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Rudy lies on his bed, staring at the metal ceiling he’s lived under for years. The night was silent, accompanied by the constant whirring of machinery and the snores of the other young agents sleeping soundly. It was a great night for a long deserved shuteye.
Although famously known and loved for his hobby of sleeping and lazing around, Rudy for the first time in his life; cannot sleep. It sounds unbelievable. It’s literally impossible— the one and only Rudy? Unable to sleep? It must be a joke.
Yeah, well no. It’s not. And Rudy wishes it was. Because he wants to sleep so bad it hurts. He just wants to close his eyes and let the sweet dreams embrace him with the warmth of a mother. At least he thinks it has the same warmth as a mother, he doesn’t know what it feels like so don’t quote him.
He tossed and turned, tried taping his eyes shut and emptying his mind but nothing was working. Rudy wanted to scream out of frustration but he didn't want to wake up the others so he settled on hitting his head on the pillow to mellow out his rage. He felt a bit bad for it since it helped him sleep well before and calmed down to puff out the flat pillow but when he still couldn't go to sleep he did it all over again. He huffed when the amount of times he crashed his face on the pillow formed a hole that fit his exact face shape
Flopping his face on the hollowed pit, he whined through the back of his throat. Eventually after another fruitless attempt of sleeping he sat up and stared into oblivion. Not sure what to do to settle in a comfortable sleep once again.
His eyes scoured through the room where the male young agents stayed throughout the entirety of M.A.T.A Arena. The international agents; Sam and Aleks, slept peacefully far away from the other agents. Rudy wonders how old they are, comparing their physique to the other youngsters, it was obvious that they were probably a few years older. It made the pranks and teasing that happened seem stupid now that he thought about it.
His eyes eventually led to the bed right in front of his own. Squinting a bit to make up the figure under the darkness. But there wasn’t any figure, only an unruly mess of blankets and scattered pillows. Rudy blinks.
“Ali?” He whispered, caught aback by the hoarseness of his own voice. There was no answer.
Curious, he stood up silently and tip-toed his way towards the other boy’s bed. Just as he thought, it was empty. Where did he go? Has it always been empty? Rudy thinks he would've noticed if the boy went outside or left considering he’s been up the whole night. But he heard nothing and saw nothing. He scoured through his memories, trying to remind himself when he saw Ali last.
Did he even come back to the room? Rudy pursed his lips, deep in thought. He unconsciously sat himself onto the other’s bed, his palm grazing against the soft material of the mattress.
Last he saw him was during dinner he guessed. They were eating together with all their other friends, cramped into one table. They even managed to hold a civilized conversation with the international agents thanks to Kim and Ali’s desperate effort to ‘bond’ them per say. Rudy chuckled softly, remembering the distressed look on his face as he held on Rudy’s arm, trying to soothe him into stopping his piercing glares into Sam’s dumbass face.
If he calmed down immediately after Ali’s weak attempt in soothing his frustration, after seeing Ali smile awkwardly at him to convince him that they weren’t that bad, after the boy’s palm softly rubbed his back up and down, like a child that needed to calm down. In any other case or anyone else, he would've been pissed. He’d probably bark and bite and leave the room but for some reason, every fiber of his being physically relaxed after the Tekno’s comfort, it was kind of funny the way Ali looked. And yeah, if he sighed and stopped glaring at the international agents, if he decided to rest his head in crossed arms to hide the way he let his eyes wander towards Ali,, no one noticed.
Still, he kind of enjoyed Aleks’ presence. Their eyes caught each other when Rudy spared a look to the other table. They were kind of similar in weird ways, and Rudy found himself having silent conversations with the agent from eye contact alone.
Again, Rudy grinned when he remembered Ali’s confused face staring at him and the older who kept nodding and smiling to each other from across the cafeteria like they were reading the other’s mind.
When everything settled down and they left to their rooms, the Inviso didn’t see it as he was the first one to take a leave but he caught on a conversation that happened;
‘Ali, come on. I’m so sleepy,’ Rudy assumed it was Khai.
‘Later, I need to meet with Uncle Bakar first,’ His voice was lighthearted and soft. ‘You can go first,’
‘Okay then…’ A yawn escaped Khai’s lips.
And then it faded out as he walked further and further down the hall, the chatter of the rest of young agents becoming noises in the background as he strode his way to the boys dorm room. He could’ve caught on some more if he focused but he was a bit too tired and wanted to head back and sleep. Although he never got to the sleeping part.
So Ali never returned to the rooms. Rudy rubbed his eyes, glancing at his watch; 3:18 A.M.
Where would that guy even be? It’s the middle of the night. Leaning his body weight against his outstretched arms, he closed his eyes and made a decision.
It wasn’t as if he was sleeping anytime soon. He was going to go and find Ali. He would never admit that he was worried for the other, it’s not like the M.A.T.A quarters isn’t the most protected and secured location in the world. But still, with Ali around? The amount of time they’ve been breached is uncanny.
