Had this idea in my head after starting Chapter 7, waking up at 2 AM on December 31 2020, and since I can't go back to sleep... better write it off.
Arknights.
One-shot.
Ch'en x Doctor.
"Let it Die"
.
.
.
"She and I are both infected. I don't belong here. I know what I must do, and I won't be making any more mistakes. I'm the only one who can stop her."
Her words resonated in his head, as he looked right into the photograph on the card she threw off her jacket. How has it been?, maybe some minutes, maybe hours, or years. Maybe he was daydreaming again. Whatever the case, he was here now; Wei grumbling in anger, looking into the hole the blue haired women made in order to escape her little prison, despite his words.
Despite his menaces, she still opposed him.
Crouching on his left leg, he picked it up. No one looked at him, maybe because Amiya was way too busy standing at Kal'tsit's side, trying to understand everything she just heard. Or maybe it was because his actions, outside of the battlefield, weren't so important, despite the fact that he shouldn't be there.
Her determination, those eyes filled with fury, conviction an decision, even as she pointed her sword at her own uncle.
"I am Infected, and a traitor to Lungmen. I am the only one who can do this. We've come this far. All we can do is keep going"
And then, everything went to hell.
In moments like these, he was happy with the fact his whole face was hidden with a mask, a very tick one, painted black, so no one could see his face. That way, no one could tell what he was feeling or thinking, maybe before the incident they would've been able to, but now that he was a complete different person, no one ever would be able to read him.
Or at least, not for a long time.
How did we get here?, how did I get here?
The face was looking at the camera with a stern look, never a smile, not at work. Always professional, or atleast as much as she could. Silently, he took a sight, trying to go back on how did all begun. The questions he made himself were real.
Just two weeks since he woke up, since he was given birth to by amnesia.
And yet, so much happened that he barely remembered anything. So many people, so many faces, so much death, pain, stories...
Feelings...
.
.
It was raining back then... was it raining?... no, the night sky was clouded. Yes, it was.
People were everywhere, getting inspected for the Oripathy. Amiya by his side, both of them looking to the front. At first, he wasn't interested at all in the situation, he could remember quite well the first days after he woke up: he was acting like a robot, talking when necessary, following that girl everywhere because she seemed to be the most "chilled out" back then.
Everything was so new, so strange, even when they told him he was so important, even after experiencing a couple of battles to go back to his supposed home, with people that loved him... everyone were strangers to him. No matter how warm the welcome, the words, nothing. It was awkward, and he hated that many of them tried -and very badly- to fake out they didn't feel ashamed of faking they were still close friends.
No one in Rhodes Island was his friend back then, not even Amiya.
Even when everything picked his attention, he immediately knew she was something else.
"Madame, they're here"
At first, she didn't turned around to look at them. Mainly focused on making sure everyone went or leaved. Be prudent he reminded himself, while standing by the rabbit girl's side like a dog, in silence. She seemed surprised, or maybe weirded out, maybe because of the situation? was she thinking about how would this place treat the Infected?
Or was she just surprised of how majestic and beautiful she seemed?
She finally turned to look at them; no one could see his face, of course, but his eyes opened in disbelief. Even while covered in light and smoke, she seemed so pretty, it was as if he was seeing an angel or something of some sorts. No, it was like an "angel warrior", because that face was the most beautiful thing he had seen since he woke up, yet that body, those swords.
That posture, it all indicated that he shouldn't mess around with that woman.
Nodding once, he instantly knew that was their call, without saying a word.
"It's just like the rumors said... let's go, doctor."
The voice of his most trusted companion up to that point, brought him back to reality. Even if he couldn't see his own face, he knew that his mouth and eyes were wide open in astonishment. Who was that girl? that one had to be their meeting, right?, not saying a word, he nodded, maybe to the blue haired beauty, maybe to Amiya, for all they knew, it was a sign to both females.
It didn't took long for them to be face to face. Or better said, face to mask.
She looked quite intimidating from a closer look. In fact, maybe angry would suit her better, or... Disappointed? yeah, disappointed sounded way cooler. But still, it did nothing to kill her natural charm, in fact, it made it even better.
Ch'en: Rhodes Island was scheduled to meet with the L.G.D at 10 o'clock. -that confirmed it, she was angry and disappointed. Her arms went to her hip, in a very feminine gesture, adorable even. A nice contrast to the expression she was making, thanks to the high difference, she managed to look down on his companion, knowing perfectly she was in charge- It's 10:14 now. You were late 14 minutes; therefore, you've wasted 14 minutes of my time.
