Mechanical Emotions - One Shot
Title: Mechanical Emotions
Fandom(s): U-KISS
Pairing(s): Kemaru, SeopVin, mentioned!SooSeop
Rating: PG-13
Genre: AU, Romance (?), Fluff (?)
Word Count: 6,380 words
35 U-Kiss Fic Challenge Prompt: 18. Repair [Kevin/Kibum]
Warnings: Awful!English
Author's Notes: Here’s the second take of the prompt! I actually think the ending is horrid /apologises. I’m sorry, really sorry. I wanted to end it nicely but I have no idea how T___T!
“Oh no, I’m still missing out on some wires.” Kevin pouted, changing out of his lab coat into more casual ones. “Wait for me, robot, I’ll come back soon with, uh, your intestines.”
Not expecting any reply since his work has not been fully done, he switched off the lights and left the house.
The robot twitched a little, sitting up straight in a second, standing on both feet the next. It looked down at its stomach, seeing it exposed, and looked back up around it. The room was a mess. It has to throw everything out.
And so Kevin returned home and almost fainted.
“Why are my sofa and my television out here?” Kevin shrieked, unlocking his door to see his half completed robot cooking dinner.
“You’re…not supposed to be ready yet…?”
The robot turned its head towards Kevin and smiled (A little creepily. Kevin decided he must have programmed the robot a little wrongly.). “Intruder. Intruder. Throwing him out.”
Leaving whatever it was cooking on the stove, it sped towards Kevin and carried him over its shoulder.
“Put me down! Bad robot! Bad!” Kevin screamed, struggling in the firm grasp of the robot.
“Unlocking door to throw intruder out.” The robot said mechanically, unmoved by Kevin’s struggles.
“Gosh! I made you! This is my house!” Kevin facepalmed, sighing. “Guess I have to resort to plan Z.”
Kevin pulled the robot’s two ears and a certain golden strand of hair. The robot stopped moving, and Kevin struggled to get back down on floor. “Ah, now I have to reprogram you. How could you call me an intruder?! Gah.”
Kevin slowly let the robot fall, holding onto it so it doesn’t hit the floor too hard. He attached the wires he went out to buy into the robot’s stomach before covering it up with metal and manmade skin. The skin was made in a way that it conducts less of the high temperature of the robot (since it’s constantly working) to a temperature that made it feel like a real human. After properly covering up the hole, Kevin poked the robot’s temples, causing its face to detach from the rest of the head. Kevin lifted the face and took out the thumb drive inside.
He inserted the thumb drive to his laptop and frantically typed away, reprogramming the whole thing and adding face and speech recognition. “Hm, it should go out and have contact with the world. Yeah, that’ll be fun. Typical robots are boring! I shall add in a contact list for him then!”
“If such, I shall not be his owner, but his first friend! Oh, I just called him him! Okay, then he shall settle down as a male.” Kevin clapped his hands, pleased with his programming. He ran a scan check in case virus got into the thumb drive. That would be a disaster. Especially since without virus, his furniture were already out there.
“I don’t think I missed out anything?” Kevin puckered his lips as he pondered. Thinking he probably had everything already, since it is a year-long project, he ejected the thumb drive and inserted back into the robot’s head. “I haven’t thought of a name for you, sorry robot!”
Kevin then reattached the face to the head, instantly starting up the robot.
The robot sat up straight with such a jerk, causing Kevin to fall backwards in slight surprise. Before standing up the next second, the robot caught hold of Kevin’s waist and held him in that position.
“Good morning, master.” The robot greeted, voice sounding very human because Kevin managed to find a programme online that did so.
“Weird, I thought I programmed him to have friends?” Kevin frowned faintly, before realising he was still half-standing. While Kevin was flailing to get up, the robot suddenly caught hold of his legs too, carrying Kevin bridal style. “No! No! Let me down!”
“Master is sick, master should rest.” The robot insisted, gently placing Kevin down on the floor (since all his furniture were out there).
Suddenly, a weird smell engulfed the room.
“OH NO! FOOD! BURNING! FIREEEEEEE!” Kevin screamed, and the robot followed the smell (since he had smell detection in his programme). It did many things (as proven by the sounds) before it reappeared with skilfully cooked dishes, setting it on the floor (the table is still out there).
Kevin blinked, staring back at himself on the floor. Why was he acting as if he’s really sick? He quickly stood up, but the robot sped towards him and placed both hands on Kevin’s shoulder, stopping him from getting up.
“Robot, I’m fine!” Kevin sighed, eyes pleading. “Let me up?”
“Master says so, robot listens.” The robot said, helping Kevin up this time.
“Oh, yeah, uh, could you get my furniture outside the house in?” Kevin scratched his head, and the robot returned back in his sight ten seconds later, with all the furniture back in place. Even the television is turned on (how did he put back all the cables so fast?).
“Yeah, good. Thank you.” Kevin smiled, looking at the dishes on the floor. “Oh, you might want to put the dishes on the dining table. Yeah, thanks, you’re efficient.”
Kevin took in a deep breath and walked towards his favourite chair, hand held out, ready to pull out the chair. The robot got there before he did though, pulling the chair out for Kevin and gesturing for him to sit.
“Thank you!” Kevin sighed happily, before biting down on his lip with worry. “Uh, could you go watch TV? I can’t let you eat but I feel bad that you’re not eating…”
“Yes, master.” The robot went to stand right in front of the television, staring at it.
Kevin giggled at the adorable actions the robot was doing. “Robot! Sit on the sofa! You don’t watch TV right in front of the television!”
“Yes, master.” He moved to the sofa and sat down gently, back straightened while staring at the screen.
“Uhh…well, enjoy yourself.” Kevin shrugged, chewing on his food as he was taught when he was young and enjoying the delicious taste. “Hm, I should download more of my favourite recipes into him then!”
-
“Robot! I’m going to school!” Kevin announced, and the robot stopped in its chores to stand behind Kevin.
“Robot will follow master to school.”
“No, robot will stay at home to- Oh. Yeah, you should get out and make some friends!” Kevin nodded excitedly. “You’re not human though, I wonder if they’ll accept random students…”
The robot ended up carrying Kevin on his back and speeding to school because Kevin usually walked there. Since Kevin was busy thinking about signing the robot up as a student (“You don’t even have a name…”), they ended up leaving the house ten minutes later than normal.
“Oh, I forgot I have a super-speed robot!” Kevin giggled, hugging the robot’s neck tightly as the robot carried him and speed-walked to school. “Wah, I don’t even need to take buses anymore!”
At the front gate, Kevin met up with Kiseop who had a deep frown. “Why are you hugging another guy!”
“He’s my robot!” Kevin smiled widely, patting the robot’s head. “I haven’t thought of a name for him, you wanna help me?”
“Oh. If he’s a robot then I guess it’s okay. My boyfriend cannot touch any other guys!” Kiseop possessively said, tugging Kevin down. The robot immediately caught Kiseop’s hand and sent him sprawling on the floor.
“Harmful being, must keep master safe.”
“Robot! That’s my boyfriend!” Kevin gasped, struggling to get off the robot’s back.
“Harmful being, must keep master away.”
“ROBOT! LISTEN TO ME!” Kevin screamed.
The robot paused, unmoving for a second. He then bent his knees and allowed Kevin to get off him, reaching the floor gently.
“Kiseop, are you okay?” Kevin asked worriedly, helping Kiseop up.
“Yeah, protective robot, isn’t he?” Kiseop slightly chuckled, rubbing his elbow.
“Robot?” Kevin turned his head back to the expressionless robot. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scream at you…Oh gosh, I shouldn’t have labelled my screaming as angry.”
“Robot’s fine as long as master’s fine.” The robot mechanically said. “Five minutes to eight, master’s going to be late.”
“Oh no! Kiseop, we’ve got to run!”
-
“We have a new student, Kim Kibum, from the countryside. Will everybody please do your best to welcome him?” The teacher smiled warmly, and Kibum walked in, expressionless. “Introduce yourself, Kibum.”
“From now onwards, your name is Kim Kibum, all right?” Kevin bit his lower lip and checked his watch. He didn’t have much time, and he hasn’t taught his robot to act.
“Yes, master.”
“And don’t call me master. Call me Kevin, okay?”
“No, master. You are my master.”
“I don’t care! I said call me Kevin!” Kevin exasperatedly said.
“Yes, master.” Kibum finally agreed.
“And smile more, it makes you look more friendly to other people.”
“They are potential dangers. Kim Kibum will not smile.” Kibum insisted.
“Kim Kibum?” A teacher called out, and Kevin sighed, pushing the robot, now known as Kibum, forward.
“Go, just go. I’ll meet you later.”
“My name is Kim Kibum.” Kibum introduced himself and stared back at everyone looking at him. Some girls slightly waved, amaze at how good he looked, others just looked amused.
