Discover Top Posts Tagged with #dear santa

Aug 1

Recycled Kaleidoscope

Summary: you've been part of the Cleaners for a year and during that time, Dear has stuck to you like Velcro. The other Cleaners joke about you being related, but...what if you really are?

Pairing: mentions of Enjin x fem! reader, Platonic! Dear x reader (you're his mom, shh)

Tags: No mentions of y/n, 2nd person pov, Dear's Biological Mother! reader, mentions of past teen pregnancy, found family, everyone kinda knows but them (even though they think they're just siblings), angst? fluff, lots of comfort. Sorta beta read...kinda.

Word Count: 3.9k~

Idea inspired by @shady-skys <3

You'd been a part of the Cleaners for almost a year now and some things that happened around HQ had started to bring you a weird sense of comfort.

Like Zanka, Riyo and Rudo are sitting in the common room playing some card game you didn't know the rules to. Bro is chatting in the corner with Enjin while Guita and Dear are sitting on the floor around one of the coffee tables coloring.

You'd claimed one of the comfy armchairs on the other side of the room from everyone, your latest book held open in your left hand. Every so often you'd look up to check on everyone, make sure nothing is wrong. Something about motherly instinct.

Eventually, you can feel someone staring and glancing up, you find Dear standing before you. He's got that look on his face—the one he has every time you catch him staring at Rudo—and a comically big lollipop clenched in his fist.

You smirk, slipping your bookmark into the book and closing it. "Did you need something, Dear?"

The kid had been a constant little satellite the entire time you'd been with the Cleaners. Any time Bro and the rest of your side or in the vicinity. A cute, easily aggravated shadow that got shy any time you gave him a little too much attention.

Riyo had even made the comment, maybe two months into your time with them, that you and Dear had a lot of similar characteristics and you had to agree. Same hair, same attitude—according to Bro—and when you weren't actively focusing on your expression, the same resting face. The suggestion that the two of you could be siblings had been thrown around a few times, but you hadn't seen your parents since you were thirteen, so you had no way of even knowing if that was true.

Dear shakes his head before stepping forward and you automatically know what he wants. Scooting over just enough, Dear climbs onto the chair beside you and cuddles into your side.

"He's always the calmest around you," Riyo comments as she pulls a card from her hand and tosses it onto the pile of cards in the center of the table.

Rudo and Zanka both turn to look at the two of you—your arm carefully curled around Dear as you open your book with the other hand.

"Ya sure you two ain't related?" Zanka asks, eyebrow raised as you glance at him.

"Y'all keep askin' that and I keep tellin' ya I don't think so," Dear shifts and you know he's looking at the book in your hands. "Kid just likes me."

"That's more then just liking you," Riyo says in a sing song as the boys turn back to their game and you roll your eyes.

Bro also liked to make comments about Dear's attachment to you. Any time the older man couldn't find his adopted son, he'd just go looking for you instead.

This time, the two of you are in the kitchen—Dear sitting on a stool at the small island while you stand at the oven, humming while you make breakfast for the two of you.

"I feel like I should start paying you for babysitting," Bro jokes from the doorway, cracking a smile as he watches both you and Dear look over at him, same expression on both your faces.

"Why?" You turn back to your eggs, taking them off the heat and splitting them on two plates. "He's a sweet kid," he glances over at Dear as you place your pan and spatula in the sink. "Never really gives me any issues, ya know?"

You place one plate in front of him with a glass of milk and watch for a second as he pulls Centralian from his mouth to start eating. When he doesn't make a face—arguably the same one you'd make if you didn't want the food put in front of you—you sit down next to him and start eating your own breakfast.

"You two are so similar it's a little scary," Bro comments and you both glance up at him, exact same looks on your faces. "See, like that." You and Dear share a look, which earns a snort of laughter from Bro as he pushes off the door frame. "I'll leave you siblings to it, then."

The kids of Akuta and Bro aren't the only ones that make comments about your little shadow. Your somewhat boyfriend, Enjin, also has a few choice words about it all. Mostly unhappy grumbles about how much Dear tries to push him away from you any time he stops you in the hall for a chat.

"You wanna grab a drink tonight?" Enjin asks with a smirk that gives you heart palpitations.

"Mmm," you hum with a smirk, tapping your chin with a lime green nail. "I'm sure I could be persuaded to go out," that earns a chuckle as Enjin moves to step closer, but stops at the same moment you notice a head of black and white hair appear.

Both glancing down, you find Dear standing between the two of you, glaring up at Enjin as if he's personally slighted the kid.

"Oh, hey Dear," Enjin easily slips into what you lovingly call 'dad mode' as he crouches down to Dear's level. "Did you need something?"

