Chapter Text
Sirens blared throughout K Corp in a deafening cry, footsteps were heard sprinting down the hallways, and loud booms were heard coming from the top floor. You began the release sequence on the Excision Units and began giving them what little information you had. Another day, another attack, this time on the higher floors. The Units headed out at once but Unit 06 had stalled. That Jade eye shined mischievously as you noticed the other researchers now looked around confused at his inaction.
You cleared your throat to grab his attention, not that you really needed to because his eyes were already transfixed on you. “Unit 06, is something wrong?” You asked indifferently in an attempt to hide any affection for him. You had been in charge of the Excision Units for nigh a month now and the last thing you wanted was anyone to know about your closeness to Hong Lu in particular.
“Hmm? Oh it's nothing, dear Manager~. I was just wondering if you'd personally supervise this excision. I just would like to demonstrate how effective your efforts have been~” What. THE. HELL!? Was he planning this? Feeling all the eyes on you, you let out a sigh, quickly grabbed a clipboard, and walked alongside him as he happily led the way. He was going to get an earful when you two were alone.
Researchers hurried past as you walked towards the elevator. Hong Lu had left his helmet in the lab giving you a good view of his cheery face. “Unit 06, it seems my “morale program” may have worked too well. If I didn't know better, I'd say you're taking advantage of my kindness.” You teased while you attempted to maintain a professional attitude to anyone eavesdropping.
He pressed the elevator button and quickly looked around the now barren hallway. He wasted no opportunity before backing you into the corner and leaning in with a smile on his face. You attempted to maintain composure but the flush on your face betrayed you. “H-Hong Lu?” You stammered out, flushing away any confidence you had displayed prior. He shushed you with his finger over his mouth.
“Unit 06? I thought we were closer than that~! My dear Manager, you keep that up and you're liable to hurt my feelings~!” He emphasized the “manager” part in a smooth whisper and held his lips close enough to just barely graze your neck before he pulled away with that same cheeky grin as if nothing happened. You opened your mouth to stammer out something in your flustered state but the elevator had arrived and you both entered it heading toward where the latest skirmish was taking place.
During the short ride your eyes darted to him in an attempt to read him but that flippant smile was throwing you off. Once you arrived at the source of the attack you took cover as the Excision Units went to work. You would log notes as Hong Lu moved through the halls with the grace of a dancer cutting down any who were before him with ease. You stopped in your tracks when you saw unfamiliar uniforms assisting the other Excision Units.
Their uniforms were a dirty red and one of them a tall, exhausted, looking man approached and towered over you. “It would be prudent to seek shelter, you are a noncombatant.” He bluntly reminded you of what you already knew. You began to state your purpose but a certain problematic unit couldn't leave well enough alone. “Oh? Do you two know each other? Dear Manager! You never mentioned this friend~” Hong lu wrapped his arm around you and gave the exhausted man that same grin. “Hong Lu, please-” “We have never met, I was simply advising.” The man explained still using that monotone voice. Another voice joined the fray; this one was a vaguely familiar one. The two men noticed more drones were headed down the hall and set to work fending them off.
The voice you recognized was Shrenne, a researcher in the “Department of Food Resource Development”. “Sorry about him, he's a fixer from the Rosespanner Workshop, we just recently signed a contract to help with the attacks.” She stopped and her eyes darted between Hong Lu and you before she made another comment. “That's the unit that you started the “morale program” with isn't it?” Your heart sank and your ears caught fire with embarrassment. “Yes it's still a... work in progress.” You attempted to play it off with your best poker face. As he felled another robot he gave you a wave and a wink as if trying to impress you with a performance even having the audacity to bow after he destroyed another one. You looked at Shrenne and muttered “It may be making him more foolish than anything if I'm being honest”. Shrenne patted your back and tried to console you.
Hong Lu had bounded back towards you both still with that happy attitude. “I think I've excised everything, dear Manager~ Did you enjoy it~?” Ugh if he was going to be this brazen you had half a mind to excise him yourself. “Unit 06, we'll log your activity and performance back at the lab.” You said in the most deadpan tone you could muster trying to salvage any credibility in front of Shrenne before you walked him back to the elevator in silence. He was surprisingly quiet for once, did he actually think you were mad at him?
Once the elevator arrived you boarded with him and saw that it was empty due to the “all clear” not reaching most other staff yet. You took advantage of the privacy and quickly pushed him to the corner of the elevator and met your lips with his. It was refreshing to be able to show your feelings openly if even just for a minute. You pulled away just in time for the elevator to open and you looked at him while he was stunned at your forward behavior. Seems like he wasn't used to having the tables turned. You couldn't help but smirk at getting a little revenge.