“Uh, anything else? Like telling your hobbies, asking your classmates to take care of you?” The teacher awkwardly asked.
“Kim Kibum follows Kevin around. Kim Kibum can take care of Kim Kibum.” Kibum said, and everyone instantly turned their head to Kevin at the back of the class.
“You know him?”
“You’re from the countryside?”
“Does he like you?”
“How about Kiseop?”
Kevin felt a little troubled with the sudden attention, frowning. “Uh no, he’s my, uh, cousin.”
“He’s kinda weird, why does he address himself by his name?” Kevin’s tablemate nudged him.
“He’s uh, autistic.” Kevin blabbered out, burying his head in his hands after the whole class made an ‘O’ shape with their mouth and nodded in understanding.
“I guess Kevin, you will have to sit with him to help him adapt to school then.” The teacher said, and Kevin’s tablemate stood up to pack his bag.
“Bye Kevin, have fun with your cousin. He’s kinda freaky staring at me like that.” Kevin’s tablemate shuddered, quickly leaving his seat.
“Kibum, you can sit next to Kevin.” The teacher smiled kindly, patting his shoulder and pointing at the seat.
“Do not touch Kim Kibum.” Kibum said monotonously, speeding towards the seat beside Kevin before sitting down. “Potential danger two metres away from Kevin. Kim Kibum is relieved.”
“He’s kinda rude, sorry Mrs Lee.” Kevin smiled sheepishly, whacking Kibum’s head. “Need to teach you some manners back home!”
“It’s okay, Kevin. Be nice. It isn’t easy for autistic students.” Mrs Lee shook her head and left the room.
“Yeah, it’s okay, we won’t mind his bad manners that much.”
“Autism is pretty horrible as I’ve read, it’s okay, we’ll embrace him as our new classmate for who he is.”
“Yeah Kevin, be gentle to him.”
Kevin sighed. Now he looks like the complete bad guy. Kiseop left his seat and stood before Kevin’s table, patting his head.
“Harmful being-” Kibum said monotonously, grabbing Kiseop’s wrist.
Kevin managed to glare at Kibum, stopping him from doing anything. “All right, this is Kiseop, my boyfriend. Kiseop, this is my ro- cousin, Kibum as you know. Kibum, Kiseop is NOT a harmful being. Neither is ANYONE in this room a harmful being. They are my FRIENDS.”
Kibum released his grip around Kiseop’s wrist and stared back into Kevin’s eyes. “Yes, master.”
Kevin looked around quickly, before sighing. “I’m Kevin! I told you, Kevin!”
“Yes, Kevin.”
-
“I don't know, Kev. I think it might have something to do with you asking him to attend classes and make friends. Robots aren't programmed this way so he ends up defying you a lot.” Kiseop said over lunch. Kibum was staring at Kevin eat because Kevin cannot direct him to a television in school.
“Kibum, it's scary.” Kevin sighed. “Can you look away?”
Kibum shifted his head and stared at Kevin's food instead.
“...” Kevin focused back at Kiseop. “But he should make friends! He looks so convincing already! He just has to be less mechanical and more human.”
“And he's programmed to follow you around, isn't it? That's why he can't leave you. It's defying his basic system. You'll need to properly reprogram him, I guess.” Kiseop intelligently pointed out, poking Kibum's face once in fascination. Kibum looked up and glared at Kiseop. “Sorry. Hey, Kev, how did you make the skin?”
“It was try and error. The base is soft cardboard, then some cotton cloth and some texture. I can't remember already, but I have some left in case he gets hurt or something. Why?” Kevin cocked his head to a side and asked.
“Nothing, it's cool.” Kiseop grinned.
“Yeah, it looks better than I expect.” Kevin beamed proudly. “That's why I wanted to let him make friends!”
“Half an hour to the next class.” Kibum said, still staring at Kevin's food.
“Thank you for the announcement. I feel utterly disturbed with you staring at my food, please stare at the stairs over there.” Kevin commanded gently. Kibum turned his head as requested. “Phew.”
Kiseop chuckled. “All right, Kev, we have different lessons after lunch so I'll leave first.”
“Oh?” Kevin replied, sounding disappointed.
“Sorry baby, there's a group project as you know.” Kiseop apologised, standing up to kiss Kevin before leaving.
Kevin sighed. “Recently it's all project, project, project. Kiseoppie must be really tired...”
“Kevin.” Kibum suddenly spoke up.
“Yes?” Kevin smiled as he asked. “You can look at me if you're talking to me, you know. Just don't stare.”
Kibum turned his head and stared at Kevin (despite Kevin saying not to).
“Yes? Why did you call me?” Kevin repeated, looking back at Kibum.
Kibum blinked. Kevin remembered keying that in as hesitation (confusion is also possible but Kevin decided that Kibum should repeat the question if he was confused. Why should he make his robot so hard to understand anyway?
“Nothing.” Kibum looked away, staring back at the stairs.
“Kibummie...” Kevin shook Kibum's shoulder. “Tell me.”
“Harmful being. Lee Kiseop is a harmful being.” Kibum replied, still looking away.
“Is that why you hesitated?” Kevin smiled faintly. “You were considering my feelings?”
“Kim Kibum cannot hurt master.” Kibum shook his head firmly.
“Okay, this is getting funny. Your full name is Kim Kibum, but you are called Kibum usually. When referring to yourself, say “I”, not “Kim Kibum”.” Kevin corrected, patting Kibum’s head gently. “Kiseop isn’t a harmful being no matter what you say. Thank you for being a caring robot, though.”
-
“Usually, he walks me to my house.” Kevin sighed, strolling along the road lazily, his school bag carried by Kibum. “Now it’s all about project so I walk home alone.”
Kibum kept silent, still against Kiseop.
“AH! CAT!” Kevin jumped, hiding behind Kibum. “Let’s-Let’s quickly walk-”
Kibum walked towards the cat and picked it up by its neck, throwing it into the bushes nearby.
“OH MY GOODNESS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Kevin shrieked. “You can’t do that! It’s a life! Animal abuse, Kibum!”
“Master’s scared of it.” Kibum continued walking forward as if nothing happened.
Kevin caught up with him and shook his head. “Even so, it’s a life! I think I need to give you a metal heart. At least you’ll have a heart.”
Kibum didn’t reply, only continuing to walk back towards Kevin’s and now sort of his house. “Does master-”
“Oh wait!” Kevin frowned deeply. “Didn’t I say to call me Kevin?”
“No one else is in hearing range. Master is master.” Kibum insisted monotonously.
“Kibum.” Kevin glared at Kibum’s back and refused to move.
Kibum turned around and carried Kevin on his back, ignoring the fact that Kevin was desperately trying to get off him. “Does master want to reach home quickly or normally?”
“KEVIN! KEVINNNNNN!” Kevin groaned, tired of struggling already. Robots have wonderful strength. Kevin then sighed, hugging Kibum’s neck in defeat as Kibum continued to walk in the direction of his house. “Slowly.”
“Yes, master.” Kibum answered, taking small steps while his upper body stayed still. He figured in his metal brain that Kevin was probably tired from school and might want to sleep, which proved to be true three minutes later, when Kibum felt a weight pressing down on his shoulder.
Unfazed by distractions like crowd walking his way, stares coming in his direction and all, he walked slowly as instructed.
-
Kevin woke up to see himself in pyjamas along on his bed, blanket tucked properly to keep him warm. He sniffed the air and recognised it to be fried chicken.
Kevin quickly got out of bed and to the kitchen, smiling brightly at Kibum. “Can I have a bite, pretty please?”
Kibum eyed Kevin and nodded, drying the excess oil on a paper towel before waving it in super speed to cool it down. After twenty seconds, Kibum was feeding Kevin already.
“I can eat it myself!” Kevin squeaked, drumstick shoved into his mouth. “Kibummie!”
Kibum broke into a smile, before laughing loudly. “Master has an oily face.”
Kevin pouted, but smiled when Kibum wiped his mouth gently to get the oil away, happily enjoying the chicken while Kibum sent him out of the kitchen.
“Kitchen is unsafe, stay outside.” Kibum said slightly sternly, before returning to cooking up other dishes.
“Mm, it’s nice having a robot.” Kevin grinned, running to his sofa and turning on the television. “Nothing’s better than a good chicken wing~!”
“But wait, did he strip me?” Kevin widened his eyes and checked his clothes. “Uh, nevermind, he’s a robot.”
-
“Hey Kev!” Kiseop smiled. “We have P.E. together today, let’s team up.”
“Sure!” Kevin nodded, running up to Kiseop with a quick kiss as a greeting. “How’s your project going?”
“Good.” Kiseop grinned. “It’s about to finish, I just need some more time. Sorry, baby.”
“Nah, work is important.” Kevin pressed his head down against Kiseop’s shoulder, tentatively forgetting about Kibum staring at their backs.
