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Vespa Crabro the taboo hunter from N corp is not a person who believes in fantasy. He doesn't believe in something coming true like a dream or destiny , nor does he believe in miracles. He believes in order and the chain of commands, he believes in loyalty and sincerely doing what's required of him , even if it means pushing himself to a breaking point or crossing lines of professionalism.
Vespa is strictly a professional individual. His daily life is filled with work and perseverance to fulfil that goal of the day. He is not perfect but he tries his best. His victories are not completely distinct from failures and successes. He is just another fixer living in the city , trying to survive and live , determined to not meet the fates of the many.
Vespa is easily capable of pushing his professional boundaries when necessary, yet he finds it difficult when it comes to you. You are a fixer he had unexpectedly grown fond during his compromised stay and work with Moses.
He had never planned it, let alone expected it. You were annoying. He disliked you teasing him along with Ezra and trying to involve him for unnecessary activities outside of work. Pestering him and trying to make him smile because of 'his old man face'. You laughed or attempted to make him laugh at things which were not funny. He found that .... disruptive.
But aside from it all, he also respected you for your work. You were annoying but often reliable when it came to tricky missions. You were an A grade fixer who often pushed past your limits and pulled unexpected, unpredictable stunts where usually he knew there was a higher probability of failure rather than success. He respected you because you knew how to turn the wheels and very smartly so , and although he has never openly admitted that many missions and tasks often became tons easier and tolerable because of you. You were surprisingly logical and sensible when it came to certain tasks.
And over time , Vespa was surprised to find he did not find your presence exhausting. He found it hard to push you away. He found it harder to reject your post- mission detours and places you visited because they were 'interesting'. He found himself instinctively jumping to save/ protect you whenever you were minutes away from getting gravely hurt or injured. Somehow he had begun to notice the way your eyes fluttered when you smiled or twinkle when he agreed to something you suggested or drop when he rejected your request or how they twitched and closed when you were hurt. How he reluctantly followed your stupid bets or got involved in petty games.
Somehow he was beginning to warm up with your reckless ways and reckless ideas of living your life in the moment to the fullest because no one could ever know the unpredictable events & phenomenons in the City that would snatch away the liberty to live any moment. You often said it whenever a particular distortion was overwhelming to handle because of unfavorable circumstances. Or when you would relate with an unwanted emotion that resembled with it. It never hindered your performance but often changed your mood post mission. But it made him curious. He never pried but you seemed to be inviting him to pry.
And he never regretted not prying before till the moment you had pushed him off and voluntarily taken the hit to deal with one tricky Distortion so he could find an opening to attack. That had ended up causing you severe distress and injury leading to your unconsciousness and absence for a long time.
It was then he realised the inevitable connection he had formed. It was then he realised the hollowness that would sometimes consume him whenever he looked at your empty desk when you recovered. He inevitably found himself worrying about your well-being and wanting the best things to come your way.
And his heart dropped on the thought of never being able to see you again. Even after all the things he had gone through in the past, Vespa Crabro had unexpectedly turned fond of your presence to a point he couldn't bear the idea of never being able to see you again.
It was in the office when he saw Moses and Ezra discussing about the offer you had received from Wing. A better, long-lasting, well-paying job which was relatively safe and well fitted to handle. All criterias were met and "Only a fool would reject the offer. "
were surprisingly Moses's remarks.
For the first time in his life after a long while, Vespa felt uneasiness in his heart. The discussion that occurred in Moses' office in every form and way concluded with them all suggesting you to not miss out on the offer. They all appreciated your stay and your hardwork , many of them were reluctant for your leave and had formed connections yet all of them had the opinion of letting you go because it wasn't easy to attain such an offer.
An uneasy feeling had begun to build up , crushing and suffocating his chest , leading him to take a break on the balcony. He blankly observed the architecture of the city and his views on the job. It was truly a tempting offer but upon pondering over the events that led him here , the times he spent together and on genuinely assessing his feelings that had built up over time, Vespa realised he did not want you to go . He did not want you to go so far away that he wouldn't even be able to see you from afar. No matter how easy the job was, no matter how happy you would be , it was his selfish wish that secretly desired that you would stay and never leave his side.
"Why hiding the long old face , Vespy Bee?" You suddenly appeared to his side and questioned with a knowing, endearing look on your face. Your eyes were narrowed at the corners, something he realised you did when you were genuinely happy to see him or when you were in a good mood " Jealous you didn't receive an offer like this yourself?" You teased , flashing him a toothy smile that miserably failed to mask your own dilemma.
" I couldn't care less about an offer like that" his eyes reverted back, as he scoffed in disbelief you would even ask such a question. But you being you, he was not surprised.
"Right because you're soooooo hung up on that Taboo Hunter Job from N corp. Honestly, I don't get the kicks." You admitted , your eyes glossing in wonderment and thought, not knowing what was so special about that job.
Vespa watched you slump over the railing with expressions that melted away with time and revealed the real feelings that tumbled underneath. The Color Fixer had a feeling you had been allowing him to view more and more about yourself recently and he couldn't say he disliked it.
It was very unusual of you to follow him out when the entire office had been supporting you and celebrating on your behalf. Anyone would be happy or honoured .
But the expressions you showed him, told him you were not. You looked more in dilemma and confusion instead. And that prevented Vespa from gauging your answer on its behalf.
“Are you planning on leaving?” Vespa's lips moved before he got a hold of himself and you looked at him in surprise. You were stunned, for Vespa never usually asked questions or held doubts or cared about matters like that.
A smile crept up on your face with an urge to tease him yet again “Why? Does Vespy Bee not want me to leave?”
Vespa had been very brusque about almost all matters he had encountered with. You knew that better than anyone else about his opinions than anyone in the office would. Being on the same and opposite side in high stress situations , there is a clear and intimate understanding that comes while repeatedly facing situations like that.
“I told Moses once,” Vespa mused , recalling the topic he had once discussed with his respected colleagues “that feelings should either be left to wither or accepted in their entirety. I don’t believe in miracles or destiny" he continued. “But I do believe in decisions and freedom of choice”
He then turned to you.
“ And if you have already made your decision then there's no use of me asking you to change it. ”
That made you humm, realising he wasn't really wrong with his words and beliefs.
“However…”
Your attention was turned back to Vespa again, but this time , he stood upright, staring at you with a tender gaze you had only seen on his face in rare moments before. He were beginning to show more of that side recently but unlike other moments, somehow today he was bold to step closer and directly look down into your eyes.
“You once said we should live in the moment because the City can take anything at any time. To live before learning what it is to die,” Vespa is not a man who was a fan of touches, yet while uttering those words he gently reached out for both of your hands with his warm callous arms. His eyes glinting faintly in restraint resolve, with a subtle, almost shy hesitation in their softened edges. “ And I think I would very much like to learn what it is to live with you before learning what it's like to die without you by my side”
You had dreamt of many confessions before, but never in a million years had your hopeless romantic heart dreamt of this one. Eventually you found your heart beating faster and a flush darkening your cheeks. "I don't think I'm going to leave you any sooner Vespy Bee" was all you could reply with the widest grin before ruffling his styled golden black hair until it turned messy and fell down his temples.
Vespa let out a free breathless chuckle , as both of you lightly laughed , admiring each other with warm , adoring and gentle eyes.
Vespa Crabro doesn't believe in miracles or destiny or fate — but maybe for you he would learn to make them all an exception.