Work Text:
After becoming a guardian Kyrie’s life changed. He’d had plenty of friends before, but the medicine being too painful for him had left him alone. Not many people enjoyed the company of guardians, let alone the tallest Colossus class in years. It was something he’d reluctantly accepted. His parents, other guardians, a lot of people weren’t happy to be around someone like him.
His confidence got worse as the new technicians in his department kept leaving. The government told him this job would make people realize he wasn’t a threat. Instead it made humans see him as more dangerous, especially the ones that worked in the office. From the phone calls Byssal took; each human got scared of Kyrie for carrying in another guardian. He wasn’t going to let it happen with the next one.
That brought him to this morning. He’d tried to get to work early, the new technicians usually did better seeing him before meeting him. If he walked in during their tour the human showing them everything would ensure they met. The technician who met him like that was the quickest to leave.
It was a pain to stay still. He’d rather be outside. The early mornings were the times people would actually stand near him. A natural heat source. He knew it didn’t get rid of the fear the others felt, but he could pretend. He found himself lingering near bus stops and coffee shops while the air was cold. It was nice to think he fit in still.
He sighed just as the normal sized elevator dinged. Easiest way to get a human to the top of a desk. He turned to try and see the new person. At least he could hope they wouldn’t immediately hate him.
“It looks like Kyrie is here already,” the official announced. He never knew if they remembered he could hear or not. It wasn’t the same one each time. “You two will run into each other soon enough.”
The tension in his body died out immediately. A few times the official brought the new technician to meet him even if he arrived early. He froze up each time. There wasn’t a clear way to know how to react. If he should hold out a finger for a handshake, wave, or not move at all. If speaking would be too much for them. He wished he could take the medication to be the size of a normal human. They’d see past his size if he could…
“Your set-up is just over here in the back. Away from any guardians the others bring in. The other one assigned here is named Byssal, he should be in sometime this afternoon. Doing rounds out in the city most likely.”
The technician hadn’t spoken yet. The other ones all rambled with nerves. He couldn’t imagine how terrified this one was. Unable to even speak. He jumped when a small bell jingled.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m getting called back early. Will you be ok on your own?”
“I should be,” the new technician’s voice was… sweet. It was the first time he could remember wanting to see the owner of a voice so badly. “I’m just running diagnostics today anyway.”
“Great, feel free to call if you need anything. I’ll check in with you at the end of the week. By the way…” They spoke too quietly for him to hear. He could only assume it was that it was some promise the new technician could be transferred if there were any issues. Another jingle. “Ok, so long!”
Kyrie held his breath once the elevator dinged signally the guide was gone. There was no telling how this technician would act. A few talked about how they hated the assignment, others came to look at him, at least one left because Kyrie stood. All he got was silence. It was just him and the new technician. As much as he knew it was a bad idea, he wanted to go see her. Her voice was different… calm and sweet. All the others were nervous, a squeak at least as they spoke. This woman was so kind. He turned back to the papers on his desk, reading those would help distract him a bit at least…
The silence was excruciating. He thought the new person would say something. Play music, make noise while setting up. It was just eerily quiet. It was almost enough for him to think he imagined her arriving this morning. He started to flex his fingers, worried tapping on the desk would make the new person scared, but he was nervous. After a few more minutes he knew he had to move. He climbed to his feet, the plan to get some water from their kitchen. He’d taken one step when a strange music played from the technician’s area.
“Hey Cap,” he could hear her voice better now. Maybe from the sudden silence of the music. He wanted to see her. “Yeah, one of them is here.”
Kyrie couldn’t help himself, inching forward to where he could see the technician. He tried to keep his feet on the ground so she wouldn’t notice. Too much was in the way for him to get a glimpse.
“No, I haven't met them yet.” Pause. Shuffle. Wait. “It’s the bigger one that’s here right now.”
He took a step. She didn’t seem to react. Another and another. Finally he could see the small spot their new technician would be most days. She was behind something. It was all the more tempting to walk up and talk to her. He was tired of scared humans though.
Then she laughed. It was loud and contagious. A smile wound up on his face. It was hard not to chuckle a bit or let his curiosity follow to learn why. His body froze when he tried to take a step. Something in her voice made him afraid to scare her.
