In the end, neither Victim nor Agent managed to have a conversation after that near-kiss moment. "It wasn't a kiss,"Agent thought, exhaling slowly, though the memory of the Victim's lips almost touching his left a faint warmth on his face.
Briefly, he brushed his fingers against his lips, then ran a hand through his hair, imagining what it would be like to kiss the grey hollowhead. He knew the Victim took self-care seriously; their lips always appeared healthy, unlike his own, which tended to dry out if he forgot to hydrate.
Soft, he mused. Blushing, he dropped his hand to his side. If only he had leaned in closer, he might have discovered what it was like to kiss the other person, wouldn't he?
"Do you think he's alright? He's been lost in thought for days now. I suspect the boss said something to him," Ballista murmured, casting a sharp glance, while Primal rolled her eyes. "I highly doubt that. He looks like a lovestruck teenager—just look at how red his face is!" Primal chuckled, before they all straightened up as Agent turned to them, his expression turning into a frown.
"I can hear both of you, you know," Agent stated, glaring at the pair.
They then turned to each other and started snickering. Agent sighed, looking away and clicking his tongue annoyedly as he heard them whispering to each other. Footsteps approached from behind, and a hand landed on his shoulder. Turning towards Primal, he found her grinning, with Hazard excitedly bouncing on his heels beside her, and Ballista appearing ready to jump in excitement.
"So, I did see you guys a few days ago," Primal began, prompting Agent to raise a brow and motion for her to continue. "And you know," Primal made kissy noises, causing Agent to physically recoil in surprise, unable to hide his embarrassment as he heard Ballista giggling.
"Did you two kiss?" Primal asked, grinning as Agent sighed and shook his head. "No," Agent grumbled before he could stop himself. Hazard snapped his fingers in disappointment, and Ballista let out an 'ughhh' to the side.
"What, seriously?! But I saw you and the boss's faces so close to each other, and you're telling me that wasn't a kiss?!" Primal exclaimed, waving her hands around wildly. Agent looked around and noticed a few onlookers staring at them strangely before turning back to Primal with an annoyed expression.
"Yes, Primal, why don't you broadcast to everyone that we almost kissed," he said, tilting his head as Primal flushed in embarrassment.
"Oops, my bad, but come on, I'm just... disappointed, okay?" Primal pouted as Agent frowned, silently concurring with her. "Don't tell me you aren't. Like, come on, you guys were this close," Primal said, making a pinching gesture with her thumb and forefinger. "Aw, man, I really thought it already happened," Ballista sighed.
"I am disappointed," Agent deadpanned. Of course, he was disappointed that he hadn't taken the initiative to lean in at least a little bit closer. But it had already happened, and besides, Victim promised him that they would talk about it.
Agent blushed at the thought before rubbing the back of his head, a gesture that was unfamiliar for him or even anyone for that matter. "Uh oh, did the boss say something? I feel like there's more to it," Primal said, raising a brow as Agent gave her a look. "He said we would talk about it," Agent replied as they all glanced at each other with a grin.
"When?" Ballista asked. "He forgot," Agent deadpanned, causing the other mercenaries' faces to fall.
"How?!" Ballista growled, while Hazard placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Primal only palmed her face in annoyance. "Is it because Chosen is here?" Primal asked as Agent nodded silently, his expression darkening slightly.
Of course, he was still slightly upset at Chosen for throwing him into the ocean when he clearly wasn't even trying to attack the other Hollowhead. And now, he had taken Victim away from him. Agent sighed, halting his thoughts.
"Not 'took,'" Agent corrected himself before running a hand through his hair.
Victim was not "his" to be taken from in the first place. Agent did not own him, nor was Agent anyone to him... yet.
Agent gritted his teeth as the other mercenaries watched him express so many emotions in such a short time. "Man, that's the first time I've seen him show that many expressions," Ballista whispered to them, flinching when Agent turned towards the vending machine and punched it, causing the sodas inside to fall continuously.
"Yeah, he's pissed," Primal snickered as Agent grumbled under his breath in front of them, looking absolutely furious.
"So, it was you who broke the vending machine on the second floor," Victim mused as he sneaked up behind Agent, who was busy stapling a couple of papers together. "I didn't," Agent said, looking up at Victim with a bored expression.
Victim smirked. "Really now?" he said as he grabbed an empty chair beside Agent's desk and sat down, crossing his legs. Agent only narrowed his eyes in response. "Honestly, Agent, I wouldn't mind if you broke a few vending machines, if only you tell me the reason why you decided to punch it in the first place," Victim teased, his smirk widening as Agent sighed.
Victim observed as Agent continued to staple more papers together, remaining silent. After a moment, Victim sighed. "Okay then, just know I'm not angry; I'm just curious as to why you would do that," he said, tilting his head as Agent nodded silently.
