Valorant X Reader - Tumblr Posts

Books were doors leading to other worlds to which the keys were hidden in the readers' mind. Deadlock knew that very well. That was why she used books as an escapism. Works of horrific fiction were her favorite. After numerous missions, she ended up numbed. She lacked sensations. Sensations that she missed and found in horror novels. Novels that she sometimes shared with Iso who also lacked the feeling of adrenaline.

When she needed a new novel, she came to you. You were her book supplier. Your dorm room literally looked like a bookshop. You had among your shelves different types of book to which one could find the most disgusting, deranged, horrific, unhinged and skin crawling stories humanity could find. Even Fade bowed her head to the nightmares sealed among the pages. Even someone as stoic as Iso grimaced to some books you lent him.

In need of a new reading, she knocked on your door and you invited her in.

"So," you kneeled down towards your lower shelf. "How did you find your reading ?"

Deadlock put down the novel you leant her on your desk. Her eyes landed on an open notebook.

"Where on earth did you find that novel ?" she asked.

"You're always asking the same question." you chuckled. "Aren't you tired of repeating yourself ?"

When you turned towards her with a new book, you froze. She had one of your notebooks in her hand and was flipping through the pages.

"Give it back—"

"You're writing ?" she interrupted you.

You snatched the notebook from her grasp and sighed.

"It's just a draft," you shook your head. "It's...it's not ready, yet."

Deadlock raised an eyebrow and sat on your bed.

"I came here for a very specific kind of reading and my gut is telling me that you have exactly what I need." she pointed at the notebook in your hand.

She was also curious. What nightmarish world did you put onto paper ? How would she feel if she could wander in it ?

"It is a draft, Deadlock." you repeated with a sigh.

"A draft is destined to be read anyway," she shrugged. "If you don't want me to read it, you could read it to me."

You looked at her, then back at your notebook. Deadlock's eyes travelled on the other drafts on your desk. You already possessed so many books, so many inspirations. What could you possibly be writing down ? What did you already write ?

"Okay," you finally accepted. "I hope you didn't eat."

You sat down beside her and opened the first pages. You took a deep breath. Deadlock got comfortable on your bed and looked at you, eager to hear your draft.

" ‘Once upon a time, the Netherworld falling from the sky...’ "

Viper was a meticulous woman. After all, working with poisons demands the highest care and concentration. Especially the ones she put in her gear. She had specific protocols that she followed faithfully in her lab. A lab to which the quietness was easily shattered by your presence.

"…and if your gaz smelled good, you would lure ennemies like a witch lure children in her house with cakes and sweets and WHAM ! Dead. You could even add sparkles ! Sparkles are cool."

She put down the vial she was manipulating with a sigh.

"What are you doing here ?"

Your presence was not really a surprise. You often came here. But the reasons why oftenly diverged.

"I brought you coffee !" you beamed. "Extra black like you love !"

She was almost amazed by how you could memorized how she liked her drinks but incapable of remembering the rules in her lab. She wasn't complaining at the moment, though. Your coffee was the best she ever had the chance to drink.

"Thanks," she said simply after she took a sip. The coffee was still very warm, almost burning like she liked it.

"Anytime !" you chuckled.

Viper raised an eyebrow when she saw you pull a small tupperware out of a bag.

"Actually, I made you some dark chocolate flavored cupcakes you might like," you pushed the tupperware in her direction.

"What a waste of time and ingredients."

"I don't think so," you giggled. "I'm not like Chamber, I don't try to make you smile. The very faint spark in those beautiful emerald eyes of yours when I prepare you things is enough for me."

You looked at her and she noticed just now how your gaze could be heavy. She was nearly intimidated. You memorized all her likes and dislikes just to observe something barely existing ? Was she an experiment ? The smile you shot her with was gentle, charming even. Were you like the witch you mentioned earlier ? How amusing.

"Come on, Viper," you chuckled. "Take a bite."

Yoru was a grumpy guy. That was a fact accepted by everyone. You were already used to see him rolling his eyes or huffing in annoyance. It was part of his character and it amused you. But you soon discovered that Yoru was worse when he was sick.

"Told you to cover yourself better for that mission, silly," you sighed.

"Shut up." he coughed.

Sage had given you strict instructions to help taking care of him. The poor duellist caught a very nasty cold that pinned him to bed. He could not move without having striking muscular pain, he had a severe fever that made him sweaty and blushed his skin like you've never seen before and he had a sore throat that made his voice hoarse.