Dear just stares at him before his face scrunches up in that way that let's everyone know he's not having it. You purse your lips so you don't laugh and watch in amusement as the ten year old turns to face you, grabs the sleeve of your cropped jacket and pulls you away from the Akuta leader.

"I'll call you," you call over your shoulder with a awkward smile as Dear ushers you away.

It really did seem like any time you and Enjin managed to have a moment alone together, Dear would materialize from the shadows to give him death glares and pull you away.

It's comedic in a way, but something has to give.

One day as you make your way to Enjin's room clad in shorts and his oversized red sweater, hair thrown up in the messiest excuse for a bun you've ever seen, you find Dear waiting around in the hall.

Coming to an abrupt stop, you tilt your head at him. "Dear," he looks up and his eyes seem to sparkle when they meet yours. "Honey, why are you just chillin' in the hallway?"

He pushes off the wall and walks over, brows furrowing the moment he probably realizes the sweater you're wearing isn't yours.

"Buddy, you gotta lay off it," you giggle as you shake your head, watching him grab the sleeve. "I don't get what your deal is with my boyfriend, but I promise he's a nice guy."

"Aw," you both freeze and glance behind you, finding Enjin sauntering up in the way he always does. Smile plastered on his face. "Didn't realize I'd been promoted."

You roll your eyes, glancing down to find an equally unimpressed Dear. "I mean, if you don't want the title," you start to say, but you're cut off by Enjin wrapping his arms around your waist and planting a kiss on your cheek.

"Don't even finish that," he glances down at Dear and you can feel the smirk on his lips against your cheek. "Hey Dear, there's a new batch of sweets in the common room. If you go now, you'll probably find Rudo."

Enjin's secret weapon. Mention Rudo and Dear would have an internal battle before ultimately deciding he wants to go see him. Which is exactly what happens here.

Dear glances at Enjin for approximately thirty more seconds before glancing at you and turning to walk towards the common room.

The two of you watch him until he turns the corner, which then leads to Enjin's hands slipping under his sweater to rest against your waist. "So, boyfriend, huh?" He asks with a chuckle, kissing your cheek again and making you roll your eyes.

It's a few weeks later when Riyo finally asks what you'd deem a sensitive topic.

You're sitting on the floor in front of the couch as Riyo carefully brushes out your hair before she starts to braid it.

"So," she hums and you glance of your shoulder, book opened in your lap. "Your Jinki," Riyo motions towards the little blue teddy bear hanging from a makeshift keychain on your belt. "It looks like it used to be part of something else."

You blink a few times and glance back down at your book, vaguely aware that Zanka, Enjin and Rudo have quieted down to listen in. "Thought we didn't ask about other people's treasures?" You're teasing her, but your tone is a bit flat.

"You don't have to answer," Riyo replies quietly, fingers carefully twisting your hair into a fishtail.

But, you do want to answer. The four of them specifically had become like family. You considered Riyo, Zanka and Rudo your kids, just like your boyfriend did. Besides, Enjin already knew about your past—you'd told him one late night on the roof with tears streaming down your cheeks in self conscious fear—so it's only fair.

"I do want to answer," you reply after a moment, closing your book and detaching the ring from your belt. "It's from my baby's mobile."

The room goes deathly silent—Riyo's hands still in your hair and the boys aren't even trying to hide that they're looking at you. Your eyes flicker up to catch a small smile on Enjin's lips and you suspected he'd tell you how proud he is of you opening up later.

"You were pregnant?" Riyo asked softly and you smile.

"Had the baby and everything," you reply, thumb rubbing over the palm sized bear. "I was sixteen and scared, though. My parents were gone and I didn't really have anyone but this older lady that lived next door that I called Auntie." You vision starts to blur a bit as you think back to that day. "I gave him up in hopes he'd have a better life then I could give him, ya know?"

Zanka shifts and you glance up, a tear slipping down your cheeks. "Ever think about goin' to find him?"

You wipe your nose with a shrug, moving to clip the key ring back to your belt. "I did for a while, but it's been ten years. I'm sure he has a loving family and I wouldn't wanna shake that up for him."

You don't notice the look the three kids share over your head or the pointed look Riyo shoots Enjin. You also aren't aware of the meeting the four of them have later, arguing over the fact that Dear has to be your son.

After letting your found family know about your past, weird coincidences start occurring. Not even coincidences, just strange shit.

Bro starts staring at you like he's studying a lab specimen, which makes you glare back at him, an eyebrow arched.

One of these times ends with Bro nodding and mumbling, "the kids are definitely on to something," before he slinks away.

Enjin starts asking random questions about your life before the Cleaners, specifically anything you remember about your son.

"I mean," you start, face scrunched in confusion. "I had him until he was one, if that's what you're asking?"

Enjin only nods, hands clasped around the handle of Umbreaker, chin resting atop them. "Think he might have any defining features you'd recognize?"