Even when she was shorter, Amiya didn't backed down, neither let herself intimidate by her. Inspecting her closer, he noticed two things; one, those beautiful red eyes were way brighter than they seemed from afar, and two... the card on her jacket, resting above her right breast. "Ch'en" was written in big letters. It made him raise an eyebrow, specially after he saw her tail moving.
So she's a dragon, uh?... and a very beautiful one...
It was weird, how her hair and scails had the same color. Or maybe it was due to genetics?
Whatever the answer, he wasn't going to find out. In fact, when she finally looked at him, he felt as if lighting came down to his body, alongside feelings of anxiety, shame, and guilt. Did she found out? her ruby eyes were staring at him so intently, as if she was watching his very soul. Even with the black glass of his mask protecting his face...
Those eyes... he couldn't escape them.
Her posture changed. She wasn't looking down on Amiya anymore, trying to scare her. No, she was now trying to find more about him, maybe Ch'en had been dealing with people using masks recently?, of course she was, he saw many people wearing the same uniform around them. She was, indeed, trying to read him, and that scared him.
What if she thinks I am a weirdo? a pervert?, but she can't blame me, I've never seen anything like her in my life!
What could he do?, what would've done the "Old" Doctor?, how was the "real" Doctor before he was born?
Even if he felt like dying right then and there, the world would grant the poor man a relief, because Ch'en raised an eyebrow, and then looked at Amiya once again.
"Who might this be?"
Lucky him, she had no idea about his actions or where he was looking. In fact, she was... interested, to say the least. Although, the fact that she didn't asked him personally but his friend, disappointed him greatly. Maybe he seemed way too intimidating with that gear? Or she saw him as unworthy of attention and respect? Both answers were horrible.
And depressing too.
Amiya: Doctor's Rhodes Island's consultant. Dr. Kal'tsit should already have informed you -That name again. To this day, he still wondered who was that woman?, all he knew about her were face and name. But they've never seen each other back in Rhodes, maybe she was avoiding him -a wise thing- or, just like Ch'en right now... she though he was unworthy of her attention.
It didn't mattered.
The blue haired swordswoman looked back at him, deep in thought. Probably remembering a previous conversation with the white haired cat lady, related him.
Whatever the case, he hoped back then -foolishly of course- that the interest was mutual. An armored man came to talk with her, Infected Lungmenites refusing to be taken in quarantine.
Even in such an unexpected situation, she didn't lost her composure. She still kept everyone in check. Not a cold decision, neither a inhumane one, but he liked it. Amiya indeed told his exact same thoughts.
"Madame Ch'en is really tough... she's stricter than I imagined"
All he did was nod silently as they entered Lungmen. Amiya of course, was surprised upon seeing such an astounding city, bathed in different colors, mostly blue like the night or Ch'en's hair. Regardless, even if the city was indeed amazing, for him there was something way more beautiful standing at his side right now.
And it carried two swords on her body, alongside a stern look on her face.
.
.
To say he was surprised, would be an understatement. As the strategist in the battlefield, it was his duty to know when someone new arrived at the place, wanting to be part of the Team. Rhodes, indeed, had a lot of connections that he didn't -but used- to know about. Yet, none of that mattered right now, because he was there when Lungmen accepted to form an alliance with them.
He saw the birth of this connection, and still couldn't believe the result.
There she was, standing in front of his desk, arms crossed, looking down on him, just like the day they met. But this time, they were alone, totally alone. Her sheet and certificate were side by side, united by a metal clip. Ch'en -THE Ch'en- was indeed right before his eyes, confirming her registration as an Operator to be commanded how he pleased, under his orders.
They were official partners.
Seeing him apparently looking back at her without saying anything, made her curious. Was this how Rhodes Island greeted his new operators? even if she wasn't going to be part of them eternally, this was home now. As long as Rhodes was in Lungmen, as long as chief Wei wanted to keep the agreement, Hoshiguma, Swire and her were part of their team.
So, demanding some respect, she placed her hand on the table, making sure it sounded.
WHAM
The Doctor jumped from his seat, she knew he wasn't sleeping, because when she knocked on the door to handle her application form, she remembered quite clearly how he said "please come in", but was he deaf, maybe? Still, now that she had his attention, she coughed a little, wanting to clear the throat, and then repeated herself, slightly more annoyed.
Ch'en: As I said... I am the leader of L.G.D's special inspector Group, Ch'en. -Now, she looked a little ashamed. That catched his attention, or so it seemed, because he sat once again, still looking at her. She had to be sincere, if Lungmen's and Rhodes relationships would be closer- I have my own reasons, but I'll be joining you for a while. Seeing as we're already well acquainted from our prior work together, I'll ask you to take me to my new office now.
