND the side rooms for so long before they realized there was only one man guarding them all. Viper was buying him time with her poison, but she would run out. It was a waiting game and the enemy would know it sooner or later.

The potshots being taken abruptly stopped, and the battlefield was thrown into eerie silence. Chamber's heart sunk, the hairs on the back of his neck standing in tense anticipation. He knew what was going to happen next. He geared himself up for an attack that may very well overwhelm him.

Omega agents dashed down the hallways, three of them, ready to exterminate Chamber. He lined up a shot on their Waylay, blasting her down. But the other two would be on him in moments. He knew he would lose, but he was ready to fight tooth and nail for the mission, for his team–

“Leave my Chemba alone!”

The sound of Yoru's flash being ripped out of the Rift was something Chamber could identify in his sleep. Before Chamber's brain could even catch up his muscle memory reacted for him, snapping his eyes shut right at the moment it detonated so only his opponents would be blinded. He didn't have time to think about where the exclamation came from, or why it sounded so fiercely babyish: he had to take advantage.

Omega faltered for a second, trying to pinpoint where the Alpha Duelist would appear in their calculations, and that was all the opportunity Chamber needed. One teleport here, another swift swing of his rifle there, and just like that the tables were turned. They had come out victorious. All because of…

“Little Yoru?” Chamber hesitantly breathed into the still air after all was said and done.

Yoru-doll popped his little head out of Chamber's breast pocket, as annoyed and grumpy as he was when his nap was disturbed. “Gwa… They gone?”

“Yes, they are. Thanks to you.” The proud smile Yoru-doll beamed almost had Chamber let him off the hook. “But please tell me, mon petit Yoru, why exactly did you sneak into my clothes? You knew I had to be on a mission.”

Chamber placated him with rubs on the top of his head. Though Yoru-doll fussed about his hair it was a superficial complaint, grumbles hardly audible underneath his purrs. “Mmrgh… Need keep Chemba safe.” He nibbled on a patch of Chamber's clothing. “And also lookie for more lobbie.”

“More lobster, I don't keep lobster in my pockets–” Chamber cut himself off, taking in a deep, calming breath. “And how exactly did you sneak in without me noticing?”

“Wift.”

“Of course…”

“Hey, status on everyone?” Viper's voice barked over the comm. “Sounded like a hell of a showdown.”

She sounded like she was holding something back, grunts of pain slipping out between her words. “Yes, against all odds I am alive, as usual,” Chamber responded. “Let us regroup.”

When Chamber reunited with Viper she was leaned up against a wall, clutching onto her bicep. Blood oozed from her grasp, coating her gloved fingers.

“Oh dear,” Chamber knelt down and got to work, producing a makeshift bandage from his arsenal of supplies. It helped to be prepared for any circumstance.

“It's nothing that can't wait,” Viper hissed, though it was significantly curbed. She was more focused on controlling her erratic breathing, head lolled in exhaustion.

“Nonsense. There's no reason to live in discomfort. Besides, it is the least I can do to thank you for your help in buying me time.”

“About that… What kind of crazy maneuver did you do to pull that off? I was already preparing to drag your dead body out of here.”

“Pah, such little faith in me! But let's not answer that question now.”

Before Viper could open her mouth to do exactly that:

“You guys alive? Thank fuck.”

Yoru jogged onto the scene. The rush of relief that coursed through Chamber upon seeing no injuries on Yoru had to be normal, he deluded himself. “I was hoping not to drag Chamber's body outta here.”

Viper huffed a laugh. “Heh. Exactly what I said.”

Seeing his comrades in good spirits lessened the blow. “Really now, out of the three of us–” Chamber geared up to argue half-heartedly, before being interrupted by an emphatic cry.

“Yowu!” Chamber-doll popped out of Yoru's collar and slid down his arm to launch himself onto Chamber. Upon hearing the commotion, Yoru-doll emerged from the comfy breast pocket just in time to catch him.

“Chembaaaa–?! Hwa– You–”

“Mish meeee~?”

“......Ya. Mish you.”

Yoru-doll looked ready to give him the scolding of a lifetime, but instead he took one look at Chamber-doll’s blissful love-drunk smile and gave up, letting him be taken in a hug. “Me mish you tooooo~.”

“So the both of you,” Viper finally spoke up, temper reigniting, “brought your pair of liabilities along on a dangerous mission? Chamber I expected, but Yoru, what were you thinking?”

