Absolution | Yoru x Reader
Chapter 4: "Unwinding Tensions"
Chamber, his gaze unwavering, sat comfortably at his desk, each stroke of the brush a deliberate motion as he added a new layer of paint upon his headhunter's golden finish. A momentary pause ensued as his eyes danced among an array of paint sets, a silent debate on whether to maintain the golden appearance or be transformative. A smirk, born of pride and satisfaction, graced his lips, and his fingers lovingly caressed the grip of his meticulously crafted creation, never planning on changing a thing. A contented sigh escaped him as he gripped the desk's edge, rising from his chair.
The journey from desk to the central coffee table unfolded with a sense of unhurried purpose. Chamber's hand found the delicate stem of a champagne glass, the cool effervescence of the liquid a soothing embrace as he took a leisurely sip. Seated upon his couch, his fingers deftly worked at the knot of his tie, unfastening it. His head tilted back, its weight resting against the couch's headrest, a sigh resonating through his weary form. It had been a demanding day, the weight of it settling upon him like a shroud.
Yet, just as the tranquility enveloped him, a soft and persistent knocking reached his ears, disrupting the solitude. His annoyance tinged his voice as he stood up, brushing imaginary dust from his attire and carefully placing the glass down. With a hint of impatience, Chamber called out, "Who is it?"
A clearing of the throat, and then the voice of Sage resonated from beyond the door. The subtle shift of Chamber's demeanor, a softening, bore a certain curiosity. His gaze swept over the dorm's interior before it settled upon Sage, a warm and welcoming smile gracing his lips. "Be my guest," he offered, opening the door to invite her in.
-
In the faintly lit meeting room at Headquarters, Viper and Brimstone found themselves seated across from each other, separated by the long-stretching glass table. The room bore an air of tension, with Viper's furrowed brow as she rubbed her temples in frustration. She took occasional sips of her black coffee, her agitation apparent. Meanwhile, Brimstone pored over a stack of papers, each detailing Kingdom's scandals throughout the years, “Sage was kind enough to give me these.” Brimstone continued to trace his finger over every little word.
As silence continued to engulf the room, Brimstone momentarily glanced up from the papers, his gaze shifting to Viper, who seemed on edge. With a concerned sigh, he set down the documents and removed his glasses. His palms clasped together as he leaned forward, his voice tinged with worry and confusion as he asked, "What's wrong? You've been frantic."
Viper's leg bounced nervously beneath the table as she set down her coffee mug, her anxiety palpable. She cleared her throat, responding with a hint of exasperation, "I've been worried about the protocol. If Kingdom gets wind of our plans and our information, we're finished."
Brimstone shook his head, his face marked with a frown, "It'd be impossible for them to know anything unless we have an informant, a traitor."
Viper straightened in her chair, her frustration simmering. She hesitated, her voice tense as she replied, "We need to keep a close eye on that hostage of yours."
Brimstone chuckled heartily at Viper's determination, "I understand, Viper, but I don't believe a hostage in her condition could be a Kingdom informant. We have bigger concerns."
Viper's headache flared up once more, prompting her to press a hand against her throbbing temple. Annoyance laced her voice as she inquired, "Such as?"
Brimstone let out a weary sigh as he reclined in his chair, his arms casually resting behind his head. The room seemed to absorb the tension that hung heavy in the air as they both grappled with the uncertainty of their situation. With a shift in his posture, Brimstone leaned forward and slid an agent file across the table – a face etched in everyone's memory. Chamber's.
-
As the clocks around the Headquarters marked 6:00, agents began to stream into the common room, a cozy and minimalist space adorned with a collection of chairs, plush couches, and bookshelves lined with classic literature. The faux marble fireplace stood as an elegant centerpiece, exuding warmth into the room. Curtains were drawn to shield them from the outside world, and a hushed tension filled the air. Every agent exchanged nervous glances, saying nothing as they meticulously adjusted their postures. Among them, you and Chamber were absent, though the collective anticipation for the unfolding hostage situation from the previous day permeated the room.
The famous black boots, their signature sound echoing through the hallway, prompted everyone to snap their heads in that direction. The suspenseful silence thickened as the footsteps drew nearer. Emerging from the shadows, Viper, one of their eminent leaders, entered the room with a folder, clipboard, and pen in hand. Furrowing her brows, she glanced at the assembled agents while adjusting her lab coat. Viper settled into the gray swan chair positioned at the head of the couches, and the room immediately straightened in response.