You meet his eye, almost catching on to his poking and prodding. "I mean, probably not. That was a really long time ago, E." You bite the inside of your cheek with a shrug. "He would probably have something from me, though? I know when I let Auntie take him, I gave her a bag full of essentials."

Enjin's eyebrows raise as he sits up. "Like?"

You're starting to hate this game. "I don't know? Baby essentials? Blankets, diapers, a pacifier, probably."

The look on Enjin's face could only be described as overjoyed, but you just stare at him in confusion.

You really start to catch on that everyone seems to be in on something together when Zanka and Riyo find you walking towards your room after a mission.

"Wanna go with us to see Alice for a check up?" Riyo twirls Ripper around the index finger of her left hand, a sweet smile on her lips.

You stop, boots squeaking loudly as you glance between the two of them—Zanka won't even meet your eye. "Last I checked," you start, crossing your arms over your chest. "Alice didn't do 'check ups'. In fact, I remember her telling me to only show up if I'm bleeding to death."

It's a bald face lie. Alice absolutely adored you and had told you to show up whenever you liked.

Riyo makes a face and Zanka sighs, making you glance towards him at the same moment he rolls his eyes. "Riyo, just come out with it."

"I feel like it's rude to just say it."

"I think she's caught on by now," Zanka sounds irritated and you start to feel like this has been an ongoing argument. Zanka turns to you, face determined as he says your name to get your full attention. "Will you go with us and Dear to Alice's clinic? We think he's your kid."

Your heart jumps into your throat as your mouth goes dry. "What?" It comes out in a rasp and Riyo is already fretting over you.

"Dude, seriously? She just went to pale," you feel her take your hand and it's grounding, but you can't stop staring at Zanka.

"You think," the words violently force themselves around the lump in your throat. "You think Dear is mine?"

"I mean," now it's Zanka's turn to panic and, like some ill timed joke, Enjin rounds the corner at the end of the hall, Bro and Dear in tow. "Have you really looked at 'im? Ya guys act alike."

You blink a few times, attention turning to the three people walking towards you and you watch as Enjin raises an eyebrow in question.

Panic prickles under your skin as you pull your hand from Riyo's grasp and turn away from all of them, taking off down the hallway.

It takes Enjin nearly an hour to find you perched on a rock almost two miles from HQ.

You glance down as he slips out of the Jeep, slipping his hands into the pockets of his uniform pants as he leans against the side and watches you.

"I would have come back eventually," you call, pulling your knees towards your chest and wrapping your arms around your legs. "I just needed to clear my head."

Enjin only watches you for a few more moments, nodding to himself before pulling out a cigarette and lighting one.

The two of you sit in silence like that for a while and you realize that's one of the things you liked about Enjin, he didn't push too hard until he absolutely needed to.

With a sigh, you unfurl yourself and push off the ground, carefully slipping down from your rock and make your way towards the Jeep.

Enjin watches you and flicks his cigarette butt away when you lean against the side of the SUV beside him.

His arm slips around your shoulders and pulls you into his side, the warmth of him making your body relax.

"We don't have to go back just yet if you need more time," his voice vibrates through you and you close your eyes, keeping your breathing even. "I'm sorry about the kids."

You give him a half hearted shrug, wrapping your arms around his waist and burying your face in his chest. "It was just all so," your voice is muffled against his side, but he doesn't move. "overwhelming."

Enjin huffs out a laugh, leaning down and kissing the top of your head. "Yeah," you shift so your standing in front of him and his other arm wraps around you, holding you close. "They do it out of love, though. Whether they'll admit to that or not is up to them," Enjin sighs as you finally look up at him, eyes already watering. "They have good intentions."

"They do," you mumble, really trying not to cry. "I just don't know what good it'll do for Dear if he really is mine."

Enjin hums, glancing at the sky and tilting his head to the side. "I don't think anything would change, really," he starts rubbing soothing circles on your back. "He's always going to look at Bro as his dad, which he is," you nod in agreement. "But," Enjin glances down at you with a soft smile. "It wouldn't hurt to have his mom around, too."

You inhale a shaky breath and choke on a sob as the tears finally break containment, tracking their way down your face. "What if he hates me after finding out? I abandoned him." You pull your arms up and try to hurriedly wipe the tears away, but the tension that's slowly wound itself tighter and tighter over the last ten years finally snaps.

Your knees try to buckle as you sob, but Enjin keeps you steady, one hand continues to rub circles over your back and the other buries itself in your hair, pressing your face against his chest.

"Let it out, babe," he mumbles into your hair as your body shakes. "And if it's any consolation, I doubt that kid could ever hate you. He's been glued to you for a whole year, this wouldn't change a thing."

