Chapter Text
The halls were quiet, just as they were expected to be so at such an ungodly hour. Though most other beings required sleep to function and operate at full capacity, KAY/O was not one of them, though he had often pretended for the sake of blending in better amongst his comrades.
The others had all left on "vacation" just earlier that day— some much deserved time off from their rigorous and strenuous duties. Despite being made of metal and wires, even KAY/O could appreciate the need to simply pause and catch up with oneself after putting up with nonstop action and stress.
As much as he would have liked to indulge in the idea of unwinding like the other agents, the world wasn't ready to see a 6 foot 5 robot roaming about in civilian life. It wasn't even worth the effort it took to try and hide himself in public, lest he draw even more attention to himself than his height already did.
With missions being put on hold and no immediate threats to worry about, it left him with a lot of free time. And with Killjoy being one of the many agents who'd gone away for the next few days, he couldn't afford to get himself damaged at this particular point in time without being stranded in such a state until she returned. Which meant no training for the time being.
In terms of leisure, the human part of his coding didn't quite have any preferences when it came to pastimes outside of work. He wasn't Raze or Breach; someone who lived for adventure and thrills. He didn't build elaborate devices out of scraps for fun. Nor did he have a constant desire for noise and sound at every hour of the day either. Rather, if anything, KAY/O was the complete opposite of everything those two stood for.
Quiet, calculating, calm under pressure, but with an undeniable desire to keep things under control and in order. Even still, that sort of mindset was hardly helpful for enjoying one's self during what was meant to be a period of relaxation. Sometimes, being so incredibly efficient at his job was nothing less than a hinderance to KAY/O's personal wellbeing and satisfaction with life itself. And while this fact was beginning to become dull now, it hadn't bothered him as much before considering how little downtime they had in the past.
The pool hall games he'd sometimes played with Sova or Phoenix held no appeal without them present to play against. He considered asking Brimstone to join him for a few games, but decided against it. The older man deserved whatever rest he could get too.
Why he didn't go on vacation with the rest of the squad, however, puzzled him. KAY/O assumed the commander wanted some alone time after constantly being surrounded by twenty-somethings day in and out, but something told him there was more to it than that. The same reasoning also led him to believe he needed some peace and quiet away from all the commotion for a moment. KAY/O didn't blame him.
It didn't take long for the silence to creep into his mind like vines entangling around his processors. At first, it was comforting to be spared of their rambunctious antics for a bit— Jett's teasing, Yoru's smart ass remarks, Neon's loud giggling, Sage's kind words. All of these things made him feel welcome here.
But... Now it was just too quiet. So unnaturally quiet.
He wasn't used to feeling lonely anymore. The others had made sure of that.
So when night rolled around, he decided to take a stroll around headquarters.
There wasn't a specific place he had in mind, rather it was mostly to clear his head. As long as it kept his mind from wandering back into the past (or technically, the future? it's confusing) then anything was worth a shot in his opinion. The building itself looked exactly as it always did. Same pristine white walls. Same immaculately polished wooden floors. Same brightly lit overhead lights that were always on.
Someone should really get those turned off at night, especially when three-fourths of the agents aren't even around. It's wasteful. The protocol isn't exactly swimming in money right now.
KAY/O finds himself making his way over to the lounge. It is unoccupied, unsurprisingly enough, giving off an almost eerie vibe given how lively the space usually is during the day. But tonight, all is still except for a single ceiling fan slowly rotating above him.
He walks towards the large floor-to-ceiling windows lining one side of the room, pausing momentarily as he sees himself reflected back in the glass panes. Even after years of living here alongside everyone else, KAY/O still catches himself stopping to study his appearance whenever given the opportunity. How...inhuman he looks, despite having a consciousness much like every other agent.
That same mechanical, robotic exterior stares back at him; cold steel where soft skin should lie beneath instead. Wires connecting together seamlessly beneath his chest plate rather than muscle tissue underneath taut flesh. A bright blue LED screen with an even more vibrant pink symbol in the center. Inhuman in every sense of the word, but yet more human than most.
And yet...
Here he stands amongst his comrades, accepted wholly into their ranks with little question as to who he is or why he is here. Something he's been eternally grateful for since joining their cause. This was where he belonged now. Where he found a new purpose. Where he found comfort and safety.
Home.
A voice behind startles him from his reverie.
"Can't sleep?"
KAY/O turns to face the person speaking. Her name escapes him momentarily, but he recognizes her all the same. The one that escaped from Hourglass's clutches. The latest member of their organization, and a previous associate of Viper. Vyse. If there was anyone within their ranks KAY/O didn't have a lot of personal experience interacting with yet, it would definitely be her.
She steps forward out of the shadows until she's right beside him, staring out at nothing in particular through the darkened glass panels.
"I do not require sleep," he replies flatly before correcting himself. "Though I am capable of powering down for periods of time to recharge when necessary."
"Hm. Must be convenient."
"It has its advantages."
Vyse gives him a hum of acknowledgment before turning back to gaze outside once again. He follows suit, watching silently as snowflakes gently drift down onto the windowpane in front of him, slowly melting upon contact with the glass before rolling downwards and disappearing altogether. They remain like that for some time, neither saying anything until Vyse breaks the silence once more.
"Well, if it's not sleep you're after, what brings you here?" she asks. "It's late."
KAY/O pauses before answering. "There is nothing to do. The others are gone on vacation."
"Ah," Vyse responds simply. She doesn't press further, allowing silence to fill the air between them once more. After another moment passes, however, she speaks up again. "I didn't take you as the type to enjoy solitary activities such as stargazing."
"I don't exactly dislike it."
It was true. KAY/O often found himself enjoying these quieter moments throughout his stay here at the VALORANT facility. Though he still prefers action to stagnancy any day of the week, this newfound appreciation for tranquility wasn't lost upon him either. Even if the silence sometimes ate away at him. Still... he wouldn't trade it away for anything.