“Cap I don’t know why you think they’d hurt me. Guardians are still human,” her laughter died out. Kyrie stood up straighter, fully turned towards the technician’s area. She called him human… “Please, I know what I’m doing. They picked me for a reason. Just stop panicking.”
Others were worried. His hands curled into fists. That made sense. She was the only human working here. She’d be alone with him and Byssal and any guardian they had to control. It would never be simple for her here. His curiosity and interest were already wrong, it would be better to just walk off and avoid her. Avoid the voice that sounded like a song to him. The laugh that stunned him.
“I’ll talk to them later. Maybe when the other one shows up. I’m not scared, but-” She walked out to a spot where he could see her. She met his eyes immediately. She was beautiful. “Holy shit his eyes are so fucking blue.”
A hundred things ran through his head. Were his eyes being blue a good thing? How could he talk to her? Would she be afraid? Would she only talk if he were human sized? If she’d let him hold her? Sound reached him again, he tilted his head a bit. He was too focused on her. He wanted to know everything about her. He needed to know her name.
“You can hear me?” she said. Kyrie blindly nodded. Immediately she disappeared behind her equipment. He had no idea of how to react to it; if he should follow to talk or leave her alone. Nodding had been a mistake. It would have been better to act like he didn’t. She’d find out eventually though. It wasn’t hard to notice when someone like him could hear and see her so easily.
Seconds later she appeared again. Her head was down, he wanted to run. She would leave, be afraid. He’d never get to talk to her. To learn how he could make her laugh. She was the first person to make him feel like this since he became a guardian. The fear of losing this chance was liable to kill him.
The technician walked closer. Each step made him wonder if he should leave. Maybe he was too much. Maybe she thought he was mad and wanted to hurt her. She stopped just close enough she could look up at his face still. That had to be a good sign. At least he hoped it was.
She turned her head up to him. Brown eyes wide and… worried. Worried not scared. Her skin was pale, but her cheeks a rosy red. Her hair was as brown as her eyes, it looked long. Long and soft. “Y-you must be Kyrie, can we just forget about that phone call you heard. Maybe?”
Kyrie stared at her. She wore a red shirt that made her look all the more stunning. He wondered what she wore when she wasn’t working. She asked him something, even said his name. Kyrie couldn’t bring himself to talk. His voice might be too loud. The words wrong. His face stern. He could ruin this.
“I-is that a no?” She put a hand behind her head. Hugged herself with her other arm. “Look, I know I’m not supposed to be on calls. My brother gets worried. Please, can we just forget it happened?”
“Wh-at call?” his voice cracked as he spoke. She was too stunning. He still hadn’t heard her name. “I uh… Hi?”
Kyrie felt like an idiot. He’d never been lost for words like this. Yet now… now he was lucky to remember his own name. She stared at him. Silence. Then she sighed. A smile sent his way. A smile for him. Then she laughed. It calmed him immediately.
“Thanks. I guess introductions then, right?” She held her arm out. “I’m Melody, we’ll be working together for a while at least. Nice to meet you. I wasn’t wrong was I? You are Kyrie… right?”
Kyrie stared at her tiny arm. She held it out, but he knew he’d scare her. Once she realized just how big he was next to her. Despite that, despite his own heart pounding, he moved his arm. It was the first time he was glad he could only use a finger or two. If she had to grab his hand she’d notice the sweat on his palm.
Melody didn’t move… He brought his fingers closer. Eventually his finger was right next to her hand. She hadn’t moved, hadn’t even shuddered. With more care than he thought he was capable of, he grabbed her hand with his index finger and thumb. He bit his tongue as he focused on barely twitching his fingers up and down. As soon as he’d done that he froze again. Reluctant to let this end. He had to say something. Anything…
“I’m Kyrie,” he whispered. As soon as he spoke he felt like crawling in a hole. She knew who he was. She said it twice . Now he just repeated it to her.
“Glad to know I was right,” she laughed. It was awkward, but adorable. He felt lost, he didn’t want to let her walk away yet. “Can I uh, have my arm back?”
Kyrie let go immediately. Melody stumbled away. Words stuck in his throat as he watched her. It made no sense why it was hard to talk to her. Nerves were one thing, but he managed to talk to the other technicians. He managed handshakes with government officials without holding for so long. This time… he just wanted to make sure she wasn’t scared.