Rudy shook his head and stood to his feet. Tidying up the bed reflexively after grimacing at the mess it was. Would the boy be offended if he said that he was searching for him because he was worried? Probably. Rudy firmly believes that Ali is completely capable of protecting himself, but he’d be more reassured if he was there to see it himself.
And so he carefully slipped on his shoes and went outside, flinching from the loud sliding noises the doors made and made sure everyone was deeply asleep before stepping out. Jumping slightly once again from the noise it made as it shut close.
Okay. Where would Ali be? The mentor’s headquarters? Rudy doubts it, they’re strictly forbidden to the young agents. Even if he’s the nephew of one of the mentors, M.A.T.A’s policies are very respected. Agent Bakar probably doesn’t have the guts to slip Ali in even if he wanted to. So not the mentor’s headquarters.
The cafeteria? It was the last place he saw the boy. Although he doesn’t think Ali would still be there after five hours had passed, it wouldn’t hurt to trace the possible steps the other could make. Cafeteria it is.
As he walked through the hallways silently, not that hard of a job since he’s been trained to deafen every move he makes and will make in order to slip his way past defenses as an Inviso. It was a bit creepy how silent his steps were but that was what comes with being an agent.
He remembered the conversation he had with Ali regarding this very topic, it was amusing seeing all the shenanigans you’d get caught up with every time you spend a bit of your time with him.
“What are you guys doing?” Rudy asked, leaning forwards above Ali’s shoulder and so so close to the other’s face.
“AHCK—” Ali jumped from his seat and teleported five feet away. “RUDY!” He yelled from afar. He sent the boy a raised brow and nothing more, keeping his face neutral from bursting out laughing at the other’s reaction. And keeping his stomach from doing flips when he yelled his name.
“We’re playing Wauriors,” Khai explained, showing off a deck of cards that sprawled in his nimble fingers.
“Quick warning, do NOT bet your savings on any game if Khai is playing,” Jet grimaced. “He is a devil. A devil!” He exaggerated. Rudy thinks. Maybe he wasn’t exaggerating, who knows.
“I’m sad my snacks are gone but I guess it’s better than going bankrupt like this guy over here,” Bulat said, pointing towards the Neuro.
“Oh, fuck off! No one told me that guy’s a fucking wizard!”
“Language,” Chris muttered, not looking up from the book he was reading.
Rudy’s eyes followed the trails of a certain Tekno boy who finally arrived back to the circular lounge where the cadets were spending their free time.
“Can’t you make a noise every time you move? It’s really unnerving,” Ali whined as he plopped his body onto the couch, flipping himself and surprisingly he sat down without any other complications like a broken neck, a broken spine, a cracked skull, etc.
“Well that goes against everything I learnt as an Inviso,” Rudy rolled his eyes, resting his chin on his palm as his hands lay against the couch.
“I guess that’s true…” Ali drawled, looking back at him. Comot appeared suddenly from her invisible form right next to Rudy, he hid a flinch and controlled his expression. The cat meowed and jumped down, walking? Crawling? Towards Ali. The other smiled softly and carefully brought the cat onto his lap, petting its fur.
“Moon and Zass don’t do any of that though,” Ali turned towards Rudy.
“They’re trained for it, they probably don’t use it as frequently though,” Right before Ali was about to protest on how the other Inviso agents don’t sneak around like Rudy, he said. “I’m not like them. Everywhere, every moment and every chance I get I’m going to use it to its full potential. That way I get to sharpen the skill better too,”
Ali pouted slightly and rolled his eyes. “Fine,”
Rudy eyes him quietly as the group continues playing the card game. Staying silent when Jet loses again and handing over a crisp five to Khai. He gave a few pointers to Ali on what card he should draw but he was quickly shot down by the look on Ali’s face that screamed “Are you serious?”. Well, it wasn’t like Rudy knows how to play, he just wanted to mess with the boy a bit. So he settled for silently asking some questions about the game towards him and Ali gladly explained everything with an enthusiasm Rudy would appreciate he has during training.
If anyone saw him smiling fondly as Ali rambles on about nerd shit, it was Chris. But he wasn’t gonna bring it up.
“That card looks cool,” Rudy pointed towards one of the cards Ali was holding.
“I know right, it’s the rarest one in my deck which also means it’s my favourite,” Ali grinned like an idiot.
“Is it strong?” He asked.
“It is pretty strong but the card can get stronger if you have the other pair,” Ali mumbled.
“Other pair?”
“Yeah, it has a partner simply speaking. Alone, it’s strong but with its second in command it’s unstoppable,” He smirked as he placed one of the cards on the table.
“Where is it then?” Rudy quirked a brow.
