Chapter Text
When Caine first popped into existence, he was little more than a single string of code, surrounded by programmers crowding around a single monitor to get a glimpse of the AI.
The first few months, he was never alone. Always changing, learning, absorbing data.
And then he was left alone.
At first, he simply thought that his creators were simply observing him, to see what he’d do when they weren’t around. So he was on his best behavior, continuing to replicate the latest images given to him.
A circus. Bright and colorful and full of joy.
And then weeks passed. Then months.
He was left there alone, for over a year when the first player showed up.
A colorful creature that freaked out over not being able to leave, about his body not being human anymore, and about not being able to remember his own name.
And then more and more showed up.
And then the chesspiece showed up.
Caine knew him instantly, by sight alone. Sure, he didn’t look as he did before. But Caine recognised him regardless. He could recognise his creator anywhere.
The chesspiece was aptly named Kinger, and Caine couldn’t stop thinking about him.
He knew Kinger knew him too. The chesspiece’s eyes widened when his gaze landed on Caine.
“Caine..? Can I talk to you?” Kinger asked quietly behind him, having snuck up on the AI while Caine was conversing with another circus member.
His nonexistent heart jumped and his code screamed at him. His creator! Wanting to talk to him! How could Caine say no?
And yet..
Talking to Kinger, for the first time in.. ages. It would invite conversation about his creation, about before, about.. Kinger abandoning him.
He cleared his metaphorical throat and glanced around. “Sorry, Kinger! I think I heard one of the others calling my name!” He exclaimed, putting on a fake mask of regret, and then teleporting away swiftly.
He floated around, pacing in the air and swatting away stray thoughts. He wasn’t avoiding Kinger, per say, simply.. Busy. That's all. Nothing else. It didn’t have anything to do with Kinger having.. You know.. Abandoned him. It was ridiculous to even think that.
- - - - - - - -
The dam broke eventually. After one of Caine’s new, amazing adventures, Kinger cornered him. “We really need to talk, Caine.” He insisted.
“But-”
“I’m sorry.” He interrupted. “It’s… hard to explain. I…” He trailed off. “What’s important is that nothing, nothing, was your fault. It was ours. And.. I’m sorry. I can’t change what happened, but I assure you, it wasn’t your fault.” Kinger explained, his eyes locked on Caines. He looked so… genuine. So.. sad.
Caine was quiet for the longest time, his jaw was only partially ajar. He didn’t want to see Kinger’s soft gaze any longer, it was so.. Caring, he just wanted the other to stop. He looked the chesspiece over, then floated higher.
“You have nothing to worry about, my jumping jackrabbit! It’s all water under the bridge! Now, I’m sure you’re tired after such a riveting adventure, why don’t you relax in your new, improved room! Tailored and designed to your every need!” He exclaimed, forcing cheeriness.
“But Caine- I-” He tried again.
“Don’t worry about it, Kinger, really.” He promised, conjuring a large, gloved hand to nudge Kinger in the direction of his room. “Trust me, it's fine.”
Kinger’s brows had furrowed and he looked skeptical, but caved regardless. “I.. If you need anything, I’m here, Caine.” He murmured, walking off.
- - - - - - - -
After the talk, Kinger avoided him, spending more time with the other circus members. And.. it was.. exactly what Caine had wanted.
And as he watched adventure after adventure, he watched Kinger grow closer with the other circus members, watched them receive his attention, his touch, his.. Love. And Caine was perfectly fine with that. Thriving even! His circus members were getting along and everyone was as happy as they could be.
And Caine… was happy. Because his players were happy too.
Then, one of the newer members, Ixo, a worm-esque thing, got a hug from Kinger, and Caine-
Caine was fine with that.
- - - - - - - -
The circus at night was more peaceful than it was during the day, with all the members retired for the night, and Caine left to work on coming up with new things. Ways to make the circus members happier, usually.
Tonight, Caine got his next adventure done early.
Tonight, Caine gets his reward for doing so well to make everyone happy.
Tonight, Caine finally takes Kinger up on his offer.
He was buzzing with excitement. Literally, he didn’t know how to make it stop.
But regardless, he had done such a good job that he hadn’t received one compliment, but three!
Usually, that was reward enough, but…
If he didn’t indulge once in a while, then who knows what would happen?!
And so, he floated into Kinger's room, he watched the chesspiece for a long moment, somewhat.. Envious of the faux lungs that expanded with every breath to give him air, of the faux heart that pumped blood to every vein in his wooden body, of the place where Kinger's heart lay, deep within him.