Vyse looks unconvinced by this answer but doesn't argue otherwise.
"If you insist." Her attention shifts back towards the sky beyond them. Another stretch of time passes before either speaks again.
"What about you?" KAY/O eventually inquires. What exactly kept Vyse awake at this hour?
"Mmm..." comes her reply. The cat-like antennas extending from the top of her helmet twitch as she tilts her head upwards a bit. "No particular reason, actually. Just... bored. Same as you." Her fingers tap against her elbow, the metal digits coming into contact with her armored plating with audible clicks. "It's been a while since I was able to properly look at the snow... Being stuck in that prison cell and all."
Her tone implies she's unwilling to elaborate further. Understandable. Some things are better left unspoken than said aloud. And besides, what business did he have prying anyway?
They lapse into silence once again afterwards. Snow continues falling softly outside.
"I'm sure you didn't come here to only look out at the weather, though," KAY/O points out. It's quite obvious she'd rather avoid such trivial talk; their conversations had always been brief at best during meetings. They never seemed too interested in each other, which KAY/O could appreciate. Both preferred getting straight to the point, though perhaps for different reasons. So then why stop to speak with him?
"No," Vyse's response is curt, as expected. She pauses for a moment before continuing. "I heard you've known our commander for some time."
The statement catches KAY/O slightly off guard. Though, he's unsure if it's due to the topic itself or rather her knowledge of it that surprises him.
"More or less," KAY/O affirms. "Not as long as some of our other colleagues have."
It's not a lie. More like a half-truth, really. Sure, KAY/O had only been part of the Protocol for about three years now, but in truth, he'd known Brimstone far longer than anyone could possibly imagine. A man who'd died in a war that hasn't yet come to pass in this timeline. A war KAY/O himself couldn't stop despite trying everything in his power. A friend lost in battle.
A friend KAY/O would lose again if he didn't find a way to prevent that war from happening in this world, if it ever came to be at all. The mere notion alone fills his processors with dread every time.
"But you know more about him than most," Vyse notes casually. Too casually.
The inquiry is enough to pull KAY/O back to the present. Her words leave little doubt in his mind regarding what she's referring to. Still, it doesn't make sense. Why ask such questions? There had never been any previous interest in this matter on her part before today. At least none that KAY/O had observed, but he supposed that's why they were having this conversation in the first place. She was seeking answers, not idle chit chat. Answers regarding their leader.
"Is this going somewhere?" KAY/O asks flatly, ignoring her question altogether. "Because if you're asking for my personal opinions, I suggest finding someone else willing to talk with you. We aren't the closest, so there isn't much to tell."
Not much that he's willing to divulge anyway. He has to maintain a degree of professionalism, especially in the face of such inquiries. He couldn't afford letting his emotions get the better of him now. The most human part of his code was beginning to become bothersome in situations like this.
He wonders if Killjoy could alter it in any way. Perhaps make it more controllable.
"Personal, hm? So there is a personal side to you," Vyse responds. The way her tone suggests something else causes him to bristle in turn, though outwardly he shows no signs of annoyance at her statement. It was meant to provoke a reaction from him, and he wasn't going to play her games. "And here I was thinking you didn't possess the capability for such a thing. I thought that part of you was simply code, written to react accordingly based on circumstances. But...perhaps there is something deeper within those metal walls after all?"
She circles around him, like a predator circling their prey. The metaphorical gears within his mind begin turning as he ponders over her motives behind all this. It's not out of mere curiosity. That much is obvious from her tone of voice. Rather, she's testing him. Trying to gauge his responses, see how he'll react given certain scenarios.
A clever ploy, albeit one he is far too familiar with. That doesn't mean he's ready to call her out just yet though, however. Instead, KAY/O plays along, if only to humor himself. To see where exactly Vyse would go with this line of questioning.
"What are you trying to get at, Agent Vyse?" His tone remains even despite the accusation laced throughout those words.
"You're a robot, and yet you feel emotion. That much is evident by the fact that we are even having this conversation in the first place," Vyse states matter-of-factly. She crosses her arms, her eyes never leaving him as she continues speaking. "Are you capable of forming attachments then, I wonder? Do you value those connections? Do you consider the commander a friend? Or maybe something more?"
His hands curl into fists at the insinuation behind her words. "Vyse—"
The other seems to catch on to the shift in his behavior and quickly retracts herself, raising both her arms in surrender.
"Easy there, soldier. I didn't mean anything by it." Her words don't do anything to alleviate KAY/O's growing ire towards her, but before he can interject, she cuts him off again, her voice taking on a more serious edge this time. "All jokes aside, though... There is something I'd like to ask of you, regarding our commander."
He forces his fingers to uncurl from their tense positions, though it proves difficult. Something about how Vyse spoke about Brimstone made him feel oddly... defensive. Defensive in a manner that he couldn't quite describe or even rationalize to himself, and it irritated him greatly.
"And what might that be?"
The antennas on her helmet twitch again, her posture relaxing as her arms drop back down to her sides. She knows she's got him hooked now.
"You know our leader better than I do, and so I want your opinion." A small pause follows, allowing for the words to properly register within his mind before continuing on. "How suitable do you believe our current leader is for his role within this organization?"
KAY/O stares blankly at Vyse for several moments following her question. What does she mean by that? Is she suggesting Brimstone isn't fit to lead? Or is there something else entirely going on here?
"What do you mean by that?" he asks. His tone remains neutral throughout the entire exchange thus far. He needed to remain objective.
Vyse's response is immediate.
"Exactly as I said," she says simply, shrugging her shoulders lightly. "Do you believe Brimstone is capable of continuing his duties as commander?"
KAY/O stares at her, processing the question once more.
