Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Code-named Venus, an illegal Proxy broker with several Proxies under her sat in her usual attire at her favourite spot. Tin Master's Coffee Shop leisurely taking sips of her Latté while scrolling through her phone. Recently the newest members she brokered; the sibling duo Proxy who Shepard had introduced, began to make rounds and build quite the reputation. From once Novice Proxies to Elite Proxies, merely one step away from the rank of Legendary Proxy; a feat only a few had ever reached and none since the sudden disappearance of Phaethon. She sighed as she faintly shook her head in disapproval. She lacked any high level, dangerous, mysterious commissions worthy of texting the siblings at the moment. Looking down at her newly received commissions on her phone, the titles read:

Find a missing dog that ventured into the Companion Hollow Dead-End Hollow!

Venus couldn't help but scoff as she rolled her eyes. Most veteran Hollow Raiders, Investigators and of course Brokers were aware that the Dead-End Butcher within said Hollow had been slain causing a significant reduction in size and more importantly; danger. This was a simple job to send to one of her Novice Proxies in her contacts which she swiftly typed as she took another sip of her Latté.

Urgent!!! Help me escape my mother's cooking!

"Tch." Venus' eyes narrowed. She hated those that enjoyed sending her joke commissions as it was a waste of her precious time, money and effort to contact her field workers who thoroughly checked her potential clientele. She would need to have a word with the worker who accepted such a commission. Clicking the title, it expanded and she couldn't help but release another sigh at the ultimately meaningless drabble before her. "Who comes up with this nonsense?" she questioned, before exiting out and scrolling to the next title.

Please help me find a husband-to-be in the Hollows!

Seeing this urgent plea she hastily tapped the title, expanding it already ready to send this commission to the siblings... until she read the explanation for the request. "Someone's asking to be fired." Venus muttered under her breath with a furrowed brow. Closing out of the ridiculous commission she couldn't help but release chuckle as the title of the posting finally dawned upon her.

"Who is planning to randomly find a man in the Hollows, let alone someone willing to date you after said person is saved while you sit around twiddling your thumbs. The nerve! She didn't even know where someone was or any Hollows to investigate! The worker on this case is... Theodore," she confirmed after seeing his signature at the end along with the commission fee, to which she couldn't help but draw a cold breath. "What a staggering amount along with this nonsensical demand! I'll need a good explanation for this or the least he'll be worried about is just getting fired." Venus was irked at the ridiculous commissions. Raising her Latté she paused as she noticed that the mug was empty. Had she drank it all in frustration?

Awkwardly lowering the mug she couldn't help but glance back at the coffee shop. Tin Master exited the coffee shop at the same time and waved at Venus. "Hello Miss, the cup of Joe to your liking, correct? You always come and order the same drink, nothing greater than enjoying the comfort of Sixth Street after having a great cup of coffee, aren't I right!?" Tin Master exclaimed to which Venus nodded, tilting her phone screen downwards. "Very well miss, I hope you have a good day!" He said before heading back into the store to clean.

**Ding**

Her phone received a notification and upon checking the sender she was not surprised to see it was from Wise; one of the two siblings, but she did feel a hint of fear. He had frequently messaged her between receiving commissions, asking how she was doing or if she had wanted to hang out. Something no other Proxy she was brokering had ever tried. Their relationship, she thought, was more than just workers in a similar field. That, however, only fueled her concern towards her failings as a broker to the siblings as she worried whenever she received a message from Wise it would be to announce their cessation of business. After all, it was her failing to find the siblings any suitable commissions for the past two weeks, despite Wise's words of comfort.

"Hello Venus, do you have a moment to chat? I want to ask you for a favour." It read.

Venus frowned slightly at the thought of disappointing Wise with a lack of any new commissions. She just knew it had to be because she hadn't any jobs for him. "Him?" she paused. Since when did her primary concern of disappointing the siblings change to disappointing him... disappointing Wise...

