Title: Sacrifice
Pairing: HyuKen
Related Chapter: 45, 53, 65, 71, 82, 93, 106, 112, 136, 156, 162, 178, 184, 237,
Word Count: 579

“Damn it,” Ken hissed, trying to reload his gun and stay behind the cover of the bolder he was using to shield himself and Hyuk.

“W-W-W-We can’t fight-t-t-t,” Hyuk said, the robotics that allowed for him to talk too broken from the bullet he’d taken to the face to function properly.

“You can’t fight,” Ken frowned, “I can.”

“You’ll l-l-l-l-l-lose,” Hyuk replied, “we ne-ne-need to retreat.”

“They’ll chase us,” Ken pointed out.

“Take me-me-me out-t-t-t of this-s-s-s body,” Hyuk tried to frown, but couldn’t quite manage thanks to the damage.

“And do what?” Ken wondered.

“Im-implant-t-t- me,” Hyuk was clearly struggling to stay coherent and that made Ken feel guilty for not protecting him better, “in you-u-u-u,”

“What?” Ken froze.

Ever since Epsilon, Ken hated having anyone else inside his head. Once, after leaving Project Freelancer, he’d tried to rip out the implants in his head that allowed him to use an AI, to have it be a part of him and his brain. Leo had caught him before he could do any damage, explaining that the wires of the device were wired directly into his brain. Removing them carelessly could very well leave Ken brain dead. Ken had cursed and cried after that, just wanting the cause of his emotional instability at the time to be gone.

Ken was better now, three years had done wonders to his brain. But that didn’t mean he was ready for another AI to be in his head.

“K-K-Ken,” Hyuk begged, “if y-y-you don’t-t-t-t implant my data ch-ch-chip, i-.”

Static cut off Hyuk’s words, but the message was still clear. The damage done was so significant that the little data chip that contained Hyuk’s very existence was at risk of being damaged. If the robotic body shut down completely, Hyuk might be wiped from existence completely or locked behind endless firewalls that only Wonsik – the son of a who caused all of this – could take down.

Ken bit his bottom lip. As much as he hated having someone else in his head, he hated the idea of losing Hyuk more. Hyuk was the one he loved more than anyone else in the world. Hyuk was the reason he hadn’t washed his hands of Project Freelancer ages ago, why he was fighting so hard to bring Wonsik to justice.

Carefully, Ken removed Hyuk’s data chip and inserted it into the back of his head. It took a moment, but soon he could feel Hyuk’s presence in his head.

“That’s better,” Hyuk sighed, a small holographic version of him appearing in front of Ken, “took you long enough. A few more seconds and I’d be locked in that chip forever.”

“I wouldn’t let that happen, Hyuk,” Ken smiled.

“Beta,” Hyuk frowned, “when I’m like this, Beta feels more…..appropriate.” Ken could hear him thinking that Beta always felt more appropriate but didn’t comment.

“What’s the plan for getting out of here?”

“Sacrifice the robot,” Hyuk shrugged, “That’s why Kai and Chen were sent here. He wants me back, Ken.”

“I’m not going to let him have you,” Ken growled, “not you, not your body. Nothing.”

“Sacrifices have to be made,” Hyuk pointed out, “Ken, I’m your AI. It’s my job to keep you safe. This will keep you safe. I will not fail, Ken. Please don’t make me fail to protect you.”

“Fine,” Ken sighed. He would regret losing Hyuk’s body, but he couldn’t go against Hyuk’s wishes when he said something like that.

A/N: third RvB (Red vs Blue) inspired theme. I think it turned out well, how about you guys?