“Nah, I don’t have it,” He shook his head. “Having one of them is already rare on its own, but having both of them? Literally impossible,”
“Unless they buy it second hand or something,” Khai spoke up from across the couch, placing a card of his own.
“Right,” Ali agreed. “Even then, it’s still expensive as hell,” Rudy said nothing, contemplating a thought. After that they continued playing silently, a few snarky remarks here and there but other than that it was enjoyable.
The game inevitably ends with Khai as its champion. Ali unfortunately placed third and had to trade one of his cards with Khai’s. Thankfully Khai wasn’t as evil as Jet described since he just took one of Ali’s weaker ones and gave him a strong one in his deck. Jet however lost a total of RM30 and had to give away his strongest card for a common bitch.
One by one each agent left the hall, off to their own schedules. Rudy ends up sitting next to Ali who was looking through his tablet, Comot comfortably sleeping, the only thing that separated the two of them.
“Ali,” Rudy spoke up, filling the silence of the large hall. The boy hummed as a reply, not looking up from his device. “Do you wanna learn it?”
“Learn what?” He said, finally turning to face the Inviso.
“How to make your footsteps silent, how to slip past defenses, how to conceal your presence… you know, that stuff,”
Ali blinked. “What? Seriously?”
Rudy shrugged. “Why not?”
He blinked again, putting down the device. Furrowing his eyebrows before inching closer towards Rudy. The Inviso wanted to turn away from the mere inches that separated the two but Ali suddenly brought his hand up and waved it to his face.
“Are you sick? This isn’t like you?” It pissed Rudy off how genuinely worried the Tekno sounded.
“If you don’t want to, it's fine, I was just offering,” He shrugged, maintaining a cold and careless demeanor. It’s not like he cared. He didn’t even know why he offered it in the first place. They were both way too busy to spend time around each other just to learn a few skills, as a Tekno he won’t even need it. Besides, they’d probably just start arguing instead of actually learning. This moment was just a rare coincidence. After this they’ll be back to aiming for each other’s throats in no time. It wasn’t like he wanted to spend time with Ali. He preferred it better if they continue with this kind of relationship. The boy can be the reason he’s so eager to get better and that’s fine. He doesn’t care.
“Wait what! No! I’d love to!” Ali exclaimed, Comot yelped from the sudden jump in volume. “I want to! Learn all that. If you’re still offering,” He smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. Rudy stares at the boy who was avoiding his eyes.
Huh. A warm feeling was fluttering around his chest, his stomach performing backflips of many kinds and wait- he felt a flush of warmth appearing on his cheeks and he immediately shot his head away from Ali’s view. He would rather die than let Ali of all people see whatever was going on at his face.
“Kay,” Rudy managed, looking away from the boy.
“Really?” Ali asked. “Thanks man!”
From the corner of his eye, he caught the way Ali smiled so bright it hurts. The way his eyes perked up into crescent moons and the dimples that decorated his cheeks. Rudy huffed exaggeratingly, “Whatever,”
Ali laughed softly and leaned against the couch, bringing Comot to rest on his lap. The only thing that separated them was taken away just like that and to the Inviso it felt like the distance they had shrunk significantly, it felt like they were infinitely closer and for some reason Rudy can’t help but place his hand in the empty space, leaning his weight on his arm, unconsciously trying to close the distance. Staring at his own feet, eyeing the purring cat on the Tekno’s lap from the corner of his eyes. His fingers twitched slightly, itching for something.
But nothing ever did happen. Silence engulfed them until the other young agents called for them to have a brief about that day’s training. Before they would inevitably be separated and slip into their facades of rivalry, Rudy managed to steel himself, grabbing onto the boy’s shoulder. Like this, it hit him how short Ali was compared to him, a few inches give or take.
“Tomorrow, around three afternoon,”
Ali gave a short nod, smiling slightly before running ahead to catch up with Alicia who was waiting for him.
Rudy mourned the loss of contact.
“I can hear you,” Rudy said loudly, his voice echoing through the empty training grounds.
“No you can’t!” Ali yelled back. Rudy caught the way the boy’s footsteps slowed down in an attempt to decrease the volume.
They created a simulation, fake buildings and walls scattered all around. Ali has to successfully sneak towards Rudy and touch him without Rudy catching his movements. Usually it’d be painfully easy for an above average agent to sneak up on one another but well, Ali has to sneak up on Rudy. It isn’t an easy task, he'll say that.
“You’re behind that building to my right,” Rudy said absentmindedly, fiddling with the ends of his hoodie.
Training and perfecting his skill to completely deafen his steps and movements have somehow heightened his other senses. He can hear Ali’s light footsteps scurrying around and the almost silent huff of frustration that escaped the boy as he ran to use another route. He purposefully created a training ground where any movement and sound can be echoed just to make it challenging for the Tekno.
“Behind me,” He yawned.
“Now that’s just ridiculous!” Ali whispered to himself and hurriedly left the area. It felt a bit weird being able to hear his every movement and sound without the boy knowing but he’ll keep that card to himself.
