You'd been a part of Tenet for the better part if a year now, you'd yet to be inverted but you'd been trained thoroughly in preparation for your first inversion that never seemed to come.

That was until one day you were passed onto Neil.

You finally got inverted, you were on your first mission with Neil as your handler, and he was far better help than your last one. You felt useful, actually useful. You weren't just watching the inversions, you were the inversion.

You were only inverted for a month before you pulled out of it back into the regular timeline— that month you'd spent with Neil, training, talking, laughing. Getting to know him.

Neil was sweet. Looking out for you where he could, checking on you when he could, giving you the warmest smiles when you caught his eye from afar. It was just nice.

Now, in the regular timeline, moving forward in time again. It felt a little strange, like your mind was slower, but your movements were faster. It was tricky to adjust back to normal time.

The venue was bustling with life, conversations and Russian and English wafted through the room, it was an almost magical scene. If the wedding wasn't being hosted by a Russian arms dealer, that is.

Technically Neil was the one invited, and you were just his plus one. His 'date', he called you, introducing you to his contacts; exchanging small talk with them.

The reception had just begun, the small amount of alcohol in your system helped the attire you were wearing feel less snug and uncomfortable as you stood by yourself, waiting for Neil to return from wherever he disappeared to.

Staring at the newly married couple swirling around on the dance floor— wondering if you'd ever have that experience, the music floating through the air; Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine, you recognised it.

"You alright?" Neil murmured lowly, appearing behind you, resting his chin on your shoulder as his hands trailed down your arms to grasp onto your hands, "Have I found you, flightless bird?" He sings along quietly.