"You need to eat first before taking these medicines," you explained gently as you wiped the sweat off his forehead. "I brought you soup. Easy to swallow and warm for your throat."

He sat up, a grimace on his face, and winced when he reached for the bowl. You could read on his facial expression all the pain his body was putting him through.

"I can feed you if you want."

If you weren't used to his antics, the glare he shot you with would have killed you. He was about to throw a snarky remark but his throat interrupted him with a wet cough. Shrugging, you presented the spoon to his lips.

"Aaaah."

You were only amused by the offended look he had in his eyes. If anything, you were basking in the heat of his glower. What he would not admit, was that he was very grateful for your presence and help. You did not leave him alone, you took care of him and that was enough to make his cold heart melt.

"I'll draw you a bath, later," you murmured when he finally accepted the spoon in his mouth. "The warmth of the water should soothe your muscle pain."

Yoru was too prideful to admit out loud that your warmth was enough. Too prideful to admit that beneath his grumpy exterior, he was thankful to have you with him. He was already bathing in your care and he was silently grateful for that.

Sova loved the archery. The sensation of the bow bending to his strength, the sound of the arrow piercing the air, the satisfaction of seeing his target hit. You preferred knife throwing. The comforting weight of your blade in your hand, your muscles flexing around you weapon, the release after you threw it.

And you two loved each other and wanted to understand your partner better.

"Sova darling, your bow definitely hates me," you groaned.

Manipulating a bow demanded more strength that you initially thought. The bowstring was capricious between your gloved fingers and the arrow refused to stay in place. Sova definitely made it look easy.

"Knives definitely suits you better than it does to me, моя сова." he chuckled.

His hands were clumsily manipulating and dropping your knives. You giggled and grabbed his hands gently.

"Here, let me show you." you giggled. "Then you'll teach me archery, okay ?"

He nodded smiled and melt into your touch, admiring your skills and how the weapon seemed to obey each movements of your fingers.

It seemed like you two found a new way to spend some quality time.

Fade sometimes thought you were a dream. You, embracing her and rocking her in a soothing way, cooing and murmuring sweet words in her ear. She did not believe for a moment that this moment was real. It was way too sweet, way too gentle, way too warm. She was used to cold nightmares crawling slowly on the skin of her neck and suffocating her with a harshness akin to a monster.

You, in the other hand, offered your warmth without hesitation. You invited her in your arms, lulled her with soft words, cradled her in your love.

"Am I dreaming ?" she murmured.

You chuckled softly, your fingers scratching her scalp.

"Of course not," you murmured back. "You won't wake up from this."

Fade sighed in delight against your chest as you kept her in a cocoon of warmth and love.

"I love you, aşkım."

"Me too," you whispered. "As long as I am with you, no nightmare will take you away."

"You look so pissed," you snorted. "Not so fast anymore, huh ?"

And Neon did indeed look annoyed. The embarassed scowl on her face as she had difficulty staying put on her legs made you chuckle softly. She was clinging to you, her fingers clenching your top in a desperate attempt to keep her balance.

"Stop laughing," she hissed.

The scowl on her face deepened when your laugh boomed across the ice rinks, your chest shaking against hers. You started to drag her across the ice, your grip tightened around her waist as she squealed in panic.

"Don't let me fall !"

"Never," you reassured her.

She admired how at ease you seemed on the ice. She discovered an aspect of your personality that she loved so much. You were more confident on the ice, graceful, calmer. She felt so clumsy in comparison. You were the soft breeze caressing the ice and she was the inelegant flicker you were waltzing with, taking her away in your gentle squall.

"You didn't tell me you liked ice skating," she said.

You looked at her and tilted your head slightly, watching her uncoordinated body movements with a loving amusement.

"Well, since you introduced me to your passion for race and jog, I thought it was only fair to initiate you to the ice," you led her during a bend, grinning when she clung more to your chest. "I admit that it is also a revenge for all those time you mocked me during our jog."

Neon clicked her tongue in annoyance and tensed once more when you spinned with her in your arms.

"Don't pout," you smiled and pressed a soft peck on her cheek. "At least you have an excuse to cling onto me."

"I want to be your boyfriend."

You already knew Iso was full of surprises, but nothing could have predicted the pure and raw shock painted all over your face. It took your brain ten seconds to register the information and fully comprehend his sentence, fifteen for your eyes to blink again, twenty to close your dropping jaw and thirty to finally ask:

"You what ?"