Kibum’s glare turned intense as Kiseop circled an arm around Kevin’s waist, pulling him closer. Kibum didn’t like the scene.
“Harmful being.” Kibum insisted.
-
Kibum balanced the tennis ball on his tennis racquet with ease, although consulting the teacher on what it was, how it was formed, what history it has while keeping an eye on Kevin.
“So tennis was from France in the 12th century, but was played with racquets only in the 16th century?” Kibum nodded, not needing a proper reply. He walked towards Kevin and gave him his ball, since Kevin accidentally hit the ball too hard that it bounced away.
“Thanks~!” Kevin smiled.
Kibum ended up picking up tennis balls for Kevin since he was a natural talent at the game already, making everyone in awe.
“Kevin! Isn’t he a countryside boy?” A friend asked, in awe at Kibum juggling ten tennis balls on one racquet, throwing one over to Kevin every time Kevin missed one he was balancing. “He’s awesome!”
“Eh…” Kevin fidgeted, missing a ball again. “He played something similar to this before. Yeah.”
Kibum kept silent, until he heard a whistle signalling the stopping of the drills.
“Team up and we’ll play doubles!” The teacher instructed.
Kevin looked up and gasped. “I-I…I promised Kiseop to team up…I….”
Kibum nodded, moving to the side of the court despite the class having an even number.
“Would you like to team up with me?” A shy girl advanced him, being the only other without a partner.
“No.” Kibum replied without casting her even a glance, eyes on Kevin.
“Okay…” The girl awkwardly replied, walking away to take a seat on another bench.
Kevin and Kiseop played well against each other, laughing when each other aimed off court or got the tennis ball stuck in the net. Kiseop accidentally used too much force for one strike, the ball aiming straight for Kevin’s throat.
Everything happened too quickly, but the next thing that Kevin realised was that Kibum had caught the ball with a hand and his waist with the other.
“Kevin, are you all right?” Kibum asked, almost gently, if Kevin hadn’t remind himself that Kibum was only a robot.
“Yeah.” Kevin still couldn’t help himself but blush, quickly adjusting himself so he was comfortably away from the robot. “I’ll just get back to the game. Thanks for catching the ball though!”
Kibum returned to his seat and continued staring at them play the game.
“I think Kibum’s bored.” Kiseop said, panting slightly. “Why don’t I have a game with him?”
Kevin was out of breath, bad in sports generally. He quickly complied, getting Kibum to join the game.
“Play well!” Kevin smiled, gulping down the contents in his bottle.
Kibum took the racquet and examined it carefully. He spun it in his hands and stared at Kiseop, waiting for his serve.
“I’m not going to go easy on you, robot.” Kiseop smirked, words ending in a whisper since it was meant to be a secret.
“Harmful being.” Kibum muttered under his breath, eyes glancing at Kevin. Obviously his owner didn’t notice what Kiseop said. Kibum’s system decided, whatever Kevin thought, Kiseop was a harmful being.
As if having a vengeance against Kibum, Kiseop did a powerful hit after his serve, the ball spinning and coming straight at Kibum’s right eye. Kibum shuffled backwards and whacked the ball back to Kiseop, successfully attacking the other’s legs.
If he wanted a game, Kibum was up for it.
Kiseop slightly frowned, noticing the unfriendly aura. Did he say something wrong?
Kiseop took the game a little more seriously, sending the ball to Kibum while Kibum sent it back with ease. The class started gathering around their court, too engrossed in the good game than their own bad ones. Kevin smiled proudly, but when people started taking sides and cheering for who they think would win, Kevin was faced with a situation.
Should he shut up, or cheer too?
But, for who?
“Kevin! Cheer, come on!” A friend urged.
“Uhm.” Kevin bit his lower lip. Well, Kibum would just have to forgive him for being biased to his love. “GO KISEOPPIE!”
Kibum dropped his racquet that very moment, catching the ball and crushing it.
“I lost.” Kibum shrugged, walking away without even breaking a sweat.
Kevin blinked at the crushed tennis ball left carelessly on the floor.
-
“Lay down.” Kevin smiled, hands going over Kibum’s face to cover his eyes after the robot laid down on the floor. “This will be real quick, so just take it as a nap.”
Kibum frowned, about to protest to say that he will never be tired when Kevin shut off his system.
With a metal ball in his hand and some wires protruding out from it, Kevin placed the object in the core of Kibum and attached it to the rest of the body. He connected Kibum’s brain (thumb drive) to the computer and programmed certain qualities to be controlled by the “heart” instead.
Basically, irrationally.
The “heart” was there just for show, and the other reason why Kevin insisted on making a heart was because he added a clock in the ball. Somehow, the ticking made it felt like the “heart” was beating.
After double-checking the programme and running a quick scan for viruses in the thumb drive, Kevin reinserted it into Kibum’s head and started him up.
“Do you feel okay?” Kevin smiled, helping Kibum up in case he had to readjust himself.
“Yes, master.” Kibum nodded, before shaking his head. “I feel like a bomb.”
“Huh?” Kevin widened his eyes. “Are you going to explode any time soon? Which part is exploding? What’s wrong with it?”
“I don’t know, I’m ticking.” Kibum blinked, waiting for Kevin to tell him what was wrong with him.
“Oh. That’s your heart!” Kevin grinned, happy with his invention. He beckoned Kibum to lean forward and pressed the robot’s head against his chest, letting him hear his own heartbeat. “It works like a real heart like mine, doesn’t it?”
Kibum instinctively leaned closer, eyes closed to hear the soothing beat. He still sounds like a bomb, though, but anything to make Kevin happy.
“Yes, master.” Kibum agreed with a smile.
The first lie he told.
-
Kevin and Kiseop hadn’t met for days, Kibum noticed. Not that he really cared about that harmful being, but if Kevin had been looking listless for three days, then the couple must have not met for three days.
“I’ll find him for you.” Kibum offered.
“No, no.” Kevin frantically caught Kibum’s wrist, shaking his head. “He’s busy.”
“False.” Kibum frowned, yanking Kevin up from his sitting position. “He’s there.”
Kevin turned to the direction Kibum was looking at, staring with mouth agape at the scene. Kiseop was kissing Soohyun, the famous science student with straight As.
Kibum looked at Kevin’s reaction and sped forward, ignoring Kevin’s screams to retreat.
He dragged Kiseop away from Soohyun and threw him across a good five metres. When Soohyun attacked him from behind for attacking Kiseop, he arm-locked the human and threw him over his shoulder.
“Kibummie!” Kevin shrieked, grabbing both his strong arms to stop him from moving and attacking. “Don’t do it, don’t!”
“He broke your heart.” Kibum’s face was expressionless, walking over to Kiseop while dragging Kevin as the human was hugging him from behind. He grabbed Kiseop’s collar and pulled him up, staring into Kiseop’s unfocused eyes. “You deserve to die.”
“Kim Kibum!” Kevin bit his lip, not really wanting to do such a thing, but having no other choice. Pulling Kibum’s two ears and the certain strand of golden hair to shut his system down, Kibum fell to the floor gently with Kevin’s support from behind.
“You should put restraints on that robot of yours.” Kiseop adjusted his collar and tried to breathe properly again. “He’s mental.”
Kevin looked up from Kibum’s unconscious figure to Kiseop with teary eyes. With a powerful force he didn’t know he had, he slapped the older man and shook his head. “Kibummie’s not mental. He’s a robot but he’s more sensitive to feelings than you. Why would you date me when you’re kissing someone else? Don’t you have a heart?!”
“Did you ever think I was interested in you?” Kiseop rubbed the sore spot on his cheeks and sighed. “Life’s like that, Kevin. I knew you were working on a robot too, but instead of doing it to have someone beside me, I’m doing it to win. Every part of my robot is better than yours, except the exterior. I got that figured out now though, so we’re done.”
“Wh-what?” Kevin frowned, taking an involuntary step back.
“My robot doesn’t malfunction like you, nor does it have violent tendencies and call humans a harmful being. My robot is a robot.” Kiseop shrugged. “If you like your robot so much, go date him instead. Now, if you would excuse my boyfriend and I, we would love to leave for our date.”
“Go. Just go.” Kevin wiped away the tears from his eyes roughly, nodding. “Though I wished you told that to me earlier, jerk.”
As soon as Kiseop and Soohyun left, Kevin restarted Kibum’s system and cried. Kibum wrapped his arms around the human and patted his head in a fixed and soothing rhythm, letting Kevin fall asleep in his arms.
-
Kevin and Kibum ended up sticking to each other a lot closer now, ever since news got out that Kevin and Kiseop broke up.
-
“Harmful being.” Kibum growled at Kiseop, almost charging up to the man to give him a good beating he couldn’t execute the other day.
“Kibummie.” Kevin frowned sternly, slipping his arm into Kibum’s own and holding him back. “Forget it, he’s not worth it.”