“Viper please, it's not what you think–”

“I didn't bring ‘em on purpose, this bastard snuck in to my jacket–”

“Wipey hurtie?”

Yoru-doll cut through the commotion with a tiny voice, even tinier than usual. Viper tilted her chin up, eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You talking to me?”

Helped by Chamber's cupped hands, Yoru-doll stepped onto Viper's good shoulder, fearlessly braving her barely-contained anger behind her raised eyebrows. “Miss Wipey… she hurtie. Me help.”

She scoffed, incredulous, but didn't flick him away. “That’s laughable. I don't need your help. I wouldn't take it from a pipsqueak like you anyway.”

Her words were harsh, and the meaning behind them was purposefully designed to further conceal her suffering, unwilling for others to spend their resources for her sake. Yoru-doll ignored it all. He hopped up to get a good angle, and…

Kissed her. On the cheek. 

Due to his height, the kiss landed on a spot right below the apple of her cheek. Viper stiffened, and remained so for a good ten seconds. As did the other humans. No one, as far as anyone in the Protocol witnessed, ever dared express affection to the reclusive scientist before. Who knew how explosive her reaction would be?

Yoru-doll, for his part, had no such instinct to save himself. He only frowned when nothing seemed to be happening, whatever that may have been. His lips settled into a pout, eyebrows scrunched in thought. “Chemba! It not working. C’mere.”

Like a servant to his master, Chamber-doll came flying in. “Ehehehe,” he giggled conspiratorially, “Kissie for Miss Wipey~”

“THE HELL–”

Like an obnoxious mosquito she attempted to bat him away, but Chamber-doll was undeterred in his mission to land a big, noisy, flying kiss on her opposite cheek. Then unexpectedly, something happened.

Something in between Skye’s glittering healing orbs and Sage’s wispy curls dotted the air around Viper's bicep. When she took her hand off the wound…

She blinked in astonishment. “It's healed. It doesn't hurt.” She looked at the two culprits, eyes boggled. “You two. I want answers. How long have you been keeping this from us??”

Yoru-doll counted on his stubby fingers. “Eleventy.”

“I feel as though I should be held responsible,” Chamber said slowly, “But I think I'll let my little one handle the aftermath.”

“Nah, don't be.”

Surprisingly, his ally came in the form of Yoru. He extended his hand out to relieve Viper of the two adorable little imps, who were holding hands and hopping around in a circle without a care in the world. Yoru smiled down at them. “They just wanted to help.”

A sentiment so sympathetic, coming from Yoru, soft and forgiving… it struck Chamber. It made him wonder, if that smile would ever turn to him. The mere thought of it nearly brought him to his knees. With monumental effort he stayed upright, hunching his torso to shrink his silhouette in quiet awe.

Now that she wasn't in pain Viper calmed considerably, eyebrows furrowed only to keep appearances. “I guess they were successful in keeping your stubborn asses alive. And if they can heal like that, well, they can help take the load off of Sage and Skye. I'll bump up the number of healers from two to… two point zero one?”

The meager concession was meant to be sardonic, but the little creatures took it at face value. Even Viper cracked a smile, less bitter than it usually was after being confronted by the sight of their pure joy, too sweet to ruin. She got up to her feet, breath light when released. “Let’s get out of here.”

The sentiment was shared. “I'd like to tell Viper that our little ones are not liabilities,” Chamber said on the way back to the dropship. He stuck close to Yoru, instinctively keeping an eye in case of any unseen injuries he was hiding. “But I think if they can survive her worst wrath, then I'm quite sure their feelings are intact.”

Yoru snorted at the image of Viper apologizing profusely to plushies only two apples tall. “I don't think they even know what the word liability even means. Huh, chibi Yoru?”

Yoru-doll poked his head out of Chamber’s pocket. He hummed in thought. “Fuit gummi?”

Yoru burst out laughing. That reverent desire flared out within Chamber again. He'd suffer a thousand slips on banana peels just to hear it over and over again. Before he could act on it, Yoru spoke.

“Hey. I'm glad you didn't die. Surprised the mission had no casualties, but I'm glad it did.” Yoru punched him amicably on the shoulder for good measure. The gesture alone stole Chamber's breath, but those words made him certain he had died on the battlefield and gone to heaven (aka Sage’s clinic).

