The Protocol Unmasked (Valorant X Male Reader)

Chapter 14: Shattered Heroes

As Viper's eyes fluttered open, she felt a dull ache radiating from various parts of her body, accompanied by the sensation of being confined within an unfamiliar environment. Slowly, she tried to gather her bearings, taking in the sterile white surroundings of the infirmary. The beeping of the nearby medical equipment created a rhythmic backdrop, almost lulling her back to sleep.

Turning her head to the left, Viper's eyes fell upon (Y/n), seemingly absorbed in the contents of a magazine. She attempted to call out to him, but her voice was nothing more than a faint rasp, barely audible in the otherwise silent room.

"(Y/n)," she managed to croak, her voice barely above a whisper. (Y/n)'s head jerked up, his eyes widening with surprise as he realized Viper was awake. Setting the magazine aside, he quickly made his way to her bedside, a concerned expression furrowing his brow.

"Hey, hey, you're awake!" (Y/n) exclaimed, trying to sound cheerful despite the worry etched across his features. "How are you feeling?"

Viper attempted to speak, but the words caught in her throat, the effort leaving her breathless. (Y/n) gently placed a hand on hers, his touch surprisingly warm against her clammy skin. "Take it easy, Viper," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of reassurance. "You've been out for a while. Sage says you need to rest."

Viper nodded weakly, unable to form a coherent response. As she shifted slightly, she winced at the discomfort coursing through her body. Her mind raced with questions about what had happened and how they had ended up in the infirmary. She struggled to piece together the events leading to their current situation, but her memory remained fragmented and hazy.

(Y/n), noticing her distress, attempted to distract her with a light-hearted joke. "Don't worry, Viper. I've been holding down the fort here. You can thank me for single-handedly keeping this place lively," he teased, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Viper managed a faint smile, grateful for (Y/n)'s attempt to lighten the mood. Despite the pain and confusion clouding her mind, she found solace in (Y/n)'s presence, a small glimmer of comfort in the midst of uncertainty. As she drifted back into a fitful doze, her thoughts swirled with unanswered questions, leaving her to wonder about the challenges that lay ahead for both of them.

With a sudden jolt of realization, (Y/n) remembered Sage's instructions, her words echoing in his mind. "If Viper wakes up, you need to inform me immediately." A surge of panic shot through him as he hastily attempted to rise from his position, his movements clumsy and uncoordinated. In his rush, he failed to account for his own precarious balance, resulting in a spectacular collision with the linoleum floor.

The sound of his body hitting the ground reverberated through the otherwise quiet infirmary, drawing Viper's attention and causing her to wince in sympathy at his sudden mishap. (Y/n), undeterred by the fall, quickly scrambled to his feet, his face flushing with embarrassment as he tried to regain his composure.

"Sage! Sage!" he shouted, his voice tinged with urgency as he fervently called out for her. His eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of the vigilant healer. Despite his loud calls, the infirmary remained eerily silent, save for the intermittent beeping of the medical equipment and the faint rustling of papers somewhere in the distance.

(Y/n)'s heart pounded in his chest as he realized the absence of Sage's immediate response. He berated himself for his momentary clumsiness, a surge of frustration welling up within him. Fumbling to steady his footing, he made his way towards the nearest intercom, pressing the button with an unsteady hand.

"Sage! Viper is awake! I repeat, Viper is awake!" he urgently relayed into the intercom, his voice echoing through the otherwise quiet corridors. As he waited for a response, he turned back to Viper, his expression a mix of concern and contrition. "I'm sorry. I should've called for Sage as soon as you woke up. She specifically told me to do that."