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thecrazyalaskanKITT blamed himself. He hadn't gotten to Michael fast enough, and look at what happened. Michael had been beaten to a bloody pulp by a group of thugs. It was something of a miracle he'd been able to stand up when KITT skidded onto the scene, to say nothing of him collapsing into the driver seat and letting KITT do the hard work as he tried to staunch his nosebleed with his shirtsleeve.
He'd been hurting fiercely by the time they'd arrived at the Foundation again, at which point doctors that had already been summoned all but pulled Michael from KITT and whisked him away to destinations inaccessible to the Trans AM.
Now, KITT was parked near a courtyard near the mansion's western entrance, brooding, turning the events over in his CPU and criticizing his performance. KITT was a very harsh self-critic when it came to his failures...
Also on the west side of the mansion was the office of one Devon Miles, who was watching KITT through the glass door that lead to said outside courtyard. He frowned into his teacup. Michael had been brought in two hours ago, and KITT had been in that same spot for the same amount of time, holding a sort of personalized vigil.
So far no one had approached him; that fact didn't bother Devon so much as… Well, if he was being perfectly truthful with himself, it did bother him.
Devon looked at the clock on the wall—3:03 PM, thus the tea in his hand—and out at the black Trans AM again, thinking. Hmm… No one was going to be bothering him for a while anyway (the hour of three to four had long ago been established as his own), and if someone did come looking for him, they needed look no farther than through the glass door he just exited, porcelain cup in hand.
At least the day was nice—sunshine, warm temperatures, a light breeze. It almost belied the events of the earlier afternoon.
Devon crossed the flagstone in a matter of moments—not necessarily because of his speed, but simply because it was a small courtyard. KITT's scanner whirred to life upon his approach, but the Trans AM didn't say anything.
"Hello, KITT," Devon said, being the first to break the silence.
Hello, Devon, KITT replied, decidedly business-like. Afternoon tea, I presume? If he had been human, he would have nodded toward the china cup in Devon's hand.
The human nodded slightly as he swallowed the liquid. "Always and eternally, KITT," he replied, sitting on a low stone wall, facing the Trans AM.
They sat in silence for a moment—Devon looking up at the tree branches overhead, occasionally sipping his tea, while KITT… sat. Who knew what was going through the AI's mind? Finally: Devon, might I inquire what brings you out of doors this afternoon?
"You." Only an idiot would try lying to KITT.
The brief silence that followed was KITT's equivalent of bristling. If you intend to critique my performance from this afternoon, there's no need, the Trans AM replied shortly. I've already started a preliminary analysis for my files.
"This isn't about criticizing," Devon corrected as gently as he could. "This is about making sure you're alright."
Thank you for your concern, KITT said archly, but I'm fine.
"KITT, you're brooding," Devon pointed out. It was almost ironic—KITT could detect others' lies with ease, but was a horrible liar himself.
There was another pause, and Devon could almost picture the Trans AM wilting in resignation. …I failed. The admission was very soft, ashamed. I didn't protect Michael.
"I beg to differ," Devon replied. "You got him here alive, didn't you?"
Alive, but severely injured, KITT protested. I failed him—I did not protect him from harm.
"KITT—" Devon paused. He almost pointed out that making mistakes was a part of human nature, but he knew that wouldn't improve the Trans AM's demeanor. He tried again: "People have done worse things they've needed to rectify."
Something almost like a scoff escaped KITT's voice modulator. Like who?
The human paused to think of an example that would if not completely convince then at least persuade KITT to go a little easier on himself. Only one came to mind: "Myself, for one."
If the Trans AM had an eyebrow to quirk, he would have no doubt done so. Devon, I'm afraid I don't quite follow. Having a very low tolerance for mistakes was one of the things that KITT knew for certain that he and Devon had in common, after all.
"I think you do follow, KITT," Devon pointed out.
That is true, KITT admitted. I just can't imagine you making any sort of major mistake.
"That's because you have to turn the clock back about forty years and be in France," the human commented.
The meaning wasn't lost on KITT—World War Two?
Devon nodded. KITT didn't ask for further details, and Devon found that he was thankful for that. His mind started to wander, and he found himself revisiting the time he spent working with the SIS, the years in France. Lovely country—no doubt much lovelier in times of peace. He certainly regretted having not seen more of it when he could, before returning to England and eventually moving to the United States. Truthfully, he wished he could say he had more pleasant memories of France, but given the war and a great deal of his experiences, it wasn't meant to be. Even more truthfully, the bulk of his memories of the war were undercover work and two bouts in Nazi prisoner of war camps. Spying, he discovered the hard way, was not all it was made out to be.
Devon?