Viper's serious demeanor and posture demanded everyone's unwavering attention. "Sage and Brimstone will be late for our meeting," she began, her voice commanding. "We can get started now. I am certain everyone understands the situation at hand?"
Her scrutinizing gaze swept the room, intensifying the tension. Agents' eyes fixated on Viper's hands as she flipped through the pages, eventually settling on one that contained the image Sage had captured at the facility, a chilling depiction that made even Viper shudder. She secured the image to her clipboard and presented it to the room, capturing the rapt attention of every agent. "This is what was captured that day in the facility," Viper declared, her tone unwavering. "It is grotesque, but it is the harsh reality we face. This can happen to us, and it's our responsibility to prevent it."
-
Sage found herself in Chamber's dormitory. Her gaze wandered nervously around the lavish room, uncertain of his looming presence. Chamber, leaning casually against a marble dresser, exuded a self-assured smirk as he sipped his champagne. He observed Sage's unease and seized control of the situation, taunting her with his authoritarian charm.
"I presume you should be at the meeting, should you not? What brings such a lovely lady like yourself in my presence" Chamber quipped, his words dripping with insolence and a blatant disregard for authority. Sage felt her discomfort intensify but was too preoccupied with her own thoughts to respond immediately.
Grasping a decorative pillow from the couch, she placed it on her lap as her gaze fixed upon Chamber. Finally, she found her voice and confronted him, "We're aware of your association with Kingdom." A flicker of vulnerability crossed Chamber's face before he regained his composure, setting down his champagne glass and walking over to seat himself next to her.
"What on earth could you mean, my dear?" Chamber's affected innocence clashed with Sage's determination. She could sense the falsity in his tone, yet she knew he wasn't directly assisting Kingdom with malicious intent. Chamber understood the flaws in Sage's accusation and recognized that he needed to safeguard the fragile trust they were establishing.
Sage sighed, pushing the pillow aside as she rose to confront Chamber. Leaning over him, her face inches from his, she stared into his dark, calculating eyes. She wrapped her delicate fingers around his tie, pulling him closer and closer. Chamber chuckled softly, relishing the tension between them, and lowered his voice provocatively, "Planning to give me a kiss, cheri?" Undeterred, Sage responded with steely resolve, "We're merely working on building trust, Chamber. It would be wise not to jeopardize it before it's solidified."
Releasing his tie, Sage retreated, leaving Chamber sprawled on the couch with a smug smile. As she straightened herself and left the room, Chamber couldn't resist a parting comment, "I must say, Sage, you pull off the dominatrix look quite well." Sage scoffed at the remark, departing with the room's unresolved tension lingering in her wake.
-
Brimstone made his entrance into the common room with an air of unshakable confidence, flashing everyone a smirk as he casually settled into the lounge chair beside Viper. Midway through Viper's briefing, she winced, interrupting her speech briefly to hand him a copy of the document she had been discussing. Brimstone sighed, his gaze fixed on the page.
"Viper, we don't have to go over all of this," he remarked with a touch of impatience, but Viper turned her body toward him, leaning in close and speaking softly.
"We must ensure everyone is thoroughly prepared," she murmured into his ear, her eyes locked onto his.
Brimstone's expression softened as he cleared his throat and addressed the room. "Each one of you will undergo rigorous training, and we'll be embarking on high-stakes missions that will require unwavering teamwork and strategic brilliance. We're preparing for the worst-case scenario and ensuring we maximize our available resources."
Viper nodded, her hands clasped together on the clipboard in her lap. "You'll be paired up with a partner, and you'll train together every day. It's imperative you remember your duty. We're pleading for your loyalty and dedication to Valorant."
Killjoy raised a trembling hand, her gaze darting between Brimstone and Viper as she managed a nervous smile. Viper, exhaling in mild exasperation, extended her hand toward Killjoy, granting her permission to speak.
"I could enhance my technology to gather more intel," Killjoy began tentatively, but Viper swiftly interjected, her tone resolute, "These missions will have to be carried out with the utmost discretion. You can focus on technology improvements once we've gathered information about the current situation."
