Chapter Text
Rain… that was the only sensation that he was feeling. The man felt like everything was spinning in his field of vision. Taking a deep breath, he tried to ignore the signals that his body was trying to send to his brain. Telling him to just lay down… and allow himself to die. Blood soaked through his clothes, even his hair as he wandered the streets. Barely a single light was shining through the darkness of the night.
Barely even a full moon was shining as it was hidden behind the clouds.
The man let out a shuddering breath, unsure if he was cold or his lungs were failing him now. He looked up at the sky and frowned a little. He was only in this physical state, because he had to leave his home, had to get away from everyone so he could… could warn…
Shaking his head, the man wasn’t sure if he would be able to warn anyone for anything. For there was the chance that they would most likely either lock him up or they would just leave him to die. He sure felt like he was about to die and couldn’t keep moving on like this. He knew that he had to do something to keep pushing himself forward. That he had to keep going, keep moving forward so he could enjoy his life (Or what was left of it) after he warned every one of the impending danger.
Yet, there was no way for him to know if there would be a chance of warning them of anything in time. Breathing deeply, his hair hung in his face as he tried to keep moving forward. It had felt as if his body was starting to go numb from the pouring rain. Maybe he was getting too cold to move? Perhaps, though he also wasn’t really aware of his surroundings at the moment.
Taking one last step, the man soon found himself falling forward and laying in a puddle of water. Looks like his body was giving out on him now. He couldn’t help but feel like this was the end for him. The puddle was took up his blood that was still dripping down from his body. Maybe this was how he would die… betrayed, stuck in a shallow mass of water to drown should it get higher and higher. He couldn’t be sure, but knew that this was a terrible way to go.
A weak, yet harsh laugh escaped him in that moment before he closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, the man slowly closed his eyes, believing that they were all doomed because he couldn’t have escaped in time to save anyone. So, he waited for death to claim him and maybe an angel would take him to the afterlife.
Soon, he felt the water disappearing from his face. Thinking that maybe he had died just then, and figured that he would be freed of pain. Until… “Hey… are you… okay?” came a woman’s voice, causing the man to slowly look up. He saw a woman, who was under an umbrella. Oh, so that’s why the rain wasn’t hitting him in the face anymore. He couldn’t really make out anything about this woman due to his exhaustion yet, all he could make out was a pair of eyes, unsure if they were blue, green, grey or a mix of all of them. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you…” she said before helping him up and went to get him some help.
He couldn’t help but lean his head against her shoulder before closing his eyes once again. Unsure if this woman was an angel that he was waiting for or not. But he sure felt like that she was his angel, come to take him and end his pain at long last.
A loud ringing hit his ears, causing a lump under a blanket to groan as he pulled his hand out from under the thick covers and searched his table. His hand patting the wooden furniture till it found his phone. Grabbing it, the man pulled it under his hiding spot and shut it off. A loud yawn escaped him in that moment before pushing the blanket off of him.
Thick curls of brown hair bounced the moment the blanket was thrown off of him. His exhausted blue and amber coloured eyes looked around the room as he tried to think on what the day was. Frowning a little, the young man looked down at his phone and saw the date. As well as what popped up on his calendar.
’Right, I’m getting a new partner today…’ thought the young man as he let out a soft sigh and managed to get himself out of bed. Went to have a nice hot shower just to say that he at least got himself cleaned up for the day. His boss couldn’t say shit that he didn’t think of his appearance this time around.
Knowing his boss though, he’d end up telling something like Vinnie Dakota, why don’t you ever apply yourself to your appearance or your missions?! You are nothing more than a failure while your mother was part of the government for many years blah, blah, blah… When was his boss going to get it that he wasn’t anything like his mom? Or his dad? It just wasn’t worth it. He had nothing to truly fight for anymore since that one mission.
Of course it was the one reason why he even bothered to join BOTT.
The one mission that he had been able to complete, because he was passionate about it yet… now? He had nothing to care about. Nothing to fight for other than to stuff his face and be able to enjoy his life by playing video games or eating new and interesting foods. Just like his mom’s cooking, she always was trying new recipes due to both her husband’s and son’s tastes and their appetites.
Though if he was honest, well he was sure that his dad was disappointed because he wasn’t using his abilities or skills to his missions. Yet at the same time his dad understood Vinnie’s reasoning for why he hadn’t bothered to use them. Growing up was difficult enough for him so trying to live a normal life was still hard for him and that just made him hate himself a little.
’I can’t ever be like anyone else…’ thought Vinnie before he let out a soft sigh.
Stepping out of the shower, he made his way to the mirror as he grabbed a towel to wrap around his waist and brush his hair. Hoping to get the curls back in place to keep his afro. His bi coloured eyes looking at him with dark circles under his eyes.
