“Extracurricular Activities”

Oh sorry Boy Kavalier, you know the guy who owns all of our lives, shoved me into a fucking wall.

Yeah that probably would end with your immediate termination, in every sense of the word.

And then there was Kirsh. You saw your own reflection smile at the thought of the Synth. Your heart ached, and yearned, and fluttered simultaneously, it felt like you were drowning under the weight of these feelings. Writing a note and leaving it in his locker didn't feel like a proper way to confess nor did he seem like the type to accept such feelings.

It felt silly being in love with a person designed with no heart, not to mention how above you he sat on the chain of command. But then you thought of the way he patched your cheek, the way he stroked your hair and held you close.

You gripped the shirt above your heart, you had to tell him. Whether he reciprocated or not, you wanted him to know that he was worthy of being loved. That someone out there saw him as more than a tool.

Next time you saw him, you would say something. If he rejected you, it would hurt, but you'd understand. This really wasnt about you in the first place, you thought, everyone deserves to know they are loved right?

The way it was going, you had about 2 days to build up your courage before you saw Kirsh. He was consistently inconsistent with the days he'd been requesting your presence in the lab. It was one day off, one day on, two days off, one day on. Maybe it was his way of being sneaky, who knew. You chuckled imagining him worried about something like that.

You rolled about your morning routine with the practiced ease of someone who'd been doing the same job for 15 years. Face washed, teeth brushed, hair combed, clothes on and before you knew it you were already walking the halls of Prodigy going to the janitorial office to begin the day.

After the incident you had to pick a new path to take to the office, just to be safe from any more problems, also it made you nervous to walk past the spot you almost got a concussion from, but hey, who's asking.

The man you had been hoping to see tomorrow was approaching you rapidly from the other end of the hallway. The look on his face was stern and his steps were direct.

“Come with me,” he grabbed your shoulder and proceeded to turn you down a different hall.

“Kirsh what-?” He opened a door and pushed you inside without a moment's hesitation.

“Boy Kavalier was only a few seconds behind me, he was recently denied access to a diplomatic meeting between The Four.” Hearing Kavalier's name sent a spike of fear down your spine.

“So he's pissed and heading this way?”

“Exactly, but I made sure to remove you from harm's way.”

Sure he did, and right into a tiny utility closet, there might've been half a foot's space between the two of you, it was making your head light.

“But why are you hiding in here with me?” In the limited light you could see Kirsh's lips quirked in a small smile.

“You're not the only one who needs to hide in here from his wrath.” That admission did you in, it made your hands ball into fists, and your heart rate skyrocket.

“Kirsh I love you.”

Silence.

It was fine, this was what you expected.

“You're not a tool, you're not disposable, and you certainly shouldn't be the object of anyone's ire just because you're not human.”

You looked up to his face. It was dark but you could make out his features well enough. The slight shine from his eyes as he stared down at you, the tips of his hair poking out all over the place. He was so still, probably more still than you've ever seen him before, it really made you remember that he's a synth and not flesh and blood.

The uncomfortableness of the situation started to dawn on you, you weren't really sure how long you were going to stay in this cramped space with the frozen droid. Maybe this wasn't your best idea. You started to bounce on your feet, anxious to escape the situation you so gracefully put yourself in.

“You asked me the other day if I had wants.” He spoke softly, his hand came to rest gently on your uninjured cheek, thumb stroking lightly at the skin. You could feel the warmth travel to your head and was sure he could too. “I've been thinking a lot about that question, no one's ever asked me something like that before. It took me by surprise.”

“Did you come up with any?” Your voice came out hoarse, the heat and small space making your head spin.

“I believe I did, I want to see the children learn, and help guide them to reach their full potential.” You smiled and placed a hand on his chest.

“That's wonderful to hear Kirsh.” And you truly meant it, your admission almost meaning nothing to you now, it was enough to hear that he's had his own personal growth.

“I'm not done,” his free hand reached up to hold the one on his chest. “I want to continue my research, to understand the world around me with more clarity than before… and I want,” he pressed his forehead to yours, your breath hitched. He was so close now, his scent filled the air around you. Something musky and woody, it was warm and inviting. “I want to spend more time with you, to watch you grow. I want… to help you see yourself the way I see you.” He barely breathed his last sentence, voice low and husky.

Your heart was pounding in your ears now. He was so sincere with his admissions, his newfound wants, it brought tears to your eyes.

“I'm going to kiss you now.”

Your eyes widened as soft lips met your own. His other hand came up and cradled the back of your head. As soon as the shock wore off you melted into his embrace. You slid your arms up from his chest till they could wrap around his neck bringing him closer to you.

A soft moan tumbled from you and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. A warm tongue slid into your mouth, you met him halfway.

The temperature in the closet started to climb as the kisses continued with fervor. He began to move, laying kisses on your cheek and your jaw and down your neck to your collarbone. Your fingers digging into the lapels of his uniform.

“Ah Kirsh,” you stumbled into a few brooms when he pressed your body into the wall.

He continued peppering kisses all along your throat, paying no heed to the clatter of bottles and sticks.

You needed more, you needed to feel more of him. Your fingers found their ways to the zip on the front of his jumpsuit, in one quick motion you slid it down to about waist level. You pushed your hands into the jacket and was delighted to find the turtle neck he always wore didn't have sleeves. Nails scraped along the artificial skin of his shoulders. Kirsh hissed at the contact.

His hands were now sliding along every inch of your body, feeling their way, finger by finger. He was methodical about the way he was touching you, like he was mapping out the curves and planes of your existence. Every little bit, committing to memory. You did the same, feeling the hard muscles, the small moles and divots of his skin, the pumping of the Synthetic heart that gave him life.

Kirsh stopped suddenly, his breathing heavy. He placed his hand to the side of his head, eyes never leaving yours for a second, a single finger placed against your swollen lips.

“Yes… yes, I'll be right there.” He sighed.

Tucking your hair behind your ears, he began to fix you up. Your clothes that were dispelled were righted and pulled down to look more presentable. You zipped his uniform back up, and you ran your hands through his hair making sure it's the right amount of mussed.

The whole affair was oddly domestic, almost like getting dressed with your lover before the work day.

“There,” you said, dusting the dust off his shoulders and straightening his collar. “Just as handsome as always.” You smiled at him, eyes shining in the darkness. He returned the expression with one of his own.

“I must leave before Kavalier begins searching the cameras for my whereabouts.”

“I understand, you can leave first. No one will wonder what a janitor is doing in a utility closet.”

He nodded once, curt, and then he was gone, only stopping briefly to take a quick glance back at you from the doorway.

You stayed in the closest for a few moments more, breathing deeply. You could only imagine how red your face was right now and you had to get your heart rate under control.

After everything that happened that morning, you couldn't believe how normal the rest of your day went. Cleaning, eating lunch with your coworkers. The whole while your mind was thinking about that closet and the soft hands that were touching you.

By the time you returned to your apartment you were exhausted. You unlocked your door, happy to be home, took a warm shower and curled up on your sofa, book in hand. You were dozing a little when a quick knock sounded.

Puzzled, you stood up and answered the door, wondering if maybe it was a coworker, come to beg you to take their shift.

It was Kirsh, you stood in the doorway in utter shock.

“You told me you loved me.”

You blinked a few times, still not sure what you were seeing.

“I did.” You said matter of factly.

He put his hand on his chin, and looked deep in thought.