Chapter Text
Yuri had always been observant. At least, he liked to think so.
Maybe it was because he had been orphaned at a young age, or because he started working for the Ministry straight out of college. Either way, he had learned to be watchful for the sake of survival.
After he was recruited by the State Security Service, their rigorous training served to hone his senses even further. It was an asset during missions. Yuri had a keen ability to pick up on changes in others’ mannerisms and appearances.
Which was why he found himself tensing when an unfamiliar scent flooded his senses one day at work.
He was standing in front of his locker in the hallway when he smelled it. Not the usual scent that marked the SSS office, of rubbing alcohol and cigarette smoke.
Flowers.
The aroma was particularly strong, which meant it was emanating from the person next to him.
He turned to his right, to the woman occupying the locker adjacent to his.
“Chloe.”
She popped her head out of her locker, cropped violet hair swishing, expression unimpressed as always.
“What?”
“Are you wearing perfume?”
Her eyes widened. “Yeah. You noticed?”
How could he not, when she smelled like a literal flower shop? Did she bathe in the perfume before coming to work today?
He inhaled again, and was able to identify the exact scent. Jasmine flowers. They grew on the mountains where he and Yor used to live, their fragrant white petals dotting the vines that trailed up their cottage.
It wasn’t an unpleasant scent.
He told her this, and she huffed out a laugh. “Thanks, I guess? It was a gift.”
At her explanation, he grunted. He wasn’t sure why she felt the need to explain. It wasn’t like he cared.
After closing their lockers, they fell into step side by side.
It was an unspoken ritual of theirs—walking to the morning debriefing together. Yuri wasn’t sure who had started it, but it made sense, since their hallway lockers were conveniently located next to each other.
Then again, that was because Chloe had insisted on them being “locker buddies” when she first joined the SSS.
Yuri stuffed his hands into his pockets.
Despite what Curtis and his other colleagues liked to say, Chloe was not his friend.
Yuri didn’t have friends. The only people he liked were his sister, and sometimes himself.
But he didn’t mind Chloe, for the most part. She could be irritating, sure, but she was a reliable subordinate. Someone he could count on to remain level-headed even during the most dangerous missions.
Yuri found her company tolerable. That was more than he could say for most people.
“What do you think Wilker is gonna talk about today?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Beats me.”
“I think he’s going to try to invite us all to another party.”
“Ugh.” The director had been insufferable since he’d infiltrated the last weekend get-together. Since then, he had apparently resolved to throw all the employees a party himself.
Didn’t the old man have work to do? Yuri had been working overtime for so many weekends now that he couldn’t fathom where the director found all this free time.
Her eyes twinkled. “Better come up with a good excuse.”
“I’ll just tell him I’m busy.”
“With?”
He scowled. “Protecting the country? Doing the dirty work he hired me for?”
Chloe hummed, tossing her keys into the air. “That’s what Lieutenant Curtis said last week, but he ended up being dragged to the party anyway. Heard he was a riot during two truths and a lie.”
“Seriously? These are grown men.”
At Chloe’s frown, he hastily went on, “And women.”
“Anyways,” he grumbled,“They should be working. Not…planning parties and getting drunk together.”
When Chloe didn’t respond, he shot her glance. She was looking upwards, eyes contemplative.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing to relax and have fun,” she mused. “It’s important, with the work we do.”
“Uh, I guess.”
She levelled him with a stare. “When’s the last time you did something for fun, Yuri? Not for your job or your sister, but for the sake of enjoyment?”
His steps stuttered to a halt. Her gaze didn’t waver, and Yuri’s skin prickled uncomfortably under its intensity.
What was her deal?
“None of your business.” His neck was hot as he glared at her.
Chloe let out a bright laugh. It only vexed him more. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”
She gave him what felt like a patronizing pat on the shoulder before holding open the door to the meeting room for him.
Yuri shuffled in without sparing her a second glance, determined to focus on work and nothing but work for the rest of the day—and probably his life.
He was walking down the hallway thinking about what to scrounge up for dinner, when he heard laughs coming from a room.
There were no meetings on the calendar until tomorrow morning. Yuri wasn’t sure what it could be.
The door was ajar, so he poked his head in. Inside was a group of SSS employees, relaxing around the table. Each person had a book spread out in front of them.
At the head of the table was Chloe, who caught his eye with a start.
