Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Upon being recruited into the Valorant Protocol a few days ago and finally setting up your personal quarters, today was the day—the official team introduction meeting.—You were told another new agent would be there too, someone you hadn’t met yet.

You didn’t know most of their names, actually. Only Viper, Sage, and Brimstone. Brimstone was the one who’d recruited you in the first place.

You tugged on black gloves with golden accents; the soft creak of leather felt grounding. A cropped black top sat under a short, long-sleeved grey zip-up jacket, the hem just brushing your belt of pouches and tools. Black cargo pants and worn boots finished the look: functional, sharp, controlled.

After a quick glance in the mirror, you adjusted the collar, exhaled, and left your quarters. Your boots clicked softly against the polished floor as you made your way towards the main room you’d been instructed to arrive at. 9:00 a.m. sharp.

The hallways were quiet except for the low electrical hum and the soft hiss of distant mechanical doors. Bright white lights ran the ceiling and reflected off the floors as you walked.

You slowed by a massive window overlooking the facility grounds. Morning light spilled across a valley of grass and scattered flowers… so calm it almost didn’t belong here. For a second the sun on the glass made everything feel ordinary, and you forgot where you were.

You looked down at your gloved hands and flexed your fingers. The gloves still felt like a small anchor- a way to keep control after the accident. You didn’t notice the footsteps that had fallen in beside you until a voice cut through your thoughts.

“Hey.”

The deep tone made you start, and you turned. A tall man walked the same pace as you —almost taller than Brimstone— and unmistakably Radiant. His left arm had a faint shimmer: pale blue skin with rough, stone-like ridges. Short cornrows framed his face, a neat beard lined his jaw, and one eye glowed cyan in the light. Gold necklaces and golden bracelets caught the sun.

“I’m Veto,” he said, calm and friendly. “Nice to meet you..?”

“Decca,” you answered, letting the name sit easily. “Just got here a few days ago.”

Veto nodded and glanced at your gloves. “Decca, huh? I got here a few days ago too.”

There was a quiet stretch of hallway between you. He watched you with something like curiosity — not prying, just interested. You thought he might be smiling.

“Must be weird,” he said, voice low, “walking into all of this and not knowing anyone.”

You shrugged and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. “Yeah. It’s… a lot. But exciting, I guess. Feels like stepping into something bigger than myself.” You shrugged lightly, fingers flexing inside the gloves, comforted by their familiar weight.

Veto’s smile widened a little. “Same here. New tech, new rules, new everything. It’s intense at first, but you find the rhythm.”

Walking beside him made the place feel less intimidating for the first time. The hallway narrowed as you moved toward the central wing, and distant voices floated through the air.

“You’re quiet,” Veto observed after a moment. “Not bad- you just notice things.”

You smirked lightly, shrugging. “Helps me… get a feel for my surroundings.” Your gloves made a soft creak as you adjusted them, a small habit you didn’t even realize you did.

Veto’s eyes flickered again toward your hands. “I can tell. Something about those gloves… they feel like more than just fashion.”

Damn. You just couldn’t stop fidgeting with them the whole time, could you?

You felt heat rise to your cheeks but kept your face neutral. “They’re… practical,” you said, flexing your fingers once more. “Keeps me comfortable. That’s all. Just an old habit.”

Veto gave a small, knowing smile, not pressing further. “Right. Practical,” His tone suggested he was curious, though.

The hallway widened again, opening into the central wing. The soft chatter of other agents grew louder, punctuated by the occasional clang of doors or distant footsteps. You slowed your pace, letting Veto move slightly ahead while still walking beside him, trying not to draw too much attention to yourself.

“Most people don’t understand that feeling,” Veto said casually, as if continuing a thought you hadn’t voiced. “That need to have some control, some… buffer between yourself and the rest of the world.”

“What’s your power?” you asked.

Veto’s smile tightened just slightly, as if he’d been expecting the question. He glanced down at his left arm, the pale blue skin and rock-like formations catching the light. “I manipulate my own body… can harden it, shape it. Defensive, offensive… depends on how I use it.”

You nodded slowly, letting your gaze flicker back to your gloves without thinking. “I see… Versatile.”

He chuckled softly. “It has its moments. What about yours?”

“I… touch,” you said, voice even, almost casual, though your fingers twitched inside the gloves. “I accelerate decay. Metal, mostly. Anything I can get my hands on. The longer the contact, the worse it gets.”

Veto’s eyes sparked with interest. You watched him watch you; the glow of his iris had started to pull your attention. The way his brows raised, furrowed, knit together in an easing way. “That’s impressive. Dangerous.”

“Depends on how you use it,” you replied. “A tool, not a weapon. That’s how I try to think about it.” Your fingers twitched inside the glove. “I can’t fully control it yet. That’s why I wear these. It’s like accelerated oxidization- I could- ” You stopped, choosing your words. “It can be lethal. It affects iron in blood, too.”

Veto’s cyan eye flicked to your gloved hands, curiosity lingering there like a quiet spark. “I figured there was a reason,” he murmured, almost to himself. “Makes sense… that kind of power might need a lot of control.”