She punctuated the end of the meeting with a tap of her pen on the clipboard, signaling dismissal. As Viper and Brimstone stood up, they made their way out of the common room.
In the hallway, Viper stormed forward, with Brimstone hastening to catch up. Concern etched his features as he asked, "Viper, what's been bothering you lately?"
Viper turned sharply, her headache resurfacing as her gaze bore into Brimstone's eyes. "We could lose everything and everyone we care about, and you expect me to be okay with it? I can't burden everyone with this. I'd rather bear this responsibility alone."
Brimstone's reassuring eyes met hers as he placed his hands on his hips. "We're here to watch each other's backs. I'm confident that we can navigate through this crisis and prepare for whatever comes our way."
Before they could delve further into the conversation, Sage burst out of Chamber's dorm, right in front of them. She smoothed out her ruffled attire and adjusted her bangs, her expression stern. "We need to talk."
-
The common room was filled with a sense of collective astonishment, leaving Killjoy undoubtedly disheartened. Raze sat beside her, offering a comforting touch on Killjoy's shoulder, and a reassuring smile accompanied by supportive words, "Awe, Killjoy-Zinho. We all love your little robots, and we'll figure out a way to get them back on the field."
Killjoy found solace in Raze's gesture, her anxiety momentarily soothed by the warmth of her
presence. However, Reyna's gaze held a different sentiment, bearing a natural aversion to Killjoy's technology and the engineer herself, “Who is we?” Raze exchanged a knowing look with Reyna, her brows pleading for some sympathy or intervention to prevent another argument.
Reyna, silently conceding to Raze's request, crossed her arms and reclined on the couch, her chin lifted, and her gaze sharpening as she inquired, "Where's that new girl? I heard she had some stories to tell. I’ve just been dying to meet her."
Phoenix's attention perked up at the mention of the new recruit. He leaned in, nonchalantly opening a bag of chips and munching on them. With a smirk, he remarked, "I don't know. She was supposed to be at the meeting, but I guess she didn't have the nerve to show up." He chuckled at his own quip, taking another handful of chips.
However, Fade swiftly intervened by snatching the chips out of Phoenix's hand, a teasing yet resolute expression on her face. As she held the bag away from him, she suggested, "Maybe if we make her feel more at ease, she'd be more inclined to join."
Phoenix, eager to reclaim his snack, reached out with determination. As he wrestled for the bag of chips, Fade finally relented, tossing it back into his lap. Phoenix resumed eating, his gaze shifting to Yoru, his tone laced with playful flirtation, "You're the man, Yoru. Why don't you be the one to bring her down here?" Yoru's response, a nonchalant eye roll, signaled his reluctance. Yet, before he could leave the room, a reminder of their earlier agreement stopped him in his tracks. As he sighed, he flipped Phoenix off and walked away, leaving the room to its various conversations.
-
Amidst a chaotic scene of scattered papers, books, files, and empty water bottles, you sat worn and weary, your gaze bereft of energy. Exhausted, your head sank onto a pile of paperwork, only to be abruptly startled by loud knocks echoing through your door. Wearily, you raised your head and mumbled, "Hello?" in response. The incessant knocks persisted, further frustrating you, prompting you to push yourself up and swing open the door in annoyance.
Standing before you, Yoru appeared, his demeanor stern and disapproving. His arms were crossed, and he spoke with cold indifference, "Everyone's waiting for you in the common room." His voice bore no warmth. Without uttering a word, he turned away, preparing to walk back.
However, you reached out and grabbed his jacket sleeve, compelling him to pause begrudgingly. He pulled his arm free, clearly uncomfortable with your touch, and in an irritated tone, he inquired, "What?"
You sighed, your back against the doorframe, a frown forming on your face, "Can we talk about what happened?" Yoru, without any intention of relenting, resumed his departure, responding with a curt, "No."
Undeterred, you once again caught his sleeve, causing him to pull away hastily, his irritation growing as he rubbed his jacket sleeve, "It was my job, nothing more." Understanding the reasoning behind his reticence, you nodded, yet an underlying curiosity lingered, "I was mainly going to ask about how you are towards me."
Yoru gently shook his head, his steps carrying him away from you as you watched him walk away. Sighing, you pondered the complex dynamics between you two, craving a deeper understanding but resigned to let it be for the time being.