“I-I’ll go finish setting up then…” Melody gave an awkward wave and walked off. Kyrie watched as she did. He almost hoped she would look back, that he could try to smile. Instead she ducked behind the equipment. The equipment for him… that proved how small she was.
Kyrie forced himself to turn away. He continued his walk to the kitchen to get water. He walked slower than normal around as he did so, up until he sat back at his desk. The entire time he waited to hear her voice pipe up loud enough for him. Hours passed before he heard anything and it was just Byssal coming in for them to switch off.
Byssal walked in quickly, sparing no nerves that there might be a normal human in the building. He ruffled Kyrie’s hair as he walked by. Before there was even a chance to bring up Melody, Byss went to drop off his equipment. Kyrie turned in worry, but she’d already come out from where she could potentially be trapped. She looked more confident facing Byssal than when she faced him.
Byssal crouched down to have her at eye level. Kyrie nearly slapped himself, of course he should have done that. There was a heavy silence while the two stared at each other. He was ready to intervene.
“Who are you?” Byssal asked. Kyrie could hear the slight annoyance. His patrol of the city had probably been bothersome. Melody could be scared, it would be even worse if she left because Byssal scared her. Kyrie started to stand.
“I’m Melody, your new technician. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” her voice was different, more professional. More confident. Kyrie relaxed back into his chair. He was just going to make a fool of himself. “I assume you’re Byssal then?”
“Stay where we can see you.”
“I’ll stay where the tools I need are set up. If you have to see me you can come to me.”
Silence. Kyrie couldn’t keep his eyes from going wide. None of the others ever talked back like that. They just agreed. Byssal stood up to his full height. It blocked Melody from Kyrie’s view. He watched as the shorter guardian brought his hand up and towards her.
“I think you’ll be the first to last here,” Byssal must have been smiling. He heard Melody shout ‘ Hey!’ just as Byss turned around. For the small time he could see her she was smoothing down her hair. Byssal must have ruffled her hair like he did Kyrie’s. So she was accepted…
The rest of the day passed in a near blur. Kyrie left for his own patrol. He left early actually. Byssal and Melody were talking. Simple things, about the equipment and how she’s settling in. Byss was friendlier to her than any of the others, Pel would be happy to know that. Probably because she wasn’t scared. He didn’t need to walk on eggshells… Kyrie did. Kyrie had to and he couldn’t stop himself from feeling jealous that he couldn’t talk to Melody the same way Byssal did.
By the time he got back he knew she would be gone. Walking in he was shocked to see Melody standing on a piece of his equipment. One of the tasers that could force a guardian back down to human size. It was open, but the panel she must have removed wasn’t set up where she could put it back in place. She turned around just as he resolved himself to try talking to her.
“Oh good you’re back,” she smiled. She smiled at him . He couldn’t believe it. His entire body filled with warmth as he smiled. “Just after Byssal left the panel fell off the holder. I don’t like leaving something so important exposed overnight. Could you place it back for me?”
Kyrie’s voice was stuck. All he could do was nod. Cautiously he walked over, worried one step could be too heavy and send her falling into the open wires below. How safe was it for someone so small to work on these things? Couldn’t they have a guardian do this so no one would risk getting hurt? He pushed the thoughts away as soon as he towered over her.
Slowly he raised his hand up and reached over her. She looked so small next to him. She’d freeze outside. The air was chilly to him, how could she be comfortable? He wanted to hold her close. Keep her safe and warm through the autumn and winter. He wrapped his fingers around the panel pulling it up to hover over her.
“Great, the smaller end goes right in front of me,” she said. It was funny, others always shouted when talking to him. Melody didn’t. He moved the smaller edge of the panel closer to her. Her small hands grabbed it and pulled down. Seamlessly he put the panel back in place with her guidance. A loud click sounded as he let go and she walked forward on it. Locked in place. “Perfect! Thank you, I wasn’t sure how to deal with this if you went straight home.”
Melody laughed. She laughed talking to him and his heart pounded. Somehow… somehow he’d get a chance with her. To talk to her like normal. He just didn’t know how yet. Kyrie tried to make his voice work, but as had become standard his nerves stopped him. It took far too long for him to finally manage, “No problem.”