You shrugged, trying to make it look casual. “Yeah… I’m careful. Mostly. I stick to practice targets or inanimate things until I get the feel for people. I don’t… want to hurt anyone by accident.”

He gave a small nod, a hint of calmness in the tilt of his head. “Good mindset. You’d be surprised how many Radiants underestimate what they can do.”

The soft murmur of voices grew louder as the main room neared. Agents’ conversations were loud, close, tinged with a familiarity you hadn’t earned yet. You glanced at Veto; he seemed completely at ease, like he belonged in the rhythm of it all.

“Meeting’s up ahead,” he said, gesturing toward the open doorway at the end of the hall. “Let’s see if we’re welcomed.”

You nodded, letting the familiar weight of your gloves ground you again as you subtly adjusted them. The soft click of your boots echoed off the polished floor. Your heart sped up just a little, anticipation mixing with the usual edge of awareness you carried everywhere.

Chapter Text

The moment you and Veto stepped through the doorway, the room seemed to hum with quiet energy. Conversations dimmed for just a beat. The kind of silence that wasn’t hostile, but heavy with curiosity. Then it picked right back up again, voices weaving into each other, laughter in one corner, the clinking of cups and utensils from another.

The “meeting” wasn’t some sterile briefing like you expected. It looked more like a casual gathering. A long table with scattered files, plates of breakfast pastries, and mugs of steaming coffee. The sharp scent of espresso mixed with something metallic from the tech panels embedded in the walls.

You recognized a few faces from the files Brimstone showed you. Phoenix lounged by the wall, one leg crossed over the other, a huge grin on his face as he chatted with Jett. Sage stood nearby, graceful as ever, offering a quiet smile as she adjusted the tea tray beside her.

At the far end of the table, Brimstone stood like a wall. Solid posture, tablet in one hand. His brow raised as he looked up and caught sight of you and Veto entering.

“Ah. There you two are,” he said, his gravelly voice carrying easily over the room. “Right on time.”

You felt every head turn at once. Dozens of sharp, distinct presences, all seasoned agents, Radiants and humans alike. For a second, your breath hitched, but Veto’s quiet confidence beside you helped steady it.

Brimstone gestured toward the group. “Everyone, meet Decca and Veto, our newest recruits. Both of them got some impressive field control potential.”

Phoenix raised a brow, looking between you and Veto. “Two new faces in one week? Brim’s getting bold.”

“Or desperate,” Yoru muttered from the corner, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His eyes flicked toward you briefly before darting away again. He gave Phoenix a hard jab at his side with a smirk.

Brimstone ignored the comment, motioning for you both to step forward. “This isn’t a formal briefing, it’s just a welcome. Every new agent gets one of these to get familiar with the team before deployment rotations start. Grab something to eat, talk to people. Sage insisted we make it ‘comfortable.’”

Sage gave a soft laugh, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. “Comfort helps people open up,” she said, her calm tone cutting through the room’s static. Her eyes met yours, warm but assessing. “It’s good to finally meet you in person, Decca.”

You nodded. “Likewise, Sage.” You really liked this woman’s energy.

Veto had already drifted toward the food table, examining a muffin like it might contain classified intel. “They’re really spoiling us,” he muttered, shooting you a grin.

You smirked back, feeling some of the tension slip away. This wasn’t as bad as you expected it to be.

Still, a few gazes lingered longer than others. Fade. You weren’t sure, but as much as you remembered the scary grey emo lady was called Fade. Oh- the other emo lady was Reyna, right? But she was purple. Chamber with the golden tattoos. Viper, sharp-eyed and unreadable. The older woman gave a brief nod your way. You returned it, unsure if it was a welcome or just acknowledgment.

“Decca.”

You turned as Brimstone approached, lowering his tablet. “I know you’ve only been here a short time, but we’ll be running your field compatibility tests soon. Today’s just the start. After this, you’ll be getting paired with a few agents for your first training rounds.”

“Understood,” you said, meeting his gaze evenly.

He nodded once, satisfied, before moving off to speak with Sova and Cypher.

You exhaled slowly, tension finally starting to ease from your shoulders. Around you, the room had settled into a rhythm again. Laughter, chatter, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. Veto was already deep in conversation with Tejo and Waylay. They seemed pretty close, hand over the shoulder, laughter, they probably knew each other.

You drifted toward the edge of the table, fingertips brushing the cool metal surface, careful. You could smell the scent of perfume and different types of food all around the room.

It didn’t feel like home. Not yet. But for the first time since the accident, it felt like it could be.

Then a smooth, accented voice cut in beside you.

“So…”

You turned slightly. Chamber stood there, golden tattoos glinting as he swirled his black coffee. His tone was polite, but there was a sharp curiosity behind it. “A touch that decays metal, oui? Quite the talent.”

You blinked, realizing he must’ve overheard Brimstone earlier.

He smiled, smooth and unreadable. “Tell me, mon amie, how do you plan to use that?”

“I’m still figuring that out,” you said, keeping your tone even. “Mostly trying not to break things I shouldn’t.”