Eventually, you joined the others in the common room, settling uncomfortably beside Neon. As she offered you various dishes of food, you declined them repeatedly, leading to a visible frown on her face, brimming with concern. It was apparent that everyone had questions, their wide eyes fixed on you as you shared the details of your experiences, revealing some things while withholding others, leading to an air of curiosity and apprehension.
Reyna scrutinized you, her lips curving into a sardonic smile, and she placed her wine glass on the table. Her words seemed patronizing as she commented, "My cariño, such a poor soul. I wonder how you could live with such trauma." Her mockery weighed on you, causing your fingers to clutch at your pants.
Neon's compassion shone through as she reached out, her hand gently resting on your leg. Her voice, barely above a whisper, offered solace, "Don't take it to heart." You responded with a soft nod, appreciating her support, even though Reyna's intentions remained unclear.
Neon, however, refused to let Reyna's behavior slide, snapping at her, "You can't just be a bitch to everyone." Reyna's gaze widened, her grip on her glass tightening, and Gekko made an attempt to intervene, though his effort was met with a swift dismissal from Reyna, who swatted his hand away, saying, "Don't worry about it, cariño."
Gekko, apologetic and nervous, gripped a pillow on his lap, casting an apologetic look your way. Attempting to speak up, you hesitated, stopping short as Reyna abruptly stood, her figure imposing as she confronted Neon, "I hope you didn't forget about those times I saved you from the easiest of deaths."
Neon, undaunted, met Reyna's disapproval with defiance, standing chest to chest with her. Meanwhile, Phoenix continued to munch on his chips, audibly crunching in the otherwise hushed atmosphere. The agents directed annoyed glances his way.
You reached out and gently pulled Neon back to her seat as Reyna resumed her place after Gekko's call to calm down. A thick silence settled in the room, only punctuated by the sound of Phoenix devouring his fifth bag of chips.
Gekko, seeking to shift the atmosphere, asked a question, "Ah, so, what was it like in the facility? No one really knows too much beyond the picture that Sage took." Your recollections sent shivers down your spine, but you hesitated only briefly before answering, "Well, those were victims of failed radianite experiments." Your words were slow, each phrase carefully weighed and measured. "The radianite wasn't pure; it was fabricated."
The revelation left the room's occupants exchanging concerned glances, drawing closer in their curiosity. Phoenix, perhaps in an attempt to break the tension, choked on his chips and remarked, "Well, she's useless." A swift slap to his chest from Fade elicited an apology, "I didn't mean that, mate. Just playing with you."
Reyna, ever the instigator, turned her attention to you, a mocking applause in her voice, "Great, we're making room for the homeless." Laughter filled the room, though Fade and Neon did not partake. Yoru, who had been leaning against the wall observing the situation, grimaced, recalling the times when he felt similarly unwelcome upon joining the protocol.
He moved closer, looming over the back of the sofa you and Neon occupied. Leaning forward, he rested his arms on the cushion, his irritation palpable, "Don't you have something better to talk about, Reyna?" It wasn't that he cared deeply about the situation; he was simply fed up with Reyna's inflated ego.
Reyna's smirk waned as she side-eyed Yoru, quipping, "So the riftwalker joins us, how can I live with myself?" Yoru scoffed and tapped your shoulder as he spoke to Reyna, "Pick on someone with use."
-
Sage, Viper, and Brimstone gathered on the patio, seated under the serene moonlight as they shared drinks. Sage, perhaps fueled by some form of urgency or anxiety, was hastily downing every drink in her reach, only to be gently slowed down by Brimstone, his concern evident in his words, "Take it easy there; we don't want to lose you too early."
Viper, her headache gradually fading, chuckled and began to feel more herself again. Curiosity piqued, she asked, "So, what happened with Chamber? Don't tell me he's screwing his way up the roster." Sage shook her head, a drunken laugh escaping her lips, "I don't think he's the one we should be worried about."
Brimstone, exchanging an intrigued glance with Viper, raised an eyebrow, prompting Sage to share her startling revelation, "You're kidding me." With earnestness, she shook her head, her eyes widened as she took another sip, "I'm being serious; he seems completely out of the know."
Viper, feeling skeptical and unconvinced, took Sage's glass into her own hands. "There is absolutely no way Chamber is not involved with something of this sort," she remarked, certain of her assessment. "It has his name and face written all over it."