The two of you stay like that awhile—you sobbing until you physically can't cry anymore and Enjin soothing you to the best of his abilities.

When you finally calm down and he lets you pull away, you look up and meet his eye. "Thank you," it's breathy and you're sure you look a mess, but Enjin only smiles as he cups your cheek with his hand.

"What are boyfriends for if not comforting their girlfriends?" It's a surprisingly soft moment and as he leans in for a kiss, you can't help to think how lucky you are to have met him.

A few days later, you're pacing back in forth in Alice's clinic, arms crossed over your chest so you'd stop biting your nails.

"Yer gonna wear a valley into the floor if ya keep doin' that," Zanka drawls from his chair and Riyo nods in agreement, but you just wave them off.

"If I don't move around, I think I'll have a meltdown," you mutter and Enjin reaches out, wrapping a hand round your thigh. You glance down at his hand and then back to his face, finding only warmth.

"Auntie said it'd only take ten minutes," he glances at the clock on the wall with a smirk. "It's been exactly two."

Huffing out a sigh, you roll your eyes as the clinic door opens, revealing Bro's smiling face. "It's entertaining watching your shadow go back and forth." You shoot him a glare and he snorts out a laugh. "Enjin, are you sure we need this blood test? I'm pretty sure she's his mom just from that look alone."

Bro had been enthusiastic at the idea of you being his son's mom.

When you'd returned to HQ after running that day, he'd scooped you into a bear hug almost immediately.

"I always knew you and Dear had a special connection," he'd said in the common room a little while later, the two of you watching Dear and Rudo argue over sweets. "He loves having you around, but I'm sure you already knew that. I think this would just make it a little more meaningful, give him answers."

It was relieving, in a way, that Bro was so onboard with all of this, even though you hadn't thought anything of the almost instant connection before now. But, it made sense.

The attachment, the way Dear seemed to relax around you, the strange intuition you seemed to have with him—one time you'd run out into the entry, heart racing with anxiety, mere minutes before Team Child had basically tumbled through the front doors.

"I hope you don't think I'm replacing you," you'd replied, not able to meet his gaze. The last thing you wanted was to boot Dear's father out of the picture.

"Not in the slightest," Bro had replied, pulling you into a side hug. "Your adding to my son's life and to mine," he chuckles as Rudo begrudgingly scoots the basket towards Dear. "I just want him to be happy."

Your face softens as your body relaxes, eyes glancing over at Zanka and Riyo, noticing their nervous energy as well. "I don't know why I'm so anxious," you finally say, drawing everyone's attention to you. "I mean, you're right," you glance at Bro with a smile and a shrug. "Not like anything would really change and," you motion towards your other two 'kids'. "Not like I'm not already acting as a mom for Enjin's kids."

You smirk when you notice the way Enjin and Zanka's cheeks go crimson from the comment—Riyo simply beams at you.

"WELL, RESULTS ARE HERE," Alice calls, making everyone jump as she walks into the room. "DO YOU WANT ME TO TELL YOU OR WOULD YOU RATHER READ THEM?"

You glance towards Bro and he nods, letting you know the decision is all yours.

"Um," you chew on the inside of your lip as your nerves start to tangle themselves again."You can just read them aloud," you motion towards everyone. "They're all gonna know, anyway."

Alice smiles as Enjin gives your thigh a reassuring squeeze. "WELL, IT SEEMS THE KIDS WERE RIGHT," Alice flips the papers around so you can read for yourself anyway. "YOU AND DEAR ARE BLOOD RELATED."

You inhale sharply and glance over your shoulder, finding Dear standing in the doorway, eyes wide. He turns his gaze to you and you stare at each other for a moment before he shoots forward and wraps his arms around your waist.

Really trying not to cry this time and failing, you wrap your arms around him with a breathy laugh. "Well, shit," you mutter, the damn breaking as you bury your face in your sons hair. "Found you."

Six Months Later

"Happy Birthday to you!" Everyone sings as you walk out with a small birthday cake.

You'd ordered it and paid a tad bit extra to the Vianders last month so you'd have it for Dear's birthday.

Dear sits at one of the tables in the common room, eyes wide as you sit the cake before him with a smile.

"Happy Birthday to you~" Everyone finishes singing and Dear pulls Centralian from his mouth, blowing out the eleven candle.

You slip around the table and wrap your arms around your son as Bro smiles, dabbing at his eyes—always the sentimental one.

"Did you make a wish?" You ask and Dear nods before wrapping his arms rightly around you. "You wished for me?" He nods again and your eyes sting as you kiss the top of his head, glancing over at Enjin, who only watches with a soft smile on his face.

"I wished for you, too." You mumble against his hair as everyone celebrates around you and the way he tries to hug you tighter makes your chest warm.

Thanks for reading <3

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