Kibum turn to stare at Kevin, who beamed brightly with a sure nod at Kibum’s unasked question.
“Harmful being.”
“I know, I know.” Kevin chuckled.
-
They would pair up for everything, and while Kevin thought it was a good thing, Kibum thought otherwise.
-
Kevin giggled knowingly, taking his racquet and passing it to Kibum. It was a doubles match, and Kevin figured it would be easier for Kibum to play with two racquets.
“Kevin, what are you doing?” A classmate asked weirdly, but Kevin only shook his head with a sneaky grin.
Despite the disapproving look their teacher wore, Kevin stood at the back and watch Kibum start the game. He returned every shot and moved at a speed so fast no one knew how he overcame inertia.
“Go Kibummie~!” Kevin cheered, and the other team instantly asked for Kevin to hold a racquet too.
Even so, all Kevin had to do was stand slightly far back while Kibum kept returning the shots, and the game ended with a clean win to Kevin and Kibum’s team.
“…” Everyone stared with mouth agape at Kibum while Kevin hugged Kibum proudly.
“He’s not even sweating!”
-
As usual, they were on their way back home, both strolling side by side because Kevin haven’t walked home on his own feet for a really long time.
Kibum was distractedly thinking about the day’s happening, having an internal conflict between his “brain” and his “heart” while doing so. Due to that, he started walking diagonally, dangerously nearing the drain along the sidewalk.
“Careful! You’ll fall!” Kevin exclaimed, pulling Kibum closer to him by the robot’s wrist and further away from the drain.
Kibum stood rooted to the ground, stunned by the contact.
Kevin looked at Kibum weirdly and shook him lightly, trying to wake him up from his temporary trance to no avail. When shouting and screaming didn’t work either, Kevin sighed, dragging Kibum with him home.
Kibum instantly pulled away, returning to his task on walking home, though his head hung low. Kevin tried to cheer the moody robot up, but when he massaged the robot, Kibum pulled away. When he asked for a piggyback ride, Kibum refused. When he held Kibum’s hand, Kibum released his hand.
Kevin pouted, asking if Kibum wasn’t feeling well.
“No.” Kibum lied. “I’m well, master.”
-
Kibum didn’t know when it started, how it started, why it started. There was just something creeping up on him one day, telling and nagging at him to protect Kevin, never let anyone hurt him, to love him and cherish him till forever.
The last part was not supposed to be there, Kibum didn’t know how it intruded into his thoughts.
Kevin was of a higher rank, he was the inventor of him. Kevin owned him. All Kibum has to do is listen, but he has been disobeying orders and doing things his heart told him to.
He should also never lie. Robots were not meant to lie.
His system was malfunctioning, he needs to reboot himself, but he can’t.
With all these confusing signals his system was sending him, Kibum just wants to break down and cry.
He knows he can’t.
But he’s falling in love with his master.
-
“Thank you for the awesome meal!” Kevin hugged Kibum from the back, smiling as he rested his head on Kibum’s shoulder. “Man, I feel really fortunate to have meals and myself taken care of by you!”
Kibum held onto Kevin’s wrist and gently took it off himself, acting busy by clearing the plates.
Kevin frowned, insisting on hugging the robot when the robot paused. With a contented smile, Kevin stayed in that comfortable position for a while when he realised Kibum’s heart wasn’t ticking.
“Kibummie?” Kevin called out experimentally, hoping to hear some kind of reply. When he didn’t, he unwillingly let go of Kibum’s waist and walked to the front of the robot, gasping when Kibum had his eyes closed and was slowly falling to the floor. “Kibummie! Oh no, why did you suddenly break down?!”
Laying Kibum gently onto the floor, Kevin took out the thumb drive and quickly scanned it for viruses. The results came out five minutes later, showing that there were no viruses. Instead, everything was in optimal performance. Kevin checked the system for faults instead, only to be faced with the same results.
Nothing was wrong.
-
Even after taking out all Kibum’s parts and reconnecting them, Kibum still wouldn’t start up. Kevin carefully checked if rust got into any of the metal parts, if there was water in the system that got through the waterproof skin, or an electricity leak or whatsoever.
Kevin even checked the “blood vessels” and “nerves” all around Kibum’s body, replacing all wires with new ones only to have Kibum unmoving.
With a tear rolling down his pale face, Kevin clung onto Kibum’s body, hugging him tight. “Please, please start up again…”
He was tired, spending day s just trying to restart Kibum when he knew he could easily make a new robot. But he grew attached. He doesn’t know if he could make an exact replica of Kibum and it’s probably how long the robot had been with him that made him so attached. Kibum was with him through the whole time, already warning him Kiseop being a harmful being, and comforting him through a heartbreak.
It had been no one else but Kibum, and Kevin wanted his special robot back.
-
Kevin dropped his tools and screamed. It was useless, this was useless, Kibum just wouldn’t start up no matter how he attempted to repair the robot. He tried everything, dropping him into the pool, sending high voltage currents into his system and even doing CPR even though Kibum wasn’t human.
“Why won’t you start again?!” Kevin cried, hysterically shaking the unconscious Kibum. “Just when I have someone with me for life, you leave me…”
There was a slight twitch.
“Kibummie…” Kevin coughed out, clinging onto Kibum’s body and pressing himself against the cold body. “Don’t leave me…”
Kevin thought he heard Kibum’s “heart” tick. Raising his head and unsurely looking at Kibum’s face, he sighed when the robot still had his eyes closed.
“I miss you…” Kevin mumbled. “I’m hungry because I can’t cook properly and the house is a mess. Do you hate me so much that you wouldn’t start up again?”
Kevin swore he heard a low groan.
“Kibummie, please tell me you’re there, please!” Kevin gasped, clutching onto Kibum’s clothes. “My…my heart likes you a lot…”
With eyes wide open, Kibum coughed violently. Even though he knew it was wrong to love his master, his “heart” told him to go along with it. The reason why he stopped functioning was due to him breaking down, because he was afraid of himself.
Because he was afraid he fell in love with Kevin.
Kevin grabbed Kibum’s head and held it close to heart, sobbing like a little baby as Kibum slowly sat up. “I thought I was going to lose you forever!”
Kibum jerked his hand (he hasn’t been functioning for too long, he felt a little bit rusty.) and tried to circle his arm around Kevin’s body, patting his back and rocking from side to side. He was not supposed to let anyone hurt Kevin nor let him cry, yet here he is, being the one.
Kevin faced him with trembling lips, hands gently cupping the sides of Kibum’s face while being in the robot’s embrace. “I don’t know how a robot will react to this, but…”
Sloppily pushing his lips out while moving closer, Kevin kissed Kibum gently, holding his breath unconsciously. Kibum stared at Kevin’s closed eyes in proximity to his face, feeling Kevin’s human lips rubbed against his artificially made ones while having a thousand thoughts run through his mechanism. When Kevin pulled away and saw Kibum’s wide-opened eyes, the human blushed and shied away, biting his lower lip as if guilty.
“I’m sorry, I’m just so rash sometimes and you must have been uncomfortable because-”
Kevin’s rant was cut short as Kibum lifted his face to lock their eyes together, the robot advancing towards Kevin with no hesitation. Kibum did the exact same thing Kevin did, pushing out his lips but gazing at Kevin’s peaceful face as he neared the younger boy.
“Close your eyes.” Kevin managed to whisper, as if knowing Kibum’s intense eyes on him. Their lips touched sweetly, and Kibum’s senses concentrated on the contact, having nothing to hear, nothing to see, nothing to say, and only feeling and taking in the euphoria of the kiss.
“I live only for you.” Kibum said firmly, somehow rushing to get on his knees. “Master.”
Only the two of them knew how true that sentence was.
-
Without breaking a sweat, Kibum stared at the group of thugs panting and gasping for air. At least ten of them are on the floor, unable to fight the robot anymore, and only three were still ready for more.
Kibum confidently stepped up with Kevin on his back, the human tightly wrapping his arms around Kibum’s neck to make sure he didn’t fall.
“You can do this.” Kevin whispered, proudly planting a swift kiss on Kibum’s cheek. “You’re my super boyfriend.”
Kibum didn’t care if everyone else gave them dirty looks, told Kevin he was living in his fantasy world because everyone knew that robots don’t love, or just think they’re the most impossible couple ever.
He charged up towards the closest man and gave him a punch in the face, before kicking him and sending him flying five metres away from where they were. Feeling Kevin’s legs wrap themselves around Kibum’s waist tightly, Kibum did a quick turn and dodged the attack aiming for his legs by jumping up and kneeing the attacker’s stomach.
The fight continued with Kibum as the obvious winner, and while the group was left groaning in pain, Kibum left the place with a smirk.
To Kevin, Kibum was a robot, a friend, a bodyguard, a companion, a protector, and very obviously, a lover that would fulfill every promise.
“You know, even if you died, I can promise that I won’t leave you.” Kibum grinned. “I’d stay by your grave, master.”