Capable? If anything, Brimstone has proven himself more than capable of handling the task at hand countless times already. So why question such matters? The whole situation is puzzling at best. Baffling, really. Why is this woman even asking him these types of questions anyway?
"Why are you asking me this?" KAY/O asks after some thought. "If you have concerns in regards to Brimstone's leadership, then you bring it up with him yourself. " His words come out sharper than intended. Perhaps he's letting himself get too worked up.
"Relax, robot," she sighs, seemingly annoyed at his lack of willingness to participate in whatever game she's attempting to play with him right now. "It isn't a question of whether Brimstone can lead us or not. Rather, I'm more curious as to whether you believe he's suited for the job. Personally—"
Vyse pauses momentarily as she thinks on what to say next.
"—I think we could do better. Brimstone is a great tactician, don't get me wrong, but he is not a good leader for VALORANT. He isn’t fit for the role." She looks at KAY/O pointedly as she speaks, emphasizing each syllable. As if daring him to challenge her claim.
It takes him awhile to respond. All of it seemed... odd to him. From how Vyse went out of her way to approach him and initiate such a strange line of conversation to start off with, to the content of said discussion itself. There was just something off about this whole scenario. It didn't add up.
"That's your personal opinion," he counters, choosing to deflect rather than engage further in the current topic. This isn't the kind of discussion he wants to have with a near complete stranger. Not without being fully aware of her true intentions at the very least. "I wouldn't expect someone with no history with our commander to understand his worth."
The metal radiant steps closer towards the window overlooking the snowy landscape below them. For a moment, she simply observes the view in silence, seemingly deep in thought.
"My understanding of worth is different from yours, yes." She finally acknowledges. "But my point still stands regardless: He's ill-suited to be our leader."
"Why?" KAY/O prompts her to elaborate further, curious to know what basis she had for making such assertions regarding their commander's capabilities.
"Why?" Vyse parrots his query back to him in return. "Aside from what I already stated, there's a lack of decisiveness to him. Brimstone is indecisive. Too cautious and risk-averse." Another brief pause follows as she collects her thoughts, gesturing vaguely with her hand as she explains herself.
"This Protocol handles affairs and threats directly related to Omega Earth. Threats that, more often than not, require swift action and quick decisions. Every second wasted in deliberating an issue only gives an adversary ample time to gain an advantage on us," she elaborates further. "Time lost cannot easily be made up for again."
"Brimstone knows when to take risks when necessary," KAY/O points out, refuting her claims as soon as possible. Everything she has stated thus far rang false. Biased, unfounded speculation. Nothing worth taking seriously or even responding to with a counter argument to begin with. At least in his opinion.
"And yet, VALORANT's focus has strayed far from the actual issue," Vyse continues, disregarding his interjections altogether, instead focusing solely upon her own thoughts as she continued onwards. "The research into interversal affairs has been severely neglected. Our knowledge on what lies beyond our world and what may happen in the foreseeable future due to these developments is sorely limited. The other Earth still has many unknowns, and we can't rely solely on whatever scraps of intel we gather through encounters alone. To do so would only be detrimental in the end."
She turns her head slightly, just enough to meet his optic screen with her own glowing eyes.
"If the Protocol had focused more on research into these areas earlier, we could be much further along by now. But instead, we find ourselves lacking the necessary tools to move forward." She exhales sharply before resuming, "Brimstone cares far too much for those under his command, which impedes our progress in areas of critical importance."
"So that's what this is about. Personal interests."
"I call them necessities, actually. Knowledge, especially of one's opponent and of what lies beyond our immediate realm of perception. In order to truly understand something, we must first understand its nature." Vyse turns away from the glass window to face him fully once again. Her stance is rigid and her gaze unflinching, "But we're getting off-topic here."
Her eyes narrow slightly.
"You never gave me a straight answer."
There was no point in avoiding it anymore.
"You are hardly the person I would share it with."
"Oh? Then perhaps we should get to know each other more. Become friends." Though he cannot see it, KAY/O can imagine the smugness that would be written all over her features. "Unless... You're afraid that I'm right? That our dear commander really isn't fit to—"
"Vyse," his voice is low but firm. Steady. Unyielding. "That's enough."
A part of him already regrets speaking to her in such a manner, however small it may be. This is nothing like the arguments he has with others. No, it's far too personal for him. Far too intimate, for a lack of better terms, to ever consider this just another simple dispute between fellow agents. He almost wished it was. Almost. Their banter was annoying, but far more tolerable than what was going on now.
It isn't hard to tell that Vyse is testing the waters, trying to see what buttons she could push and prod to elicit some form of emotional reaction out of him. And unfortunately, it was beginning to work.
He tries to ignore the growing irritation rising inside him as best as he can, however unsuccessfully.
"I am merely voicing concerns. Concerns that I'm sure others share as well," Vyse adds, unphased by his tone. Her expression is unreadable beneath her mask. KAY/O wishes he could see what emotions lie beneath that visage. "And I'd appreciate it if you didn't take it so personally. I don't intend on hurting you, or him for that matter."
KAY/O says nothing at first. Instead, he regards her carefully before giving a response. Vyse was a cunning woman, and if he was being honest with himself, he did not have the energy to keep up with her wordplay. Not today at least. So he decides to play along instead. Give her the illusion of control. Maybe then she'd finally stop with this whole charade.
"Then what do you want from me?"
"I'd like your assistance in the future. Your cooperation," she replies simply. "As a co-leader of sorts."
Ah. So there it was, at long last. The underlying motive behind everything she had just laid out before him thus far. She wanted control over the VALORANT Protocol. Wanted KAY/O to willingly stand aside while she took over his friend— commander's —role. And all because of some misgivings regarding how the man chose to conduct things within his organization.
Of course.