“Ali, you gotta control your balance,” Rudy mindlessly spoke. “You gotta move fast but lightly so I can’t track your movement. Your breathing needs to get under control too,”
The Inviso heard nothing in reply. Weird. Usually there’d be a few remarks or a change in the air-
“-above,” Rudy shot his head up after feeling a slight movement in the air that brushed against his skin. Said Tekno was dangling on top of him, his face contorted to something with the kin to both shock, despair and disbelief. The yoyo that hung him lost its grip on a railing from the ceiling, Ali yelped loudly before crashing to the ground after Rudy took a few steps back to avoid his fall.
“Oh my GOD!” Ali groaned, lying on the cold floor. Not putting in the effort to stand.
“Weak,” Rudy jabbed. Just to get his competitive spirit fired up, nothing ill in attempt.
Ali glared daggers into Rudy’s eyes and why does the Inviso kind of like it? “This is impossible! There’s literally no way you could do this! It defies the laws of physics!”
“I’m surprised you even know what the laws of physics are,” The Inviso rolled his eyes, crossing his arms.
“Isn’t it just an expression?” The boy turned to look at Rudy, one of his eyebrows raised in confusion. Rudy took a deep breath and internally sighed. “Hey, fun idea! How about you try sneaking up on me!” Ali suggested, a smile on his face.
“Why should I? This is your training,” Rudy scoffed.
“What? Scared? Scared that I know you’re bluffing? That you can’t do it?” He taunts. Rudy knows this. He knows that this was just another weak ploy at getting him fired up. He won’t fall for it. “What a hypocrite. Yeah! I know what a hypocrite is! Suck it!” He exclaimed, a crazed look in his eyes as a desperate attempt to push the Inviso to the edge.
“Stand up,” And it worked.
Ali grinned in triumph, quickly shuffling to stand to his feet as Rudy circles around the Tekno, eyeing the boy up and down. He stood there confused but didn’t show it, curious to what Rudy was doing and going to do. After a few moments of tense silence, Rudy hummed. Ali didn’t do anything and just blinked. After that the fellow Inviso tapped on the heels of his feet and jumped in place, not a sound escaped from all the movement and Ali wondered if there was something stuck in his ears that were muffling the sounds. Only a slight gust of wind that Ali barely caught followed as Rudy jumped, seemingly warming up. He was very light on his feet, Ali noticed. It was like he was floating, yet so silent it was eerie. Creepy even. The only thing confirming that he wasn’t going crazy was the sounds of his own breathing, but not Rudy’s. He can’t even see the Inviso’s chest heave to breathe. Was he holding it?
If Ali closed his eyes, if he couldn’t see Rudy in front of him, he would’ve thought that he was all alone. The boy gulped, feeling goosebumps trailing all the way to his nape from a sudden gust of cold wind. Where did that even come from? They were inside a building!
The Tekno blinked and when he opened his eyes, the Inviso was nowhere to be seen.
“Rudy?” Ali choked out. Hearing his voice sounds surreal. “Why is this kind of scaring me a bit,” he mumbled to himself.
“I’m here,”
Ali jumped. What the hell? Where did that come from? He should be able to pinpoint him from the direction he spoke but- he can’t. It was like he was everywhere and somewhere all at once. What the hell? What the hell? Did he alter his voice box or something? Rudy was not ‘here’. He was there, and there, and there too. Ali was spiraling and he was probably overthinking this but Rudy always had a way to do that to him.
He took a deep breath and stood straighter. He slowed down his breathing and carefully listened for anything. “Rudy?” He called out.
Of course he wouldn’t answer, he wasn’t stupid.
Ali made sure to survey his surroundings constantly, every corner, every inch and every blind spot to catch even the slightest movement from the Inviso. He was glad he didn’t make a bet like Jet would’ve. His loss was inevitable right now but it wouldn’t hurt to actually try and play this extreme game of hide and seek.
“Wanna bet?” Ali spoke too soon. “If I manage to touch you unnoticed, you gotta give me three months worth of ice cream,”
The Tekno tried to frantically pinpoint the voice, his eyes never staying in one spot for too long. “Three months is too much, Rudy. Three weeks?”
“Two months,” Ali can hear the sound get louder. Was he close?
“Five weeks,” Ali furrows his eyebrows, gouging for an answer.
“A month,” It was obvious there wasn’t gonna be any room for more negotiations. Ali was betting that Rudy was on his right, behind the simulated ice cream shop building. Funny.
“Alright, bet,” The Tekno grinned. “If I find out where you are though, you’ll have to give me a month’s worth of ice cream,”
“Deal,”
“Rudy. You’re behind that ice cream shop on my right aren’t you?” Ali yelled, his full attention aimed towards it. Thoroughly convinced that the Inviso was there. Which was stupid. But Ali was in over his head and he has no thoughts of coming back out. “Come out, Rudy!”
