The Cryptage story so far:
When we first encounter this beautiful bromance, Mirage is talking about the recent events of the tower collapsing and the new planet. He admits that they needed a change of scenery, adding once he finds out who's responsible for the tower, he'd buy them a drink.
Gibraltar asks why he doesn't question the new guy, seeing as he's an excellent hacker— knows everything about everyone.
Mirage is quick to smile, making his way across the drop-ship he introduces himself to Crypto, calling him the second smartest guy in the Outlands— besides himself.
Despite Mirage's best attempt at befriending the hacker, he pushes boundaries by placing his hand on Crypto's shoulder, asking if he's hiding something.
It's revealed later on in a letter to Mystik that Crypto had thought Mirage knew he was the one that took down the tower, and was onto him. This act causes Crypto to pin him in an arm-lock in self-defense.
The other legends ceased whatever they were doing and gathered around the two thanks to the commotion they were causing, it was only until Gibraltar had laughed it off that the tension had dropped.
Crypto releases Mirage, shooting him a subtle grin, though Mirage is less than impressed.
As the countdown until drop starts, they all get assigned into their respective teams.
You could say they haven't started off on the best of terms, so seeing as he's paired with Crypto, he lets out a discouraged, "Seriously?"
As they descend from the lowering ramp, Mirage mocks Crypto by saying, "Hope you know how to count, kid."
Which causes Crypto to jab back with, "Try and keep up, old man."
It's an endearing moment when you think about their one year age difference, and the fact that Mirage is the younger one. But Mirage calls everyone kid, so hearing someone reply by calling him an old man is a first for him.
So naturally Mirage is surprised and taken back, he's about to give Crypto what appears to be the start of a dad-lecture but luckily Lifeline makes sure there isn't too much squabbling between the two before the match even starts.
Crypto takes on the challenge of stacking up the kill count, and the two get off to a competitive start.
As they get cornered inside of a building though, Mirage is shown downed and Lifeline is trying to help him back up. Crypto however is hiding behind a shelf in drone mode, seeing the damage being done to his squad.
Mirage states Crypto had better not mess up his stats or his hair, doubting Crypto's skill that he could take on a squad by himself.
However once Crypto has seen what he needed to, he leaves drone view and goes full beast mode with his wingman, his drone EMPing the remaining squad member.
Lifeline is impressed while Mirage is staring at him in complete utter shock and disbelief upon seeing what he had just witnessed. Crypto takes this opportunity to add to their scoreboard, "That's seven."
Cut to Mirage stealthily landing onto the train, he lines up his shot on Wraith and Pathfinder.
He smugly declares, "And here comes ten and eleven."
As he goes in for the double kill however, Crypto being not too far behind swoops in and steals the kills effortlessly. Mirage gets irritated, complaining that those kills were his. Crypto then aims his charge rifle at Mirage, giving him a wink.
"Woah, woah, woah, kid, it's me! It's the old man."
Mirage is alarmed and freaks out, frantically trying to convince Crypto not to shoot him.
Nonetheless Crypto fires his shot, hitting Caustic that was sneaking up behind Mirage.
Mirage looks behind him, seeing Caustic defeated. He turns back towards Crypto with yet another astonishing look.
They are instantly interrupted by Bangalore's Rolling Thunder, Crypto quickly runs towards Mirage, but Mirage is making no effort to move as he's still recovering from what just happened, but relieved he tells Crypto- "I thought you were gonna kill me."
It's only until Crypto reaches for his shoulder, turning him away from the incoming explosion, in which he bluntly says- "Don't be an idiot."
The explosion from the train causes the two to be launched from it, they stare at each other on the way down and Mirage takes the opportunity to declare, "I'm not an idiot!" before landing onto the snow below them.
Can we appreciate the fact that Crypto could have jumped off by himself, and saved his own skin. But Instead he ran across in order to save Mirage too. Mirage almost died in that explosion, if it weren't for Crypto going out of his way to push Mirage off the train, he probably would have.
There were instances in this match in which Mirage probably shouldn't have survived, but Crypto was there to save him. The time in the building, to the train explosion. Crypto even proving he wouldn't turn on Mirage when the Caustic situation happened.
He could have let Caustic kill Mirage, and not have said a word.
But he chose to protect him instead.
Crypto can say Mirage knows nothing, is an idiot, and talks too much all he wants. But at the end of the day he wouldn't do something to put Mirage in harm's way while being on the same team. Even though Mirage did nothing but tease him, doubt his skills, and got upset that he stole his kills- Crypto still looked out for him, never once turned his gun on him or threaten him in any manner.
So now let's talk about the simple cute lil details on some Mirage/Crypto—
Family means everything to both of them. But they've suffered loss. Tae Joon had lost his sister, and Elliott lost his brothers. But they both share a close bond with their mothers, keeping in contact whenever they can.
It's been revealed that Mirage is Mystik's favorite legend. How ironic, right? Elliott is someone that Tae could take home to his mom and she'd 100% approve.
Even before Crypto was officially added into the game, it didn't stop him from already hacking his way into the hearts of many by.... Hacking Mirage's face, covering it with his logo.
Crypto and Mirage have been seen being on the same team on multiple occasions, hinting at the possibility of a developing friendship if anything.
Mirage and Crypto have the 'opposites attract' relationship dynamic. Crypto is a rather serious and reserved individual, while Mirage is the carefree loving trickster, not taking anything too seriously.
Although complete opposites, they share a hobby such as working with tech, well sorta. Mirage isn't really tech savvy, in fact he had no clue what R.E.C meant. But he knows a hell of a lot about Holo tech. Seems like they can both teach each other thing or two.
Recently the two voice actors for the pair have been on each other's social media platforms in character, Johnny Young has even posted a picture wearing a Mirage sweater, and has added some quality Cryptage on his insta story a few times. It leaves fans wondering what's going on with Crypto and Mirage behind the scenes.
Whether you ship the two or not, you can't deny the developing bond Respawn has been cooking up for them, slowly but surely. The coincidences between these two at this point is unreal, I honestly believe they have something in the works for them.
A bromance or romance, either or, I just want them to be happy. Both of them are lonely boys that needs friends, what better way to start than each other.