Scrunching her nose she pondered if he began to doubt her capabilities as a broker - or if anything already had, and may potentially break off from her. The continual darkening thoughts of Wise's potential misgivings with her brought a slight pang in her chest. Thinking of how to respond to his message and to stay the growing pain, she humoured the idea of rejecting the meeting to potentially elongate their relationship, as broker and Proxy - however common sense took hold. If she ghosted him, wouldn't that just be approval for ending their partnership? Another beat rang out, one she couldn't deny.

"No, it can't be." She murmured. She had sworn to never hold any personal relations with her Proxies from the first day she had began her new role in life. Before thinking over it longer, she opened up her Knock Knock and replied to Wise's text.

"Hello Wise, sure thing. I'm at the usual place right now." She replied before pondering the thought for a few moments before adding a, " :) ". A faint red blush grew on her cheeks after sending the emoji. Placing her phone face down on the table, she covered her growing red face with her palms.

"I mean, it was a rule I set up initially but Wise... he's different," she thought. "He's too understanding and caring, but what if he's tired of my lack of capability? I understand, everyone has to be able to keep the lights on. But, he's so kind that I'm afraid he'll struggle with ending this partnership. It's hard for him to do something he has to do... Or what if..." she paused, expression turning grim as her thoughts recalled a conversation she had with another Proxy broker, code-named Hope a few days ago. She really didn't like Hope, with how she used any and every tactic available to garner commissions and competent Proxies under her. It was very different to her casual, polite style.

"Why Venus, still trafficking those low level commissions?" Hope scoffed with a haughty tone. "Y'know, I recently got this *stunning* Proxy who's *everything* a broker like me could desire? He's got the looks, the skills and he has this special Bangboo that's out of this world."

"It can't be..." She began to weep. Wise had the looks, he most definitely had the skills and his special Bangboo, Eous, was unlike any she had ever seen before. Connecting the dots, she came to the conclusion that the Proxy which Hope spoke about was Wise. That realisation made her heart ache, which brought her into an even deeper pit of despair.

While Venus was worrying over her thoughts, Wise had arrived only to see the usually confident, polite and reserved Venus sitting with letting out small gasps and sobs. Upon seeing this, he took out his handkerchief, extending it towards her as he took strode towards her, gently calling out, "Hey Venus, I'm here."

Lowering her hands to weakly fall onto the table, tears flowed down her cheeks as she sniffled. "H-Hello Wise. I-I suppose today is the final day?" She spoke quietly between sobs.

"Here Venus, take this, and get yourself together, the Venus I know isn't like this." He said, but upon seeing how she didn't take it, he felt it rude to do it for her so he sat with her, before he probed. "Also, what do you mean by final day?"

Refusing to accept the handkerchief she continued, whimpering. "Y-Your new Proxy broker is H-Hope." She tried to stifle her words but she couldn't stop herself from continuing as her despair grew. "You... you don't need my services anymore, right?" She eventually said painfully.

Concerned, Wise thought to himself about the name Hope before remembering a commission he had undertaken. Shaking his head, he curtly responded "No," before grasping one of her hands with his.

"Huh," Venus let out confused. This was an unexpected action from Wise, someone she knew to be kind, but not to continue wasting his precious time with a failure like her that was only good for Novice Proxies.

"Hope... is another broker, right?" He asked, concerned but not waiting for a response before continuing. "I've worked for a commission under her only once and that was simply due to me owing Shepard a favour. He had lost a bet thus one of his best Proxies - me in this case, had to do a job for her, with us earning nothing..." He scowled at the memory, "which does remind me that I need have a... chat with Shepard about this."

"But..." Venus began before Wise shook his head, responding firmly, "She's not my broker."

Picking himself off his seat, a smile grew on Wise's face. "Venus, I've known Shepard for a long time. He's like family to me, not a broker..." Wiping away the tears on her face, he whispered in her ear, "But you, you're my only broker. And I wouldn't want anyone else."

Chapter Text

"But you, you're my only broker. And I wouldn't want anyone else."

