The room was filled with people, the majority comprised of young college students. Kai sat in the last row and watched Charlie explain statistics through a game show analogy. The example was a bit fuzzy, still, but Kai found they grasped the main concept in a way they figured might actually stay put in their head. Still, throughout the lecture, Kai had filled the edges of their notes with random doodles, a habit carried on throughout the years of school. At the bottom of the page, taking up the whole corner, was a small but detailed sketch of Charlie holding one of the game cards.
"Alright, well, that's all for today. Go home, create some games of your own, and we'll see each other next time," Charlie said, smiling as he held his grasped hands before his chest. Kai remained in their seat as the class emptied out and took their time putting away their belongings, lost in thought as they processed the new information. "Dr. Flores."
Kai glanced up to find Charlie already beside the desk. "This is the first time I've understood anything a math professor teaches," Kai greeted with a smile. They looked up to find Charlie's eyes on the drawing Kai did. "I'll have to find a way to thank Millie for the recommendation."
"I wanted to apologize about my brother," Charlie said after clearing his throat. "He's overprotective, due to… well, his job. Our job."
"I should be the one apologizing for picking on him," Kai noted as they put the notebook in last, closed their bag, and stood from the seat. "Millie mentioned you helped out your brother with FBI cases. Paranoia is a common quality amongst agents, due to their line of work, which is completely understandable. But, I did very much hate being called a sneak."
Charlie studied them carefully. "Why were you just standing outside the door?" he asked.
"As I explained to your brother, I hate being interrupted in the middle of a flow of ideas," Kai explained. "And you and your friend in the room seemed quite taken by the line of thought you were following. It would be rude to not let you at least finish it. Besides, my proj – ah, that is, my reason for the visit was not important, really. I could wait."
"You meant to say project. What project are you working on?"
Kai tilted their head, their teeth barely gnawing on their bottom lip. "Millie is helping me with Astronomy. I need someone with knowledge in Applied Mathematics. That's you."
"That's not an answer. What is it you're working on exactly?" Charlie pressed.
"Is this Dr. Eppes asking or Agent Eppes?" Kai asked with a hint of a smile on their lips. "I really must've rattled his nerves if it's got you questioning me despite the fact your boss vouched for me." Charlie glanced away to hide his embarrassment, before quickly turning his eyes back to Kai. The look of sheer stubbornness caused Kai to let out a small laugh, placing a hand on Charlie's arm. "I get it. Don't worry," they assured before giving a small salute. "See you next class, professor."
Kai walked out before Charlie could say anything else or continue questioning. The halls were crowded with other students coming out of their own classes. And even with the filled hallways, Kai noticed a familiar figure. He wasn't wearing a suit this time, but the way he carried himself as he walked couldn't be confused. "Dr. Kai Flores," Don said as the two crossed paths, the dark-haired man making a point to stand right in Kai's way.
"My, I must've made an impression if you remembered my name after such a short run-in," Kai noted with a raised brow.
"Yeah, well, I make it my business to know sneaks," Don replied. "Chicago's a good ways from California, Dr. Flores. What, the sunny weather called to you?"
Background check. It wasn't a surprise, really, but they weren't expecting it to come so quickly and all over standing against a wall. They had to wonder how deeply he'd gone into their past, though, and the thought caused a bitter taste in their mouth. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours," Kai said in a mischievous tone, hiding any sign of their discomforting thoughts. They kept their eyes intensely focused on Don. "Why did you leave Albuquerque? It may not be as far a ways as Chicago, but it's still quite a distance," they said in return. If nothing else, he has a formidable poker face, Kai thought as Don simply returned their gaze. Still, there was a hint of muscle clenching along his jaw. "As I thought. Have a good day, Agent Eppes," Kai said and sidestepped him.
Before Kai could take another step, Don's fingers wrapped around their upper arm. "I don't like people digging into my life," he said. His voice was even and soft, but Kai knew it to be more dangerous than screaming. Their eyes went back to Don's and while he maintained that stoic expression, they didn't miss the unadulterated rage in his gaze.
"Well, we have one thing in common, Agent Eppes," Kai said coolly. They reached up and carefully pulled his fingers off. "And I would appreciate you never touch me again."
"Don?" Charlie's voice interrupted. The agent's attention snapped to his brother, but Kai didn't bother looking back at the professor, simply walked away. It wasn't until they reached the end of the hall that they glanced back to find Charlie and Don in a heated discussion. With an eye roll, Kai headed out of the building and into the sunshine. They paused, breathing deeply, before going down the steps. "Dr. Flores!"
With a quiet groan, Kai stopped and turned to wait for Charlie. "Yes?"
"I'm so, so sorry," Charlie started, running a hand through his curls. "Don is not usually this intrusive. There's just been…" He hesitated at this, visibly struggling with himself.
"Dr. Eppes, you don't have to justify your brother's actions," Kai said in a gentle voice. "It isn't your responsibility."
"I know, but, he's a good guy," Charlie insisted. "Just –"
"Overprotective. I recall," Kai interrupted with a small, genuine smile on their lips now. "Really, it's alright, Dr. Eppes. My only goal is to learn from you, I can promise you that. Even if your brother might attempt to convince you otherwise."
Charlie wrung his hands before him. "He told me he ran a background check on you," he blurted out. "That's just, it's wrong! I didn't ask him to do that. I swear. There was no reason to do that. If Millie trusts you, then so do I."
"Funny, I told Millie the same thing about you," Kai said. The surprise on Charlie's face made Kai laugh. "Look, this project? It's very… personal. To me. No hidden, dangerous agenda or motive involved aside from learning Astronomy and Applied Science. That is all I'm willing to share, though. Is that satisfactory?"
"Yes," Charlie answered after a few seconds. "It's satisfactory." Kai made to walk away, but picked up how Charlie remained rooted to his spot. "I just, I have one other question, if that's alright."
"Alright," Kai said, fixing the strap digging into their shoulder.
"How did you know about Don's time in Albuquerque?"
Kai wasn't expecting that, not from Charlie, anyway. Don wasn't the only one that was overprotective of their sibling, it seemed. They gave the professor a reassuring smile. "Public information is, in fact, for the public. And I'm really good at research, as any professor should be."
"You researched him?" Charlie asked.
"I thought you only had one question, professor," Kai said, hiding the teasing smile that wanted to rise to their lips.
"I – That is, it's just, unusual," he said, stuttering.
Kai laughed and raised a palm towards Charlie in reassurance. "It's a joke. And there was no nefarious intent behind my research. Much like your brother, I don't trust easily. I trust you, because of Millie," Kai clarified after. "Your brother, well, he's a different story." Charlie looked like he was ready to say something else and Kai lifted a finger, scrunching their features a bit. "I really must go, professor. I have other appointments to keep."
"Right. Of course," Charlie said. His disappointed was easily visible. "I'll see you next class."