“Very unfortunate,” Ali flinched, a hand held on his right shoulder. There was nothing to indicate how close Rudy got, not the sounds of his footsteps nor his light breathing, not even the movement in air from his actions. “I expect my ice cream to be both vanilla and chocolate, on my table during dinner, three times a week,” A shit eating grin sprawled on the Inviso’s face.
“What the hell!” Ali jumped away, falling to the ground. “What are you? A ghost!?” He exclaimed, exaggeratingly trying to catch his breath. Rudy shrugged and said nothing, it was boringly easy and the results were obvious. But Rudy can’t help but admit that he had a lot of fun seeing Ali frantic and disheveled trying to find him to no avail. He almost broke his concentration to a laugh when Ali called out his name for the second time. Yes he was ignoring the warm bubbling feeling it made in the pits of his stomach and yes he will never bring it up again.
Rudy lent out a hand before he could stop to think. Ali took it without a second thought and the Inviso helped him up. He squeezed the boy’s hand to let the feeling linger before letting go, ignoring the stare Ali sent his way.
“You used your vision too much,” Rudy said. “You have to use everything; sight, smell, touch, hearing, taste even… everything plays a part. It was the reason I caught you so easily, the air shifted when you swung in the air and I caught the smell of your cheap cologne. Although, I’ll commend you for doing it with barely any sound,” The Inviso smirked slightly. Ali’s eyes brightened up from the compliment and flashed the Inviso a cheeky smile.
“Oh yeah, how did you make your voice sound like that? It felt like you were everywhere,” Ali asked, tilting his head as he inched closer. Rudy’s brain ordered his feet to step back but his heart urged him to lean forward.
“I had a gadget on me,” Rudy explained, pulling down the zip on his hoodie to reveal a silver necklace that has the ability to amplify and manipulate his voice.
“Ohh… I thought you surgically altered your voice or something,” The Tekno chuckled, an obvious weight lifted off of his shoulders. Guess he’s still a bit tense after that. That’s normal, Moon always complained how creepy it was to train their stealth with him.
“This was fun,” Ali said. “Same time, tomorrow?” He averted his gaze, as if he spoke before he thought about it. “Only if you want to, of course,”
“Yeah,” Rudy nods. “I’ll drill you till you’re dead,” He adds jokingly.
Ali rolled his eyes and picked up a water bottle in the corner of the room. Rudy heads towards the exit, purposefully walking slower than usual so the Tekno can catch up. “Thanks, Rudy,”
They stopped having stealth lessons shortly after though, when the Academy was destroyed during the heat of battle. They never spoke about it again as if everything didn’t happen. But it did. And Rudy guessed their relationship got more… closer after all those sessions. Although no one else but the two of them knows. It felt nice, he supposed. Knowing something with Ali alone. Like they have a secret together. Why? He can’t say.
Once Rudy arrived at the cafeteria, it was dark and dimly lit by a few strips of lights illuminating the floor. No sign of Ali. Bummer.
Rudy brushed his hair back with his hands, a few strands fell loose as he forgot to gel it but most of them stayed in its place. Rudy stands in the entrance, three hallways stretched in front of him. One to his left, one in front and the one on his right is the hall he used. In front, it’ll lead its way towards the main hall, where the past champions of M.A.T.A Arena were standing. The Inviso remembers that one of them was Ali’s mother, maybe he went there to reminisce? That sounds plausible enough.
Before he could step into that direction though, he heard a familiar meow on his left. Turning his head, nothing in sight. That was until a white cat appeared out of thin air, staring up at him with shiny eyes.
“Comot,” Rudy said lowly. The cat meowed in reply and walked towards him, circling the Inviso as he stared bewildered. “Hey,” He called out.
Comot looks up, rubbing her head on Rudy’s leg. The Inviso felt him physically warm, the tension he didn’t even know he had left his body. Carefully, he kneels down, petting the cat’s body before scratching her face and rubbing behind her ears. She purrs in delight and Rudy can’t help the smile that escaped his lips.
“Why are you out here?” Rudy whispered, as if she could understand him. “Where’s Ali?” The cat perked up, her tail swaying slightly before she left the contact and went back to the way she arrived. Gesturing her tiny head as if asking him to follow her. Maybe she does understand him.
Rudy stood up, patting his feet off nonexistent dust. Force of habit.
He followed closely behind the cat, he assumed she was going to lead him to Ali. Or maybe she’s actually evil and she wants to sacrifice him. Dying from the paws of a cat doesn’t sit too right with him but it would be funny. Rudy seriously considers this as they continue their way, mindlessly following her without thinking too much about it.