KITT's voice cut into his thoughts, and Devon blinked as the world came back into focus. "Hmm? Yes, KITT?"
You looked… troubled after I mentioned the war, KITT commented slowly. Interpersonal relationships with people who weren't Michael weren't exactly his strong suit. Did I say something inadvertently offensive?
"No, KITT," Devon reassured. "Just… lost in thought."
There was a silence that seemed to be KITT"s equivalent of an understanding nod, followed by the hiss of his drivers' side door opening. It was a sort of… unspoken apology, and an invitation.
The human accepted, just as wordlessly, as he stood and went to settle himself in the drivers seat. He kept one foot on the pavement and sipped the last of his tea; KITT didn't seem to object. Devon admitted, he hadn't worked with the AI much in the latter's short life; he never would have said it aloud to anyone but himself, but for the first six months of KITT's life, he was downright wary of him, fully expecting KITT to turn out like his predecessor, pre-programmed altruism or not.
But time and again, KITT proved himself, separating himself from his "elder brother." He was developed, so far as personality went, far weaker than KARR, but that quickly changed. Devon attributed to working so closely with Michael, a man whose spirit was just as big as his heart and, at times, far bigger than his common sense.
Devon? Again, KITT's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Yes, KITT?" Devon replied.
Michael… Is Michel going to be alright?
Devon smiled and patted the dashboard in the same manner that he would pat the shoulder of a human, regardless of the fact that KITT couldn't feel the gesture. "He's going to pull through just fine, KITT."
They remained that way for the rest of the afternoon, Devon leaving and returning with tea, the newspaper and books to read in KITT's drivers' seat, and KITT silently drawing the support of Devon's presence.
~*~*~*~
Title: The Silence of Friends
Author: TheCrazyAlaskan
Fandom / Setting: Classic Knight Rider
Characters / Pairings: Devon, KITT
Rating: T (angst)
Genre: Hurt / Comfort, Family
Musical Inspiration: “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
Relevant Quotes:
Summary: Sometimes, KITT just needed to be around someone. Even on days when Michael wasn’t there.
~*~*~*~
FINISHED IN TIME FOR FATHERS’ DAY. 8D
This one kinda jumped up and bit me. I don’t even remember how it got here… OH WAIT, I LIE—I had just watched the atrocity that is Knight Rider 2000 and was still having a mini-emo moment over them dropping a bridge on Devon. ><; I dunno why I took that kinda hard but I did. After that I freely admit to having cravings for some decent Devon-based work, preferably with some good father / son interactions with Michael and to some extent KITT. KITT moreso, because I decided to get it right and do it myself (I’ve since discovered that there simply isn’t any good Devon-fic out theresomeone please prove me wrong), and I write and roleplay a better KITT than I do Michael. Enter singing god Josh Groban and “You Raise Me Up” and I can’t even begin to tell you how fast this concept gelled in my brain.
I swear to God this started off as straight up Devon and KITT avuncular* fluff.
. . .
At which point I had to wonder why it was just KITT and Devon.
. . .
Then Michael wanders in and is all, “Sorry I’m late—I just got the snot beat out of me and I had to go get patched up.”
. . .
And so this fic was born.
This thing went through sooooo many changes. It went from featuring Devon, Bonnie and Michael, in that order; to Devon and Bonnie, because I couldn’t find a way to work a reunion scene with Michael in; then just to Devon, because I couldn’t find room for Bonnie. Then from there, I had plans for this awesome war story that Devon was going to tell KITT to illustrate his point about how people made mistakes far worse than not getting to Michael in time. It was going to be awesome, and certainly a Crowning Moment of Badass for him, but I couldn’t work it in without shoehorning it in; besides which, a lot of talking contradicted the prompt, so I had to put the war stories on the back burner.
At the risk of sounding like I’m bragging, I write one fuck of a KITT and a Devon. 8D Truly, one of the highest compliments I’ve received since entering this fandom is how IC I roleplay Devon.
* For those unfamiliar with the term, “avuncular” is, according to Merriam Webster, “suggestive of an uncle, especially in kindliness or geniality.” I don’t describe Devon and KITT’s relationship as being father / son—that’s how I see Devon and Michael’s relationship. (The beauty of it? This is confirmed by David Hasslehoff, as he described his relationship with Edward Mulhare (Devon) as being like a father and son, on and off screen.) It’s subtle in season one, but then season two rolls around and holy mother of God. 8D I cite the following line from “Goliath pt. II” – “If anything happens to Michael, I’ll hold myself personally responsible.” And I’m watching this going, “Devon, you magnificent bastard, you do care…! ;w; ”
My final thought: If I made you wibble or want to go hug your dad or another key male figure in your life, I will have met my goal, and this fic will have fulfilled its purpose.
