"Alex, what's that?" Kadar asked excitedly. His left arm was raised to point at the bright, flashy sign that promoted the newest movies at the premiere while he tugged at Alex's sleeve with his right.
"That's a movie theatre," he answered simply.
"What do you do there?" Kadar asked, dropping both his arms.
"You watch movies. Movies are like what you saw on the TV back home, except longer."
"So why not just watch them at home?"
"Because theatres are the only places you can watch some movies. The ones you can watch at home aren't played in the theatre anymore. But they were at one time," Alex explained patiently.
He'd grown used to Kadar's constant stream of questions—perhaps he'd even grown to anticipate them. The bright, curious light in Kadar's eyes was certainly worth the task of explaining the modern world to the teen.
That was why Alex was escorting him around (the non-infected districts of) the city. Honestly, he felt a little guilty—poor Kadar had been cooped up in the small apartment that the virus owned and was never given permission to leave. Though he didn't want to admit it, Alex had become quite attached to the bright-eyed teen and he simply wasn't willing to risk his life. He was sure Kadar would agree, due to the fact that when the Apple had thrown him into the future, it had oh-so-conveniently dropped him right into the center of an infected zone. All too clearly, Alex still recalled the terrified screams of his companion as he encountered the ugly maw of a Hunter.
Ever since that day, the virus made it his personal business to protect Kadar from anything and everything that could hurt him. The teen often complained of this, stating that he "was training to be an assassin!" and that he "wasn't a child!" and other such things, but Alex's resolve was unbreakable, so Kadar accepted and maybe even grew to enjoy the fact that the virus was so protective of him.
For the moment, Times Square was a suitable location for them to wander. Thanks to all of Alex's hard work, the area had been cleared of the infection ever since the Supreme Hunter hybrid had been defeated, and therefore was a safe enough place for Kadar to explore. With his supervision, of course.
For the most part, he was content. Kadar was happy admiring the environment (there were so many things to see!) and asking his questions, and Alex was happy to answer them. The teen's warmth was a comforting sensation on his arm, easing his ever-present concern for the kid. In fact, it felt so good he had the urge to reach over and take Kadar's hand in his own.
Somehow, he didn't think that that would go down very well with him. He'd probably wrench his hand free and go on another rant about how he was "just as grown up as the next guy!" So Alex instead opted to shove his hands in the deep pockets of his jeans and prepare himself for another onslaught of questions.
"Hey, Alex?" Kadar managed to pluck the virus from his thoughts by gripping his bicep and squeezing slightly.
"Yeah?"
"Will you take me to a movie theatre sometime?"
Alex tried his best to not let himself read too much into that. Stupidly, he had to remind himself that Kadar had (obviously) never been to a movie theatre before and didn't know that when two people went to one, it was usually implied that they were on a date. Looking down into his companion's hopeful blue eyes, Alex just couldn't find it within himself to say no.
"Sure," he promised, "I'll take you sometime."
Kadar flashed a big, charming smile and said, "Thanks, Alex."
The virus smiled softly at him and they continued on their journey through Times Square. Suddenly, Alex found himself wondering if Kadar had ever actually gone out with anyone. He was seventeen years old, so surely he must have?
But, Alex reminded himself, things were different back then. Maybe he hasn't.
The kid was certainly handsome enough to attract a partner. Dark hair, bright blue eyes, beautiful smile, winning personality—he was fucking adorable. He certainly had Alex hooked.
Shaking his head to rid himself of his bothersome thoughts that would lead nowhere good, the virus realized that they were soon to arrive in Central Park. That was fine. Central Park was nice this time of year. He could feel Kadar looking at him, so he angled his head to look down into questioning pools of azure, as if they were asking permission to keep walking. Smiling, Alex nodded his consent. Another smile immediately blossomed on Kadar's face and the virus soon determined that he made the right decision.
Central Park was considerably less crowded than Times Square, giving the pair room to breathe. The trees that scattered around were a light brown, their leaves breathtaking mixtures of reds and oranges and yellows and browns. Said leaves drifted almost lazily to the ground and landed beneath their feet with a crunching noise as they were stepped on. The early autumn air was chilly and Kadar soon found himself shivering despite his long-sleeved shirt.
Alex noticed this and suddenly felt guilty about his three layers of clothing, whereas Kadar only had one. Quickly shedding his jacket, Alex removed his hoodie, briefly experiencing the cool air himself, and wordlessly passed it to his shorter companion.
The teen looked surprised when the gray piece of clothing was pushed into his hands and asked, "Are you sure? Won't you get cold?"
"Nah, I'm fine, kid," Alex assured, "I've got my jacket." Though it did feel a tad odd to be in public without his trademark hood, his jacket provided enough warmth. Besides, Kadar needed it more than he did.
"Thanks," he said gratefully.