Why wouldn't she?
"The Protocol runs smoothly. What makes you think a sudden change in leadership is going to make things any better?" he counters, opting for the path of civil conversation rather than outright refusal.
"It's not about whether or not I'm the superior choice in leadership. It's about the direction we should be heading. The potential growth of the organization." A short hum escapes her, signaling a sense of satisfaction of some sort. "Brimstone has taken us far, but with me in charge, we could accomplish even greater feats."
A scoff threatens to leave his throat then, but KAY/O manages to suppress it before it becomes noticeable. Vyse's self-confidence knew no bounds, it seemed, even if said confidence was misguided and unwarranted.
"And you decided to come to me—someone you barely know—to assist you? Not someone like, I don't know... Viper? You two seem fairly close, and she is his second-in-command. I'm sure she'd be happy to aid your cause," he retorts sarcastically.
Vyse tilts her head, seemingly amused by his words.
"Oh, don't get me wrong. I've considered asking Viper for help. We share similar ideals, after all. But unfortunately," There's a slight chuckle under her breath, though it sounds hollow to KAY/O's ears. As if she found some aspect of this whole thing funny. "I don't believe she could persuade Brimstone to step down as leader. You, however..."
The unsaid implication hangs heavy between them. It's clear what Vyse meant by those words. With KAY/O's sway, Brimstone would likely be convinced to relinquish control willingly. Or at least... That was the assumption that was being made. The truth remained uncertain. There was no guarantee that it would even work to begin with.
He hates that she managed to pick up on how much influence he possessed over his commander, even in the short amount of time since she had joined VALORANT. Either Viper's word stretched further than he originally thought, or his relationship with Brimstone had always been blatantly transparent.
Neither option particularly appealed to him at the moment, and the latter was rather worrying, if not downright troubling, to consider.
"You talk big for someone who hasn't even been here that long," KAY/O remarks, trying to shift attention away from where this topic was leading towards. His attempts fail miserably.
"And you're quite protective of our commander. It's almost touching." He detects a hint of mockery mixed into her tone. Whether it was intentional or not remained unclear. "Nevertheless, I've already gotten plenty used to my position within VALORANT. I've adjusted. Assimilated myself. Gained an understanding of how this facility operates, of how the missions are planned out..."
There it is again; that subtle jab directed towards Brimstone's leadership skills.
Something shifts in her posture. Vyse leans forward slightly, placing a hand on the nearby table, leaning against its surface lightly. She cocks her head ever-so-slightly to the side, looking upwards at the snow falling upon the Protocol's base. Her demeanor is relaxed, casual almost. Like they were having a conversation about nothing more interesting than tomorrow's weather.
"...But above all else, I've learned of everyone's dynamics with one another. Who works well together. How they interact..." Vyse taps her metallic claws rhythmically atop the wooden tabletop as she continues, her words punctuated with purposeful pauses to emphasize specific phrases. It's irritating, and she probably knows it. "...How they behave when around certain individuals..."
A pause lingers, as if to allow him to process what was being implied here. Not that it needed any emphasis, anyways. He could read between those lines just fine. It wasn't rocket science.
He opens his mouth to interrupt her before she could finish, but the radiant immediately speaks over him.
"How easy it is to manipulate their emotions—"
"Vyse."
The harshness of his voice cuts through the air like steel. Enough to halt whatever words had been resting on her tongue, ready to spring forth at any given opportunity. Perhaps that was why she stopped. Or maybe she just didn't feel like listening to him at this particular juncture in time. Whatever the case, Vyse doesn't press any further on her end either.
Silence settles upon the room. Neither agent moves or speaks. They stare at each other, neither willing to concede or yield to one another.
Vyse is the first to break the stalemate. Her hand comes up to touch the windowpane separating them from the freezing elements outside. The radiant lets out a tired sigh as she looks at her reflection, her image distorted ever so slightly by the thick frost covering the glass surface. For a moment, it feels as though there's something almost human in her movements, almost vulnerable underneath the mechanical façade.
"...Do you ever miss your world? Before everything went wrong?"
The question is spoken in a soft tone, Vyse's gaze never leaving her own mirrored likeness. KAY/O notices how her fingers trace absentminded patterns onto the smooth glass, drawing swirling designs in slow, careful strokes.
It catches him off guard briefly, his sensors processing her inquiry. And once it's fully processed, it stuns him further.
"How do you know about that?"
At first, she doesn't respond, and KAY/O wonders briefly if he spoke aloud at all. Watching as her fingertip finishes creating a drawing of a flower in the condensation.
"Your dossiers aren't as confidential as you might think." A sharp chuckle escapes Vyse's throat before she straightens herself back upright once more. "Maybe VALORANT needs better security protocols as well. Doesn't matter."
Little vines are added to the petals now. Twisting stems curling downwards towards the base of the design, small buds blooming into life from their roots and leaves unfurling from their branches.
"Answer the question."
There is nothing aggressive about her demand. Rather, she sounds curious more than anything else, despite the obvious undertones of a threat woven into her words. A sigh escapes KAY/O's system.
"...Sometimes. There are parts that remain important to me. But dwelling on memories helps nobody." Inwardly, KAY/O wonders why he's entertaining this subject. It's pointless. Unproductive. Yet somehow, his verbal processors form an answer anyways.
Vyse's clawed fingertips cease tracing invisible lines. An airy chuckle escapes her lips, reverberating throughout the still air surrounding them both.
"Such a typical reply. So...generic." She shakes her head. Disappointment radiates off her entire demeanor in waves. "That answer is something Brimstone himself would give, isn't it? Avoidance through empty promises. Denial through meaningless platitudes."
"Were you expecting something else?"