KITT, Devon Miles, Knight Rider © Glen A Larson
“You Raise Me Up” © Josh Groban
He'd been hurting fiercely by the time they'd arrived at the Foundation again, at which point doctors that had already been summoned all but pulled Michael from KITT and whisked him away to destinations inaccessible to the Trans AM.
Now, KITT was parked near a courtyard near the mansion's western entrance, brooding, turning the events over in his CPU and criticizing his performance. KITT was a very harsh self-critic when it came to his failures...
Also on the west side of the mansion was the office of one Devon Miles, who was watching KITT through the glass door that lead to said outside courtyard. He frowned into his teacup. Michael had been brought in two hours ago, and KITT had been in that same spot for the same amount of time, holding a sort of personalized vigil.
So far no one had approached him; that fact didn't bother Devon so much as… Well, if he was being perfectly truthful with himself, it did bother him.
Devon looked at the clock on the wall—3:03 PM, thus the tea in his hand—and out at the black Trans AM again, thinking. Hmm… No one was going to be bothering him for a while anyway (the hour of three to four had long ago been established as his own), and if someone did come looking for him, they needed look no farther than through the glass door he just exited, porcelain cup in hand.
At least the day was nice—sunshine, warm temperatures, a light breeze. It almost belied the events of the earlier afternoon.
Devon crossed the flagstone in a matter of moments—not necessarily because of his speed, but simply because it was a small courtyard. KITT's scanner whirred to life upon his approach, but the Trans AM didn't say anything.
"Hello, KITT," Devon said, being the first to break the silence.
Hello, Devon, KITT replied, decidedly business-like. Afternoon tea, I presume? If he had been human, he would have nodded toward the china cup in Devon's hand.
The human nodded slightly as he swallowed the liquid. "Always and eternally, KITT," he replied, sitting on a low stone wall, facing the Trans AM.
They sat in silence for a moment—Devon looking up at the tree branches overhead, occasionally sipping his tea, while KITT… sat. Who knew what was going through the AI's mind? Finally: Devon, might I inquire what brings you out of doors this afternoon?
"You." Only an idiot would try lying to KITT.
The brief silence that followed was KITT's equivalent of bristling. If you intend to critique my performance from this afternoon, there's no need, the Trans AM replied shortly. I've already started a preliminary analysis for my files.
"This isn't about criticizing," Devon corrected as gently as he could. "This is about making sure you're alright."
Thank you for your concern, KITT said archly, but I'm fine.
"KITT, you're brooding," Devon pointed out. It was almost ironic—KITT could detect others' lies with ease, but was a horrible liar himself.
There was another pause, and Devon could almost picture the Trans AM wilting in resignation. …I failed. The admission was very soft, ashamed. I didn't protect Michael.
"I beg to differ," Devon replied. "You got him here alive, didn't you?"
Alive, but severely injured, KITT protested. I failed him—I did not protect him from harm.
"KITT—" Devon paused. He almost pointed out that making mistakes was a part of human nature, but he knew that wouldn't improve the Trans AM's demeanor. He tried again: "People have done worse things they've needed to rectify."
Something almost like a scoff escaped KITT's voice modulator. Like who?
The human paused to think of an example that would if not completely convince then at least persuade KITT to go a little easier on himself. Only one came to mind: "Myself, for one."
If the Trans AM had an eyebrow to quirk, he would have no doubt done so. Devon, I'm afraid I don't quite follow. Having a very low tolerance for mistakes was one of the things that KITT knew for certain that he and Devon had in common, after all.
"I think you do follow, KITT," Devon pointed out.
That is true, KITT admitted. I just can't imagine you making any sort of major mistake.
"That's because you have to turn the clock back about forty years and be in France," the human commented.
The meaning wasn't lost on KITT—World War Two?
Devon nodded. KITT didn't ask for further details, and Devon found that he was thankful for that. His mind started to wander, and he found himself revisiting the time he spent working with the SIS, the years in France. Lovely country—no doubt much lovelier in times of peace. He certainly regretted having not seen more of it when he could, before returning to England and eventually moving to the United States. Truthfully, he wished he could say he had more pleasant memories of France, but given the war and a great deal of his experiences, it wasn't meant to be. Even more truthfully, the bulk of his memories of the war were undercover work and two bouts in Nazi prisoner of war camps. Spying, he discovered the hard way, was not all it was made out to be.
Devon?
KITT's voice cut into his thoughts, and Devon blinked as the world came back into focus. "Hmm? Yes, KITT?"
