Chapter Text
Rumor had it that, in part, Mikhail Ivanovich Petrov’s genetic template had been copied from famed Russian dancers. After living all seventeen years of his life on an isolated planet, Arjun Noonien Singh never had the cultural context to fully comprehend what that meant, but when Mikhail’s daughter Ekaterina, Katya, grew into a young woman, he began to understand. A slender form, long limbs, elegant posture…she drove him wild.
It was the rainy season on Ceti Alpha V: wet and dark, but at least it warm. Arjun had been thinking about Katya for weeks but couldn’t puzzle out how how to approach her, or when would be the best time, or what to say. When he finally caught her alone it was only in passing. The moment seemed as though it would skip through his fingers, so he reached out to grab her arm. She flinched and pulled away.
“What do you want?” Katya snapped, shrinking away. She spoke in Russian, knowing that Arjun would understand. The original Augments who fled earth so long ago were an international crew, and ever since he had been a a small child Arjun had easily been able to speak each language he heard around him.
“A bit more respect to start,” Arjun demanded. “You know who you’re speaking to. Mostly, though I want your companionship, to spend time with you, to know you, and to see what might come of it.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Katka.” Arjun spoke forcefully and stepped closer. He had an intimidating appearance: tall, muscular, and looked older for his age. “I’m not used to being told no.”
“Taking rejection is an important lesson to learn.”
Arjun reached for Katya again, but she ran away, just as quick as she was graceful. He let her go, they’d cross paths again soon, and maybe she would come to her senses by then.
Katya was off and into the rain, trying to find some secret place to find a moment to gather her thoughts. It was no easy task, out of necessity the settlement on Ceti Alpha V was compactly built, but if you looked carefully you could find a private alcove.
She had her usual spot, but her heart sank when she reached the place and saw that someone else had the same idea. Maya Noonien Singh was the older of Khan’s children, but Katya often saw her as the little sister. Her mother was the only non-Augment to step foot on Ceti Alpha V, and Maya was smaller, quiet, and trailed behind her peers.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to bother you,” Katya turned to go. She spoke in English now, well aware that Maya didn’t have the same linguistic talent as her brother.
“No, it’s fine,” Maya pleaded. “It’s less solitude that I want, just space from certain people.”
“Me too. Oddly enough it’s your brother I want to avoid,”
“My half brother,” Maya corrected. “When he’s disagreeable, I want to put more space between us.”
“Your half brother wants a relationship with me and was furious to be refused”
Maya’s eyes grew wide with shock. “You don’t mean that he..?”
“No, no nothing like that, he was only frustrated.”
A moment of silence as the two of them listened to the rain. “It was brave of you to turn him down.” Maya finally said. “Everyone else seems to adore him to curry favor with our father.”
“I’m surprised more people don’t adore you.”
Maya froze for a moment before she answered. “I…don’t understand.”
“It’s refreshing to be around you. You aren’t completely absorbed in yourself.”
“My father might consider that a weakness.”
“Maybe he’s wrong.” Katya suggested, reaching out to touch Maya’s hand.
Maya held Katya’s hand, even though it felt like a bold act of defiance. “Don’t let anyone else know you think that.”
Katya kissed the back of Maya’s hand. “Our secret.”