“Yuri. You’re here for the book club?”
There was a note of incredulity in her voice, which offended him for some reason.
He scowled. “No.” He looked at the people in the room, and counted seven in total. Even Lieutenant Curtis was there. “Since when did the SSS have a book club?”
Lieutenant Curtis jabbed a finger in her direction. “Since Chloe here decided that we needed one.”
When Yuri turned back to Chloe, she didn’t meet his eyes. “I like books, okay?” Her cheeks were pink.
A couple more employees filed into the room after Yuri, and he watched silently as they greeted Chloe and pulled out the same book.
Why hadn’t Chloe ever mentioned the book club to him?
Maybe she had and he hadn’t paid attention, like how he brushed off most of her attempts at making small talk in the mornings.
Chloe was still looking in his direction. “You can join us, if you like.”
“...I haven’t read the book, though.”
“It’s fine. Not everyone here has finished the book yet. You can catch up later.”
He heaved his bag onto his shoulder. “Thanks, but I have somewhere to be.”
“Your sister’s house, I presume?” Lieutenant Curtis called out.
Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Does she know you’re coming this time?”
“No, but it’s fine.”
“Is it?”
He blinked. “Of course. My sister loves it when I drop by unannounced.” At least, she used to, before stupid Loidy and his rat daughter came into the picture.
Whatever, it had been weeks since he last visited Yor. Surely she’d be delighted to see him.
Chloe’s lips were pursed in disapproval. Before he could defend himself, one of the newcomers slid into the open seat next to Chloe. Yuri recognized him as one of the newer recruits, a tall man with shaggy blonde hair and a broad grin.
“Hey, Chloe.”
“Jeremy,” she nodded.
He rested his head on his hand, leaning in closer. “You’re looking beautiful today, you know?”
Yuri’s chest grew uncomfortably tight.
“Thanks.” Chloe rolled her eyes.
“Stop flirting and start reading, Jeremy,” Lieutenant Curtis cut in. “You’re behind us all by ten chapters.”
With a chuckle, Jeremy scooted away from Chloe, but not before reaching out to squeeze her arm briefly.
Stupid blonde hair. It reminded Yuri of Loidy.
Chloe glanced up again.
“You sure you don’t want to join us?”
Jeremy looked curious, and Yuri bit back a scowl.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.”
He met Chloe’s gaze one more time. Then he spun on his heel and hurried out of the room.
Yuri shuffled around the bookstore, eyeing the cheery couples and teenagers milling about with a grimace.
He hadn’t been in a bookstore in years, not since university. Even then, he had only ever been to the campus bookstore to buy required textbooks for his classes.
Yuri had never read for pleasure before. Standing in the bookstore, he found his head spinning, overwhelmed by all the titles on display. There were genres that he had never even heard of before.
Not to mention there seemed to be a lot of couples here on dates today. For some reason, the fact irritated him more than usual.
He plopped down in one of the open chairs with a sigh.
Chloe had been right. Yor had not been pleased when he showed up at her apartment last night.
“You should’ve told me you were coming.” His sister frowned as she stood in the doorway. “We only prepared dinner for three people.”
“That’s alright, I can eat a smaller portion!” he chirped out, too gleeful about seeing Yor to dwell on the clear displeasure written across her face.
“Yuri?” Loid walked up to the door, and Yuri’s grin dissolved.
“Loidy.”
His sister’s frown deepened at the nickname, but she relaxed when Loid slipped an arm around her.
“It’s okay, Yor. I can whip up something for your brother.”
She looked up at him tenderly. “That’s so kind of you. Thank you, Loid.”
Loid’s gaze was soft too as he squeezed her shoulder. Suddenly, Yuri felt like vomiting.
“You know what? I, uh, actually have somewhere I need to be.”
“Oh, really?” Yor turned back to face Yuri, eyes looking noticeably less dreamy as soon as they landed on him. Yuri could hear the sound of his own heart shattering.
“Yeah.” He jammed his hands into the pockets of his coat. “I have some work I need to finish, so I’ll just have dinner at home.”
He turned on his heel, not wanting to see Loid act lovey-dovey with his sister for any longer than necessary.
“Please call next time before you come by!” Yor’s voice rang out as he trudged away. “I love you!”
Sitting in the book store, Yuri stared at the families gathered in the aisles around him. They donned matching grins, chattering as they browsed the books.