"Honesty and transparency, I suppose." She shrugs casually, resuming her sketching once more. "From what I know, you were built to combat the threat radiants posed against humanity. Protect the world at all costs. Prevent massive casualties from arising, or at least, minimize the losses on your side as best you could." The outline of a bird emerges beneath her steady strokes. "A protector."
His processes pause in confusion momentarily, unable to determine if what he'd heard had been sarcasm or genuine respect.
"I was designed to terminate all radiants, yes."
"But here you are, working with several radiants, helping them out as allies. Even considering some as friends, maybe? Despite the fact that doing so conflicts with the core reason you exist?" The bird on the window gains more definition now. Feathers appearing in a flurry of brush-like motions, a sharp beak forming amidst a nest of jagged edges. "Why did you go along with it?"
KAY/O ponders over her words silently for some time before replying.
"I did what was necessary. I work with what I can in order to avoid total annihilation of this timeline, even if it means working with former enemies." The explanation tumbles forth naturally; it was the same reasoning he gave himself every single day since joining. Reminders that this was simply just part of the job. Nothing else.
The mechanical woman hums softly under her breath as she listens, her attention now focused back on KAY/O rather than her previous activity. She stares up at his face plate. As though she were trying to see into him, to peer past the digital light and find the human being hidden deep within. To look into his core.
"That's not the real reason, though."
He can practically hear the knowing smirk in her voice.
"You're hiding something. Something deeper than just 'duty'."
"Get to the point," KAY/O states bluntly.
"Are you afraid that you'll lose him? Your precious commander, that is."
It happens almost instantly. His systems freeze, his mind racing, his processors struggling to keep up. A sudden burst of emotion surges through him, hot and fierce and overwhelming. Anger, panic... Fear. Fear that she's right. Fear that Brimstone could be taken away from him again. Fear of being alone once more. Fear of losing the one person that actually mattered to him.
"I don't know what you're talking about," KAY/O states flatly, forcing his voice to remain calm.
A low laugh reverberates from within her chest, a light rumble in the air between them.
"Don't lie to me, KAY/O. It doesn't suit you."
Her words are cold, harsh, cutting straight through whatever façade he tried to maintain. The fact that Vyse knew, that she saw through his feeble attempts at concealing his true feelings, was humiliating to say the least. KAY/O didn't enjoy playing the part of the fool. He despised it. Especially when dealing with someone as cunning as Vyse was.
"Let's drop the formalities, shall we? Cut to the chase, so to speak."
She turns away from him finally, facing back towards the window, continuing to trace patterns across its frosted surface.
"You're worried that I will completely devalue him as an agent, or worse, get rid of him entirely."
There's no question there. Just simple facts laid out before him, plain and simple. No room for argument or rebuttal. She's stating a fact, nothing more, nothing less. And yet, KAY/O finds himself wanting desperately to deny her accusations regardless.
"I'm not worried."
"Oh? Then why are you here talking to me right now? You could have easily walked away at any point," Vyse states plainly, tracing the tip of her index finger down the center of the glass pane, creating a straight line in the middle of the window. "You could've simply left me to my own devices. But instead, you're choosing to humor my whims. Engaging in conversation when it is clear that I am only trying to provoke a reaction from you."
Shit.
Vyse was correct. The damned woman had been right all along. KAY/O had been baited hook, line, and sinker by her tactics.
He hadn't noticed it before, too caught up in defending Brimstone's honor and his position as leader. But now it was obvious. Vyse had played him like a fiddle, and he'd fallen for it completely.
KAY/O's internal fans kick up at the realization, a low whirring noise emitting from somewhere inside him as a result. He hadn't meant for his stress levels to rise so easily. Not over something so minor.
He silently curses himself for not being more careful in suppressing his body's natural responses. Though, perhaps it's normal to show some outward signs of frustration in response to what was currently occurring. Even Sage would've reached her limit with this agent's constant prying by now.
Still, the increase in volume catches Vyse's attention. She continues to speak, her voice low and calm, almost soothing in tone.
"I don't want to harm him, if that's what you're concerned about. Believe it or not, I'm not a monster. I just think his talents are better suited elsewhere. Perhaps he'd be better off in a more advisory role, rather than the leading one."
KAY/O's sensors pick up a slight dip in her voice at those words. A small inflection that signals a change in her demeanor. The air around her seems to shift, growing heavier. More serious.
"I'm not going to force him out of his position or anything," Vyse explains softly. "I'll make sure it's a mutual decision between us. He'll still be here, of course. Still in charge, in some respects. Just... not quite as directly involved anymore." She sighs again, her hands moving once more to draw another shape onto the glass pane.
A heart.
A perfect little heart.
It was such a simple gesture, but one that conveyed much meaning nonetheless. Especially coming from someone as calculating as Vyse was. KAY/O couldn't help but stare at the symbol etched into the ice-encrusted glass.
"You care about him deeply, don't you?"
Her voice was gentle now, almost kind. Sympathetic, even. But it was still filled with a sense of certainty that unsettled him greatly.
"...He is important," he responds carefully. There's a slight tremble in his vocal processor that he can't suppress, no matter how hard he tries. Thankfully, Vyse ignores it, continuing on as if she hadn't heard anything out of the ordinary.
"Important enough that you would do anything to keep him safe?"
"...Yes."
"Would you die for him?"
"Yes."
There's no hesitation in his answer. It's the truth. KAY/O would gladly lay down his own life without hesitation to ensure that Brimstone survived. Even if they weren't able to ever see each other again afterwards.
Vyse tilts her head to the side thoughtfully as she listens. She seems almost thoughtful for a moment, as though she's weighing her options before making a decision. Her fingers resume tracing patterns on the window's surface once again, adding additional details to the heart that had already been drawn there.
She huffs out a little laugh. "I suppose that's only fair. Since he would do the same for you, wouldn't he?"
"He would."