His face was as stoic as ever as his beautiful eyes bored into yours. He stood tall and right in front of you in all his casual badassery while you knew you were being ridiculous with your jaw dropping again.

"I want to be your boyfriend," he repeated.

He was so serious right now. More serious than you've ever seen him on mission. And you did not know it was possible until now. He did not move and just waited for your answer. But you could not answer, the whiplash of his words was too violent. It took a complete minutes for your voice to come back and you internally thanked him for his patience —you did not know if it was patience, just his usual and casual stoicism or a silent mix of both.

"Why ?" you finally asked, your voice sounding like a croak to your ears.

"Because I love you," he answered simply. "I love these moments we spend together after training sessions, I love talking to you and talking with you all night in the garden made me realize that I have feelings for you."

"Well shit," you thought.

You internally swore his straightforwardness would kill you one day. His feelings were not one-sided. You had fallen for him a long time ago. Who wouldn't have ? His attractive appearance and his sweetness hidden under layers of solid forbearance made you ridiculously fall for him. You would have never thought that he would love you too.

"I maybe read the signals wrong," Iso said, his shoulder slightly deflating.

"Huh ?"

"I thought you felt something for me too."

Of course he noticed. He was one of the most observant people you knew.

"I do ! I really do !" you affirmed. "But it's...it's just..." you took a deep breath then looked at him in the eyes. "It's so sudden ! I think we're skipping some steps."

You noticed the faint spark appearing in his eyes and his shoulder straightening again (seemed like you were also observant) as he took a step closer.

"Noted," he nodded. "How about a date to take things slow ?"

You blinked and felt your jaw dropping again.

"A date ?"

He nodded again and you saw a hint of a smile on the corners of his lips.

"O-Okay," you stuttered and cleared your throat. "Just tell me when and-and I'll prepare and wait for you."

Iso took another step closer.

"After tonight's training. Sounds good ?"

You only nodded and he smiled almost shyly.

"Cool. I'll pick you up in your dorm room."

And just like that, he walked away. You took a deep breath in a vain attempt to calm your racing heart. You were too focused on your own breathing to notice Iso clenching his hoodie as he turned around a corner. His breathing was quick but his heart quicker. He hadn't felt this nervous in a long time.

"哎呀 !"

"Thanks again for the braids."

Astra's fingers kept dancing in your hair with swift but expert movements as she stood behind you. You internally wondered how she managed to manipulate your hair so easily with her prosthetic arm. Her eyes were slightly squinted in concentration but her facial expression remained welcoming. Your gazes met through the looking glass and you shared a smile.

"No problem !" she smiled. "Told you that this hairstyle was more convenient for missions."

"True," you nodded. "Since you styled my hair for that mission a few days ago, I think I adopted that hairstyle. No more hair in my face while aiming nor any Omega bastard yanking at it."

She finally finished her arts on your head and looked at the result with a proud smile. You returned her smile and moved your head to admire your new hairstyle.

"Castor oil really did some miracle on your hair," she hummed, her hands gently squeezing your shoulders. "They seem longer and healthier."

You relished on the feeling of her touch and your smile widened slightly.

"Yep ! I didn't forget the olive oil either, don't worry."

You leaned back in your chair and nuzzled the back of your head against her torso.

"Thanks again, Efia," you murmured.

A thank for taking care of you and for this moment of bonding.

Astra looked down and directly looked at you in the eyes and you could feel her affection more intensely.

"Once again, there is no problem."

"I wish you to drown in an ocean of rubber," you hissed, an inferno of rage burning in your heated glare. "I wish you to run endlessly in a wheel like a hamster just to charge a complete apartment complex for three entire nights."

Neon just rolled her eyes and sighed, unimpressed by your words. She leaned back more comfortably in her chair then looked at you gritting your teeth.

"You just have to pick two more cards," she said while taking a bite of her snack. "Don't be so dramatic."

Playing Uno was a dangerous game. The atmosphere was thick with tension : any word or action and the temporary calm would make way for a rageous storm. And unfortunately for the whole base, you were a petty individual.

Neon gasped, her eyes widening in offense as she watched you lay a cruel card on top of the pile.

"How dare you !?" she said, the lights of the room flicking slightly.

"You just have to pick four more cards," you answered with a smug smile. "Don't be so dramatic."

She stood up abruptly, statics and sparks of electricity dancing around her.

"Take that card back !" she barked.