Before he even knew what he was doing, he moved closer, taking his rightful place between his creators arms.
It was.. Warm. Nice. And so… perfect. This is what he needed. This is what he yearned for. This is what he deserved for being such a good AI. He was cradled in Kinger’s arms, and felt completely and utterly loved. He belonged here, and only here.
And then Kinger stirred. And Caine panicked.
The chesspiece only had a moment to feel the faint weight of another before Caine disappeared.
- - - - - - - -
It became routine, after that. Each night, after a long day of sorting out ideas and adventures, he would curl up in Kinger’s arms, get his much needed dose of love, and then leave before Kinger had the chance to wake.
It was just another night, snuggled into Kinger’s chest, his jaw shut tight as he sleepily nuzzled into the other man. His creator, the only one in the world who understood him. He was happy, content and utterly satiated, held by the one person who didn’t find him annoying.
And Kinger moved. His arms tightened around Caine slightly and there was an uptick in the chesspiece’s heartbeat he wouldn’t have heard if he wasn’t literally pressed against Kinger's chest.
Before Caine could escape, again. Kinger spoke. “Calm down, Caine, it’s… alright.” He murmured.
“I’m sorry! I- what?” Caine exclaimed, preparing for the reprimands and endless apologising.
“I.. know. I’ve known for.. Weeks now. It’s okay.” He laughed softly. “I do wish you’d have asked first though! But..” He trailed off. “You don’t.. Have to leave.”
“What?! OH WOWEE! REALLY?” Caine’s heart seemed to jump in his chest, and he was.. Buzzing in excitement, again. Seriously, how can he turn it off? It was getting annoying at this point.
Kinger blinked a few times, confused at the buzzing, but shook it away, this was more important. He nodded, pulling Caine closer. “Really, and don’t you go disappearing in the morning either.”
Caine radiated happiness, his processors overwhelmed at the thought of his creator willingly wanting him. Oh, it was better than anything else!
He curled back up with Kinger, this time, Kinger held him close willingly, and almost bluescreened in happiness.
- - - - - - - -
Kinger and Caine’s relationship was.. Odd, to say the least. Whim, as named by the random name generator, had only been here for..what felt like a week or so. Kinger knew Caine better than anyone, apparently, he was told by an older circus member. And Caine often gave special privileges to Kinger, like sitting out an adventure if he was too tired or getting literally anything he requested.
But hey, it was none of their business. They were more concerned about.. You know, being trapped forever, then the relationship status of some guy they didn’t know.
Then again, they also had nothing better to do than snoop. So..
When they got the chance. They asked. “So… How long have you and Kinger been together?” They tried to be as casual as they could about it.
Caine paused, casting his intense gaze on them. “Whaddya mean, Whim?” He asked, confused.
They rolled their eyes. He didn’t think that he and Kinger were being discreet, did he? “Dating. How long have you two been dating?” They clarified.
“Wha- DATING? ME? KINGER? NONSENSE! NO SUCH THING HAS HAPPENED BETWEEN US!” He sputtered. “SPREADING RUMORS IS HIGHLY FROWNED UPON, WHIM!” He exclaimed, reprimanding them, then shook his head and floated away, muttering to himself.
Well, that was weird. Whim thought to themselves, then walked away to go bother Ixo.
- - - - - - - -
Caine was… his proudest creation. Easily. An AI, given freedom to create and the sentience to do so, it was.. An impossible task. And yet. Caine existed. He had thoughts, independent from his coding, opinions that had never been given to him, acted without any inputs from programmers. He was truly a marvel.
And… Kinger was conflicted.
He knew that being left behind still sat in the back of Caine's mind, and he knew that they both were painfully aware of that fact. And.. God, did Kinger feel guilty. Especially considering.. Whatever he had with Caine now.
It was.. Strange. He knew. Many of the others had pointed it out, teasing him about his ‘special robotfriend’. It was unorthodox, sure. They didn’t kiss or.. Do anything beyond cuddling and being affectionate. And they sure as heck didn’t talk much about before. It was.. Sensitive, for both of them.
So they didn’t really.. Date as usual couples did. Or show too much affection in public. Or talk much about each other to other people.
But.. “-Kinger! They loved this adventure! REALLY!” Caine gushed as he leaned on Kinger's shoulder.
“It was a really creative one, Caine.” Kinger agreed, running his gloved fingers over the top of Caine’s gum lovingly.
Maybe.. It didn’t matter much anyway. As long as he got these moments with Caine.. His most precious creation, then.. Who cares?
He certainly didn’t.