Chapter Text
Being a CEO at Prodigy Corporation required skills; knowledge, courage, the capacity to gauge things, lead and take control which Boy Kavalier all possessed but another skill needed is strength, not physical strength. But the intelligence kind, like playing chess. However, the catch is, there's no room for failing. One does not simply show a sign of weakness to anyone, not even to his subordinates. As cliché as it sounds, Trust no one was one of the quotes Kavalier firmly believes in, knowing all too well, that even if his subordinates were proven to be 'loyal' he would not take a risk—placing his faith on anyone after all, everyone can be gullible when it comes to money.
Kavalier is typically spirited and full of enthusiasm, even when he's bored he tries to immerse himself by reading books, monitoring the synths, observing the T Ocellus and so much more. But an unexpected event which he himself failed to foresee happened: he got sick. Kavalier's immune system weakened, his energy was depleting; walking around became a difficult task for him but he had to keep on going and put on a façade because exhibiting any signs of brittleness could potentially put his life in jeopardy.
Needless to say, Kavalier's naturally lenient and careful but wary of the people around him. But given the situation he's in, the probability of him being taken advantage of is highly likely, or maybe that was his paranoia talking.
For the first two days, Kavalier was able to conceal his frailty. Thankfully, there wasn't much to do. Most of his meetings were conducted online which was something he's grateful for. To set up a meetup with the boy genius would cost a lot which is considered a luxury. Only someone from Weyland-Yutani has the money and power to set up an in-person meeting with him.
It felt like luck was not on his side when all of a sudden Yutani, herself scheduled to meet up with the Boy Kavalier, soon to discuss the collateral damages on New Siam which would require his presence. She was determined to retrieve the specimens, of course why wouldn't she? Which is why it was crucial more than ever for him to be present to prevent her from concocting her plans.
Kavalier had a lot to prepare; take vitamins and get some sleep in order to get better.
His body wasn't completely frail nor was it perfectly okay but backing out was not an option.
When the meeting started, Kavalier knew he had to put on a show—proving to them that he was in control, that he was perfectly fine by distracting everyone with his playful and erratic acts. His performance didn't turn to waste seeing how everyone didn't suspect anything; putting his feet on the table as well as crawling on it as if he were a snake, ready to devour its prey.
On their way home, Kavalier had to show how quirky he was by screaming his woos! making a fool out of himself, realizing now that Kirsh can easily scan his vitals.
After a long and tiring day, it was enough to send Kavalier to his bed, which was out of the ordinary. He was so exhausted, it must've been draining to keep on pretending that he was alright when he was on the brink of falling into the abyss, his mask crumbling apart. But he couldn't let anyone in, it was a risk he was not willing to take.
It was almost night time when he woke up. The sun was setting, transitioning from a saturated orange to a midnight sky. God, was he asleep the whole day? Panic started filling his eyes, his body covered in sweat, alone in his room. Realizing that he was alive and breathing relieved him from feeling uneasy. He must be going insane and the only thing he can blame is his weak and fragile body. His mind was racing with so many thoughts when he was disturbed by a series of knocks.
"Yeah?"
"It's Kirsh."
"Alright, come in."
The synth stepped inside his room holding a glass of water and what seemed to look like medicine.
"What's that?"
"Medicine."
"I can see that, but why is that here?" Kavalier had a confused look on his face as if feigning innocence would work on the synthetic.
Kirsh gave him a once-over, scanning the young man's body.
"Would you like me to tell you my findings?"
Kavalier bit his lower lip in annoyance.
"Oh, you think you're smarter than me now? Fine. I am sick, happy now?" He rolled his eyes like the manchild that he is.
"Take your medicine."
"Last time I checked you weren't my Dad." Kavalier could not believe the words coming out of his mouth at this moment. Concealing how irritable he was was next to impossible. Now, he felt stupid for running his mouth like that, masking his condition when the synth knew right from the beginning.
"Never claimed to be.”
"I'll be taking my leave now." Kirsh chose not to argue with Kavalier anymore, especially because he was sick. It was not good for his health to be exerting energy over something so trivial.
The young man wanted to protest but he didn't have the energy and so he remained quiet, obeyed the synth and went back to sleep.
It was pitch dark in his room when he woke up, perhaps it was already close to midnight. He was feeling hot, as if his fever was trapped inside his body like it was a prisoner, yet in reality, he was the prisoner being held captive by his own sickness.
He attempted to get up and turn on his night light only to be startled by a man near the bedside.
"Kirsh?!" Panic surged throughout his whole body upon seeing the synthetic observing him in his sleep.
"Apologies for the intrusion. I was only monitoring your vitals."
The thought of him getting murdered in his sleep was the only thing he could think of yet he couldn't scream or do anything that could potentially expose him. He has to keep his calm.
"It's fine. You could've at least turned the lights on."
"I'm afraid that would cause disturbance in your sleep."
"I'm fine now. You can take your leave." His body quivered, fear was taking over his system which was something he didn't want to talk about.
"I detect fear. Is something the matter, Boss?" Kirsh tilted his head, unable to determine where the fear was stemming from.
His mind was trying to make a calculative decision: Did he want to trust a synthetic to protect him? Or pass the opportunity and let his paranoia gnaw at him for someone might murder him in his sleep?
He chose not to trust anyone.
"Lock the door when you leave."
Kirsh was not about to defy his boss. As his subordinate, he had orders to carry, that being the case, he disappeared from his sight and locked the door as the young man wished.