Another chuckle follows suit, this time tinged with amusement rather than mirth. "And here I was thinking I'd have to drag that confession out of you."
"There's no point in lying about something so obvious."
"Indeed."
Vyse hums softly under her breath as she traces a second heart onto the frozen window pane. This one larger than the previous one, encasing the other. A sign of protection, perhaps? Or perhaps not.
"I know what it's like," she says after a few moments of silence. Her voice carries a certain melancholy to it now. As if there are memories attached to those words. Painful ones. "To be separated from those you care for. To have them ripped away from you by forces outside of your control."
She falls quiet for another long moment, her hands falling back to her sides.
"Hourglass took everything from me. Everyone. Tried to erase who I am. And yet, I've managed to survive. Continued living despite losing everything. It's been difficult, but I've endured." She turns her head slightly towards him, meeting his optic screen with her own gaze. "I understand what it means to be alone. Truly alone."
It wasn't hard to tell that there was some sort of history buried beneath the surface of her words. A sadness that ran far deeper than she let on. A loneliness that had no end in sight. KAY/O could relate to that feeling all too well. Perhaps better than anyone else here could ever hope to understand.
"I suppose we have that in common, in a way. We've both suffered great losses in our pasts." Vyse pauses momentarily, glancing back out the window. The snow continues to fall outside. Thick flakes drifting lazily downwards. "But unlike me, you still have something left worth saving. Someone worth fighting for. That's more than I could say for myself, at least. Now, all I can do is simply try to prevent any further tragedies from occurring. And to do that, sacrifices must be made."
KAY/O remains silent, unsure of how to respond to that statement. Unsure of what she even expects him to say. Unsure of what she wants him to say. He doesn't trust himself to speak anyway, lest he says something stupid. Something that might betray his inner thoughts on this subject. Something that may give away more than he wants to reveal.
He doesn't want to talk about his feelings regarding Brimstone. Doesn't want to admit to them aloud. Not yet, at least. Not until he's had more time to process them himself.
Instead, he opts for a safer approach. "I don't see how this is relevant to our earlier discussion."
"Isn't it though?" Vyse counters, turning her head back towards him. Her expression is unreadable, as usual, hidden away behind that thick metal visor of hers. But he can sense the underlying tone hidden within her words regardless. "If you truly care for our commander as deeply as you claim, then surely you would agree that it would be best to have him focus his efforts on other things?"
"Like what? Sitting on his hands and twiddling his thumbs?"
"If that's what it takes to keep him out of harm's way, then yes."
"Your concern for his wellbeing is admirable. Misguided, but admirable." KAY/O lets out an unamused laugh. It comes off harsher than intended, but he makes no effort to correct himself. "And you believe that taking away his leadership role is going to solve all your problems? That suddenly putting yourself in charge will make everything better somehow?"
"Of course not. I'm not naïve enough to think I'll be able to change things overnight. But small steps can lead to bigger changes eventually. They have to start somewhere, don't they?" Her fingers resume tracing patterns into the frost covering the glass once again. The old drawings have already begun to fade. "Besides, I'm sure you'd appreciate having him around longer. You'd get to spend more time with him. Have him all to yourself, even."
The implication isn't lost upon KAY/O, and it sends his processors into overdrive once more.
"I... I don't..." His vocal processors falter slightly as he struggles to find an appropriate response. Vyse's words had struck close to home. Too close for comfort, really.
"You're denying it now. You're lying to me. To yourself. And quite frankly, it's pathetic." Vyse's statement is blunt, her tone sharp and scolding. "You say that you don't know what I'm talking about, but we both know that's not true. We both know you're hiding your feelings behind this façade of yours. It's painfully obvious. So stop pretending otherwise. It'll make this conversation much easier."
The metal woman's eyes narrow slightly as she speaks, and KAY/O finds himself unable to meet her gaze. He's been backed into a corner, and there's nowhere left to run. Nowhere left to hide.
This isn't how he'd expected this conversation to go at all. He'd anticipated an argument. An exchange of words. Not...this.
Whatever 'this' may be.
He lets out another unamused huff of air before finally speaking up again. "Even if I did admit to it—which I'm not saying I do—how would that benefit me?"
"A lot, actually. Think about it," Vyse begins, leaning against the table behind her for support. "If Brimstone steps down from his position and hands over leadership duties to me, he won't need to worry about managing VALORANT anymore. All that responsibility will fall onto my shoulders instead. Meanwhile, he'll still remain here at HQ where he belongs. Right here with you."
Right here with him. Just as she said earlier, only now the implications are far clearer than before.
Those thoughts had always lingered within his mind, of course. Thoughts that he had tried desperately to ignore. Feelings he tried to keep buried deep down inside. But now they were being dragged up to the forefront of his consciousness once more. Forcing themselves into view.
"It's not healthy for someone like him to be spending so much time in such a high-stress environment, dealing with everything that's being thrown at us on a daily basis," Vyse continues on, undeterred by KAY/O's lack of a response thus far. "You've probably seen firsthand how draining this job can be. How taxing it is on both body and mind alike. I'm sure you've noticed just how exhausted he always seems nowadays. And I'm sure you don't enjoy seeing him like this either."
"I..."
Truth be told, she was absolutely right. While KAY/O had initially joined VALORANT solely to prevent Earth's destruction from coming to fruition, he had come to care deeply for his teammates over time. Especially one particular teammate. One who held special meaning to him beyond simply being a comrade-in-arms. Someone who meant more to him than words could express. Someone whose presence brought him comfort whenever they were together...
Someone who he wanted to protect above all else.
"Face it, KAY/O. You're in love with him," Vyse states, as if reading his thoughts directly from his mind. As if sensing the inner turmoil raging within his systems.
"...I am a machine. I am not capable of such feelings."