Right… he didn’t get much sleep last night. For he was too busy thinking about the guy that he, in a way, bumped into yesterday. The man was in a practice time machine for a test or something like that but, Vinnie hadn’t really bothered about that. All he cared about was to find a way to stuff his face the quickest and he was craving Rita’s Burritos and nothing more.
So, he had decided to steal a practice vehicle since they aren’t monitored very well and plus no one ever had cameras in them so no one knew what the person was doing. Well, actually there was a camera at the hood of the car to show what the recruits were doing so because of that Vinnie had learned on how to avoid the cameras as best as he could. That way he wouldn’t get caught when he was using them for his own personal use.
Yet, of course it just happened to have been the day that he ran into some kind of blonde man. He was taller than Vinnie for sure and had turquoise coloured eyes. Something that the young man hadn’t ever thought to be possible for a person to possess. In fact, he almost thought that he could have gotten lost in such eyes.
Shaking his head, the young man knew that he shouldn’t be thinking about that. It wasn’t like he would ever see him again anyway. No matter how well they had worked together. He knew for a fact, that the chances of seeing him again would be slim. So that would just make it all the more difficult for him in the end so he may as well forget about seeing him in the end. After all, like he had said the chances of seeing that guy again was enough to make his heart sink.
Why did he seem so attached to that man? Was it something similar to how his dad met his mom? He remembered hearing a story about that when his dad was young and how he met Vinnie’s mom, so he figured that it was just something like that. A weird pull but then again, only difference was that they had to work together for their task. Vinnie himself wouldn’t be seeing that man ever again. It was hard to say if he passed the test or not anyway as the only person that would have access to those kinds of files were the higher ups in the first place.
So again… slim chances.
’Would have been nice to see him again though. Since he was the reason why I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night…’ Vinnie thought to himself as he looked himself over in the mirror once again. His thick curly hair was brushed, his olive coloured skin looked a little paler compared to how it normally was though at the same time that was to be expected. When he didn’t sleep well (among a few other things) he normally lost some of his colour.
Brushing his teeth next among other things that had to be done for the day, Vinnie made his way over to the bedroom and tossed out some clothes that he figured would be enough for him to look at least a little presentable. Even though it was normally what he wore on a daily bases.
Throwing out a white t-shirt, his black leather jacket with a gold button on each cuff and shoulder. Then he tossed a pair of olive green pants with yellow vertical lines on the legs and to complete his outfit was a pair of his favourite black boots. It was something that he liked to wear, as it was something that made him feel a little comfortable as he walked about plus, should he have to fight he at least had free movement to say the least.
Nodding his head, the young man took a deep breath before throwing everything on, then reached for a pair of orange tinted shades on his nightstand. Once that was done, he made his way toward the kitchen to make himself something quickly to eat. There was no way that he would allow himself to be hungry while he was stuck listening to Block about his new partner. Most likely someone that he wanted to stick with Vinnie to try to test him. Test him till he actually did something that was to make him worthy of being a time agent.
Of course, Vinnie could only roll his eyes a little at that one. Right, like he would be a proper agent when he had the right partner. In case Block had forgotten… ’No one really wants me for a partner so not like it should matter in the first place.’ He thought to himself before taking a big bite out of a breakfast burrito that he had heated up. Looking down at the box on the counter, he decided to take a few with him in case the meeting went on longer then he thought it would.
So may as well be prepared with everything that he would need in the end.
“Okay, I should be good to go. I’ll be able to catch my bus in time if I leave now…” Vinnie said to himself before he started to make his way out of his apartment and started to make his way toward the bus stop. Biting at his breakfast as he walked, it kept him in deep thought as he tried to think on what he was to do.
What should he do if his new partner ended up being someone that couldn’t stand Vinnie for one reason or another? Such as seeming like he was withholding something. Or even just restraining himself and the fact that… well… the young man ate a lot of food?
Looking down at the box, as if it would hold all the answers in the world for him. He couldn’t help but frown a little as he thought back to the man from yesterday. At least he was interesting… they worked well together he found and they had something going on maybe. Though he couldn’t be sure as it was something that most people didn’t really think much about.
He couldn’t help but tug at his hair a little. Hoping that it would be enough to tear his thoughts from the man from yesterday. Right now, he had to focus on eating, and getting to the bus.
Yet… when the young man looked up he couldn’t help but groan. The bus had arrived early… and left.
’Well… I may have to take the other way to work.’ He then ran into the alley and took the ‘special’ route as he likes to call it.
“Ah, Dakota you finally arrived.” Block said. A man that was maybe roughly the same height as Vinnie himself though had much paler skin. Skin that was actually so pale that the young man wasn’t sure if it was healthy or not. He couldn’t be sure, though he felt like it was something that a medical professional would be able to point out. He just couldn’t be sure about that to say the least.
Block had short curly hair, icy blue eyes and wore a black shirt with red trim from what he could see.
