Send the Dispatch (Dispatch x fem!reader)

Chapter 10: Veil

He shifts slightly, his tall, humanoid frame relaxed against the counter, grey-furred ears flicking in irritation, or amusement, it is impossible to tell. His head tilts toward you, sharp fangs glinting as his pure white eyes narrow, and the soft pink of his snout twitches subtly.

"Yeah," he says, voice low and smooth, fur brushing faintly against his suit. "Harvard... people think it is a straight path to success. For me, it was just a really expensive way to learn how good I am at bending the rules."

You tilt your head, smirking just a little. "Bending the rules, huh? I read a bit about... your extracurricular activities afterwards. Silicon Valley's finest little fraud artist, if I'm not mistaken. Investment schemes, embezzlement, extortion, cyber... whatever it was."

He lets out a low, restrained chuckle, the sound surprisingly human coming from a creature whose mouth is lined with sharp fangs. "You did your homework. Not exactly subtle, though. Makes me wonder how much you actually want to know... and how much you just want to see me squirm."

You feel your pulse quicken at the way he says that, a flicker of heat crawling up your neck. His bat ears twitch ever so slightly as he leans in, arm brushing faintly against yours.

You grit your teeth slightly.

Maintain professional standards, [Y/N]. Don't punch him. Don't punch him...

Before you can reply, Malevola stretches lazily across the desk, features catching the dim light. A small smirk tugs at her lips as she notices your slight recoil at her proximity. "And what about me?" she purrs, voice smooth, teasing. "You've grilled my little bat friend, but do you even know half of what I've done?"

You blink at her, exasperation tightening your jaw. "Do I really want to know?" you murmur, though the faint brush of her shoulder against yours makes your pulse stutter.

"Oh, I think you do," she says, her pupil-less yellow eyes glinting in the dim light, long black hair falling over one shoulder. "Assault, burglary, extortion... forgery, kidnapping, second-degree murder. And yes, I survived. Thrived, even. Makes you wonder what I enjoy, doesn't it?"

"Right... thriving," you reply flatly. "Very... impressive."

She tilts her head, smirk widening. "Impressive? Maybe. Or maybe just... messy. Much like someone else in this room," she adds, glancing toward Sonar. Her presence presses in on you, warm and dangerous, and you feel a tightening in your chest you are not supposed to admit.

You grit your teeth, muttering internally, Subtlety, [Y/N], subtlety...

Sonar's pale eyes flick between you and her, and he lets out a soft, low hum, amused but measured. "You love to make things complicated, don't you?"

"Of course," Malevola purrs, leaning just slightly closer, a fraction of a breath away. Her eyes glint with mischief and something darker, curiosity sharpened by danger. "Complicated is where the fun begins."

You shake your head slightly, forcing yourself back to focus. "Okay," you say, exhaling slowly. "Let's... begin the home evaluation. Just a few standard questions. Living conditions, interpersonal dynamics, emotional regulation-"

He interrupts smoothly, voice low and teasing. "Emotional regulation? You mean like trying not to lose your temper when the other person leans in a little too close?"

Your stomach flips. He is close enough that the air between you is charged with energy. You clear your throat, forcing yourself to be casual. "I... uh. Hypothetically? ... not really..."

Malevola shifts on the counter, one elbow supporting her weight, fingers brushing the edge of it, absentmindedly. Her eyes glow with a mixture of mischief, menace, and something almost imperceptibly curious. "Sweetheart," she purrs, tilting her head toward you, "we have no boundaries." Her voice is velvet over steel. For a moment, the world narrows to her scent and the heat of proximity that makes the hairs on your arms rise.