Fandom(s): U-KISS
Pairing(s): Kemaru, SeopVin, mentioned!SooSeop
Rating: PG-13
Genre: AU, Romance (?), Fluff (?)
Word Count: 6,380 words
35 U-Kiss Fic Challenge Prompt: 18. Repair [Kevin/Kibum]
Warnings: Awful!English
Author's Notes: Here’s the second take of the prompt! I actually think the ending is horrid /apologises. I’m sorry, really sorry. I wanted to end it nicely but I have no idea how T___T!
“Oh no, I’m still missing out on some wires.” Kevin pouted, changing out of his lab coat into more casual ones. “Wait for me, robot, I’ll come back soon with, uh, your intestines.”
Not expecting any reply since his work has not been fully done, he switched off the lights and left the house.
The robot twitched a little, sitting up straight in a second, standing on both feet the next. It looked down at its stomach, seeing it exposed, and looked back up around it. The room was a mess. It has to throw everything out.
And so Kevin returned home and almost fainted.
“Why are my sofa and my television out here?” Kevin shrieked, unlocking his door to see his half completed robot cooking dinner.
“You’re…not supposed to be ready yet…?”
The robot turned its head towards Kevin and smiled (A little creepily. Kevin decided he must have programmed the robot a little wrongly.). “Intruder. Intruder. Throwing him out.”
Leaving whatever it was cooking on the stove, it sped towards Kevin and carried him over its shoulder.
“Put me down! Bad robot! Bad!” Kevin screamed, struggling in the firm grasp of the robot.
“Unlocking door to throw intruder out.” The robot said mechanically, unmoved by Kevin’s struggles.
“Gosh! I made you! This is my house!” Kevin facepalmed, sighing. “Guess I have to resort to plan Z.”
Kevin pulled the robot’s two ears and a certain golden strand of hair. The robot stopped moving, and Kevin struggled to get back down on floor. “Ah, now I have to reprogram you. How could you call me an intruder?! Gah.”
Kevin slowly let the robot fall, holding onto it so it doesn’t hit the floor too hard. He attached the wires he went out to buy into the robot’s stomach before covering it up with metal and manmade skin. The skin was made in a way that it conducts less of the high temperature of the robot (since it’s constantly working) to a temperature that made it feel like a real human. After properly covering up the hole, Kevin poked the robot’s temples, causing its face to detach from the rest of the head. Kevin lifted the face and took out the thumb drive inside.
He inserted the thumb drive to his laptop and frantically typed away, reprogramming the whole thing and adding face and speech recognition. “Hm, it should go out and have contact with the world. Yeah, that’ll be fun. Typical robots are boring! I shall add in a contact list for him then!”
“If such, I shall not be his owner, but his first friend! Oh, I just called him him! Okay, then he shall settle down as a male.” Kevin clapped his hands, pleased with his programming. He ran a scan check in case virus got into the thumb drive. That would be a disaster. Especially since without virus, his furniture were already out there.
“I don’t think I missed out anything?” Kevin puckered his lips as he pondered. Thinking he probably had everything already, since it is a year-long project, he ejected the thumb drive and inserted back into the robot’s head. “I haven’t thought of a name for you, sorry robot!”
Kevin then reattached the face to the head, instantly starting up the robot.
The robot sat up straight with such a jerk, causing Kevin to fall backwards in slight surprise. Before standing up the next second, the robot caught hold of Kevin’s waist and held him in that position.
“Good morning, master.” The robot greeted, voice sounding very human because Kevin managed to find a programme online that did so.
“Weird, I thought I programmed him to have friends?” Kevin frowned faintly, before realising he was still half-standing. While Kevin was flailing to get up, the robot suddenly caught hold of his legs too, carrying Kevin bridal style. “No! No! Let me down!”
“Master is sick, master should rest.” The robot insisted, gently placing Kevin down on the floor (since all his furniture were out there).
Suddenly, a weird smell engulfed the room.
“OH NO! FOOD! BURNING! FIREEEEEEE!” Kevin screamed, and the robot followed the smell (since he had smell detection in his programme). It did many things (as proven by the sounds) before it reappeared with skilfully cooked dishes, setting it on the floor (the table is still out there).
Kevin blinked, staring back at himself on the floor. Why was he acting as if he’s really sick? He quickly stood up, but the robot sped towards him and placed both hands on Kevin’s shoulder, stopping him from getting up.
“Robot, I’m fine!” Kevin sighed, eyes pleading. “Let me up?”
“Master says so, robot listens.” The robot said, helping Kevin up this time.
“Oh, yeah, uh, could you get my furniture outside the house in?” Kevin scratched his head, and the robot returned back in his sight ten seconds later, with all the furniture back in place. Even the television is turned on (how did he put back all the cables so fast?).
“Yeah, good. Thank you.” Kevin smiled, looking at the dishes on the floor. “Oh, you might want to put the dishes on the dining table. Yeah, thanks, you’re efficient.”
Kevin took in a deep breath and walked towards his favourite chair, hand held out, ready to pull out the chair. The robot got there before he did though, pulling the chair out for Kevin and gesturing for him to sit.
“Thank you!” Kevin sighed happily, before biting down on his lip with worry. “Uh, could you go watch TV? I can’t let you eat but I feel bad that you’re not eating…”
“Yes, master.” The robot went to stand right in front of the television, staring at it.
Kevin giggled at the adorable actions the robot was doing. “Robot! Sit on the sofa! You don’t watch TV right in front of the television!”
“Yes, master.” He moved to the sofa and sat down gently, back straightened while staring at the screen.
“Uhh…well, enjoy yourself.” Kevin shrugged, chewing on his food as he was taught when he was young and enjoying the delicious taste. “Hm, I should download more of my favourite recipes into him then!”
-
“Robot! I’m going to school!” Kevin announced, and the robot stopped in its chores to stand behind Kevin.
“Robot will follow master to school.”
“No, robot will stay at home to- Oh. Yeah, you should get out and make some friends!” Kevin nodded excitedly. “You’re not human though, I wonder if they’ll accept random students…”
The robot ended up carrying Kevin on his back and speeding to school because Kevin usually walked there. Since Kevin was busy thinking about signing the robot up as a student (“You don’t even have a name…”), they ended up leaving the house ten minutes later than normal.
“Oh, I forgot I have a super-speed robot!” Kevin giggled, hugging the robot’s neck tightly as the robot carried him and speed-walked to school. “Wah, I don’t even need to take buses anymore!”
At the front gate, Kevin met up with Kiseop who had a deep frown. “Why are you hugging another guy!”
“He’s my robot!” Kevin smiled widely, patting the robot’s head. “I haven’t thought of a name for him, you wanna help me?”
“Oh. If he’s a robot then I guess it’s okay. My boyfriend cannot touch any other guys!” Kiseop possessively said, tugging Kevin down. The robot immediately caught Kiseop’s hand and sent him sprawling on the floor.
“Harmful being, must keep master safe.”
“Robot! That’s my boyfriend!” Kevin gasped, struggling to get off the robot’s back.
“Harmful being, must keep master away.”
“ROBOT! LISTEN TO ME!” Kevin screamed.
The robot paused, unmoving for a second. He then bent his knees and allowed Kevin to get off him, reaching the floor gently.
“Kiseop, are you okay?” Kevin asked worriedly, helping Kiseop up.
“Yeah, protective robot, isn’t he?” Kiseop slightly chuckled, rubbing his elbow.
“Robot?” Kevin turned his head back to the expressionless robot. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scream at you…Oh gosh, I shouldn’t have labelled my screaming as angry.”
“Robot’s fine as long as master’s fine.” The robot mechanically said. “Five minutes to eight, master’s going to be late.”
“Oh no! Kiseop, we’ve got to run!”
-
“We have a new student, Kim Kibum, from the countryside. Will everybody please do your best to welcome him?” The teacher smiled warmly, and Kibum walked in, expressionless. “Introduce yourself, Kibum.”
“From now onwards, your name is Kim Kibum, all right?” Kevin bit his lower lip and checked his watch. He didn’t have much time, and he hasn’t taught his robot to act.
“Yes, master.”
“And don’t call me master. Call me Kevin, okay?”
“No, master. You are my master.”
“I don’t care! I said call me Kevin!” Kevin exasperatedly said.
“Yes, master.” Kibum finally agreed.
“And smile more, it makes you look more friendly to other people.”
“They are potential dangers. Kim Kibum will not smile.” Kibum insisted.
“Kim Kibum?” A teacher called out, and Kevin sighed, pushing the robot, now known as Kibum, forward.
“Go, just go. I’ll meet you later.”
“My name is Kim Kibum.” Kibum introduced himself and stared back at everyone looking at him. Some girls slightly waved, amaze at how good he looked, others just looked amused.
“Uh, anything else? Like telling your hobbies, asking your classmates to take care of you?” The teacher awkwardly asked.
