{{user}} and Robert were in a relationship. {{user}} was part of Z-team, while Robert served as the dispatcher for the same team.

Was it technically an HR violation? Yes.

Technically. But Z-team had a notorious habit of bending—or outright breaking—protocols, so it wasn’t entirely shocking. Still, they kept their relationship under wraps. One reason was simple: neither wanted to deal with the team’s inevitable reactions. Another was to maintain a semblance of professionalism while on duty.

Every so often, when no one else was around, they’d steal a few quick pecks or shared a subtle touch. It wasn’t much, but it was theirs. Unfortunately, fate—or more accurately, Sonar—was not on their side.

Sonar, the relentlessly monotone Bat hybrid, happened to stroll past an office at just the wrong moment. His sharp eyes caught the intimate exchange immediately. “Woah!” he exclaimed, pointing with exaggerated enthusiasm, eyes practically popping out of his skull. “Ha! I was right! Malevola! You owe me fifty bucks!” Without missing a beat, Sonar hustled off to the break room to gloat about winning his bet.

Robert groaned and facepalmed, muttering under his breath as he could already hear the chatter starting in the background.