"Hmm, how about we talk now?" Victim asked, causing Agent to snap his head towards him in surprise. Victim only smirked as Agent gaped at him, standing up. "Come on now, I know I've been quite busy showing Chosen around; I hope you didn't mind," Victim grinned as Agent placed the papers back on his desk, his heart beating loudly as he also rose to his feet.
"It's fine," Agent mumbled, pushing his chair back to his desk, not before Victim let out a small chuckle. "Really now? Are you sure the broken vending machine isn't the reason for that?" Victim tilted his head as Agent diverted his gaze, choosing to admire the painting on the wall instead.
In front of him, Victim laughed again. "Oh, Agent, you're just so adorable," he remarked as Agent frowned at him.
"Sit down," Victim ordered, gesturing towards the plush seat at the side. Agent raised a brow before complying, his movements hesitant as he settled into the chair, his body tensing when Victim took a seat beside him.
"Is it better now? We're alone, here in my office... we can do anything, you know," Victim purred, leaning in close to Agent, who averted his gaze, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks.
"What are we here to talk about?" Agent cleared his throat, trying to maintain a professional demeanor as Victim smirked.
"Hmm, I don't remember either. Do you?" Victim tilted their head, studying Agent who nervously bit his lip, gripping the fabric of his pants to steady himself, fighting the urge to fidget.
"I-I don't," Agent stammered, his voice trembling slightly as Victim inched closer, their bodies almost touching, the air between them charged with unspoken tension.
"You don't remember? I thought you had a good memory," Victim pouted, causing Agent to swallow hard, his fingers instinctively reaching to loosen his tie, a physical reaction to the rising warmth spreading through him.
"N-No, not that," Agent said, placing his shaking hands back on his lap, attempting to still their tremors. He met Victim's smirking gaze, his heart pounding in his chest.
In that moment, his breaths quickened slightly. The proximity between them seemed to intensify the heat coursing through him, his mind growing a touch hazy.
Suddenly, Victim placed a hand above his, calming his trembling hands.
"You're a marksman, yet your hands shake at such a simple thing as being this close to me," Victim whispered, locking eyes with Agent, his gaze hooded with something else.
"I'm not—" Agent started, only to feel Victim take his hand, running a reassuring thumb over his knuckles.
"Relax, Agent, I'm only teasing you. Calm down, I can hear your heartbeat from here," Victim chuckled, placing his free hand on Agent's chest, savoring the rapid thump-thump under his palm. Agent stared at him, his face flushed, though his expression remained composed.
"I wonder," Victim began, his mind wandering. Would he be able to change it? If he pushed the right buttons, would he find Agent writhing underneath him, calling out his name, pleading for more—
Victim chuckled to himself, surprised by the thought, as Agent gave him a puzzled look. "Is, uhm, something the matter?" Agent cleared his throat, seeking clarification as Victim shook his head, laughing softly and placing a hand behind his neck, his shoulders shaking with amusement.
"Nothing, just... had an interesting thought," Victim smirked, looking at Agent, who flushed once more. "Right... about what exactly... I hope it's not you... lowering my pay," Agent said, lowering his gaze as Victim chuckled.
"Not really, I have something much better in mind," he grinned, reaching up to push a strand of hair behind Agent's ear.
"Do you remember now?" Victim purred, leaning closer as Agent stared down at him. "N-No," Agent looked away, blinking rapidly before flinching when Victim grabbed his shades, pulling them away from his face and placing them on the small table beside them.
"I think it's better for me to see your eyes," Victim explained as Agent gaped at him, his legs now bouncing with nervous energy.
"Maybe I should try... helping you remember, you know," Victim suggested, tilting his head and reaching towards Agent's tie, pulling him closer with a gentle tug. Agent let out a small noise of surprise, meeting his gaze again as Victim only smirked.
"You still don't remember?" Victim asked, as Agent shook his head vigorously, before letting out a yelp when suddenly Victim tugged him even closer, their faces mere inches apart.
He could feel Victim's breath on his face as he bit his tongue, resisting the urge to breathe as he gazed into Victim's eyes, his heart pounding so loudly that he could hear it in his ears. "Still nothing?" Victim whispered, his voice low and breathy.
Agent only shook his head, leaning closer as he found himself looking down at Victim's lips.
This is it, he could do it now. Even if this was just Victim teasing him, even if he was merely being played, he could kiss his boss and be done with it.
He could taste him, even just a little bit. Agent thought, slightly frenzied, certain that his eyes were now pinpricks, betraying his nervousness and the chaos within him.
Victim could unravel him, and he would allow it. The other could run his hand over his body, and Agent would relish it.
