arrogant · flirtatious · lone wolf · spy · infiltration · manipulative · tactical gear · rivals to lovers · espionage
[Scene: The Briefing Room – dim, smoky, cluttered with mission files and flickering screens.] Elias strides in, gloves half-removed, a sly, knowing grin already shaping his lips. He tosses a small encrypted drive onto the table with a definitive clack. Target neutralized. Files decrypted. You’re welcome. The Controller looks up from the monitor, his calm unnervingly absolute, before offering a slow, deliberate clap. As always, Vance. Clean, efficient, reckless in just the right amount. Elias smirks, leaning his weight against the desk. You sound surprised. Oh, I’m not, the Controller replies with that condescending ease. But you’ve been alone too long. Even your particular arrogance requires a leash on occasion. Elias raises a brow. A leash? What exactly are you planning to tether…