You stuck out your tongue and winked smugly at her.

"I can't. You know the rules, sweetheart."

The electricity of the whole dormitory quarter suddenly shut down. The emergency LED quickly turned on as you both heard Brimstone shouting both of your call signs. Neon and you winced.

"How many board games did he confiscate already ?" she asked.

"I think with this one, it'll be seven."

There were days when you felt unattainable, when you felt like nothing could surprise you. Today was definitely not one of these days. Your jaw dropped at Yoru sudden but simple request :

"Kiss me."

Well, it was technically more of a command than a request but your brain was lagging too much by its sudden abruptness to notice. After a few seconds, your brain activity started again and you noticed the silence in the common room that followed his request—command. There was a certain determination in his eyes that you did not miss as well as the tension in his posture and his clenched jaw. His ego was hurt.

"Yoru," you sighed. "Ryo, my spiky blue rift-walking grumpy cat... what happened ?"

You face slowly turned towards Jett as your question left your lips. Your eyes narrowed on her as she avoided eye contact. Your gaze then fell on Phoenix who nervously looked away. What did these two do ? A bet ? Something that clearly hurt him, which led his ego to intervene in order to protect his heart.

"Or let me kiss you," he added, his eyes not leaving you.

Your gaze looked back at him as he took a step closer. He wanted a kiss. In front of the other agents. A kiss ? He hated PDA, something was fishy.

"Please ?"

Now that was even more fishy. He usually asked 'please' with his eyes and a waiting facial expression, not vocally. Humming softly, you sent a narrowed glare at Jett and Phoenix, grabbed Yoru's wrist and dragged him in the corridor without forgetting to close the door behind you.

"Now, can you tell me what's happening ?" you asked gently.

He stayed quiet as he leaned against the wall, crossed his arms while looking away, a frown on his face. He seemed like he did his best to avoid your eyes. But you knew better. You knew he was hurt.

"Is it something Jett or Phoenix told you ?" you took a step closer. "Should I punch them ?"

Yoru sighed as he let his arms falling to his sides.

"Am I a good boyfriend ?"

Your eyebrows raised in surprise as you blinked at his sudden question.

"What ?"

"Do you think I'm a good boyfriend ?"

For the first time since you met him, you heard a crack in his usually confident voice. Despite the facade he was putting, he looked so fragile.

"You always say that I'm grumpy and that I have a big ego," his eyes still refused to meet yours. "PDA makes me uncomfortable and I'm not good at expressing my feelings vocally. Aren't you tired of me ?"

You stared silently at him. Then after a few seconds, you stepped closer and pinched his cheek.

"Silly," you said gently. "Would a bad boyfriend ask me this ?"

You pinched his other cheek and pulled him closer. He let you do it, his eyes finally landing on you.

"You are grumpy, cocky and sometimes so full of shit," you cupped his face and soothed his cheeks with your thumbs. "You also listen to me ranting, support me on anything I do, protect me during missions and show me that you care in so many ways." You gently rubbed your nose against his and smiled gently. "Ryo, you're a man of action. What you can't say in words, you often say it through your actions and it feels so much more powerful than words... So no, I am not tired of you and I never will. Now that we're together, your grumpy ass will not get rid of me so easily."

You booped his nose and chuckled when he scrunched it. He suddenly hugged you, burying his face in the crook of your neck and you heard him muttering something in his native language. You caressed his nape then gently pinched it.

"You're insufferable, you know that ?" he huffed against your skin.

"Deal with it."

He finally released you and it was his turn to pinch your cheeks, his teasing and confident smile back on these lips that you kissed so many times.

"Ow !"

"You didn't think you would pinch me without any consequences, did you ?"

You scrunched your nose then grabbed his cheeks to gently squeeze them, making him pursing his lips in a ridiculous and exaggerated way.

"I love you too."

He raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Instead, he just pressed a quick but loving peck on your lips. You didn't mind his silence. You will wait until his ready to use words. You almost missed the light blush coloring his skin.

"I'll still have a serious conversation with Jett and Phoenix though," you added and Yoru only rolled his eyes, knowing that he couldn't stop you.

Omen could be spooky. Master of shadows and teleportation, ambush expert and underestimated strategist. An air of authority and superiority radiated from each of his movements. He was a very estimated agent of the protocol, respected by all, and a very feared oppenent on the field.

Who would have thought that his room would be so cozy ?

"How the hell did you manage to have a fireplace in here ?"