Yor looked happy with Loid and Anya. Happier than she was with him.
Loidy was probably still a two-faced liar, but he seemed to genuinely care about Yor. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so quick to put himself in between the gunman and Yor, that time back at the TV station.
As much as Yuri hated to admit it, he could trust Loid to look after his sister.
Yor deserved to be happy. If Yuri needed to give her space to ensure her happiness, he would do it.
As Yuri sat slumped in his chair, feeling terrible about himself, a man with red glasses and curly hair strolled past him. Then he doubled back.
“Yuri Briar?”
Yuri lifted his head and squinted at him. “Do I know you?”
“I’m one of Loid’s buddies.” Loid had friends? He seemed even more married to his work than Yuri was.
“I’ve seen you at the Forgers’ place before,” the man went on.
“Ah.” Now he remembered. This was the hyperactive man whom the Forgers paid to babysit Anya whenever they went on their dates.
And now he was thinking about Loid going on a date with his sister. Blegh.
Franky stuck a hand out. “Nice to meet you officially. I’m Franky Franklin.”
What a stupid name. Yuri shook his hand with a curt nod, silently hoping that he would leave so that Yuri could go back to brooding alone.
Franky glanced around him. “You here by yourself?”
“Yeah?”
“Huh.” Franky tilted his head, looking thoughtful. “I didn’t take you for the reading type.”
Yuri’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Hey, it’s not an insult.” Franky held his hands up in a placating gesture. “Yor always talks about how busy you are with work. I didn’t think you had the time to read for fun, y’know.”
“I am busy.” There was an edge to Yuri’s voice, before he sagged slightly in his chair. “I’m just…trying to find a hobby.”
Franky nodded, understanding and something like sympathy in his eyes. Yuri grimaced.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, keen to take the attention off of himself. “Do you like to read?”
“Not at all,” Franky responded without an ounce of shame. “I haven’t read a book in the last decade.”
Yuri barked out a laugh. “Then why are you at a bookstore?”
“Why else?” Franky planted his hands on his hips. “There’s a beautiful woman in my life who loves books. I’m here to learn the language of her love.”
“You’re got to be kidding me.”
“Not in the slightest!”
Equal parts baffled and amused, Yuri stared at him. “So you’re trying to impress your girlfriend by reading?”
“Well, she’s not my girlfriend. Yet.” Franky paused. “To be accurate, we don’t really know each other. In fact, one might argue that she doesn’t even know that I exist.”
Yuri’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline as Franky babbled on.
“She’s a librarian. At the Berlint Library. She works there on weekdays at the help desk. One time, she helped me find my lost umbrella.” He placed a hand on his heart, gaze faraway. “I think she might be the one.”
Was this seriously the type of company that his sister’s husband kept? Maybe Yuri had been right to distrust Loid.
“You’re insane.”
Franky waved his hand dismissively in the air. “My friend, love drives any man to insanity.”
He paused, peering at Yuri. “What about you? Do you have a lady in your life?”
An image of violet hair and a wry smile entered his mind.
“No!” he snapped, cheeks flaming.
“Woah there!” Franky backed away, hands in the air. “Didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”
“Sorry.” What was wrong with him? “No, I don’t have anyone like that in my life.”
Franky was silent for a few moments. Then he nodded and placed a hand on Yuri’s shoulder with a sympathetic smile.
“It’s hard being a bachelor, isn’t it? I feel your pain.”
Yuri scoffed, shoving his arm off of him. “Don’t lump me together with you.”
But his lips curved upwards as Franky rattled on, and for the first time in a while, Yuri felt a little less alone.
It had been good running into Franky at the bookstore. The man was a social butterfly; not long after their meeting, he had sauntered up to one of the employees and asked if she could help them pick out some books.
Yuri was relieved because his pride would have never allowed him to ask for help. Yor used to say that it was one of his biggest weaknesses—always wanting to do things on his own.
Then Franky fell in love with the employee and promptly forgot the librarian he had been so infatuated with. Yuri had been forced to drag the man out of the bookstore before he tried to ask her out while she was working.
In the end, Yuri had left the bookstore with a few promising titles. The employee had taken one look at him and recommended murder mysteries, specifically a series by a famous English author.
Yuri told himself that he would try to read one chapter that weekend. Even if he hated it, at least it would give him something to do other than bother his sister.