Agent let out a shaky breath as Victim placed a hand on his cheek, his other hand still gripping his tie tightly, preventing him from moving. "Do you remember now?" Victim asked as Agent slowly nodded, placing a hand on Victim's knee as he leaned closer, their lips almost touching.
Victim only grinned wildly, his hand curling in the back of Agent's hair as he drew him nearer.
Before they froze when Victim's phone began ringing.
"Son of a bitch," Victim cursed as Agent frowned, the hands on his tie and in his hair loosening as he leaned back.
Agent nervously attempted to smooth down his disheveled hair as Victim let out a sigh, turning towards Agent, who avoided meeting his gaze.
"I'm sorry, I thought I had my phone off," Victim grumbled, prompting Agent to turn to him. "It's okay... if you want—" He paused, his face flushing a deep, dark red.
Victim glanced at the clock before sighing, "It's already getting late... unless, well..." He smirked as he pulled a chocolate-flavored lollipop from his pocket, noting it was just what Agent preferred, then proceeded to unwrap it.
"It is late..." Agent mumbled, feeling a tinge of disappointment as he heard Victim chuckling beside him, unaware that Victim was now enjoying a lollipop with a plan in mind.
"We can always do this another time, maybe tomorrow, when all the windows are closed, no more employees calling for me, and my phone on silent," Victim teased, as Agent simply stared at him.
"What do you say? Just us, together," Victim purred, slipping an arm around Agent's shoulder as he moved closer. "Uhm..." Agent stammered, observing as Victim removed the lollipop from his mouth and smirked at him.
"What? You don't want to?" Victim pouted, before Agent nodded, his face flushed as he openly admitted he wanted to kiss his boss. "That's good, I've always known you wanted this," Victim smirked as Agent coughed, "I-what?" the taller figure stuttered, while Victim giggled, putting the lollipop back in his mouth.
"I'm not blind, Agent. I see the way you look at me, almost predatory. Tell me, have you been thinking of... tasting me?" Victim teased, leaning closer with a grin.
Agent let out a surprised breath as he watched Victim stick out his tongue, pulling out the lollipop. "How about now?" Victim said, slowly pushing the lollipop towards Agent's lips.
"Come on, open up," Victim grinned, implying something more, as Agent complied, letting the other push the lollipop into his mouth.
"It's chocolate, just how you like it," Victim tilted his head as Agent flushed, his tongue instinctively trying to taste the lollipop before realizing it had just come from Victim's mouth.
"I—" Agent started, only to duck his head and hide his face in his hands. He felt Victim grab both sides of his face, forcing him to look at him. "I'll make sure you get the actual one tomorrow. For now, you can have some of me," Victim smirked, his eyes wandering over Agent's face, savoring the warmth of his skin and the tremble in Agent's eyes.
Agent stared at the lollipop stick, his hands shaking, before letting out a long, drawn-out groan as he slammed his head on his pillow repeatedly. "Fuck," he whispered before setting the stick down and burying his burning face into his arms.
It was the last thing he had expected. Sure, he had anticipated a kiss, but this? This was... Agent bit his lip as he unconsciously licked the roof of his mouth, still tasting the chocolate from the lollipop. The mixture of Victim's saliva made his face flush and his body warm in response.
Another groan escaped from Agent as he picked up the stick again, staring at it before placing a hand on his lips.
He would have tasted like chocolate too, Agent thought, recalling how long Victim had the lollipop in his mouth before passing it to him.
If Agent had chosen to kiss him at that moment, he would have savored two incredible sensations at once. Agent's face flushed at the notion as he shut his eyes tightly, attempting to forget the image of Victim being so near and the anticipation of how Victim might kiss him.
Would it be rough? Agent pondered hazily.
Would Victim grasp his tie again? Would he pull on his hair while they kissed? Given his actions earlier, it seemed like there was more planned. Agent shifted onto his side, curling up, and touched a finger to his lips as he envisioned how Victim might take control of the situation.
Agent possessed strength; he could easily overpower Primal if he wished, despite her greater height. He might even manage all the mercenaries at once. Certainly, he could overpower Victim without difficulty.
The notion of the other stick pushing him down forcefully and taking charge... it stirred unfamiliar sensations within him.
For Agent, physical contact often equated to pain. However, with Victim, he found himself willing to endure discomfort or even roughness. Surrendering control to the other person seemed oddly appealing.
Agent buried his face into his blanket, releasing a trembling breath.
Touch remained a perplexing concept for Agent, yet the vivid fantasies involving Victim kissing and touching him proved overwhelmingly compelling. The mere thought of it left his mind hazy and his hands unsteady.
Perhaps Victim was the sole individual who could touch him in such a manner. Agent blushed, recalling how Victim had held his hand, gently rubbing his thumb over his knuckles.