“Kim Kibum follows Kevin around. Kim Kibum can take care of Kim Kibum.” Kibum said, and everyone instantly turned their head to Kevin at the back of the class.
“You know him?”
“You’re from the countryside?”
“Does he like you?”
“How about Kiseop?”
Kevin felt a little troubled with the sudden attention, frowning. “Uh no, he’s my, uh, cousin.”
“He’s kinda weird, why does he address himself by his name?” Kevin’s tablemate nudged him.
“He’s uh, autistic.” Kevin blabbered out, burying his head in his hands after the whole class made an ‘O’ shape with their mouth and nodded in understanding.
“I guess Kevin, you will have to sit with him to help him adapt to school then.” The teacher said, and Kevin’s tablemate stood up to pack his bag.
“Bye Kevin, have fun with your cousin. He’s kinda freaky staring at me like that.” Kevin’s tablemate shuddered, quickly leaving his seat.
“Kibum, you can sit next to Kevin.” The teacher smiled kindly, patting his shoulder and pointing at the seat.
“Do not touch Kim Kibum.” Kibum said monotonously, speeding towards the seat beside Kevin before sitting down. “Potential danger two metres away from Kevin. Kim Kibum is relieved.”
“He’s kinda rude, sorry Mrs Lee.” Kevin smiled sheepishly, whacking Kibum’s head. “Need to teach you some manners back home!”
“It’s okay, Kevin. Be nice. It isn’t easy for autistic students.” Mrs Lee shook her head and left the room.
“Yeah, it’s okay, we won’t mind his bad manners that much.”
“Autism is pretty horrible as I’ve read, it’s okay, we’ll embrace him as our new classmate for who he is.”
“Yeah Kevin, be gentle to him.”
Kevin sighed. Now he looks like the complete bad guy. Kiseop left his seat and stood before Kevin’s table, patting his head.
“Harmful being-” Kibum said monotonously, grabbing Kiseop’s wrist.
Kevin managed to glare at Kibum, stopping him from doing anything. “All right, this is Kiseop, my boyfriend. Kiseop, this is my ro- cousin, Kibum as you know. Kibum, Kiseop is NOT a harmful being. Neither is ANYONE in this room a harmful being. They are my FRIENDS.”
Kibum released his grip around Kiseop’s wrist and stared back into Kevin’s eyes. “Yes, master.”
Kevin looked around quickly, before sighing. “I’m Kevin! I told you, Kevin!”
“Yes, Kevin.”
-
“I don't know, Kev. I think it might have something to do with you asking him to attend classes and make friends. Robots aren't programmed this way so he ends up defying you a lot.” Kiseop said over lunch. Kibum was staring at Kevin eat because Kevin cannot direct him to a television in school.
“Kibum, it's scary.” Kevin sighed. “Can you look away?”
Kibum shifted his head and stared at Kevin's food instead.
“...” Kevin focused back at Kiseop. “But he should make friends! He looks so convincing already! He just has to be less mechanical and more human.”
“And he's programmed to follow you around, isn't it? That's why he can't leave you. It's defying his basic system. You'll need to properly reprogram him, I guess.” Kiseop intelligently pointed out, poking Kibum's face once in fascination. Kibum looked up and glared at Kiseop. “Sorry. Hey, Kev, how did you make the skin?”
“It was try and error. The base is soft cardboard, then some cotton cloth and some texture. I can't remember already, but I have some left in case he gets hurt or something. Why?” Kevin cocked his head to a side and asked.
“Nothing, it's cool.” Kiseop grinned.
“Yeah, it looks better than I expect.” Kevin beamed proudly. “That's why I wanted to let him make friends!”
“Half an hour to the next class.” Kibum said, still staring at Kevin's food.
“Thank you for the announcement. I feel utterly disturbed with you staring at my food, please stare at the stairs over there.” Kevin commanded gently. Kibum turned his head as requested. “Phew.”
Kiseop chuckled. “All right, Kev, we have different lessons after lunch so I'll leave first.”
“Oh?” Kevin replied, sounding disappointed.
“Sorry baby, there's a group project as you know.” Kiseop apologised, standing up to kiss Kevin before leaving.
Kevin sighed. “Recently it's all project, project, project. Kiseoppie must be really tired...”
“Kevin.” Kibum suddenly spoke up.
“Yes?” Kevin smiled as he asked. “You can look at me if you're talking to me, you know. Just don't stare.”
Kibum turned his head and stared at Kevin (despite Kevin saying not to).
“Yes? Why did you call me?” Kevin repeated, looking back at Kibum.
Kibum blinked. Kevin remembered keying that in as hesitation (confusion is also possible but Kevin decided that Kibum should repeat the question if he was confused. Why should he make his robot so hard to understand anyway?
“Nothing.” Kibum looked away, staring back at the stairs.
“Kibummie...” Kevin shook Kibum's shoulder. “Tell me.”
“Harmful being. Lee Kiseop is a harmful being.” Kibum replied, still looking away.
“Is that why you hesitated?” Kevin smiled faintly. “You were considering my feelings?”
“Kim Kibum cannot hurt master.” Kibum shook his head firmly.
“Okay, this is getting funny. Your full name is Kim Kibum, but you are called Kibum usually. When referring to yourself, say “I”, not “Kim Kibum”.” Kevin corrected, patting Kibum’s head gently. “Kiseop isn’t a harmful being no matter what you say. Thank you for being a caring robot, though.”
-
“Usually, he walks me to my house.” Kevin sighed, strolling along the road lazily, his school bag carried by Kibum. “Now it’s all about project so I walk home alone.”
Kibum kept silent, still against Kiseop.
“AH! CAT!” Kevin jumped, hiding behind Kibum. “Let’s-Let’s quickly walk-”
Kibum walked towards the cat and picked it up by its neck, throwing it into the bushes nearby.
“OH MY GOODNESS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Kevin shrieked. “You can’t do that! It’s a life! Animal abuse, Kibum!”
“Master’s scared of it.” Kibum continued walking forward as if nothing happened.
Kevin caught up with him and shook his head. “Even so, it’s a life! I think I need to give you a metal heart. At least you’ll have a heart.”
Kibum didn’t reply, only continuing to walk back towards Kevin’s and now sort of his house. “Does master-”
“Oh wait!” Kevin frowned deeply. “Didn’t I say to call me Kevin?”
“No one else is in hearing range. Master is master.” Kibum insisted monotonously.
“Kibum.” Kevin glared at Kibum’s back and refused to move.
Kibum turned around and carried Kevin on his back, ignoring the fact that Kevin was desperately trying to get off him. “Does master want to reach home quickly or normally?”
“KEVIN! KEVINNNNNN!” Kevin groaned, tired of struggling already. Robots have wonderful strength. Kevin then sighed, hugging Kibum’s neck in defeat as Kibum continued to walk in the direction of his house. “Slowly.”
“Yes, master.” Kibum answered, taking small steps while his upper body stayed still. He figured in his metal brain that Kevin was probably tired from school and might want to sleep, which proved to be true three minutes later, when Kibum felt a weight pressing down on his shoulder.
Unfazed by distractions like crowd walking his way, stares coming in his direction and all, he walked slowly as instructed.
-
Kevin woke up to see himself in pyjamas along on his bed, blanket tucked properly to keep him warm. He sniffed the air and recognised it to be fried chicken.
Kevin quickly got out of bed and to the kitchen, smiling brightly at Kibum. “Can I have a bite, pretty please?”
Kibum eyed Kevin and nodded, drying the excess oil on a paper towel before waving it in super speed to cool it down. After twenty seconds, Kibum was feeding Kevin already.
“I can eat it myself!” Kevin squeaked, drumstick shoved into his mouth. “Kibummie!”
Kibum broke into a smile, before laughing loudly. “Master has an oily face.”
Kevin pouted, but smiled when Kibum wiped his mouth gently to get the oil away, happily enjoying the chicken while Kibum sent him out of the kitchen.
“Kitchen is unsafe, stay outside.” Kibum said slightly sternly, before returning to cooking up other dishes.
“Mm, it’s nice having a robot.” Kevin grinned, running to his sofa and turning on the television. “Nothing’s better than a good chicken wing~!”
“But wait, did he strip me?” Kevin widened his eyes and checked his clothes. “Uh, nevermind, he’s a robot.”
-
“Hey Kev!” Kiseop smiled. “We have P.E. together today, let’s team up.”
“Sure!” Kevin nodded, running up to Kiseop with a quick kiss as a greeting. “How’s your project going?”
“Good.” Kiseop grinned. “It’s about to finish, I just need some more time. Sorry, baby.”
“Nah, work is important.” Kevin pressed his head down against Kiseop’s shoulder, tentatively forgetting about Kibum staring at their backs.
Kibum’s glare turned intense as Kiseop circled an arm around Kevin’s waist, pulling him closer. Kibum didn’t like the scene.