“Heh… uh great then I guess I’ll see you in a few days. Still need to get settled after moving and all.”
She laughed again. Awkward and uncomfortable. Kyrie made her feel that way. The warm feeling her smile gave him died quickly. Of course he was making her uncomfortable. He pulled his hands back and left her without a word. A short pause at his desk before he left for the day. By the time he walked by where she’d been she was gone…
Kyrie walked out into the cool, crisp air with a sigh. He would never be able to make himself seem safe to her. It wasn’t even that she was openly afraid. He was scared. Terrified of ruining this. The first person he’d had any interest in since he became a guardian and he’d definitely ruined it by now. He couldn’t even have a normal conversation with her…
That was the first thing he’d fix. The next time they met he’d talk to her. About something, anything. Even if it was just the weather. He’d manage to have a conversation. With that settled in his mind he made his way home. He had the first patrol in the morning.
The next morning Kyrie woke up early. He arrived at a cold and dark office. Somehow he sort of hoped she’d be there even if she was off the next few days. He’d have the chance to try talking to her. To apologize for being stiff and making her uncomfortable. Instead he grabbed his equipment and left. The patrol would give him time to think.
Morning patrols were one of the few things he enjoyed. It was nice to watch as the city slowly woke up. Guardians and humans leaving their homes to start their day. Outdoor seating was always popular, and he got to see all the people just enjoying the morning. Tables had special additions to keep voices blocked from guardians walking by, something inner tables didn’t share. Along with heaters for colder weather and protection from rain or snow they were popular. A treat for humans…
Kyrie let out a heavy sigh as he turned a corner. Melody had said he was still human. He never felt like that. Nothing he’d known matched him anymore, no one he knew looked at him the same. Sometimes he wondered why the government even picked him to be a peacekeeper. They should have sent him off on some dangerous mission. One that might keep him gone for good…
Amidst his darker thoughts he heard something he didn’t expect. Melody’s laugh. He couldn’t help himself from looking for it, finding a coffee shop nearby. There she was walking towards a table. He couldn’t tell if she was alone or not, but she was there. This could be his chance.
A quick check of his phone showed he had time. He’d get a drink and try to figure out a way to talk to her. If he took long enough to pick something he might catch her leaving. As casually as he could he walked towards the shop and stood back just enough other guardians could go up and order. Now he had to decide. Now his plan started to fall apart. He didn’t like coffee.
Kyrie tried to read the menu, but it just left him confused. A lot of names for things he barely understood. Lattes, cappuccinos, espressos. All caffeine, all things he never quite enjoyed. At this rate he’d miss Melody leaving, miss his chance to show he could be normal, all because he didn’t drink coffee. This was quite possibly one of his worst ideas yet.
“Hey, Kyrie, that is you right?” Melody’s voice caught him off guard.
He turned to find her standing close to him. Closer than most other humans did near his feet. He wanted to act casual, to seem normal, so he crouched. That just made it worse. She stumbled back when he moved, her smile faltered. A smile aimed at him and he was already about to ruin it again. Maybe it was better if he kept to himself. He was too big… too dangerous. It was better to protect humans and stay on his-
“You looked kind of lost, is everything alright?” she smiled at him again. Kyrie watched her push her long brown hair back behind her ear. An arm wrapped around her middle supporting the other arm while she waited for him to answer.
“I… don’t drink a lot of coffee,” he mumbled. She laughed. He made her laugh. That was good, her smile aimed at him again.
“It is pretty cold out. I can see why you’re here to get something. On patrol right?”
“Yeah, just thought a warm drink would be a good idea.” She was leading the conversation. She was talking to him. That made this perfect.
“Well, there’s the caramel apple latte right now, just sweet enough you don’t notice the coffee. They only have it for a few more weeks.” This time she giggled. If he didn’t know better he’d think she was nervous. Not nervous because of his size, but nervous for the same reasons he was. “My friends think the pumpkin spice cappuccino is the best. Although they have warm apple cider and hot chocolate if you want to skip the coffee entirely.”
“What would you recommend?” Kyrie wanted to try holding her. His nails dug into his palm to keep from reaching out and making her uncomfortable. They were talking and everything was fine. This was a start.
“Probably the caramel apple latte. I have to admit it’s my favorite. One of the many reasons I like cold weather. Well especially autumn actually. Lots of apple things.”
