Chapter Text
The mechanical door sizzled open, open chatters that sounded too much like reprimand hushed promptly. Ali entered without thought, head low and frown evident.
Viktor handed him a short lopsided grin, sheepish. His hoodie was soaked with multiple sets of gears on his body. Some were already half untangled, probably unfit for Viktor’s capabilities while others remained tight.
“ALI! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” General hissed loudly, making Viktor tensed but Ali remained how he was. “I'm sorry, General. I was visiting her.” he admitted, exhausted.
His superior deflated, “How is she?” General asked in peculiar softness. Viktor looked around in confusion, “Who?” he asked innocently. Ali stared back at him, his best friend, who happened to be recruited in between days Alicia still couldn't remember who he was, all too curious with how tense everything had gotten.
“Someone special.” Ali promised, looking away with glossy eyes “My whole entire heart.”
Alicia Kheng. His heart whispered—Ali wanted to say it, her beautiful name but he couldn't. Not with the looming consequences and the pain brought upon those who biten far more than they can chew. Viktor shouldn't know how the organisation masked with the idea of protection has failed multiple children and has taken bright futures in the name of the greater good.
No, Viktor mustn't know, and the General seemingly agreed, immediately changing the topic.
“Agent Viktor showed outstanding results for his pillar test.” General Rama started, voice firm to mask something deeper. The techno agent’s eyes lit up, turning towards Viktor again, softer and jovial. “Power!” He mouthed, Viktor scratched his head with another sheepish smile.
“But.”
Both young agents immediately turned, concerned.
“His results for both Neuro and Techno are spectacular and identical. I can't figure out where to sort him.”
“TECHNO!” Ali beamed instantly, “Then we’ll have matching pillars!” he continued, more to Viktor who has begun to beam as well. “Really?” He gleed, “Mr Minister—General Sir can I be in Techno?”
General Rama sighed, “Of course, but then you and Ali can't be classed in the same team.”
Both boys deflated, “So Neuro then?”
“It’s not that simple. As much as Agent Amir has taken a great liking to you and has requested your immediate sortment into Neuro, Techno is also desperate for more Agents after plenty were suspended or moved to HQ.”
Ali pouted, “Ever since those three bigots fired her.” he grumbled, barely audible much less coherent. General cleared his throat in warning, “So, I've decided to intern you in both pillars in a month’s time. See how you perform and use it to better decide your sortment.”
Viktor nodded, “So which pillar will I try first?” he asked tentatively. The higher up thought for a moment, “Techno.” he finalized. Ali barely contained his excitement, giggly and jumpy which was matched by his best friend. “Ali, take him back to the academy and help him warm up to your peers. ACT IMMEDIATELY!”
The hologram sizzled, and both boys were left alone. “Academy?” Viktor asked. “It's like a school for young agents like us! So we can train before starting missions!”
Viktor nodded again, “Two schools, no wonder you've gotten smarter.” he teased, nudging Ali’s shoulder. Ali grinned, “Of course!” he chirped without missing a beat. “This academy is brand new, they even have dorms!”
“Power! I’m so excited!”
As the pod moved through deep waters, Ali sighed deeply. “What’s up?” the boy in front of him quizzed, Ali shrugged. “Tired, I guess,” he replied. Viktor huffed, “Two schools.” he repeated, slower like it would be any more obvious. The techno agent didn't say anything.
“Ali.” he started again, timid like he was afraid of how Ali might react. “Yeah?” Ali replied mindlessly, toying with his yoyo. “Who’s the girl? Your girlfriend?”
There was a hint of tease in his tone, something so accustomedly Viktor. Yet it was tame, hesitant. Like the times Ali was too depressed to get out of bed and every word would either make or break him further.
“Somewhere between friendship and love.”
Viktor tilted his head, “Then why haven't I heard of her?” he prodded further, curiosity looming heavy. “Because I only realised how much she meant when I lost her. Permanently.” Ali couldn't meet his gaze, the understanding caring look Viktor definitely has on his face would only make him crumpled further.
“That’s fine too.” Viktor reasoned, back to his unusual sheepishness.
“Don't you want to know about my progress though?”
A sliver for forgiveness, to move passed boundaries he pushed a little too hard. Ali knew this was a common outcome in the days Viktor did strike his ego. “Of course, with all the gadgets on your body it must mean something.”
Viktor chuckled, pointing at his stomach which had metal wrapped around it, “This is a specially crafted magnetic field. General said it's supposed to paralyze enemies by pulling them in my distance but somehow they got too close and almost crushed me—” then he moved lower, to his thin ankles with was also strapped with metal, “and this is some sort of controller, im supposed to cocoon them and defeat them using this.”
“So like Rudy.” Ali commented absentmindedly, staring at the ankles with intense interest. “Ru—who?”
“You’ll meet him soon. Anyways i'm guessing that didn't go well either?”
Viktor huffed, “I really did try to control them but I fell..” he admitted, scratching his head awkwardly. “I've always been the better athlete anyways.” Ali boasted proudly, a big smug evident. Viktor smiled, happy that at least Ali wasn't so gloomy anymore.
“General told me to keep practicing and that my data will develop until i get a weapon that's truly fi—”
“WE SHOULD PRACTICE TOGETHER THEN!”
The chinese boy had his eyebrows raised at the tone, “Sure, Ali. Anything you need.” he replied, whisked to make sure Ali’s joy remained. Because even if his girlfriend wasn't there.. Viktor is.
Viktor thought it was total fate.
Ali, the usual annoyingly oblivious Ali, was depressed, his eyes sunken with gloom ever since Alicia's long hiatus and later departure. At first, Viktor wanted to tease him, because all these proved that Ali and Alicia had a thing like he speculated.
But his best friend's sad eyes and distance halted him. Ali didn't even allow him in his room anymore, and the sandwiches he and Dr. Ghazali had left at the door untouched.
"You can’t go on like this." Viktor voiced one day, leaning on Ali's door. "Don't ruin yourself because of a break up bro. "
"We weren't dating." Ali croaked finally, voice hoarse from the lack of water and despair. Viktor sighed, "Then what's up with you?" he prodded but Ali had already went back to ignoring him. "At least eat something dude. If you truly don't care about yourself anymore then do it for me."
Still no response, but by midnight when Viktor went to check again, the sandwich was half-eaten.
He considers it progress.
The pod halted abruptly, Viktor’s body slammed into his seat with a pained yelp. “Watch out.” Ali warned helpfully, his body secured with a makeshift cushion. “Thanks.” Viktor huffed, wincing as he got up.
“So, this is academy huh?”