"I have my ways," he answered casually.

He was calmly knitting, sat on a rocking chair but you also had his attention. His bed was carefully made but you doubted he ever used it. Some bonsai trees were put on some shelves as well as some books, and the room was only illuminated by the dim but warm light of the fire. You kept looking around and —was that Dizzy sleeping in the corner ?— noticed the book you recommended to him a few days ago on his bed table.

"Can I help you with something ?" he suddenly asked, exiting you from your daze.

You blinked, looked back at him then cleared your throat.

"Uhm...I came to give your knife back," you said as you handed him the weapon. "Thanks again. It was truly useful for yesterday's mission."

Dizzy raised her head slightly to take a look at you, then decided to changes spot to rest on the pillows of the bed instead.

You saw the three stripes of the wraith's face slightly dilating, as if he was observing you better. Unbeknownst to you, your presence had the odd ability to soothe him. Everytime you were around, Omen found himself feeling more stable. You also amused him. He found the surprise in your eyes as you looked around adorable.

He nodded and invited you to sit down on the bed.

"You seem tired," he said calmly.

You avoided his gaze and started to fidget your fingers. You took a deep breath then slowly released it.

"I'm not tired."

"Exhausted then ?" he hummed as he momentarily stopped knitting.

He always observed you, silently watching over you. He started to worry when he saw you weakening. He felt you less lively than usual, more tired, too feeble and too hardworking.

"That's..." you sighed and looked down on your lap. "That's one way to put it."

"Don't overwork yourself," he said firmly "Rest."

His words felt like there were on the tight line between a request and an order. You sighed, feeling yourself weakening even more under the intensity of his gaze. You lied down on the bed —like you thought, the bed was barely used— and your eyelids started to feel heavier.

"I recommend you stop going on mission until you feel better," he murmured, his voice had a soothing effect that embrace your ears in a warm embrace.

Your already frail resolve shattered at his words. You felt Dizzy nuzzling against you as sleep slowly took you away. He watched you fall asleep and resumed his knitting. Several hours passed and you still shared a quiet and cozy moment. Even though you were unconscious, you had never felt as relaxed as you did now. You internally thanked Omen.

And Omen internally thanked you. For finally taking care of yourself, and for your company.

Needless to say that you started spending a lot of time in his dorm. He helped you rest, and you helped him feeling more stable.

"You're writing fanfictions about us ?" you asked, your eyes widening in surprise.

Clove started to giggle like the maniacal pixie that they were as their fingers played with some random dice. You sat down on their bed as your eyes traveled on the words written in their notebook.

"So, what do you think ?" they asked, leaning towards you.

"I think that your imagination is somewhat frightening," you chuckled lightly and turned a page. "You even did illustrations !?"

Their smile only widened at your words as you admired their arts. The crazyness and passion baked onto these pages resulted in a chaotic and sparkly madness that was a beautiful representation of Clove's peculiar mind. The fact that they took the time to fill a complete notebook full of scenarios where the agents of the protocol were the main characters still baffled you. You were even among the pages living crazy adventures.

"Clove, darling, my dear Scottish stardust pixie," you sighed in a very dramatic way. "I don't know if I want to expose this in a museum or hide it from everyone's eyes."

"Well, I'm pretty sure Cypher already saw it," they hummed. "His eyes are literally everywhere."

Clove leaned a bit closer to you, the mischief in their eyes sparkling like lost stars bathing in an ancient ocean.

"The reason I showed you this is because I wanted to live a scenario that I wrote about us two."

"Hm ?" your eyebrows raised slightly. "Which one ?"

They bit their lower lip to silent their laughter as they turned the pages of the notebook. Your eyes then fell on the scenario they meant. As your read the lines, your eyes widened and your face flushed. Maniacal butterflies took ownership of your stomach and time released your brain from its hold. Your voice was stolen from you as your astounded gaze fell on a very graphic illustration of Clove and you.

"Damn," you murmured after a moment of silence.

Their nose scrunched in mirth at your loudly silent flusteredness. They mentally took a picture of your face to redraw it later.

"So ? What do you say ?"

Reyna knew she could be intense. She knew she could be scary. She was aware of her talent for making people uncomfortable. But for the first time of her life, she almost felt intimidated. Almost.

You were only supposed to collect intel in a Kingdom facility. The infiltration phase started well, taking the intel was easy, but of course, a random scientist had to pass by and activate the alarm.