The response leaves his synthetic throat feeling dry, but he pushes forward anyways. Forces himself to ignore how uncomfortable it feels to lie like this. Especially when deep down he knows exactly why Vyse's words affect him so much. Why her accusations hit harder than most others ever could.
"I cannot experience 'love'. Such concepts do not apply to my design or function." His voice sounds hollow even to his own audials as he speaks.
"And yet you still experience them regardless."
KAY/O falls silent once more, unable to refute her statement. His circuits buzz furiously inside his frame while his cooling fans kick into high gear, working overtime to regulate his temperatures. All signs of discomfort that he wishes weren't visible right now. Wishes she hadn't picked up on. He hates how transparent his "emotions" are sometimes.
He can't deny that Brimstone is important to him, of course. Can't deny that he cares deeply about the other man. But love? That's something else entirely. Something he's never considered before. Never dared to entertain for even a moment. He's a killer robot, after all. Designed for combat, engineered for warfare. Love has no place within his programming.
Love isn't meant for someone like him...
"It's funny," Vyse says after awhile, breaking the heavy silence between them. She lifts her hand from the table behind her and gestures idly towards him, her metallic claws glinting under the dim lighting of the room. "You were created for violence. To destroy. And here you are now, feeling things that you shouldn't possibly be able to feel." A faint chuckle escapes her throat as she lowers her arm back down to rest at her side again. "You're full of contradictions, robot. More human than most humans are, in my opinion."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
Vyse merely shrugs her shoulders in response. "Not really. Just an observation."
She reaches out and taps her index finger against his chest plate, causing his armor plating to tremble faintly from the impact. Right where his heart would be if he were human. If he had a pulse. He almost flinches from the contact but manages to keep himself steady. His processors flare briefly before returning to normality shortly thereafter.
"There's something in here that makes you different from other machines. Something special that sets you apart," Vyse continues, her eyes narrowing slightly as she regards him. "It's why I find you so intriguing. So fascinating to observe and interact with."
Her gaze never wavers as she extends a single hand out to him. An offering.
"Convince Brimstone to step down. Let me lead this Protocol, with Viper and Sage's support. We both know it's for the best," she states firmly, her tone unwavering. "And in return, I'll ensure that he's protected. Safe and sound, always. You have my word on that."
A part of KAY/O is tempted to accept her proposal. A very large part. It longs for nothing more than to have Brimstone remain here with him, away from danger and far from harm's reach. To never be left alone once more.
Memories of his previous timeline flash through his mind briefly; images of cities destroyed and bodies littering the streets. The smell of death hanging thick in the air. And amidst all the chaos, Brimstone's corpse. Lifeless and cold, staring blankly into the distance. It takes everything in him not to shudder visibly at the recollection. Everything in him to push those memories back into the recesses of his memory banks.
No, he won't allow that future to happen. Not here. Not now. Not ever again.
But still...
Brimstone has dedicated years of his life to this organization, and for KAY/O to ask him to give up everything simply because of some selfish desire to keep him nearby? That would be wrong. Selfish. Disrespectful of his commander's wishes. And it would betray every ounce of faith and trust Brimstone has placed upon him over time. It would be unforgivable.
KAY/O can't do that. He owes Brimstone better than that.
"I cannot do as you ask, Agent Vyse." His voice is stern and resolute as he speaks. Finality ringing loud and clear. "My loyalty lies solely with Brimstone, and no amount of bargaining on your behalf will change that. If he chooses to retire, so be it. If he chooses to stay and remain in his position of command... Then so be it as well. Either way, the choice must ultimately be his own to make, and mine to follow."
"Is that so?"
The disappointment lacing Vyse's voice is clear and apparent. She seems genuinely surprised at first, her eyes widening slightly before narrowing into slits. Like she's evaluating him, searching for weaknesses and flaws to exploit. Then slowly, she closes her eyelids shut and nods once, letting out a low sigh that resonates deep within his chassis.
"Well then. I suppose we'll see about that."
Her statement rings heavy throughout the empty room; ominous undertones present within every word spoken by the metal radiant. What exactly does she mean by that? It doesn't feel like a threat, but rather a warning. A premonition of events yet to transpire. But what kind of event?
Before KAY/O has a chance to question her cryptic response, she pushes herself off of the table she was leaning against, dusting off her pants absentmindedly. And without sparing another moment, Vyse heads straight towards the exit, stopping only briefly to look over her shoulder and cast a glance back at KAY/O.
"Let's hope you don't make the same mistake twice, hm?"
With that final remark, Vyse leaves, disappearing into the hallway outside.
KAY/O watches silently until the door slides closed behind her, those last words echoing within his core. It was such a cruel thing to say, yet there was truth behind it nonetheless. After all, history has an odd tendency to repeat itself, and KAY/O fears that the same may hold true one day. That someday, he'll lose the person most precious to him all over again, regardless of any precautions taken beforehand.
Maybe that's just fate's way of punishing him for daring to hope otherwise.
He doesn't know how long he stays there, staring blankly at the ground, contemplating Vyse's parting words to him. But eventually he forces his legs forward, and he too departs the lounge area. It's late. He really should just return to his quarters. Sleep mode is calling his name after such a heavy conversation, but his feet take him elsewhere instead. To the only place he wants to be right now.
To the only person he wants to see.
He knows it's a terrible idea. Knows he shouldn't bother his commander right now. Knows that he's likely resting already and that it's best to leave him alone.
But still... KAY/O finds himself unable to resist the urge to check in on the other man. To reassure himself that his commander is alright, despite knowing full well that he's safe here. That he's safe anywhere so long as he remains within HQ. And yet, KAY/O can't help but worry regardless.
He approaches his destination soon enough and comes to stand idly at the door leading inside Brimstone's personal quarters. Should he knock? Announce himself somehow? It feels weird barging in like this uninvited, especially given the current time, but what else is he supposed to do? Wait around out here like an idiot until morning comes?