Kyrie smiled at her. The way she fidgeted when she said that. The cute way she played with her hair as she met his eyes. Brown might become his favorite color if Melody stayed around him. He might start to love autumn too. He had to take a risk. To ask her out; To dinner, a movie, anything.
Instead he stood up straight, staring at how small she was. A strange feeling came over him. He sort of liked how small she was next to him. Everyone else felt weird, made him feel weird. She made him feel normal. Normal and maybe even human.
“Guess I’ll try that, thanks Mel-,” his voice caught when she moved. She walked right up to the normal barista and didn’t pause. She turned to smile at him again.
“What size?” she asked. Kyrie just shrugged. He wasn’t even sure she could register his shrug, but she did. Somehow she did.
“Can I get a large caramel latte for me and a colossus medium for my friend?” Kyrie watched the barista lean forward to look at him. The usual fear others had when seeing him came out. They quickly ducked away. He couldn’t tell if they spoke, but Melody turned back to him. Still smiling at him.
“They said it should take a few minutes. You won’t get in trouble standing around right?”
“No, uh they don’t really monitor us. Byss just likes the idea of us being out in town more. He’s been doing this whole thing a lot longer than me.”
“Oh, it seemed like you’d been there a long time. How long-”
“Miss!” The barista’s voice cut their conversation short. Kyrie couldn’t stop himself from wondering if Melody wanted to know how long he’d been a guardian or how long he’d been doing this job. It wasn’t uncommon for people to wonder. He could have been a teenager or it could have been a year ago.
“Your drink should be ready soon.” Kyrie crouched. He didn’t want her to go yet. He didn’t want to lose this chance. ”I should probably get back to my friends. I’ll… I’ll see you at work in a few days.”
Without thinking he reached out to stop her. Two fingers covered her almost entirely. She was cold, a different cold than the rest of the world. A calming ice on his own skin. He hadn’t noticed it the first time. He did realize how much of a mistake he made when she pushed against his fingers.
“Sorry!” he squeaked, Kyrie had no idea he could squeak. He pulled his fingers apart, but hovered close to her still. “I just, uh, I just wanted to ask if we could go out some… time…”
Kyrie couldn’t look at her. He’d literally just pinched her between two fingers to stop her from leaving. Of course she’d say no. She’d leave, that laugh that caught his attention would be gone. The smile that wasn’t just trying to keep him calm would change.
—--------------------------
Melody tried not to die from embarrassment as soon as he grabbed her. She was trying so hard not to annoy him. Especially after he heard her on the phone. Now he was asking her out. The tallest colossus in years and he wanted to date her!?
“O-oh, s-sure,” she laughed. Of course she laughed. She was always laughing when she was nervous. His eyes were piercing. She loved that shade of blue. “Maybe this Friday? A-after work?”
Kyrie just stared at her. For once she wished she dressed for the weather. A scarf could hide her embarrassingly wide smile. The fingers around her moved closer, but he pulled his hand back instead of touching her. She couldn’t believe how warm he was and how much she liked it. She’d never liked warmth much before.
“Friday would be amazing,” he breathed. She could smell mint on his breath. “A few hours after work, maybe eight? I can meet you at your place. As long as that’s ok?”
“Yes!" Melody nearly shouted it and she felt like an idiot. He’d back out if she couldn’t play it cool.
“Sir, y-your coffee is ready!” the barista called.
Kyrie stood up to his full, dizzying height. As much as she hated heights, she wanted to be up by him. Play with his hair even. It looked so soft, another strange shade of blue. Just like his eyes.
She watched him grab the coffee. It was bigger than the building the barista was in. He took a sip of it. Melody felt her cheeks heat up, thank god the cold could be blamed today. She hoped he liked it. Liked her after they went out. He smiled down at her, crouching to be close again.
“I can see why you like this,” he said. “It sort of tastes like autumn. Thanks. Give me your address at work later this week?”
“Sure!”
Melody watched as he walked off. One of her friends came up gushing about what just happened. She couldn’t even think about it. She had a date. With Kyrie.
“You know you dropped your coffee when he grabbed you,” her friend said. Melody looked at the cup on the ground.
“It’s ok, I still have the one at our table,” Melody whispered, finally walking back to her seat.