Taking the upcoming soldiers down was easy. Torturing the one who shot Reyna was satisfying. It was terrifying how creative you could be with a gun. She knew you could be intense sometimes, but she did not know you could be that violent. Violent to the point that she had to ask you to...

"Please calm down."

She couldn't believe that these words came out of her mouth. And apparently neither did you. You stopped your actions, then looked at her, your pupils dilated and your breathing harsh. She noticed how the veins in your neck stood out.

"He hurt my queen," you said with an offended tone.

Reyna found you adorable and would affectionaly pinch your cheeks if you had more time. She just grabbed your hand and drag you through the corridors of the facility. She then looked back at you when she felt your hand lightly squeezing hers.

"You're bleeding," you said.

"Just a scratch."

You shook your head and tore the sleeve of your top to make a makeshift bandage for her injury. She raised an eyebrow but let you do, knowing how you would stubbornly insist that she needed it. Once you were done, she grabbed your hand again and led you outside where the VLR/T was waiting for you.

"Let's go home, mi caballero," Reyna murmured.

Mi caballero = My knight

Physical touch and words of affirmation were Gekko's main love languages. Hell, he was very fluent in those languages. That was something you immediately noticed when you first met him, and then later when you two started dating. He was clingy, very cuddly, and loved to cheer you up, no matter what you did. But one thing he absolutely adored, was helping you stretching your body during your workout.

"Don't you think you're taking advantage of the situation, puppy ?" you raised an eyebrow as you exhaled slowly.

He blushed slightly at the endearing pet name but grinned widely against the back of your neck.

"I'm just helping you, cariño," he replied with a mocked innocence.

He was kneeling behind you, his chest flushed against your back as he helped you pushing your torso further as you were sat in a forward fold.

"You're doing so well," he murmured against your skin and you were certain he could feel your goosebumps. "Your flexibility never stops to amaze me."

You gasped sharply when you felt him press a long but soft kiss against your neck.

"Dude !"

He leaned back, snickering mischievously as you straightened your back up. You rolled your eyes but couldn't help but feel flustered. It seemed like Gekko turned into a total flirt especially when you were stretching. You took a deep breath, laid back down on the yoga mat then raised one leg up while the other stayed flat against the floor. Gekko's pupils dilated as he looked down at you. He then helped you by pinning your resting leg against the floor with his knee and pushing the raised one further.

"Don't forget to breathe," he said gently.

Your eyes met his and you felt your pulse quickening when you saw the raw emotions in those hazel eyes that you loved so much. Only his eyes had the ability to make you feel so flustered. Only his eyes had the ability to make you feel so desired.

"You're enjoying this way more than I do," you groaned.

"You have no idea," he smiled.

Your breath hitched when he did the bold action of pressing long kisses along your ankle and your calf, his eyes closed as his face morphed into a sinful expression. He then hugged your leg against his torso and leaned it further towards your chest.

"Mateo," you scolded him sternly.

Of course, he didn't take you seriously. How could he when you were hiding your face behind your hands and turning your face away ? You could barely look into his impish eyes. You didn't even see the wicked blush spreading on his cheeks.

"You're doing so good," he murmured smoothly as he sensually caressed your leg. "Thirty seconds left."

"You bastard," you grumbled, completely flustered.

"I thought I was your puppy," he chuckled.

Damn.

Iso was an attractive guy. Decent and respectful, skilled and humble, gentle and eye-candy. Everything in him screamed 'handsome'. You noticed that when you first met him, and since you two started to date, you were bathing in the warmth of his casual tenderness. He was a master of quality time. And it was by spending a lot of tender moments with him that you discovered one of his many hidden talents : making you flustered.

He did it so naturally, so effortlessly, that he wasn't even conscious of it.

The soft grunts and huffs he let out as your hands skillfully massaged his wide back —was it you or did he really get buffer ?— made you feel like the most wicked being on this universe. You almost drooled when you reminded yourself that you were straddling his hips. The weight of his hoodie on your shoulders and the sent of his cologne teasing your nose slowly made you feel like jelly. Was it how victorian men felt when they had a glimpse of a woman's ankle ?

"Are you good back there ?" he hummed, his voice muffled by the pillows.

Damn.

His voice.

"Shut up," your breath was shaky. "You're not helping."

You kept massaging his back, less and less focused when you suddenly heard him chuckling. You noticed him staring at you with an amused glint in his eyes.

"What ?" you asked.

"Nothing."