Kavalier took a knife from his bedside and placed it near his pillow just in case someone attacked him in his sleep.
Morning came and Kavalier was still sick. His body remained heavy as if gravity was pulling him down. A medicine and a glass of water as well as an apple were neatly placed on his bedside.
He pulled out his tablet to monitor his people and it seemed like everyone was preoccupied–Wendy was playing with the other kids who looked like they were having a great time, without him. Dame and Arthur were working together in the lab yet they were happy in each other's company while Kirsh was busy at another lab, monitoring the specimens.
Kavalier couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness when he saw everyone proceeding like normal without even thinking about him, whether he was fine or not. But wasn't this what he wanted? He wanted to conceal his fragile parts as if they never existed so that nobody could find out that just like any human being, he bleeds too.
He was too occupied with his own thoughts when a knock interrupted him from his delirium.
"You haven't touched your food yet.
"Fuck- you startled me." Kavalier dropped the tablet on his lap upon hearing the voice of his subordinate.
"Apologies, you didn't answer when I knocked so I let myself in."
"Were you the one who brought the medicine and apple?"
"Yes."
Kavalier motioned to the bedside to grab the apple and took a bite of it.
Soon enough he finished eating before taking his medicine.
"According to the reports, the specimens are in good standing. And Wendy seems to be making great progress communicating with the Xenomorph."
But Kavalier looked like he wasn't listening.
"Well, that's all for now. I shall take my leave."
Overthinking was something he normally didn't do but when someone's sick, they can have the most unimaginable thoughts and for Kavalier, it was the realization of no one being capable of surpassing him or smart enough to go on par with him, an equal. No one has the capacity to blow his mind, only someone smarter than him would, which unfortunately doesn't exist.
But was it too much to ask for someone to check on him? Even his favourite kid, Wendy couldn't give a damn about the boy genius ever since she got reunited with her brother.
Oh, to be taken care of? He secretly yearned for that feeling no matter how many times he denied it.
Kavalier found himself padding outside of his room, searching for something he himself doesn't have an answer to. His feet were making contact on the cold ground which sent shivers on his body yet he kept walking until he reached the lab. Feeling a little wobbly, his lids started to feel heavy, his surroundings felt like they were spinning and it felt like time stopped. And that everything went black.
Everything felt like a blur. All he could recall was strong arms carrying him. His surroundings were moving. When he awoke, the first thing he saw was Kirsh but at an unusual angle. The proximity was too close, close enough to see his face as well as the lashes on his eyes which he didn't know were there. It was a strange feeling, something Kavalier hasn't experienced yet. His cheeks were surprisingly warm; was it shame creeping in? or was it his illness progressing? Kavalier turned away, facing the synth's chest in hopes the synth wouldn't notice and feigned sleep.
The ride was short, a few more steps and now they're back to his room. Kirsh carefully placed him to his bed and pulled the blanket to cover him, caressing his hair, his hand motioning to his forehead.
What is he doing?
Kavalier was finding it more peculiar. His emotions were spiraling. Was this because he was currently sick which was why he's vulnerable and susceptible to having emotional outbursts? Tears escaped uncontrollably from his eyes, sniffing like a child, as he clutched onto the blanket.
"Don't go-" he said in a teeny tiny voice which almost came out like a whisper.
Kirsh stopped dead in his tracks.
His sniffles were the only sounds breaking the silence in the room, no matter how hard he tried drowning it by covering himself with the blanket.
Soft steps which were almost inaudible were approaching him. His heartbeats hammered with each passing second.
"It's okay, I'll stay for as long as you like." His voice was softer than usual, hinting with a tinge of emotion.
The deliverance of his words radiated warmth, like the very blanket that was enveloping his body; tugging his heartstrings, eventually rendering him into a crying mess. This wasn't like him, this wasn't the boy genius who's known for his proud and playful bravado, this was the boy yearning for affection and validation; things he encountered for the first time.
Kavalier wanted the tears to stop, but his feelings were betraying him, showing more and more of his vulnerable side like an onion being peeled layer by layer until there was nothing left of it. He covered his mouth in order to stifle any sounds coming, afraid Kirsh will witness him at his weakest: raw and exposed with no armor to hide his frailty.
Kirsh tried to shush him in order to calm him down.
"Shh, it's okay. Let it out." Kirsh carefully pulled out the blanket covering the boy’s face.
What came next was unexpected, Kavalier drew closer, wrapping his arms around the synth's waist, resting his head on his lap.
"Y-you won't tell a soul, right?" His voice cracked, raw and emotional.
Kirsh shifted his hand onto the boy's head, gently stroking his hair.
"You're overthinking, you're overwhelmed because you're sick. Give it time." His fingers continued stroking the curly hair strands, in hopes the boy would calm down.
"Why didn't you tell me to stop crying?"
"Because you're human and humans are allowed to cry, allowed to be vulnerable."
So strange, this was definitely not something Kavalier can get used to. Reliance? It was a dangerous move to make. Yet here he was, clutching on the synth like his life depended on it.
Eventually his tears came to a halt, he was no longer whimpering. His vitals were stable.
"That's a good boy." He whispered in a low voice.
Something shifted in the boy's vitals, his heart rate raised a little too fast than usual.
"Is everything okay?"
"Y-yeah."
Kirsh's hand kept on stroking his hair until the young boy relaxed and stopped only when he felt like Kavalier fell asleep.
"Nnnn, keep going." his voice faded into a soft and small voice before falling into a deep slumber.