Besides, then he’d have something to talk about other than work the next time he saw her.
Before he knew it, it was Sunday evening and he had already devoured all three of the books.
He found himself wiping away tears during one of the final scenes, when it was revealed why the passengers on a train had banded together to avenge the murder of a young girl. The main detective, a large, moustached Belgian gentleman, could be pompous at times, but he was deeply compassionate. His relentless pursuit of the truth reminded Yuri of the ideals that had driven him to work at the SSS.
At work the next day, Chloe let out a small gasp when he swung his locker shut.
“What?”
She pointed at the book in his hands—the latest mystery novel he had purchased. On Sunday night, he had hustled back to the store right before closing time and purchased another ten titles.
“You’re reading.”
He made a face. “Is it that surprising?”
“I didn’t think you had a life outside of work and your sister.”
“Well, I’m trying.” He paused, cheeks flushing, before mumbling, “I’m trying to do things for the sake of enjoyment, like you said before.”
Chloe’s mouth opened, then closed, as she stared at him in silence.
“What?” he asked, skin prickling again with that strange sensation, as if his layers were being peeled back.
He had never put much thought to him before, but Chloe was much shorter than him. Standing right in front of him, she had to crane her neck back in order to look into his eyes.
It was strange, because she was usually the steely-calm person barking at the junior officers to get their head out of the clouds, the fearless subordinate who wasn’t afraid to call even her superiors out on their mistakes. Right now, though, she just looked like a normal girl.
Some emotion he couldn’t place flickered across her face, before her lips curved upwards.
“I’m just proud of you, that’s all.”
Yuri’s jaw dropped. He fumbled for something to say, but his brain drew a blank.
She crossed her arms with a teasing grin. “Look at little Yuri, with his cute little books. Finally having fun.”
“I’m not a child!” he snapped.
Letting out a hum, she bumped into his shoulder. The jasmine flower scent lingered as they walked down the hallway.
“You should come to the next book club meeting,” Chloe said. “Now that you’re an avid reader and whatnot.”
“Alright.”
She paused mid-step, surprise in her eyes. Had she been expecting him to say no again?
“When is the next meeting?” he grumbled.
With no small amount of indignation, he assured her that he’d see her and the rest of the book club (ugh, and Jeremy) on Friday. A faint smile bloomed on her face.
Yuri’s steps felt noticeably lighter as they continued along.
Reclining in his chair, Yuri flipped to the next page of his book.
The meeting room across from his office was usually empty in the afternoon, so he began taking advantage of the space to get some reading done during his break times.
Yes, he took breaks now. During his most recent quarterly review, his supervisors had informed him that they would be placing an upper limit on his overtime hours and pay. Putting in more than sixty hours during the work week was no longer acceptable.
Yuri could be an idiot at times, but he wasn’t stupid enough to work without pay. Besides, he couldn’t pass up on extra reading time.
His bookcase at home was starting to fill up, the once-barren shelves now laden with rows of mystery novels. At this rate, he was on track to finishing all of the books in the series by the end of the year. The thought was bittersweet, but the employees at the bookstore—who now recognized Yuri as a regular customer—had already recommended some promising titles for him to peruse next.
Breezing through the door, Chloe slid into the open chair next to Yuri’s. Her hair was askew, as if she had been in a rush.
“One of the lieutenants was trying to tell me about his wine collection.” She brushed her bangs out of her face as she rummaged in her bag. “I told him I had somewhere to go and high-tailed it out of there.”
Yuri pushed the spare cup of tea—jasmine green tea, his choice—closer to her. When she didn’t react, he cleared his throat.
She blinked at the cup for a moment, before grabbing it. “Oh—thanks!”
“You’re welcome.” His voice was gruff.
She was still surprised whenever he brought a drink for her. It irked Yuri.
“I’m enjoying it so far,” she said. “The Murder on the Ostanian Express.”
“Oh?” He leaned in, interest piqued.
She nodded, excitement flashing in her eyes. “I started reading it last night and couldn’t put it down.”
“Right?” No wonder the book had brought him to tears the first time he read it. He had just completed his second reading of the novel, and still marveled at the unexpected twists and turns throughout the course of the detective’s investigation.
Chloe’s eyes widened, and Yuri realized that their faces were less than a foot apart—close enough for him to see a smattering of freckles across her nose.
He had never noticed them before.