The best part was Yoru didn't look as though it physically pained him to smile in Chamber's general direction. Somewhere along the way that had changed. Whether it was before the little dolls were introduced into their daily lives or not, he couldn't say – being the butt of the joke didn't sting so bad when Yoru granted him a secret smile and a silent squeeze of his hand, away from prying eyes.

Chamber too, had changed. At some point, his appreciation for Yoru's skills had turned into adoration for his kind grumpy soul. He knew of its depths, but knowing was not enough for him. He wanted to drown in it. Yoru would keep him safe, would share his fire with him, cradle his splintered soul with hands that kill. If Yoru shied away Chamber would reach out, because he was the same.

He made a silent vow to reward Chamber-doll for his efforts in inoculating Yoru to his presence, doll form or otherwise. They may not unlock the secret to stopping their Omega foes or even help overturn a slightly large pebble – but they knew how to love.

And that was enough.

Chapter Text

The agents of the Valorant Protocol were handpicked, top-notch performers in their field. Tech, medicine, the art of killing, there was a specialist for them all. The weight of the world was on their shoulders, and they were the most well-equipped to deal with that responsibility.

That being said, saving their world mission after harrowing mission took a heavy toll on anyone, expert or otherwise. The agents were human, after all. Most of them. And even those who weren't also deserved a break.

Which was how a small recon mission on the island of Molokai turned into a beach bash. For once, a low-profile assignment stayed low-profile, and that was enough cause for celebration. With surprisingly little resistance from Brimstone, a dropship touched down on the outskirts of a settlement inconspicuous enough for agents ready to let loose and party away without any fear of being found out.

Scores of agents poured down from the arrivals group: Brimstone carrying a whole grill with as much mindfulness as he did a person, Tejo following with a loaded plate of arepas, Neon, Jett, and Waylay threatening to knock them both over by sprinting out into the forest without so much as a hello. Kay/O had somehow been wrangled into wearing a Hawaiian shirt, as were Sage, Skye, Clove, and Breach, all of whom were toting matching umbrellas to keep the sun away from the pale-skinned agents.

Last among them was Yoru, dressed in casual wear – or what passed for casual wear for someone as darkly extra as Yoru. Blues and blacks with hints of orange complemented his lithe form. Ripped black skinny jeans and chunky kicks accentuated the dangerous cut of his features, highlighted by blue eyeliner and sharp cheekbones. A hint of gold peeked from his neckline.

Chamber, part of the original recon group, stepped forward to meet him. He did not pay anyone else any mind. He could not, not when Yoru sought his eyes out before he even stepped off the ramp, smile cracking more tender than his thin lips would allow. For all his custom-made vests and shining cufflinks, Chamber felt as though he was the underdressed one in Yoru's presence.

Chamber strode up and slipped his hand into Yoru's, dipping his head to place a fluttering kiss on the back of his gloved hand. “Welcome. I'm happy to see you've made it.”

Yoru scoffed but made no move to dislodge him. “Stand up, you scene-making moron.” He tempered his words with a loose lacing of his arm through Chamber’s, tugging him forward to the festivities.

Something wondrous had quietly wedged its way in Yoru and Chamber's relationship. He didn't know why or when Yoru started humoring his flirtations, but Chamber knew that every time he managed to pull a grin from Yoru's lips it rested something solid and warm inside Chamber's chest, something that had been missing ever since he started pursuing his worlds-spanning quest.

The hand curled around his forearm felt grander than anything he had envisioned. The strength that had crept inside their bond slowly, imperceptibly, made it such that any teasing remarks from their well-meaning coworkers slid off their backs, any embarrassment performative. Yoru jeered back at Phoenix, who threw a cheeky comment ready along with a whistle.

He didn't let go of his arm though. Chamber was more than content with that, and he forced himself to believe that was all he needed. After all, this kind of closeness already surpassed his wildest expectations. He could be greedy in everything else except for this, he told the small part of himself that wilted for more. This was all that Yoru would give him. 

“Where are our little buddies?” He focused on the recent subject of their discussions. “I do hope you haven't left them back at base.”

Yoru shook his head. “What do you take me for? They hitched a ride with Deadlock and Vyse last I saw them. They wanted the little guys’ help in ‘collaborating on a small project,’ whatever that means.”

“Nothing too disastrous, I'm assuming. Those two are the most level-headed of the group.”

“Ah, just the two I was looking for!” 