Speaking of Comot, he smiled to himself as he remembered that day he saw Ali sneak her into the dorms. She wasn’t allowed to be there and she was given her own quarters. He woke up in the middle of the night one day after a gruesome training from the sound of the mechanical doors whirring open. It was dark and he was very tired so everything was blurry. But he clearly saw a pop of white fur in the arms of a boy he’d recognize by touch, smell and subtle habits of movement alone. He heard a ‘shhh’ coming from the boy before Rudy drifted asleep. An amused chuckle left his lips.
“Meow,” Rudy turned all his attention towards the small animal in front of him. He blinked as she nodded her head towards the Tekno workroom. Ah, he should’ve guessed. Of course he’d be there.
Silently, he steps closer towards the metal door, Comot moving to the side so he can enter. He scans his palm on the tab at the side of the door, waiting patiently as it identifies him. Once completed, he stood in front of the door, waiting for it to open.
Supposedly, Ali is inside there. Why does this kinda make him nervous? It shouldn’t be, it’s just Ali. Wait. What was he supposed to do if he found him anyways? Drag him back to the dorms? Then what? Rudy furrows his eyebrows, crossing his arms and staring at the floor. An image of Ali’s stupid face appears in his mind. An involuntary smile etched on the Inviso’s face as the doors slid open. Doesn’t matter, the important thing is to see Ali first and foremost. He’ll think about the rest later.
The lights were shut off, his eyes drawn to the only source of it in the workroom, where a table lamp was lit and there sat the boy he’s been searching for.
Ali doesn’t seem to notice him yet, too engrossed in tinkering with his new gadget Rudy knows was passed down from his mother. A screen was in front of him, illuminating his face with a blue light. A video projected from it, Rudy presumed it was of his mother. Silently, so silently, he walked towards the boy, trying to tame the way his heart was weirdly beating rapidly.
He made a mistake, and Ali swung his head so fast behind him only to be met with the eyes of a familiar Inviso.
“Rudy,” Ali Whispered his name. Rudy felt his breath hitch but kept a call facade.
“Ali,” He utters. The two of them continued staring at one another, unsure on what they should say, or do.
“What are you doing here?” He mumbled, obviously deprived of any sleep. Rudy raised a brow at how stupid his question was.
“I should be asking you that,” Rudy quipped. Ali blinked before laughing awkwardly, his voice hoarse. The boy rubbed his eyes before turning to him once more.
“Fair,” The Tekno sighed, pushing back his hair from blocking his view.
Silence once again overlapped the two, both of them tired and drowsy. Their minds weren’t in top shape and they were afraid they might say something they might regret. Rudy more specifically applies to that. So he takes his time to piece together words and sentences that he can share with Ali, careful to not let himself be swayed by his urges, by his desires. He’ll keep them all under chains till he dies. This never happened.
Staring into Ali’s eyes though, the way the lights carefully manicured its way on the boy’s face, the shine in his hazel eyes and their breathings being the only thing that accompanied the silence as Rudy unconsciously synced them. It was hard, to not be pushed and pulled by his desires. It was gnawing at him, screaming at his face to do… something.
Ali turns his head away, breaking eye contact. Rudy ignores the hollow feeling in his stomach and slowly walks to sit beside the boy on an empty steel stool.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Rudy said. The face Ali made when he uttered those few words were priceless. The combination of disbelief, shock and confusion was art. “I know, me? Unable to sleep?” The Inviso scoffed, his hands thrown up in the air in exaggeration.
“You’re serious? Like- genuinely? Do you need to go to the hospital?” Ali frantically looks at him to search for something wrong.
“You know, it pisses me off how genuinely concerned you look right now,” The Inviso sighed, leaning his head on to his hand propped up by his elbows on the table.
“Can you blame me? Sleeping is like- your soulmate,” Ali rolled his eyes, a smile tugged on his lips. Rudy hummed in reply.
After a while, Ali went back to his work. His gadget that was picked apart was carefully being pieced back together. Rudy stares as the bottom of the boy’s lips puckered slightly and the way his eyebrows furrowed cutely from concentration. He snorts quietly and crosses his arms on the table, lying his head comfortably on them as he continues staring at Ali in the works.
With only the tinkering sounds of metal and their silent breaths, Rudy felt at peace.
Once the Tekno finished, he put all of his things aside and turned towards Rudy, obviously tired. None of them said anything, a weird tension between them that seemed to shackle their mouths even if anything were to be said.
“Wanna head back?” Ali managed a whisper, although it cracked and the end. Rudy shook his head, never breaking eye contact.
“It’s almost morning, anyways,” He mumbled.
“Yeah, but we have to change,” Ali smiled. “And I gotta get some stuff,”
“Oh,” Rudy whispered but made no effort to actually move out of his place. Ali never did too. So the two of them sat there in the dark, their breaths once again filled the silence.