Quickly, he sat back. “That’s good,” he said, feeling his ears grow hot.
“Yeah. I should get some reading done.” The tips of her cheeks were pink. “Since our break will be over soon.”
“Right.”
Yuri resumed reading the chapter he had left off on. As his eyes flitted across the page, his mind began to wander.
He had been pleased when Chloe picked his book recommendation during their last book club meeting, particularly because she had shut down Jeremy’s pick. The man had suggested a novelization of that ridiculous spy cartoon that Loid’s daughter liked. Of course he would have the taste of a child.
The book club meetings had been fine. Enjoyable, even. Even though Yuri still preferred reading on his own, it was pleasant analyzing the characters and hashing out plot points with the others.
During their meetings, Chloe would wear a giant sweater, which she chalked up to the AC being blasted at all hours in the room. Yuri had to actively hold back a snort when he first saw her swaddled in the knit fabric, looking tiny with her head poking out of the top.
As expected, Jeremy made the stupidest comments. Every time he did something as unimpressive as restating the summary on the back of the book or saying that a character was “complex” (with no further elaboration), the man would immediately turn to look at Chloe, a hopeful look in his eyes.
Yuri, for his part, relished in calling Jeremy by any other name than his own, including but not limited to, “Jerome,” “Genome,” and his personal favorite, “Gnome.”
Perhaps he could read The Murder on the Ostanian Express for a third time. That way all the details would be fresh on his mind, maximizing his ability to humiliate Jeremy in front of everyone at the next meeting.
His gaze wandered over to Chloe. Her face was screwed together in concentration, the book so close to her face that it looked like it was touching her nose.
Yuri snorted. What was she thinking about? Part of him wanted to see her reaction when she got to the first red herring in the book, and then to the grand reveal at the ending.
He returned his focus to his book, though his gaze would slide back to Chloe from time to time.
After he had gotten through a few chapters, she set her book down.
“Are you busy this weekend?”
He blinked, setting his book down. “Uh, yeah. I’m going to the aquarium with my sister and the Forgers this Saturday.”
Apparently, Anya had been begging Yor and Loidy to take her back to the aquarium so that she could see the penguins again. Yuri could care less about what the deranged child wanted, but when Yor had invited him to tag along, he immediately accepted.
Maybe his sister would be impressed by how well-read he was now, and it would make Loid look stupid in comparison.
“Oh. I usually read in the park on Saturday afternoons. I was going to invite you to join me.” Chloe shifted in her seat, mouth twisting slightly.
Yuri’s stomach lurched.
“I’m free Sunday.” His words surged out, before he could process what he was saying. “What about then?”
He was rewarded by the sight of her face lighting up, a delight on her face he had never seen before.
She had freckles. And dimples. How had he never noticed them before?
“Sounds like a plan,” she said.
As Yuri laid in bed that night, he thought of book clubs. Aquarium visits. Afternoons at the park. To think that he used to eschew his colleague’s invitations to hang out, spending his evenings sitting in front of the television with a cold dinner, all alone.
For the first time since he had discovered his sister had gotten married, he looked at his life and felt content.
He could get used to this—this routine.
Before he fell asleep, he wondered who had gifted Chloe the perfume.
“There’s a party tonight.”
Yuri snorted as he added another book to the stack in his locker. “Of course there is.”
“They’re going to a bar, and then to Lieutenant Curtis’ house.” Chloe rocked on her heels. “Could be fun.”
“You’re going?” he asked.
“I don’t have much else to do,” she said with a shrug.
Yuri grunted but said nothing else. He could feel her gaze boring into his back.
He could go to the party, or he could stay at home and read. The latter sounded far more tempting to him right now, especially after a long week of work.
A hand tugged on his sleeve, and he spun around.
“Come on,” she urged him. “Let’s show these losers how to have a good time.”
She wore an easy smile, but behind it, there was a pleading look in her eyes.
Yuri felt something in him slowly begin to uncoil, rendering him helpless.
“Alright then.”
“Really?”
Why did she need to look so surprised? “Let’s just go before I change my mind,” he grumbled.
Letting out a cheer, Chloe grabbed his arm and yanked him towards the exit. Yuri rolled his eyes but didn’t move to get out of her grasp.
“Everyone’s going to be so happy to see you,” she sang.
As she dragged him out of the building, a small smile tugged at his lips.
Yeah, he could get used to this.