Cypher’s voice wheedled its way over to them. He approached the two, holding two cones of brightly-colored gelato in each of his hands.

Chamber was the first to let out an exasperated sigh. “What do you want, Cypher? We're too busy to play your games.”

That was blatantly untrue, Yoru thought. But he didn't speak up for fear of dislodging the broad palm on the small of his back.

“Games?” His mask affected offense. “Games are what you play on a day like this! But no, I am here to offer,” he held the cones out, “this. We are in the midst of a wonderful party, so let loose and celebrate freely!”

Chamber and Yoru raised twin brows of skepticism. “Oh please, you two are acting as if I don't have an angelic bone in my body!”

“You don't,” Chamber deadpanned.

Yoru snorted. He had to agree. Regardless of that he wordlessly took the cones. What was the worst Cypher could inflict on them on this already perfect day?

As soon as the treats were out of his hand Cypher started backing away like he was a salesman making his getaway after successfully selling a too-good-to-be-true deal. “Alright goodbye enjoy! And the ice cream is definitely normal and not wiggling!”

“Cypher, what the fuck–”

“It is gelato, not ice cream–”

The gelato indeed wiggled. From each of its depths came two little tongues furiously licking up the cold sweet treat. Finally, it unearthed…

“Oh my god,” Chamber groaned and ran a hand down his face amidst tiny cheers of sugar-fueled jubilation. “Who trusted Cypher enough to hand our impressionable little ones off to him.”

Why Deadlock and Vyse would exchange hands to let Chamber-doll and Yoru-doll into Cypher's nefarious clutches, it escaped him. It had to have been unintentional; the image of Cypher luring them away to fulfill his cool uncle status by engulfing the childlike duo in huge scoops of gelato made too much sense to be any one else. Maybe Phoenix, but he wouldn't risk the wrath of the fallout.

But Phoenix would've had nothing to fear because contrary to Chamber's prediction, the only reaction Yoru displayed was amusement at their little excited babbles. “You pair of idiots,” he shook his head, brow clear of the scowl that made him cynical beyond his years.

Chamber quite liked that look. He was endlessly grateful to the minis for bringing out the humanity Chamber knew was buried not so deep inside the Riftwalker's aloof heart. He sighed wistfully at the sight. Nobody needed to know just how profound his appreciation went. Just being around Yoru at his most relaxed was enough, he convinced himself. “My dears, we have to get you cleaned up.”

Adorable protests of “nuuuuu!” almost had Chamber giving in. Luckily, Yoru was there to provide him backup, calling over Harbor and dousing the little fools with a controlled burst of power from his bracelet.

“Getting better at this, eh, water boy?” Astra commented on the spectacle, turning Harbor's puffed chest of pride into bashfulness, shoulders hunched shyly at the praise. It reminded Chamber of the praises he gave Yoru, and how similarly he reacted when Yoru shot back with compliments of his own.

Their blubbering started anew when Yoru plucked them from their cones. “You guys need to dry up.”

He held them by the collars like naughty puppies. Yoru-doll flailed his stubby legs in midair. “Nuuuuu, mi choco bananaaaa,” he protested.

“You can have all the ice cream you want, after you're clean.”

“Mi gelloooo,” whined Chamber-doll, though less agitated now that there was a compromise in place. “Banky pwease?”

“I don't have a– Oh, uh, thanks?”

Vyse and Deadlock chose this moment to approach Yoru and hand off some cloth the size of a tea towel. The two retreated into the festivities with as stoic of a countenance as they came in, only sharing in a fist bump of success.

Yoru looked down at the cloth. The fabric reminded him of a beach towel, rough, but not irritating. What was more significant was the color: a saturated mix of deep royal blue, with delicate gold threads twinkling under the evening light.

He gave it a few experimental rubs, unable to help himself when the quality shone through his fingertips. So this was the collaboration they were working on. Yoru didn't think it'd be a fashion project. Nice to have a hobby, and a shared one at that.

“Banky!” Chamber-doll cheered. Right. This should come in handy for his troublemakers.

Drying little cloth dolls that wriggled and yelped at every touch was no easy task but they made do. Chamber obliged his orders to trap them in his cupped hands with little fanfare, a feat less odd than the enraptured gaze he locked on to Yoru at his ‘cruelest’ (messing up Yoru-doll's hair). He wasn't about to let them get away with shenanigans without some sort of punishment, no matter how light it would be.