“Harmful being.” Kibum insisted.
-
Kibum balanced the tennis ball on his tennis racquet with ease, although consulting the teacher on what it was, how it was formed, what history it has while keeping an eye on Kevin.
“So tennis was from France in the 12th century, but was played with racquets only in the 16th century?” Kibum nodded, not needing a proper reply. He walked towards Kevin and gave him his ball, since Kevin accidentally hit the ball too hard that it bounced away.
“Thanks~!” Kevin smiled.
Kibum ended up picking up tennis balls for Kevin since he was a natural talent at the game already, making everyone in awe.
“Kevin! Isn’t he a countryside boy?” A friend asked, in awe at Kibum juggling ten tennis balls on one racquet, throwing one over to Kevin every time Kevin missed one he was balancing. “He’s awesome!”
“Eh…” Kevin fidgeted, missing a ball again. “He played something similar to this before. Yeah.”
Kibum kept silent, until he heard a whistle signalling the stopping of the drills.
“Team up and we’ll play doubles!” The teacher instructed.
Kevin looked up and gasped. “I-I…I promised Kiseop to team up…I….”
Kibum nodded, moving to the side of the court despite the class having an even number.
“Would you like to team up with me?” A shy girl advanced him, being the only other without a partner.
“No.” Kibum replied without casting her even a glance, eyes on Kevin.
“Okay…” The girl awkwardly replied, walking away to take a seat on another bench.
Kevin and Kiseop played well against each other, laughing when each other aimed off court or got the tennis ball stuck in the net. Kiseop accidentally used too much force for one strike, the ball aiming straight for Kevin’s throat.
Everything happened too quickly, but the next thing that Kevin realised was that Kibum had caught the ball with a hand and his waist with the other.
“Kevin, are you all right?” Kibum asked, almost gently, if Kevin hadn’t remind himself that Kibum was only a robot.
“Yeah.” Kevin still couldn’t help himself but blush, quickly adjusting himself so he was comfortably away from the robot. “I’ll just get back to the game. Thanks for catching the ball though!”
Kibum returned to his seat and continued staring at them play the game.
“I think Kibum’s bored.” Kiseop said, panting slightly. “Why don’t I have a game with him?”
Kevin was out of breath, bad in sports generally. He quickly complied, getting Kibum to join the game.
“Play well!” Kevin smiled, gulping down the contents in his bottle.
Kibum took the racquet and examined it carefully. He spun it in his hands and stared at Kiseop, waiting for his serve.
“I’m not going to go easy on you, robot.” Kiseop smirked, words ending in a whisper since it was meant to be a secret.
“Harmful being.” Kibum muttered under his breath, eyes glancing at Kevin. Obviously his owner didn’t notice what Kiseop said. Kibum’s system decided, whatever Kevin thought, Kiseop was a harmful being.
As if having a vengeance against Kibum, Kiseop did a powerful hit after his serve, the ball spinning and coming straight at Kibum’s right eye. Kibum shuffled backwards and whacked the ball back to Kiseop, successfully attacking the other’s legs.
If he wanted a game, Kibum was up for it.
Kiseop slightly frowned, noticing the unfriendly aura. Did he say something wrong?
Kiseop took the game a little more seriously, sending the ball to Kibum while Kibum sent it back with ease. The class started gathering around their court, too engrossed in the good game than their own bad ones. Kevin smiled proudly, but when people started taking sides and cheering for who they think would win, Kevin was faced with a situation.
Should he shut up, or cheer too?
But, for who?
“Kevin! Cheer, come on!” A friend urged.
“Uhm.” Kevin bit his lower lip. Well, Kibum would just have to forgive him for being biased to his love. “GO KISEOPPIE!”
Kibum dropped his racquet that very moment, catching the ball and crushing it.
“I lost.” Kibum shrugged, walking away without even breaking a sweat.
Kevin blinked at the crushed tennis ball left carelessly on the floor.
-
“Lay down.” Kevin smiled, hands going over Kibum’s face to cover his eyes after the robot laid down on the floor. “This will be real quick, so just take it as a nap.”
Kibum frowned, about to protest to say that he will never be tired when Kevin shut off his system.
With a metal ball in his hand and some wires protruding out from it, Kevin placed the object in the core of Kibum and attached it to the rest of the body. He connected Kibum’s brain (thumb drive) to the computer and programmed certain qualities to be controlled by the “heart” instead.
Basically, irrationally.
The “heart” was there just for show, and the other reason why Kevin insisted on making a heart was because he added a clock in the ball. Somehow, the ticking made it felt like the “heart” was beating.
After double-checking the programme and running a quick scan for viruses in the thumb drive, Kevin reinserted it into Kibum’s head and started him up.
“Do you feel okay?” Kevin smiled, helping Kibum up in case he had to readjust himself.
“Yes, master.” Kibum nodded, before shaking his head. “I feel like a bomb.”
“Huh?” Kevin widened his eyes. “Are you going to explode any time soon? Which part is exploding? What’s wrong with it?”
“I don’t know, I’m ticking.” Kibum blinked, waiting for Kevin to tell him what was wrong with him.
“Oh. That’s your heart!” Kevin grinned, happy with his invention. He beckoned Kibum to lean forward and pressed the robot’s head against his chest, letting him hear his own heartbeat. “It works like a real heart like mine, doesn’t it?”
Kibum instinctively leaned closer, eyes closed to hear the soothing beat. He still sounds like a bomb, though, but anything to make Kevin happy.
“Yes, master.” Kibum agreed with a smile.
The first lie he told.
-
Kevin and Kiseop hadn’t met for days, Kibum noticed. Not that he really cared about that harmful being, but if Kevin had been looking listless for three days, then the couple must have not met for three days.
“I’ll find him for you.” Kibum offered.
“No, no.” Kevin frantically caught Kibum’s wrist, shaking his head. “He’s busy.”
“False.” Kibum frowned, yanking Kevin up from his sitting position. “He’s there.”
Kevin turned to the direction Kibum was looking at, staring with mouth agape at the scene. Kiseop was kissing Soohyun, the famous science student with straight As.
Kibum looked at Kevin’s reaction and sped forward, ignoring Kevin’s screams to retreat.
He dragged Kiseop away from Soohyun and threw him across a good five metres. When Soohyun attacked him from behind for attacking Kiseop, he arm-locked the human and threw him over his shoulder.
“Kibummie!” Kevin shrieked, grabbing both his strong arms to stop him from moving and attacking. “Don’t do it, don’t!”
“He broke your heart.” Kibum’s face was expressionless, walking over to Kiseop while dragging Kevin as the human was hugging him from behind. He grabbed Kiseop’s collar and pulled him up, staring into Kiseop’s unfocused eyes. “You deserve to die.”
“Kim Kibum!” Kevin bit his lip, not really wanting to do such a thing, but having no other choice. Pulling Kibum’s two ears and the certain strand of golden hair to shut his system down, Kibum fell to the floor gently with Kevin’s support from behind.
“You should put restraints on that robot of yours.” Kiseop adjusted his collar and tried to breathe properly again. “He’s mental.”
Kevin looked up from Kibum’s unconscious figure to Kiseop with teary eyes. With a powerful force he didn’t know he had, he slapped the older man and shook his head. “Kibummie’s not mental. He’s a robot but he’s more sensitive to feelings than you. Why would you date me when you’re kissing someone else? Don’t you have a heart?!”
“Did you ever think I was interested in you?” Kiseop rubbed the sore spot on his cheeks and sighed. “Life’s like that, Kevin. I knew you were working on a robot too, but instead of doing it to have someone beside me, I’m doing it to win. Every part of my robot is better than yours, except the exterior. I got that figured out now though, so we’re done.”
“Wh-what?” Kevin frowned, taking an involuntary step back.
“My robot doesn’t malfunction like you, nor does it have violent tendencies and call humans a harmful being. My robot is a robot.” Kiseop shrugged. “If you like your robot so much, go date him instead. Now, if you would excuse my boyfriend and I, we would love to leave for our date.”
“Go. Just go.” Kevin wiped away the tears from his eyes roughly, nodding. “Though I wished you told that to me earlier, jerk.”
As soon as Kiseop and Soohyun left, Kevin restarted Kibum’s system and cried. Kibum wrapped his arms around the human and patted his head in a fixed and soothing rhythm, letting Kevin fall asleep in his arms.
-
Kevin and Kibum ended up sticking to each other a lot closer now, ever since news got out that Kevin and Kiseop broke up.
-
“Harmful being.” Kibum growled at Kiseop, almost charging up to the man to give him a good beating he couldn’t execute the other day.
“Kibummie.” Kevin frowned sternly, slipping his arm into Kibum’s own and holding him back. “Forget it, he’s not worth it.”
Kibum turn to stare at Kevin, who beamed brightly with a sure nod at Kibum’s unasked question.