The one thing that Vinnie hated about Block was that he knew his mom. Thus, knew his dad and their entire secret. Something that he hated because his boss would do all that he could to tease the young man to do as he pleased to a degree. Though, not that he himself had a backup plan for what would happen should the threat from the raven haired man actually had a real threat that would make the young man sweat.
Not like he could over power Vinnie in the first place as he was much, much stronger than people would give him credit for. Though not that he would ever use it to do as he pleased or for malicious reasons. That was one of the things that his dad had taught him growing up. To never fight for any reason other than protection.
Personally he preferred it that way anyway.
“You’re just lucky that your mother is my friend or so help me I would tell everyone-“
“And if you tried telling anyone about that, I would make sure both my parents know the truth about how you are trying to use your knowledge for your own personal gain. Don’t try that shit with me Block, you know that you won’t win.” Block of course cursed a little and grumbled under his breath before he took his seat and leaned over on his desk.
Vinnie had lost count with how many times he had won arguments or fights with his boss but well, he wasn’t going to complain.
The young man sipped at the coffee that he managed to picked up on his way to work. Thanks to his special route, he could easily pick himself up a coffee and eat his food while he did so. Turning to the chair, he sat down on one of the comfy arm chairs and sighed in content. It was just so comfortable and it made him chuckle a little. This was the only thing that he actually looked forward to.
“So, what’s my partner gonna be like?” asked Vinnie, at least once he was comfortable.
Block raised an eyebrow at him for a moment before looking down at some papers on his desk. “According to this, your new partner comes from a rather wealthy background.” Great, he had to deal with some rich snob that would think he was better than anyone else and everyone. Most likely was going to be stingy with his money too and make sure that Vinnie paid for everything so he wouldn’t waste a single cent on the young man. Yeah, this was going to be something that he wanted to get out of here and just want to be able to enjoy the day.
“Block, I don’t want to deal with a snobby partner.”
“Says the man that’s lost his passion for the job since completing his last mission.”
Vinnie looked down. The mission was still being processed at the moment so it couldn’t be brought up much yet. After a week or so from the mission’s completion, the young man had gotten so stressed out and wanted to eat something good and it would look like stress eating yet it wasn’t just that. It was more than just that and he hated it.
“Look, that mission was the reason why I joined up. I’m sorry if there haven’t been other missions that sparked my interest. But until there is something that does spark my interest, you’ll have to accept what comes up from me. I’m sorry otherwise.” Vinnie grumbled before sipping at his coffee.
Block though just rolled his eyes before he heard a knock at the door. “Ah, come in.”
The door slid open and Block nodded a little. “There we go one of the new recruits. Cavendish.” Cavendish? What kind of name is Cavendish? It kind of sounds like a candy dish or something. Hm… actually some candy sounds pretty good right now. Maybe he’ll pick some up after this meeting today. “This will be your new partner, Vinnie Dakota.”
Vinnie pushed himself up and took a sip of his coffee before he would go and greet his partner. Only for his eyes to widen and he spat out his hot drink in shock. Coughing as he did so.
“It’s you!” ‘Cavendish’ said in shock as he covered his mouth, as if he was trying to muffle any other sounds that would dare to come out.
“Do you two know each other?” asked Block.
Vinnie kept coughing as he tried to come up with something to say. This guy was going to expose his whole thing about borrowing the practice cars for his own personal use. Slapping his hand over his chest, hoping to clear his windpipe as well as his lungs before he looked up. There was no way that he would be able to get out of his one it seemed.
“I’ll tell you what I know about this man.” Said the man before him.
Getting a good look at his new ‘partner’ Vinnie figured this was going to be the last thing he was ever going to see.
Cavendish had short honey blonde hair, his turquoise eyes were hidden by thick black framed glasses. He wore a simple long sleeved blue shirt with a green collar, while the green extended down his chest with black buttons and to his shoulders. Then he noticed the green belt that was around his waist and… did he have coat tails on his shirt?
Then there were green rings on his forearms though the last thing that completed his outfit were the white pants, and black boots that rested just under his knees. It was an interesting choice of clothes though personally, not something Vinnie himself would wear. Seemed a little too restrictive.
Wheezing softly, Vinnie feared that his life was going to be over… yeah, his mom is going to yell at him for losing his job. Fuck it all to hell!
“When someone is in danger, he’s a good man to have around.” Vinnie blinked his eyes in shock at that one. He… he wasn’t going to report him? The young man couldn’t help but feel his eyes widened, almost feeling tears prickling behind the pools of amber and blue, though he kept them back by blinking. “Balthazar Cavendish, pleased to make your acquaintance sir.” The blonde then held out his hand for the curly haired man to take for a handshake.
Looking between the outstretched hand and Balthazar, Vinnie grinned and grabbed a hold of the other man’s hand. Shaking it.
“Nice to meet you, and thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“I won’t.”
“But I might… later…”
“I’m sure you will.”
Block glared as he said “Just get the hell out of my office!”