For all their struggling and protesting, Chamber-doll and Yoru-doll rested peacefully wrapped up in their custom blanket. Fluffed up, cleaned, and dried, they took shelter within Yoru's hands. A reoccurring theme, one that baffled Yoru but would never deny, their solace in him rivaling the insecurity of his past.

He found out why they gave in so readily, when the lumps under the blanket wadded with exertion, and uncovering it led to Yoru's cheeks going aflame at the sight of Chamber-doll pinning a receptive Yoru-doll under him, poses mimicking a scene that was undoubtedly sensual. 

“Cut it out, you two,” he hissed under his breath. Their matching smug looks and giggles-turned-nefarious had Yoru averting his gaze with a growl, but damned if he was going to let anyone stumble on, on, on this! It didn't feel like shame, but putting real-life visuals to the images that have been plaguing Yoru's mind made his volatile emotions bubble to the surface. A dangerous game to play, especially when it sang around Chamber's presence…

“Oh my. Getting frisky, are we?”

Speak of the devil, his approach caught Yoru completely off-guard. Twin firm grips on his forearms came to stabilize Yoru's spook.

Chamber smiled over him from behind. Yoru couldn't control his heart from hammering at the sight and steady touch when it used to just aggravate him. “Why don't we find ourselves a private corner away from the loud festivities? They're getting a bit too wild for me anyway. You know how Raze can get.” 

“Ooooooooo?”

“Yes, I'll even show it to you all. Come follow me.”

Chamber turned around and led the way, fully confident Yoru would obey. After a beat of pretending to contemplate his request that didn't even convince himself, Yoru followed.

The impromptu party was set near the shore, the dancing and music and good food doubtless to last throughout the night. A settlement so far from the public eye it practically lived in the wilds, the main path quickly eroded away into dirt, the thin line of packed ground devoid of greenery due to the line of animals and humans alike taking the well-trodden path. It was on this path that Chamber led, eventually straying off it at a seemingly random point to wade into the rivers of knee-high foliage. 

Throughout it all, Yoru trusted him. He'd put his life time and again in Chamber's hands and had come out alive – better than alive, and he knew it went the other way around. He saw it in his cunning grin giving way to a dimply smile. From not attending unofficial parties to yapping away to anyone's ear he could find.

A scheming fraud wouldn't act like that, like he cared for his so-called disposable teammates. The lone wolf being the first one to trust Chamber was how they came to where they are now, pushing through a heavy drape of ivy.

A small, untouched meadow greeted them. The sounds of civilization were non-existent, only pure nature and sunlight leaking through the thick canopy leaves. Trees towered over them, lining the plush grass clearing with sturdy trunks and a dense coating of spongy moss.

Yoru gaped at the idyllic sight. Chamber held the ivy for him to enter, then unrolled a large bundle of fabric he had under his arm on top of the grass. “Shall we?”

“Where did you… How…” The blanket matched the material of the tea towel Vyse and Deadlock handed Yoru, as well as reflected the same deep blue and gold design on an enlarged scale. Yoru wordlessly sat on it, gently depositing the now snoozing minis beside him. Chamber took the opposite side. 

Yoru's need for answers dissipated at the tranquil sight of Chamber's smile, small and bashful. It stemmed the stream of questions clogging his brain, letting him enjoy the peace alongside the person who made him the most confused but also the most happy. By now he should have been breaking the silence with unnecessary words, but Chamber seemed to have picked up on the memo. Instead of speaking, he started picking at the wildflowers around them. 

Yoru watched him with curiosity. “Your hand.” Just those few minutes of silence made Yoru realize how much his ears missed Chamber's voice, low and musical and enchanting. It had him obeying without a second thought, holding his hand out. Then, Chamber slid on his finger… a ring. 

A flower ring, twisted from its flexible stem to hold the shape of a ring. The full, healthy wildflower sat just under Yoru's knuckle. 

Yoru… was speechless. Such a childish act should have made him laugh. The singular act shouldn't have made him feel for Chamber, avoiding his gaze and blush spreading down his cheeks. It shouldn't have seen how deep his vulnerabilities went, how he bared his heart to Yoru and trusted in him not to betray it. 

It shouldn't have shown him how, underneath the grime he displays, the purity of Vincent's feelings shone. Cracked, yes, but untainted by the cruelty he went through. Yoru looked down at the ring, seeing it in a new light. And he liked what he saw. 