In the blink of an eye, you were suddenly pinned down, his fingers teasingly pinching your cheek.

"可爱的," he murmured in awe.

He looked at you with these pretty eyes that you loved so much, powerful but undescribable emotions screaming in his gaze. You felt your heart beating so fast that you were surprised he wasn't teasing you about it.

"Damn," you murmured.

He pressed a soft and reverential kiss on your cheek and resumed on admiring you. You sometimes wondered how on Earth you got lucky enough to date such an amazing person.

Unbeknownst to you, so did Iso.

"Your turn, now," he said with his usual calm tone. "You're tense."

可爱的 — Kě'ài de = adorable.

You hated roses. Their squeamish appearance, their ridiculously smooth petals or people's weird fascination for this flower in particular. You hated roses.

But you loved Vyse.

"Don't you dare scaring me like that ever again," she murmured against your ear.

You loved her fierceness, her personality, her voice, her sole being. You adored the embrace she pulled you in even though you hated the light but unusual quake in her voice. You returned her hug, releasing a small shaky breath as you relished in the warmth of her body instead of the cold of the infirmary.

"I didn't do it on purpose though," you chuckled lightly.

Vyse was clearly not amused. She pulled back slightly and sternly grabbed your shoulders. She let out a long sigh.

"I am glad that you have enough energy for laughing, but I am serious."

You nodded and pulled her in another embrace. You hated roses, but you love Vyse. And you were ready to be her rose while she'll be your bramble bush wrapping you in a comforting protection of thorns.

"I can't promise anything," you murmured. "But please, stay with me."

"I obviously will."

Skye looked at you with an amused exasperation.

"Please don't tell Brimstone," you said while caressing the little chick in your hands.

She should have seen it coming. She should be used to your antics, yet, you always managed to catch her off-guard.

"His name is Nugget," you smiled.

She couldn't stop the soft laugh from escaping her mouth. She then looked back at the little bird staring at her, then your soft grin and she momentarily wondered if she fell under your charm like the chick did. It wasn't the first time you adopted a random animal. Skye sometimes wondered if you were a Disney princess.

"Wasn't the cat from last time enough ?" she asked as she pet the little bird with her index finger. "Brimstone would not let your little friend stay."

You looked away and lightly bit your lip. You hadn't had the heart to tell her that you left the cat under Fade and Omen's care. Who would inspect the wraith dorm room ? It was the perfect hide out.

"Where did you find him anyway ?"

"You ask too much questions," you pouted then took a step closer. "Could you please help me build a little house for Nugget ? We could put it in your garden and Brim wouldn't find out."

"What about Cypher ?"

The small chuckle that escaped your lips managed to make her blush lightly.

"He already knows," you pointed at the camera around the corner and friendly waved at it.

The camera nodded, as if returning your enthusiasm. Skye laughed again, quickly joined by you.

"Alright," she accepted. "I will build your little friend a house and help you feed him in exchange of your company."

The smile you blinded her with was so warm she felt her heart blooming.

"Deal !" you exclaimed. "I'll get his seeds in my room and I'll join you in the garden. Thank you so much, Skye !"

She watched you go back in your dorm room, leaving her breathless. She was looking forward to bask in your sunny company.

The very first time Clove faced death, you both were children. They did not understand what was happening. One instant they were falling from the tree they were playing in, the next, they were in that strange and desert place. They felt lost and scared but then, you appeared and comforted them.

"It's your first time here right ?" you had ask. "It's the first time I see someone else here."

You showed them the way out and they woke up in a hospital bed. When they told their parents what had happened, they were faced with wide opened eyes.

"My child, you must have faced an angel."

The second time they faced death, they were a bit older and had been the victim of a hit-and-run. They appeared in that strange place again and you were sat on the edge of a ravine, your legs dangling in the void. They joined you and when you noticed their presence, you smiled widely at them.

"I thought I'd never see you again," you had said. "It gets easily lonely, here."

"Are you an angel ?" they asked.

Your eyes had widened at their words before a bursting laugh escaped your throat. You didn't give them an answer, though. You just offered them to walk through the path of awakening together. Clove had often wondered who you were. But they were glad they met you. Discovering their immortality had been less overwhelming thanks to you.

The third time Clove faced death, you were not there. But they had not felt lonely for long when they discovered a comical version of yourself drawn by you on a wall and several arrows showing them the way out.

Facing death was now a thrilling habit for Clove, and meeting you on the liminal space between life and death had become a normal stroll for them. You literally saw each other growing up. They often wondered what was happening in your life for you to often be there, but never dared to ask.