Sage sighed as she ran her fingers through her messy hair, seeking clarity amid the haze of her inebriation. "The girl, the hostage," she began, her speech somewhat disjointed, "was telling me that the victims were regular people with fabricated radianite exposure. On what earth would Chamber be able to get his hands on such a substance? It has got to be Kingdom."
Brimstone let out a heavy sigh, taking another swig of his drink. He contemplated the situation, "We'll have to speak with the two of them." The uncertainty loomed like a shadow over the trio in the moonlit night.
-
As the evening wore on and agents began to disperse, you found yourself seated on a plush couch, the absence of Neon, who had left to prepare for her early morning garden duty, leaving you in solitude. A nearby sofa hosted Killjoy and Raze, who had initially listened intently to your retelling of your experiences within the facility. However, they wisely chose to retreat as they sensed the growing unease that accompanied your narrative.
Meanwhile, the remaining trio, consisting of Fade, Phoenix, and Yoru, provided a playful diversion. Phoenix was immersed in a seemingly endless battle with a colossal bag of chips, and the spectacle garnered a mix of amusement and concern from those in the vicinity. Fade tussled with Phoenix, with his bottomless appetite, trying to rip the family-sized bag of chips as Phoenix attempted to eat it.
As Phoenix gave up on trying to retrieve the bag of chips from Fade, he tapped on Yoru's shoulder, signaling towards you. He playfully reminded Yoru of the deal they had made regarding the sake. "I'm getting her number first," he declared with a wink.
With a smirk, Phoenix sauntered over to you, earning him scoffs and laughter from Killjoy and Raze. Taking the seat next to you with a closeness that left you intrigued. Meeting your inquisitive gaze, he stumbled over his words in a rather flustered manner, "Hello?"
The room filled with laughter as Killjoy, Raze, and even Yoru couldn't contain their amusement. Phoenix's embarrassment was palpable as he continued, "You're… wow, I mean, you're pretty amazing, girl. Really cute." Your confusion turned into a warm chuckle, and even Yoru sported a faint, amused smile.
With newfound confidence, Phoenix finally asked, "Can I, um, get your number?" Caught in the moment and still amused by the earlier banter, you playfully choked out, "I'll think about it." Phoenix felt a light smack on his face but continued to smile, flaring his collar. Even as he nodded and made his way back with a tinge of embarrassment. Moving to the table where Yoru was seated, he couldn't resist taking a playful jab, saying, "Wipe the smile off your face, chum. It's not like you can do any better."
Yoru, however, simply shook his head, and the smile began to fade. "Just hand over the sake already," he urged.
But Phoenix leaned back in his chair with a mockingly serious tone. "Can't do that, mate," he quipped, adopting a witty posture. "You've got to be a womanizer to drink the pure gold."
Yoru, now glancing from you to Phoenix and back, realized that pure flirting wasn't working. He swiftly grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair, determined to employ a different approach. "I didn't mean to act coldly towards you," he began, a tone of sincerity replacing the earlier jest. "I was wondering if we could chat more about what happened. Can I get your number?"
The atmosphere shifted, and a note of vulnerability crept in. You remembered the way Yoru had treated you when he rescued you, but hearing him now, sounding genuinely kind and considerate, eased your reservations. You replied with a heartfelt, "Yeah, of course."
Yoru extended his hand toward you, deftly inserting your phone number into his phone. As he tried to suppress his smile, he gave you a small nod, acknowledging your response.
Returning to the side of Phoenix, Yoru couldn't help but sport a triumphant smirk as he witnessed Phoenix's jaw drop. "How the hell do you do it, yet you still get absolutely no bitches?" he teased, a challenging glint in his eyes.
A moment of silence fell, with Yoru casting a hard gaze and furrowed eyebrows upon Phoenix. Not missing a beat, Phoenix playfully surrendered, "Please forgive me, Father Yoru."
But Yoru was quick to brush it off, shaking his head as he leaned back in his chair. "Cut it out, fire boy," he replied, signifying the playful banter was all in good fun. "Where's my sake?"
Phoenix sighed, his sense of humor still intact, as he said, "I'll give it to you when we head back, as long as you promise to share it."
Yoru, with a smirk on his lips, took a sip of his malt and leaned in closer to Phoenix, retorting, "No way."