“Vincey…”

The whine came from Yoru-doll, droopy eyes fighting a valiant effort against sleep. His stubby arms reached for Chamber-doll, equally drowsy. “Ryoooo,” Chamber-doll cheeped out, nuzzling into him with an unburdened smile. “Lub you…”

“Lub you,” yawned Yoru-doll, like it was the most natural thing in the world for him to say. He reached his free arm to touch the side of Chamber’s thigh. “Lub Chemba…”

Inexplicably, Yoru wanted what they had, giggles and all. For the longest time, Yoru had thought love was something unreachable for men like him and Chamber. It choked them harder than smoke from a blasted building, from gunpowder discharged from countless weapons. The battlefield was all they were good for, Yoru had thought.

But if the battlefield was their forever fate, then why were they on this island? Why then, were they happy and joyous, celebrating their achievements with their comrades and friends?

Why then, were they sitting in their little spot of paradise, hands layered atop the physical manifestations of their love?

“Vincent,” Yoru called. He met Chamber-doll’s encouraging gaze before upturning them into similar ones. There was nothing to fear. “If I was covered in froyo from head to toe, would you lick me until I was free?”

Chamber’s mouth parted slightly in surprise. He weighed his next words. “I would never be able to take you seriously ever again with a swirl of gelato on your head,” he closed his eyes, slow and sure, “but yes, I would.”

Oh, what could Yoru say to that? So he didn't say anything. He just laughed – no, he giggled. And then he kissed Chamber.

Just like that. Closed eyes, disbelieving smiles, no fanfare, no preamble. Just two men, alone with their feelings… and a pair of their miniature personal cheerleaders.

“Weren't you guys asleep just a second ago?” Yoru scooped them up in a practiced motion, letting them hug his nose and dust celebratory kisses across his cheeks. It tingled in the same way their kisses helped mend Viper's injury; when Chamber leaned in to kiss Yoru’s forehead, something significant healed deep inside him, too.

Yoru wanted nothing more than to explore this new feeling with Chamber, to clamber on top of him and drown him in his pent-up desires, safe in the knowledge that he would drink up every drop and more. But…

Cloth hands smacked his face. “Bloon, blooooon!”

“Huh–?” Yoru looked away from mapping out a trail of pretty bites down Chamber's jaw, dizzy with the promise of more – when a familiar bundle of blue and white colors dotted the evening sky.

Yoru watched as the once-sleepy dolls sped as fast as their little legs could zoom towards the landing vector of the object in the sky. They hopped in place as they waited impatiently for the balloons – now attached to a basket akin to a hot air balloon – to touch down on the lush grass.

Ah.

Yoru knew this time would come. They were not of this world, only here to nudge their human counterparts along the path they were slowly taking. Something bittersweet constricted inside him. 

“They've had a good time with us, Ryo,” Chamber murmured. Toned arms encircling his waist from behind made it a bit more bearable. “I'm sure of it. Let's give them a happy farewell.”

“Yeah,” it came out choked, and Yoru cleared his throat. He tried again. “Yeah. It's the least these pain-in-the-ass hooligans deserve.”

Chamber chuckled. His hair brushed against Yoru's cheek as he passed light knowing kisses down his neck in a comforting gesture. All too soon the hot air balloon was filled, unseen fuel lifting it off, its travelers moving on to other worlds.

"Goo-byeeeee!" A chorus of goodbyes suffused the air, precious and poignant.

“Goodbye, mes petits amours.” Yoru swore he felt Chamber's voice grow thick. Finally, the hot air balloon disappeared into the horizon.

“Are you sad to see them go?” Yoru asked. 

“I am. Are you?”

“Mhm.”

“But I am also happy,” Chamber said, eyes glistening. “Because they gave me you.”

Hearing his vulnerability, his simple declaration, stopped Yoru's heart in a way that made him wish he would do it again and again and again. “You dumbass,” Yoru somehow spoke past it, “I've always been yours.”

He had so many ways to tell him now. Tonight, he took avail of Chamber's speechlessness to topple him to his back, nestled his trim waist between his legs. Yoru breathed the sight in, grin all teeth. “Now that those cute knuckleheads are gone, I can show you the full extent of how I really feel. Think you can handle that?”

Chamber didn't flinch, hungrily nodding yes. Yoru laughed, gently setting aside his crooked glasses before descending on him, his love abundant and bite-sized.