Vanderwood x Reader

A Long Road [F!Reader]

First of: Spoiler warning for Saeran's AE.
This was inspired by the little breadcrumbs we got about Vandy, especially by one sentence in the Good Ending.

TW: blood, injuries, cursing, implied nsfw
Words: 8731
__________________________________

Everything started 4 years ago.

Getting paired with another agent, especially someone he's never worked with before, was an absolute nightmare for Vanderwood. Sure, if expected, he would do it. But he wasn't happy about it at all. He's always worked better alone.
Not to mention that the mission wasn't anything too complicated. No way he wouldn't be able to finish it alone within a couple hours. They just had to pair him up with someone! Not to mention the agent was also one of the newer ones. Not necessarily a rookie, but still not as experienced as he was.
What an absolute nuisance.

Currently he was leaning against his car, taking a drag of his cigarette as he waited for his temporary partner at their meeting spot. It was busy and barely anyone spared him a second glance, which he was kind of glad about. When you finally came into view, he took a moment to eye you. You were pretty, but in his experience, most of the time the pretty ones were also the ones that never lasted too long. Not to mention that you were too cheery for his liking. Especially considering the kind of job you've both had.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's rude to ogle women like that?", your teasing voice snapped him out of his thoughts and the smile you aimed his way made him scoff. "Shut up and get in the car. We have no time to waste", was his only response and, after flicking the cigarette stub onto the street, he slipped into the drivers seat.

You joined him after stashing your bag in the trunk, and the way you continuously kept your eyes fixed on him was, frankly speaking, kind of irritating.
"What?"
"I'm just trying to figure out who might've pissed into your coffee, for you to be in such a bad mood."
Vanderwood decided not to answer and simply concentrated on the street, as he got you two to your destination. The sooner the job was done, the sooner he would be able to drop you back off and, hopefully, not have to work with you again.

The silence in the car didn't last all too long, before you decided to start talking again. And it seemed like you didn't even care whether he would answer or not. If the day continued like that, he would've had to start writing a list of things you did that absolutely annoyed him.
"Look, I know you are not big on having a partner. People warned me about it. But thing is, I'm not as bad of an agent as you probably think I am."
He glanced shortly at you, his brown eyes not really giving anything away.
"I guess we won't be having a problem, as long as you follow orders."
For some reason, he didn't like the way you nearly beamed at him and then saluted in a somewhat mocking kind of way.

"I can absolutely do that. Under the condition that your plan won't suck. Otherwise I will rebel and do whatever is best to get things done."

He couldn't help the groan that escaped him. Why? Just why did he have to deal with someone like you, when he was already punished by having to take care of the agency's genius kid? Why always the annoying kind...
"Don't make me tase you", he finally muttered.
And your reaction to that? You actually chuckled. At least you kept quiet for the rest of the ride, which he was thankful for.

As soon as the destination was reached and the car parked at a save distance, out of sight, he noticed how your expression shifted and you looked far more serious.
"Alright, so what's your plan, then?", you asked, while putting your hair up into a ponytail.
"Hopefully you read the files attentively?" When you nodded, he continued. "Well, it's not supposed to be too difficult. Security is rather sparse and we shouldn't have any problem getting in with the badges we got. So at least try to act like a business woman."
You rolled your eyes at him for a moment, before you slipped out of the car, to get some gear from the trunk and hid a couple weapons under your clothes. If he was being honest, he was kind of impressed with the way you managed to conceal a gun so well under your skirt. As soon as he realized that he was basically staring at your thighs in that moment, he was quick to look anywhere but your way.
"This isn't my first rodeo. I know how to go undercover. Now continue, please?"