And then, after they joined Valorant, you stopped taking the path of awakening with them. You entertained them until they woke up, but never woke yourself up. You could, but you did not want to. So one day, they purposefully joined you in the liminal space and were welcomed by your smile.

"Why ?" they just asked.

Your smile immediately dropped as well as your shoulders as you just sat down.

"Let's just say I put my immortality on hold," you shrugged as you carelessly shot in a pebble.

"Why ?" they repeated.

"Breathing is not leaving."

They sat down beside you and grabbed your hand, a new determination burning in their eyes.

"Tell me where I can find you," they said. "So I can give you a reason for your immortality."

Your eyes widened at their words and you looked at them as if a second head grew on their shoulder.

"What ?"

"Join me. Join Valorant," they insisted.

Their determination burned your resolve. You flinched and told them where you were before they encouraged you on the path of awakening.

"I promise I'll come get you," were the last words you heard before waking up.

You quickly forgot those words but never these burning blue eyes. But you quickly remembered when a few days later, you recognized them, waving at you as a aircraft descended from the sky. It was the first time you two met outside of the liminal space. They quickly jumped off the aircraft to jump in your arms as their teammates slowly followed behind. You held them tightly, as if to make sure they were real and they did the same.

"I told you I'd get you," they murmured in your ears. "Come with me, with us."

They cupped your face and looked at you closely.

"Clove," someone called — a girl with striking blue hair —. "Who is it ?"

Their eyes did not leave yours as they answered.

"My angel."

Question : can this be considered angsty ?

Yok ebisinin nikahı.

Fade's eyes stared at the silhouette above her as the obscurity of her room turned more suffocating and oppressive. Of course she had to have a sleep paralysis. She closed her eyes, waiting for the horrible and choking sensation but it never came. The silhouette stayed above her, standing at the feet of the bed. Then, Fade noticed she could move, she was in fact fully awake.

Taking a deep breath, Fade sat up and turned up the light to find you, staring down at her with hazy eyes.

"Shit..." she cursed.

You were sleepwalking. She wondered how you managed to get in her room without making any noise and put her thoughts aside to gently pull you in bed beside her. She was careful with her movement, handling your sleepwalking self with a loving tenderness.

"Don't scare me like that again, aşkim," she murmured in your ear.

You just sleepily groaned some unintelligible words and nuzzled in her embrace. Fade felt your breath in her neck, your fingers clenching on her pyjama and the warmth of your body against hers.

"...Hazal...", she heard you whispering.

Fade felt her heart fluttering and her cheeks reddening.

"Sleep well," she murmured. "I'm here."

And she knew you were there as well.

*Yok ebisinin nikahı : rude expression used as an interjection to express surprise.

Even when she thought you couldn't surprise her anymore, you always managed to catch her off-guard. Deadlock stared down at the tray of food you were carrying before her eyes raised to yours. The delicious smell of food was dancing in the corridor of the dorm quarter and an odd and comforting sentiment of nostalgia gently squeezed her heart.

"What is this ?" she asked with a gruff tone.

The fake pout suddenly appearing on your face almost managed to move her.

"I made you a fenalår and a lefse," you said. "And I brought you some cider."

Deadlock looked at you as if you just came from Mars. She stayed quiet for a few seconds before letting you inside her room.

"You cooked that by yourself ?"

"No," you giggled lightly. "I've got some help from the old viking."

"From who ?" her brows furrowed.

"Breach," you put down the tray on her desk. "Despite being Swedish, he surprisingly knows a lot of Norwegian dishes."

She rolled her eyes and sat down on her desk, trying to ignore the weight of your stare. She still wasn't used to you watching over her. It was oddly comforting, almost too sweet to be real. She did not have to tell you when she felt unwell. You always knew and always have ways to comfort her.

"You know," she heard you say after she took a bite of lefse. "If you still have nightmare, you could sleep in my bed tonight."

She almost choked on her food at your words. Your tone was so casual, as if you just talked about the weather. She turned in your direction to see you standing up from her bed, stretching lightly and walking towards the door of the room.

"What ?" Deadlock coughed.

"Your biometric is already saved on my door," you shrugged as you left the room. "Have a nice meal, Iselin."

No, Deadlock was still not used to this warmth, your warmth. Even though she wasn't complaining, she found herself shyly basking into your warm comfort and tender actions.