He chuckled softly, the sound smooth as silk. “A wise approach. Most new Radiants are eager to test their limits. You, however…” He tilted his head slightly, studying you. “You strike me as someone who already knows hers.”

You weren’t sure if it was a compliment or a warning. “I prefer to stay in control,” you said simply.

“Ah.” His lips curved into that signature half-smile. “Control. A dangerous illusion, non? But an admirable one to chase.”

You raised a brow at him. “You always talk like that?”

“Only when I’m interested.”

That earned the faintest smile from you, one you tried to hide by glancing down at the table. The conversation around you faded for a moment; it felt like the room had narrowed, the hum of voices distant against the sharp edge of Chamber’s presence.

Before you could come up with a reply, Brimstone’s voice cut through the room again.
“Alright, listen up!”

Chairs shifted, and everyone’s attention turned his way. Chamber took a slow sip of his coffee, eyes still on you before finally stepping back, letting the connection break.

Brimstone set his tablet down on the table, scanning the group. “I’ll keep this short. You all know the drill. New agents mean new dynamics. We’ll be starting integration drills next week. Decca, Veto, you’ll both run your initial field tests tomorrow morning.”

A murmur ran through the room, a mix of casual acknowledgment and curiosity.

Beside you, Veto glanced over, “Guess we’re diving in quick.”

“Looks like it,” you replied under your breath, the reality of it sinking in.

Brimstone’s tone softened just a little as he went on, “You’ll each be paired with a few senior agents during your first sessions, just to see how you adapt under different conditions. Don’t worry, it’s not an evaluation… yet.”

That last word drew a few quiet laughs from the room. Phoenix muttered something about “rookie hazing,” earning a light smack from Jett.

Brimstone folded his arms. “Get some rest today. Enjoy it while you can. Once testing starts, it’s nonstop until we know you can handle yourselves out there.” His gaze swept over you and Veto. Sharp, weighing, but not unkind. “We don’t bring people in unless we see something worth bringing in. Don’t prove me wrong.”

And just like that, the formal part of the meeting was done. The low hum of chatter picked back up, chairs scraped against the floor, and the room fractured into smaller clusters… some joking, others already deep in tactical talk.

You let out a slow breath, shoulders easing a fraction. The knot of tension you’d been carrying since morning finally started to loosen.

Veto approached a moment later, balancing a plate with a croissant and what looked like fruit. “Well,” he said, the corner of his mouth lifting in an easy half-smile, “we made it through the welcome. That’s something.”

You glanced at him, lips twitching in what barely passed c as amusement. “Guess so.”

He nodded once, still holding the faint smile, then took a bite of his food like he didn’t mind the quiet that followed.

You still felt out of place. But maybe that was normal. A small spark of energy pulsed under your skin. Everyone was so close with each other, you could even tell there was love in the air for some of them, and then there was you. Would you even warm up to them- No. Would you even be successful in proving you’re good enough?

You glanced around the room again. The easy laughter, the inside jokes, the quiet familiarity that came only from people who had fought, bled, and trusted each other long before you’d arrived.

Sova stood near a tall, long-haired ginger with a beard, the two of them murmuring over a datapad. Raze held a wrench in one hand, showing Killjoy something that made both of them burst into laughter. Nearby, a smaller group —a black-and-pink-haired person, a blue-and-yellow-haired girl, a short black haired guy, and another with a green buzz cut— chatted animatedly among themselves.

It was loud. Imperfect. Alive.

And somehow, you stood on the edge of it. A part of the picture, but not in it.

“Hey,” Veto said, placing a hand lightly on your shoulder. “You’re not spacing out on me already, are you?”

You blinked, pulling yourself back and forcing a faint smile. “Just… taking it in.”

He followed your gaze across the room, his brow furrowing slightly. “Yeah. It’s a lot. But you’ll get there. Trust me, half of them probably didn’t talk to anyone when they first joined either.”

You tilted your head. “You seem to know a few, though.”

“Guilty.” A grin tugged at his lips, his gold chain catching the light as he nodded towards someone. “Speak of the man himself.”

A tall man with a relaxed swagger approached, adjusting his glasses as a grin spread across his face. “Tejo,” he said, voice smooth. “Nice to meet you, gorgeous.”

You glanced at the hand he offered before meeting his eyes again, studying his expression as you took it. His handshake was confident… maybe a little too much.

Before you could respond, a woman with a short pixie cut—Waylay, if you remembered right—appeared behind you and clapped a hand on your shoulder. “First few days, I didn’t say a word,” she said. “Didn’t even eat with them. Then Raze started leaving snacks in my quarters with sticky notes that said, ‘You look like you need food, bro.’ Hard to stay distant after that.”

Tejo scoffed, leaning slightly on his belt. “If you’re gonna lie, at least make it convincing. You didn’t shut up for five days straight. You wouldn’t stop bothering me.”

You didn’t even try to keep up with the banter at that point. Instead, you glanced toward Veto, a hint of amusement tugging at your lips.

He leaned against the table, voice dropping low enough for only you to hear. “Give it time, Decca. They’ll come around. You will too.”

Maybe he was right. You wanted him to be right.