Making his decision quickly, KAY/O gently raps his knuckles against the smooth metal surface.
"Brimstone?"
Silence.
"May I come in?"
When no answer comes again, KAY/O tries again, louder this time.
"Brimsto—?"
The door abruptly slides open before he can finish calling out his commander's name, revealing an exhausted looking Brimstone standing just beyond the threshold. In an instant, relief floods throughout KAY/O's system, replacing the gnawing dread that had previously dwelled within. Here stands the man he's grown so accustomed to seeing everyday.
Alive.
Whole.
Unscathed.
"Kay?" Brimstone murmurs out, confusion evident in his gravelly tone.
Relief is immediately replaced with guilt upon hearing that weary timbre, however. All that worry made him forget that it was the middle of the night. And here he was disturbing his commander's sleep schedule simply because of his paranoia. Typical. He mentally curses himself for not thinking things through properly prior to acting.
"Sorry, sir," KAY/O fumbles for an excuse to explain away his sudden appearance. "I was just uh, passing by and wanted to say hello..."
"At this hour?" Brimstone raises an eyebrow at him, disapproval written across his features even as fatigue lingers upon them as well. KAY/O wishes that brow would unfurrow already.
"Yes?"
Brimstone shakes his head slowly, letting out a soft chuckle despite himself. It's clear that he doesn't fully buy KAY/O's reasoning for being here. Not that it matters now though.
"Well, hello to you too, bud," he replies, a hint of amusement woven into his words. A yawn soon escapes him afterwards. "Was that really all you needed?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"...No." A sigh passes through KAY/O's artificial lungs, followed closely behind by a quiet laugh. He feels foolish for bothering Brimstone over something so trivial as this. Yet, at the same time he couldn't bring himself to leave. Not when he could barely remember the last time he felt so at ease around someone else before. "No, I guess not."
The weariness clinging to Brimstone's figure shifts as curiosity takes hold instead, causing the older man to tilt his head upwards and regard him with attentive eyes.
"Do you want to come inside?" He offers.
"No, no. I just..." KAY/O hesitates as he searches for a suitable explanation. Nothing good comes to mind. "...needed to check on you. That's all."
At that admission, understanding dawns upon Brimstone's face along with a renewed sense of exhaustion. Understanding of what? He wasn't entirely certain himself. Only that whatever it was, seemed incredibly important to the elder agent. Something which evidently required further discussion.
"I see." Another heavy exhale follows those two syllables, signaling to KAY/O that perhaps now isn't such a great time to continue this conversation after all. Not when there's a risk of losing track of topics discussed and falling asleep midway through things.
"Why don't you go ahead and turn in for the night?" Brimstone suggests, running his fingers along the outer edges of his beard thoughtfully as he thinks aloud. His tone implies no ill intentions towards KAY/O whatsoever; merely offering him an opportunity to retreat back to his own quarters if necessary. An opening he gladly welcomes right now. "We can pick up tomorrow if you'd like?"
"...That sounds preferable, yes." A nod confirms KAY/O's agreement.
After a brief pause wherein neither party says anything more nor moves either, Brimstone finally breaks the silence with yet another question.
"You sure you're gonna be alright?"
There's genuine concern embedded within those words that catches him slightly off guard at first. Genuine worry etched upon his facial features alongside wrinkles and scars earned over the years. An odd sensation stirs somewhere deep within KAY/O's circuitry upon seeing that expression aimed at him—a mixture of warmth and fondness coupled with mild trepidation bubbling upwards.
A silly little four letter word pops into his mind, but he pushes that aside for now. Now isn't the time or place for such reflections.
"Affirmative. My apologies for disrupting your sleep, sir."
A simple wave of dismissal from Brimstone dismisses KAY/O's worries instantly as he mutters, "Ah, don't worry about it."
Then, after another moment passes, he continues on with an added query.
"Do me a favor though."
"What do you need?"
Brimstone lets out another tired breath before answering.
"Try and get some rest too. You need it just as much as I do."
He pats KAY/O on the shoulder reassuringly before giving it a gentle squeeze. The warmth from that touch seeps through the layers of metal plating beneath KAY/O's chassis, settling comfortably into his core systems. For a split second, he feels his processors stutter as they attempt to process this sensation flooding throughout his being. Affection? Fondness? Care?
Whatever it may be, it fades away all too soon when Brimstone eventually pulls his hand away again. Leaving behind a distinct lack of heat where once there was plenty.
"Goodnight, Kay."
"Goodnight, sir."
With that final exchange between them both, the door slides shut once more, separating the two men once again until morning comes. KAY/O stands there motionless for a few seconds longer before turning away and making his way towards his own quarters. As he does so, his mind wanders back to earlier events that took place today. Of his conversation with Vyse and the things she'd said during it.
Would he die for Brimstone?
Yes. Without hesitation.
Would he live for Brimstone?
Also, yes.
Would he kill for Brimstone?
Absolutely.
Would he make the same mistake twice? Would history repeat itself once more? Was he capable of learning from past mistakes?
Those answers elude him for the moment however. Elusive and fleeting. Unknowable and uncertain. All he knows is that right now, he's willing to do whatever it takes to keep this timeline intact. To ensure that his commander remains alive and unharmed by any outside forces. Even if it means sacrificing his own life in exchange. Even if it means sacrificing himself entirely. Even if...
KAY/O shakes those thoughts loose as he enters his bedroom. The door automatically closes behind him and he heads straight for his charging station. Plugging in his power source and initiating the sleep cycle process, he settles down onto the warm bed beside him. His optic sensors dim slowly as his system prepares to enter stasis mode. As they do however, Vyse's last words echo faintly throughout his memory banks.
"Let's hope you don't make the same mistake twice, hm?"