Chapter Text
“I have called you all here today to inform you of a strange series of reported incidents,” Sylvia said, standing in WISE headquarters, briefing her agents. She looked as imposing as ever as she opened the file in front of her.
“We don’t know what’s causing them, or if there’s any way to prevent it, but if it happens to you, it will affect your ability to operate.”
“What exactly is it?” Twilight asked.
His handler sighed, “As insane as it sounds, a small handful of people over the past month have reported swapping bodies with someone they know.”
The whole room looked at her. Nightfall, who was usually stone-faced, had a slightly surprised look on her face. Murmuring filled the room.
Has she gone mad? That’s absurd.
“We don’t know if these reports are true, or just a bizarre rumor, but I’d prefer not to take any chances,” she paused, “I don’t want to believe these rumors are true, but usually, rumors have at least some form of truth to them, however twisted that truth may be.”
For the next fifteen minutes, Handler proceeded to inform them of the emergency protocol that had been put in place. If such a strange thing were ever to happen to any of them, they were to find a nearby phone and call headquarters, and say the code, their code name, and the name of the person they had switched with, as well as answering necessary questions to verify that it was them. He filed the information away, expecting not to need it.
“If there’s any truth to these rumors, it is in your best interest to stay as far away from WISE headquarters as possible. I don’t want us risking the lives and security of civilians unless absolutely necessary. Understood?”
The room nodded in silence.
“If this ever happens, there is a severe risk of compromise. Take care not to reveal you have any connection to WISE,” she paused, and said, “You are now dismissed.”
Murmurs filled the room as the small crowd of agents filed out. Twilight didn’t pay attention to any of them. He had to return to work.
It’s probably just a silly rumor, he thought as he left headquarters, but he couldn’t shake the sinking feeling he had for the rest of the day.
~ ~ ~
As Loid opened the door to the Forger’s apartment, the sinking feeling in his gut got worse.
He went through his normal routine greeting Yor and Anya, watching Spy Wars with Anya, helping her study, preparing dinner, and tucking her into bed.
When Anya was sound asleep, he and Yor left her room, closing the door gently behind them. Once they were in the living room Yor asked him, “Are you alright? You’ve seemed out-of-it ever since you got home.”
“I’m fine, Yor,” he sighed, “It’s just… been a long day.”
“If that’s the case, then you should go to bed early tonight. A good night’s rest always helps!”
He did not think he would get a good night’s sleep, insomniac that he was.
He would, however, retire to his room early, to keep Yor from worrying.
She brought him some tea, which he enjoyed as he asked his wife about her day. For the mission, of course. He needed to keep his fake wife happy.
After finishing his tea, Yor firmly insisted that he go to bed.
He got ready for bed and retired to his room for the night. He had planned to look over the files on the reported “body-swapping” incidents tonight, but instead, he collapsed into his bed and quickly fell asleep.
Yor is right. I do need sleep. I’ve been sleeping less than usual lately. I’ll have to thank her for reminding me tomorrow.
~ ~ ~
Yor headed to bed soon after Loid did, but she had a much harder time falling asleep.
Her mind kept thinking back to every little detail of her day, wondering if she had accidentally done or said anything to ruin his day. I sure hope it wasn’t my fault…
I’ll have to apologise to Loid in the morning, just in case.
With that, she shut down her train of thought and fell asleep soon after.
~ ~ ~
When Loid woke up the next morning, he felt unusually well-rested. He felt good for the first time in a while. That is, until he looked around the room.
He wasn’t in his room. He shoved down the momentary bolt of panic as he sat up and took in his surroundings. He wasn’t in his room, but he was still in the Forger’s apartment. This was Yor’s room.
Why am I in here? He clearly remembered falling asleep in his bed. His mind tried to come up with any reason as to why he would be here, but none of them made any sense. He sighed, I guess I can always ask her.
He quickly got out of bed and opened the door, only to come face-to-face with… Himself?
What?
He then promptly passed out on the floor.