You looked… troubled after I mentioned the war, KITT commented slowly. Interpersonal relationships with people who weren't Michael weren't exactly his strong suit. Did I say something inadvertently offensive?
"No, KITT," Devon reassured. "Just… lost in thought."
There was a silence that seemed to be KITT"s equivalent of an understanding nod, followed by the hiss of his drivers' side door opening. It was a sort of… unspoken apology, and an invitation.
The human accepted, just as wordlessly, as he stood and went to settle himself in the drivers seat. He kept one foot on the pavement and sipped the last of his tea; KITT didn't seem to object. Devon admitted, he hadn't worked with the AI much in the latter's short life; he never would have said it aloud to anyone but himself, but for the first six months of KITT's life, he was downright wary of him, fully expecting KITT to turn out like his predecessor, pre-programmed altruism or not.
But time and again, KITT proved himself, separating himself from his "elder brother." He was developed, so far as personality went, far weaker than KARR, but that quickly changed. Devon attributed to working so closely with Michael, a man whose spirit was just as big as his heart and, at times, far bigger than his common sense.
Devon? Again, KITT's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Yes, KITT?" Devon replied.
Michael… Is Michel going to be alright?
Devon smiled and patted the dashboard in the same manner that he would pat the shoulder of a human, regardless of the fact that KITT couldn't feel the gesture. "He's going to pull through just fine, KITT."
They remained that way for the rest of the afternoon, Devon leaving and returning with tea, the newspaper and books to read in KITT's drivers' seat, and KITT silently drawing the support of Devon's presence.
~*~*~*~
Title: The Silence of Friends
Author: TheCrazyAlaskan
Fandom / Setting: Classic Knight Rider
Characters / Pairings: Devon, KITT
Rating: T (angst)
Genre: Hurt / Comfort, Family
Musical Inspiration: “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
Relevant Quotes:
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Without silence, there would be no sound.” – Justin Bryan Snider
“If you do not understand my Silence, how will you understand my Words?” – Unknown
Summary: Sometimes, KITT just needed to be around someone. Even on days when Michael wasn’t there.
~*~*~*~
FINISHED IN TIME FOR FATHERS’ DAY. 8D
This one kinda jumped up and bit me. I don’t even remember how it got here… OH WAIT, I LIE—I had just watched the atrocity that is Knight Rider 2000 and was still having a mini-emo moment over them dropping a bridge on Devon. ><; I dunno why I took that kinda hard but I did. After that I freely admit to having cravings for some decent Devon-based work, preferably with some good father / son interactions with Michael and to some extent KITT. KITT moreso, because I decided to get it right and do it myself (I’ve since discovered that there simply isn’t any good Devon-fic out there
I swear to God this started off as straight up Devon and KITT avuncular* fluff.
. . .
At which point I had to wonder why it was just KITT and Devon.
. . .
Then Michael wanders in and is all, “Sorry I’m late—I just got the snot beat out of me and I had to go get patched up.”
. . .
And so this fic was born.
This thing went through sooooo many changes. It went from featuring Devon, Bonnie and Michael, in that order; to Devon and Bonnie, because I couldn’t find a way to work a reunion scene with Michael in; then just to Devon, because I couldn’t find room for Bonnie. Then from there, I had plans for this awesome war story that Devon was going to tell KITT to illustrate his point about how people made mistakes far worse than not getting to Michael in time. It was going to be awesome, and certainly a Crowning Moment of Badass for him, but I couldn’t work it in without shoehorning it in; besides which, a lot of talking contradicted the prompt, so I had to put the war stories on the back burner.
At the risk of sounding like I’m bragging, I write one fuck of a KITT and a Devon. 8D Truly, one of the highest compliments I’ve received since entering this fandom is how IC I roleplay Devon.
* For those unfamiliar with the term, “avuncular” is, according to Merriam Webster, “suggestive of an uncle, especially in kindliness or geniality.” I don’t describe Devon and KITT’s relationship as being father / son—that’s how I see Devon and Michael’s relationship. (The beauty of it? This is confirmed by David Hasslehoff, as he described his relationship with Edward Mulhare (Devon) as being like a father and son, on and off screen.) It’s subtle in season one, but then season two rolls around and holy mother of God. 8D I cite the following line from “Goliath pt. II” – “If anything happens to Michael, I’ll hold myself personally responsible.” And I’m watching this going, “Devon, you magnificent bastard, you do care…! ;w; ”
My final thought: If I made you wibble or want to go hug your dad or another key male figure in your life, I will have met my goal, and this fic will have fulfilled its purpose.
KITT, Devon Miles, Knight Rider © Glen A Larson
“You Raise Me Up” © Josh Groban