-----

"I'm... his only broker?" Venus' eyes widened in excitement as a strong pink hue grew, hearing Wise's firm proclamation and his closeness. Wise pulled himself back. Raising the handkerchief he'd given she wiped her the rest of her tears, adverting her gaze with his after. "But," she paused unsure of how to continue. Darting her eyes back at Wise, she saw how his smile never faded, nor did he look displeased. Despite the smile, she could practically feel the worry emanating from him, yet he let her finish what she was going to say first. "He's always been like this. Caring about others as his top priority."

"But - I've been unable to even get you one commission befitting your status as a Elite Proxy. You two - you're only a few small commissions or one big case away from partaking in the Proxy rank-up trial to become a Legendary Proxy! And, despite all that I've just been sitting here unable to get you anything." She self-deprecated emphasising her inability to help the two siblings.

Silence followed, each second nagged at Venus with harrowing anticipation for Wise's response. She watched heart close to shattering as Wise grabbed his chair beside her and sat down. She cowered, shutting her eyes in terror.

"It's over. It's all over. Why did I say that? Why did I reject him. H-he was comforting me and I just had to say that! Why am I ruining any chance I have with someone I love?"

To her surprise, Wise gently caressed her hair. It comforted her, making her feel safe and secure being so close to him. "You know, when Belle and I were younger, she used to cry a lot..." 

"Huh." Venus couldn't help but let out a small gasp. For as long as she'd known the siblings, Belle was always cheery and never seemed to have any issues with life. Belle would be the last person she'd ever expect to cry a lot when younger.

He sighed softly, staring at her with hazy eyes and mellow voice, as if reminiscing on the past, "After the fall of the old Capital, we were left to fend for ourselves. She's grown up so much, but back then she'd cower over any sudden noises or people she didn't know. And I was the only one there to protect her..." He paused, staring into her eyes, "You reminded me of how she used to be back then. How much I hated seeing her look like that. When we had opened our store and began our business, I swore to her that I'd do everything I could to make it so she wouldn't need to live like that. So please, don't cry. It hurts seeing people cry - brings back bad memories - but it'd hurt more to see either you or Belle cry." Hearing his words, she felt all her worries vanish.

"That's right... I don't know much about his past. I... don't know much about him in general." Venus pondered.

The two sat gazing into each others eyes. The two didn't even know if others were staring or walking by. They were lost in their own world.

**Ding**

The notification on Wise's phone brought the two out of their trance. "Uh, s-sorry, it's probably Belle." Wise checked his Knock Knock to which he was greeted by his sister's message.

"Hey Wise, you having fun? It's been half an hour since you went out to meet Venus. I know how scary your maxed out rizz can be. At least come home before midnight! Also, could you get me the usual from General Chops, thanks!"

Wise's expression changed from one of shock at the time spent to a scowl at his sister's unusual innuendo. She'd been talking about how he rizzed every girl he'd had met, but that certainly wasn't true! They'd not be interested in someone as mundane as him. Besides, he already had someone he liked.

"Wise, are you okay?" Venus asked, worried about the sudden shift of expression he had. "Something bad must've happened. But to send something like that via text?" 

"Yeah, we, uh, have been here for 30 minutes and as for the scowl it's just Belle up to her usual shenanigans." He lightened up, a faint blush growing. "I'm sorry about telling you that. I just didn't want you to worry anymore."

Seeing her chance, Venus went for it. "No! If anything, I'd like to learn more about... you." Venus' blushed at her aggression.

Wise's blush grew darker to which he feigned away with a cough, "Belle... said she wanted some noodles from General Chops. I'm going there now," he stood reaching out to her," Would you like to come with?"

"Yes. I do. Er, I do want to." Venus slowly reached out and grabbed his hand.

"Let's go then." Wise smiled as the two made their way to General Chop's store. "So what would you like to eat. We can have it there or to go."

"I'll have something light. Vegetable noodles sound good. We can eat with Belle." She replied.

"Hello Wise!" General Chop laughed heartily upon seeing him but paused upon seeing Venus holding hands with him. "Oh wait, Wise, no way." His mechanical arms began to quicker in shock.

