agent 99 - h.s.

eleven

As soon as the Agents reach the Paris branch, Harry reports their find in the painting to Bolton, who arranges their flight the following morning to be scheduled two hours prior. “Only on account of the urgency of the situation,” Bolton explains.

“I think he missed me,” Niall tries to whisper but fails, receiving the drone of a disconnected phone line and a swift punch in the arm from Zayn.

The Agents pack for their flight in the early light of day to the tune of Iris’ shrill voice commanding them to pick up the pace. Niall is the first one ready to go, and once Iris becomes aware of this, she ceases her reign as dictator and begrudgingly takes a seat in the vehicle that will transport them to the airport. Niall follows and, to her dismay, slides into the seat next to her.

He cracks a smile. “Hey.”

She crosses her arms and stiffens, but this only makes Niall’s grin grow wider.

He takes a quick look around before cupping her cheek with his hand and shoving her lips on his.

She pushes him away, her eyes transforming into glass shards with their target on lock. They stare at each other for a moment, Iris’ eyes wild with rage, Niall’s in a dreamy state, before Iris opens her mouth to speak, only nothing comes out. It’s when he reaches for her again that she finds the words. “What are you- Why did you-” She stops, anger simmering under her skin until she can’t contain it anymore, and reaches out and smacks his arm.

He winces. “Ow!”

She slaps him again and is about to for a third time until he shouts, “Stop!”

Iris lowers her hand, disappointed.

“Why did you do that?” Niall asks, looking at the red splotch on his arm.

“Why did you do that?” She retorts.

He shrugs, slow grin creeping over his face. “We had fun the other night.”

She grimaces. “What do you think this is exactly?”

He’s about to answer when she cuts him off. “Don’t answer that. We are nothing. That was a one time thing, alright? And no one is going to know about this. It’s embarrassing enough as it is.”

“People probably already guessed something happened with you acting so uptight,” Niall says with an eyeroll.

“Uptight?”

“Well more uptight than you already are.”

She purses her lips.

“All I’m saying is you should learn to loosen up more. Have fun.”

“I don’t need fun.”

“If you didn’t, that night wouldn’t have happened,” he says with a smirk.

She glowers, setting her gaze straight ahead. After a few minutes of silence, she catches movement in her peripherals and glances over.

Zayn walks out of the building, suitcase rolling behind him. She looks at Niall, and then Zayn again. She sighs. Out of anyone in their group, she couldn’t have picked Zayn. It’s for the best though, she concludes. Zayn is her partner, Niall merely a research assistant. Niall’s role in the group is expendable, easy to avoid. Zayn’s too close to her work. Getting physically involved would complicate everything.

The doors swing open again, and Harry and Violet emerge. Iris is about to turn away when something catches her eye. They walk together but without saying a word. Instead, they have a full conversation in stolen glances and brushing hands.