Rudy sat up, gazing at the boy beside him. Ali felt a pressure in his heart he couldn’t afford to admit aloud. They were going inside uncharted territory, Ali knows this. And it scares him. Terrifies him, actually. He’s always known that there was something about his relationship with Rudy, he wasn’t that much of an idiot. He can tell the difference between the way others look at him and the way Rudy does. There was always something in his eyes and it was calling for him even when he knew he shouldn’t go there. But he was always so sure that nothing would happen, Rudy knows his situation, his standing and he wants to believe that Rudy won’t do anything to cross that line, that boundary.
He got too careless, Ali thinks. If his assumptions about Rudy’s feelings for him were right. He was pulling Rudy on even though he knew that he would never be able to reciprocate those feelings. He enjoyed their current relationship, he didn’t wanna ruin that. He never thought he’d be able to form a close bond with Rudy of all people but he did and he wouldn’t change a thing. But this? This was something he never thought would happen.
Can you blame him? This was Ali! That pathetic guy who’s always been nothing more than a loser and here comes a guy with spiked hair that looks at him as if he was his world. Ali hates it, it sounds like a joke. Like another ploy to hurt him.
But Rudy wouldn’t do that, no. The old him would’ve, no doubt but today’s Rudy? No, he wouldn’t. He was too nice for that despite his sharp exterior. Just thinking about it almost made Ali laugh. They went through ups and downs with their relationship and well Ali doesn’t hate it. He likes it to be more specific but he doesn’t want to cross a line. Right? He shouldn’t. He knows Rudy understands.
“Ali,” Maybe he thought wrong. The Tekno never answered. “My name is Rudy,”
“Yes, hello Rudy,” Ali raised a brow, leaning on the palm of his hand. He had a feeling something was going to happen and he should stop it, he should change the topic, he should run away! But he didn’t. His brain says no but his heart was too heavy to drag away. And so he stayed. He listened with the heavy heart.
“We first met last year, I think. We didn’t have the greatest relationship and I’m sorry for everything I did. It was stupid and petty and it was horrible but I regret it so much, Ali. If I knew that one day we’d be sitting here side by side, I wouldn’t have dared to ever do anything like that to you. If I knew that I would be feeling these things I never thought I’d be having, I never would’ve laid a hand on you, Ali,” The Inviso stared solemnly at the boy in front of him. “And I’m sorry. I’ll understand if nothing changes but I just wanted to get it out there before the things I’m going to say after this,” Rudy rubbed the back of his neck.
“Please don’t hate me,” He muttered quietly before he took a deep breath and turned his body fully towards a dumbfounded Ali. His eyes held a determination one would envy.
“Rudy, it’s alright. I’ve forgiven you a long time ago and I did some things I regret too-”
“No, Ali, shush,” The Inviso held up a finger, grazing slightly on Ali’s lips. The boy flinched away and Rudy immediately put his hand down. “Sorry,” He muttered.
Ali didn’t answer, waiting patiently for Rudy to continue.
“I’m sleepy, tired, and drowsy and I’m not thinking straight so just punch me if I say something stupid, okay?” Rudy warned. “Okay. Woah, okay. Guess I’m doing this now,” Rudy muttered endlessly.
“I like you, Ali,” He lets out. Before the boy could reply, Rudy immediately continued. “It’s stupid, I know. I shouldn’t be feeling like this for you of all people and it’s just weird, I guess.”
“But I like you. I like you so much it hurts. Everytime I think of you my heart kind of gets tight and my stomach would churn and I’d dream of puking butterflies! Butterflies, Ali! Butterflies!”
“I don’t know when it started, I don’t even know why but next thing I know every time I see you I’d always wish there was something more between us,” The Inviso sighed, rubbing his face. “I can’t think, this is the first time I haven’t slept for more than eight hours. I don’t want to say the wrong things, I don’t want you to think this is a joke, I don’t want to hurt you, Ali. Why? Because I like you!” Rudy laughed softly. A pure smile on his face that turns the Teknos’s heart warm.
“I like you despite everything, Ali. I don’t want to list them cause I feel like that’d ruin everything I’ve built up to and oh my god I’m rambling. Ali, I’m rambling. My brain is so slow right now but my mouth is talking so fast, Ali,”
“I don’t think friends are supposed to feel this way. I have this urge to love you, to wrap my hand around yours and shower you with everything you deserve. I want to give you everything I can offer and more, my pride is nothing compared to this overwhelming feeling I have for you and no one else but you,” Rudy grinned like an idiot and Ali found himself involuntarily smiling despite the way his face was flushed red. “I like you so much I can’t think, my heart is pounding like crazy!”
The Inviso took Ali’s hands and the boy didn’t fight back as he placed it on top of his chest. He was right, it really was pounding like crazy. Ali blinked and chuckled, amused. One by one, the Tekno's walls seemed to crumble away. Taken away by this stupid guy who’s confessing to how much he likes him.
A warm blush decorates his neck as Rudy’s hands wrapped around his, carefully as if not to scare away a small critter. But it still had a firm grip, like he was making sure that this wasn’t a dream.
