Mahogany on the Snow | Aru Shah Spy AU

🇨🇭🇦🇵🇹🇪🇷 1.5

TW: None.

Aiden Acharya:

Aiden and Aru were in the same room together. In Subala's office. She was glaring at her supervisor while he explained the mission that she had to go on—with Aiden.

"...the Sleeper has always been one of the biggest threats to international security but this time, we've found out his funder. If we take his bank out, maximum of his network will collapse."

Aiden shifted, fixing his eyes on everything but the girl he had dragged into the spy world. Since he found out her name, he'd kept tabs on her—watching her progress to becoming a famed spy. Was it because he felt guilty for forcing her that fatal night? Maybe.

"So what exactly do you want me–sorry, us–to do?" Aru's tone was cold and demanding, which was unlike her usual, carefree state th.

The pigeon-looking man sighed, "I am aware that you're angry at me for not telling you that he was in the country, but it was a direct order."

Aru curled her fingers into a fist, "I'm more disappointed but that's not what I asked. How are we supposed to help?"

Jumping in, Aiden said, "I think they want us to find the funder," he looked at the handler, "Am I right?"

He nodded, seemingly relieved at Aiden's intervention, "You two have been paired together because you're some of the strongest agents we have."

Aiden got the courage to look at Aru. Pretty. He blinked. Where had that come from? He couldn't fall for a girl known for staying in the shadows. Especially not if they were going on such an important mission together. But...her dark eyes—

"Do we get any intel from you or is it your 'rough it out' policy again?"

Subala stood up and violently shuffled his papers, "We have been informed that the funder is an employee in his father's company." He jutted his chin towards Aiden, "You have access to the rest of the intel you need for this mission." and practically ran out the door, pushing through the teenagers.

"Hey!" Aru threw out her hand. Grabbing hold of her wrist (definitely because he was saving it from getting clobbered in the door), Aiden pulled her back—a schooled expression of detachment on his face.

"Leave him. He's not gonna tell us anything anyways." The girl scrunched her nose and yanked her arm away, muttering, "Fancy seeing you here." A little louder, "I can pressure Boo."

His lips twitched, "I didn't expect to see you either." Lies. The moment he had been informed about the mission and his next destination, he knew he would see her. He remembered how he had pulled a slight tantrum in his room at the knowledge. While he wasn't particularly looking forward to it, it was a comfort to know in advance. "And no you won't, he's been directly ordered."

Aru flushed under his gaze, "We- we should get going." Her manner shifted to confidence. Fake confidence. "That is if you want to start doing this. Let's start with your dad's company. What's the name?"

Aiden sighed, having a feeling it was going to be a long mission.

Aru Shah:

Fucking shit-

He was pretty. Aru knew that when she first met him. But, jeez- she'd forgotten how his lashes over his dark eyes cast a perfect shadow on his caramel skin. He towered above her, talking to a person on the phone in rapid English. "What do you mean the photoshoots' today? I told Father that I had work to do..." Looking down, his eyes slightly widened when he saw her—and stepped back, spitting out, "Fine. Can I bring a..." Aiden hesitated, "...friend with me? I think she could be a potential model."

Model. His father's company sold clothes for the younger population.

The sound of wheels came from behind her.

As she turned around, something grey flashed her eyes and she stumbled back. Into Aiden. Arms grabbed ahold of her from the armpit. Everything froze for a split second but Aru was pushed off and she started spewing apologies in chorus with the cyclist who had almost run on her feet.

Aiden looked shell-shocked, nose slightly wrinkled. He tugged at his shirt, straightening it, "No need to be so clumsy."

As if someone has never fallen onto you. There was no need to look so disgusted at her. A familiar feeling of defensiveness welled up in her. Aru made a slight face back even though she could still feel warmth tingling from his hands on her skin.

This was going to be a long mission.

a/n: simps [everyone ik is a simp 🙄]

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