“Harmful being.”
“I know, I know.” Kevin chuckled.
-
They would pair up for everything, and while Kevin thought it was a good thing, Kibum thought otherwise.
-
Kevin giggled knowingly, taking his racquet and passing it to Kibum. It was a doubles match, and Kevin figured it would be easier for Kibum to play with two racquets.
“Kevin, what are you doing?” A classmate asked weirdly, but Kevin only shook his head with a sneaky grin.
Despite the disapproving look their teacher wore, Kevin stood at the back and watch Kibum start the game. He returned every shot and moved at a speed so fast no one knew how he overcame inertia.
“Go Kibummie~!” Kevin cheered, and the other team instantly asked for Kevin to hold a racquet too.
Even so, all Kevin had to do was stand slightly far back while Kibum kept returning the shots, and the game ended with a clean win to Kevin and Kibum’s team.
“…” Everyone stared with mouth agape at Kibum while Kevin hugged Kibum proudly.
“He’s not even sweating!”
-
As usual, they were on their way back home, both strolling side by side because Kevin haven’t walked home on his own feet for a really long time.
Kibum was distractedly thinking about the day’s happening, having an internal conflict between his “brain” and his “heart” while doing so. Due to that, he started walking diagonally, dangerously nearing the drain along the sidewalk.
“Careful! You’ll fall!” Kevin exclaimed, pulling Kibum closer to him by the robot’s wrist and further away from the drain.
Kibum stood rooted to the ground, stunned by the contact.
Kevin looked at Kibum weirdly and shook him lightly, trying to wake him up from his temporary trance to no avail. When shouting and screaming didn’t work either, Kevin sighed, dragging Kibum with him home.
Kibum instantly pulled away, returning to his task on walking home, though his head hung low. Kevin tried to cheer the moody robot up, but when he massaged the robot, Kibum pulled away. When he asked for a piggyback ride, Kibum refused. When he held Kibum’s hand, Kibum released his hand.
Kevin pouted, asking if Kibum wasn’t feeling well.
“No.” Kibum lied. “I’m well, master.”
-
Kibum didn’t know when it started, how it started, why it started. There was just something creeping up on him one day, telling and nagging at him to protect Kevin, never let anyone hurt him, to love him and cherish him till forever.
The last part was not supposed to be there, Kibum didn’t know how it intruded into his thoughts.
Kevin was of a higher rank, he was the inventor of him. Kevin owned him. All Kibum has to do is listen, but he has been disobeying orders and doing things his heart told him to.
He should also never lie. Robots were not meant to lie.
His system was malfunctioning, he needs to reboot himself, but he can’t.
With all these confusing signals his system was sending him, Kibum just wants to break down and cry.
He knows he can’t.
But he’s falling in love with his master.
-
“Thank you for the awesome meal!” Kevin hugged Kibum from the back, smiling as he rested his head on Kibum’s shoulder. “Man, I feel really fortunate to have meals and myself taken care of by you!”
Kibum held onto Kevin’s wrist and gently took it off himself, acting busy by clearing the plates.
Kevin frowned, insisting on hugging the robot when the robot paused. With a contented smile, Kevin stayed in that comfortable position for a while when he realised Kibum’s heart wasn’t ticking.
“Kibummie?” Kevin called out experimentally, hoping to hear some kind of reply. When he didn’t, he unwillingly let go of Kibum’s waist and walked to the front of the robot, gasping when Kibum had his eyes closed and was slowly falling to the floor. “Kibummie! Oh no, why did you suddenly break down?!”
Laying Kibum gently onto the floor, Kevin took out the thumb drive and quickly scanned it for viruses. The results came out five minutes later, showing that there were no viruses. Instead, everything was in optimal performance. Kevin checked the system for faults instead, only to be faced with the same results.
Nothing was wrong.
-
Even after taking out all Kibum’s parts and reconnecting them, Kibum still wouldn’t start up. Kevin carefully checked if rust got into any of the metal parts, if there was water in the system that got through the waterproof skin, or an electricity leak or whatsoever.
Kevin even checked the “blood vessels” and “nerves” all around Kibum’s body, replacing all wires with new ones only to have Kibum unmoving.
With a tear rolling down his pale face, Kevin clung onto Kibum’s body, hugging him tight. “Please, please start up again…”
He was tired, spending day s just trying to restart Kibum when he knew he could easily make a new robot. But he grew attached. He doesn’t know if he could make an exact replica of Kibum and it’s probably how long the robot had been with him that made him so attached. Kibum was with him through the whole time, already warning him Kiseop being a harmful being, and comforting him through a heartbreak.
It had been no one else but Kibum, and Kevin wanted his special robot back.
-
Kevin dropped his tools and screamed. It was useless, this was useless, Kibum just wouldn’t start up no matter how he attempted to repair the robot. He tried everything, dropping him into the pool, sending high voltage currents into his system and even doing CPR even though Kibum wasn’t human.
“Why won’t you start again?!” Kevin cried, hysterically shaking the unconscious Kibum. “Just when I have someone with me for life, you leave me…”
There was a slight twitch.
“Kibummie…” Kevin coughed out, clinging onto Kibum’s body and pressing himself against the cold body. “Don’t leave me…”
Kevin thought he heard Kibum’s “heart” tick. Raising his head and unsurely looking at Kibum’s face, he sighed when the robot still had his eyes closed.
“I miss you…” Kevin mumbled. “I’m hungry because I can’t cook properly and the house is a mess. Do you hate me so much that you wouldn’t start up again?”
Kevin swore he heard a low groan.
“Kibummie, please tell me you’re there, please!” Kevin gasped, clutching onto Kibum’s clothes. “My…my heart likes you a lot…”
With eyes wide open, Kibum coughed violently. Even though he knew it was wrong to love his master, his “heart” told him to go along with it. The reason why he stopped functioning was due to him breaking down, because he was afraid of himself.
Because he was afraid he fell in love with Kevin.
Kevin grabbed Kibum’s head and held it close to heart, sobbing like a little baby as Kibum slowly sat up. “I thought I was going to lose you forever!”
Kibum jerked his hand (he hasn’t been functioning for too long, he felt a little bit rusty.) and tried to circle his arm around Kevin’s body, patting his back and rocking from side to side. He was not supposed to let anyone hurt Kevin nor let him cry, yet here he is, being the one.
Kevin faced him with trembling lips, hands gently cupping the sides of Kibum’s face while being in the robot’s embrace. “I don’t know how a robot will react to this, but…”
Sloppily pushing his lips out while moving closer, Kevin kissed Kibum gently, holding his breath unconsciously. Kibum stared at Kevin’s closed eyes in proximity to his face, feeling Kevin’s human lips rubbed against his artificially made ones while having a thousand thoughts run through his mechanism. When Kevin pulled away and saw Kibum’s wide-opened eyes, the human blushed and shied away, biting his lower lip as if guilty.
“I’m sorry, I’m just so rash sometimes and you must have been uncomfortable because-”
Kevin’s rant was cut short as Kibum lifted his face to lock their eyes together, the robot advancing towards Kevin with no hesitation. Kibum did the exact same thing Kevin did, pushing out his lips but gazing at Kevin’s peaceful face as he neared the younger boy.
“Close your eyes.” Kevin managed to whisper, as if knowing Kibum’s intense eyes on him. Their lips touched sweetly, and Kibum’s senses concentrated on the contact, having nothing to hear, nothing to see, nothing to say, and only feeling and taking in the euphoria of the kiss.
“I live only for you.” Kibum said firmly, somehow rushing to get on his knees. “Master.”
Only the two of them knew how true that sentence was.
-
Without breaking a sweat, Kibum stared at the group of thugs panting and gasping for air. At least ten of them are on the floor, unable to fight the robot anymore, and only three were still ready for more.
Kibum confidently stepped up with Kevin on his back, the human tightly wrapping his arms around Kibum’s neck to make sure he didn’t fall.
“You can do this.” Kevin whispered, proudly planting a swift kiss on Kibum’s cheek. “You’re my super boyfriend.”
Kibum didn’t care if everyone else gave them dirty looks, told Kevin he was living in his fantasy world because everyone knew that robots don’t love, or just think they’re the most impossible couple ever.
He charged up towards the closest man and gave him a punch in the face, before kicking him and sending him flying five metres away from where they were. Feeling Kevin’s legs wrap themselves around Kibum’s waist tightly, Kibum did a quick turn and dodged the attack aiming for his legs by jumping up and kneeing the attacker’s stomach.
The fight continued with Kibum as the obvious winner, and while the group was left groaning in pain, Kibum left the place with a smirk.
To Kevin, Kibum was a robot, a friend, a bodyguard, a companion, a protector, and very obviously, a lover that would fulfill every promise.
“You know, even if you died, I can promise that I won’t leave you.” Kibum grinned. “I’d stay by your grave, master.”