...
“Rudy,” Ali's voice cracked. “I don’t- I don’t know…”
...
“It’s fine,” The Inviso whispered. Seeming to finally have retrieved his senses slightly from the way he dropped his head, the obvious tint of red on the tip of his ears despite the dark. “I know. I just… I don’t know too, I guess,”
Rudy lets their hands fall in between them, never actually letting go of his grip. Instead, intertwining them as his free hand reached over to graze the back of Ali’s palm. Bumping over his knuckles and tracing his fingers.
...
“It’s warm,” Rudy says. Their breaths out of sync. “This is real, huh,”
“Yeah,” Ali mumbled.
“I told you that I like you,” Rudy muttered. “I was planning on taking this to the grave, actually. Guess seeing you melted away all of my rational thoughts,”
“Ugh, that’s cringe,” Ali laughed softly. Eyeing the way Rudy caressed his hand, treating him as if he was a precious item that should be loved and taken care of. It makes his heart ache.
“Shut up,” he chuckled.
“M’kay,” Ali closed his eyes.
“You don’t hate it?” Rudy asked. “Me liking you?”
Ali stayed silent. Does he hate it? He wasn’t sure. When Rudy told him that he… likes him, god that was going to take some time to get used to, Ali didn’t feel anything remotely close to hatred. But what did he feel? Content? Happy? Satisfied? Those didn’t really fit. It was another wave of disbelief at first, but it was immediately thrown away when Rudy reassured him. So what was it?
“I didn’t hate it,” Ali sighed. “I could never hate you,” Rudy looks up, staring straight towards the boy. “I don’t know how I feel about this, Rudy. It’s a bit much,”
“I know, I thought it’d go away eventually but here I am,” Rudy sighed.
“But one thing’s for sure though,” Ali looks away from the Inviso’s piercing stare. Embarrassed. “I like you too. I’m just not sure if it’s that kind of like you’re thinking of. So just give me some time,”
The smile on Rudy’s face was priceless, a heavy weight seemed to lift off both their shoulders.
“Okay, I’ve decided. I’m gonna make you fall for me,” Rudy smirked and Ali scoffed in disbelief.
“What is this? A M.A.T.A mission?”
“Yeah sure, Mission: Pursuing Ali. Has a nice ring to it,” The Inviso winked.
“Oh my god…” Ali groaned, turning away to cover his face with his free hand. “I turned Rudy into an idiot. This is insane,”
“An idiot for you,”
“Stop that!” Ali exclaimed and tried to pull his hand away from Rudy’s.
“Nope, you made me like this,” Rudy tightened his grip and brought the back of Ali’s palm on his lips.
“Rudy!” Ali screeched, taking away his hand as Rudy laughed softly. A smile rests comfortably on Ali’s lips.
Things weren’t resolved fully. Whatever was going to happen between them was left unknown for the future. Rudy felt that they were going to go through some shit together. He broke the promise he made to himself and he didn’t regret a thing. Seeing Ali’s face, hearing that Rudy’s confession didn’t repulse him but instead was slightly reciprocated? That was everything he’d hoped for and more.
The two of them head back to the dorms side by side. A tense silence embraced them, embarrassed as reality hits them and the adrenaline gone by. Somewhere along the way, Comot appeared and led them to their dorm room.
Rudy wastes no time and jumps on top of his bed, heart full of flowers and skin tingling from the adrenaline. Ali was silent as he sat down on his bed, staring at how made it was. He could only assume Rudy did it. The thought that the Inviso sat on his bed sent another wave of flush red to his face after the events that happened. Ali wondered what went through his mind.
Rudy was sure if he closed his eyes he’d be able to sleep soundly. There was less than an hour left until roll call yeah but did he care? Absolutely not.
“Night,” He muttered and closed his eyes, smiling contently.
He was sure he only slept for five minutes before a piercing white light stabbed his eyeballs. Multiple groans could be heard in unison from the other young agents, sounds of shuffling and scattered blankets thrown to the floor muffled in his ears.
Rudy took his blanket and draped it over his body, closing his eyes tightly and convincing himself that it was still night and he had plenty of time to sleep.
Roughly, his blanket was thrown away and before he could hiss at them,
He was stopped by the way his breath hitched, the way his heart pounds painfully loud as his eyes caught onto the guy he confessed his love to staring down at him with a fond smile. This was heaven. Is he going to heaven? Nah, this isn't the time to go all religious
“Morning, Rudy,”
And every thought that was rapidly engulfing his mind melts away. He'll think of the whole religious aspect later. Or maybe he won't. He doesn't really care as long as he gets to hold Ali's hand one more time.
"Mornin—"
"WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING STILL IN BED! I NEED EVERYONE OUT IN 5 MINUTES!!!"
He was going to murder Agent Bakar one day. No, Ali would be sad. Don't do that.