Without wasting a moment, the teen pushed his arms through the jacket's sleeves and zipped it up. It was a bit big on him, what with Alex having a good thirty pounds and three inches on him, but it was soft and had a hood to keep his ears warm. Some of Alex's heat still clung to the fabric and Kadar realized that he could faintly smell the virus himself on it. The scent made him smile slightly.
As they traversed through Central Park in a companionable silence, they came across the oblong pool of water that the virus so commonly passed during his daily routine. He led Kadar to it, simply because the setting sun turned the water an attractive fiery orange and he thought the teen would appreciate the view. He wasn't wrong.
"Is it polluted?" Kadar suddenly asked, his innocent eyes looking up expectantly. The water appeared to be clean, the surface sparkling slightly, but the teen seemed to remember what his savior had said about the air and water in New York.
Alex hummed thoughtfully for a moment before saying, "I'm not exactly sure, actually. I don't think it is."
The novice nodded before he seated himself on the grassy ground, smiling as he dipped his finger into the glassy surface of the pool, sending ripples in every direction. "I like this time," he mused.
"Oh yeah?" Alex asked as he sat, "Why's that?"
Kadar shrugged, thinking for a moment. "It's interesting," he finally said. "Everything's so different. It's hard to believe that so much has changed." Kadar smiled to himself as he continued to swirl his finger in the water, disturbing it further.
"Hey," Alex started abruptly, somewhat nervously, "can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Have you ever been in a romantic relationship with someone?"
Suddenly Kadar's eyes were on his, curious and confused. "…Why do you ask?"
Swallowing nervously, Alex responded, "Just wondering."
"Oh, well…no, I haven't," the novice admitted, averting his eyes bashfully and blushing softly. "Malik never let me get distracted by things like that. You know, so I could focus on my studies and become a better assassin."
It seemed to Alex that Malik was really stiff, but with the way Kadar spoke so fondly of him, it was hard to antagonize the guy. Suddenly the virus was sorry that the kid had to be away from his brother. He obviously cared a lot about him and he knew better than anybody that he missed him.
"But," Kadar suddenly spoke, breaking Alex's train of thought, "I think Malik himself was in a relationship with Altair. It was kind of obvious, actually." Laughing quietly to himself Kadar looked up at Alex with a smile. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Have you ever been involved with someone romantically?"
Leaning back on the heels of his hands, Alex sighed, "Ahh, yeah, but it didn't exactly work out, you know?"
"Why?" Kadar asked, eyes shining with curiosity. The virus so rarely opened up, and the teen was eager to obtain any information about him.
"Just wasn't the right person, I suppose," Alex mused.
Suddenly Kadar was worrying at his lower lip, struggling with himself to come up with a quick decision, but he soon chose his course of action and turned toward the virus determinedly. Swiftly reaching up with both hands to cup either side of Alex's face, the novice turned the older man's head towards his and quickly pressed their lips together.
Well. This kid is just full of surprises, isn't he?
Needless to say, Alex was certainly thrown for a loop. So surprised, was he, that he didn't even respond to the kiss, just sat there, motionless, as his eyes closed briefly. Then Kadar was pulling away, hands still curved over his cheeks, blushing profusely and looking up at him shyly.
"Well?" he asked. "Did it feel right?"
Alex didn't respond. He instead lifted his hand and curled it around the back of Kadar's neck, pulling him forward and into another kiss.
Actions speak louder than words, anyway.
This time, Alex was fully aware and enjoying himself. Sparks of heat started up his belly and he nibbled on Kadar's lower lip, making him gasp in surprise. Being the opportunist he is, Alex let his tongue slither into the novice's mouth, playfully lapping at every surface of the wet cavern. Kadar moaned quietly, moving his left hand to tangle it in Alex's curly locks. When the need for air arose, the teen gently beat the virus's chest to let him know. With a distinct kissing sound, the two separated, only moving back an inch or so.
"Well?" Alex asked, mimicking Kadar's earlier question, "did it feel right?" The novice's cheeks darkened to an even deeper shade of red as he nodded timidly. Grinning from ear to ear, Alex laced their fingers together and pecked Kadar's cheek. He couldn't wait to get home.
A/N: Just clearing up a few things.
One, I have no idea how old Kadar was when he died, but we're going to assume that he was seventeen because I said so. And I know that Alex was twenty-nine in [PROTOTYPE], but for future reference, we're going to say that he's twenty-four, because that's initially how old I thought he was. True story. (Ah, I do enjoy reminiscing of my first time playing [PROTOTYPE]. Fun times, they were.)
Also, I have no idea how much Kadar weighs. Or Alex, for that matter. But whatever Alex weighs, just know that Kadar is thirty pounds less.
And I threw in a teeny-tiny bit of Alt/Mal in there for my own personal amusement.
Soooo….whaddaya think? Leave a review! :) Hope you enjoyed it!