Of course, her blush disappeared very quickly. She shouldn't be feeling ashamed because of some words, but she mean it. Even if Rhodes Island seemed nice, she still didn't trusted them completely. Yet, she hoped deep inside her guts, that it didn't made her seem hostile neither too complicated to work with in their eyes, specially him, that was the third most important person in their system.
The Doctor controlled everyone in battle, his orders were absolute.
But he wasn't Rhodes island's face, Kal'tsit and Amiya were, they represented everything and everyone, while he controlled every strategy and made sure they fought battles that could be won.
His heart was racing, and he was sweating. Mimicking her previous gesture, although way more slowly and clumsy, he cleared his throat, trying to calm down. She wanted professionalism, he had to be professional. Yes, they knew each other from previous work and battles, but nothing else. They weren't friends... and much less something else.
Yet again, he was hoping to be something else for her, so he had to take the first step.
Offering his hand, he smiled behind the mask, nodding.
"It's a pleasure to have you onboard, Miss Ch'en. I hope you, Swire and Hoshiguma enjoy your stay at Rhodes Island. I'll be a pleasure fighting by your side from now on."
Saying that was way more difficult than it seemed.
For her, his response was weird and unexpected. Professional, way too professional... but she was fine with it. Smiling, the leader of the department nodded, grabbing his hand and shaking it up and down.
"The pleasure is mine, Doctor. Now, where is my new office?"
He laughed at the question, happy. Unknown to him, that moment would be saved by fire on his memory. Indeed, even if he was wearing gloves, the fact that him and Ch'en were holding hands right now was the most important and special thing he had experienced since he woke up.
An unforgettable moment, for an unforgettable day.
.
.
He was right all along.
Of course I was
They would never be together.
Still looking at Ch'en's picture, he put the identification in one of his pockets, promising himself he would save it as a memento. Were they going to meet again? Apparently, that was going to be the case; Wei and Kal'tsit were already talking about some agreements to stop him from throwing away his life in order to stop both Reunion, Talulah and a war against Ursus government.
They were going to go look out for Ch'en, long gone from Lungmen's territory.
Even if he couldn't have predicted this outcome, because he didn't knew anything at all about the relationships, past and stories between Femizuki, this man and the blue haired inspector of the L.G.D, he knew one way or another, they would never be a thing.
The more they fought side by side, the more time he spent looking at her from afar, talking with Hoshiguma from time to time, laughing, fighting against Swire because of any stupidity, the more he saw her sword shine bright like a red star on the battlefield... the more he knew about her, gave him a perfect picture of who Ch'en truly was.
She had way too much bullshit on her life.
The burden on her shoulders was way too heavy, and he knew it all along, including the fact that he couldn't help her, because she wasn't good with expressing feelings, and he didn't knew her story at all, but knew what the outcome would be as the missions, hours, battlefields and fights passed.
If he had told her his feelings, she would reject him, no doubt, without hessitation. Ch'en couldn't be a woman, because she was way too busy being a warrior, being a leader, and having to deal with all the problems inside Lungmen. The inspector loved her city, loved her people, and was willing to die for it, that's what this act of rebel was.
So he smiled, glad that his mask was so black and thick.
Because no one would see the tear coming from his left eye, as he looked down on the hole she made in the crystal.
Having decided to help Lungmen, Wei and Femizuki beforehand, he denied to himself while looking at the sunset, wondering if the old Doctor -the one everyone knew and missed- would have let something die in the darkness, just like he was going to do right now.
"Doctor, we must leave"
Amiya's voice came to his ears. Apparently, the meeting was over, and it was time to go back to Rhodes in order to get everything ready for their next mission. Nodding silently, he started walking, following the brownhaired girl and Kal'tsit into the elevator. But stopped just before entering, looking back one last time into the sunrays reflecting themselves on the broken glass.
He smiled, knowing that the red eyed warrior wasn't there, but he still saw her, standing with a smile, offering her hand for him to take and hold, like the day she was recruited.
Even if she would never hear him, neither reply to him, he was going to say it for the same reason he would let those feelings disappear in oblivion with due time: for both of their sake.
"I love you, Ch'en..."
He muttered as quietly as he could, letting his uniform, mask and the darkness drown his crush in eternal rest, never destined to be fulfilled or known to anyone else but himself, getting ready shortly after for another Operation, this time to save his beloved.
The end.