"Uh, what happened?" Wise inquired, confused. "Is something wrong?"

"Y-you," he stammered, "you finally found a girlfriend?" He cried in excitement. "And here I thought you were going to be single for at least the rest of the week!"

Quickly glancing at Venus to see her response, Wise vehemently denied. "N-no. We're not together. It's just two friends ordering noodles."

"Oh I see, phew." General Chop sighed in relief, to which Wise gave him a questioning glare. "Oh uh, you see Wise. Me and Belle made a bet on whether you'd be single by the end of the week. You know," he paused darting his eyes at Venus, "with all those girls I've seen enter your store."

"Girls entering his store? I didn't think of him as one of those type of men." Venus let go of Wise's hand as she side-eyed him to which he faced her and threw his hands into the air. "I run a video store, they're just customers. Nothing more," he laughed turning to the chef, "General Chop, it's not like you've seen me enter with them, right? Or even leave with them?"

Venus turned her attention to General Chop to see his reaction. He began to rub his chin with his hand as his mechanical arm copied his real arm in the air above him. "Hmm... You're right Wise, sorry about that." He began, "But, Belle was just telling me weird things about you and those girls."

"W-what did she say about him?" Venus couldn't help but ask before Wise. The two were both curious, so they silently stared at him as if he were an idol. Unfortunately for him, there were no other customers there at the time who could save him.

"Oh uh..." He paused at the awkwardness, "I had talked with her about the increase in girls visiting your store and uh, she said that they were there for specifically you, Wise. Especially that Nicole and N.E.P.S. officer lady. Zhu... something was her name."

"Zhu Yuan is her name," Wise instinctively responded. "And about those two? We're just friends." Wise awkwardly smiled. After the Bringer incident, Zhu Yuan had frequently visited him to gather statements and evidence that he'd procured against Bringer, though thinking about it now, not every visit was official. Nicole on the other hand had been frequenting in her begging to delay the debt payments to which he agreed after the third visit, the others visits after though he couldn't seem to find any reason as to why. She'd always said she was checking up on her favourite Proxy to ensure he was ready to do jobs for her to which she didn't have to - since despite always being late with her payments - Wise knew she was good for her dennies.

Venus narrowed her eyes at him, suspicious about the activity of the two specifically named girls. She had a feeling that the two of them weren't so innocent and wanted something from her Wise. She knew she had to act fast otherwise someone else would snatch him up. "Uh Wise," she motioned at the menu, "Aren't we here to order."

Seeing the lifeline, Wise immediately took it, "Ah yeah General Chop, could we order 1 Bone Broth Noodle, Red Chili Meat Noodle and Vegetable Noodle bowl, all to go." He chuckled, "Belle messaged me to get her the usual for her and bring it home."

Glancing at the lady beside Wise, General Chop gave his signature smirk before getting to work. In a few minutes all three bowls were bags and placed on the counter as Wise and Venus watched in awe at his skills. "Hmm, Wise, it's on the house today, hehe," he chuckled. Picking up the three bags he couldn't help but ask, "And why is that?"

"Oh, don't worry. Belle's covering this bill and more with her losing the bet." His chuckle grew more menacing to which Wise mentally prayed for Belle's bet not to take make too large a dent on her wallet, worse if the store's savings.

Handing over the Vegetable Noodle bowl bag, "Here you are, don't worry about paying Belle back." He chuckled, "it's on her for making such a ridiculous bet to begin with."

Staring at it intently, she built her resolve to ask her question. "Wise, could I eat with you and Belle?"

She noticed how General Chop seemed to slow down his cleaning, clearly listening in on the two.

"Oh? Sure, I know Belle will enjoy having someone else at the dinner table to chat with."

"I want you to notice me more though," she mentally pouted, smiling at him. "That's great to hear!" She said as Wise made his way through the door to Random Play.

"Wise! You're home early!" Belle exclaimed waving her hand in the air with a smile behind the counter, pausing after seeing Venus. "Oh, you're here too?"