Secret aaaaaagent maaaan~~~~ Enjoy, yo.

The weekend drew to a close all too fast, and Jaune had to return to work. He awoke early on Monday morning next to Ren, who had spent yet another night in his bed. Seeing the sleeping man made him smile - he couldn't remember the last time he'd found something to smile about on a Monday.

He padded throughout the apartment before the sun rose, preparing breakfast for himself and Ren, whose food he placed in the fridge. On the counter he left a small note, apologizing for his absence and for being gone during the mornings, unable to enjoy breakfast together. He left a spare key on the sticky note, a small token to show Ren that he was welcome to his apartment any time. Jaune left a minute later, ready to start the weekly grind, this time with a more upbeat attitude than usual.

Ren woke up alone, rolling over sleepily only to find Jaune's side of the bed cold. Confusion set in for a brief moment before he realized that the blond had work - he'd be gone for most of the day. He hadn't been alone in the apartment since his arrival, now that he knew Jaune better he felt much more familiar with the space. At the same time, it felt wrong to be in it while Jaune wasn't.

He took his time waking up, padding out to the kitchen after checking the morning news on his scroll, his eyes alighting on a sticky note stuck to the counter. It was scrawled with messy yet legible hand.

Dear Ren, I'm sorry I couldn't stick around this morning, but I'm afraid I have work. No rest for the wicked I suppose. I left you breakfast in the fridge, though if it's not to your taste, don't worry! I'll be home at about 5, but maybe later. I don't know what your plans are, but I left you a spare key, feel free to come and go as you wish!

See you later (I hope),

Jaune Arc

Ren smiled and attached the key to his keyring, then opened the fridge and removed the breakfast Jaune had made for him. Ren had never seen anything quite like it, the food appearing as if Jaune had toasted bread, then drizzled scrambled eggs with cheese over it. Feeling adventurous, Ren heated it. Though he didn't assume Jaune was a five-star chef, the meal was excellent, each ingredient balanced in taste and amount.

Ren got his few things ready in preparation and then left, making sure the door was locked behind him. He walked down the street with purpose, making his way to the nearest busy road before hailing a taxi.

"Take me to the Vale High Council building please," Ren asked. The driver looked somewhat dubious, but drove off anyway. The city passed by in flashes of light, the morning sun glancing off buildings that grew taller and taller until the taxi reached the heart of the city.

"Alright, we're here," called the driver, pulling to a stop in front of the monolithic Vale High Council. That'll be 250 Lien."

"I think this should cover it," Ren replied, passing the driver a solid black banknote. The driver's eyes widened as he took it. "Put it on Councilwoman Yurie's tab." Without further ado, he exited the taxi and walked up to the front doors. Armed security guards stiffened at his approach until he flashed a badge pinned to the inside of his jacket. They immediately relaxed and ushered him through without protest.

Inside, Ren headed for the nearest elevator, waiting until he would be alone before getting in. Checking his scroll and opening a text message, he sighed and placed a palm on his forehead. "Dammit Ozpin," he muttered, pushing buttons consecutively on the console - using it as a keypad rather than selecting a floor - to type the code "69-69-69". The elevator dropped and Ren's ears popped as he descended deep into the earth.

He emerged into a large circular room lined with chairs, half of them filled with various higher-ups and council members. Torches lit the wall in an archaic fashion, contrasting with the futuristic chairs, as if a drunk interior designer had done their worst. Directly across from the entrance in the highest chair sat Ozpin, the gray-haired headmaster of Beacon Academy, one of the most powerful people in the world. He stood from his seat as Ren stopped in the center of the room.

"Special Agent Lie Ren, it's good to see you. Welcome back to the S.V.G.G.C.S."

"Thank you, sir," Ren acknowledged with a slight bow. "I see the council has allowed you to choose the secret door code this week. It's a top-secret combination - would it kill you to choose something more. . . professional?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Ozpin said, sipping from his mug. Can I get you some tea?" Ren accepted a steaming cup of red tea before the man continued. "Enough with the formalities. How is your newest assignment? Would you be so kind as to debrief us?"

"That's not how you use "debrief"," Ren sighed.

"Your mind is as sharp as ever, you caught the trap I so cleverly laid," Ozpin said with a twinkle in his eye.

"I don't think that's what happened," Ren muttered under his breath. "Yes," he said more loudly, "I'll begin. I made contact with Jaune Arc two days ago, as per the mission instructions. As you predicted, he didn't suspect that the advertising pamphlet scrap was planted there by us, but seemed to think it was a coincidence. I have to say, that special perfume works well, I thought the rain was going to mask the scent or wash it away. As it happened, Jaune didn't pick up the pamphlet scrap at first, but went inside only to retrieve it later that night."

Ozpin nodded his approval. "Yes, the researchers down in the laboratory did say that the scent was especially powerful. I'm glad to hear that it's working as well as we thought it would. Who knew we'd be able to create an artificial perfume so strong that it stays in the subject's mind and prevents them from ignoring it?"

"I can confidently say that Jaune and I have formed a friendship already; he even made me breakfast this morning," Ren added with a hint of pride. "If I had to evaluate his character, I'd say he's a truly good man - he just needs the benefit of some non-work friends."

"Then he's lucky to have you, and by extension, the S.V.G.G.C.S."

Ren couldn't help but smile at the sentiment. "I think that statement could easily go both ways. Jaune strikes me as a person that would benefit greatly if he could get a new job. There is potential for greatness there, but his work takes away all his time, saps his life away. At the end of it all, he's one of the best men I've met, as far as first impressions go. I can see our friendship lasting for many, many years."

"I'm glad the two of you are so compatible," Ozpin said, fingers folded. Ren shifted his weight from foot to foot as silence filled the room. "Is there. . . anything else?"

"Well. . . I can't say for sure, but there may be something more than friendship blooming between the two of us." Ren corrected himself hastily, "I mean, we've only known each other for three days, but there seems to be far more sexual tension than the average relationship cultivated by the S.V.G.G.C.S."

"I see," Ozpin said slowly. "How does this make you feel? I'll remind you, Special Agent Lie Ren, that if you feel at all uncomfortable or threatened that you need only say the word and I'll remove you from the mission."

"No!" Ren said almost too quickly. "That is, I'd like to see where this goes. Jaune is a kind man, maybe there's something more than mere friendship here. I'm of the mind that something beautiful could happen between us given more time together." Ozpin nodded sagely, taking another long sip of tea.

"Then I'll defer to your judgment. Thank you for debriefing us."

"That's still not how you use that word," Ren sighed, but was startled as Ozpin stood again and joined him in the center of the floor, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

"You've done excellent work, Special Agent Lie Ren. The Secret Vale Government Gentlemanly Companionship Service truly is lucky to have you."

"Thank you, sir," Ren said, humbled. "Well then, by your leave. . ."

I have a certain blond to go meet!